The Rottiers

Trying to fall into a fall schedule....

2011-10-10T23:18:00.000-07:00

Hello. Yes I am updating, no I dont have a way to put pics on here :( sorry.
All in all we have been very busy since school has started. We have had one big event every week since the middle of August!! We are just getting back into some sort of routine since school, awana, and my fall work schedule have started. We are all very much in need of some regularity!

Dan has obviously been back to school since the begining of September, and has helped out at football games and stayed after school for other extracurricular activites. Most of the time he is home by 330 which we ALL love!! He played in a mens softball league and also a coed league with me. He has been able to ride his motorcycle to school most days. Yes I did let him buy a motorcycle in August. He loves it and it is definilty saving us gas money. I am sure it has not paid for itself yet but it definilty was a good "investment." He seems to really enjoy it!
I have been able to ride with him 3 times. We went away to The Shack in Newaygo for our 5th annversary adn we took the bike! It was defiinitly scary at first but I quickly got use to it and realized we will NOT be going cross country or even across the state on this bike!! My hips could barely take the hour drive we took each day while we were away. When we returned from the getaway we picked Calli up at Booshies and headed to Detriot for a Tigers game!! The Tigers won in the last inning but I was too busy standing in line to run the bases with Calli to see the end of the game! She did like watching the game but we walked around and did the free activites becasue it was kids day.
In September, we were able to get away for another weekend and go to a Tigers game with some close friends. We stayed at the Greektown Casino and we played some slot machines. We spent the $20 vouchers the hotel gave us and we came out with $18 cash. We didn't exactly win but we didnt play any of our own money so it seemed like we won :)
He has been healthy most of the fall but was diagnosed with pneumonia on Saturday, he had a fever, lack of energy, chills, body aches sunday-saturday last week and got a great antibiotic which seemed to help almost immediatley! Which was good because we had a wedding on Saturday evening.

Andi has changed so much since my last post! We took the side rail off her crib about 2 weeks after my last post and also she was potty trained by the middle of August! Her language skills are definilty growing every day!! She hardly ever says something we dont understand! Calli dn her are definilty the best of friends still but Andi is standing up for herself more and more! She still loves her baby dolls as her children. She loves the show Bubble Guppies and it seems to be getting more popular with her than Barney. Andi has been mostly healthy this fall but her allergies seem to still be affected in the fall~ she is getting tubes put back in her ears tomorrow morning to help with that. She had them at 9months but those tubes have moved so they will take those out and put new ones in.

Calli has started Awana Cubbies again which she loves! She is definitly getting ready for some more activites too! She asks "When will I be able to... play softball, volleyball, soccer, go to school, ride a school bus, have babies, go to Sparks, etc." She is so eager to grow up!! She is determined to grow her hair out like Rapunzel and to do that she is eating all the crust of her bread (one of her friends told her that I swear it wasn't me) and she is letting me use conditioner in her hair (yes that one is my little fib). She is still wearing dreses on a daily basis. She is definitly the girly girl which I have to admit is very fun! I have gotten very good at french braiding and other hair things and am always on the look out for dresses especially now with the cooler weather :) Another question that she asks almost daily is "Where can we go today?" She is such a social little girl. She loves it when we have plans and if our day consists of staying at home she tries to think of a friend who might want to come over.

I have not only been busy with my own little hooligans but Micah still comes over 3 days a week and also my friends son (another 1 yr old) comes over when his grandma cant watch him. The girls really seem to enjoy having the boys over. I am working 6 nightrs every 2 weeks at Pine Rest. 5/6 of the shifts are sleep shifts and the one night that i work a 3rd shift is only temporary. We have many fultimers out on med/maternity leave and so I volunteered to work 1 extra night per week. I am so glad that tonight marks the half way point of my 6 weeks helping out! I really enjoy my sleep and Tuesdays are a tough day after no sleep! I have been able to get away one time to scrapbook in Septemeber and I have another retreat I am signed up for in November. I have not been running regularly at all just becasue we have been so busy!! I love running but it takes a back seat to family time.

Ok I think that updates you on most of our life... I think and hope that it is slowing down! I look forward in my planner and silently rejoice that there are no real crazy plans/vacations until March and April!!

im blogging... OK!!!

2011-07-15T19:50:00.000-07:00

I have had a few people get on my case about no blogging in awhile (8ish months). However things have been busy!

Dan is working at Blythfield country club this summer as he has for 10 years!! He likes the change of pace and being outside. He doesnt like the whole getting up to be there by 6am though.
This spring his dad bought a couple of motorcycles for all the boys to ride. Dans requirements (made by me- life insurance, safety class, and fully licensed) to getting /riding a bike have officially been met! It is very exciting to see him ride bc i know he really likes it. He is borrowing one of his dads bikes and he actually started driving it to work today. He was hopeing he didnt look like someone in a midlife crisis. I though this was funny bc he is turning 30 this November. Dan has also started running this summer and I try to beat him in distance each week bc he will always beats me timewise.

Calli is such a kid now!! She is not dependent in any sort of way. Its so fun to watch her with other kids. She is just playing all the time. We have really limited tv time this spring/summer and have been focusing on playing inside and outside, exploring outside, riding her bike, working on school work and just being a kiddo. She still isnt into coloring or anything so to work her fine motor skills were do school work which she loves!! She can identify all her letters and numbers up to 25. We just do random workbooks that i have found- and its not like i am pushing this stuff down her throat either. She asks almost everyday to work on her school stuff but i try to only do it 4 times a week so i dont overwhelm her. She loves being read to and she totally plays out books we read. I love it!! The girl has a great imagination. She loves the little french girl Madeline, Boz the bear, Gigi- Gods little Princess, Curious George, adn of course the Princesses. On most days she refers to me as Miss Clavel and the dogs as Genevieve. She attended VBS at Alto Baptist this summer. We bought her a bible during the week of VBS bc she was always asking for me to read her more stories about Jesus- "but not from the baby book mom from the big Bible." We got a childrens translation which is really a great way to read to little ones so they can picture it in their heads. She has really asked some great questions about God, Jesus, heaven, etc. Three of my grandparents have passed away in the last year so I think that has gotten her thinking also. It is amazing what her brain ponders. She did do Awana Cubbies this past school year and she loved that as well.
Some things stay the same (thank goodness) - She is still a momma's girl. She still sleeps with her silky blankie. She still likes us to rock her before bed and sing one song with her (we have done that basically since birth). She still eats very little, but loves all fruit, m&ms, Steak and Shake, Mcdonalds and asks for mac and cheese everyday for lunch.

Andi otherwise still called Baby in our house or Bubba (from daddy) or Winnie (from Booshie). Well what to say about her??? She is just a little ball of joy and we all just think she is hilarious! Calli has always been so serious about life (she has fun for sure but she just isnt goofy) Andilynn is the exact opposite! She walks on her tip toes almost all the time if she doesnt have shoes on, she plays with dolls like they are her real babies and always is carrying a purse and pushing a stroller (fully stocked-this week I found my cell phone in there which had been missing for 12+hrs). She is so goofy when she talks too. We taught basic sign language to both girls when they were little- all done, cookie, milk, more, please, thank you, i love you. Andilynn has really started talking a ton lately but is always using signs (made up or real) to help us understand what she is talking about. She doesnt just do hand motions but like full body motions too! I think it is so funny bc sometimes her motions/signs are exactly what they should be so we completley understand what she is trying to tell us. One of her favorite stories to tell is when we drive by one particular park where I got hit with a softball in the nose. "momma, ooowwwiiee, (points to park) softball hit mommas nose! (signs ball, and then bops herself in nose)." This is one of many. She has stories about airplanes/trains/motorcycles and who is on them.
She is definitley Callis little follower! I love watching them play together and just watching how their playtime develops. It very rarley goes sour. Calli might ask me maybe once a week if she can play by herself for awhile but for majority of the time they are togther! I couldnt ask for anything better.
With all of her growing up and becoming a full blown toddler we are changing things slower with her (calli was forced out of her crib, etc.) Andi is still in a crib til end of August, however we took her pacifier away over Memorial Day weekend (CJ had hers til she was 3). Andi isn't potty trained but hopefully by the end of summer. We didn't want her struggling with that while we were camping in July. She is still a very light sleeper, but she sleeps til 10am if she is undisturbed :) We dont let her take naps though since she is sleeping 14 hrs at night - she got to were she wasnt going to sleep until 11ish. She is still a huge eater! She LOVES hotdogs, pizza, mexican, chicken nuggets, bananas, all veggies, but doesnt like most berries (weirdo :) ) She is definitley like me when it comes to food- pretty much anything!

Noelle Now about me. I havent been scrapbooking hardly at all this summer. We have been so busy with other stuff. Dan and I play in a coed softball league on Mondays and I sub for a team on Wed. This was very different bc last year we played 3-4 nights a week. I have fallen in love with gardening. We did one last year but this years garden puts last years to shame! I have yet to get anything from it but the plants alone look bigger and healthier and there is far less weeds. I have also gotten into running. I started last July on a camping trip where I pushed Andi in the jogger til she fell asleep. I ran 3 miles without knowing it :) I ran my first 5k in September in under 30 minutes, ran the Riverbank 10k this spring in under 60 minutes. Those were my goal times so I was super excited!! I try to run 2-5 miles at least 3 times a week but it is hard with scheduling sometimes. Today I ran 6.2 miles-- a personal best not in a race (same distance as a 10k but very different when you are out by yourself.)
I am still working at Pine Rest minimal hours this year. I am watching 2 brothers 3-4 days a week. We all are enjoying this. Parker is 6 and Micah just turned 1. I love seeing how different Parker plays than Calli does. They definitley are great playmates and work with each others imagnations-- if they are at a tea party astro boy, mario, and luigi are in attendance, if they are playing "mom & dad" they have super powers or are in the middle of some battle while each of them carry a baby doll/stuffed animal. Micah and Andi seem to hang out together I think she likes just not being the baby anymore. She squeals with excitement when he comes over and constantly is telling me what he needs/wants, and tries to help feed him etc. We ALL absolutley love having the boys over. It was such an answer to prayer- so that I could stay home more because with gas prices driving to Pine Rest was getting crazy high. I feel like I am better mom when I can be home with the girls and just work on house/garden things. It is so weird how satisified, really I am extatic with life and the role I am currently filling as a mom and wife! Definitley a change in heart from wanting to get my masters degree and be working full time! I cant believe how quickly the time of them being little is going! I really am glad that I can be home and make the most of it right now.

This summer we have really tried to limit tv time so we have gone on a lot of walks as a family, had a ton of QT playing in the yard, playing board games, doing puzzles, playing playdoh, having bonfires, working in the garden, cooking/baking, and just imagning things with the girls (play house, school, etc)

Well that is it for now! I have completly updated you with words and not pictures this time! I promise i will bring my camera to work and download some. It is easier to use fb to see pics. I only have internet on my phone (cut some expenses) so its hard to upload photos.

Finally an update! And I updated 2 days in a row!

2010-11-28T12:52:00.000-08:00

So i am at my moms house and decided to update 2 days in a row but forgot my camera so I decided to use what pics she had so here it goes....

Booshie and Bo Peep and Jesse! Dont u love how they are staring at the candy and not paying any attention! Tree hugger!!

Could not get any great pics of the girls in front of the fireplace bc of Ms. Attitude on the right and Goofypants on the left! They make me smile all the time-- no need to be stressed about no great pics, they will care when they see what is up at their high school graduation party ;)

some pics

2010-11-28T12:33:00.000-08:00

me and my man! Me and my BIG GIRL!! ("Mommy im NOT little, Im BIG!!")

Grandpa Spike and his great grandgirls!!

I played in my high school, Varsity vs. Alumni Game and my mom graciously took pics :) they werent all bad. I was the catcher for a couple innings!

Calli took the time to text daddy about the game :) She took Mrs. Plummer phone and said she needed to text daddy!

some pics

2010-11-28T11:59:00.000-08:00

Pic of Annie and Andi before she moved to North Caroliona!! The girls asked if Aunt Annie will b at the mall every time we go! They miss her and playdates!!

Below is our new puppy! Magglio is his name, he is a terrier mix. He was 2lbs and 5 weeks when we got him and is about 5 lbs now at 11 weeks. He will get to be 10-15 lbs! The girls lovce him unless he gets too playful! He sleeps in Calli's room every night, when he realizes she is going to bed he runs and leaps on to her beanbag and stays until he whines in the morning to go out.

We went to my cousins wedding over Labor Day and took Calli with us. SHE LOVED IT!! She called Emily the Princess and Dave the Prince and she loved being a little adult for the evening! She was so well behaved and burned a rug on the dance floor (with mommy of course!)

This is a pic from the July 4th Parade earlier this year but i thought it was good!

Fall Pics of the Girls

2010-11-27T13:45:00.000-08:00

http://clevercreations.smugmug.com/Children

the photographer who did our wedding did some pics of the girls for us in September: Take a look, just click on Rottier girls!

Giving Thanks!

2010-11-27T12:30:00.000-08:00

*no pics bc i cant upload them right now*

This year we had the opportunity to meet my aunt, uncle, cousins, and grandpa in Chicago for Thanksgiving. We got to the hotel on Wed late afternoon after circling the hotel about 8 times (Dan hates the upper/lower streets and one way streets in Chicago). The guys went and got burgers and chips for dinner and we spent the rest of the time in the pool. The hotel was amazing! It used to be the Chicago Men's Health Club so the pool was like an old Greecian bath! It was amazing colors and had a cool set up ! It is a lappool so it scared me at first with the girls but they loved it! They were both jumping in off the sides and Calli swam (with swimmies) from one end to the other! She would say "I want to swim to that 5 now,.... ok now lets go back to that 5." ( we were in lane 5 if you couldnt gather that.)

On Thanksgiving morning we went to the Thanksgiving Day Parade! It was so cool to experience it! They had all the HUGE balloons (Curious George, Madeline, Scooby Doo, Turkey, some mouse, and I know i am forgetting some). It was almost 2 hours long with high school bands from around the country, dance/gymnast groups, and cultrual groups (Guatemalian dancers, Hawaiian dancers, Mayan dancers, Irish dancers, etc.)

After warming up in the hotel (it was about 40degrees) and getting dressed up we went to lunch on the 96th floor of the John Hancock building. It was an amazing view! Calli loved to hang out in the bathroom bc it a whole wall of windows that she could move freely around! We were there about 2 hours- looking around, enjoying a turkey or ribs, all the traditional thanksgiving things along with amazing sweet potatoes in a pecan sauce, Butternut Bisque -Dans fav thing there :) can you believe it??, seafood - none for me, 'fancy salads', delicious desserts- pumpkin pie, carrot cake, chocolate cheesecake, pumpkin ice cream and plenty more! The resturant even did kid plates with Mac&Cheese and chix tenders!

It was a great Thanksgiving even though it was very untraditional for us!

Noelle is thankful for:
- 2 wonderful kiddos who make me laugh each and every morning, noon and night!
- My hubby
- our church family- amazing worship, thought provoking and challenging messages in the services, sunday school, and small group. Wonderful friendships with other families!
- Our friends and family who I sometimes take for granted who babysit, scrapbook. listen, have playdates, have coffee, encourage me to run :), and countless other things!

Calli is thankful for: (her words during prayer time before bed)
-Magglio (our puppy) Mamy (miss Amy), eeee eee (aunt Annie), Booshie, Bumpa, Uncle TJCharlie, miss Joanna, Miss teri, coffee time, CUBBIES- mommy im very thankful for Cubbies! yuke (luke) Anna, jake, Ewin (elin) Uncle Dave, Aunt Heidi, Aunt katie, Uncle Steve Grandpa and Grama, Daddy, Mommy, and Baby. Oh yeah I thankful for the pool we were in yesturday!
*She says most words perfectly and the ones she doesnt were ones that were her first words and i think she says them wrong out of habit bc if i say i cant understand her she will say them the correct way :) Stinker!! She always says yesturday or last night for anything in the past

Andilynn is thankful for: ( i am taking a few liberties- she said "yay" when i would say things)
all of the same people and things calli is thankful for, bop- (Barney) Oro (Dora), Elmo diapers and Zebra diapers-( she gets mad if its not the one she wants at that particular time) food in general- that girl can eat!! Kisses and hugs!!

Dan is thankful for:
his lovely, beautiful, hard-working wife!!
(lets just see how long it takes him to see this!)

Halloween!

2010-11-27T12:23:00.000-08:00

ok so its after Thanksgiving but at least it is before Christmas!

Calli Jo got to go see Toy Story 3 as her first movie at a theatre! She was Jesse for Halloween and Andi was Bo Peep!

We spent 3 days celebrating Halloween! I know that is A LOT! Friday we went to Daddy's school dressed up as a surprise to him, (we brought him lunch too). Saturday we met the cousins at Grandma and Grandpa Rottiers, then to Booshies and Bumpas to see Grandpa Spike, and then went up to Pine Ridge Bible Camp for a trick-r-treat thing around the different cabins. On Sunday we did the traditional route - Dan's grandparents, Aunt Kate and Uncle Dave, did Trunk-r-Treat at Booshie's church, and then ended the evening (traditionally our last stop) at Aunt Beths house! The girls got tons of goodies to say the least! :)

2010-07-19T05:23:00.000-07:00

Our girls at the 4th of July parade. Andilynn is such a little daredevil and the water (lake or pool) does not scare her at all. She tries to go underwater, she loves to jump from the dock or the side of a pool! I know her bathing suit is scandalous but I still think its cute :)

Calli Jo also loves the water but is a little more timid. I can trust her not to try to go under or go out past her belly.

The next few pics are fuzzy bc I was taking them without her knowing which was through our window. She was getting in and out of our two Cozy Coups but also had her cell phone in her hand and was talking the whole time!! She isnt quite cordinated enough to move the cars but spent like 45minutes playing. It was hilarious just to watch her. Dont worry she wasnt texting while driving- just talking. I dont know where she learned that! :)

more summer fun

2010-07-19T04:55:00.000-07:00

calli was so excited to help "make corn" as she calls it. I told her we were going to husk corn and she set up my chair, her chair, Andi's chair and had a sand pail in front of each chair. She really is showing us each day that she is NOT a baby and is becoming a fun and smart little girl! Andi on the other hand still goes by the name "Baby" at our house. She is definitly a toddler and has her own ideas about things. She is definitly our drama queen. She can cry at the top of her lungs and stop in a matter of seconds!! It is awful when we are out and about and people think there is something very wrong but instead it is just that she wanted something that she couldn't have. :) Oh the excitement of girls!!

Andi tried to help with the corn but mainly watched Calli and I work and then she would grab the corn and take bites outta the cob (obviously it wasn't cooked yet but she loved it!!) Eww!! You can tell by the look in her eye that she was up to trouble!!

The Lowell Parade for the Riverwalk Festival was actually a great parade. Our kids loved it and it definitly wasnt as busy as the Grandville parade so it was much easier to park, walk and sit for the parade. However we did get caught in a DOWNPOUR!!! It was raining so hard Calli was crying "It HURTS MOMMY, IT HURTS!! We were so soaked after the ten minutes of rain that we just left festival. We did try to keep the kids dry but that was a lost cause even all the clothes in the diaper bag were wet.

The thought "I have such a cute family!" just went through my head when looking at the pic above! I know it might sound prideful but I am so happy about what God has given me.

Uncle Dave, the Jew, as we like to call him (married to Aunt Kate Lum Lax) was in town from California. So we met him at Ball's Ice Cream in Lowell for a catchup time and to expose him to children-(which was requested by Aunt Kate) We were able to enjoy ice cream, flowers, and playtime with Kim and Kai also! Of course Dave wouldn't pose for a pic but Calli loved chasing him around demanding a kiss and a hug! **Kate- I promise someday he will love kids, maybe not mine though :)

Summer pics

2010-07-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

Andi loves riding the lawn tractor with Dan. She rides with him for like 2 hrs!!! She is so crazy! If he gets on and she didnt know she finds him and makes him let her on

Calli got to spend a whole day with her other family- the Ginacs! I think she actually prefers to be with them :) The day of the Start of Summer parade and celebration I had regionals for softball and Dan had to work so Ginacs were nice enough to let her celebrate with them. Andi got to hang with Booshie the whole day. I think they loved being apart for a few hrs.

2010-05-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

Below I have put what I said at my grandma's funeral last week. Dont feel like you have to read it, it is a much longer than normal post. I just wanted to have a copy for some people to read who couldn't be at the funeral.

2010-05-21T09:32:00.000-07:00

Beauty, grace, and love. These are the words that come to mind when I think of my Grandma. She was never without her perfect hair, makeup, lipstick, nail polish or perfume. She was physically stunning. She always walked with dignity and was given the respect that she deserved.

Over the past 83 years she was an amazing daughter, sister, sister-in-law, wife, aunt, mother, foster mother, mother-in-law, friend, grandma and great-grandma. All the stories people have shared over the last little bit have had the theme of her unselfishness and her love for others. We are here to mourn our loss but we need to take the time to reflect and celebrate the life she lived.

There are many Lessons that my Grandma taught us:
First of all she has taught us to
1) Love our spouse through thick and thin- She and Grandpa have a love that is almost unheard of. They have been married 65 years and still look just as proud of each other in the pictures taken this year as the black and white pictures taken September 6, 1944 when they married in Florida while Grandpa was on leave from the navy. We have been given an amazing example of how marriage and love is supposed to be, completely sacrificial, they have been patient with one another, have been more than kind to each other, and they have stood the test of time.
Secondly she has taught us all to
2) Tell people how we feel. If God had taken her quickly, we still would have known how she felt about each of us. She always said exactly how she felt. We knew when she was proud of us and we knew when she was disappointed with a decision we made. When we would ask for advice on situations, she would tell us what the right thing to do was but she would allow us to make our own decisions and would love us through the wrong decisions and never say “I told you so.”

Grandma had many quotes. First of all She would always say,

3) “If I don’t ask, I don’t know anything.” She always called to just chat with people. You may have thought she was being nosy or something like that. She was staying connected with you and was connecting others to you. If something happened in Tennessee, Wisconsin, Arizona, Indiana or Michigan she always seemed to be the first person to know and the one to tell everyone so we were all in the loop. She also was the keeper of many secrets. She knew we all trusted her and she knew when something had to stay between you and her.

Also one of her favorite quotes or way to live was believing that
4) “If we don’t have family and friends, what do we have” She made sure we always got together when people were in town. She never missed a party, a get-together, a round of hand and foot, a game of pee-nuckle, a birthday girls dinner or a just a casual lunch if she could help it. She made people and relationships her top priority. Also, when she knew two of us were bickering she worked her way into the situation and helped build a bridge between the people to make the relationship better than it was before.
One thing my sister and I both can quote her on is:

5) “Someday your sister will be your best friend!” Okay this quote was one thing that I hated hearing when I was 12 and my little sister was completely annoying. At the time Both Annie and I were always like, “Ya right grandma, I will never be friends with her!!” But low and behold, now we talk at least once every day and know everything about each other. So of course Grandma knew what she was talking about. She and Aunt Ellen had a sister bond that was great to watch. They seemed so opposite but were so perfect for each other. The pictures alone show that bond and how it was like nothing else. She loved Aunt Ellen so much that she and Grandpa went everyday to visit at the nursing home for the 6 years Aunt Ellen was there. She honored her sister and I hope I can live up to her examples.
Another thing Grandma would say all the time was
6) “You can’t take it with you” I believe she meant this not only about her money but also her love. She was always helping people out. Sending money to the charities that sent requests, she would randomly bring a bag of groceries to my apartment while I was in college, slip a $20 bill in my hand for gas, buy dresses for my girls. These were small things compared to the love she spread through helping 2 foster children and many people with countless needs. She has offered a listening ear, a loan, a meal, a bed to sleep in, a job, a cup of coffee, a ride, or just simply a hug to any one who needed it.

My favorite thing to hear her say was
7) “We don’t have any other plans” She and Grandpa were always willing to go anywhere, and do anything. Grandpa and Grandma were able to join my husband and I on vacations to Alabama and Florida. They went to Europe with my aunt and uncle. I know they have had many other vacations, and vacations weren’t the only times they said, “We don’t have any other plans.” I have heard this when I have called and asked if I could stop for a cup of coffee before I drove home from working a 3rd shift, or to see if they wanted to meet for lunch, do some Costco shopping, or if I wanted to bring the girls over to play. Grandma and Grandpa never made excuses that the house wasn’t clean or the laundry wasn’t done, or they wanted to stay home, they just went with it. I love that about them! .

So as we adjust to living in this world without her, we all need to remember her smile, her comments, and the lessons she taught us.
1) always tell people how you feel
2) keep your family and friends close no matter how much work it takes
3) love unconditionally, reach out to those who may or may not ask for your help and live each moment like it is your last.

My grandma was very special to me. She was a friend, a confident, a support, a travel buddy, a shopping partner, a psychologist, and a babysitter. All in all, she was amazing and I will celebrate her life by letting her lessons and love live through me.

Gigi-

2010-05-12T21:32:00.000-07:00

She is already missed....

Spring Break 2010~

2010-04-04T12:16:00.000-07:00

A lot of Rocford families are down here. Dan works with a couple of the dads of these kiddos and they planned a egg hunt this morning. It was so great!! All the kids loved it!

Easter dresses in the sand! Perfect!

Our baby surprises us all the time with how bog she is. We had this swimsuit for her and thought it would fit- size 18months. However it did not. I thought it was a funny picture though.

Our porch seems to be a favorite spot for the girls

Our view is amazing! We are having a great time relaxing and catching up on some needed sun time. Tomorrow practice starts so I will be gone until 1pm but Dan and his girls will have plenty to do. More pics on Facebook

Happy Birthday Andi!!

2010-03-23T06:08:00.000-07:00

We stuck her on top of the table with her little cake and she knew just what to do

She just rubbed the nice moisturizing frosting all over her face. She did do it slow and lady like!

Ok it did not end up so ladylike!

Somehow I uploaded this photo in the middle of the party pics...ooops, oh well its a good sister shot!

Beautiful sign made by Lacey!! She used her cricut and all of her arsty talents!

The Climber

2010-03-23T05:47:00.000-07:00

She crawled off Annie's lap onto the table. This is just one of her many excursions. She loves our rocking chairs, Calli's bed, and is attempting the couch by herself.

2010-03-23T05:41:00.001-07:00

Pretty sure my husband posted the last update. Unless of course I did it in my sleep! Sorry about the lack of updates. I have really no excuse except I feel like we have been busy, doing what i am not sure.

Dan just finished wrestling season last monday, the same day that softball tryouts started. It was kinda a crazy week. We are adjusting to the new schedule. I have to drop the girls off at Dans school at 240 and go to practice from there, not a terrible schedule but in the middle of Calli's naptime. Oh well, Dan wanted me to coach and I cant say I hated the idea :) I am glad I am doing it! I wasnt going to coach and then Rodenhouse (my high school coach) called and asked if I would coach his JV team and well I couldn't tell him no. The first day I was amazed at how much I loved it. It felt great to be at Lowell again. B

We are leaving for Gulf SHores AL, in a little over a week!! WOOHOO! I am so excited! Dan is also! I actually think he is more excited than I am.

So that is a quick update on what we are up to.

It's been a while

2010-03-17T17:29:00.000-07:00

So I noticed today that the last up date was thanksgiving. Things have changed a lot. The girls got a fish tank for Christmas and they love the fish. Andi and Calli are both finally healthy and loving the great weather we are having right now.

Pumpkin carving!!

2009-10-30T22:38:00.000-07:00

Everyone had a hand in designing our pumpkin!

"Mama my baby in the pumpkin!!"

2 year and 6 month pics

2009-10-30T22:31:00.000-07:00

Ok we have to choose pics of the girls from the 2 yr and 6 month photo shoot. Help us by telling what are your favorite. Be warned it does take awhile to load, but I guarantee some will make you smile.

www.mdesignandphotography.com

go to the bottom of the page to *proofing* then the password is nrottier.

I love the pics with Calli and her blankie and the boa (sp?), Andi sitting with the flower in her hair, Andi laying with the bow in her hair, the sister pics crack me up in the studio and on the bridge.

Melissa did a great job because I know both girls were not in the mood for pics (evident in some pics) but she was so patient waiting for smiles. We were there 2 hours!! She was really great and I would recommend her to any one in thr GR area.

2009-10-24T18:20:00.000-07:00

6 month appointment

2009-10-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

Well we are a little late but she is great. Her stats:

26 inches long ~ 50 percentile

18 lbs 3oz ~ 80 percentile

Head circumference 161/2 inches ~ 30%

She seems to be very consistant with her size. However we are still struggling with a schedule with her. The only time that is consistant is her bed time, 8pm. She is sill getting up in the night. she stopped it for awhile (a few months ago) but she is just crazy! I think it might be because she doesn't eat long enough during the day only like ten minutes total per feeding! We are going to work more food into her day to see if that helps. Her Zantac dosage was increased which also could help.

6 Months old!

2009-09-22T22:28:00.000-07:00

I just came to the blog to see if anyone had commented on anything...nothing!

Then I noticed that the little ticker said I now had a 6 month old! WOW! That is 1/2 of a year! 6 months is one of the big "birthdays" to me, sorry.

Half way done with the baby stage that my husband loves so...NOT! I am not so excited for being done with the baby stage. Dont get any ideas--we are very happy with 2 kids for now and for quite awhile

The best part of her being 6 months: I am 1/2 way done with my goal of nursing her 1 year!! Yes!!!! That is pretty darn tootin' exciting!! I am not really complaining per say... but it is kinda inconvenient sometimes :)

Healthy and Normal

2009-09-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

In the midst of all the sickness going around last week, (add an ear infection to Andi's problems last week too) Calli had her "well-child" appointment. Her stats:

Height: 33.75 inches (50 percentile)

Weight: 24 lbs (20 percentile)

She is perfect for her growth chart, she has always been a little smaller. We are just suppossed to make sure she is drinking 3 glasses of milk a day, which we had been slacking on. I know it is very important but seriously the kid asks for "wa-wa" ALL THE TIME!! She prefers water to milk and i figured it cant really hurt so she was drinking 1 good glass of milk a day plus her vitamins, etc. Ooops, oh well! Other than that she is doing great!

the last few days...

2009-09-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

We are tired! Dan and I that is. We have been dealing with Calli battling an ear infection and cold, and Andi is getting her bottom 2 teeth and had roseolla (fever for 3 days and a rash). The gilrs have been taking baths everynight to help with congestion/fever. Needless to say we have been up all hours of the night with both kids with the longest periods of sleep involving one kid in bed with us. On Sunday night Calli ended up sleeping with Dan from 4am til he went to work, and stayed there until 9am. I just landed in Calli's bed in between getting up with Andi every 2 hours. Last night Calli went to sleep and stayed asleep around midnight, and Andi didn't conk out for longer than 2 hours usually about 30 minutes. Yes I know we have it coming to us because both girls have typically been great sleepers, I feel awful for people who have to deal with this all the time!!

We have a 2 year old!!

2009-09-15T10:14:00.000-07:00

Yes I am late posting this but our girl Calli is now 2!! That is officially not a baby anymore by any stretch of the imagination. She is so funny these days. She tells us exactly what she wants, asks where the baby is if Andi isn't around, loves to play outside and ride her bike (which she just sits on it), LOVES the big purple dinosaur named Barney and his green friend Baby Bop. She makes us laugh so much. She talks pretty clearly most of the time but every now and then she talks a mile a minute and we can only make out a few words.

She got the really cool tent from my parents for her bday and she loves it and brings her backpack and cup and plate in to enjoy her imaginary snack.

Andilynn Noelle at 5 months

2009-09-03T18:13:00.001-07:00

Sleeping Bear Dunes

2009-08-27T18:50:00.000-07:00

Camping at Hoffmaster

2009-08-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

New things:

2009-08-26T00:48:00.000-07:00

New way for Calli to roll.... New way for daddy to get work done...

New animal hanging around our house....

everyone at our house likes the new kitty-cat that starting hanging out here on Mon, EXCEPT the old grumpy man Ernie (our old cat). We do not know where the kitty came from or anything but if it leaves I am sure Calli will cry! She loves to pick it up and rock it like a baby and tell us "ssshhh..bbby kikky-cat is seepppin " (SHhh baby kitty cat is sleeping)

Zoo

2009-08-26T00:44:00.000-07:00

The girl won't touch animals at the fair but look who wanted to pet the Sting Rays!!

She absolutley loves fish, this is how she looks when we look at the fish at Meijer too!

Playing in the rain (and in the pool in the rain)

2009-08-26T00:35:00.000-07:00

I only dance in front of my kids and now you see why:

Passed out in her big girl bed

2009-08-26T00:27:00.000-07:00

These are our friends Becca and Adam's boys. Landon is 4 months younger than Calli and Tate Jackson is 4 months younger than Andi. And for those of you that don't know remember who Becca is, she is my friend who has BIG boys, both of them were 10.5 lbs at birth!!

Our Summer

2009-08-26T00:19:00.000-07:00

2009-08-26T00:14:00.000-07:00

You can see why Granpda Rottier is a favorite: Cotton candy for everyone even 3.5month old

just pictures

2009-08-26T00:04:00.000-07:00

daddy's version of healthy breakfast! Miranda's Park Party with Ginacs, Aunt Annie and Sutherlins

3 years and 2 kids later

2009-08-19T04:39:00.000-07:00

It is our 3rd anniversary today. I am a pretty goal-orientated or need to have a plan kinda person, and looking back over the last few years---WE PLANNED NONE OF IT. We love our lives so much right now it is hard to even think about how we had our lives planned.

Our plan was:

I would go to grad school the fall following my bach. degree, and then work for a few years before having kids. Then I would enjoy staying home with the kids and go back to work after our 2 boys were in kindregarten. Yes boys, we thought we would be better parents to 2 boys because we are pretty athletic-natured and neither of us are good at the whole girly-girl thing.

God's Plan:

MArried, then 3.5 months later, 2 days prior to me turning in my application for grad school I took a pregnancy test at the urging of my husband and found out we were pregnant. SHOCK and our plan became obsolete!!! Now we have 2 beautiful GIRLS!!

We absolutley have relied on God our entire marriage and let Him lead us. His plan has worked out sooo much better than our plan could have. We are so incredibly happy and grateful that we have our girls. They both seem to like us too!

My husband has been such a great husband and I want to take a moment to publicly recognize him and how much I appreciate all he does.

HE IS :

FAITHFUL- first of all to God. Even on the Sundays that it is his only day to sleep in, and I am almost begging him to just stay home and enjoy a morning as a family but he gets up and gets ready for church. He then persuades me to get up by starting a pot of coffee-even though he hates the smell. He is also so good at remembering to pray and do devotionals with both girls before bed and at meals (something I sometimes forget in the hecticness of the day and nighttime routines).

He is also faithful to his family. He seems to not feel "held back" by his family. He also comes home after work, calls from work just to see how our day is going, and plans on spending his weekends with us. I also do admire that we (his family) were his top reason for not applying for a fulltime high school wrestling coach position this year, I told him he should apply if it was what he felt God wanted him to do and I know it has been a lifetime dream of his. He prayed about it and was conflicted about it but in the end decided not too. (These may seem like small things but I hear about awful things from people about what their husbands choose to do instead of being with their family)

DISCIPLINED- He always goes to work- Year Round! I complain about having to get up 3 days in a row, and he teaches in the school year and goes to work at 6 days a week at 6 am in the summer when most teachers get time off. I try to persuade him to take days of during the summer just to rest and stay home but he doesn't. He jokes that I make him work but in order to pay for his tuition one of us has to work fulltime in the summers and he lets me stay home and hang out with the kids.

A GREAT DAD- he is always ready to play with the kids. He is so good at relating to Calli and playing with her. He understands her language which is a huge help! He is also great with Andi. He rarely complains about either kid for any reason. He doesn't mind changing diapers, giving Andi a bottle, or feeding Calli. Lets be honest there is nothing better than seeing a dad talk to his baby in a baby voice and watch the baby smile and giggle back.

He also is a great help around the house, he does dishes so much faster than I do, he does the laundry most weeks (and I fold it), he helps pick up the house, he seems to almost always suprise me when I work a 2nd shift and clean the house after the kids go to bed. I don't know how he does it. Also he never ever complains about how trashed the house is when he gets home from work. He seems to understand that having 2 under 2 is not exactly easy during the hours of 8-4. Their naps don't even line up yet!

There were a couple days earlier this year when I was working 1st shift and he stayed home with the girls. I got home from work and he was like "i completly understand why you can't get anything done--there is no downtime!" I think it takes a real man to admit that a stay-at-home mom works very hard! I really don't even know how fulltime stay at home moms do it. I pick up shifts at work to not only get a little money but because I need a break from the repeative pickup/cleaning/diaper changing/Sesame Street watching/ non-intstantly rewarding work. I know staying at home with the kids is VERY important and rewarding in the long run and i wouldn't trade it for anything but...it is a lot more work and it doesn't pay very well :)

OK well in conclusion: I LOVE YOU DAN! and the girls and I appreciate all you do for us!

Calli is in a big girl bed!!

2009-08-11T13:32:00.000-07:00

In the begining if July we decided Calli was close enough to 2yrs old which we wanted before making the switch. Now Calli is in my old twin bed with a new mattress (which got a new paint job by our friend Chris). She seems to love it. We only had a 2 days of no napping because of the switch. She reads a few books, sometimes gets out of bed to get more off the shelf, and if she is feeling really awake she plays with her shoes, and after at most a 1/2 hour we find her asleep in her bed. Dan has found her asleep UNDER her bed one time. We think it is a little annoying and a little funny how she puts her self to sleep in that process. Since moving to a big girl bed she has had a much easier time sleeping at other peoples homes. Alright I think that is it...

Updates finally...

2009-08-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

I feel like the first few weeks of summer were summerish (relaxing, warm, full of good times), and the last few weeks (the entire month of July) have been crazy!!! I have been working a ton (fulltime plus overtime), we went camping for a couple days, Dan took a masters class on Tues and Thurs nights and Dan has been working fulltime! Our kids have loved spending time with all the different babysitters (Aunt Annie, Booshie, Amy Ginac, and Aunt Holly). A big thanks too all those who have helped us out, apparently summertime is a time that I have to work a lot being an "on-call" employee.

Anyway...

The girls are fabulous!! They get along great, they sleep through eachother screaming, they both laugh at eachother...it is such a cool thing to watch. Calli is turning from a 'young toddler' into a full blown kid in front of our eyes!! Her vocabulary grows all the time, she constantly asks "what's that, who's that, etc." She is also testing her boundaries everyday, but that is just a stage right??

Andi or Chumbawumba as we call her... is also doing great! For her 4month appointment she weighed 15lbs 4oz (80%), 25in long (75%), her head was 15.75in (30%). SHe is really not as bog as her name lets on, but the name just fits her. She is still about the same size bigger than her sis. She is rolling over, blowing bubbles, drooling, grabbing things, puts her binkie in her mouth and pulls it out.

Alright well i guess that is it. Thanks Aunt Holly for the pic updates.

Andi at 4 months

2009-07-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

Hanging out with our cousins!

2009-07-28T11:14:00.000-07:00

Anna says, everyone likes to wear lip gloss!!
Mmmm! This blue raspberry lip gloss tastes yummy!

Luke LOVES Andi!

A birthday party!

2009-07-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

Vacation Bible School

2009-07-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

Sneaking a picture during snack time...this is right before she had too much in her mouth and gagged it all out! Fun times for Aunt Holly!!!
Ummm, what do you think? I don't think that Grandpa is exciting enough for Calli to pay attention!!!

June Camping at Yogi Bear

2009-07-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

Andi at 3 months

2009-07-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

We snuck on in of Calli. She wanted no part of the pictures!

Blythfield Country Club

2009-06-29T01:34:00.000-07:00

Since I am a mean wife, I make my husband work during the summer, or at least this it what he says. I actually think he enjoys getting out of the house and would go crazy being home with us everyday. He works at the country club on the groundscrew so he actually gets a nice tan during the summer months, also as a nice bonus they let the employees and their families use the pool and golf course on Mondays. We have been there the past two Mondays. Calli loves the kiddie pool, which is 1 foot deep and has lots of cool toys. Dan like the diving board. Andi likes the shade tree in which she usually sleeps under and I like the lounge chairs!! It is fun for the whole family!

She is so funny in her carseat these days. She loves an aquadoodle travel thing she got as gift. She loves to dance and sing (scream). She also enjoys her "mimi" (pacifier) and "mimi" (blanket)in her carseat which is one of 2 places she can have them-the other being her bed. We are trying to get her to call her blanket a blanket but so far no luck, both are called "mimi" which is very confusing. I can't believe the difference one year makes, last year she was in the infant seat sleeping on most of our drives.

Start of Summer!!

2009-06-29T01:26:00.001-07:00

Just as the Christmas season is not official until the man in red rides in the Rockford parade, summer is unofficial until the Rockford Start of Summer celebration. We started the day with a parade, lunch at the Ginacs and then went downtown for the carnival area. We had our 1st elephant ear of the season, made a tshirt, and did many other activities. As you can see the day started out wet, but by 1030 the sun broke thru and it ended up in the high 70s!

The only pics of Andi awake!

2009-06-29T01:23:00.000-07:00

Start of Summer cont.

2009-06-29T01:18:00.000-07:00

Finished up the day watching the Turtle and Frog races and eating a popsicle! What a fulfilled day!! (the turtles actually moved faster than the frogs!! )

Post baths

2009-06-29T00:49:00.000-07:00

Do I need to comment on my funny girls!?

The EAGLES

2009-06-08T16:32:00.000-07:00

Yes I know that we live in Ram country and are proud of it. But now we also own the Eagles. Sorry about that Uncle Mike and Aunt Holly. We have a bald eagles nest about 5 miles from our house and took a drive over to see them. There was one parent and one of the babies in the nest.

Little Mama

2009-06-07T02:08:00.000-07:00

She was playing her doll and then I noticed she was using the sling. It was so funny! It is amazing to see what the kiddo picks up just by watching us. We better become more Godly people fast!

Being good girls...rare moment

2009-06-07T01:54:00.000-07:00

I had just gotten Calli dressed and went to get myself ready to leave the house....that is when I noticed it...the silence, not usually a good thing in our house these days except when both are in their beds. But i walked in the living room to see Calli sitting right next to Andi and the sweetest thing in the world, she was talking to her in a soft sweet voice. She was talking about the babies on the BabyPraise video. Then a fish came on the screen and Calli told Andi that it was a fish using sign language. I know she was talking to her becasue she would turn to her a face her when talking. It was one of those unexpected "proud and thankful for the blessngs God has given us" moments.

Late sleeper or early morning reader??

2009-06-07T01:40:00.000-07:00

I went to check on her one morning around 930 because I hadn't heard a peep from her room yet and this is what I saw...
I did get caught when i took the 2nd picture. FYI I am totally fine with her reading her books in bed because it gives me some extra z's, only Andi time, or extra cleaning time.

not a horse girl

2009-06-07T01:34:00.000-07:00

smile for daddy.... mom please can i get off now???

get me off faster!!!!

Bath time for the girls!

2009-06-07T01:25:00.000-07:00

We have found a pretty good way to wash both girls fairly fast and efficient. Andi actually loves sitting in the sink on her bath foam thing a lot more than she likes laying on it in the bath tub. As you can see Calli loves her bath. Before I took the pic i told her to wash her belly.

Bumpa!!

2009-06-07T01:14:00.000-07:00

My dad has been working a job in Cedar Springs so sometimes he comes over on his way to/from work to play with Calli. He has come during her naps a few times and honestly looks so sad that she is sleeping that I have no choice but to wake the poor girl up to play with her Bumpa!! She is always so excited to see him and play!

Things that go bump in the night..and day

2009-06-07T00:58:00.000-07:00

I thought this was a funny sleeping position so of course, photo op! The bumping comment is because she kicks the side of the crib until the moment she falls asleep. It is something she gets from her dad I am sure!

Crazy!!

2009-05-28T18:52:00.000-07:00

I was just looking at our blog for comments on our posts and decided to look at past posts. I went back to 2007 and looked at Calli's 2 month pics and then compared to Andi's. They are crazily not looking alike to me at this time. Yes everyday I look at Andi and see her daddy and I know that Calli is undeniable has the Rottier genes but still they really looked nothing alike at the 2 month pics! It is so weird! Calli was so funny with so little hair, now that I have a fuzzball to compare her too. Andi still hasn't lost any of her hair, with is fine with me. I actually love the way it sticks up and goes crazy-it gives her a different look everyday.

As far as size goes Andi was 11lbs15 oz and Calli was 11lbs 4oz. So Calli was 10 oz smaller at birth than her sister and 11 oz smaller at two months, seems pretty consistant to me. They are still the exact same length.

That is our quick little update!

2 month photo shoot

2009-05-19T10:29:00.001-07:00

We are ready for SUMMER!

2009-05-18T10:32:00.000-07:00

No one ever warned me about how dirty a 1.5 yr old can get in a matter of minutes while being outside. I swear this kid will need more than 1 bath per day when we can play outside all day. Her pants were so dirty!

Only a face a mother could love-dirt adn candy!! She loves her licorice

I took CJ grocery shopping and left Dan and Andi home, came back and he had grilled hotdogs adn built a bonfire!! He also wanted a kite while we were at the store, CJ picked out strawberry shortcake for her and Spiderman for him.

He was walking adn kept pulling the kite and couldn't figure out what was pulling it, turned around and Cal was walking with the tail and couldn't keep the pace her dad was going, it was funny.

She was so excited to have her own little chair, Dan bought it last year and this is the 1st time using it. She threw a little fit when we had to go inside at 9pm.

This is how Andi likes to be most of the day. In her sling, hanging out. Whether she is awake or asleep she loves it. I highly recommend for cranky/want to be held all the time babies. She hardly ever cries, (only to be fed), when I am using it. She will be in it awake and I will be playing with CJ and then i will look down and she is asleep, then awhile later she is awake again looking up at me. I think it tricks her into thinking I am holding her, and it is much more convenient bc i can use both hands and it really doesn't hurt my back or anything (there is padding on the shoulder) while holding her can hurt my arms.

8 weeks!!???

2009-05-18T09:59:00.000-07:00

My how time flies! Andi is already 8 weeks old and what do we have to show for it??

She had her 1st out-of -state travel to WI for my cousin's college graduation. We had a great time hanging out with all of them. Calli got to swim in the pool at the hotel, which just like last year she thought is was awesome. She even started jumping off the side into the pool.

Andi on the other hand, the little stinker decided to have a fever while we were in WI on the 10th, so we got to do our first ER visit with a kid and it was out-of-state! Then we got to drive back after being at that hospital for 8 hours and take her to Devos and hang out there for 4 more hours. She had a fever of 103 and so they had to do every test in the book, (strep, swine flu, take blood from her foot, urine analysis, give her an IV and then even a spinal tap). Lovely! It was a great Mother' Day! We really weren't planning anything but driving home anyway. I was just grateful we had family all around so we were able to leave Calli with my parents and siblings. She even traveled back with them.

Andi ~ 3 weeks

2009-04-18T19:04:00.001-07:00

Our Family

2009-04-18T08:18:00.001-07:00

Calli

2009-04-18T08:08:00.000-07:00

Choo, Choo Train!!!

2009-04-17T17:36:00.000-07:00

Easter

2009-04-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

She got a giant elmo from Booshie (my mom) and she loves it!! she runs around saying "my melmo" I was not aware of Rottier tradition of hiding Easter Baskets. So when Calli got up from her nap we had hid her basket and Dan and her went around trying to find it, she really did enjoy it. Yes they are looking in the dishwasher and oven for the basket We are still working on being better parents and remebering what parents are supposed to do on holidays. We obviously forgot last night so we had to do our "jobs" during naptime.

HE has risen!!!

2009-04-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

i love finding easter outfits! it was so fun to go shopping with one of my best friends (since 2nd grade) to find the girls dresses. Don't they look cute Jacquelyn!!!??

My family from WI

2009-04-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

my cousin emily cousin Sean

cousin Pepjin and Caleb

my uncle mark being friends with Calli...

or maybe torturing her, she really didn't like him this visit for some reason

2009-04-13T10:58:00.000-07:00

Aunt Holly and Uncle Mike set up a great Easter Egg hunt for the kids when Dave, Heidi and Elin came up to visit. It was fun for all. Calli didn't think she had enough eggs so she started putting rocks in her bag.

Dads went and played outside with the kids--it was great!! Elin and Calli jumped on the tramp together. Elin didn't really like jmping on her feet and prefered jumping on her knees. Elin is getting to be so smart, one of the funny thing she said was when we were all in the front yard and she wanted to go back to the back yard, she asked if she could "go back in the cage." (the fenced in yard). It was cute!

Elin (2.5) Luke (3 in july) Jake (4) Calli (1.5) Anna (7 in June) Andi (2.5 weeks)

Calli was very interested in the pics Aunt Heidi was taking!

This is hoe Ando prefers to sleep at this point in her life. She is doing better as of today about being consistant (mind is blanking on spelling) at night. On average she usually sleeps about 2 five hour periods with eating in between. She is still eating like a pro, and we even had to give her some formula in a bottle (1st for both things) on Sat while I was recovery from strep. She took the bottle w/o any problems and she didn't have any problems with the soy formula. (i was allergic to regular formula so I am a wuss and gave both girls soy formula at 1st.

Spring Break- Staycation

2009-04-13T10:52:00.000-07:00

We opted to stay home this year (not supported by Dan-he wanted to go to Fl). Tuesday we ended up going to Chuck E. Cheese with my sis and the kids she nannies. We all had a blast. Later that afternoon we found out Dan had Strep Throat, then on Fri I woke up with a sore throat and my dr. (by way of my fav aunt beth) called me in a prescription also. I felt miserable until about 2pm Sat and then I could function. Besides that it was a great week . We saw lots of out of town family from both sides which is always great.

Meeting "Aunt" Kate

2009-04-13T10:42:00.000-07:00

All of my best friends have moved (Detroit, Wash. DC, California) since I got married, and this time "Aunt" Kate was the first of them to meet Andilynn even though she is the farthest away Miss ya already Kate and can't wait for your wedding!!

2009-04-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

Not the best pic of her face but check out the hair I have to try and control!! It poofs out as soon as it dries even when we comb it straight and slick to her head!! I do love it though, maybe it is a mom thing. You can be honest! :) (Matt)

I am trying to do more with Calli's hair to make her seem older I guess. This was a fun experiment. She actually left them in for the most part.

Bouncy seats are the coolest thing to 18month old and she laid there and watched Melmo (elmo)

Andi's first bath, Calli washed her belly to be a big helper. As you can see Andi didn't exactly like the bath thing.

2009-04-13T10:04:00.000-07:00

Andi's 1st beau was born March 27th even though he was due a almost a week before she was. Maximus Hans Drukenmiller was 8lbs 8oz 21 inches.

This was the day we brought her home (March 25th) her due date. So fun to be able to go home on your due date!!

Of course Calli Jo had fun playing around the hospital room.

My sis Andrea has stayed over night with me once with each baby just for some "sister time." I loved it both times even though I probably should have gotten some much needed sleep. Laughing, ice cream, carmel corn, and diet coke combined with "the Office" sounded much more fun though. Thanks sis! I love you!!

quick post of old pics

2009-04-13T06:28:00.000-07:00

2009-04-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

The First Photo Shoot

2009-03-27T14:43:00.001-07:00

Here's Andi

2009-03-23T00:15:00.000-07:00

Andilynn Noelle Rottier was born at 2:12am. She was 7lbs 7ozs. and 19.5 inches long. Mom and baby are doing great and so am I as well (Dan).

Here comes # 2

2009-03-22T19:46:00.001-07:00

We are at the Hospital and have been here since about 6 o'clock. this experience i quite different then the last delivery u things are going fine just a little slower this time. We will probably deliver at about 1am. talk later

2009-03-17T11:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry you have to tilt your head head but we thought this was hilarious. This is her "swimsuit" for this summer. It has padding in the chest and back so she looked like a cartoon character with a giant muscular chest and little legs. Dan and I were laughing so hard.

We got our double stroller from my grandparents. After we tested it out in our living room we took it outside. Sorry the pics are backward I always forget it loads them backwards.

We actually had a tough time finding a stroller we loved. We had criteria as usual. Our criteria involved trays/cupholders for both seats and for the pusher and possibly being able to use the infant carrier w/ it. We actually found 1 and only 1 with the correct number of cupholders. :) However it does fit our infant carrier and is the same brand. Extra bonus w/ this one was that it converts into a sit/stand stroller. The backseat comes completely of and a bench remains for the older sibling to sit or stand on without being completly confined in a stroller. WE (all 3 of us) LOVE IT!!

Sorry about Calli's unmatching outfit, she was excited about a new shirt Daddy gave her and off course wanted it on. It probably won't actually fit until she is 5. :)

Thanks Aunt Holly!!

2009-03-17T11:06:00.000-07:00

It was great to see what my stinker was up to while I was at the Dr. It's good to know she won't leave a bow in for someone else.

UPDATE ON GIRL #2

I had an ultrasound yesturday so we could see exactly* how small she is. I have been measuring small the last few weeks so we thought we would peak at her again.
*By exactly I mean an ultrasound this far along can be off 1.5 lbs. With Calli we had an ultrasound on her due date (3 days before she was born) and she was expected to be 7lbs11oz. and she was only 6lbs12oz.

Well this girl is following her sister's growth and is only 6lbs 7oz according to the ultrasound. The Dr. is not concerned with my due date being off b/c all the other ultrasounds were right on as far as measurements. He said I should have her this weekend b/c he is oncall but I will most likely have her next weekend b/c he thinks I will just be a few days late like with Calli.

I am just hoping to make it through this week--wrestling ends on Sat the 21st (WHOOPPIIEE)-just kidding honey we love watching you coach!!)

As far as how I feel. Physically I feel pretty good. I was much more uncomfortable a month ago. I feel like she has "dropped" which means her feet aren't in my ribs as often. The warm weather has been awesome and we have been going for walks, which we did every day at least once a day the month before Calli was born.

2009-03-17T09:42:00.000-07:00

O.K. so I didn't let my aunt leave the bow in for long and I really wasn't "into" following her directions at smiling when I was outside, but I had a lot of fun playing with my cousins!!!

Photos for Mommy! :)

2009-03-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

A little photo shoot for Mommy, while she was getting a picture of my baby sister!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-16T09:57:00.000-08:00

Calli got plenty of Valentine's cards and gifts!! One of her favorite was a package from Uncle Matt in Wash. D.C. He truly knows her heart--he sent multiple boxes of raisins. She was so excited when I gave her the package and she pulled out the boxes. She ate a box right away. Thanks Uncle Matt!!
Other great gifts were Mrs. Potatoe head from Booshie and Bumpa, a new hair bow that actually stays in her hair-ya! from Elin (her cousin in Ill.) and Madagascar 2 from Daddy.
I took Calli to Gymboree Play and Music for a Valentine's Party while daddy was taking his final for his masters class. She had a great time playing with all the kids. Her favorite parts seemed to be the tunnels, trying to catch the bubbles, and eating her cookie at the end. This might be weird but I absolutley love watching her learn new things and try new things. It must be a parent thing.

Sorry this pic is burry but I still love it!

She ended the day at Booshie and Bumpa's house (my parents) while Dan and I went out. We ate at the Rivertown Mall foodcourt and went shopping. He got some new clothes while I am going to spend my V-day giftmoney on a couple books I have been wanting. Even though it sounds lame we actually got to have conversations, excercise and eat whatever we wanted without sharing with CJ. He got pizza and I got Chinese. It was soooo good. I was in charge of this datenight and I gave him two choices fully knowing which my husband would choose. The other option was going for a nice dinner (Olive Garden) and going to a movie and not buying anything for the other person or going to the mall and picking out our own gifts and getting foodcourt food. It was great!

Happy 22nd Annie!!

2009-02-16T09:36:00.000-08:00

My brother Tyler and his girlfriend Erin. If they break up we get to keep her! :)

CJ after demanding to have Annie's vest on.

Yes this post is late but that is gonna have to be ok. My little sister turned 22 on Jan 27th. She has become one of my closest friends in the last few years. We talk on the phone at least every other day and see eachother at least once a week. Lately we meet at Centerpoint mall and drink coffee while letting the kids burn off some steam. (She is a nanny to 3 kids. She absolutley loves the kids. The 2yr old girl and 3 yr old boy love to play with Calli so it makes it easy to hang out while the older one is at school. )

Anyway my sister just means a lot to me and thought you all should know. We joke about being completely opposites in all areas of life and many people can attest to that. However I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world, although 10-15 yrs ago I probably would have paid someone to take her away! I just hope my girls will grow as close as we have throughout the years!

Yes I hate to admit it but my grandma was always right when she would say "You two will be best friends someday and not know what to do without the other." Of course she would say this during one of the many arguments that kids have.

Love you Poopie!! (that will always be her name to me)

A cute outfit..for a minute!

2009-02-16T09:24:00.000-08:00

We dressed ourselves and her in some brighter colors in January when we went how many days/weeks without any sunshine and she kinda showed us how she felt about that!

My grandma and grandpa picked her up so I could go to an appointment and when I met up with them again for my sister's birthday dinner she had completley torn up her tights. She had to have done it sitting in her carseat on the way to my sister's house while my grandparents drove. My granparents actually thought I dressed her in the ripped tights and told me a sweet way that only grandparents can that they thought it was too cold to have holy tights on.

Daddy's Sweatshirt

2009-02-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

Calli has found a hobby of putting on other people's clothes or putting her clothes on her dolls/stuffed animals. She loves it to happen yet she can't quite do it herself but she can get it off herself and she is darn proud of that!

Oh my my

2009-02-05T10:05:00.000-08:00

My sis put this pic on facebook and I really feel the need to kill or at least torture her since I look like an idiot but oh well. It was just supposed to be one of those pics/moments between sisters that doesn't really make since to anyone else. She even titled the pic on Facebook as "Too much birthday cake." Oh how I LOVE my 95lb sister!!

However, after thinking about it, I decided I should put at least one pic of myself prego-as most seem to call it- on our blog for all to see and laugh about. I honestly look pregnant this time, with Calli I feel like I gained the weight all over and so no one really new if I was eating too many cookies (which definitly could happen) or about to have a baby. This time even strangers ask when I am due, which is very different than last time. It is kinda nice in a weird sorta way.

Baby prep- room is still only painted(since December). It needs the ceiling painted, closets cleaned out and stocked with baby stuff instead of our stuff, and all infant type stuff needs to be brought inside out of storage room and cleaned.

Wrestling has started for Dan, and I have been picking up hours at Pine Rest to get some extra money before the big arrival. I also have been running batting practice on Tuesday nights but I will not be an official coach this year. I will go when I can or want too. Dan is sad that I vetoed Spring Break this year. But I figure if the baby is only a week old/less than a week, I might want to be home!! He said the baby would LOVE Florida

Happy Birthday Aubri

2009-01-19T08:49:00.000-08:00

Calli and Chad Drukenmiller ( one of her favorites) He always plays with her in the nursery. Chad and his wife Cristi are expecting the birth of Baby Max about 1 week before our baby girl is due.

Calli is exactly 4 months older than Aubri. We got to go and help her celebrate her 1st birthday. It was so fun to watch all the little ones interact. They were all under 3 (CJ was the 2nd oldest), Javen (the only boy) was the youngest at 6months. He got his first taste of cake and ice cream, he made the best faces but always wanted more.

The New Room

2009-01-19T08:44:00.000-08:00

This is the new room for both girls at some point in the next year. Our plan, the new baby will be in there right away in a bassinet. Then during the summer, when we get brave enough to let Calli out of her cage/crib, we will move her into a big girl bed and into the big girl room. The color of the room is so girly. It is a deep coral (pretty much one of our wedding colors-we realized it after we painted it). The bottom picture is how we found Calli one afternoon while we were doing finishing paint details. She climbed all by herself and then was so proud of herself.

Dewey Christmas

2009-01-03T10:39:00.000-08:00

Uncle Tyler got to help Calli with her presents.

She and all the other grandkids (who aren't born yet :) ) got a GIANT rocking horse for Christmas that stays at Booshie and Bumpa's house. She was so funny on the horse she would get pretty irritated when someone would try and hold her on it so she wouldn't fall. This is a toy she can really grow with since she can barely reach the handles and the footrests are joke.

Rottier Christmas

2009-01-03T10:21:00.000-08:00

Calli and her cousin Elin from Illinois, they are 11 months apart. They had fun playing with the Little People Farm together
All the cousins, Luke (2.5), Elin (2) Anna (6) Calli (15months) and Jake (almost 4)

This is all the adults playing an ISPY game that Anna got from her other grandparents. It took them 1 hour to finish 1 puzzle thing

Jake and Luke along with the other kids started out playing the ISPY game with everyone but the boys after awhile took over my spot laying on the couch. Calli thought it was hilarious when everyone started pointing at the tv and yelling where things were. She was standing up yelling out things in Calli language the whole time.

Christmas Morning

2009-01-03T10:03:00.000-08:00

Aubrie (her new baby) was apparently tired so she got to go to bed.

She immediatley started rocking her as soon as daddy got Aubrie out of the box.

Daddy was still reading the Christmas story but Calli realized there were new toys in the living room. SHe loves her mop and vaccum, and uses the mop to dust everywhere.She was pretty happy even though we had to get her sleepy bum out of bed so we could start our busy day. Daddy read the Christmas story ad CJ sat and listened for about 3 minutes.

Pictures are backwards, (I get so irritated with blogger sometimes).

2008-12-31T21:22:00.000-08:00

This was Christmas Eve at my parents, we always get one present on Christmas Eve and even as an adult I LOVE the tradition! :)

My dad took Calli to church one Saturday night, while I went out with Matt and Annie and I came back and she had learned how to say Jesus in sign language. (Of course he was rewarding her with bites of banana-her fav) It is the cutest thing! A few days after this we were in the car singing a song about Jesus and she started signing it again, without any prompts from me. It was awesome! WHy is it that kids learn so much faster and easier with people who aren't their parents??

Matt is in town from Wash. D.C. and Calli has fallen in love with him. She wouldn't let him put her down when he was leaving the other day. It was so cute. She loves reading books with him. He was even nice enough to take her down to the museum this week when they had free carousel (sp?) rides. He said she loved riding the horse and was irritated when he would put his hands on her to make sure she wouldn't fall. She is so independent sometimes. Thanks for being such a good "uncle" Matt!!

December

2008-12-31T21:15:00.000-08:00

Santa was not as traumatic as I thought it might be. She didn't scream but she didn't smile. She just kinda ignored the fact that she was sitting on a stranger's lap.

Snow Snow and more snow. This is the wonderful day that we got both of our cars stuck. The Escort ended up staying the night at the place I babysit, and the Tuscon we knew we weren't going to be able to get back to the house, Dan had spent all morning trying to get the Escort out while the driveway filled completley up with snow. It took me like 10 minutes to walk with Calli wrapped in Dans coat up the driveway in snow up to my knees. I was completley out of breath, and Dan was like "what took you so long". He could've carried Calli, after all I have to carry the other baby all the time right now.

Lowell Christmas Parade

2008-12-31T21:09:00.000-08:00

Shy Girl

2008-12-13T09:25:00.000-08:00

We had another ultrasound this week because they couldn't get some views of her heart a month ago. Again she didn't let us see the four chambers of her heart so we get to "spy" on her again in January. I kinda like seeing her every month, even though the appointments are so long-we were there 1hr45min this Wed. Let's just say my husband was falling asleep in the waiting room-the mommy magazines all around weren't keeping him awake I guess :) I like them!
We didn't get any pics of our girl this time and she kept putting her arms and hands in her face so even if we wanted some we couldn't get them. She was sucking her thumb part of the time, and then she had the hiccups, that was funny to watch and feel all at the same time!

Calli is getting soo big! She knows where her nose, feet, belly, mouth and sometimes her eyes are. She just amazes us everyday!! We can ask her what she wants and she will point to it, or if she wants her milk she will go to the fridge and try to open it. She will follow one-step directions like "put your milk on the table, go get me a diaper, give this to daddy/mommy."
She also carries around one of my old dolls and wipes his nose, and mouth with a kleenex, tries to give him her binkie and makes us swaddle him in a blanket. She will even rock him in the chair. She is gonna be such a big help in March! Now that she is getting more independent I am getting more and more comfortable with the idea of having another one in the near future.

Sorry no pics, but this just gives you a glimpse into our life at this point that pics can't really show.

SANTA

2008-12-06T10:38:00.000-08:00

So it is official in Rockford. Santa Clause made his way down from the North Pole to be in our Parade and Calli loved it as she waved to all the people and got plenty of candy. We went over to Adam and Becca's and met the Ginacs there as well to watch the parade. We were too busy to get any pics of Santa or the parade but here are some shots of us all anxiously waiting for Santa

SNOW!!

2008-12-05T20:43:00.000-08:00

So we finally got our first real snow of the year and Calli decided to check it out. She loes getting pulled around on her sled and waliking around on the driveway but is not so sure about touching the snow or walking into the yard where the snow is much deeper.