An Exciting Weekend

The weekend began with us packing up the car and heading down to visit my parents. I was able to escape for a little bit to see Sandy and go for a long run on Saturday afternoon. It was fantastic to go down to the city and run with my best friend, it is my favorite pasttime. We did have to laugh several times at ourselves though, considering the wind chill was below freezing and we literally almost got blown away in Lincoln Park, it was all worth it though!!!
Cally had an exciting milestone on Sunday, we were on the way home from brunch and Nick and I hear from the back seat, "Guys I want to go upstairs by myself and take a nap when we get to Grandma's." Nick and I look at eachother and said "OK dear." Well, it ended up that she actually did it!!! I included a picture I couldn't handle how cute she was, big girl sleeping in a big bed all by herself!
The next bit of news is that I have decided to sell Lia Sophia Jewerly! It is a great product and I thought it would be fun and Nick has been so supportive! We will see how it all goes I am taking it one day at a time I am definitely going out of my comfort zone here but it is exciting to do something new!

Update on Reese!

So, we had Reese's follow up appointment from her surgery on Tuesday. I have learned not to be too optimistic with these appointments because it is rare that good news comes out of them. We got to the Doctor and the first order of business is to remove her cast which is always a releif. Then the doctor came in, not as much progress as he would have hoped to see! Her achilles tendon just doesn't seem to be responding to the surgeries the way a club foot typically does. Our surgeon up here has a different theory on Reese since she has been such a unique case from birth, he is considering that she not have a club foot at all and that her deformity may have been caused from compartment syndrome in utero. He has been very reassuring that it is nothing that anyone, especially me, did or could have prevented just a freak incident. But regardless she is probably going to need another surgery in a couple of months. The good news is that worst case scenerio she needs more surgery and will need orthodics, our surgeon continues to assure us that this is correctable and that she will be ok!!! What is so sad now is that she is having a difficult time adjusting to her leg. Since she had the cast on she learned to walk on furniture and the cast actaully gave her leg some stability. Now that the cast is off her leg is very unstable and she doesn't understand what has happened. Again this is something that she is going to have to adjust to, just hard to watch your child struggle!! So, keep little Reese in your prayers and we will keep you updated on her progress!

Sleepless in Milwaukee

So to make a long story short Nick and I haven't slept since we moved here! At first it was Cal adjusting to her new surroundings, then it was the traveling for the holidays, lately it has been they we have been constantly sick since Xmas and just when we thought we were on the other end. . . last night happened!!! I discussed this issue of not sleeping, mainly Reese, with our pediatrician this past week at her second sick visit in a week, a single ear infection had turned into two, thanks Amoxillin! He had recommened that we sleep train again, just letting her cry it out. We had done this once before and had done it with Cal a little bit so I took his informational handout and said we would give it a try. He had recommended us waiting until we both had a couple days off work, there may be some sleepless nights he warned, but since that wasn't really an option because we both weren't going to be off of work for two weeks we decided to bite the bullet and start on Thursday night. The first night she screamed for 1 1/2 hours, and the worst part was now she can stand up in her crib so you would go to check on her she would standing up with these eyes like "what are you doing to me" HEARTBREAKING!!! She finally did go to sleep though and slept until 6 am the most cumalitive sleep Nick and I have gotten in months!!! Here we are thinking success, until Sat night rolled around. We literally got no sleep last night!!! She is so stubborn she just will not lay down and go to sleep without throwing an hour long fit, only this time she threw three hour long fits at seperate times! Does anyone have any suggestions, we are open to them! Needless to say we are sticking with it and hope that sleepy nights are ahead for Nick and I! ha ha
On a much lighter note we hope that everyone had a great valentines day! Thanks again for taco dinner honey! And we wanted to post some recent pictures of the girls. Reese is now really into riding those push toys that help teach them to walk and Cally loves playing with her! It is so fun to see the two of them interact and really have fun together it is priceless!! We also were able to go and see our good friends Brad and Kate and their beautiful new baby boy, Mikey! Cally was so interested in the baby, all she wanted to do was hold him the whole time that we were there! I took that role though, I couldn't keep my hands away from him, it is so much fun holding those newborns with all of their cute noises and their baby smell (don't worry I know how sleep deprived and ragged we are right now, no more kids for us for awhile)!!! We also included some pics of us going to lunch with our dear friends Matt and Melissa who we used to nanny share with. Cal got to see her old bud Dominic, the two of them had so much seeing eachother!

Spring Is In the Air!!!

I can't tell you how wonderful it has been to have some warm weather the last couple of days. I actually have been able to take the girls on a couple of runs outside, which I hope will help with their immune system breakdowns!!! Speaking of which we are on the mend, knock on wood, it seems from all of our illnesses. However, I am taking Reese in tommorrow morning to check her ears again, she now is waking up a lot at night and is driving us nuts. Poor Nick and I are so sleep deprived I don't think we can even see straight, but they are worth it those little buggers. On a lighter note we went to Chicago this past weekend and had a great time visiting my parents.

To My Friend, My Hawkeye, My Cubbie!

To My Friend, My Hawkeye, My Cubbie
a loyal friend you will be
for all eternity...

Our time began in a place we all belonged
A circle of friendships
that mean the world to me

We were a band of brothers
that gave me strength and unity.

We would talk sports,
we would share dreams,
and quote movies all the while

You made me laugh,
made me smile,
and forget about my worries for a while.

The times we had were spirited
and nothing short of great!

I wish I could turn the hands of time
before it was too late.

We will never say goodbye,
for I am confident you know how I feel.

Today is a difficult day
because sadness and grieving
was not a part of our deal.

Instead we will celebrate your life
and what you taught us during
your short time here.

That is to LOVE what you BELIEVE IN
and BELIEVE IN WHO YOU HOLD NEAR.

Thank you to my friend, my Hawkeye, my Cubbie
a loyal friend you will be
for all eternity!


I wrote this poem in remembrance to my friend Zach Harsch who passed away last Friday. Zach was the biggest Hawkeye and Cubs fan, if you can believe it, he was even more passionate than I am. At the age of two Zach made the cover of Newsweek for being a Cello prodigy. He was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes at the age of seven and his dreams of being a professional baseball player would soon diminish. He never let any road block stop his zest for life though, when challenged he worked hard to overcome any obstacle. The diabetes didn't stop him from being active and enjoying sports, when he wasn't accepted the first time at the University of Iowa, he went to a smaller school and was accepted the following year. It was here at Iowa where I met Zach through a mutual friend of ours, Brad Steeves. Then soon after Zach and I shared five or six Psychology and General Ed courses. He always attended class and saved me many times when my alarm clock didn't work. I became an expert at deciphering his messy notes.
Zach loved life and made friends wherever he went. He settled down in Kansas City with his wife, Bobbie. He became a teacher and taught seventh grade Social Studies while he persued his Masters in Counseling. He made so many connections during his four years at the Middle School he taught. His mentor said he was a Natural and I don't doubt that a bit.
At his viewing last night the huge room was standing room only and it was impressive to see the hundreds of people that Zach touched in the short 28 years with us. Even more impressive were the dozens of seventh graders that had the courage to go up to podium and share their great memories about "Mr. Harsch". I am convinced that he had found his calling and made a huge impact on those children's lives. I am so honored to have known such a wonderful teacher, friend, and good man. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and many friends. Zach's wife Bobbie is due in March with their first child, he was already a wonderful father and he will live on in all that knew him. Please pray for a healthy delivery, thank you...Nick

What a week!!!

We have had quiet a week this last week! Let me start from the beginning. . .Monday we woke up with Cal having a fever, being extremely irritable and sleeping all day, what fun! By Tuesday we were at the Doctor and she was diagnosed with pneumonia, fantastic! Wednesday we decided to put a bid on a house that we were really interested in, which was exciting but I determined I am not meant to be a realtor. It is so stressful waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the seller's answer. So of course if you know me I don't do well in situations in which I dont have control so I was quiet a joy to be around. The only way I survived that day was my father being so gracious to come up and help me for the day, that way I only had to bring Reese to the three hour meeting with our realtors. Of course we didn't hear anything until Thursday at 12, which was the deadline of their counteroffer. We decided to make yet another counteroffer and therefore waited again, therefore another sleepless night for me! Friday morning we woke up all stressed out about whether or not we were going to get the house when Nick received a phone call that one of his dear friends was in a coma and had no brain activity. Boy, did that force us to have some perspective and realize how trivial our everyday worries are. Nick's friend ended up passing later on that day but I ask that you all take a moment and say prayers for all of his family and friends, especially is wonderful wife Bobby who is 7 months pregnant with their first baby boy! The rest of the day we were in a daze not sure what to think or how to act. You don't ever expect to bury one of your friends when you are in your late 20's, it is such a tragic situation. We made the decision that Nick was going to go to the services in Kansas City Monday and Tuesday to mourn and spend time with his friends. Zach our thoughts are with you and your family you will deeply missed!
On a lighter note we recieved word late Friday night we got the house! We are so excited. We close March 14 and plan on moving that following weekend. We will keep you all updated on the progress. Then... just when Cal started feeling better Reese developed a 104.6 temp on Saturday. WOW! We took her in Sunday to my work and seems as though it is viral, still spiking those temps today!!! I guess we will have to just grin and bear it!
Anyways, say a prayer for Zach and his family and for Nick, he is being so wonderful through all of this but I know the next couple days and the 9 hour car ride to Kansas City is going to be tough. But this sitation also allowed us to reflect and be thankful for each moment that we have here and realize how lucky we are. So to all of our loved ones, we love you and thank you for adding so much joy and happiness into our lives!!! And P.S. thanks to Steve and Heather for the shout out I love it, so funny!