Mommy's Little Helper

Here is Claire "helping" me with the laundry I just finished washing. Enjoy!!

Sick, Sick, Sick

So much for the normal week we were hoping for. Really it all started last Tuesday when I picked Claire up from the sitters. She had a runny nose and when I got home I found she had a fever. The next day I wasn't feeling so great, sore throat, congestion, headache. Then Ryan got it and Oliver ended up with a fever too. I thought we were all getting better, but apparently I was mistaken. Claire spiked another fever on Sunday night and I thought she was acting kind of funny on the way home from Ft. Wayne earlier that day. I asked about it at Oliver's one month check-up on Monday and the doc said it wasn't anything to worry about. Wednesday night/Thursday morning I wasn't feeling so hot. It hurt to breath and I just ached all over and what I thought was just an ingrown hair from my c-section was very painful and sore and swollen. So, we go to the doctor and he prescribes an antibiotic for the infection in my incision, but says the rest is unrelated, probably a cold that had settled in my chest. No wonder Claire had been acting funny Sunday if she was feeling anything like the way I felt on Thursday. So, last night, I think Oliver caught whatever we had. Early this morning he became inconsolible, wouldn't nurse, and I swear (Ryan doesn't think so) that he was getting purple splotches on his tummy and legs. So, I gave him some infant Tylenol and we headed for the ER. Of course, by the time we were seen in the ER, the Tylenol must have kicked in and they told me he just had a cold and he would be fine. Kind of makes you feel like an idiot and they are probably thinking this woman is overreacting. Oh, well, better safe than sorry. Ollie seems to be feeling better as long as I keep up with the doses of Tylenol, but he has been sleeping a lot, I assume from being sick. Anyway, so I am ready for us all to be healthy again!!!!

One month Old!!

Oliver is one month old today. I cannot believe he has been with us that long and yet I cannot imagine life without him!! We had a doctor's appointment today and everything checked out just fine! To update the stats, Oliver entered this world weighing a hefty 9 lbs. 0.9 oz. and being 20 inches long(or so the hospital told us). At his one week check up he was up to 9 lbs. 10 oz. and measured 22 inches long (we think the hospital was a little off)!! Today, he weighed in at 11 lbs. 8 oz and measured 22 1/4 inches long! He is in the 90th percentile!!! Claire was always in the 5oth percentile. Here are some pictures I snapped today of my precious little boy and a few of my beautiful baby (I guess toddler, really) girl!!

We took Oliver and Claire on a bike ride after dinner. I wanted the exercise and to enjoy the nice weather while it is still around!!

Here is Oliver getting ready to go. Claire is ready to roll! Claire in the bike seat (we need to get her a helmet, I know)!! Oliver strapped into the bike trailor in his car seat!Claire wanted to put the batteries she found into the camera so I snapped a shot of her!! Ryan and I are looking forward to this being a "normal" week and we are really looking forward to spending this weekend at home!!!!

Erica's Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party!

Erica's bridal shower was full of good fun, good friends and family, and a few fun games. First, guests drew a number out of a cup and then had to create a card for the bride and groom to be for their anniversary year (which was the number each person drew). So, if you picked, say, a 5, you would make them a 5 year anniversary card. Leigh Ann will then be sending the hand made cards to the happy couple for the next 30 years (I hope you can remember that Leigh Ann)!!!

Making the cards!!

We also played "Guess that Spice," and the final round of fun was the bridal fashion show. We had four teams and they were each given four rolls of toilet paper to create a wedding gown with. Teams were very creative and we had a lot of fun! Here are the results! The bride-to-be with the fashion models Tiff, Tory, Miranda, and Katie. I was busy feeding Oliver, so I didn't get any pictures of Erica opening her gifts (I'll have to get some from someone), but here is her practice bouquet made from all the bows from the gifts. I think everyone had a great time and I even got to get a few pictures of my new little one with my friend new little ones.

First is a picture of my friend Julie's newest addition Keston, who is only four days younger, with Oliver. Look at the difference. Keston only weighed a little over six pounds when he was born compared to my nine pounder!!

This is a picture of the three amigos, Keston born 8/12/08, Sophia (Leigh Ann's baby) born 7/8/08, and Oliver born 8/8/08. Sophia and Oliver are exactly a month apart and they are the same size! I think Oliver found a girlfriend (you better watch out Patrick)!!

For the bachelorette party we headed to Snickerz comedy club in Fort Wayne, Indiana. That was a blast!! Then we went to Pierre's nightclub to finish out the night. I did get pictures, but not with my digital camera, so I don't have any to post as of right now! I hope you enjoyed your day Erica!!!

Craziness!!

So, these past few weeks have been anything but normal(not that I feel like I have a "normal" anymore)... they have been quite crazy! The post before this I started about three weeks ago and never got to finish until now!

First, and worst, I found out Tuesday, August 26 that my grandfather had passed away due to a fire (smoke inhalation) and my grandma was in the hospital. That was a tough week and it made for a long, sad Labor day weekend. So, I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers for my grandma and family!

We did get some pictures of most of the Bilimek family though. My grandpa had 14 brothers and sisters, 8 children of his own, 36 (I believe) grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren. So, if it weren't for my grandma and grandpa 76 of us would not be around!

Grandpa's brothers and sister, my grandma (in the middle) and the priest who did the funeral service.

Joe, Jim, Rick, Mike

Dede (my mom), Barb, Ginny, and Chris

The grandkids (I could name them all, but I will spare you)!

A few of the great-grandkidsDespite the circumstances, we were able to make it out to the Van Wert County Fair. We needed the break and a chance to take our minds off things for a little while. Claire loved the rides and cried everytime she had to get off of one. She didn't get to see any animals (which she would have loved) she was too wiped out!

Getting ready to head to the fair for food and fun!!

Riding the carousel with Grandma Staff

Lovin' the Super Trucks!!

Riding a pony (or as Claire would say,"COWS!!")