Goodbye 2008......Hello 2009!

Wow has this year flown by! I feel like it was just a year ago that I was expecting our first baby and now he is 10.5 months and I am pregnant with our 2nd! It's been a crazy year for us....having a baby, moving and expecting another....I feel blessed and thankful for this past year but more excited for 2009. It was sad for me to have to say goodbye to my daycare and I'm just glad we are past it now and moving forward.

We had a wonderful Christmas. We spent the morning and afternoon at my parents with my family and then spent the rest of the night with the Harrison's. It's always such a great time being with family and we definitely enjoyed having Ethan this Christmas. He brings a lot of joy to us and I just love being his mom.

This is the first year we won't be out of town for New Years and that is a weird feeling. My fun Petke family is still getting together as always in Columbus, Ohio but in one house with many Petke's equals no good naps for Ethan! We all know no naps for a baby isn't a fun time so we just decided this year it would be best for us to stay home....and I'm sure it will be the same for next year :( That's ok, we always get together for Thanksgiving so it's all good :)

Our little man Ethan has been sick since Christmas night. He came down with croup again and we ended up making a trip to the ER one night as nothing else was open and he was so miserable and not himself and we wanted to get him checked out. He's ok and they gave him a saline breathing treatment and a dose of steroids to help with the croup but nothing serious....the croup is now gone and now he is getting over a bad cough and cold. My new years resolution for 2009 is not to make a trip to the ER....well, except for delivering the baby of course. Ethan has had 3 trips to the ER in 2008 not including his birth and I have decided hospitals and harrisons aren't a good mix:)

Our other little miracle is kicking now....not a lot and not real strong yet but definitely feel some movements....so fun! I'm 18 weeks today and that means it's time to start my belly pictures :) I take them every 2 weeks and like to scrapbook my growing belly so you will get to share in this journey with me :) A week from tomorrow we will know if we are having a boy or girl...I can't wait and cannot believe how fast it's gone by. We are taking Ethan with us so he will be the first to know if he's going to have a brother or sister :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and has a fun and safe New Years and a blessed 2009!

Love,
K

The Eve before Christmas

It's Christmas Eve and I couldn't be more excited! Going to Grandpa and Grandma's has always been one of my very favorite things about Christmas. We have been going there on Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember and so there are many years full of memories and traditions in their house.

I was just thinking to myself how much I have to be thankful for this year....new things to be thankful for that were not the same last year. Of course the first one being that Jeremy and I have a beautiful 10 month old son and also that we have another one on the way. I am also thankful that this year my mom is not in the hospital and that she will get to spend Christmas Eve with us. She was very sick last year. I am thankful my good friends Adam and Brooke have a home this Christmas. Not that they were homeless, lol but it took many months of prayer for their old home to sell and their new home to be official! I am thankful that I am pregnant with my girlfriend who lost a baby just months before. I am thankful that my grandparents and grandparents in law are still here this Christmas. I am thankful that Jeremy and I have moved on from the worst of the financial struggle we had ever been in and thankful God has always provided for us like I knew He always would. I am thankful for a little baby girl that is now here who had a small abdomen and that the doctors said they might have to deliver at 28 weeks. She was more than a week overdue! Ha! How do you like that devil?! My God is so big and so great and we have so much to thank Him for. I feel so grateful for everything He's given my family and friends this past year and just wanted to make a public announcement about it :)

Well, I am now 17 weeks along and we find out 2 weeks from today if it's a boy or girl! I am SO excited and know that whatever God has given us we will love and be so happy to love.

Our child out of the womb, Ethan....well he sure is the most adorable thing with 2 legs! He is really getting good at walking and he is so happy and laughs with us all the time. I'm so glad he is a happy baby. I have some really exciting news about Ethan....he is SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT! To make a long story short, he's been waking up multiple times in the night becauses he misses mommy and then I would have to lay down with him to get him back to sleep...it was not a good cycle and was becoming very tiring. Saturday night we decided it was time to let him cry it out. He screamed for an hour and it was breaking out hearts so much but we felt peace about it. Finally. We've had 3 nights since then and he is doing great. He will still wake up once or twice but will cry for only 5-15 minutes and go back to sleep. This is HUGE and to us this is considered sleeping through. I am very excited and have been enjoying my sleep very much :)

My sissy and I had our annual Christmas cookie baking day on Sunday and that is always fun. We couldn't believe how easy and organized everything was going this year (something always seems to happen on this day) and low and behold my mom was on her way over and got in a car accident. Thankfully she is ok, just has a few bruises and pains but she could have gotten killed. Their car was totaled and if she would have gotten hit on the other side she most likely would have been spending Christmas Eve in the hospital two years in a row! So thanks God for protecting her!

Well, my little peanut just went down for a nap. That means shower for mom and laundry to fold. We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a year full of God's goodness in 2009!

Love,
The Harrison's

Walking at 10 months!

Umm...can you believe this video? We can't!! He just started taking steps on Saturday (the 13th of Dec) and now two days later is taking 10 steps! He wants to run....and I think it's because he is used to going so fast in his walker. Anyhow, we were able to capture it on video and just had to post it.....we are so proud! I can't believe he's growing up....guess it's time to have another baby ;)

Enjoy!

Ethan is growing up!

My little boy is going to be 10 months old tomorrow. I really cannot believe it. Where has the time gone? He has hit some big milestones the past couple days. He waves bye now, it might possibly be the cutest thing I have ever seen. We've been doing it with him for awhile and he finally caught on....we wave bye to daddy every morning as he goes to work and we also do it randomly during the day because we think it's so cute!

He also took a couple steps today! That's right, a couple steps! He wants to go so fast and I think it's because he is used to walking fast in his walker. We couldn't believe it...we walk with him a lot and then sometimes he stands for a few seconds and then today he took a few steps. I will laugh if he never crawls because we both thought he would skip crawling and go right to walking and I think he just might. He scoots all the time but he loves to stand and walk....he's always loved standing...even since he was real little.

Ethan has been sick the past couple days. Not sure with what exactly but a mixture of maybe a cold, teething...he had 102 fever for a day or so but today he has been pretty happy and seems to be feeling better praise God. Pray for Jeremy though if you think of it....he is feeling under the weather. We've just been laying around the house today vegging out.

I can't believe Christmas is only 12 days away! It sure is coming up fast this year. I am excited for it...it's always so fun being with family and I am excited for Ethan's 1st Christmas.

Well, only 25 more days until we find out what we're having! Can't wait :)

Love,
The Harrison's

Oh the joy of my little boy's laughter!

So Jeremy was playing with Ethan on the floor with this little train toy of his....Jeremy would push it and then every time Jeremy went after the train Ethan would start to laugh hysterically. It cracks me up the things he laughs at....so random! I managed to grab my camera real fast and get a video of him doing it so I could share it with all of you. Enjoy! :)

I'm 15 weeks today! How exciting! Only 29 more days until we find out the sex of the baby....not that I'm counting or anything :) Ethan was fussy yesterday and real fussy last night....we figured he was probably cutting another tooth...sure enough I just looked and there's another tooth popping through! It wasn't there yesterday so that explains the crying and extra need of mommy holding him yesterday. He sure is getting teeth in fast....this makes 7!

Ethan's Photo Contest

Hi Guys!

I found this really cute website that does birth announcements and more and they have a photo contest each week. The photo that gets the most votes gets $50 off their next order. I know what you're thinking, "Keri, you're not due until June." Yeah well I am a planner, you should know that by now...and I really love these announcements but they are expensive. I would be so grateful if you took a minute to vote for him. It would be awesome if some of you forwarded it on to other people you know, I need all the votes I can get!

Ok, here is what you need to do to vote.

Go to: www.simplytoimpress.com and then go to simply cute photo contest. It is in small writing at the top. Find Ethan's picture, click on it and then vote for him! You will then get an email to confirm your vote. You HAVE to open it and click on the link (or whatever it tells you to do to confirm) or your vote WILL NOT count. Thank you so much to all of you that will vote for him, I really appreciate it and so does Ethan's baby brother or sister :)

Love,
Keri, E & Baby

Let the countdown begin!!!

I just got back from my doctor's appt for the baby. I got to hear the heartbeat again and all is well with our little peanut, thank you Jesus! I am SO excited that we have a "date" for when we will find out what we are having....a baby or a monkey....I mean a boy or a girl :)

January 7th @ 2:00 is the ultrasound. Yippi!!!! So it will be about 2 weeks after Christmas that we will find out....that's good, Christmas will be here before we know it and then only 13 days until we find out. SO excited.....can you tell? :)

Jeremy couldn't make it to the appt. today which was totally no big deal so it was just me and e...he did pretty good but he was ready for a nap so he wasn't content in his car seat. I held him and he sat with me on the table when I laid down to hear the baby's heartbeat. He was smiling and thought it was so cool! It was so cute and I just thought to myself, "Ethan! That is your baby brother or sister in there that you are going to get to play with soon." So amazing pregnancy and birth is. I can't wait to see what this little one looks like and have a newborn again. They are so precious.

The heartbeat was 152....which was what Ethan was pretty much the whole time when I was pregnant with him. Ok mom, I know you think a high heartbeat means girl but just remember only 55% of the time it is accurate, lol! Plus, my midwife said in the beginning when the baby is still this little it's typically between 150-160....so mom, don't start thinking girl yet....it's just a myth ;)

Well, that is about all for now. Hope everyone is doing well and I can't wait to find out what we're having!!!! Ahhh!!!

Love,
Keri and Baby Boy or Girl....

Hooray for me!

I just had to post and say I figured out the problem with my background...now I can sleep tonight:)

I'm 14 weeks along with our precious baby boy or girl today...I can't believe how fast the weeks are going by. The baby is 4" long, weighs 2.5 oz. and the baby's little heart is pumping 25 quarts of blood a day! Isn't it amazing? Another little piece of Jeremy and I is going to develop into a human being!! Man, that puts my mind at awe all the time.

Ethan is getting another tooth! We thought he was over the Thanksgiving holiday because he wasn't eating his baby food like he usually does, he was crying at times and sleeping a ton. Sure enough on the way home I saw another little white tooth poking through...that means he's up to 5 teeth now!

Ethan and I went to Meijer today to get groceries for the week....and as I was watching him in the cart as I was going down the aisles and watching others look at him and smile I just felt so blessed that he is mine. I've always wanted to be a mom and I just can't believe I finally am a mom and expecting another one at that! Thank you Jesus for making this easy for us!

Well, I am getting ready to make a delicious roasted chicken, au gratin potatoes and some type of vegetable. We are going to eat good tonight!!

Keri Michelle

It's Christmas time! :)

Ok so I have been trying to change my layout to a Christmasy theme....but I am having issues and cannot figure out the problem. I put the Christmas layout up but the middle part is not what it's supposed to look like...I have the old template in the middle and can't seem to figure out how to get rid of it. It's driving me crazy. If you are a fellow blogger and know how I can fix this please let me know....until then I'm sorry that it is a little messed up.

We got back last night from our Thanksgiving trip to Bair Lake. It was such a great time with the family. We had lots of good food, great talks by the fire, a sharing time where most of us shared something we are thankful for that we learned from my grandparents that are now gone. We played games, had a skit night and simply are the most fun family out there. I really believe that!

Being at Bair Lake is always so special to me. Even though my memories there are in the summer months I love to walk the grounds and remember all the memories I had there. I made some of my best friends at Bair Lake and it will always be so special to me. I would say my times at Bair Lake were the best times, highlights and memories of my life. I love being there and it's such the perfect place for our family to be for Thanksgiving.

Ethan enjoyed it also. He handled all the family quite well actually and had a really fun time exploring in his walker. He especially loved the couple nights that mommy let him sleep with him in bed, he slept good those nights! I love snuggling up with him and watching him sleep. The days of him being a little baby will be gone soon and I want to treasure all those moments with him.

My next baby appt. is this Thursday. I will get to hear the heartbeat again which is always so great and we will also find out the date of our next appt....and our next appt. will be when we find out what we're having! Yippi, I can't wait to have a date so I can start the countdown! :)

So normally it takes 2.5 hours to get home from camp and yesterday it took 5.5 hours! I-94 was a mess, complete ice and a snowstorm and there were accidents everywhere! It was a long trip but I was just thankful that we got home safe and weren't one of the cars in the ditch!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with their families and it's now time to start thinking CHRISTMAS! :)

Love to all,
Keri

It's almost Thanksgiving!

Only two more days until Turkey Day! We leave tomorrow afternoon sometime for Bair Lake to be with my fun crazy family and I am so excited to see everyone! We will be coming back Sunday evening sometime so it will be a nice little getaway.

Hmm...what is new with us. I am officially done nursing Ethan as of about a week or two ago. He was ready to be done...he didn't take to it anymore so that was my sign. So, I got 9 months of nursing in....pretty good! The doctor said he got all the vitamins he really needed so that's good.

As you can see I have Ethan's adorable 9 month pictures posted....he's sooo cute and I am really happy with them...the photographer got some cute poses!

I'm 13 weeks along with the 2nd baby and the baby is already 3 inches long:) So amazing! I am just itching to find out if it's a boy or girl but we won't know for probably another 6 weeks. Daddy is confident it's a girl...I hope so too :)

Ethan is starting to get into trouble! He has figured out how to get in my desk drawers and pull stuff out...he loves cords and pretty much everything he isn't supposed to have. Toys are too boring....that's usually how it goes! He learned how to scoot on his belly this past week. He really only does it if there's something he really wants that is out of reach. Nonetheless he is changing and learning new things all the time!

Well, I have a lot to do today before we leave tomorrow so I better get to it! Have a blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends and I will be sure and post about our little trip when we get back.

Love to all,
Keri

My Dream

It's 7am on Saturday morning...I had just ended this cool dream when I heard Ethan crying. It blessed me even though I know it's a "dream" and dreams are normally strange.

There were probably a hundred of us girls being held hostage in this house by one man. We were all tied together by the arms and he said if any of you try and run I will kill you. We were all scared and just being still, not talking. Suddenly this man comes in the front door of the house and says, "God told me to come here and I didn't know why." We all quietly starting getting out of the house and running in this open field....I'm not quite sure where everyone went but everyone was safe in cars, planes, etc. I was the only one still running, looking for a place to get away. I suddenly hear the man coming after me, mad as all get out that we all got away and he didn't know. I thought, "Oh God, save me! Where am I going to go? Help!" I see this run down pick up truck/suv....kinda like one of those old Bronco suv's....well I see it but the bottom of the suv is completely gone and the two side doors on the back of the suv are missing. Not the best place to hide and he could see me anyways. It was the only place I could go so I ran in and jumped in on the left side. He was right behind me and started to climb in from underneath the suv...since it was all open. Right as he was trying to get up a man is in the driver's seat (even though it was completely empty the minute before) and drove the suv up onto a tow truck. So now the bottom of the suv is blocked off and the man couldn't get to me. Keep in mind the man in the front seat doesn't know I'm back there...I was too afraid of talking because I was just waiting for the bad guy to jump in one of the side back doors. Suddenly we start moving but now we aren't on the tow truck and the driver is saying, "I have 2 more seats available...calling out to see if anyone needs a ride but no one was around...not sure where the bad guy was but he couldn't get to it in time....then we take off down the road and suddenly I notice a left door was on the suv where I was sitting....but not on the right and I knew this was God! He put a door on for me so I wouldn't be cold. I then began to cry and started to praise Jesus and the driver then saw me, smiled and started singing.

Then I woke up. I don't have dreams like this often and I'm not saying it meant anything other than I woke up thinking, "My God is big enough to do anything." He can grow a door on a car! Hey, if he can part the red sea I don't think a door suddenly appearing is that strange.

Not sure why I shared this other than it was a really cool/spiritual dream for me. Maybe it's just a way for me to encourage someone that God is big enough....He's big enough to save you in any situation you are going through...and He is our song in the night....our strength in the fire.

Our God is mighty to save!
Keri

A snowy day

I opened the windows this morning to see snow covered all over the ground. It looks so pretty from inside my warm house:)

We had Ethan's 9 month pictures done on Sunday. I brought some Christmasy items to do some Christmas pictures and I am hoping she got a couple good ones. She took a lot. He was so serious for most of it and we had a hard time getting him to smile like he does when he's with just us. I think we got a couple good ones though! We decided to go to the photographer's house and she has a studio in her basement. Well, there is no carpeting down there so it's just cement. She put some padding under the backdrop for him to sit on and I sat behind him most of the time because I was worried about Ethan falling over and hitting his head on the cement. He did great the whole time until the very end when he suddenly fell forward out of my reach and banged his chin really hard on the cement. We thought it was going to be really bad and blood everywhere but no blood praise Jesus! He cried real hard for a good 5 minutes and then we got him calmed down. His chin was red but no blood and his teeth were fine so we were thankful. We gave him some tylenol in case he was in pain but he is fine and no bruise or anything. I'm sure it's his first of many falls but it was heartbreaking as his mommy to see him get hurt :(

I took Ethan for his 9 month check up yesterday. He is doing great. He weighs 21.9 lbs and is 31" long. He moved up from the 95% tile to the 97% for length. Our tall boy! He's in the 50-75% tile for his weight. I asked the doctor what I could try giving him other than baby food and he said mashed potatoes, applesauce (which is pretty much the same as his baby food applesauce), mashed up banana....so I may try a couple things with him but nothing chunky as he still doesn't do well with chunky foods. I don't want to give him fake mashed potatoes though. I have given him a piece of rice and a little crumb of a biscuit but nothing too much just yet. He sure is growing up fast though! I can't believe he's 9 months and that I'm already 3 months pregnant with our 2nd. Time flies!

We are leaving a week from Weds. to be with the most fun family to celebrate Thanksgiving. The Petke's! I feel bad for people that aren't in my Petke family because we have the best time together:) We will go to Bair Lake from Weds to Sun just like last year....it has become the new tradition for Thanksgiving and it's the perfect place for us Petke's as my Grandpa Petke was one of the founders of BLBC.

Well, that's all for now. I need to fold some laundry before Ethan wakes up from his nap.

Love to all!
Keri

9 months

I cannot believe that Ethan is already 9 months old! I love watching him grow up, develop and just become his own little person. He is really starting to have a mind of his own...won't just lay there nicely for me anymore while I change his diaper....he puts his butt up in the air and scoots back and makes it very difficult to change his little moving body! If you take something away from him he cries and has a mini fit...it's good to know he is a normal kid :)

He isn't crawling yet and I'm not sure if he will. Although the past few days we think it looks like he may get the hang of it soon. Babies crawl typically around 9 months....some skip crawling and go right to walking. He sure loves to stand or be in his walker so I think he will be walking before 12 months, but we'll see!

So Ethan doesn't typically doesn't sleep through the night....he will sleep 6 hours or so and then wake up and has a bottle....or sometimes wakes up more than once, it's always different. We have a full size bed in his room and he absolutely LOVES sleeping in the bed...he digs his head in the pillows and just loves it. When we moved to our new place I thought we would put the spare bed in his room so that when I got up to nurse him in the night I could just take him from his crib and we could lay down in the bed and I could nurse. Well, he would then fall asleep after nursing and then I would move him back in his crib. I think that is why he started to love the bed. If we lay him in his crib at night he normally cries but if we lay him in the bed (surrounded by a million pillows) he doesn't cry and is asleep within 10 minutes. Normally we let him fall asleep in the bed and then I move him to his crib....but he always wakes up. So last night we thought, "let's just leave him in the bed all night and see what he does." He went to bed at 9 and did not wake up until almost 7! He always wakes up....I couldn't believe it when I heard him this morning and the clock said 6:42. So I'm not sure if we will buy bed rails and put them on the bed so he can sleep in the bed or not. It would be nice because then we could use his crib for the new baby. We'll see.

We are getting Ethan's 9 month pictures done today....I can't wait! We had planned on doing outdoor pictures but it's been raining the past 2 days so it's pretty ugly outside. We are just going to go to the photographer's house and she has a little studio. I wanted to do some Christmasy pictures so I am just going to bring some Christmas props and we'll work with those. I hope they turn out cute:)

All is well with us. I'll be 12 weeks along on Tuesday and I'm feeling pretty good, just get tired early and am ready for bed at 9 these days. Although I stayed up until 11:30 watching a movie with Jer last night which is surprising. I always fall asleep these days but it was a good movie...ok and I think all the sugar in the sour skittles helped:)

One of my really good friends Brooke is pregnant too and we are due just 3 weeks apart! So exciting. I am due June 3rd and she's the 21st. We both kinda think we are having girls (for different reasons) so it will be fun to find out. Will laugh if we are both having boys.

Alrighty, thanks for reading and will post more soon!

"The Walker"

So this is Ethan's newest favorite toy. Some love a boat, a fast car, all Ethan wants is his walker. He cruises around the apartment in this thing, absolutely loves it. Last night he was really laughing. This video doesn't capture it completely but is still cute. Jeremy or I would walk in our room and he would see us and hurry up and follow us and just laugh and laugh. Almost like we were playing games with him but we totally weren't, he just thinks we are.

Also, as daddy was getting ready this morning we were talking and ethan zoomed in to our bedroom. We walk in a minute later and he had grabbed the leftovers of my mint chocolate chip shake from last night that was on the nightstand. LOL. It was all over his walker...we all know mint chocolate chip is the best ice cream ever, he's gonna be just like his mommy :)

Snow!

I really do not enjoy this time of year....which I should because it's another season that God has given me life, family, friends and so much to enjoy....but my whole body cringes inside when it gets so cold and snowy outside. It's really the only time of year that I am tempted to move to Florida. I momentarily think a hot sun is more important than family....than I come to my senses :)

Thankfully just like last year I have something to look forward to this winter. Last year it was the birth of our son and this year we will get to find out if we are having another son or a daughter. I think God really loves me because he knows how much I don't like winter so he gives me exciting things to look forward to in the winter time :)

We sold our Christmas tree this past week....was a little sad because it's been our tree for all of our family Christmases together since we've been married but the poor thing was kinda falling apart. Plus birds decided it looked like a great tree to build a nest in so they would fly in my garage and be in the tree all the time. Funny. So, we are going to maybe have to get a real tree this year since we don't have storage space to get another fake one. I think that would kinda be fun....growing up my dad always took our family to the tree farm to pick out a tree and cut it down....it was fun....except for the snow and cold part :)

I love Christmas time and am excited the Christmas music is already starting and seeing Christmas wrapping paper in the stores and such. It's just the best time of year because we get to spend a lot of time with family and I just love that. Anyhow, I'm rambling.

So God is really teaching me new things. Mainly that we are supposed to say no to our flesh and to be kind to everyone and be patient with difficult people. Their are people in my life who I struggle with on a weekly basis. It's so easy to complain and be negative but God is teaching me not to do that and to be patient with them. It is HARD but so good for me spiritually. I feel I am growing when I respond in the right way and that's a good thing.

I've heard two devastating stories this last week of friends or people I know who have friends that have suffered a huge loss, going through so much pain....and yet we bicker and vent about people in our life that are hard to deal with. I then step back and think, "If you just got the news that they were killed in a car crash would you really be thinking about those petty things that bother you?" Of course the answer is no. I think we take life for granted. A lot. I don't want to live like that....and although I don't like picturing bad outcomes in my mind it helps me deal with those that get under my skin ya know? Please be praying for the Vanderkooi/Ackley family and the Jahn family. Both families have suffered tragic losses this past week. A young mother and two children killed and a father and little boy killed and the mother in critical condition in the hospital.

Ethan has been a little under the weather but no big deal. He's just had a bad cold the past few days and has been congested at night and a faint sound of his croup cough....but he is a happy boy during the day, it's just the nights that are a little rough.

All is well with us and we thank God for that. Hope all is well for all my readers also :)

Be kind to everyone!
Keri

Halloween and New Baby!

Ethan's first halloween was a lot of fun! He was a cute little skunk! We went over to Jeremy's parents so they could see him in his costume and give him his first piece of halloween candy for his little pumpkin basket and then we went over to my parents to trick or treat. We went to about 50 houses while pushing Ethan in his stroller and it was so much fun. The weather was amazing for halloween and it was a little weird being light out but kinda nice when you have little ones.

We had our first doctor appt. today for baby #2! All is well with our little peanut and we heard a very strong heartbeat! :) It's always so reassuring and such a beautiful and miraculous sound! I'm so thankful our little one is healthy....big brother too!

I may get lucky and get to find out the sex of the baby at 18 weeks instead of 20. Looks like the beginning of January...what a great way to bring in the new year! I can't wait to find out what we're having!

Ethan is doing good....healthy and I think may be starting to cut another tooth. He's been fussy the past 2 days and doesn't want to play or do anything other than mommy hold him so typically that means he is teething. I gave him some orajel and ever since I did he's been happy and hasn't been fussy....my confirmation! He came with us to the doctor's today to hear his baby brother or sister's heartbeat and he kept looking at me as I was laying on the table and it was so cute. I saw this look on his face like, "What is going on with you mommy?" and I thought he looked so cute watching me. I can't believe he will be 9 months soon!

All is well with the Harrison's and not much else to report. Looking forward to a relaxing weekend with my boys!

It's almost November!

Wow I can't believe it's almost November! The weeks sure are flying by fast.

We had a nice weekend. We went and saw my cousin play in her volleyball tournaments on Saturday but sadly she got hurt during one of the Friday night games so she only played for 10 minutes the first game and had to sit out the rest of the time. She felt really bad as all the family was there to see her play but we still enjoyed seeing her, rooting her team on and being together as a family.

Sunday we went out to eat with my parents and grandparents...then back to my parents to spend time with my grandparents. It was nice to see them and they enjoyed seeing Ethan and playing with him. I had a bad sinus headache yesterday and was feeling a little nausea at times so we left a little early so I could get home and take some tylenol and lay on the couch. I am feeling so much better today, thank you Jesus!

You know, I am really getting annoyed with this whole politics thing. I've never really been in to politics but it bothers me how people talk and treat Obama....or "Bahama" as my Grandma likes to call him, lol. Regardless of your opinion on abortion, gay marriages, etc. people don't seem to realize that Jesus loves him just as much as he loves us. I'm sick of all the judgemental garbage that goes on and people (Christians) not seeing the big picture. It's pointless and ungodly to debate and it bothers me. a lot. All the Christians bash Obama but I don't hear all the McCain supporters bringing up how McCain is divorced and married a younger lady do I? The point is, we are not called to judge others! Sure, go ahead and vote for who you want and that's fine....but stop judging people. And another thing that really burns me up inside....gay marriages. Sure, it's not right and it's not biblical and it's not the way God intended it to be but guess what....neither is Pornography, or a marital affair.....to me it is NO different than gay marriage. They are all sexual sins and I believe God sees them equally, I really do. For people to go around judging and acting like gay marriage is the worst sin on earth when they are secretly watching pornography when their spouse goes to bed or sneaking around on their spouse.....man! Wake up Christians!!!! It's only the love of Jesus that changes people....and maybe if Christians would start showing love to "gays" then they would see the love of Christ, get saved and not want to be gay....or not want to have an abortion. Sorry....I just really think Christians (of course not all) are really not getting it and what we are called to do.....you're not going to reach the lost by judging them. How about we stop trusting in men, including McCain and start trusting in GOD! Ok, I'm done. *Sigh*

On another note, this is Ethan's first Halloween and he is going to be a little skunk. So cute! Can't wait to get him all dressed up in his costume...at least for a few minutes to get some pictures and get him some candy. We are going over my parents house as we do every year for Halloween, it will be fun.

Alright, that's all for now.

Keri

It's been 8 days...

Since I last posted and nothing's really new...so I haven't blogged.

Things are going well, God is good and great is His faithfulness!

We are visiting tonight with my newlywed cousin Angela and her hubby Tommee so it will be nice to hang out with them.

This Sat. morning we are heading out to Madonna University to watch my cousin Meghan in her volleyball tournament. She goes to college in Georgia and has a full scholarship for volleyball and this is her senior year and she's here in MI to play. A ton of our fun Petke family will be there so we are looking forward to seeing everyone and watching her kick some butt!

I am going to be taking over the "Baby Pantry" blog....it's a new ministry at our church that collects and buys baby items and blesses women in the community in need. My heart is so into this ministry and I love buying baby stuff to donate. If you or anyone you know has any baby items such as a highchair, swing, diapers, wipes, bottles, etc. please let me know....it would be a blessing to take them off your hands! Check out the "Baby Pantry" blog under my favorite blogs in a few days and let me know if you would like to help out in anyway. Right now the info. on there is old and I am going to start working on it hopefully today.

Love you guys,
Keri & the Boys

Happy 8 Months Ethan!

I can't believe my little boy is already 8 months! It's so fun and exciting to watch him grow but at times I don't want time to pass because I want him to stay the way he is. I want to hear him say "ma-ma" the way he does and for him to snuggle up next to me in the middle of the night and fall asleep. I know we will have another little baby but they are all so different....and what if Ethan is the only little boy I have? Or forget the only boy, just him being who he is....they are only this little for a time and so I am just cherishing these moments with him so much.

When I see his face I just thank God so much for blessing us with this healthy little boy who is full of joy, laughter and just has a simple spirit to him. He is everything and more that I could have ever imagined in a child and I just love him so much!

We took him to Spicers Orchard this past weekend....his first time at the cider mill and being in a pumpkin patch. It was so fun to take pictures of him and it will definitely be a family tradition of ours.

Enjoy the pics. He's so adorable.

28 Days....

In 28 days I get to hear our baby's heartbeat. I can't wait! November couldn't come soon enough...

I'm excited about using a midwife this time but a little sad because I will only get 1 ultrasound at 20 weeks :( Last time I had an ultrasound at 14 weeks and it was so neat because you could see the whole baby moving around and it was just so exciting and I loved having ultrasound pictures. So, I guess I have to be patient and wait until 20 weeks to see our little peanut and get pictures. I cannot wait to find out what we're having! Yesterday - one year ago we found out we were having a boy :)

I think I will cry if it's a girl because I will be so excited! I have always wanted a little girl and we have such a beautiful name picked out for her and I want to use it! Honestly though, if they say it's a boy I am going to be so thrilled to give Ethan a brother and will be just as happy. Ethan is so sweet and fun and I know two boys would be also.

I am 6 weeks/2 days. Very tired and have been feeling sick to my stomach on and off at times but nothing major. I had the same with Ethan....just for a couple weeks...but it's nothing like the morning sickness I hear people get. I can't wait to feel the baby move....that is such an exciting time and just so much fun. Pregnancy is just so amazing to me. I look at Ethan and think how stinkin adorable and cute he is and how I could never imagine my life without him and how blessed we are to have him and how if it wasn't for Jeremy and I being together he would never exist. That is so crazy to me! God knew Jeremy was for me because he wanted us to create the cutest baby boy ever born ;)

Ethan has two teeth coming in! This past weekend he had one poke through and the very next day there was another. Sooo cute! He has been having pain though because of it and we have been giving him orajel and tylenol as needed. He's been pretty good today though so they must not be hurting him. I put away all his 6 month clothes today and he's in 6-9 now. For being such a long baby I'm surprised he fits in 6-9 months. 6-9 months is my favorite age....they are learning new things and are so alert and you feel like they really know who mommy and daddy are now.

Tomorrow is my dad's birthday...he will be 56...man, he's getting kinda old....oh wait, he's a Grandpa now, that means he should be old :) We are going over my parents on Sunday to celebrate his birthday and he has chosen Outback Steakhouse for his birthday dinner....what a shame that I am going to have to order the best salad ever made! Mmmm...

Well, here's a couple pictures of the cutest baby boy ever born....enjoy :)

Keri

What's new with our babies...

Let's start with our little man, Ethan. He is 7 1/2 months and getting so ridiculously cute I can barely stand it. He does this scrunchy face now with his nose which is hilarous. He does it when he's frustrated, impatient or when eating his food. Not sure why, he just thinks it's fun and he knows he makes us laugh when he does it. As of last week he is sitting up on his own now. Once in awhile he will fall over but very rarely. He's finally got it down and I can't believe how fast he is growing up! I am trying to enjoy every moment with him because before I know it he will be crawling and walking and him being a baby will be just memories and photos! It's so strange....it's like you want to watch them grow and develop but then a part of you wants them to stay little forever. He is doing so good though and we are enjoying him so much.

Now, what's new with our little peanut. Well, she (we really think so:)) is making mommy very sleepy but that is a good sign so I am not complaining. I am about 5 1/2 weeks along now and already getting excited for the new baby to arrive:) I'm definitely glad we have 9 months before he or she gets here but still can't wait to meet him or her. It's weird to think that Ethan will be double the age he is now when the baby comes.

We met with Jeanne, a midwife that a lot of our friends use yesterday and we decided we are going to go through her with this baby. We really liked her and she spent a half hour just talking with us and answering any questions we had. I already felt more confident because she is personal and really makes you feel like you and the baby are very important to her. She is more involved in my diet which is nice that she cares and we just loved everything about her. I knew that midwives encourage natural child birth as much as possible but that she would give an epidural if asked for. I asked her about that and her response was, "I am better than an epidural." I laughed. I had one great nurse at Genesys with Ethan but she wasn't with me for the labor and I had terrible nurses then and my doctor only shows up for the last 5 minutes. Jeanne is so different. She is with you as much as she can during the labor. She's there to rub my back or hold my hand or whatever I need to do to get through it. I really liked that. So different than my experience with Ethan. Just to have someone who will be so encouraging and help me get through it will be so wonderful. I am going to try and go completely natural this time around. No drugs, no epidural, no nothing. She has birthing balls, a rocking chair, a tub, shower, many things to try and help go naturally. I'm a little nervous about it but I know that this is a better choice for us and I will feel so much if I can do it natural this time. I got so swollen from the epidural and most likely I will not need an episotomy which would make my recovery so great. She said she's only done 3 and she's been delivering babies for 14 years. She said they are unnecessary and they are trying to pass something to get doctors to not do them and use the technique they use. Olive oil and warm compresses....works magic I guess! I know I will still go through great pain, as it is labor, I'm just praying this time around things aren't so difficult for me, the baby drops and I don't push for 2 1/2 hours. I'm really excited about her though and my next appt. is November 6th. I will be 10 weeks and we should get to hear the heartbeat at that appt. Cannot wait for that. My first ultrasound will be at 20 weeks, which is when we will find out if it's a girl or boy. My due date is still June 3rd. Also, be praying because she is going away to a conference for the weekend of Labor Day which is typically the last week of May. Yikes! So, we are all hoping she is back in time for when I go into labor. Be praying the baby doesn't come a week and a half early :)

The Weekend

This past Saturday was Tommee and Angela's wedding....it turned out to be such a beautiful day and everything about the wedding was so perfect! Ang looked beautiful of course and it was just a really great time and I am so happy for them. They are currently in Rivera Maya, Mexico sitting on a beach somewhere I'm sure....SO jealous! :) Ethan had a long day...daddy watched him most of the day since I was in the wedding and of course Grandpa and Grandma Petke helped too. He did very well for not having a good nap. It was a fun day.

Nothing else too new. I'm 5 weeks today....no morning sickness still so far, we'll see if anything changes. I know typically it starts around 6 weeks. I didn't have any with Ethan so I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't have any this time around either. Would be such a blessing.

We haven't decided forsure yet but most likely we are going to be using a midwife this time. A lot of our friends use the same midwife and after learning more about her and the different techniques she uses I am pretty confident we will go through her. I left a message for her today and we will set up a time to meet with her and go over a couple things. So, if we move forward I will be delivering at McLaren in Flint instead of Genesys. Genesys is newer but it's more important to me to have someone I really like and trust delivering my baby. Wasn't too thrilled with my doctor that delivered Ethan or most of the labor and delivery nurses at Genesys.

We decided this time around that we are going to wait for people to come up to the hospital until hours after the baby is born and we have had time alone with the baby and just time being together. Last time I felt more pressure because everyone was waiting at the hospital so I didn't feel I could really wait even longer once Ethan arrived to introduce him. So, we will still welcome our family and friends who want to come visit the baby but it won't be right away. My mom will come and watch Ethan when I go into labor and then once the baby is born, Jeremy will go home at night to sleep and take care of Ethan.

Well, that's all for now....hope everyone is having a good week!

Love,
Keri and Baby # 2

Becoming a family of four!

That's right all, baby # 2 is on the way! We are very excited and yes it was planned before everyone asks! I really wanted another baby and Jeremy said sure so here we are! I am 4 weeks, 2 days pregnant and according to my online calculations I am due June 3rd.

I really wanted a June baby so it is really exciting for me and I am ready to take on another baby! People are already making comments like, "You're going to be so busy!" and "Wow, two in diapers." and I think they forget that I had a daycare and have had 6 in diapers. Diaper changing was my life, I'm not concerned about that at all....they are expensive that's the biggest thing!

I've been praying that I have peace and can rest in the Lord and believe that I will have a full term baby. I've had so many friends lately that have miscarried so those thoughts are in my head but I know that God is in control and we aren't and that he is sovereign and that no matter what happens in our lives that we will love him and serve him because he is GOOD!

We both kinda feel it's a girl because we have a girl name. Which is pretty big for us to already have a name. We decided we are going to keep it a surprise this time because last time I told people the name I loved (Summer) everyone told me it was a stripper name. Yeah, that totally ruined that name for me! So, this time the name will be a secret and if it's a girl we've already got it. If it's a boy, well, we'll have to start searching and praying about a name. I would love to give Ethan a sister, I think he would be so sweet with a little sister but if it's another boy we will be just as excited for him to have a brother. I'm thinking sometime in January we will get to find out.

Just wanted to share the exciting news!

Love,

Jeremy, Keri, Ethan and ......

I am NOT happy with Wal-mart!

So I went to Walmart this morning to pick up Ethan's pictures. Yea - they are in! A different lady was there and took my pictures out to show me...they all looked great. She then shows me a couple other ones which included a beautiful 11x14 sepia picture of Ethan in my favorite pose. I said, "Oh, I didn't realize I got one in that size" and she says, "You didn't, the lab send these as extras." I said, "Oh, that was nice." She then said, "For you to purchase if you want them." I looked at her and said, "To purchase? So what happens to them if I don't purchase them....they go in the trash?" and she said, "Yes."

I don't think I have ever been more mad in my life. Honest. I was fuming and it took everything inside of me to remember that I was a Christian and needed to not freak out on her. Ok, I just spent over a hundred dollars for his pics (I thought they were a lot less!) and already spent more than I wanted. Do you honestly think I have another $40 or so to spend? I was so upset knowing that after I walked away, beautiful pictures of my baby would be in the garbage can. Is it just me or does that disturb anyone else?? I was absolutely fuming when I walked out of there. I will never get his pictures done there and I plan on writing them a letter. I am not the type to do that normally but I feel it's necessary. Any mother loves their child(ren) more than anything in this world...and for them to know that if they don't purchase these extra pictures they are going to be in the garbage. Are you serious?! I would have rather them not send any extra pictures then send a huge 11x14 and me know it's in some dumpster somewhere. It really rubbed me the wrong way and I have to think I am not the first parent who is bothered by this. People may think I am blowing it out of proportion but I don't think I am. Like I said, I am not the type to get upset easily and this really upset me. So, they will be getting a letter from me very soon. I was extremely disappointed.

On another note, I took Ethan to the "back-up" doctor today. No bronchitis, no ear infections, no infections of any kind. He has a cold and a sore throat. His throat was red the doc said. They gave me a prescription to fill but we don't plan on giving it to him unless we feel he's in pain. He's doing pretty good, pretty happy, just congested and coughs....he isn't crying because of pain though so we would rather not give him any medicine.

Anyhow, that is the latest. Don't ever get pictures done at Walmart.....grrrr!

Upset Momma Keri

Ps. Ethan weighed in at 19lbs.12oz

The hardest thing about being a mom...

Is when your child is sick. The past two nights Ethan was extra fussy before bedtime. It took us awhile to get him down. Last night after laying him down Jeremy went in to check on him and he was crying. Jer told me he sounded pretty bad. I went in there and guess what is back? His croup :( It's a horrible sounding barking cough. I couldn't believe it as he finally got over it 2 weeks ago. I was up most of the night with him and felt so bad for him. He was so congested and had to breathe through his mouth. I kept sucking his nose out and he would scream and fight me. When we were on vacation last month and this happened we ended up taking him to the ER and the doctor there told me that cold air helps croup as well as hot steam.

So, last night at 3am I picked him up, wrapped him up with a blanket and we stood outside for 10 minutes or so. He was looking around trying to figure out what I was doing, haha. It was a rough night but he got through last time and I know he will again. Just can't believe he has it again. I did hear though that once they get croup the first time they get it very easily.

We are a little frustrated because I left him in the nursery at church on Sunday for an hour or so and that's the first time in months I left him and a few days later he is sick. I know kids get sick and you can't always blame someone for it and we don't know forsure if that's where he got it but really everytime I leave him in the nursery he seems to get sick a few days later. Of course there are so many kids coming and going and it's hard to sanitize things all the time...trust me, I had a daycare and I know how that goes....but, I'm just not willingly to let him get sick all the time just so I can go to church. So, I'm just gonna try and keep him with me each week and if he gets loud we will go to the cry room. Or I will just stay home for awhile and listen to the sermons online or something. It's a bummer but that's not fair to Ethan. Once he's older it will be better and he won't get sick as often but he's still little and they pick up sickness easily.

He can't get in to the doctor's until tomorrow...all 3 doctors are gone this week at a conference so the covering doctor will be in tomorrow. I doubt they will give him anything but I just want him to be seen and make sure he doesn't have an infection of any kind.

The days are always better than the nights....that's how it was last time also.

Well, E just went down for a nap and I'm exhausted too so I'm gonna lay down too....pray he fights this fast and gets better soon. Thanks so much.

Keri

Ps. Thank you Grandma Petke for all the new clothes and socks for Ethan....they are being washed right now :)

7 Month Pictures

The move and more...

Hello friends and fam...

It has been too long since I last wrote, sorry about that. I have a good excuse though, we MOVED! It was quite a successful move also. My mom came out and helped me clean the apartment real good before moving in and my bro and sis came out that weekend to help pack boxes, carry them and unpack....the real reason God created siblings :) We are pretty much settled into our new place...a few boxes left to unpack and then we still have some things to pack up at the house but all in time, we've got a few months until our stuff needs to be out.

We are all loving apartment style living. Maintenance free, doesn't suck up as much money as our house and I am really enjoying my time with Ethan everyday. I love being home with him and watching his every moment. They grow up too fast and I don't want to miss out on anything. Ethan wasn't sure what he thought at first about the new place....he didn't sleep well the first few nights and I think it was because he was aware something was different. The past couple nights have been better though and he's getting adjusted.

So the 2nd day we officially lived in our apartment some friends of ours handed us a card. They said it was a housewarming gift/birthday's/anniversary gift. Cool, thanks. We get home and open the card and there is a check inside for $1,500!!! Ahhh! Hello blessing! It was such a confirmation to our hearts that we were where we are supposed to be. We made the right choice by getting an apartment and living differently with our money and God blessed our socks off.

So the 3rd day we officially lived in our apartment....I walked into the clubhouse to talk with the girls about a couple things and I run into one of my mom's old best friends. We gave each other a huge hug and I then find out she is the community manager at our apartments. What?! I mentioned to her that our apartment had a strange odor....and she told me there had been a flood in our apartment (shhh, she wasn't supposed to tell me that) she then goes on to say it was probably water that got into the carpets and that she is putting me on the list to get new carpeting. Ok, this was SO God because the one thing I told Jeremy I really wanted was new carpet in the apt. for Ethan. He will be crawling soon and puts his hands in his mouth all the time and I just really would have liked to have new carpet. So, here she had NO idea I was praying about new carpet and she tells me she is putting me on the list for it. Another confirmation we are where we are supposed to be. Thank you Lord!

So the 4th day we officially lived in our apartment....well, it was just a typical day :) We are so loving it though and it is so cozy and warm. Both my mom and brother have made comments they like it more than our house....go figure, lol! We have a real peace at our new place....just a new chapter in our lives we feel and we are blessed to be here.

So what is new with Ethan....well, the past month he decided it would be fun to clench his fists and hit himself in th head (hard!) when he's tired or just bored. It was funny at first but now I tell him, no no! He puts red marks on his face all the time from doing it....silly baby. The newest and cutest thing ever is....in the middle of the night when he wakes up to nurse (yes, he is back to not sleeping through the night) I go in his room, pick him up and lay him down with me on the bed we have in there. We have a night light in his room that lights up his room well...well, during the night when I get him up....he sees his shadow on the wall when I'm laying there in bed with him....it is so cute. Last night I nursed him and then stood him up (he was full of energy at 4:45 this morning) and he saw his shadow and started jumping like crazy....then he would go towards it and put his hands on the wall and touch his shadow. Ok, you are all probably bored to tears and think who cares?! but I think it's the cutest thing ever. He's gifted.....TOTALLY kidding. I am so NOT one of those moms.

We got his 6 month pictures done this week (well, 6 month and 3 weeks) and they turned out ridiciously cute. Cannot wait to post them on here. He sure is getting old and cuter as the days go on.

Alright, it's time to get back to laundry. Hope all is well with my faithful readers and I'll be sure and stop slacking and post more.

Love.
Mommy Keri

Lake Ann...

I've been trying to sit down all week and blog about our trip...so here it is in a nutshell.

Overall we had a really nice time. We enjoyed getting away and spending time with our family and just relaxing. We had bonfires at night and made smores, relaxed in the hot tub, just a relaxing vacation! It was the first time I didn't have the internet in a long time and it was kinda nice to just get away from everything.

The biggest negative of our trip was that Ethan got sick. The daycare kids were sick with a bad cough and he caught it and it got pretty bad. We took him in to the ER early one morning after he was up all night coughing and barking. He had a little of croup and was pretty congested. The nights were bad, the days he was a lot happier. The doctor gave him steriods for us to give him for 3 days but we decided not to do that unless we really felt he needed it and wasn't breathing well. Needless to say it's been 2 weeks, he's still coughing but is getting a lot better so I'm thankful. The trip was fun and we would love to go back sometime, the house was really nice and close to a lot of stuff.

Well, we are starting our big move tomorrow. It's a little earlier than expected so I am not as prepared as I would have liked to be and don't have much packed. We have the long weekend though so that will be nice. God totally blessed us with an endless supply of boxes, packing tape and packing paper from someone that offered as he's a mover so that was such a blessing! God cares about the details!

I've been looking forward to the move for a lot of reasons...being home with just Ethan, not having a ridiculous mortgage payment and the financial stress that comes along with a house...but last night I surprisingly started to feel sad. I'm not down or anything and am still excited about moving to the apt. but I think I am just starting to realize that next week is the last week of "Keri's Kidz" and I feel a little emotional about it. Part of me feels it was all for nothing...all the money, time and hard work we put into it...all to go to waste....but then I realize that I have been able to care for a lot of kids and many parents have told me how grateful they have been for me and how much they love me....so, that makes me feel good. It was a dream of mine that I never thought would happen so I feel proud I accomplished it and that parents told me it was the nicest in home daycare they've ever seen. So, it is what it is and I have to accept that and move on. I know I'll be fine in a couple weeks.

Well, thanks for reading and I'll be sure and post and let everyone know how the move goes. We won't be actually living there until probably next weekend as I still have the daycare running through next Friday.

Love to all,
Keri

Ps. Tomorrow the wolverines start off the season....GO BLUE!

Happy 1/2 Birthday E!

I simply cannot believe that my little man is already 6 months old! Where has the time gone? I look at his newborn pictures and get sad and wish he was still that little sometimes...but then I think of waking up every 2 hours to feed him and all the things that come along with a newborn and I feel I am enjoying this stage a lot more. Having a newborn is wonderful and exciting but Ethan is starting to really show his personality and laugh so much and it's just a fun time with him. We couldn't be more in love with him.

I'm a bad mommy and took him to get his 6 month shots today. I did it today because I knew we were leaving for vacation this weekend and that gave me some hope....something to look forward to after seeing E get his shots :( He absolutely screamed and this time was by far the worst and when I looked at him I just saw complete horror in his eyes and he honestly couldn't breathe for a minute. It was horrible!!! Plus, she did the first shot and the liquid never came out so she had to poke him again! So he got 3 shots in the one leg this time instead of 2 and then another shot on his other leg. It was just horrible and it didn't go as fast as the other times. He will have an even bigger welt on his leg this time...and don't worry Grandpa and Grandma Petke, it's not a tumor, lol!

Our big boy is 18lbs. 8oz...he's in the 75% tile for his weight. He is 28.5" long, 95% tile for length! He is going to be a tall boy....perfect for the NBA ;) I prefer him to play either baseball or basketball....football is too rough for me! Golf of course would be most preferred :) Of course we aren't going to force him to play any sports...we're just gonna let him be him and not put any expectations on him...that's a big pet peeve of mommy's.

So, doc says I can give him a fruit and veggie a day so I'm thinking fruit w/ a little cereal in the mornings and then a vegetable for dinner at night. I think I'll try applesauce next which I'm sure he'll love.

That's all for now...we leave for Lake Ann in 2 more days...cannot wait! Doesn't look like they have internet there so I will be sure and post all about our trip when we return.

The pic of E was taken today...6 months old...he looks like a toddler :(

Love to all,
Keri

Ethan's first encounter with sweet potatoes!

So Ethan will be 6 months this Thursday so mommy thought it was time for him to get his first taste of baby food. I decided to go with sweet potatoes. He LOVED them. We got it on video and it was so funny. After the first initial bite he was going crazy. He was leaning forward in his highchair as far as he could trying to get more bites. I simply couldn't feed him fast enough! It was fun and he made a mess. I just can't believe he's almost 6 months and is now eating baby food. He's growing up too fast :(

Well, this past weekend I opened my garage sale again and I decided to put an ad in the paper hoping that would help bring more people. I was opening it at 10am and opened my garage at 9:45 to start organizing some things and there were already 6 cars parked in front of my house! It was craziness for the first hour but I was so thankful and happy! I sold about $500 worth which totally shocked me. So much different than the last time I opened it. The most expensive item I sold was $75 so it's not like I sold one item for $400 or something...we just sold a bunch of stuff we didn't need, it was great! I'm going to open it again soon until everything is gone...that's the hope anyways.

Jeremy and I also decided to go the apt. route. We put a deposit on one and will probably be moving a little sooner than we thought. Probably sometime in September...maybe the middle or end of September. We both have complete peace that this is the right decision for us right now. So as strange as it sounds we are both really excited about moving out of our house into our new apt. It will bring a good change for us right now. We will be in Fenton which is where our hearts are at and we won't have the financial stress of a big mortgage payment and all the bills that come along with having a house. I can stay home with Ethan which was the most important thing to us. I really am looking forward to being with him all day and just having more time to cook dinners and such...I love to cook and haven't had much time to do it so that will be great for me.

Well, we are leaving for vacation this Saturday and I can't wait! We booked this vacation about a year ago. My siblings and some of our cousins started a "family trip" each summer a few years ago. The first time we rented a chalet in the Smokey Mountains and this year we are going up north to Lake Ann. It's right by Traverse City, Petoskey, Boyne, etc. so it should be a great time. There's 11 of us going and I found this really great house to rent for cheap. It was built 2 years ago and it's on 15 acres, has a hot tub and a firepit for smores....it's going to be a blast :) We are going from August 16-23...we will come home on the 23rd which is Jeremy and I's 5 year anniversary! I cannot believe we have been married almost 5 years!

Thanks for reading....that's all for now :)

Our Buckeye Weekend

Well, another fun weekend has come and gone. We got home last night from a quick trip to Ohio for my cousin Rob's wedding. I intended on taking a picture with the bride and groom so I could post a picture but of course I didn't snap one picture the whole time we were there. It was a beautiful wedding and we really enjoyed seeing all of my family. We stayed in a hotel Saturday night so that is always fun too :)

Ethan is officially sleeping through the night and it is so wonderful! He's been sleeping through the night since last Weds. He still wakes up between 4-5 like his body is used to doing but quickly falls back asleep. No more in the middle of the night feedings and that is so nice. It will be nice to start sleeping again :)

Ethan did so great this weekend. He didn't have a nap on Saturday and was extremely exhausted and barely fussed. He is such a good baby. By time Sat. night came though he had had enough and was out like a light, he didn't even wake up in the middle of the night, slept straight through. He slept most of the way to Ohio and back in the car too...he's just such a good baby!

His new thing as of yesterday is trying to talk back to us. I kept saying, "Dada and Momma" and he would try and mimick me and his mouth would just be making noise and going up and down like mine, it was the funniest and cutest thing ever. (Another sign that he is growing up) So, he says "Dadadadadada" now...of course he doesn't know what he's saying but it sounds like it. It's so amazing how they really change so much day to day at this age. Saturday he wasn't doing that and yesterday in the car he started to do it.

We stopped at our favorite restaurant on the way home...Szechaun in Canton so that was a special treat for us. If you live anywhere near Canton or ever go there you have to go to this Chinese restaurant. It's been my favorite place for like 16 years. I grew up in Canton so I used to eat there all the time...now we go here and there and I seriously would rather eat their food than any dessert, sooooo good!

Well, another week is about to begin. I need to unpack and get some laundry going while E is asleep and the daycare kids aren't here yet. Hope all is well with all of my blog readers :)

Keri

Way to go E!

First off, I just wanted to wish my mother-in-law a very happy birthday today! Hope it's great :)

So Ethan slept 10 hours last night! Ahh! I couldn't believe it! Normally he wakes up around 4 am to eat and he woke but just talked for a minute and fell back asleep. He did the same thing at 6. Of course I went in there each time to make sure he was ok but he didn't get up until 8 this morning! I am so hoping he is going to start sleeping through the night - that would be so wonderful for me! I have been so sleep deprived but of course I'm not complaining, he is worth it!

Another exciting thing happened this week and I apologize in advance if there are any men that read this :) I can officially get pregnant again if and when we decide to do that :) I have to say though, it sure was nice not having a cycle for over a year :)

This weekend we leave for Columbus, Ohio. Booo Buckeyes! My cousin is getting married and so we leave early Sat. morning to make it to the wedding which is at 1. Most of the family is staying the night in a hotel on Sat. as some are flying in for the wedding and we want to take advantage of our family time together! The Petke's (my maiden name) are by far the coolest and most fun family out there. My dad has 4 brothers and 4 sisters...enough said! Jeremy and I have a free night at the Hyatt hotel as it was a bonus for staying 2 nights in a Hyatt on our last trip to Florida. So, we get to stay for free which is so awesome. If you've never stayed in a Hyatt it should be on your to do list, it's Jeremy and I's favorite hotel...it has a big plasma in each room :)

It seems that Ethan has an allergy to oatmeal. The first day I gave it to him he started breathing funny. I called his doc and he said it didn't sound like an oatmeal allergy as normally they involve a rash or hives but I beg to differ. I didn't give it to him for 3 days and he was fine and then I tried it again and he started to breathe funny again! Needless to say, no more oatmeal for my little man! He is trying to get over a cold which has been fun....he was pretty congested for a few nights and mommy and e didn't sleep much. I still love being a mom though, no worries :)

We went and saw the inside of the yellow house and really like it. There's really nothing we don't like about it. It's just a really cute house and seems perfect for a small family. Cute sub, nice yard, doesn't need much work...we really like it. God brought someone to us that offered to buy us a house to rent to own. He basically said find the house you want and I'll buy it. Yeah. Kinda crazy and I will elaborate more if we decide to make an offer on the house, etc. but God is so incredible and it doesn't surprise me that he would send someone our way to offer to buy us a house. I think likes surprising us.

Well, I suppose that's all for now. I'm really looking forward to getting away this weekend. Some of the family still hasn't met Ethan so I'm always up for showing him off :)

Here's a video of Ethan laughing that I took this week. It's the sweetest thing ever! You have to turn your head to watch it though...couldn't get it to be upright, sorry!