Sunday, December 31, 2006

Happy Newell Year!

Well, it's not quite the new year yet, but I'm home with nothing much to do so why not blog? Daniel is well on his way to recovery, but I probably picked up RSV from him... just like last year... and just like last year, I am having asthma troubles again. Ugh. I just like to keep up with Robin. I just really don't want to start in on my 2007 deductible in the middle of the night on Jan. 1. I'm on everything the docs will give me without going in to the ER, so pray that I make it through!
Rachel is still up with us... what a trooper. We just watched the Polar Express - Brad and I had never seen it, but Rachel had. The child WILL LEARN some day to just let us watch the movie and not tell us what's going to happen before it happens! It was still fun, though. She sat through the whole movie and colored in the princess book that Aunt Tara and Uncle Kevin got her for Christmas. Earlier in the day, she made me a beautiful beaded bracelet with lavendar and clear beads - also from a Christmas gift. She's a crafty one.
I'm hungry again. As if being pregnant weren't enough to keep me eating a lot, now I'm on a heafty dose of prednisone, which also makes me really hungry! I'm sure Brad's thrilled that it's New Year's Eve and nothing is open - otherwise I might just have to beg for a fast food run.
By the way, you may not have noticed that my sister has joined the blogging world. If you know
Kim or you don't know her and you like to stalk blogs, pay her a visit and leave a comment! You have to see her Christmas tree.
Well, since we don't have cable TV (or DISH or DirecTV or anything with any reception), and since it's 11:31, we're going to try to find something on the internet to bring in the new year. Wish me luck! And have a Happy Newell Year!

Sunday, December 24, 2006

'Tis the season...2


Here's your Christmas card! OK, it's just the picture, but the rest would say "Merry Christmas! Brad, Kari, Rachel and Daniel"
Well, I'm feeling a bit better, but Daniel isn't. Today, we spent the afternoon in the ER and Daniel was diagnosed with pneumonia and RSV. Last winter, he ended up in the hospital with RSV. Every health professional I told about it (including Greg Broyles) said, " 'Tis the season for RSV." So, JoEllen, be encouraged that it is for very good reason that you keep your precious little ones at home this winter!
Enough bad news... the good news is that it's Christmas Eve! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

'Tis the season...

... for nausea. Combine morning sickness (whoever called it that wasn't really pregnant) - I mean all-day sickness with sinus troubles, and I'm on the couch... a lot. Mom came over today and helped get the kids ready for the Math/Science Christmas dinner at IWU - otherwise we wouldn't have made it. I have another dinner to make it through tomorrow, and wrapping to do, and packing to do, and then maybe I can lay on the couch some more. Yippee!! Poor Brad is doing most of the housework. Now I'm going to see if I can make it to bed without getting dizzy. :)

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Photos from yesterday

This was Daniel's first experience on a cool ride - he loved it!
Daniel cried when I put him on Santa's lap, and then not even Rachel's lap would do. So, I got in the picture also. I was in Rachel's first picture with Santa as well. :)


Poor Jack. He looks like he's be saying, "I want my lawyer." Daniel is sporting his new "It wasn't me... it was the DOG" outfit, complete with matching slippers and hat. The hat didn't stay on for too long, but he loved the slippers! When one came off he'd bring it to me to put back on. Too cute.
Daniel loves Jack, and usually Jack loves him back. Unfortunately, Jack doesn't like cameras and Daniel didn't have any food to share.

While I was writing this post, Rachel came in with her sales pitch for the new beaded strings she had made. (They're not long enough for bracelets and she's out of string.) Aunt Jean gave her a bead kit at Thanksgiving and these were the fruits of her labor. She asked me if I wanted to buy one, for the price of ... um... $3. Then she showed me another and told me that it would be $5 because it was more popular. She's 6!

Friday, December 08, 2006

Trip to the mall

Brad was out for the evening... again... seems like it's been a lot lately. Tonight it was a dodgeball tournement for the junior highers. I certainly don't want to attend that for more than about 10 minutes, so I stayed home with the kids. It's been different living in HC because in Marion, we'd just head over to my parents' house on nights like these. Now, I have to plan in advance for those sorts trips because I'm in Marion once in the mornings and who wants to drive over there twice? Besides, Mom had a choir program tonight. Dad would entertain us, but they just got new carpet and their house is less than baby-proofed at the moment - certainly not Daniel-proofed! The kid gets into and climbs on EVERYTHING!

He's also not content to sit for very long in any one place, including his stroller. So I was trying to figure out what to do with the three of us. I'm tired of laying on the couch being nauseated, and since evenings are best for me right now, I decided to get out of the house and take the kids to the Muncie Mall. I wasn't so sure how this was going to go... if I was going to feel well enough to deal with both of them... if Daniel was going to be content in his stroller... if Rachel would beg and plead for everything she saw... The trip turned out GREAT! After a decision by Rachel in the dressing room of Old Navy to "start over" with her attitude and actions, life was grand. Not only did I finish my shopping for everyone except my brother, I also found a booth set up by a church in Muncie that offered free gift wrapping... just because! Rachel, Daniel and I broke the cardinal rule that you aren't supposed to buy yourself anything before Christmas - I found some pants that are actually comfy - not too big, not too small - Rachel got a cute sweatsuit and Daniel got some darling clothes, too. I'm going to have to take a picture of him in his bodysuit - it says "It's not me... it was the dog." How true is that! I also got him the matching doggy hat and slippers. Daniel and our dog, Jack, are best buds, sharing the same toys, food, trash, etc. The outfit was just too appropriate, and kids outgrow clothes too fast to save it for Christmas!

We also got to visit Santa and all three of us had our picture taken with him... Daniel cried when I put him on Santa's lap, so Mommy sat next to Santa and held Daniel. Rachel was very matter-of-fact about the whole thing. She told Santa that she wanted an American Girl doll, and we have already had the discussion that she most likely will not be getting one for Christmas - a friend of ours had her girls save their own money and buy the doll, which I thought was a great idea, so it may be awhile. Anyway, she wanted the doll and surprises. That's good, because she'll have lots of surprises, then. :-)

They had a train next to Santa and so the kids took a ride. Daniel just loved looking at everything. He really liked the ride, too. Rachel took very good care of him, and was a great help. So basically, a good time was had by all.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

In case there was any doubt from the last post...


Here's proof - I'm pregnant! Can't you tell that that's a beautiful baby in that picture? The biggest portion inside the sack is actually the yoke - the circle in the middle. The baby is that beautiful blob attached to the circle. He looks just like his daddy. My official due date is July 24.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Overheard...

Yesterday, I was listening to our dog Jack chewing on his favorte Kong toy (favorite just means that he hasn't chewed it up yet). The chewing sound is very distinct and drives my mom crazy - teeth on rubber. The only problem was that I looked up and saw Jack looking at me with those sad puppy-dog eyes, and the chewing sound continued. Upon further investigation, I found Daniel laying on his tummy right beside Jack, chewing away on the Kong. Yum.
At Thanksgiving, my brother announced that he and his new wife are expecting their first baby in July! I'm so excited that I'm going to be an aunt. Too bad I won't be able to travel to NY to see my new "neicphew" because I will be at home with my own. I guess we can't let Kevin and Tara have all the fun... I'm due a week after Tara!