Babies, Bass and Oil and Gas

the Four Seasons

2009-07-23T23:42:00.015-05:00

We spent a weekend in Dallas recently. John's cousin Shannon was married and it was a wonderful weekend. We took the whole family including Mom and Dad. We flew and Mullah and "Z" were waiting to get our bags and get us all into the cars. They drove us to the resort and we unpacked. Mom and Dad took the girls to the pool where they ate dinner and I think played in the sand. Salt water pools are the way to go. Much gentler on little girls hair. We were off to the rehearsal dinner. It was a beautifully decorated building and the food was fabulous.

Back to the resort and the girls are in bed. Yay! The next morning we all had breakfast together...Mom, Dad, Judy, Dick, VJ and Jean, John Crew (Shannon's dad) came down to make sure we were all having a nice time. The girls loved the pancakes, crepes, yogurt with berries and granola and the juice. They used very good manners and we were very proud.

The breakfast buffet was delicious but they had a full menu too. So many pastries, fruits, Gravlax, crepes....too many.

We swam for a while and then had Tea at Cafe' on the Green. The girls felt very fancy and used their best manners. It was fun for me. They are lovely little ladies and they showed us their best behvior that day. I am so proud of them. I think they truly enjoyed it too.

The wedding that night was at Highland Park Presbyterian Church. It's a beautiful church. Shannon was gorgeous and the music was lovely.

The reception was back at the Four Seasons. Let me tell you, it was exquisite. They had the most delicious hors d'oeuvres. Vicki and her assistant decorated the entire ballroom. It was so beautiful. The tenderloin they served was the best I have ever had. It was RARE!! You don't often get tenderloin cooked so well when at a party serving 500 plus.

Mullah and Z came for us about noon on Sunday. We were riding with Mullah and Anneliese said to him, "I like your car. I want to be a rock star and I want you to drive me all over the world." Mullah agreed it was a great idea and that he would. There you have it.

Abaco

2009-06-06T19:11:00.008-05:00

Abaco was gorgeous! Here are a few pictures. We had an amazing vacation. I will write more about it later.

Secrets and Smiles

2009-03-31T12:50:00.002-05:00

Anneliese wanted to tell me a secret and she said, "I'll put it in your ear and you keep it in your mouth!"

Here are new pictures of Madeleine. She is the Best baby! So happy.

they grow up so fast!

2009-03-24T22:47:00.004-05:00

Madeleine Rose 9 weeks!

the PD (Peiserich Dictionary)

2009-03-21T16:34:00.006-05:00

Hickety Hicks- Hiccups Bless-You's- Sneezes Too-Shoo's- Tissues Bottle- Bottom Washing Machine- Drive Through Car Wash AtDonald's- McDonald's Weasel- Easel Coddle, Coddle-Doo- Sound a Rooster Makes Bunginator- No Idea, but It's Black and is Everywhere.

Watch me, Mama!!

2009-03-20T12:49:00.007-05:00

Uncle Joe!

2009-03-20T12:44:00.002-05:00

The girls love Uncle Joe. Jane and Joe will be at their games on Saturday. They will be thrilled!

Happy Spring!

2009-03-20T11:49:00.007-05:00

So who is supposed to be taking a break during Spring Break? It began today and I am already fearing this summer. I can't keep them busy enough. They are into everything. I'm sure I will be adding to the destroyed/nearly destroyed list.

Here are pics/video's from Anneliese's ballet class and first soccer practice.

Madeleine Rose!

2009-03-14T20:57:00.006-05:00

Madeleine's arrival was the most frightening yet. My epidural was very slow in creeping up far enough my abdomen for Dr. Taylor to begin. Neither Mom nor John knew that they checked placement of the epidural twice and gave me 2 extra doses of meds to numb me up. They tilted the table to get it to flow up my epidural space and slowly the numbness crept up. It barely made it above my belly button. I was terrified that when they tilted the table back to begin that it would creep back down and I would feel everything. I didn't want any pain meds because I was so afraid Madeleine would need extra respiratory support so I asked for gas. It didn't seem to help much. I did feel like something was being done to help me calm down. I was ready to jump off the table and run but the large scrub nurse Connie was leaning on my chest with her forearm. John was very attentive and I really felt his support although we didn't say much. I was talking to my CRNA and she was helping me manage all the strange sensations and anxiety. I didn't feel that much with Anneliese. It was quite different. I understand that I had a lot of scar tissue and that accounts for more pushing, pulling and bruising. More brusing with a tubal ligation too, I'm told. Madeleine was on her side. Her perfect little ear was the first thing Dr. Taylor saw. She had a knot in her cord. The nurse brought it over for me to see. Thank goodness for a c-section. Madeleine weighed 6lb 1oz. She was tiny and beautiful and had lots of hair. We got to leave the OR together. It was amazing. She is amazing. How could she have possibly been born so healthy after such a difficult pregnancy (for me). I guess she didn't have such a hard time those 9 months.

Her sister's love her without restraint or hesitation. They are distressed when she is upset and elated when she smiles. We came home from the hospital and Elizabeth had made us all crowns.

It took everyone I know....

2009-03-14T16:00:00.006-05:00

John and I have many wonderful friends and a lot of family who prayed for us and for Madeleine. We know we couldn't have made it without all the help and love and prayers. We appreciate all the calls, meals, shopping and chauffering that were done for us. When Chuck had his heart attack Jeff and Julie kept Anneliese all day so I could sit in the waiting room to hear how he was doing. Mari designed the nursery and with Jenny brought meals. Joe, Judy, Linda, Mom and Dad picked up and took the kids to school. There are many others who helped as well.

While at Jeff and Julie's, Anneliese was allowed to help them decorate their beautiful house for Christmas. Julie worked outside with lights and Anneliese picked up "Coconuts" from their yard. (Hickory Nuts) They had to be washed inside of course. They worked on putting elves up all around the house. Jeff was himself but Julie and Becca are his daughters according to Anneliese. We ran into Jeff at walmart recently and she smiled and giggled after he left, "He's from our CHURCH!" and then "Where are his daughters?". She loves them all.

Mari did something for Elizabeth that I think she will always remember. She was teaching some of the ladies and youth at the church how to make dinner rolls and before they started she taught Elizabeth how to let the yeast "bloom". She let her add all the ingredients and mix them together. She even got to stay for the class and Mari made sure there was a pan just for Elizabeth to take home and bake. We love Mari.

Some of the funny things Anneliese has said/done/destroyed over the past few months:

We think this is related to our being pregnant and bringing home another sister...Anneliese has been "stealing" things that belong to other people (at home) and hiding them in a "nest" under our bed. We keep empty luggage under there and she arranged them so there was a hole in the middle. She would crawl under and hide: candy, candy wrappers, baby toys, baby clothes, daddy's shoes, fingernail clippers, sunglasses, figurines from the Christmas houses, Christmas ornaments, diaper cream, nails, cereal bars, c.b. wrappers, pens, crayons, pictures and we still look there first for all missing things.

For a while Anneliese would hide stuff under the sofa. It's off the floor about 4 inches so you can see under it easily from behind...unless you are pregnant and can't bend over or squat even a little. Anneliese had me fooled for a couple of days telling me that she had eaten every bite of her lunch,dinner,etc. Then, as John was watching, I caught sight of a plate. On the plate was the remains of her lunch. Behind it was her breakfast. To the side was a box of Nestle's Quick chocolate powder on it's side with a spoon protruding from the front.

Destroyed: one doll bed, one picture frame, one cordless headset for the car...

Near disasters: ink pad used for fingerpainting self, carpet, handrails. Half jar of glue poured down upstairs sink undiscovered for approx 8 hrs. Christmas cactus that was used to play "submarine" in bath tub then later "shanked" with makeshift spear from broken Christmas ornament. Christmas gifts unwrapped in secret upstairs. Has learned to lock doors and unlock them by inserting kitchen knife into slot.

Anneliese said that the baby came from "Grod" (see post We Pray) and Elizabeth snorted and said, "Yeah, God and SPERM!" (Laughing hysterically while Anneliese makes up the "Sperm song". ) Daddy is fake banging his head on the passenger window of car in agony.

We have "calm down corner" at our house when we need a time out and recently were eating out when just such a need arose. John told Anneliese that she would have to go to calm down corner and she responded they did NOT have one. That was only at home. We explained everywhere has one. She looked shocked. We had a very calm dinner.

Anneliese declared one day that she was going to help the doctor get the baby out. I don't doubt that she would have if given the chance.

She loves to go to the Dr. with me and hear the baby's heart BEEPS.

She askes the baby questions all the time and the baby answers. She is really sweet. She kisses me and hugs me and never walks away without doing the same for baby sister. She also has started helping the babies at school up and down the steps and out onto the playground. Her teachers say she is very nurturing.

As Daddy's leaving for work she says, "Have a good day, catch a big one!"

As we drop Elizabeth off for school, "Send me a postcard!"

Refuses to jump over the stuffed frog at ballet. We have no idea why. She tells her teachers that "Mommy said it's dangerous."

Imagine Smeagol from Lord of the Rings speaking to Madeleine saying, "Watch my finger" over and over. Anneliese curls up her pointer finger and says this to Madeleine. We don't know why!

Every day John comes home and asks Anneliese the same question. "Who loves you?" Every day the same response..."Mommy!!"

Elizabeth plans to grow up and work with Daddy every day but live at home. She plans on Anneliese moving out soon to begin work elsewhere.

My nausea was so bad I decided to try acupuncture. Martin Eisele was my wonderful D.O.M.

I went three times a week and often had to take Anneliese with me which was in no way relaxing. I developed a mantra we would say in the car the WHOLE way there..."Don't touch the needles... Don't touch the needles..." Let's just say I did as much relaxing as one can do while immobilized and with a circling three year old saying with a sneaky grin,"Don't worry Mommy, I won't touch the needles." Sure you won't!! I felt like Luke Skywalker tied to that pole while the Ewoks poked him with spears.

Elizabeth went to Acupuncture too but she was really freaked out by it all. I would move my eyebrows and fingers to make the needles wiggle. I'm a little evil at times. She looked sick a couple of times....

They both called my c-section scar my "crack". It's good to stay home for a while after a sibling is born for lots of reasons. You don't want to be in Target and have someone overhear your kids ask you,"Mama, how's your crack today?"

John says I shouldn't tell one particular Anneliese story here so if you want to hear a funny one just ask the next time you see me... it's worth asking!

It's been a while but once she filled the bathtub and dumped an entire box of tampons into it.

Elizabeth told my endocrinologist his hair was "funny looking". He does look like Einstein.

More later.....

Friends and Family

2009-03-14T15:50:00.004-05:00

Tiffany's first visit with Madeleine. Madeleine gets snuggles from Judy! Uncle Joe holds Madeleine for the first time. Grandan puts Madeleine to sleep.

Wow! We have a daughter And she has a name!

2009-03-14T15:42:00.002-05:00

The Blessed day finally arrived!! The big sisters were thrilled, Daddy was in town and Mama survived the pregnancy! Anneliese called her "Baby Madeleine Rose"...never any shorter for the first 2 weeks. Then "Baby Madeleine" and now "Little One". Madeleine is precious to her. They have really bonded.

Santa Came!

2009-03-14T15:35:00.003-05:00

Only Elizabeth could be so excited about learning toys. She flips out for floor puzzles and can't wait to learn all the states. Anneliese is delighted at every gift including a new tube of her favorite toothpaste that is standard year round.

We spent Christmas at our house this year. We missed opening gifts and having meals with the rest of the family. We were, however, glad to be near the hospital and it was nice to not have to pack for a weeks visit plus load up all the presents. The girls and I spent Christmas evening at the Hick's house. They were so generous to include us in their holiday and Tiffany made an awesome dinner. John was sick and had to stay at the house.

Christms Eve

2009-03-14T15:20:00.004-05:00

We are making cookies for Santa. Baby (no name yet) is growing and Anneliese talks to her all the time. Apparently, the baby talks to her too.

2009-03-14T15:12:00.002-05:00

Elizabeth's Thanksgiving "show" at school.

We Pray

2009-03-14T14:47:00.002-05:00

Anneliese and Elizabeth take turns saying the dinner-time prayer and it's always interesting. Anneliese's usual prayer is to "Grod". Grod is great, Grod is good...

Last week it was "Dear Grod, thank you for the beautiful sunny day, my whole family and no snakes in the backyard."

Thanksgiving

2009-03-14T14:29:00.006-05:00

Thanksgiving was great though we missed being with the rest of our family. Because of my contractions and diabetes we stayed at home. John cooked the entire meal and it was fabulous. John made bread pudding from Emeril's Del Monico's and the whiskey sauce was so strong Elizabeth wanted to know why it had fingernail polish remover in it!

Playing Catch-up

2009-03-14T14:07:00.003-05:00

Madeleine is 2 months old yesterday! I can hardly believe that. She is smiling more every day and cooing. She's sleeping about 6 hours each night. She, of course, still loves to be held. No problem there.

I was so sick during the pregnancy that I hardly checked email. Sometimes I let it go for weeks. I didn't blog either. I'll get caught up as much as possible this afternoon.

John was invited to host Bassmaster professional angler Mike Iaconelli while he filmed his show City Limits Fishing here in Little Rock. They filmed for two days on the Arkansas River. John did an impressive job if you ask me. They caught 9 of the 10 they needed to get their limit. It's on the Versus network now.

Lazy Mom

2008-11-12T12:58:00.003-06:00

I let my girls watch Spongebob one afternoon and Anneliese is telling everyone who will listen, in a sad voice, "My Daddy's in Jail!". Ugh.

Pumpkins everywhere!

2008-10-26T16:59:00.000-05:00

Gramma and Papa brought Elizabeth a pumpkin pie with her birthday dinner and put candles in it! The next day Judy and Bobby took Elizabeth and Anneliese to the Pumpkin Patch (pictures and description coming)! John helped them decorate the pumpkins and the front porch too.

Grandparents Day at Fulbright

2008-10-25T17:33:00.000-05:00

Mom and Dad came down for Grandparents Day at Elizabeths school and had a lot of fun!

Elizabeth's 6th Birthday

2008-10-25T11:47:00.000-05:00

Elizabeth turned 6 on October 18th and we had her party at Wonder Place. Sam did another amazing cake (cakesbysam.com) and we all had a great time!

John had a hard time being away from the water and the fish on a Saturday.

Bass, Bass, Bass

2008-10-25T11:18:00.000-05:00

I can't decide who is better looking!

Obviously not the biggest he has caught but good ones all the same. I love when this man is happy.

I hope to have pics of the girls with him in the boat soon.

Anneliese's First Haircut!

2008-10-25T10:38:00.001-05:00

Yes, I know that she is three and a half. I have just not been ready yet. She still seemed like a little girl to me until recently. So I asked mom take her to the salon where Heather gave her her first real salon cut!