Weekend with Grandpa

Adam and Zachary were so excited to have another guy to wrestel with. Grandpa walks in the door and the first thing that they want to do to him is tackel him. Saturday Grandma and Pa took the boys to build a bear, McDonalds, and a train ride. They really got a good grandparent spoiling. We only get to see grandparents maybe twice a year if we are lucky so I'm glad that they got the oppertunity to have some time together. The rest of the weekend was spent with Adam and Zachary playing with their new pets that they got. They currently sleep with them every night. I think that they boys really enjoyed having their grandpaernts here. Adam talked about Grandpa coming for days before he got here.

Sunday was Andrew's blessing which was the big reason why Grandpa was here. I'm so glad that we got to have family here for that. It was a very simple and nice day. We had a nice relaxing evening after church and Monday was spent with Jo and Kevin getting our house in order before they left. Jo did the laundry, etc. and Kevin repaired our screan door! I've been wanting to do that for over a year. Thanks Kevin! I didn't think that I was going to cry when they left just because I thought that I could handle it but I was wrong. I got emotional when I hugged Jo and I just couldn't hold back the tears. I'm so gratful for all of the help that I recieved from Jo and my mom as well. I'm so glad to have family.s

Grandad's Turn

Our family's most frequent visitor is Grandaddy Renfroe. He was traveling through from India and had a long lay over here in New Jersey. While he was in India the cricket world cup was going on and so he brought the boys cricket jerseys. They love them just because it is something form their grandad. He got to play with the boys a little bit snooze with Andrew and have a nice lunch with us and then it was time for him so hop on a plane and return to Arkansas. Although his visit was short it was very nice that it happened and that Grandaddy got to meet his grandson that is named after him. Andrew DAVID. I can only hope that our little guy will turn out to be like his grandaddy.

Grandma E

Just as nana left Grandma came. I'm such a lucky girl not only did I marry the best guy ever but I got a Mother-in-law to match. Jo is incredible! I she took care of all of us: cooking, cleaning, laudry, carting the boys to all of their activities, baking, and she even put in the garden. The boys really loved having their grandma here.

I think that Jo and Andrew bonded while she was here. We had a period of colic whie she was here and she helped us learn some coping stradigies including some magic drops that helped Andrew relax and pass gas. Jo helped me accept help. I think that I was trying to do everything on my own and I totally cracked but between Josh and Jo we got some things figured out.

Nana Time

It was so nice to have Nana here while I was in the hospital. She made her time with the boys a blast for them. Each day she had a new little present for Adam and Zachary to open which entertained them for hours. They loved it. Cookie making was also part of the fun activities that they got to do with Nana. Fozen cookie balls are Zachary's most favorite treat so he was in his own littel heaven. It mad me feel so good to know that while I was down for the count my older boys were happy.

Bath time with nana became a spray festival. Nana gave the boys spray guns and they had a blast spraying eachother with them. Nana sat out side of the bath tub and squeeled every time the boys sprayed the door. They LOVED it!

Andrew David Engstrom

Welcome Andrew David Engstrom to our family.

Born: March 21st, 2011

7lbs. 5oz. 20"

with a full head of hair

Contractions started Sunday morning as I was getting ready for church. The plan for that day was that I would take the boys to church while Josh went to the airport to pick up my mom. Josh convienced me not to go to church and it wasn't too hard to convience me because I was very uncomfortable. We ended up not going to church at all, Adam told me how he was so disappointed that he didn't get to go and that he missed primary. I never thought that I would hear those words pass the lips of Adam's mouth but he never fails to surprise me.

The contractions kept on coming but my mom told me that it was probably just braxton hicks contractions. They kept me up all night long and they were getting closer there wer about 3-5min apart. It was about then that I thought I should call the dr. and ask what is the protocall. He told me that he would meet me at the hospital. So we went and when the nurse the checked me I was diolated 7cm. After that things went pretty fast. I asked if I could continue and have a vagital birth but after 2 sections they told me that it was too risky. So I signed all of the paper work and went to the operating room around 6:00am and by 6:46 am Andrew David Engstrom was born. After I came out of recovery they brought Andrew to me and he latched right on and snuggeled. He is so sweet and perfect.

Adam's first one-on-one date

Back in January we started a responsibility chart with Adam. We came up with a way for him to do some daily tasks and by the end of the week if he performed then he would get a reward. One of the rewards is a night out with mom and that is the one that he picked first.

It made me feel really good that out of all of the rewards he would pick he wanted one on one time with me. We ended up taking a Saturday afternoon to go get lunch as our favorite bagel shop. We had a nice time together. I feel like his confidence is growing and he delights in the praise from his mom. He is such a good boy. He really wants to please.

I am now a MVM

Yes, I am now a MVM (mini van mom). After searching on the internet, calling, going to several dealers, and a couple of date nights I found the one. In our search we had been burned by some people scooping up the cars that we had appointments for. One time we drove a long way to see a couple of vans just to be told that they had sold them the saturday before. So when I saw this odyssey '05 EX-L with only 75k on it I decided not to wait until the weekend. I forced the whole family out there on a Thursday evening. Everything was right about it: the automatic doors, leather interior, over all cleanliness and the warranty. I really liked it but I was hesitant to fall in love. After Josh talked with the salesman and saw all of the records etc..... he made the deal! I'm really REALLY glad that I forced my family out the door that night because on Saturday when we went to go pick it up the salesman told us that he had three other people come in and ask to see that odyssey.

What a relief to have this big chore done. Now I feel like this little guy can come. All of the big stuff is out of the way.

The boys were so excited. We had been talking about getting a big car for a long time and Saturday the boys finnally got one. They call the auto doors magic. Zachary wanted to stop by his friend's house to show off his big car. I love that they are so happy...I'm really happy too.