Busy weekend!

This weekend we were all busy.

I got to meet Jenny's daughter Ayden.

Victoria came to see me stand up in Nat & Joey's wedding...

She met her other Great-grandpa (R.)...

We got to see Heather and Taten, and Julie and Ryan (and Jack!) and the grandmas...

2nd tri, baby!

The most recent pic of Manna's little one... starting to look like more than a "peanut"!

Just Plugging Along

One day to the next. There isn't too much going on around here these days, just us hanging out. It seems Victoria has even less of a tolerance for warm weather than her daddy. Should make for an interesting summer. Already, she's spending warm days in nothing but a diaper!

We've been doing quite a bit of driving up and down state this past week, and will be doing more this weekend. Last weekend, Victoria and I went to Lexington Fri-Sun. The two of us and my mom bummed around Lex. Friday, playing tourist. Busha bought V this fun new elephant - she absolutely loves it!! He's got long legs and nobby knees (kinda like her uncle Jeff!!!)

When we got back from Lex, we picked up Rod and headed up to Mio. It was Victoria's first trip up there (long overdue) to see Grandma Penny and Grandpa Jim. She also got to see Faith for a little while, and Aunt Pam and Uncle Steven very briefly.

On a side note, if you're ever looking for a bridal shop, I would strongly discourage anyone from going through Victoria's Bridal in Dearborn (unfortunately they do share V's name). We've been battling back and forth on size issues for my bridesmaid dress for Natalie's wedding (which is this weekend!) and they're just not very nice to deal with. I know I've lost some weight, but have never been a size 4 in my life, and the fact that the dress doesn't fit proves it! No matter what, these hips can only shrink so far...

Things we're excited for this summer:
Later this month we get to go fishing in Canada!!!
Next month we get to head to Mackinaw for the family reunion.
August 5th we're having a party, and will be busy showing off the Camaro in the weekend-long Be-Cool classic car show.
ETA: How could I forget Aunt Mandy coming to visit in August?!?

Just a Pic

Another First

Victoria had her first Lake Huron excursion this Memorial Day weekend. Rod and I took her over to Jaj and Busha's house, and made sure to take a trip down to the lake. The water is still around 55 degrees, so she didn't stay in for long. She did take a nice long nap on the beach, though!

Go Pistons!

Victoria's not too happy with the way they've been playing the past few games.
We had a few people over to watch the Pistons game and the UFC fight this past Saturday. V was having such a great time, she didn't fall asleep until 11:30pm!!!

Play Time!

Thanks again to Spencer and the Daniels Family for giving Victoria this wonderful play set. I know she will get lots of use out of it in the near future.

First Bite!

Kristin attempted to feed Victoria with a spoon for the first time on my B-Day. Victoria must have thought it was pretty funny, cause all she did was smile and laugh. 

Spoon

If I could just...

Not quite...
Almost there...
Got it!!!

Just a few pics

Talking back to daddy already.


Am I too young to start reading? Our little bookworm-in-the-making.

Shoulda been

Victoria,
You should have been 3 months old today. Instead, you're 5 months, 1 week, and 3 days old! What does that mean? It means your daddy and I got to meet you a little earlier than expected, and you're even more special than we ever could have imagined. Every time I stare into your big blue eyes I'm reminded of just how lucky I am. I can't wait to teach you everything I know, and to see your knowledge surpass mine and daddy's.

I can only hope that you and I will be as close as my mom and I are. Though it wasn't always like that, and I realistically expect the same with you. I know there will be times you think you hate me (somewhere around 14 or so). I wish I could tell you I'll always have the right advice, the answers to the hard questions, but I won't. What I can do is promise I'll always love you for whoever you want to be, support you in whatever you decide to do, be your biggest cheerleader.

I don't hope that you'll become rich, or famous. I only hope that you find your true calling, something that makes you really happy, and that you're able to answer that calling wholeheartedly. I hope that you'll find someone to love, support and respect you the way your daddy does me, and I him. We'll try our hardest to teach you right from wrong, to be strong-willed and be true to yourself and what you believe in.

It seems each day is a new adventure for you. With so many more milestones ahead, we've only just begun.

I love you, Miss V.
~mommy~

Closer to 30...

Be sure to note the awesome quilt in the background... a gift from Aunt Manna (for V, of course - not Rod!)

Go ahead! Make my Dinner!

Today Victoria asked me how hold she has to be to obtain a CCW permit.....Daddy's lil' girl!

Sit. Stay.

Roll Over!!!

Mother's Day

Saturday night I took the time to read over all the posts from December 2005. It was weird to read my postings and remember what we all went through. It made me remember how I felt when Victroia was born. It is supposed to be the happiest moment of your life...instead it was scary, nervous, and happy. I remember the day Kristin had surgery. This will go down as the best "worst day" ever. It was a bad day, but ended up with the best possible outcome. It was a rollercoaster of a month and I remember celebrating the new year knowing that 2006 had to be better than 2005.

If you have extra time, go through and read December's postings and comments. It will help you understand why we take time to appreceiate women on Mother's Day. My wife has been through a lot just to be the mother of our little girl. I cannot thank her enough or love her more. Please leave a comment and help me thank my wife for being a mother on Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day!

Friends

Victoria made a new friend this Saturday. We all went to Steve and Brena's to celebrate Steve's graduation. V met Caleb - Brena's nephew. Caleb was born the end of February - 5 weeks early, but now over 15 pounds! They might not think much about being around each other, but I think they agreed that the adults are strange people - so many people making such a fuss!

I guess it's time

Now that big miss V is 5 months old, we decided (Rod decided, I grudgingly agreed) it's time to make the nighttime venture from the pack 'n' play in our room to the crib upstairs. So last night instead of making the journey to our room, up we went to the nursery. It was an uneventful night, thankfully. Hopefully the first of many. I woke up a few times hearing little sounds on the monitor, but she was just moving around, never crying. Then I got her up at 7 this morning. Maybe the elephants watching over her helped...

Down and Out

King Size Pack N Play

Victoria's comfortable new sleeping position...

Does something stink??

No! She's just so stinkin' cute! We met Aunt Bo in Birch Run for a little shopping today. We went to Little Me, Carter's and OshKosh, and bought V's first pair of jeans!

The Price of Speed!

How much does speed cost? Right now its about $2.91 every 6 to 8 miles. Well worth it!

Victoria Meets Her Great Grandmother

Yesterday Kristin was able to take Victoria to visit her Great Grandmother Balcerski. We are in the Port Huron area helping Rich and Cyndi move into their new home. You can tell from the picture that Grandma Balcerski was very happy to meet lil' Victoria.

Pic of the Day

March of Dimes Walk

Much thanks to Victoria's Voice. The team (pictured below) raised over $1300 for the March of Dimes. It was a great time with decent weather. I am certain we will be walking again next year.

Short Reunion

Today Victoria and I had to head over to the hospital to get her last RSV vaccination for the season. We ran into a former roommate of hers - McKenzie. McKenzie and Logan were in the same nursery for a while with us in the NICU. Rod and I saw their parents, Amanda and Bill, quite frequently in the family room, at the scrubbing station, and in neighboring rocking chairs in the nursery. The twins were born the day after Victoria was born, and were the same gestation. Logan went home two weeks before Victoria, McKenzie finally got to go home a day or two after we did. They're both doing well, but just as he was bigger in the NICU, Logan's still bigger - close to 10 lbs, and McKenzie is 8-6! She seemed so tiny next to Victoria. It was nice to see both her and her mom doing well.

So... that means Victoria got weighed today.




















Ready for the number????



















11 pounds, 1 ounce! That's right, folks! She gained 10 ounces in a week!!!! Such a porker!

Happy baby (still!)

Well, I didn't want to speak too soon, but it looks like the trip to West Virginia was good in more ways than one. Since we got back, Victoria has been sleeping 10 hours solid through the night. Typically she's in bed by 8 and asleep until 6 or so! I'm hoping this trend continues... it's nice to get some solid hours of sleep at night, for both of us!

We've been out a little to meet some new people this week, too. Victoria met Scott, Colleen, Chase and Mac on Sunday, Gordie, Mary, Ellie, Kenna, and Olivia on Monday, and the Morley gang yesterday. What a week!

And now for some cute pics!

And our new bouncy seat:

Monster Baby!

Victoria had her 4-month checkup at the doctor's office today, which included (sniff ) 4 shots. That part was not fun. But almost as soon as they were done, she stopped crying. I teared up, but didn't shed a drop!

The great news? She's in the 75th percentile for weight, length, and head size! New stats:
length: 22 inches
weight: 10 pounds, 7 ounces
head: 38.8 cm

Right on track! Everything else checked out great. We don't go back for 2 more months.

Another pic from Easter weekend:

Four Generations

Just back from a few days in Alderson, WV. Victoria was able to meet her Great Grandfather, Jack. We all had a great time and enjoyed the 75 degree weather. Here are some pics...

We all survived this one

Yesterday was Victoria's first experience with a baby sitter... no family, just her and Charee (and one of Charee's daughters). Rod and I - and all the grandparents (hence the need for a babysitter) - went to a fundraiser we've all been attending for the past few years. The Wild Game Dinner raises money for a scholarship fund for children and grandchildren of local police officers. I only called home once to check on how miss V was doing, and she did well. Charee (our neighbor - the one with 5 kids) just loved watching her, and from what I gathered, hardly put her down the whole time!

And Victoria did of course get to visit with the grandparents a little bit before we all left.

Getting ready for the Wild Game Dinner

Victoria wants to go, too! She's already got a taste for rabbit...

How we spend our days

'nuff said.

Health Update

The good news: Victoria seems to somehow have avoided catching whatever it is we've had so far. Yay for that!

The not-so-great news: After 2 rounds of antibiotics, I'm still not better. In fact, I'm off to get a chest x-ray today, then probably back to the doctor's. Apparently I gave Victoria my immune system, since I seem to not have one anymore! But that's okay by me - she needs it!

Below: our first trial with a pair of shoes. I got just one picture taken before one came flying off. They're still a little too big.

Pics from yesterday

Rod's Report

Thought I would take a chance to say hello to everyone. As you know, home life is going very well. We are all settled in and it appears that Victoria is going to be as healthy as any other newborn. I had last night off of work, so it was my turn for overnight feeding duties. Much to my surprise, Victoria was in bed around 9 PM and slept until 5:30 AM. She woke up once, but the pacifier put her right back to sleep. At 5:30 AM, she drank 4 oz. of milk in about 4 minutes flat. She was a bit hungry to say the least. Everything is going well.

In a couple of weeks we will be driving down to West Virginia with Grandma Penny to visit Victoria's Great Grandfather. Unfortunately the last time we were there was Christmas of 99'. That was Great Grandmother Mary's last Christmas. We chose the name of Victoria MARY for both of our grandmothers that have passed away. I hope Victoria inherited Mary Feamster's poker skills and southern drawl. I will always remember Easter in Alderson, WV. Hopefully Victoria will have many trips there as well.

Bills, bills, bills

Pre-term visits to the hospital in November: $9,700
Pre-term and delivery in December: $43,800
Surgery and stay end-December: $40,800
Total for Kristin's care in 2 months: $94,300

NICU stay charges: $143,500
Neonatal doctor charges: $50,700
Total for Victoria's care for 2 months: $194,200

Total out-of-pocket cost (so far): $153.00
What more can we say but thank God for insurance?!?

Happy Spring!

Thanks, Uncle Jeff & Aunt Marie for the cute outfit!

By the way... I went back to the doctor today, and I now have bronchitis and atypical pneumonia! So if you're planning on visiting, you might want to hold off for a few days.

On the plus side, Victoria's official weight (at the hospital for her RSV vaccination today) is 9 pounds 3 ounces, and the nurse checked her out and said she's fine. :)