My new best friend...

Obviously baby has not liked whatever it is I have been eating lately - I have now used this stain remover on the past 6 of his outfits! We're talking volcanic eruptions - up the top end of the diaper!! Not to mention the sheets... I even tried the next size up of diapers, thinking maybe that would do the trick. But alas it made no difference - so for now I'm still soaking - thank goodness for the stain removing power of oxi clean!

Baby Has Arrived!

It's a boy!!! Jude Martin Frohlich was born on November 23 @ 5:07 am. He weighed exactly 8lbs. and was 211/4 inches long. (He was much bigger than we expected.) We are so thankful to have him here alive and well. As many of you know we had quite a few complications, making our hopes for a natural birth impossible... But alas our midwife was still able to get in on the action and take some wonderful pictures - thank goodness, I could barely keep my eyes open! Dealing with the disappointment of the c-seciton has been a difficult adjustment mentally and physically and on top of that the little one was having some feeding dramas. After loosing 17% of his birth weight, he's finally back up to 8.2lbs. - it was a nerve recking couple of weeks, but we're both doing MUCH better now. So... thanks for all your understanding and patience as I've just now started to reconnect with the world! We had family in giving us a hand and celebrating Thanksgiving with us and we're heading home for Christmas in just a few days - so if you called - thanks so much!! It meant a lot to hear from everyone - and I do plan on calling you all back, but I thought you'd want to know some details before the holiday! In case I don't catch you before then - Merry Christmas!!

Touching baby for the first time.

I don't know if you can see it or not, but James is wearing his LUCKY shirt!! We joked as he dressed on Saturday, that maybe the shirt would come through for us - sure enough! 2:00 on Saturday baby started making his way into the world.

"I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh praise the greatness of our God. He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he." Deut. 32:3-4

Here's Baby!!

We had our 20wk ultrasound about 2 1/2 weeks ago and it was the most amazing thing!! Talk about taking your pregnancy to a whole other level - this really made it seem so much more real for us! And we were able to have it video taped (you know we've been watching it at least once a week)!! And it's still a surprise!! Yippie!!

This was my favorite pic - something about those tiny feet!! I just want to kiss them!!

Some other pregnancy news for those thinking of having babies or those already in the thick of it - two things you should check out.

***DISCLAIMER: I'm coming to discover that what beliefs and decisions people make about child birth is right up there with their beliefs about politics and religion. I see no need trying to sway people from their current position... so though we are hoping for a natural birth process it doesn't mean it's for everyone and who knows I still may want those drugs!! But I do feel that you should make an informed decision before you pull the trigger about your birth location... so to each his own - just get informed!!***

1. The Business of Being Born is an excellent video, though it's a proponent of home birth, those choosing a midwife/birth center, or hospital I think would find the information helpful. Knowledge is power - so knowing what your options are before you hit the hospital and just blindly follow suit is a good idea. (On a personal note - I totally cried!! It took away all my fears about birth and made me super excited about the whole experience!!) And hello - it's not like a bunch of fanatical Christians made it, it's feminist in nature, but they have some sweet things to say. You can check out the trailer here http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/ and I'm told you can even rent through netflix. (Kudos to my pal Michelle Helm for introducing me to the video).

2. Prenatal Fitness Fix with Erin O'Brien. So those of you who know me know that I am not a exercise buff, to say the least... meaning I NEVER EXERCISE. Our midwife has been strongly encouraging me to take it up, since this will be like the hardest thing I've ever done. So thanks to my good pal Shannon Logsdon I've actually been giving it a shot. She shared this video with me and I love it because:

• She's human (and also prego herself)!! Erin exercises in her own living room, with no make-up and at one point wearing at t-shirt and what looks like her husbands boxers. (You feel anybody can do this you don't have to be a trim and beautiful barbie doll).


• But let not this down to earth look fool you - she's a personal trainer who knows her stuff! Check out the DVD cover for her creds. but take it from me she's a great coach. Tells you the do's and don't -shows you what they look like and gives great tips on actually isolating the muscles you're supposed to be using - you know so you're actually exercising!!


• Erin doesn't push it. She's pregnant too, and tells you when too much is too much.


• There's a pee break half way through ;)


• If you have a couch and a coffee table you can do all of the exercises!! Leave the weights at the gym!!


• If you're already super buff and need more of a challenge, she has a partner workout segment that provides you with much more resistance.

Know of any other good mommy to be videos or books please share!! I'm currently looking into doing my own baby food so any resources on that I'd be interested in!

Read any of the Sears baby books? I heard their SUPER!

a baby, a belly, and a bunch of other stuff...

The long awaited pictures... This is baby at 8wks :) lets just say it's a lot bigger now and defenatly making it's presence known!! This Thursday will be 20wks and we are scheduled for another ultrasound - which we just found out we can have video taped :) - and we're hoping to NOT find out about the gender. And here is the belly picture... keep in mind, it's being aided a little by dinner and a really cute top! We have also received a few baby goodies from a shower I had at work, they're piling up in husband's office.

As for the bunch of other stuff, there has been a lot going on. Some happy and some sad - We spent Easter with the Graftons, Stacie graduated in May, husband took a summer class, we felt baby kicking for the first time, Mom2 was in town for a visit, we took a trip to Gettysburg, Jana was married, Sarah had a baby and we witnessed the loss of a earthly life and the beginning of a heavenly one. Joy and sorrow as we've heard the triumps and struggles of our friends these past few months. (And we are still praying for God to meet many of your needs!). It seems our hears have been filled to overflowing one day and heavily burdened the next. We've been upheld by remembering that there is a time and season for everything, and we're learning to embrace the weeping and the laughing, the life of a child a the death of a friend.

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is
formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of
God, the Maker of all things. However many years a man may live, let
him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for
they will be many. Everything to come is meaningless. Be happy, young
man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of
your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes
see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to
judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart... (Ecc.11)

Recap on Christmas

This year Christmas brought with it a great big suprise!!! My new Cannon Rebel!!! I have always wanted to get into photography but... my old camera wasn't cutting it - with the batteries staying alive long eneough to take 4 pictures (literally), but now perhaps my dreams can be realized!! Although I currently know nothing about shutter speed and apture, I've got all the gear to get me started on the journey - thanks to the most awesome family in the world!! They all chipped in and with my dad's super savy shopping skills got a killer deal on the set. Wish me luck!

While we were home for Christmas we:

spent time with both families

stuffed our faces full of chips and salsa

saw Wicked @ the Oriental Theater in Chicago

participated in the annual Christmas cookie decorating

drank more sparkling sider than should be legal

met Paul's girlfriend Annie (and she is wonderful - I could devote a whole post to her!)

saw lots of snow

hitched a ride in a limo

saw the Statue of Liberty (long story)

played games

ate pizza at Aurrelios and Ginos East

visited Navy Pier on a cold day

celebrated James 26th birthday

bought a new winter coat

ate cinnamon rolls with Dad and Stacie ;)

Here are a few shots from our trip.

Merry Christmas One and All!

Hope you enjoy this CHRISTMAS GREETING compliments of my friend Kakes.
It's elf-a-licious!

Where Does the Time Go??

I started this post a long time ago and figured I'd better post it before Christmas!

O Overnight Occupants. Tim and Katie were in town for a few weekends for weddings and school projects. It's always great catching up with them, I wish they weren't so far away! Katie and I watched the moon rise at the beach, it was amazing - more beautiful than the sunrise, I think!

C Cubbies... Yes we are in full swing on Wednesday nights. Be praying for the little munchkins and their families. One in particular on our team is a newbie, her and her family aren't church goers but they have been really interested in Awana and have been working faithfully on the verses with their kids. (It's an old pic, but isn't he cute)!

T a Tealight Treasure. My birthday present from James :) adds a little light to the living room.

O Out On the Open Road. James and I traveled up north to BBC, where sister Stacie is a Sr. We caught a few of her volleyball games and were able to see her teach a PE class. I was so impressed with her creativity - You're and outstanding teacher Stac! (I also got to stop by Hannah's house and visit with her family - their little guy is super smart)!

B Birthday Bashes! We celebrated my Dad's 60th birthday this month at one of his favorite pizza joints - Papas. And for my 26th birthday we celebrated with some good Friends ;) We love you Messers!

E Eating Exquisite Entrees. Hot juicy burgers (and nuggets) from Wendy's.

R Reformation Remembrance. As you all know, Halloween is also the day Martin Luther nailed up his 95 thesis, kick starting the Reformation. Thus, for 2 reasons it's one of our favorite holidays, for the spiritual significance and we just like to dress up! James had a great idea a while back to combine the two 'holidays' if you will, with a new tradition. Each year he picks a different reformer/church father, spends the month studying them and then carves their portrait in a pumpkin. And during the carving he teaches me all about them - I love it! This years selection was.... Augustine. But I included a few from past years because they are just soooo cool!

Augustine & Jerome

And of course - Luther!

Ahhh, Naples...

It's hard to believe summer is already over and everyone is back to school. I must admit having recently returned from a relaxing trip to Naples Florida, I'm still struggling with a bit of vacation hangover. But alas, life must go on...

Contrary to poplular opinion regarding 'mother-in-laws' (who came up with that term anyway?!) my mom2 - as she likes to be called, is one of the most kind and generous people I think I've ever met. She knows what things are important in life and that's part of what makes her so much fun to be around! It just so happens that one of the things most important to her is spending time with the family - and we have been blessed beyond belief in this respect - both of James' and my family get along so well, that when mom2 wanted to go on a family vacation she invited my parents to join us! After arranging all the accomidations and checking out travel books - flights were booked, bags were packed and one by one we began arriving on the gulf coast.

Our journey began on Friday after Stacie got off of work, and after driving through some intense thunder storms we arrived in Naples on Saturday evening where we were greeted by Mom2 and Pablo (James' brother Paul). After a relaxing dinner at Olive Garden the fun began! Pablo brought his xbox along and purchased this new game Guitar Hero - what a blast!

You can probably figure it out from the pictures, but it uses mainstream punk rock songs from Nirvana and just about everone else you could think of - and you actually play the music. You can earn starpower for everything from jumping up and down to playing with your teeth - it's pretty crazy! Just like the pros, you can go on tour and if your serious you can hook up with fellow band members and compete in an online battle of the bands. I think we'll have to look at getting Paul the drum component for Christmas :) We laughed so hard that night, you'd be suprised how much everyone gets into being a rock star! Once the crowd cheers for you, you're hooked.

Sunday we chilled at the pool and did some SERIOUS grocery shopping! Later that evening we picked my parents up from the airport and the family was complete!

August is actually off season for the Naples area, which worked out wonderfully for us. We were able to enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches without any crowds! The first one we visited was on Marco Island, it was a wildlife preserve complete with a lagoon and lots of birds - just beautiful!

Tuesday we stayed in to help those that needed to recover from their sunburns, played a little tennis, and went to see Bourne Ultimatum. That evening we broke out Settlers - you know it wouldn't be a family vacation with out it!

Wednesday was another day at the beach. This time we drove up to Sanibel Island, which is one of the top three shelling locations in the world - live shelling is prohibited, so unfortunatley we had to put back the coolest find of the day a sandollar! Dinner this evening was at Aurelios, a Chicagoland pizza joint, one of our favoirtes. Oh, it was sooooo good! I can still taste it!

Thursday, after some early morning tennis, the guys did some golfing while the girls checked our the winter estates of Eddison and Ford. What a history lesson! It's so neat to see how those brilliant men lived,worked and enjoyed life. They spent tons of time on thoses gorgeous porches, playing chineese checkers, reading and napping. Ford and his family were seriously into music and square dancing - they did it almost everyevening after dinner!

Still wanting to uncover some more sea shells we packed up the car bright and early and headed back to Sanibel Island. We also spent some time on Captiva Island that day (if we ever go back they have an amazing spot to watch the sunset, it's said you might be able to catch that flash of green right before the sun goes down from there. We'd like to look for it!) Here's just a few of our finds. Pablo had the best find of the day, by far! We finished the evening with dinner by the pool and a ferocious game of pool football - even the moms got in on the action.

Saturday we said our goodbyes and headed our seperate ways :( We already started planning the next get toghether... I hope it comes sooner than later! We loved being with all of you and miss you much!

(So... mom2 thanks for a great vacation!)

James and I had a few extra days before we had to be back so we spent some time visiting with my Aunt, Uncle and cousins in Orlando, then drove to check out New Tribes Mission. Wow, what an amazing place! James and I are looking into some options for future ministry and were just in love with their heartbeat and phillosophy. If you don't know much about them, check out the link, they work strictly with tribal people, planting churches and translating the bible - it's amazing stuff!

From there we drove to Savannah GA, had dinner in a restored grocery store and feed house - it was beautiful, strolled down river street, and went on a ghosts and legends tour at 10:00pm! We would love to go back there again, it was so romantic and there was just so much that we didn't get to see.

Here's a few more of our vacation memmories:

(Pablo, click on the pics to see some of the captions)