Happy 10 weeks Baby!!

Hooooooooooray! I got to see Baby Knapp #2 today! I am so excited. Not only is it alive and kickin' (more like wiggling like a worm), but it's healthy as a horse too!

For all of you that hadn't been told (because, of course, it was upsetting) we went in to the doctor last week and didn't find a heartbeat. I don't know about the rest of you, but no matter how hard I tried to rationalize with myself that it's still early, I just couldn't get over it. On Wednesday we received our results back from my blood test and that came out better than expected. So, for Christmas I was left teetering between being happy that I was still pregnant and worried that my baby was growing somewhere behind my left thigh. I was scheduled an ultrasound to look further into it.

180 beats. 3 centimeters long. 10 weeks to the day. Hopefully coming around the 27th of July. And it looks like a molar tooth. :)

Because the blogging world has gotten so boring...

Enjoy!

I'm going to be a Mom again!

You heard me correctly; I'm going to be a Mom again. I can't tell you how excited I am. For a few months now I have had the urge to have another child. To be completely honest I was doubting the fact that I would ever be pregnant again. Feeling this way Steve and I started to seriously research international adoption. This is something I have wanted to do with much passion since the age of 15. I was pretty excited that we had started some of the hurdles of this adventure.

On November 29th I took a test knowing I was a bit late. I am pregnant. Two blue lines of joy.

Since that day I've been a nervous wreck. I told Steve to buy some cheapo tests thinking it will go as it always does, one blue line and the fun stops there. I'm not totally convinced it was right. "What if I pointed it downward too far?" "What if it was longer than 5 seconds (use your imagination here people)?" I know these ideas seem totally neurotic, but I seriously am second guessing those cheap CVS bargain no name tests.

So today I took another one, the second bargain in the box. Even though I won't be posting thisthe day I wrote it - on the 2nd (since we haven't told Steve's family yet), I'm still needed to write about it. Again I got that second blue line, but this time it wasn't quite as blue right away. When talking to my sister, she had told me that when she had her miscarriages her test stripes were faint blue. I totally just panicked. For some reason this time around I am a nervous wreck. I was never this anxious and worried with Kellan. I am mentally pacing, waiting until I am far enough to hear a heartbeat and see a kidney bean. This month is going to be an extra hard one. I can't wait for Christmas, but don't want the stress of it. I don't want it to end because my daughter will turn another year older. And I want it to speed the hell up so I can book it to my OB like the hormonal, whacked out, crazed pregnant woman I am.

By the way, when I walked back into the bathroom the line was a little true bluer.

Happy 23 months baby girl!

I like to smell my daughter's stinky feet

And lick her eyelids clean.

Happy Birthday to Me!

For my birthday this year Steve had been wanting to take me out to Fishbone's, a restaurant in Greektown. Even though it's somewhere I didn't feel was practical enough to go, I obliged. I knew he was really looking forward to it. Now, fast forward to Saturday, November 15th. It's my 25th birthday...

So far my birthday had not been going well. I woke up still mad at Steve from a blow up the night before. I had gotten little sleep. Our dog, Remy, had to be taken into the Emergency Vet. He swelled up like a balloon. It was raining sleet. Kellan was supposed to go to the Circus with her Nana so I could get ready, she didn't end up going. A birthday dinner was looking pretty bleek.

Later that afternoon I went to a hair appointment. Steve wanted me to get my hair done as one of my gifts. Again, me being painfully practical, I'd rather have Home Depot gift cards and get to work. Instead of fighting it I went. I figure at least this way I'd finally get my eyebrows waxed, I was growing a black forest on my brow ridge. It ended up being a great gift, my hair looked sweet.

When I got home Steve's mom was just about to arrive. When she got here, she came bearing the gift of Vera Wang. "Kellan" had gotten me a beautiful black dress to wear that night. All this seems pretty nice for just a dinner, right? Yeah, I was thinking that too...

Steve and I were rushing to get out of the house on time. He had told me at least three times that we couldn't be late for our reservation. He kept telling me to get going and I kept telling him to stop obsessing over the few dog hairs on his shirt. I remember telling him "it's not like you're going to see anyone you know". Fast forward to 7:30...

As I was following the hostess to our table, I remember thinking how cold my bare legs were from the walk from the parking lot to the restaurant. I was thinking how silly I looked with bruised up legs in a dress that went just above my knees. I was so thankful no one I knew would see me. As I was thinking this I saw a familiar face in a sea of strangers. I thought to myself "Oh, Kristin and Jon are here! OMG! What are they doing here? They drive all the way to Detroit for dinner? That's kind of a long drive...". As I continue to look over, I noticed more familiar faces. There is a table full of people I knew. People I had asked to come out with us this past week that were all busy. A table full of...

"SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!"

A table full of liars!!!!!!!!! Steve had put togeter a surprise party for me. I had all of my friends there; new, old, far, and near all at one table. All just for me.

I had the chance to hang out with those I never get to spend time with. I got to eat with friends I only get to see but once a year. It was great. I spent the whole night just kicking back and having FUN. I never last past 10:30, and at 1:30 I didn't want to go home. I was having the time of my life. All my friends from all different places all hung out together like they too had been long time friends. I couldn't think of a more perfect scenrio. It was a blast. And Steve did it all just for me. I am blessed.

Oh and P.S.

Kellan went on the potty again on Sunday!!

I just love my big girl so much! :)

I never posted Halloween!! "Bad Mommy! Bad.."

""Trick-or-Treat!

Smell my feet. Give me something good to eat!
If you don't, I don't care. I'm not going ANYWHERE!!"

-Aunt Emily

Happy (belated) Halloween Everyone!

What a great Halloween! Our family put on Kellan's second annual Halloween Bash, and boy was it fun! This year the eerie holiday happened to have landed on a weekend, so not only did the kids get to come for a party, but they had a sleepover too! Our families and neighbors all came for a pizza party with their kids. The next morning we had a big pancake and bacon breakfast before our farewells. Not only did the kids play into the night together, but the adults got to spend some "adult time" too! Some friendships were formed and some firsts were experienced. Overall, I can't wait to do it all over again. That is, in 355 days....

List of Characters

Kellan......................................Princess Fiona

Mena..............................................Witch

Jacob A...........................................Ben 10

LeLe...............................................Lady Bug

YaYa.................................Something cute and white

Baby Maddie....................................Witch

Ben..................................................Monkey

Riley................................................Grasshopper

Spencer............................................Pirate

Jacob L............................................Indian

Vivian..............................................Dead Bride

Katie................................................Goth girl

Ethan D.....................................Nemo/Skeleton

Ethan P.............................................TV

Rachael.............................................Goth Fairy

Colin..................................................Army Guy

Mommy.............................................Witch

Daddy................................................Shrek

Sorry Daddy, but this is retarded...

Rednecks for Palin

Remember:

Vote November 4th, 2008

That John McCain, He's a real Maverick!

Oh, what a BIG girl!!!!!

I'm soooooooooooooooo excited! And I just can't hide it!!!

Yesterday my daughter finally went on the potty. Needless to say this was after she took her diaper off and ran buck naked through the house, the climbed atop my bed to jump and peed on my comforter. As soon as I could I grabbed her and brought her into the bathroom where I was cutting Steve's hair. I thought for sure we were safe. NOT. She started peeing down her leg in there too. I grabbed that stinker and put her on the potty. Somehow she managed to squeeze out a little more, just enough to make her potty sing.

What a joyous moment. The moment she heard the song she knew she had done something great. I ran over to cover her in kisses and congratulate her on being such a big girl. I was so proud. Finally! I had put her on her potty many times before with no luck, so I gave up. And, to be honest, I'm getting really tired of having to tape down her diaper or deal with catching a quick glance of a naked bum going by and having to chase it down.

On to bigger news. This morning I was trying to get some piles of stuff uncluttered in the house. I was looking through a laundry basket of random clean junk, wondering what the hell to do with it. All of a sudden I hear the potty and remembered I forgot to close the bathroom door. WHAT NOW... Kellan loves to sneak in there when she can and teepee the entire bathroom and take her potty apart to set off the sensor manually to make it sing. Great, another mess.

I WAS WRONG. Kellan had taken off her diaper all by herself and was sittin' there peeing. I went nuts. I was shrill with delight that I had underestimated my child. I was happy that I was proved wrong and looked like a big jerk for telling everyone she wasn't ready. Even funnier is that Kellan wasn't fazed by this. She acted like an old pro that couldn't figure out what the big fuss was for. I was just waiting for her to tell me to get out and shut the door behind me.

My daughter is a BIG girl, and damn am I proud!

P.S. I'd post pictures, but I don't want to go to jail.

Update:

Ok Ladies,

We are one away property from winning some money in the following colors: Light blue (Vermont Ave), Red (Kentucky Ave.), Railroads (Short Line), Yellow (Ventnor Ave.) and Green (Pennsylvania Ave.)

Of course we could use Boardwalk too!


Happy eating!

We all have a little Pirate in us...

Kellan and Ethan finally discovered the costume box. What a beautiful morning for make believe....

I've gone insane.

I'm going to be a half-millionaire.

Last week, during my scrap-a-thon, my sister Amy and I happened to get onto the subject of McDonalds' Monopoly game pieces and how we both had a couple. From there the simple conversation grew into how to work the McDonalds system and win tones of cash. We figured if a bunch of people contribute their game pieces to one united board, we have higher chances of winning, and even higher chances of dying from high cholesterol. Worth it. So... point being: If you save your Monopoly pieces and add them to the pot, you become an equal winner. It doesn't matter if your game pieces had anything to do with the actual winning, if you helped then you're in. Pieces must be in by November 3rd.

Eat on.

What a beautiful afternoon for a festival

After a full, fulfilling morning of bargain shopping, Steve and I packed up Kellan and headed to our city's "Scarecrow Fest" for an afternoon of fun and entertainment. This is the first year we have ever participated and I'm pleased we did. Kellan had the opportunity to ride a pony for the first time, and Mom was over the moon. My little princess liked it!!! Next step, lessons. Then on to the ultimate purchase, a unicorn. Oh, I mean gray dappled, part draft horse and part thoroughbred, 16 hands high beauty (we're still trying to get Daddy on that band wagon).

What ended up striking Kellan's fancy the most was the good ol' carousel and the giantic slide. Unfortunately, the pictures below don't justify the height of this beast. Just taking Kellan up to the top made me weak the stomach. By the time I reached the bottom I did see that it was fun, but I shook a little in the knees. How I chose this over the idea of my daughter on a terrifying ferris wheel I don't know. Yeah, that's right... ferris wheels are evil. Surprisingly, she LOVED it. She cracked up all the way down with a HUGE smile on her face. Aw, Mommy's little dare devil. Crap.

Shopping for her second birthday present... I mean riding a pony.

Second run on the carousel with Daddy

Here is a picture to justify the slide. Oh, you can't tell who's in it? That's because they are high in the sky. I think I touched a cloud.

Blaire Witch Project Ain't Got Nothing On This Cutie!

This movie has no real point, but I thought it was cute. I let Kellan run around the house for a few minutes with the pocket video camera, and it turned out kinda cute in my opinion.

Disclaimer: May cause dizziness and nausea.

"Sarah Palin scares me."

Tag, you're it!

My sister, Amy (http://agwylyk.blogspot.com), suckered me into a game of tag. She held me at gunpoint. I was afraid for my life. Just kidding ;)

This isn't going to be easy. I'm not really one to hide the small things and I'm not sure I even know 7 people on blogspot. I barely even use the darn thing! Oh well, I'll send it to those I can...

Hmm... 7 random facts...

1. I never wanted children of my own growing up. I always wanted to just adopt. Now that I have my daughter, I'd like another. I still want to adopt.

2. On that topic, I always wanted two boys, one of which I wanted to name Kellen. When I became pregnant, Steve and I fought over a girl's name. He wanted Kellan for a girl. Come to find out he dated a Kellin. I remember her vividly. She's the skank that looked right though me the one time I met her. Thank goodness I didn't give her a seconds thought after. I had a girl and her name is Kellan.

3. Some women tease that they need chocolate to make their day better. Chocolate really does make my day better. It makes me sane at the end of the day. I can almost feel it instantly lowering my blood pressure.

4. I can't stand Alec Baldwin. Ever since Riley brought home the real life version of Thomas the Train I want to punch him. It's an instant hot spot. His voice gives me the chills. His face makes me gag. I can't stand anything about him. I think by now everyone knows that though.

5. I am phobic of dish soap. Yes, you read that right. I fear Palmolive.

6. I am addicted to garage saling and second hand stores. It's an adrenaline rush.

7. Last one!!!!!! Whew, this is brutal. Oh here's one. Again, everyone knows this but whatever. I'm an open person. I'll tell you how it is. Anyway... here it goes. I LOVE Julia Roberts movies. I watched Steel Magnolias at least twice a day as a child. I'm talking toddler years. It's still my favorite movie. My other favorite is Pretty Woman. When it first came out I BEGGED my mom to see it. Of course she said no and I had to wait until years later. Now, every time it's on TBS I have to watch it all the way through. I get very upset if Steve tries to change the channel, even on commercial. I make him watch it with me. I still don't know if he's seen it all the way through. Maybe I should just rent it for him tonight... He'll love it. Nothing screams sexy like a movie about a hooker.

TAG! You're it! (I'd name people but everyone already got it. )

Not too much has gone on in these parts lately, but at the same time I feel so busy I forget to blink. Instead of having a great story or adventure, I thought I'd share some Kellan updates from this week...

Kellan's speech is finally moving right along. A few days ago Kellan said "Apple". Today she said "Elmo". It's more like "Elllllllllllmooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo". She also is finally saying something close to the word "Shrek" today too. If you didn't know, my daughter is OBSESSED with the Shrek triology these days. She hasn't perfected it, but it's getting close. It sounds like "Sh-Yeah". It's very similar to a quote in Wayne's World (with Mike Myers, 1993) where Mike's character says "Cha! And monkeys might fly out of my butt!". It's sounds so close it's scary. My kid is part surfer from the early 90's. On top of thinking that Keanu Reeves has just teleported into my daughter's playroom via his red telephone booth, her tone might hint that Kellan also has been addicted to nicotine for 45 years and suffers from emphasema.

Precious these moments are.

"Friends are treasures."

There’s a miracle of friendship that
dwells within the heart
And you don’t know how it happens
or where it gets its start
But the happiness it brings you
always gives a special lift
Any you realize that friendship
Is God’s most perfect gift.
-Anon

This is my playmate Ethan

People ask if we are twins.

Our Moms think we love each other...

And our friendship is where our story begins!

Kellan and Ethan

At least I'm good at Wii bowling...

For Labor Day our family headed over to my sister Amy's in Ohio for a day of food, fun, and some sweaty kickball competition. After, we drove down to Jeremy's parents house to finally meet little baby Aiden. All and all it was a pretty good day of fun. Tuesday morning was rough.

Things I did: Kicked Steve's rear end in Wii bowling, 3-0

Things Steve did: whooped me in kick ball, dive bombing my every kick just to take me down

Things Kellan did: Crossed the street about 100 times, indecisive of where to be entertained.
Cried for G.G. to make her sweat a little. It keeps her on her toes.
Hid Mommy's cell phone in the depths of her cousin Mena's closet. Thanks honey.




"Team Phil"


The rockin' "Team Amy"!

What can be better than a tub full of jello? A pool full of pudding!

After my recent epiphany, I decided to wait for the perfect day to have a kiddie pool full of pudding for Kellan to play in (I'm sure in part from my childhood fantasies of playing in a tub full of Jello Jigglers). I knew I had to wait for a day when it was nice enough for Kellan to go outside in a diaper and a day where there was no chance in Hades Steve could come home to the mess that would be the backyard. I've been hiding the pudding packets with anxiety praying he wouldn't catch me before I succeeded my mission. So, this morning my sister spontaneously decided to come up to Michigan to scrap. Perfect! I could sneak in being a bad influence on my niece, Mena, as to add to my itinerary. It was like killing two birds with one stone. Awesome....

Side story: As I am outside filling up the pool my nephew, Jacob, says to me "Aunt Allie, what are you doing!?" I said "Oh just wait Jacob...", excited that he had no idea of what was to come. No sooner did he tell me that I was "weird". I chuckled and told him I was just being silly. I figured he was finished with this convo by this point. Moments later he says to me "I thought you were smart" and walks away. Kids these days...

P.S. I let Jacob drive Kellan's power wheels around the back yard one handed. I think I gave my sister a heart attack.

P.P.S. Steve was pretty upset in the end that I did this without him.

P.P.P.S. He said he was more than happy to allow Kellan to do this, just as long as she didn't get any on him. It's a good thing we did do it while he was at work then...