Ok, so we are 1 day shy of 29 Weeks !! I am starting to think about labor pains, and caring for a newborn again, very excited. I am hoping to have this baby without an epidural just like I did with Maddison, but we shall see. Jason thinks I should try it with, just to compare. Maddie is also excited, she talks about "what a great big sister she is going to be to her lovely new little baby !!!"
Today would have been my Father's 74th Birthday. You will be in my thoughts today papa, as you are everyday. We miss you and we love you.
O.k., so gaining weight again has not been fun for me. As I still completely REFUSE to wear maternity clothes because they are designed by very mean men, I am proud to say I am still in my normal clothes. With that being said I have noticed that my belly is getting very round and big. This comes in very handy for resting a bowl of ice cream or a bowl of cereal (that Jason is eating Ha Ha). Also I can no longer see my feet let alone reach them, which means I need to go for a pedicure more often.
My belly now touches everything before I do, no real advantage to this, and I am sure the little baby girl is getting tired of the bonks on the head. I also have become even more clutsy than I usually am. I contribute this to my balance being way off.
So just a few funny things about having a big belly. Have a great day !!!
Maddie waits all day for Daddy to come home because it is time to wrestle with him and she gets to jump on the couch. We are so glad our 10 year old couch can take all the jumping. Playing with her Daddy is the best part of both her and Jason's day. I see a trampoline in the backyard someday !!
We made blue berry pancakes for Daddy and we
We spent Father's Day at Busch Gardens. What a fun day!! Maddison got to see all the Sesame Street Character's she loves, Daddy got to ride really big coasters and drink beer !! Maddison has also decided that she loves to go fast and roller coasters are the greatest thing ever. We are scared, she is only 3 and a half. Mommy had fun too just watching, but once baby is born, watch out it's my turn !!! Oh and the best part of the day was getting in for free, thanks to Jason and his service to the U.S. Air Force.
To an amazing husband and father. Thanks for just being you. We love you so much. You are still Maddie's favorite snuggler (and mine too). We hope you have a great day.
Love you ...... And just think this time next year there will be another little girl for you to cuddle with !!
This picture was taken the day we brought Maddie home from the hospital, she was a day old. My Dad was so excited to see her and kept saying she was "so pretty, so pretty." My Dad always loved babies and he really loved holding Maddie and kissing on her. This is one of my favorite pictures and memories of him.
My Dad passed away on May 20th, he was 73 years old. I am grateful to have so many memories of him that make me laugh out loud. He always had something to say !!! You are missed Dad, and we will always love you !!!
(Give everyone you love a hug today, just for me !!)
Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing Mom's that we know. We hope you remember on this special day how important the role of a Mother is. Being a mother is an "all the time" job of full of many ups and downs. Thank you to all the wonderful Mom's that have sacrificed so much of themselves to raise amazing children. And a special thank you to the Mom's that have touched our lives and taught us how to be better parents !! We were always listening and learning. Thank you to our Mom's who sacrificed to raise Jason and I both, you did an excellent job and we would not be the people we are today without you !!!! We wish you an amazing day and we hope you know how much you are loved !!!
After days and days of rain, the sun came out today and the flowers in our yard were amazing.
Maddie and I had the worst night ever. She was crying for her Daddy all night and was in terrible pain from an ear infection that I thought was gone. After trying every trick I knew and getting frustrated at not being able to make my daughter feel better, I finally just held her tight and let her cry, then she fell asleep from exhaustion at 4:30 in the morning. A trip to the pediatrician today proved it is a bad infection so we are on our 2nd round of antibiotics !!!
She just wanted her Daddy and it broke my heart. So sad to hear her cry for him. This 2 weeks of him being gone has been very hard, but he comes home Saturday night and I know she will not let him out of her sight !!! WE MISS YOU DADDY, COME HOME TO YOUR GIRLS......
I really do not like to be away from my husband. I would imagine some people would think differently after 12 years of marriage, but not me. I am just not complete or myself when he is not with us. He is the other half of me. Maddison told me last night, through her little teary eyes how much she misses her "special best friend Daddy". So then we both were crying.
Jason is on a 2 week Officer's training for the military and is not happy. We thought about going with him but so far he has not had any free time.
11 more days to go !! That statement makes my heart sink. We miss you so much Jason, thank you for always working so hard and being so dedicated to doing what is best for our family !! Come home to your girls !!!
Love, the 3 of us !!
Maddison just loves dancing to this song by the Ting Tings !! Unfortunately Tuesday our dog does not. Enjoy !!
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Last Sunday we packed a picnic lunch, grabbed a blanket and off we went to the park for a picnic. The weather was great that day and it was so great to get some time with Daddy. There is a petting zoo area at this park and Maddie is in love with the 3 new baby goats. She and Daddy also took a carriage ride, shared an ice cream cone and spent some good family time together. What a fun day. Thank you Daddy for forgetting all the other things we could have got done that day, and doing what was most important, we love you !!!Jason and I are used to the weather changing from day to day after living in all the many places we have lived, however for the seasons to change in 2 days, that is a new one!!! Maddie and I made a snowman on March 5th, then on March 7th the 3 of us went to Maymont park and spent the day in 80 degree weather !!! We actually have the sunburn to prove it. Virginia weather is amazing !! I don't think Maddison stopped smiling the whole day. We hope the weather is nice for all of you, we have really enjoyed this last week.
Well Virginia has been hit with the biggest storm in years. 1-2 inches of snow is normal, but this storm was amazing !! So much snow. Maddie and Tuesday are having so much fun playing in it.
Maddison was so excited when her balloons from Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Tom arrived !!! She could not believe they were all for her. Thank you so much for making her feel special on Valentine's Day !!! We love and miss you !!
What a girly girl she is. She was so excited to wear a pretty dress and get her hair curled for the party. They also got to take pictures with little bunnies for Easter. It was a great day at school, no wonder she asks to go 5 days a week !!
Jason began a new rotation in the Neuro Intensive Care ward and when he walked in the door yesterday at 3:30, I was jumping up and down (would have screamed but Maddie was still napping). I could not believe it was really him. To top it all off he will get weekends off !!! Yes I said weekends meaning 2 days off in a row !! I know you think my excitement is crazy, but poor Jason has had only 4 days off in the last month. He worked every 3rd day until 10 at night, it was a crazy month for all of us, we missed him so much.
My sweet husband came home yesterday and when Maddie woke up, we all played Zingo (it's like Bingo). Then he sent me out of the house for a pedicure !! While I was gone he and Maddie made a Valentine craft, she was so happy to have her Daddy all to herself. It was a great afternoon. Thanks Jason, I love you. So happy that we get to see you more in this coming 4 weeks.
My sweet husband is worn out. He is on this crazy rotation of internal medicine and it really sucks. Every other day he is at the hospital until 9 or 10 at night, he is there at 6 each morning. Tomorrow is his day off and I have a 10 o'clock tee time for him. I hope he can just relax and do something he wants to do.
Thank you so much Jason for working so hard, what would we do without you !!!
Oh, and by the way, after golf can we go to lunch ????
Our little girl is growing up too fast. After seeing Mom and Dad go to the dentist for a cleaning, she decided she wanted one too. The hygienist and the dentist were so great with her and she did so great. No cavities and all her teeth look good. She informed the whole office that "sugar rots our teeth, but vegetables do not". What a little old lady she is !!!!!
Here is another classic Maddison moment. While staying in Kansas at our dear friend's home, Maddie enjoyed playing the piano and singing. Too funny.
~~~~Our Niece Lindsay brought a fun craft for Maddie to do and they made cookies together at her house, they had so much fun. We also got to visit with Uncle Korey (thanks again for dinner), Aunt Terri, Chelsea (and that boy Ha Ha) and Kyle. We had such a good time just being with family.
~~~~We went down to see my Dad and they were having a Christmas Party. I never thought I would see the day that my Dad put on a Santa costume to help hand out the presents !! But he did and he said Ho Ho Ho. It was such a fun time and my Dad was in heaven when all the nurses wanted their picture taken in Santa's lap !!!
I have truly remembered, through my little girls eyes, the meaning of Christmas is FAMILY. I have come to understand that spending precious TIME with family is the greatest GIFT we can give each other.
My memories of the Holidays do not consist of what presents I was given, they are amazing memories of spending time with my FAMILY. Memories of the fun we would have playing Uno, Scattergories, Pictionary and Cranium with my nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters. Tasting all of my Mothers love in the sweet rolls and quiche she would make for breakfast. Then enjoying all the other delicious dishes that she makes for us every year. Each family bringing something special and yummy to share at our big family Christmas party. Sitting around laughing and talking, just being TOGETHER. Christmas is about giving of yourself and your time, to show the ones you love how much you love them.
Maddison is so excited to see all of her family and play with her generation of cousins which, amazingly, are our nieces and nephews babies !! She can hardly wait to see her aunts and uncles and all the Grandparents too. I really hope that she makes her Christmas memories of all the great times she gets to spend with family. We are so far away from our families and we miss you all so much. This year has been really tough on all of us for many reasons and getting to spend TIME with you ALL is what we are WISHING for, not gifts, just time. We have an amazing family and I hope that you all know how special you are and know how much we love you !!
We just wanted to thank everyone who sent Maddison a birthday gift and those who called to wish her a happy day !! I hope you know how much it means to us that you remembered her special day. She had such a great time turning 3 and it seemed like we were celebrating for 2 weeks. She just loved getting so many cards, presents and calls. We love you all and thanks again for loving her !!!
We can hardly believe it has been 3 years since you came into our lives !! What an angel you have been. Everyday you make us smile and laugh out loud. You have taught us the true meaning of love and we love seeing life through your eyes !!! Happy Birthday Sweetheart !!
Maddison was in rare form last night. She loves to sing and most of the time you can understand the words. She was tired last night and being silly. I hope it makes you smile.
Maddison opened her Birthday Card from her Grandma Charlotte. She played with the card all day long and tried to figure out how it worked. My poor child as you can see from the video really does not know what paper money is. She does however know how to swipe my debit card and push the buttons. Very cute. Thanks Mom, Love you.
November 2 2008--- Jason was finally sworn into the Air National Guard as Captain Rolfe !! He will be a Doctor in the Medical Squadron. This process is so exciting because he can continue his military career. I am so proud of him. We began this process back in February and it has taken this long to finalize everything. He will go to the base one weekend a month and Maddison and I can go with him and head for the beach !! This was such a great day. My Mom was staying with us so she and Maddie played at the house so Jason and I could drive out by ourselves. It was so nice to go somewhere with my Husband and know our little girl was safe and having fun with her Grandma !!! Congratulations Jason, this has been a long journey !!! I love you. 
A few weeks ago we had family visit us !!! My brother Scott and my sister in law Melissa were on a trip to New England with their good friends Larry and Cindy. They drove up to Canada and then all the way back down to Virginia, then back up to Philadelphia to fly back home to Nevada !!! We were so happy that they came the extra miles to see us. It was so fun to have them in our home, and it was so great to see them. 
This was such a great Halloween because my Mom was here this week. It was so great to have her with us and Maddie just loves her Nae Nae. We were able to take Mom to Williamsburg, which is a very historical amazing little town. Also we went to the Botanical Gardens. We did lots of baking and cooking and got to take Grandma "Trick-or-Treating" with us. Thanks again Mom for coming all this way to stay with us. We miss you so much and it was so nice to have you stay and be so comfortable in our home !! We love you, see you soon !!!
Poor "Little Bo Peep" costume, maybe next year....
Side note: Thank you Andrea for the great pumpkin bag idea, they are so cute hanging on the mantle.O.k. it is finally here after almost 6 agonizing months of waiting !!!! Here is the whole story (skip to pictures if you wish to not read the whole story). Anyway way back in May we ordered a bedroom set of furniture for our new home. Mind you Jason and I have not had an actual bedroom set in our 12 years of marriage (just something we dreamt about). So we ordered the bed ( Cal-king) special order, and were told 6 weeks Ha Ha. I know you are now wondering why two people as large and tall as Jason and I require a California king size bed, well, we just do. So after the first 6 weeks of waiting the bed comes and it is damaged, so it is returned. After the second 8 week period, the next bed is half way up the stairs and I notice that not only is it the wrong color, it was the wrong bed ( old English something). I was so upset !!
Now here it is October 21st and it is here !!!! I hope you are feeling my excitement and can rest easier tonight knowing Jason and I finally have a headboard to rest our heads on to read in bed !!!
Now all I need to do is put on the finishing touches and find some pillows for the shams. Have a great day !!!
Here is a preview of Maddie's room (we are still working on it). I painted her letters and Daddy made the display on the wall for them. We decided not to paint her walls because she could not decide on a color, it changed everyday. The flowers are fun and she loves them.
Finally Daddy got to take Thursday off and we were so happy to have him with us the whole day !! Mommy took Maddie to Preschool and let Daddy sleep in, then he picked her up from school and she was so happy. After we all had a nap we took a hay ride out to the Pumpkin Patch. It was so much fun and such a great day. We really love the way Daddy makes time with him special. I asked him if he would rather go golfing and he said he would like to hang out with his girls !!! We love you Jason..... and you are so handsome. 
