Our Family

My 4th Pregnancy

2009-10-12T22:05:00.002-04:00

It occurred to me today that I haven't posted much about this pregnancy and our anticipation of this new baby. It's incredible to me that I've been blessed with the experience of pregnancy four times now. Each is so special and unique.

This one has been especially unique. I don't know if it's because I'm praying for a girl or what, but this pregnancy has been different than all the others. For one, I was sick in the beginning. Thankfully not as sick as some women get. But nausea for any length of time is no fun. I'm thankful I've only actually gotten sick a few times.

I've also been extremely tired this time around. That could also be due to factors such as chasing after an 18 month old or being overweight.

My cravings have been very different. I'm usually a person who loves sweets (don't get me wrong, I still have my share), but this time I want SALTY things! Taco Bell mostly, but also that everything tastes so bland. I've never been one to add salt to my food, but I admit I have been this time. I'm bound to puff up!

My face has also been breaking out, which I didn't experience with the others.

So we'll see! We haven't scheduled our ultrasound yet, but it should be sometime near my birthday in mid-November :)

Great News!

2009-10-05T22:12:00.002-04:00

We had our 1st round of genetics testing with this pregnancy. So far so good. I have to admit it was a bit difficult for me to be back in that place, meeting with the genetics counselor we saw with Riley, and going through more testing.

But the results so far have been good. The measurement (nucal translucency- back of neck) was questionable on ultrasound. But they also drew blood work that day. We got the results from that today and they were very good. Our likelihood of this baby having Trisomy 21 (Down's Syndrome) is 1:930, so basically 1%, and the likelihood of Trisomy 18 is 1:10,000, which is the lowest possible risk.

The whole screening is a series of tests. So we have more blood work in a month, then another ultrasound. That will give us a 90% accuracy. But the genetics counselor was very positive and said things looked very good :)

It was also nice to hear that they all still remembered us and was excited to hear we had a healthy son and that they way things appear, we should be having another healthy baby soon!

Walk to Remember '09

2009-10-03T13:59:00.005-04:00

Today was the annual Walk to Remember.

It's a time for parents and families who have lost babies, to come together and remember their life.

The day starts at St Francis Hospital in Beech Grove. Everyone gathers and chooses a balloon for their baby.

Then we walk from the hospital to a near-by park.

At the park we all gather on the lawn with our picnic chairs and blankets and listen to poems, prayers, and each baby's name is read.

These are a few of my friends who I met because of Riley's life. They are also mothers of Riley's little buddies in heaven :)

Each year I choose a balloon for Riley, and one for the baby we lost to miscarriage in 2006.

After the readings, we all release our balloons. It's an emotional time to see that so many other families have also experienced the painful loss. But I also find it healing to know I am not alone and that others stand with me in my struggle to carry on.

After the ceremony, we are all allowed to choose a beautiful potted Mum to bring home. It's always a nice way to start off the season :)

Phil 1:19-20

"Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body."

St Francis & Clare Festival

2009-09-26T21:34:00.001-04:00

Ty & I got to take a ride on the Farris Wheel tonight!

"See Daddy way down there?"

"Weeeee!"

That was fun!

Fire Safety Week at Preschool

2009-09-24T14:12:00.001-04:00

This week at Preschool, Ty has been learning the letter "F", and all about Fire Safety. Today the Greenwood Fire Department came!

It was raining, so Ty was all decked out in his fire raincoat :)

Ty & his friend Campbell watching the action.

They got to sit in the fireman's seats. Thought they were pretty cool stuff!

Remembering Riley

2009-09-24T14:07:00.001-04:00

It's great to know that Riley is still remembered. While at dinner last week, my group of wonderful friends, who we call our YaYa's, surprised me with this gift. It had been in the works for over a year. What was so neat about it, was that God had perfect timing in making them wait. Since they waited, they were able to get Riley's brick placed near his buddy Carter's brick.
Dennis, Ty, & I went to see the memorial yesterday.

You can see Carter's brick at the bottom, and then Riley's at the bottom far right.

Race Cars!

2009-09-24T14:02:00.002-04:00

Ty & I went out to O'Reilly Raceway Park to watch my brother Greg race in the ET Finals. My whole family was there to support him.

Ty and his "Papaw"

Mom, Dad, & Ty

Layla, Ty, & Dad

"Yea, Greggy!"

Airplanes!

2009-09-24T13:59:00.001-04:00

Last weekend we got to pick up Dennis' friend Jim at the airport. While waiting for him to arrive, we were able to park in the "cell phone lot" and watch the airplanes come in. Ty LOVED it!

18 Month Check Up

2009-09-17T21:39:00.003-04:00

At his check-up, Ty enjoyed running around the room naked while chewing on a tongue depressor. Hey, whatever keeps him happy!

He's right on track developmentally and has gained 3 lbs in the past 3 months (thanks to the lactose-free Whole Milk I found). He only had to get one vaccine this time, Hep A. He didn't mind it too much because he was busy looking at a book (one of his favorite pass-times lately). His first molars have slowly been coming in, as well as a few on the front bottom.

It's so cool to go to each check-up and know concretely that you're doing a good job as a parent. I never realized how much questioning of ourselves we do, wanting to make the right decisions and choices for our kids. It's hard to tell if you're doing the right thing. Time will tell for most of it, but for now it's nice to know I'm doing what I can to keep him physically healthy :)

Firefighter's Parade

2009-09-12T23:42:00.001-04:00

The 150th year of the Indianapolis Fire Dept was celebrated this weekend with a parade in downtown Indy.

My Fireman and Little Fireman were there to celebrate!

Here they come!
My Uncle Steve on the far right.

Oh, how precious.

Dennis' new Fire Engine. How cool is it that my husband drives that thing!?

Priceless

2 Generations of Firefighters...maybe 3 some day :)

I'm so proud of these men!

2009-09-09T22:44:00.000-04:00

The Disney "Christmas Carol" train stopped in Bargerville today on it's nationwide tour.
Ty is really into trains right now, so we thought we'd take him to see it.
There was a 5hr wait to get inside! No thanks! But he was just happy to see a train that close. Actually, there was a shuttle bus/tractor (like at the fair), and each time it went by he'd say "Choo Choo". So I'm sure he would have been happy with just that ;)

2009-09-04T22:44:00.000-04:00

Today Ty & I enjoyed a super-fun day at Trader's Point Christian Church's indoor playground "Park".
We went along with my SIL, Denise, her son Brayton and nephew Al.
And our friend Crystal, her daughter Shelby, and new baby Caiden met us there as well.
How cool is this place!?

Ty's 1st Dentist Appt

2009-09-03T20:44:00.002-04:00

Today was Ty's 1st Dentist appointment. I wasn't sure when I should take him for the first time and we getting conflicting answers. So I called up the office I wanted to take him to, and surprisingly they said 12-18month old. So here we are! He has 6 teeth and apparently some molars coming anytime now. I didn't realize one had already broken through til the doc showed me.

Ty did really well. They had him sit on my lap facing me, then he leaned back into the Dentist's lap to have his teeth cleaned. They called it "tickling his teeth". He was excited to sit in the Big Chair afterwards and even more excited about the balloon he got on the way out!

An April Baby!

2009-09-02T21:04:00.000-04:00

Today we had our first OB appointment. I was super nervous. My mind was racing with all the things that could go wrong. But once I saw that little flickering heartbeat, tears of happiness flowed! It's such an amazing thing that I don't think I can ever grasp. We're very excited, yet with still a few nerves. Our due date is April 12, 2010!

Ty Happenings...

2009-09-02T20:37:00.002-04:00

It's been awhile since I've posted, yet daily Ty cracks us up with something new. For instance just over the weekend, he started saying "yeah". His answer to EVERYTHING used to be "no". I had never heard him say yes, although we'd been working on it. Then out of nowhere he comes up with "yeah". It's so cute.

He's also really into Apples lately. "Bapple", as Ty would say. He walks around the house with it taking the tiniest bites with his 6 little front teeth. At first he was biting off the skin and throwing it onto the floor. So we had to work on teaching him that if he doesn't want it, then it goes in the trash. Which was followed by another lesson that not everything goes in the trash. Well recently we found his "bapple" hidding place...under his ride-on firetruck seat. We were watching TV one night and watched him walk over, lift up the lid, and continue to eat the apple he'd left there for himself (who knows how long ago).

Ty is also becoming much better at eating with utensils and even asks for one with his meals.

He continues to enjoy going to preschool. Each morning I'll say, "You wanna go to school today?" He says, "Yeah", and runs to get his backpack.

There's so many other things. I'll have to post more often and write as I think of them :)

Turbo Ty

2009-08-24T21:40:00.004-04:00

My Dad made this awesome helmet for Ty. One day real soon, I know he'll have a life-size version.We've called him "Turbo" ever since he became mobile.
And well...today he got his 1st Motorcycle Ride.

I know, I know...don't alert the authorities (although we got a few looks from neighbors). Dennis went very slow and Ty loved every minute of it.

On the Move 24/7

2009-08-24T21:31:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-08-22T12:49:00.003-04:00

This afternoon was Girl's Day at the Spa for Mom's Birthday :)

We all got pedicures.

Me, Mom, & Dana

My Neices Brianna & Layla got their toes painted too.
Dad brought mom a fountain coke. Now that's service!

Ahh...so relaxing

Geez, we should do this more often.

The girls were so good waiting for their nails to dry.

Mom & the girls drying their toe nails.

The finished product!

NICU Reunion '09

2009-08-18T20:36:00.004-04:00

This past weekend was the 11th Annual NICU Reunion Picnic for St. Vincent Hospital. It's such a great thing where our babies who have "graduated" come and we get to reunite and see how they are doing now. We also get to bring our own families as well. The kids have so much fun!

This is my friend Carissa's son, Ayden, taking a pony ride.

Ty checking out the goat at the petting zoo area.
This is an animal named Mya. LOL

Carissa & I rode with our little ones on the train ride :)

"Choo-choo!"

Ty got the play the "duckie game".

It was super hot, but they had these great misting fans all over the park.

Future Firefighters!

And these are a few of the great gals I work with. BTW-there were about 4 other cameras taking pictures at the same time. Hence why we are all looking in different directions ;)

(Me, Jamie, Emily, Brianna, Carissa, Katie, Kelly, Shelly, Becca)

Surprise Sprinkle for Katie

2009-08-05T21:42:00.003-04:00

Today the girls at work had a surprise shower for my friend Katie. I learned that people are now calling it a "Sprinkle" for the 2nd baby. How cute. Especially since it was poolside.

My preggo friends Emily, Julia, & Katie.

I learned a few days later, I should have added myself to this picture. More on that in days to come...
Erin, Brianna, & Katie

Bri & Tessa

The kids "sharing" a cup of ice.

Mya, Ty, & Nolan

My cutie-pa-tootie who lost his shorts.

Awe, aren't these the cutest kids!?

Mya, Tessa, & Ty

Potty Already!?

2009-08-05T20:59:00.003-04:00

I walked into the bathroom today to find this:

He had tried to pull his diaper down and everything!
Too funny! We haven't even started potty training. He likes to sit on his potty (pants on) while we go. Then when we're done, he'll flush his too. But appearantly he's catching on to more than I realized. Must be watching daddy since he knew to pick up a book to read ;)

Funny thing is, a few minutes later after he was done on the potty, he had poop in his diaper. May just be coincidence. I'm not ready for this! Anyone have any advice?

Ty's "Night Club"

2009-08-03T20:45:00.002-04:00

At night, we try to dim all the lights and get Ty to calm down before bed. Tonight he found his shades, which he LOVES by the way, and started dancing to a song that came on TV. So funny.

"Hey, get that camera out of here! I'm trying to dance."
He's such a HAM.

New Toys!

2009-07-31T16:46:00.002-04:00

One thing we've been fortunate about is that Dennis' parents saved just about all of his childhood toys. So periodically, we swap out the toys we have for bigger boy toys. Ty has recently been facinated with cars, so Dennis dug out this track/carrying case and a bunch of cars for Ty.

He also found his old "Hit Sticks". Remember those!?
"Cool Dude!"

The Firehouse is MY Playground

2009-07-30T16:38:00.001-04:00

Ty & I visited Dennis at the firehouse today. Each time we go, we get a picture of Ty by the engine's tire to see how tall he's getting. This is the best picture we got this time. He was WAY too busy running around and seeing everything.

Going out for a spin!

Climbing on everything

Looking around, checking things out.

And of course, we HAD to climb the stairs while we were there. That's one of Ty's favorite things to do these days.

Ely, Minnesota '09

2009-07-29T15:06:00.012-04:00

We had another great Black family vacation in Ely, Minnesota. Dennis' family has been going there for many many years, and I joined in 14 years ago. This year was especially exciting as it was Ty's first time on vacation (as well as our first vacation with a kids). I went into it with low expectations, thinking I'd be overwhelmed trying to keep Ty happy most of the time. But to my surprise, it was a very peaceful and relaxing time :)

The drive to Ely is approx 14hrs, so we usually stop in Black River Falls, WI to stay the night at a hotel. Ty was so excited and ran straight to pick his bed.

...then he decided to jump on the bed. LOL
The hotel we were at had an indoor pool. Ty was cautious at first. There were lots of kids playing and splashing. But he warmed up and eventually got in with his daddy.

A short few minutes later, Ty wanted to get a drink from the water fountain. When he did, he slipped and hit his mouth on the tile floor. Needless to say, he sported a big fat blue lip for half the trip.

Finally in Ely!!!!

Ty's first boat ride.

Chill'n with daddy on the boat.

We took a boat ride to the end of the lake at Shig Wak Resort. This is where we have all stayed for the past 5 years or so.

Unfortunately over the winter, the cabin Dennis' family usually rents burnt down. You can see in the picture that straight ahead behind the cars is where our cabin used to be.

This is the cement slab where they are going to place a new cabin for the resort managers.

Ty, taking a stroll through the woods.Back at our new cabin, my nephews Griffin & Brayton were eager to go fishing!

...I was eager to sit and relax :)

But in a cabin full of 5 adults and 4 kids, there's lots of excitement! Like Dennis wrestling with all the little ones.

At the end of each day, there were some peaceful moments. Dennis enjoyed escaping to the screened-in porch to read.

In the morning, we headed down to the dock again to enjoy the lake.

Ty enjoyed learning how to steer the boat.

My cutie-pa-tootie nephew Brayton.

Griffin was quite the fisherman. He was pulling 'em out left and right off the dock. Ty wanted to touch this one!

"Little Red Riding Hood"

Or Black Riding Hood

My sister-in-law Denise.

Dennis catching a little more reading time.

...and later some quality Mother-Son time.

That night, we stayed up late playing cards. The card situation was a bit goofy. We had one deck that Dennis swore smelt like metal and he couldn't stand it. So our other two options were great big heart-shaped cards or these very Oversized deck of cards. Let's just say it was good for a few laughs!

Back at the dock, we had to keep our eye on Ty at all times. If it were up to him, he walk right off the dock into the water. So he had to settle for sitting and putting his feet in.

On our way back up to the cabin. There were over 50 stairs we had to climb.

My ADORABLE boys.

Dennis showing Ty around.

Ty has picked up on quite a few sign language signs. This one here is, "All done".

I love his "I just woke up" sleepy eyes.

Time to play!

We took Ty to the park in town to run off some energy. And BOY did he!

Digging in the dirt.

Oh yes...just wait...it gets messier...

Ty wanted so badly to play in the puddles. We thought, "what the heck, he's on vacation too".

The puddle aftermath.

Time for a bath.

On Wednesday, the Shig Wak resort invited us to a "Pot Luck". The people there thought it was funny when I called it a "Pitch-in". They'd never heard it called that.

Taking a dip.

LOTS of memories on this lake. This is also where Dennis proposed to me 7 years ago. Now we are here with our handsome and healthy son :)

Bonfire Time!

Just like his daddy, Ty wanted to play with it.

...so I had to show him what Bonfires are REALLY for...

SMORES!

Ty got the hang of the marshmallow thing real quick and decided to stuff the entire thing in his mouth.

Ahhh...just another day on the lake.

The humming of the motor and rocking of the waves put Ty to sleep.

Back awake again! And wanting to touch the water as it splashes by. Don't worry...I have a death grip on his life jacket.

Ty joined us on one of our late night runs to town for a blizzard at Dairy Queen :)

Montana & Ty were buddies all week.

Mmmm...funnel cake at the Blueberry Festival.

Back down to the dock for our late evening in Ely.

Ty found this tree and stood there for what seemed like forever just picking the bark off.

Feeding the fish our left-over worms & leeches.

Ahhh...now this is how you end a great vacation!

Back in the car, on our way home. I was worried about the 14 hr drive. We weren't stopping overnight anywhere this time. But Ty did wonderful! My mother-in-law Kathy was in the back seat to keep him happy. As well as lots of snacks and videos. He especially loved wearing Grandma's headphones and listening to music.

Ah...Finally asleep.