PRAY FOR KATELYN!!

I am sending some prayer requests for this precious angel! Katelyn is still in the NICU on and off. She did get to spend last night with her mommy & daddy, but went back to the NICU this morning as they've discovered a heart murmur. She will have some testing done tomorrow that will be sent to St. Louis for review, which will determine if she gets to go home tomorrow. So, please pray:

-For Leslie & Phil that they get rest and keep their strength up

-For Katelyn, that the testing will go great and she will pass all of them with flying colors.

-That they all get to go home tomorrow

-For Leslie, as she is determined to nurse (you go girl), and the situation is not making it easy. Pray that Katelyn will latch on and suck well. Pray they don't give up!!

-For the whole family, as Katelyn gets to return to their room tonight...pray the night goes well as last night was really tough on all of them. It is so hard since she has been in the NICU a majority of the time since Friday morning.

-Please pray I can find the best ways to support and encourage them!

Thank you all for praying for this family, they are all so special to me and Katelyn's arrival was such a blessing and a huge answer to prayer. Leslie & Phil waited for this little angel for a long time after unsuccessful fertility attempts. God blessed them with this pregnancy the very month following their decision to give fertility treatments a break for a few months! She is such a miracle for them!

Thanks again! I know with all of us praying, great things will happen for this little beauty!!

WELCOME KATELYN ELIZABETH!!

I am proud to welcome my new niece Katelyn Elizabeth Wallen! She was born Friday June 27, 2008 at 7:56am in Carbondale, IL. She arrived after Leslie's water broke around 1:10am, so she had only about a 7 hour labor, YOU GO GIRL!

She weighed in at 6lbs, 7.9oz, and 20" long. She is absolutely beautiful! She is currently in NICU because she was born with lots of fluid in her lungs, so she was having trouble breathing. As of now she is out of the oxygen machine and getting stronger and stronger. Please keep her in your prayers! She is a tough little cookie!

This is such a blessing because like Andrew, Katelyn was prayed for for a very LONG time. After a battle with infertility Leslie and Phil finally got their answer to prayer! Praise the Lord!!

My "SIZE HEALTHY" Journey!!!

At the 6 month mark, post having Drew, I really started gearing up to get a "Size Healthy" as Queen Latifah says in her Jenny Craig commercials... I think that is who she is representing. Anyhow, I was over weight before getting pregnant, and even though I only gained 22lbs during my pregnancy my end weight was SCARY!! So, I made a commitment this month to get with the program.

Why am I posting this you ask... well, I need accountability and I thought what better way is there than this! So, I have already lost 5lbs, but I have a ways to go. I did just this little bit by changing how late I eat before bed and eating smaller sized portions. Drew and I have also been getting out to walk 30-40 minutes every sunny day possible.

So, I am not going to share my weight in numbers, but I will be sharing pictures during my progress & how I am accomplishing my goal..Each week I will be posting an update so I can keep myself on my toes!! It is amazing when you have a child how your thought process changes!!

I hope you enjoy this series of posts and maybe it will help someone else! Thanks for taking this journey with me!

When I saw the below picture of me and my adopted little bro Nick, it jumped started this journey:

Splish Splash DREW Was Taking A Bath!!

Hey Yawl....I just had to say it. Sorry I am in a little bit of a quirky mood.. he he he. Anyhow, I am getting ready to head down to Carbondale in a few hours to help my best friend Leslie through he labor! I just can't wait to meet little Katelyn, even though she's a little stubborn waiting a week past her due date, but who can blame her she is cozy where she's at. Maybe her and Drew are meant to be... he he he!!

Anyhow, to the point.. Drew is learning so fast I just can't keep up with him. He is starting to copy what we are doing, oh know. This short video is of him splashing in the tub! This is one of his new things. Enjoy!

EAT YOUR HEART OUT!!

WARNING...View at your own discretion!!

No gasping when you see the video below, or else!! Now for the explanation...Drew does not have any teeth, but you would never know it. The boy not only LOVES TO EAT, but he also loves to chew...talk about tough gums. His chewing food of choice is bananas (although he tried a couple cheerios yesterday and did great with them), so needless to say I have a bona-fide MONKEY!!

Okay I warned you! Just to note, he is starting to whine when he doesn't get what he wants especially if we have it he really wants it, so needless to say I had this in my hands and he kept grabbing & whining for it, so I thought to myself, hmmmm...lets see what he does with it!! By the way it looks like a lesson on sharing is right around the corner!!!

Laughter Makes the World Go Round!!!

We had some down right, laugh til your belly hurts, fun yesterday that I just had to share.. We got this fun cube from Auntie Erin and we have brought it out a couple times and tried to make Drew play with it but he just wasn't interested, so we thought Drew was playing so well with other toys that we would bring it out again and see how he did. He LOVED it this time! You might not notice by the picture but every side has a shape that opens a different way (button, velcro, zipper, etc..) and under each shape is a toy. Oh, it also sings songs about the shape that is facing up..it is WAY COOL! This toy also gave him good standing practice, which he did so well. He just laughed and laughed at the circle side, watch the video below and you will see why!!

MY LITTLE WIGGLE WORM!

Many of you know when I was pregnant that Andrew was a wild man. I don't think he ever stopped wiggling, my stomach was always movin' & shakin'! I remember when we went around the room in birth class talking about our baby's movement...each couple would say "my baby moves when I am driving," "my baby moves at night," etc... I was thinking, what??? Then it came around to David and I...we said "ummmm 24/7!" Drew is very much like that now, he just can't sit still, even if he is sitting on your lap he does not stay sitting...before you know it he is flat on his back, or if he drops something on the floor he wants to get it, so he enjoys sliding down your leg stomach first to get whatever he dropped or anything else he finds along the way. I think we will be in trouble when he is mobile, which won't be to long...scary!!

Enjoy this video, it starts sideways as I had not had my V-8 yet, but I correct it during taping so just hold tight. This is about an every night event, we sit him on the floor and give him a biter biscuit so we can eat dinner together. This is just one of many examples of his antsy ways!!

Parents Magazine Cover Model Search!!

Howdy! I recently entered some of Andrews pictures in the Parents Magazine Cover Model Search, it was FREE and the magazine is reputable, so I thought I had nothing to loose. The grand prize is awesome, even the top 5 will be flown to New York for a photo shoot all expense paid for him and me! Take a moment and go to:

parents.com

Once there you will want to go to photo contest which is an option at the top under "don't miss". Then once you are on that page you can search for his photos, by typing in Andrew Charles (to the left of the screen), then right below it scroll down to Baby Photo Contest Cover Model Search. It should pull his entry right up. If you click on the picture you will see a couple more, you could add up to 6 pictures if I remember correctly (I did 4). You can also rate the photos by registering for FREE on the website. The overall contest is not judged on these ratings, but a little extra viewing never hurt.

Thanks for taking the time to look at our cutie!!

Pug Calendar Contest Update!

Hello All... I can't believe it my picture of Maybelle is in round 4 of the SEPRA (pug rescue) calendar contest. The pic just has to survive this round and one more... if she does she will be on the PUG Calendar for 2009! Check her out and the other 39 finalist at...

http://www.pugged.com/sepracalendar

This in no way to pressure you to vote, but if you want to the votes are only $1 and all the funds go to the local Pug Rescue. I am just so excited she has made it this far...4 rounds so far! The thought of having one of my pictures on a calendar is cool!!

LAUGH FEST 2008!

Lately, drew is known around our house for having laugh attacks...just like his Mommy. It is those moments where anything is funny! Anyhow, we finally got it on video. When he gets in these silly moods I love it most when he just laughs because you are laughing at him. This evening he started rolling to one side so you could tickle the other. What a silly boy! So, I hope your funny bone is ready! Enjoy...

MOM, NOT ANOTHER ONE!!

I just couldn't help myself, the day was beautiful and Drew was looking so cute.. so you guessed it the camera found its way out of the bag!! Enjoy this slide show, I am just playing around with some new things..

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

I hope all you fathers and fathers-to-be out there have a wonderful day! I thought I could express myself best below (I am a little rusty so bare with me)...

To Daddy from Andrew:

I love you more with each passing day,

I can't wait til' you get home, so we can play play play.

My eyes light up when you walk through that door,

That's my daddy, I know and my little heart soars.

I just couldn't pick a better daddy than you,

You play airplane, tickle, and snuggle me to.

Thank you for all the love you show me,

My father, my daddy, you will always be.

I LOVE YOU!! Drew

BATHIN' LIKE A BIG BOY!!

We took the plunge last night and put Drew in the tub without his seat. We figured it was time since he is sitting up so well on his own. He did awesome, with only falling over a couple times ...what a big boy! He is learning that when he looses his balance to roll a little to the side, which makes the landing so much softer.

I can't wait to see what he does next!!!

NURSING SUCCESS!!!

The last 6 months I have been a little trying when it came to nursing. I wanted to solely nurse from the beginning, but that plan went out the window about 2 weeks after Andrew arrived. So, I am proud to report that as of today it has been almost 2 weeks since he has had any formula and it feels GREAT!!! I just prayed my little heart out and didn't give up.

The reason I am sharing this with all of you is because if you are wanting to nurse your little one and you are either scared or it is to painful, just know those feelings are normal and IT IS POSSIBLE!! The rewards are so worth it! Don't give up and know it is a commitment. If it is your plan give it alteast 6 weeks than re-evaluate. If you are stubborn like me then don't give up and if you have to supplement it is OKAY!!

If you have any questions or you just need moral support I am here for you!!

Note: This in no way discounts those of you who bottle-feed... I am for whatever choice you make!

SUPER BABY FOOD FUN!!

I have loved introducing Drew to new foods, so far he is in LOVE with fresh avocado and banana (together is even better). They are the only two foods he makes a "mmm mmm mmm" sound while eating them, it is very cute. I have to trick him with other foods especially prunes.. so I just mix it with something else. Today I tried prunes with peas and he seemed to like it.

My thoughts on biter biscuits...great but Oh SOOOOO messy.. Let me tell you though, David and I can go out to eat and feed Drew while we order and wait on our food, then when our food arrives we give him a biter biscuit and poof he is entertained so we can eat our dinner. I also love that we can put him in the high chair so no more lugging in the carseat. Oh I would suggest gettins some disposable bibs...LOVE THEM!

Here is my thoughts on homemade food, LOVE IT.. I am starting slow with just a couple things at a time. I was given a great book "Super Baby Food" from my friend Shaina... I highly recommend it. I bought a machine to puree food, but first I use one of my favorite tools the Oster Steamer. So, far I have made sweet potatoes, carrots, pears, & apples (these were all good, but I would recommend just serving the pear fresh..once it is a little soft you can just mash it with a fork). Once I puree them I use the cube method, which is just pouring the purees in an ice cube tray and freezing them. Once frozen I put them in a Ziploc bag and label. I only steamed 2 sweet potatoes and it made almost 2 full trays. I love it... Drew definitely notices the difference between the store bought containers (I use Gerber Organic) to the fresh purees...I highly recommend it. Another great book is "Deceptively Delicious" by Jessica Seinfeld (thanks for recommending it Angela), it explains the purees in more detail & shares their purpose. I also like that this book has fun recipes for kids & adults alike. All of the recipes use a puree to help get those good nutrients in our food. I have been told you don't even notice. The food looks yummy!!

I hate that Drew is growing up so fast, but I love learning everything again through his eyes. It renews the excitement of life and who knew meal time could be so much fun??

-Your Puree Crazy Friend!!

Messy Loungin' "KING OF THE WORLD!"

Drew has just been a ham today, so I couldn't resist posting again. He was just getting all kinds of messy today, plus he is beyond wiggly, so he decided to eat his biter biscuit sideways laying down...don't know why, but it was cute so I thought..hmmmm.. Kodak moment or in my case Canon moment. Oh and the video, what can I say my son thinks he is Leo DiCaprio in Titanic, you will see why when you watch..

King of the World (he just started doing this, why...who knows)

Loungin' with the Biscuit

Mommy & Drew Sing-a-Long

I am so amazed at how fast Drew is learning! For those of you who don't know I LOVE to sing and when I was pregnant I used to tap rhythms on my stomach. David found it funny, but I think it paid off. Here is a video of Drew and I singing today, see if you can pick out the copying of rhythm from him & at times the sound...

Camera Practice!

My camera's flash broke recently and although David tried his hardest to replace the flash it was a no go.. So, Canon let us trade it in on a refurbished model which worked to our benefit since it was an upgraded version. So we went from a 3.2 to 6.0. Canon sent it out on Friday and it arrived this morning. Okay the whole purpose of sharing this with you is my model, Andrew, was my first subject with my new camera. I didn't get one smile out of him because he was sooooooooo tired, but he wasn't crabby either, so I'll take it!! You will notice in most of them he is sucking his bottom lip, he loves that lip, and I turned them all black and white (this is only a drop in the bucket for the amount of pictures I took)...Enjoy!!

I still have some learning to do with the camera, but I thought they turned out okay for my first try.

IF YOUR HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT!!

Drew loves to clap, but when I turn the camera on he usually decides not to perform. However, today was my lucky day as he came out with a bang. We have been singing "If Your Happy and You Know it" for awhile as well as saying yeah so he can associate them with clapping. Wouldn't you know it today it all came together for him when I was singing the song he actually clapped at the right moments. What a smarty pants!! Enjoy the video I am sooooooooo excited he performed today...beyond my expectations at that!! I told you he has his Dad's brains!!!

Okay I was just getting to finalize this post and as I was playing the video for David to watch Drew heard it and started clapping again to the video. So, of course we did it a few more times for our amusement. He just LOVES this song.