Am I???

I think I'm starting to feel kicks!!!! I'm 15w2d. I felt my first real kick with Charlie at 16w3d.

I can't wait. It will feel more real. We will be finding out at 18weeks what this little bug is. A boy or a girl?? Thoughts?

Happy Birthday Dan! He's the big 3-0! I think he's as awesome as the day I met him. I can even say I love him more and more everyday!

I'm a lucky woman.

P.S. Charlie is good and says hi to all you followers. LOL

Charlie's Words

I figured that it would be a great time to make a list of the words Charlie has in his vocabulary right now. Now some of these only I know what they mean- but they still count!

Ball
momma
mommy
dada
Pop E
shoe
backback
apple (Boppy)
cheese
water
juice
chocolate
sucker
Go Go
Bye
Hi
No No
car
Choo Choo
more
please
ut oh

Charlie also has all of his animals down- cat, dog, snake, monster, devil, monkey, lion, bear, seal, duck, sheep, pig, horse, and I'm sure there are a few more.

He knows his arms, nose, eyes, ears, throat, legs, toes, belly button, tummy, head, hair, fingers, back and butt.

This is such a fun age and it's amazing the things he remembers and knows!

So Many Updates

It's been really hard not to talk about what has REALLY been going on with the Skimmy's so I took a little break. WE ARE PREGNANT! I'm 11w4d.

For those of you that don't know- Dan and I have suffered 3 miscarriages while trying to complete our family over the last 3 years. 2 were before Charlie and one was after. We thought we had figured out what my issues were but unfortunately the doctor wasn't able to answer any questions with our last miscarriage. For anyone that hasn't gone through them- they are extremely heartbreaking. Not only because you lose that child, but because you are emotionally in pain along with physically. It is also a very lonely period of time as so many ignore you instead of saying that they don't know what to say. These are children I have lost. I will always think of them and what "could have been." Yes, I can function day to day but that doesn't mean I forget. It's also terrifying not knowing why your body is causing this to happen. The only reason we have come up with is: late and weak ovulation with poor lining.

Anyway... I can and probably will touch more on our struggles later. But I need to keep writing or this post will be 10 pages long.

I have been feeling pretty good. Not lots of energy and because of my past problems I am suppose to take it easy. No exercise, no heavy lifting, and I'm on a medicine that should help me stay pregnant. I am not even allowed to walk around the block at this point. Things should lighten up in the next few weeks. A few headaches and a little upset tummy... but nothing I'll complain about! It's all very much wanted!

Last Friday the Farmington Area Mom's Club put on an event at Pump it Up. It's basically an indoor bounce house. It's a lot of fun and Charlie was thrilled to be there and go down the slide. He was even more excited when Dan walked in! Daddy was there on his lunch break to play with him! It was a fun day until after dinner Dan complained of a headache and a stomach ache. I gave him some Tylenol and some Pepto and let him be. We went to bed and at 3:30am I heard Charlie crying. I went in his room to find that he had vomited all over his bed. Poor thing!!!! I changed him and woke Dan up to help with the bedding but Charlie was wide awake. We headed to the couch to cuddle and watch Brother Bear (his favorite movie right now) but he kept getting sick. Charlie keep throwing up until about 9:15. He kinda was quiet all day and moved pretty slow but ate some crackers and kept them down. Dan still felt rough.

Tuesday morning rolls around and I wake up and sit on the couch. My head goes right between my knees because I feel like crap! Dan went off to work and finally at like 8:30am I called him to come back home. I was already getting sick and couldn't imagine chasing Charlie around all day alone. Dan came home while I spent the day in the bathroom. My sickness lasted until about 3:45 when my friend Lisa offered to drive me to the ER. I got sick a few more times there and needed 2 IV's to get fluids in me fast enough. They retested my levels after 4 bags of fluid and I was getting better but my heartrate was at a constant 142 and my blood pressure was too low. I also started getting a fever. They decided to keep me. Dan came and dropped some overnight items off and I waited for a room to open up for me. The next morning I was spilling protein into my urine so I couldn't leave until that was clear and I could keep some food down. Dan didn't feel well this day either so Charlie was off to my in laws for the day/night. I was released at 4pm and slept most of the day.

Friday we got the call... we got my Mother in law sick :-( man this flu was deadly!!! (Thankfully she was feeling better the next day)

Dan is still feeling a little under the weather- but he played in a volleyball tournament all day yesterday and probably didn't have the best diet. (he did come in 2nd place!!!) Congrats Dan!

Today was Amanda's baby shower! How much fun. It's been awesome to see her belly grow and to watch John and Amanda get more and more excited. It's hard to think that was me 2 years ago and that it's happening again to me now. Amanda got amazing gifts and is really blessed by the family and her friends. Can't wait for that niece or nephew to show up in about 9 weeks!!!!

I'll end this now because it could go on and on and well... it's relax time for momma!!!

My Kid

I love his kid!!! He's my little buddy and makes me laugh and smile everyday. We just had a big tickle fest and now we stopped for some pretzel rods and water! I ate my pretzels and he broke his in half and just handed it to me!!! Anyone that shares food with me is the best!!!!

Short and sweet today but I am just bursting with love for him and I can't imagine my life without him in it. (Dan's ok too!!! :-) lol!)

Now we are off to Carl's Golfland for a visit and to take Charlie's Fun Aunt Robin out for her bday lunch!!! Happy Birthday Robin!

One Of My Favorite Recipes!

Before I can't ever find this again- I wanted to post this so I always have it!! It reminds me of the side dish that the dorms made at MSU when I was in college! YUM!

-----------------------------------
CROCK POT BROCCOLI & RICE CASSEROLE
-----------------------------------

1 sm. onion, diced
1/4 c. butter, melted
2 c. quick cooking rice
2 c. water
1 (10 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 tsp. salt
Pepper to taste
1 (5 oz.) jar sharp cheese spread
2 (10 oz.) pkgs. frozen chopped broccoli, partially thawed
1/4 lb. Velveeta cheese
Corn flake crumbs, browned in butter (opt.)

Combine all ingredients except corn flake crumbs in crock
pot. Stir thoroughly. Cover. Cook low 7 to 10 hours or high
2 to 3 hours. Just before serving, sprinkle crumbs over top.
If crock pot comes out of your crock pot, brown under
broiler for extra crispness. I double this in my large
crock pot. Great for pot luck.

Staying Busy Doing Nothing!

A picture of Charlie's first hot chocolate (ok barely warm because he doesn't like hot things!) We had just played outside- he loved the snow and the drink!


The Skimmy's have been busy!!! But have nothing to show for it! Today Charlie and I went to Aldi to get some things we need to make a friend dinner. The FAMC makes a new mom 2 weeks worth of dinners when a new baby is born. Well, I signed up for tomorrow- she's a vegetarian so we are making Minestrone Soup. Of course Aldi didn't have everything I needed so I ran to Kroger tonight. Charlie was kind enough to go with me to get an oil change this morning also. I might have a leak in my tire so I'm sure that will be an errand tomorrow!!! I always seem to have tire issues. Thankfully I'm very familiar with Discount Tire and the places around there we can walk to while we wait.

Tomorrow is swim class. Charlie will kick his legs in the bathtub flip over and kick some more. He loves to have his ears under water and have me talk to him! We talk about blowing bubbles in the pool and he won't do it in the pool yet, but he will in the bathtub. The other day he said "Mamma" and then did it! No clue where that came from but it's cool that he actually pays attention during class.

This weekend I'm throwing a baby shower for my friend Jes. I hope it's a great time!! I doubt she likes games- but she gets no choice! I have some fun ones planned. Nothing gross, no smelling dirty diapers or eating baby food. I'm looking forward to some good food, good friends and CAKE!

Having 2 other couples over on Sunday for The Super Bowl. Dan's going to make chili and we'll have all the fixings! My high school friend Paul and his girlfriend are coming over- they said they are bringing cupcakes. I asked no more questions! We LOVE cupcakes! :-)

Enough rambling... off to make that soup!!!

Well I Tried.

I was really trying to be good about posting often so that this blog was more fun to read. But then life got away from me.

I went to the doctor's this morning and was told I have my normal case of asthmatic bronchitis again. I have a new inhaler. Hopefully the steroids will help with all of my coughing in the next 24 hours or so.

We went out and got a Wii today!!! Yahoo!!! Dan and I sat on the couch tonight (yes the same couch and same level of the house) and played for a few hours! That stupid fitness test told me I'm 76. NICE!!! Darn baseball game gets me every time! I plan to work on that though... maybe I'll be 49 by April Fools Day??

Yesterday I put Charlie down for the night. He must have been tired because he pointed to his bed once we got into his room. Then I asked if he wanted me to cover him up with a blanket. He pointed to the one he wanted. Then as I turned to close the door behind me he says "Bye" and waved! lol It was so cute that I couldn't stop laughing and I kept making him do it over and over. He NEVER asks to go to bed let alone says bye when I leave him in there! Maybe Charlie is turning over a new leaf?

Bedtime for me- hopefully I can prop myself up enough that I can sleep and not cough all night! Wish me luck!

Dinner Tonight

This is my friend Kristin's recipe but I just wanted to make sure I had this saved somewhere!!! I hope it's yummy- I didn't start it when I wanted to so we are all holding off for dinner. I'm HUNGRY!

Chicken & Dumplings

In the crock pot for 4 hours on high, then 90 mins on low.
3 frozen chix breasts
2 cans cream of chix soup
1-2 cans chix broth (just enough to cover the chicken pieces)
1 chicken boullion cube or packet
garlic powder
salt
pepper

90 mins before done (on low):
Take out each piece of chicken and shred it, place back in crock pot.
Then, cut 1 can french bread dough loaf into tiny pieces and toss into crock pot. Stir occassionally for the 90 mins.

Brrr it's cold out there!

It is so cold here in Michigan that I am just doing anything to keep Charlie busy. We would both go insane if we stayed in the house everyday. Yesterday we had a friend of Charlie's come over and play while his mom had things to do. Today we are going to open gym at the church behind our house. Tomorrow is swim class. Thursday is a trip to Jungle Java and Friday is a trip for me to the dentist- Charlie will go to his Aunt's house and play with his cousin. I can't imagine how parents get through the winter that don't get their kids active in activities. Thankfully Charlie does well in public activities and that really helps!

We will try to stay warm and get Charlie tired enough for a good nap everyday!!!!

Follow Up Pictures

Ok ok... it looks like I'm never going to get the time nor energy to tell all the stories I wanted to from last week. But I will upload some pictures so that you can see more of what the Skinny is on the Skimmy's!

Cookie Exchange for FAMC- Charlie helped!





Swim class ended- Dan joined us for the last class and took pictures!


A visit to see Santa at the mall- no one else was in line so we had like 5 minutes with him. Charlie sat and listened to him and when I walked up to get Charlie back he was holding Santa's thumb!



FAMC Santa Brunch


The nightly Advent Calendar! One of my favorite parts of the season this year!



Christmas Eve


Christmas Day








Charlie's make shift ball pit!




Charlie's trip to Urgent Care and the ER. We thought he had bit through his lip but really he cut the outside and bit his lip inside. He was fine!! But thankfully his first ER trip turned out to be ok!







And then NYE! Charlie stayed at my mom's house and we went to dinner and then back to Jes & Alex's for games, drinking and some Wii!

Happy New Year!!

I can't believe it's 2010! Boy my life has changed a lot in the last 10 years! I didn't even know Dan in 2000. I had no clue how great my life would be back then.

I haven't gotten that I promised full stories... but I'm still catching up on sleep from a fun New Year's Eve Party at the Bizzle House. I also am spending time with Dan before he heads back to work on Monday.

We are watching the MSU Alamo Bowl Game. Already watched MSU win in basketball tonight too! Go Green!

I hope everyone has a wonderful 2010 and thank you for your friendships. I have been doing a lot of thinking of my friendships- I love the support everyone gives me and I hope that you feel supported and loved by me.

Stay Tuned...

There are so many things that have happened since I last posted. I don't even know where to begin. They need some time dedicated to the posts so bare with me as I need to find the motivation and time!
Here is just a small example of what's been going on with the Skimmy's. (Today is a Wed and all of this is from Sunday night on)

- An overnight stay at the in laws
- A drive 2 hours north in the snow to Charlie's Great Great Grandfather's Funeral
-Charlie being at the Funeral (it was 2 hours long!) (sneak peek... he was under the pew growling like a Tiger for a short minute)
- Charlie falling and blood
- A trip to Urgent Care with Charlie
- A trip to the ER with Charlie
- Being sent home with a sticker and a band aid for souvenirs
- Charlie's first fever of 102
- Dan & Kim get date night at a Piston's Game
- Charlie gets an overnight trip at Gram E and Pop E's house


and that brings us to today. I'm hiding in the house and regaining the normal life I thought we had! Some friends (Megan & Jeremy) will be over tonight for game night!

Tomorrow is NYE so be safe everyone and have fun! I'll probably not be able to post until 2010!!!!

Merry Christmas Eve!

I am so excited to celebrate Christmas with Charlie this year! He's starting to understand unwrapping presents. We are heading to my in laws today for a Polish Dinner and will be there until bedtime for Charlie probably. We will head home and wait for Santa. Tomorrow morning we will do Christmas just the 3 of us and then my mom will show up for brunch!!! I'm going to be making a prime rib for dinner tomorrow night- wish me luck!

Merry Christmas and I hope you have a safe few days!

Sorry Charlie, No More!

Tonight I was gave Charlie a bath. As soon as I set him in the tub- he did his normal- peed. He saw the stream going in the air and was watching it. As soon as he was done Charlie looked up at me and signed "More." Um, Charlie I can't make it do it again!!! For about 4 minutes he kept signing "more." Poor little guy just wanted to see the fountain some more and it was gone!

A Well Rounded Charlie

As Charlie's mother, I try to expose him to a wide variety of people, places and things. One of them includes going to the local retirement center. The Farmington Area Mom's Club does holiday activities at the American House about once a month. We have gone trick or treating, given goodies for Thanksgiving, gone to dance and visit and then today we went for Christmas.

Some of the residents remember Charlie. One woman today asked if he was there for Halloween and if he had a cape on. Yup, he was a vampire. A couple other women remember Charlie and myself and I think look forward to his visits. One older woman who I found out today had a bunch of children- all boys- enjoys watching Charlie because she just wonders were I get the energy to chase him! He loves to run around the center. In fact I chased him up the ramp to the rooms and then he dodged into someone's room and I had to catch him in there!

There is a man that I have found sitting in the same chair every time I've been there. I don't know his name but he is the first I go and say hi to. Today he seemed pretty good but last time we were there he was having a bad day and didn't even want to talk to me. He didn't remember Charlie and I and told me he didn't sleep the night before. I know that he lived in Farmington his whole life and that his family picks him up for lunch. He loves the burritos at the restaurant which he couldn't remember the name. This man tells me that he sits in that same chair everyday because it's his job to open the doors for lunch. You can tell that he looks forward to his job. I see my late grandpa, Elmer in him. He seems so kind and loving and you can just see in his eyes that he was a strong man when he was younger. I don't look forward to the visit there that he's not sitting in his chair. :-(

It's awesome that something so small as a visit with the residents puts a smile on my face and I'm sure their face too. I hope that Charlie appreciates that we do this someday. I would love for him to be understanding, thoughtful and respectful of everyone he meets. As his mother I feel like my job is to open up the doors for his heart to settle in.

Bay City Family Xmas!

Yesterday was the big family Xmas party up in Bay City. I love my family to pieces because everyone gets to bet themselves. And boy do they!!! We were missing my Uncle Carl and Aunt Leanne, Becky and her family, Mike and his fiancée. There were 17 adults and Brody, Maddy, Ally, Cammy, Grace, Mia and Charlie running around providing entertainment for the rest of us.

Dana was nice enough to host at her new house. It fit us all and there were tons of toys for the kids to play with. Charlie loves playing with his 3rd cousin Brody who is 8. Maybe it's because Brody will play BALL with Charlie for hours and hours! Charlie received some wonderful gifts from the family and was excited to wake up this morning and play with them some more. We just need a bigger house to fit everything in!

Let's see where the strange parts started...

Was it when Katy left to go ride the mechanical bull she has been talking about all night? - nah that's normal
Was it when we decided to take a family picture on the stairs? (the nice one is above) and Aunt Linda & Dana decided to flash the camera? nah that's normal also
Was it when Uncle Tim who had had his fair share of drinks wanted to play soccer in the kitchen and knocked over the wine glass and it went flying? And yes, of course I was standing right there wearing a cream sweater! nah that seems normal for us too.
Was it when Aunt Sue mentioned that her earing hole closed up and she wanted my Aunt Linda (who is a nurse) to poke a new one? Here were the items we had on hand, rubbing alcohol, a starter stud earing,ice cube and a piece of cheese. Can you see where this is going? Yup- Aunt Linda used the cheese where most people would use a potato! I couldn't stop laughing!!! OUCH! Aunt Sue is a true woman to go through that pain. I offered her a shot and she said no thanks!
Was it when I taught my family a dirty hand gesture which then was taught to my cousin Dana's daughter! If she accomplished it successfully Dana promised her $5! Mia who is 2.5 showed us immediately that she could do it! We started clapping and it scared her to tears- Dana gave her $10!
Could it be when Charlie was showing the bigger kids how to throw balls and kick a soccer ball? It's funny how amazed people are by how well he can do this at the age of 19 months!
Was it my cousin Tim's Fiancée that couldn't say no to the Jim Beam shot and then was later found in the kitchen scrounging for food because she was drunk!?!?

My guess... it was all of the above which made it another great family Xmas!

I miss seeing my family more. They are so welcoming and make you feel like you just saw them last week when really it's been a year! I also love that they make fun of Dan and refer to him as Skinny instead of Dan even after all these years! We are hoping to plan a cousin's Snuggie bar crawl!!! Katy and Dana are 2 of my best friends and basically sisters to me. I could sit and tell stories with them for a whole weekend. We would laugh and cry and probably drink a lot!

The Reason Behind the Title

It was brought to my attention that I have not addressed the title of this blog. Some may understand but my newer friends probably have no clue what Skimmy means!

When I met Dan in college he was 6'4" and 170lbs. His nickname was Skinny. I was called Kimmy by everyone and so we were Kimmy and Skinny. It got too hard for people to say over and over again so someone shortened it. We then became The Skimmy. It stuck and most of our college friends call us this to this day. So if you want the skinny on the Skimmy's you just have to read this blog! :-)

A trip to Lansing

Today Dan played in the Annual Holiday Tournament at MSU. I drove separate so that Charlie and I could sleep in a little!!! I drove to the gym and Charlie thought it was the greatest place ever. BALL, BALL, BALL!! He was able to run around and kick, hit and throw balls! He probably enjoyed the attention from all of his dad's friends too! The only meltdown was when Dan was playing and Charlie wanted to play too. He couldn't understand why Daddy was so close but he wasn't allowed to run out and play with his dad. Maybe someday soon he will realize there are lines on the floor that he can't cross over!?!

After playing at the gym I drove Charlie to visit his grandma (my mom)for the afternoon. He had so much fun!! My mom found my old music instruments and they made some loud music together! I think my mom is shocked at how busy Charlie is. One minute he wants to read a book, then it's time to throw a ball, eat a snack, empty her spice rack etc. Charlie loves that my mom's cat Joey actually stays in the room if he's in there. He doesn't seem to mind the hisses or the few bites he's gotten. He just keeps going back and petting him, pulling his fur and giving him kisses.

We did find out today that Charlie likes Split Pea Soup -YUCK! He wanted to eat that over the Arby's I had brought back for dinner. After dinner I waited for the phone call from Dan that he was done playing so that we could go pick him up. Once we heard that it was time to head back to East Lansing I started loading up the car. Since Charlie was there for naptime I had brought in the pack n play. (Charlie took a 2.5 hour nap for grandma!!) I got out to the car and I heard my mom yell "Charlie!" I turn around and he's standing on the front porch in his pj's waving bye bye to me! (It's a big 25 degrees outside!) That little guy followed me out when the door didn't close fast enough. He thought I was leaving so he waved to me! So in the last few weeks he's not only climbed out of his crib, climbed over a baby gate but now snuck out of my mom's house!

This week Charlie will get to go see Santa!!! I can't wait for the blog post to follow that. Will he bite, punch, kiss or hug Santa this year?? :-)

Charlie's Potty is here!!!!

No, I'm not potty training him, but probably someday right? I did however find a great deal on the potty I wanted for him so I figured it could sit in the closet for a while. It is the Bjorn and I got it for 50% off!! So I ordered it. (Actually 2 of them- one for each floor.) Charlie was excited when he saw it! It wasn't because he knew what it was but probably because it was something I actually let him play with!

I put it on the floor and asked if he wanted to sit on it.


Then I told him he needed to turn around.




I decided to stop taking pictures of Charlie sitting on his new potty. He carried it into the Living Room and I heard a thump! So what would any mother do? I took more pictures!




Charlie was fine- cried while I laughed because he was stuck in it!!!

Thankfully he got really excited when he realized that the potties came in a BOX! (a new word now! Thanks Amazon.com!) Dan, Charlie and I played with the box for about 45 minutes. Charlie kept signing more when Dan would close it on him and he would pop out! I threatened Dan not to throw this box away for a few days! This will be great entertainment!

Daddy made Chili!!!

I wasn't sure how Charlie would feel about Chili since Dan makes it a little spicy... I don't need to say more- just look at the pictures. I think he loved it!