Countryside Living

2011-06-04T21:44:00.001-04:00

Our little cuties

2011-04-06T16:43:00.002-04:00

Wilson painting aka making a mess, he is very good at that!

Madelyn proudly displaying her ribbon for completing level P1 at swimming lessons

It's a M-Rex

Turning 30 never looked so dirty

2011-04-06T16:20:00.002-04:00

If my title caught your eye, you might wonder what I am up to. I haven't blogged in a VERY long time and now I'm getting really close to ending a pretty good run at being in my 20's. I have decided that for my birthday this year I am going to take part in the Mudathlon. What is that??? Well...it is over 40 mud and off-road obstacles packed into a mud adventure that will leave you wiped out and wanting more! When you cross the finish line you get a medal and a beer and continue on to the post-race feast. I know that it sounds a little red-neck, but maybe that is why it sounds so fun to me. Most years my birthday is just another day that I am very greatful to have, but nothing too special. This year I am determined to make it a day I won't soon forget and an awesome "turning 30" story to tell. Right now I am still in the recruiting phase for my team for the big event. I think that an event like this should be shared with friends and a few cold ones too. So, I think our team slogan is going to be "Getting dirty because Katie is turning Thirty!" I think it still needs some work. I will keep more up to date with my posts and try really hard, when I have time!

New Ride

2010-12-30T21:00:00.000-05:00

A favorite Christmas present. Too bad we didn't have room to bring it home with us. I bet that it finds it's way here soon though.

Goodbye Baby Mullet

2010-11-19T14:54:00.003-05:00

I didn't get a true "before" picture. Brendon had made too many comments about his mullet/ducktail hair in the back so I took action one night right before bed.

Most of the time he had no clue I was even working on his hair. He was just busy playing with toothbrushes and other bathroom stuff.

My little man no longer looks like a baby!

Jessie and the cute little pumpkin

2010-11-19T14:23:00.003-05:00

Wilson LOVED the sunglasses so we just let him wear them the whole night.

Daddy and his little pumpkin

Madelyn "helping" Wilson get to the next house.

This year we went to a pre-Trick or Treating party and then hit the streets of our neighborhood. We didn't go to too many houses but we still ended up with a fair amount of candy. While the kids and I collected candy Brendon stayed home and handed out candy to 80+ kids in less than an hour and a half! We had large groups of kids and lots of different costumes. All and all a great year for Halloween!

Pumpkins and More

2010-10-12T17:24:00.003-04:00

Wilson fell asleep right before we got there!

Madelyn just hanging out trying to pick the best pumpkin.

W chillin' in the baby race car.

He wasn't really a fan of the stickers and neither was Daddy!

Madelyn was very excited to see the helicopter even if she doesn't look happy in the picture!

We all went to the Family Fest day at a local children's hospital and we had a blast! The kids did the bouncy house, picked pumpkins, rode a miniature horse, rode bikes, got in a helicopter, an ambulance, had pictures with Mickey and Minnie and had their eyes checked! It was a full day of fun and everyone was ready for a nap by the afternoon.

State Fair

2010-08-24T13:49:00.007-04:00

I've been having some trouble getting my pictures to upload today, so here's a little bit of our State Fair adventures from this summer. We went together as a family one Saturday and then the kids and I returned on a Tuesday with my friend Sarah and her girls. Needless to say, Tuesday was $2.00 food day, $2.00 to get in the fair, $2.00 carnival rides, and free tram rides for senior citizens. Not the best day to take small kids, the place was VERY busy. Wilson was flirting with ALL the ladies and they were loving his blue eyes and dimples. He of course would just smile and tilt his head to the side. He's such a ladies man!

Here's Madelyn planting her crops at the fair.

Milking the cows

All that hard work gave us two very tired kids!

Now we know why Wilson loves corn on the cob so much!

And salsa too! Lots and lots of salsa.

Visit to Alma

2010-05-19T14:02:00.004-04:00

Madelyn playing with Great Grandpa

Wilson and Madelyn playing tractors.

Hawaiian cutie

Wilson going after the ball on his cake.

In all our travels this past weekend we stopped in Alma to see a graduation party, a birthday party and visits with all the grandparents. We had a fun, quick visit and we had the chance to see lots of people.

Happy 1st Birthday Wilson Christopher!!!

2010-05-03T10:45:00.006-04:00

Holding her baby brother for the first time.

Madelyn loved Wilson the first time she saw him.

Our Chubby W.

Our big boy, 8 lbs. 12 oz.

Daddy all ready to go into the OR

Right before we met our little boy.

One Year Later....

Everything is just fine until...

We start singing!

Wilson didn't like being the center of attention, unlike his sister!

Little Miss Sarah Blake

Yummy frosting.

Who needs to use their hands?

Avery enjoying her cupcake

Madelyn thought they were pretty good too.

That was good.

Playing with his favorite toy, a ball.

Our two cuties.

One year ago today Wilson Christopher Lueck joined our family and brought all sorts of new love with him. Our first year as a family of four has been busy and full of new experiences. Boys are just different from girls, and we learn that a little bit more each day. Wilson is almost ready to walk and this little boy is going to be very hard to keep out of trouble. He seems to be much more of a thrill seeker when compared to Madelyn.

One thing I do know is the first year has gone by fast and they time is just going to keep flying by. So, I better get off the computer and play with my kiddos before they get too big and I'm no longer "cool".

My Little Helpers

2010-04-22T10:26:00.004-04:00

Here are a few cute moments that we have had around our house lately.

Madelyn and the cake she made.

Notice that the mixer isn't running for this picture and that she had a new shirt on for the final product!

Wilson "helping" me fold laundry.

He is just going to finish unloading the basket before he starts to fold.

My two little cleaning kids.

Wilson learning to use the Swiffer.

I try to get my kids involved with everyday chores and activities from an early age. Sometimes I think it helps me around the house and teaches them good lessons and other times it just keeps them busy and I end up with even more mess to clean up. Either way, one on one time with a preschooler can bring a smile to my face, a tear to my eye and all sorts of sticky stuff in my kitchen.

Easter visit to Arkansas

2010-04-15T14:13:00.005-04:00

Aunt Christina and Matt aka Map

Eva enjoying some of the three bowls of icecream that Poppy Joe served.

Madelyn and her icecream covered face.

They just kept asking for more and Poppy Joe kept serving!

Wilson hanging out with Poppy Joe Saturday morning.

Madelyn with BOTH Easter baskets.

This is the best family picture we got that day.

Best buddies.

He is risen!!!

Dad, Dom and Mom

Madelyn hunting eggs in the back yard.

Wilson kickin' it 90's style.

Counting the eggs and checking out the prizes.

So busy using up all the new stickers.

We travelled down to Arkansas for Easter this year so we could finally see Aunt Gigi, Uncle Tim and Eva at their house in Fayetteville. It was a LONG trip but worth the time and effort. We only had one car sick kid part of the way down and no sickness on the way home.

Grandma Habjan and Poppy Joe and Dominic also came down to Arkansas along with Christina and her boyfriend Matt aka (Map). The little girls gave him that nickname because they both really like Dora right now.

Our Cutie Pies

2010-03-11T09:51:00.005-05:00

Valerie our babysitter took some new pictures of the kids to mark Madelyn's 3rd birthday and Wilson's 9 month birthday. They are starting to look so much older and it is hard to believe that in just a couple short months Wilson will be turning ONE YEAR OLD!!!

Wilson is experimenting with walking a little bit, but still no crawling. He is determined to do it in his own time. I think he is going to walk and then figure out how to crawl! For now he is very happy following his sister around in his walker and sucking on his binky. He is now a binky lover and since he cries anytime I walk two feet away from him, the binky is a lifesaver right now. We will deal with getting rid of it later, for now we are doing just fine with it!

So tired of snow!

2010-03-01T14:42:00.003-05:00

Thanks Aunt Diney for our matching outfits!

Wilson just hanging out with Dad and his binky.

They look so happy, but Wilson already knows that he is going to end up on the ground very soon.

"Helping" Mom in the kitchen

Yet another time when Wilson isn't so sure about his safety while being held by Madelyn. There seems to be a common theme.

We are so tired of snow around here! It seems like I can't even remember the last time that we didn't have snow. Almost every other day we seem to get snow flurries or freezing rain. I am just ready for Spring to get here and the winter to be a thing of the past.

Well here's a few pictures of what we have been doing, hanging out INSIDE! Wilson isn't mobile just yet, but he can sort of drag himself along the floor when he wants to. His true love is standing and cruising along the couch, until he lets go and falls. He is a true boy and we love the active little boy he is becoming everyday.

Madelyn is 3!!!

2010-02-08T17:15:00.004-05:00

New Barbie art desk

Thank you Aunt Lauren & Uncle Justin

Madelyn's birthday was January 31st and this year she had a "Princess Party". The only thing princess-like was the cake, but she loved it anyway. She invited four of her friends and they enjoyed lunch, a game of zingo, cake and of course running in circles around the house. We are so ready for the weather to get warmer so we can go outside!

No grandparents were able to come to the party this year, but the kids have had a great chance to stay with both sets while Mommy and Daddy went on trips in January.

Hawaii

2010-01-25T14:39:00.005-05:00

Helicopter Tour of the island.

Shave Ice, love at first bite!

Successful tour, no getting sick

Our Resort, same place they filmed Forgetting Sarah Marshal

The view

The Shrimp truck we ate at along the road

Hanging out in the Cacao field, it doesn't smell like chocolate, but I still loved it

Catching a wave at the BBQ

We really enjoyed our trip to Hawaii and the kids seemed to survive without us here. Grandma Debbie and Dianey are probably still tired after all the playing and games and dirty diapers. Here's a few pictures from our trip.

Time to Relax... Hawaiian style!!!

2010-01-11T17:33:00.003-05:00

Putting some roses on the FFA Float for the Rose Bowl Parade

Brendon admiring the FFA Float

The best "Santa" picture of the year.

We survived yet another wonderful Christmas season, with many, many blessings and time with family. In fact, so many presents that they couldn't even fit in our car on the way home! Along with the 2 weeks of craziness we like to call the holidays, Brendon and I went to the Rose Bowl and Rose Bowl Parade.

It was a very fun trip and the first time that we left Wilson. He seemed just fine when we got back, he had lots of love with Grandma Habjan and Poppy Joe. I haven't really had a chance to blog since we got back because we are leaving again on Wednesday!! Brendon and I get to go to Hawaii!!! For work, but I get to tag along and I couldn't be happier! I have spent my few days between our trips cleaning up Christmas decorations and preparing for Grandma Debbie and Aunt Dianie to arrive to watch the kids. It is always hard to get things cleaned up after being away, but it gets even harder when the baby is a crab.

I'm not sure if it's just the 7 teeth he has or almost has, or an ear infection. Tomorrow we will go to the doctor to determine why the little guy has been such a crab lately. The teeth do make him look older and it is so funny to hear him crunch down on a cracker or other baby snack. Well, I should get to cleaning up the kitchen and cleaning up the kids for the night I still have a lot of packing to do. Since Wilson didn't take a nap today my day was messed up a little due to Mr. Crabbypants. We love him happy or crabby, he is our little W.

Christmas Pictures

2009-12-10T14:18:00.004-05:00

Life with two kids just takes more patience and more love and more of everything. It has been a wonderful year learning to adjust to our newest family member and a challenging one at times too. This year we decided to only have the kids on the Christmas card in effort to get a picture with only having to get two people smiling at the same time instead of four. In theory it sounds like an easy idea, but the kids proved us wrong.

After 130 pictures we finally found one or two that both kids were at least somewhat smiling. They aren't both looking at the camera, but maybe that can happen next year. I know how much I love getting Christmas cards with pictures and I think that all those other parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents that will be receiving our card will know how long it took just to get the shot that we did. And it not being a perfect picture is what makes it be a perfect for our family to send. We aren't perfect but the good Lord made us perfect in his eyes.

Merry Christmas!!!

Getting ready for the Rose Bowl!!

2009-12-04T14:23:00.003-05:00

Madelyn giving Wilson a bottle

(yes, she has something red under her lip, she has been biting it)

It seems like opportunities come around when you least expect them. Brendon and I recently got invited to go to the Rose Bowl and the Rose Bowl Parade, without kids. So, in turn I have had the opportunity to work on getting Wilson to take a bottle. He wasn't very happy with me the first couple of days. In fact my head hurt at the end of the day due to about 2 hours straight of crying before he would just give up on the bottle and fall asleep.

Brendon likes to say that our kids are stubborn because they take after me. I don't know if that is totally my fault, I think that I'm just a determined person when I want to be. Most of the time I just go with the flow, but I CAN be about as stubborn as a mule when the situation calls for it. And this situation is calling for a battle to take the bottle. I am not ready to wean Wilson so this trip is a lot of extra effort and cleaning added to my day. Bottles are foreign to our household since Madelyn didn't like taking them and I haven't pushed it with Wilson. We do own a wide variety of styles of bottles in effort to find the magical perfect bottle.

6 Months Old

2009-11-09T11:44:00.005-05:00

Welcome to the World Wilson! May 3, 2009

Just minutes after being born.

Just minutes after eating. See the smile, he loves to eat.

Practicing up on his singing.

It's very hard to believe that Wilson is already 6 months old!! He is a fun baby most days, but he is getting teeth and they tend to make him crabby. Somehow his big sister always gets a smile to come to his face even is she is laying on top of him.

Trick or Treat

2009-11-02T16:59:00.004-05:00

Wilson actually enjoying his costume.

Madelyn and Daddy craving her pumpkin.

Mommy and the little pea in a pod

True Sisterly Love

Madelyn with her mask that she made at the Library Halloween Party.

We had fun Trick-orTreating this year even if we only went to a few houses. The weather was nice until the sun went down and then it got cold very fast. Wilson made it to about 3 houses and he and Daddy went back home to hand out candy. After Madelyn and I got back we finished handing out candy in about 45 minutes. Next year we will need to purchase more candy.

Time to Eat

2009-10-28T10:25:00.004-04:00

Sometimes we have to hold his hands so he doesn't shove the spoon in his mouth.

Feeding the other babies.

Now that Wilson is approaching 6 months old we are getting into baby food. I think this little guy is getting the hang of it pretty fast. Madelyn is and always has been a very light eater--Wilson on the over hand, well there's a reason he already weighs 20 lbs. He LOVES to eat!!!

Rice cereal is definitely a favorite but a new second is sweet potatoes. We continue to try new things to add to his diet, but he has been having a little trouble in the diaper department. Today I broke out the prunes and we will see if they work. Last night I don't know if it was the fact that he hadn't pooped in almost 3 days or new teeth coming in that kept him up and crying from about midnight until 3 a.m. I do know that I am very tired today and I hope that he is in a better mood and can fill his pants before the day is through. Oh, the funny things I wish for these days!

Hayride with the Cousins

2009-10-08T14:26:00.005-04:00

Preparing the hotdogs for the fire

(What you can see in this picture is the cows are only about four feet away from the fire. No one seemed to move them to another field.)

A rare photo with me actually in the picture!

Wilson slept through most of the hayride and winnie roast.

Poppy Joe even took us through the haunted woods, good thing it was day time!

Aunt GiGi with a lap full of kiddos

Eva, Wilson and Madelyn with Poppy Joe

Swinging buddies

Don't ask me what Poppy Joe is going to do with the girls.

The whole family on the little tractor.

Mommy and Mini-Me together

Poppy Joe and a non-excited Wilson

Hold on Wilson, it's your first time jumping and....

your sister is a wild woman on that thing!

We went home to Missouri for my class reunion and we also had a lot of fun with most of Madelyn and Wilson's "Habjan" Cousins. Poppy Joe and Grandma Habjan had a hayride and everything! Madelyn didn't nap most days that we were there, but she slept very well at night. It was a wild trip getting to Missouri with a tire blow-up on I-70 in the rain and some crying kids. The trip was worth it, but about 3 hours longer than we expected.

2009-09-22T13:15:00.002-04:00

The Two Peas in a Pod

Wilson checking out the fan

Not too happy about being in the costume.

Two Peas in a Pod

2009-09-21T21:15:00.004-04:00

Wilson and Madelyn are going to be peas in a pod for Halloween. I have to say, they are pretty cute together. Wilson's costume was purchased for $2.00 at a garage sale and Madelyn's costume cost me about $5.00 for the t-shirt and fabric, I already had the poly fill and pipe cleaners. All and all about $7.00 for two very cute costumes is awesome!

Wilson isn't sold on being in his costume, in fact his is a little small, but we will still keep putting him in it until we get a picture of him smiling. Enjoy the cute pictures that we have been able to get so far.

1st Day of "School"

2009-09-14T14:13:00.004-04:00

Madelyn had her first day of "school" today, aka Mom's Day Out at a local church. She has been pretty excited about going to school, but this morning she really wanted to just watch Sesame Street and hang out with Wilson. Well, that was until I got her back pack out and then she was ready to go. I was proud of myself, I didn't have any tears as I left her. I was the one that had to beg for a kiss as I dropped her off at her classroom and then she only blew me a kiss because she was already checking out the toys.

It was a little strange and quiet around our house for about 3 hours this morning. Wilson and I hung out and watched Mommy's TV shows and skipped right over the cartoons. It was nice, but I think Wilson was wondering where Madelyn was, he had a huge smile on his face when he saw her when we picked her up. She didn't even want to leave when it was time to get her, she kind of ignored me until the teacher brought her over to the door. I hope that she continues to enjoy her "school" this much, I know I will be making lots of plans for my Mommy time on the Mondays this year.

Time for Football!

2009-09-10T12:19:00.003-04:00

Wilson wearing his football beads

He's going to LOVE this picture when he gets older. ha,ha,ha

Last Saturday was the first Mizzou football game, and we were lucky enough to watch it on TV because ESPN covered the game. I cleaned house during the game and Brendon and the kids watched. Poor little Wilson is always going to be the test monkey for playing dress up. Madelyn recently made a Build-A-Bear with her cousin Eva and they picked out black and gold cheerleader outfits for their bears. I don't know who's idea it was but Wilson ended up wearing the skirt from the Build-A-Bear and it matched his Mizzou onesie very well. I was laughing so hard that the pictures are a little blurry, you can tell that Madelyn loved dressing up her little brother.

Here's to being the little brother to a very girly girl!!

Goodbye Summer, Hello Mom's Day Out

2009-09-01T13:25:00.006-04:00

These pictures are from this week, slip n' slide was last week!

Tomorrow we are going to our open house for Mom's Day Out!!! aka Madelyn's School. Starting on September 14th she will be going to Mom's Day Out on Mondays from 9-noon. I will drop her off in the morning, she'll play, have a snack and socialize until lunch and then I will go back and pick her up. Since she needs a back pack or a pack-pack as she would call it, she thinks that she will be riding the bus with the other big kids that get on the bus by our house every morning. She will be riding in Mommy's bus and I hope she doesn't throw a fit.

Having a couple hours to myself, or with just Wilson will help me get a few things done or just enjoy the baby while he is still a baby. Wilson needs some one-one-one time from Mommy and Madelyn needs to learn how to play well with others. I know the time will fly by and I probably won't accomplish any housework, but it is going to be a good thing for all of us. I think that having a "big kid" activity will help Madelyn feel important and maybe she won't be such stinker at home. Of course this could backfire and she will learn all sorts of naughty tricks at "school". Whatever happens, happens, it's hard to believe that she is ready to start testing her wings to leave the nest. I hope she isn't the bully of the class!

2009-08-19T10:41:00.001-04:00

Indiana State Fair 2009

2009-08-19T09:32:00.002-04:00

We love going to state fairs. I'll just say it! I think it reminds Brendon and I both of growing up in Missouri and having 4-H be such a big part of our lives. We have wonderful memories of our county fairs as well as the mother of them all ---The Missouri State Fair.

I know that other state fairs may be bigger, but I feel like I know the Missouri State Fair grounds like the back of my hand. Although we haven't gone to the MSF in over 10 years, I can still picture all the buildings and camp grounds in my mind. Since we have moved around quite a bit in the last 5 years we have tried to go to the State Fair in each state that we have resided in. So far we have gone to the Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, and now the Indiana State Fairs. The largest fair grounds would have to be the Illinois and the smallest Nebraska. My Mom's personal favorite is the Kansas State Fair, but that's because she grew up in KS and going to that fair are some of her fondest "fair memories".

Who knows maybe we will try to hit another state fair next year, maybe Kentucky or Ohio? With Wilson a little bit bigger it would be easier next year. On that note, the kids were both All-Stars yesterday at the fair. No major meltdowns, very minimal crying, and no bathroom accidents! The double stroller is nice to carry all the "stuff", but somehow I ended up holding Wilson in the front pack quite a bit throughout the day. I guess he just wanted to take in all the wonderful things to see at the fair. Today my back in sore from toting around the 16 lb. baby but it was worth it.

We didn't take very many pictures because the camera battery was running low but we did get a few cute ones. Enjoy!

Bath Time

2009-07-28T22:05:00.004-04:00

Here's a few quick photos of Wilson's bath tonight. Madelyn is a big help when it comes putting on his lotion. I think the kids look a lot alike when I see them in pictures. Most people still think they both look like Brendon, I just love their cute little smiles.

Just hanging out

2009-07-27T13:36:00.003-04:00

Wilson and Madelyn are started to become great friends. He always is looking around to find her as soon as he hears her voice. She is also the person that can get him to smile the most. As long as she isn't too rough with her little brother he will be following her around the rest of their childhood. I hope that they stay/become great friends.

Here's a few pictures of us lately. We have been just hanging out lately and it is great! I love the summer.

Busy Summer

2009-07-20T22:38:00.004-04:00

We have been very busy the last few weeks visiting friends and family in Missouri. We really enjoyed our visit, but I think the kids have had enough of their carseats for a while. The ride to Missouri went well, the ride home......well, Madelyn got car sick twice and Wilson cried a lot! After 12 hours and three stops we finally made it back to Indiana. My Mom and nephew rode with us back since Brendon had flown back earlier in the week.

13 lbs. and counting...

2009-06-30T12:55:00.003-04:00

That's right! Wilson weighed in at 13 lbs. 1 oz. at his 8 week check up, the boy is growing fast. He had also grown 2 3/4 inches!! The boy even decided to roll over! He went from his front to his back. This past week has been getting better with less crying and more night sleeping. He's a tough kid to put up with the love slaps that his sister gives everyday. Today he was even lucky enough to get a soccer ball to the belly. Two year olds can more fast when they know they are going to get in trouble.

Speaking of trouble...Madelyn seems to have come into a new phase of testing Mommy and peeing her pants again. We knew this would come and it is now happening at about the 2 month mark. The potty training part I can handle, the talking back and screaming to get her way, and hair pulling, well those things aren't acceptable. We take each day, one step at a time and I am trying to read an extra book to just her and give extra hugs. Maybe my little angel, sweet gentle child will return.

First Smile

2009-06-23T16:47:00.004-04:00

Wilson is starting to be awake much more during the day and evening. He likes to kind of take cat naps during the morning. Maybe it is just me, but I seem to have been blessed with two children that don't really nap. I would call it resting or snoozing because they only sleep for about 10 minutes and then they wake up again!!

We are going on day two with Madelyn not taking any true nap so we will see how the dinner goes. Last night she fell asleep at the table before we even sat down. The problem was, she had a bite of carrot in her mouth. She wasn't too happy when Daddy had to fish that one out.

Anyway, back to the title of my post.... Wilson is now smiling!!! The books call this a "social" smile, but any smile I get from either of our kiddos brightens my day. He is also starting to coo a little bit, but Madelyn reminds me that he doesn't know how to talk yet.

Family Pictures

2009-06-16T16:21:00.005-04:00

To all the photographers out there, I hope you have learned the art of patience when it comes to taking pictures of families with small children. We had some family pictures taken at our house last week and Wilson cried the whole time. When he wasn't crying Madelyn was upset because she wasn't getting her picture taken and then she would start crying. The whole cycle went on for a good hour and a half while we tried to get a few good shots. All and all we ended up with tons of great pictures and I am having a hard time decided what to get printed!

He's a BIG Boy.

2009-06-10T15:50:00.003-04:00

Wilson (4 weeks) getting a bath

Poppy Joe and Wilson hanging out

Wilson and his binky, a match made in heaven!

Wilson is quite the little man these days. He has taken a liking to sleeping only in his swing during the day time. I guess that is my fault a little, last week when he was a little sick he slept in it day and night and now he really likes the constant motion. Madelyn will tell anyone that steps foot in our house, "That swing takes batteries and we don't want to run out!" I guess I said that comment in a moment of Wilson screaming and coughing last week.

We will soon have our first family portrait with Wilson included. Last night our babysitter (who is also a photo journalism major at Ball State) came over to take pictures of our whole family and a few of Wilson for his birth announcement. I should have thought through the fact that early evening is when he cries, a lot. I remember Madelyn doing the same thing around this age, I would say it is colic but you never know. I do know that we were very happy when she grew out of that stage and we will be very happy when Wilson does the same. Usually a walk in the stroller helps, but not always, and at the end of a long day Mommy is too tired to think about going out on a walk.

Summer is here!

2009-05-27T17:04:00.003-04:00

Summer is officially here. Madelyn has gone to the neighborhood pool, planted her garden and played in the hose. Of course Wilson didn't join in on any of those activities, but he was able to nap peacefully inside while they occurred. He is lucky to have a nap without being woken up by kisses and lovin' from his Big Sis.

I thought it would be fun to update with a few pictures of our last week or so. Wilson is already changing quite a bit and as you can see in the pictures, getting much bigger.

The Big Sister

2009-05-20T11:24:00.003-04:00

Madelyn, Daddy and Wilson

Mommy, Wilson and Madelyn after bath time

Wilson's arrival home from the "Baby Hospital"

It's a tough life!

Fancy Nancy aka "Madelyn"

Now that we are on our own and the Grandmas have all gone home things are slowly getting back to normal. Well, things are becoming more routine. Madelyn is taking on the role of Big Sister much better and is learning to be gentle with Wilson. The poor boy has a lot of lovin' coming his way from his Sis. One thing that has helped a lot is when friends come get Madelyn to go and play, she feels special and I get a little bit of time to rest or clean or just to feed the baby with out having to help a toddler in the bathroom at the same time! I am learning to multi-task on a whole new level!

I figured that we needed to share some more pictures of Madelyn and Wilson. You will notice that she has some pretty interesting outfits on in some pictures. She is dressing herself and it is not worth my breath to talk her out of some of the clothes. As long as they are warm enough for the weather I'll let her wear most things that she picks out.

Today Madelyn is at a friend's house all afternoon so I am planning on taking a nice long nap with Wilson. I hope he got the memo about afternoon sleeping!

It's a BOY!!!!!!

2009-05-07T11:38:00.002-04:00

There's a saying that says, "Life is what happens while you are busy making plans." I'm not sure who said those words of wisdom but they were right in so many situations. Last week I was busy making all sorts of "plans" for what to do and where to take Madelyn in case I went into labor early. I was also very busy making sure that last minute things like finally getting curtains for the formal living room before the new baby was born. I think I wanted to have everything in the house "just perfect" before we had visitors and before I wasn't feeling like doing anything.

Well, Saturday was a full day of activity for our whole family, we went to brunch, shopping for curtains, cleaned out the cars, went to a birthday party and finished installing the new kitchen appliances. It was a day that kept us all busy even the baby!

Early Sunday morning, around 2:00 a.m. I started waking up and I would just go to the restroom and try to go back to sleep. I tried and failed doing that until about 3:00 a.m. when I decided to get in the shower. Once I got out of the shower my contractions were 4-6 minutes apart and I called my doctor on-call. She said that we needed to come on in and get it checked out. We took Madelyn to a neighbors house and arrived at the hospital around 4:20 a.m. Next thing I knew we were signing paperwork and I was walking back into the OR. At 6:42 a.m., Wilson Christopher Lueck joined our family, weighing in at 8 lbs. 12 oz. and measuring 20.5 inches.

We were both a little surprised to find out that our new baby was a boy, but we are so excited about our big- little man. So far his sister likes him and she calls him "her boy". When we came home from the hospital yesterday she said that she didn't like him to be at our house. I guess it was okay when he was at the baby hospital, but not the house. She is handling the changes very well but I'm not her favorite person right now, especially when Wilson is nursing.

Enjoy the pictures

The Final Countdown

2009-04-27T10:48:00.003-04:00

Madelyn at the Curious George Storytime at the zoo.

It's the final countdown!!!! We are two weeks out from our scheduled c-section for baby #2. My doctor thinks we will have a chunky monkey if the baby waits until that date to join the family and I am okay with that. Madelyn still thinks that it is a baby boy, I am thinking girl and I'm not sure but I think Brendon is feeling the girl vibe too.

The baby will come home from the hosptial with a name, but we don't really have that we can decide on just yet. Here are a few pictures of what we have been up to lately. Brendon and Madelyn went to the zoo together on Saturday and Mommy had a little down time. It was a nice break before all the craziness begins.

Change is in the air...

2009-04-20T08:52:00.003-04:00

We have a BIG change coming to our household in about 21 days. The arrival of our second child. But, before that happens we also are giving our kitchen a little facelift. Yesterday we purchased a new stainless steel dishwasher!! Today, sometime between 1:00-4:00 p.m. it will arrive and be installed and the old one hauled away. We are praying that the installers don't have any trouble getting the old out and the new in correctly. It will be a tight squeeze.

The rest of the appliances will be ordered today, unfortunately our frig is backordered for a couple weeks. When they arrive it should be about the same time as the baby. We are going to be a very busy household.

Happy Easter from Indiana

2009-04-14T17:35:00.003-04:00

We didn't travel back to Missouri for Easter this year, that makes two years in a row with us NOT traveling. Last year we had a wedding in Austin, TX, the next weekend and it was the first time we left Madelyn overnight. She stayed with Grandma Debbie and PaPa, but still it was a huge step, we were away from her for at least 3 nights in a row. (Now that I'm almost a mother of two, this doesn't seem like such a big deal, but it did at the time) This year we didn't travel because, well, that's pretty easy-- I'm 35 weeks preggo and a 10 hour car ride doesn't sound very fun. I don't really like the 20-30 minute rides around town anymore. There are just too many pot holes from the winter weather!

Although we weren't with our extended families, our little family of three and almost four had a great Easter. We went to the Egg Hunt at church on Saturday and attended 10:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday. I think it took almost 25 minutes or more just to get the HUGE crowd through Communion. We felt blessed to have a seat that wasn't on the Altar this year. Last year we got to our church in Lincoln a little late and we had to sit right next to our Priest- Up on the altar!!! That was a mass I won't soon forget. Trying to keep a one-year-old happy in church can be hard enough, but when all eyes are on you up on the altar it's a whole different ball game. I was just glad that she ate her Cheerios and didn't scream.

My little sister should be pleased to hear that I made real mashed potatoes and ham and corn casserole. Nothing from a box. I even went so far as to make a pecan pie, unfortunately I have been the only one eating it! Our lunch was great and we had just the right amount of leftovers for a couple ham sandwiches this week.

1st Easter Egg Hunt

2009-03-31T13:42:00.003-04:00

Saturday Madelyn took part in her first Easter Egg Hunt at the park in Westfield. I was glad that the 0-2 year olds had their own area and eggs, because our non-aggressive child would have ended up with no eggs. Instead she came home with a whole bucket full of eggs and opened them one by one with the help of Daddy. She then neatly organized the stickers that she found inside the eggs again with the help of Daddy. Sometimes I think he is trying to mold her into a little organizer, because Mommy is pretty scatter-brained these days and our house is far from organized!

We are going to consider this egg hunt as a practice and we will be ready for the one at church next week. Madelyn did NOT want her picture taken with the Easter Bunny. She told me, "Mom, I do not like that big Peter Rabbit, I don't want a picture." She tells me about 5 times a day that she didn't like that big Peter Rabbit, I'm hoping that this fear will pass by next weekend!

Big Sister Class

2009-03-26T15:22:00.003-04:00

A couple of Saturdays ago Madelyn went to a Siblings class at St. Vincent Hospital in Carmel to help prepare her for the arrival of our new family member. It was just a short video and practicing how to hold a baby(doll) and change a diaper. A class designed for two years olds isn't too complicated, but she was the best behaved kid in the class. I know that all toddlers have their moments, we were just lucky on that day.

The hospital is much smaller than the Madelyn was born at, but I have decided that can be a good thing. When we toured as a family and again when we went for her class they only had one baby in the nursery! They said that they are rarely full in the nursery and tops have one or two babies at a time. That means our kiddo will get lots of extra love and care while in the hospital.

I must get going, the big sister is sitting next to me coloring with a highlighter and I have run out of things that she can or I should say, that I want her to color.

A good pair of boots

2009-03-17T14:23:00.003-04:00

In Madelyn's world there is nothing like a good pair of pink boots. They could be snow boots, rain boots, or cowboy boots, just as long as they are PINK! I don't recall when this started, but if it is something to wear on her feet it needs to be pink, or glittery, or have a bow and high heals. She will correct you if you use the improper words to describe her shoes. Boys DO NOT have "fancy" shoes-- just girls. And tennis shoes aren't in the fancy category, they just help you run fast.

So, in the world of our two year old, shoes are very important and "fancy". I am afraid we having a budding Fancy Nancy on our hands. (If you haven't read the book Fancy Nancy, then you need to!) The girl is true to her Theta roots with her love of glitter, an appreciation that I hope grows with her as she ages!

Good Times at the Zoo

2009-03-09T10:48:00.003-04:00

Madelyn even touched a shark all by herself!

Saturday was a great day outside, so we decided to go to the zoo in the morning. Of course, we had be home in time to watch the Mizzou basketball game. (It wasn't much of a game to watch but we still made it home in time.) Madelyn is much better this Spring at correctly naming the animals when compared to last Summer. We also had the great opportunity to have the Lion come up and ROAR really loud at us while we stood look at him behind the fence. Luckily we didn't have any bathroom accidents when he was showing off and making a loud noises.

I would say that her favorite animal was the tiger because she hasn't stopped talking about him. He jumped from one rock to another and she will tell you, "The tiger jumps on the rocks." I am sad to say that we didn't get a picture of the lion or the tiger, but we can always go back. We had a great family outing at the zoo and hope to go again at least once before the new baby gets here.

Flashback to one year ago....

2009-02-24T17:14:00.004-05:00

Time seems to fly these days, unless it comes down to the due date of baby #2. I thought it would be fun to look back at what our life was like one year ago today, give or take a couple days. I was amazed to see how much younger Madelyn looked and how little hair she had. She still doesn't have much hair, but it looks like a lot older compared to last year.

This year she is a very independent toddler that can even tell me, "Toot and Poodle is on a 5:00 Mommy." Yes, my child knows what time her "shows" are on TV or DV as she calls it. Sometimes 30 minutes of quiet time in front of the TV goes a long way when Daddy is traveling or I'm trying to make dinner. I guess I should be making dinner.

Checking her piggys...

2009-02-17T13:12:00.003-05:00

Madelyn has a new hobby and a strange one at that.....she checks her pigs and cleans between her toes at all times of the day. Pretty much any time that she thinks about it she stops, pulls her socks off and picks out any toe jam. I found her in the guest bathroom yesterday "washing" her feet with a decorative bar of soap that she found under the sink. All I know is that this little girl has a mind of her own. I can only dream of what we have in store over the next 18 years.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2009-02-16T11:20:00.003-05:00

Madelyn giving Layton a valentine.

This year we enjoyed watching the Missouri Tigers beat Nebraska in basketball on a lazy Valentine afternoon. Later that night we went over to our friends the Homm's house for a steak dinner. It was great! No waiting in lines, no Madelyn trying to escape the highchair, just a nice dinner with friends.

Madelyn was with us, but she was busy making eyes at her boyfriend Layton. They both had a great time playing and they did eat some dinner. Madelyn made sure she was around for the best part of the meal-- dessert!

Shelby and I are a week apart with our pregnancies and we decided that we should document the belly growth before they move back to Colorado next month. We will miss our friends greatly, but we are also so excited that they get to move "back home" and closer to family.

Party Weekend

2009-02-09T12:39:00.003-05:00

Friday night our birthday party guests from Missouri and Kansas arrived and the weekend of Madelyn the Birthday Princess started. Saturday was the day of the actual party, but the excitement carried over throughout the weekend. We lucked out and all our snow melted and we were able to go outside for a couple walks and a wagon ride up to the park.

Madelyn's friends Bree and Layton came over for the pizza/Blue's Clues birthday party and they all enjoyed playing with her new kitchen. Poppy Joe finished up the kitchen in time to make the trip and it was one of the biggest highlights of opening gifts. We all ate lots of pretend cookies and a little bit of 'roni as in Macaroni and Cheese that was prepared by Chef Madelyn.

Today we are a little tired and trying to get back into a schedule that doesn't involve too much sugar, but we wanted to share some pictures.

Birthday Week Deliveries

2009-02-05T17:08:00.004-05:00

Madelyn's second birthday was last weekend but her party is this weekend. She is a lucky girl, she received birthday cards and packages all last week and enjoyed each and every one. In fact, she has a box that she puts all her cards in and she gets them out a few times a day and tells me what is on the card. (ex: kitty cats, balloons, etc.) She has also been talking about who is coming to her party for weeks now!

Poppy Joe and her Great-Aunt Mary and Papa and Grandma Debbie. Unfortunately Grandma Habjan won't be at the party because she is staying around home so Uncle Dominic doesn't throw a wild party. We all understand the importance of that- Sorry Dominic! Grandma Habjan was able to come out in October when we went to pick our pumpkins and she will be staying with us for a while when the new baby is born.

Well, I will try to get around to posting birthday party stuff as soon as all our visitors head out. We have some more cleaning to get done before they get here!

Madelyn's new pet

2009-01-27T19:00:00.003-05:00

We don't really "do" pets around our household. Mostly because I don't care for indoor pets and Brendon doesn't want an outdoor cat. So, poor little Madelyn has to get by with other things like her new "pet" Franklin the Turtle. He arrived in her Christmas stocking and the package says he will grow to almost 6 times his starting size.

If you give him a big enough bowl and lots of water he will grow within 72 hours. Just in case you haven't figured it out yet, Franklin is NOT a real turtle. He is a realistic looking plastic turtle that grows when placed in water. A perfect pet for our house!

We think that she thinks he is real. She checks on him quite a few times every day and feeds him and washes him with soap. Enjoy the pictures of Madelyn with her new "pet". I think he should have a nice long life around our home, for a least a week.

Pictures, pictures, pictures

2009-01-12T13:38:00.004-05:00

Here are some pictures of our family at Christmas and now in January. Madelyn fell at church a week ago and cut her eyebrow open, she didn't need stitches but it was a lot of blood for a little cut! Enjoy the pictures.

It's Potty Time!!!

2009-01-12T12:44:00.002-05:00

Christmas was great this year and full of travel. Madelyn decided while in Missouri that she was ready to start going to the bathroom on the big potty, or at least trying. So that led to starting the potty training boot camp last weekend here in Casa de Lueck. I do think that the purchase of the Elmo potty ring, Elmo undies and Elmo stickers has been the key to our success.

I read all sorts of articles about how to train your child to go to the potty and so on. What I learned through trial and error, is that the parents are really the ones that must be trained. I know that if you don't ask/take her to the bathroom there will be some sort of carpet cleanup in about 2 hours. Once we figured this out and positioned the bathrooms with all the necessities, books, clean undies, flushable wipes, stickers and something for Mommy to sit on while she waits, we are doing pretty well.

Week two is starting off with a few accidents but that is going to happen. When she is busy playing she has a hard time slowing down to make a pit stop and we end up a little soggy.

Baking and the Baby Belly

2008-12-19T12:46:00.003-05:00

Two things go hand and hand for me these days: baking sweets and being pregnant. I think the two go together well, but my family might not. The amount of sweets in our house is getting a little out of control. I guess it is a good thing that we will be visiting lots of family and friends so we can share all the goodies.

Madelyn is a big fan of sweets as well. Anytime she sees a new sweet she says, "Mommy, I like that." Even when she has no clue what she is about to eat, if it looks like chocolate she wants/likes it.

I have also included a recent belly picture by request of a friend. It is time to take another picture, but I'll wait until after Christmas when I'm sure I will have gained a few more pounds!!!

Our New Camera

2008-12-15T12:59:00.003-05:00

The closest thing to a smile we got that day.

Waiting in line with Daddy

Santa and the Mrs. arrive in Westfield

Our old camera decided that it couldn't handle another Christmas season and basically died. The screen on the back of the camera is all white and you can't see the pictures and sometimes if you can see, they scroll through the pictures with crazy lines through them. We just made a decision to go to Best Buy and purchase a new one rather than fight the old one and end up with no Christmas pictures.

The last photos that the camera took were of Madelyn going to visit Santa. She didn't cry, but she also didn't smile. Maybe next year will be the big year when she will smile or maybe at least tell Santa her name! Enjoy the Santa pictures, it was very cold waiting in line.

PS- New pictures from the new camera will start coming once I figure out how to upload the pictures to my computer.

2008-12-12T11:00:00.001-05:00

Madelyn's 1st Date with Daddy

2008-12-12T10:46:00.003-05:00

Brendon thought it would be fun to have a little one-on-one time with his favorite little girl by taking her out on a date without Mommy. Last night following dinner they left the house and headed to the mall to go to Build-A-Bear. We had a $5.00 Off coupon, but that doesn't go very far at a place like Build-A-Bear.

Madelyn selected a brown dog and picked out a purple outfit with tights for her new friend. Brendon tried to get her to pick a different one but she seemed pretty set on the purple shirt and tights for her dog, which she named Annie. That happens to be the name of the dog that belongs to Poppy Joe and Grandma's neighbor in Nevada. Annie dog was the only thing that made her happy while she was sick over the Thanksgiving trip, so it was fitting that she named her new best pal- Annie.

The first Daddy-Madelyn date was a success so I hope the tradition continues with other fun outings for them to do together.

2008-12-06T10:18:00.000-05:00

We survived.........

2008-12-06T09:04:00.003-05:00

Thanksgiving 2008 was one that my whole family won't soon forget. At least certain parts of it......Our travels to Missouri started the Friday night before Thanksgiving week when we drove to Jacksonville, IL. Four hours into our trip, everything seems okay. 2:30 a.m. Madelyn wakes from her less than restful sleep between us in a KING sized bed sweating with fever. One might think that a KING sized bed is plenty big for a Mom, a Dad, and a 25 lb. toddler, but it wasn't.

Luckily, I packed the ear thermometer and we soon found out that she had a temperature of 101.3. The only problem was, the baby Motrin was downstairs and outside the hotel in the freezing cold car. Brendon was the one that got suckered into going out to get the medicine, twice! The first time he didn't get the eye dropper thing to actually dispense the medicine. At this point our trip turned into a not-so-fun-family adventure.

We got back on the road early Saturday morning and drove to Linwood, KS, where my brother and his family live. Since we were outside playing with the goats, cows, and the "very-ride able"donkey Madelyn seemed okay. It was only once we went inside that the crying and fever came back. I made the mistake to assume that an Urgent Care might stay open past 4:00 p.m. on a Saturday. Why would a kid get sick during the day? Everyone knows that happens in the middle of the night, that is when you need Urgent Care! Well, we ended up at the Oak Park Mall at the only Urgent Care that stays open until 9:00 p.m. only to find out that her ears and throat were all fine. Not really what we expected to hear, but at least we could hope that the fever would stay low and go away in a day or two.

The next morning it was off to Poppy Joe and Grandma's house in Nevada. This portion of the trip was going well until we turned on the Little Mermaid movie. Not a favorite just yet. We couldn't figure out why she was crying and yelling in the back seat and she wouldn't say anything. Finally as a last resort Brendon turned the movie off and Madelyn sighed with relief. As we arrived in Nevada her fever was still with us and she wanted nothing to do with her grandparents. To make this week-long story shorter let me say that finally on Wednesday we took her back to the doctor in Nevada and found out that she had an ear infection in the left ear. Being a small town the nurse recognized us from our trip to Nevada in July when Madelyn managed to get a DOUBLE EAR INFECTION! We love to visit family but I pray for our sake and that of our whole extended family that we don't have to visit the doctor over Christmas!!

Please Santa, all I want for Christmas is a healthy family and safe travels!!

Thanksgiving Madness

2008-11-21T09:44:00.004-05:00

We are starting our Thanksgiving travels today, yes, we know that Thanksgiving is next Thursday! With so many family members to visit in a short time we are taking a whole week to fit in all the travel and "family time". Madelyn has been getting out photo albums all week to look at pictures of her cousins and grandparents. Hopefully she will remember a few of the names that we have worked on.

So today my day is full of last minute packing, cleaning and a doctor's appointment. My appointment is just a normal check-up for the new little brother or sister that's growing in my belly. I better get going, I still have a long list of things to get together before we can leave and no one wants to come back to a house with week old diaper in the trash cans! yuck!

Our little kiddos

2008-11-18T21:11:00.002-05:00

We added something new to the blog. A countdown to the new baby's arrival and to Madelyn's 2nd birthday. Since we aren't going to find out if the new baby is a girl or boy we tired to pick a gender neutral ticker for the baby countdown. Once the actual c-section is scheduled we will update the baby countdown.

Just getting started...

2008-11-16T15:55:00.004-05:00

Since we love to follow what our friends are doing with their families, we decided to finally start our own blog to let you know about life in Indiana. In fact, today we have had snow flurries off and on with just enough cold wind to keep us inside.

As we take time to figure out the in's and out's of blogging, we will add to our site. I know that pictures and more recent movies of Madelyn will be some of the first items we attempt.