Almost a month!

Wow, sorry it's taken me so long to post an update! I can't believe Christmas is almost here! So in the past month here's a small run down of what's been going on in our lives...

We're having a boy! We found out about a week ago and we're very excited to be adding another little guy to our clan. :) He will fit in just fine! I'm almost 20 weeks, which is the half way mark, this pregnancy sure is flying by! My pregnancies are usually pretty rough and this one isn't much different, but I'm trying to enjoy every part of it since this is our last. :)

We're going to have a 10 yr old is 4 days and I can hardly believe it. I remember Elijah being a baby like it was not that long ago. But he is maturing into such a wonderful little man, I couldn't be more proud of him. He wants a sledding birthday party with about 5 of his close friends, so we're praying for snow! The only weekends we have free are in January so he's going to have to wait a little while for that party. My sister just bought a house with her soon to be hubby (only 4 weeks from today and they'll be married!) and there's a huge hill that would be perfect for sledding, so they were very kind in letting us use their house for Elijah's birthday party!

Our house is DIAPER FREE!!! (well for the next few months at least lol) Zachary is potty trained...woo hoo!!! He will be 3 in Febuary, so it's about that time. I tried a different approach this time. I decided not to push him at all and he ended up doing it 100% on his own. It took him a few days to get it down, but in the process he's had NO accidents and even sleeps in underwear at night. It's crazy how fast and easy it was. When they are ready then it all will fall into place I guess. So it's been about 3 weeks now and it's just great!

Joshua and Nicolas don't really have anything new going on in their lives, Nicolas just had his school Christmas program Thursday night and Elijah's is Monday night. All 3 of the older boys will be in our church Christmas program tomorrow morning. Also, we went to a Christmas concert Wednesday night at a local church here with the boys. It was so much fun! The boys loved that they recognized some of the songs from the radio.

We're going up to the Chicago area next weekend to have a Christmas get together with some of my mom's family Saturday, then heading to my dad and step mom's house to have Christmas with them next Sunday. Then we'll drive home Sunday afternoon and get home just in time for our Christmas service at church that night. Then the next day we're leaving for Maryland to visit Dan's family for Christmas and will be home the following weekend. Shew! We're going to be busy, but it's worth it, I love this time of year!!

I hope to update again before Christmas (but as you just read I'll be pretty busy!) so if not have a wonderful Christmas!!!

The flu!

We were hit! Sunday morning Nicolas woke up with a fever, cough, chest hurting and runny nose, out of no where. He seemed to be acting fine but when the fever got high (around 103) he would just lay there (poor guy). Monday he was a little worse, I called the dr and and they immediately told me over the phone it sounded like the flu. They would not see him, just called some Tamiflu in for him to take. So he started on Tamiflu. I'm assuming that if he did indeed have the flu, it was h1n1 because it's not regular flu season and his chest was hurting which is a major one for h1n1 (respiratory problems). Monday evening I started with a soar throat and cough. By Tuesday morning I was a wreck. Nicolas missed another day of school and I called my OB. Since I'm pregnant they did want to see me. I slept until my appointment at 2 then drug myself there (Dan, Josh, Nicolas and Zack came too, but they all waited in the car). They tested me for the flu (which SUCKED, it was soooo uncomfortable) which was negative, they don't do swine flu tests unless you're in the hospital, and they gave me a breathing treatment. I left with a script for Tamiflu (which I protested to her that I did NOT want to take it because it's normally not safe for pregnant woman, but they're giving it to them now because of how sick you can get from the flu without it). So I got home, took my first dose and within an hour was vomiting horribly. I obviously couldn't tolerate it. So for the next few hours I was throwing up, it was horrible, I have never been that sick. When it was all out of my system I started with contractions. I was worried I'd have to go to the ER for some fluids or something, but after a few hours I fell asleep. I woke up Wednesday morning feeling much better. My wonderful hubby took M-W off work to take care of me. :) There was so school Wednesday so I was thankful for that. In the meantime, Zachary started with a fever but it never really did anything. So, this being Friday night I am thankful I'm almost 100% back to normal. Yuck! I feel like I'm getting a sinus infection now, but it's ok, I will deal. :)

Oh and on a different note, Zack is potty training! He is doing it all by himself too, I haven't pushed him once. He just started going on his own, without even telling anyone (until he was one of course, then he'd run out yelling "I WENT POTTY!") so for the past 2 days he's been wearing underwear around the house. He's doing VERY well. I'm so proud of him!! Oh, and today, he found that there's a slit in the front of his underwear and has been opening it all day LOL!

Baby Guesses!

I created a game on Expect Net, go there and put in your guess! I'm not sure if you need to register (if you do, it shouldn't take long) but go to www.expectnet.com and on the left you will see where it says "Game name" type in Rodmanbaby5 (no spaces and yes the R needs to be capital). It will take you to our game. Put in your guesses about the baby's gender, weight, length, and when it will be born...by the way my official due date is May 6th. I'm getting my ultrasound on December 1st, so if you guess the wrong gender you can go back into the game and fix it. Please play, it will be fun!again the site and game name is...www.expectnet.com Rodmanbaby5

sick Elijah...

So far this fall/winter hasn't been too bad to us. Zack had an ear infection last week, Josh has done some coughing, but now Elijah's sick. He's missed Mon and Tues at school and looks like he will be missing tomorrow as well. I brought him to dr Monday. She said his throat was very red but we decided not to do the strep test because she was putting him on an antibiotic anyway so it really didn't matter, and he was wheezing so he's doing breathing treatments. He's been on his medicine 2 days now and still has a fever and no appetite. Not sure if he has a touch of the flu or something as well, just seems strange. He's not acting that bad, he lays around some but definitely isn't himself. I'm hoping he has no fever tomorrow so he can go back to school Thursday! (he has to be fever free for 24 hrs before being able to go back to school)

I hope all of you are healthy!

Halloween fun!

Saturday we had a garage sale, it was pretty chilly that morning but it warmed up pretty good during the day. The boys were pretty anxious all day about putting on their costumes! That evening Stephanie, Randy and Seth came over for dinner and to go trick-or-treating with us. We went around our neighborhood for a bit then went to mom's house (she had a special treat for the boys) and then Jessica and Aaron brought the boys around their neighborhood for a bit. It was pretty cold that night but all in all a good night. The boys got a TON of candy. Here'a few pics. :)

Spiderman (Nicolas), Zack was an adorable monkey, Elijah was a ninja, and Josh was Superman


I love how they all dressed up lol. Steph was Princess Leia, Randy Darth Vader and Seth Luke Skywalker, and he made sure to tell everyone who guessed his costume wrong that he was "Luke Skywalker!!"


Zack being only 2 1/2, was quite a bit slower then the rest of the boys so he traveled in style most of the way :D


and one more pic of my adorable niece Cami from our Halloween photoshoot!

October is over?

How did this month fly by so fast? I feel like I ask that whenever any month comes to an end. Well today started my 2nd trimester! Yay! I should be home free out of the "sickness" stage very very soon. I feel like I'm pretty close now. :) I have a dr appointment next Friday and at that appointment I will schedule for the BIG ultrasound! Very exciting to already be this far! Every once in a while I will feel something that may be the baby, but conisdering how little the baby still is, it's hard to tell.

The boys have their costumes all ready to go for Halloween. Zachary will be a monkey, we found it at Old Navy. He loves his costume but doesn't really like wearing it LOL, we'll see how that goes. Joshua is going to be Superman. This changed tonight! He was supposed to be Lightening McQueen (Nicolas' old costume) but after seeing Nicolas' new one he wanted something different. So "grandma to the rescue!" went out to Kmart and bought him what he wanted tonight so he will have it for his preschool party tomorrow. :) Nicolas is going to be Spiderman and Oh My he is so funny yet adorable in it lol. It has built in muscles, which is just so funny to see on him!! Elijah is going to be a ninja (a good ninja :) he wanted to be a football player but that just didn't work out. So, stay tuned for pictures of the boys in their costumes!!

Zachary has been sick the past week, finally today I said enough is enough and brought him in. I had a feeling he had an ear infection and mommy was right. His right ear is pretty bad she said, also his throat doesn't look so great. We did a strep coulture but it came back negative, which is good. Poor guy just wasn't himself today. I let him nap until 6 pm (I know, not too bright, but I knew he needed it) and after that he perked up real good. Finally got him to bed at 10:30 tonight lol. Not sure he's ever stayed up that late.

Also, today I took pictures of the prettiest little girl out there. My niece! She's 4 months now and just sweet as ever. :) Here's one picture from our little mini session.



(I told you she was gorgeous!)

Thanks for all of you who try to keep up with our blog (shouldn't be too hard at this point considering I only update once every few weeks lol) I will try to get another post up after the weekend!

Hey out there...

We are still alive! Sorry for the long stretch in dates, I've been pretty sick this pregnancy but I think I'm starting to feel better so Praise God! I will be 10 weeks in a few days which is 2 wks short of my second trimester. The second trimester is the time "they say" you feel great. We shall see! haha

A few updates...

~ This past weekend Dan went to North Carolina to see his sister get married. I wish I could have gone with him but I know the plane ride would have been rough so I didn't even chance it.

~ Last Thursday Elijah pulled out 2 teeth! And he has 1 more that's being stubborn.

~ Nicolas has his first few loose teeth but they're not ready yet. He's pretty impatient though waiting for them, he's in 1st grade so most of the kids in his class have lost teeth already. Nicolas also is in the top 5 of his class (he was #4) for these computer math tests they take weekly. We're so proud of him! :)

~ Josh started speech a few weeks ago. He's been going once a week, it will be 26 weeks all together that he goes. So far I haven't noticed too many changes in his everyday speech but when he does his "homework" he does excellent!

~ Zack moved to a twin sized bed last week. He is definitely our difficult one LOL! At 2 1/2 it is a very very good day if he actually takes a nap. He's decided he just doesn't need them anymore, and honestly he's not crabby without one. But this pregnant momma needs to rest! He's also cut his hair like 3 times in the past month. He did it again today (with Josh) they were just being waaay too quiet, I should have known something was up. Ugh. I will have some GREAT stories to tell to their future wives, that's for sure! Haha

I have my 10 week dr appointment this Friday. I'm excited about it because I should be able to hear the baby's heartbeat. :)

time to update!

I'm about 5 weeks pregnant now, I have my first OB appointment September 11th, I'm excited! Like I said, I'm only 5 weeks but am already showing LOL! I think with #5 my body kind of gave up!

This weather has been so nice, I can hardly believe it's August. It was a high of maybe 74 today. We've been enjoying lots of family time on the weekends. I thank God for all of my boys (Dan included:) I really enjoy being a mommy!

Monday starts week 3 of school for the 2 older boys. I think they're finally in the routine of things. Nicolas brought home his very first A+ this past week! He's never had a letter grade, but now that's he's a first grader he's getting them. He's such an eager learner, I am so excited to see how well he does this year! Elijah's doing pretty good so far too. He has more responsibilities at school now that he's a fourth grader, but I think he's lovin' it lol. Josh starts September 9th, I think he's a little nervous since it's a new school (3 day preschool) but excited at the same time. :)

New Pic of the boys!!!

Look close because it's hard to see on here. :)

week 1 down!

Praise God week one is over! Only 8 left! lol Dan is working a lot more now for the next 8 weeks, this was the first week of that. It went well. Can you tell I'm counting it down already? hehe

Next week starts school for the oldest 2. The first day is Wednesday the 19th, it's a half day, then the next day is a half day too. The first FULL day of school is Friday, August 21st. Elijah is in 4th grade this year and Nicolas is in 1st grade. Elijah's excited I think, his school consists of 3 grades; 3rd, 4th, and 5th. This year he's one of the bigger fish, last year he was new to the school so this year he gets to show the 3rd graders how it is lol. Nicolas, I think, is a little nervous. He goes to a new school this year and this is his first year in the district. Last yr for Kindergarten he went to a VERY small private Christian school. This year things will be bigger, he's not sure what to expect. But thankfully we were able to get him and a friend of his in the same class, as requested, he was in Nicolas' class last year. So I think both the boys are a little more at ease about that. I've also heard that Nicolas' teacher is awesome. I'm excited to get back to my normal routine. As much as I love spending time with them during the summer, things are a little crazy during the day lol.

Josh starts preschool at a new school this year as well. This year he goes MWF, he's very excited! He doesn't start until after Labor Day though.

Swimming!!

The boys have been swimming all summer in grandma and grandpa's pool. They LOVE swimming! And, they're all doing really well too. I took a bunch of pics but will only share this, I love it! It cracks me up and melts my heart at the same time. :)

Silly Zacky

Zachary started something new! He gets out of bed and falls asleep somewhere in his room. None of the other boys did this lol. Here's where he fell asleep the other day. I went in to check on him and couldn't find him, I started searching around his room and found him in the corner under his slide....asleep! LOL! Goofy boy!

August 2nd family cookout...

I went up to Joliet the weekend of August 1st and 2nd for a Burgholzer (plus a bunch of other families lol) family cookout. I saw people I haven't seen in like 10 years, it was crazy! It was nice to see so many people that I haven't seen in so long and introduce them to my boys. :) Dan wasn't with us, he was in Maryland. Here's a few group pics...

All the girls!
top row: Stephanie (my sis), Megan (step sis), Stephanie (step sis)
middle row: Nichole, Amber, Katie (all cousins)
bottom row: me, Erin, Samantha and Emily on lap (all cousins)


All the boys! the little guys in this pic crack me up LOL!
top row: Michael (step bro), Andy (my bro)
middle row: Tony, Steve (cousins)
bottom row: Chandler (cousin Nicole's son), Josh (my boy), Seth (nephew), Ethan in front (cousin), Nicolas (mine), and Zachary (mine)


All the brothers and sisters, with their parents
top row: uncle Bruce, uncle Brian, uncle Tony
middle row: my dad, aunt Michelle, aunt Debbie
bottom row: my grandparents who live in Florida

Sweet baby Cami...

I had the pleasure of doing a session with my niece 13 days after she was born (so back in the beginning of July) Here's a few shots from that session...

VACATION!!!

Dan and I (no kids) went to California for 5 days! We left very early morning July 16th and we got home very late at night on July 20th. It was so nice! We went to San Francisco, it was crazy busy not too much r&r went on but it was so nice to get away just the 2 of us. The weather was awesome, it was not above 80 the whole time there. NO HUMIDITY! We did so much while we were there too, my legs were killing me I did more walking in those 5 days then I usually do in like a month here LOL! We took so many pictures but I don't have the time now to put them all up so I will just put up a few.

One of the first things we did was get together with a friend of mine, Melissa (one of my favorite parts lol) we walked around at Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, and Ghiradelli Square. Here's a pic of me and Dan with Alcatraz in the background taken at Fisherman's Wharf.



We walked half way across the Golden Gate Bridge. Let me tell you, I didn't realize how scared I was of heights until I got up there lol. The combo of being waaaaaay far up and cars flying past us on the other side, I was terrified.

Dan on the bridge...


Me in front of the bridge...


We also went to Six Flags while we were there and Dan got to swim with the dolphins. I think that was Dan's favorite part of the trip. He was one major stud in that wet suit, let me tell you lol.



It rained for all of 5 minutes (and by rain I mean a VERY light sprinkle) and everyone kind of panicked (it doesn't rain much there) then when it was done there was the brightest rainbow I have ever seen. And it was a double rainbow which I've never seen before. It was so pretty!



We went to see the Redwood Trees which I didn't care about, but when I got there I was so glad we went. It was so pretty and just calm. It was breathtaking just being in there. I don't know how to describe the feeling, just peaceful I guess.

on the way up to Muir Woods the views were beautiful...


Dan inside one of the HUGE redwood trees...


We hiked off the regular trail in there (not sure why we did that lol, it was painfully long and we got lost LOL) but stopped for a pic (while I tried to hold my huge camera) wearing Dan's hat :)


Then after leaving Muir Woods, this is actually 2 pics in one. Dan took a pic of me and I took one of him so I combined it in PS to make it "look" like we were together. (that's why I look like I'm not posing with my husband lol)


Point Reyes kind of happened by accident but we're both so glad we went. We saw a sign that said "Lighthouse" and an arrow pointing to turn down one of the streets (we were on our way to Dan's friend's house but thought we'd stop real quick at the lighthouse first). Well 30 miles LATER we finally made it. We had no clue it was so far away lol. But it was sooooo pretty there. We were at the very tip and water completely surrounded us. It was so windy and cold up there, but the views made it worth it.

some man offered to take our picture in front of the ocean, it was so pretty down there but we weren't allowed down there because the waves were dangerously strong.


and the lighthouse...


We had to walk down 300 steps (then back up) which doesn't sound bad (or ever look bad) but let me tell you.....it hurt! I started wheezing on the way back up lol.

We went to Benicia, a town Dan lived in while he was growing up to see his old house. Turns out one of his childhood best friend's parents still lived a few doors down and his mom was home and invited us in. We ended up going back a couple nights later so his friend and his family could meet up with us for dinner. It was so nice. These were the nicest people ever. I heard so many stories about the trouble Dan and his friend caused LOL! This is a group pic of Dan and I with his friend and his wife and his friend's parents. (his sweet wife was 9 months pregnant, you can kind of see her little belly popping out:)



In Benicia down the street from Dan's old house, we were driving around the town and he was telling me about different things, I happened to see this couple and grabbed my camera for a photo opt, it was the perfect pose/location I couldn't resist. So no we don't know these people but they made a pretty picture. :)



We had so much fun and it was a much needed vacation for the 2 of us! Thanks mom and Larry for watching the kids!!!!!

Nicolas is 6 today!!!!

June 25th, 2003 Nicolas Shayne was born at 10:54 am. I can't believe he's 6 today. It just flies by. He woke up today and kept finding ways to show me how he is bigger today now that he's 6. It was so funny. We're having a party for him Saturday. Happy Birthday!!!!

Cami pics!!!

I really can't put into words how precious this baby is! She is SO sweet, can you tell I'm a proud aunt? haha Here's a few of the pics I took at the hospital today.

My step sister Jessica holding her for the first time and my boys checking her out for the first time...


Josh was the only one who wanted to hold her, I stayed right there "helping" though lol...


The look on his face to me says "oh no, you mean I'm not the baby anymore?"


in MY arms :)




all of the kids...


the new mommy and daddy...






daddy time :)




sweet baby girl...






tell me she isn't gorgeous!

Camdyn is here!

I have a niece...FINALLY! My brother's baby was born today. Camdyn Elizabeth was born early evening today (June 23rd) and stats are 6lbs 4 oz and 21 1/2 in long. She is gorgeous!!!! I can't wait to go back up to the hospital tomorrow to see her again! I will be bringing my camera up there tomorrow so hopefully I can get some pics up soon!

a few pics...

I went through an older folder and found one of my nephew Seth, and thought it was adorable so I just have to post it. :)



The boys were at grandma's house today and they went swimming in her pool for the first time this summer. Josh and Nicolas found they have new talents in the pool so I had to take pictures. Nicolas can now touch the pool without holding on OR and floaties! And Joshua can wear this cool floaty thing and swim around the pool by himself. WoooOOOooo! :D

(although Nicolas is clinging onto the side here he really can do it lol)


And 2 snaps of Zack just cuz he's cute! My mom said he was scared of the big pool so he hung out in the baby pool on the deck. :)