Sammie our singer...

Okay... here is Sammie singing "Sweet Caroline" Enjoy. Sorry it is a little fuzzy on the video.
:)Sesil

This is what happens when.....

This is what happens when you dog sit and your son is just way too observant.

So this is how drew plays now after dog sitting for a friend of mine. Enjoy.

Sammie and her ABC's

Sammie can sing her ABC's check her out. And check drew eating a cryaon. enjoy. ;)SESIL

Summer Fun...

A few pictures in the backyard. Summer Fun.
Enjoy! :)SESIL

Sammie can work the computer

Watch this video!!! Sammie learned how to work the mouse of the computer. Now she can navigate the internet by herself. Check it out... You can even check out her tring to sing. Enjoy.
:)Sesil

Sammie can dress herself

Sammie can dress herself
Originally uploaded by cr8n00

Going through some pictures and ran into this one. Sammie dressed herself that morning....as you can see her pants are on backwards. But Hey.... She dressed herself. Love this picture. I will be posting random pictures and other stuff today. :)SESIL

videos

drew in wagon


Drew Dancing

Sweet Caroline.......

Sweet Caroline!!!

She is finally here. Robert and I went to the hospital at noon May 3, 2007 ready for our induction. We got into the labor and delivery room and waited for the nurses to put in my IV, all the check in questions and information. I received my epidural around 3 pm. So now it was just the waiting game. Robert and I watched 24, poker and took power naps. While Robert was napping I started to watch Ugly Betty. So while I am watching TV Robert runs down to the cafeteria to eat some dinner while we wait. So Grey’s Anatomy starts and go figure….Caroline was ready to come out. The Dr. had just come in and checked to see if I had progressed and I was close. Then all the sudden I tell the nurse that I am starting to feel pressure and I think I am ready to start pushing. So the nurse checks and I am dilated….Okay… Robert is still eating dinner and was not back in the room. So I called him on his cell and tell him “come back…I am ready to PUSH!” So as soon as Robert got there the Dr was back in the room and started to get ready for the arrival. All I wanted to do was push……So my mental check list. Robert –check, nurse – check, Dr. – check, Okay…LET’S GET PUSHING!!!!

So everyone was in place and we were ready to push. So I push…the head is out. Then the Dr. tells me to push one more time….I push…..Here is Caroline. Pheeewww! Caroline is out!!! So record time for me….Two pushes. So much better than 1.5 hours of pushing with Andrew.

Stats for Caroline….
Time: 8:41 p.m.
Weight: 8 lbs. 4 oz.
Length: 20 inches



Here are some pictures…..

Picture with Dr. Lin!



Pictures with Sammie and Drew.

May 1st

Today was the official "Weight In" for Robert's bet/contest. We are happy to say that Robert made his weight! You have to ask Robert what the official rules were but I think they had to loose 10% of the weight they started out with. They started the contest at the beginning of the year and today was the end. Congratulations to everyone that made their weight.

It was quite funny waking up to Robert and Wade in their boxers standing on the scale. I had to take a picture of them on the scale for proof of the official weight. Sorry...I am not allowed to release the photos with out prior approval. But here is Andrew participating in the weighing.



________________________________________________________________

Other Updates:

No Caroline yet. But here are some pictures of Sammie and Drew.






Okay....he is a mess...but at least it is a picture.

*My mom is in town to help out with the kids and Caroline. It is such a relief having her here. Now I know the kids will be looked after when we go and deliver Caroline.

*We did not do much for my birthday. Andrew had a bad diaper rash and we had to go to the dr. that day so we took the kids and we just ran errands all day. Ate at Uncle Julio's for lunch and came home and took naps. It was a good day with the family. The next day Robert did come home with flowers and a little gift. Overall a good birthday considering that I am 9 months pregnant.

*I go to the Dr. tomorrow to see if it is okay to induce. If so we will have Caroline sometime on Thursday. I go to the hospital at 11:30 to get the process started. Hopefully, I will have Caroline in time to watch my Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy all to myself....just me and Caroline. (Robert will have to go back home to help Mommie with the kids) Sammie is excited about the arrival of Caroline. She knows that it will be any day. She keeps touching my belly and saying...okay Caroline...it is time to get out. So cute.

*Cousin Sharon and Ed will be getting married in NJ on the 4th. I am so sorry we have to miss the unity of the two of you but our thoughts and prayers are with you. Drink a big one for all of us. Sorry we are missing out on all the festivities. Love ya and we wish you the best.

*My best friend Jen and Dave are home owners!! (the one's that just got married) They signed papers on my b-day. So Happy HOME Owners for the two of you. Now it is Baby making time!!!

*Robert and Angel (our next door neighbor) moved my scraproom up to the attic. Took them 3 straight hours just getting everything up to the attic. Wade and Robert brought down the bed from Drew's room to the new guest room on the first floor and that is Mommie's new room. Jamie (Wade's Girlfriend) said "wow, I didn't realize how big this room is with out all the scrapbook stuff." So the guest room is semi-ready for everyone. Okay...Mommie is in there now but we at least have room for guests and you are not with all of the craziness with the kids on the second floor.

So I will have to take a ton of pictures this month with Caroline's arrival and with the kids. I have a feeling May will be a great month for the Cratin family.

Love you all!!! :)Sesil

April 17th....

Okay... No Caroline yet. I am tired and feel big. My next apt. is the 19th. We will see. So my birthday is comming up too so I am being a little selfish and don't want to share my birthday. So she can come anytime before or after my birthday. But if she does I guess I will be a big girl and be happy about it.

Andrew and Sammie are playing together much better than before. I think they both know that Caroline is comming soon.

Just wanted to keep everyone updated on Caroline and us. Take care.

April 11, 2007 Snow in Chicago…. and Easter Pictures

Okay… so I was bad and did not take pictures of the snow in April because I was needing to get to my Dr. apt. Due to the snow I was an hour late to my apt. If some of you don’t know I am only around 6-10 miles away from the hospital and dr. office. So yes…that much traffic.

So the apt went good. Caroline is still a little on the big side. If she comes this week she would be around 7lbs, Next week close to 8 lbs. and the following week close to 9 lbs. and that would be the week that we would induce if she doesn’t come on her own. So we are just playing the waiting game with Caroline.

Easter was great!





Sammie finding the eggs in the house. Sammie showing her eggs.





Sammie finding eggs in Indiana.

We did our annual Easter dinner with the Ruiz family in Indiana. Some of you may not know Phyllis. She is a close friend of Robert’s and we visit her family often, I love going out there and spending holidays with them when we are not close to our families. Thank you Ruiz family. We love each and every one of ya!!!!

Okay… Gotta run… the kids are ready for their evening bath and TIME FOR BED. :)Sil

What does your day look like?

This is what my day looks like. Watching Sammie and Drew...Sammie's messy hair and Drew half dressed. Sorry I have not been able to update the blog. I have been tired and busy with the kids. I will block out more time and update everything...so it will be a long post.

Have to share a funny story.... Sammie is really starting to talk more and more. One night Robert put Sammie down for the night and she brought "Caterpillar" to bed with her. As some of you know it can get a little loud when a car/truck or something with a large engine passes by the house. So she is in her bed and a loud car drives by and this is what she said....

"What was that, Caterpillar?"

"That was a truck."

"Can you say truck, Caterpillar?"

Okay....can you see how we talk to Sammie? It was so funny for her to have a conversation with Caterpillar.

Okay folks. Sorry for my lame slacking pregnant self. I will post more later. :)SESIL

Drew Can WALK!!!

So we were in Texas and Drew took his first steps. Then we get back to Chicago and he officially took 20 steps before falling. Okay so he takes 2 or 3 steps and stops and goes again but he knows his limitations. So he turns 10 months old and started to walk. I feel like every time we go to Texas we have a mile stone with him. During Christmas he got his first tooth then a two weeks later three teeth pop out. I am excited for Drew. Now he can see the world at different heights.

Sorry for the short post....Things I will talk about when I get more time.
1.) Jen and Dave's Wedding - What a beautiful wedding. Had a ton of fun and it was great to see the gang again. Made me really miss Texas..okay it made me really miss my friends.
2.) Caroline update- things are going good.
3.) Sammie's big girl bed.
4.) Fundraiser dinner for Lasalle Elementary Language Academy, the school we want the kids to attend (okay so we are going tonight)

Wow so much to talk about. I will try and post some pictures as well. I have not had a chance to even look at the pictures from the Wedding. I have been tired and just relaxing after our trip. You know the feeling you need a vacation from your vacation? Alright...I will keep you posted.

Heading to Texas....

YEEEE HAWWWW!!! Okay... Can you tell that I am so excited about coming home? It is my best friend's wedding Jen and Dave are getting MARRIED!!! So here is my to do list before we head out tomorrow.

1. Wash summer pregnancy clothes so I don't die from the heat in TX.
2. Find Sammie and Drew summer clothes so they don't die from the heat as well. Okay..I guess they could get away with running around with diapers on but unfortunately I can not do the same.
3. Pick up my dress from the dress maker that is in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. Okay, I look like a total BOX in the dress. The only reason is the big bump called a belly. So had to get the skirt and top specially made because I could not find a simple white shirt to go with the skirt. So Christina (the dress maker) made one for me.
4. Start packing everyone. Sammie and Drew will be staying with my parents while Robert and I go to Houston. So the kids clothes together and Robert and mine together.
5. Get camera charged and packed.
6. Gather all parts to my pocket PC so Daddy can download the games that we lost because I was too lazy to back-up the thing to my computer when my hard drive crashed.
7. Gather up some pictures of the kids so that I can show my friends what the kids look like because they will not be with us.
8. Check on all medications and pack them. (last time we went to Texas I forgot my meds and it was a headache to got them while I was down there...so lesson learned...bring your meds)
9. Pack and bring knitting stuff. Because what am I going to do in the car for the four hour drive down to Houston and the four hours back to Dallas. Maybe I will be able to finish the purse I have started.

Okay. Gotta run. Drew is not taking his nap and Sammie is wanting to read her books. Have to get started on my to do list. I will post pictures when we return. Can not wait to see old friends and family. TEXAS HERE WE COME.

:)Sesil

Sweet Caroline !!

Okay... Sorry for leaving you in the dark about my Dr. apt.

So Caroline is growing. Right now she is bigger than what Drew was at this time. (Remember Drew was 9 lbs and 13 oz at birth) So the Dr. said that if she keeps at the rate she is going she will be a big baby. But there is a chance she will slow down a little we may just be catching her right after a growth spurt.
Then I have two options once time comes closer.
1.) induce early - he said it would not be a good idea for me to deliver another large child so soon after I had Drew. Just that my healing time will take forever. (okay..not forever but it will be harder on me). or
2.) Wait for the due date and have a C-section. Simple as that.
So I am opting for inducing. I really don't want a C-section.
May will be a good month for this Cratin family. Caroline will be born and Drew will turn 1 on the 19th. WOOOOO HOOO!! Happy Birthday Drew...you get a little sister.

Overall I am doing good. I am very tired chasing after Sammie and Drew with the extra weight and not being able to see my feet. Drew likes to grab my legs and stand but if I am wearing jeans sometimes I don't feel or see him and he thinks that is the funniest if he can stop me in my tracks.

I have the occasional back pain that comes with pregnancy. So Sammie likes to say "mommy's back is broke" or if I am in bed and it takes me a while to get out "mama's stuck in the bed, stuck in the bed!" She likes to ask me "Mama are you okay?"(while doing this she is patting me on the back with her head tilted to one side. Very concerned.)

Sammie knows that there is a baby in mommy's belly. If someone asks her who is in mama's belly she replies (in a southern twang) "Caroline!" Wooo hooo, She is defiantly mini me twang and all.

So that is the quick update for Sweet Caroline. By the way....we are still trying to figure out a middle name for Caroline. Robert insist on "Sweet" but I tell him "sorry try again." So if you have any suggestion we are willing to listen.

More family updates...

Wow... what a busy week we all had. Robert and Andrew went to Colorado to visit Laura and her family to go snowboarding. Andrew spent his days with Alex, Van and Maya. Alex tells me that the kids were really good together. I have to had it to Alex...taking all three kids out and walking with them to the base of the mountain to get some fresh air and out of the condo. She is super woman. Robert went snowboarding with Laura and Todd and it sounded like they had a great time.

Sammie and I were all over the place back in Chicago. I am getting ready to head back to Texas for my best friends wedding Jen! So I had to go the the dress maker and have her start making my dress for the wedding (because being 7 months pregnant clothes get tight if you purchase them too early) Then Sammie and I were running errands most of the week. Monday - dropped off Robert and Drew to the airport and then off to "go shopping" of course it was Costco. Tuesday we went to the dress maker and visit Aunt Marie. Wednesday the only day of rest for us. Thursday we opened the store (the scrapbook store I work on Thurs and Fridays) then headed to my Dr. apt. (I will get back to that) we took a nap then went to "Knit Night" (did I mention I am learning how to knit? So much fun I am officially addicted) Friday we were at the store most of the day getting ready for the "garage sale" at the store. (The employee's gathered up the scrapbook items that they no longer want of need and we sold them at the store for other customers to enjoy...just like a regular garage sale except with scrapbooking supplies) By the end of the day I was very tired and starting to hurt with doing too much with being pregnant. Then Saturday I tried to clean the house before Robert and Drew came home and that just put me over the edge. Sammie and I were not at the house all week and so I had a whole weeks worth of cleaning. But we finally picked up Robert and Drew and went to dinner.
Sunday I was hurting Robert and I were supposed to go to a concert but Robert went without me. Pat Greene! Robert, Jaimie and Wade had a great time. Sorry I had to miss it but I just needed to get my rest.

The kids are happy to be together again. We are finally back to somewhat of a routine. Next big trip...TEXAS for a WEDDING!!!! So excited! Okay... That is it for now. I may have some pictures to post later. That depends on how the kids are today. Talk to you soon. :)SESIL

How do you eat Drew?

IMG_8034
Originally uploaded by cr8n00.

With my hands.....

I am not sure if he eats the food or wears his food. Can you tell he loves to feed himself?

Drew laughing...

IMG_7541
Originally uploaded by cr8n00.

Drew laughs all the time. Especially while watching Sammie. Most of the time he will cruse the furniture and clap. Anyday he will start walking.

Sammie and her coffee...

IMG_8029
Originally uploaded by cr8n00.

So every morning Sammie likes to have her own special coffee "hot chocolate". While mommy has her coffee so does sammie.

Coffee and a little music...

IMG_8030
Originally uploaded by cr8n00.

Sammie likes her music....coffee or music what will it be?

Just wanted to share some pictures today.... I will post some of Drew too.
by the way that is a harmonica she has in her mouth.