Farewell, 2013!

2013 was a wonderful year full of memories and blessings I will always hold dear in my heart. We have so much to look forward to in 2014... It's going to be a great year!

A WILD cold night!

On one of the coldest evenings of the winter we headed out to the WILD game with N's mom, step-dad and siblings. After the game as we were walking to the car when Eli told us "I hate winter! When are we going to Florida?!" Not soon enough, buddy! 

Happy 56, Dad!

Happy Birthday, Dad! Eli, my Dad and Danny (my sis' boyfriend) are ice fishing on Green Lake today. I think some sledding and hockey will be played today as well. What a great way to spend a birthday!

Eli's 1st curse word...

Eli just said his first curse word, thanks to Home Alone 2... Horse's ass.

25-weeks down! 15 to go!

25-weeks along and about 15 weeks to go! Baby is about the size of a rutabaga weighing about 2 lbs and abou 9 inches long. 

I am currently fasting for the glucose screening. I failed the first test. The cut off is 140 and I was at 152. Hopefully it was just all the oranges I ate that morning. Anyway, for the 2nd screening you have to fast for 8 hours before your appointment... AND the appointment is 3 hours long! The fasting today is obviously the least of my concerns, but if I do have gestational diabetes, I will do everything I need to to keep manage it properly.

Gestational diabetes starts when your body is not able to make and use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy. 

It affects the mother in late pregnancy, after the baby's body has been formed, but while the baby is busy growing. 

Untreated or poorly controlled gestational diabetes can hurt your baby. When you have gestational diabetes, your pancreas works overtime to produce insulin, but the insulin does not lower your blood glucose levels. Although insulin does not cross the placenta, glucose and other nutrients do. So extra blood glucose goes through the placenta, giving the baby high blood glucose levels. This causes the baby's pancreas to make extra insulin to get rid of the blood glucose. Babies with excess insulin become children who are at risk for obesity and adults who are at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Us-ies...

I was trying to take a picture of Eli and I together before our Sundsmo Christmas tonight, but Eli thought it would be funny to block me out...

Ralph the Elf is awesome...

Every night I am just about to sleep and then I remember... Need to do something with the Elf... I complain about it, but it is really cute how Eli wakes up looking for Ralph's new location. 

Two Badges

Who is going to mess with a guy who has two badges?!

2014 Pre-K Christmas Concert

Tonight was Eli's Christmas concert at St. Rose. So much fun to see Eli and his classmates singing Christmas songs. They did such a wonderful job!

This is super blurry, but I love his little happy face!

Immogen, Nachelle & Eli

Eli & Rubi

Proud Mama!

Ruby wishes she got to go to the Christmas concert...

Away in a Manger...

Practicing for his Christmas Concert next week... in his robe...

Ralph the Elf

Ralph the Elf reminds Eli of the importance of brushing your teeth!

Ralph the Elf

We just got our tree last night and were waiting to decorate it the following evening. Looks like Ralph the Elf was excited to get it decorated!

1st robe...

Eli got his first robe today. He wore it all day!

Birthday Bowling fun!

Nana & Papa came up for some lunch and bowling for the big guys 5th birthday!

Note: Nana is just fine. She is recovering from foot surgery earlier in the week. 

Let the birthday festivities begin!

Nick and I were busy tonight after Eli went to sleep... Can't wait for him to wake up!!!

Birthday fun at Gran & Papa Mike's!

After a wonderful Thanksgiving feast at Gran & Papa Mike's, we also celebrated Eli's 5th Birthday!

Car Wash = Popcorn!

Eli loves getting the car washed... and snacking on some popcorn while we wait!

Road trip to Green Valley!

My cousin Claire and her kiddos were in town from Texas. My Aunt lives near the Twin Cities, so we planned a day to road trip to Big Papa & Big Mama (Grandma & Grandpa Mac's) home in Green Valley, MN. I didn't get a picture of Claire and I with the kiddos... nevertheless, we had such a wonderful time!

Me with Jake & Eli in the back.

My Grandma Mac (aka Big Papa) and I with Jake & Eli. Love this!

The kiddos with Big Papa!

Big Mama, Big Papa & the kiddos!

Lots of memories hanging out in that kitchen... and more made today!

What a great picture of Big Mama & the boys!

Birthday fun with friends!

 Eli invited some friends from school over for a little Ninja Turtle Birthday celebration!

The Birthday guy!

Eli and his buds!

Soon after everyone had left, the birthday boy was passed out with his dad!

It's a BOY!!!

We are beyond thrilled to share that we are expecting a baby boy! We can hardly wait for this little fella to join our family!

Baby Suds #2

We are so thrilled to share that we are expecting! The little one is due to arrive the end of March!

More than Flowers...

Last night as I was putting Eli to bed I told him I loved him and gave him a kiss when he said, "Do you love me more than flowers?" To which I replied, "Oh yes, buddy. More than flowers."