Roller Coaster of Emotions

We had our first pregnancy scare yesterday. This past weekend while I was away at the Spring Creek Women's Retreat I didn't feel real well. My stomache was just uneasy and I didn't sleep well. By the time Monday rolled around I was feeling better but had stopped feeling movement from the baby. By Tuesday morning I had myself very worked up and concerned to the point where I was feeling cramping and mild contractions. My friend Amy took Casey for us so that Matt could go to the hospital with me. We were prepared for the worst case scenario.

God is good and faithful and Tinkerbell was fine. What had happened was my belly had shifted last week and my placenta was covering the baby like an umbrella. So I probably won't be able to feel movement for a while. What a roller coaster of sad and happy tears yesterday! After the appointment we picked up Casey and went out for some ice cream to celebrate.

Model Trane Show at the Domes

While Joy was away at the Spring Creek women's retreat Casey and I went to a model train show at the Domes. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but it turned out to be very cool - and you can imagine how much fun Casey had watching all of those trains! They have a bunch of displays in the lobby, with all different size trains and different scenery. The detail that was put into the scenery was amazing; one of them had sections representing different cities in Wisconsin. Devil's lake had a cliff with some climbers on it, there was a mini Lambeau Field, the house on the rock, Miller Brewery, the ducks in the dells and on and on. Inside on of the domes they had a huge display set up with 4 tracks running in the middle of the dome. We could walk around the whole thing, we actually had our picnic lunch right there and Casey could watch the trains the whole time! Watch the videos to get a feeling of how big this display was.

Growing up so fast!

Yesterday Casey got his first haircut with a clippers. I have been cutting his hair just about every other week since he was 8 months old. Well, Casey didn't like the clippers very much but I think the results are pretty good. Unfortunately it took two tries before I was satisfied, but Casey survived and looks so handsome! I even put a bit of daddy's gel in it this morning for the picture.





We also finally were able to capture Casey reciting his ABC's on camera. I wish I could say that he did it out of being obedient...the truth is we bribed him with a candy heart! He loves his candy hearts just like his daddy:)

Fun weekend....so far!

In celebration of Valentine's Day Matt and I enjoyed an evening out on Friday night. We went to the Prime Quarter, a place we like to visit about once a year. Let me tell you, it a a pregnant woman's dream come true. In fact we saw a few other pregnant women there as well! Anyways, we took our time eating salad and talking before grilling our fillet mignons. They were yummy! I picket a good night to where maternity clothes, there was plenty of room for my belly to expand:)



Saturday Matt met his accountability partner at church before his 4 hour shift at Upwards began. I decided to take Casey to Tumbling Tykes open gym to get some energy out. I had taken him there one other time last winter. They have slides, a huge play mat with lots of balls and toys, a sandbox, ball pit, trampolines, and some other fun climbing toys. Casey's favorite was jumping in the balls. When our time was up we stopped at Wendy's to pick up lunch for daddy. What a fun day!

New adventures at the YMCA

This week in Casey's gym class at the YMCA we learned how to bowl and crawl on scooters like a crab. Casey showed all of his friends how fun it is to knock the bowling pins over with your arm rather then the ball. He also enjoyed watching mommy crawl on the scooter like a crab rather than doing it himself. He has learned a few new songs in his class as well as some fun movements. My favorite is when he does head, shoulders, knees and toes. But, like most two year olds, he won't do it on command for the camera. He only does things when he wants to do them. Like today at Walmart when he was singing his ABC's in his loudest and proudest voice. He brought a smile to the faces of the ladies around us.

The one thing we can always count on is that Casey will count as he walks down the stairs. Sometimes a little more accurate than others. Here is a video clip for you (sorry it is sideways):

What a week!

Casey successfully transitioned into the 2 year old room at church on Sunday. He was so excited to go to his new room and meet his new friends. They said he did a great job following along with the routine. He even came home with a craft project that day. What a big boy!

The rest of the week has been a very interesting week for Casey. On Tuesday morning we were on our way to Bible study and I realized that I needed to put some gas in the van. I always turn the van off but leave the keys in the ignition so Casey can still listen to his music. Well, some how that day I locked myself out of the van. The man at the gas station was kind enough to let me use his cell phone to call the police. About 10 minutes later a fire truck pulled up with lights and sirens blaring....how embarrassing! To top it off all 5 firemen got off the truck to help me get into the van. Casey's eyes were huge with excitement as he watched the firemen "rescue" him!



On Wednesday we got a huge snowstorm and Casey and I adventured out to do some shoveling mid morning. Casey really enjoyed following me around and jumping in the snowbanks I was creating. I attempted to make him a frosty the snowman but it was no use. That is a job for daddy. Poor Matt shoveled 3 other times that day. We haven't seen this much snow since 1997 the news said.


Thursday we had an adventure at the grocery store of all places! Due to all of the snow the parking lot wasn't completely plowed all of the way. Needless to say when I adventured out of the store with my bags of groceries and Casey in the front of the cart we didn't get too far. A nice man offered to help me get to the van. As he was pulling and I was pushing the cart, a car that was stuck began to spin it's wheels and snow came flying at us. Casey thought it was great, the man helping us didn't appreciate it so much!

At the end of such a crazy week Casey had a nice long bubble bath to relax. What a week!

Casey is two years old!

Well, our little boy has just turned two and we have another one on the way! We have been very blessed this week to have two healthy check-ups, Casey and his mommy had doctor visits this week.

Casey is still topping the charts weighing in at 32 pounds and measuring 34 3/4 inches tall. Although if you ask mom and dad, we feel he is slimming down a bit. At our two year check up we discussed all of the wonderful stages and phases that Casey will go through this year...potty training, moving into a big boy bed, becoming a big brother and putting mommy and daddy to the test! She gave us a lot of helpful ideas to help us all get through these adventures. Not to brag (but I have to I'm his mommy) the doc shared with me that Casey is excelling developmentally. In fact, she said he is at a three year old level! We knew that he was smart, but come on! I know what you are all thinking...he must have gotten his daddy's brains (and his good looks!)

We had a joint birthday party for Casey and his cousing Hannah last weekend. It was a fun family event. The kids really enjoyed thier cupcakes and just being together. Casey loves his cousins (and thier toys)!

Casey is still really enjoying his trainset but has taken up an art hobby as well. The other night we adventured into the wonderful messy world of fingerpainting. I decided he was ready for this when he decided to dig in his diaper the other day and do some finger painting of his own on the couch...yuck!

Most of you know that Matt and I are expecting our next little blessing in July. Friday Casey and daddy came with me to see the baby on the ultrasound. Grandma Jill has nicknamed this little one Tinkerbell. If it is boy we will never tell him! Anyways, Tinkerbell is 9 cm long and weighs about a half an ounce. On Friday he/she was very active and mobile. Everybody is healthy and doing well. We go back at 20 weeks for another ultrasounds. FYI: we are not finding out the sex of this baby it will be a surprise.