tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16383670936233942492024-02-21T09:41:33.266-06:00Lizzy A to ZMrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-87998438002951010732011-04-28T09:31:00.004-05:002011-04-28T11:08:23.182-05:00Sleep Deprivation is kicking my butt... still!As I sit here, I can tell you that I am just as sleep deprived with a 7.5 month old as I was when I had a newborn. I think I jinxed myself when people would ask me how Will was sleeping when he was a mere 3 months old and I smiled proudly and said "GREAT! He only wakes up once per night," which was true. Well, that soon changed. Once the the teething phase hit around 4 months (just after Christmas) I was getting up with him 3, 4 or 5 times per night.... and ever since then, its been this constant and ever-changing battle. Sometimes I'll get "lucky" and he only wakes up twice, which oddly enough, I can handle.... but 4 out of the 7 nights per week, it's 3 times or more.<br />My hubby and I have talked about this - and since I stay at home with our boys - I get up with the baby. I get it. That's fair. After all, I usually nurse him in the middle of the night and that is simply something hubby is not able to do. There is no way that I am giving up nursing before Will turns 1.... so lately I have been researching on how to get a better nights sleep with as little disruption to the family as possible. Well, this is turning into a very frustrating feat. I'm now facing the 8/9 month separation anxiety mark and I'm convinced that Will just wants Mommy to hold him all the time.<br />I'm nearly done reading the book "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley.... it's basically a book full of great ideas of how to get your baby to sleep through the night without using the Ferber method of just letting your baby "cry it out." And while all the ideas are great, and seem to make a lot of sense, I'm really finding it hard to utilize them in a completely exhausted state in the middle of the night. Don't they know that when you're sleep deprived, exhausted and half asleep its really hard to keep repeating the 6 steps it will take to get your baby back to sleep? It took me nearly 2 hours last night (between the hours of 1:30am and 3:30am) to get Will to go back to sleep - or I should say, stay asleep once I left the room. (Keep in mind that after he went down for the night at 8:30pm, he was up at 10:30pm, 11:30pm, 1:30am, 5:30am, and then up for the morning at 8:00am). I knew he was fed, didn't have a fever, not uncomfortably wet... and he was even smiling at me as I was trying to rock him back to sleep. Cute? Yes. Sometimes annoying when I just want some sleep? Yes. This is where I feel conflicted.<br />I know that these sleepless nights will end, eventually. And at that time I might wish for him to wake up to snuggle, or nurse or smile at me. After all, he is growing up so fast. But on the other hand, I find it much easier to be the good mom (and wife) I want to be when I am well rested. Being at home with Will and Matthew is my full time job. I hardly get any breaks. I have to attend to one demand after another. I constantly multi-task. I get exhausted. And at the end of the day, I usually just want to go to bed - and more often than not, that's around 9pm. More conflict comes in when I know I need to get out for some "me" time, or even a date with hubby... but when that happens I miss my kids... I constantly worry about them and if they need me. And if I "go out" in the evenings, and go to bed late, I still have to wake up with the baby 3 or 4 times per night, so sometimes I feel as if it's not even worth it... I just become that much more sleep deprived. Does all this make sense? It probably does not help at all that several other mommies with babies similar in age to Will are all sleeping through the night and are pro-nappers... Maybe there's too much pressure to have the baby that has perfect sleeping habits. Is there truly such a thing? Or am I just trying so hard to do what I "think" is normal?<br />There's no place I would rather be than home with my kids. I am greatful every. single. day. for that gift, because I've been on the complete other side of it, and I'd much rather be sleep deprived and home, than sleep deprived and working in an office like I was just a few short years ago. Perhaps God wants me to remember that not all parents have the gift of children - that many would rather stay up all night every night to even just have one child (ie: my BFF, Diana). I think I need to remind myself of this more. Nothing lasts forever... not even sleepless nights.... and certainly not a baby that wants to cuddle with his Mommy. I guess I'll just need to up my coffee intake until this passes...whether that's 2 weeks or another 5 months...<br />Once I get the sleeping thing under control, I'm sure I'll post about it... and watch, I'll be missing my baby snuggles at 2am...Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-22277026706078006902011-04-28T09:12:00.005-05:002011-04-28T09:28:10.288-05:00Pictures, as promised (but delayed).... then NEW post!Here are some pictures from my birthday that we spent in Wisconsin Dells. It was a blast... and so fun to do something "special" as a family.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600637908506860658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmZh1h3PMIdaV-8C565fg__k4VknhNx_jhSOd-y7brX1eBXtb72YfbcY2fOSPwHpSDcJ4_5dwnmuVhZ7kMdC-FNcEb5LtPQdHa_AzmwXcPNXfwdYaSdB092wjsDO-y1P3G0_sRchoFnE1/s320/March+2011+062.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600639626641703458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX2QRpbF8JEU3UPQMervxt6hpFRbvlyU3tbAPdeAY4U4lyjZ2NSiSORQsXjMilF_wU5Syz03XfEOHSSlCNBKgBKJpU6o2g78ihxvi_6gJ0pn6jGEjJ7Fa3eNJJBFzd2PANcdI8f8Dgqmt/s320/March+2011+088.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600640174116620290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_5KuGptBYXVhrWyaMSnIewAk7yLTqBWFS18RfTCXfuiL6vmMJ6Sr-QFeT2gd8rYaNFFVBrpmW35Tj5sPG3ndit0jORIvVp0K3uHAB1sXGs2m1YxkmY7vxgwmeyGsY9HXRP9-kM59gKU1/s320/March+2011+067.jpg" /><br />And lastly.... here are my babies on Easter Sunday with their matching outfits. We spent a lovely weekend celebrating with my family in Green Bay. </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600641001378011154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRJGD2a_OtUxaaAZFHnDi6_lAqPhEhtyVd3ZYzsOuIu5bA99ILRqqKacnMum28CGCTw-hvHyuN_Whvc8cH4BAqIf2W5Lcl3BB4tMzajJn5Ot4hfe1v8-F2VdRKho0_wzgXnsF4GRIEyDA/s320/April+2011+040.jpg" /><br /><br /><div>Now to work on my next post....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-67865072335830446622011-03-29T16:18:00.003-05:002011-03-29T16:36:39.333-05:00And onto a whole new year.I just celebrated my 29th birthday... meaning that I am officially starting my 30th year of life. Whoa. That seems so old to me. I know I have just under a year until I hit the big 3-0, but man, I might need to gear up for that big day. I've already started thinking about how I want to celebrate - I'd like to go "all out" with a vaca with hubby, or with a vino party with my closest friends and family. I guess we'll see what life brings at that time... lots can change between then and now. A year can make a HUGE difference in your life. I think about the last year of mine, and how insanely different it's been since last year at this exact time. Several people in my life have come and gone...some good, some not so good. But I did have a GREAT year, despite some of the obstacles I was faced with. I had a great time celebrating my 29th birthday this year... we spent the night in Wisconsin Dells at a waterpark - which, by the way, TOTALLY brings out the kid in me when I go down those big water slides. We ordered pizza in our room, and all went to bed early :-) We then celebrated with my sister and her family (along with my good friend, Brittny) the Saturday following with a great dinner, and of course, some good vino. In an upcoming weekend, my mom is taking me shopping to buy me some new clothes, and my daddy is going to cook for me - couldn't ask for anything better! By the way, hubby and the kiddos bought me an imersion blender for my birthday (something I asked for) and I frickin' love the thing. (which is another reason I feel old - I get excited about kitchen utensils as presents.) And don't get me started on the cookie sheets I got from my sister (they made the best.cookies.ever.). There are pictures from the festivities, but they are currently on my camera which is at my sisters house until I see her on Thursday... so I'll have a "birthday picture post" then and you can all see how I celebrated my 29th birthday with my favorite people :-) I can only hope that this next year will be just as great as my last...now, onto 30!Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-54584371906238290702011-03-09T13:30:00.003-06:002011-03-09T13:38:11.558-06:00I'm done with snow.It snowed. Again. This morning.<br />Seriously? It's mid-March... isn't Mother Nature tired yet? I want spring!<br />Last year at this time, I clearly remember several 60-70 degree days, me and my mini-baby bump walking around the neighborhood with Matthew on his bike. This year... not a chance! There's still about 6-8 inches of old yucky snow underneath the fresh layer we got this morning.<br /><br />Although, in about a week... on my 29th birthday, actually, we'll be spending 2 days (one overnight) at Mt. Olympus Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The indoor waterpark will feel warm, and Drew and I get to play and splash in the pool with Will and go down waterslides with Matthew. I'm super excited! And one of the best parts, is that we're surprising Matthew. I'll be packing his stuff up the night before and we're not going to tell him where we're going until we get there. Drew and I want it to be a little magical for him. He will already feel like the day is special with Mommy's birthday cake, but with a water park and spending a night in a cool hotel on top of that, he'll be in heaven.<br /><br />Hopefully this is one of the last snowfalls of the season. I'm so done with snow, and I'm so done with winter. Bring on the warm weather!Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-56198374550510895572011-03-07T10:37:00.003-06:002011-03-07T10:48:56.109-06:00Introducing... my future sister-in-law - Lauren!<div>Between not blogging regularly, and having so much other stuff to do and on my mind, I totally forgot to make a special post about the new and exciting event happening in mid-October. Our family will be welcoming my brother's fiancee, Lauren, into our family when they get married in Minneapolis on October 15. I'm so very happy for my brother for finding the person that can truly make him happy, and build the life he's always wanted and deserved. There is no better person for him to create a happy life and family with than her. Ironically, Lauren spent most of her childhood living in Green Bay, and we actually went to middle school and (briefly) high school together, although she was a grade younger than I, and we were only aquaintances. My brother and her met through a mutual friend of theirs while they both were living in Minneapolis. (it's a small world!)</div><div>They recently asked Drew, Matthew and I to stand up in their wedding as a groomsmen/bridesmaid/ringbearer so we are all really looking forward to that. It's going to be a very special (and fun!) day for all of us! Did I mention they are having their reception at the brand spankin' new TCF stadium (where the MN Gophers play)? The pictures of the reception hall there are amazing. It's going to be a beautiful wedding... and my brother is marrying a beautiful woman. I'm so very excited to be gaining such a great person as my sister-in-law! </div><br /><div>So without further ado... here she is - my future "little" sister! (With my niece Julia on NYE)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581380207962539666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlo5KB5WLKbkTINij1VP-zaXYHp884YPrbRBRQWcZVr6dI1_-4GfIVqSMGKdkhDGDbzihjiQKenntgc2VQenYcH6YQvATigX1BzCbfitE3NbkdfjP0xmI1A38rc41XieZFSIzbrwcsMvZ/s320/December+2010+089.jpg" /></div><br /><div></div>Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-73209575706108777642011-02-28T07:23:00.007-06:002011-03-09T13:45:38.769-06:00Let go... Let GodI recently saw one of my childhood friends post this as her Facebook status. No doubt, she has gone through some rough times, but amazingly she has pulled herself through. LET GO... LET GOD. Hmph...There's so much wisdom to that phrase. There is only so much that we ourselves can control. We can't control what others do, say or think about us... that whole concept has been hard for me ever since I can remember. We can't control when or how others hurt us... or disappoint us. Honestly, Drew has a much easier time "letting go" of hurtful, painful things than I do. He gets mad, and then he literally can just say "I'm not wasting my time thinking about things that are out of my control." At one point in my life, I felt like I had no control of anything that was happening to me, and that was painful. It felt like I was just bombarded with bad seeds. Eventually, that all turned around.... I moved, I got married, I had another baby.... my life is good. It really is. But like I said in my previous post, people disappoint me. Some people that I once loved and trusted continue to have a hurtful effect on me. I NEED TO LEARN TO LET GO and LET GOD. My mom once had a quote taped up to her kitchen cupboard that said "Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option." - (Really, I think she had taped it there for my benefit at the time since I was dating my ex-hubby, R. Zellner, and little did I know at the time that he didn't consider me a priority, at all.) Again, so much wisdom that prase as well....<br /><br />So enough of this over analyzing everything. My new goal every week is to spend less time worrying about what others think about me... to spend less time thinking about how others have wronged me in the past or how others hurt and disappoint me.... there's so many more beneficial things to focus my energy on.... like these two little guys.....<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578734246643349090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4rQK15PU7uPd6mOTGSBDBjJJlcOZiFh7jn_ULaWLe7cDNpVbsr2NKvmiO-MYSSLF1mpQPLHySH-ekrPsLIHxPYnzSms4b8KrMHDlsHQ9qKKYXBcpiDrgXBxART-1H236HHdH96ZLYcq1/s320/February+2011+005.jpg" /><br /><br /><p>My two sons are precious.... and I love my hubby more than anything.... my life isn't perfect. But it's good. </p><p>Remember.... "LET GO, LET GOD." </p><p>Because I am!</p>Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-16967410586275316242011-01-21T14:04:00.002-06:002011-01-21T14:13:32.740-06:00A good excuseI talk a lot about how I don't blog enough because I have such little "free" time to do so. This is true, but I think... actually, I know, that the other reason, which is probably just as significant is that I could have too much to say, and to write about. A lot goes on in the life of the Zimmerman's. Many disappointing things just as there are good things. I guess I have a hard time disifering if I should write about the variety of disappointing, or hard things that we/I have had to deal with. What is appropriate for a blog? When going through hardships, it's hard for me to write about them.... and to write about them in a way that makes sense to others. I usually use my husband, my sister or my mom as my sounding board for when I vent about things. Perhaps I feel like this blog should be all ponies and rainbows - because I AM so greatful - even though I go through hard times. I get angry at people. People disappoint me. But I'm not so sure how far to go in terms of using this blog to sort through the negativity that I often times deal with. There are several "drafts" of blogs that I haven't published because I'm not sure if it would be well received by my select readers. Either way... bare with me for now. Perhaps one day soon, I will be brave enough to write more about the hardships I deal with. We'll see...Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-84344498353954144592011-01-10T11:45:00.004-06:002011-01-10T14:22:18.684-06:00A New Year...<div>It'll be tough to beat last year. It was so wonderful, and it ended just as well - Hubby graduated with his MBA from Marquette University Business School - with a fabulous GPA, I might add. After 2.5 years of having him gone 2-3 nights per week, he's DONE - and he's got the degree to prove it! I'm so proud of him! It's awesome to have him around more and the kids love it too... </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I have been horrible at blogging - my brother reminded me of this over Christmas when he pointed out to me that my last post was October 21.... yikes. I have been busy. It is still an adjustment having 2 kids. However, it's something that is so rewarding. I LOVE being home with my two boys more than anything - even though it's super hectic.. And those of you that know me, I like things orderly... I like things clean (on most days) so I've had to let go of some of this these last few months otherwise I'll go insane :-) I'm rarely on the computer though. I check my email and my Facebook account on my iPod while I nurse Will - and the iPod isn't so conducive to blogging, I must say. I turn on the computer when I need to buy something online or upload some pictures - that's about it. So bare with me... I will *try* to blog more this new year... but most of the time, I have something more pressing to attend to. Perhaps I'll try to make it part of my New Years resolution this year...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Adding to how wonderful our 2010 year ended - Matthew turned the BIG 5. Yes, my baby is 5! I can't believe it. We celebrated with 10 of his friends from school at the bowling alley - which was much better than entertaining ten 4/5 year old boys at our house. It was chaotic, but it was fun watching them wrestle and tackle each other in between bowling their frames.... the life of having BOYS! Other highlights of 2010 - a healthy and uneventful pregnancy, Drew's ACG Cup victory, Matthew being with us ALL OF THE TIME, the birth of our beautiful William, William's baptism.... and all the little moments in between with our family and friends that make us thankful for the lives we have. </div><br /><div>I'm hoping that 2011 will be just as good as 2010. Unfortunately my brother just had to say goodbye to his "baby" Sedona... his 10+ year old golden lab that had cancer. He put her down yesterday with his girlfriend, Lauren by his side. It must have been so hard for him to say goodbye to the one thing that has remained constant in his life throughout his painful 18 months. That dog was a lifesaver for him. I know he takes comfort in knowing that she is running around and playing fetch with sticks up in dog heaven with her cousin, Max. I took a cute picture of William and Sedona over Christmas time, while we were up in Green Bay- here it is. Sedona liked to be near the baby, of course. :-)</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560654859509141138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dXKfmc5haRMSidWNTJSsdaHBPEBu464PbfUgdVUMG7IXJ-XpL7GeHAs2YYSRq2yIH928cyBzVWHXhU9wPEN1F5XNJ8ky-_Llu2WkDwXbVv1iWu41462Se4jrEWuJ99vf4qdp_PY63AOw/s320/December+2010+080.jpg" /><br /><div>My resolution for 2011 is to excercise 4 times per week... after one week, I've attained that goal thus far. Right now, it's doing some quick kickboxing and ab crunches in the living room until the weather gets nicer and I can use the jogging stroller to start running again. </div><div> </div><div>....And the baby calls.... toodles for now! </div>Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-60927058311683567822010-10-21T13:32:00.002-05:002010-10-21T14:44:33.920-05:00What blog?Adjusting to two kids has been a bit challenging. Rewarding.... but challenging. So, sorry... not much time to blog. Things are going really well though... Will is starting to get on a bit of a schedule in terms of his sleeping (although, sleeping during the day usually requires me to hold him.) I really cannot complain about his night-time sleeping though. Being a breastfed baby, he is wonderful. He'll fall asleep between 8pm-9pm and he'll sleep for about 4 hours. Then he's up every 2-3 hours after that until about 8am. And he's such a snuggler too - I love it!<br />Matthew is a GREAT big brother... He adores Will, and it's so neat to see the two of them together. He's a great help to me too - when I ask him to get me a burp rag, or his Nuk - he does it without even being asked twice. The hardest part is dividing my time - THAT is the adjustment! For everyone! I'm trying to learn to not feel so guilty every time Matthew asks me to play with him, but I need to attend to his crying (or in most cases, his eating) brother. I make it a point to give each one of my boys (Drew included!) my undivided attention each day. That's the best I can do... however, I think I'm going to need to start carving out some "me" time very soon. For now, I have coffee "dates" with my girlfriends once per week (love you, Shan and Brit!) while all the "big" kids are at school - and I LOVE that time with them. We get a chance to talk to each other without having to constantly intervene with our 3 and 4 year olds. And starting next week, my friend Sarah and I are mall walking with our babies since she has a little girl a month older than Will... it'll be a good start to shedding that baby weight.... I have about 15 pounds to go and I haven't even started any regular exercise routine yet - I CAN DO IT! So hopefully I can start getting back on a regular blogging schedule. Bare with me as I continue to figure out this Mommy-of-more-than-one-kid thing. :-)Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-36847975077124018172010-09-22T13:33:00.004-05:002010-09-22T15:41:11.875-05:00William's Birth Day - September 13, 2010<div>Well, I've got a few minutes to tell the story of Will's birth. Things have been hectic around here, even with Drew home. Everyone was right when they told me that's it's hard to go from 1 to 2 kids. Matthew has had a few adjustments to get used to... like Mommy not being able to play with him whenever he wants. Slowly but surely, we will all adjust, and it will become normal again... Anyways, here's Will's Birth Day story...</div><br /><div>On Saturday, September 11, I was really feeling yucky. Very emotional, VERY uncomfortable, and I could hardly walk normally. I laid in bed pretty much all day long watching old episodes of Friends, and some of Matthew's movies (when he wanted to rest with Mom). I was having contractions, but none of them were regular, AT ALL. I didn't even worry about trying to time them... I knew that they weren't the real thing. Come Sunday morning, Sept. 12, I realized that I was having contractions a bit more regularly. So I decided to carry around a mini notebook with me all day. In the morning, the contractions were anywhere from 10-15 minutes apart. They stayed that way all morning and early afternoon. I ran some errands alone while Drew stayed home with Matthew. Once I got home, I ate, took a bath and then plopped down on the couch to watch the Packer game at 3:15pm. Literally, at 3:15, my contractions started to get stronger, and also were noticeably closer together. For the next hour they were 3-5 minutes apart. I remembered from my childbirthing class that if the contractions are consistent even when you change positions, and walk around, then it's reall labor. I sat, I laid down, I walked around the house... they continued to be 3-5 minutes apart. At that time, I realized that this *may* be "it". I decided to wait until 4:45pm to call the on-call doctor to let them know about my contractions. The after hours nurse told me that the Doctor on call would be getting back to me shortly. She called back and since I was mid-contraction, Drew had to talk. She advised us to come in since they were only 3-5 minutes apart. We packed up the rest of our stuff, waited for my mother in law to arrive to watch Matthew, and we were on our way! We arrived at the hospital at 6:30pm. They put me in a labor and delivery triage room where they checked me and hooked me up to the monitors. I was "contracting up a storm" as the nurse said, and was a little more than 3 cm. dilated and 80% effaced. They wanted to keep me there to see if I would progress before really admitting me into labor and delivery. So Drew and I walked the halls, sat on the yoga ball, and tried to get labor going... contractions started to hurt... the resident on the floor checked me at 9pm and said that I wasn't quite 4 cm. yet, and if I couldn't get to that point before 10pm, that they would send me home. I walked more, bounced on the ball more, and by 10pm I was "just about" 4cm... so thankfully they admitted me into a labor and delivery room! I continued to labor, with the contractions getting stronger and stronger, until about 2am. At which time, I decided to get into the shower fro comfort. I got in for about 30 minutes, then got back into bed and FELL ASLEEP! I woke up 30 minutes later and realized that I wasn't really having any contractions.. I started to panic a little. I called the nurse in, she checked me and I was still at 4cm! She told me that she'd wait until 4 or 5am to call my OBGYN (Dr. Webb) to see what to do next. Well, I waited, and waited... 5am came and went and the nurse still hadn't come back. I called her in and she said that the floor was super busy so they were playing the "waiting game" with me. Uh, seriously?? The waiting game? I started to get pretty pissed. At 7am, the resident came in (whom I really didn't like from the get go because she was convinced that I was 4cm in the labor and delivery triage and almost sent me home the night before), and told me that since my contractions had subsided, and I was still at 4cm, that she believes my OBGYN would be sending me home because she would be in her other office today which is 30 minutes from the hospital and wouldn't be able to get there on time. I started to cry... I wanted my baby! I had been almost ready to get an epidural hours before because the contractions were starting to hurt so bad, and now they were telling me that they were sending me home? Well, come 7:30am, the nurses changed... my "new" nurse told me to walk around a bit and then see what happens. So , we did. Drew did everything in his power to gear me up for the worst - telling me that maybe I could be induced the next day and he and Will could share a birthday. As we walked, we saw our nurse talking to my OBGYN in the hall. Dr. Webb told me that she was going to be changing and then heading right to my room to talk to me. I fully prepared myself for her to send me home and then have me come back in the morning and be induced. Dr. Webb walked right in, looked at my monitors and said "Well, I think it's time I just break your water." I was in shock. I thanked her repeatedly, and then asked why she wasn't sending me home like the resident had said she was going to. She told me that the resident failed to tell her I was having regular contractions on my own all night long. How can you fail to tell my own doctor that? I was dumbfounded, but ecstatic that I wasn't going to be sent home when I was 4cm, and 80% effaced! My doctor then broke my water around 9am, which at that time I was 5m dilated. By 10am, my contractions were so strong, and I was VERY ready for an epidural. I got my epidural in by 10:30am. I laid on my side, and took about a 20 minute cat nap while Drew ran to get something to eat. Once he got back, the nurse came in around 11:00am to empty my catheter, and said that Dr. Webb would be here shortly to check me. She arrived in my room around 11:15, and to my suprise said "You're complete!" I was shocked that it had happened that quickly! I started bawling (tears of joy, of course) and think I said something like "I've waited 10 years for this baby!" (referring to having Drew's baby) The nurses got everything prepped, and had me push. I pushed a total of 3 times, and at 11:39am on September 13, William Andrew Zimmerman was born. He was covered in vernix but was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Drew was giggling, and I was crying. It was a moment I will never forget. After holding him for a while, and nursing him for the first time (he's a pro!) Drew took him over to get weighed and measured. Will was a surprising 8lbs. 6oz. and 19 inches long. It was such a whirlwind of a birth - once it got going, it was so quick! He apparently wanted his own birthday too - not to share with Daddy, cousin Maggie, or great aunt Patti... </div><br /><div>I feel so incredibly blessed to have a healthy baby boy - let alone a healthy family! Matthew has been a wonderful big brother, showering him with kisses and hugs. And Drew as a Daddy... WOW. That's all I have to say. This past week, I've cried numerous times just watching Will with his Daddy. It's amazing and I am so lucky to have the family that I do.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519839752570597138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsrvDQUBclJY1cCrkVWrYprFvVyT_dYkJaAq3GbRDPuwvTiVdCQW_C1bDYQrAwqBzAO0RHMrZBUWT8s9zAZTmompAcCTNzrz-hm6OLNSnZXhu-BTAKuNgeGRYJYyksxsAbVp135rfr0BD/s320/Will+034.jpg" /><br /><div>More on Baby Will and the Zimmerman's to come...</div>Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-64399846575551453482010-09-16T12:24:00.003-05:002010-09-16T12:42:31.883-05:00William has arrived!<div>William Andrew arrived on Monday, September 13, 2010 at 11:39am. He weighed 8lbs. 6 oz. and was 19 inches long. He is absolutely perfect and we are all doing well! Birth story to come in a few days! In the meantime, here's a picture!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517567225302599586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9OrFk55Zwl6txKwi2p_TNIGuQvRa3MJ9NR5yqt84pWfKig07GJTGsZoLEiYVuC1v51gx8jE_-qb-iyFPnhYtljlu82GteGHQxVSKChCmZAcL68DoM-3KnBC1xVqkEVjneLNTBvt8cCWv/s320/Will+082.jpg" /></div>Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-17873313701380074492010-09-09T10:44:00.002-05:002010-09-09T10:59:42.059-05:00AnticipationI know it's been a couple weeks since I blogged last... I think the anticipation of this baby is driving me batty. I constantly feel like I should be doing something to make sure (double sure) that this house, our family, and myself are all ready to have this baby. Yesterday, I found myself typing out a list of Matthew's "daily routine" and hanging it on the refridgerator for whomever is taking care of him while I'm in the hospital. I guess it's not too crazy now that he's in 4K at a public school, and he needs to get put on the bus at a certain time every morning.... and well, he's Matthew - thrives on routine!<br />I went to the Dr. yesterday for my 38 week appointment. I'm 2-3 cm. dilated and 80% effaced. Will's head is fully engaged in my pelvis. According to my doctor, I'm "very ready" to have this baby. Well, YEAH! I can feel that I'm ready. Every ounce of my being has waited to meet this baby since I knew I was going to marry and have a family with Drew. Did I mention that I feel like I have knives in my ass? Yeah, the joys of pregnancy... every aspect of them. I'm in pain... a lot of pain. I broke down in tears 2 nights ago because "my ass was on fire" and then again this morning with Matthew because "Mommy's tushy hurts". My sweet boy just hugged me and let me cry a few tears on him. The past few days, he's been making me beds on the couch and covering me with his stuffed animals. He knows just how to make someone feel better.<br />So this anticipation... everyday I wake up thinking "this could be the day..." but then it's not. I made "Labor Cookies" last week (ginger snaps with cayenne pepper in them that are supposed to kick start labor). The cookies were good. I ate a lot of them. Had consistent contractions for 2 hours. Then, of course, they went away. Everyday I wonder if this is the last day that Matthew and I have together alone. Either way, I'm anxious, excited and oh so eager to meet this little guy! Until then, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I have an easy labor and that our family of 3 becomes a family of 4 sooner rather than later!<br />I'll keep everyone posted.... send some "good go-into-labor-vibes" to me......Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-41730116067800300732010-08-24T14:40:00.003-05:002010-08-24T15:06:21.287-05:00HumbledHumbled. That's how I feel right now.<br />It's amazing to me how generous and supportive so many people in our life have been throughout this pregnancy. Matthew and I just got home from a baby shower that Drew's work threw for us. The generosity of these people is amazing... and it just adds to the generosity and support that we've already received from so many other people throughout this pregnancy journey (even with the few stressors we've had to deal with along the way!) They ordered pizza from Louisa's, and fancy cupcakes from Metro Market. Then showered us with so many wonderful gifts for Will - and even a few for Matthew too! They bought us our fancy pack n play that I wanted, the "must-have" space saver high chair, a couple cute outfits, baby towels & washcloths, designer baby socks (that apparently you can only order online according to Jenny... heehee), feeding necessities, and my personal favorite - his very own sock monkey (I've always wanted to own one of those!).<br />These people did not have to do this... but they did. Not because they had to, but because they genuinely wanted too - and that feels so wonderful. Another reason why I feel so incredibly blessed.... I frickin' love my life and how it has turned out. Like I've said before, maybe once you go through the tough stuff, and experience true happiness, is when you can genuinely be greatful for all that you have and not take things for granted. I try not too. Life's too short. <br />In other news... I had my 36 weeks doctor appointment today, and I'm at 1 cm. dilated and 50% effaced. Not too horrible, but I'd be lying if I wasn't a tad disappointed that I wasn't dilated more. However, I do know that it hardly means anything, and that I could go into labor at any point, since I am considered "favorable for delivery". My doctor also estimated his size right now to be about 5 to 5.5 pounds, putting him at 7 or 7.5 pounds by my due date - so he won't be huge! A nice average sized baby, just like me and his Daddy.<br />That's it for now... I think I'm needing to go put my feet up with some ice water now...Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-58089320271587135902010-08-17T07:37:00.003-05:002010-08-17T08:02:05.655-05:00Two years ago (yesterday)......I married my very best friend. Drew and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary yesterday. It was most likely our last night alone for at least 2-3 months (until I can part with my infant!). Matthew had a sleepover at my sisters so Drew and I could really focus on each other. After dinner we caught ourselves pondering, "Well, what do we do? We never have this much free time together!" We spent the rest of the night watching the sunset by the Milwaukee River, going for a drive, watching a movie and cuddling on the couch. Very relaxing, and just what the two of us needed to do together.<br /><div>I can't believe how fast those past two years have gone. We talked about how much has happened in these last two years.... and yes, we have been busy. And it's not looking like it's not going to slow down anytime soon. Although, we are greatful, for all the many blessings we have been given (especially in the past year). And we know that we've worked really hard to be "happily married". Marriage is tough, but SO worth it. I've been on the other side, and it's so much better to work hard at something and reap those benefits and share a life with someone who truly loves me and takes care of me. I feel loved. I feel taken care of. I feel happy. What more could I ask for...?</div><div>...A healthy baby boy that's due to make his arrival in about 4.5 weeks! Come on Will! We're all so excited to meet you and make our family a family of 4! Here's the lastest picture of me and my belly... I take weekly pictures of myself to see how I progress. (I feel like I look larger in the picture than I really do!)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506362617733226482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin44vHq7-PsKG2JNNKMOhyE_nWunq5piUQkGenLwYRMCK2gsKHz1q0gPeaWeAIeLngLbSlgSlsaOfX0flrv1zCuB8-oD1QApZy1Suc7OHbh-d5prlqOty50VZqopch-Jotx4q37oY-Iqdo/s320/EMZimm08_35weeks.jpg" /></div>Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-89609314789629734972010-08-05T16:00:00.011-05:002010-08-05T16:31:03.703-05:00It's about that time...I'm almost 34 weeks. Isn't this about the time where most pregnant women start to really complain? Ok, now I remember why... Please, please, please, just bare with me for a few moments as I complain. I promise I won't do it again, because I AM that greatful Mama and I have countless reasons to be thankful for the many gifts that God has given me this year.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Have I mentioned that I get up to pee AT LEAST 5 to 6 times per night. And that when I lie on my left side and straighten my left leg I get this horrible cramp in my butt cheek and leg (so then I switch sides.... again.) And that usually when I lie down to go to sleep, my heart starts racing for some reason, which then prompts Baby Will to start kicking and moving (and yes, "Alien Belly" has arrived). And it doesn't matter if the air conditioning is on at night, I am roasting hot. Like, sweating hot even when my hubby is huddled up in the sheet because he's "cold". And not to mention how I feel like my feet and hands are like balloons ready to pop when I wake up in the morning. Thank you, Summer of 2010, for being one of the hottest, muggiest and buggiest we've had in a LONG time.<br />OK, my vent is over.... I should say that I LOVE my pregnant belly, even though it's getting so uncomfortable... here's why:</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502037098917972034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNj1ODLjOy-6BH2KXhMQXxHX-l9hYqntylY_AH73o6GxNfGtsOO6N4ZppJ4TU1N5rJi1MPAKkyAceYlmIwn-0ndVpO_NX_TUdnHhwyFv0DoMO_q7TnnFqTnHZn7lPviawQ_DycFEefKyP7/s320/_DSC0091a.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502037490886975954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7WMkqb40uwx31d42vGWV8kU52gjUVpw_Hxx0oLagVHcemXwKnRObTMZ8Bl0yCOvLmrj-Eyp36QnQHrJNnXQq3mWe5_QcvoJY3rfpovOqRmjGNZD7WzHVV5p4m1jlLTiwIGiEZoDHxAVp/s320/_DSC0131b.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502037897822968210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFDnELacB8lGw274MUpNDuEP1-gxvBFIQYq4xBaFvqljxy-KUSWgC3XzzUbM9V2LpQvKbs_Bm5vQlnYZ59RaEvF9tRvipvsn474eQYCDfVHMnruu-g0DXnew6bzLHQ1owz-QRfek97VpS/s320/_DSC0197.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502039054612142114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwEDZUBJc83XU-hykyqmaNRS9pxpyRJ2QM9gPuCUa_5l3gq034sBqzIpUhI9CyISTGx4-Lf1QfjPoRuWVdERZd5eYnoqoxQemoG5BdH9sMEnUso_LVKOaybP1m6G9cX6c0i-toDMMO2cI/s320/_DSC0313bw.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 206px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502038292837069042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjLLIZ8i7neLp-Mf9AHlqPGYC9p53Za0pPmZDpZ2XT1XnYIRgYLTbjnXpIcSRKK9JtXNny1lW1Vi4oX-fT1Twpqib1K8UMbZM8-57xobMB57pCR_MCHyzVY9ki0PB3uMg_itR3sHIonyS/s320/_DSC0225a.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502039519646402946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvkwKH_W6Y1wt1tFGhAAOdMBLVPrrpCEvIuyTGZYUzx-_-Re7WSy-LNvAv3NS9A-CAof4gSzAhkTPG784Ecr_BwvbADmGMUIzs2PnYNjIbZj83I86QOMXHQInDTDkp6SYqBw7_EbBmPf9/s320/_DSC0160a.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502039970106129618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAP_TpfTM1y1ZYW3wUfiI3B27e-sFW54MA4UGEfGDHrocE-vhwIqlbBdF0iFrw7Yn8bXT8luvIaLDC8yJ1BMkiZZMdZKMZhxubCfFi6ktYJVNysqIyZIXfJ1MQHkG7FHeMkgtDVVlSTJO/s320/_DSC0367.jpg" />My cousin's husband, Brandon, is fantastic at taking pictures, and he took some shots of us the day after my baby shower - on the hottest day of the year - yes, we were really hot, and I got stung by a bee on my foot! Needless to say, the pictures are worth a thousand words.... they make me smile everytime I look at them. Even though I'm getting to that really uncomfortable point... there's no where else I'd rather be than right here. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-59837471732067479712010-07-30T11:14:00.003-05:002010-07-30T11:27:53.408-05:00You know you're pregnant when...... you cry when you take out your belly button ring. Not because it hurt. But because I felt like I was saying goodbye to a part of my "youth". Yes. Seriously. That was me about an hour ago.<br />Ten years ago two of my best friends and I went and got our belly buttons pierced together once we had all turned 18 (since our mothers didn't approve and would only let us once we were "adults"). I have kept in a ring for that long. I think I only bought one or two other rings - and I know the one I took out today has been in for at least 5 years.<br />It was just getting way to uncomfortable. I feel like my skin is being stretched to the max with this pregnancy, and it was getting to the point where if I touched my belly ring, it was hurting me. So Drew convinced me that it had to go. It never bothered me when I was pregnant with Matthew, and therefore, I kept it in the entire time. Now its gone... probably forever. Some people are telling me that I will probably be able to get put another in once I deliver, but will I want to? Is it appropriate for a 28 year old mother of two to wear one? Long gone are the says of laying out in the sun with my girlfriends, spring break and skimpy clothes.... so what's the point? I doubt if I ever wear a bikini again.... I'm now more of a tankini kind of gal now anyways. Even when I'm not pregnant.<br />I know its so silly to dwell on this, even for a second.... but getting that belly ring was an important part of me being a young 18 year old... and I did it with my good friends. Friends that I still love dearly, and talk to occasionally, but I haven't seen in years. Maybe it's a reminder of them, and some of the good times we had. (Johanna and Heather - this must mean we need to get together soon. I miss you.)<br />Either way, it was good while it lasted. And I'm done dwelling on it now... I just hope I don't have a permanent "hole" in my belly button now. Eh....Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-28015001139039154912010-07-26T13:16:00.009-05:002010-07-26T13:50:44.886-05:00I'm a swollen, nesting, slacker!Those of you that check back regularly probably have been asking where I've been.... well, I'm slacking.... or I guess a better way to say it would be - I'm too too busy nesting to blog about, or worry about, anything else! I can proudly say that things are pretty much ready for Will's arrival. 0-3 month clothes are all washed and put away in his dresser. Diapers, wipes, rash cream, Vaseline, burp clothes, etc are all put in their proper places. Crib sheet is washed and on his crib. Matthew and ! spent the morning at Babies R Us getting the last of what I knew I needed (like the MUST HAVE Little Lamb infant seat - equivalent to the Baby Papasan Chair that was an absolute necessity when Matthew was a newborn). My mom was here the week of my baby shower and was in awe of how I wouldn't stop nesting. Once I was done purging the basement, I was in my underwear drawer - organizing everything in it - I didn't care if my mom saw me pulling out my black lacey lingerie - I was on a frickin' mission to get everything in order. Now that I'm 32 weeks, I want things to be ready when this little man decides to arrive! (ahem, and Matthew told me this morning that he thinks Will is coming at the end of August.... we'll see, big brother!)<br />My sister threw me a fabulous baby shower on the 17th. It was so fantastic. Actually, more than fantastic.... there are no words to how greatful I am for the amount of time and energy it took for her to put it together and all those people that helped her, as well! About 25 of my favorite people were there, and it was just exactly how I wanted it. The food was amazing, and the atmposphere was perfect. My sister and my mom made this sweet toast - and talked about how resilient I am, and how much I deserve the life I live now after the last 4 years of my life. (This amazing shower came a mere 3 days after my ex-husband was charged with 6 more felonies in Brown Co. - all from when we were dating/engaged/married). Talk about timing. Again, I am convinced that good things come to those who wait. I am extremely lucky to have those in my life that care for Drew, Matthew and me so much... and give us the support we need. My baby shower was just another reminder of how family and friends can be so wonderful - even after they've been through hell and back with me. Here are a couple photos from the shower... and yes, I'm puffy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMKG_SeUH7B2sC5ZDYDSmGnYDI1Xog7EkquZwxpCGFgZpT7MxSwHkAIv5pediO8ECnk4QUaubzjMb07V5pnAxh_Kqw1t36XedH9TBpwsT0PCjFu3u5907LrY4NDA5Tlf75LZ8irbHlFf6/s1600/July+2010+126.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498288260334953234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMKG_SeUH7B2sC5ZDYDSmGnYDI1Xog7EkquZwxpCGFgZpT7MxSwHkAIv5pediO8ECnk4QUaubzjMb07V5pnAxh_Kqw1t36XedH9TBpwsT0PCjFu3u5907LrY4NDA5Tlf75LZ8irbHlFf6/s320/July+2010+126.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS92577ww38O1EoN4nOP40QjPy_W8gWxtGIpKbieYRPUC0mIIee60DCZPOERta0WT6fhMEgWa0amfUFkqoo4UmKGueFMceuhK4u_Sdm9p_FZh8jzNfulyZe5L1kgQ-Ggw03VIFSKjWMO1b/s1600/July+2010+072.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498287312005675986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS92577ww38O1EoN4nOP40QjPy_W8gWxtGIpKbieYRPUC0mIIee60DCZPOERta0WT6fhMEgWa0amfUFkqoo4UmKGueFMceuhK4u_Sdm9p_FZh8jzNfulyZe5L1kgQ-Ggw03VIFSKjWMO1b/s320/July+2010+072.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzLJBD-94IOl3Az5L_XzcXnA-F6yym7Olk0HlhlgR51iY3yflCMS4Ja2Km817NJEatcufrCHaVPCQ1sdlbiC7y0rDnHFg9NKrIGH9GsfTS_1fvzrCCa1EPYQFYQGyv0RCMa67qOXMaFov/s1600/July+2010+076.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498285925175593634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzLJBD-94IOl3Az5L_XzcXnA-F6yym7Olk0HlhlgR51iY3yflCMS4Ja2Km817NJEatcufrCHaVPCQ1sdlbiC7y0rDnHFg9NKrIGH9GsfTS_1fvzrCCa1EPYQFYQGyv0RCMa67qOXMaFov/s320/July+2010+076.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-MwhSi3369-PctUvajG0OL8C07PG6iF5EIk-deREpSETbgTU0_3ZvCg9h7NHlig4JIwic6Sr9DTEg9Hm9kJvq-DqqdfgljvXG7TZ7Ihpf8G98xa9zu4kh0a7X6oWFobQ2ZQy91QrTjt4/s1600/July+2010+119.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498286687225404594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-MwhSi3369-PctUvajG0OL8C07PG6iF5EIk-deREpSETbgTU0_3ZvCg9h7NHlig4JIwic6Sr9DTEg9Hm9kJvq-DqqdfgljvXG7TZ7Ihpf8G98xa9zu4kh0a7X6oWFobQ2ZQy91QrTjt4/s320/July+2010+119.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea2qHxPy3V5pyxK9ZPXiO7omVOEL9dHQWdeKjoIDrhB5EBzMp4QHQba7kEg6CgeRm0KyCN5P_XpNq0zIV5LIvIKZL8parkTv5PK2g9Wl_RX508pM37gK3cU25_TyPaHLewEMp0CC_fIOr/s1600/July+2010+065.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498287797539810178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea2qHxPy3V5pyxK9ZPXiO7omVOEL9dHQWdeKjoIDrhB5EBzMp4QHQba7kEg6CgeRm0KyCN5P_XpNq0zIV5LIvIKZL8parkTv5PK2g9Wl_RX508pM37gK3cU25_TyPaHLewEMp0CC_fIOr/s320/July+2010+065.jpg" /></a>Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-55631076826046415742010-07-06T15:56:00.003-05:002010-07-06T16:40:01.459-05:00Check. Check. Check.Drew had the entire week off of work (and school!) last week... it was AWESOME having him around. It gets lonely when Matty and I are here alone for five straight days (two of which Drew isn't home until nearly 10pm). We were able to do a lot of things that we have wanted to do for a while since he had so much time off. Slowly but surely, we are checking things off of our to-do list BEFORE baby. Drew is a few paint strokes away from finishing our kitchen cabinets (and they look fabulous, by the way.) Crib is bought, and assembled in Will's room. His adorable Pottery Barn wall letters came in the mail, and Drew got those up on his wall, too. We nailed several other things up in our hallway and in Matthew's room. My dear mother-in-law came and sewed some curtains for our bathroom to replace the hideous ones the previous home owners had up. We sold my Stratus (yippee!)... aaaannnnnddd we bought our first mini-van! Yep... I'm officially one of those Mom's with a mini-van. We found the best deal on a used 2006 Honda Odyssey. Let me tell you, it's SO much easier to get me and my belly in and out of. Easier to get Matthew buckled, and I know how much easier it will be once Will comes too. When Matthew was first born, I had a Jeep Cherokee Laredo, and a bigger vehicle is so much nicer when it comes to lugging around that bulky infant seat.<br />We also were able to spend some time together doing the things we love... like taking Matthew to Summerfest, having bonfires with our cousins, Drew and Matthew had a "boys-only" mini golf outing, we were out on our friends boat to watch the Milwaukee fireworks (Wow, was THAT amazing. BEST fireworks display I've ever seen. And even better on the shores of Lake Michigan looking out at the Milwaukee night time skyline.) We also spent the 4th of July at our house with my sisters family and my parents who had just arrived back from their 10 day vacation out East. It was so nice to all be together (although, we missed Uncle Jake!) We went to our first Greenfield 4th of July parade (where the Wisconsin Marching Band made a special appearance!) and also the fireworks at night, where we literally sat right underneath them.... The kids were all catching the debris and ash pieces from the fireworks. Drew and I were very impressed with the fireworks display.... being that Greenfield is only a suburb of Milwaukee. We weren't expecting them to be as great as they were... and we had been spoiled the night before!<br />And let me inform you all, that although it's hot, and we DO have our A/C on, I've been feeling pretty good being only 2 months away from my due date. Nevermind the "sausage fingers" and typically swollen feet.... the rest of me feels pretty good. I'm not complaining.... this time, I'm really LOVING being pregnant. I know that I feel different than with my first pregnancy and my mom tells me that I look different too... more"out there" or "basketball-like" - Hey, I'll take it! So mark my word... its July 6 and I'm still feeling pretty good. I'm hoping that I'm still saying this 3 or 4 weeks from now....Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-43490979473351991182010-06-24T12:43:00.008-05:002010-06-24T15:52:53.074-05:00It's been 10 years...<div>Over this past weekend, I had my 10 year high school reunion. Unlike my sister (and my husband) I was one of those people that LOVED high school. Aside from the classes and homework, I adored it. I had many friends - many of whom were in several different "social circles." My parents used to call me a little "social butterfly" - within my little group of friends, I was the one that would always coordinate what we were all going to do on any given Friday and Saturday night. I remember one summer, there wasn't one night where I wasn't with my friends (yes, I kept track). My parents were awesome in terms of letting me have friends over, letting me use the car (oh, remember that little red Honda?!), and allowing me to go places as long as I was home by curfew (and most of the time, I was... really.). My best memories were the times where all of my friends and I would congregate at my house on the deck on a summer night... Ben Olson would get out his guitar and we'd just "hang out", be goofy... and stay up LATE - my parents did not care how late people stayed - they always said that they'd rather have me at home with friends anyways. Perhaps this was a perk of being the youngest child of 3... They had been through 2 teenagers before me and they knew what things to be more leineant on.<br />Most of my high school friends and I have stayed in touch... we certainly aren't as close as we once were, with the exception of maybe a couple, but since the invention of Facebook and MySpace, it's been alot easier to stay in touch, without doing a whole lot of work. </div><br /><div>I must admit that I was really looking forward to this reunion. Most of my close friends couldn't make it, but I knew I'd see a lot of people that I hadn't seen in person in ten years. Drew and I met my close high school friend, Lindsey, and her fiance, Eric out beforehand for some cocktails(or mocktails, for me.) We got Drew and Eric all "up to speed" on who did what, and who was who in the Southwest High School Class of 2000. Once we got to the reunion, it's almost as if those 10 years hadn't gone by at all. How many times did I walk into a football game, prom, a party, or the school commons and see these exact same faces all grouped together? It was all really strange. There was lots of reminiscing going on... good, bad, funny.... my Senior Ball date even filled Drew in on how he "slapped my @ss" right as the professional photographer snapped our posed picture. (hence the slightly funny look on my face). Drew wasn't too amused, but does want the guy to help us with some of our house projects since he lives in Milwaukee and fixes properties for a living. What can I say, my hubby is always looking for a deal :-)<br /></div><div>When the night ended, they bid us farwell - for the next 10 years. Next time I see most of those people, we'll be 38 - that's almost 40. Holy crap. </div><br /><div>Here's a picture of Drew, Matthew and I before we headed out to the reunion. Next time, we'll have a picture of a 14 year old, a 10 year old and "?" year old next to us.... When I say all that, and then think back about how fast the last 10 years went...WOW, these next 10 are going to fly.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486445590721691122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWC6VCgHee5N2THZLwlQ2DCovguOqAHJLxzxS-iV6QYE8mO1HwxwUPtQXZtIPV_N-u9o8Q5icKm15W_JQmZcGNiahcv1bIEJj8RUzccloWdzGrj1H82isGa51pe70Pf10H7piEzHO28pgl/s320/June+2010+030.jpg" /> </div>Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-20192414389719170772010-06-10T07:37:00.002-05:002010-06-10T08:10:32.894-05:00Registered? Check! Swollen feet? Check!So my big sister has offered to throw me a baby shower. I hadn't expected anyone to throw me one since this is my second. However, my sister and my mom were both adament that I get a baby shower this time around. The believe that this situation (a new and REAL marriage, a completely different and responsible Daddy, a new and excited in-law family, etc.) - just a totally legitimate, totally different pregnancy experience than with my first. I get it. Hopefully those invited will too. This baby boy means so much to me, Drew and the rest of my family. His pending arrival has been this ray of sunshine, this glimer of hope to a family that has had a lot to deal with the last several years - most recently my brother's unexpected divorce. News of my pregnancy came within a few weeks of my brother's not-so-wonderful news... it has been the something positive for us to focus on. So this baby shower means a lot to me... and to my family. It means so much more than giving gifts. We tend to think that all new beginnings deserve all sorts of celebrations. Drew is so excited to be expecting his first (biological) child, and I want the experience of all of it to be just as it would be if it were my first baby. and Matthew has certainly been loving the ride too... As Drew and I registered the other day at Babies R Us, we pushed Matthew along with us in the cart and asked his opinion on what he thinks his little brother might like. He was <em>very</em> helpful. Drew seemed to enjoy the process as well. The only thing he was pretty adament about was the diaper bag. He didn't like the ones I had picked out on Gap.com (saying they were ugly and too girly for a man to carry around), so he picked out this fun orange and grey hobo diaper bag. It's really cool actually! So, registering is done... next project? Turning the already "baby painted" computer room into baby Will's room at the end of the month.<br />I've also had to say hello to some pretty swollen feet and ankles. This (cooler) week, they haven't been as bad as they were last week when we had all that hot and humid weather here. This weekend is supposed to be hot though. Retaining water is what happens to this Mama come the 3rd trimester (which I am 2 short weeks away from! woot!). People keep asking me if the hot weather has bothered me yet and throwing me mini pity parties telling me how sorry they feel for me being pregnant in the summer... Really? Don't you know how badly I've wanted this prenancy? I may complain, but I'll be fine. I'll have the most amazing prize at the end. And if I do have to complain, I'll just complain to my mom - she gets it - she had my brother in mid-August of '77, which apparently was one of the hottest on record in Milwaukee. Besides, Matthew likes to squirt me with the hose to cool me off! My neighbor across the street (who is due in early December) just got a pool, and will gladly let me sit and cool off when I need to...<br />I say all this now... lets see what my blog posts look like come July and August...Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-90094206774740721612010-06-09T07:32:00.002-05:002010-06-09T08:31:04.250-05:00Seeking the Truth... Keeping the Faith...This has been my motto.... for the last 4 years anyways. I've been through A LOT. More than most of you even realize. Today, I find myself incedibly lucky to be in the place that I am. Happily married to a man that I truly adore, with a healthy and beautiful 4 year old, pregnant with baby number two, a nice house and living in a city that I absolutely love. My life is far from perfect... I have my bad days, believe me... but most importantly, I find myself deep down happy. If you would have asked me 4 years ago if I would've thought my life would be the way it is today, I would have shaken my head and probably broken down in tears. The spring/summer of 2006 was my lowest point. I had made a decision to leave my husband at the time because of myself <em>seeking the truth</em> of who he really was. I was a 24 year old mom of an adorable 6 month old. I had a job that could barely pay my bills (let alone all the legal fees!) There were people that didn't believe me. There were people that would willingly pass along the rumors about me - how was I "crazy". For what? For leaving a man that was deceitful, untrustworthy, heartless and incapable of love? I had to push past all that nasty stuff and focus on what I knew to be true in my heart. At a mere 24 years old, I did my own investigating, and found out what I knew to be the truth - even though it hurt.... a ton! I had a lot of support from my family - they are a huge reason I am where I am today. Throughout all the turmoil, I kept the faith. I believed. I had hope. I had to have faith that everything happens for a reason. God has a plan. I believed that one day I would have everything that I wanted, and deserved. I showed resilience. I knew deep down that good things would happen to me... and slowly, but surely, they did. I took risks in love. I put myself out there. I had patience. I continued to believe. Going through the bad things, makes the good things that much more sweet.<br />I still need to remind myself to keep the faith. There will forever be reminders of what I went through... and recently, those reminder get thrown in my face a lot. Many of those reminders are hard to swallow. The things that are plastered across the news on TV... they are hard to hear... but I continue to keep the faith. I am ever so greatful that I knew to seek the truth several years ago. If I hadn't, my life would be tremendously different right now, and undoubtedly, I wouldn't be as happy as I am. I have many people to thank for the roles they played in helping me get to where I am now. You know who you are. I love you... and thank you.<br /><br />As my husband continues to tell me... onward and upward!Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-90635629914824615932010-06-02T13:02:00.006-05:002010-06-02T13:43:47.104-05:00Fantastic Memorial Day weekend<div><div>This past weekend was awesome.... spectacular... fantastic. I was with my favorite people, doing things that I love: eating, relaxing, tailgating, baseball game watching, beachin' it, getting manicures and eating some more. My family got to get aquainted with my brothers "new" girlfriend, Lauren, whom we all really enjoy. She's got a lot of energy, and all the kids just love her! To top it off, I had my 24 week appointment yesterday, and guess what? I've only gained 3 lbs. in the last four weeks! So now, my OBGYN thinks I'm right back on track where I should be. Feels like I gained 10 though - but that's probably because Will has been making himself quite comfortable up near my rib cage, so he just feels bigger, and longer! </div><div>Heres a few of my favorite pictures from the holiday weekend... I hope yours was as good as </div><div>mine!</div><div> Here's hubby with Matthew. Any candid of the two of them playing is usually a favorite of mine. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 323px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478241996739323410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjq3zdl03SUaAFcDELm4RtqX-Ou8640akJUxrBzbGU878T7MFwaxxvmS0D26IcfCtnaMr9IKGJpBzsBepTFLwOA6p1jI844ySUy0L_B6C3oTNyykAfnUuLOoxpK_QHvsm4uhG8c7-vDyO/s320/Memorial+Day+wkd+017.jpg" /> Here's a candid of the 3 of us as we were just about to walk into Miller Park for the game. Good belly shot too! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478241987604554770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNKtBxtt7F8u4H-C2eFPD-cHxUxpH5b3Ykp23ZxrpV6KCBXGnQdMLedzXAcX2wYpkcs-S6BfHE3Zyz-QBqZljiZUX-du_NyjZR8eMAUqjoupcFJHydFpIoZ5rZ305f2JE3LSrPQrctt6L/s320/Memorial+Day+wkd+034.jpg" /> My big brother and Lauren walking into the game. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478242007110566850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElF5vkUHrSpbcj1kGAcJTdqm9MDPj9gStW-2SFh8QEOMOoPzTpQiidavODvRNVLMQfyzgTEfgjMX_7hUzdLeShZ8cGbNCOwdYffafnOYF5gV4nUdErqG_XlHjI4srHv24o9XIIzJ3wv14/s320/Memorial+Day+wkd+042.jpg" /> Matthew, me and Drew at the Brewer game. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478243849931166050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lqNk-KHlWG9IB6luC5OZGmUwAIzhHY1TGUP00Z0mY815kG8QWx6rE5hYH_T3_46mZowmt9xI6YaruVLumzjtGpiDBsTVOm1LqspXNUWfCQCJfAY-bka4kmB74DP17U-vUzVQrP561RAd/s320/Memorial+Day+wkd+057.jpg" /> A shot of Baby bump and I along Lake Michigan. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478243859161906066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3YYg9sMcQIWDxME0skDkKEzT9Cq7D7UV1_3q4tylcKhN1A9qu79bTa2H9Z7pKxSxW43CypjtEqhtaeGlCS_F1r1_wUMMXtwmxJzEG_hn0px6zyXnjmAoe7DK9LG0_n6Z9MmpOEVt3dm3/s320/Memorial+Day+wkd+058.jpg" /> The cousins - Julia, Matthew, Maggie and Joe. Testing out Lake Michigan! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478243861390975122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTwb0dDTkqR5Pej0L8VVvBwGO4F9v5tFhxyNcx9cFy0ZlHSBfLPOfpi5cmzV7G1A0EKoAUAooXNIQziZoTM2nnKwB-U7IdeZcnZjwfFje4_ZRtymt6rk-57Ioti6-bY8LzxTyRijOUiIl/s320/Memorial+Day+wkd+069.jpg" /> My little guy gazing. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478243872259915714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wGGym_Pw28UzVG25L8q_1PxjTV-pNsPivRjTKqKipzCt9XLKHqlmafBBbEONNtz9b1qbxhEgZyx_0BE9SAhsNmpZFBG4z9y9rEGiqK2CoEfCAUcJ6_1U4fljl-GezLF1dmtiLoSXgy7K/s320/Memorial+Day+wkd+074.jpg" /> In the paddle boat with my mom, Julia, and Maggie.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478246105730818658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cU_C9JKYfkbGwfq8cJuKWOdRgWM4fPH_dnG3XI32y4ff4ChNAbneVIGLzvlZU-ZobYaZCnCokslqDqIQXmxfDJT0sJ2GDSJFeH2XoJ80C06-ZkQoHH1-ArsCKxIHS1q0jK8PtBaxIfBz/s320/Memorial+Day+wkd+101.jpg" /> Me and hubby during dinner at Maxie's Southern Comfort.</div><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478246121319537586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFfV7XNxRomZErplb1oKl4bbuG-jQZuicF7tOzq1CjiIMg_nCka16YCERihBs2OGrVxCUwYxHWscu8Fu8qQzvlNqpF6daDwrUuqEumShq5E0bJUTKTK5VFucya9sbeQ1A7xMY1-B-tg0P/s320/Memorial+Day+wkd+114.jpg" />That's all for now... I have some topics that I have been thinking about, so within the next few days, I'll give you more food for thought....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-89805706931870333812010-05-20T10:55:00.003-05:002010-05-20T11:19:29.537-05:00My son, the male fashionista.That is what I call my son... He has such a hard time in the mornings (heck, any of the 4-5 times per day that he changes clothes) figuring out what he wants to wear. And I swear, he's never satisfied with the way his clothes look, and therefore, that's why he changes so much. This morning, as I was trying to help him get dressed, he was getting upset because he didn't have a clean shirt that matched his red basketball shorts. "How about a grey shirt?" I ask him. "Nooooo, Mommy, that doesn't MATCH!" I take a deep breath. "How about this really cool Cars one with red in it?" I respond. "No, Mom. I don't like that shirt today." ::I start screaming inside my head:: Oh, I love this little boy to pieces, but my goodness.... There's got to be a way to get him to calm down about his clothes. This is driving me batty!<br />I mentioned his clothing obsession to his preschool teacher at his parent teacher conference, and she giggled and said "isn't that normally a girl thing?" Exactly what I think. Is this normal for a 4 1/2 year old boy to be so obsessed with clothing and matching? (more so with matching people than anything. ie: he gets upset if I tell him to wear different shoes than his Toy Story shoes to school because he won't match his BFF Jacob.) Also, alot of the size 4 t-shirts a wee bit too small, so I bought him some 5's. Well, he's unhappy with how long the sleeves are. And if the shirt in general is too long, he says he feels like he's wearing a dress, so he tucks it in and usually ends up looking like a Grandpa with his pants hiked way up. I should remind myself that at least he doesn't want to wear enormous clothing like some of the "thug-like" teens these days. And, to some extent, he should care about his appearance - that way he's more likely to take care of himself as he gets older. But, I don't want him to obsess so much about how he dresses. Really, its about WHO he is and not what he LOOKS like. But how do you teach that to a 4 year old? Whenever he gets upset because he won't match Jacob at school, I tell him "But you're not Jacob. You're Matthew. You are your own special person."<br />Let it be known that I have no problem letting him dress up in his Packers or Badger (or, eeekk, Minnesota Gophers) football uniforms. Or sometimes he wants to dress up in his Buzz Lightyear and Woody costumes so he can act out the movie. As long as it's part of imaginative play, it doesn't bother me. What bothers me is the constant changing of clothes, and the always needing to match people (ahem, every important male) around him. I want him to be his own person... independent, with his OWN sense of style. He shouldn't feel the need to change his clothes all the time in order to feel good about himself. We give him plenty of hugs, kisses, "good jobs" and "I loves you". As a matter of fact, there may not be another child on the planet that is loved more. (Although, most of you moms out there would probably beg to differ).<br />Drew and I have talked about doing a clothing chart... where Matthew is allowed to change his outfit 2-3 times per day. Once he's got the 2nd or 3rd check mark, that's it. No more changing. (Unless, he gets wet, or muddy... you get the picture though.) This way, he can tangibly see how many more outfits he can change into before he's cut off. Once he can do this without problems for a month, we will reward him. This kid has always responded really well to charts, so I'm thinking this could be a good option for him. Once we get started, I'll update you all on his progress.... for now, thanks for letting me vent. Back to tending to my (sweet) male fashionista....Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-24289269619561859862010-05-19T09:28:00.002-05:002010-05-19T09:38:44.474-05:00Hellllooooo hormones...Seriously, I felt like I was able to really keep my hormones in check up until now. The first trimester, I didn't have any outrageous outbursts of tears or anger.... Nor did I feel like I was holding anything back. During the whole craziness of Matthew's biological Dad's issues, my family kept telling me (and they still do) that I'm the one holding myself together the best out of all of us. Ok, so fast forward to now... Hubbs left for Boston, Matthew was throwing up sick, and I'm left to hold down the fort for 3 1/2 days. I did it, and the house is in one piece, but I am feeling SO irritable, SO annoyed, SO crabby... What's wrong with me?! Oh yes, pregnancy hormones. When everything is magnified by about 100 times. Perhaps when Drew is around his presence just makes me feel better.... whole. I like the feeling of our family being together. I think his little business trip might have just thrown me for a loop, as it is a bit out of the ordinary (he doesn't travel for work that much.) Although, watching my little Matthew fall asleep in my bed the last 3 nights has been pure joy. He's so sweet when he sleeps... especially when he drapes his little 4-year-old arm around me in the middle of the night. ::begins to tear up:: Ah, let's hope that my hormones veer back to their semi-normal state soon....Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638367093623394249.post-29158577037189334502010-05-12T09:10:00.002-05:002010-05-12T09:19:54.050-05:00... and Baby kicks Daddy (finally!)Yep! Daddy finally felt Baby Will's first kick last night. I think Drew was pretty darn excited about it too. I knew it was going to happen soon because Will's kicks have gotten so much stronger the last few days. I've been down and out with bronchitis and sinus infection that my Doctor diagnosed me with on Monday. I was put on 2 antibiotics and sent home to rest. Thankfully Drew stayed home from work on Monday to care for Matthew, so I could sleep and recooperate. I don't know what I would have done had he not been here! Even though I was taking Tylenol every 4 hours, along with cough medicine and my antibiotics, Will gave me no reason to worry how he was doing.... he was kicking me NON-STOP all day on Monday. Perhaps I just noticed it more since I was pretty immobile lying in bed, but even when I was sleeping, I was subconciously feeling his little kicks in my belly. So I told Drew yesterday at dinnertime that he's been kicking pretty hard, and that I was pretty certain that he'd be able to feel a kick or two VERY soon. And low and behold, as we were sitting on the couch later that evening, I felt a big kick, and told Drew to stick his hand on my belly... and there it was again! I think Drew was a bit shocked, as his daily attempts to feel those kicks were disappointing him the last 2 weeks. But finally... Baby kicks his Daddy. Now lets hope I can get big brother Matthew to hold his hand on my tummy long enough to feel a kick....Mrs.LizzyZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200951283727875808noreply@blogger.com2