Merry Christmas...I think.

For the first time since I remember, I haven't been around my extended family, in-law or mine, to celebrate Christmas. And I will be the first to tell you, I MISSED IT! Of course it wasn't that we chose to do it that way, but Adam was on call all weekend. I am really not fond of his profession all ready, is that bad? But I am the first to admit how proud of Adam I am. It isn't easy, especially this rotation he is in. It is extremely emotional around this time of the year in his cancer rotation. He is one of the strongest guys I know.
It's probably kind of selfish of me, but I want daddy around on holidays...I am jealous of everyone else. Yep, jealous and selfish; kind of an acceptance admission today I suppose. I want daddy to be able to watch his daughters open their presents, celebrate with their family, go to church, etc. We had all the intentions of making it to 3, yes 3 different masses, but failed every attempt as Adam had to head in to UNMC. Poor Jill, I know, but it hurt Adam too. Yes he chose this profession knowing this is the type of work involved, but man I'd love to have him around more.
I missed celebrating with family. I would've given anything to be in Sioux City with the Burdorf's then traveling to Armstrong to see my family, but there is NO WAY I would leave Adam here over Christmas. He told me several times to pack up and go, but I couldn't take his kids away from him on Christmas. NO WAY! I was kind of in a funk all of Christmas Eve and Day...It just didn't seem the same. Well, this is me hiking up my big girl pants and sucking it up because it will not get any better. Sorry for complaining, but I like to put my thoughts down sometimes. It isn't just tough on me, or his girls, or him....it's all of us. Especially around this time of the year.

But anyway, enough crying on my end. We did get to see Grandma Linda and Grandpa Frank on Christmas Day. They made the trip down to Omaha...thank goodness. That helped my depression funk. We had a blast while daddy was away. We played with the girls new toys, ate a ton of food and played wii. Gma and Gpa even broke out a couple dance moves on Just Dance 2. Poor Aubrey has had a temp and a bug for a couple days, but was able to crack a couple smiles and snuggle them of course. Addy kept them busy building her gifts, shopping, dancing and watching movies. Adam did make it home eventually and we then ate our dinner and played a quick game of cards before gma and gpa took off for Sioux City. Thanks gma and gpa for coming down to celebrate with us. It means more than you will know....there is just something magical about family. I am blessed to have the greatest family and friends. Thanks for your support and love. Without you we would not be half of who we are. Many thanks and Merry Christmas.

Two of my favorite girls

Happy Birthday Addy!

Well, Addy has BAD LUCK with weather and her birthdays! Two out of her three birthdays have been horrible in the weather department. The day she was born, there was a terrible ice storm and no one could get to Des Moines to meet her right away. Her first birthday, there was a blizzard and no one could make it to Grandma Mary's house for her birthday. Her second birthday was great and we headed to the Amazing Pizza Machine and family and friends got to celebrate with us. But this year, her third birthday, we had white-out conditions in town and interstates where closed, only the brave ones who made it down on Friday got to celebrate with us. THANK YOU to my Friday guests! Without you, she would've been a super sad girl AGAIN!
Friday, everyone got here about 10:30pm, so the girls played for a bit and headed to bed. Saturday, for Addy's official birthday, we headed to IHOP (pancake house as Addy calls it) for some breakfast. Then, the guys kept the girls and the gals headed out to do some Christmas shopping. We thought with the weather that everyone would stay home and the malls wouldn't be busy. Boy, were we wrong! WOW! Busy, busy, busy! We all met back up at Cheeseburgers in Paradise for some dinner after the boys took the girls to Tangled at the theater. After dinner, the gals headed to Target for a quick run and the boys headed home. Addy's day was pretty long. She fell asleep in a van full of her cousins on the way home.
Sunday, we got up and played for a bit before we headed to the Amazing Pizza Machine! What a great place for a party. You don't have to worry about the clean up, the meal and the kids get to play for hours! It is what I call a Chuck E. Cheese on steroids. If anyone is ever in Omaha with kids, it is a must! We had pizza, cake and then opened gifts. The kids then headed to play and the adults too. The gang took off to head home again about 3:00 while it was still light out with the weather being iffy. Everyone got home safe. Thanks again for making Addy's birthday memorable. It is appreciated! Here are some pics for you all to enjoy.

Opening her gifts with her cousins

The birthday gang

The birthday girl...not happy at all...

The princess cake she picked out

The birthday girl and her favorite little sister

Addy's Christmas Tree

Happy Birthday Addison Grace!

December 11, 2007

It seems like it was just yesterday we were heading to the hospital in Des Moines on Monday, December 10th to beat the ice storm of the century in central Iowa. I cannot believe you turn 3 years old tomorrow. I have loved every minute with you and look forward to many more years as your mommy. Happy birthday Addison Grace! Mommy and Daddy love you lots!

Thanksgiving in Omaha

Since daddy had to work Thanksgiving because of his big heart, long story.....we celebrated Thanksgiving on Otown this year. Thanks to gma and gpa Burdorf and Aaron, Jamie and the kiddos for coming to help us celebrate. It's great to celebrate what you are thankful for with the people you are thankful for. It was a great couple days!!!!! The kiddos had a great time, minus your minor battles over toys, but we all survived. It was great to see everyone and again gets us excited to finally get a home so we all have more room. I was still bummed I got a bottle of wine for Jamie and I and completely forgot that she couldn't indulge with me. Again, thanks guys for helping us celebrate here in Otown. We had a blast and can't wait to see you guys in a couple weeks for Addy's birthday!

Aubrey 6 months

My baby is now 6 months. I guess I am struggling with the fact that she is a half year old! She is starting to develop quite the character. She does NOTHING but smile and laugh. I know I probably just jinxed myself.....but she is a very happy baby. She adores Addy. It's not like Addy is super animated or loud I suppose? Anyway, Aubs is loving her baby food and cereal. More than bottles! She is in love with yellow veggies like sweet taters and squash. She isn't a big fan of fruits yet. In her cereal she will eat them, but not on their own yet.

At her 6 month check, she was 14 lbs and 6oz. She is in the 25th percentile for height and weight. What a little peanut. Her head was in the 75th percentile, so hopefully full of lots of brains! She is quite the sleeper, through the night anyway. We will put her down between 8:30-9:00 depending on when we get home from daycare on my late nights. She will usually sleep until 7:00-7:30AM. She is a cat napper though. Her biggest nap during the day is only about an hour and a half. Two if she is exhausted after a long weekend. Oh, and my favorite part about my babe...she loves to snuggle! If you are holding her, she will rest her head or cheek on yours or put her arm around your neck. She likes to have you close! I hope she stays like that ......Happy six months Aubrey Ann! We love you!