we see you Ms Sheckler

busted!

Jenifer has found us and is listed as a follower of this blog.  but she should be an authoress, just as we are.  Jenifer... email me please and i can send you an invite to become an author on this blog so you can atlk with us because we miss you and your boys so much...

xoxox

MaryStarr

Love the pictures.

Marystarr, I can totally see that as being an Audrey Hepburn look. I loved that movie, just an all-around classic.

Vivian is getting a leopard gecko. My brother offered to buy her one and we agreed. She got to hold one at a pet store the other day (just to make sure she would actually help with the care of the animal). It was originally supposed to be a corn snake but we are not allowed to own them in the our county.

Love the new pics....we sure make purty babies roud here!! hehe

Thanks for the advice girls....that's exactly how he is......on top of the pain he feels like he's failing the family since he's out of work & things are so tight. Sooooo, I just keep telling myself if my shoulder & back was broken & I had been through 2 seizures in 3 weeks I'd probally be pretty pissy myself.....not to mention when he was in the hospital they were pumping him full of diluadid(woohoo ;p) every 2 hrs for days & I think alot of it has to do with coming off the "junk".....& painpills don't help......I'll just keep sending him good vibes I guess & hope it makes it through "the abyss".

Keli

dancing queen

Here is bunny right before her very first dance class last friday.  Doesn't she look just like Audrey hepburn in Funny Face when she does the spontaneous dance routine in the beatnik club?  wicked cute.

Sarah that looks like an awesome playground!  Riley has grown up so beautiful, she looks like a woodland fairy with her curly hair and her little smile...  It looks like nice fall weather there.  I am jealous.  It is hot here, hot and dry.  This is our summer time.  Indian summer they call it.  Too hot for me.  I like sunny with a light jacket best.

Maigan Allie is so sweet! What great pictures... I think Allie looks just like Eli but with your coloring, and Lizzie is the other way around.  What a fabulous princess she is on her bike.  I like my princesses to have little tough girl edge to em....

I think you are right about men and depression and not being able to sway them out of it.  Matt when he gets down is like a black hole.  It doesn't happen too often, thank goodness, but when he gets in a funk he has to work himself out of it.  Any energy I send there just gets sucked into the abyss.  Im sorry to hear about Eli and Scott being to bummed and grouchy, though.  Big hugs to you and Keli both... no matter how evolved we think our husbands are there still seem to always be times when we will feel like their mommas.

xoxo

MaryStarr

Playground Day!!

Riley loves this place....

So today I took Riley to the playground. She loved it, and I snapped a few pics of her....

Maigan, The girls are beautiful! I love the pictures of the first birthday and of Lizzie with all of the bows in her hair!

Marystarr, Maybe you will get lucky and skip morning sickness this pregnancy. Fingers crossed for you.

The Cake - The pepperoni are candy clay (mixture of melted chocolate and corn syrup). The cheese is fondant (used a cheese grater).

Hi guys...here are some pictures of the girls....

Allie's first birthday

Princess Lizzy

Allie's first birthday

Fancy Lizzy

Keli ~ Here is my opinion on cranky husbands...there is not much you can do. I have much experience in this department this year...5 weeks before Ironman, Eli crashed his bike and broke his collar bone...he ended up with a plate and 8 screws holding things together. He was out of Ironman and has basically been out of touch ever since. Adding to his Ironman depression, he decided to switch jobs three weeks ago and is absolutely miserable. At this point he sees himself as a total failure in all aspects of life...this causes his attitude to basically be total shit. I have tried to shower him with affection, I have told him to quit the new job, I have taken the time to job search, I have forced him to go and workout...nothing helps. I truly believe that when men get into slumps of any kind, there is little we can do to get them out of it. Even the girls can see how upset he is and they are constantly hugging and kissing him and it does nothing. I think you just need to give it time and hope that it works itself out. That's horrible advice, but it's all I've got right now.

Marystarr ~ My morning sickness hit with both pregnancies at 7 weeks...hopefully you are going to be lucky though and skip that part of being pregnant!!

Amy ~ That cake really is cool...I too am intrigued by the pepperoni...and the cheese...how did you do it?

so far so good

Well, yesterday was the first day of week 5 of my pregnancy. Still not sick, thank the lord.  Isn't this the week it is supposed to come on?  Everything i do i am telling myself "better do it now while you can before the morning sickness...".  It is actually a fantastic motivator.  Works for working out, cleaning up, running errands.  

Sarah, my due date is also in may.  May 24th!  So now we are also May 2008 mommies together.  How cool is that!?  I figure I will also go early, or atleast more like 38 weeks like I did with Ava.  But who knows.  I know that most Gestational diabetics have their babes around 38 weeks... so if that is me again I will expect my baby more like the 10th, which is my niece's birthday. i wonder if she would like that or not...

Amy I love the pizza cake.  What are the pepperonis made from?  You are quite the cake decorator lady.  Bravo!

xoxo

MaryStarr

Just wanted to show off this cake that Vivian and I made today.

Ron was gone for the week for work and Vivian wanted to make him a pizza cake for a surprise when he got home. He gets home tomorrow night.

Kri~...we must've been seperated at birth! lol There's at least 6 or 7 of your "randoms" that fit me as well...hehe

I agree it's awesome to have everyone around again.....Reena & Meagan...great to hear from you!!! It's been too long!

Sooooo, I need to vent. (If you don't know what's been going on...scroll down & read my first post).....we went to his endocrinologist yesterday & he told us that he is NOT making insulin(the hospital doctors had no clue what they were talking about)....his normal doc's had just uped his dosage in June too high & that's why he was bottoming out. Also, his disk are not only compressed but fractured as well. There's nothing they can do but give it time. Now, here is where I'm frustrated....he is soooo damn stubborn & won't let me help him at all. He's in all this excrutiating pain & there's nothing i can do...plus, the pain meds he's taking are not working but they are making him extremely moody & rude....which is not like him. I don't know what to do.....he's up all night in pain & i understand that but, i feel like he's mad at me b/c i'm not in his shoes...everytime i offer to help i get shot down but when i don't do something , that irritates him too....what the duece am i supposed to do. I hate to see him struggle but, if he won't accept help i don't know what to do....?????? I'm trying to be supportive but it's getting extremely obnoxious at this point. I'm of the thread that when life gives you another chance( & he got two) you take it & run...forget the negative & move forward with the positive...yes, things are bad right now but they'll get better in time. He is just the type to get pissed off at the hand he's been dealt.........any suggestions? My patience is running thin & i feel like i'm walking on eggshells........... :(

a new era

it feels so good to have everyone posting again. even though we have all been busy and not around as much i always thought that we would reconnect somehow.

i've been working my three 12 shifts a week and am trying to pick up a fourth. since i get up at 4am, leave by 6am, and return at 8pm i don't have much time to do anything. i'm going to make an effort, though, to post on my off days. of course, they may not be very interesting posts since i live and breathe the hospital now but i'll try :) sarah understands, i'm sure.

keli - it was down right creepy reading your 10 Random Things. that's me in a nutshell ! but now you have me intrigued so i thought that i would post 10 (more) Random Things about me...

I i am a very difficult person to get to know. i have very few "true, close" friends that i completely open up to. i have lots of friends and a lot of fun - just not a lot of shoulders to cry on. if you catch me crying ;)

II most people mistake me for a bitch. it's either because i'm reserved, blonde, cute, or have a dry sense of humor. my closest friends have all told me that their first impression of me wasn't good. and after i spoke, it usually got worse ;) oh well, joke them if they can't take a fuck !

III i pick things up with my toes all day long. drives dan crazy.

IV it is impossible to offend me.

V i am more sensitive than i let others know

VI i still cry over my father's death

VII i am a type A personality and type B. it just depends on how much coffee i've had.

VIII nothing gives me more peace than watching my daughters sleep

IX i don't know how to take time out for myself

X i love my friends more than they possibly know


kri

Marystarr, I would love to have a homebirth. After having a natural birth with Theodore I wouldn't want to do it any other way. It felt so empowering and it was just awesome and I picture homebirth as being amazing. I still am on a birth high. Unfortunately Iowa has some downright bad laws regarding midwives and homebirth. There are some midwives willing to travel over state lines but they are 2 hours or more away and wouldn't be willing to take me on as a patient due to the speed of my labors.

Dance Class - Vivian loves hers. She started at 3 doing a tap and ballet class. This year she moved up in the world from preschool dance to pre-dance. She gets to wear tan taps (the preschool wears white taps). She thought she was pretty big stuff when she found out. I can't wait to see pictures of Ava in her dance clothes. And I bet that Lizzie will love it. Dance didn't work for Samuel but we are going to try it for Theodore when he is old enough.

Cathcing Up

MaryStarr...I think a homebirth would be fabulous. I have a co-worker who just went thru the process and they had an amazing experience. They had a doula and a midwife come to their home and everything went very smooth. They rented a big tub and little Jayli was born fat and happy in her living room. You should totally do it~I was too much of a weenie with Allie to try it at home. I am fine with the pain, that didn't get me, I was more concerned with possible complications. I have a history of hemoraging, so probably not a good candidate for a home birth. Can't wait to see pics of Ava at dance class...she sounds super cute. Lizzy started soccer two weeks ago and I am not sure that she will continue past the fall season...she's way too much of a diva for the game....we'll wait and see of course, but I do have my doubts. Last week she went to practice in a skirt (pink), a tank top with sequins (pink) and what we refer to as fancy hair...it had two ponytails and about 6 different bows...pink shin guards. She's always a princess. She is dying to go to dance class, so I told her after soccer is over we will sign her up.

For some reason the link to add pictures does not come up when I post on here from this computer...it works fine at home and at my other office...strange. I had some pictures all ready to roll for you guys. I will get on that tomorrow. If anyone is interested, here is the address to my other blog page and it has recent photos...

http://www.vanditto.blogspot.com/

Right now things are sort of crazy with us...Eli started a new job two weeks ago and he absolutely hates it. We're trying to figure out what he should do and he's pretty much spent every free second applying for new stuff. I feel horrible for him. He finally took the plunge and left his flight career only to step into a nightmare. I am sure it will work out, but I've never seen him under so much stress.

The girls are both doing well. We spent last weekend at Silver Mountain for Lizzy's birthday.

http://www.silvermt.com/Waterpark/default.aspx?page=Waterpark

They have a new lodge with and indoor water park where we stayed. She had a great time. I actually made her a volcano cake. It was pink (of course, everything is pink). I have a really cool video of it in action which I will have to figure out how to get online. Allie turned one on July 26th...I can't believe she's an official toddler. She walks more than she crawls now, and that makes me sad. I hate knowing my baby days are gone forever. At least she's tiny...at her last doctor visit she was just under 18 pounds...that puts her in the bottom 5% for weight. I guess she takes after her grandma. We've had a lot of trouble with her ears, which sucks, but otherwise she's doing really well.

As for me, not much has changed. Still at the same job doing the same things. I'm trying to get back into running shape, but it seems like there is never enough time. I am still nursing Allie at night and hate to give it up. I think it's because I know that this is it...Eli got the big fix, so it's for sure that we won't have anymore kids...I just can't let go. It's so great to be back in touch will all of you...I have missed you guys!!

Hugs,
Maigan

nighty night

MaryStarr- I competely understand the tiredness.....yesterday I spent the entire day in my recliner. Completely useless!!!!

My youngest brother and sister were born at home- and it was very neat. (I was 15 at the time).
If you want a home birth- I'm sure they can help you get prepared. As long as there are no complications I don't see why you can't have it!!!
As for me- I'm a wimp, and will be ready for my epidural. Bring on the needle! LOL. I envy those of you who are commited to such a natural birth. Even with my epidural I had immense pain, I can't imagine how brave you guys are to do it natural.
:)

Today my goal is to do some laundry, not throw up (I did 6 times yesterday) and to find my winter comforter which is hiding somewhere in my house....

sarah

good evening

hi gals

just checking in to say hi.  today i was very tired.  i forgot how tired one can be even this early in the first trimester.  Can I have coffee?  

here is what I am hoping for:

less or no morning sickness at all ( although even the same morning sickness will feel like less since I will not be riding the New York City subway every morning packed in like a sardine in a winter parka... one time I fainted in the subway and did not fall over because I was so tightly packed in against other people, this guy just grabbed me and brought me over to a seat... gotta love new york, home of the kindest foul mouthed strangers in the world)

less or no Gestational Diabetes at all ( although I will be following the diet as much as possible anyways just to be sure)

a homebirth with the fabulous Bay Area Homebirth Collective

only one baby please (although, of course if I had twins I would be very happy I am sure.  Happy and poor ;p )

~~~~~~~

Ava has her first day of dance class on friday.  She is signed up for Junior Contemporary class at ODC, which is where I train.  They also have a youth program, in addition to being where most professional modern dancers in the city train and rehearse.  I was a little torn about whether to put her into ballet or contemporary, but since I am a contemporary dancer myself that kind of won out.  We will probably add ballet in the winter if she digs it.  She has a black short sleeved leotard and black capri tights.  very chic.  very modern dance.  she is so cute i can't stand it.  i'll take a picture of her getting ready for class for y'all...

xo

MaryStarr

This was too long for my profile...imagine that..lol
Thought I'd post here....blogging is fun...why I haven't done it before I don't know....anyhoo, a lil insight into the strang world that is my head....hehehe ;p

10 RANDOM THINGS

1 . I'm seriously ADD, you can always find me doing at least 5 things at once. If it doesn't look like I'm that busy, don't doubt b/c in my head there are 10 millions things flying around that I will probally start soon!

2. I can't sit still & I hate silence,unless I'm sleeping. If the kids aren't around to make noise then I'm listening to music constantly, drives my hubby insane. ;p

3. I love music..all kinds, I can't get enough. There's nothing like the feeling of finding great stuff & seeing..."Ipod sync is complete."

4. I hate to clean but, I'm a neat freak.."put it back where it belongs" is something you'll here me say a thousand times a day. I spend most of the day "straightening up" & if I didn't love my family so much they would get kicked to the curb b/c they are all slobs.

5. I hate stupidity, pettiness, jealousy, mind games..two faced people stay away!! I tell things like they are & I expect the same thing in return..don't worry about hurting my feelings b/c it will piss me off way more if you are not real with me. Also, don't judge me....I'm probally not what you think.

6. I have ALOT to say & I talk(type,write) way too much (if you know me...you know this).......but, I'm ok with that. Also, I have no filter it seems....if I think it, usually I say it & it probally involes too much swearing. This can get me into trouble, but it is what it is. I see no point in going round & round, still not saying what you really want to.

7. I try to be lazy at least once a day.....to counteract the aboved mentioned restlessness. :p Since my husband is usually watching some boring show this involves copious amounts of searching the vast depths of the internet for completely useless bullshit....i do love my computer.

8. I'm addicted to coffee......do not attempt to approach me before I've had at least one cup....if your smart you'll wait till I'm halfway through the second one.

9. I'm very,very random......don't take things so seriously, I try not too. I'm also a clutz...I hurt myself almost daily & I spill alot. ;p

10. I LOVE my family & friends. I will do anything for the people I love. Cross them, you cross me. I'm not here to judge you....if you treat me with respect & kindness I will do the same. My greatest fault is that I trust people too easily & although it sometimes causes heartache...I know at night that I lived each day to the fullest

Maybe when ya'll are bored you could do the same.....just 10 random things about yourself.....??

Well, well, well....this is fantabulous!! Thanks Marystarr...awesome idea...I'm with Kri...I feel like typing every curse word i know...lol

Just an update on Scott for those of you who don't know.....we were in the hospital again for the last few days...his sugar bottomed out once again & he had another seizure(first one was last week) Sun...found him on the couch....can't stop having nightmares of him like that. Think i'm in shock still....& super drained. The doctors think that after being diabetic for almost 10 yrs that his body has up & decided to make insulin!?!? So basically he was overdosing on it b/t what he was taking & what his pancreas is randomly making. They have taken him off his long acting insulin & he's just using the short acting right now....not to mention he walked around with a dislocated/fractured shoulder & 4 compressed disks in his back....alot of pain & rehab ahead.

Marystarr~ Yay for being preggos!!!!!

Ava's B-Day...we haven't celebrated yet & being that she's not really "calendar savvy"...we haven't told her it was on Mon....didn't want to celebrate while Scott was in the hospital so we'll do it this weekend.....can you believe our babes our 4!!!!!

Better run.....gotta get ready for work...suddenly I'm the only bread winner 'roud here!!! I'm so glad we have been able to convert without losing everyone...I'll be in touch more often hopefully....have a great week girls!! :)

WHOO HOO MARYSTARR!!!!!

Yipee!!!! I don't get to be the only one knocked up here!!!! Tee Hee....

I am at about 7 1/2 weeks, so not too far ahead of you. :) My due date is around May 4th, but like Riley, I anticipate giving birth sometime around early or mid-April.

I'm glad we all found us here~ and Kri- NO, that didn't get censored. LOL.

Today I hope will be a completely boring day. Fall weather has hit us, I think it's about 60* outside right now and I love it. I love Fall. I love the cool weather.

Riley is sitting on the couch, with the dog, watching TV. Lately she has wakened at 0600, which is NOT what I like. So I'm still asleep.......

OK....time to find some caffeine......

~sarah~

sweet.

this is RAD.  I am so pleased that nearly everyone has arrived.  Hopefully Michelle will join us soon.  We do need to invite Aanna, Amber, Aimee, Jess and Jenifer Sheckler.  Does anyone have their emails?  Once everyone is on here we can set ourselves to private if we like, so the bog is only readable by we authoresses.

Thanks all for the hoorays on being in the baby way.  I know I was lagging, but we did always plan on another one when we felt ready.  The rest of you were fast out of the gate... I am so pleased that Sarah was kind enough to wait for my slow poke self to get knocked up too (just teasing Sarah, ;) just so she could keep me company on round two. 

Amy, that cake looks far better than I could decorate, and yummy too.  tell Samuel he did a fabulous job.  I think it is adorable you are raising star wars fans.  We are raising a little deadhead, ourselves.  She does a mean air guitar...

Maigan and Reena, I think it is possible to post via email if you ever want to from work and are worried about getting in trouble...

So happy to hear your "voices" again.  Missed you madly.  Mwah!

xoxo

MaryStarr

Hooray for Blogger

Hello lovely ladies!! It has been quite some time, but I have found all of you and am excited to start posting on this blog. I actually have a blogger account and a blog rolling, but I am thrilled to be back with friends from Babycenter. Can't believe it's been so long! I am at work, and will get fired if they find out I'm posting to a blog during work hours, but I was so excited I couldn't help myself. Hooray for all you you who are pregnant...I will catch up on everything and post some recent photos in the morning...must work now. Big big hugs!!! Maigan

Hello

Hiya
Nice to be able to blog :) How is everyone doing?

Reena

Congratulations!

Great to hear that you are knocked up Marystarr!

I wanted to share a picture of Samuel's birthday cake. It was yellow cake with strawberry jam filling and buttercream frosting. The Star Wars logo and stars are done in melted white chocolate. The figures are toys (the only character that had to be on it was Jar Jar Binks). I know the cake is messy looking but I think it is very good for one that had a 4-year-old doing most of the decorating. He was so pleased with himself and the cake. He has spent the past few weeks talking about it to anyone who will listen.

does this mean that i can curse now.....

welcome to our new home ladies :)
i'm away for a short period of time and everyone is pregnant again ?? congrats marystarr !!! i think that i saw somewhere that sarah is pregnant too?! is it true ? this is so exciting
i only have a moment since i have to go and pick up dan but i just wanted to check in and make sure i know what i'm doing. have we sent out invites to our friends for the new blog ? i still have aana's email so i can send one off to her. is there anyone else that we have forgotten ? i would hate to leave anyone behind
all my love to you my girls - i like our new home

xoxo
kri

fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck
did that get censored ?? ;)

heehee, guess i was wrong...

so, since I hadn't gotten my period yet i thought i'd take another test this morning just to be sure and BINGO.... two lines.  I was so surprised.  I had thought for certain that I wasn't pregnant this month, so color me stunned.  I am thrilled!  and, i took three tests just to be sure...

xoxo

MaryStarr

birthdays

Sarah, Riley's party sounds AWESOME!  I love tea parties...

for Ava's party we had a picnic at the park by our house.  It has a super fun playground, so the kids could all run around and play.  It was lots of fun, we had old fashioned sodas like root beer and orange in glass bottles, chicken salad sandwiches and fig & brie sandwiches, kettle chips and watermelon.  Ava and I made lemon cupcakes with raspberry frosting.

we had the party on the 6th, because her actual birthday (September 1) was labor day this year and we figured we would never get party guests on labor day.  So on her actual birthday her and I spent the day together just hanging out.  We woke up and she had a couple presents... some furniture and accessories for her doll house which she loves... and then we went to the coffee shop for coffee and juice and a scone.  Then we went to the park and played from 8:30 to 11, when it got too hot and sunny.  Then we went out to lunch at a cafe and went for a walk around the city.  Later we went home and had more presents... more doll house stuff and lots of art supplies... and played with all her bday gifts together.  when Matt got home he made a fancy dinner and we all had chocolate ganache tarts from the patisserie (she picked those instead of cake).  

can you believe what grown up gals they all are?  it's crazy.

xoxo

MaryStarr

ps:  congrats on becoming an auntie Gen!  That's great :)

:)

So Riley's 4th birthday was in August.....she was the early "september" baby.......:) :) :)

We had a "Tea Party" for her. I decorated with tea accessories. The girls had "tea" and a ton of sweet goodies....chocolate covered strawberries, little donuts, cupcakes, little sandwiches cut out with cookie cutters.

The cake in the picture was for her "family" birthday party that followed the tea party. It is from the same bakery that made her party cakes for my baby shower for her. The cake was yellow with strawberry filling and decorated with flowers and butterflies. I also decorated her room in butterflies as her birthday present. I found butterflies made out of wire and what appears to be pantyhose, painted and glittered and crystaled up. They are in fishing line type string, and I have the strung up on her ceiling. They are too cute. When her ceiling fan is on, they move in the air.

Gen, Congrats on your sisters pregnancy. MaryStarr, just hang in there- it will happen. My favorite site, if you want to be super Type A, is www.fertilityfriend.com. You create an account and "chart" your cycle. It will help.

Ok ladies, I was thinking- we should start to plan our Summer Meet and Greet for next year....any ideas as to where???? I think if we all hit Keli's place (by the beach) that'd be fun....hahaha..... Poor dear, her husband Scott is in the hospital. So keep him in your thoughts. Complications of Diabetes, I think.

:)

~*~*~sarah~*~*~

HEY Y'ALL !!!

My wedding dress still fits also -- my sister got married on July 20th, and wanted to borrow some stuff, so I dug-out my wedding box, and tried the dress on... :)
and then my sister found-out on July 27th, that she was 5 weeks pregnant !!!

to top it all off, she is going on her honeymoon to Italy in less than 2 weeks

Erika had her 4th b-day on September 7th, and my little boy is now 7 months. he got a tooth on Spetember 2nd, and was congested, which turned into an ear infection, and now he's got diarhea from the meds !!!

We're getting the last of Hurricane Ike, strong winds + heavy rain

Gen xx

hooray!

So glad y'all found it!  Good sleuthing Gen.  I was away for the night due to my anniversary so didn't catch the emails about not finding the invite.  Hopefully the others find us soon...

love you all

MaryStarr

Never Written A Blog Post Before...

Wow, I am so far behind. I have never blogged before. Makes me sound so uncool.

Anywho, We had Samuel's birthday party recently and he loved it. He is still talking about his Star Wars cake (yes we are geeks and raising geeky children).

And Marystarr, you look amazing in your wedding dress.

Found it!

Hello there ladies! And Congrats on the anniversary!!!
I think we "grew up" out of Babycenter....and this blog should keep us together better:)

Sarah
Riley Caelyn, age 4 (how'd my baby grow up so fast!)

woot!

how fabulous that i should break the proverbial cherry of our new hang out.  I don't think I ever one time started a new page on babycenter.  Anywho, if this new blog makes it possible for Reena to rejoin us then we are STOKED.

today is Matt's & my 5th wedding anniversary.  how time flies.  it is also the second month in a row in which I did not become pregnant with baby #2, which i know is completetly normal but nonetheless disconcerting and a bit annoying for a control freak like myself who planned to only take off one season from her dance career for babyhaving.  The sooner the better, god (if you happen to be listening) because I would be glad to be back in the studio by this time next year for fall auditions.  anyways, because matt and i think of ourselves as being excessively fertile individuals we are trying not to be nervous about the delay in our conception plans.

anyways, glad to say that five years and one child later this still fits...

love you all

MaryStarr