Happy Valentines Day

It's crazy to think that almost two years ago today I was waiting patiently for Lanie to arrive.  Feb 14th was her due date, but of course our little gal had plans of her own and she decided that Feb 18th sounded like a much better birthday for her to have.  As I think back to that time I remember working right up until my due date, my last day of work was Feb 12th and I was determined to have that baby on Monday which was her due date ohhh silly me.  I laugh at all the phone calls and text asking me why I hadn't had that baby yet, like I was holding her in or something.  I was swollen, huge, uncomfortable, excited, and scared! I had no idea how to take care of a newborn, birth a baby, or adjust to life with a car seat slung around one arm and a diaper bag over the other shoulder. I didn't know the true meaning of exhaustion (yet) or what it was to be completely selfless. As I sat there for the next five days willing this child to come out I never could have imagined in my wildest dreams how amazing being a mother would actually be.  I am not going to say every moment is magical and filled with crafts and sunshine because that is a lie and I am all about being honest!  Yes, it is hard to be a mom, but I am lucky to have a husband that is a wonderful Dad and steps in whenever I am riding the train to crazy town (I was on that train Monday). Today is Valentines Day and Mark and I are not big participators. It's not that we are against it or hate the day we just choose not to make it any different than any other day. Lanie had a party at school today so as I was preparing her Valentines for her and excited to see what type of candy I get to eat when I pick her up today (I am pregnant give me a break), I had two thoughts about love.  One is that until I had that crazy, sweet, spunky, amazing little ball of energy I never really knew what instant & unconditional love was, and two, the amazing love our God shows us daily even with all my blemishes, mess ups, and short comings. So to celebrate this day I thank God for the greatest gift of all------LOVE :)




Happy Valentines Day- Love, Lanie and all her friends!

 

Super Bowl

I love to host a good party with good friends, but at our old house we just didn't have the space.  In June we moved to our new house and one of my first thoughts was I can have our super bowl party finally!  I know some people have family things and there is about 100 super bowl parties to attend, but Mark and I tended to never have plans so we decided to go with it.  We had a great turn out and and it was for sure a full house.  With kiddos and adults we had about 45 people there with the kids almost out numbering the adults!  We had the T.V. going upstairs and downstairs, most of the men and more serious football watchers migrated downstairs, with lots of chatting and yummy food consumption going on upstairs.  I am also proud to announce even with all the excitement Lanie went potty several times and had zero accidents.  I was nervous for her because she was so excited to have so many friends to play with and getting her to sit on the potty was a challenge because she just wanted to play the entire night.  That crazy party animal was up till 10:00 and still woke up this morning at 6:45!  Mark took the day off to get some stuff done, but at least she can lounge for awhile before having to go to daycare. The 1st annual Wade SBP was a success and look forward to many more in the future :)



The upstairs crew



Serious watching going on!



Some people find beer can outside after a party we find chocolate frosting :)





Lanie getting ready for the big party!





Half Time show



Potty Training ....or torture!

So we have started it the act of potty training Lanie!  Most parents when I have talked to them for advice, read blogs, or something in a book have two reactions. They go like this, 1) " Oh it was hard, but we stayed on top of it and they were trained in three days!" or 2) "It has been the worst part of parenting so far!"
In the Wade house we started last Saturday with Lanie in panties and the dedication to not leave the house the rest of the weekend we had tons and tons of accidents with zero success.  Then Sunday she still had accidents, but at least of couple of successful trips to the potty.  We set a time and every 30 min we march our bottoms to the potty and sit. Usually we have to entertain with the Ipad, book, singing a song, or anything to get her to set there for more than 3 seconds.  I have never spent so much time in my own bathroom, I have rearranged things, thought of new ways to decorate, and simply started at the wall.
We sent her to daycare on Monday in the panties with plenty of back up clothes.  We had talked with our daycare before and they were on board with it as long as we would stick with it at home to.  Monday she had zero pee accidents, but the first big poo accident.  Then we got home just bug and I until Daddy arrives and in the time span we had another poo accident and a pee accident. I was starting to loose my patience so thank goodness reinforcement arrived.  Tuesday, picked little miss up from daycare with zero accidents and three successful pottys!!!! I was on cloud nine, but I was quickly shot down when on the way home she declared I have to potty, well nothing we could do there she was in a car so accident number 1. Then about 30 min later she had another accident.  Luckily she did have two success as well that night so I was completely defeated.  Mark is way more calm and way more patient that I am at this and he just keeps say "she will get it" , but I pray everyday she will get it sooner rather than later.  This adventure of potty training is not fun ready for it to be over, what is that saying "this to shall pass" well lets just make sure all the 'passes' are in the potty :) I have always said if they want to punish prisoners they should put them in a car with a screaming child with no way of pulling over or helping them calm down. Now I think they should add potty training to that list!

It's a.......

Sunday we had our big reveal party to find out what the sex of the baby is.  Tuesday Mark and I went to the ultrasound and saw that there was a perfect, healthy, right on target baby.  When it was time to look at the sex I turned my head, but Mark looked.  He did a good job at keeping it a secret and the ultrasound tech put it in a sealed envelope.  I took it to the most yummy cupcake place and they made cupcakes that all looked the same chocolate and vanilla and then put a cream filling in the middle colored pink or blue for the sex.

Sunday rolled around and it was a busy day at church with working in preschool and the connection event for Lifegroups.  Mark, Lanie, and I didn't get home till 1:00 after both Lanie and I decided it was time for a nap and well rested we were up at ready for the party at 4:00.  My mom and dad host at their house a once a month dinner we have named Super Sunday.  With Zach's family 45 min away and Austin's busiest work day being Sunday it's to much to say every Sunday we at my parents house.  So last year my Mom invented Super Sunday and we all look forward to it each month. We start at 4:00 (Austin's favorite -ha ha) and then eat, hang out, always play a game, and just relax.  My parents always provide the dinner and then the siblings rotate the dessert and game.

Well of course the game was pick the sex of the baby and the dessert was the cupcakes!  Everyone was super excited to get started so they all made me take a bite before dinner so that everyone could know.  The votes were very boy heavy as you can see.

So I took my big bite

And we found out the new baby is a ...

GIRL!!!!!!!

I am pretty sure Zach was more excited than anyone this picture of half his head cut off does not do justice to the pure excitement he had :)

We are so excited to have a healthy baby girl joining the Wade family in June and look forward to many drama filled teenage years with sisters.  Lanie is starting to say sissy, but I am still not convinced that she understands what it going on.

Christmas Part 2

On Christmas Eve Mark, Lanie, and I listened to the Christmas Story and then our sweet girl went to bed.  Since I can't seem to stay up late anymore, this baby sucks all the energy out of me it wasn't to long before I was in bed as well.  We got up Christmas morning and started our traditional monkey break breakfast.  We lounged around in comfy pj's and played until breakfast was ready then gobbled down the gooey delicious breakfast. Then we headed downstairs where Mark had a fire going and opened presents.  Lanie did awesome and since it was just us three we let her take her time and she opened all of her gifts herself.  She loved her horses, books, art easel , clothes, baby, and possibly her favorite some new bath toys. Then Mark and I opened gifts and we have a pretty strict rule that Christmas we have a set spending limit, but on birthdays you can do what you want.  Well Mark got me an amazing waffle maker (yes, I really did want it) and some yummy candy.  Then Mark got a great IU shirt and M & M's.  Then Mark tells Lanie that she needs to get her gift and give it to Mommy.  That little stinker brought over a tiny box with a sticker from the jewelry store that Mark has gotten me stuff from before.  He got me (or he says it was Lanie) beautiful diamond earrings.  They are exactly what I wanted just something small and simple that I can wear all the time.  He said he didn't break our rule because Lanie got them for me. So I guess I am going to have to put a limit on Lanie's gifts too!

After a little bit of playing we got got dressed and headed up to Plainville for the Wade Christmas.  We stopped by and visited Mark's Grandpa Bob.  It is always so great to see him and I love listening to his stories.  Then we kept on trucking and settled at Gena's house to begin the festivities.  We all had such a good time and I am pretty sure Lanie ate more cookies that night than actual food, but it was Christmas :) We stayed late, but had heard there was going to be a rather large snow storm coming in so we decided we would head back that night.  We got home pretty late and nothing had started so I was assuming another southern Indiana freak out, but was I wrong. We woke up on the 26th to lots and lots of snow!!!!

Mark had already taken the day off so he got to stay with us.  We did venture out with Lanie, but she was not a huge fan of the snow.  The second day Mark went back to work and Lanie and I went out again she did a little better, but still not the biggest fan of snow. 

I love the holiday season and everything that comes with it, but now that we are in the middle of January I can't complain that we have had a couple weekend already that have been relaxing.  Mark and I 's schedules fill up pretty quickly between work, church, family, and friends that when we get a rare weekend to just relax and spend it as a family of three ( soon to be four) I really do cherish it.  I was actually going over our next couple of weekends with Mark and saying they were pretty open and his response "was good now keep it that way!"

Tomorrow Jan 15th we get to see pictures of our sweet new baby and find out the sex!!! We won't officially find it out though until the reveal party on Sunday. As always praying for a healthy baby boy or girl :)

New Years Noon

We love the Dierlam's and we always have so much fun when we all get together.  Which is quite often because we have kids around the same age so they understand the struggles of finding a babysitter, the misery of taking a toddler to a restaurant, and watching hours and hours of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  Mallory and I meet in middle school and have been two peas in a pod since then.  We cheered together all through high school and we are pregnant again together, if you have ever been pregnant it just makes it more fun to go through it with your buddy! This will be Mark and I's second and Mallory and Jeff's third, more kiddos equals more fun right!Mark and Jeff meet when I started dating Mark, but I am pretty sure it was love at first sight for these two.  Seriously we were at a wedding and it was the first big event Mark and I went to together and a little intoxicated Jeff learned over to Mallory and commented about Mark, " I think we are going to be best friends!"
We have a tradition on New Years Eve with the Dierlams, this year made it 4 years and we plan to continue it until well who knows.  I am sure it doesn't sounds exciting to most people, but we enjoy it and I really do look forward to it.  Our big plans for NYE are simply to hang out with our families, I know crazy!!! The first two years we went to Turonis gobbled down yummy pizza and then always ventured back to Mal and Jeff's for dominoes after laying Will down for the night. Then we quickly added Lanie and Norah to our party and decided it might be more enjoyable to order in and let the kids just run crazy and we didn't have to worry about the battle that happens every time we take small children out to eat, I will tell you about the Los Bravos melt down sometime.  So even though we change things up here and there the basic plan is to always go to Mal and Jeffs with jammies packed and fun to be had.
This year we added the fun of going to CMOE our children museum.  They have a lot of activities plus some special things for what they call New Years Noon since most kiddos are asleep on the actual Happy New Year moment.  We had such a good time playing in the magic tree house exhibit and the magic show was the best part.  Lanie enjoyed the rabbit and got upset when she couldn't touch it, but Will (Mal and Jeff's oldest) was in love with the magic show and sweet Norah was just happy to run around with her shoes off!
After some much needed naps we started our party at home and after we got all the kiddos to bed we played some game, enjoyed our sweat pants, and watched some Rocking New Years Eve with Ryan Seacrest.  So even though our day/night was not full of fancy dresses, champagne (well the boys had some the two preggos did not partake), and wild moments, I spent my NYE exactly how I wanted to surrounded by my family and plan to keep it that way for quite awhile :)

Lanie driving Norah around a small glimpse into the future with these two crazies!

Laura Ingalls Wilder  

Laura and Almanzo ;) 

Christmas part 1

Saturday we had Christmas at my parents house.  Since we live 3 1/2 hours away from extended family my mom,dad, and brothers have always just celebrated Christmas as a little family of 5, but over the years more and more amazing new members have entered the small family of 5 which now adds up to 17 with another one on the way :) The Maxheimers have lots of littles and there is something special about Christmas when you can be with them, they tend to make everything more magical. It can be alitttle crazy since we take turns opening gifts, but the looks on their faces when they open something they were hoping for is priceless.
My Mom has always been an amazing gift giver. She never ask people what they want she just listens and spends time with people to figure out the perfect gifts that would bring that extra smile. As my niece Anna was looking at all her treasures she said "how does grandma Amy always know what to get"! I saw my sister in-laws shine with excitement over gifts I know my Mom bought months ago.
And then Zach literally jumped with joy over a new bible with his name on it.
With all the joy, excitement, and new toys I couldn't help but notice the best gift that was given on Saturday came from my Mom and Dads amazing example of love and generosity.  My parents have always set an example for my brothers and I that Christmas starts with Jesus. I hope that Mark and I can set an example for Lanie like my parents did for me.  Tomorrow morning before Lanie opens presents Mark and I will read the Christmas story, she might not understand it all, but she will in time understand that the reason we celebrate is all because our savior came to us on that holy night.