breathe

I know, I know. It's been a long time.

2011-02-03T13:29:00.004-05:00

So it's been a really long time. Yep, really long. William just turned 3 last week. Birthday parties to William are like his reason to live! Two birthday parties full of Thomas the Train, and Toy Story and Transformers. What 3 year old could ask for anything more?? He asked for Jessie & Bullseye for his birthday and a chocolate birthday cake. I love that I can make his every dream come true at this point in his life. I asked him after his birthday what he wants to be when he grows up. His response " a dinosaur" & momma is going to be a "t - rex dinosaur". I love this little guy so much!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T15:12:00.002-05:00

New Years Eve was fun. We went to our friends house that was packed with lots of toys, kids, food, and friends. Of course we left before midnight, tucked William in bed, and watched the ball drop and then went to bed ourselves. We're getting old!

Our first trip to the E.R.

2009-01-01T14:57:00.003-05:00

Monday morning, 2a.m., our little clan was fast asleep, all three tucked into our queen size bed. I was nursing William, he on the outside when thud. One fell off and broke his leg. I called the doctor and the doctor said "no more monkey's jumpin on the bed". Nope, she said take him to the E.R. for x-rays. It was really traumatic for all of us. William crying in pain and not moving his leg, me crying thinking I'm the worst mom in the world, and Erik thinking the hospital is going to call social services on us.

William was a real tough guy. Smiling for the doctors like usual. He just has a buckle fracture on his tibia. It should heal in just about a week or two. We go to see the orthopedic pediatrician next week and they decide if he needs a hard cast. The E.R. doctors seem very optimistic that he won't. Our prayer is that he won't. A hard cast means 6 more weeks of an immobile William. Sad!

Just days before all of this he had finally figured out how to pull himself up on things and "cruise" from the table to the couch, to his toys. Hopefully he will be as good as new sooner than later.

William's first Christmas!

2009-01-01T14:44:00.006-05:00

Christmas was great. God has blessed us in so many ways. William got everything he wished for. Erik and I did as well. And we got to spend lots of time with family and friends. Thank you God for loving us so much!

Snow...

2009-01-01T14:26:00.005-05:00

We got all bundled up and headed out in the snow...

We didn't love it so much at first...Once again, it just took us a minute to warm up to it...We had lots of fun...Can you tell?...

2008-12-22T10:14:00.004-05:00

Just a short little update. Everything has been great around here. We're so excited about Christmas. There must be something about having a child around that makes you feel like a kid again at Christmas time. We did a little photo shoot in front of our Christmas tree with him and loved every single one. Here are a couple favorties.Well, we're off to play in the snow. This should be an adventure. Pictures to follow!

One last thought...

2008-10-07T20:10:00.003-04:00

This drives Erik absolutely crazy when William gets this messy...I find it HILARIOUS!

2008-10-07T20:02:00.004-04:00

After the breast cancer walk, we set out to find the kite festival in Niagara Falls. We couldn't resist a quick stop at Twist o' the Mist. If the ice cream cone shaped ice cream shop doesn't lour you, I'm not sure what else could!

William wasn't too happy to be at the festival at first...
...but he eventually warmed up.

Sunday, Sunday

2008-10-07T19:53:00.003-04:00

Sunday was the breast cancer walk. This is my boss Ann, her husband Mike, and son Jonathan. She was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer back in June, and is now going through radiation treatment. All of us at the salon walked with her to support her through this tough time in her and her families lives. She is doing really well, just a bit tired and only 3 more weeks of radiation left. Praise God that this is one case that is going to turn out ok. She is an incredible woman, strong and determined. I'm very grateful to know her and call her friend.

A busy weekend.

2008-10-07T19:47:00.002-04:00

We started off the weekend with a beautiful wedding. Alan and Sarah Katilis. A stunning bride, wonderful reception and great old friends.

Per Request!

2008-09-02T19:48:00.004-04:00

Yes, I've been a bit of a blog slacker this summer, and now it's just too overwhelming to catch up. I'm starting anew now that it is September, AND now that yet another friend has moved away. Can't you all just come back already?!

In the mean time, per request, here are a few new photos of my guy.
First bath in the kitchen sink. We learned to put a towel under his bum. Apparently little dupa's get a kinda slippery!
This is yesterday, at the cottage. William has learned to smile for cameras! He smiles with every inch of himself and then lets out a little squeak as if he just can't contain his excitement any longer! And today, our picnic with daddy down at the river. We convinced daddy to take a half day and enjoy the sunshine with the two of us. We love the daddy!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

2008-07-10T12:33:00.002-04:00

Last Sunday, June 29th was my grandma's 75th birthday. She is such a wonderful grandma and now great grandma that my brother and I decided to throw her a little birthday party at my house. Fit with margaritas, grilled chicken, birthday cake and lots of family. I'm pretty sure she had a great time. Can't you see it on their faces?!

2008-07-02T22:53:00.003-04:00

William wanted to wish everyone a Happy Forth of July!

See ya'll when we get back from Letchworth!

maybe just rambling

2008-06-23T22:42:00.004-04:00

has life ever just hit you? you know what i mean. in big ways or small, just hits you. in a good way though...ya know. maybe this isn't the right way to start this off, but i'm not quite sure how else to.

i sat outside for a good part of the day today with william. we lay on the lounge chair and i read part of the bible to him while he just looked at me and looked at the trees and listened. we took a nap together under the umbrella and then played and laughed. a great day. i just look at him and can't even begin to describe the amount of love i have for this tiny little person.

i watched the show called the bachelorette tonight, by myself because erik thinks it's garbage. maybe it is, but this silly reality show made me fall in love with my husband even more. this woman is trying to choose between four guys now. all of which have different qualities that she loves about them. in my eyes, erik's the one(my husband of course). the best friend that makes you laugh and has such great passion for everything he does, the amazing father who loves his son so much that it makes your eyes well up, the guy who you can't be with him without wanting to always be holding his hand or being by his side, and the perfect all around guy who you always feel safe and secure with. it's my guy. poor girl can't choose him though!

we had a wedding last night and a party the night before that and all our friends were there. both nights i remember stopping, looking at erik and saying, look around. how amazing that we have such incredible friends.

i talked to my brother today, and we got talking about his wedding coming up. for all who don't know him, he's not one to show his feelings all too often. today he said something about his wife-t0-be and followed it up with "we just have fun ya know?" right there was the moment i realized he's truly happy and is going to be for a very long time.

i just got a phone call from my dad. i missed the call at first, but the voice mail said...just sitting here in front of radio city music hall and thought i would give you a call, talk to you later. i called him back and we talked for a bit about everything. my brother's wedding, william, work, all the usual things. this phone call got me thinking. i'm the one he calls. to tell me how his day went, what he's feeling, thinking about, worried about. it's me he calls. my mom is the same way. calls to tell me who she's meeting at the mall, wondering what my opinion is on this or that. i always thought it was a pretty big responsibility to be that person to my parents, but i finally get it now.

i love my son more than i ever thought i could love someone. before this, i didn't know what a parents love was all about, but now i do. so i will get out of bed when i'm exhausted and talk to my dad about his day because it will complete his. and i will put down the twelve things in my hands and talk to my mom about her day at work because it will help her unwind, because i'm that person to them and i love them.

i guess in my own muddled way i say all of this to say i'm blessed. sure i sat outside in my screen porch today with only one screen left from the winter tearing them down, and i sleep with a bucket at the foot of my bed to catch the drips from a leaky roof. but non of that matters. i'm sure there's some really great quote from some really eloquent author that says something about being rich with the love of friends and family. that would probably wrap this up nicely. oh well, here goes...

as sat on the floor tonite in my sons room, and with tears filling my eyes i prayed. all i could do was to thank God. i couldn't do anything else but to thank Him. my life may not be perfect, but today, to me, it sure seems to be.

Father's Day

2008-06-18T11:04:00.003-04:00

We had a great day on Sunday. We tried to sleep in a touch. Then Erik's favorite breakfast sandwiches in the morning and then outside for the rest of the day. Erik mowed the lawn. William and I watered the flowers and then to the pool we went. William took a great nap under the umbrella while Erik and I tried to clean out the pool a bit more. Then off to dinner with Erik's family. We took William in their pool but I think it was a little too cold for him. He didn't last too long in there. We spent some nice quality time with Erik's grandparents that are in town, and then home sweet home again. I think it was a nice Fathers Day.

First Time at the Cottage!

2008-06-06T10:40:00.000-04:00

We went out to my family's cottage this past weekend for cottage cleaning day. It's fun to think about all the fun memories that I have from this amazing spot and to think about all the great memories that William will have here too. Here's a pic of William and Isabella cleaning the cottage. We kept telling them to get out the toilet brush and clean the toilet, but they didn't. Oh well!! Just look at the faces on these two...irresistible!

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-12T12:08:00.000-04:00

What a great day...

Maine

2008-05-12T11:48:00.000-04:00

We had a great time last weekend in Maine. Unfortunately this is the only image of the trip we have. Grandma took most of the pics all weekend. William was a dream on the plane. Slept the whole time both ways! He loved seeing his Uncle Billy and Aunt Andrea. He was telling me how much he missed them all last week. We love you guys!

BINGO was his name-o.

2008-04-13T21:16:00.000-04:00

So today we spent a great day in the city. Pano's with Grandma Marina in the afternoon, a little shopping for me, and then bingo where Great Grandma volunteers.

William loved bingo. We even got him to say the "O". I know...he's really advanced! Great Grandma got to show him off to all of her church friends. Check out her gold nail polish. Isn't she the most fashionable great grandma ever?

After bingo we picked up our friend Courtney and got some coffee at Spot.

William was pretty upset when we left. He really loves Aunt Courtney because she pats his bum lots. All in all, a great day in the city.

Happy Easter!

2008-03-25T18:35:00.000-04:00

Can you just see the excitement on William's face when he found his Easter basket?!

And he was just thrilled with the bunny ears!

Out on the town.

2008-02-27T15:27:00.000-05:00

So we have finally been getting out. Grandma's house, the mall, Starbucks, target, wegmans...all the essential places. This weekend we ventured out to the Arnold's. Our friend's from Rochester were visiting to see the babies and of course we had to see their little lovies.

Someone had the genius idea to take newborns ice skating. So we got everyone bundled up in their sweatshirts, hats, gloves and snow suits...

We really only lasted outside just long enough to take these pictures. Then it was in the car with the little ones for some hot chocolate! The boys stayed out with the little ones that could actually wear ice skates and played some ice hockey. Still a pretty fun day and feeling quite accomplished for a new mommy.

2008-02-10T11:37:00.000-05:00

So maybe it seems like I have disappeared for the past two weeks, but this is where I have found myself most of the time. Sitting on the recliner, feeding, burping and staring at the silly faces this little boy always makes. I mean...look at him. What a goofy little boy...here is the food coma face. He makes a pretty good one when he is about to blow up his diaper too, and sometimes I think he even smiles at me. Well, I hear some fussing in the other room. Gotta go....

William Thomas

2008-02-06T11:39:00.000-05:00

Born January 26th @12:26a.m. 8lbs 12oz

Over Due!

2008-01-24T12:22:00.000-05:00

40 weeks and 6 days! That's really pregnant!

So today Erik and I are heading to the hospital around 8 in the evening to be induced. Yep...this baby is just too comfy. Definitely following the "team Eustice", as Erik likes to call us traits. Just like me...always late, and just like Erik...loves to sleep forever. Hopefully the latter will be true when the baby finally arrives.

Today, I am truly ready to have a baby. A really wise friend of mine reminded me last week that God's timing is perfect. He gives us this entire 10 months to not only be ready for a baby with the essentials, but also to mentally prepare yourself. The ups and downs and uncertainty and certainty that all go along with this amazing miracle. Today, it's time. God has made me ready. I can't wait to have this baby, and love it, and kiss it, and be up all nite with it, and wipe it's boogers, and poopy diapers and everything.

Check back in a few days for some photos of the baby! I promise...no more self portraits.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T09:25:00.000-05:00

Wow, eight years ago today is the day I met this handsome devil! I was just 17 and he 20. Went to a house party with my best friend who was interested in the guy hosting the party. We showed up about 20 minutes after midnight because my mom wouldn't let us leave the house until after midnight. The world was going to end that year ya know! We had a great time. Met lots of friends and this curly, moppy haired boy asked me for my email address. I now...he's so smooth! Who would have thought 4 years later we would be married?

It's always funny to me to look back at new year's past and see how God has blessed us with so many unexpected changes.

Two years ago we spent New Years in Key West FL watching a conch shell drop from a bar called Sloppy Joe's. We were packed like sardines in the middle of Duval Street having a blast none the less. This was the year I got Erik a new job for Christmas. He was about to start a few days after we got back from our trip. It was an exciting, yet agonizing feeling. His job, as most of you know was to start in radio advertising sales, and this, like most other sales jobs they say is very difficult. They just kept saying "if you can get through the first year, you can get through anything." So we buckled up and got ready for a bumpy ride. There were many ups and downs in that year but Erik made it through. He says it's the hardest thing he has ever done but loves the challenge of it all.

Last New Years we spent in Africa. What an amazing adventure that was. Having no money to get us there (sales doesn't pay very well the first year ya know) we just trusted in God to provide and he truly did. We spent New Years night in our guest house with our team and with the Johnson family ( a missionary family there in Choma). We did a worship service just for us, talked a ton and worshiped some more. It was a totally different experience for me to spend that time just totally trusting in God and the things we would do in the year to come. We counted down to midnight, I kissed my wonderful husband, and thought...."Holy cow, we're in Africa on New Years. If this is how we're spending our New Years, what does God have planned for this coming year?"

Well, that year has now come and past. A new house and a baby on the way in just 2 weeks! We spent most of the night with family but got home just in time to count down to midnight. Just my husband and I in our new home snuggled in with our little bun in the oven, anticipating another year of great change and many many firsts. Happy New Year to everyone and may God bless you and your family in 2008.

2007-11-22T20:44:00.000-05:00

Maybe swallowing the entire turkey whole wasn't the best idea. Happy Thanksgiving!

Our big ole' baby

2007-11-19T09:48:00.000-05:00

So we just got back from yet another doctor appointment, and the sono tech totally blessed us by taking some 4D pictures of the baby. She thought the baby looked like their daddy and I totally agree...adorable. The baby's face is a bit smooshed though because I'm 32 weeks and they weigh 4 pounds! Eight more weeks to go..sounds like it's gonna be a big baby!

We have to keep going for these visits because our baby has excess fluid in their kidney's. It is an "isolated finding" because everything else is measureing good and they keep telling us that this is a very common issue. Usually resolves on it's own, but it's still not the best news to hear for a new mom and dad. It's been 10 weeks and still no change. If you could pray for our baby, we would really appreciate it. Thank you!

One last get away.

2007-10-23T10:04:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, Erik and I decided to take advantage of a free night stay up in Toronto. We try and go every year, just for a night to spend some time together and this year we knew it would be the last time without the worry of a little one with us, or, who are we kidding, a little one back home with my mom or Erik's.

I had to work Saturday afternoon, arrived home around 3, packed up the car, quick stop at Starbucks, and we were on our way. Traffic was a little tough in the city, and with Erik only paying attention to his luscious locke's in the rear view, it was a little nerve racking for me in the passengers seat. We did get to the hotel safe and sound, had a wonderful dinner and down to the hot tub. Yes, I did put on a swim suit. It was pretty scary, but I didn't see any paparazzi hiding behind and bushes. Just feet in the hot tub for me..so don't judge. Then back up to the room for cheesecake and ice cream. Can you think of anything better?

Sunday morning we woke up and went into the city. A little shopping at H&M for me. They have a maternity section full with about 4 racks of clothes...I know...4 whole racks...it's a pregnant mom's dream. I probably tried on every style that they had and then the husband found me. 'what do you really need' he says with a major emphasis on the 'need', so I narrowed down my selection and left the store a happy girl none the less.

Next stop, the distillery historic district. It is this cool newly refurbished area down by the water. It's a pedestrian only village complete with brick walkways, art galleries, boutiques, breweries, and a chocolate maker! It was beautiful to see the mix of old and modern in this area. They did an amazing job of preserving the old architecture of the brick buildings, but putting a new twist on it all. We had a great lunch at the mill brewery, checked our a few of the shops and headed straight to the chocolate maker. Erik got a double espresso (it was delicious.. I had a sip..again..don't judge) and I got one piece of dark chocolate and some chocolate gelato. Amazing, just amazing...another pregnant mom's dream.

So, our last get away was wonderful. A nice trip just the two of us, but I look forward to what it will all be like with a baby too!

Amazing.

2007-09-11T16:41:00.000-04:00

This is the beautiful little 15 ounce baby that has been living in my belly for the past 22 weeks. Amazing, I know. God can do some pretty amazing things!

A great weekend with some great friends.

2007-09-11T16:20:00.000-04:00

We had a great weekend, this past, with some great old friends that have now moved away, but for a short time were finally all in the same city together. Wonderful dinners, good laughs, boat rides, chicken wings,catching up, and finally some watery eyes. All in all a wonderful weekend.

It's like a brother sister love, or something.

Here We Go...

2007-07-04T09:17:00.001-04:00

I know it's been just about forever since my last post, so here goes...I didn't run the much anticipated half marathon because i'm pregnant! Yep...12 weeks! And, just last week Erik and I closed on our first house. It's been an exciting whirlwind of amazing things.

So I think I can elaborate on those things in the future, but lets just get this blog thing going. Yesterday was a great day. We got to go to our new house for the first time since we bought it. I set myself up for disapointment knowing it was going to be an empty, sad looking, not so homey experience, but i'm psyched! After all the tears (I am pregnant ya know) and indecision, we really feel that we have made the right decision. It's a beautiful house and once there are some finishing touches, I know it will feel like ours and we will make wonderful memories in it.

And, get this...in the first 10 minutes of us being at the house, we met our across the street neighbor. Super nice guy named Tom, and he offered to plow our driveway all winter, free! This is just one of the many blessing that God has shown us through this crazy and stressful process to let us know the He really is looking out for us.

Last night we went to the Arnolds for a 4th of July parade that runs right by their house. The kids were too cute last night.

Sydney waved at everyone and everything that went by, in hopes of getting as much candy as she possibly could.

Zachary didn't like the sirens and seemed to not care about the candy as well. He would much rather throw the candy right back at the trucks. Sounds reasonable to me!

Erik took pictures of himself.

I ate. And everyone was happy!

We were at the Arnolds and all...so of course we had to go fishing. Jake and Erik were the only ones to catch anything, unless you count the trees that both Cliff and I caught. All in all a great day!

I know, I know, Jakes fish is bigger than Erik's, whatever!

Beautiful

2007-05-20T20:47:00.000-04:00

So I have this amazing job that I am able to make people feel beautiful, young, sexy and confident. It truely is wonderful to be able to do this day in and day out. These are two of my clients that now have hair extensions. This is real human hair that can be styled however they wish, that is bonded to the client's hair and lasts up to 5 months. This, so far has proven itself to do so. The extensions look so real that it is fairly hard to tell when someone has had the service done. As you can see from these before and after photos, the expressions on these women's faces in the after photo looks so much happier and younger and like they are ready to go and meet with the world. This started me thinking...

The bible tells us to take care of our bodies to use them as vessels for the glory of God. To not abuse the bodies that God has given us by eating too much(glutany) and being lazy unlike Jesus was. And I think about myself....

I started running back in October and made a promise to God that I would take more care of myself and prayed that he would help me stay on track and be healthier. Since then I put some worship music on my ipod and it's one of my times to meet with God and be challanged by him in yet another way. Because I have asked God to be my partner in this I feel great, I think look a touch better and mentally am healthier and closer in my relationship with God. And now a week from today I am attempting to run a half marathon, 13.1 miles. (yikes! pray for me please!)

I guess my point is, does this apply at all to our outward appearance? Is it wrong for me to feel better about myself when my nails are painted? Or my hair is styled nicely? Because I do! I think the trouble may just be when we start putting these worldly, material things before God.

First Attempt

2007-05-05T19:32:00.000-04:00

This past fall was my first try at gardening. I was told that planting bulbs was the easiest thing you could do. Dad came over on a beautiful day in September, we read the directions on the box of tulips and hyacinths and began to dig. Dad did one side of the fence, while I did the other and we met in the middle. Not too hard of a job I thought and all winter long I kept my fingers crossed in anticipation. They started to peek their little heads out about a month ago, and this is how they look today.

Beautiful...I know. Although the side that I planted didn't do so well. The last picture is my end. Only weeds and debris. Dad says maybe there were chemicals spilled over there or something. I think he's just trying to make me feel better. Oh well, I still love looking outside at my beautiful little garden.