August almost to a close

Well I said that I would celebrate Liesl's birthday all month and we sure did. We had cakes all month and birthday parties. 3 in total to make make sure everyone was able to celebrate with her. Last Saturday we had one with all our friends and some family with all the little kids we could muster. We had 8 little kids there mostly around her age. We had the large blow up pool with the makeshift Little Tykes slide with a hose hooked up. Some of the little boys were jumping off the slide into the water. Little daredevils! All the little kids had such a good time together on the swingset and the pool. They had a great time with the pinata. Thanks to Vince for breaking open the treasure chest to reveal the candy. We had all kinds of treats for them and tattoos which they put on right away. Ran around with thier little eyepatches with skulls on them.

The weekend before we had Scott and Melisa, Oma Ronnie and Opa, Kimmee and Dennis over for cake and such. It was such a nice little gathering. We played with all of her new toys together esp the play doh and took pictures of all the funny creatures we all made.







The weekend before that Oma Ronnie and Opa Peter had a party for her and invited Aunt Melisa and Uncle Scott. It was also a nice gathering with a beautiful Barbie cake. They were all special to her. Thank you everyone for making her birthday celebrations perfect. Love you!

Looking forward to maybe seeing the elephants in Sept when it cools off in OH. More zoo time with the Dinos before the exhibit closes in Detroit and maybe some more farm center time. Fall is my favorite time of year. Apple Orchards sound like so much fun now. Also looking forward to mom and dad's sailing trip and hooking up with them along the way. Next weekend, 4 day weekend, might do some kayaking up north with Oma Gabi, Daddy and Liesl.

Pregnancy schedule

This is what I believe to be my due date and how far I am along

Baby Tierney on the way

I have been feeling a little off for over a month now. I have taken a few pregnancy tests in July but they were negative. But I knew something was going on. I was so positive that I avoided going too far in the hot tub, avoided alcohol and all the usual even though I had no proof. The day after Liesl's 3rd birthday I was so sure of myself that I knew I had to take another test. I was having some pretty severe symptoms of a baby. Monday I got up the courage to test if it was a baby or if there was something else crazy going on. I went to lunch and picked up a couple tests. When I took it in the work bathroom I was waiting and waiting for results that had so instantly appeared that I thought they were the control results. Then I looked again and still didn't believe it. When I got home I took another to show Jim I wasn't pulling his leg. Both positive. Yesterday evening I visited the Dr and got a blood test and got the positive results again today. Definitely pregnant but not sure how far along I am. Per my calculations and the way I am feeling I am thinking 7 weeks. We will see when I go into the OB and find out how far I am. I cant wait to hear the heartbeat and see an ultrasound. I wonder about the sex of the little baby. Liesl is excited about her new sibling. We have been talking about it and what it will be like to be a big sister. I will continue to discuss it with her so she is ready for the new change. I believe she will be a good big sis. I cant wait for her see/hear proof. Biggest decision now is whether to go to Crittendon or Beaumont.... I found a Beaumont Dr that has midwives in thier group. But then there is the closeness and familiarity and awesomeness of Crittendon. It seems like the one Dr that I didnt like out of the OB I had with Liesl is no longer with thier group which is great. We shall see. I have to make an appt soon here

Birthday Celebrations

Alot happened in July and apparently I missed blogging in July and am only noticing almost half through August??? How could you Momma! Well, to catch this up:

Liesl knows her right from left and she knows others right from left. She can point out someone's right or left hand while facing them. Pretty good for an almost 3 yr old. I have been kind of concerned about her wandering eye, so much so that when I went to the optometrist I asked them about it. Apparently I really should take her to a pediatrician optometrist and get it checked out. She has been doing it more and more lately. I know my prescription has really increased in the past 3 years. She has been doing spectacularly on the potty. Yesterday was a 1 pull up day for her and she didn't even break a sweat. it is so funny watching her yell "I'm going poop!" and run to the potty to not have gone poop or tinkle in the pull up and make it. She really is loving her puzzles. Especially on the potty. She will whip out 3+ puzzles when sitting on there all on her own. I don't think she knows that she can do the puzzles outside of the bathroom sometimes. She was really upset in the car because of an accident she had. When we got to Ruby Tuesdays she announced to the whole restaurant that she had gone poop. There were several snickers. 

We went to the Fairytale Festival at the Ford house a couple weeks ago with Sandi, Dee, Scott, Melisa and Mom. Grady and Liesl had a blast with all of the kid friendly stuff like the playhouse, three Little Pigs houses, Story time carpet, wading pool which Liesl was the leader of the pack in getting everyone to swim. Both Grady and Liesl's diapers almost exploded from the absorption. There was a crazy Mad Hatter guy that did a really good job, Some princesses that the kids loved to talk to. Tattoos (Grady chose a boy fairy for his arm and Liesl chose a Pirate skull of course). We missed out on Cinderella's Carriage because the kids were starting to melt. had a little snack along the trail and met some pirates. All around a good day. Too bad I was on call that day and actually had to end up working while walking. thank God for Smart phones!

We have been going to the zoo quite often and visiting Liesl's dinosaurs. They never get old for her.She still studies them all individually and knows who they all are. I like how she can categorize what all of them are and names them. We took a little train ride at the zoo on Sunday on the way back home from Amber and Erin's Wedding (Congratulations you two). I dont think I have been on that train in over 25 years. It was really fun, especially to be able to go direct to the African Safari stuff right away. I cant wait for the new Lion exhibit to complete.

 

This past weekend was Amber and Erin's wedding. You guys did an awesome job. The venue was gorgeous. I wouldn't have changed a thing. Thank you so much for including Liesl in your day. She was very happy to be a lady in waiting to you and do all those girly things that go along with being in a wedding. She even got to wear her same flower girl dress that I love from Scott and Melisa's Wedding from the Fall and her crown. I put her hair up in little curls and rows with green jewels and the crown. She was so funny that day. I had to have several discussions with her on how important her job was and what was going on and who was following who and she was picture perfect. She kept telling me all day she was a bridesmaid and that she got married which was super cute. She walked down the aisle flawlessly with Autumn, rounded the front of the gazebo and sat down with mommy and got her "due sucker" for her perfect performance as promised. Thank you also to Aunt Gloria for the beautiful pictures you took of her in the gardens. I also cannot wait to see Amber's photographer's pictures. Although he had little patience for our little toddler's squirming and put her in very few group shots I think that he got some good ones thanks to Shannon and my antics behind the camera.  Liesl was the first one on the dance floor (even before dinner and was so stubborn about leaving it that she didn't want anything to do with me. She avoided me all evening thinking that I was going to take her off of it.

Liesl is quite the swimmer. She really is a little daredevil. She has been practicing with  Oma in Barb Gater's pool this summer  and hanging out with Colton and Kayla (Barb's grandchildren). We also have a bigger sized wading pool in our backyard that we have hooked up her little Tykes slide to and she goes in all the time. She has gotten used to blowing bubbles, getting her head wet, loves to jump into your arms in the deep end. Loves hot tubs and is starting to show beginnings of doggie paddle. I am hoping to get her into more lessons in the Fall. She spent hours in the pool right before the wedding 730 to 1030 and good for that too because she managed a good length nap before we had to get ready to go

Couple weeks ago Gavin and Liesl made cupcakes together (with the Mom's help of course). They turned out very well and the kids had a fun time doing it together. I was glad to get a bunch of pictures of them.

Gavin just turned 3 last week, happy birthday to you little guy. Your party was fun and your mom did a great job! I liked the little tent and decorations. Wish we didn't have so much going on that day

Sandi turned 70 and we all went to the Whitney to celebrate. All of the kids "hit the wall" at one time or another during the evening. thank god Ro works there and was able to get us a private room to contain them. I am glad that the kids did as well as they did and played nicely together minus a few flying objects during dinner. Thanks Dee and Sandi for the gift bags to help keep them occupied. Sandi, your speech was perfect, thank you for all you said. We feel the same about you too. You have been a big influence in our lives as well.

This year Liesl is having a Pirate themed birthday beach party. She is quite excited about the birthday and we have been ramping up activities in August and will be continuing through the month. uncle Dennis went to Gen Con and bought her a tri corner leather pirate hat. She is really loving it. thank you uncle D! She also loves her Thomas track and looking forward to going shopping with her own money.She has been practicing for her party with all kinds of mini celebrations. All last weekend she was getting cake and blowing out candles. She still knows that it isn't her birthday yet. When we mention it she says my birthday isn't today or isn't yet.

Yesterday Liesl went to the Bounce house with Kayla and Colton to start her celebrating. Mom said she had a blast running around there with them and there was no part that was left un-played on there. She then went to McDonald's play-land afterwards and continued the playing. She was so good I decided to take Oma and Liesl to see the Smurfs (which Liesl insisted on) wish I hadn't given her a choice. She has been going to the movies a bit this summer because Opa shouldn't be out in the heat. I don't think I hear any complaints from Liesl. She has seen Winnie the Pooh probably too many times to count and has gone to see Cars II  with Momma and Daddy. She loved it.

Dinosaurs and Doggies

This past Friday I watched Gavin while Tommy and Heather had a night out on the town. Liesl was super tired so was in bed by 7:30. She slept though the whole evening so gave me time to focus on Gavin. He was super quiet and good for me. He ate a lot of popcorn and watched a few movies, colored and munched on snacks. Liesl woke up about 12:30 when Jim came home and snuggled with Gavin and I until he fell asleep on the couch at 1:30. He had his first overnight Yay Gavin!

Saturday we took Liesl and Papa Jack to the zoo to see the Dinosaurs. Pretty much that is what we saw too. All the other animals were resting and or out of sight there. We tried to see the Apes and got brief glimpses of them. Watched the camels and deer. Played on the playground briefly. Had snacks that I packed near the Coney Island and that was pretty much it.  Liesl was just as interested or more interested in the dinosaurs than any of the other times she had been there and studied them extensively. I think she actually spent more time studying them this time. While Daddy mowed the lawn, Liesl and I met some neighbors and accross the street to the beach and made sandcastles in the sand with their 2 girls.  They were very nice and I am hoping to hang out with them more.

Sunday, Liesl let us sleep in til 11. She came in and watched the Lion King and drank her chocolate milk until Momma woke up. We got a lot done in the garden and I planted some more vegetables in the garden. I think I am going to have to expand that area out to accommodate more. I transplanted some strawberries off the lawn into a pot to see if I can get some to grow. I have transplanted a raspberry bush as well. Evelyn sent me some of her plants from her garden. I planted some poppy seeds and a butterfly garden out front. I am hoping that it grows so late in the season (crossing fingers). We then got together all the doggie things we had left over and got supplies from Meijer like a crate and collar and picked up Stormy. We cleaned him up really good and started training in the crate. He is such a good dog, he has already found his potty spot and his place to chill when we are home and has gotten used to sleeping in the crate. He was sleeping like a log this morning in there. I am hoping to get him used to walks again. He is so much happier now. I feel better that he has a stable environment to live in. He sat outside on the leash for hours yesterday drying off, soaking in the sun and sniffing the air. He looked super happy and relaxed out there. Liesl is very gentile with him and loves to pet his soft fur. I will have to post pictures of the little guy soon.

Playing Catch - UP

The past couple weeks has been filled with Zoo time with the Perrys. We went again to see the Dinosaurs. It was just as exciting as the first time. The kids rode in the radio flyer wagon the whole way like tourists to an ancient land studying them as they went. We then visited the new National Coney next to the exhibit and then the Apes and polar bears which was enough. The little baby chimp was very cute and still small (the one that is Liesl and Gavin's age). He was still clinging close to his momma and she kept a watchful eye on him. The kids really enjoyed interacting in this exhibit with them and checking out both the gorillas and chimps.

Amber's shower was also a blast. Liesl and Autumn had a good time at Oma's house playing in the basement while we had adult time upstairs. It was a rough morning already with her and I was thankful for it. She was in a much better mood when we got done with the bike trip to Oma's to the party and could see everyone. Not that the bike ride did it. that actually cheered her up. I think she was taking issue to all of the rush of the morning and resisting the movement.

This past weekend for Father's day we went to the Stoney Creek Beach with the Perrys and went swimming. The kids had a great time snacking on the treats we brought with us and playing in the sand and water. They were in far longer that I think any of the adults cared to stay in. Later that day after lunch we all went for a bike ride after picking up the Perrys at their house to the Mill for ice cream on the Paint Creek Trail and then some playground time. Monday through Wednesday I had some time off and took Ota up to the cottage. We had a good time there playing in the lake. She actually enjoyed having her life jacket on. She tried many times to run out the back door to go into the lake and I had to chase her. We ended up having to lock up the house to prevent escape. A few times we kayaked to the playground on the other end of the lake to go swimming and play on the jungle gym and merry - go - round. We were playing a game on the jungle gym she called pirate/princess. I was Princess Coconut and she was Baby Pirate Captain Stegosaurus. She had captured me and locked me up in the cave as she said it and I would escape every once in a while. The second time we went to the park, Liesl and I got chased back by thunderstorms. It rained most of the weekend but we also managed to have 2 campfires and smores this weekend. Liesl enjoyed them but ate the smores as separate pieces. At one point I had turned my head and she downed a whole chocolate bar. On the way back home the rain was crazy. We decided to visit Oma Gabi for dinner and take some of their gear back home for them. Oma and Liesl and Grandad were happy to be reunited. Cant wait for mom to get back so I can have my biking buddy back.

Go on a bike ride Momma?

I hear "Go on a bike ride Momma?" every night....and I follow through for her. Pulling that bugger is like going twice the distance without it. I would like to see how fast I would go without it. Have been going about 20 or miles a night and last night I started Zumba on the Wii which is a pretty sweet workout game. It teaches you a bunch of dance moves and incorporates them into a workout, It is a very fun way of working out and I could possibly know what I am doing when Amber's wedding comes around. Liesl was asleep when I was doing it last night. I am curious to see her do it too. Think she is gonna like it. Jim really likes the music they have in it. Heather and I have been talking about opening up a home day care in the "Lorin basement"...."soon" we shall see how quickly I can get that going. I have to do some cleaning and remodeling and such and I would like to get some cots. Melisa has indicated that she might be interested in going in on it with us when her school year is up I think next year. So we would have a pretty decent "staff". Sounds like an awesome bunch of ppl to work with. Liesl would love it too. PLUS. it would allow Melisa to get pregnant sooner I just realized! I sure have enough stuff to have one. Liesl has really been enjoying the hot weather. Plays in the pool and on the swingset and slide. We makshifted a waterslide into her kiddie pool from the little tykes slide. She has been visiting places like Partridge Creek and playing in the fountains. We took the cover off Barb Gater's pool last night and she should have the pool ready by next Monday. Liesl is quite excited about it.

We went to the zoo for thier new Dinosauria exhibit last Saturday and Liesl was in her glory. The people around us got a big kick out of the way that she studied each of the dinosaurs and identified them and described them to us. They have such a big exhibit there. There was a 1/2 mile trail with I think over 25 dinos, all animatronic. It was like the Science center but outside and bigger but without being able to control the dinosaurs....ohe yeah and way cheaper! They also have a new coney island right outside the exhibit in the zoo. It was really hopping there. We didnt last long after the dinosaurs. She kind of had a little meltdown. It was hot and no nap yet so she crashed.

Tonight Liesl and Grady are gonna have  a play date and Liesl is pumped. I mentioned it and she hasnt stopped talking about it. She has been getting a lot of time with Kelly's kids Cayla and Colton. I guess they were all supposed to go for a ride in the buggers the other day and have not made it out.