Just my Opinion.....

So this girl has caused a lot of controversy at our state's flagship university. This is Rebecca Durst the new Mountaineer. At first, like most I didn't like that WVU picked a girl to be the next Mountaineer. Then I really thought about it, I have two daughters and one who just loves the Mountaineers and hopefully (if we brain wash her enough) another that loves them just as much. Anyway, I would bet Drea is a better Mountaineer fan then half the people in stands. She knows the fight song, country roads, the first down cheer, etc….she loves football. Anyway, my point is this, I would be so proud to say my daughter was the Mountaineer. So I change my mind and now there is one more thing my girls can be when they grow up. Hopefully, others will grow up some too and realize this isn’t the worst thing to ever happen. Besides if this Mountaineer thing doesn't work out for Rebecca, I guess she can become Secretary of State.

This is Natalie Tennant...she was the first female Mountaineer and our current Sec. of State

Blessed with so many friends

Sarah and I were having a conversation today about the friends our children have. I commented that Drea doesn't have many friends besides her cousins and Isak and Madison...but the more I thought about it...I take that back.

Drea is blessed with so many friends. Almost too many to count. Below are some pictures of her many friends and cousins.

My friend, Madison

My friend and dress-up partner (whether he wants to be or not), Isak

My friends, Zayne and Eden

My cousins and friends, Lydia and Brynn

My cousin and friend, Tyler

My cousin and friend, Barrett

My friends, Seneca, Lora, Mackenzie and Sarah (also pictured Aunt Kareen and Eden)

My friends and cousins, Kristi and Heather

My cousin and friend, Davey

My cousins and friends, Madison, Max, Sydney, AJ, and Taylor (not pictured John and Carson)

My newest friend...my little sister, Charlotte

Friends I don't have pictures of: Caleb, Jack, Rylee, Allie, Karson, Alex, Ethan, Ansley, Thursday night dance class and Ms. Rikki's 3 yr old daycare class...and so many more!

Thank you God for blessing our girls with so many people who love them and fill their lives with joy.

Not a lot of blogging time

So I haven't had a whole lot of down time to post. Wonder why? Not sure especially since Andy seems to do most of the work around here and not me...but probably because when you are your child only source of nutrition it doesn't leave you a whole lot of time for anything else. As soon as you feed the baby and then try to get anything else done it's time to feed the baby again. I would merely enjoy getting to take a shower more often (ewww gross, I know) let alone posting blogs, catching up on emails or facebook.

So I may go back and add some things to my husbands last few blogs so I can add something to our blog! (I will add my notes in a different color.) I've created a blogging monster by the way! Andy loves blogging!

Chick update and other musings

• Good news regarding our newest house guests. Well, sort of. Both chicks were able to find a home on a farm. One farm in West Virginia and another in heaven. I think the one must have been sick or something it never really looked that good. The worst part about it besides that it died was the other chick pooped on it after it passed. Poor thing never had a chance. Please no one tell Drea about the chick in heaven...she thinks we found a farm for it. -sn

• Those of you who follow WVU sports know that Michigan is not our favorite college. Anyway, this past week my mom was visiting, this usually means eating, eating, and even more eating. We like to take Judy to different places and especially places with a local flare. One such place (you may have heard of it) Applebees was one of our stops on the eating tour. While sitting waiting for our food, college game day came on the tv behind us. Drea being the football fan that she is noticed the blue and gold uniforms of Michigan. She informed me that she liked that team. I then informed her that she didn't like that team. However, I was mistaken because she again told me, that she did like them. Finally, I informed her that she didn't like them because if she did she would sleep out on the porch. I think her sleeping bag kept her warm. Yea, Andy, Applebees has such local flare. -sn

• Not that we are experts or anything, but we think it important to read early and often to the girls. I'm sure most of you feel the same way. Drea really likes reading and we hope Charlotte does, too! Here are some pics of big sis and mommy reading to her. We also like playing games and visit some educational websites. I promise we aren't psycho about it or anything...but if you have young kids and want a great website for reading, phonics, and the alphabet....go to http://www.starfall.com/ Seriously, this is one of Drea's favorite things to do and she has been "playing" Starfall on the computer since she was one year old or so. -sn

Drea set up this little area for her and her sister on the middle of our living room floor. And she kept giving Charlotte her pacifier everytime she would spit it out and cry. Drea is getting very good at this. -sn

Funny thing - Andy said I was reading to Charlotte - we're looking at cookbooks. : ) Not very flattering pics of mommy. -sn

One Month, Knock, Knock, and Chicks

• Charlotte is one month today. It has gone by so fast already. I had to go back to work today after having a week off for spring break. Unfortunately, for Mama she had to take Charlotte to the doctors for her second round of shots. Charlotte said Mama cried more than me. She weighed in at 11 lbs 11 oz and 22 1/4 inches long. I did not cry! -sn

I really don't know if she could be any cuter

• Another thing that Drea is into lately is knock, knock jokes. The best part of it is, like most kids she doesn't remember the real joke and she just makes it up. For example, she combines her knock-knock jokes... instead of knock, knock, who's there, cargo, cargo who, cargo beep-beep. She says, knock, knock, who's there, Drea, Drea who, Drea go beep-beep. Then she starts to laugh. It like hearing Stacey's Grandpa's jokes, again. We love it! :)
  

Peepers Creepers, this is the box Drea received for Easter from Granny Blanche, however, it isn't stuffed chicken breast.........yet!

Drea is so excited about the chicks however, she wants them to have a good home on a farm somewhere, and not in Jersey's belly. Jersey is our beagle. So if you know somewhere we can take them let us know.......if not, Drea does love chicken nuggets.

• One last Charlotte story, well it's not really a story, anyway, Charlotte gets the hiccups...alot. She hates them more than anything else. I tried to scare the hiccups out of her....it didn't work...I just scared Charlotte.
  

Changes in the Backyard

Some of you may know that they are building a new road though our backyard, our neighborhood is pretty crazy to say the least. Between run down houses and people stealing things from the houses it has been really interesting. They are finally making progress and tearing down abandon homes. Stacey and I are very thankful for this process and are hopeful and excited about the possibilities it may bring. I prayed a long time ago that this would only be a blessing to us and our community. Time will tell...but, I think I already know. Anyway, here is some of the pics from the progress.

If you are ever around the state street area stop up and see - it looks like a tornado hit! It's crazy. And if you come up looking for our house - we are now the FIRST house on the left. Andy's mom called us from the end of our street lost and couldn't find our house. He, he, he! And it was daylight! Sorry, Judy, that was so funny! -sn

• No post would be complete without a Drea story. Her newest thing is whenever I bend down to do anything (tie my shoe, talk to her, etc...) she thinks it is a good idea to jump on my back. Now to some this may not be a good thing, but Drea thinks it is so funny she giggles the whole time. Of course, that makes me laugh out loud. This isn't very funny when she tries to do it to mommy. Especially when mommy is holding Charlotte or feeding her. -sn

• Charlotte continues to get bigger and is doing well. She took her first bottle from daddy today and did a great job! Just don't tell her big sis or she'll want to help with that, too!
  
  

Weekend with the Girls

This past weekend my sister, Karen, and my two nieces, Brynn and Lydia came for a visit. This was lots of fun for Drea. It was the first time in two years that they have been here. They came to see Charlotte, just don't tell Drea because she had too much fun to think otherwise.

Nude egg dying

Bath time can be lots of fun, Thanks Aunt Karen!

Ice Cream at Dairy Creme Corner, a must for any family visit!

Charlotte managed to be included in this one

They don't like each other at all

Working at the beauty shop

Leaving it to the professional

We had lots of fun, thanks for all the memories and a great weekend. We miss you Aunt Karen, Brynn, and Lydia.

Maternity Leave

So I finally have found out why you get maternity leave.


It IS NOT for 8 weeks of hospital visits, doctors appointments and laying in bed in extraordinary pain.


It IS for bonding with your newborn, getting the hang of nursing, adjusting to a new schedule, healing, enjoying the first couple months of a new baby, adjusting to crazy hormone changes, and waiting for baby's sleep pattern to line up with yours.


God has completely blessed our family beyond measure. I prayed and prayed for some sort of normal time home on maternity leave after this birth. And God never fails to deliver! All I wanted was to enjoy my new family and have time to recuperate. And that is exactly what God gave us.


This is what life looked like after Drea was born: They sent us home from the hospital only to have to go back the next day and stay for 3 days so Drea could be treated for jaundice. Then three weeks after she was born, I woke up with some of the worst pain I have ever had and was admitted to the hospital with kidney stones. At the same time Andy came down with shingles and wasn't allowed to be around our newborn. That wasn't the easiest thing in the world - we didn't even get to go to her 1 month drs visit (poor Nunnie had to endure her granddaughters first shots.) Then three weeks after that (still having only a six week old) I had another kidney stone and had to have surgery on this one. Then two weeks later, Drea had RSV and we spent the weekend in the hospital watching her lay in an oxygen tent.


I know many people have had it worse but I just wanted to experience having a baby and getting to just enjoy a new baby without all the other stuff. And that is exactly what has happened. Thank you God!



PS - I never got to post my last belly shots before Charlotte was born. I can't get over how round my belly was. I can't believe there was a 9 lb. 6 oz. baby in there.