Decorating for Christmas!

Yeah!! We're ready for Christmas!! Jason and I got all the decorations that we are doing this year and decorated, along with getting the tree up with Ryleigh, which is a tradition we have done starting the weekend after Thanksgiving. Now, all I need to do is wrap gifts. Ryleigh enjoyed hanging the ornaments on the tree and I will get a better picture of the tree, but it is fully decorated from the bottom to about half way up! We also noticed that on some branches there are about 5 ornaments on the same branch! LOL!! We listened to my favorite Christmas CD, Alabama Christmas which I have listened to since I can remember growing up, while putting up the tree and decorations with my family.

36 week comparison

So, I found this picture of myself when I was pregnant with Ryleigh at 36 weeks. I still have the same shirt, so I thought I would take a picture of myself in it with this baby at my 36 week mark and compare. We tried taking the photo in the same spot and as you can see we have done some painting in the past couple of years. Jason and I think I look much bigger with Ryleigh, more filled out in the face and arms. LOL.

Holiday by the River!

We took Ryleigh to the first annual Holiday by the River festival. We decided on that one instead of taking her to the lighting of the world's tallest Christmas tree. It just sounded like more fun. We had been talking Santa up so that Ryleigh wouldn't be afraid of him this year and was she ever excited to see him. She did so good! She sat on his lap and even told him that she wanted a "dolly" this year. I don't think she wanted to leave him, so she even got his autograph on her hand and a candy cane. We were surprised of how good she did with him. I think next year we will go again, but we will be more prepared. It was all for charity as well, which makes it even more nice. We almost bought a Christmas tree, but I think we are going to go with our artificial one again.............maybe a real one next year. There was a chili feed and all kinds of warm drinks. They had Christmas carolers, a band, a horse and trolley ride, the lighting of a Christmas tree and fireworks. After we stood in line to see Santa, Jason and I were getting cold, so we headed back to the car and watched the fireworks from the vehicle. They were pretty neat and Ryleigh enjoyed them, in fact, when we tried driving away to beat the crowd, she started crying because she couldn't see them. So, we stopped and let her watch them a little more. I am just glad I had her all bundled up!! It was crazy all the people that were there and it was the 1st annual Holiday by the River. After we got home we sat in front of the fireplace for awhile to warm up. Usually, you can't find a free Santa or festival anywhere and the neat thing about this one was you could bring food, clothes or a money donation for the Salvation Army and the money for the Christmas trees went to the military men and women serving our country. They even let me take my own picture of Ryleigh and Santa together which also seems hard to find these days. She does have this weird smile on her face, but she was pretty excited, so I will give her that.

Thanksgiving~

Well, we headed to Danny and Terri's for Thanksgiving and had the usual Thanksgiving meal. The turkey was wonderful and I couldn't believe how much Ryleigh chowed down on it. She especially liked the turkey and the creamed corn, but was not too crazy about the mashed potatoes. She never really has been a big fan of them anyways once we introduced more solid foods, but last week she did eat them at home with the encouragement of a snack. She also loved the pumpkin dessert that Terri made. We came home later in the evening because I had to work today. Ryleigh stayed awake the entire drive home, which was a little later and woke up bright and early this morning. It was a nice and relaxing Thanksgiving. Ryleigh and I took a much needed 2 1/2 hour nap. I seriously think it was the most rested I have felt in awhile. It's funny how you can feel just as good when you sleep 2 1/2 good hours as you can with 7 crappy hours. I continue to have braxton hicks contractions quite a bit and can't believe there are only 4 weeks left until we welcome this new little miracle. I just don't remember them being this painful with Ryleigh. Oh, Ryleigh found the bag of dice shes holding in the picture and wouldn't let them down the whole time we were at Danny and Terri's. I think Santa might leave her some in her stocking if she's good. She had so much fun playing different games with them with daddy and Papa. This is about the best picture I could get out of her the whole day. Her hair is a crazy mess, even when we brush it! We brought some leftovers home and they made a good turkey sandwich for a meal today. I think the grandparents were surprised at how much Ryleigh was talking and singing. It was also good talking to everyone. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends and family. We are thankful that all of you are a part of our lives.

OB APPT

(peek a boo - oops, still a little supper left on the face!)I had my OB appt. today and all is great!! Let's just say intuition is a funny thing!! The baby is really ready to come and continues to stay in the right position, with the head way down in the pelvis. The baby's heart rate was 130 today and very strong. I have gained only 2 lbs from two weeks ago, my tummy is measuring at 33 cm today! I most likely am not going to gain as much as I did with Ryleigh as I am still 11 pounds behind my highest with her. I have been extremely sore in the hips and low back these past few days and yesterday I had a sharp steady pain from hell that lasted about 5 hours, which Dr. said is most likely from stretching muscles, possible sleeping wrong (I keep waking up on my back), and carrying Ryleigh. I should have stayed home from work, but I stuck it out and it eventually went away. Stubborn, I know, but I have so much to do and so little time. As long as I didn't do too much or twist, I was fine.............luckily I have a high tolerance for pain. I think I am in the same boat with Andie on the "nesting" situation. I have had the need for things to be tidy for the past few days, the house is clean and has been staying picked up, so help me! It all started last Friday when I had the need to go to town with cleaning. Unfortunately we were busy so I didn't get as crazy as my body and mind wanted. I also think that I might be a little sore from walking the mall and Cabelas the last two weekends, but I am glad to have gotten all my Christmas stuff done. I start on call Friday and am hoping all the shifts get filled because I think we are going to take Ryleigh to see Santa on Friday and hopefully get the tree up this weekend, as well as presents wrapped. My next appt is next Tuesday.

In this picture, Ryleigh lined up all her care bears while watching cartoons one morning last week while Jason and I got ready for work and this was how we found her, creative huh? Ryleigh has had a couple of bloody noses the past week. Last weekend she and Jason were running through the house when she fell and skidded on her nose, causing a nose bleed. This happened while I was in the shower, he got it to stop and thought he got all the blood cleaned up, but I found some on the floor in the kitchen. She's tough though and hardly cried, just needed a kiss on her nose from mommy. Then yesterday at daycare, the little boy who is the same age as her, punched her in the nose causing yet another nose bleed. He told Cindy that Ryleigh pushed him, but come to find out he says that frequently, even when she is not around him..........little wimp!! J/K!! His mom felt pretty bad about it, but I just laughed..................what doesn't kill them, only makes them stronger....right? Ryleigh is hilarious these days and has come up with some attitude. This evening she and Jason were going back and forth about jumping on the couch, when out of nowhere she said to him, "WHATEVER"! Here I am thinking...........where did she learn that? 2 going on 13!! We are in trouble! Oh, and she has been going to sleep, staying in her bed and sleeping all night since the addition of the doorknob safety device. Wish we would've done it sooner. Well, I am going to get going. Hope everyone has a great rest of the holiday week.

Laughter is a good thing!

Oh, was it ever great to see Ryleigh today when she came home after spending the evening with Gramma and Papa! She was so excited to see them yesterday but, she was even more excited to see us today. She was even just as excited to see me as she was Jason. She is such a daddy's girl it's not even funny. We got lots of hugs and kisses!!! It was great to sleep in, too! Jason got up around 8:30 and went hunting, I got up at 9 and started laundry and picking up. It felt good to get so much sleep, it was definitely needed. My cousins wife works at Cabelas in Neb and she sent us a percentage off coupon for friends and family for this weekend and so we headed there today and I got Jason done for Christmas!! YEAH!!

Last night, we had a good time! The comedian was extremely funny and I don't know what hurt worse, my stomach or my cheeks from laughing so hard. The baby wasn't too fond of all the laughing at first, but eventually was put to sleep, probably from the rocking motion. From all the stress recently it was good to just laugh! I'm hoping to get a lot done at work tomorrow because for short periods this week, I will be training the new nurse manager..............hopefully full time training will begin next week. I just don't want her to be stressed while I am gone and I want to get her going just in case I happen to have this baby early.

I have my next OB appt. Tuesday and am excited to see how things are progressing. We are going to go hang out with Gramma Terri and Papa Danny on Thanksgiving. I think Shea and Josh will be there too. I start call on Friday and the weekend looks crappy so far for nurses, so I am hoping that gets filled in so I don't have to work 16 hour shifts this next weekend, that just might put me into labor. I can't believe only 4.5 weeks left..............things are going so fast now. Well, I hope everyone has a great week.

Night Out!

Ryleigh didn't stay with Cindy last night, but she is staying with Gramma Pam and Papa Kev tonight, so Jason and I are going out!! We are going to comedy night again with some people Jason works with, however at the same bar is a surprise 30th party for a gal that I work with, so we are hitting up two get togethers at the same place........that's what I call "multi partying"! LOL. Ryleigh was excited to go to Gramma and Papa's and will be back tomorrow around lunch...............yeah, we get to sleep in! Jason and I finished our Christmas shopping (for Santa) today. IT was CRAZY at the mall, everywhere for that matter. Will write more tomorrow on how our night out went!

We found Michigan!!

It's been another busy week and I have had no one on my case to blog, but I will anyways. Ryleigh got a 50 states puzzle for her birthday from her Nana Peggy this past July and she works on it diligently every day and has pretty much mastered it, but we have been missing the state of Michigan for about a month. So, last evening, Ryleigh was talking to Nana Peggy on the phone, counting to ten for her in Spanish and talking about the puzzle and told her we were missing Michigan, when Nana asked her where Michigan was.................she stated, "Under the TV!" So, this evening Daddy pulled out the TV and wouldn't you know it, there is the state of Michigan. It was hilarious. Ryleigh has been doing great, besides trying to get out of her room during the night. She figured out how to open her door, so Jason and I found these safety things you place on the knobs to keep kids from opening doors. Our friends said they tried them with their kids and it worked for them all and they learned to stay in their rooms/beds at night. So, tonight we went and bought some and we'll see how they work. Discipline can be so hard sometimes, but it will soon be worth it to get a good nights sleep..........................ummmmm that is when both kids are sleeping through the night (wink, wink)!! She is so smart it amazes us every day all the things she learns. Yesterday afternoon when Jason went to pick her up at daycare, Cindy told him that she had all her dolls lined up on the couch and started singing Amazing Grace to them. She sang the whole song all by herself, and she's doing the same thing with books.............like the story of how Jason used to "read" the book, even though he couldn't really read. It's amazing how her memory just keeps getting better and better.

I sure am glad that most of our Christmas gifts have been bought, because these last five weeks are going to go so fast. I just have to work on Jason and Santa items. I have been trying to figure out my leave from work and trying to get caught up at work before I have to start orienting a new nurse manager to the position. Last night, I really felt the stress and was pretty emotional, but I got some things marked of my list of things to do today, so this evening I am feeling much better. Then, I think it was Jason, whom pointed out that my drivers license expired this year on my birthday. I have 30 days to get it renewed and the only times the renewal place is open is when I work, that's the one bad thing about the M-F, 8-4:30 work schedule. I have my next OB appt on Tuesday. I think the baby is doing great, it kicks like mad and has been getting Ryleigh pretty good, which she thinks is the funniest thing. After this appt, I will begin weekly ones until the baby is born. I feel it has dropped and sometimes when I get up after sitting I feel like it's going to fall out of me. I am also having braxton hicks contractions and am having some sharp pains, so it will be interesting to see if I am dilated at all. I can't believe only 5 weeks left!!!!!!

Jason is doing good. Almost has the basement framed and ready for sheet rock. It looks awesome and is going to be wonderful when we get it finished. He got a building permit a few weeks ago, so he has been working on it every evening after Ryleigh goes to bed. No deer this year. Tonight it is supposed to be a BALMY 8 degrees. Right now it is only about 15, but with the windchill, it is below zero...............I am freezing my buns off......oh wait I don't have any, anyways!! I don't mind the cold so much, but when it's windy and cold, that's when it sucks bad for me.

Well, I should get going, and Sarah......thank you for Ryleigh's package. SHE LOVES STICKERS AND COLORING, so hopefully hers will stay on the keyboard!! I was cleaning a pile of stuff in my kitchen and found some stuff we were going to mail to you for your birthday.....oops, my bad, it is going to be late, hopefully no longer than a month late. I shouldn't have admitted that, but it's been a crazy few weeks around here! Well, I am going to get going, hope everyone takes it easy!

Catch Up!

First, I would just like to say, thank you to all my friends and family for all the birthday wishes. Sorry that I missed some of you, it was a busy weekend. This was one of my best birthdays ever and I will tell you why. Ryleigh woke up quite early on Saturday, so Jason got up with her, I am guessing to let me sleep in on my birthday. But, when I came downstairs and Ryleigh saw me, she said, "Happy birthday mommy!" It was the most perfect little gift I have EVER received. Then she sang happy birthday to me, too. Last week was a bit of a blur, but then the whole month has actually been like that. I can't believe November is half way done. It is getting more and more cramped with my abdomen and this little person won't slow down. For the past week, I have seen a little bump move every day. This morning, I saw what was probably the heel of the foot, move across my belly and then back. It was SO cool.

Anyways, my cousins Brittany, Haley, Brea and my Aunt Lisa came to MN for the weekend. Brittany stayed with Jason and I and then the rest stayed at my parents, however we all spent Saturday together. Brittany rolled in Friday night. Then Saturday all of us girls went shopping, while the guys (Jason and dad) went hunting. They all took me out to eat at Mexican Village. It was wonderful and I got to eat for free, which pleased my mom since she was buying. I didn't want any singing, however they made sure that I did get sung to, but had to talk me into it. And really, the only reason I went for it was because I figured Ryleigh would enjoy it...........and she did. I got to wear this huge purple sombrero and I think Brittany got pictures. Yippy. Saturday night was a blast. I am such a "gamer" and we played a few games, then everyone but Brittany went back to my parents around 11. Brittany left this morning to go pick up the rest of them at my parents and they headed back to Nebraska today. It was so great to see them and I was glad that they came to make my day special. Ryleigh didn't get a nap on Saturday and got to bed later, and she did pretty good, considering..........she definitely needs naps.

I got a bunch of goodies from some friends at work on Friday. Lotions (bath and body works), some booties to wear at the hospital, a movie, some misc. stuff and some "junk" food. I, of course, being emotional in my current state, cried! I also got a pregnancy massage from Jason and Ryleigh!! I need to use that soon. We got to see our friends Ryan, Ana and Lila on Wednesday. OMG.........is Lila just the cutest little thing. Ryleigh held her, fed her a bottle, and sang to her three songs, and was right there watching every time her diaper was changed. It was so fun and cute. Hopefully when a little baby is around for more than three hours, she does that good. We will see.....................

My mom and dad got to see my brother via Skype and were so excited, they kept talking about it all evening Saturday. I think my brother enjoyed seeing them as well as Lisa and the girls. This week will probably go by fast as well. Jason and I will have the evening alone on Friday until Saturday morning at 10. We get a Christmas gift from our daycare provider for one free overnight Friday into Saturday morning at 10 and we are going to use it this week, b/c hopefully we will get another one for Christmas this year!! It's really a neat idea. I think we might finish our Xmas shopping (we still have to go shopping for Santa)! Hope everyone has a great week!

Happy Veteran's Day!

God bless and thank you, all who've served and serve our country for our freedom. Jason and I would like to thank our Grandpa's who fought for our freedom during WWII................Grandpa Ray Dinslage (Marines), Grandpa Ralph Odle (Air Force), Grandpa Ray Quint (Army) and to those currently serving during this time of war.............Uncle Ryan (Navy) and Uncle Josh (Army)! We love you all. THANK YOU AGAIN!

Busy, busy!

Hi all! It's been a crazy few days so far and it doesn't look like it is going to slow down for me until I have this baby. I have been very busy at work lately and now one of the four of us nurse managers quit on Friday. We are supposed to give 30 days notice, however she only gave two weeks, so here we are with being behind already and me getting ready to go on maternity leave. UGH! She was not much of a team player, so it's a good thing.................just not right now. Oh well, things happen for a reason and I want to be caught up before I go on maternity leave anyways.

This past weekend was awesome spending time with my mom. We went Christmas shopping and I have to say for the record that I am pretty much finished. Just need to call Santa and let him know to get a few things for Ryleigh!! Ryleigh did awesome with mom and I shopping, she was such a big girl and a trooper. She did a lot of singing while shopping which had a lot of shoppers giggling and watching her. She was quite the entertainment. There must have been a lot of men hunting this weekend, because the stores were packed with women. It was like the day after Thanksgiving. I didn't need to get much but I am only decorating with a few things this year and I definitely wanted some stocking hangers to hang the stockings from the mantle this year. Ryleigh didn't have one accident all weekend while shopping, however she had an accident with Jason this morning while running an errand. She held it in too long and then it was too late when she finally told Jason she had to go. This is her first accident in probably about a month, and she hasn't had any #2 accidents since being potty trained. She was upset with herself and seemed embarrassed when telling me about it when I got off of work today. And on a good note.........she's sleeping through the night again for the most part........yeah!

I almost forgot to mention that Dad and Jason froze their butts off this weekend deer hunting, but seemed to have enjoyed themselves. It was nasty cold this weekend here. About 32 degrees each day and Saturday the wind was awful. They had trouble warming up each evening. They saw some deer on Saturday, but they seemed to both be waiting for the "big one", so they didn't get any. There is still next weekend left.

Ryleigh has one more music class left next Sunday. She just loves going to "moosic class", so it will be a bummer when it's over. I am debating on whether we should go again next session, but I thought it would be something fun for her and I to do together once the baby comes.....some "Ryleigh and I" time. We did get to talk to a few family members through Skype last evening.......I did it, I jumped on the Skype/web cam bandwagon. First we talked with Nana Peggy, then Uncle Ryan and Kelli, then Aunt Sarah. It was good to see everyone.........and the animals...........and the crabs............now Nana Peggy just needs to get some turtles in that aquarium for Ryleigh!!! And as you can see.........she never sits still.

I had an OB appt today and all is well with the baby. My belly is growing, measuring in at 32 cm (another 2 since last appt two weeks ago). I however have gained only 1 pound since my last appt. I had a different nurse today and she was kind of sarcastic about it, but Dr. was fine with it. You can definitely tell my stress level is back down with my B/P reading of 102/56! The baby's heart rate was also 130!!!! The baby's head is down and is ready to go and will most likely stay that way until it's born, which is good. My next appt is in a couple of weeks and then I go to weekly appts until the baby is born. This week marks 34 weeks with only 6 to go! OH...........I can't wait to meet this new little person. What a fun Christmas it's going to be. Oh, and here's a picture of dad and I..........who do you think is going to deliver first????

Well, Ryan and Ana are bringing baby Lila down on Wednesday for a visit and supper. We are excited to see her...............but I think Ryleigh is even more excited as that is all she could talk about this evening.

Funniest thing

So, the funniest thing happened to me today. I called my bro because he had tried to call me and he wanted to talk to Ryleigh. So she talked to him nonstop for about 5 minutes (typical girl), he could hardly get a word in edge wise (and he said he could understand a few things, but not as good as I was able to understand what she was saying). After she was finished, I was talking to my brother telling him that he and Kelli need to start a blog. So next out of his mouth, besides asking for the website was to tell me that I need to get a webcam because he and Kelli have been keeping in contact with her family through, you will never guess, SKYPE! So, he's telling me about how awesome it is and that he and Kelli want us to get one so they can keep track of Ryleigh like they keep track of Kelli's niece, Madelyn. I told him that I didn't have time last weekend to go shopping but this weekend is dedicated to shopping, so I would get a web cam. Hopefully this makes all of you happy who have asked Jason and I to get a web cam. And, hopefully Ryan and Kelli start a blog! Ryleigh was so darn cute this evening with bedtime. We have this routine where we read books, then sing, then go to bed. Tonight with the singing, she was singing all the words with me. I will try to get video of her singing b/c it is just too cute. Well, I will say goodnight. I am going to get some stuff done since Ryleigh went to bed early tonight.

Show us your muscles, Ryleigh!

Here are some videos of Ryleigh showing us her muscles. Last week, while mommy was working late, daddy showed Ryleigh some new things. This was one of them. She even makes the grunting noises, it's hilarious. I am glad election day is finally over. Jason voted this morning on a break and I went in after work. No lines for either one of us, but I was voter number 1088 for the day at our poll place. I was just glad to get there before 5 because I am sure not soon after that, it was bound to get busy. It's been beautiful weather here so far this week, 76 yesterday (the record high was 77 in 1978 for that day in Mankato). But, it is supposed to get cold and the high for Friday is only supposed to be 38. I am all ready to go shopping with mom, I have most of my lists ready to go. Thanks, Sarah, for the compliment of wanting to look like me when you are pregnant, but............do I not look glowing? Haha. Maybe, it's because it is a black and white photo? Well, anyways I should get to bed. Oh and Andie...........you wouldn't believe it........or you might.......but there are some people that put up Christmas decorations on the outside yesterday with the nice weather, so you're not the only one. And, maybe you are going to have that baby on Nov 30th??? Hope everyone has a great week.

32 week photo.

So, it's finally Sunday and I am still feeling crappy about last week. I did talk to my mom and she put me at ease, as always. I am thinking if state doesn't leave tomorrow, I might get sick. My dad is a meat inspector for the USDA and I told him today........no offense, but I don't like inspectors. He just giggled at me. NOT KIDDING!

Jason went deer hunting last evening and seen a bunch of deer, but not until about the time he was getting ready to leave and it was getting to dark to shoot. So, he had to sneak out and was there a little later than what he thought. Him and dad are going deer hunting next weekend, so I am going to work on Christmas shopping with my mom.

So, we have decided to try a new tactic with Ryleigh and night time. When we were training her as a baby to sleep through the night, we let her cry it out, so we decided to try it again starting this weekend. For a few weeks now, she has not been sleeping through the night, but maybe one night a week. It is starting to get old and I am again missing my sleep. So, we shut her door tight so she couldn't get it open. And, this morning she decided she wanted to wake up during the night. I have always told her if she needs to go potty during the night to let us know. So she cried for about 5 minutes and then started screaming, "mommy, potty", so I took her to the bathroom and she went, so then I tucked her back in and about 15 minutes later, she started crying again. After 45 minutes of crying, she then started getting ticked. She yelled her new saying, "Oh my gosh", "mommy, daddy, open the door!" When that didn't work she got really ticked and was screaming at the top of her lungs. After about an hour, she finally said "POTTY!!!". So, I took her potty again, and she went and then I took her back to her room and told her it was still night and she needed to go back to sleep until morning. She then finally went back to sleep and slept until 8:40. WOW! We will see what tonight brings. I was laughing though, because of the "oh my gosh" statement and yelling at us to open the door. The best part was that she still loved me in the morning. So, hopefully this works.

I do have my 32 week photo on the post...........8 weeks to go, the countdown is on!! I also added the 30 week and some different 32 week photos to the slide show on the side. Well, I hope everyone has a good week!