Hello Stanger!!!!

Talk about time flying .... I have been MIA for the last COUPLE of years :) But, I have really started enjoying spreading the word with our growing family so I thought it might be time to start back up with my BLOG. So, I am going to try and be better about posting. I will warn you, most of it will be about the kiddos as all THREE of them have taken over our lives. But, I thought that might be an OK thing as so many people want to know "how" we do it. And, honestly, I don't have an answer ... we just do it!!! I will say that my mother-in-law has been a big piece to this puzzle and we are very lucky to have her helping these last few months. So, not alot tonight ... I will save that, but look out ... I AM BACK :)

How Time Flies ... one year later!

6 months old -- October 2008

18 months old -- October 2009

A friend sent me this ....

Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a whole lot of Sh*T!!!!

KerPLUNK!

That is the sound I heard from Charlie's bedroom this morning!!! I was down in my bathroom getting ready for the day and I heard Charlie wake up on the monitor. He usually takes a few minutes to get going so I rarely have to rush to get him. Today was a different story. I heard one cry and then KerPLUNK!! I took off running up the stairs to see what toy he had gotten hold off.

When I opened the door to his bedroom, I found Charlie lying on his back about a foot from his crib. He was startled and not moving! I quickly checked for broken bones or any other injuries, but he was fine, just scared himself.

So, tonight after work, Eric set out to lower the crib as low as it would go. It was only one level up from the bottom, but now it is as low as it would go. We were just shocked that he fell (or climbed) out of the crib as he has never even tried to get his leg up.

We'll see how long he lasts at this new level. When I put him to bed tonight, I saw that the rail was at his neck so I think we will be ok for awhile now. Fingers crossed :)

Ahhh ... Sunday!!

We had a fun Saturday .... we went over to our friend's home and swam in their pool and then enjoyed a great meal on the patio. Sarah and Donna keep their pool at bath water temperature so Charlie had no qualms about getting in the water. He even put his face in the water and would let me take him all the way under!!!! We had a great time!!

This weekend really made it feel like summer. On Friday night, we went downtown to the town carnival. Charlie was still much too young for the carnival rides, but it was nice walking around and enjoying time with some of our neighbors. I even got a funnel cake!!!! YUM!!!!

Today I am going to try and meet up with a friend from high school. She is in Kansas City visiting a college friend so we are trying to make time for one another as it has been nearly 10 years!!!! Hopefully it works out :)

No more bottles!

Well, that's it! The bottles are gone!!! They have been packed away and put in the basement only to be brought out for the next child (whenever that happens). Thursday morning marked the last bottle for Charlie. Since then, he has been all about the sippy cup. He has been using the nubby sippy for quite some time -- only using the bottle when he woke up and right before bed -- but after watching him Thursday, I realized little man was READY for the switch. He had begun spending more time "playing" with the bottle than drinking the milk. He has figured out how the nipple really works so he would try and get the milk to drain out by using his fingers ... it had become a game.

So, we are DONE!!! He has been fine without it so we are full go. I will say that it has been a bit of a challenge to make sure he gets the needed milk each day as he doesn't want to slow down, but he is doing great! He is a walking man and really on the go .... we didn't do much this weekend, but I am worn out from keeping up with him :)

Charlie at the Lake!

Getting all the love from Ann .... he really LOVED her blue bottle!

Bonnie let Charlie DRIVE the boat!!!!

Found the horn!

Charlie and Katie O!

Charlie and Bonnie!

Charlie and his buddy, Steve.

Charlie LOVED the water ...

especially the raft where he could sit and lounge while Steve pushed him around!

Dr. Bob

Today I attended a Memorial Service for Dr. Bob Frederick. Dr. Bob was my graduate school advisor at KU and was the former athletic director at KU and Illinois State (in my hometown). Throughout the past 5 years, I have had the privilege of getting to know him better, both in the classroom and through other functions. I can honestly say that he was a great man. Never did he have a bad word to say about others. He took great pride in his work as a teacher and was a tremendous influence to his students. He left his mark on the world and nearly 1,500 people came out to pay their respects to this great man.

I feel priviliged to have known him. He left this world a better place and for that I am grateful. I hope that I continue to practice the lessons that he taught me ... be good to ALL that you meet. You never know the impact you will have on those people. From the most important person to the least known, all should be treated the same -- with great respect. Never compromise your values for something you don't believe in. Live life to the fullest -- you never get a hint about when you time on earth is gone.

Dr. Bob was one of the healthiest 69 year old men I have ever met. I tragic bicycling accident claimed his life late Friday. He was wearing a helmet, but even it was not enough to protect him from a fall from what he loved to do best.

Rest in Peace, Dr. Bob ..... you have left the world a better place!

In Between!

One camp down .... three more to go!! Elite Camp was this past weekend. It is the smallest of our four summer camps, but a challenge to run as we have several "recruits" and their coaches in so we need to look good and everything has to run perfect! I am happy to report that things ran great and I have gotten some emails from parents telling me how much they enjoyed the camp!!

Next week is what I affectionately call "Hell Week." I will be running our two largest camps back to back. Our Individual Camp (girls grades 5-12) will run Sunday through Wednesday and then we have our Jayhawk Jamboree on Saturday. We are expecting nearly 250 girls for the first camp and then close to 500 for the one-day deal. It is ALOT of work to get it all ready, but I have been planning for months so it is coming together nicely! Talk to me on June 28th though and see if I am still saying the same thing!

Charlie is still practicing the walk! He is becoming more adventurous every day so we are on our toes! I will admit that he has the BEST laugh ... especially at night when he is tired. It is almost as if he is so delerious he does not know how to control it and he just lets out these "belly laughs."

Walking Man!

Charlie took his first REAL steps today. He has been making his way around for last couple of months, but today he took off from my hands into Eric's and got so excited when we cheered him on in his first steps. He was so happy that he turned around and walked right back to Eric! While he is not going by himself all the time, it is just around the corner.

In other news, camp is starting on Thursday. I will admit that I am not AS stressed as I usually am this time of year. I look back at last year ... Charlie had just been born, I was on "maternity leave," and still planning/running camps. Last year was way more stressful than this year so far! Keeping my fingers crossed that smooth sailing continues .....

Funny story of the day .... I picked Charlie up last night from the babysitter's house. When I arrived, Candi told me that she thinks Charlie may have bit another of the kids -- a 2 year old boy named Finn. She noticed a couple of bruises on Finn's ear while they were out for their morning walk. She asked Finn what happened to his hear and Finn replied, "Charlie bit me." She had not seen Charlie bite him and did not remember Finn crying out at any point that morning. She waited awhile longer and asked him again what happened to his ear and again, Finn replied "Charlie bit me." Of course, I felt horrible. Charlie has chomped down on my finger a couple of times, but only because I stuck my finger in his mouth to check his teeth. I really couldn't believe that he had done it. When I asked him if he bit Finn, he just looked at me and smiled ... ughhh. So, home we went. As I was pulling into the driveway, Candi called and said that she had showed the alleged bite marks to Finn's dad when he was picked up after we left. Candi explained what happened and apologized that Finn was hurt in her care. Finn's dad started laughing and told her that Finn had hurt his ear at the playground yesterday!!!! Candi told Finn's dad that he had blamed Finn for the injury and he informed Candi that Finn has been blaming Charlie for alot of things lately (even when he is not around!!!!) Poor Monkey man ..... he gets the bad wrap all the time!

Charlie and friends riding in the buggy at Miss Candi's house.

They go on at least one walk a day and Charlie has recently been moved to the

front as he has a tendency to "mess" with the other passengers.

Pics from last weekend

This right here is the EXACT reason why they cannot be alone together!

Eva and Bumpy -- don't worry, Mary Jo is there too in her M00moo!

Charlie with Evan and Kelly -- we had a BLAST visiting with them on Saturday!

Charlie thought Ms. Kelly was great ... she would get down and play with him. Plus, she had about 1,000 "words" on the fridge that he wanted to get off!

The mischevious grin ... really trying to get into trouble!

P.S. Those are shorts he has on by the way!

Lovin the bath at Me-maws with Cousin Eli!

Thank goodness for bubbles, right Eli????

Swinging on the front porch with Me-maw post haircut.

I didn't let the barber cut enough off the top because I was afraid he would go "too" short as Charlie was not happy by the end of the cut. Bumpy and I got him fixed up the next morning (see above pics for shorter version of the haircut!)

Back Home!

Eric, Charlie and I headed to Kentucky this past weekend to spend time with family and friends. We had a GREAT time seeing everyone, but we are glad to be home now. We left here late on Wednesday and got back tonight around 6:30 pm. We were able to see alot of friends and all of the family down there. We even made a short trip down into TN to see our great friend, Evan and Kelly. My parents came down for a few days as well to see Eva and to spend time with us!!

Tomorrow gets us back to the grind. Camps start in just over a week for me so it is crunch time!!! It should be a fun summer ... just lots to do!

Off to bed .... I will post pics from the weekend soon :)

To the Disgruntled Reader:

My life is just not that exciting ... what can I say???? I apologize that you feel I am "boring," and that I do not update my BLOG enough. I really didn't think that many people checked it so I was weaning myself off a bit. I will try and do better for your sake!!!

Here are a few pictures to tide you over ....

Quit making me laugh, mom!!!

Finally got a good shot for Mother's Day 2009 (see below).

I love playing with my tractor on the bathroom floor!!

Have a Wonderful Day!!

To my mom --

While I have always loved you, this past year has made me so thankful to have you as my mom. Whether it is the early morning/late night phone calls or just the time we have together, I am thankful to have such a wonderful woman to follow after and learn from. I know that I can always count on you for support or advice and that you would be here anytime ... day or night. As much as you think I am like dad, I know there is alot of "you" there too.

I never once feared becoming a mother because you have taught me so much and instilled the great lessons of unconditional love and the idea of giving of yourself for your child. I know it has not been an easy road for you and that you have had bumps along the way. But, please know how PROUD I am that you have always picked yourself up and carried on. When some people would have given up, you kept fighting because you knew six little sets of eyes were upon you.

As we continue on this new road in our lives, I know that you will continue to love my child as your own. I know that he will grow up to be a strong and good man because he will always be surrounded by the love of his family. As the "mother" of our family, you have put us down the right path in life and for that, I am forever grateful.

I am sorry that I cannot be there with you today. Please know I am looking forward to the next weekend we have together. I love seeing you with Charlie and am so happy that I can share him with you. It is the least I can do for all that you have done for me!!

Happy Mother's Day 2009!!

More Pics

I know I have been bad about posting. We have had a crazy couple of weeks. I am happy to say that Charlie is now 1 year old! We did, howver, have to spend the night of his birthday party in the hospital as he came down with a viral infection that sent him into respiratory distress. After three days in the hospital, he is doing great and really getting back into the swing of things. Here are a few pictures from the last few weeks!

Charlie's first official SHINER --

got too anxious in the grocery cart a few days ago!


Another view of the shiner!

Charlie trying to get the monitors off!
Good thing his aunts and uncles brought lots of toys for him to play with
during his stay at Children's Mercy!



Look at the little king in his bball throne (Thanks Uncle Bobby and Aunt Alisa!)

Feeling much better :)

Charlie's First Birthday Cake (made by Ms. Kania down the street).

Poor guy didn't even get a taste until 3 days after his party and he got so sick, so fast.

Kania did a FABULOUS job on it though and even made a cake "banana" for Charlie to have on his own!

Finally getting to open all his birthday presents!

He was loving the Wagon Grandpa Bumpy and Granny Jo got him!

New Wulf Baby!!

Payton Leigh Wulf has joined the family! She is beautiful. Born last night at 9:37 pm, she weighed in at 7 lbs 12 oz and was 21" long. She and Lindsay are both doing great.

This is the first (and only) picture that we have yet.

I am sure there will be more to come though!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

ROCK CHALK SHAMROCK!

First Haircut!

From .....to ....

and finally .....

Eleven Months Old!