Kimber's 12th Birthday Party

Kimber had her birthday party today, right after school.  We didn't have a real theme for this one...she wanted zebra print, but that is about it.  So I made up my own theme (this morning)...

12 Things that Kimber Loves

1.  Cupcakes (and zebra print)

 Because it was pouring the girls went out to "escort" the guests in...I think they really just played in the rain :)

 2.  Kimber loves crafts (painted and used stencils to design the first letter of their name)

 3.  Kimber loves jewelry...so we made button bracelets

 4.  Kimber loves Milk Duds...so we guessed how many were in the jar

 5.  Kimber loves Subway (where she eats white bread with cheese on it :))

 Alli gets ham on bread.  Eats the ham first, then the bread :)

 We also made cute button clips.  See Sam's:

 6.  Kimber loves volleyball so we played balloon volleyball

 7.  Kimber loves presents...so she opened some :)

 8.  Kimber loves dancing so they played Just Dance

9.  Kimber loves fishies....so we snacked on some
10.  Kimber loves ice cream so we ate some with our cupcakes
11.  Kimber loves to draw so we played Pictionary...and drew things that Kimber likes
12.  Kimber loves to read so we did Mad Libs and she chose the funniest story

It was a small party, at least small for us, and I think we all enjoyed it :) 

Happy Birthday to a Great Girl!  Young Women's here she comes!!!!!

Happy Anniversary to Us....

13 years ago we looked like this...

 Crabtree Family (sorry this one is blurry...)

 Riding Family

 Bridesmaids and Groomsmen (minus Aaron, who missed his flight (b/c he was kissing his fiance!!! :)) and Jared who couldn't make it to our Seattle Reception)

13 reasons I'm glad I married Konrad:

1.  He is willing to get up and turn on the fan, get me a snack, deal with the kids, turn off lights, etc after we've gotten in bed and I'm too lazy/comfy to do it.

2.  He ALWAYS puts his clothes in the dirty clothes.

3.  When we share food at a restaurant he ALWAYS lets me choose what we are ordering.

4.  He is willing to read with, play with, play games with, and watch TV with our girls...even when he'd rather just relax and do what he wants to do.  He rarely tells them no when they want him to do something with them.

5.  He always checks our calendars before planning anything...rarely do we have scheduling conflicts.

6.  He has an awesome laugh..especially when watching Modern Family or the Office.

7.  He likes to hold my hand.

8.  He likes chick flicks, musicals, and reading a book by the pool.

9.  He loves taking me on vacation.

10.  He ALWAYS wipes down the toilet after using it.  Every time.  A huge plus when I'm pregnant and using those toilets for a throw-up bowl!!!!

11.  He tries to take me on a date at least once a week, most of the time two times. 

12.  He is very level headed and calm...I think it might slowly be rubbing off on me.  Well maybe just a teeny tiny bit :)

13a.  He loves me because I'm me and doesn't want or need me to be anyone else. 

13b.  He's pretty hot :)

Happy Birthday Kimber!

Kimber through the years....

5 days old...

 1st Birthday

 2 Years old

 3rd Birthday

 4th birthday

 5th birthday

 6th birthday:

 7th Birthday

 8th birthday

 9th birthday

 10th birthday (dressed up as Daphne from the Mystery Gang)

 11th birthday:

 12th birthday:

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! 

Make a Guess....

What in the world did we get from Fed Ex today.....

Two pictures weren't necessary, but just trying to give you a good perspective on the size. 

Oh and the delivery man said it weighs 110 lbs....

P.S.  Preschool Moms who were at the park when it was delivered today...don't give it away...at least not too soon!!!

Life: Sometimes Bad. Sometimes Good.

Yesterday I was reliving the one of the hardest days of my life.  I was remembering what it felt like to call a doctor, in a complete panic, explaining that your baby wasn't moving.  I was remembering walking into a waiting room, which was full of happy pregnant people, while I was full of dread.  I remembered being whisked down the hallway within minutes and laying down on a exam table, listening for that ever important heart beat.  When it wasn't there, being led down the hallway into the ultra sound room, where I eventually heard the dreaded words "Ashlee, we have a  problem".  Then using the phone in that ultra sound room to call my husband and mom and say "He died". 

Still brings tears to my eyes.

While those memories were hard, there was a silver lining.  I was in that waiting room again.  There were pregnant people in there, again.  I was lead down the hallway to an exam room.  I went into that ultra sound room, but this time there was a heart beat. 

Yes folks, we are having another baby!  :)

While we are beyond excited we are also a bit (okay A LOT) afraid.  I feel like there is no "safe zone".  It doesn't matter if I pass the 12 week mark, the 20 week mark, the 30 week mark.  I won't feel safe until this baby comes home with us in 7 long months.  (yes I'm only 8 weeks).  That is a long time to be worried, scared, stressed, and afraid to make any real plans b/c your brain won't let you believe it will really happen the "right way" this time around. 

We hear a lot of prayers that include "Please bless the baby will make it".  Many statements that start "If the baby comes....".  We are all protecting ourselves. 

Yesterday, after going to the doctor and hearing the heartbeat and seeing his/her image on the screen, I was able to feel some hope. 

Allison brought me this sweet note last night...made me cry!

Here's hoping my new meds will help with the all-freaking-day-"morning"-sickness so that maybe I can spend less time laying on the couch!  I tell you though, having a 12, 9, and 7 year old while being pregnant is the way to go.  They make my life easy-peasy!  We won't talk about the fact that Kimber will be 24 when this kid is 12 :)

BTW - remember that post about getting used to saying 4 instead of 3?  Now I will be learning to say 5.  Unreal!  :)