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Updates, everyone?!
It seems like I'm so out of the loop on the happenings with all of you lovely ladies lately! 
There are so many people/things I'd love updates on....
Allobosc - How are you adjusting to having 2 little ones? Will you go back to work yet this school year or not?
Amber - Have you guys found a house yet?
Angi - Have you started the new position yet? If so, how do you like it? When's your trip to SC? Any new B2 pics to share?
Ari - How's everything going? Has Matt found a new job yet?
Bobbie - Has work eased up for you at all? How's the new 'side-job' starting out?
Brandy - How are you feeling? Any names chosen yet? How was the recruiting trip? (Or has that not happened yet?)
Christi - How are things going? Why don't you post more often? (lol!!)
CJ - How are you feeling? Does it seem like Buckeye knows something's up? Is the nursery ready?
Cori - How are your kiddos? Any new pictures to share?
Crimson - Is the kitchen remodel finished yet? How did the games go at SIL's shower?
Dream - How are you feeling? Will you find out the sex of this baby? Any names in mind?
Hound - Is Jake continuing to improve since the tubes? How's the photography biz going?
Jamesgirl - How's everything with you? Are things finally settled down with your parents' situation? Any new pictures of N8?
Jen - Are you loving the big TV? How's A doing? Any new photos?
Jene - WTG on your running!!! What's the next race on your schedule? Any new pictures of C2.0?
Jeni - How are your little cuties doing? Have you found a new job yet?
Jill - Have D's sleep/breathing issues ever been resolved? Is your business keeping you busy?! 
Kel - How are all of your kiddos doing? What's the next vacation on your agenda?
Kidnicky - What's new? Where have you been?
Kris - How is everything? Hope you're not working yourself to death! Anything new and exciting to report?
Leigh - Any recent dates? Is the big D finally over with?
LisaS - How is work going? How about the side biz?
Linds - Aside from all of the bad news lately, how are you doing? Are you prepared for your baby girl? Is R excited?
LM - How are you & A? How are the kids? When's Vegas?!
LT - How is work going? How about T's new jobby job? How's R?
MC - How is it going living with the fam? Have you finalized the house plans? How are the girls??
Monica - How is B doing? What about A? And how are you and J?
Nbecker - Were you able to find a new childcare provider yet? How's TJ since his tubes?
nightmare - How is everything going? Anything new and exciting?
PM - I know you've had a lot of crappiness lately, but how are things otherwise? How are the kids? Are you excited to get back into wedding season?
rak - How are the plans coming along?
Raspberry - How are you and R? How are the kiddos? Still helping out at the old job? What's your latest knitting project?
RockThis - How's H's job going? How about yours? Are you back to TTC?
Sara - How are things? How's the self-employment? Any news to share?
Sparker - How are your little guys doing? Anything else new and exciting?
Susan - How's the working from home going? Any new pics of Ella to share?
Tami - How are things with you and J? How are the girls? How does it feel to have the end in sight for school?
Trish - How are you feeling? Any idea when your little lady will make her debut?
And, as always, I'm SURE I'm forgetting people, so please post your updates and news even if I didn't remember to list you above. I promise you that it's not that I don't care, my memory just sucks sometimes!
Re: Updates, everyone?!
So first, great memory! Things are going well. DH is in his second semester or Law school, and that can be challenging but we're doing good. His grandfather died two weeks ago, things were tough but they are getting better.
Work is blah... The wedding stuff is going well. Thanks to help from all of the nesties I have been able to get my strict budget bride and groom all of their venders (still working on one). Now I just need to have some referrals so I can expand some!
Merin, what's going on with you? How is all of the fundraiser stuff going? Any more benefits going on? Is J being more cooperative with doing more stuff? Is your roof repairs holding up with all this rain/melt? Anything else going on?
merin - how on earth do you remember all that stuf????
things have slowed down at both jobs and things are going good with my personal trainer (lost anywhere from .25 to 1 inch everywhere at my last measurement
.
the only new thing going on is that we are in a mad rush to find a new place to live. apparently the place the we are renting will be going up for sale after our lease is up in april.... nice of our landlandy to give up a 2 month notice. it's putting me under some stress and i'm not liking it.
you are amazing with the memory, woman
R and I are awesome, he just landed a permanent IT manager position so we are ecstatic about that (he's been working just temp positions). Kids are doing so well; H1 is reading and writing and she loves dance class, H2 is ornery but cute
R's daughter M turns 8 next week, Angi is making sunflower oreo cupcakes (YUM) for us.
The new guy at the HS still emails me a few times a week with questions, but I don't go there much anymore. Probably will help out for the events coming up this year though. Thinking about taking home a litter of kittens to foster at some point too!
Knitting-wise... worked up a hat for my mom last night, just finished slipper socks for her too
did a few photo-prop newborn items for a friend. BFF is having a baby soon so I need to get her stuff going - a hat and some burp cloths until I know whether baby is a boy or a girl! I owe another BFF some OSU socks for her baby.
are you still super busy with your non-profits? photography?
I'll admit, I did scan a couple of pages of posts to jog my memory.
Lisa - Sorry about DH's grandfather.
What vendor are you still seeking for the budget bride? Oh, and if I ever hear of anyone in need of a coordinator, I'll be sure to recommend you! Can you e-mail me some details on your services and prices?
Kris - WTG on the inches lost!!! And that SUCKS about moving!!! Any certain areas you're looking in? Beds/baths/budget? Let me know and I'll keep an eye out! I do know that the house 4 doors down from me just went up for rent!
Ras - That's GREAT about the job for R!!! And you MUST let me know if you foster kittens!!! Oh how I miss that!
Your new projects sound adorable too! You should share pictures! 
As for me.... Had a big fundraiser for GF on 2/24, and it went really well! Next big fundraiser is the Paw Hoorah for PPI, and that's on 4/30 so planning and prepping is in full swing!!! And still doing lots of day-to-day with GF - prepping & shipping care packages, organizing, etc. and still managing the PetSmart adoption center for PPI still too. So yep, the non-profits are DEFINITELY keeping me busy!
lol @ J being more cooperative with doing more stuff!
Uh... kind of? He's still not a busy body like me by ANY means, but he will occasionally go out and do stuff with me now, and I've learned to do stuff at home more too. Compromise. 
Roof has been perfect (knock on wood), even with all of this mess. Same with the basement, thankfully! Our front yard is always a lake though still, haha.
Still doing the photography and having a blast with it. Took some maternity pics for a friend a couple weekends ago, and taking pictures of two friends' babies (one is the maternity pic mama's newborn girl) this coming Sunday. I really love doing it because I feel like I can help friends get pics they might not get otherwise, while also trying to learn and improve my skill. I'll definitely be keeping my day job (lol!), but I sure have fun with it!
LM - How are you & A? How are the kids? When's Vegas?!
Thanks for asking...A and I, well we are working more together as a "team", status for the future, I don't know we are just surviving the right now. He came out of his situation a much different person some for the better some not. We are both really busy with our separate things. No time to fight and argue really. He's really busy at work working 7 days a week all this month, I'm taking time for myself to workout and i'm feeling really good, which makes it easier to deal with everything.
Kids are great, growing like weeds but Ryan is going through the terrible 2's and abby the terrible 3's if there is such a thing! I think they are getting a touch of cabin fever. My dad still comes to babysit at my house each day (I am so fortunate that they insist on making that sacrafice for us with my mom's job situation). They are itching to get out of the house and I think they are really bored from being cooped up in the house all day. A keeps asking me if it's summer yet b/c she knows I don't have to work. We keep talking about all the fun stuff we will do.
VEGAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! is in 14 days!!!!!!!!!!! I can't stinkin' wait! I have been working out hard for the trip and have lost 20 lbs. The last 2 lbs have taken 2 weeks though. I need something to jump start me again. I would love to lose 10 more. I'm still plugging away at working out though and not giving up, I have 2 weddings that i'm in the month of May.
I broke one of my own personal records yesterday. I ran 2 miles in 22mins and 30 seconds. I abosolutely loathed running before I started this journey the first of the year. Thought I was going to die running even for 2 mins in a row. Now i'm able to run 2 miles without stopping, each time I do it I want to cry b/c I never thought I could do it!
Working from home is going pretty well, now that I am getting the hang of it. It's really nice to be able to spend most of my day with Ella and still be bringing in some money. I don't really have any new pictures at the moment, I need to trasfer stuff from the camera. I am going to have to buy a new point and shoot soon, mine is dying.
we're looking for at least a 3 bed (or 2 bed w/ basement) and nothing over $760.00 a month for rent. south toledo, maumee, holland area. thanks!
Even though you scanned a couple pages, I still say wow Merin!
And Ras, Angi's sunflower cupcakes are amazing!!! She made them for one of my friend's bridal shower, and they were soooooo good!!
As for me, I'm still doing well. She loves being up in my ribs and lungs, so that makes it uncomfortable, but other than that I still feel pretty good. I can't believe my due date is six weeks away already!!
I do think Buckeye knows something is going on. He is extremely protective of me, even more than he was before. We haven't been keeping him from anything either though. We brought her swing out in the living room and have brought some of her things out during the day as well. Whenever we are in the nursery, he is in there with us. He's allowed to check out anything he wants, he just can't take it. So far, there has only been one toy he wants, but otherwise, he seems to know that isn't his. In fact, my aunt came over, and I was showing her the nursery, and he picked up the one toy in the nursery that was his to show her. We are also going to install the car seat soon too so he has to get used to that as well. Then when she is born, Chris is going to bring home a blanket that she has been in for a while for him to smell. He likes to have a blanket or something that smells like us in the living room while we are gone, so we plan to leave the blanket too for him so it just like our things.
Overall, everything else is going well too. My sister's bridal shower is in a few weeks, and we are getting excited for that. Work has been going well for us both too. We are trying to get a few little projects taken care of around the house before baby C arrives too.
Our baby girl!!
Wow, you have quite a memory!
TJ is doing really well since getting the tubes. The last few days he has really started to "walk" on his own. He has been letting go of everything and can walk across the room pretty well now(although he does look like Frankenstein when he walks lol). He seems to be hearing a lot better too. You can tell that just because he can hear the softest noise and by the way he whips his head around at certain things. I'm so happy that we got the tubes when we did. I can't wait to see more improvements!
We actually did find a new sitter. Its great because she actually lives about 5 mins down the road from my job and is actually cheaper!! She also does sooooo much more with the kids, plus he will not be the only toddler there(she has an 8 month old boy and watches an 18 month old little girl). She sets her house up just like a daycare schedule, and does all kinds of activities with them. She never has the TV on, and makes sure that they all have a good time while learning new things. I'm sooooooo happy already because I know that this is going to be a great place for TJ. He actually is starting there tomorrow! Lets just hope that things actually go as good as I hope!
Married My Best Friend On May 23rd, 2009
Our Little Man is Finally Here!!!
<a href="http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm29/nrb0509/?action=view
YGPM
... and you even have it all in alphabetical order!!
)
Heading to Vegas in May for a early birthday present. The hubby surprised me w/ the trip! Then at the end of May we are heading on our yearly Florida trip for a week. Can't wait for either!!
Kids all are fine! Addison started gymnastics classes w/ Monica's Addie so that is fun! The girls are so adorable! Other then that, ready for the weather to get nice so I can see something other then these 4 walls all day!
Great job girls on the weight loss! 20# is awesome!
Angi - Have you started the new position yet? If so, how do you like it? When's your trip to SC? Any new B2 pics to share?
I did start my new position, which is why I havent been around lately. I have been so freaking busy. I LOVE IT! I told a coworker the other day, "it's like working in a library compared to what I came from." LOL. Things are kinda slow today and I am actually taking a lunch..ha.
My trip to SC is in TWO WEEKS!
I always have new pics of B2. They all get uploaded to FB. If I have time in between all the baking, I will post some on here. The kid is a talking machine. He is putting 3 words together now to form a sentence. Last night he said "more milk please" God, I love him.
I also wanted to get in touch with you about taking his 2 year pictures... can you believe he is going to be two next month?
Things are going well, I've just been really really busy between both kids, all of the appointments they have, trying to keep order around the house and trying to keep up with work. I'm doubling my course load starting Monday and will have to start taking Audrey to PT 3x a week for 6 weeks so I may disappear completely for awhile! I haven't set up her PT yet, but hope to in the next few weeks. Jake is continuing to make progress, just little things, but we have all the help he needs in place now so I'm hoping things take off quickly.
The Photography is going good, I'm just finally getting back into it, but I'm keeping it very limited for right now until the semester ends because I don't want to take on more than I can get edited in a reasonable amount of time.
And Merin, I would love to see some of your work from the photography sessions you've been doing!
Not TTC.
H's job is going well... he finally finished training (yeah, like five months of training...) and just started his permanent position last week.
My job is still just PT, unfortunately. I am doing hourly editing work on the side for another professor here but only a few hours a week right now. Boss says his new boss might be able to put my main position back to FT, though, which would be awesome.
Wow Merin, that is impressive!
Honestly I don't post very often because I am a newbie (at least to the Toledo board) and I don't want to seem like I am crashing the party!
Linds - Aside from all of the bad news lately, how are you doing? Are you prepared for your baby girl? Is R excited?
We are not prepared for the baby! DH has hit a horrible spell of migraines that has really sidetracked progress on her bedroom. He's has one just about every-other-day for the last 2 weeks. He's heading to the doctors this afternoon. Hopefully it's just because he has a lingering sinus/ear infection and he's been so out of sorts that he's eating even worse than he usually does. Of course, he didn't get one all weekend, but he was at his conceal/carry class. So, this weekend, he'd better finish painting and possibly put in the carpet. That would make me feel SOOO Much better.
Worse case scenario - I have the baby. We have everything that we need. SHe can sleep in the pack n play or something for a few nights. I'm not too worried about it.
I am doing okay. Just trying to hang on at work for 2 more weeks. My doctor appointments have gone really well and the doctor is impressed with my "growth" - as in, everything is right on track. That makes me feel good because I feel like a cow!My planned last day of work is the 25th (one week before my due date), but if I can make it through the 18th I'll be happy. My sub is on vacation next week and I'd hate for my poor class to have to deal with one sub and then another. They totally don't need that.
R talks about the baby all of the time, but he doesn't realize what's going to happen when she's born. He's doing great in his new room and has started potty training - see my post below if you need more information on that.
Overall, we're good. I'm just ready for some time off!
You are super woman!!!!
J and I are doing phenomenal!!!!! I have never been this happy before
) The girls love him too and he loves them.
The girls are wonderful. Skyler is getting so darn big, Charli is just too cute and smart, and Kenleigh is my little peanut. I can't believe she is already 5 months old!!! She hasn't rolled all the way over yet and I think it's because I hold her so much because I'm afraid of Charli jumping on her!! lol.
And I can not express how good it feels to be registered for my last semester of school!!! December can not come fast enough!
Brandy - How are you feeling? Any names chosen yet? How was the recruiting trip? (Or has that not happened yet?)
I'm feeling very uncomfortable! My back and hips have definitely had better days! And the peeing constantly is really getting old. On the plus side, I haven't gained all that much weight (actually was just at the doctor last week and I hadnt gained any since my appointment a month ago).
We've had a girl's name picked out since the beginning...but we cannot come to an agreement on a name for a boy.
The recruiting trip was last month...that was a good learning experience for me. Since then we've had two full days of interviews in our offices for internships as well as full time positions for current students from Ohio State, Michigan, Miami (OH), Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Cornell. Long story short...thanks to this, I will have over 30 hours of OT on my next pyacheck. And it seems like the exhaustion has caught up with me this week.
Work is good, stressful, but good. Teaching 4th grade can really test your patience level..........
Sloane is a rock star. She is getting so big. She will be 2 in May. I think she will go for round two with the tubes. Since they fell out in December she has had 3 double ear infections......
Sloane is also going to be a big sister! I am just over 8 weeks along. We have already had 4 ultrasounds to make sure baby had good placement and heard the heartbeat again yesterday, 165!!!!! Doc seems really happy with what she is seeing and we are eternally grateful that a repeat of the ectopic from last summer did not repeat itself or set a precedent for future pregnancies!
We are doing pretty good. Davis keeps me really busy, so I never have time to post much anymore.
I've been making a lot of cake pops and having tons of fun with it!!!
Davis is going to be 2 next week and we are doing a Toy Story themed party. Angi is making the cake and I cannot wait!!!! I am also making Mr. Potato Head and Hammie cake pops.
Davis' breathing is going back to where it was before he had his adenoids out so we have an appointment with the ENT in a few weeks. He still isn't talking, but he is figuring out other ways to express what he wants. We do therapy (speech and OT once a week)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
Wow you are amazing to keep tabs on everyone!! And way to get everyone involved in a post =0)
My boys are doing great. P is just so smart, Smarter than the average 3 year old I think anyways ;0) M is also learning new things all the time, he loves to sing latly. They just both amaze me so much every day!
We have been in our new house for 4 months now and it couldn't be more than perfect! I am anxiously awaiting the warm weather to enjoy our neighborhood and see what kind of landscaping we have.. and most of all get the pool opened!
Face
"Cheese!"
Hey Hey Merin! I've been around. I usually read the posts on here, but hardly comment. I just got back from a trip to Orlando, FL with my DH. We went to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. It was absolutely amazing. Other than that everything is the same. I'm still in school and DH works all week. We are still renting our house in South Toledo, and hoping to buy a house sometime soon.
Dream - How are you feeling? Will you find out the sex of this baby? Any names in mind?
I am feeling better, this baby has definitely given me more nausea than I had with J2. Slowly feeling better, but still pretty tired. We are going to find out the sex of the baby, and that will be in late May....Im too much of a planner to not know. We do have a couple names picked out, but they are not definite. For a boy Harrison Paul (nickname Harry), for a girl Catherine Freja (pronounced Fraysha) nickname Cate. Like I said not in stone, but definitely strong in my mind for names this time around. If we find out its a girl I will repeat csection, because our baby days will be done, if its a boy I am going to try to VBAC and probably try once more for a little girl. Three is our absolute limit...haha
Tomorrow is J2's appointment with the developmental specialist and we are slowly getting on track with Help me Grow and getting into speech therapy....but its an agonizingly slow process, and sometimes overwhelmingly emotional for me...but the hormones tend to make that worse.
Merin, I am thoroughly impressed with how well you stay on top of what everyone has going on!!
Thought I'd give you props first. 
We're doing alright. Today has been a month since Matt was let go, and he was actually offered a position yesterday working part-time in the team sports department at ***'s. We decided to take it, since he can still apply everywhere like he has been doing since he's only part-time and at least he'll be making a little bit of money the rest of the time. His hourly rate makes me sick to my stomach (seriously disgusting that such a driven, loyal, talented man with a degree is making such a crazy low amount of money), but it's better than nothing I guess. Thank goodness we hadn't moved into our own place yet because we'd be so stuck.
I finished my long-term sub position 2 weeks ago (totally love preschool) but got to go back today to fill in again. So great to see the kids. I've been getting a decent amount of time teaching at the dance studio so that helps too...I'll start adding back Tuesdays soon. I have a regular couple who came in on a trial package and ended up buying $1500 worth of additional lessons with me, so that was a good confidence booster. I love that I have this job, doing something I love and getting paid for it.
I'm about a month away from finishing my first class of three for my reading endorsement. Matt's car bit the dust a couple weeks ago so we've been doing the lease vs. buying used debate. With him now working again though, we need a second car. The story behind that is another post in itself, but we basically had our car taken from us by the dealer (they started work without our authorization and still expected us to pay for their work, so we signed the title over to them "to cover the workers' labor"....BBB definitely heard from me.) I think the move with be worthwhile in the end, but right now it's hard to see why the risk and sacrifice was worth it.
*Arianna & Matthew*
July 26, 2008- The Best Day of Our Lives
3 years married already??
Wedding "Highlight" Video from our Reception!
Wedding Planning Bio!! My Married Bio!!
LM - WTG on the weight loss and running!!! And I'm sure Vegas will be a BLAST!! You'll have to report back and tell us all about it!!
Susan - Glad to hear it's going well!! I definitely look forward to more pictures, she is SUCH a cutie!
CJ - I can't believe you're so close!!! And that's great that you're already working on preparing Buckeye! I'm sure he's going to be a great 'big brother'!
nbecker - Yay TJ!!
And I am SO glad to hear you found another sitter so quickly, and she sounds GREAT!!! 
And seriously, could B2 BE any cuter?!?! Awwww!!! Oh, and shoot me an e-mail, I'd love to take pictures of B2 again!! 
I canNOT believe he's that old though!?!?!
Kel - Your trips sound awesome, and it will definitely be nice to get out of the house with the girls soon! I bet they're getting so big!!! Any new pics from you?
Angi - That's SO awesome about the new position!! You so very much deserve an awesome job!
Hound - Aww, I hope you don't totally disappear!!
But definitely lots going on!! I really love looking at your photography work, it's always SO good!!!! And here's a link to some of my photos: http://tinyurl.com/4dt29sn It's so hard for me to put it out there because I'm so unsure of myself.... so just remember that I'm still learning and that I'm obviously not anywhere near as good as you awesome professionals we have around these parts, hehe. 
And I bet R will be soooo cute with her! You'll have to share pictures and stories! 
RockThis - Glad DH is finally in the permanent position, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that yours can go back to FT!!!
Christi - You would NOT be crashing the party!! We NEED more action around here! Post as much as you want!!
Linds - Hope DH can get a lot done this weekend, but at least you have the necessities taken care of. She'll never know if her nursery wasn't done when she came home.
Cori - I can't believe how old A & A are!!! Wow!! Any plans for a 3rd birthday party for Ava in the works?
Tami - I am SO GLAD to hear that!!!! And I really, really need to see you again very soon!!
Brandy - Boo to the discomfort and peeing, but that's great that you haven't gained much of any weight so far! That stinks about all of the OT at work though, wow!!! Hopefully it doesn't keep up this way!
Fults - CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That is so incredibly wonderful!!!
Jill - Bummer about Davis' breathing and whatnot, I really hope they can finally get that figured out! But YAY for your fun cake pops!! I keep trying to think of a reason to order some of the cupcake bites because I seriously LOVE them.
Leigh - Glad to hear the papers are finally going to be filed, but sorry to hear that DH (that does NOT stand for darling husband in this case!!!) is being such a PITA about everything.
Sorry to hear about the financial aid frustrations too, but that's great about the guy (would love to hear more!!!) and the new duties at work! 
Amber - The right house will come along, for sure! And pilates is a great workout!! I bought a DVD a few years back and I was surprised at how intense it actually was while still being smooth and low-impact. Keep us updated on the house-hunt!
Having a pool is going to be awesome!!! So glad you're loving the new house!! 
sparker - That's great about the boys!! They're sooo cute too!
kidnicky - What a fun trip!! And ooh, you'll be on the house hunt too, eh?! Are you looking in South Toledo? I can definitely keep my eyes open for good ones!
Great name choices!! The boy name is very Beatles - love it! 
And Catherine is just beautiful!! Hope J2's appointment, and subsequent therapy, is a big success! 
I hope something really awesome comes along for him very soon!!! And that is GREAT about your teaching!! You obviously ROCK! 
Booooo to shady car repairs though. That SUCKS. 
Dream - Glad you're starting to feel better, but booo to it being yucky so far.
Ari - Glad Matt was able to find something, but yes, it's incredibly frustrating to see someone like him stuck in a job like that.
allobosc - No spreadsheet, lol. And awww, so sweet.
You're going back to work pretty quickly it seems, but I can totally understand missing it a little bit. I bet your students will be glad to have you back. 
And bummer about the basement!! Hope the repair process is quick and easy for you!!
And I'm still waiting on updates from the rest of you ladies, hehe!