Nicki And Adam's Family Blog

It all began on December 6th, at 12:30pm. Adam and I had just gone to bed around 10pm and I awoke with one little cramp 2 hours later. I got up to go to the bathroom when I felt my water break. My water did not break with Charlie, so I wasn't sure what this experience would feel like. I then told Adam what happened and I think he exclaimed "It's go time." We called the hospital and they asked about contractions. I wasn't really having any, so they said to take our time and come in at our leisure. We called Barb and she came to our house to sleep so we wouldn't have to wake up Charlie. We got to the hospital around 1:15 or 2 and of course they do the millions of checks on me. The contractions were still not hard or regular, so they had me walk and walk and walk and walk some more. Around 4am they started appearing regularily. If they hadn't, the on-call OBGYN (not my normal dr.) wanted to start the Pitocin at 4am. Ha! No chance in hell I was letting tha...

...and on a funny note. I painted my toenails and fingernails and am officially 37 weeks tomorrow (Tuesday) and a full moon is on the 28th of November. I am ready now to go into labor! (assuming the baby agrees with me!)

I use to jokingly call myself immunity woman. I seemed to be able to beat out about any virus that came my way...that is, until I had a child. Immunity WOMAN...FAIL! Who knew that 2 year old diseases were do distructive?!! Well, beyond a few (or more) viruses that have hit our house this year, the biggest threat to my immunity has been a very odd and rarely bacterial infection. I have NO clue how I got it, I assume it is community acquired and NO one else in my family or anyone I know was infected. Weird weird. I had what is called C-Diff. It is a bacterial infection of the intestines. It normally causes massive and horrible diarrhea. Often times leading to really bad dehydration and death. I escaped that. In fact, my diarrhea wouldn't have even flagged my attention other than the fact that at the time I was 34 weeks pregnant. I thought it was pre-term labor. Turns out, nope.....FAIL. I have a bacterial infection mostly found in people over 65 who have had hospital stays and ...

Charlie had an awesome time with Halloween this year. It was about 45 and sunny that day, so perfect for Wisconsin Trick or Treating. He walked an entire hour collecting candy and practicing his manners of "Trick or Treat" and "Thank you." We had a great time and are so thrilled that Charlie had so much fun. He even liked handing out the candy once he decided the walking was all done. Here are some great pictures of his pirate costume. He called the skeleton a "scary monster"--he doesn't know what the word "scary" means, or probably even the word "monster" but he still got a huge kick out it! Yeah, Charlie didn't do ANY of the work. Wouldn't even touch the goop! Adam and I did most of the work! Charlie looking and posing! We dropped by Auntie Lauries for some candy!

Here is an updated picture. I am still not gaining that much weight, but I think we have a bacteria figured out for that part. Hopefully, in the next few weeks I can add a few pounds on. On a good note, however, the baby is growing just fine. He/she is measuring at exactly where he/she should. I am just little, plain and simple.

Charlie: "It's Mommy" (while in the line at the grocery store, points to a magazine picture of Jennifer Aniston). Me: "Yes, it is mommy!" (who am I do deny a compliment like that?) Adam: (upon calling him to tell him the funny story) "I think it is time that Charlie get's his eyes checked."

Charlie has moved to his new room to make room for the new baby. He has a "fishy" theme which is the same quilt, curtains and sheets that Adam used as a child Charlie's age. Kind of fun to pass down a few little things where we can and make them look "contemporary." He had no issue transitioning. He loved his new room, new bed, fishes, etc....he seems completely fine with the baby going into the new room and doesn't seem to miss his toddler bed at all.  Here are some cute pictures of the room and Charlie and myself reading books. Alright, so I lied. I guess these pictures aren't really of his room. We will get those taken at some point when were are fully done decorating. But, here are a few pics of him in his big boy bed!

Charlie LOVES playing in the leaves. Adam rakes all our leaves into this Mount Rainer/Hood size pile and the jumping and playing commences. A Crest Kid! The extended arm Mommy and Charlie pic! Posing! Some Daddy/Charlie bonding time. I love my boys! Enjoy these adorable pics of the beautiful leaves during fall!

I have made this dish twice now and I am still craving more of it. I love it, love it, love it. My husband likes it and Charlie eats it as well!!! Here is the recipe from the "French Kids Eat Everything" cookbook. If only the U.S. cooked something like this everyday! Stuffed Tomatoes Tomates Farcies (Stuffed Tomatoes) Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking: 20 minutes Servings: 4 small adult (or older child) servings This is one of our family's favorite recipes. Tomates farcies (stuffed tomatoes) are both filling and fun. The tomatoes are hollowed out and stuffed (in this case, with a savory ground beef mixture called "farce"), and then baked to perfection. The farce peeks out of the tomatoes in a coquettish sort of way, and the children love lifting up the tomato "hats" to see what lies underneath. Served with something that can absorb the delicious juices (rice and couscous are our favorites), this is a complete and easy, tasty meal. INGREDIEN...

Dancing with grandpa! Loved this! Dancing dancing dancing! Loved the strawberry sundae! Dancing with his girlfriend-Robin.

Our little boy is growing up so much! I just love his cute little face! Here are some developments as of lately: --Likes to go "pee pee" in the potty when candy is involved (or rewarded). Is not nearly consistent in this area, but this is probably more a parenting issue than child. We just like the "flexibility" of diapers! ha! --Loves to read books! Often ends our sentences on familiar books or sings the majority of the musical books. --Excellent at puzzles. Enjoys them and puts them together on his own. Just the simple wooden ones so far. --Can sing his alphabet song when in the mood and do it correctly. --Loves to "pull the weeds" all the time (weird!). --Putting together many many words to make a whole variety of sentences. --Asks questions of "where'd he/she go?" --Put together a whole family--today he said "Go bowling with Auntie Jeannie, Uncle Greg, Raelee, Emma, Dan and Maggie?"--I was shocked. That is a la...

For 6 days we hosted an student from Japan. Her name is Juna and she is 14 years old. It is part of the sister-city exchange with a city in Japan. We all had a great time with her and although her English was limited, it is amazing how people learn to communicate without much language sometimes! She loved Charlie! He was always laughing with her and giggling. Very Cute. We went mini golfing, shopping to Mayfair mall, had a bonfire, went Jet Skiing, she went to Madison with another family, bowling and much more through her organization that runs this exchange. It was our first time hosting a student. It was a good trial for us. We would definitely recommend this program, but we will probably wait until our kids are a bit older. It is hard planning a bunch of stuff for a teenager when you have to lug around a 2 year old (and more...). Here are some pictures: Juna and Shiori mini-golfing... Juna and Shiori hanging with Charlie.  A dance they performed on their final...

21 weeks pregnant and feeling quite good. This was before a wedding that we attended!

....is called "Bringing up Bebe" by Pamela Druckerman. As a warning of caution, I am a new mother. Parenting stuff interests me, ESPECIALLY the way other cultures parent their children. I realize that many people are not "into" this stuff and would thus not be at all intrigued by this book. Another word of caution. I am not French. I have never been to France. In fact, I am not sure that I have ever met someone who is from France. I don't attest to liking the French or disliking them. My conservative brother Russ dislikes them, which would make me think I would like them, but it is hard to tell. But, I LOVE this book. LOVE LOVE LOVE! A woman from America marries a British man and they live in France. Both are some sort of journalists. In the midst of living in France, she has 3 children. 1 singleton and a set of twins. She is constantly baffled at what she sees when she is at restaurants, children sitting and eating a four course dinner, when she is at the...

We had a small gathering of people for cake for my birthday. I am pretty sure when the candles were lit and the singing had begun, Charlie thought it was his birthday....again! Cute Cute! Here are some pics!