randy's graduation

My youngest brother, Randy, graduated from Higley High the night of the ginormous rainstorm in Arizona. Higley had a semi-smart moment and moved the graduation inside their auditorium instead of leaving it outside like some other crazy high schools I heard of. The only drawback was that they had two ceremonies because they had split the class in half. Also, each student was only able to have 6 people attend the ceremony due to lack of seating. I felt really bad for those people who had flown in from around the country to see the special someone graduate, only to get stuck in the freak rainstorm outside. Luckily, I was one of the few who was able to get in so I didn't have to worry about that situation and due to the cramped quarters and lack of seats, I didn't even have to worry about bringing Luke and wondering how he would cope. Problem solved!

Yay for Randy graduating!

Randy and my proud parents

Randy adores Andrea so he was super excited when she came to his party this past weekend!

Randy and Jaden Stefaniak

The beautiful Stefaniak ladies

surprise, surprise...more baby stuff!

I just have to start off by saying that my little guy is brilliant already. ;)

Yesterday, my mom and my sister came over to visit for the day. It was great to finally get Killian and Luke together. We were able to just hang out together and the boys enjoyed each other's company for the few minutes they were awake together. Cousins!

Grandma and her two boys

Mom, are you sure he's my cousin?

Killian will learn fast that I like to take a lot of pictures. Sorry buddy!

best buddies!

On Keith's birthday last year, somehow Kristi, Lindsay, and I all annoncued that we were pregnant. We very quickly realized that we were all due within two or three weeks of each other. We had joked for years that we would all try to have babies at the same time, but when it came time to try, no one mentioned it again. Ironically, that is how it ended up! Although Luke and Ashlyn were due on the same day, Ashlyn was born first on March 28, 19 days early (and very quickly!) and Luke came second on April 15, 9 days late (stink bug!). Gabrielle came on her due date, April 19. Since this time, we have ben getting the babies together for play dates a la the Tostitos commercial. Its really more for our benefit to a.)get out of the house, b.)have some adult interaction, and c.)make sure that all the crazy and weird thing that are happening to our bodies and minds are not abnormal. It has been such a blessing to share such a fun time my life with these ladies and their adorable babies!

First playdate April 30, 2008

Fourth play date May 28, 2008
Getting so big!
Fifth playdate June 5, 2008

killian robert wright

After a long day and night, my sister finally delivered my first nephew on May 31 at 5:36 in the morning. He is absolutely beautiful and I am so proud of all of them! Here are a few pictures of our newest family addition:

in preparation for the future...

Today Luke and I had a discussion about where he might be going to school someday: Arizona State University. Keith and I both graduated from there and Keith has been a HUGE ASU fan since he was young. It seems only right that he might consider this school someday. I have to admit that now, as a mom, I would also like this because it means he would still be close to us! So until then, enjoy our handsome little devil!

one month

Its hard for me to believe that our little man is already a month old today. It seemed like those last few weeks of pregnancy took forever and I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I pushed a human out of my body, but it happened and we've moved on to the best part: being a mom. I never knew I could love a little person so much or that it was possible to worry about things more than I did before Luke was born. His birth just opened up a whole new world of worries and every worry is totally worth it. He has such a sweet, peaceful demeanor and we are so blessed that he is in our lives.

Keith has been an amazing father so far. Each day he rushes home from work, only to take on most of the duties of caring for Luke because he wants to, not because I ask him to. He has become a master diaper changer, bath aficionado, and all around great bottle feeder. I am constantly in awe of how lucky I am to have him as my partner in this whole crazy ordeal.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures to commemorate Luke's first month of life:

He's out!

First Waltemeyer family photo

Keith's hands and Luke's feet

My precious angel

Tummy Time

Keith's Twin

Hi Mom!

My favorite smiley baby

I can't wait to see what the next months and years bring with our son. Until then...

luke tomas is here!

The Waltemeyer Family's first pic together

Our Gift from God

Sweet Dreams Luke

Almost two weeks old

No paparazzi please!

I just wanted to leave a quick update and a few pictures of our new little one, Luke Tomas! He was born Tuesday April 15, 2008 at 12:04am. He was 8 lbs. 11 oz. and 21.5 in. long. So far he is doing just amazing and has such a sweet personality. He does NOT like to be dirty and is so alert when he is awake. I just can't believe how lucky we are to have this little guy in our lives!

and the fun begins...

Well after waiting nearly 10 months, tomorrow is the big day. I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 in the morning to begin my induction because Luke and my body have come to a decision not to go into labor on their own. I'm so overwhelmed and full of so many emotions that I just can't quite put it all together. I've wanted to be a mom since I was a child playing with my dolls and tomorrow that happens. How unreal is that?

I hope that I can be the kind, supportive, loving, and firm parent that I always that I would want to be. I hope that I can guide him through the rough spots in life and celebrate the joys with him. I hope that I can share a deep love of God with him and teach him to appreciate every blessing that life has to offer. I hope I can help him to make the best possible choices that he can in his life and I hope he knows that no matter what he does, my love for him will never waiver or change.

Wish me luck!

blog neglect=epic post

Wow... It has been an insanely long time since I have updated this! I guess I've been holding out thinking that this child would make an exit from my body and then I would catch up. No such luck as he officially has no plans to come out any time soon. As of my Dr.'s appointment last night, I have still not dilated at all and I am barely effaced. With this past Sunday being the official due date and the Dr. fearing my child is "a really good size" (he said that as he was laughing-so encouraging I tell you!), I am going to be induced on Monday, April 14 at 5:30 in the morning. He let us know that the induction could take up to two days (?!?) or if he's too large, they'll take him by c-section. So much for the natural childbirth I had hoped for! At this point, I would just like a healthy baby on the outside of my body.

The showers went really well and I felt so blessed to have so many family and friends be a part of such an important event in my life!

Family Shower:

This is the diaper cake that my sister made for me...so precious!

Friends Shower:

I'm about spent for now with the update. I have so much more to add, but I think that this is a good start!

baby shower season begins...

These next six weeks will be quite the baby shower-filled weeks for Luke and myself. I've already had a shower thrown for me by the people that I work with (who are *fabulous* by the way!) and attended Kristi's shower. Over the next four weeks, I will be attending or hosting a shower each week. All the babies!

Sunday was also Kristi's birthday, so we went with her family and a few friends to Buca to celebrate. It has been so nice to be able to share a due date (almost) with someone. With Kristi and I being due only a day apart, we have been experiencing the same things and been going through the same crap/blessings at the same time. Its been so nice to have someone to share this experience with. Happy Birthday Kris!

a gift for luke

Keith is very excited for Luke's arrival, as previously mentioned in prior posts. Today's preparation for our child's arrival goes above and beyond anything I would have imagined. Keith decided we needed to get Luke a Transformer's Optimus Prime Voice Changing Helmet, so we have been searching various stores to find the best price and to see which stores carry said toy. Today at Target we actually bought the thing. I would like to also point out that the age on the box says that its for kids 5 years and older. Keith, I think we bought it too early.

He had to test it out *just in case* it didn't work and we had to return it. :)

Also, here is the most recent belly pic. Its been a long, hard day for my family so I don't look too thrilled. 30 weeks folks!

amendment

I think that my previous post might have saved me from a torturous day at school on Monday. No rain! Yahoo!

rainy days

I would just like to go on record saying how much I *enjoy* rainy days...as long as they are one the weekend. Today was so nice hanging around the house with Keith while it was drizzling outside. Keith was able to catch up on a lot of reading he'd been meaning to do and I was able to organize some of the things that we've gotten for Luke so far. The nap I took was so relaxing and the chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese for dinner was very yummy. Overall, a really pleasant and productive day.

HOWEVER, I am NOT looking forward to tomorrow. Rainy days just don't have the same cozy effect when you're trapped in a classroom all day with 19 kids who just want to be running around outside. Also not so much fun is the abbreviated lunch time of a mere 20 minutes. Nothing says a great day like inhaling your lunch and having no break time. Heartburn, anyone? Yes! I can't wait! (can you hear the sarcasm?)

;)

hints from a pregnant lady...

So I've had quite the few gems said to me lately as I've started to head into the home stretch of this pregnancy jazz. For all (three) of you who might read this, here are some helpful of things NOT to say to any woman with child:

You're belly is HUGE! (Wow, as if I didn't already feel like a beached whale...)

You're pants are getting a little tight, huh? (grrr...I'm already bitter that these pants aren't available with a zipper or button and that they stretch up to my chest)

My daughter who's a month ahead of you is WAY smaller. Are you sure it isn't twins? (positive)

Do you have any stretch marks yet? (why would you even ask this?!?)

How much weight have you gained? (like I'm going to tell anyone that)

Look at you...Pregnant... (you've seen me everyday for the last 6 months. What gave it away now?)

Some days I wonder if the gloriousness of my belly is making people forget manners or temporarily lose all ability to make a kind comment. Oh well.

28 weeks and counting...

So I've been looking back at pictures of my pregnancy thus far and I am amazed at how much my body has changed so far. I guess when you live through the growth, you don't fully realize the amount of change happening. Here are some pictures of progress so far:

8 weeks

18 weeks

28 weeks (and no longer showing my belly, thank you very much)

I'm very interested to see what the 38 week picture will look like. Yikes!

getting ready

It seems so incredibly strange to me that Luke will be here in *appx.* 12 weeks. Keith and I have really tried to start getting ready for his arrival and I think that sometimes we may actually be ahead of schedule. I should actually say that Keith is predominantly the one who is getting things ready. He has definitely caught the "nesting" bug out of the two of us. He's cleaned the garage (and broken the garage door in the process), initiated us buying furniture and bedding, helped my Grandpa put up the chair rail, and hasn't stopped yet. Now he wants to know what he can do to help with the decorations in the room. Slow down sweetheart! Let me catch my breath!

Anyhow, here are some recent pics of the progress in Luke's room:

Also, here is Keith's attempt at practicing how to hold a baby. At least Rosco was a willing participant...

a new year

People come up with all kinds of New Year's resolutions...and I've typically never been one of them. Sure, I could say that I need to lose some weight or start being more organized or clean my house better than the year past, but if I haven't started yet, what is going to motivate me now? Well, this year, I turn over a new leaf.

I am going to *try* to commit to this blog thing.

Please notice that I said *try* because who knows what will happen in 3 months when our little peanut makes his debut.

I wanted to add a new picture of us. This was our Christmas Card picture for this year and I was so excited to get a semi-cute belly shot. Enjoy!