Spring Break Baby!!!!

Today starts Gracie's Spring Break from Preschool...Yippee!!! And I have to work today:( O'well I have the rest of the week off:) We really don't have much planned, so we most likely be hanging around the house, hoping the weather will be nice where we can play outside a bit. I might try to get Matt to take us somewhere special...but who knows.

I wish I would have brought my camera's memory card with me today, so that I could post a picture of what the girls were doing on Friday. I let Izabelle stay up past her nap time, so she could play a little longer with Grace. All I could hear were giggles (music to my ears)...which really was a surprise in itself, usually it's Grace telling Izabelle to "GET OUT", but this day wasn't going to be that day. So, after hearing a few more giggles I decided I better go investigate. They had cleaned out Grace's toy box and were sitting inside playing. It was too cute...I will try to post a picture tonight. The best toys anyone could ask for;)

Saturday, Matt and I went to Target in Evansville (I love Target) to get some Easter stuff and we were over by the TVs and heard over the radio that a Tornado Warning was in effect in the next county over. So, we called Amanda and she said it was coming our way and it just got done hailing on the Westside, so we paid for our purchases and headed over to the mall (I know CRAZY). As we going over there we heard the sirens...I was truly scared, but I knew that my hubby would protect me. Well the stores at the mall were closing, so we just walked the mall in hopes the storm would just pass by, which it did. So, I went shopping by myself, while Matt went to TGIFs to watch the games and get a snack.

Last night we went to Matt's parents to eat pizza. Kaycee wasn't there because she was on her way to FLORIDA:( Boo!!! I know she will have a blast. Greta, Rob and Brynnlee were there. Brynnlee and Izabelle were unseperatable. Where one went the other was sure to follow. We played Wii. It is soo fun...Matt and I took the Wii Fit challenge, it determines your age by the way you play. The first time I played I was like 80, then last night it said 50, then it said 65...I tricked me. Matt did better his age was 65 the first time then 33 the next time. Let's just say I am not good at that game:) Maybe next time. Grace absolutely loves this game...she played putt putt, but after awhile she gave it Matt, she was getting to antsy.

Until Next Time:)

God Bless

Jess

P.S. My cousin Lindsay had her baby on Friday at 2:10pm. A little boy...William Guy...too cute.
We will have to make a visit sometime this week.

Prayers...

I have always known that Prayers were/are powerful. Not only from the outcome of prayers whether a loved is sick and was healed, getting test results, or prayers for guidance and seeing what God lead you too. But the power of talking to God through prayer. You may not have the greatest relationship with God, you may not speak to him everyday, months, or even years, but when someone you care about asks for you to pray over them or just to pray you do…Because you know the Power of Pray. Amazing thing is happening you ARE talking to God and you ARE building that relationship up with God. You are seeing these things happening and you start giving that relationship a second thought. “Maybe I should bring God into my life more?” God has always been with you, he never falters, never abandons you, he is ever faithful whether or not you are.

Over the past several months I have witnessed the Power of Prayers. Through the safe return for my brother from the Iraqi war. Through people being sick and are now living a healthy life. I know that some prayers may have been left unanswered, but I believe that the prayers that were said were prayers in themselves. They were prayers for building that relationship to God. Those prayers lead you to have a stronger bond between you and God.

I have been praying and thinking about this family for quite some time. Matt and Megan are kind, compassionate, and kind-hearted people I have ever meant. I have known them for several years now. Megan was even my nurse when I had Izabelle. Although she probably thought I was the biggest baby, she was still very kind and caring to me and my family.

They are going through the adoption process (you can read there story here). I just saw an update (from her big sister, Abby) on her blog that this little miracle is here. So, prayer warriors please prayer for this family and the birthmother.

God, I pray that you wrap this family in your arms and give them comfort during this time. I pray that you give the birth mom the peace over the decision that she is facing. Praying for this family to bring this Baby home and give them guidance to raise her according to your word. God you are the almighty, you are the storyteller of our lives and you are the only one that knows the ending to these story. Amen.

Also a pray for my cousin Lindsay and her husband Derek, they are going to be induced tomorrow. Please pray for a healthy and smooth delivery for baby #3. I know his or her's big sister and brother will be anxiously awaiting for him or her.

God is Good.

God Bless...



Jess

Potty Talk

Izabelle actually sat on the potty and went pee pee on Tuesday night. YIPEE!!! She has been doing really well at Treva's. She will come and tell her "potty" and off they go. We just think it's funny that she is potty trained (pretty much) at the babysitters, but doesn't want anything to do with it at our house. She was like that when we started to take the babie (pacy) away. She didn't take it at Treva's but she "needed" it at our house.

Back to the potty. Tuesday night, Matt asked Izabelle if she needed to potty and she ran to the potty and sat down and went. Of course Matt told her that if she went she would get a sucker. So, Izabelle got her sucker. So, that is our motivation to go to the potty. Suckers!!!!
Yesterday, she went 3 times on the potty. You GO GIRL!!! She still will not do #2, but it will be only matter of days. I am hoping that next week we can get Izabelle wearing Big Girl Panties.

As for Grace, she had her Preschool Graduation Pictures taken yesterday. I can't believe that she will be going to Kindergarten next year. I don't think I am really ready for this, but I guess I can't do anything about my little girl growing up:( She is doing more and more to help me out around the house. The other day, I was trying to make supper and Izabelle was under my feet each time I turned around and without asking Grace came up and asked Izabelle if she wanted to play speedboat. This is their game...the run around acting like speedboats, slobber and all. It's funny when Izabelle says speedboat, it's more like sedbot.

Until Next Time...

God Bless

Jess

You Are My Sunshine

Bare with me, this is a long post with words and photos.
Well the girls and I were able to spend some GREAT quality time together. Matt left Thursday morning for a three day Tractor Pull up in Ohio. Which meant that Gracie got to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's bed...Yippee!! He (along with his parents) was able to spend some time with his Aunt and cousins you live up there. So, I was excited that they were able to do that. The only thing is, I wish me and the girls could have came too. Maybe next time. Matt and Jake did OK in the pulls, not exactly how they wanted it, but nonetheless they were pleased. They made it back home about 3am on Sunday.
Grace had dance on Thursday night. We were doing good until about 1/2 way through Izabelle started to get restless and wanted to be in there with Grace, so she was throwing some MAJOR tantrums, so when Grace came out to say her toe hurt (she had a blister between her big toe & the next toe), I was ready to go. Which was OK because we just missed the last 10 minutes. I would go into detail about what went on after we left the building. It was pretty much, Izabelle having a meltdown in the Middle of Main Street. Some lady asking me "Do you need help?" when I was trying to get Izabelle in her chair seat. Okay I think the Terrible Twos are on the Horizon. Just Kidding:)
Friday, after Gracie's preschool, the girls and I went to the school for the Vikette's Pizza Party. Grace was excited to see everyone, I was too. 3 of my Seniors were not able to come, but I am hoping to do something with them on a later day. I put Sign ups in the office on Wednesday and there are already 16 girls sign up. Big Number!!! I am excited to see so many girls interested in Dance.
Saturday we went shopping with my Mom. My main focus was getting Easter Dresses for the girls. Which I SUCCEEDED! Yay:) The girls did really well. But when we got home at 7:30 they were ready to PLAY from being couped up in strollers or walking. So, I let them get all that screaming and running around before it was time for bed.
Sunday afternoon we went out to my parents' house. It was cloudy and cool, but once we all went outside to play the sun came out and it started to warm up. Mom got her horse/pony Pepper out and gave the grandkids a ride. Well Grant got on there first, just to check the saddle and when Pepper started to back up, you can hear Grant say "Okay I'm done". Too funny. Pepper is so good. He is different when an adult is on him compared to a child. He really wants to go fast for an adult and then really slow for a child.
Here are some pictures of the kids riding Pepper:

Getting Pepper readyCowgirl:) Tristan on Pepper

Grant "Testing" the Saddle
Check out the Fox Racing pants w/ Cowboy boots. Cowgirl Emily Cowgirl Izabelle wouldn't ride by herself, so Nana took her.

Can't forget Jenny (black) & Jake (brown). Nana & Papaw's other horses
Enjoying Tristan's new puppy.

Hope you all had a great weekend, too:)

Until Next Time...

God Bless...

Jess

P.S. Izabelle is doing a great job with the Potty Training. To bad she is only doing it at the babysitters. Little Stinker:) She tells me but when we get to the potty, she says "no" and won't go. She did actually sit down on it the other day, but already went:*( We will keep trying.

Swap Party

Do you often admire a friend’s trendy style? Or maybe had a baby and adjusting to the post-belly, or started a new job and don’t want or don’t have that extra money to spend on updating your wardrobe. You could be like me and really don’t like to drive all the way to the mall and spend the entire day looking for something that you kind of like, but once you get home you decide that you don’t like it. And forget to take that long drive back to return it. (Totally can’t believe I admitted that).

GREAT NEWS!!!! I am EXCITED to announce that I am having my very first SWAP PARTY. What is a Swap Party, you may ask? Well a Swap Party is when you swap clothing, accessories, shoes, home décor, etc with friends, family, coworkers, etc. This is a great way to swap those clothes, shoes, or whatever that you just can’t part with, but know deep down that you will not wear them again. Giving another friend, family, or whomever a chance to “work it” with your once favorite outfit. This is a GREAT way to Save Money, it is Eco-friendly, and a FUN way to enjoy “shopping” with friends and not having that feeling “Did I spend too much?”

Type of items that are needed:
Clothing (all sizes, styles, maternity, etc) •
Belts, bags, shoes (all sizes, styles, etc) •
Jewelry •

**Just a note: Please limit to one box/tote, this way we will have plenty to go around**

I would love to invite all of my blog buddies to come to my Swap Party, but unfortunately I don't have everyone's email. So, if you are interested in coming, please leave your email address in my comment box or email me at jessgingerich@hotmail.com and I will send you an invite (I would do it on here, but it has the location and other contacts, that I don't want EVERYONE to know).

Thank you

God Bless...

Jess

Last Performance

I know this is WAY late (Sorry Girls), but I meant to post this back in February. The Vikettes performed their last routine of the season. For my Seniors this was their last performance ever:( Which is really sad now that I think of it. I am truly going to miss these girls, but I know that there are bigger things going on right now for them to worry about. Spring Break is coming up for them, Prom, and of course Graduation. I can't beleive it. This year has gone by soo fast. I guess some them are probably are thinking that it could go faster:) I remember that feeling, but sometimes I wish I was still back in High School.

Now I am getting everything ready for the next year's sign up sheets and anticipating a big group again this year. I can't believe that when I first started I had about 15-17 girls, then it went down to 10 to 6 (in one year), then to 4 the next year, up to 7, and this year it doubled. The dance team has really started to strive and I am sooo PROUD of these girls and what they have accomplished.

Below is the last performance...With a special feature from the Seniors. I will miss you girls and please stay in touch.
Okay so it won't let me posts the video, so here is the thumbnail that you can click on to view.

My Montage 2/17/09

Little Miss Izabelle

Let me tell ya about the week we had. I said a few things on the last post about poor Izabelle and possibly having an UTI (urinary tract infection). Well after being cathed, they said it was normal and sent us home with instructions of pushing plenty of fluids and give her Marlax for constipation, in hopes of it working. I decided that this would not be a good time to do any Potty Training. Goal on Wednesday was to get her to drink plenty of fluids, have a couple of good wet and dirty diapers. Well, we were doing good and she drank plenty and had 2 dirty diapers, but when the afternoon approached and no pee diapers and her holding on to her you know what, I knew it wasn't working. I figured that maybe a bath would help soothe her, but the sound of the water running brought tears, screams, and a total MELT DOWN to Izabelle. Which isn't Izabelle...she LOVES water.
So, Thursday morning after Izabelle threw up twice I knew she needed to see the doctor again. Well the nurse had to call me back and 2 hours later she said the same thing I heard on Tuesday. To help relieve some of pain I gave her some Motrin (I know I should have thought of that at the beginning of the week) and continued to push fluids. This is girl was hurting. She went 5-6 hours without a wet diaper, actually the only time she went was when she was sleeping, so really she would have 2 wet diapers a day and they weren't not soaked through. I don't think that is very good. By Friday, I once again called the doctor and was able to see the nurse practioner. She had to get cathed again, because they didn't send the first one to the lab to check further, they just did a ph test (I think that is what they did) at the office. Anyway, the nurse gave us some cream to put on you know what for irritation. Although Izabelle doesn't like to get this put on, we have noticed that when she goes pee pee that she is NO longer SCREAMING in pain.
I just called the doctor's office and her lab came back normal, no UTI. They told me to continue to use the cream 3x a day. Hopefully Izabelle will be willing to take a bath without mommy holding on to her, so she can actually enjoy it.
As for the rest of the family, everyone is doing good. Grace has been a GREAT BIG help with her lil sis. She really amazes me.
Hope everyone was able to enjoy the nice weather we had this weekend. I know we did.

Until Next Time...

God Bless

Jess

Comments & Doctor visit

Thank you all for you comments on the previous post …Grace does sometimes use a night light, but not all the time, usually when she has a scary moment, then we pray and leave it as that. I really would looovvveee to baby her, since it seems like time has flown by since she was one, but I know that isn’t going to help any. As for Matt, well, he will lay with her, he says he doesn’t like to hear her whine but I know he just want to be beside his little girl. The funny thing is, if he falls asleep in there, I hear him whine because he didn’t sleep well. Hmmm????
I did find a movie that VeggieTales has out. It’s called “Where is God, When I am S-Scared?” We watched it like a hundred 20 million times (that’s what Grace would say). It seemed like a cute movie and Grace really liked it.
I did watch Grace Sunday after Sunday School (Her teachers are AWESOME) playing with her stuff animals and singing a sweet song to them. I really wish I would have taken a picture or had it on video. She had them all lined up on her bed and had made instruments (made out of paper) for them to play and she was the conductor. She was signing “God is with you, always with you. Even if you don’t see him”. The rest of the afternoon she seemed calmed, happy, and not once raised her voice. She didn’t even back talk, which is really rare. And we have been trying to keep that Happy Heart with us. So far, so good.

As for Izabelle and the “Potty”. When I got to the babysitters yesterday, she said that Izabelle wasn’t too happy after her nap and wouldn’t use the potty, but knew when she went in the diaper. We were both kind of concerned when Izabelle would start crying and tugging at her diaper after she would go. I thought maybe it was the diaper, so I let her run around without a diaper, to air her bottom out. But when I put the diaper back on she would pee and then cry out again.
So, this morning I called the doctor because I thought Izabelle was on the verge of a UTI, because of the smell of her pee and her crying after she wetted her diaper, so off to the doctors we went. They did have to cath her; it took three nurses and mommy to hold her down. I sooo didn’t like to see that and I know she didn’t like it. It ended up that she didn’t have a UTI, all that for nothing, but grateful that it wasn’t nothing. So the doctor asked if she has had a pooped in awhile, well the last one was Sunday, so he said that sometimes the intestines can push on the bladder and cause it to spasm, so we are on a stool softener to help that. So, hopefully we can get that in control and be able to officially start potty training.

So we are going to be in Potty Training Mode starting TONIGHT!!! GO IZABELLE!!!!

Have a Great Day:)

God Bless:)

Jess

100th Post, Potty Training, and Fashion Show

I can't believe that this is my 100th post:) Okay, well I guess it is actually my 98th post, there were some posts that I felt I couldn't post publically that are drafted and saved and I went through some others that were drafted that were not finished and deleted those, so I guess that doesn't make it 100 posts, Right??? Well, anyway I love blogging and sharing our stories and reading other bloggers' stories too.
Although, I don't have any major announcements like being pregnant, although sometimes I think that the girls need a little brother to pester them, I also think that Matt needs some testosterone in this house full of girls, maybe in the near future...Anyhoo, we were thinking/going to get a new dog, but Matt didn't see like it would be a good fit for us right now, so I think we are going to look around for a smaller type of dog that the girls wouldn't be afraid of.

Well on to the 2nd topic of the post...POTTY TRAINING! We have introduced the potty to Izabelle. She has used the potty a couple of times at our house and at the babysitters, so that is a good thing. We haven't totally committed to the whole Potty training schedule, yet. Izabelle does know when she has to do number 2...She does a little dance (not the one seen on the Pull ups commercial, but close) and yells "Potty, Potty, Potty" and off to the potty we go, most of the time we don't quite make it, but she gets the idea. The other day, I made the mistake of moving her potty to a different location within the girls' bathroom and I left Izabelle's diaper off and before we knew it she was in the bathroom moving her potty back to where it was and right when she was getting ready to turn around she peed on the floor. Poor girl:( She definitely is starting to know what to do. So, I am hoping the next day I am off, we will commit to Total Potty Training regiment and be potty trained.

Well, I will leave you with this photo of Izabelle when we first kind of used the potty, I really could not come up with a good caption (except for the one below), so if you want to leave a comment with one that would be great:)

Is this how you do it?

On Sunday Izabelle was invited to be in a fashion show (for Knickers and Petticoats) at the Baby Expo at the Hospital and when we got their a friend of ours saw that there was a dress that matched Gracie's dress she had on, so Grace and Izabelle walked out together in there matching dresses. To cute:) They did very well:) Watch out Miss America!!!:)

Walking the "Cat Walk":)

Little Models

For all those experienced moms out there, if you could help me out with this. Grace has been going through, I guess you can say a Stage, she has been saying she has been "Scared". She is scared of the dark, wants someone to lay with her, she is scared to go in another room to get a brush. Pretty much, if she doesn't want to do something she is or gets scared. I don't know if maybe she is realizing she is getting older and is no longer a "little" girl, but still wants to be a little girl. I don't know, so if you have any advice I would greatly appreciate it.

Until Next Time...

God Bless

Jess

Gracie's Preschool Fieldtrip

I was able to go to Gracie's Fieldtrip to Mr. Gattis yesterday...Thanks Patty for watching Izabelle. This week they were learning the letter P and what better way to do this but by learning about Pizza. So, I met the kids at Preschool and loaded some of Gracie's friends in my van and headed to Mr. Gattis. Of course I had to quiz them about where we were going and I told them we were headed to McDonalds and of course they corrected me by saying "Mr. Gattis"...Oh, I thought we were learning about Pizza don't McDonalds have Pizzas. They just laughed and we headed to McDonalds, I mean Mr. Gattis.

The lady at Mr. Gattis took the kids into a little room and showed them how they made dough and let them feel the dough (don't worry they threw the dough away). Then she took them back to where the BIG fridges were. Then the kids came around a buffet style table for them to make the pizzas. The kids took turns and were able to put the sauce and toppings on the pizzas and then they put them in the ovens.

Here are some of the pictures that we took:

Learning how to mix the dough

Feeling the DoughPatiently waiting to make PIZZA

Gracie's turn:)

Gracie rolling holes into the dough

Eating their fruit of Labor: PIZZA:)

Later in the afternoon the weather was nice, so girls and I were able to take a quick walk to get the mail and played out in Daddy's shop for a while.

God Bless...

Jess

Manic Mondays

Once again it's a start of yet another work week. The past couple of days we had some sick kiddies at home. Grace started saying her throat hurt, so when I picked her up from Treva's she was pale and had a fever, so we pushed fluids and Motrin throughout the night. On Friday, Grace had Kindergarten round up which she had to miss (they did say that she could come another time to check out the rooms, so we were happy with that). We did end up going to the Dr. office to see his nurse to check for strep, which was negative. So, the prognosis was more fluids and continue the Motrin. By Saturday, she was feeling much better. As for Izabelle, she is still hacking up stuff, so we got some Mucinex for Children to see if that works.
Sunday, was Matt's dad's birthday. The kids made homemade cards and gifts for Papaw. Happy Birthday Jake!!!!

So, yesterday Matt and I were in our room, watching TV (hey, it was a really good episode of Untold Stories of the ER on TLC). When all of a sudden I hear:

Matt: “Are you watching her?”
Me: “Who?”
Matt: “Izabelle”
Me: “No” this is when I took a quick survey of our room.

When I saw this:

Then I followed it out to this:
And I found this hiding in our bathroom closet:
Silly Girl:)

*There were no cases of lost toliet paper...It was all safely accounted for.

God Bless...

Jess