Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Mommy Did It!!!!!
Yes! It is official!! I passed by board examination today!!!! That means (for all of you out there who are curious) I am now a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP). And all it took was 3.5 years of pain, agony, and sacrifice/unending support from my husband and family!! Now I can take a step back and enjoy my life without something constantly looming over my head! Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way! It couldn't have been done without you!
We had our 3D/4D ultrasound on Friday of Bella. The good news: we confirmed that she is a girl. The bad news: she didn't cooperate and therefore we don't have any good pictures of her! She was not in a mood to be photographed! She kept turning her face closer and closer in to me so we couldn't see her. I guess I just make too comfy of a home and she didn't want to be bothered.
Nathan is turning into a ham!! He is constantly doing something that absolutely cracks us (and himself) up! He is also getting in to EVERYTHING!!! And has learned how to climb up onto the desk chair, lean onto the desk and turn on the computer. Smart smart boy...too smart for his own good at this point! And I think it is time to buy a potty chair for him...I don't expect him to go by any means, but several times over the last week before his bath he grabs his diaper, says "pee pee", and then walks over to the toilet and says"potty". So, we hold him hovering over the huge seat and he looks down and waits. Nothing has happened, but I think it is time to introduce his own potty chair. We shall see how this will go over!
I have taken hundreds of photos this month (see what happens when I don't have school) so will try to post some highlights. May have to wait until this weekend to get a lot up.
Take care out there. And, for anyone who isn't already, please pray for my friend Jenn and her family. She has a 5 month old adorable son named Ryan who has a terminal disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). He most likely will not live to see his first birthday and they struggle each day just to keep him comfortable. Please feel free to look at her blog at http://thehawnfamilyweekly.blogspot.com/ and please keep them in your prayers!!
Amber, Justin, Nathan & Baby Bella
We had our 3D/4D ultrasound on Friday of Bella. The good news: we confirmed that she is a girl. The bad news: she didn't cooperate and therefore we don't have any good pictures of her! She was not in a mood to be photographed! She kept turning her face closer and closer in to me so we couldn't see her. I guess I just make too comfy of a home and she didn't want to be bothered.
Nathan is turning into a ham!! He is constantly doing something that absolutely cracks us (and himself) up! He is also getting in to EVERYTHING!!! And has learned how to climb up onto the desk chair, lean onto the desk and turn on the computer. Smart smart boy...too smart for his own good at this point! And I think it is time to buy a potty chair for him...I don't expect him to go by any means, but several times over the last week before his bath he grabs his diaper, says "pee pee", and then walks over to the toilet and says"potty". So, we hold him hovering over the huge seat and he looks down and waits. Nothing has happened, but I think it is time to introduce his own potty chair. We shall see how this will go over!
I have taken hundreds of photos this month (see what happens when I don't have school) so will try to post some highlights. May have to wait until this weekend to get a lot up.
Take care out there. And, for anyone who isn't already, please pray for my friend Jenn and her family. She has a 5 month old adorable son named Ryan who has a terminal disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). He most likely will not live to see his first birthday and they struggle each day just to keep him comfortable. Please feel free to look at her blog at http://thehawnfamilyweekly.blogspot.com/ and please keep them in your prayers!!
Amber, Justin, Nathan & Baby Bella
Sunday, May 31, 2009
May 2009
Aunt Val's Wedding 5/1/09
First Interested Visit to the Zoo!!
(Loving the Sea Lions swimming!!)
(Watching the Monkeys swing on the trees!)
Our Future Nurse or Doctor!!
Mommy's Graduate School Graduation Ceremony! (Finally!!!)
(Yea for Mommy...and everyone else too!)
Happy Mother's Day 2009!!
Just a cute picture of my Happy Boy!!!
Charge!!!!!
First Interested Visit to the Zoo!!
(Loving the Sea Lions swimming!!) (Watching the Monkeys swing on the trees!)Our Future Nurse or Doctor!!
Mommy's Graduate School Graduation Ceremony! (Finally!!!)
(Yea for Mommy...and everyone else too!)Happy Mother's Day 2009!!
Just a cute picture of my Happy Boy!!!
Charge!!!!!
Memorial Day at the playground.
(Note the owie on his forehead. He is all boy!)
Today playing in the pool and sprinkler!
(Note the owie on his forehead. He is all boy!)Today playing in the pool and sprinkler!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Ultrasound Results and Easter
Hello! So, we had our ultrasound last Friday and everything looked good! We were able to see the baby's brain, eyes, nose, mouth, heart, stomach, kidneys, bladder, 2 arms, 2 legs and lots of movement. And we found out it is a little baby girl!!! She weighed about 10 ounces and was curled up in a ball upside down. We had a hard time getting her to stretch out too much... apparently I make a comfy home! But she had her legs crossed like a little lady and was flipping her feet up and down like she was waving at us. We have decided to name her Isabella Grace Smith and we are going to call her Bella. Everything looked healthy and right on target for our due date of August 31st. Now, we are planning to do our 3D/4D ultrasound like we did with Nathan...probably sometime in June.
Nathan had an absolute blast with Easter this year! On Saturday we went to Grandma and Grandpa Smith's subdivision Easter Egg Hunt. Only, we (of course) were a few minutes late and all the eggs were already being found by the big kids. So, we stopped to see the Easter Bunny while there was no wait. Nathan wasn't too sure about him, but we got a few pictures. Then, he was perfectly content to walk around the lake path carrying his Elmo basket watching everyone else and just being outside. One lady asked us if he got any eggs and when we said no, she took 3 out of her son's basket and threw them on the ground for Nathan to find! It was so nice of her! Nathan wasn't quite sure what he was supposed to do, but caught on after a few minutes. He then loved to shake the eggs and hear the candy rattling around! It was sooo cute!!! We then continue walking around the lake and a couple school-age kids gave Nathan a few more of their eggs! He ended up with 7 eggs I think due to their generosity! Then Saturday night Grandma and Grandpa Smith came over to give Nathan his Easter basket and they bought him a little slide with fort that is just his size! We set it up in the living room and he went down the "weeee" probably 50 times! His laugh and smile were priceless as he enjoyed this simple pleasure! He quickly figured out how to climb up there on his own, but he likes to slide down feet first on his tummy instead of on his bottom! We have to work on that! On Sunday, Nathan came sprinting down the hall to see his Easter basket from Mommy & Daddy and then proceeded to play with his Bubble Mower for the next 30-45 minutes. Our cat loved it because he wanted to chase the bubbles like Nathan! They were cute playing together! He also decided to use his golf clubs we got him as a sword/weapon and last night he finally figured out to hit the ball with the club. So last night he chased the little ball around the house with the club for another 20-30 minutes. Sunday we also went to Grandma and Grandpa Hill's house for Easter and then to Great-Grandma Hill's for Easter lunch and another egg hunt. Grandma and Grandpa got him a cute Elmo Puppet book that he loves!!! I think I have read it about 10 times in the last 2 days! He enjoyed the egg hunt, but again it took a while to get him to pick up the eggs. And then after he had one in each hand, he didn't care about getting any more! He is still so innocent and doesn't have the selfish/greedy nature yet of toddlers.
I have my last class tonight and turn in another assignment. That means that after I get home at 10pm tonight, I only have 6 days of clinical and 1 assignment standing in my way before graduation!!!!!! Yea!!!!!!
Will post pictures when we have time!!
Take care,
Justin, Amber & Nathaniel
Nathan had an absolute blast with Easter this year! On Saturday we went to Grandma and Grandpa Smith's subdivision Easter Egg Hunt. Only, we (of course) were a few minutes late and all the eggs were already being found by the big kids. So, we stopped to see the Easter Bunny while there was no wait. Nathan wasn't too sure about him, but we got a few pictures. Then, he was perfectly content to walk around the lake path carrying his Elmo basket watching everyone else and just being outside. One lady asked us if he got any eggs and when we said no, she took 3 out of her son's basket and threw them on the ground for Nathan to find! It was so nice of her! Nathan wasn't quite sure what he was supposed to do, but caught on after a few minutes. He then loved to shake the eggs and hear the candy rattling around! It was sooo cute!!! We then continue walking around the lake and a couple school-age kids gave Nathan a few more of their eggs! He ended up with 7 eggs I think due to their generosity! Then Saturday night Grandma and Grandpa Smith came over to give Nathan his Easter basket and they bought him a little slide with fort that is just his size! We set it up in the living room and he went down the "weeee" probably 50 times! His laugh and smile were priceless as he enjoyed this simple pleasure! He quickly figured out how to climb up there on his own, but he likes to slide down feet first on his tummy instead of on his bottom! We have to work on that! On Sunday, Nathan came sprinting down the hall to see his Easter basket from Mommy & Daddy and then proceeded to play with his Bubble Mower for the next 30-45 minutes. Our cat loved it because he wanted to chase the bubbles like Nathan! They were cute playing together! He also decided to use his golf clubs we got him as a sword/weapon and last night he finally figured out to hit the ball with the club. So last night he chased the little ball around the house with the club for another 20-30 minutes. Sunday we also went to Grandma and Grandpa Hill's house for Easter and then to Great-Grandma Hill's for Easter lunch and another egg hunt. Grandma and Grandpa got him a cute Elmo Puppet book that he loves!!! I think I have read it about 10 times in the last 2 days! He enjoyed the egg hunt, but again it took a while to get him to pick up the eggs. And then after he had one in each hand, he didn't care about getting any more! He is still so innocent and doesn't have the selfish/greedy nature yet of toddlers.
I have my last class tonight and turn in another assignment. That means that after I get home at 10pm tonight, I only have 6 days of clinical and 1 assignment standing in my way before graduation!!!!!! Yea!!!!!!
Will post pictures when we have time!!
Take care,
Justin, Amber & Nathaniel
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Update long overdue!!!
Hello everyone!
I am so sorry that I have neglected this site for so long! I am at work, so will have to post pictures later (which I'm sure is what you mostly want to see anyway), but will update you on our family now.
Nathan: My little boy is growing up so fast!! He is walking, running, climbing on everything, and is a little chatter-bug!! He is 15 months now and can say between 20 and 30 words and can actually communicate fairly well what he is wanting. He is finally venturing into trying new foods and will eat table food better. He has been hard to transition away from baby food...I think it is a texture issue. He loves to chase the cat and enjoys watching little clips of certain characters including Elmo, Wubbzy, and Blues Clues. He is the friendliest little guy and says "hi" to everyone we see in the store! At his 15 month check up he weighed 26 pounds and was almost 32 inches tall. He is down to the 75th percentile for height, weight, and head circumference and is perfectly proportional! He is definitely still Mommy's boy and it is sooo cute how he comes to check in with me periodically to give me a hug or just make sure I am paying attention to him!! We still enjoy our snuggles at bedtime and I love looking at his sweet face as he falls asleep! I know he will soon be too old to snuggle much, so am taking in each moment while he lets me! It will be interesting to see how things change in a few months when.....
I deliver our second baby. So, onto an update about Mommy. Yes, if there is anyone left who doesn't know, Justin and I are expecting our second baby August 31st. I am 19 weeks now and we have our ultrasound on Friday to make sure everything looks good with the baby and find out if it is a boy or a girl. Nathan is so sweet as he pats my belly, says "baby" and lays his head on my stomach. I don't know what he is going to do when I actually get a large belly that may kick him when he's being so sweet! I am doing okay...definitely much worse than with Nathan. More nausea for longer, lots and lots of headaches, and just generally not feeling well. I am exhausted beyond belief which I think is compounded by the fact that I work 64 hours a week and then have clinicals and school work and still have a 15 month old to chase around. I have about 4.5 weeks left until graduation...Yea!!!!!! I thought that day would never arrive, but the end is finally in sight! I have my countdown going...6 clinical days, 2 assignments, and 1 class left until I am officially finished with Grad School!!! All I can say is Thank God for my husband!! I can truly say there is no way that I would be finishing this if it weren't for his endless support, encouragement and unconditional love (even when I am so sleep deprived and cranky from staying up late to finish papers)!!! He has kept me going when I wanted to quit, and has taken over practically all of the house chores to help ease my stress!! I keep saying I need a vacation after graduation to celebrate, but I think he needs it just as much!!! :)
Justin: So he is doing well and taking this all in stride. I have to say that I think he is the best father in the world and it just makes my heart smile when I see him and Nathan playing. And it is too cute to see Nathan attack Justin and tickle his belly button...it makes them both laugh hysterically. He is well...healthy and like I said above pretty much running our house at this moment! He took the news of Baby #2 on the way better than I did and has been so supportive during my very rough days in the beginning. I feel like I am still having more bad days than good right now, but that is slowly changing and he has been there holding my hand and doing anything he could to help the whole way.
Sad news: Back on February 12th Justin and I had to make the hardest decision and we had to put my beloved kitty Socks to sleep. This just about killed my heart to do and I still miss her each day. We found out in early January that she had some sort of Cancer...she was so sick we didn't want to pursue further testing to find out specifically what kind it was...either way she was too weak to do Chemo and there wasn't anything we could do by that time. We tried steroids and antibiotics to help her body, but she just kept losing weight. She had gone from being my plump kitty to a measly 7-8 pounds. She refused to eat practically anything and had started doing some behavior out of the ordinary for her. Although she would still come up to us and purr when we petted her, her quality of life had diminished. She didn't seem happy and we felt like she was suffering. Nathan kissed her goodbye that morning before daycare and Justin and I took her in to discuss with the vet. When we took her there, the vet noticed she had redness all over her skin and looked like she was probably bleeding into her tissue with any pressure...even from us petting her. The vet agreed that although it is hard, she looked to be deteriorating. We could take her home and let her die naturally over the next several days...weeks...or could put her to sleep. I felt at peace after she was gone because I knew instantly her pain and suffering had ended, but nothing can take away the guilt you feel doing it. Thank God Nathan is too young to really notice too much. He looked for her a few times, but then seems to have forgotten. I will always have pictures of them together though so I can show him. :) Gray-gray has adapted to being an only cat okay...he now sleeps with us in our bed at night and seems lonely, but is healthy and doing okay. Nathan now chases him around the house and I think Gray-gray secretly likes the attention and activity. :)
Well, I'm not sure what else has happened that I may have missed. I will try to get pictures uploaded one night this week or maybe this weekend. Sorry again for taking so long getting any sort of update on here! Life is just hectic at this time and unfortunately this was what got left neglected!!
I hope everyone is doing well!! Take care!!
Amber, Justin & Nathaniel :)
I am so sorry that I have neglected this site for so long! I am at work, so will have to post pictures later (which I'm sure is what you mostly want to see anyway), but will update you on our family now.
Nathan: My little boy is growing up so fast!! He is walking, running, climbing on everything, and is a little chatter-bug!! He is 15 months now and can say between 20 and 30 words and can actually communicate fairly well what he is wanting. He is finally venturing into trying new foods and will eat table food better. He has been hard to transition away from baby food...I think it is a texture issue. He loves to chase the cat and enjoys watching little clips of certain characters including Elmo, Wubbzy, and Blues Clues. He is the friendliest little guy and says "hi" to everyone we see in the store! At his 15 month check up he weighed 26 pounds and was almost 32 inches tall. He is down to the 75th percentile for height, weight, and head circumference and is perfectly proportional! He is definitely still Mommy's boy and it is sooo cute how he comes to check in with me periodically to give me a hug or just make sure I am paying attention to him!! We still enjoy our snuggles at bedtime and I love looking at his sweet face as he falls asleep! I know he will soon be too old to snuggle much, so am taking in each moment while he lets me! It will be interesting to see how things change in a few months when.....
I deliver our second baby. So, onto an update about Mommy. Yes, if there is anyone left who doesn't know, Justin and I are expecting our second baby August 31st. I am 19 weeks now and we have our ultrasound on Friday to make sure everything looks good with the baby and find out if it is a boy or a girl. Nathan is so sweet as he pats my belly, says "baby" and lays his head on my stomach. I don't know what he is going to do when I actually get a large belly that may kick him when he's being so sweet! I am doing okay...definitely much worse than with Nathan. More nausea for longer, lots and lots of headaches, and just generally not feeling well. I am exhausted beyond belief which I think is compounded by the fact that I work 64 hours a week and then have clinicals and school work and still have a 15 month old to chase around. I have about 4.5 weeks left until graduation...Yea!!!!!! I thought that day would never arrive, but the end is finally in sight! I have my countdown going...6 clinical days, 2 assignments, and 1 class left until I am officially finished with Grad School!!! All I can say is Thank God for my husband!! I can truly say there is no way that I would be finishing this if it weren't for his endless support, encouragement and unconditional love (even when I am so sleep deprived and cranky from staying up late to finish papers)!!! He has kept me going when I wanted to quit, and has taken over practically all of the house chores to help ease my stress!! I keep saying I need a vacation after graduation to celebrate, but I think he needs it just as much!!! :)
Justin: So he is doing well and taking this all in stride. I have to say that I think he is the best father in the world and it just makes my heart smile when I see him and Nathan playing. And it is too cute to see Nathan attack Justin and tickle his belly button...it makes them both laugh hysterically. He is well...healthy and like I said above pretty much running our house at this moment! He took the news of Baby #2 on the way better than I did and has been so supportive during my very rough days in the beginning. I feel like I am still having more bad days than good right now, but that is slowly changing and he has been there holding my hand and doing anything he could to help the whole way.
Sad news: Back on February 12th Justin and I had to make the hardest decision and we had to put my beloved kitty Socks to sleep. This just about killed my heart to do and I still miss her each day. We found out in early January that she had some sort of Cancer...she was so sick we didn't want to pursue further testing to find out specifically what kind it was...either way she was too weak to do Chemo and there wasn't anything we could do by that time. We tried steroids and antibiotics to help her body, but she just kept losing weight. She had gone from being my plump kitty to a measly 7-8 pounds. She refused to eat practically anything and had started doing some behavior out of the ordinary for her. Although she would still come up to us and purr when we petted her, her quality of life had diminished. She didn't seem happy and we felt like she was suffering. Nathan kissed her goodbye that morning before daycare and Justin and I took her in to discuss with the vet. When we took her there, the vet noticed she had redness all over her skin and looked like she was probably bleeding into her tissue with any pressure...even from us petting her. The vet agreed that although it is hard, she looked to be deteriorating. We could take her home and let her die naturally over the next several days...weeks...or could put her to sleep. I felt at peace after she was gone because I knew instantly her pain and suffering had ended, but nothing can take away the guilt you feel doing it. Thank God Nathan is too young to really notice too much. He looked for her a few times, but then seems to have forgotten. I will always have pictures of them together though so I can show him. :) Gray-gray has adapted to being an only cat okay...he now sleeps with us in our bed at night and seems lonely, but is healthy and doing okay. Nathan now chases him around the house and I think Gray-gray secretly likes the attention and activity. :)
Well, I'm not sure what else has happened that I may have missed. I will try to get pictures uploaded one night this week or maybe this weekend. Sorry again for taking so long getting any sort of update on here! Life is just hectic at this time and unfortunately this was what got left neglected!!
I hope everyone is doing well!! Take care!!
Amber, Justin & Nathaniel :)
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Pictures
Merry Christmas 2008!!!
I love my Daddy!!!!
Mommy and me making indian noises
Happy 27th Birthday Mommy!!!
Eating some of Mommy's Chocolate Birthday cake. Yum!!
My great-Aunt Gin and me having fun!!
Me and my 2nd cousin Drew. We had lots of fun together (even though you can't tell my this photo!)
My first time meeting my Great-Grandma and Grandpa Stambaugh over Thanksgiving weekend. We had fun!! :)
My crazy bed-head!!
From left to right: Great Aunt Sharon, Great Grandma Staley, Me, Daddy, Grandma Smith, Great Aunt Connie (Thanksgiving 2008 in Brookfield)
Me and Mommy on Thanksgiving.
Happy Anniversary Mommy & Daddy. This was the evening after my surgery.
Me playing about 3 hours after surgery.
Look out Uncle Tyler...I just might steal your girlfriend! I looove Mallory!! :)
Me and Grandma Hill on Halloween!!!
Me in my Halloween costume: Squirt the Sea Turtle from Finding Nemo!!! :)
Brrrr...baby it's cold outside!!!!
Look how tall I am!!!!
Me and Elmo Live.
Me and Uncle Tyler being silly.
Mommy's little laundry helper.
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