Been a while...

Haven't written in some time. Today I had my 37 week doctor appointment! I am full-term with baby boy (who still remains nameless). I am 1 cm dilated, not effaced and baby is still riding high (contrary to my belief!). My appointments happen every week now.

My brother Jake just graduated high school. He was blessed with the beautiful, flooding rains for his graduation party this last weekend. Fortunately, neither their house or ours had any rain damage. But many places here in Waukesha weren't so lucky.

I have a ridiculous amount of work to do before I go on leave. Not sure it will all get done, but I am busting my butt to try to make sure it does. I am currently the only one who knows how to do the projects I am doing, so they could be in trouble if I leave early!

Kami is Kami. The joy of our lives. She keeps us on our toes, but she also keeps us very entertained. She's very smart and just has so much personality. I have a fear of not being able to give our second child nearly as much love as I do for our first born. I can't imagine having to share Kami's time with another child. But when it actually happens, I am sure it will be better than I can ever imagine and will bring out more love than I could ever think to possess. Kami is going to be a great big sister and I think she will be a great role model for her brother. She is soooo smart that I think she'll help us to teach him the things he needs to know. And watching Kami interact with her baby brother will probably only add another element to our love for her. We are already constantly watching every move she makes... You have to, or you might miss one of her millions of cute things she does each day.

Speaking of cute... Our daycare lady sent an email today with the cutest thing. "Jack and Kami were sitting together and Jack said "Are you thinking what I am thinking Kam? Let's get married." Kami replied with a smile and a very enthusiastic "Yeah"."

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Jeff's first time playing on JazzFest grounds

The Digdown boys are in New Orleans for JazzFest as I type this. They normally go down to play at Donna's and any other gigs they can pick up off the JazzFest grounds. But this year, a few of them were asked to join Mahogany Brass Band play on a JazzFest stage. They also played Donna's and have another gig Monday night. Jeff will be back home on Tuesday.

Today Kami and I did a little shopping and went to Ben's first birthday party. Man is it hard to keep up with her, especially while pregnant and a single Mom! I have much more appreciation for those who are single Moms, and wish to never ever have to do it full time! Tonight Kami is going to Grandma and Grandpa Madderns until Jeff gets back on Tuesday. I have to go into work tomorrow, plus I could just use the break and the chance to rest. I love having G&G around! :)

Here are some pictures I found on the NOLA website from JazzFest. They just played about 3 hours ago, and I already found some pics on the site. Gotta love technology.

Spring is surely here.

The last two days have been in the 70s and beautiful. Perfect. Now, it just needs to stick around. I got to take Kami outside to play, which she loved. Now only if I could keep up with her. She certainly doesn't just sit in one spot anymore.

Kami has successfully slept in her big girl bed for nearly a week now. She has only had the opportunity to take one nap in it, but that also went well. I'll be uploading some pictures soon that I took of her during her nap. That's how hard she was sleeping... I was able to sneak in the room!

Jeff is going to New Orleans this weekend. Kami and I have a birthday party to attend on Saturday for Ben who is turning 1. I can't believe he's turning one! I also have a TON of work to get done by Monday. That should be interesting.

Jeff is driving home from Sparta as we speak with our new vehicle. After weeks and weeks of researching vehicles, watching websites for newly posted used vehicles and weighing the prices, etc.... we finally ended up with a Pontiac Vibe. We thought we were going to Sparta this past weekend to bring home a Jeep Liberty, but while on the lot, we saw the Vibe and took it for a drive. It had more room than we thought it would and the fuel efficiency is much better than the Liberty. But what's important is that we finally made a decision and we have a vehicle! :)

It's finally getting warm!

It finally feels like Spring and there's a lot going on these days. We are down to 11 weeks before baby comes. All of a sudden that doesn't seem like a lot of time, even though I can't wait to have him. We decided to switch Kami to a big girls bed, which she has taken to well. She hasn't been in her crib the last two nights. The problem, though, is that she sleeps on the stair that butts up against her bed. I think she finds it more protective and cozy. But we can't be having her sleep on a stair every night! We're going to fill in that space with some blankets or pillows so she will hopefully sleep on her bed from now on.

Kami has also started taking her clothes and diaper off during naps at daycare. What a headache! So, we've contemplated starting the potty training process. We bought what we need to do it, but actually doing it is a whole other story.

This weekend we're going to Minnesota to visit Jeff's grandma. On the way we'll be buying a new vehicle in Sparta at Scott's place. They have a Jeep Liberty that we'll probably end up with, but there are other possibilities there too. Most likely the Jeep will be the winner.

I'm busy as ever at work. They're trying to maximize my time before I go on leave. Apparently 11 weeks doesn't seem like much time to them either! I have to get all of our sound products out of here before I leave since I am the only one who works on them. No pressure. :)

Jeff is going to JazzFest next weekend down in New Orleans. This year he actually gets to play on the JazzFest grounds with a band called Mahogany Brass Band. I wish I could be there to see his first time playing in the fest, but I'll probably find video or a recording of it somewhere. I couldn't imagine traveling anymore during this pregnancy. Everything I do is achy and uncomfortable. Thus, I whine a lot. :)

It's April!

The grass is getting greener and no foreseeable snow in the near future. Could it be done??

Tonight is the Championship game for College basketball. I am in number 1 of 40 people right now. It basically comes down to me and one other dude. If Memphis wins, I get a couple/few hundred bucks! If Kansas wins, the dude wins the big pot and I get like $80. Regardless, I did better than I would have ever imagined this season!! We're rich! :)

This past weekend was my birthday weekend. Jeff, the wonderful husband that he is, brought me up to Sheboygan to a place called Harborside Villas. It was within view of Blue Harbor Resort and Lake Michigan. He coordinated an hour maternity massage, we went out to a really good dinner and it was just a nice and relaxing time away. Sunday, we went to the Kohler Design Center before making our way back home to get the kids from Grandma and Grandpa Madderns.

We also sold our Rodeo yesterday and are borrowing Dan and Diane's until we buy something new. We're having the hardest time finding the right thing for us. We want an SUV with low miles and good MPGs with plenty of room and in a certain price range. Is that so much to ask?

Almost the end of March!

What do ya know... Jeff ISN'T invincible! He came down with the nasty flu that plagued day care for the last two weeks and that I had a few weeks back. He's got the temp, chills, aches... all the good stuff. Luckily, he got into the doc today and got some flu meds which should help shorten the duration.

Kami and I are having a girl's night since daddy is sick and in bed. Speaking of Kami... that little girl has officially entered a new stage of toddler-hood. We first noticed this change about two weekends ago while at dinner at a friend's house. She started crying for no apparent reason several times while we were there. Kami's not much of a crier, so we didn't understand. We then chalked it up to some teeth coming in. Well, it has continued... she throws some fits when things aren't going her way and she uses the word "no" A LOT! Unfortunately, I am pretty sure she knows what she's saying when she says it now. She wants to be independent... brush her own teeth (even though she only really sucks all the toothpaste flavor off), feed herself (although she doesn't really eat anything without coaching) and many other miscellaneous instances that seem to catch us off guard.

I guess Jeff and I have had it soooo easy thus far that it has really caught us off guard to have a sassy little girl in the house. But, as much as she is getting her own personality and sense of independence... she is still completely adorable. I get frustrated sometimes... which usually coincide with her nap/bed times, but most of the time even her naughtiness is super cute. It's hard to be an effective parent when they are so cute they get their way. I just hate to see her cry when I know she won't cry if I give her that toothbrush back or let her eat it the way she wants to.

Perhaps Kami is just preparing us for the terror of a child that is growing in my belly?? Oh, I sure hope not. :)

To totally change topics... What the heck is with the freakin' snow??? They have issued ANOTHER darn Winter Storm Watch for Thursday. They are expecting AT LEAST 6 inches. At this point, I think I will be really mad if we don't hit the record snowfall. I mean, it's just been so ridiculous that we deserve to get something out of it... we should go down in history. What are we going to do if Jeff is still sick and I can't shovel?!?! Jeff did say that he's not shoveling any more this season, though. So I guess that's that.

Happy almost April!