Puppy Love...

Gotcha Buddy

Addie rolled over about 5-6 times to get closer with her big brother, Tucker.

If this were a video, you would hear a little one squealing with absolute delight as Tucker licks her hand! Tucker is such a gentle giant with Addie.

Come here a little closer, so I can LOVE on ya a little bit.

A Fun Night at the Ranek's...

The Three Stooges - Fallyn, Bella & Addie
Daddy & Addie
Daddy, Addie & Mommy
Dads & Their Daughters - Bella, Tim, Doug & Addie

Will "The Entertainer" and His Lovely Assistant Addie

Gordie and Amber had a nice group of friends over on Saturday evening. The day cleared off and it was a beautiful evening to be outside on the deck. Our group get-togethers have change quite a bit in the past year. Each family has little ones now and there is a little more chaos and energy... from the kiddos, not the parents. I wouldn't trade one yawn before 8:00pm, for what we have going. It is so much fun watching all the kids interact with each other; what a way to start life, with friends and play dates built right in. They all have such distinct personalities and are so much fun to play with. We have got a fun and adventurous road ahead of us!

PS - Amber & Gordie get 2 thumbs up for dinner. WOW, was it good! Thanks again for having us over!

Busy Little Bees...

Addie & Fallyn
Addie with Grandpa & Grandma Reusser

Friday - We attended an NCAA tournament party at our neighbors. Doug's bar that he built in their basement looked amazing! He was complemented on his craftsmanship all night long. I am so proud of my handy-man. Addie stayed home with Nana and played with her buddy Nathan.

Saturday - Mom, Addie and I shopped til we dropped. We hit The Fashion Mall, Babies R Us and Castleton Mall. I didn't get myself one thing, but Miss Addie sure made out like a bandit! Saturday night we attended a coaching party at Matt & Emily Ahlfeld's house. We had a great time catching up with old friends and making new ones in the process. I get the impression that Doug is coaching baseball with a really great group of guys.

Sunday - We ran errands all morning and made a quick stop at Amy & Scott's to visit the twins. We spent the afternoon with Gordie, Amber & Fallyn. For dinner, we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Reusser's house. It was nice catching up with them since they have been traveling for the past several months.

Monday - Tim, Alli and Bella came over for dinner. They were all tan from being in Florida the past week... snots! We had a great time chit-chatting and laughing it up with each other.

Whoever coined the phrase "Weekends Are For Relaxing" didn't have many family members or friends!

Happy 80th Birthday!!!

Grandma Newton gets some help blowing out her candles from Demi.
Nana, Mommy & Addie
Two Little Dumplins - Addie & Demi

Sunday, March 11th was Grandma Newton's 80th birthday. The whole Newton Klan celebrated with Velma Lou at Chris and April's home. Anyone who has ever been to any Newton celebration, knows that this is no small gathering. We usually average 30-40 people for a family dinner. Today was no exception. Grandma was surrounded by her brother & sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and family friends. We had a pitch-in dinner and served prime rib. April, Hilary and Haley made 80 cupcakes of all different varieties.

No Pictures Due to Bad Karma...

Friday night, I went to Wal-Mart to get pictures developed. This was the second trip to the super store that evening. I forgot my stinkin' camera the first time... sheez. Well, unfortunately that wasn't the only item I forgot that night. I left my camera card in the machine and someone took it. It just makes me sick to my stomach. It bothers me that my brain is completely mush some days and I am so forgetful. I am more bothered by the fact that someone is walking around with pictures of my family and friends. I hope the sticky-fingered bandit knows that Karma's coming to town and takin' names!

The Return of Grampy...

Listen Buddy, I've got a lot of new tricks to show you!

Grampy Newton has been on hiatus for the winter... he migrated south, but we knew he couldn't stay away for too terribly long. Daycare is closed until Tuesday, so he is filling in as "Mr. Mom" for the next couple of days. Addie is sure to have her share of giggles and good times with this clown around.

Trip to the Hospital...

Auntie Angie with Claire Bear
The Gang's All Here
Claire, Addie & Emily

(Addie is ready to teach these two tiddly-winks a few tricks!)
Little Precious Papooses

My Buddy Bella...

Bella and Addie, what can we say... you have no choice, but to become bosom buddies!Hey Bella, I was thinking of starting a band... I'll play the drums, you take the base.

Our mommies are ROCK STARS, so naturally we will follow in their footsteps!

Double Trouble...

Sweet Baby Emily
Precious Punkin' Claire

The twins have arrived!!! We are so excited!!! Amy just called to make the big announcement. Claire and Emily were born this afternoon around 1:10. They both weighed in over 5lbs and are both doing really well... healthy lungs and healthy bodies. Both girls have brown hair and long dark eyelashes. I can't wait to visit them tomorrow.

Proud Papa Scott emailed these first photos of the girls earlier tonight.

Tiffany's Collection...

Snuggle Time With Daddy...

Saturday is Doug's day to get up with Addie and I get to sleep in. I didn't sleep in at all today, because it sounded like they were having too much fun without Mommy. I didn't want to miss out on all the fun, so I decided to get up. Addie loves her Daddy sooo much!

Poops, I Did It Again...

Addie is on a stronger antibiotic for fluid build-up and an infection in both of her ears. She doesn't mind taking it, but it is hard on her tiny tummy. She's pooping an average of 4-6 times a day since she started the medicine. We're not talking about little skidders either, we are talking about full fledged blow outs! Take today for instance, when I picked her up from daycare, she was in another reserve outfit... pooped right through her pretty purple one she was wearing this morning. This evening I worked out, took a quick shower and put on a comfy outfit so I could do some snugglin' with ol' girl. Snugglin' has yet to occur. I am on comfy outfit #3 since I have been pooped and peed on. Addie's outfit was beyond saving and will be going out with the trash curbside tomorrow. The thought of holding her tiny hiny over the toilet until everything came out crossed my mind... God knows I love the child, because for anyone else's poop the gag reflex would have been kicked into overdrive.

Wardrobe Change...

Last night I didn't get a chance to lay out Addie's outfit for today. This morning, Doug yells, "What should I dress her in?" I tell him to pick one of her easy yellow outfits. Us mothers know these "easy" outfits: cotton, elastic pant and matching top... cute, but the classic no brainer outfit. I come down stairs ready to leave and my darling girl is dressed in thermal underwear??? Granted it was yellow, she was in thermal underwear! I quickly explained to Kathy at daycare that I did not dress her and we had a good chuckle at Doug's expense. When I picked her up today, she was in her reserve outfit. I guess she didn't like the thermal underwear either and decided to poop her way out of it!

Izabella's Baptism...

Jason, Sarah, Tim, Alli, Izabella, Angie & Addie

(PS - Sarah & Jason are expecting a little one of their own... Yippy!)

Sunday we attended the baptism of one very special little lady, Izabella Raye. She was baptized at Orchard Park Presbyterian in Carmel. She was surrounded by a huge group of friends and family. Bella was so stinkin cute... she squealed like a little kitten each time she was touched with the holy water. Tim and Alli hosted an open house afterwards that was wonderful. We love our friends so much and can't wait to celebrate each of our children's milestones and successes in life. Izabella we love you so much!

Future Prom Date...

Nathan Baker (4 1/2 mos) Addie Reusser (6 1/2 mos)

This is the first of many embarrassing photos we will subject these two young ones to. Nathan would fuss each time Betsy took his pacifier out of his mouth. Addie was too cute and patted his shoulder... Kind of in an effort to reassure him "It's OK buddy, we'll make it!" Nathan took it as a sign that she was interested and decided to get a little fresh. He made his first move on his lady friend!

An Unexpected Day Off...

On Wednesday morning, we received the first of two phone calls at 5:45 am that we would have a 2-hour delay due to dense freezing fog. We literally couldn't see any of our neighbors houses or street lights. It was pretty freaky, but the effect on the tree branches was beautiful. I busted a morning move to work out, play with Addie and get both of us ready with plenty of time to spare so we could take it extra slow on our way into daycare and school... keep in mind, both destinations are within 5 minutes of our house. I was feeling like SUPER MOM!!!

Well, in the 5 minutes that I whisked my daughter out the door and headed to daycare, I missed the second phone call stating that school had been canceled. Miss Kathy at daycare, looked at me and told me to turn right around and go home, because I didn't have to work today. Anyone who is a mother, knows that getting ready and getting out the door on time is a task in itself... and this attempt was a wasted one!

Good news is Addie and I got to play house again! Addie loves her musical flower garden!
Addie loves her big brother, Tucker, even more!

Big Day for a Little Lady...

Addie may not look too terribly thrilled in this photo, but we sure are!

Our little stinker is sitting up all by herself!

Cassie, Addie & Alexis

The Fasick girls came over this morning to play with Addie. Doug is finishing the bar/kitchen in their basement this weekend. They knew I'd be home alone with Addie and asked if they could come over. They are our neighbors and are both former students of mine. Addie had such a good time showing them all of her toys and tricks. Can you believe that she pulled a new trick out of her bag? Sitting up! I still can't believe it! She is becoming so independent... feeding her entire bottle to herself, rolling over, sitting up. It's all so exciting!!! I had planned all week to introduce her to the sippy cup this afternoon, but I don't know if I can handle one more break through today!

Happy Valentines' Day...

Why ask for chocolate, when you can have something this sweet!?!

XOXO - Addie

6 Months Check Up...

Dr. Megan gave Addie an A++ for behavior during her visit at the office today. She laughed and giggled the whole time. At 6 months, she is weighing in at 18lbs 8oz (90%) and is 27 inches long (90%). Her head also measured at 90% so we have a perfectly proportioned baby girl! (I didn't need a doctor to tell me that she's perfect!) Dr. Megan attributed Addie's cold last week to a minor ear infection that we are treating with an antibiotic. No worries, we go back in 2 weeks for a follow-up.

PS - Dr. Megan is expecting her first little one... YEAH!!! She is 12 weeks along and you can tell she is really excited. Congratulations Dr. Megan!

PSS - I should write more, but I'm exhausted. I'm just getting home and it's 7:30. I'm used to being home more around 3:30. Stick a fork in me, I'm done! Doug is being a wonderful husband... again and is cooking dinner. Addie is watching her new Baby Einstein video Baby MacDonald. (Thanks Alli, it's a lifesaver this evening!)

Reality Check...

Last night we hosted a couples' shower for Amy & Scott at Tim & Allison's house. It was a great group of friends and a good time. Everyone is so excited for the arrival of the twins. We played Pregnancy Pictionary and Reality Check... a game designed especially for the Daddy-to-Be! The Reality Check Challenge was to see how long it took Scott to change both Addie and Bella's diapers and get them in their PJs. We figured he needed some practice with Emily and Claire due in the next couple of weeks. Which way does this blasted thing go? Is he looking for instructions?
2 minutes later Addie is back in her diaper and looking to Bella for HELP!!!
Off goes the party outfit...
On goes the PJs!

All Done: Amy, Scott, Addie & Bella

Get the man a certificate; he has passed his Daddy-In-Training Challenge Course!!!

Official Finish Time: 12 minutes, give or take a few.