Sweet

I could eat this sweet little guy up.
(Please ignore the tooth paste on his shirt)

Happy Birthday Drew

Well, we did it. We made it 4 years with this bundle of joy, that is 110% all boy, that can't sit still for more than 30 seconds, that loves to play with his "guys", that loves to do anything that is daddy does, and has a sweet spot for his baby brother.

This year we got to celebrate his birthday party on his birthday! We had a house full of people: Grandma and Papa Buddy (my parents), Grandma and Papa Sadie (J's parents), Aunt Lissa, cousins Izzy and Ally, Lisa and Mark (our friends from North Liberty), Isaiah and Bird (our old neighbor and his soon to be step-sister), and Todd and Holly (some friends from here). The theme this year was Power Rangers and you can see in some of the pictures he had most of them set up before the party guest arrived, but took them down shortly after he put them up.

At his 4 year check up the doctor said he was healthy (which this Mama always likes to hear), he is 3' 6" or 44" tall and that sent him off the charts and he is 42 pounds which puts him in the 90%.

Enjoy a few pictures from his party!

Four Years Ago

Four years ago I was ready to get this little man out of me. I was covered in acne, my gums bled, I was getting nose bleeds, and everything was swollen from head to toe, my back hurt, my feet hurt, and I tell you I am surprised I wanted to experience it again.
I didn't want to be induced, everyone I knew that was induced had long labors, but Monday the 23rd, we had an appointment and my blood pressure had gone up so the doctor wanted to induce me on Tuesday morning.
We made our calls to our family members letting them know that Tuesday was the big day. Bob had meetings in Cedar Rapids so Deb decided to come with him. That evening my neighbor (the chiropractor) gave me one finally adjustment (in his garage) and then we went out to eat with Jeremy's parents....I remember is Mom telling me to eat something lite so it didn't come back up during labor. After we got home we finished up some last minute things, Jeremy made me a chocolate shake, and we were laying in bed watching some TV. Around 9:00 PM I started getting these gas pains (sorry for the info), they wouldn't go away so I called my Mom and she said "Umm those aren't gas pains honey, your in labor". I got my wish, I didn't have to be induced.
Jeremy and I got to the hospital around 1:00 AM, my Mom, his Mom, and my sister were on their way too. I was very adamant on not having an epidural, after a very long night and morning Drew arrived at 6:34 AM. (After that experience Jeremy said he would not be in the delivery room for the next baby if I didn't have an epidural)
Our little boy was perfect! 10 fingers, 10 toes, a perfect shaped head, he was 8 lbs 13 ozs and 21 1/2 inches. The only problem we faced was a name.
Jeremy was set on Drew and I was set on Theodore, almost 12 hours later we decided on Drew, NOW I can't picture calling him Theodore, Ted, Teddy, or even Theo. He is a Drew through and through.
These last four years have been a blessing, I love watching him learn, I love watching his imagination, I love watching him grow. I remember the excitement I felt when the pregnancy test said "positive", I remember calling Melissa and then dropping to the ground because I had actually said it out loud and the nervousness kicked in, I remember when the doctor placed him on my lap, I remember these last four years like it all happened yesterday.
Drew is and will all be surrounded by people that love him.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of the last four years.

Cleaning Out

Unlike my friend Amber, I couldn't wait for Ty to be done with bottles. I hate washing them, they take up so much cupboard space, and he wouldn't let me snuggle him anymore when he would have one so what is the point.
Since Ty hadn't used a bottle in awhile, today, I decided they were all going in the garbage!
Sure it makes me a little sad that my baby isn't a "baby" anymore, but I've found other ways to still make him a "baby".

PS My big baby is going to 4 on Sunday.

Just Had to Share

So I was going through pictures today...trying to organize them a little better, and I came across this one. I had to share it, Jeremy has my pink bank shirt on trying to stretch it out for me when I was pregnant with Drew.


I hope you all get a could laugh, cause I did...especially you Manda!

Christmas With My Side

We had Christmas with Mom, Bill, Melissa, and the girls on Sunday. Unfortunately Melissa and I both forgot our cameras and I think Mom got only a few snap shots. But with or without cameras we still had a good time...you all just can't see.

Christmas still isn't over for the Pingel family, we still have one left in April.

52 Things About Me

Well, I figure I would jump in on the fun!
52 things about Me!



1. Do you like blue cheese dressing? Not at all


2. Favorite Country group? Oh gosh, I haven't listened to country since probably middle school, but I don't mind Carrie Underwood...I guess she isn't a group though

3. Do you own a gun? Nope, Jeremy has a hunting gun...not sure why he never hunts

4. What's your favorite drink at Starbucks or other specialty coffee shop? A caramel latte

5. What do you think of hot dogs? They are fine at times, but only Dubuque Plumpers

6. Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Story

7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? coffee

8. Can you do push ups? yep

9. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? my wedding ring

10. Favorite hobbies? geez, I don't know, spending time with my family...I think it is time to take one up

11. Do you have A.D.D.? don't think so

12. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? I guess I can be a little stubborn at times

13. Middle name? Leigh

14. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
(1) I should really be cleaning right now
(2) I need a weekend, kid free, to get all of this organization done
(3) This diet things isn't starting out too well

15. 3 drinks I drink most often? coffee, water, and diet coke with lime

16. Current worry right now? getting this house in order, before I go insane

17. Current hate(s) right now? my belly

18. Favorite place to be? anywhere as long as it is the 4 of us

19. How did you ring in the New Year? At home, Jeremy had to work till 9 and then he had to go back to the store at 11 to let out the scrubbers

20. Like to Travel? YES just wish we had the time and all the money in the world to do it more often

21. Name three people who will complete this? not sure, I think most have already done it

22. Do you own slippers? Yes, but I don't wear them often

23. What color shirt are you wearing? white

24. Could you ever make it 39 days on the show Survivor? I think so

25. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't

26. Favorite girl names? Still up in the air with that....I guess we will find out if I ever have a girl

27. Favorite boy names? Drew, Tyson, Grant, I could keep going

28. What's in your pocket right now? nothing

29. Last thing that made you laugh? Drew playing with his "guys"

30. Worst injury you've ever had? broken wrist

31. Do you love where you live? The town is okay, but I miss North Liberty

32. How many TV's do you have in your house? 3

33. Who is your loudest friend? Amy for sure

34. Does someone have a crush on you? i would like to think Jeremy does

35. What is your favorite candy? snickers

36. Favorite Sports Team? I follow Jeremy Shockey where ever he goes

37. What were you doing 12 AM last night? I was up with Ty...he needs to get over this waking up in the middle of the night thing

38. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up today? Wow Jeremy let me sleep in

39. What is your favorite Holiday? I guess, they all are, I like the perks they each have

40. What are your plans for tomorrow? meeting Mom in Dubuque to drop off the boys, pick up Drew's birthday party supplies, go to Jeremy's old boss' retirement party, then enjoy the alone time with Jeremy (the last one doesn't happen very often)

41. Real Christmas tree or artificial? Normally real, but this Christmas we put up our little artificial tree

42. Your greatest fear? the boys getting sick, losing another loved one

43. Favorite TV show(s)? to list a few, Desperate Housewives, Grays, OTH, Friends

44. Biggest Pet Peeve? People who bite their nails or decide to cut each and every nail while in a public location

45. Do you snore? when I'm pregnant

46. Do you like scary movies? I do!

47. Do you have a pet? Heavy our fat cat, and two hermit crabs

48. Favorite artist? don't have one

49. Favorite cereal? Lucky Charms

50. Last movie seen in the theater? Knocked Up...we don't get out often

51. What are you most looking forward to in 2010? I hope a transfer and maybe another pregnancy (that will only come if the transfer comes)

52. What is your New Year's Resolution? Get this house in order and to drop some weight before my class reunion

Christmas With The Pingel Family

We were lucky enough to make it to Bob and Deb's on Christmas Eve, we were all worried with the snow and ice. The boys always have fun with Papa and Grandma Sadie, Uncle Nick, and Aunt Amy and Uncle Jared.
This year we were without Uncle Josh and Aunt Jill, but we will see them at Easter when, lets hope, all the snow will be gone.

The Tree

Grandma and Drew

Uncle Nick and Ty

Aunt Amy and Ty

Drew with Uncle Nick

Uncle Jared transforming Drew's transformer for him

Drew dressed up in his G.I. Joe outfit from Uncle Nick

Daddy wearing the G.I. Joe mask

Christmas At Home

Santa came a day early to our house this year. I think I was more excited to wake up that morning than the boys where, in fact I was, I was up at 7:00 and everyone else slept in until 8:00.
We decided to put up our little tree this year, because we thought we might be moving and didn't want to have to worry about a real tree while we were in that process.
And, for some reason I was horrible at getting pictures this year.

Cookies for Santa










Christmas morning breakfast...holiday pancakes!

Christmas Program

Of course I am way behind on blogging again. Drew had his pre-school Christmas program on December 22nd. He did really well, I was pretty proud of my little man, and as I sit here tying, I realize he is going to be 4 this month. I can't believe it. It seems those 9 months of pregnancy go by so slowly, but these last 4 years have flown by.
I've been trying to add a video but for some reason it won't upload :(