It is amazing that after 16 years, you can still miss someone when they are gone from your life. Today was my sister Sue's birthday, September 25th, 1960. I wish I had a picture of her to post here, but that was before the digital age, and I have never gotten to scan any in.
When we were at moms a few weeks ago we found my copy of the family video. We kids had the old reel tapes put onto video for mom and dad years ago (what we really need to do is now transfer it to disk). Dave and Denise came in and we got a kick out of watching some of it. It is so funny as the tapes are all out of order, so you go from Dan running track in high school to us playing with the bunny rabbit in the backyard, to my 8th grade dance dress (red with white polka dots - how could I forget that!!), to Sue being in her school play. It was fun to watch and Austin had not seen it since he was a kid.
Anyway, I was just sitting here looking at my beautiful daughter, Isabella Susan and remembering what a beautiful, loving sister I had - how so very special she was in everyone's life that she touched!
Monday, September 25, 2006
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Bell's Birthday WISH LIST
Hi all,
Bell’s first Birthday is fast approaching. We cannot believe this first magical, wonderful year has gone by so fast!! She is crawling like crazy and will soon enough be up and walking.
As you know our home is small, and big toys take up space, so we just wanted you to know that we already have a walker and car for her. We are NOT asking you to specifically purchase anything on her list, this is just a WISH LIST and ideas.
Books, music (she loves music!!), learning toys (stacking, colors, ect..), wooden toys, large blocks (mega blocks) are all great ideas.
Bell is set for clothes for this winter (with the exception of some long sleeve onsies – Size 12 months), and for the next year ahead (thanks to Morgan, Katie and Emily) and I only have so much drawer space.
Please NO Barney or Tellatubbies (Say what you will, but we will respect Don’s wishes on this one!)
I put a few web address’s for deals where I found them. We do not have any problems with pre-loved CD’s or DVDs if you can get them on Amazon or Ebay any cheaper.
NOTE:
I WILL NOT read the comments on this post, so if you get something on this list it would be great to come back here and post it under the comments so that others know not to buy it.
Lori Berkner
We are . . . The Laurie Berkner Band - DVD
Buzz Buzz – Music CD
Victor Vito – Music CD
Signing Time
http://www.signingtime.com/products/
http://www.1010mlm.com/signingtime.html (bonus CD w/ DVDs)
We are looking to get Vol 1,2 and 3 of the DVD
And the Vol 1-3 music CD
Other Stuff
http://playcottage.com/products.php?cat=48a
Lots of good stuff in the 1-3 age group category at the Play Cottage site: Any of the Jumbo Knob puzzles, Water Blocks, Fun Hammer Balls, Oval Xylophone, Concherta, Geometric Sorting Board.
Veggie Tales DVDs
Baby Einstein DVDs
Robeez Shoes
Free S&H at Bippity Boppity Baby
http://www.bippityboppitybaby.com/robeez1.htm
Booties – Pink 6-12 months
Trainers – Pastel Pink 12-18 months
Sandals – Pink 12-18 months
Hearts – Brown 12-18 months
It's my birthday I'm 12 !!
It's Austin today posting this to tell u about my birthday party. Ok the people that were invited to my party were from left Kyle, Austin, Tyler, and J.D. My party started at 1:00 pm on Saturday and ended at 1:00 pm the next day. On the 23rd we went to Dave and Busters and won 4400 tickets. Then we went back to my house to have a sleep over. We stayed up until 4:00 AM and then finally fell asleep. When we all woke up we played video games on the Gamecube and on our D.S's. When J.D finally left at 5:00 because he asked to stay longer I was finally ready to go back to bed. For presents I got a mp3 player a few D.S games and one ps2 and Gamecube game and a wireless controller. I also got at least $75, overall my birthday was really GREAT and I had a lot of fun.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Our Little Cookie Monster.....
As I posted yesterday, here is what you get when an (almost!!) 12 year old hangs out in his 
room with a friend and forgets to clean up after himself. Bell crawled out of her room and was roaming the house. This is all good, as long as the dog dishes are up on the table. But she was to quiet, so I went in search of her. And I saw just a foot sticking out as I looked into Austins room. And there she was, cookie in both hands, discarded ones already on the floor, having the time of her life!!! Mind you this was only about a half hour after her bath. Needless to say, she LOVES oreos.
Grandma T. has gotten Bell a whole bunch of books, and we read all the time. As space is tight in Bell's room (with her sharing it with our office at the moment), we have gotten creative as to storage. The bottom of Bell's changing table used to hold clothes, then she learned to stand and would pull them all out every day. Now the clothes are all in the closet and dresser, and the changing table holds books and toys. This works great as she can reach everything, and they are easy to see and put away!! We take out the toy basket on the bottom shelf and she empties out all of the toys and then climbs from the basket to the shelf and back again, over and over. She is just to cute, and really is good at solo play. Oh, and she climbed from her car onto the coffee table today - YIKES!!
Tomorrow Austin turns 12!!!
room with a friend and forgets to clean up after himself. Bell crawled out of her room and was roaming the house. This is all good, as long as the dog dishes are up on the table. But she was to quiet, so I went in search of her. And I saw just a foot sticking out as I looked into Austins room. And there she was, cookie in both hands, discarded ones already on the floor, having the time of her life!!! Mind you this was only about a half hour after her bath. Needless to say, she LOVES oreos.
Grandma T. has gotten Bell a whole bunch of books, and we read all the time. As space is tight in Bell's room (with her sharing it with our office at the moment), we have gotten creative as to storage. The bottom of Bell's changing table used to hold clothes, then she learned to stand and would pull them all out every day. Now the clothes are all in the closet and dresser, and the changing table holds books and toys. This works great as she can reach everything, and they are easy to see and put away!! We take out the toy basket on the bottom shelf and she empties out all of the toys and then climbs from the basket to the shelf and back again, over and over. She is just to cute, and really is good at solo play. Oh, and she climbed from her car onto the coffee table today - YIKES!!
Tomorrow Austin turns 12!!!
Late night thoughts...
I went to bed about 11 pm, but just could not sleep, Don had no such problems and is fast asleep. As he should be after work all day. It's about 1:20 AM, and I just finished up some updates to my website and getting out my Fall newsletter - things that are so hard to do with Bell underfoot. Sometimes late at night affords a nice quite solid block of time, no "mom" from Austin, or dogs barking - just the keyboard tapping away. The only person I know might also be up is my mom, but hopefully she is sleeping sound tonight. I would also included my mother in law in this, but with her computer crashed she may actually be getting sleep these days at this time of night!
Mom is feeling a little better everyday according to our phone conversations (she was in a car accident last week). I thank God she came out of it without major injuries, just the car got totaled. It is times like these that it is hard to be so far from our family (and friends!!). I am really looking forward to our October trip to New York for Bells birthday.
Last trip to New York was really a trip to New Jersey. Our plans changed last minute with Gina's grandmothers passing, so we went to visit Don's Aunt Nell (really great aunt) over in Phillipsburg, NJ (as close to the PA border as you can get). It was a really wonderful visit, as we have been exchanging cards, but had yet been able to meet IRL. She is a wonderful woman, and we had a great visit with her, and then went out to dinner with Dons parents. It was nice for them to get to spend some time with Bell. We spent a few fun hours on Sunday with Nick and his family on the way home. It was a BEAUTIFUL day and we met then in Hoboken Park. They have this one section totally designed for little kids, and Bell had a blast as everything was her size. I have never seen see saws so small. We do not get to see them often enough, especially seeing as both guys are godfathers to each others daughters.
I have been so busy lately, I feel like I am busier now then when I had a full time job. No complaints, I love it! I joined the local Mothers and More group and right away got sucked into a committee. I am helping to plan all of the activities from the group for the year, and getting to meet a lot of new moms along the way. Next week Bell will start a play group with the 0-1 year olds (and I ended up as group leader there as well). And with Don as a Knight of Columbus I of course have been getting the "when are you becoming a Columbiette" question from the ladies all the time. So, they have my application and check, but I am not sure how much free time I will have to give.
I am trying, with this beautiful fall weather, to get out on the bike everyday with Bell, and soon Austin will start swimming 3 afternoons a week. He started the Teen challenge RE program at church this year, and got to pick which 20 hours of activities (plus three 4 week classes) he wanted to participate in. The kids get to pick from things like spending a day making a quilt to go to someone who is sick, to community service days, to movie night. He liked the movie night until he read that you then have to discuss how they are relevant to the church, but I still think he signed up for it!!
Well, the original thought was to come on and post some pictures of Bell, but now I am going to bed. Tomorrows post will be titled "Cookie Monster"... just imagine. You 12 year old brother leaves a package of Oreo cookies on the floor in his room and you find them before moms knows about it.....pictures to follow.
Night,
Karen
Mom is feeling a little better everyday according to our phone conversations (she was in a car accident last week). I thank God she came out of it without major injuries, just the car got totaled. It is times like these that it is hard to be so far from our family (and friends!!). I am really looking forward to our October trip to New York for Bells birthday.
Last trip to New York was really a trip to New Jersey. Our plans changed last minute with Gina's grandmothers passing, so we went to visit Don's Aunt Nell (really great aunt) over in Phillipsburg, NJ (as close to the PA border as you can get). It was a really wonderful visit, as we have been exchanging cards, but had yet been able to meet IRL. She is a wonderful woman, and we had a great visit with her, and then went out to dinner with Dons parents. It was nice for them to get to spend some time with Bell. We spent a few fun hours on Sunday with Nick and his family on the way home. It was a BEAUTIFUL day and we met then in Hoboken Park. They have this one section totally designed for little kids, and Bell had a blast as everything was her size. I have never seen see saws so small. We do not get to see them often enough, especially seeing as both guys are godfathers to each others daughters.
I have been so busy lately, I feel like I am busier now then when I had a full time job. No complaints, I love it! I joined the local Mothers and More group and right away got sucked into a committee. I am helping to plan all of the activities from the group for the year, and getting to meet a lot of new moms along the way. Next week Bell will start a play group with the 0-1 year olds (and I ended up as group leader there as well). And with Don as a Knight of Columbus I of course have been getting the "when are you becoming a Columbiette" question from the ladies all the time. So, they have my application and check, but I am not sure how much free time I will have to give.
I am trying, with this beautiful fall weather, to get out on the bike everyday with Bell, and soon Austin will start swimming 3 afternoons a week. He started the Teen challenge RE program at church this year, and got to pick which 20 hours of activities (plus three 4 week classes) he wanted to participate in. The kids get to pick from things like spending a day making a quilt to go to someone who is sick, to community service days, to movie night. He liked the movie night until he read that you then have to discuss how they are relevant to the church, but I still think he signed up for it!!
Well, the original thought was to come on and post some pictures of Bell, but now I am going to bed. Tomorrows post will be titled "Cookie Monster"... just imagine. You 12 year old brother leaves a package of Oreo cookies on the floor in his room and you find them before moms knows about it.....pictures to follow.
Night,
Karen
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Dinner and bedtime...
Evening all,
Food is always interesting in our home.
Don makes the BEST sauce !! Two weeks ago he made it with sausage and meatballs (and tomatoes from MY garden I might add), so we have been having great meals of eggplant parm (also from my garden), ravioli and pasta. Next time he promises ox tails again, yum!
Austin, has been such a picky eater for so long - mom remember when he used to eat raw broccoli at the grocery store with you!! Well under much duress he has finally begun to spread his wings and try burgers, pizza and Bologna!!
Bell on the other hand has no such food issues at 10 months old. For those who don't know, she did NOT like baby food and has been eating table food since 7 months.
Tonight dinner was (and in this order I might add):
Food is always interesting in our home.
Don makes the BEST sauce !! Two weeks ago he made it with sausage and meatballs (and tomatoes from MY garden I might add), so we have been having great meals of eggplant parm (also from my garden), ravioli and pasta. Next time he promises ox tails again, yum!
Austin, has been such a picky eater for so long - mom remember when he used to eat raw broccoli at the grocery store with you!! Well under much duress he has finally begun to spread his wings and try burgers, pizza and Bologna!!
Bell on the other hand has no such food issues at 10 months old. For those who don't know, she did NOT like baby food and has been eating table food since 7 months.
Tonight dinner was (and in this order I might add):
- Cut up chicken cutlet
- 1/2 pear
- a hunk of chedder cheese
- Cream of Broccoli soup
- 2 tater tots (curtesy of Austin)
- and yogurt covered raisins
Here she is at dinner tonight....
And then.... she sleeps!!
Isn't she just beautiful!!
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Our little Dare Devil...
Hi all, Bell LOVES to climb!! I am sure she would love a set of stairs in our house, but has to make due with the deck ones (powerwashing them is a fall project) and the pull down attic steps. She loves getting on and off her horse, and she just got a little car / walker and loves it!! Today she found out she can stand on it, and now does not want to sit on it, but STAND on the seat all the time. She has no fear.
(Clicking on any picture will let you see a bigger version of it and download it to your computer).
Bell has made a friend named Garrin, who is 7 months old. Garrin's mom Lori and I are friends and the kids are having a lot of fun together (thanks to Lori for the idea for the blog, she is doing one for Garrin too!). This is from our visit to Garrin's house on Dover Air Force Base last week.
We are getting ready for Austin's birthday next weekend. He is having a sleep over with 4 friends (yes, I am crazy!). The school birthday cut off is earlier here than in NY, so he is really the youngest kid in his class and can't wait to turn 12.
That's all for now,
Don and Karen
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Out with summer, in with Fall...
Hi all - our first post.....Summer is ending, and Fall is fast approaching!! We are sad to be closing up our pool, as Austin and Bell had such a fun time in it this summer. On the other hand we are looking forward to fall, my favorite time of year. Isabella became a water rat this summer and loved both the big pool and her little baby one, that is of course until she learned to climb in and out of it -over and over again!!
Bell is crawling all over at warp speed these days, as well as pulling up on anything and everything. She loves to climb stairs, and sadly the only ones we have in our home are the drop down attic ones, which she is pretty good at climbing I might add.
Austin has begun a new school year in a new school. Off to middle school, with the changing of classes and a locker that is too far out of the way for him to use most of the time (can you believe my baby is that old!). He will be swimming on the Lake Forest team again for the winter season, and gets his bottom braces on today!
Don and I always seem to be busy. When Don isn't working at work, he has been working around the house. Football season has begun, so you know where he can be found on Sundays now!!
I am busy with Bell and the business (www.handsfreebaby.com), and loving every minute of being a work-at-home / stay-at-home mom!! We just did a photo shoot here at our house yesterday for a babywearing article coming out in October in the Delaware Parent magazine. I think the dogs even made it into some of the shots.
Come back and find out want we are up to.... I will post (with pics!!) at least weekly - hopefully more.
Love,
Karen and Family
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