Skating

These last two Saturdays have been FANTASTIC!! I got to be a contestant on "Let's Make A Deal" (the air date of my show is scheduled to be May 24, 2012 a day after Mom's bday) Speaking of my Mom... she went to the taping with me and was my skating "coach" since we had to dress up. It was a super fun day right down to pumping in the Rite-Aid parking lot, parallel parking on a random street, missing the 101 onramp and getting lost in little Armenia, eating the pretty snowflake cookie, scarfing down El Pollo Loco after no eating for 8 hours because it was healthier the Jack in the Box, and the grocery shopping at 9pm. What a day!!

This last Saturday, I got to skate/teach skating at Alec Gore's Christmas party. Ya, he is worth 1.9 BILLION dollars ( I looked it up). He seemed like a nice enough guy (he introduced himself before the party). His house was HUGE. Let's just say the ice rink was real ice in his backyard and our dressing room and green room were in one of his garages. The party itself was totally for the kids. I mean they could skate, make gingerbread houses, play dodgeball, build heir own remote controlled cars or helicopters, have their faces painted in super sparkly paint, girl's got fake eyelashes, it was unreal!! Cooper would have been in Heaven for sure. Even the food was for the kids... gourmet hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, crepes, fresh made doughnuts, hot chocolate, candy... I wish I was a kid! Needless to say, I enjoyed my outdoor skate in Beverly Hills!! Plus it was great to get out on the ice after being off it during pregnancy. I was a bit nervous, but it was all good! Woohooo!

New snowsuit

Parker is sleeping, Cooper is sleeping and I am wide awake eating a whole bag of dark chocolate covered pretzels (the whole dang bag!) This is probably my fifth bag of pretzels that I have consumed this week. I am addicted and they are so bad for me, yet soooo yummy. I am pretty much craving dark chocolate 24/7 this time around. With Cooper, it was peppermint Junior Mints (which I do eat lots of this time too). I swear, I crave more sweets then I ever did when I was pregnant. Anyways, enough about food... Today it snowed and naturally, Andy was working. So, who gets to shovel?? That would be me! Actually, it was very light snow and not too much accumulated today so hooray. I wanted to shovel when Cooper took his nap, but alas... Parker woke up hungry, (then we both fell asleep). So, I decided Coop and I would have dinner at 5 and go out after. It took me soooo long to get on all his layers, and afterwards, well let's just say I laughed because he reminded me of the little brother on "A Christmas Story." Hahaha, I still laugh. He could barely move, and he stepped off the side of the driveway because he thought the snow was a little firmer I guess, and all I hear is..."I stuck, I stuck!" He couldn't get up, it was so funny. Well worth the time to get him dressed and undressed. He likes to squish the snow down by walking on it. Can't wait to see him outside in the daylight!

Long sleeved shirt, hooded sweatshirt, 2 pairs of pants, snow suit, jacket, socks, boots, mittens and a hat!!!

Thanksgiving

SO this Thanksgiving was busy for the boys and me for sure. Andy was working, so we went and had dinner with him and his crew's families. It was nice to finally meet Cpt. Page's family and Pete and Sophia loved playing with Cooper. I had pumpkin pie cheesecake....sooooo good! We also stopped before dinner to see Sheldon and his family at station 8. It was good to see them as usual. After dinner, we high tailed it up the mountain to my parent's house for dessert, since we missed dinner because we stayed with Andy a little longer then planned. My grandma made this really good white pumpkin pie. I had three pieces that night and another the next night. Like I said, it was really good. We made it through the day in one piece, the weather was ok for us to travel, and the boys were pretty darn good!!

We take the best pics... right.....

The whole family who made it to dinner

Cooper sitting in the engine

The treadmill was an instant hit..literally! HAHA

A little ME time!

Just a little "yay me" post... Had my Post-op check up today at 5 weeks instead of 6. Everything is good, I can skate whenever I want now! I am below my pre preg weight too!!! YAHOOOOO!! It's weird because my clothes still fit weird. I think things shifted and settled in different places, but I'm not complaining. This recovery was a lot easier because I didn't get an infection like last time, thanking my lucky stars!! It was a little more painful this time because I couldn't rest when I wanted. I also probably should not have carried Cooper as often as I did (which wasn't even that much) but I wanted to hold him, even if it meant a little pain. I actually think the worst was when he accidentally fell right onto my incision. That was not so beuno!

Things are getting easier too. Andy just worked a 4 day and I survived two boys by myself! I know this is peanuts compared to those who's husbands are in the military or go away for long periods of time, but it was good for me. The last day was slightly a blur because I was so sleepy.. I swear, those boys tag team me whenever they get a chance!! I get a slight schedule established, then Andy comes home and it all changes. Oh well!! At least things are easier when he is home. Anyways, tomorrow is going to be interesting seeing that I am going to Disneyland without Andy... but with my family. I can only hope Cooper will behave and Parker will sleep all day, hahahaha. Hopefully I will get some decent pictures.

Parker Brennan!

He's here!! After 9 long months, Mr. Parker decided to make his debut... 4 days late but that was ok!! Parker Brennan Strebel arrived October 22, 2011 @ 3:25am weighing in at 5lbs 13oz and 19 inches long. He came quickly via c-sec, but not on his scheduled surgery date. My Dr. scheduled the surgery for Oct 28... I told him he was crazy and this baby was not waiting that long and neither was this mom! I WAS RIGHT! I started having consistant contractions around 8 pm on the 21st. Now, I had been having Braxton Hicks and real contractions all throughout the pregnancy, but that night I knew they were the real deal. They were coming every 5 min and not going away. I texted my Mom just to give her a heads up that the baby may be arriving sooner then later and I think she thought I was semi joking. I waited around a little longer and around 10:00pm, I decided to call the hospital to see if I should just go in. They said to come on in, so I then did some housework, Andy called his Mom so Cooper would have someone watching him, and we went on our way around midnight to Redlands Comm. My contractions were kinda painful by that time.

I checked in, and they sent me to labor triage. My nurse whom I will refer to as "Big Bertha" was the same nurse who broke my water when I was in labor with Cooper. I remember her very well. Anyways, she checked me and I was dilated to a 2 and effaced 75%. This was good because when I had my weekly checkup with my Dr, I wasn't dilated of effaced! Anyways, she called the Dr on call (Dr. Goo) and Dr. Goo said she would come in and deliver the baby. My parents were present at the hospital, but again, I did not get to see them or talk to them before surgery. I got my epidural or spinal block...whatever, it was nice! The anesthesiologist was super cool and gave me the best pain killer ever... maybe it was before I didn't barf on his watch! Yay! The actual surgery was a lot longer then with my previous one. She said I had some scar tissue. Whatever, when I heard Parker cry, I was all good. He was finally here and I could see him!!

I was in recovery for an hour after being stitched up, but this time I got to hold Parker. It was super great to be with him and hold him. I finally got to go to my room and my parents got to meet Parker after being at the hospital for 5 hrs (I felt bad for them). Andy took a nap after they left... I tried to, but I was too excited. Parker slept in his little crib thing, and I was busy texting and facebooking everyone. By that time, I had been awake for over 24 hrs AND I was on drugs, so I had sent out a few weird texts. My bad! Parker got lots of visitors that day. Both families came, and friends too!! The most anticipated was Cooper. He said hi and that was about it. We spend only two days in the hospital because I wanted to go home. After my good drugs wore off, I was in a lot of pain... but it was worth it.

Parker is an easy baby so far. He only gets angry when he is hungry and doesn't get his food right away... same way I get!! He lost a little weight and got the Dr all worked up... but thankfully I learned from Cooper and told the Dr not to worry. He still wants weight checks, but I'm sure, with the way Parker eats, he will be on the charts soon enough. It's funny because Parker's head is perfectly round and half an inch bigger then Cooper's was... and we all know how big Coop's head is!! Here are some pics of Parker...

Settled down after birth

Why hello Parker!

Parker and Andy

First family photo

Cooper meeting Parker

Grabows

His weight check... he hated it sooo much

Going home

Right before we left hospital

I love his pumpkin butt, and his frog position

The boys!! (we just need Kronk)

Cooper's morning kiss for Parker

Brothers

Fluffy head

Cooper loves feeding Parker...he gets so angry if I try to help

Sleeping angels... best part of being a mom!

He had gas!

A little PPD I think

I am excited to NOT be pregnant anymore! There is nothing I like about the whole thing except the outcome!!! This was a slightly more difficult pregnancy then the first because I couldn't rest when I wanted to, Andy worked a lot, and I as super not well for the first 19 weeks. Cooper was, for the most part, a great kid. Because I was lazy, he learned a lot because he did all sorts of things for me. Yay for me being lazy! But, the whole time I was dreading having another little one...let alone a BOY!! How am I going to be able to handle TWO kids?? I know I can, and I know a bazillion other people handle them just fine, but it is quite scary. What if one feels neglected and not loved? What if they become little monsters? What will they be like as teenagers? What if they don't love me? How many times will I be at the emergency room with broken bones, concussions, ect? Life has become a lot more scary/stressful.

The first few weeks have been wayyyyy stressful for me because Cooper and Andy both got sick, and I did NOT want to get sick or for Parker to get sick (him being a newborn). I didn't want him even exposed, so basically Andy and Cooper lived downstairs and Parker and myself lived in our bedroom. It sucked big time!! Plus side for Andy... he got to sleep through the night for over a week! Lucky!

Thank goodness Parker is easy so far ( knock on wood). He LOVES LOVES to eat, and he is an EXCELLENT gas passer! :) I have a feeling he will catch up on his weight very soon. He looks so much like Cooper to me and Andy. His eyes are big and brown and he furrows his forehead. He has a little more hair then Cooper did, but it is the same color...brown. Cooper is so cute with Parker. He likes to give him kisses in the morning and he always says HI. He won't say Parker, instead he says "Guke" in reference to Luke (his cousin). One of these days he will get it right. He like to feed Parker his bottle... and he shares his toys too. But, Cooper likes his time with Andy a lot and will always choose to play.

I am definately cherishing every moment with Parker and Cooper. In my mind, I have always wanted TWO kids... and I have them. Yes, a girl would have been nice, but I have boys for a reason. Any girl who says she doesn't want a girl of her own is simply lying. I will always feel a little sad that I don't get to shop for prom dresses and hair accessories, but c'est la vie. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little jealous of those who have had and are having girls in the near future. Please understand that I am happy for them, but still a little sad for myself (sore subject). Selfish I know. But, I love my boys and with two kids because we can provide a good life for them and we can afford to spoil them a bit... (my most fav thing ever!!!) At this point in my life, TWO is all I want and I hope every one understands this. Maybe down the road a little miracle will happen, but right now my boys are all I can handle. Like I said, I would love to have a girl, but unless I am 100% gauranteed a girl... I'm not willing to try again at this time. Some people are destined to have all boys, and I am one of them.

I am sorry if I have been anti-social, but like I said... I have been a little stressed out about life. Plus, I was supposed to skate at Knott's for Christmas, but that fell through. I feel like all I am is a milk machine/diaper changer these days. My "out" of everyday life is going Christmas shopping. It helps me relax ... even with all the rude and crazy shoppers out there. I keep wanting to decorate the house, but I just can't seem to do it... don't know why, probably just my laziness. Oh well, it will happen one of these days.

So, that sums up my thoughts for the last year-ish. Parker's bday post will be posted soon I promise. I just felt the urge to rant tonight.

Th L.A. County Fair!

I'm a little behind the times with blogging, but oh well. We have been busy for sure! Anyhow, we went to the fair with my parents on "Hero's Day" (Sept. 11) to get out and have some fun. It was fun, a little on the hot side for me, but fun. Cooper played some midway games, rode rides, got to see the Budweiser Clysdale horses, saw a whole bunch of farm animals, ate a big hot dog, ice cream, ect. I'm pretty sure he enjoyed himself!!

Just a picture I liked taken when we got home from the fair.

Riding the elephant ride... he didn't like it at first, then didn't want to get off

Eating all Mommy's ice cream while watching the miniature train city

Waving from the "stagecoach"

Oh the giant slide... he screamed when he had to leave the slide, it was sad

He won himself a "Narnia" sword!!

August-ish

I never realized how easy I had it when I was pregnant with Cooper, until I was pregnant again! With him, when I was tired I could just cuddle with Kronk... now, I still get to chase and clean up after a toddler!!! Times sure have changed. I either procrastinate wayyyy too long with some things, or have to do things three times because Cooper likes to "help" me. Oh well, less then two months... then I may go a tad more insane for a bit! I have a lot on my plate these days, baby boy being the least of my stress, thank goodness!!! But, all in all I can't complain much. Cooper is as busy as ever. He LLLOOOVVVEEESSS Ice Age movies, and the Narnia movies. He knows them by heart (by music as well). He learns words from them like: boat, snow, Narnia, Sid, to name a few. But, the funniest thing to watch him do is stop playing with his toys when his favorite parts come on. He drops everything and watches. Otherwise, the movie is background to his playing with his toys (especially his cars and his bouncy balls!) He loves to clean... wipe down things and follow me with his "vacume". However, cleaning up his toys is not a priority for him, he does is begrudgingly. If you feed him, or take him outside... you will be his favorite person!

Cooper playing in the fountains at Victoria Gardens! He LOVED it... too bad he got blisters from his sandals. Well, he was in the water for a good hour at least!

Ya, don't know what he is doing, but he loves Kronk's batman cape.

He is modeling my new closet organizer!

I love my Uncle Jimmy!

I love my Uncle Jimmy. That is all!

Cooper Stew!

Ok, so I know it has been a while since I have posted pics of the little dude doing his thing. We have had a few adventures since I started feeling better. These aren't all, but it is a good start. I am always looking for pics so please email them to me or let me know you have them and I will get them!! I need to catch up on everything before little dude number 2 comes!!

TA-DA!! I love him!

"Fill the Boot" Cooper was excited to help!

Speaking of boots... he likes Grandpa's boots!

First haircut (20 months old)

Young Jedi Master to be

Happy Father's Day!

Trip to Sparks... he travelled in style! (Not to mention his friends Kronk and Mochi were also there)

Once again... rock throwing into the creek was such a highlight for him!

He was asking Grandma for more rocks

The fountains at the outdoor mall in Reno/Sparks...before he got soaked!

Soaked

Might as well just get drenched. Luckily I had just bought his first pair of sandals so they were totally useful!

At Chris's house in Yermo! Someone wasn't very happy with the water

Ok, since there were ducks, he was better.

See, better! He didn't really know what to think about the boat ride, but he sure did scream when Andy fell off the tube. He was very aware that Andy was there and then not there. It was actually funny, but I felt bad he got upset! However, who would have thought that in the middle of nowhere desert land, we would have such a great day?!?

Fourth of July at the pancake breakfast. Coop was a little afraid of Sparky.

Swimming in Anaheim with Dad... not a happy camper. He did get used to the pool once he settled down though and he didn't want to leave after that.

Sitting watching the other kids play in the pool.

Disneyland Carousel

Winnie the Pooh ride...not sure about it

Sweat head...notice the stroller! He was almost on the two hour mark for a nap (unheard of these days, cannot even believe it was in a stroller at Disneyland) but then the marching band started up right by us and scared him awake! Poor guy

He's watching his Dad!

I think he tooted

Crazy water boy!