don't they look so thirlled to pose for the picture

Tickle, tickle

How many stuffed animals can you hold all at once?

Say ahhh!!!

Potatoes everywhere

Football, Football, Football

If I needed to sum up last weekend, it would be with one word-Football. It started Friday night at school where I thought it was going to be a tough game for the Crusaders, but instead they won 36-0. Maddie was happy that Isaac came for a little while to play, there were also some other kids there to play. We actually made it until the end of the game. Friday before football both girls had doctor's appointments. Both of them are growing like weeds. Emma is a healthy 5 month old. She weighs 14lbs .5 oz. and is 24.25 inches. Maddie is 29lbs and is 33 inches. Can you believe that she is almost three feet tall. Emma had to get some shots, I think Maddie was just happy it wasn't her. Maddie did get put back on her Zyrtec for allergies. It seems to be working better this time. Then us girls ran some errands after we dropped Chad back at school. We then went back to get him about 5:15 and we went out to eat before the game. Chad was on supervision again. It must be hard to play gameboy in the parking lot. Saturday came sooner than some of us would have liked, but Chad had to mow, I had to grocery shop and clean, since Kim and Andrew were coming over to watch what else? Football. They came over in the afternoon to watch the Michigan game. Maddie was of course their entertainment inbetween plays. They stayed for dinner and along with them, the Wilkes, Keipers, and Steve and his roommate came over too. It was almost like we had a actual party. Sunday was our hang out kind of day. We watched football, baseball, and just stayed cool. It was about 95 with a feeling of 110 on Sunday. So none of really wanted to go outside anyways. We did manage to venture out to Kohl's, so Chad could get some new running shoes. His were getting pretty beat up from the lawn and field at school. The last few days, we have been getting back to normal. Today Isaac is coming over to play. This weekend looks like there isn't too much going on and that sounds like the best thing right now.

Emma had been sleeping wonderfully and now the last few days, she has been getting up every few hours and isn't really wanting to to eat, but just be put back to sleep. We will see how things go for the rest of the week, before I get to worried. Maddie is just Maddie. She is doing great. Besides being a little tired, I'm doing good. I have been working on all our plans for Christmas and trying to work everything out. Well I better get to the laundry and to the girls. We also are going to get outside, since it is such a nice day and the humidity isn't suppose to come back until tomorrow.

Just Mom and the Girls

Well I survived the night alone while Chad was on the Freshmen retreat. He left on Sunday at 3pm and we didn't see him until after school on Monday. I think Chad was more worried about us than I was. Both girls cooperated great. Maddie has been feeling under the weather, so she wasn't as wild and crazy as she normally is. This weekend has been hectic and now things are starting to slow down. Friday was the first home football game, Chad had supervision and we went for awhile. We lasted about a quarter and a half (we ended up winning 56-0), so leaving early wasn't all that bad. We probably could have made it longer, but Maddie decided to take a dive off the picnic table and so she lost it because she was also tired. So that was when I decided that we needed to pack ourselves up and go home. Saturday was Isaac's birthday party. It was a good time. I know that Maddie had fun playing with Isaac and helping him open his presents. Sunday we went to Salem for church, that is always an experience. I know that Maddie enjoyed it because of all the praise music they play, she could just dance and clap as much as she wanted. Monday was a long day with us being gone most of the day. We headed out to the park to play at about 10:30am, I got my walk in, Maddie got to play, we ate lunch and then we headed to the retreat center to go swimming with Chad. Maddie loves the pool and trying to figure it all out. She also was entertaining some of the freshmen as they were getting ready to go home. She got some sun Monday, but had a great time all day. The rest of this week looks pretty low-key, which is nice.

Maddie: She is getting more adventurous everyday. She now has figured out how to climb onto the changing table. I am just waiting for her to start climbing out of her crib. She still just has the two teeth, we are hoping she will get some more soon.

Emma: She is growing more and more everyday. Somedays she looks like Maddie and other days she looks like Emma. You can definitely tell that they are sisters. She is starting to become more of a person now. She is trying to roll over. She can get up to her side from her back and so we will see how long it takes her to get all the way over. She is sleeping great. She has been sleeping from about 9:30-6am, we will see how long that lasts.

They both have doctor's appointments on Friday- so we will see how much they have both grown in the last couple of months.

That is our review of things down here. We hope that everyone is back into the swing of things, since most everyone has to get back into a school routine.

Just Another Week

Okay- so in our house it is never just another week. There is always something to report, no matter how small. This past week has been a whirlwind. I had some girls over on Friday night while I sent Chad and the girls over to one of the other husbands' house. It sounded like they had a good time with the other kids. We just hung out here and talked and just relaxed. It was nice to have some people over and not having to worry about the girls running all over the place. Saturday morning we headed up to Dallas to spend the rest of the weekend with Chad's aunt and uncle. We just played some cards and hung out some more. We did get to see Adam while we were there. He is still the same old Adam. We came back in the afternoon on Monday. Tuesday it was back to school for Chad and we had a playdate with Noah. Wednesday brought Isaac over while Christa was at the doctor. She has just 6 weeks left. She doesn't think that she will go the whole six weeks, so we will see. Today was actually a pretty quiet day around here. Tomorrow starts football and Chad is on supervision, so I'm thinking that we will be skipping tomorrow's game since he has to be there an hour early and has to be there until the end. Saturday is Isaac's second birthday. It is also my sister Amy's birthday. Happy Birthday. Sunday is the Freshman retreat and also rededication of teachers. So that means we will be going to Salem for church and then Chad will be around for a little while in the afternoon until he has to go to the retreat. I'm sure that it will we will survive, but it is just going to be a long next week. We have some visitors coming the last weekend of September. Chad's aunt and uncle are coming to see the house and just spend some time down here. Well that is the wrap-up of our week. Here are some pictures from the last week to enjoy.



















Emma in her rallyhead band. Just always wanting to be like her big sis.















Maddie In Space














Emma just hanging out (we were trying to catch a smile)















Maddie and Isaac spinning in the glider

Happy Birthday Grandma!!

Just wanted to give a great big birthday wish to my mom, who is celebrating today. In our house that usually means it is just another day where you get to choose what is eaten for dinner. We wish we were there to help you celebrate. I hope you enjoyed Maddie's present for you. She worked real hard on it. We can't wait for your visit in October-I'm sure Maddie will have new things to show you. Have a great day- you even only have to work a half day today. Happy Birthday Grandma!!

Here is that picture I promised. This is Luke Arthur.

This Weekend

Melissa's Birthday Party( l to r- Jacob(Melissa's next door neighbor, Melissa, Maddie, and Gabe)



















Maddie taking a nap on her couch





















Emma taking a nap (do you see a trend here?)
















Maddie and her warpaint(she got to fingerpaint for the first time)

The Newest Cousin

Well we have added one to our cousin list. Aunt Kathy and Uncle Scott finally had their baby after waiting an extra week. Luke Arthur was born on Saturday August 26th at 5:55am. He was 8lbs 10 oz and 21 1/2 inches long. That puts him in the same weight class as Emma. Scott had started school last week, but they are giving him three days to stay home with the new mom and baby. They got to go home from the hospital yesterday and are settled at home and hopefully enjoying their new addition.

We are hoping we get a chance to meet Luke when we are in Wisconsin in November, otherwise it might not be until Christmas.

When we get a picture of the little guy we will post one.

So congrats to the new family of three.

Maddie with "brothers" Michael and Christian

Grandma, Grandpa, and the girls

Katy Mills took the wind out of both of their sails

Maddie and her "boyfriend" Isaac

Maddie with the "stupid hat" on

Diving into her orange at the Blue Knights game

Back to Reality...

That's right, it is back to reality for us. Grandma and Grandpa left on Tuesday, which means it is just the girls at home. We aren't sure when we will have visitors back here. Maybe in October- if Grandma feels so inclined to come for a weekend. We had a great visit with them. They got in late Friday night- only 2 hours late after some genius threw a plastic cup in the airplane toilet and made it overflow. Saturday brought a football scrimmage that we managed to get out to and then it never happened, since it was lightening outside. So we ended up going to lunch with the Wilkes and then coming home and watching the Brewers/Astros game. Sundayw as church and getting Chad off to Senior Retreat. Grandma, Grandpa, Maddie, Emma, and I headed out to dinner. We went to Pappasitto's Mexican Cantina (both Grandma and I were not impressed). Monday we decided to conquer Katy Mills (like Gurnee Mills) We got there about 10:15 and left at 3:30. Maddie managed to walk the whole thing and thensome. Maddie got some new clothes for fall and grandpa felt the need to make sure she had some new vans(shoes). (pink checked ones) We then headed back to pick up Chad who had a long night at the retreat. With just the normal things of having to stay up with 80 Seniors, he got thrown in the pool with his cell phone in his pocket. It was out of commission until yesterday when he got a new one. Tuesday we ventured for breakfast and then did some grocery shopping. Grandma and Grandpa left Tuesday late afternoon. We headed to school for the volleyball game and then home. Wednesday I think Chad just needed to still recover from the weekend. Thursday we went to dinner with the Sommermeyers and Straubs. Then went over to school to watch Christian's Blue Knight game (Blue Knights is the feeder football program at school). Yesterday was just a slow day at home and some relaxing in the evening. This weekend is not too much of anything. Today we have a birthday party to go to, but that looks like it is it. Next week is a short week for school, they have a half day on Friday. Some of the other ladies and wives from school are coming over on Friday for a night in, but free from kids. Then on Saturday we are going to head up to Dallas for the long weekend.

Maddie Update: She is still just as much as a monkey as before. She is getting taller everyday. She had a playdate with Isaac this week and they just had so much fun. They also got to play at the volleyball game and they were dancing like it was going out of style. She is great helper with Emma, she is starting to get the concept of being gentle and that Emma isn't a toy. She has also been going to sleep by herself the last few nights. We are hoping this continues.

Emma Update: She is growing everyday too. She looks a little more like Maddie, but not too much. She has been getting up on her side from her belly and so we will see how long it takes for her to roll herself to her back. She loves to watch Maddie run and be crazy. She has also been sleeping great. The last two nights she has slept from 11pm-7am.

We are already gearing up for our trip in November. We can't wait to see everyone. We are planning on driving for Christmas, so I have started to do some planning for that. Other than just getting back into a routine and going to school functions, things have been pretty quiet around here.

Welcome To The World Nora

This isn't the cousin we are still waiting for, but our friends Nathan and Katherine had little Nora Katherine join their family this past Saturday. I was a little surprised to see that posted on their blog since Katherine wasn't due until September 11th.

Nora was 5lbs 10oz and 19 inches long. We also then have to welcome Nathan and Katherine into the parents club. They are home now and doing great. So here she is.















We are still waiting on any word from Aunt Kathy and Uncle Scott on the arrival of their new one, I'm sure that once we hear the word, we will post it on here.

At the playground

Her clubhouse, our entertainment center

"Oh, I wasn't ready for the picture"

Maddie giving kisses

Here we are at 1month. More Maddie like everyday

Sharing a handful of ice with Isaac

Just getting something cold to drink

Houston-We Have Teeth

Yes, that is right. After 14 long months of waiting Maddie is finally getting some teeth. She has her two bottom front teeth coming in. She sure is a trooper right now. She hasn't been too bad, but at certain times, you can tell they bother her more than others. We had to hold her down and push her tongue out of the way in order to even see them. Grandma Heff told her to work on two things while she was gone and one was teeth. Maddie must get her procrastination from her dad, because Grandma comes back this Friday and she is just getting them now. The other was saying Grandma, we are quite there yet.

Maddie is doing great with Emma. She always wants to be around and helping. Emma is her "gee". We have figured out that is just baby, but when you talk about Emma, it is "gee". She points out "gees" in books and also when we are at the store. We had been looking into getting Maddie into a gym class, but there aren't any in the evenings. Grandma Heff thinks she is her uncle Alan reincarnated. Because she is all over the place, climbing and being a daredevil. On Friday we had the faculty get together, there are about a dozen kids who are Kindergarten and younger and actually about 10 of them are 2 1/2 and under. So she was just in heaven. They all played well together and just loved all being around each other.

Chad starts school on Wednesday. I'm sure he would rather have about 3 more weeks of summer, but that is life. He has been going in on a consistent basis for about two weeks now, so he is sort of in the swing of things. Which also then gets us into school mode, with just the three of us at home.

Emma is doing well, she is growing more and more each day. She is starting to look more like Maddie and her cheeks start to get bigger. She has been sleeping real well the last few nights and I am hoping that keeps up. She has been sleeping for about 7 hours at night and is actually starting to get into a daytime routine too.

I am doing well. I am surviving the two. The three of us will walk to the park by our house and Maddie gets to play in the sand and go down the slides and just climb everywhere. I am keeping busy with them, but also getting some scrapbooking in too. I have started some rubber stamping and have actually started on our Christmas cards. I know I am pathetic, but hey, it keeps me busy, when the two are asleep.

A Brewers Post

Okay, so I have been reading some of the Brewers' blogs from the mlb website and I am just in shock. All these people who claim to be true fans and have been fans since they were little, are already throwing in the towel for this year. It just frustrates me to no end. I am not saying that the Brewers are going to the World Series, but when was the last time that we were even in the wild card race at the beginning of August? I mean there is still a lot of baseball yet to play, but come on people, if you have been such die hard fans, now is the time to be proud of what they are doing on the field and the decisions they are making off the field. I am not even in Wisconsin, but I am sick of all these people who are saying that the season is over now that we traded Carlos Lee away. I would say that it was lucky we got Mench and Cordero, they sure helped us this weekend and getting some key wins against the Reds. I can only imagine what the talks are like in Wisconsin. I will always be a Brewers fan and it is especially hard to hang on to that, when you live in a city in your same division. Or should I say it is hard when that team is doing better than you, but for right now we are ahead of the Astros. This makes me realize why professional sports are a form of entertainment, the people aren't really into it, they just want to be entertained by the players.

Okay, so enough ranting... Things here in Texas are good. Hot, but isn't it hot everwhere? Chad actually has to start going into school on a regular basis again starting today, which is good, it gives me a chance to get the girls in order here and used to not having a second pair of hands. Maddie is learning to be patient and sometimes having to wait, because Emma is crying. Other than that, not too much new to report. My parents are coming in a little bit more than two weeks, they will be here for the first weekend of school- Chad always has the senior retreat, which means he is gone from Sunday afternoon until after school on Monday, so that will help me out lots. We are also going to be in Wisconsin in November for my cousin's wedding. It will be a short trip, but I'm sure well worth it.

I will try to get some more pictures of the girls up. I have been slacking on the job with that and promise to make up for it. I know that I need to be better about it, so making sure there are some updates on the blog help me to remember to take more pictures.

Actual Due Date...

Earlier this morning I was thinking about how today is the 19th and today was the due date I was given for her. I really couldn't imagine if she would have decided to wait this long to join our family. I was uncomfortable enough by the time she did decide to come, I could only imagine what 10 more days would have been. That was my random thought for today.

Anyways, not too much to report here. Grandma Heff gets here tonight. I know that she is looking forward to her visit and we are looking forward to having her here. We have been pretty laid back here. It has been so hot out, well it hasn't been the heat, but the humidity (ha, ha). Chad is actually getting used to it a little bit more. He went out to mow the back this afternoon and didn't complain about how hot is was and even said that it was bearable.

After Grandma Heff leaves, Chad's parents, and three youngest siblings get here on Monday. We will have a few days with them and then have a little break from visitors. Uncle Ben is suppose to be coming the first week of August and it looks like the crazy boy cousins will be here along with their mom and dad and aunt Jana too the second weekend of August. I know that Maddie will enjoy having cousin Ben around to goof with.

On Monday, Pastor Patterson, came over and Emma was baptized. The Wilke family and Diane also were here as witnesses. Maddie was very interested in what was happening especially as the water was being poured on Emma's head. Emma's godparents are going to be Uncle Ben and Aunt Amy.


Today the same gang that was here on Monday is coming back for the White Sox/Tigers game.
I'm sure that Maddie will love having Christian here, she loves when he is around and pays all the attention to her. Here they are playing playstation together on Monday. She loves to put on a show for everyone. She now has started reading her books to you. She loves to babble while turning the pages, but always makes sure that you are paying attention to her reading.




Chad has bout 2 and 1/2 weeks of summer left. He has been getting himself somewhat ready, but at the same time, just spending some time with the girls.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer, most of you northerners have a lot more of the summer left than those of us around these parts.

Finally Home...

If you haven't read Chad's blog and are out of the loop. Baby number two decided to grace us with her presence on Sunday morning. Emma Grace arrived at 4:57am. Weighing in at 8lbs. 11oz and 21 1/2 inches long. She came quick and with a voice. We got to the hospital at 2:30am and she was here 2 1/2 hours later. She is doing great. Maddie has been a little confused on why mom hasn't been home, but she has managed to survive with dad, "uncle" Phill, "aunt" Shelley, and the Wilke boys. We got to come home today, I was ready to come home yesterday, but you know all that fun hospital stuff. We are all adjusting well. I am doing well and just looking forward to the rest of the summer.

We have visitors coming starting this weekend. Steph is stopping in Houston on her way to Salt Lake City, so we will have a visitor here this weekend. Grandma Heff is coming next Wednesday, Grandma and Grandpa Janetzke, aunt Kendra, aunt Lydia, and uncle Kurt are arriving on Monday the 24th. Then it looks like aunt Jana will get down here and also unlce Ben is looking to come too at the beginning of August.

Well we are all well here. Chad is celebrating his birthday today by bringing his girls home, and watching the All-Star game. Happy birthday to Kendra and Kurt later this week. Happy Anniversary to Kim and Odie and also Jay and Jill.

Maybe we should start a baby pool...

We have exactly two weeks until the baby is due, neither Chad, myself or the doctor thinks it will be that long. I went to the doctor this morning and he said we are ready to go, we just need some contractions to start. Last week when we went, we were told that our baby is a big one, most likely around 9 lbs. He is still thinking it is going to be big, but hopefully not too much bigger than 9 lbs. He is also hoping that we are going to have any problems with the shoulders getting stuck. He told me today that if we get through the weekend and want to schedule a c-section for next Thursday we could. He really doesn't think we are going to go that long, but you never know. We will just keep going on with our everyday business and see what happens.



The last few days here have been nice and rainy and not so much fun to go outside. We got Maddie a blow-up pool, but haven't been able to use it because of the rain. She has gotten outside a little bit, but it pretty much rains on and off all day. She actually loves to play in the rain, so just about 10 minutes ago, we let her loose in the driveway and she got soaked. She thinks it is so funny to put her head under the water draining off the roof and also when the sprinklers are on, she loves to go through them. That is all from here. It looks like it will be a quiet day at home inside with all the rain that is coming down.





We spent the 4th with the Wilke clan. We grilled out and just hung out. It rained a little bit yesterday, but some of our neighbors, not anyone we have met decided to put on their own fireworks display across the street. It was quite annoying and there were fireworks in our driveway and yard this morning. Ahh, the joys of homeownership. Well hopefully you all enjoyed your fourth and we will let you know when this baby comes.