Thursday, April 30, 2009

wild willy

I've decided my youngest child isn't as adaptable... although he is still just as adorable.
I once thought I was a good sleep parent and then after having 3 different experiences have decided it's like they say... some kids are good sleepers and others aren't.
Keep telling Jon that we need to try and get them to start learning to go to sleep in their crib instead of bouncing them to sleep. Kinda like putting money in your 401K now so you don't have to work the rest of your life (at least that's the hope). Only problem, it's easier said than done. We started making the transition 2 nights ago by feeding them before Charlie goes to bed, sitting through stories. The 1st night we tried to put them down at the same time as Charlie. DUMB. Charlie's choo choo express on the way to the bedroom was way too stimulating and they both were wide awake. Last night we tried afterwards. They were both sound asleep when we laid them down. Will woke up slightly on the way over to his room. but he woke up another 3 times before 1:00 a.m. What is it with this kid? He did the same thing the last time we went out of town...
Fingers are crossed for tonight. Stay tuned!

MS Walk - Hokie Girls


Jen, Deb, Sarah and me... this is at the RBC Center with Carter Finley in the background.
The 4 of us met Freshman year, wow that was a 15 years ago!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Stacy Ann








I went to visit Stacy Ann and Laura today. She is still cute as ever. Her hair is not only thick, but long! She is going to have a pony tail here soon. She was wide awake and we had a nice conversation today. She thinks I look like someone she knows, but isn't sure why...

These are pictures from Laura's camera...








Monday, April 27, 2009

Happy 6 Month Birthday Matt & Will!

Hard to believe! These guys are just getting so big. We go for their 6 month appt. next Monday. feel like we are just getting settled in this stage, but gearing up for the next, cereal, food, etc.
Jon and I are usually laid back when it comes to making changes (maybe too laid back?) but not rushing to start a new routine and throw something else into the mix.

We had a lot of fun this weekend, the MS Walk was a lot of fun. And we enjoyed getting outside all day Sunday planting our veggie garden and flowers.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Hanging at the Edelblut's


Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Just wanted to thank everyone for all the support of our MS WALK effort!!!
Debbie's team has raised $6193 so far!!! Debbie has raised the goal 3 times as she's had such great support. No wonder she is known as an organized event planner!

I am leaving late Friday night with Jen for our trip to Raleigh.

Also wanted to share, the following "article." The MS Walk team was looking for story ideas to share with the media and has the following prepared. Hoping the News & Observer will pick it up. We shall see!


Raleigh Resident Gears Up for 2009 Triangle Walk MS on April 25
Over 5,000 Expected to Attend Event to be Held at RBC Center
· Local Story Idea:
o Debbie Hamm, age 33, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2008, Raleigh resident

o This is the second year Debbie has participated in Walk MS. Last year Debbie, her husband and three children joined the Walk 3 weeks after Debbie’s diagnosis. Debbie learned about the walk by seeing a Walk MS brochure in the doctor’s office the day she was diagnosed.

This year they started a team called Momentum, and the team’s fundraising goal is $5,000.

o Debbie has benefited from services the National MS Society offers, including a Newly Diagnosed Wellness Scholarship and the Young Adult Group.

o Quote 1: “Having MS can leave youfeeling very vulnerable and alone. I wanted to become part of something bigger, and felt compelled to do something ACTIVE to fight this disease - I wanted to walk for those who are unable to. When you take yourself out of the equation and decide to do something that will benefit others, that feeling of defeat goes away and you realize you really can make a difference. Walk MS is about connecting people, empowering individuals, creating memories, overcoming obstacles and gaining Momentum towards a world free of MS.”

o Quote 2: “It has just been a year since my diagnosis. I started having symptoms after having my 3rd child and it was the day before her baptism that the doctors sat me down and told me I have MS. Even though I was surrounded by loved ones that weekend, I felt completely alone. I knew nothing about this disease, how it would affect me, how it would affect my children and their future as well. Part of me did not want to even acknowledge that I have this disease. That is when my 2nd flare up happened - maybe God's way of telling me it was time to deal with it. I have since started taking medication and doing everything I can to be more active and healthy so that I can fight this disease with everything I've got. Since the start of the New Year, I decided to come "out of the closet" with my friends and family about having MS. I say this because initially, that is how you feel. You want to hide from MS - you don't understand the symptoms, it is different every time and nothing with this disease seems to make sense. Deciding to deal with it was incredibly scary because it made me feel vulnerable and weak. So I decided to do something that would help me feel strong and empowered.....I joined Walk MS and created Team Momentum!”

o Debbie can be reached at 919-924-6974 for further questions

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 17, 2009) — The Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is gearing up for Triangle Walk MS scheduled for April 25 at the RBC Center in Raleigh . Walk MS is an opportunity for individuals to support the estimated 4,600 individuals who are living with multiple sclerosis in eastern North Carolina . The event’s fundraising goal is $830,000.

“In 2008, more than 5,000 participants and volunteers helped raise over $798,000 during this event. Despite the economy, we are seeing growth in fundraising and registration,” says Bethany Coggins , special events manager for the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. “The Society’s services are needed now more than ever, and we look forward to uniting as a community to bring help and hope to those living with MS.”

Sixty percent of all the funds raised will go toward programs, services and advocacy for people living with MS in eastern North Carolina , and 40 percent supports national research to find the cause and cure of MS.

“MS is the number one disabling disease among young adults,” explains Coggins. “When thousands of people dedicate time and energy to raise money, it gets us that much closer to creating a world free of MS.”

In addition to the one, three and five mile walks, the event will feature live entertainment, food vendors and kids’ activities. There will be a large team tailgating area where participants can enjoy the day’s festivities with their friends, family and co-workers.

Registration is still open for the 2009 event. Start a team today with your family, friends and coworkers. For more information, registration and event sponsorship, visit http://walknct.nationalmssociety.org or call 1-800 FIGHT MS.

About Multiple Sclerosis:
Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. Every hour in the United States , someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and 2.5 million worldwide.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society:
MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. The Eastern North Carolina Chapter, located in Raleigh , serves the over 4,600 individuals affected by MS in our 49-county area. We help each person address the challenges of living with MS. Each year, through our home office and 50-state network of chapters, we devote approximately $125 million to programs and services that enhance more than one million lives to move us closer to a world free of MS. In 2007, the Society invested more than $46 million to support 440 research projects around the world. We are people who want to do something about MS NOW. If you or someone you know has MS, please contact the National MS Society today at www.nationalMSsociety.org/nct or 1-800 FIGHT MS to learn about ways to help manage multiple sclerosis and about current research that may one day reveal a cure.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Wood Cousins

L to R: Will, Stacy Ann, Charlie, Matt

This was Saturday after Stacy Ann came home from the hospital.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Birthday celebrations

I'm not sure it really matters what type of present anyone gave Charlie as long as there was some type of sweet or sugar involved at the end... we went to have a quesadilla and fried ice cream for Charlie's birthday and came home to blow out candles on a cake. Can you tell he was thrilled? Had to negotiate the ring pop away for another time that he managed to squeeze in at Mexican.

He is really excited about his new sandbox that his Dad made. We have lucked out 3 years in a row on weather. Had a beautiful day yesterday to celebrate in the yard.

He really enjoyed it and had to recover with a 3 hr nap...
There was more sugar to be had (I think that is blue icing).


Jon and I made a quick trip to Charlottesville Friday with Joe & Elizabeth to see Dave Matthew's at John Paul Jones arena. It was a beautiful day to enjoy and we appreciated a night away from the pack. It is sad to have come and gone so fast as we have been looking forward to it for quite a while. We are celebrating our 10 year anniversary this June (I can't believe it's been 10 years???) but haven't made any definitive plans yet. It is hard to figure out timing, etc. with kids, family beach trips, work, etc. But we are working on ideas. Let me know if you hear of anyone giving away any wonderful vacations. I have made a ploy to Ellen DeGeneres and Lite 98, but not sure that will come through :o)


















Thursday, April 16, 2009

Stacy Ann




Happy 3rd Birthday Charlie!!!


Starting the day off right, favorite CARS shirt, a shower and Pancakes for breakfast with Strawberries!
I can't believe my guy is 3. He is very excited today!


Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Did I say, she's beautiful?







I was able to sneak in and see Stacy Ann this afternoon. She is doing great. Laura is doing pretty good too. Stacy Ann looks just like Laura to me, thick head of hair, long fingers, little lips and beautiful blue eyes!







Welcome to the world Stacy Ann Edelblut!!!




Laura and Tommy welcomed their new baby girl, Stacy Ann, at 9:37 p.m. yesterday, April 14th.
She weighed 8 pounds 14 ounces, 20 and ½ inches.




















Tuesday, April 14, 2009

In anticipation

We are anxiously waiting the arrival of Laura's baby. She is at the hospital as we speak!

My cool dudes


It has been too long since the last post, but it is actually pretty unbelievably busy sometimes with 3 kids. Ha. Who would have guessed? We went to the beach again over Easter. It was our last chance for a while and we always enjoy going to the Southern Shores Property Owners picnic... free food & beer, who can pass that up? We managed to get down Thursday night with a pit stop at a Mexican restaurant and then went to Jockey's Ridge Friday for a Kite Festival. Jon and Charlie hiked up to the top and enjoyed flying kites and digging in the sand. Meanwhile, I stayed with Matt & Will in the car (they were napping) and then we had a little picnic lunch in the back (2 bottles :o). It was a nice day...
Charlie enjoyed Easter... and mostly the Easter candy. He loved making Easter cookies and painting eggs.
Pictures included: Charlie sliding down Jockey's Ridge, Will in sunglasses, Matt in red.