Star Spangled Adventures

Greg: AKA: Super Husband/Dad

2009-06-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

Greg may have had a little vacation from being the super-duper-do-everything-guy around here for a few months, but last week he had to snap right back into his role. Unfortunately, I got really sick-- an ear infection, sinus infection, and bronchitis, and I was no longer a functioning wife & mommy. Of course it hit on the week of our 8th anniversary, my baby shower, and Father's Day. Oh well. We skipped the anniversary and I made it to the shower, though I wasn't myself. Father's Day got a little effort, though not as much as Greg deserves!

We decided it is only fitting to kinda miss these holidays, since we've skipped most holidays for the past year! My birthday last summer (I was sick), Christmas, Greg's Birthday, and Valentines all came while I was in the first half of the pregnancy, so those got skipped. On Mother's day, Greg was sick, on Father's Day and our anniversary, I was sick. For awhile we kept pledging that we'd make the day up and celebrate later, but there's just too many to catch up on now! Now we just know this will be the year we'll never forget, and we have lots of precious memories of taking care of one another (and being taken care of) and a lot of love and appreciation for each other. You can't buy that for a gift!

Anyway, I am feeling a little better each day. The doctor put me on antibiotics and I am slowly recovering. I am amazed at how tired I am! My body must be fighting really hard. Had a check-up on Scotty yesterday and I've lost 3 pounds since my check 2 weeks ago, but the doctor didn't seem alarmed, so I won't be either. I've got just a little over a month to go to get to the finish line- hooray! Now it's time for all the last details to get put in place, the last items purchased, and then sit around and wait!

Sneak Preview

2009-06-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday's ultrasound gave us a sneak preview on what Scotty will look like! And here he is!
(that's the umbilical cord in front of him, not an arm by the way)

Dr. said everything looks great! He weighs just over 4 lbs. now and is right on track. Everything is going really well.

Parents

2009-06-06T13:34:00.000-07:00

I gotta tell ya, we love being parents!
Here is my new favorite picture of my favorite people in the whole world. Man, I love these two.
And here's a picture of me that shows how the new Spangler is getting bigger and bigger. Only two months to go!

Lukas' cowboy birthday

2009-06-06T13:31:00.000-07:00

This morning we got to join in our neighbor Lukas' birthday party at the park. It was a Brown/Cowboy themed party. Brown because that's what he said he wanted when his mommy asked him (he's three people!), and cowboy to make it extra cute. We had such a great time!

Here's cowboy Lukas and Cowgirl Addie. I do not think they could get any cuter. Nothin' like a toddler with a gun to win a young girl's heart I guess.
The Espino family, our neighbors and some of our favorite people.
Here's Addie "helping" me push Ally on the swing. Until she got a bottom to the head, it was great.
Lukas just after blowing out the candle on his cupcake. Happy 3rd birthday!

Soda Pop

2009-06-06T13:20:00.000-07:00

Is it SODA? Or is it POP?
Yes, I am brave to start what I know could become a heated debate. Folks here in So Cal are going to say soda, whereas folks from everywhere else (I think) call it pop. Well, at the Spangler home we call it soda and makes us happy. It actually provided the icing on the cake (or should I say the bubbles in our drink?) for the great weekend away Greg and I had a few weeks ago.

There's a place I'd heard about that I've been wanting to visit for quite some time now, and we made it our first stop on the way East. It's called Galco's Soda Pop Stop, and we have to tell you- YOU GOTTA GO! It's an old little market that now carries almost nothing but soda pop, and the most unheard-of, hard to find, and interesting sodas you can imagine. We went in intending to each pick out two, and, well, see the picture?

We picked out lots and spent the weekend and the next week and a half sampling all kinds of interesting sodas. It was a hoot! We loved seeing what the other picked, and even picked out one each for the other person. It provided for some fun conversation and made every meal interesting.

Here's what we picked out, left to right.

-Kickapoo Joy Juice: We bought it just because of the name. It's a citrus flavored soda. My dad really liked it.
- Lorina Frenchberry Lemonade: oooh la la! It's from France. I bought it because I wanted to know what a "Frenchberry" would taste like. Turns out it's actually strawberry lemonade, and I thought it was too fizzy.
-Hank's Root Beer: Greg loved it. He actually licked his lips just remembering it now. He says it was "Smooth at the start, just right root beer flavor without being too syrupy, and a sharp but not strong bite at the end." It was his favorite.
-AJ Stephans Sarsaparilla: Greg thought it was OK.
-AJ Stephans Rasperry Lime Rickey: A taste sensation, a burst of joy to my tongue, a true delight!
-Stirrings Pink Grapefruit Soda: My mom thought it was OK
-Hot Lips Pear Soda: My absolute favorite. It really tasted like real pears and it wasn't overly carbonated. I could drink this stuff morning, noon, and night.
-Stirrings Tart Cranberry Soda: It was OK
-Nesbitt's Peach: "An American Classic" the bottle says, and everyone of a certain age seemed to brighten up and say "Nesbitt's!" and we understand why now. It was deeeeelicious.
-Lorina's Blueberry Lemonade: Also too fizzy. The French seem to overdo it a bit.
-Moxie Cherry Cola: Greg thought it was "slightly more cherry-y than wild cherry Pepsi", and says it's worth a try.

So really people, if you live in the Los Angeles area, you should really take a little trip down to Galco's. You won't regret it, and you'll enjoy every sip!

Drivin' Miss Addie

2009-05-29T15:49:00.000-07:00

Pics from a while back when Allie gave Addie a ride in her jeep.

Addie making sure everything is as it should be.

pictures from this week

2009-05-29T15:46:00.000-07:00

We didn't take many pictures, but here's a couple, anyway.
Addie showing Poppy how to dig and rake in the dirt.
Sassy pants sportin' her new cowboy hat that Mommy and Daddy brought back from their trip for her

Whew! We're done!

2009-05-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

We are so happy to announce that Addie sailed through her endoscopy this morning like a CHAMP! She was so brave during admitting and while getting ready for the procedure (VERY quiet and watching EVERYTHING, but brave). She bravely rode away in the hospital bed down the hallway, while Mommy and Daddy tried to be brave watching her go. Ugh.

Just 30 minutes later the doctor came out to let us know it had gone well. He biopsied several spots from her stomach and we'll hear the results either tomorrow or Monday. We got to sit with her until she woke up. She was groggy at first, but soon was smiling. No panic, no throwing up, so I was THRILLED. Pretty soon we got to get her back in her clothes and take her home! She's spent the day being pretty sleepy, but happy, and we think that's great! And what a relief to have it over with!

Most likely the doctor will let us know that he saw nothing of concern. The whole point of doing this test was to make sure that after 3 years of reflux, the medications are doing their job and preventing any damage to her stomach or esophagus. So what we want to hear and expect to hear is that everything looks fine in there. This opportunity gave us a peek into how difficult it must be for parents of very ill children. Addie's test was minor and easy, yet still scary for us, and we couldn't imagine how hard it would be to be in a hospital with your child if there was a serious health concern going on. We are so thankful for the measure of health we've been allowed.

In other news, my parents have gone home after a week of grandparent time. We all enjoyed having them, but probably we didn't enjoy it as much as Addie, who was in grandparent heaven. She had a blast with Poppy and Grammie, and vice versa.

Also, Greg and I got to spend a night away in Palm Springs. It was a lovely, peaceful break from the busy life we've been living. My favorite part was sitting in the adults only pool at the resort and feeling weightless. THAT is a good feeling when you are 7 months pregnant! Greg's favorite part was sitting on the terrace of the mexican restaurant where we had dinner, eating chips, talking, and enjoying the warm evening air. Our days were also enhanced by our visit to Galco's Soda Pop Stop, which we'll talk about more thoroughly in another post.

Oh! And I (Niki) also has my 30 week check-up with the doctor this week. Scotty seems to be doing really well and growing right on schedule. I've had some new aches and pains, but evidently they are all really "normal" for a second pregnancy. Two more weeks and we'll get to do another ultrasound and see our little guy! He had his first round of hiccups today, and is giving me big kicks now.

I think that just about updates everything! We are really looking forward to a peaceful week ahead- free from doctor's appointments, travel, and other busy-ness!

1st Test Done and Helpful!

2009-05-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

Yeah! Addie was a rock star through the gastric emptying scan and it is done! She laid still and sailed right through. The doctor called us last night with the results and the test actually gave us some helpful info! (That is more than I even hoped for). It turns out her stomach is emptying a little slower than normal. It's not extreme by any means, but it does prove that reflux is still going on. Up until now, all diagnoses and prescriptions were based on educated guesses (granted, by very experienced drs, but still), and me being the kind of girl who likes PROOF, I was very excited to see some hard facts. Of course, I'm also relieved to know we're not seeing anything really alarming going on. We can only hope next week's test will be so helpful!

Greg and I leave tomorrow for Palm Springs- to sit by a pool and read and rest. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

The Calm Before the Storm

2009-05-14T15:37:00.001-07:00

We are enjoying a nice, quiet week here at the Spangler home. FINALLY, no one has a cold or ear infection (we've spent the last three weeks or so taking turns). We spent most of last week at doctor's appointments- checking in with Addie's tummy doctor because it has been awhile, and finding a new endocrinologist that will keep watch on my misbehaving thyroid after Scotty is born. In addition to that, I got to go in for my gestational diabetes test, which is no big deal, just one more appointment to work in. Then Greg got an ear infection, so we went to a doctor's office for the fourth time in a week! Needless to say, we got nothing else done all week. We did have extra gratitude for good health insurance though.

So this week seems quiet in comparison. The weather is warm and lovely, and all is well. We are soaking in the calm as we look forward to the next several weeks of craziness.

Next Tuesday will be the big day it all begins. Addie will be having a "Gastric Emptying Scan" first thing that morning. It shouldn't be a big deal because it doesn't require anesthetic or anything. We have to be in Northridge at 7:30 that morning, which will probably be the hardest part of it all. Ads will eat some food with x-ray material mixed into it, then her tummy will be x-rayed over the next hour and a half. She has to stay under the x-ray machine during that time, but Greg can be in with her the whole time and they can watch a movie, so we think she'll do great. Hopefully this test will tell us if her food is coming back up, and/or how long it is staying in her stomach. We might not get any helpful info, but it's a test worth doing since she still complains of her stomach hurting all the time.

Anyway, that evening my parents arrive from WA for a week-long visit, which is always a busy time! Later in the week, Greg and I are planning to get away for an overnight alone, utilizing the free grandparent babysitting. I think Addie and her Grammie & Poppy will have a blast.

The following Tuesday my parents leave and I check back in with my OB. Then Thursday Addie has another tummy test- an Endoscopy- and this one I am not looking forward to. It is relatively mild as far as tummy tests go, I am just not looking forward to the anesthetic it involves. Addie will be knocked out and the dr will be looking down her esophagus to check for damage and taking some tissue samples. We have talked about doing this test for over a year now, but it has been left on the back burner. Now with the impending arrival of a new baby, we decided to move it up to the front burner! Again, we don't expect to get any new info necessarily, just rule out that anything terrible is going on. (Her dr has been saying we should do it for a long time). Based on my own reactions to anesthetic and Addie's previous experience, I am expecting the procedure to be a piece of cake and the recovery to make for a long day or two.

And by the time we get through all of that, it will be June! I can hardly believe it! We'll try to post updates as we go, but no promises. Hopefully in June we'll let you all know that both tests went fine, we had a great time with my parents, and a nice time alone as a couple.

99 Days!

2009-04-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to point out that the pregnancy ticker on the right side of this blog FINALLY shows that I have 99 days to go! It seems silly, but every time I looked at it and it said I had over 100 days to go, it was less than encouraging, so I am glad to see a double-digit number!

Scott's First Shower

2009-04-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, we're announcing that our little guy's name will be Scott! No, we don't know the middle name yet. We're open to suggestions.

Last night I got to participate in a baby shower for the three of us pregnant ladies living here in the Courtyard. Brooke organized and hosted it and everything was just wonderful!
Pictured here are Lindsay (due in June), Jen (due in 2 weeks!) and me (due in July/August)
What a spread! And lots of chocolate! Wahoo!
Some of the best neighbors a girl could want: Brooke Kropf, Janice Murray, Rachel Powell, Kellie Espino, me, Jen Myers, Lidsay Ballard, Bethany Kelley, Lisa Starr, and Andrea Hernandez.
Seriously, you WISH you had neighbors like these women!!!
I have to say it was really fun to open gifts as a three-some, instead of being the center of attention. And, unlike most SoCal baby showers, a lot of the gifts were handmade, which was really fun. We have some very crafty and talented women living here! Here we are opening cute burp rags from Kellie.

Great Gifts

2009-04-17T11:46:00.000-07:00

Wow! Andrea made these BEAUTIFUL blankets for us. I cannot even describe how gorgeous they are up close. Scott's boy blanket is so cushy and cuddly, I might want to cuddle under it myself!
The Myers got a full John Deere ensemble for our guy. (Can you use the words John Deere and Ensemble together in the same sentence?)
I have a horrified face in this picture because I don't want to believe that my son will be this big at 9 months old. Or even sooner than 9 months, as the other boy mommies were informing me.
Diapers!!!! Hooooooray! Our diapers came in a cute football bucket and with some "prince charming" bibs too. So cute!

Overdue Easter Pictures

2009-04-17T11:22:00.000-07:00

Here's our girlie with her basket of Easter Jelly Beans. We always do a jelly bean hunt instead of an egg hunt. It's just a Spangler thing.
Two baskets!
My little love
I think Daddy told her to "eat" the jellybeans for this picture.

Easter Prep

2009-04-17T11:19:00.000-07:00

Greg took this picture of me spraying Addie's braids, I just like it.
Here's the finished product! I'm a little proud of it, because I've only learned to do this since becoming a mommy- I missed that lesson in my girlhood. So yeah! I got it!
Here we are- ready for church!
And lookin' cute!

Smile?

2009-04-17T11:15:00.000-07:00

What? You want me to smile for the camera?
Like this?
Like this?
No?
Is this better?

(I may start to refer to this as her "torture face"- doesn't she look like she's being tortured?)

NOW we can say 'Big Girl'

2009-04-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

We have told Addie for a long time now that despite being in a 'big girl bed' and other wonderful accomplishments, she is not a REAL big girl until she is out of diapers and using the potty. Well, I am very happy to report that after our re-attempt at potty training last week, she is using the potty like a champ! I am so glad we took a break and tried again later, because now it is clear to see she was ready and she got it really fast. And her mommy is pretty happy about no more diapers to change. At least until August....

Mommy-Daughter time

2009-04-04T08:51:00.000-07:00

Knowing a new baby will join this home soon has made me really appreciate the mommy-daughter time Addie and I have right now. So it was great to have time with her at the Huntington.
Here we are in the Chinese garden.
And the Japanese garden.
Here's my favorite girl in one of my favorite places- the rose garden!

In the Children's Garden

2009-04-04T08:47:00.000-07:00

Though we were there with a big group, I will admit I came home with a lot of pictures of just Addie. Oh well. Here are some shots from the Children's Garden at the Huntington.

playing in the water
sassy pants
With our friend Lucas. He rocks.

The Huntington Trip

2009-04-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, we took a Courtyard trip to the Huntington library (actually, just the botanical gardens). With 20 kids and 8 adults, we were bigger than some of the school groups we saw there. What a tribe.
Here are the kids, mostly looking nice
And funny faces
Notice Addie in the middle on the ground, making a hideous face.
A few of the kids at the entrance to the children's garden
And a few of the mommies- Lindsay and Andrea

Updated Me

2009-04-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

Here's a shot of the updated me, with short hair now and pregnant, and my favorite little girl.

No really, I DO like it!

2009-04-03T17:40:00.000-07:00

The other day, Addie was begging me for some lemon. I warned her she may not like it, but to my shock, she really did.

I was cracking up because she made this face every time, but then kept asking for more. Funny, funny kid.

So Much Better

2009-03-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

I'm officially declaring to the world that I am ALL BETTER!
OK, maybe not ALL better, but about 95% better, and I think that counts. I am rarely nauseous anymore (which makes this better than my first pregnancy now), and even when I do feel queasy, it is very light and usually if I eat a little snack it goes right away. I am also back to eating normally and enjoying food. I have even returned to cooking!!!! I must say, it isn't the kind of cooking I normally enjoy. I am taking it slow and using a lot of freezer/ convenience meals, but just the same! It feels so good to be in the kitchen again!
I also am able to keep the house clean-ish on my own, and do some light errands (which means I am driving again). Again, I am so excited! The only thing that separates current me from normal me is that I run out of steam much faster than normal. Partly just from being pregnant, partly also because it will take awhile to build up muscle and stamina again after being down for so long. I am slow to get going in the mornings and by the time we put Addie to bed in the evening, I am pooped! But being able to function during the day is such a blessing.
Thank you all for your support and prayers! I will try to post a picture soon so you can see the pregnant belly and the short new haircut I got last week.

Bathtime bits

2009-03-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

Addie was bieng funny in the tub and thought you'd like to see her mug for ya.

Courtyard friends

2009-03-18T13:28:00.000-07:00

Here are a few recent pics of Addie...
After getting her face painted at Ally's birthday party
At Rebecca's brithday party the kids played Duck-Duck-Goose. Well, kinda. They were a little young, so there was a good deal of running and happiness, a little less of the actual game. After awhile, our daughter decided to get a chair, set it slightly back from the circle, and just watch. That's her in the back, wearing a princess dress and a party hat. Good grief.
Here's a moment I'm much more proud of. Playing biker babe with Lucas. 'Atta girl!!!