my artists

I hope Addelyn takes after her dad and has a creative side. I'm much more of a left brained type and have never had much artistic talent. It is okay, I can admit it! Mark on the other hand, is a talented artist. This is one of his secrets- he doesn't often sit down and spend time drawing but when he does he always comes up with amazing art. So he put his talents to good use this past week and drew a picture for Waterloo Center for the Art's "Come As You Art," which is a fundraiser for their educational programs. He had a small canvas to fill and I think it was tough working with a small space but he did great. The best part was watching both him and Addelyn hard at work on their art- so sweet!

(Of course, baby had to join in too.........Addelyn doesn't do too many activities these days without baby!)

28 weeks

I've had people asking for my belly bump pics and I always avoid the request. But today, here we go....My friend (and amazing photographer that did my sister's wedding) Bryndi (www.brynmarae.com) somehow made me feel pretty. Don't get me wrong- I think pregnant people are beautiful - I am just short and once the baby starts growing there isn't much place for him to go! Two more months left!!!!!

imagination movers

Jill and Levi gave us the gift of tickets to Imagination Movers for being a part of their special wedding day. We went to it in Ames on Sunday at the end of the big wedding weekend. We were all a little tired but the show woke us up!

Addelyn LOVES this tv show on Disney. It is four men that jump and dance around a lot and solve problems- they "brainstorm!" We have their CD so Mark, Addelyn, and I know all of the songs by heart! Addelyn was sooooo excited for the show. She kept saying, "Nina will be there!" (Nina is the Imagination Mover's neighbor on the show.) Oh and Nina was there, thank goodness!

It started out with the people from Choo Choo Soul. For those of you Disney Junior watchers, you know who I'm talking about! They had some sweet dance moves.

Addelyn wasn't sure what to think at first about the whole deal. She sat pretty quietly.

But then she started getting into it. She is pretty excited about being able to snap her fingers.

There they are- the Imagination Movers! Oh and Warehouse Mouse was there too...another highlight for Addelyn.

I wish I could have gotten better pics or videos of the dancing and jumping we did! We had a great time at the show. Except for the toddler behind me that kept banging me over the head with his light saber. Funny how life changes and within a few years you go from going to watch live music with your hubby to spending an afternoon with screaming kiddos, watching grown men sing and dance to goofy songs. Ahh the things we do for kiddos! Thanks Aunt Jill and Uncle Levi for such a fun gift! We had a great time!

weekend reading

Just finished a few more books on the list. I have always loved reading- since I was a little kid. I would sit and read a book for hours and hours until I would finish it. I even did this at times during college- skipping class and other events to finish a book. Obviously, now life is a little different so I can't read for hours and hours anymore. I leave certain books in certain rooms and pick them up when I have a few minutes here and there. Yesterday, I got an extra chunk of time to read so finished up two of the books I've been working on.

The Birth House by Ami McKay- I liked this book, didn't love it. It was interesting. It is about an older woman who is a midwife and then a younger gal who follows in her footsteps, despite the changing times with available hospital care. Maybe being pregnant made it even more interesting right now. I liked the history part of it- thinking about how woman had their babies in the past and all that came with it for them.

Who is My Neighbor? by Wayne Gordan- This book takes a look at the Parable of the Good Samaritan from a lot of different standpoints. I love how real he makes the parable to relate to life today. It was an easy read with short chapters, which I love because I could pick it up and put down whenever needed.

stress in the life of a three year old

Addelyn has battled brushing her teeth the past few days for some weird reason. I don't know where it has come from but it has been a fight. Tonight, Mark carried her into the bathroom kicking and screaming. She was yelling, "No, Daddy, I don't want to be stressed out....I don't want to be stressed out!"

wedding weekend

Crazy, my little sis is married! We had such a GREAT weekend. Everything was wonderful. I got to go down to DSM on Thursday with my mom and spent a few days with Jill getting ready for the wedding. Others joined us along the way too to help decorate and do last minute things. We had lots of fun getting things organized, decorated, and ready to go! Mark and Addelyn were both in the wedding (usher and flowergirl). They came down on Friday- Mark really took care of Addelyn all weekend so I could be focused on being there for my sis! I was so thankful for that.

Addelyn and Autumn were the two flowergirls- they did such a great job. They had a blast running around together all weekend.

Rehearsal - Addelyn didn't understand the concept that she needed to sit down when she was done walking down the aisle. She liked to stand up with Jill and Levi and be in the center of attention. We had to work on that! The wedding went well- it only took a little coaxing from me to get her to go sit down!

Practicing walking down the aisle. They loved it. Parker was the ring bearer and he was such a cutie! He called Autumn and Addelyn "his girls."

At the rehearsal dinner- Tanner and I cheesing for the camera. The dinner was amazing. We ate at Greenbriar restaurant in Johnston and Mark said it was one of the top meals he has had in a long time!

My Mom and Lora on wedding day- they both looked beautiful!

My poor sis- she didn't feel the greatest on the morning of her wedding day but she hung in there! She started feeling better before the ceremony which we were all so thankful for. She looked absolutely beautiful.

The cutest little flower girls ever!

Our family picture- gotta love the 28 week preggo belly in a bridesmaid dress.

Jill and the cuties

My sis and I before the big moment

On the party bus with the Schwarck couple. I am so thankful to have Levi as an official part of our family now. He is a great guy- we couldn't be happier for Jill. They have been together SOOO LONG so now they finally get to live in the same place and start their life together!

The bridesmaids

The first dance for the couple

Crazy to think it was just about five years ago that I married the love of my life!

What in the world?!?!

Tonight we got our new photo album in the mail for 2010. I made one on Snapfish - figuring it was a better idea than printing off 5000 pics like I have done the last few years. We sat down as a family to look through it and Addelyn loved it. In one picture, she has her shirt caught on her head and her eyes open wide and is making a funny face. She could NOT stop laughing at herself in this picture. Finally she said, "What in the world!? I just don't know......(laughing hard)....I just don't know!....Sometimes I just don't know Mom!"

Last night on our way home from our busy wedding weekend (more to come later about that), Addelyn sneezed. She said to herself, "Bless my little ole sore." Mark and I couldn't stop laughing. My Grandma Stewart always says after a sneeze, "Bless your big ole soul!" and so sometimes I say that to Addelyn. She almost had the saying, not quite!

my little girl

I keep noticing more and more that my little one is such a kid now. Crazy. Where does time go? I'm so thankful- this kiddo brings me so many smiles in a day.

the truth comes out

Today while we were driving, Addelyn said, "Mom, little kids shouldn't have pop should they? Because it is bad for your body, right?"
Before I could answer her, she added, "But little kids can have pop with their dads, right?"

*Note: after confirming with Mark, he does not let her have pop but has given her a few sips of his big buddy once in awhile so that is where her pop infatuation is from.

four queens, yes please

I'm one of those people who loves sweets. Especially while I'm pregnant. Ahh I can't stay away from them these days. The funny thing is- I'm not an ice cream lover. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind ice cream. I like ice cream. It is one of the last things I choose though when it comes to eating sweets. Give me cookies, brownies, bars, candy, basically any baked goods before ice cream.

The last few days though, I have not been able to get the idea of Four Queens out of my head. This is one of the best ice cream spots in town- a great place to frequent in the summer. They open in February though! We decided today to make a little "pre-supper" trip to Four Queens. I told Mark, sometimes you have to buck the routine and let your kid eat ice cream before supper! (Or maybe her pregnant mother is the one who wanted to buck the routine tonight!)

she makes plans

Today's words from Addelyn:

When Mark told her to stop turning the TV off and on this morning, she replied, "Oh you just don't have to worry about me today, Mom and Dad."

Tonight before bed, (this spring ahead is throwing us off a bit) Addelyn told me she wasn't tired. She also said she had a bad itch, that she was thirsty, hungry, needed her baby, etc. etc. Of course, trying to prolong bedtime! As I walked out the door of her room, she said, "Mom, I need a kleenex, I know I'm going to cry tonight." (oh and she did.............my strong willed daughter!)

my child

From the mouth of Addelyn (a few weeks ago and I forgot to put it down!):

She was up in her room, having "quiet time." These days Addelyn is not napping every day so what I do is have her get ready as if it is nap time, she gets to pick one or two toys and some books, and then she has to stay in bed to read/play. Every few days she passes out and actually naps- some days she just plays. It is working out well and is good for her and for me to have that time! While I'm downstairs, I turn on the moniter and enjoy hearing her conversations. She often is talking to her babies/feeding/dressing them.

The other day she spent time "talking" on her play phone. I loved hearing her conversations with the person she was "talking" with. I couldn't stop laughing when I heard her say, "Well, I have to get going now. My child is yelling so she must be awake."

Ha ha ha ha................oh my child.

a few more!

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo- My grandma sent me this book and it was such a quick and easy read. This was the story of a little boy who had a near death experience and shares about meeting Jesus, experiencing pieces of Heaven and more during his almost dying moments on the operating table. I still don't know what to think of it all but it was intriguing and made me think! Especially close to the heart as I think about my little three year old girl. I would suggest this book for sure.

House Rules by Jodi Picoult- This was a book about a teenage boy with Asberger's Syndrome. He is accused of murder and the book is interesting as it focuses on the struggles of autism and also how the legal system works for people with developmental disorders. It was a book that was hard to put down but at the same time- not my favorite Jodi Picoult book. Still a good read though!

I am on a reading kick. I find myself struggling to do much else in my free moments besides read and so after finishing these last two books, I decided I needed a few days off before starting a new one. I have projects that need to happen before baby #2 arrives and this book reading is slowing me down. So my next new book can't start until Thursday....Saturday......we'll see:)

Any books you suggest I add to my reading list?

you're welcome

It is at dinner time when Addelyn often says the funniest things.

Can't remember why but tonight at dinner Mark told Addelyn thank you. She responded with, "You are welcome."
Then she sat quietly, thinking for a minute.
"It is in March that we need to say you are welcome."
Again, she sat and thought as Mark and I looked at each other, trying not to laugh.
"It is also in March that we take down our hearts."

Gotta love the brain of a three year old!