Posts
SO, the latest is:
We just got back from our trip to California for my Dad's 60th Birthday Party! While it was so good to get home and visit with old friends and family, it was also a lot of stress to travel (not non-stop) with two small children and a baby bump! We knew it would be! But it was great to get home too, and see all the family, here's a big family shot (Dad's side of the family) below:
The other BIG news is that we learned we are having a GIRL!! We are so excited! We decided to name her Madison "Maddie" Marie, I know Madison is a popular name, but it's one we've loved for years. Just afraid that people will call her Mad! Hope not!
I'm really only about 95% sure Madison will be her name, there's a small part of me that feels she may just be destined to be called something else!?!? What? I have no idea, yet!? It might be the sort of thing that pops into mind when I finally get to hold her and have a good look at her, I really don't know.
Directly after the ultrasound, I promptly went shopping for way too many girl clothes and began shopping nick knacks for her Frog Prince/Princess room! My mom painted a huge mural of a castle, waterfall and scene scape for her room! I can hardly wait to get it all up and done! Jack is still in the crib though, and just as reluctant to move into his big boy bed as I am to move him... he's still a bit young yet! BUT, the boys will be sharing a room before too long, and it's all ready to go! I just bought new furniture in there and painted the walls!
Here's are more pics:
Jack just turned 2, on May 15th. We celebrated with a Basketball Cake and our friends and family in California! I can't believe my baby is already 2! And my oldest, almost 4! Where does the time go?! He is starting to show signs of 'readiness' in regards to potty training. He sat and peed on the pot today... refuses to wear a diaper, but then had an accident on my floor... so I gave up out of sheer frustration and forced a diaper on him with a button up onesie that he couldn't undo! I'm thinking I may need to try Pull-Ups next. I suppose it's better that he potty train now instead of when I have a newborn on the breast!?
Here's some pics from Jack's 2nd Birthday!!
We took the boys for a mini staycation to the Wisconsin Dells (indoor waterparks). It was a lot of stress, I don't think they're old enough to really enjoy it, but we enjoyed our 2 bedroom condo that we rented, watching movies after the kids went to sleep! Here's about the only pic I got from that quick trip!
We got back home in time to celebrate Easter, baskets in the morning, an egg hunt with the neighbors, followed by an early ham dinner with all the fixings... before Jeff was off to work for the night!
Before we went to California, My mom came out for a visit! Always so good to see Grandma, she's so helpful with the kids and the house, and really enjoys the boys! And, they really enjoy her! We miss Grandma every day!!
Here's a pic. from my mom's visit:
Also, Jeff's Aunt and Uncle came out from Vegas for a visit. They come out twice a year, and we always have such a good time with them! They are amazing with the kids, and really have been such a God send to our family! Just love them! They also brought with them Grandma's (Jeff's Grandma, Mary Jo Sugden) Mink Coat! She wanted me to have her mink coat! I was so touched, but what really got me was when I put it on... it smelled just like her!! And the weight and warmth of it, brought tears to my eyes... bringing tears to my eyes again as I type about it... the next best thing to hugging her! We miss his grandparents so much!
We took the boys to Navy Pier on the first day that it was warm enough, and to the Chicago Children's Museum! We just love it there! It was Family Fun Night that night, and they had open Mic Night for the kids to get up and tell jokes or sing... it was the boys first time on stage in front of an audience, and I thought we would need to pull them off of there with a fight! Must take after their Mom!?
ALSO, (so much has been going on, I know) Jeff and I traded in our Explorer and my old little car and we got two brand new cars. I got a Kia Sedona (minivan) and Jeff got a Kia Sorento (cross-over SUV 4X4), and we just love them!!
Here they are:
Jeff is still hard at work with CJ's! He's has a glimpse of his goal to become a GM, but feels they wont give it to him. I'm not sure if that's his way of preparing himself for disappointment, psyching himself out... or if he is basing this hunch off of what he knows!? It seems business savvy not to promote in such a slummy economy right now, so we'll see!? Cross your fingers for us that he gets it, by some slim chance... or that if he doesn't that he wont take it too personally!? I hope!
I just cut eight inches off of my hair, and added bangs! I feel like a new woman, much lighter and healthier! I like it, and so does Jeff... much to my surprise!
Here's a pic of the hair, and of the baby bump @ 20 weeks pregnant!
I have been working with a young woman who is vying for the title of Miss Illinois here in the next few weeks! Very exciting! I hope to be there for the big event to root her on! She's really a sweetheart, and such a joy to work with! It's nice to have a little time each week to focus on such a great passion of mine, music and performance... and to be able to give back in a way, as so many once did for me! It's a real joy!
Sorry this blog is so long, I hadn't realized how busy we've been... I guess that explains why I haven't blogged in so long!?
Looking forward now to a fun summer with the kiddos, getting out to enjoy some fun in the sun as much as possible! Our best to you and yours! The Sugden-iers! :)
