Where does the time go?

Someone mentioned that they hadn't seen an updated post for a while.

I'll admit, I've been slacking.  You see...I got this new thing called an iPhone.  Since I got it, I barely open the laptop anymore.  It's just too easy to check facebook and email on the phone!  I finally decided that I really need to update.  Too much has happened so far this summer...

I hate to say it, and feel free to turn away now, but here come a ton of pictures...

Some from April....

You were warned!

We went to the zoo with Papa Peeps...

It was still cold in April.  It's tough to remember just how chilly now that we're at the end of July!

Papa teaching Michael how to drive the tractor!

We got Michael's first pair of shoes...

He was thrilled...can't you tell???

Michael started doing tricks with his sippy cup and eating with a fork!!!

Mommy got a day/evening away with the girls!

The 6 of us can have fun anywhere!!!  Even on a pontoon under the awning while a thunderstorm keeps us at the dock!
Hence, "the drowned rat" look I got going!

Don't ask...  (told ya, Jan!)

Michael and Mommy took Cousin Ava to the zoo!

Tough "Farm Girl" Ava!

Watching the bird show

Ava showing Michael the fish in the new coral reef!

Okay, so this is already crazy-long!

Unfortunately it only brings me to the end of May.

I'll spare you the rest until a later date.

Thanks for checking in!
Rob, Jen and Michael



35...

What? 

When did that happen?!?!?!

I definitely don't feel 35.

But that's what I am now.

I had a wonderful day filled with people I love (not all, but a lot of them!).

I got to take a nap...I love naps!

I got beautiful flowers from the hubs!

I got a kiss from my little man...he's learning!

All-in-all, a great day!!!

I just have to face the music that if I ever have another baby, I'll be considered AMA (advanced maternal age for those non-medical people). 

Not cool. (And not happening yet :))

I am blessed!

A Gentle Nudge...

I don't know why, but I've been in a bit of a mood today.

But...how can you not smile or laugh when you see this little guy acting so silly and being so happy.

It's a gentle nudge from God reminding me how blessed I really am.

Playing in Mom's jacket

Strike a pose!  Check out those thighs!!!

Meet my new nephew!!!

When I got home tonight, I made myself sit down and import some pictures to my computer.  I had some super cute ones on there that I really want to share!  I didn't realize that I had over 300 pictures on the camera!  There have been alot of things that I have to write about...a trip to the zoo with my dad...shopping for shoes with my boys...a girls day out...and finally Michael demonstrating all the new things he's learning!!!

But...there are some very important pictures that I want to share first.

The Pieper family has grown yet again!

My sister Dee and her husband James welcomed their second baby boy early this morning!

Gavin Michael arrived at 4:08am...1 hour after mom and dad arrived at the hospital!

Both Momma and Baby are doing great and Dad is relieved (I think) that they didn't have to stop to get gas on the way to the hospital.

I didn't see Wyatt while he saw his little brother, but spoke with him afterwards and he is very proud and happy that his baby brother came out of his mommy's tummy!

Thanks, Dee and James for letting me barge in on you tonight to visit the little man.

And for all of you out there counting, the Pieper grandchildren are now tied...

3 boys and 3 girls!!!

Get ready for some cuteness!!!

Love those little footprints!!!

Ridgeview gives each baby a pair of socks with their birth year on them.



Love those little lips!!!

Proud Mommy and Daddy and Baby Gavin

My beautiful sister!  Doesn't she look great?!?!?!



Happy Birth Day, Gavin Michael!!!

15 months!

I'm sorry it's been a while since I last posted.  I've also been a little stingy with pictures.  Whenever Michael does something super cute, I run to grab the camera and he stops. 

Michael officially turned 15 months yesterday!  He is such a little ham!  He loves to walk around, show off his belly when asked, read books and point out the animals he sees, drink from his sippy cup without using his hands, try to put on his shoes and socks by himself, pet Harley and tell him to stop barking (in his own language of course!), and carrying around anything he can lift...including some rather heavy toys!

We spent yesterday morning at Auntie Dawn's salon and he watched his mom get her hair cut.  No hair cuts for the little man yet.  His hair is looking a little longish, but I just can't bring myself to get his hair cut!  It's the hair he was born with!  I know, I'm a dork.

The last few night have been a little rough at our house.  He has been waking up 2-3 times per night for 1-2 hours at a time.  Now some people might think I have it super easy compared to what their little one's sleeping habits are, but Michael usually sleeps / needs to sleep at least 10-11 hours a night...down at 7pm and awake around 6am!  Ugh!  He did the same thing at the beginning of the month and ended up having a ear infection when I took him into the doctor.

Last time, the first antibioctic did a number on his GI tract.  They stopped that one and put him on Zithromax, which is supposed to be a great med!  Wrong!  I don't think his ear infection ever went away and has been left to brew for the last two weeks!  Poor baby! 

We made a trip to the peds again this morning and sure enough, he has another ear infection, this time in both ears instead of just his right.  Actually, I should stop calling it "another" infection...same one that didn't get all the way better 2 weeks ago that is now back with a vengeance!

Well, first dose of antibiotic is in, a little ibuprofen for the swelling/pain, and a nap.  Hopefully he'll wake up feeling a little better.

I was going to upload a picture here, but I just found that I have not uploaded any pictures to my computer for the last 2 1/2 months.  Bad mom award.  I guess I better start snapping!

Oh, Caffeine...

I LOVE Diet Pepsi. 

It's my fav, but if it's not available, I'll settle for any soda really. 

Yes, I call it soda.

I was drinking an insane amount of Diet Pepsi in one day...anywhere from 3-6 cans. 

I know.  A LOT!

Then one night I woke up in the middle of the night with an insane headache unlike anything I ever had before...and I suffer from migraines!  I ended up needing to use a few ice packs and take one of those lovely, left-over oxycodone from my c-section in order for the pain to go away.

I then realized that I had very minimal water the day before and a lot of soda.

I woke up the next morning and decided to completely cut caffeine.

Cold Turkey.

I gave up caffeine for a while during my pregnancy with Michael and during breastfeeding afterwards.  It wasn't horrible and I didn't feel "addicted". 

I heard horror of people who were addicted to caffeine going through withdrawal and having horrible headaches and other symptoms and was ready for the onslaught of all of them when I cut the caffeine.

3 days after I stopped drinking soda, I decided to try drinking a Diet Coke at work with lunch.  Bad idea!  Almost immediately, I started feeling my pulse behind my eyes and my heart was beating a mile a minute.  From that point on I decided I am DONE!!!!

No more caffeine for me!

I know there are a lot more things I can do for my health...losing weight, eating better, exercising, etc.  But for right now, I'm dealing with the caffeine and no soda thing.

It's going well.  There are some days where I just want the fizz of soda, but I can get through it.

One thing down...
8 million more to go!

My Baby is Walking!

I've been wondering when it would start.

12 months?

14 months?

At times I was wondering why it was taking so long.

Other times I was thankful cause I knew walking would bring on a whole new dimension of trouble he could get into!

Well...

it happened.

And it's no joke!

April Fools Day - April 1st, 2012

Michael stood up by himself and walked across his room to me.

18 steps!

(yes, I counted)

Then I realized that we should maybe get the video camera!

I was so glad we were both home and could see him "officially" walk for the first time!

One more "step" to full-on toddler-hood!