The End of my Maternity Leave

Wowsa, I can't believe my little Abigail is already 8 weeks old. I feel like it was just yesterday we brought her home from the hospital and into our crazy lives. I was so excited to begin my maternity leave and just spend all day with my little baby.

With Leah, I didn't really know what to do for a maternity leave. I just assumed it would be time to get stuff done and lay around with the baby. I'd feed her and let her sleep in my arms, and catch up on all my trashy TV. I feel like all I did with Leah was sit at home, and I probably did, considering it was January and fing cold outside. Then there was the incident with the stroller. It didn't work right so I had to use a scissors to get the thing to fold in half to take it anywhere. I can only imagine how crazy I looked having to carry a scissors around me, but I had to if I wanted to go anywhere. So to make it easier for me, I didn't go anywhere. It made the winter go by so quickly though, so that was nice. I also remember Jenn laughing hysterically while watching me struggle to juggle Leah in her car seat and the scissors and the stroller. Stupid stroller, it seriously was the bane of my existence.

This time, I knew I was going to not only have an infant to nurture, but also a crazy hyper 4 year old to
entertain 2 days a week. I love Leah so much, but looking back I'd have probably kept her in daycare full time. We didn't really save that much money-especially since she ended up staying home more that 2 days a week more often than not-and I think we all, OK maybe just me, would've been a little less stressed during the days. I mean, come on, Leah didn't want to sit around the house and for the first few weeks I didn't even want to think about taking Abigail out and about. Heck, I didn't want to take 2 kids out by myself at all. Anybody who knows Leah knows that she so much energy that she's always running/moving around and has trouble sitting still-though what 4 year old can? So the thought of me taking the girls anyplace by myself was frightening.


I feared Leah would be board, or not want to go to school when she knew I was at home. I worried that I wouldn't get to spend the time with Abigail that she needed and that she would somehow be harmed from the lack of Mommy time. I love Leah to death, but I wanted to have some Mommy/Abigail time. What I ended up getting was an extremely great maternity leave with BOTH my girls.

The last 8 weeks have had their ups-Ry staying home to help, My Mom coming up and being more help to me than I ever knew possible, countless walks with Abigail, seeing her smile for the first time, taking Leah to the splash pad, random Starbucks dates with Leah, lunch dates with my Dad, shopping (sorry, Ry) and even some naps for me.

Then of course there were a few downs-the A.C. breaking and it being a raging inferno in our house, the garage door breaking and just being a pain, Leah getting strep throat and me getting sick with a temp of 102.

I feel like no mom is ever ready her leave to be over, and it really is done before you know it. I had planned to spend this last week having fun with my girls, and really getting some one on one time with Abigail,  but even that didn't work out the way I planned. Leah was home Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with Strep Throat. Yuck! So not only did we have to stay in the house all week, but I had to keep Leah away from Abigail, which resulted in a huge meltdown with Leah crying, "Mommy why won't anybody play with me?"It must've been so difficult for her when I need to spend a ton of time with Abigail and she can't be near us. Poor girl. Rough last week.

So today was my last day alone with little Miss Abigail, and it wasn't exactly awesome. She had her 2 month old check up, so she got shots. Poor girl, I hate that they make me hold my babies arms, so I see her look at me and smile, and then they poke her. Not once, not twice, but 3 times. And she looked at me with those pleading eyes to stop the pain, and in that second I just cried right along with her. And then she slept the rest of the day. We didn't even really get to play, but I did get some snuggle time in with her, and it was quiet. Just Abigail and me. My baby girl.

Even though this wasn't the maternity leave I maybe thought I'd have, I wouldn't change it. Maybe Leah getting strep cause that just sucks, but everything else was amazing and so worth it. I've cleaned, crafted, done countless loads of laundry, picked up a ton of dog poop-and there's more, did some shopping-again sorry Ry, and had so much fun with my girls. If this ends up being my last maternity leave, and it probably is, then I can go out saying I didn't everything the way I wanted. I love me girls and I'm so glad I've gotten to spend this time with them.

I can't believe it's over, but I'm so excited to head back to work and enter this new stage of my life-being a working Mom to two amazing daughters.

Here is a random list of things I learned the second time around:

1. Have help.
Seriously, I know everybody says this, and I didn't do this the first time around with Leah. What a fool I was. There was nothing better than having my Mom here to help with both girls. To take Leah to the park so she could work off some energy, staying with Abigail so I could take Leah out and mini date, making dinner and breakfast-I still dream about her banana cupcakes, and the times she would get up early in the mornings with me for Abigail's early feedings were a Godsend. I wouldn't trade those moments for the world. I'm so sad I didn't spend that time with my Mom when Leah was born.

2. If you thought you were tired the first time, well you have no idea what you will feel like this time.
Sleep, oh how I miss you. Abigail is up all night, then Leah's up all day and I somehow needed to find a way to keep up with both girls on only a few hours of sleep. I think its crazy just how little sleep I actually needed at times to function.

3. The Moby Wrap, or any other carrier for baby, is a must with 2 kids
I don't know how I would've gotten anything done without this thing. It was so nice to strap Abigail in and go. Everything was easier, and Abigail absolutely loved the wrap. Hands free is the way to go for second babies!

4. You still have to eat.
There were times where Leah was up at 6, Abigail at 6:30, feed Abigail, feed Leah, put Abigail down for a nap, play with Leah, play with Abigail, feed Abigail, feed Leah, put Leah down for her nap, and the next thing I knew it was 1 and I hadn't eaten anything yet. I literally forgot to eat. Don't let that happen, its not a good thing.

5. You can get stuff done.
Abigail sleeps. Leah plays by herself-sort of. So I usually had about an hour a day to myself, maybe more in random spurts. I could've taken a nap, maybe a half hour or so, or I could've cleaned, done laundry and maybe even spray painted some wine bottles. So I chose to get things done rather than take a short teasing nap. I need a sleep, a long sleep. Not a little nap.

I can't wait to see what next week is like, hopefully it's not difficult and stressful, but we'll see:)

Amy

Catching up on 2014

Well where has the first quarter of this year gone? Oh, that's right, I've been busy trying to cram in a million things before this baby! I guess I should start to catch up on the pregnancy and birth of a little sweetie-who will probably wake up before I get a chance to finish this post:)

January was so long and daunting for everybody around here I think. With more days at negative temps than I'd like to even think about, some bottoming out at -45. Yuck!!!! We celebrated Leah's 4th birthday at the beginning of the month too. I sometimes look at her and wonder where the last 4 years have gone. I love that little peanut so very much and it seems like only yesterday we were at the hospital having her. She's a crazy lady, with a crazy, feisty personality. I'm really not sure where she gets that from ;) Her birthday was laid back-we went to Grandma and Grandpa Siebert's house-and just enjoyed our girl!

                                                   Leah, the night before her 4th bday

February was also freezing cold and we were all beginning to wonder if Spring would EVER come our way. Ry and I celebrated our 5th anniversary by doing what we do every year-Ry watched while I coached JV basketball. How romantic:) Ry really is a trooper for all the boring he puts up with.

March was also freezing. Seriously we NEVER thought it would get warm out. I remember telling Leah that the baby would be here when it was warm out. But by the end of March as the due date got closer I started to doubt it would be warm even then. I was pretty sure this baby would be born in a middle of April snow blizzard. March was the cramming month where we washed clothes, finished the nursery, stocked up on diapers and made some final decisions regarding the birth and plans for Leah during that time. I felt like I got everything together during this time, and I was so ready for our baby to be here.

                                                                     38 weeks


April. Ah April! My end was in sight! I'm one of those people who just has miserable pregnancy's so I couldn't wait for this one to be over too. I felt bad at times for complaining when I actually felt really good this time around. I don't know why, but this baby was being really sweet to me. I wasn't real sick, my body didn't hurt too bad and I was sleeping great. My only complain My Dr talked with me and we decided to set an induction date for a week past my due date (April 19) but I was so hoping I wouldn't make it that long. I just really didn't want to be induced.

By this point I had stopped working and Leah started her new schedule where she stayed home with me on Tuesday's and Thursday's and then went to school the other 3 days. Monday April 14 was spent cleaning the house, and Tuesday was spent as a Mommy and Leah day. We played. We made some art for the baby's room. We went grocery shopping. We ate lunch out at Noodles and then got some Starbucks just to top off the day. It was special to have a day that Leah and I could be together with no distractions.

                                                    Lunch at Noodles, about 9 hours before labor started

Tuesday night, April 15th I began having contractions. Long story made short-I started contractions around 9, went to the hospital at 12:30 am, baby came at 6:47 am. My sweet, beautiful baby GIRL Abigail was finally with us! Her birth wasn't without complications-as my babies just like to come into this world in dramatic fashion (again, I have no idea where my girls get that from). She had inhaled some meconium, had the cord wrapped around her neck, and just like Leah, she had a shoulder distocia on the way out. After about half an hour with the NICU team they said she was just fine and we finally got to hold our second baby girl.

        Our second baby girl, Abigail Ruth Siebert born on April 16th 2014 at 6:47 a.m. She weighed 8 lbs 3                             oz and was 21 inches long. We are all so in love with this little sweet pea!

Leah was in love with the little lady from the minute they met. Well, sort of :) She was creeped out by Me being in the hospital bed, the strange hospital room, and this tiny little human who was now her little sister. Leah didn't hold her until the second day, but everyday after that she's wanted to hold Abigail, kiss her and play with her. She really has turned into the amazing sister I knew she could be.

                                                     Abigail and Leah-best friends for life!


Being a family of 4 hasn't been all that difficult so far. I say that as we are less than 2 weeks in. Leah seems to be doing just fine, she doesn't wake up when Abigail cries and she hasn't been regressing at all. Ry spends more time with Leah than I do because I'm trying to get in sync with Abigail as far as nursing goes, but we are all getting there. Nights are tough for me, as I'm the one to get up with her. Ry says he sleeps great and sometimes I want to punch him, as I haven't slept for more than 3 hours in a single stretch since Abigail's been born, but I know its all going to be short lived and eventually she won't be needing me at all hours of the night for long. It kinda makes me sad thinking about it. I love my time with her at night where its just Abigail and Mommy. It's our bonding time since Ry's still off work for another week and Leah's home 2 days a week.

This past weekend was a bit of a struggle for me both physically and emotionally. I don't feel like I even really got to this point with Leah, but I hit an emotional road block on Saturday and I hit it hard!

One of my best friends got married on Saturday April 26th-also my 28th birthday. I was a bridesmaid and Leah was a flower girl. It all started with hair at 7:00 am, then I got an hour to go home and see Abigail and pump, then we were at the church from 11-3 for the pictures and the ceremony. Then home for half hour to pump again and see Abigail, then we headed downtown for pictures and the reception. At about 9 pm Leah was tired and ready to leave, and my emotions came out in full force. I suddenly realized how tired I was, (after all, Abigail had been up 3 times the night before, and our day had started at 7 and had not slowed down). My big girl was exhausted and having a melt down, I was frustrated and full because there wasn't a place for me to pump and I couldn't get my dress unzipped and zipped easy enough to pump effectively, and, oh yeah, I missed my 10 day only baby. There's also that tiny feeling in your body when it tells you-hey slow down, you just had a baby 10 days ago. My body hurt like nobody's business by the end of the night. I was a mess and started crying and just wanted to go home.

When we got back home I sat with little Abigail in my arms for a few hours. I hadn't seen her all day long and that's really difficult with a newborn. I can't even begin to describe how much I missed that tiny peanut.

Sunday was a day where I did absolutely nothing. My body was still telling me it needed more recovery time and that I should just rest. So I did. And it was wonderful. My mom had been up the whole weekend to watch little Abigail while we were at the wedding, and while we were gone she also did laundry and cleaned the house. I found myself on Sunday night almost in tears again because I missed my Mom and how helpful she was. It was also nice that on Sunday morning when Abigail woke up at 5 for a feeding, my Mom got up with me and we talked for awhile. It was nice to have somebody else to talk with while feeding that baby girl.

It's been a super long 4 months of the year, and I'm hoping the next 8 months slow down because I really want to enjoy my little family being little for as long as I can!


Amy

Catch up of 2013

I do so well at keeping up this blog for a while then it goes down the drain. I figure that since it's the end of the year I should get some news out to family and friends. This post will be our "recap of 2013" that most people send out with their Christmas cards. I had no time for Christmas cards this year, so this is the best I got :)

2013 has been an amazing year for our family. While Leah spent the entire Winter in her wonderful cast, we still had an amazing time. We bought our first house in January and moved in in the middle of February. It took us a while to get into the swing of shoveling a drive way, taking out garbage cans and enjoying the extra space we now have. Leah's favorite part has been the basement where she can ride her bike, make a mess and just play and be a kid. Allie's favorite part is the fenced in backyard where she can run freely. Leah also loves the backyard where we had a garden and we were even given a huge playground for her by our cousins. Thanks Aunt Kelly, (other) Uncle Brian, Adam and Aaron!

Early Spring took us on a family trip to Florida with the Siebert's to see Great Grandpa Siebert. How much fun that was! I loved that Leah got to go the beach and to Disney, and she asks about it all the time. She had fun, and we couldn't have been happier to see Grandpa! We miss him so much! Leah is asking frequently when we can go back to Florida. To be honest, dear, we would love to go back as soon as possible too!!! Especially with all this snow!!

May was also eventful for our family. Uncle Brian got married and we love weddings. Leah loves wedding so much-she's a dancing kind of girl :) Love her! Weddings always seem like a big production, so even though this was the only big thing we had in May, it still seemed so busy!

In June, we took a trip to Great America with the Siebert's and Leah had the time of her life. She is a roller coaster girl for sure, which Ryan loves! Not my thing, but hey, at least he'll have somebody to ride the rides with in the future.

July and August were calm months. We spent a lot of time playing outside together as a family. We would do bubbles, care for our garden and play with outside paints. Leah's in love with art!!

In August we also found out that we are expecting a little sibling for Leah. We couldn't be more excited, and Leah is ready to tackle to roll of Big Sister. Baby number 2 will be here in early April:)

For Halloween we did our usually trip to the Kasper's house to have dinner and go trick or treating. They always have the BEST decorations up and make the best Halloween food. Leah loves going to their place for this holiday, and we do too. I dread the day she decides she wants to go trick or treating with friends instead of go to the Kasper's. Hopefully that's not for a long time :) Leah dressed up as Princess Tiana from the Disney movie The Princess and the Frog. Grandma Kim made her outfit and she absolutely loved it.

November took us to one of our favorite places-Minnesota! We planned to head that way for a family wedding, but we went up a few days early to spend some time at Ikea and Mall of America. I knew Leah would love the rides and the mall, and we thought we'd take her to the American Girl store, since she's really into those dolls right now. We had so much fun. I personally love Ikea, but Leah didn't seem too impressed. I thought there would be more displays for her age that she could see and play with, but most of their kid sections were under construction. Oh well.

She had a blast at the mall, of course. She loved the rides-and she only went on the easy, tame rides to mommy didn't freak out-I really hate roller coasters. Hate them. But she had fun on the little rides, much to my surprise.

Then, we went to have lunch at American Girl. We bought Leah and new Bitty Baby doll for Christmas there so she was in love with the doll. The baby sat at our table in a high chair and had some play food too. It was so sweet. After lunch, she was exhausted, so we headed to the hotel and Leah took a short nap in the car.

We also had our ultra sound at the end of November, and saw that we are having a very healthy, although shy, baby. The little one had its legs crossed so we couldn't see a gender, but have decided that we are fine not knowing. The baby also struggled to give us good profile pictures, as it was covering its face for most of the appointment. We are excited to find out the gender in April!

I have been feeling pretty good with this pregnancy, which isn't how it was when I was pregnant with Leah. I was so sick, and I felt horrible for most of the 40 weeks. She was just a tough one I guess. This little one has been easy going as I've had next to no morning sickness, and only a few migraines. I'm almost to the 3rd trimester, so hopefully the feel good continues!

We will end the year with a trip to Monroe for Christmas, and then heading do to Illinois for Leah's birthday. I can't believe my sweet baby is almost 4 years old. Where did that time go?

We have an exciting 2013, and I think 2014 is going to be even more exciting!

Happy Holidays to everybody!!

Love,
Amy

Good Mom's have sticky floors???

I found a pin on Pinterest the other day that said "Good Mom's have sticky floors, messy kitchens, laundry piles, dirty ovens and happy kids". Well, My floors are NEVER sticky, my kitchen is only messy when Ryan cooks in it, there's only laundry after a weekend trip or a shopping trip (guilty), never have a dirty oven-top at least-so does that mean my child isn't "happy"? And does this make me a "not good" Mom?

I've actually thought about this quote a lot, and I can't lie, for a while it bothered me. Why is that since I'm a "clean freak" my child isn't happy? Sometimes I think maybe the quote is right. I tend to get home from work and we usually eat as Ryan has made or is making dinner, we eat and then Ryan will play with Leah or now that we have a house she plays outside, while I sit inside and clean the kitchen. Then, I'll either throw in some laundry, clean the bathroom or sweep the floors. She then takes a bath and gets ready for bed. So it seems like I really don't spend much "time" with her after school.

I used to go in and see her during my lunch breaks at work, but now that I have a different break I don't get to do that-that will be changing next week as I get different hours and there for I will get that  break again. I felt like I was letting Leah's childhood slip by without my even noticing. That lady is my life, and it bugged me that I myself didn't think I was spending enough time with her.

On weekends, we get to be together more. We play outside, color or watch a show together in the mornings. Ryan and I each have our own day to get up with her in the mornings-I get up on Saturday's and Ryan on Sunday's-and it's just extra alone time we each get to spend with her.

But I worry that maybe I'm not spontaneous enough, and that I get too caught up in the things that don't really matter. Does it really matter that my floors are sticky? No, but do you want to walk barefoot on a sticky floor? My kid doesn't. Does it matter that my kitchen is a mess? No, but who wants to wake up to a dirty kitchen?? Nobody, that's who. And piles of laundry is just frustrating when you have something you want to wear and it's dirty day after day. Also, Leah only wears like 3 outfits so not doing laundry around here would mean Leah would go to school naked a lot. No, thanks! I feel like I can have all of these things done, and my child can still be happy-maybe even more happy than kids with a dirty house because who wants to live in a messy place??

So, today I thought I'd try and do something fun with Leah and not worry about cleaning or laundry. We got home from school and it was raining. It's pretty much rained everyday for the last week so she hasn't gotten to go outside and play much recently. I took her to go get the mail and decided that she and I should go play in the backyard any ways. "In the rain, Mom?" You bet child, in the rain. We ran around the yard, played in her water table and threw the water at each other. She got some play food and cups out and gave us both chocolate milk and candy. The smiles and laughs that I got from her were amazing, and something she'll remember for a long time-or at least until she falls asleep. We came inside and took a bath with bubbles and glow sticks. Then came a dinner of leftover pancakes, waffles and chocolate milk. Then Ryan, who had been out golfing, came home with a hot fudge sundae for her. Her night was perfect she said. I even managed to throw in some laundry, clean the kitchen and the floors after Ryan got home.

And what did Leah remember from this night? "Playing in the rain and throwing water at each other. She doesn't notice when I do laundry or clean, and she doesn't look it at it as a roadblock in her life, or something stuck between her and I. I think the people who write things like this are horrible multi taskers, are lazy, and probably don't sleep too well at night knowing their house is a mess. Me and my child? We are happy AND have a clean place to lay our heads every night.  

I have no pictures from tonight, as it was raining and Ryan wasn't home. But here are some pictures of an adorable, happy, 3 year old:)

 

Love,

Amy

 

 

 

Little Bro Brian Gets married

First off, I love my little Brother. I say "Little" and I laugh as I write that because he's not very little. He's not a giant or anything, maybe 5'10" or so, buff like a bouncer, and sweet as can be.

Brian has always had a special place in my heart, probably because we got into enough trouble together as kids over the years. There was that one time we were fighting over the Internet-90's kid problems-and he started to chase me around the house. I shut the door on him and he may or may not have, but definitely did, run though the middle of the door knocking down the middle section. The door stayed closed, except for the massive hole in the middle. We were sneaky, and we rigged the broken piece back in and made it so that when Jenn came home and opened the door the piece would come crashing out, making Jenn believe she broke the door.

There was that time when my Varsity basketball team was scrimmaging his JV boys team. I was a senior-him a freshman. I took a shot and Brian blocked it into next week.

Those 4 softball games in high school that Brian came to-because he got out of school to go to them of course.

There was that time he won a state championship in high school, and I was so proud.

I love my baby brother to death-and I am so proud of the man he's become. Last weekend he got married to his love, and it was beautiful.

The details aren't important. Well, they are, and they were beautiful, but I'm choosing to focus on the people, and the memories made.

I spent the morning a little stressed out-I know, it wasn't even my wedding right? But I was. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be doing, Leah was in the wedding and I didn't know how to do her hair, if she would walk, if she could cry, anything. And then I was helping the photographer out too, and I didn't know where exactly to be. So I was feeling a little out of funk, until Brian came and needed help getting ready. And I was there. Just him and I..... and Ryan, but let's be honest, he doesn't really count here:)  I helped him get ready, and spent some time with him on the most important day of his life. So far :)

I helped Molly-the photographer-take pictures and then we went to the park. Leah walked maybe 10 steps down the aisle and freaked out. So I walked down with her. As I watched Paula walk down towards Brian, I cried. I was so happy and just so proud of him at that moment. It was a moment that I will never forget, and I will never forget how I felt.

I didn't get a chance to dance with Brian at the wedding, but that's ok. I know that someday we will get that dance. It might be at a wedding in a few years, or maybe even Leah's wedding some day in the future-way in the future. Who am I kidding, that kid's never going to be allowed to get married:)

I'm so proud of you little brother, and I look forward to having another person help us create chaos. She even beats you at Uno. And that's a BIG deal to us.

I love you Brian and Paula, Congrats on your special day!

Love,
Amy

Florida!!!!!

Wow, where have I been. I feel like I do so well with my blogging and then something happens to put it all on hold. So much has happened since my last post about Leah's casting off party-which was actually back in March-Hello, it's almost June. OK, so I'm not the best blogger ever. I'll get there:)

April started off in a hurry with us planning our vacation to Florida with the Siebert side of the family. I'm not one for flying. At all. I never have been too keen on the idea, even though I've flown maybe 20 times in my life. It seems to be getting worse as I get older. Anyways, I almost didn't even go on this trip due to the flying, but I'm so glad I did.

Leah, who was previously known to us all as "the world's WORST traveler EVER" has apparently outgrown that amazing title. She loved flying, well I think she just liked having all of her favorite people in one place at one time where they couldn't escape from her. Plane ride down was so easy peasy!

We stayed at a cool little rental place with a pool. It was great because we used a company that we rented cribs, toy's for the twins, toys for Leah, beach toys, pool toys and anything else we could've needed. It was so great to not have to worry about bringing toys and stuff for Leah to play with as its not cheap to take extra bags anyplace.

We went and spent some time with Leah's Great Grandpa Siebert, that was the reason for this little jaunt to Florida. He's looking so great, and it was awesome to get to spend some time with him. Even though Leah was shy and didn't really want to hug Great Grandpa, she talked about him at night and worried about where he was when she couldn't see him. She cares so much-she just pretends not to:)
We took a boat cruise with Grandpa which was fun. When Ryan and I got married in Florida 4+ years ago we got married on a boat down in St. Petersburg, and we took a cruise this time with the same company. We were secretly hoping to get the same boat we got married on, but that boat has since been "moved up coast" as we were told. Sad, but still so much fun! Leah only broke 1 plate, so we consider that a successful outing:)

We went to the beach one day, too. I though Leah would love to go walk in the water and the soft, white sand. look for seashells with me, and even build a sand castle. My kid? Yeah right. We walked her down the water and she freaked out. Pulling as far away from Ry as she could. I showed her the shells-she didn't care. The soft sand? No, thanks. She wanted to play about a mile from the water in the hard sand with broken shells. Seriously?? I didn't get it at the time-but looking back that Gulf must've seemed like the biggest thing ever and it was probably pretty scary for a 3 year old. She did build castles, though, with Aunt Melissa.

The next day was what I'd been waiting almost a full year for. DISNEY! When we first talked about Disney, Ryan and I were a little conflicted. Leah hates characters. She's terrified of them. We went to see Bucky Badger once and she screamed at the sight of him. I thought princesses would maybe be ok as they are actual people and not dressed in a big animal suit. So Ryan and I decided to take the chance and take Leah to Disney. I just couldn't go all the way to Florida and not take her there. After all, its the place "Where Dreams Come True".

Ah, Disney. Where to start? When I went to Disney 10 years ago-yes as a senior in high school, I remember Disney having 1, maybe 2 parades. Well Disney these days has a parade every 4 seconds. We got there just in time to see the 2nd parade of the day and I was so happy. I was almost crying as the floats came around with people singing and kids so happy, until I looked down at Leah and saw complete fear in her eyes. She in hysterics at the sight of that many characters all in one place. So we tried to stay away from the parade for a while. We got a few pictures, bought Leah a Minnie Mouse hat with ears and started on the rides.

Dumbo, classic Dumbo. Amazing! They have 2 Dumbo rides along side each other, so more people can go on the ride at a time. The best part? The waiting area. You go into the Big Tent and they give you one of those little restaurant beepers that goes off when it's you turn and then they have indoor play place for the kids to play with they wait. Air conditioned. Best. Thing. Ever!! I wasn't sure how Leah would do with the ride itself, because she's so hit or miss on rides, but she loved it! The smile never left her tiny face!

We also hit up the carousel, It's A Small World, A big Paddle Boat, The Jungle Tour Ride, Aladdin, and a train ride around the park to end the day. As we were leaving, there was another parade going on. This time Leah stopped and yelled, "Mom! The parade! I want to see the parade!" So we saw about 4 minutes of a Disney parade. We had such a great time and I couldn't have asked for a better experience with my little lady.

With the Florida trip ending, I realized something. She may not remember this trip to Disney, but I will always remember the look on her face when she first saw Cinderella's Castle. The look on her face every time a cast member would say "Smile, Princess" to her as they took our picture. The look on her face when got to ride in a stroller for the first time in 2 years. And yes, even the look on her face when she was terrified of the parade. Those little things are a memory and I will have with me forever and ever. She was so happy that day. Disney made all of my "Dreams Come True" for my little angel.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Siebert for making this trip amazing for ALL of us! We couldn't appreciate it, or you guys, more! Love you!!!


Love,
Amy

Leah's Casting Off Party

The cast is off! Hurray!!!! It's been a long few weeks/months for our family with the cast, but on March 30 we put it all behind us.

We stayed at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, and most of our family was there. We decided that we would all go up Friday then spend all day Saturday playing in the water. Leah loves slides at the park, and water so we figured she would just go crazy for slides in water. Not so much.

I'm not sure what she was so afraid of, but Leah wouldn't go near the water....or the slides for that matter. In the beginning, all she wanted to do was play in the little swings that babies play in. Literally, the age range on those things was 6-12 months. So, we all kept trying to get her in the water and after an hour or so we gave up and decided to go eat cake.

 We ordered cake and balloons for Leah since it was for her birthday too. She loved the cake-what 3 year old doesn't?

 

 

 

 

After the cake, Leah finally began warming up to the idea of the water park. She was splashing around and laughing, and she eventually started going down the slides by herself.

 



 

It was a great day once Leah decided to try a few rides. We would love to take her back again someday!

The next day was Easter, so when Leah woke up she had a little present from the Easter Bunny, who came all the way to the Kalahari to deliver her basket.

 

 

 

When Leah first broke her leg-back on November 30, 2012, I'm sure Ryan and I thought it would never end. So many appointments and small set backs, pants that would never fit. It seems so unreal to have her cast off and it all behind us. We realized what a strong little lady we have and how she won't give up or let a little (or in this cast-huge) cast bring her down.

 

Her leg is back to normal now-maybe it's still a little hairier than her other leg-but strong and ready to run. Let's hope that this is the last injury we have for a while.

 

 

Date of original Fracture-November 30, 2012

 

 

Date of 1st cast change - December 5, 2012

 

 

Date of 2nd cast change- December 14, 2012

 

 

Date cast came off and the walking boot came on- January 7, 2013

 







Date the walking boot came off at home- February 8, 2013

 

Date the cast came off at school- February 22, 2013

 



Date of the Casting Off Party-March 30, 2013

 



Date in cast from Fracture date to cast off permanently date-12 weeks

Time after cast came off that Leah was allowed to run and play like a normal 3 year old-4 weeks.

 

Total time for the injury-16 weeks. 4 months, November 30, 2012-March 30, 2013.

 

 

 

Amy