A Trip To Alpena and Now A Cold

Saturday, Noelle and I drove up to Alpena to help out my friend. Stacy suffered some ill effects while giving birth to her daughter and I wanted to help her out. We stayed until Tuesday and Noelle and I tried to keep Jacob, who is 15 months old, occupied while Stacy took care of Kelana. I'm not sure how much help I actually was, but I hope I offered at least, some company.


Noelle and Jacob are still too young to understand the concept of playing together and there was a lot of both wanting the same toy. We took two trips to the park which was a lot of fun. By the time we left they figured out that chasing each other around the house can be a lot of fun and induce much laughter while doing it! Luckily, they kept pretty much the same schedule and were able to nap at the same time and go to bed together.

Kelana is a beautiful little girl. I have completely forgotten how little and wonderful newborns can be. I really enjoyed being around Kelana and getting to know her so early in her life. It made me get more excited about my little one to come and start to picture myself with two children. I am really glad I was able to drive up and spend time with Jacob, Kelana, and Stacy. It's too bad Stacy will be back in Japan when my little boy comes. Maybe when we have number three or four she will be around!!

Noelle was again very interested in the baby and loved to sit by the person feeding her. She also enjoy gently touching and looking at her. She didn't show any aggression toward Kelana, but there were times when she did get a bit upset and only wanted to "snuvvle" (snuggle) mommy and wouldn't let me put her down. I think she will do well when the baby comes, but she will definitely need some one on one time and extra snuggle time. Noelle is very used to snuggling with Tom and I before and after all naps along with just some random down times during the day. On the weekends we enjoy taking Noelle into bed with us when she wakes and just talking and playing with. I never realized how "snugly" of a child she was until comparing her with others that want nothing to do with snuggling and she asks for it all the time during the day. I guess there could be lots worse! I treasure every time she runs up to me and says "snuvvle mommy" and she usually adds a "tease" (please) in there. How could any sane person turn down that polite request?

We came back Tuesday. Noelle and I had just started to both come down with colds. Wednesday morning brought a fever and worsening of our colds. Stuffy noses, and sore throats, along with fevers seem to have taken control of us for now. Plans for this weekend include me getting lots of rest and not doing much! Hopefully we can get over this cold and back to normal next week.

Big Girl Bed!!

This week I decided to tackle the obstacle of moving Miss Noelle from a crib to a bed. With the new baby coming I wanted to give ample time to get acquainted with a new bed. Over the weekend we went and bought the rails to add onto a bed that was already in her room. I thought it would be a long struggle taking about a week for her to get used to the new place.

I was wrong. Monday's nap was the first time in the bed and she was thrilled with the idea. She repeated "big girl" over and over while I situated all of her "guys" (stuffed animals are affectionately referred to as "guys") around the bed. She got out a few times and I put her right back in. She ended up taking a very long nap. When she woke up she climbed down and I could hear her little hands trying desperately to turn the door knob. Luckily, she isn't tall enough to have the leverage to fully turn and push and open up the door yet, I'm sure that will come quicker than I would like!

Tom and I were sure that because she took a nap well it didn't mean the first full night in the bed would be successful. Again, we were wrong. We went through our usual night time routine of a bath and snuggling while reading books. Tom and I kept looking at each other knowing that our little girl was going to be sleeping her first night not her in crib. For us it was very emotional. We put her into the bed with plenty of kisses and love then shut the door. I know that tears welled up in my eyes! She barely made a peep and slept until the morning! Noelle was completely ready for the transition from baby to little girl, her Mom and Dad on the other hand still only see our baby and probably will for a long time to come!

Traverse City

Over the Holiday weekend we braved the horrendous traffic and went Up North. My parents just moved to Traverse City so we went there to check out their new house. It was a wonderful trip and while we were there my parents had their 25th Wedding Anniversary. My sister surprised everyone by showing up Saturday afternoon, we all thought she was working and wouldn't be able to join us.

Noelle was instantly attached to Abigail, my Mom's German Shepard. She loved to say her name, lay on her and just be around her. Of course, Uncle Alex was again a big favorite. Unfortunately, Noelle had a little cold with a fever and that left her a tad bit cranky. During the move my parents saved a bunch of toys from our childhood and Grandpa got them out. Noelle was very interested in a little fishing set and some dinosaurs! I think she likes anything new and different.

We also went over our baby books combined with many priceless pieces of original artwork! My Mom did a wonderful job of saving almost everything for all three of us. From report cards, to sample writings, and everything in between. It gave me a big reminder to really keep up on Noelle's baby book and to start saving all her wonderful creations.

On Sunday afternoon we drove back home. We wanted to have Monday at home just relaxing and not spent fighting tons of traffic.

The rest of this week Noelle and I have basically not done much. I did not take any pictures while we were in Traverse City, but here are some taken yesterday while Noelle enjoy some art time.








































P.S. Congratulations to my good friend Stacy Zbytowski and her husband Eric. Yesterday, September 6th, she gave birth to a beautiful little girl Kelana Marie, 9lbs. 7oz. and 21 inches long.

Baby Boy Roehrig

As promised here are a few ultrasound pictures of our little boy. I hope you enjoy!

This is a picture of the face and he has his hand up by the his head.












Here is another profile of his face and his stomach arching upwards.

Girl or Boy? Boy or Girl?

Tom and I were very torn about finding out the sex of this baby. We debated and went both ways about it. Today during the ultrasound the technician was able to have a clear view and, what the heck, we decided to know:

Mid January we will be adding a little BOY to our family!

Tomorrow I will have Tom scan in a few ultrasound pictures and post them soon. The good thing is that we do not have any neutral clothing, everything is pink and purple so I get to do a lot of shopping in the next few months! I really want to go buy some boy things as soon as possible!! We are very excited and open to any suggestions on names because we have only been thinking of girls names these past few months.

Grandpa, Uncle, and a Basement

Let me start off first by telling you about the new obsession in Noelle's life. Helicopters! Ever since we went to the boat races in St. Clair and she was able to learn about the crazy new flying machines she has been hooked! We had to print off pictures of Helicopters and at least twice a day she requests that we color them. Every time she steps foot outside she immediately directs her attention to the sky, searching anxiously to glimpse a view of one. Luckily, we do see a few outside. This is her first real obsession with something and Tom and I get a real kick out of it when she says "Helicoper" ten times while looking completely serious and staring intently into our faces. I'm sure it's the first of many things that will catch her eye and make a daily appearance in our lives, but for now we are constantly talking about Helicopters!

This past week my Dad and brother came down for the week. Grandpa had a class in Ann Arbor and it was very convenient to spend time with us. Noelle took and instant liking to Uncle Alex and wouldn't leave him alone the entire time. I became a distant figure and Alex was the only one allowed to take her for a walk, or push the shopping cart. She even wanted "Uncle" to change her diaper, but for some odd reason Alex refused to do that! Whenever Alex tried to play a video game Noelle would sit right between her arms and try very hard to get his attention. Uncle Alex also brought her some G.I Joe

helicopters that I'm sure added to her love of him. A shower was the worst because the beloved Uncle would disappear for awhile as Noelle pounded on the door and cried until he came out! There is no privacy when she attaches herself to you.

Another reason my Dad decided to stay at our house was to give Tom help with the basement. The three men were able to frame in the entire thing only working a few hours every night and it looks wonderful! We are so excited to get the thing finished and add 700 sq. ft. of living space. We are so grateful to my Dad, because it would never get done with just Tom doing it himself. Also, Dad will come back down to help with the electrical and drywall. It is wonderful beyond words to have so much help!

I have now reached the 18 week mark in this pregnancy. I have an ultrasound tomorrow which possibly could yield the sex of this baby. Tom and I are still unsure if we want to find out so only tomorrow will tell and if we do decided to find out I will be sure and post the ultrasound pictures and surprising news on this blog!

Lots Going On

We have been pretty busy since I last posted. Busy in a really good way!

Last Tuesday we had some visitors come over and spend time with us. My friend Karen and her three kids came over to play. Noelle really enjoyed having Norah and Kitty over. Kitty (only four months younger than Noelle) and Noelle didn't really "play" together, they basically watched each other and did their own thing. Karen has a beautiful baby boy, Michael, who is only a month old. Noelle was very interested in the baby and loved to point at him and say "baby" a lot. She loves babies and I'm really hoping that bodes well when our second one comes along.

Zeus also had a fun Tuesday. He went in to get his "manhood" taken away. He is six months and we have no need to breed him, so the poor guy had to have it done. I am not overly attached person to animals and I really surprised myself when I dropped Zeus off in the morning and my eyes teared up! The pregnancy hormones are really taking over!

Wednesday Noelle and left early in the morning for Alpena. My good friend Stacy was having her baby shower on Thursday. The drive went surprisingly well. Noelle is a good little traveler and with only one quick stop the drive was a good one. I forgot how long the drive is by yourself. Noelle isn't the best conversationalist, although her vocabulary is expanding rapidly, she still doesn't cut it. We arrived at Stacy's house around 1pm. I was planning on visiting some family in Presque Isle so we got back into the car at 2:30pm. We had dinner at my Aunt's house. Noelle and her second cousin's Raegan, 3, and Owinn, 6 months, enjoyed the hot tub (which was actually pretty cool at the time) while dinner was being prepared. Being an extreme water lover, Noelle did not want to get out of the hot tub for anything. She also was able to go into Grand Lake for the first time. She loved walking in the shallow water and throwing rocks into the water. The splash that was produced when a rock was thrown was very exciting and a laugh came every time. It was really wonderful to see my Aunt Diane and Uncle Phil and my cousin and his family. We haven't seen them since Thanksgiving weekend, and it was long overdue. I was also able to visit with a family that I babysat for all during high school. The two girls were in my wedding and hold a special place in my heart and I really enjoyed seeing them.

Stacy had her baby shower on Thursday evening. It was a beautiful shower and I was amazed at the amount of little girl clothes she received. I guess it really does pay off to know the sex of the baby beforehand! There was around 30 people there and all in all it was a wonderful shower. Noelle enjoyed herself too, meeting a few other children her age and playing.

Friday we left around eleven in the morning after a good night's sleep. The next time I see Stacy she will have added another beautiful baby girl to her family! Again, the drive back was uneventful and long. Noelle was a little brown eyed angel and did very well.

Sunday we decided to go to St. Clair to watch the offshore boat races on the St. Clair River. They are a really big deal and my Grandparents have a condo on the river. The view is incredible and tons of people come to watch. Aunt CeeCee was there and took Noelle into the river to swim. She loved watching the very loud boats go by and tried to be louder than them. She also learned what a helicopter is and although it sounds more like "helly-opper". I was a little scared that she would be afraid of the boats because they are so loud and you can't talk while they go by, but she loved them! We didn't get to see the really big and fast boats race because Noelle decided that she was going to lay down on the floor, at that point we thought it best to make the 2 hour drive back while she was ready for a nap.

So as you can read, we have been kind of busy the last couple of weeks. August seems to have a lot going on too, from helping my parents move, to my dad staying with us for a week, and a family wedding. I will update with pictures as soon as I can! I hope everyone enjoys!