HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENDALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe 5 years ago today I was in the hospital giving birth to my beautiful and amazing little angel. The time has FLOWN by. I can remember all the great things she learned to do in her first few years. I don't want her to grow up, but thinking of all the amazing talents she has mastered how can one not one her to grow and learn more???

I remember the day like it was yesterday! On Monday, May 23rd I had a check-up at Dr. Schettler's office. He checked me and I still had not progressed at all. He told me he was going to go ahead and induce and went to go call the hospital to see what day I should come in. He came back in and told us to be at the hospital bright and early (6:30 am) the next morning. It was unreal! We were having a baby the next day! Chris went back to work to tie up some loose ends and I got on the phone calling everyone and letting them know that the next day was it! I got a pedicure and spent the rest of the day chilling with Chris. We went to Wings-N-More for dinner. I could not eat after midnight just in case they had to do a c-section so at about 11:30pm, I had a HUGE bowl of cereal (maybe that is why K loves cereal so much LOL).

We arrived at the hospital and they weighed me! 197 lbs!! I had joked with Dr. S and told him his goal was to get her out before I hit 200 lbs :) His first question when he came in later was "Did we make it?" I got all checked in and hooked up to the monitors. They came in and gave me pitocin to start my labor. I was great for a long time. After a few hours I was in pain and they had broken my water so I opted for some pain meds. I got stadol and finagrin through my IV - that lasted a little while and just before 3pm I had my epidural. I remember my nurse was not nice. She did not let me hug on her while I was receiving the injection, she just kind of put her hands on my shoulders. I finally got all relaxed and about 5pm I was ready to push. I pushed and pushed and pushed and every time she would come down, but she would go back up!! The monitor that they had on me was NOT matching my actual contractions so I was constantly pushing - the nurses were making me push with the monitor and my body was making me push at the actual time. It was exhausting. I ended up having an asthma attack. I don't know if you have ever had one, but when they put the oxygen mask on you it feels even more suffocating. I took it off and the yelled at me to put it back on! We compromised and I held it over my face for a little while. Still not progress of Kendall staying in place.

They tried a new trick on me. They tied a bath towel in a knot and had me hold the knot and someone else pull the end. They thought that maybe I was not able to get up and over my belly enough to push her out. The same thing was happening. She would come down but go right back up!!! Finally Dr. S came in and he had me push several times and the same deal. At about 6:24 or so I heard him yell out "Go get Dr. ?? ready." I had NO idea what name he said, but I knew it could not be good to have another doc involved. He looked me straight in the face and with his calm German self told me "This is your last push. Let's get this baby out." I agreed. I took a hug breath and he put his forearm on my tummy. I pushed and he pushed. Out came the ladybug! I felt her arm (which had been over her head and the reason she would not stay down) hit my leg.

The ONLY reason that this is funny is because earlier in the day I made a joke about her not being ready and I put my hands over my head and said "I don't want to come out yet!!!" Wow, did I ever jinx myself.

Fast forward 5 years and she is still the most stubborn person I have ever met! I know I am stubborn and so is Chris, but this girl TAKES THE CAKE!!! She entered being stubborn and she lives that way everyday!!

She is by far the best thing in my life. She is even more beautiful and smart than I could have ever imagined. She is very loving and loves to hug and love on Chris and I every day. We get SO many hugs and kisses. She knows what she wants and is not afraid of standing her ground to get it. Sometimes this causes major drama at home because as you know, I am the same way and we butt heads. I can only imagine how much we will fight in the teen years because of her little attitude and my unwillingness to deal with it.

She has taught me so much about life and love and being a good person. I can't imagine life without her. I love to watch her sleep and we love to cuddle. She still sleeps with us, but neither one of us can bear to let her go. Just before bedtime and mornings are so wonderful. We have the best talks. I know one day it will have to end, but we are cherishing it while we can.

She is SO ready for Kindergarten. We however are not :) I know she has to go and I pray that we are teaching when it happens, but if not we will do the best we can. She is excited to get to take a backpack to school every day. She asked me yesterday if she could bring snacks to Kindergarten and did they have a movie room there. Her little brain works in magical ways and sometimes I still wonder if she was reincarnated. She is such an old soul.

I love that little ladybug to the moon and back and every day that she grows, that love grows stronger.

Remember, LOVE is all you need!!!!

:) Niki

Birthday weekend

More like WEEK! Kendall's celebration started last night and will go through WEDNESDAY! Really!! I know I know, it is my own fault, and I LOVE it! I love the look on her face at how special she feels!!!

Last night we went to eat with our great friends Andi, Gus, and Ashley so Kendall and Gus could exchange gifts since we had to miss his party. Today was a pre-K field trip to Chuck E Cheese. When they get back, Liana is taking a cookie cake and cookies to the school for us. It is to celebrate the three girls that have a birthday on Monday, Kendall, Kayli, and Mia. She is such a good friend!! I can't wait to see pics!! Tomorrow id Kendall's party and we are meeting Chris' dad in the evening. Sunday is Kayli's party and we are meeting my parents that evening. Monday is the BIG DAY!!! I will have a 5 year old!!!!! I just can't believe it! Monday she will be home with Daddy. She has a dentist appt. at 10 and then she has a well check-up at 2. In the middle they will come to see me and we will go have lunch. I can't wait!! Monday night we will give her our gifts and do whatever she wants!! Tuesday Liana and I are taking the girls to the Taylor Swift concert! SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Neither girl knows about this and they won't find out until Monday night!!!!! I can't wait!!!! AND on Wednesday the Ieva's want to go out to eat so they can give K her presents. This is only happening because she is having an all girl party.

Her party is at Bella Beads and all the girls get to make a necklace. Kendall gets a bunch of balloons, her name on the marquee, a gift from them, and a bear from them. They said we can open presents there and then we get to go to Cici's for pizza and cake!! I am so so excited! It is her first big girl party!!!!

I will post Monday!! I will def be too busy this weekend!!! I hope you all have a great weekend and REMEMBER: Love is all you need!!!

:) Niki

Pre-K Graduation

Oh my little ladybug shined!!!! We sat in the front row so she would not be nervous and she did so good!! They had such a little awesome performance. The cam in to Pomp and Circumstance and then did their whole show. Kendall's lines were "D is for dance, we love to dance with Ms. Tinkerbell" and "O is for outside, OH how we love our outside time." She came up and said them great and people giggled at how cute she was :) The received diplomas from Ms. Lori and medals from Ms. Shannon. Ms. Courtney addressed the parents and the class and she started crying which made me cry, again. Kendall and Natalie started to tear up too, but she noticed it and sat down. We took TONS of pics and then went out to Ginger Cafe for dinner with Granny and Paw Paw. It was a great day!! I was so proud of my baby. I reallyyyyy need to download pics...maybe tonight.

Friday night I got to babysit my friend Laura's 2 day old baby, Sebastian. He was so super snugly. I am in love. It stormed like CRAZY that night but when I got home we watched "Princess and the Frog" with K. It def ranks up there with Aladdin and Little Mermaid as one of my all-time fav Disney movies! I LOVED IT!!!!!!!! I finished all my school work for my online class (I am 110% finished with school) and then packed up my scrapbook stuff!

Saturday I finally got a pedi for my sad little toes and then went to an all day scrapbook crop. It was so great. I am really behind in my scrapbooks. It felt like such a great accomplishment to finish 2006. I have plans laid out to hopefully finish through 2009 by Jan 2011. Then I will only be a year behind :). Then I am going to start "All About Me" books for Chris and I for Kendall. They are slow and not time crunch crisis at all so we will see :).

This week is a slow boring and relaxing week. K has a field trip on Friday to Chuck E Cheese on Friday. That is also her and Kayli's school party. Liana is going to take cupcakes and cookies to school in the afternoon and take some pics for me :) I so wish I could go!! But, there is that pesky little thing called WORK.

Saturday is K's b-day party at Bella Beads and Sunday is Kayli's party. Monday is their b-day and Tuesday is the Taylor Swift concert! I can't can't can't wait for this weekend!!! I can't believe my little monkey is turning 5. I can remember her birth like it was yesterday. Maybe I will share that sweet story on Monday :)

Remember, Love is all you need!!!!!

Niki :)

Almost time!!!

So much has happened this week!!!

Mother's Day went great! I woke up and was treated to breakfast and coffee in bed and cards and presents. I got a home made card from Kendall and a store bought one from Daddy and Kendall - I got my new running shoes that I wanted for my marathon training (YAY) and I got beautiful flowers (tulips and stargazer lilies). It was such a good lazy morning! Kendall also filled out a form at school that asked stuff about your mom and one question was what does your mom smell like? Her answer was cupcakes!! It was so sweet. It totally melted my heart. We got ready and my mom picked us up and we went to see Little House on the Prairie at the Hobby Center. It was fun! Kendall loved it. We came back to Atascocita and met up with the boys at Christopher's for some delicious dinner and then we went back home and did nothing! I had a nice lazy Mother's Day!! It has to be my fav day of the year aside from K's b-day!!

Wednesday was my last day of school! Also, Kendall had her dance recital. It was cute. They did an 80's theme, but she got so freaked out she did not do one dance move in either song. I was so sad for her :( That evening I had my last class and I got my cert showing I completed my PPR class. I don't really feel like a teacher yet. I won't be certified until after my first year anyway so until I get a job nothing is official right?? But, it feels great to be done. I have to do my final for special populations and my field service packet and I am DONE DONE DONE!!!! YAHOOOOO!!

Tonight is Kendall's pre-k graduation! I know I am going to cry :) I can't help it! I am a sucker for these things. I hope and pray that she does not have another stage fright incident and not be able to say her lines! She has two individual speaking parts so we will see!!

I will try and post the outcome of tonight's events tomorrow along with a pic. She got a new dress and new flip flops :)

Remember Love is all you need!!!

Another Friday!

I can't believe it is Friday again! These things are rolling around too fast! Time needs to slow down a tiny bit!! Well, Wednesday I went to the clinic and I did not have strep but I had an infection. I got two shots and two prescriptions. Feeling much better today.

Had a job interview yesterday at Northeast Christian Acadamey. I think it went ok. They are wanting to make a decision fairly quick. So, I jhope to know soon. They told me they would let me know either way. So, if I don't get it at least it is an interview and I gained experience from that. I am praying all the time that the right job finds me. Kendall's school has a few positions that might come open and I have thrown my name in that bucket several times. SO... keep praying friends!

I am so excited to get started running! The training for the marathon is still two months away, but I am ready to get in the gym and start getting into some shape for the time trials in July. I really don't think I want to be in the slow group LOL. My goal is to run a mile inder 10 mins by July. We will see :)

Mother's day is this weekend. I got myself and my mom something. I ordered us each a cute collage poster from the bunny pics that Kendall took back before Easter. They came yesterday and they are SO adorable! I can't wait to give mom hers!!! She is going to LOVE it. Also, I can't wait for Mother's Day for myself. It to me is better than my birthday. I get pampered and Kendall is always so awesome. Plus, I have a great hubby who takes care of me and makes sure Kendall gets a chance to pick out great prizes and cute cards for me! I also can't wait to see what she makes me at school this year! Last year was my awesome necklacs (pic above) and the year before that was a super cute foam frame with her handprint on it and a cute pic of her in it. I love homemade gifts so much. I will report back on Monday with the details of Mother's Day.

We only have 17 days left until my baby turns 5. It just does not seem remotely possible. Pre-K graduation is in 6 days, dance recital in 5 days, and her party is in 15 days. We have such a busy May, but at least school ends next week for GOOD! I don't want to see the inside of a classroom as a student (other than professional development) for a VERY long long time :)

Chris is officially done with UH and is graduating cum laude. If now I could only get him to walk at the darn graduation ceremony!! GRRRRR Can you tell this is a huge thorn in my side LOL! I am working on him all the time to get him to go but so far no luck. We shall see.

Hope you all have a GREAT weekend and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

Love is all you need!

Oh swollen gland in my throat how I loathe ye

I am not happy. I very sensitive glands in my throat and today the one on my right is hurting and I don't like it. It is making me cranky and I don't feel good either. Plus, Kendall is still coughing and has a runny/stuffy nose and Chris is coughing his head off.

Yesterday I took bug to go register for Kindergarten! Like the luck that I always have, they had my appt. time wrong. They were saying it was for today. They let me do it anyway, but I don't think they liked it. We pulled up to the school and she asked if it was Daddy's school. I told her it was a school, but not Daddy's. She asked me then "Is it my kindergarten?" When I said yes she got sooo excited! I went in and filled out the three required forms and gave them a copy of the rest of the paperwork. The made copies and checked the shot record. We were good to go! I didn't even cry!! It was AMAZING! I was just all smiles and I think because she was so excited. She told a lady in the hall how she was going to go there for kinder and the lady was so nice. From where we were you could see the cafeteria and she thought that was so cool.

Also, last night Chris finished his last thing for UH. He took his last test!!! Now all he has do do is wait for grades! I am so proud of him for finishing!!!! It was great! He was not as excited as I thought but that is ok - I am proud of him enough for both of us :)

I also got a call for an interview! I am not telling anyone yet because in case I don't get it I don't want 1000 questions. I know I don't have to worry about posting it here because I don't think anyone reads this anyway except for one person who will pray so hard for me :0)

Other than that, just trying to get through the last remaining things that are left for the ACP program - there is a lot to do in a week and a half UGH!!!!

Have a great week and remember, Love is all you need :)

Niki