Too Much Olympics, Not Enough Sleep

Last night I was burping Addison after her 2AM feeding and I must have dozed off because I think I heard her burp and then there were announcers that said, "That one is at least a 7.0."  

The other said, "Yes.  That will put her on the podium, the only question will be what color medal."  

When I opened my eyes I was in bed.  I can't believe I'm narrating my life like the olympics!

In the AM I told Joel about it and he told Addie he was disappointed.  He thought she could have pulled off a 7.25 at least!  I think we're losing it :) 

Addison's Home Coming

Addie, Joel and I surprised Jam and Grandma by getting home by 9 AM.  Addie had a very rough night and we were very anxious to just get home.  As usual, there were a ton of crazy drivers on the road :)

Addie looking pretty in her purple hat.  I think purple may be her color.

It did not take long before Daddy and Addie were sleeping on the couch.  Jam and Joel assumed a very similar position when he was that age.

While Joel and Addison slept Jam and I had a picnic lunch out in the yard.  Fluffer Nutter sandwiches never fail to please!

Addie looking cute after a diaper change.  James is a really big helper.  He holds the clean diaper and throws away the dirty one.  Sometimes Mommy forgets and throws away the dirty one and Jam cries.  He also likes to talk and sing to her.  

He doesn't freak out about her crying like he did the first few times he heard it.  The first time, in the hospital, he tried to tell that "it's ok" as loudly as Addie was crying so we just ended up with 2 screaming kids!

          

Top:  James playing Addie's musical giraffe for her and rubbing her back.

Bottom:  Addie calmed right down when Jam started playing his guitar for her.

How an Anniversary Becomes a Birthday

Yesterday I got a call from the Dr's office that I needed a non-stress test.  Since it was our anniversary Joel said we would go into the birthing center quick and then go out for a nice lunch.  We left the house at around noon.

Here we are all ready to leave for our date

Two minutes after driving away I had my first contraction.  Of course we assumed that it was not the real thing... I mean how many times have we been faked out?!

By the time we got into Mqt my contractions were 3-5 min apart.  I was starving so I hoped they would stop so we could go out to eat.  As we sat on the monitor the contractions were only 2-3 min apart.  I lied to the nurse and said they were only like a 2 on the pain scale.  Then I stood up and my water broke... about 1:40 PM

Joel hurried up and grabbed the camera to take one last picture of my belly at 40 weeks and 5 days.

Addison Grace Dank came flying out less than an hour 1/2 later at 3:02 PM.  She was 7 lbs. 9.4 ozs. and 19 inches long.  I could have sworn she was bigger than that :)

Daddy holding Addie for the first time.  She is a total daddy's girl.  They snuggled almost all night.

James holding his baby sister for the first time.  Joel called when she was out and he was running around the house screaming, "Baby D is out!"  He has already helped with a diaper change and is going to be an amazing big brother.  I am the luckiest Mommy ever!

The Ore 2 Shore... Joel

On Saturday Joel and James participated in their first ever Ore to Shore!

Joel had his race on Saturday AM.  He did the 28 mile Soft Rock (there is also a 48 mile Hard Rock).  The race started in Negaunee and went through the woods to Marquette.  Joel figured he could do the race in 2 1/2 hours, hoped to do it in 2 hours 15 minutes, and finished in 2 hours and 1 minute!  We are all very proud of him.  He did not even think about getting back on his bike until he rode the 1 mile to work on Monday AM.

Joel at the start in Negaunee.  One can't tell by the picture, but it was pouring rain!  We amused the people around him when he told me not to go into labor while he was out.  I told him that I wouldn't go into labor if he promised not to fall.  Thankfully, we both kept our promises

Joel pointing at James 19 miles into the race.  James was thrilled!

Joel and James celebrating at the end of the race.  Joel was completely gassed!

All 3 1/2 of us at the end of the race.  Now that this is over, Baby D needs to get out so it can count as a whole person :)

Soon to come:  James' Ore to Shore!

40 weeks and still no Baby D

As you can clearly see we have, most unfortunately, made it to our due date with no baby.  I am enormous to the point of bursting.  I just don't think my body is very good at being so big.  Baby D is not really allowed to come out on Saturday because of Ore 2 Shore.  I really don't want to miss Jam's 1st race and Joel's first Ore 2 Shore.

James has been nesting with me and Grandma Dank.  I'm pretty sure that we're all ready... now all we need is a baby.  He has taken to telling Baby D to "come out" about 25 times a day.  It is to the point that I have to tell him that Baby D is sleeping so we have to leave it alone.  He is just very excited.  Let's hope he still likes the baby once its actually out :)

James learned how to use the little vacuum so he could help mommy by sucking up the Dust Puppies and Dust Kitties.  It has been very helpful.

This is video of James helping Grandma Dank redecorate the bathroom for my "Baby Shower Gift."  It turned out super cute, and is now pretty well organized.  We ran out of baby stuff to nest with so we've turned our attention to random rooms.

Residency Graduation

Joel had his residency graduation on June 20th.  Joel's whole family and everyone in my family but Barb and her family were able to make it.  We had a really good time at graduation, and because it was also Superior Bike Fest we also got to watch loads of biking.  This has only served to increase my son's obsession with riding his bike.

Joel is thrilled to be done with residency and started his "real" job on July 7th.  Thus far it has been pretty slow, but I'm sure he'll have more patients as time goes on.  He is also working with a med student and precepting for the residents.  The best part of the deal is that he gets every Thursday afternoon off for paperwork... which he is not behind on yet, so he just comes home.  We have also been able to eat lunch with him every day this week, which has been awesome.  He gets an actual lunch hour now, not just a lecture during which he can eat.

Here is Joel receiving his plaque thingy.  Jam and I missed him actually getting it because James decided he really had to pee.  Thanks to Kristy Roberge for taking this picture for us.

James' favorite part of graduation was the dancing.  He danced until the very end.  When the dance floor would clear off he would pull Mommy onto the floor.  I was totally exhausted by the end :)

Joel, James, Baby D and I at the end of graduation.

At the very end the DJ played "Say" by John Mayer and Jam got up on the stage and gave us an air-guitar/lip-synced concert.  All the clean up crew stood around to watch.  James didn't get to bed until after midnight, but then he slept until 11 AM (Joel said he is ready for college).  I was thrilled to have the time to sleep in.  All in all we had a really good time.

James' First Fishing Trip

Today James, Joel and I went to the Yellow Dog River for James' first ever fishing trip (not counting those in-utero.)  Jam learned about hooks (like not to touch them), how to cast, and even got a chance to catch a brook trout.  He caught it after like 5 casts!  It was very exciting.  He had another one get off when he stopped reeling and a third one steal half his worm and get away.  All in all it was a very fun day.

Daddy and James on their way down to the river

Jam's Big Catch!

Our very proud little fisherman.

This is video of James learning how to cast... with lots of help from daddy!

This is Jam reeling in his HUGE catch!