Some pictures.

Kendlee feeding her baby
Rocking her baby Slade givin Momma a gummy grin!
Kendlee's creation!
Slade and Daddy..just hanging out.
My little princess.
Mr. Tough Guy.. with a pink carebear!
Kendlee with her treasures!
Stretch!!!!! Can you feel the burn?
Slade is grinning away at Kendlee. Too cute!

The kids were having a blast the other morning talking and cooing to eachother. Kendlee shared her new carebear with Slade, insisiting that he needed one too! It really is quite amazing how she can make him smile. Boy oh boy do I love that smile!!!

Monday- Kendlee gave Mommy a little heartbreak today! She had been running a fever since Sunday and has an awful cough. I took her to the doctor and her fever was 102.4!!! They checked her for strep throat, negative. She fell asleep in my arms, which NEVER happens. Then they took some blood, her white blood count was low..so all good. (But SAD, poor girl whimpered!!!) Checked her temp again and she was 103.2! All in a matter of 45 minutes! Poor kiddo!! For now we are doing nebulizer treatments for the cough and motrin/tylenol for the fever.

Welcome Back!

Obviously I haven't had time to update. Slade is a high maitenence little boy. ;) He wants mommy's FULL attention.. around the clock.

Every other week since Slade was born we have been venturing up to the grandparents' houses so that Mama can get some needed rest. Slade is (or was, he isn't anymore Im sure) 10 lbs 4 oz at his last dr. appt. Growing like a weed.

Kendlee is amazing, as always. Coming up with new phrases and such everyday. We're currently working on learning the planets and writing letters. So far.. she does better with the planets. haha. But really, who expects their two year old to be able to write? Yeah. Me. Haha.

Brandon is busy with work and house projects. I can tell he is getting that "Spring Itch" to get outside. He and Kendlee have been "golfing" in the yard with Kendlee's new golf clubs.

As for me, well.. I don't have much time for anything other than holding Slade. I do manage, somehow, to get my laundry in the washer and dryer, my floors and bathrooms cleaned, and do the dishes here and there. Rarely do I actually cook. Brandon has started to cook more, which is wonderful. I guess I didn't actually think I'd get another high maitenence baby.. Kendlee was fussy up until she was on the reflex medication. Then she was always one who needed her space. Slade on the other hand, has been on meds for a month now, a different formula (as well as breastmilk), all sorts of new calming techniques.. and yet he is constantly wanting to be held.. or crying. I guess he just knows that he is probably my last baby and I will probably be glad I got to hold him so much.. but once in a while.. Mama needs a shower buddy. ;)

Meet our new Nordstrom

Ladies and gentlemen! Lets give a big welcome to the Nordstrom family to our newest arrival...

SLADE LEE NORDSTROM!

Born: 3-14-09

Time: 2:42 AM CST

Bismarck, ND

7 lbs 3 oz
20 inches long

He is precious as ever. We are so proud to be the parents of a little lady and a little guy!! We've been adjusting well to having another little body in our house. Kendlee adores her little brother, constantly wanting to help out, hold him, kiss him and much more. She squeals with delight when she sees him. When he is crying or has the hiccups she offers comforting words such as "Its okay honey!! Its okay!" Very sweet!

Labor was wonderful. Our drive to Bismarck quite tough seeing as my contractions were three minutes apart but we made it and had just a few hours (less than 4) until he was born. He came out perfect and healthy.

Not feeling up to updating..

So I haven't been feeling much up to doing an update. But here goes.

Kendlee turned TWO on Jan 14th! She celebrated with our friends Amanda, Ryan and Kendlee's best buddy Devyn. We also had a birthday party for her on the following Friday, where she saw many of her family members and received far too many gifts! :) So far, life as a 2 year old has been good to her. I think she enjoys telling people how old she is and sticking up her two fingers! Though we often hear her say shes is three, or five, or sixteen! Silly girl!

We're almost there. Only five weeks until my due date! Which is exciting. I'm just tired of contractions, back aches, sleepless nights (which only means MORE to come!) and the minor road bumps we've hit along the way. I'm ready to have my baby in my arms, though I know once I'm done being pregnant, possibly forever, I will miss having the lil Nordstrom tucked away in there.

I haven't done much to prepare for this baby. Kendlee's room is still not ready and won't be for at least three more weeks. If the baby comes before then (and in some way I hope it does!) Kendlee will continue to live in her current room and we will just slowly make the move to the new room as we see fit.

I don't have much left to buy. A few more glass bottles, some newborn diapers (we're going cloth beyond newborn), some formula for a backup plan, and maybe a few outfits. The most important is a Big Sister gift for Miss Kendlee. This will be a time of change for her and I am already feeling much guilt about having to make her share the spotlight. But I think in the long run she will appreciate us giving her a HUMAN sibling to play with. Though I'm sure she will always considering our dogs her fur-siblings.

The next five weeks will be spent building the shed (ok, I'll be watching not participating), moving the shed, emptying the room for Kendlee, painting, setting up the new room, cleaning out K's nursery and turning it into the baby's room, and just enjoying having Kendlee be the only child for the last time.

I have already stepped down to one day a week for gymnastics, and as I see it I will only be doing that for a couple more weeks as well. Kendlee will be joining her best friend Devyn in a daycare program where they go once a week for 4 hours. Both girls will mostly be there on the same days, which will be alot of fun for Kendlee.

That pretty much wraps it up for now! I may not return until the new one arrives! Have a great February!

Christmas And New Years!

Hello again!

Our christmas was wonderful! We actually managed to see all three families in about 4 days!
Kendlee, being the cutest almost 2 year old ever (in my opinion of course, hehe), thought the presents were AWESOME! She enjoyed having the tree up and seeing all of her grandparents and sharing suppers and stories with them. She was royally spoiled, as usual, by everyone. Receiving gifts that range from clothes to toys to a mini 4-wheeler! (Which she has mastered all but the turning, I might add ;) ).

Brandon and I had a wonderful time as well. Though he had to work, he still enjoyed having our parents over for supper both Chrismtas Eve and Christmas day.

New years was low key again this year. Brandon played video games in the living room, while Kendlee and I both fell asleep before 9:30 pm!

We now move forward into the Birthday section of the year. Kendlee's party is January 16th and we are busy getting ready for that! She is excited to have an all Elmo party this year. We will again rent a room in a hotel with a pool and invite everyone to visit us there.

Ta-Dah!

It only took me 20 days to post again. Not sure if anyone reads this anyway! ;)

All is well here, thankfully. Some mild contractions but nothing to worry about. Kendlee has changed her opinion on what the baby is going to be. She now thinks it is a baby boy. Only 11 weeks left until my due date (and some change) so we shall see around that time! :)

Kendlee is excited for Christmas. She has enjoyed helping mommy with the baking and taking care of the tree (aka telling Mommy to turn on the lights everyday). She also helped put all the presents under the tree this year. Big girl!

No other news. We will be spending Christmas Eve here at home with my Dad and stepmom. Christmas Day Kendlee and I will ride back to the farm with my dad and Cali but will return to our house that afternoon with my Mom. She will spend that night and the next. The day after Christmas we have a family reunion to attend. Everyone will be amazed at how big Kendlee has gotten!

Until next time, stay warm!

Hello again..

It seems as though I never update here. I'm not sure that I have much to update about anyhow.

The baby is doing great all snuggled into my belly. I think this baby is on hyper mode about 22 hours out of the day.. its a kicker! We are still content on not finding out the sex.. we as in me. Brandon, of course, wants to know..but considering our ultrasound has come and gone we will not be finding out! ~ No names as of yet, we just cannot agree! The baby will remain Baby Nordstrom until something devine comes along!

Kendlee is fabulous. Smart too. She knows her ABCs, colors, shapes, what letter of the alphabet can be associated with what animal, thing or action, and can even count to 4! ~ We have a hard time getting a word in edgewise with this little talker, sometimes she talks so fast you have to ask HER to slow down so YOU can take it all in. Shes busy, and we are so lucky to have her!

Brandon is busy at work. He will become a Tech III here in December. The highest level at his work (for operators that are not supervisors or managers) is Tech V. ~Soon he will be ice fishing. Kendlee is super excited to go fishing. She doesn't quite know what it is, she has only gone once and that was in the summertime! I often hear her say "Daddy, I go fishing? Daddy! GO fishing?!" ~ She has become quite the Daddy's lil buddy lately. Though she still prefers to have Mommy do all the dirty work around here, she goes to daddy for snacks and other FUN things. They have been spending a few hours a week alone while Mommy goes to massage therapy...err... physical therapy, as its REALLY called. :) Ahhh, those are the days! :)

As for me, I'm still looking for work. Applying, sending resumes and taking placement tests. I am still "coaching" Parent and Tot gymnastics. Though I enjoy the time we spend there, and Kendlee loves it, I am growing very tired of the constant on the go around here. I long for the days where Kendlee and I can just spend the ENTIRE day at home..no errands, no classes, doctor visits or such.

We're off to a busy holiday, followed by a busy birthday for one special little girl. Most likely, we'll see you sometime in the New year!