Copy Cat

I saw this on my sister-in-laws blog and decided to join the fun!

In you entire life, have you ever.....

been on a blind date? Yes, and it was not a good experience.

skipped school? Yes, in high school and in college.

watched someone die? Not exactly.

been to Canada? Yes, Windsor a number of times to go to the casino and Niagara Falls.

been to Mexico? Yes, when I was 21.

been to Florida? Yes, twice when I played college basketball.

been on a plane? Yes, many times and I would rather fly than drive.

been lost? Yes.

been on the opposite side of the country? Yes, Las Vegas, Arizona, Colorado, California, and Iowa.

gone to Washington, DC? Yes.

swam in the ocean? Yes, when I was in Mexico and in Ocean City Maryland.

have your booze taken away by the cops? Yes, in college.

lettered in a high school sport? Yes, I lettered ten times and was inducted into my high school hall of fame.

cried yourself to sleep? Yes.

played cops and robbers? Yes, I have an older brother and I am kind of a tom boy anyway!

played dolls? Yes.

recently colored with crayons? No, but I have a feeling I will be doing lots of that in the near future.

sang Karaoke? Yes, once but I was under the influence and I probably would never do it again.

paid for a meal with coins only? Not sure about this one. I don't think so...

done something you told yourself you wouldn't do? Yes.

cheated on a exam? Didn't we all do that at least once?

made prank phone calls? Yes, my brother and I used call people and pretending we were doing some type of survey... there are to many surveys to name... what can I say we were bored.

laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose? to many times in college.

caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes.

danced in the rain? Yes.

written a letter to Santa Claus? No, but once again I am sure I will be doing that soon.

watch the sunrise with someone you care about? Yes.

been arrested? No comment.

blown bubbles? Yes, but haven't done it in years.

gone ice-skating? I LOVE ICE-SKATING

been skinny dipping outdoors? Yes.

had a nickname? dan, dani

been to Africa? No. I would love to go someday.

eaten cookies for dinner? No. However, after a long night at the bar in college I am sure I have had my fair share of cookies at 2a.m.!

been on TV? Yes, at least two of my college basketball games were on TV each year I played.

stolen any traffic signs? No.

been in a car accident? Three and for some reason all them were my fault.

What is your...

mother's name? dawn

favorite drink? diet coke, coffee, water.

favorite alcohol? RUM and I like beer too!

birthplace? Cleveland, Ohio

favorite vacation spot? I haven't been to many exotic places so I would have to say Vegas since I like to gamble.

favorite salad dressing? Ranch mixed with French.

favorite pie? I like all pies, that's the problem.

favorite number? 30

favorite movie? Pretty Women

favorite holiday? Christmas

favorite food? to many to name

favorite day of the week? Saturday

favorite brand of body wash? anything that I think smells good!

favorite toothpaste? crest

favorite smell? my man's body spray

Do you have any...

tattoos? Yes

body piercings? Yes, ears and belly.

Do you drive a 2 door or 4 door vehicle? 4 door

What do you do to relax? read or workout

How do you see yourself in 10 years? Being surrounded by family that loves me and being the best wife and mom that I can be!

That's my life in a nutshell!

Shopping!

Today, I took my son shopping with me for the first time. We went to Super K, Giant Eagle, and I even got my eyebrows waxed!!! Yay!!! He slept almost the entire time. I have not used the pacifier all that much... but we he finally did wake up, I used it and it worked!!!

Me almost looking normal again and my gorgeous baby.

4 Weeks Old

Our baby is 4 weeks old today! Happy Birthday!! We love you!

Check out my Slide Show!

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend was very busy here at the Alberts house hold. My husband spent his entire weekend working outside in the yard so that our deck and pool can be ready for use this summer. He power washed the deck and front porch, stain and sealed the deck, and open and clean the pool. He finally got out for a bit on his motorcycle today, which was more than deserved!!! Our son and I got out for a little bit too! We went to grandpa and grandma Mueller's house for a picnic on Sunday, walked up and down the street both Sunday and Monday, and uncle Bob came over to visit for a little while as well.
Our son will definitely not want for anything when he gets older. He will be able to enjoy our yard and pool, he will be able to make trips to the Alberts cabin in Pennsylvania, ride horse's at grandpa Mueller's, go to grandma Dresp's campground, and eventually ride four wheelers and dirt bikes! He will be four weeks old tomorrow May 27th and before you now it he will be running around crazy with more then enough to keep him happy and having fun!

Check out my Slide Show!

T.G.I.Fridays

Well we made it through in one piece!!! I took my son to Fridays for dinner yesterday. I was leery about taking him out to a restaurant because it was unfamiliar territory for me. All I could think to myself was, what if he starts crying, what if I have to change his diaper, what if I need to feed him etc... But then I thought, I can't stay locked up in the house for ever so we went for it!!! We made it through dinner with flying colors he never even woke up. This was not his first outing. His first big outing was when he was about a week and half old. He went to grandpa and grandma Mueller's house for Mother's Day. He was extremely well behaved that day too! To me, he is a little angel!

Three Weeks Old!

It is so hard to believe that my baby was three weeks old yesterday. He is growing each and everyday and is the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me! He has begun to sleep through the night for the most part. He wakes up to eat at 3a.m. and then again at 6a.m. and then pretty much sleeps until he feels like being awake for the day! We haven't really done much lately except enjoy our time together at home.

Swing and Pacifier

I was told by more than one grandparent that I need to stop picking up the baby every time he cries. As a new mom, that is very hard to do! But it was time for me to toughen up a bit so today when he started crying I put him in the swing with his pacifier. I have attempted to do this before but always gave in the first time he would start to cry. I told myself that I was not going to do that today and I didn't! He did cry today but I just kept on talking to him while putting the pacifier back in his mouth. Eventually, he gave in!!! Yeah mom!!!

I guess I will leave the spoiling to the grandparents!!!

Check out my Slide Show!

Busy Day

I felt really good when I woke up this morning and I was set on getting some really important things accomplished today. One being my sons first real bath (read below), the next thing being tummy time, and finally a nice long walk! We got everything accomplished today and my husband and I are actually venturing out for a bite to eat tonight!
Today, tummy time was even better than last night. My son and I decided to get some air on his terrible diaper rash so we thought butt naked tummy time would be the best way to go. He enjoyed his tummy time so much he peed all over the place and was happy about it. Then we went for a nice long walk. He was awake for about half of it, then he slept peacefully until we got home.

First Bath

Until today, our little guy has been getting a sponge bath. When I woke up this morning, I though its time for our first real bath. I was so proud of our little guy. He barely cried and I think he actually enjoyed his first real bath!

Tummy Time

So we have been attempting this whole tummy time thing a little bit each day and it usually results in screaming and crying. However, after a few whimpers and cries today, he actually enjoyed his tummy time. The pictures don't really capture the enjoyment part of tummy time but they do display what we have usually gone through on our few attempts prior to today!

Possible Girlfriend??

AllisonToday my girlfriend Natalie stopped by with her daughter Allison. Allison is about five months old and totally adorable! She is possible girlfriend number one for Eddie but he will have a few girls to pick from. A co-worker who lives around the corner from me also just had a daughter who is about two months old and one of my good girlfriends that lives on the west side of town has a daughter that is six months old. So you see, Eddie will be surrounded by girls!!! However, he will probably have one really good buddy fairly quickly. He has already met Brady and I'm sure they will be buds... from the looks of it, they already enjoy having margarita's together!!!

Brady and Eddie

Mini Me

On Mother's Day my husband and I decided to take some close up photo's of the baby next to dad and than next to mom to see who he is starting to look like! From the pictures, we both decided that he looks a lot like dad. Sunday evening dad started calling him "Mini Me" What do you think?

Home Visit

The Lake County General Health District provides a home visit for new moms through their Help Me Grow program. A nurse came to our home yesterday to check how everyone has been holding up! She (Lori) checked the babies temperature, weight, height, head circumference, and chest circumference. My son did a great job while she was here. He has gained 11 more ounces since last Tuesday May 6th and now weights 9lbs. 3oz. He grew in length too! He now measures 21 and 3/4 inches.
We had one small incident while the nurse was here, and thank god she was. My son threw up all over the place. To me it look like a scene from the movie "The Exorcist". Immediately, I started to cry and asked her what was wrong. She said, "that's normal, sometimes when babies eat to much to quickly they puke it back up." She told me to worry if he did it again (which he did not). She took his temperature again and assured me he was fine.
The rest of the afternoon we just hung out and watched t.v. He did really good from about 1:30p.m. until 4:30p.m. but then the crying started.... just in time for dad to get home. My husband took over so that I could get some rest. However, our son had different plans... he just wouldn't stop crying. I kept telling my husband that he was hungry and he kept telling me I just got done feeding him again. I said, "Welcome to my world!" Finally, I got up and breastfed him again around 8:30p.m. and that put him out for the evening. We all slept for about five hours 8:30p.m.- 1:30a.m. I got up and fed him again at 1:30a.m. and then he fell back asleep from 3:00a.m-6:00a.m.!!! I actually got almost eight hours of sleep last night! Yeah, I am a happy mommy this morning and baby is happy too!

Check out my Slide Show!

Thank You!!!

My husband and I are so fortunate to have so many people that love us! Throughout my entire pregnancy all of the grandmas and grandpas did so much for us. Grandma and grandpa Alberts bought the crib we had made by the Amish along with the pooh bedding. They also threw me a shower! Ed's family was very generous and we thank them very much. Grandma and grandpa Mueller bought us the changing table, night stand, and side rails that turn the crib into a bed that we also had made by the Amish. They also through us a shower and my family was also very generous, thank you! Grandma Dresp and great grandma McKlowsky bought us the rocker and the running stroller. And of course they also through me a shower! Thank you to everyone for everything. We appreciate everything that has been done for us immensely. The slide show above will have pictures of the furniture!

No Wonder Breastfeeding Moms Lose Weight

I have been trying to breastfeed my son because it is the best thing for him! However, I have been eating like I normally eat and that is not good for him at all. The last couple of days he has been really gassy. Luckily, Grandma Dresp (FOOD NAZI) was over to help me out yesterday and pointed out what I was doing wrong. She breastfed my brother and I and assured me that although things have changed as far as diaper changing and sleeping habits, breastfeeding has not! She asked me what I eat for lunch yesterday and when I told her a burrito she just looked at me like OH NO YOU DIDN'T and I just looked back at her like OH YES I DID!! That's when she decided to fill me in on what I should and shouldn't eat and sure enough she was right. I even got on-line to look some things up and everything she said was right there in front of me! I can't even eat chocolate (that's a shame).

Here is what I can eat:
Breastfeeding - Diet for the Breastfeeding Mother
While you are lactating, it is very important to eat a nutritious diet to maintain your health and your baby's health. Approximately 500 additional calories per day are required during lactation. That is more than when you were pregnant! The diet should include a variety of foods from all food groups. Avoid excess fat, cholesterol, sugar and salt. Healthy snacks are important throughout the day to provide you with the needed energy for milk production. Continue your prenatal vitamins while you are nursing.
Food Group
Servings per day
Nutrients Supplied
Milk & Milk Products
1 serving =
1 c. milk1 c. yogurt1 ½ c. ice cream1 ½ oz. Cheese1 c. tofu
5
Calcium, Protein, Phosphorus, Vitamin D, Riboflavin
Protein Foods
1 serving =
3 oz. meat, fish, poultry2 eggs1 c. beans, lentils1 c. tofu¼ c. peanut butter½ c. nuts
4
Protein, Iron, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12,Niacin, Folate
Fruits
1 serving =
½ - ¾ c.Citrus fruits Mango, Strawberries, Melons, Papaya
2-4
Vitamins A, C
Vegetables
1 serving =
½ c. - ¾ c.Green, leafy vegetables, Yellow vegetables, Peppers, Potatoes
3-5
Vitamins A, C, E, K,Riboflavin, Folate
Breads & Cereals
1 serving =
1 slice whole grain bread1 small tortilla½ bagel½ c. dry or cooked cereal½ cup rice, pasta, noodles1 muffin, roll1 Tbs. wheat germ
6-11
Fiber, Vitaminn B complex,Iron, Folate

MIA

The last couple of days my son and I have been bonding (eating, sleeping, and pooping!!!) that is why we have been missing in action! I think I am finally getting the hang of how things work with a newborn. I have come to the realization that I am no longer in charge of anything and that what he wants goes!
We had our first doctors appointment with the pediatrician on Tuesday May 6th. Our son is doing very well. He has gained back 5 ounces since leaving the hospital and his circumcision is healing well! One thing we learned really quick is that our son does not like to be naked or cold. We had to strip him down to his diaper at the doctors and then wait until the doctor was ready to examine him. While we were waiting, my son peed on me! I will have you know that he has peed on me about four times now! But just like the c-section...it is all forgotten every time I look at him!!!

Isn't he irresistible??

Target Gift Card

The Blogged In Network is giving away a $100.00 dollar gift card to Target. All you have to do is click on the link and follow the instructions!!!

Click here:

Check out my Slide Show!

Lots of Love

Yesterday was our son's second day home. We had many visitors stop by the house to give all their love to our son! They also brought lots of food and goodies with them! Thank you all so much for everything. We enjoyed spending the day with you!

Weight Tracker

Okay... before I had the baby I posted a weight tracker!!! Well I forgot my pass word so I am going to build a new one for motivation!!! I am in no hurry to work out but would like to keep track of my progress towards my goal!!

Check out my Slide Show!

Bringing Baby Home

Yesterday May 3, 2008 my son and I were released from the hospital to make our journey home. I can't even begin to explain the feelings I had when leaving the hospital.... I thought, he's finally ours and we are completely responsible for anything that could happen to our precious little boy.

The ride home was a piece of cake. There is something about car seats and riding in the car that just seem to put babies fast asleep because that's what our little guy did, sleep!!! When we pulled down our street we noticed a welcome home sign in the front yard, thank you grandma and grandpa Alberts!!!

My husband and I got our little guy comfortable, I fed him, and then we organized the house to make our transition home as cozy as possible for all of us! I think our little guy got cozy right away because he slept most of the afternoon and into the evening between feedings. I on the other hand did not listen to the doctors when they told me to sleep when he sleeps... I was so excited to be home I just kept doing little things here and there in between feedings that next thing I new it was 8:00p.m. And that's when it all began!!! First was the poppy diaper, then it was time to eat again, then there was the wet diaper, I told my husband to take a nap, then it was time to eat again, husband woke up, I napped for two hours, then it was time to eat again, then there was another wet diaper etc..... Needless to say, I did not get much sleep through the night but I really didn't mind because he's the cutest baby I have ever seen ( I might be a little bias already).

Check out my Slide Show!

40 Weeks and 4 Days

For 40 weeks and 4 days Ed and I have been anxiously waiting for our son to be brought into this world. Edward Michael Alberts the III was born on April 29, 2008 at 4:47p.m. He weighed in at 8lbs. 11oz. and measured 21 and 1/2 inches long. He was a little booger during labor because he decided after having mommy push for 2 and 1/2 hours that he was just not going to come out. He was born by c-section and worth every minute of all of it!!! He is the most beautiful son anyone could ask for. Here are a couple pictures of our precious angel, along with many people who already love him.