Baby Renee's room!

by Cora

Well.....it is done. Maybe a some deep cleaning of the carpet to be done when Grandma Jo and Aunt Leah come in July, but with the help of many, the room is put together!

Mom is really excited and now can maybe relax and worry about school stuff. Jack and I love the room, but we know that we can only go in there when Mom tells us to! I told her I needed some pictures, so she let us go in there today, but I think that might be the only time!!! So here is a tour of the baby's room! Hope you all enjoy and can't wait until my little sister arrives!!!!

Memories that last forever!

by Cora and Jack's Mom

I sometimes ask myself if I made the right decision moving away from where I grew up. Today, that sticks in my mind. The farm that I once new in Northern Minnesota changed very drastically today. A house that I ran to from the bus will no longer be there. My mom was still at work and my dad was out in the barn doing chores or grinding feed with Grandpa; Grandma in the house making carmel rolls or canning vegetables from the garden. I knew I always had something to do rather than my homework, so of course I was going over there!

It has been empty for a little over a year now, and coming home to visit was hard while the farm house was empty. Knowing how hard it is for me, I can't imagine how hard it is for those that grew up living in it. I lived across the driveway, but I guess it is the many trips into the cellar, giving Prudance a bath in the big tub upstairs, spending the night when my cousins were in town, and all of the family gatherings that grew and grew through the years in that house.

Maybe it is the fact that I have a lot of time to think right now being on bed rest, but missing family in times like this seems appropriate. Many people ask me why I moved so far away, but I've always been one to drag Mom and Dad around to see different things. Dad told me before I left, "I'm not worried about you moving away, but I am worried about you and spending money"! Maybe that is what all Dad's are worried about with their little girls. Mom taught me one very important lesson for my travels and that is " I have never met a stranger"! Whether that is safe or not, it has never steered me wrong. I can say I have friends and family all over the world and I'm very grateful for that. And don't get me wrong...... if I wouldn't have left, I wouldn't have met my wonderful husband and would not be sitting here all day waiting for this baby to grow and be a big part of our lives. So I tell everyone who asks.... I miss my family so very much, but I'm here because of them, and they made me a strong and independent woman!

So thank you for all of the memories and many more to come!!!

In memory of the Nilson farm house!

Projects?

by Cora

Mom woke up this morning saying that she was going to have a great day!!!!! She talked about starting a new project! Which one I have no idea. Mom and Dad are almost done with the crib, so I think she feels good after doing a little something and accomplishing something, that she is ready to tackle a new project. So many choices though.

Mom's friend from Houston sends here little things here and there and here are a few. Some I think are to be funny, because they won't take Mom long at all, and another one!!! Well let's hope mom remembers how to count!

That's okay, because Mom has a project for her friend when they come to visit. Hopefully they are coming this weekend. I'm excited to see her again, but I'm more excited, because she is bringing my boyfriend this time!!!! OOH LA LA!

Well Grandma Jo, you'd be proud, because she has moved the cross-stitching towel from the back of her chair!!!! That's a start I guess. She even talked about getting the keyboard out to play for Baby Renee. Speaking of her..... here are some of Mom and Dad's pictures of her!! The full body shot is at 20 weeks and the head shot is at 25 weeks.

She is going to be my beautiful little sister!! I can't wait!!! Well love you all!

End of another year!

by Cora

You all know by now that my mom has been on bed rest for about 3 months now. This time of year usually means it is the beginning to the end of a school year for her. She usually is really busy at this time getting grades in the computer and making sure that the kids are all doing what they need to do to pass PE. I think it is funny to say that, "PASS PE". Everyone should pass PE right. isn't that one of the easiest classes to pass? Well that is what everyone tells me.

This year it is a little different for my mom since she has missed most of her school year. She teaches 6 - 8 grade girl's PE and is the Head Girl's Basketball Coach. I know it has been hard for Mom to be away from her kids too. She considers them her kids, because she is with them so much and they come and ask her for advice, and are always looking for guidance. That hasn't stopped since she has been home, they email her to check up on her and some of her basketball players have been over to visit. She even gets little notes on tests and other things that they turn in for her to grade. Mom's long term sub stops by very often to give Mom the grades for the week and she always brings over her daughter who is one of the students. So they let the kids know how Mom is doing.

Mom received an email today from a mother of one of her students that made Mom cry, so I know she misses them and they miss her too.

I'd put some pictures in here, but Mom wouldn't let me, because she doesn't have permission from the parents of the students!!!!!

Baby news!!!!

by Cora



Mom went to the doctor today, and we had to stay in our room for most of the day. Jack and I just aren't used to that anymore. Mom keeps saying that we are going to hate it when she goes back to work. "WELL DON'T GO BACK TO WORK". That's what I have to say about that.



Anyway, Mom said that Renee was not happy with the lady prodding and probing her with the picture thingy. Renee kicked the thing and moved right when she was recording the heart rate which is 145 beats per min. That is good, so Mom says. Renee also weighs 1 pound 10 ounces. She is getting bigger, but I just thought Mom was eating a lot more to fill her tummy up so she felt full. Mom is GETTING BIG! I don't tell her that though. I don't like it when people come over and tell me that I'm getting bigger. I'm 49 for god sakes, you don't tell any woman past the age of 20 that she is getting bigger. That happened to me on Sunday. We went to visit some friends and one lady said "Cora's gotten bigger"! Mom didn't defend me or anything. I actually don't think she knew what to say!



Anyway, the doctor said Mom has to go back in on the 4th of June. The Placenta seems to be moving, but it isn't totally out of the clear yet. She had full previa before and now it is just marginal. The next appointment is the day before Mom's birthday, maybe Dad will take Mom out for a nice lunch. That is if he remembers when her birthday is!!!!! I'll have to remind him and give him subtle hints here and there since she is turning 30 and can't celebrate the way she would like to. Well Maybe I won't remind him, because we will have to be stuck in the room even longer!!! That would suck!

A beautiful Mother's Day morning!

We LOVE our Mom!!
by Cora

Jack doesn't seem to like to go outside so early in the mornings anymore. Maybe it is because of old age, or because of his new collar!!!! But either way, he misses out on the beautiful sun rises and singing of the cardinal.

Mom snuck out with me this morning to take some pictures. I've been bugging her to take some new ones for the blog, and I've told her of the sun rise and her grandmother's, Gorgeous, singing. I know she has to get her sleep, but she misses out quite often. This morning was different though. Dad had to get up early for drill and Mom made sure he got up and was on time!!! She poured her cup of coffee and Came outside with me. Well she snuck out and caught me basking in the morning sun!

I wish I could do more for Mom today. I can only love her and keep her company, and I hope that is enough. She always says it is, but I just hope so. Jack is trying to snuggle up with her right now, but she wants the chair to herself.

Mom always says that she is who she is because of the wonderful women that are around her!! I keep asking her who and the first one she says is her mom, Grandma Jo! I guess, I know that Hooch really loves Grandma Jo, because that is his mom of course, but I understand him because he is a dog. Mom always talks about what Grandma Jo has done for her and her sisters. Grandma Jo is always there for them and has such a great big heart! She cares so much for everyone she meets. Mom told me that Grandma Jo always says " We never meet strangers"! Maybe that is why we have so many friends around the world. Thank you Grandma Jo for bringing my Mom into this world, so she could find us!!!!!

Next one is Aunt Georgia.

She is actually my great aunt, but we'll just call her Aunt Georgia. Aunt Georgia has been a great friend and mother to Mom and her sisters. She went to every game, choir and band concert, horse and pig show, dance recital, and pageant Mom has ever been in. Aunt Georgia is always the one BEHIND the cameras. She has also helped Mom and Dad with all of the moves and travels they have been on. Aunt Georgia is one of the most giving and unselfish women I know! She has taken in so many dogs and cats in her time too and all us pooches say WOOF (THANK YOU).

Well there are so many other women out there that have made a difference in my mom's life, and I could write a book of all of the stories that Mom tells me. I just want to say love you Mom and all of you Mom's that have made my Mom who she is today!!!!

My best friends!!!

by Jack

I love when my girls come to visit.

Christy and Katie just moved to a new house farther away from us, but we get to see them every once in a while. They used to live like 5 minutes away and we got to see them more often, but with their move it doesn't happen as much.

Katie and Cora

Jack and Christy

They came over 2 days in a row. I was so excited. They love on Cora and I and we get to chase them around the house, well until Mom yells at us for knocking stuff off of the coffee table. They had their yearly dance recital and their mom, Aunt Dawn, didn't want to drive 30 miles out and then come back, so it was nice for her to come visit too. I know my mom enjoyed her company. They have become very good friends, almost like sisters. They always help each other out and I know Mom appreciates all of her support and advise that Aunt Dawn has given her through the Drew thing and the new upcoming baby.

Aunt Dawn is pregnant with her third girl and due in June. 3 girls! WOW, I don't know how Uncle Ben does it. I know Dad and I are going to have to stick together when sister Renee arrives.


Well Happy Mother's Day and God Bless!

A new perspective

by Cora

Nobody said it would be easy. My Mom on bed rest and worried about the baby. I think Jack and I have the best part of this situation and I'm going to take a new perspective on it like my Mom is.

Mom has been getting up every morning with a positive attitude. She is in a better mood, and actually getting things done for school and basketball. I absolutely love having her home. I could stare at her all day, and Jack and I fight to sit next to her in the chair or even on the floor at her feet. But I got to sit by her last night.

She will play with us and pay attention to us everyday. Before it was not that way. Mom and Dad both have to work and they both have demanding jobs. Dad sometimes has to leave town for a few days to a week. Not like before, but he still has to go check on some jobs out of town or even the state. Dad's hours are pretty normal though and when he get home he has his routine of kissing Mom, and then petting me and Jack.

Mom on the other hand works weird hours. She coached volleyball and basketball this past year and was very busy. There is a time when they both overlap too and Mom was working 14 plus hours a day, and that is when we lost Drew. She sometimes thinks that her working so much was one of the reasons that Drew didn't make it. Maybe that is why she has to stay home with us. Anyway, she is really excited cause the next school year they are really working with her and the fact that Mom will have a new baby. She does have more responsibilities, but she will be able to be home more often. She will not be coaching volleyball anymore, which I know was a hard decision for her, since volleyball is her love, but I think it is the best decision she's made besides taking me home.

So Grandma Jo..... don't worry cause we are taking good care of Mom. She is staying in her chair for the most part. We are also keeping her happy, especially now that Jack is staying in the yard!

Not much new here!

by Cora

Sorry I haven't written in a while. Jack hasn't run off, so there is nothing to write about there. Mom hasn't gone to the doctor lately, so really nothing there either.

Mom has been having a hard time lately with the bed rest. She says she is getting this thing called nesting too. I think that means she needs to clean or something. But she can't do it and it is killing her. She's been really emotional lately too. Maybe that is just the fact that she is pregnant, that's what Dad says anyway. She's just not herself. Summer time is her time off and to do things she loves to do. But I keep reminding her that she has my sister in her and she needs to keep her safe for a little while longer. I keep Mom in her chair when she lets me sit with her.

Jack has been staying in the yard. That collar of his is really SHOCKING! HA HA. But I like having him around more. We like to play and chase each other around the house and Mom and Dad egg us on quite a bit. Then they laugh at us. I'm glad we can entertain them. When we are inside, we just sleep near Mom and make sure she stays put! Mom has been picking on Jack lately. She tickles him under his arm and he kicks her. Then looks at her funny.

I also have a couple of cats for siblings. They both stay outside since Mom is pregnant, but I think they like it. This picture below is TJ (Tiger Junior). He is kind of funny and thinks he is hot stuff. That box he is laying in is a bit small for him, but he lays in it anyway. He likes boxes. He'll lay in Dad's beer boxes and Dad will push him around like he is on a carnival ride. He seems to enjoy it.

Like I said not much going on here. Mom heads to the doctor next week and gets to see my little sister on the doctor's TV again. Hopefully she will bring some pictures back and some good news that her placenta has moved away from her cervix. I want to see how big she is getting. Mom is 24 weeks along now, so over half way. Hopefully she can stay sane for all of us a little longer!!!!