Red, White, Blue..Sun and a Little Rain too!

We had a great 4th of July weekend at Bass Lake. The weather was beautiful on Friday and Sunday...unfortunately it rained all day Saturday and we were stuck inside most of the day and night...but the rest of the weekend was beautiful and made up for the rainy day!

Family Picture


Loving all her toys at the lake


Daddy and Abigail driving the boat. Abigail sporting her bikini. (I would like to make a footnote that if you see Abigail on the boat without her life jacket, it's because we are just sitting on the boat at the pier. Whenever the boat is moving, she has her life jacket on!!!!)



Abigial's 4th of July outfit...too bad it was too cold so she had to wear a jacket and pants all day

Kodak Moment

Abigial's new toy...Thanks to friends at the lake!

Wow...loving the sand!

The boat is much more fun when we aren't moving!

Papa and Abigail

Kramer got a haircut. He looked very handsome!

Boat Time with Nana and Daddy (I think this is about the time Kramer tried to jump off the boat so we had to go back)

Anothe new toy...she LOVED her pool!!!!!

Making great memories!

Abigail had so much fun with Nana and Papa that she decided to stay another day! Mommy and Daddy miss her, but know she's having a GREAT time! I'm sure there will be LOTS of pictures from Nana and Papa of her sleepover at the lake...can't wait to see her tonight! Thanks Nana and Papa for the great weekend!!! Happy Birthday, America!!!

Holy Cow!!! 20 Weeks!!!!

We can't believe we are already 1/2 way through this pregnancy!!! This 2nd trimester is flying by! Here is my update...Abigail wanted to join the pictures this week and let's face it, she's the cute one of the family!


20 Weeks


20 Weeks

How far along? 20 Weeks

Total weight gain: 10 lbs

Maternity clothes? Yes.

Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Yes please!!!! Can't get enough-the progesterone makes me very tired!
Best moment this week: Making it 1/2 way!!!
Movement: Yep! I get some kicks every day...only when I'm sitting but I'll take them! They are still cute little bumps...
Food cravings: Not really craving anything this week
Gender: Surprise!!! (Rob feels girl, I feel boy...only one can be right)
Labor Signs: Unfortunately, yes. I was having some contractions yesterday...saw my dr...everything is looking good...he said just get some extra rest, stay hydrated, and be prepared because they could go on for 20 more weeks...today I don't have them so I'm just hoping yesterday was a fluke.
What I miss: Pop 'n' Wine at Bass Lake...it's the best drink on a hot day! But my Pop 'n' Koolaid will work!
What I am looking forward to: This week is our BIG ultrasound!! And no, we aren't finding out the gender.
Purchases: (I added this one cause I think it's fun) I got the cutest blue/brown blanket yesterday! I couldn't help it..it was on super sale and I want to take both blue and pink things with me to the hospital this time! I figure if I don't need it, I have plenty of friends who may! I also downloaded the Johnny Cash Lullaby CD! Abigail listened to the Bob Marley CD when I was pregnant with her (it was the CD my kindergarteners napped to) and in the NICU it really calmed her down, so we decided this baby needed his/her own CD. Johnny it is!! Love it! And for my dad, it even has A Boy Named Sue on it!
Weekly Wisdom: It's probably time to start thinking about the room arrangements, clothing, etc! :)
Milestones: 1/2 way there...a beautiful milestone!!!!

Baseball + Water + Parades=Great Weekend

Our weekend started on Friday with a water day! Abigail and Reese played outside for over 2 hours with every possible water device either we or the Staniaks own!


Snack break!


Snack break #2 (more like #100)...you can tell they are having lots of fun by the hair!

Friday night Abigail and Mommy went to a Flyers game with Grandma and Grandpa (Daddy was at the dog track).


Grandpa got Abigail a new chair. It's the cutest chair ever...Thank you, Grandpa!

Abigail wasn't sure about Grandpa's new scruff.

On Saturday we did something we never thought we'd do...we went looking at minivans. It was so fun! We are going to wait till the end of the summer to buy one, but we decided it was time to start the search!!!

On Sunday we took Abigail to the splash park in Geneva.

After the splashpark, we headed to the Swedish Festival in Geneva. We had a great lunch, enjoyed the fest, and then saw the parade!

Playing waiting for the parade to start

LOVE this picture!!!!

The "girls"

It was a busy weekend...but we are loving the summer weather!!!!

Also, I know I haven't posted a pregnancy picture/post in a few weeks...check back tomorrow!

18 Months

Abigail turned 18 months on Monday. The day started with her 18 month check up. Nope, she hasn't hit 20 lbs yet...she hasn't hit 19 lbs yet either...she's 18 lbs 15 oz! I accidently threw away the paper with her height so I'll have to remeasure her and let you know..but she's off the chart on her height..she shot up the past 3 months! So she's not on the charts yet for weight and off for height...she's gonna be just like her daddy! She also got 2 more vaccines..and because I am not having the MMR given until she is over 2 and because I am still debating the Chicken Pox Vaccine (shouldn't she just get it the old fashion way...go play with the kid with Chicken Pox..that's how we did it growing up) they made me sign this "Refusal of Vaccinations" form which made me sound like this big rebellion...and that signing came with one more lecture...ugh! Come on people, it's one vaccine and I said she could have it if they seperated the MMR into 3 shots, but they don't want to pay for it, so instead I get "talked to"...again!

It was then onto FUN! We headed to the St. Charles Splash Park with the NICU mommies/babies. The park was a GREAT place for toddlers because it's all different water sprinklers on a soft surface...and the day is always GREAT when we are with the NICU families...I can't believe 18 months ago I didn't know these families...they are amazing!





The 3 Amigos! (Oh, look at that happy Abigail!)




Luca...oh do I love this boy! He's so funny and cute!!!


Sweet Cally, doing AMAZING...and her amazing mama who just had another baby Catie 11 weeks ago...so brave to have 2 babies at the water park...


Starting to get into this sand thing...but still hates to get her hands dirty!



Less than 3 Weeks to Ocean City...so keep practicing with the sand!



Abigail LOVED the water and was so funny because she laughed so hard whenever she got her head wet.

After the splash park, we headed home for the 18 month celebration. We had 1/2 a cake for her 1/2 birthday, and then she got to open her 1/2 bday present!

A girl after her mommy's heart...just stick that fork into the cake!!!

Mmmm...yummy!

Abigail got her 1st dollhouse for her 1/2 birthday! We bought this like 8 months ago..and couldn't wait till she was old enough to get it. I'm so happy we waited because she loves it...and that was so fun to see. She actually sits and plays with the house...so fun!

Our little girl is getting old with her 1st dollhouse.

Tonight we went to Lou's with my parents to celebrate Father's Day (my dad was hiking the Appalachian Trail over the weekend...hense the "scruff"...he's really amazing with all he does) and Rob's Birthday. Before dinner, grandma took Abigail shopping and she got a new big ball and a pink shopping cart to play with at Grandma and Grandpa's house...my mom is watching her every Wednesday this summer while I work so she needed some new toys! Thanks Mom and Dad for dinner...it was great even though Abigail was a little "antsy"!

Grampa and Abigail

Lil W Update: I missed the 18 week post with all that was going on this weekend. The funny thing is I can't believe how I "popped" during the week..we were looking at pictures from the wedding 2 weekends ago and compared to now, I barely had a belly then...I'll have to update with a picture tomorrow! I am feeling Lil W every day now...so exciting...just a small kick here or there but I love it!!!! Tonight was my 3rd progesterone shot...that's going great! Also, another follow up the hospital has shown my cervix still closed so no stitches again! However, I do have a low-lying placenta which would require a c-section if it stays (basically the placenta is under the baby and you can't deliver the placenta before the baby-hense c section)..and could make my pregnancy a little more complicated..but the dr. said in 90% of women it corrects itself by 20 weeks so until that app't in 2 weeks, I'm not thinking or worrying about it. Anyways, we can't believe that we are only a week away from being half way through my pregnancy...it's flying by. We can't wait to meet Lil W, but we can wait 21 more weeks!!!

Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, grandpas, papas, and godfathers in our lives!!!!!




Dear Daddy,

Happy 2nd Father's Day! I think you are the best daddy in the whole world! You make me laugh more than anybody!! I get so excited when I hear the garage door open when you get home from work..I run so fast to the gate to say "Hi" to you. I love when you read me books in your silly voices and rock me to bed at night. Thank you for all the fun things you do with me! I love you so much, Daddy!

Love, Abigail Grace



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We had a GREAT weekend. On Saturday we went to the Flyers game with Staniaks and other friends! It was a fund-raiser so it was a great game for a great cause! Abigail loved just being at the stadium! She had so much fun I think Mommy and Abigail are going to go back next Friday with Grandma and Grandpa!



Showing off her new hat!


Sunday, Father's Day, was a very relaxing day at the Wennerstrom home. Both our dads were out of town so we spent the day just relaxing as a family. All Rob wanted to do on his Father's day was smoke ribs in his smoker and spend time relaxing.

Wagon rides outside!!!!!

Daddy is teaching Abigail all about "Man Food".

Look at that spread! Happy Father's Day, Rob!

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Tomorrow is Abigail's 1/2 birthday. As most people know, since Abigail's birthday is 3 days before Christmas (and she shares her birthday with a pretty important baby...Jesus), we decided we would always celebrate her 1/2 birthday too so she has a special day all to herself!
It is just a small event that we do as a family that includes 1/2 a cake or 1/2 cupcakes and 1 present! I can't believe my "baby" is 18 months tomorrow. She is so funny. She is starting to talk more...and while we don't always know what she's saying, she's starting to repeat things more. Her favorite song is "Twinkle Twinkle" because she had add her words "up, high, I". Her favorite book hands down is Brown Bear. I am absolutely amazed at how much she LOVES this book. We read it 20+ times a day, and she reads it 20+ times to herself too. She is starting to stack blocks and loves to feed her dolly. She loves the cabinet with bottles and plastic bowls and spoons in it and is always mixing things together. She loves to brush her teeth..which is because she is able to get up on her step stool and get her toothbrush out of her drawer all by herself. She will still eat any fruit or vegetable put in front of her, but she has started a new thing where she won't swallow her food...she just keeps it in her mouth. I did the same thing as a kid (earning the nickname Chipmunk). One day after nap she still had turkey in her mouth from lunch. She still LOVES Kramer and wants to hold his leash on walks. She loves going to the pool and has no fear of the water! She continues to be our little princess and mommy and daddy's pride and joy!

Happy 18 months, Abigail!!!! We love you!!!

17 Weeks

I was just trying a different place in the living room but it came out a little "artistic"...I wasn't going for this look but it's kind of sweet of mommy and baby

How far along? 17 Weeks

Total weight gain: 6 lbs

Maternity clothes? Yes. Wore my new maternity bathing suit this week to the pool...it was GREAT! I wish I could wear it forever!!! So much more confident in a bathing suit with a big belly...call me crazy!

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Getting better...the couch is my new friend!!! Sleep so much better when leaning my back against it.

Best moment this week: Heard the heartbeat on the doppler right away..it was so cool!!!

Movement: Still not much...just a little "reminder" every day or two

Food cravings: peanut butter and jelly, gummi snacks, orange juice

Gender: Surprise!!! (Rob feels girl, I feel boy...only one can be right)

Labor Signs: No

What I miss: Hot dogs on the grill and salami sandwiches...but don't mind at all!

What I am looking forward to: Ordering my double stroller! (Baby Trend Sit n Stand Plus...has 2 seats now, but when Abigail is bigger it can be transitioned to 1 seat for Lil W and a bench for Abigail to ride on when need be.)

Weekly Wisdom: I am just telling myself to enjoy this! I really do enjoy every single day I'm pregnant!!!

Milestones: *This week is my 2nd check for a cerclage...if we make it through this week and the 20 week check, I'll be clear if it! *Showing more this week and enjoying my little belly! *Starting to think of names and purchases...big milestone for us!

Our Weekend in Cincinnati (Part 1)

This weekend we headed to Cincinnati for my cousin's wedding. It was our 1st official road trip (complete with car snacks, lunch packed in the cooler, and my favorite, truck stops)! Abigail was so good in the car. She usually cries when we do the drive up to the cabin so we were very nervous and I invested in every gadget possible to keep her entertained. However, she was great! Having the tv with a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD was a big help. We had such a great family weekend...we really had a wonderful time! The wedding itself was beautiful...but I forgot my camera for the wedding so Part 2 will be coming later this week when I get pics from my sister and dad. In the meantime, here was our weekend up to the wedding.

We hit the road on Friday morning. While we did hit some traffic, we made it to Cincinnati by 5:00. My parents left around the same time and when we finally talked, we realized we were only like 10 cars away from each other...so we arrived at the same time! On Friday night my parents went to the rehearsal dinner. We took advantage of this time to explore Cincinnati. Of course we had Skyline Chili for dinner. Then we went to a music festival, walked along the river, saw the Red's and Bengal's stadium, and ended with ice cream! The hotel where we stayed was a Suite, so we had a seperate bed room, family room, and kitchen. It was perfect with Abigail because she was able to nap in her own room and we were able to feed her breakfast at home.

On Saturday, my sister flew in and the whole family went to Coney Island for the morning. Coney Island is a small little amusement park. It was really empty, which was GREAT for us because Abigail had the run of the park! We had some more Skyline for lunch and then headed back for a little nap before the wedding. The wedding and the reception were beautiful and so much fun...but I won't get into too many details until I get those pictures. However, I will stay that we were able to spend a lot of time with my aunt, uncle, and cousins who we don't get to see very often, so that was really great!!! My cousin Jodee and I are only 3 months apart and Abigail and her son are only 1 month apart, so we had lots to talk and laugh about!

On Sunday we had one more visit to Skyline...this time we went to the restaurant on University of Cincinnati's campus where my dad went to school...and then it was time for the 2nd leg of our road trip. Rob discovered how nice it was to sit in the back with Abigail and watch movies...so I drove most of the drive home. We were home by 4:00. It was such a great weekend...lots of family time!


Hitting the road


Abigail must have been telling us "This is my 1st of many road trips"! She is holding her tray...one of our many investments for the car.



Mmmm...Skyline Chili! It is a Cincinnati staple. It may be an acquired taste, but we LOVE it and literally ate it every single meal except at the reception. After 3 full days of it, you'd think I'd be sick of it...but right now I'd LOVE to have some! I think Lil W will LOVE Skyline after all I ate this weekend.


Downtown Cincinnati at a music festival



Abigail's 1st ride. We weren't sure how she'd do, but she LOVED it! She road it all by herself (luckily she was the only person on the ride, so we knew we could stop it if she didn't like it) and everytime she came around, she had the cutest smile on her face. She was so proud of herself every time she passed us...I wish I had my video camera because I never want to forget her smile!

Hold on tight (these things moved as slow as turtles..it was almost comical how slow they were)!

Discovering the bell on the train

Making sure all 5 of us were watching her and waving!

Aunt Katie and Abigail at Coney Island

They had this little town and Abigail LOVED the school because of the desk.

Our little student!

Check back for part 2...the wedding and reception!