Happy New Year etc...

So Happy New Year everyone!

Is it really 2010? This is the year I will have our third baby and we will celebrate our 10th anniversary. Not to mention a new job for Wade, and a new place to live. Quite the way to begin this decade, don't you think?

So it's been a few days, understandably, since I've even thought of the blog. We have now officially been in Colorado just over a week, and I can't believe all that has happened in these last 7 days.

To begin, we flew back on New Year's Eve, while NYC was getting blanketed by snow. It was gorgeous to see (Wade blames me because I told him I would love to see the City in snow one more time), but it made travelling a little hairy. Ava was sick. Literally. To the point we had to buy her new clothes at LaGuardia. Ya, that kind of sick. And then that kind of sick on the plane.

The plane ride was one of the worst experiences I've had flying. To begin, we didn't have assigned seats. Who knows why. We went to check in the night before and there were no seats available. After our flight was delayed a bit, they finally got us seats...2 in the exit row, and 2 a few rows behind.

"Your children will have to sit by themselves as they are not allowed in the exit row."

Excuse me??

Oh, and by the way, did you not notice I am REALLY pregnant? I don't think pregos are allowed in the exit row either.

So after 5 minutes of some creative seat switching, I was able to sit with the kids and Wade was in the exit row. Only problem is the kids were not allowed to "visit" him in the exit row, and I was not allowed to trade seats with him so we could tag team taking care of the kids...one of whom was ill. Like being in a tiny squished seat at 6 months pregnant isn't bad enough! Oh, and I couldn't convince any passengers around me to switch seats with Wade....why wouldn't you trade someone for an exit row??!!! Hello???!!!!!!

But we made it. 4 1/2 hours later, we made it. I could have kissed the ground at DIA.

So this last week, the illness has spread to Tyson, myself, Wade, both my parents, and even Wade's parents. So stay away unless you want us to spread "the love"!!!

We are slowly recovering, settling into my parent's house (God bless 'em), and getting used to the idea that we actually moved back.

Oh, and did I mention we bought a house a couple days ago? What could have been a lllooooonnnngggggg house hunt (mostly because I am fairly particular), we found one we could agree on that only had one negative thing going for it. It's in Highlands Ranch. A place we thought we would never live. It is the ULTIMATE in suburban living, but we're giving it a whirl. Love the house, the layout, the space, and the schools. I honestly would have loved to buy an older home and done some really cool renovations, but at this stage in our life, I just don't think that is best for us.

My new goal in life is to make a 3 year old suburban home look like it has "character". I will be adding crown moulding, some hardwoods (a little bit down the road), and some bead board. I am kind of excited to marry the modern conveniences with my antique/flea market/modern style. Maybe my new blog should be called, "Our Suburban Life". What do you think?

We close at the end of January, which is a big blessing, so we should be in our new digs by the first week of February.

So to wrap up my ramblings, I just went through some pictures from the last couple weeks, and I have a few more posts on this blog before I bid it farewell. I WILL have another blog that will be linked to my photography website, but I do not know what it will be called or exactly when I will start it.

But for now, I wanted to share my favorite photo from Christmas morning. My favorite thing on Christmas morning is to get up before ANYONE and just sit by the tree and soak in the atmosphere. I could just sit and stare at a decorated tree while the rest of the world sleeps....


P.S. My Christmas present from Wade is priceless. He downloaded my entire blog into a .pdf file that we can publish as a book. I looked at it, and just started bawling. Why wouldn't I? This has been one of the most incredible and exciting years in my life. We will wait until my very last post to do final editing and then I will have a memento to last a lifetime. I love it Wade. And I love you.

My Head is Full....Literally

I've been awake since 4:30am. I feel like my Mother. I didn't think was supposed to happen until you're 50 or something!

Well I woke up because I, of course, had to pee because that's what pregnant women do at 4:30 in the morning. But then I wanted to check on Tyson's fever (he was at 103.4 last night), and then I realized how much my throat hurt, and then Baby Gus woke up and wouldn't stop kicking me, and then my brain turned on. There was no hope of going back to sleep.

This week has been exhausting, but surprisingly enough, I'm doing OK. With last Friday's ultrasound scare, then Ava getting sick, then Tyson getting sick, and trying to keep myself well through all this....it's pretty exhausting.

Wade is taking 1/2 day off today, and I CA-NNOT wait. Did I tell you his last day of work in Monday? Can you believe it? I can't.

So I know I threw out the fact that we are moving back to Colorado a couple posts ago, and I thought I should explain.

WE ARE MOVING BACK TO COLORADO. At Christmas. No wonder I can't turn my brain off!

Back in September, Wade got a call from one of his Denver clients (his favorite) wondering if he would be interested in working for them. Talk about left field. We spent a couple weeks thinking, talking and praying about the two options before us:

Stay at KPMG in NY and continue his career here and wherever the firm may take us, or

Leave NY early, move back to Colorado (aka home) and have a job that he's excited about AND allows Wade to be home for dinner on weeknights??!!

It was a hard decision, but we obviously chose option 2. He's been with KPMG 11 years now, and it is hard to say goodbye, but taking this job and moving back to Denver is ultimately what is best for our family. The hardest part for me is leaving NY. Honestly, how could you NOT love living here? Other than the cost of living of course.

Since Wade's last day with the firm is next week, he gets to use most of his vacation before we leave. Which means we get the next few weeks all to ourselves to run around and be tourists in NYC during Christmas!! I could not be MORE excited to have him home. We'll spend a quiet Christmas here, just us, then have movers come and pack us up. We hope to be home by New Years.

So that's our story. We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. An amazing year in NY, a soon-to-be healthy family, a healthy pregnancy, and an opportunity to be back home in 2010.

Dana's Baby Party

Have I ever told you that my dream is to be a freelance photographer for magazines? OK, I said it. That's my dream.

I love to photograph parties, events, places and details. I would love to photograph for Real Simple, Country Living or Cottage Living...if it was still published!! Still mourning the loss of my favorite magazine...

So yesterday I helped host my fabulous neighbor Dana's baby shower with Dana's good friends Diane and Heidi. Dana is having her first baby, a girl, and is due in February. I can't believe I won't be here to meet her, and I won't be here for her to Baby Gus!!!

We hosted it at the Rye Square House Museum, which is one of the oldest houses in Rye, built in 1730 I think. It was a great location, and I had sooooo much fun getting all the decor together.

Check it...

The front door with baby things put together by Diane.


Diane and Heidi also did this this clothespin line filled with baby clothes for Dana. Isn't it adorable?? It looked so great and they had to get Dana's baby a Brooklyn onesie since that's where Dana lived before Rye.


I had a lot of fun doing this setup. I got baby pictures and young girl pictures of Dana and displayed them on my vintage potato chip holder that I snagged for $6 at the Paris Street Market in Denver. This is a staple in my house and holds pictures, Christmas Cards, announcements, vintage postcards....anything that I want to display.

I also framed Dana's ultrasound picture and used my scrabble letters so everyone would know what they are looking at. Idea courtesy of my sister as she always has scrabble letters in her house.


On to the cakes. Oh my. It doesn't hurt that our neighbor across the street (the one whose chocolate shop we went to in Boston a couple weeks ago) used to be a pastry chef. What? You're offering to do a cake for the shower?? Um, let's think about that one. YES!!!!!

Wow, it was good, and Wade is enjoying some of the leftovers.


OK, now this was too cute. Diane and Heidi put together this diaper cake. Every diaper was individually rolled and taped down and set up as a tiered cake. Is this not the coolest thing ever? So it was double duty...decoration and gift. Dana is set for the first week (OK, maybe just the first few days) of diaper changing!


This next project belonged to me and Tyson. We went on a nature walk at the Nature Center and collected sticks, then spray painted them white. I ordered these tissue paper flowers from Oriental Trading Company and displayed them in white vases as the food table centerpieces. Then we pinned extra baby socks and stuff to them.

So each centerpiece cost like $3. Love it!


I love all my enamelware, some of which I picked up recently at flea markets here, and I used them for forks and napkins. White white white was the theme.


There were two fireplaces in the room, so I bought scrapbook paper and sewed a garland of flags to go across the mantels and used my telephone pole glass things that I picked up at Hell's Kitchen Flea Market in NYC as weights. I also used my spinning gourds from that I won from Janna's blog to decorate the mantel.

By the way, the flag idea also came from my sister. She made some for Tyson's shower and we hung them in his room. So Dana took these home and can use them to decorate in her baby room. And again...like $3 per garland.




Dana's mom came up from Savannah, which was so special. She reminds me on my own Mom and I just got attached to her immediately. She helped us shop for food at Costco on Saturday and was such a trooper.

Diane and I had asked everyone coming to write a wish or blessing for Dana that they could read (if they wanted) at the shower and bless Dana and her baby girl.

Lots of tears were shed, and it was one HUGE love fest.









It was such a great and special afternoon, and I'm so glad I had the chance to be a part of it. Love you Dana!!

It's a new day

I woke up this morning kind of in a blur of yesterday's happenings. I can't (but also can) believe how emotionally overwhelming yesterday was. Most who know me well know that I am not great at showing emotions, let alone crying. It's like that song "Stand in the Rain" by Superchick...."The shadows are long and she fears if she cries that first tear, the tears will not stop raining down".

That's pretty much how I am. If I allow the tears to come, which I need to do more often, the tears don't stop and I cry one of those cries where you can't catch your breath and all you do is blubber. But man, it feels good when it's over.

So that was me yesterday. As I sat in the doctor's office after I was told the baby had some bleeding on the brain, I was attempting to be strong and not let my mind wander down a path that would inevitably bring the downpour of tears. I had my children with me for crying out loud!! But after being left alone in an exam room for about 20 minutes alone with my thoughts, and my children who thought the exam table's stirrups (yes, THOSE stirrups) were meant to be a jungle gym, I completely lost it. Especially when Wade called and I had to explain what was going on.

Ava sweetly asked why my face was so red, and I think Tyson was oblivious to my emotional reaction. I had to explain to Ava what was going on and that the doctor's were talking to see what we could do for Baby Gus, and she just looked at me with her big hazel eyes and gave me a big 4 year old hug that melts a mother's heart. She is my compassionate one.

So that was the first of many episodes of "losing it" yesterday and I even surprised myself at how freely I was letting the tears flow...even though there was no confirmation as to what was really going on.

Looking back, I realize the emotion of yesterday was more than the possibility of my baby suffering, but was also a lot of cooped up emotion that I've been holding onto because we're moving back to Colorado. Yes, you read right. We are cutting our 3 year rotation in NY short. Wade got a job offer from a client in Denver that he accepted and we are moving back to Colorado just after Christmas. But that's a whole other post.

More than anything, I am grateful BEYOND WORDS to all our friends, family and neighbors who came around us in such a short amount of time to pray, take care of the kids, support, and petition God for healing. I wanted to share with you some of the encouraging words I received through e-mails, texts, facebook, and the blog. This is all IN ADDITION to many phone calls received, and all this came pouring in within just a couple hours.

Here are the words and prayers that carried me through yesterday...

Angela - "Wow. I am praying right now. I love you sweet friend."

My Dad - "I pray that our gracious Lord gave you a restful night of sleep and the joy of waking up to happy, healthy little children sounds. I’m sure there were lots of family hugs going all around this morning. There wasn’t more than a minute or two that you were out of my prayers for the 4-5 hours which inched by today until you again called mom on your way home. Believe me, it was difficult not to call you to rejoice, but I would only have broken down. I can only imagine how absolutely exhausted you all were tonight.It ’s experiences like this that make us far more sensitive and empathetic to others who bear more burdens than we could ever understand. Dear Jesus, we all are VERY humbled by your continuing, unmerited grace you shower on us all."

Melissa - "Praying! Psalm 139 got me through all the worry with Andy before he was born. I'm with Erin, Remove, Reverse and Restore! Love you!"

Aunt Shari & Uncle Bob - "Jodi called and alerted us to the stresses that your family is under right now. We are definitely praying that everything will turn out good. My Bible study/prayer group will also be praying. I love your friend's prayer: Re-move, Re-verse, Re-store! Two of my favorite verses that I rely on over and over: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the God of peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4: 6-7. So rest assured! Take care and keep in touch.... you're in our thoughts and prayers"

Julie - "hey you,read your blog and i am lifting you up and praying like crazy. i had a similar scare with William's u/s and multiple cysts on his brain (and a variety of horrible scenarios as a result) and just reading your post brought me right back to that time. as Phil wisely counseled me through my moments of fear (there were many)---god does not make mistakes. so i pray HIS blanket of peace to cover you. he has hand crafted that little baby and is and will be glorified in his creation. all my love."

Marla - "Praying for you, Wade and baby Gus! I love Jeremiah 1:5. God knows Gus inside and out and loves him so, so much!!"

Cousin Jodi - "Praying for baby Gus and the rest of you! Remember everything is just as God intended."

Wendi - "Just read your blog.....I am so thankful to hear that all is well with baby Gus."

Erin - "Praying for this to be RE-versed, RE-moved, and RE-stored. The Lord is my Helper, I will not fear. Hebrews 13:6. In the Greek, Helper = Boethos which describes God as One who comes RUNNING when we cry for help. Describes the Lord as poised and read to rush to the relief of His children when they call for help. We got you covered Kristen."

My Mom - "You are being covered in prayer even as I type. I have called and spoken with Sharon so all the So. Dakota family is praying. Joanne and family and friends are praying as well as our own prayer chain at church and friends in the Springs. God is wit h you in every circumstance and will be your strength and fort.Just know how Dad & I wish we could be there to wrap you in our arms of love...our prayers and our loving God will be so much better though."

My sister - "Love you, sis. Been praying and praising right along with you from AtoZ."

Dana - "Please let me know what I can do for you. I am here for you my friend! Sending you lots of love."

This whole experience may have been a mistake in reading the ultrasound by our first technician, but I really do believe we experienced a miracle yesterday and I will be forever praising God for his faithfulness in our lives. I am constantly amazed at the family of God and how quickly everyone comes together.

As my neighbor Berl put it best, I enlisted my "talented group"...referring to my fellow prayer warriors. He has no idea how true that is!!!

Last, I of course to post some sort of picture. This scene greets me at my front door, and I think it's message hits home in a special way this Thanksgiving.

Ultrasound Update

Thank you so much for your prayers!

Praise Jesus, because not only did the specialist NOT find any hemorrhaging on the baby's brain, but he didn't find anything that could even remotely look like hemorrhaging!!! He and the ultrasound tech looked at every angle of Baby Gus's brain for over 1/2 hour, and we are very confident in their conclusions.

We are so relieved, and we're both nursing big headaches tonight after such an emotional roller coaster of a day.

Thanks again friends. I'll be talking to my regular doctor on Monday to determine where to go from here. I admit, I'm walking away with some confusion as to what happened and what it was they saw, but more than anything, I'm just so thankful.

Thanks again for your prayers.

Prayer Needed

Hi faithful blog readers.

I had a follow up appt this morning for yesterday's ultrasound and was told there is some bleeding on Baby Gus's brain. I was told best case scenario is because I'm only 20 weeks along, the baby's brain can self-adjust through the rest of the preganancy. Worst case scenario is cerebral palsy.

I am seeing a specialist this afternoon 2:30pm ET, 12:30pm Mountain Time. He will do an ultrasound and come to his own conclusion. If an MRI is needed, we will get one.

Wade came home from work, and my neighbor is watching the kids for me. I ask you to please pray in the words that my friend Erin prayed for me...."RE-move, RE-verse and RE-store". Jesus is the Great Healer and Comforter, so He can heal or give us the strength to deal with whatever happens.

Thank you!!!

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart."

Baby Gus Ultrasound

Today was "Baby Gus's" 20 week ultrasound, and no, we don't know whether Gus is a Gustave or Gustina! We've decided to actually show some restraint this time and be surprised.

So Gus's heart rate is in the 150's, which is where Ava and Tyson were...so the heartbeat is giving us no clues to the sex.

The kids and Wade came to the ultrasound and it was such a great experience. Gus gave us a quick wave (see below), and Tyson said as he was waving back, "Hi Baby Gus! I love you Baby Gus." It was pretty cool.

I think ultrasounds are so amazing. Not that I forget that I'm pregnant, but it's amazing to see this little person moving around and kicking and realizing what an amazing miracle it is to be carrying a child. The best is when you can see your baby kick and move on the big screen, and feel it at the same time. It's live TV baby!!!



Fun fact: Baby Gus has been to the top of the Empire State Building, but my other children have not. How cool is that?

Time to put my feet up!!!

Angela flew back to Alabama today after 3 straight days in the City. I feel like I checked out of my life for 3 straight days to run (ok, waddle) around Manhattan taking in all the sights with my friend.

My feet hurt, my belly aches, but it was good.

It's time to put the feet up.

Pictures coming!

Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO

After the Brooklyn Flea, we drove to DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) to hop on the Brooklyn Bridge boardwalk. Did you know when it was first built, NY residents were hesitant to go across it for fear of safety, so in 1884, a herd of 21 elephants were taken across to demonstrate its strength?






This was on the Manhattan side looking down towards the South Street Seaport. One of my favorite things about New York City, or any large city for that matter, are all the "hidden" places that you never see from the street. Rooftop decks especially. How fun to have your own quiet oasis in such a loud and busy city!


Then back to DUMBO and an amazing playground right on the East River. It was such a great day, but probably a bit too much walking for my pregnant self. No wonder I spent all of Sunday afternoon with my feet up!

Potato Head Pumpkins

Oh, am I behind in posting photos. Oi. I have been going to bed at 8am (or earlier). I am convinced I am re-living the 1st trimester without the nausea!

This week the kids got a really fun care package from Grandma and Grandpa. We are big fans of Mr. (and Mrs) Potato Head, so who knew they made kits for pumpkins??!!

The kids were thrilled to put together their pumpkins and display them on the front stoop. Of course Ava is a princess and Tyson is a pirate. The other pumpkins are Wade, Me and baby Gus. Wade and I (and Gus) didn't get around to decorating our pumpkins, but at least we're all represented...

The Elephant Trunk Flea Market: Take Two

You may or not remember when I attempted to take (or drag) my family to the Elephant Trunk Flea Market, New England's "largest" flea market. Well, if not, you can read about my disastrous attempt here.

I knew I could never convince Wade to try again with me, despite employing all the feminine wiles I could muster. So I took the kids by myself since he was out of town.

We started our day eating at McKinney & Doyle, in the small town of Pawling, NY. Some friends had told us it was a MUST DO for brunch on the weekends, with the most amazing blueberry pancakes. Since it was close to flea market, we went! And it was worth it. The kids enjoyed the blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes, and I had the most amazing omelet with fresh baked bread. Ahhhhh, I'm hungry just thinking about it. Wanna make me happy? Just cook me a really big hot breakfast with all the fixings. Especially when I'm pregnant...I'll consider naming my kid after you!!





Then it was off to flea market in New Milford, CT. And yes, it was open this time. Note to self: only open on Sundays. It does cost $2 per adult to get in (kids free), but to wander in an open field with 200-300 vendors? Totally worth it.

I have to warn you that there is a mixed bag of vendors. Some good, some not so good. There were a few vendors selling bulk socks out of cardboard boxes, so not everyone was selling stuff that I was drawn too, but I still had a good time. AND the sun was shining and the trees were gorgeous.



Of course we left with a few treasures. It's hard not to walk away from a flea market without a Little Golden Book. Ava picked this one out, as I only let them have 1. $3.00 per book! So much for the $0.25 cent cover price. :)


I also found some great enamelware to go with my collection at home. These two small boxes with lids are perfect on my desk for holding (and concealing) all sorts of knick knack desk stuff.

The larger enamelware is going outside to hold the kid's sidewalk chalk. I kind of ran over our last enamelware bin holding the chalk. Oops. SOMEBODY left it out in the middle of the driveway. I won't name names, but the thing was DESTROYED. I think I was in a hurry that day.



Happy flea-ing!

One of those days....

I'm not gone, I promise! I've just been sleeping. And enjoying a visit from my Mom and niece. And sleeping. And having a couple dates with my husband. And did I mention sleeping?

Growing a baby is hard work.

I do have lots of photos to post from this last week, but honestly going through them makes me tired. And makes me want to.....hmmmmm....oh ya. Sleep.

So today was one of THOSE pregnancy days. I think the nausea is gone (praise the Lord), but I have realized that I need my three squares a day, plus snacks. Now I just need to made wiser choices in those meals and snacks.

The day started with an interesting breakfast. I am OUT of food. No waffles, no milk, and no fruit. So I opted to make pancakes with some Bisquick. Oh right, you need milk for that. So how do I make milk? Well I chose plain yogurt and some water mixed together. Honestly, it worked pretty good. It was the same consistency of milk, and the pancakes were pretty decent.

Then we were off to Costco. About 1/2 way there, I realized I hadn't had my 10am snack, and started feeling the effects. I FELT AWFUL. And all I could think about was a slice of Costco supreme pizza. As my mouth watered, I only felt worse. As soon as we got there, we ran into the store, headed straight for the food court, and I ordered my pizza and the kids a hot dog. I'm pretty sure I had consumed half the slice before I finished putting ketchup on the hot dog. I NEEDED it THAT bad.

I'm pretty sure that was the best slice of pizza I have ever had, and I ate it at a pace that would give the professional hot dog eaters at Coney Island a run for their money.

Have you guys ever experienced that?

So I am now officially 9 weeks pregnant, and I had my first ultrasound yesterday. Everything is good, and Baby Gus's heartbeat is good and strong....170 something. They moved my due date up a few days and my official due date is now April 3.

Have I ever told you I have a thing about numbers? 3 is my favorite number. I was born on the 3rd of December, Ava was born on the 3rd of July, and Tyson was born on the 5th of April, which is OK, because it's a multiple of 5. Tyson was actually due on April 1st, and they wanted to induce me on the 9th, and they WOULD NOT wait 1 day to induce me on the 10th (multiple of 5), and I was so mad. Luckily he came on the 5th.

So if Baby Gus comes on the 3rd or the 5th, I will be perfectly content. Easier for me to remember.

OK, I think I've rambled enough for now. But I do want to recommend this book that I've been devouring since Monday that my neighbor loaned to me. It has me cracking up out loud! She is a bit too sarcastic, and she could reign in her language just a hair, but the book is really funny for all you pregnant people out there....or if you have been pregnant at some point in your life. Check it out!

Until next time (and there will be pictures)...

It Ain't No Speedo....

It ain't no Speedo...but I love my off-brands anyway. The swimming cap was about $2, and the goggles are Wades.

I started swimming today. 6am. Wow.


Why swimming? I quit Curves and we joined the YMCA. And swimming? It's some of the best exercise you can do while pregnant, right?

Did I just say pregnant?

May as well let the whole world know now. I'm about 7 weeks pregnant and couldn't feel worse. Either I blocked out the sickness from the last two pregnancies, or this baby is seriously taking me for a ride. I have napped pretty much every day for the last 10 days, and am feeling just icky.

Today I spent about 1/2 hour on the bathroom floor, and another hour propped up in front of the air conditioner with my eyes closed. Luckily the kids were happy to play trains and watch some PBS while I was "in my own world". Oh my. Where's my mommy??!!!!!! We're never to old to want them, are we?

So we found out the big news shortly after getting back to NY from from our CO visit. We are thrilled, but let's just say this baby was a bit of a surprise. I'm due in early April, just a few days after Tyson's 3rd birthday.

OK, I'm feeling a bit green right now, so I'm off to bed. Settle down baby Gus!!! (nicknamed by my oldest niece)