Next Olympic Gymnast

Take a good y'all you are looking at the next Olympic Gymnast in training.



Josie started her very first tumbling class tonight. She did wonderful and absolutely loved it. I was really worried on the way into town because she had not had a nap and was being ever so bad at home. I thought perhaps she would get a little cat nap in on the way, but was wrong. She just stared out the window fighting off the sleep. When we got to class, she was an angel. Surprising to me! We did stretching (which was hilarious), the bear crawl (which she is actually really good at), crab stand (she needs a little help there), spider walk (pretty good), and an obstacle course.


Josie warming up before we leave for class.

When it was time to go and get in line for the course the teacher was looking for the person who was sitting quiet, patient, and sitting criss-cross-apple-sauce as us teachers call it. And who do you know was the first one to go get into line but little Josie. She was sitting the best with her little hands in her lap waiting for the next fun thing to do.

When it was time for the spider walk, I looked at the lady next to me and said "Is she crazy? She really thinks a 2 year old can do this?" The class is made up of 2 and 3 year olds and a parent. We are there to help our little one do the activities. There had to have been another 12 or so other kids in Josie's class. Anyway the spider walk is where you rest your hands on the ground and with your feet walk up the wall. Yeah, a 2 year old can do it, yeah right! Josie attempts pretty good. She puts her hands on the ground and her head then walks up the wall with her feet. I can not complain it was her first day and a good start.

She had a blast on the course. They rolled over a tube, up and down steps, on the balance beam, jumped over pom pons and jumped on the mat. She had so much fun! She got to go through twice and loved every minute of it. When it was time to go, she looked at me with a sad face and said "why?" That is her new thing now to question your statements with the "why?" For doing such a good job, the teacher gave her a stamp on the hand and you would have thought it was 10 pounds of candy. She was all excited over that little stamp. She kept reminding me of her cool new stamp on her hand.

I do not have any pictures of her actually in class, because I had to participate with her and Brent had to work tonight so he was unable to attend and take pictures. Next week, Brent will attend, so hopefully we will get a few good photos.


Josie did not want to take off her new leotard and get ready for bed,

Party Girl

What have I been doing? I just realized that I still have not posted photos from Josie's birthday party. A big thanks to everyone who came and made the day special for Josie. She loves all of her new toys and clothes.

Jump-A-Holic

Josie was given an adorable kiddie trampoline from my cousin Carrie's little girl Katie, who has outgrown it. My Aunt Connie delivered it the day of Josie's party and it was a smash hit. Josie and Jacob had a blast on this thing. They both wanted to do it at the same time, oh course. They always want what the other one has. You would think they are brother and sister the way they fight and interact with each other. I can just say that they are really close cousins and have lots of fun together. So were no cat fights we let them share it at the same time. Totally not safe, but we were supervising.

Now, everyday Josie has to get her work out in by jumping on the trampoline. It is the first thing she wants to play with in the morning and the last thing before bed time. It is such a hoot watching her go flying in the air, laughing, and having a good time. All I can say is that some people become alcoholics, well she may be turning into a jump-a-holics. It does not help her addiction that we start tumbling class next week or anything.

Here are a few photos of the jump-a-holics.

How Old Are You!?!

We had a blast at Josie's 2nd birthday party on the 15th. Can you believe she is already turning 2. It seems like yesterday we just found out we were expecting her and now she is almost 2. She was such a good girl all day long. In the morning, she got up and walked into the kitchen where there were some decorations up and birthday table cloth on the table for the cake and she went crazy. She kept saying "My cake, party...My cake party." I told her that we were going to have a party for Mommy this afternoon and she kindly corrected me stated "My Party!" We attempted to lay her down for a nap before her party, but we knew it was going to be a waste. We just thought perhaps she could get in a little rest. No, way in her mind. You could hear her over the monitor stating "No nap" as she was jumping up and down on the bed. It was hilarious.

Here are a few photos of Josie blowing out her birthday candles then eating the frosting off of them.

Everythings OK

I called my OB today to schedule an appointment to follow up from the emergency room from yesterday. I explained what happened and what they did at the emergency room. My doctor was extremely upset that they did not check the baby just to make sure there was no problems. Since, they did not check the baby I had to go in to the doctors this morning as soon as possible. They checked the babies heart over a Dobbler machine and everything sounded good. Thank goodness!

I had to leave class quickly to make it to the doctors and my students were in specials when I left, so they thought I was ill yet again. I had to explain to them what had happened since some of them were not sure. I even had to give some details in my newsletter that was sent home today giving more information than I like to give on personal matters, but felt that it was necessary since I scared some students. One student even told their parents that they thought I was having a heart attack on the floor. At that point, I realized I better explain what happened that way they all understood. Some of them understood and others did not, but I ensured them I was fine. It may happen again the doctor said or it may not. I just have to increase my protein in take. Plain old crackers are out the window crackers with protein on top is in.

I have gained a pound over the last 3 weeks, which is good since the morning sickness is getting worse instead of better. I knew this time around was not going to be such a breeze, since with Josie it was. I could not even keep Sprite down this morning. Within 2 sips up it came. I was able to choke down a half a piece of toast. Even though it took my 30 minutes to do it. Within 3 minutes, because I clocked it up it came. I know to much information. The doctor did put me on medicine for the morning sickness. They only prescribe it on really bad cases. He does not like to just give it out. Since, my episode, being under weight at 12 weeks pregnant, and constantly being sick he put me on it as a as needed basis. He only gave me 12 doses, so hopefully I do not need to take it that often. If I do I will save it for during the week and not on the weekends. I hope I never have to take it however since it is not an oral medicine. Gross I know. If taken orally he said you just throw it up, so they make it in a different form if you know what I mean. Nasty! However, he did say it works wonders and lasts for 6 hours. It only takes about 10 minutes to kick in and relieve all morning sickness symptoms.

What a First Full Day of School

My first full day could not have gotten any worse in my life today. Just in case you heard, I am doing fine now.

Ok, so let me explain to those of you who do not know what happened on my first full day of school what happened. I had only a handful of dry cereal for breakfast this morning. Normal for me since I do not normally eat breakfast, but since I am expecting what I can choke down in the mornings. I am sick to my stomach normally in the mornings so nothing sounds good to eat, the smell of food makes my stomach turn, but I choke down a little something for the baby.

Everything was going fine until all of a sudden while teaching my class, everything went wrong. I started to get sick to my stomach, dizzy, and extremely hot. So, I took off the sweater jacket I had on because it was cold in the school to cool off. Seconds later, my symptoms got worse. I started to sweat, really dizzy, really sick to my stomach and my vision started to blur together. I knew I had to sit down and fast, so I started to walk over to my desk to take a drink of water, eat a handful of dry cereal, and try to relax. However, I did not make it to my desk. Oh, no I could not have been that lucky. Instead, I passed out on the middle on my classroom floor in front of all 24 of my students. Don't ask me how I got to the other side of the room because I do not remember. When I woke up I was laying on my back, getting ready to get sick, with my teacher's aide standing over me stating to the class that he thought I was having a seizure. But I was not, at least we do not think I did. When I came about I was disoriented not knowing where I was at first then I realized crap what happened. Embarrassed as could be told the aide I was fine and to monitor the class for a few minutes that I was going to grab my water and go down to the restroom for a few minutes. I did not get injured in the fall. I do not know exactly how hard I fell, because I did not talk to the aide other than for that few seconds about the incidence and of course I can not recall anything after the blurred vision. I must have fallen hard enough though because I was wearing a spider hair clip and it was busted into pieces on the floor when I got up.

I went to the teacher's lounge sat in the chair tried to calm myself down from being really upset this happened in front of my students and drank my water. Another aide was kind enough to run literally I heard her running and get me a plate of treats from the downstairs lounge to help my blood sugar go up, since we suspected it was a sudden drop. The new principal came up to check on me and we decided that since I was fine then that he would allow Brent to come pick me up from school and take me to the doctors that he would not call an ambulance like we are actually suppose to but I could not drive. Since, ob is closed on Thursdays they sent me to the emergency room. The conclusion that came out of my visit was that I had a sudden drop in blood sugar and blood pressure. My blood sugar was 100 at the emergency room which was ok, however I had eaten so we do not know how low it actually was. But my blood pressure was still a little low, however by the time we left it was normal. The trip to the emergency room was really a waste of my time in my opinion. I felt fine after the incident and I ate, but I had to go for the baby's safety and for the school. All they did was check my blood sugar, take a urine sample, hooked me up to a heart monitor, and checked my blood pressure. No blood tests were taken and they did not even check the babies heart beat or anything since I was not having pains or contractions in my belly. They stated when I mentioned if they needed to check these since they knew I was pregnant they told me they did not feel it was necessary that my urine test came back fine. Yeah, but that does not ease my worry if the baby is fine. Now I have to check up with my OB next week to see how things are going.

My sister had some health problems a while ago and has a blood pressure and blood sugar readers, so I am going to borrow these machines and monitor my readings myself for a while that way I can keep track of what my numbers are. Brent and I feel that this will be beneficial just in case it happens again we have data to show the doctors what has been happening. We just hope that I am not turning into a diabetic. Many women become this during pregnancy. I did not with Josie, but my ob says that every pregnancy is different so the first one may have been a breeze, but the second may not be. I have been sicker with this one than with Josie so already the pregnancies are different. With Josie I was deathly ill for 3 weeks straight. This time I have been sick now for about 7 weeks, but I just feel sick to my stomach a totally different feeling then with Josie.

I am doing much better. Hopefully, tomorrow is a better day at school. Pray that it is.

Cake

It has been a family tradition to make beautiful birthday cakes. When I was younger I remember going to the Cake Shoppe and picking out the kind of cake that I wanted my mother to make and decorate for my birthday. They were not just sheet cakes decorated nicely with frosting, but were cakes in the shape of clowns, butterflies, and millions of other things and then decorated all pretty to look like the image. I decided long ago that when I had children I was going to do the same thing for my children and let the tradition that I remember my mom doing for me live on through my kids. So, last year when Josie turned one if you all remember I made the 3-D caterpillar cake with a baby caterpillar for Josie to eat. So, this year I thought long and hard of what I could make her cake to be. What did Josie really like? So, I decided to go with shoes. Yes, I said shoes. Josie at just about 2 years old has a shoe fetish as some of you may now. She loves shoes! She has to pick out the shoes she wears everyday you can not do it and she loves to sport her fancy shoes around, so I thought shoes would be a perfect fit. I made 3 cakes total. One was a large pair of flip-flops, one pair was a baby pair of flip-flops (for Josie), and one was a shoe box with a pair of high heel shoes on the top. I even made the high heel shoes all by myself. Everything was edible. The straps on the flip-flops were licorice and the high heels were made of a special kind of frosting, but you could eat every last bit of the cake. Here are a few photos of Josie's 2nd birthday cake masterpieces.

SURPRISE!!!

Josie would like to make a HUGE announcement to all of you blog followers. Today, we had a little get together to celebrate Josie turning the big 2-years old. At the party, Josie announced to everyone that she is....wait for it...wait for it....is going to be

A BIG SISTER!!!!!!!!!

That is right we are expecting our second bundle of joy. SURPRISE!!!

Josie announced the good news to everyone when she showed off a new T-Shirt Mommy and Daddy got her for her birthday as a gift that stated "Big Sister."

The facial expressions on every ones face was priceless. Most of the mouths were open in complete and udder shock and SURPRISE. Brent was video taping Josie open her gifts, so we got it all on priceless video. Sorry, Grandma Debbie we got you yelling in excitement. I thought I was going to pee my pants re-watching the big news unfolding at you.

Are all of you in complete shock?

We have known the big news since June, so holding it in this long has really killed us. Just because people make comments and we had to skate around the statements. No, one knew before today. Well, I guess I should not say no one, my doctors office knew and the dentist office (only because I went this week and had to tell them no x-rays).

Once, the news was out of the bag I had to explain myself to a few people about different things that has happened this summer that was indicators, however they did not know. For instance, I refused to lift some really heavy boxes while helping my Dad move, not buying any clothes for myself while on a shopping trip to Chicago, taking a really long time to run a quick errand to go have blood work done, and several others.

So, I know all of you are probably like shut up already and give us the details.

Baby Parker #2 (it is Baby Parker because we are NOT finding out the sex of the baby this time either) is growing by the day.

Due Date -- March 8, 2010

at 9 weeks old is already 1 inch tall

heart rate is 170 beats per minute (which means we think it is a boy because Josie's heart rate was only 124 beats per minute)

I am currently 11 weeks along.

I have been ill a lot this summer, but hopefully since I am 1 week away from being in my 2nd trimester already is just about out of the morning sickness stage.

Here are a few photos of Baby Parker #2 and Josie sporting her new T-Shirt being all happy and proud to be a big sister.











SURPRISE!

First Youngest Female President

There has been rumors and speculations about Sarah Palin quiting Governor of Alaska to go into the running for the next Presidential election, well I have news for Palin. If that is her intentions, she is going to LOOSE! In a press conference while on vacation, Josie officially (if you could understand her babble) put her name in to be the FIRST YOUNGEST FEMALE PRESIDENT! And she is going to WIN! So, watch out.

While on vacation at the Magic House, they had a room set up like the Oval Office. The room had the big fancy desk and such. In the office was a podium and across the wall you could see yourself on a TV screen like you were giving a LIVE TV broadcast. Josie thought this was pretty cool. She would flip through her notes (a book on the podium) and then babble some information to Brent who was across the room acting like her producer telling her when to speak to the camera. It was so darn cute! I guess she was telling the public she was going to be the FIRST YOUNGEST FEMALE PRESIDENT ever. Well, probably not, but why ruin the fun.

Here are a few photos of Josie's public announcement.

Goodbye Diapers!

I know that for the last few weeks, I have not been posting very much. Sorry for that I have been one busy little bee. I have been working on getting my room ready at school, cleaning the house, having a garage sale, and lots of other things but the most important one is getting Josie potty trained. And let me just say things are going great! When we returned home from vacation, I told Brent we needed to start it has been 2 weeks now and she is doing fantastic. She still wears pull ups to bed and when we leave the house to go to town (I don't want her to have an accident in the car and at the store), but other than that she is in big girl panties all the time. She tells you when she has to go or she just simply puts herself on her potty and goes and then tells you that she went. She loves not having to wear a diaper and oh yeah the reward candy. I still put her in pull ups when we leave the house however the last few times we have left the house she has not had an accident. Yesterday, we went to a party and she told me when she had to go and when we got home she was still dry. That goes the same for today when we went to church, did a little shopping, and out to lunch. What a big girl she has become. I am so proud of her and the big girl she is growing into. Way to go Josie!

She has been showing signs that she was ready since Christmas, but the doctor told us to hold off until she was a little older than 2 since her body was not fully developed yet in that perspective and not to push the issue. Well, I did not push the issue and knew that she was ready. So, we gave it a whirl and it went great. She is potty trained and not even 2!

What's Wrong With Your Hair Mommy?

While at the Magic House, we decided to let our hair go wild. Josie did not like it so much. Her facial expressions were priceless. I held Josie and then touched a large ball and it made my hair stand on end. The electricity went threw me and even make Josie's hair stand up. It kind of scared her and made your body feel kind of funny. I started laughing at Josie because her hair was hollarious and she did not like me laughing at her and started to cry. I had to comfort her and let her know I was laughing at her hair not at her. What a sensitive girl she can be when she is tired. Enjoy our silly hair photos.

Magic House Fun

We ventured to the Magic House while on vacation. The Magic House is all fun hands on things for children that have to do with learning. In my opinion, Josie was still a little bit to young to fully understand, but she still had a ball. Josie just went along with everything that all of the thousands of other children were doing whether she understood what was happening or not. After being there for several hours, Brent was ready to hit the road. He said it reminded him of Disney World. Thousands of children running around screaming. Josie had played hard and was ready for a nap, so we decided to hit the road. Brent and I decided that even though it was fun, we will not be returning there until Josie is much older and can fully understand the science behind the Magic House. Here are some photos of our trip.