Two Wonderful Years

Today Dennis and I are celebrating our second anniversary. It is hard to believe that two years ago right now we were getting married in front of our family and friends on a beautiful beach. Not only that, but I can't believe how much our lives have changed in these two years. We have a beautiful son, two more on the way, and two years of great memories.

The above pictures are from my driveway. Kelly decorated our driveway with sidewalk chalk to wish us a Happy Anniversary!

Backyard playtime

Yesterday was a beautiful day. Freddy and I had a good day, and I was even able to take him on two walks...even though each was only once around the block. As soon as Dennis came home, he said "I am going to take Freddy out back to play that way you can rest."

That thrilled me! I have been telling Dennis for a while that I would love it if when he got home he would play with Freddy outside, since I can't really chase him right now. And the fact that I could lay down for 15-20 minutes in the evening...when I really need it!

Well, of course I didn't rest...I needed to take pictures! Like I said it was beautiful out! Freddy and Dennis were running around out back, and then Kelly and Jeremy came out to play! Well, Jeremy couldn't really play since he hurt his back.

Freddy had a great time running around, knocking over Kelly's candles, teasing Nora and Charlie (their cats), running from Daddy, and rolling around in the grass.

It was a perfect way to end the day!

Well I thought I was being good...

But I guess I am not keeping up to date with my blog!!

Lots happened this week...again...lol I had another ultrasound, another doctors appointment, balloons, baptism, and a nice dinner with the fam!

Lets start with the twins... At my last ultrasound they each weighed in at 1 lb 2 oz. This past week they were each 2 lbs and 3oz!! That is REALLY big right now for them. A single pregnancy at this point the baby only weighs a little over 1 lb! Luckily my blood work for Gestational Diabetes came back with flying colors! The other thing...the babies haven't moved positions. They are still laying transverse...which means my chances of a natural birth are slimming down. I was a bit upset at my ultrasound because of the tech and the doc...nothing significant, I was just pissy...mainly because I didn't get pictures! At least the babies are healthy, and I am not showing any signs of pre-term labor! My appointment with Dr Ted on Friday went very well. I have only gained 12-15 pounds...my blood pressure is great...so far so good! Dr Ted and I discussed the fact that I will probably have to have a c-section. He didn't schedule it, mainly because there is a SLIGHT chance that the babies will move into the correct position. However, after my next ultrasound, if they haven't moved, Dr Ted is going to schedule me for sometime in my 37th week. I have to check my glucose again at the end of the month to be sure that I don't have Gestational Diabetes. But, over all...the twins are doing GREAT!!

Freddy had a busy week. Monday and Tuesday he spent with me, but the he spent Wednesday with Mim and Pip. Basically that means that he was spoiled! He went out for breakfast, went shopping, played, took a nice nap, went outside...he had a really great day. Friday, Pip came to watch him while I went to the doctors. Pip took him to the mall, then to the park, then out for ice cream!! Dennis got home soon after my dad left, and we went to visit Kathy. Kathy had surgery on her knee that morning, and we wanted to make sure everything went well...which it did!

Saturday we got up early for the start of the balloon festival. Mary and Cassie were supposed to come up, but a late night football game stopped that from happening! Dennis, Freddy, and i saw about 20 balloon flying over the treeline behind our development. A nice way to start the day. We just relaxed throughout the day, until Mary and Cassie came up for the evening balloons. We had a small cookout, and then went out to watch the balloons. It was a great show, with over 30 balloons that we saw!

Sunday morning we had the best show, with over 40 balloons coming right over us! It was a beautiful day, and prefect weather for the balloon show. After, we had to get ready to go to Ethan's baptism. When we got to the church, Freddy was asleep, so Dennis stayed in the car with him while I went in. Luckily there was Mass before the baptism, so Dennis and Freddy didn't miss anything. Ethan was adorable...and I am so mad at myself for not remembering my camera. Ethan didn't even cry when he got the water poured over him! Of course, the ceremony tired the little man out, and he slept for the beginning of his party, but when Kristel woke him up, he was happy as a clam! I had a nice time visiting with everyone, Freddy enjoyed the Shrome's backyard, and Dennis was exhausted from chasing him!! Unfortunately we had to leave a bit early to meet up with my parents. They wanted to come up for the closing of the balloon festival. Unfortunately it was too windy for the balloons to go up, so we went out to dinner instead. We went to Talk of the Town for pizza, and ran into Dave McGuire of all people! Dennis and I were just saying how we haven't seen him much this summer, so it was nice to run into him. After a great dinner, we all came back to the house so that Melissa and Mom could help me organize the twins closet. It wasn't a ton of work, but i knew that I would not be able to do it myself, so I was VERY happy to have their help! We ended the night with ice cream and the ceremonies at Yankee Stadium. Even though I am bitter about the change of stadiums, they really did a nice job last night.

Sorry for the play by play, but I figured that would bring you up to speed. Hopefully I keep up better with it this week!! Here are a few balloon pictures!

Back to the Jewels

Some of you may not know this, but I make jewelry. Not only do i make it, but I have a business with my Mom and Nana. We are The Familee Jewels. Really, we are. Check us out at http://www.thefamileejewels.com/ or http://www.atthewarehouse.net/ (that is where our store is).

Anyways, as I said in my last post, I hadn't been able to make anything lately. Until now! After being At The Warehouse over the weekend with Mom, inspiration struck. For the past two days, I have been creating. I made three necklaces and two pairs of earrings.

The first that I made was one of my Vintaj pieces. I love the way the Vintaj brass mixes with blues and greens, so that is the pallet that I stuck with. Here is a picture of the necklace.

Next I made one of my tried and true Swarovski Pearl necklaces. I made this differently than any of my other pieces, but I really like it. I also made two pairs of Swarovski Pearl earrings. I LOVE working with Swarovski Crystals, and from that I discovered the pearls. They have a beautiful sheen, come is so many colors, and are perfectly made. Here are the pictures of the necklace and earrings.

Lastly I made a wonderful necklace that I am extremely proud of. When I first started wrapping stones, I decided that I was going to wrap this chunk of Rainbow Moonstone that I picked up in Rockport Massachusetts a few years ago. It was one of my first wraps, and it came out beautifully. I created the necklace out of dark green Aventurine and Czech Glass beads. It was really nice. However, something wasn't right about the piece. I ended up taking the necklace apart and using the beads for a different piece. After holding onto the pendant for a long while, I finally knew what to do with it. I made bead links out of deep purple glass beads, Swarovski Crystals, and sterling silver beads. I LOVE this necklace, and am going to have a hard time selling it. Here is a picture of it.
So, I guess I am back in the game! I hope that I can stick with it again...but I think that I will considering I have three more projects started on my desk!

Hmmmm

Well, it's been about a week since I last wrote, so I figured I had better put something up before Mom or Mary gets mad!! I try very hard to keep this a positive and upbeat blog, so bear with me while I complain for a bit. Don't worry, it will spin positive!!

Last week was really hard. Everything about it from the pregnancy, to Freddy, to just living in general. Even though things haven't always been the best, this was just a lot for me. There wasn't anything out of the ordinary really...I think that it just all built up and then came crashing down.

It all started when I started to have a LOT of pain in my legs. For those of you hat don't know, I have spondylolysis, big word for a stress fracture on my lower vertebrae. My injury is on my L5, Which is the last vertebrae before the pelvic bone. I have known about this for almost 10 years now, and for a long time had it under control. I had gone to see an orthopedic when I was pregnant with Freddy because my doctor wanted to be sure that I would be able to have a vag delivery. Everything was fine, I even got this belly brace thing to help if I needed it, but somehow, it never bothered me! Even after Freddy was born and I was carrying him all around and everything. For the past 2 weeks however, it has really started to flare up. To the point where my legs are just throbbing. You see, it affects my sciatic nerve, and my symptoms are very similar to sciatica, except with back pain (basically shooting pains down my butt and legs, my legs "go out" on me and I sometimes fall, and my back feels like there is a grinder on my vertebae and pelvic bown). It got really bad, where I couldn't walk Freddy and Harley around the block, had a hard time walking in general, and really couldn't do much with Freddy besides sit with him in his corral.

This did not go over very well with Freddy. But about 3-4pm, he had enough of me. I wasn't being fun, and he was sick of the walls in our house. Usually I take him out a couple times a week, even if it is just to the store or the mall. Just something for a change of pace. But I was too scared that I would fall with him, and I knew that I couldn't lift the stroller in and out of the car. So, by the time Dennis gets home, Freddy is grumpy, I am trying to hold back my tears so Freddy doesn't see, Dennis think that I am mad at him...not a good afternoon.

NOW, take that same scenario and repeat it everyday through Thursday. I was a mess. It went from being a rough day, to me having anxiety attacks All the while trying to keep them at bay until Dennis got home so that Freddy wouldn't pick up on my emotions. When Dennis did get home, the flood gates opened. Worrying that I was a bad mother, how am I going to handle three, we don't have enough money, we need a bigger house, the sky is falling...really when I get like that, it all just crashes on me.

Two things happened on Thursday that really helped. One, Dennis and I talked. REALLY talked...got past some issues that contributed to my anxiety (details that don't really need to be online!!). Second, I joined a stay at home mothers group. There is a group for the Glens Falls area and it seems like a really nice idea. There is a message board, play dates, mom dates. I think that having the support of people who are in a similar situation will help. Also getting out and interacting with adults and letting Freddy play with other children will be great!

Friday was another rough day, but I felt a bit better. Also, Dennis and Dad took Freddy to the Civic Center to see the Stanley Cup! I was so happy for Dennis, he was glowing! haha It also gave me a chance to go over to Kelly's for some girl time.

Saturday I woke up and told Dennis that I really wanted to go to the Warehouse (where we have our jewelry store). I haven't been in about two months, and really needed that positive energy. So, after he was done with the paper I headed down. I had lunch with mom and dad, visited with everyone, and finished a piece that I have been working on forever...and just couldn't complete. It was good soul food for me. When I got home we took Freddy to the mall since it was so crappy out. I was still hurting, and had to walk really slow, but Dennis was there to help me. That night we played cards and watched a movie.

Sunday we asked Sueanne if she would watch Freddy so that I could got to church with Dennis (again, it has been a couple of months). So we had a nice relaxing morning, went to church, went to Sully's with Jimmy for a beer (or water), went grocery shopping, and then came home. Dennis went to his parents house to get Freddy and visit for a while. I cooked up a bunch of food for the freezer and then went over to Kelly and Jeremy's. It was another night of cards and a movie...a perfect way to end a really good weekend.

So here it is, Monday. My legs hurt, Freddy is going to be mad at me in a couple of hours, and Dennis may have to work late. But, the sun is shining, all of my babies are healthy, tomorrow night I am scrap booking with my new "Mom Friends," and my house smells like fresh bread (from the pizza dough that I just made)...Life is good!

Freddy's Big Day

Freddy had quite the day yesterday. It all started when I finally convinced Dennis that we needed to cut Freddy's Hair. I don't know if you could tell by the pictures, but he had these wings...and it was starting to look like a mullet!

Dennis finally agreed that I could cut those few hairs. He was however, very upset when I asked him to hold Freddy..."I'll have no part in this,"is what he said. Once he realized it was better to give in and hold him while I had my craft scissors at Freddy's head, he helped me. Four snips later, and our little boy had his first haircut!

Since we were both doing the haircut, I don't have a picture of the act, but he is his cute new do! I wanted to be sure that he looked good for Mim and Pip, since Mim said that she was going to braid his hair the next time she saw him. Since we were going to the fair, we decided it was a good time to do it.

Speaking of the fair...Yesterday we took Freddy to the Schaghticoke Fair...his first fair!!! I was so excited, but Dennis was less than thrilled. You see, 4 years ago when Dennis and I were first together, I took him to the Saratoga County Fair. This was his first time going to the fair, at least that he could remember. I had a GREAT time, but when we got to the car to go home, all Dennis said was, "um, it was OK. Now you go EVERY year?" Needless to say, Dennis never went with me again...until now! No matter what Dennis thinks of fairs, I wanted to go, bring Freddy, and have a good time. It took a lot of convincing, but I told him that I was going one way or another, and he was welcome to come. So, the three of us headed down to Mim and Pips to go to the fair!

We went down early so that Freddy would be able to take his nap there, and then we would leave. Well, Freddy didn't really nap, but Dennis did!! At 3, we headed to Schaghticoke. We parked at Aunt Kathy and Uncle Bob's, but unfortunately they weren't home. Off to the Fair...

The first thing that we did was go through the horse stables. Freddy wasn't to happy there. I don't know if it was the large animals, the sounds that they were making, the smell, or a combination. But he wasn't happy in there. Then we headed over to the craft, far, food, and commercial buildings. Dennis was speeding through them, but the rest of us were busy concentrating on the quits, photographs, paintings, farm equipment, and other great things from the fair. Freddy was able to sit in a saddle, "drive" a tractor, and stand next to the county's biggest pumpkin!! When we left the buildings, we went to the Army tent where Freddy signed a car that they were going to demolish and then sit in a REAL hummer!

After that we walked all around to see the rides and games. We were going to try to take him on the Merry-Go-Round, but he was too little...even if we held him. Instead, Mom (Mim) found a sketch artist and had him draw Freddy. Thank goodness the man was a speedy artist! Freddy wasn't happy just sitting there. The picture came out beautiful, I can't wait to see where Mom and Dad hang it. After that, we walked around for a bit more and then got our dinner. I had my corn dog that I have been raving about all summer (Mom had one too), Melissa had her funnel cake, Dennis had a burger, and Dad had his sausage and peppers. Freddy didn't want too much of his food, but we planned on that. Dad cut off some of his sausage for Freddy. HE LOVED IT! We have come to the conclusion that sausage is Freddy's favorite food!

After dinner, I know that I was ready to go, and thankfully everyone else was too! We all headed back to Mom and Dad's house. Dennis and I wanted to get Freddy ready for bed and give him his bottle so that he would sleep in the car on the way home and then we could just put him right to bed. Freddy had his bath in the sink while playing with a wooden spoon, and then ran away from me when I tried to get him dressed!

When he finally let me get him dressed, he started to show us how tired he really was. We gave him his milk and then he just cuddled with Dennis. he was too tired to even move. Dennis had to help Dad move a piece of furniture upstairs before we left, and that gave me a chance to snuggle with Freddy. Finally hugs and kisses were given, and Dennis and I took a sleepy little boy back home to dream about all the adventures that he had! What a great day!