Let's try this again.

Last night or very early this morning I should say, I was down. Yesterday, we had a great day with the kids. The doctor appt was scary and a tad bit on the negative side but now we know what to expect.

Last time we seen Dr. Julie, she was happy with the weight gain Rylee was having. However, she walked into exam room #7 with a somber face and hello. She looked at Rylee and talked to me about our routine, our system. Right now, and pretty much since she was born, Rylee has had problems having bowel movements. There are special things, TMI to discuss on here, that I have to do on a daily basis to help her move things along. Rylee is also taking the same amount of high calorie formula, which 30 is the highest they can go, as she was the day we brought her home. Since coming home, 7 weeks ago, she has only gained 1.5 lbs. We have to go see the eye clinic for her ROP on June 29 so we will see Dr. Julie again that day.

The game plan right now is to pretty much wait and see what she does. If her weight continues at it's current rate than most likely by the end of summer a G-tube will be inserted in her belly to supplement the rest of the feedings that she doesn't take through her mouth.

Dr. Julie is also concerned with the GI problems, stagnate weight gain and respiratory issues. So on June 29, Rylee will have sweat test to see if she has Cystic Fibrosis. Dr. Julie thinks that this is unlikely but wants us to know that it is a possibility.

That pretty much sums up our 2+ hour visit.

After that, we went to the Williamsburg outlet mall. Carter's was having a big sale and I had a 20% off coupon and our kids, mainly Troy, needs clothes really really bad. I did spend $151 but got $476 worth of clothes (I add up the price tags). Plus for every $25 I spent, I got a $10 gift card. So I now have $60 in gift cards to use later. I got TONS of clothes for them. It was a good buy!

We went to Texas Roadhouse, our favorite restaurant. I ate way too many of their rolls!! We went to the mall to let Troy run and burn off some energy before going home. We had never been to the mall before but my sisters told me about a carousel they had there. As it turns out, this was the most kid friendly mall I have ever been to. There was the coolest Children's museum in there. Troy loved that! Troy and I rode the carousel twice. Then Kris and Troy ran around in the kids play area. It was really neat. He had so much fun.

At 9:45 pm, just after we crossed the Dubuque bridge and entered Wisconsin, we hit a deer. We went and cleaned the car out this morning and assessed the damage in the daylight. I just want to vomit when I see that car. Kris's parents rushed down the 45 minute drive and met us at the "scene" last night. They brought us their car to borrow. We are eternally grateful of those two. They've done a lot for us in the last 6 months.

The police officer said he found part of the antler from the deer. Kris's dad said, "Well at least you got another buck!"

The red stuff is the deer blood.

Enjoy the rest of the dreary, cold, wet weekend.

This day, 3 years ago...

was the most gorgeous day of the summer! It was full of sunshine, warmth and love!

This day, 3 years ago took 51 weeks worth of planning. It took the help of many and love of even more. It was a day I had been dreaming about since I was little.

This day, 3 years ago, I married my best friend. I became his wife and he my husband.

Let me take you back to when it all began...

It was May 2002. I went to my school invitational track meet. All the area schools were there! I was chatting with my friends and a boy named Robert from Cassville, a neighboring school. Then he came over. The most handsome, quiet, shy man I have met! His name was Kristopher. A few weeks later, our paths crossed again. This time we were smitten for each other. We went on a few dates before making it "official"!

We were at each others graduation. I was his date
to his junior prom. We helped each other move off to college.

I was never quite sure about having children. After returning home from a short vacation to California in January 2005, we found out that I was pregnant. This was a shock to us as we were only 19 years old. We weren't prepared. Our parents, for the most part, were supportive. We started to plan. Then on February 14th, I miscarried our love child.

This is when we grew and bonded together.


Kristopher decided that we should get married. He proposed me on June 11, 2005, our 3 year dating anniversary. We had plans to go out to eat. I asked him what time he wanted to go out. He said, 4:30...for supper. I simply said we can not eat dinner at 4:30!! He had decided that he would do it before we went and I think he was a tad bit nervous. I had come out of the bathroom from getting ready and he just popped the question, on 1 knee of course! I was super surprised. I had a feeling something was going on but not THAT! That morning he left to unknown destination. I found out later, it was took talk to my dad.

So for 51 weeks, we planned like crazy and had the best of the best wedding possible. I wouldn't change it for the world. It was amazing. Other than a few bumps, we got through the day and had a ball!!

In September 2006, we bought our house. A small 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom house with a 20 minute commute to work and school. The price was right!




In October 2006, after returning home from another short vacation to Texas, we found out that we were expecting again. This came as to no surprise to us. On October 27th, I miscarried our planned baby. After this we knew something wasn't right so we went and seen Dr. B! He would forever change our lives!

In February 2007, I had some blood work done for infertility tests. My blood showed a very small amount of HCG levels. Thus meaning, that a week or two before I had miscarried for the third time unknowingly. My heart was broken!

In March 2007, we started our first round of infertility drugs. We had decided to do 3 rounds and then stop. We would revisit having children later on in life. Well round 1 worked!!

On December 28, 2007, Troy Thomas was born. I can't even imagine what life was like without him. We love that little boy so much!


In August 2008, after our lives were completely adjusted to having a little one around, I discovered I was pregnant again. I honestly thought we were going to have to infertility treatments again and go through all that hubble and bubble again. To our complete surprise, that wasn't the case.


Rylee Marie joined us, 64 days early, on January 29, 2009. Now we are all home. Life with 2 children isn't near as scary as I once thought it would be. It is certainly a challenge but none the less interesting.

The last 7 years, have been awesome! We've had great times and we've definitely had down times. All the heartbreak, tears of sadness has brought us together and made us closer as a couple. I am looking forward to the next 50+ years together. I am excited to raise our children together and experience life together.

He makes me smile! He's my one and only. He's my best friend!

Sick and tired!

Well Rylee has been sick and the rest of us have been tired. The last few days have been a blur to say the least.

On Saturday night, Rylee started getting really stuffy to the point she was having labored breathing. For bedtime, we put her in bed with us and propped her up on her Boppy pillow so help her breathe. By 3 am, she wasn't doing any better so I decided to turn her oxygen up to 3/4 L. That seemed to help out a lot but she was still pretty fussy.

Throughout Sunday, I kept taking her temp because I thought that she felt warm. But her temps were always fine and normal. At 4:30, while snoozing in her Boppy right next to me while I folded some laundry, she had a 21 second apnea spell. It was small and she fixed it herself, so I didn't get to concerned about it. After dinner, we took her temp again. This time she was 100.8°F. I decided that some Tylenol was in order and call the help nurse to find out what the dosage would be.

The nurse told me half a dropper and said she was going to call Dr. C who was on call because she thought it sounded like phenomena. Within, 10 minutes she called back with the news. Dr. C is no longer comfortable about her state and well being since she has been sick since we brought her home. He wanted her to go to the ER at Mercy and have a pediatrician look at her.

We decided that since the last time we were sent home right away, that I would take her and Kris would stay home with T. I kissed them both and said "we'll see you later!" But later never came. Rylee was taken right in (they knew she was en route and were waiting for her), hooked up to machines for her pulseox and respirations. I answered the exact same questions over and over again. (next time I'll just wear them on my shirt!) The did another chest xray in the Gauntlet type, inhumane thingy. (I absolutely hate that thing if you can't tell!)

Since she had an apnea spell earlier and they were having a hard time looking in tiny tiny tiny ears, they decided to admit her for observation. Dr. R (the very old, rough pediatrician) cleaned out her ears with a little funny looked utensil thingy. Her left ear showed inflammation. So at 4 months (really only almost 2 months) she has her first ear infection. I feel like we needed to have an induction ceremony for her entering the club of ear infections that has overtook all 4 of the Klauer grandkids.

We were suppose to see Dr. C yesterday for 4 month shots but we were alittle detained so that had to be rescheduled. Dr. R decided to keep her another night. She was weaned from 3/4 L to 1/2 L. Then overnight, they weaned her down to 1/4 L. I have been afraid to do that myself and no one has me to do otherwise so I have left her at 1/2 L pretty much since the first week she was home. This a plus!

I had to come home last night with T since he couldn't stay overnight there and DadD was at work. DadD got home, showered and he decided he would go back to the hospital. He is more talented than me because he actually got some sleep while the night before I got none.

I thought I would sleep like a rock last night, but woke up in the middle of the night with the worst migraine ever. I think it was an allergy induced migraine. All these flowers blooming and grass being mowed is started to take its toll on my sinuses. So now I am the one with a stuffy nose, watery eyes, and throbbing head.

This morning, I packed T up and off we went back to the hospital. On the way, Kris texted me that Rylee would be discharged soon. She is back on Omnicef and nasal saline drops to accompany the suctioning. She looks a million times better than she did on Sunday.

We're glad to be back at home. Everyone, for the most part, is healthy or on the upside! I never expected that calling for a dose of Tylenol would lead to a 2 day stint in the hospital.

Tomorrow, though only a normal Wednesday, is a special day at our house. Stay tuned for a special post tomorrow!!

I've been waiting for this!

On Thursday, Troy met the 17 month mark. This boy weighed a solid 29 lbs at his 12 month checkup and he stills weighs 29 lbs. He is getting taller and talking more. Today he said the word No when he was asked a question and shook his head No. He also responds when we say "Where is sippy?" or "Where did your paccy go?" He runs around looking for it. And if we don't find it right away, he says, "uh oh, uh oh, uh oh.." until we do! He knows when he is doing something wrong and tries to fix it. And like his father, he falls asleep in the weirdest places or positions.



On Friday, Rylee met the 4 month milestone. She has to visit Dr. C on Monday for a weight check and 4 month well child checkup, which includes..shhhh..shots. They hurt and sometimes cause fevers and just aren't nice but I think the worst part is holding them down. A normal 4 month old baby can do so so much more than Rylee can but we have to think of her as almost 2 months old. Up until today (she did something incredible, which I've been waiting for!) in my What to Expect the First Year book, she was at a 1 month old baby. Someday, she will caught up to her actual birthday but for right now we have to think of her birthday as April 3rd. Even with that birthday,not to many 2 month old babies weigh just 8 lbs and still fit into preemie clothes!

As promised, here are pictures from outside. Our patio project is at a stand still. Kris' parents came over yesterday and his dad gave him some pointers on how to finish this project. So we just need to get the supplies. We need a load of sand which we can carry in the back of our Jeep so we're stuck right now.






Rylee was outside too!


On Thursday, my sister in law Jen brought my nieces Lexie and Avery over for a visit. These are two incredible girls. They always have so much to say. My brother and my niece Isabelle stayed because Izzy wasn't feeling very well and started running a temperature. She kept her poor mother up the entire night before so hopefully they got some sleep Thursday night.

As for Rylee's incredible something that she today...drum role please....


Isn't this the most beautiful smile ever!! She had tons and tons for me. I love it. I couldn't wait for this day. I wanted it more than the oxygen gone! And it came!! It is the most precious smile! For weeks, I've heard "Has she smiled yet? It's coming!" She never even showed any signs of wanting to smile until BOOM! She focused on face, my smile and my little coos and baby talk and SHE SMILED AT ME!! It wasn't just 1 or 2 accidental smiles, it was real smiles like 20 of them. Big, beautiful, gummy smiles! I'm floating high right now. It was awesome! I got all teary eyed and almost started to cry (paused for a second to tell Kris, who was more interested in making Kool-aid than watching, that Kool-aid waits, first smiles don't and get his bum over and get a few!) and she smiled bigger and brighter! Amazing, simply amazing!

Gloomy, long days...

Today was another yucky day. Work is so slow right now. Most likely it is due to the construction outside the front of the building. These guys are tearing up the street, which needed it, but are taking up one of the 2 driveways. The way people fly into our parking lot, we're going to have an accident before the end of the week, I can feel it. We're a bank with a drive up that is going to be unusable soon if not already. (I leave at 2 so I am not sure how far down the street they got) So I will probably be surprised when I go to work tomorrow. I am sure the 4 wheel drive will come in handy.

My friend, Carolyn, ran in the Madison marathon over the weekend. I am very proud of this girl. She ran the entire 26.2 miles in 3:50:25! Amazing. I can't even get myself motivated to run let alone a freakin' marathon. I don't enjoy any kind of working out...I should try it though. These almost 20 pounds I have gained from having babies is not going to melt off.

My friends, Carolyn (from above), Dana and Annie are talking about having a GIRLS NIGHT!! The last time we all planned a Girls' Night I had to cancel because I went to the hospital for an extended stay and missed it. So hopefully, I can definitely go this time. I am so so so excited. I just wanna talk girly things with girly girls.

My husband is gone at work right now. I am listening to the House mini-marathon (I've already seen this episode) and both of my kids are in bed. Kris and I decided that T had to start sleeping in his own bed in his own room! He lasted the entire night last night. Well, you'll never guess where he's sleeping right now...MY BED!! And I put him there. I love having him in co-sleep with us until 3 am and I get a foot in my side or slapped in the face. When Kris gets home he'll put him in his own bed but for right now he's in mine. And that is my own fault. Rylee sleeps in our room in a bassinet at the end of our bed so she has the right to be sleeping in my room. She's as close as she could get to sleeping in our bed without actually being in it. (She naps in our bed!)

Speaking of RyRy sleeping. Last night, she woke up at about 4 to eat and she was complete turned around. She went from horizontal in the bed to vertical. Then after her nap this afternoon, she was the same way again! Must be getting easier to move around in there. She is close to rolling over. She archs her back and tries. It's close but we're not ready for that yet. She needs to be able to hold her head more and turn it to the side by herself before any of this rolling over business starts happening.

She was suppose to see Dr. Connolly tomorrow but his office called today and he is still sick. This is going on a week...I think he should see a doctor (hehe). Hopefully he gets better soon. That just means that we don't have to see him until Monday. Which just so happens to be the same day as the 4 month immunizations and check up. Kris didn't know this when they called so he made another appointment for Monday. I got him all straighten out and he had to cancel one. Didn't they see that on her file somewhere? I've had this 4 month check up appointment scheduled since before she came home. That was something we were going to work towards and she'll be home to go!! YAY!

She was extremely cranky today. When she wasn't sleepin' she was whinin'. It gets to a person. I know Kris was ready to go to work today and he only had to take care of her (T was at daycare).

Sunday we were going to give RyRy a bath. I decided to do her nightly suppository before I bathed her. I did the whole suppository thing and we only got a little out. So we had to do it again. This time is was taking a long time for her, in the meantime, the bath water was starting to cool down. I told her to just get it over with already. I no longer got that out of my mouth and she pushed (I was pushing her legs against her belly to help) and #2 and suppository came flying out at me. It was kind of a "ah ha mom!'' moment. The joys of being a mommy.

It's pouring right now and I keep thinking about my sisters. My sisters and their husbands are leaving on Thursday for a weekend trip to Nevada. Lucky little devils! They're going to have a blast in the sunny weather while we probably suffer in the pouring rain and dreary days. But since they're going on the trip, that means that Lexie and Avery are going to be in our corner for the entire weekend!! YAY!! I am totally going to see them and give them lots of kisses and hugs. Each time I see these girls, they've changed. Like Avery is getting so much taller and talking about the craziest things and Lexie is a girly girl that talks about hockey and school and Bucky badger. Man, life is flying by!

So, between Kris and I, we have 4 nieces and 3 nephews. Kris's brother and his wife are expecting their 3rd child in October. October 17th, I believe is when she is due, just so happens to be Miss Avery's birthday too! Katrina told me today that on June 5th (which is also when we go to Iowa City to meet with Dr. Julie) is when they're finding out if they're having a Leah or Adam (last I knew those were the names I think). I feel, right this moment anyway, that she's having a boy. But what do I know...that's just a feeling, right now. And I was wrong with both of my kids but have guessed correctly with all my nieces and nephews so we'll just have to wait and see.

Anyway, I do have pictures from the weekend that I will upload soon, I just haven't done it yet. I will! Have a great rainy night. Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite!

Holy Moly...this may be a long one!

I haven't blogged since Wednesday...what? My life is passing by at lightning speed. Let's see...

We met with Dr. Barraclough on Friday since Dr. C was sick and out of the office. You'll never guess who weighs the 8 lbs, 3.5 oz? Yes that would be RyRy. She's amazing. I am not sure what happened but her stools went back to normal color, she's gaining weight, and at times she eats like a pig. I love it. 9 lbs here we come!

T has been living outside the past couple of days. They have been amazingly gorgeous! He gets very very mad when it is time to come in. I have many pictures from today that I took. I'll post them another day.

We finally started a new project...a patio. We have been dreaming and talking about this so for a few dollars and lots of sweat it has begun. Our backyard is a hill so there has been lots of digging. The top layer of sod was removed as well as a dead tree. This tiny little dead twig almost has roots like you wouldn't believe. Right now, roots are our biggest problem. Kris has been diligently working on this patio now for the entire day. I, however, have not contributed much. I will though, I promise. I think I'm actually more of a nuisance to him than anything. When I make a suggestion, sometimes he looks at me like "NO". He's doing a wonderful job!

We've decided to have a Potluck sometime this summer. It will be the same day RyRy is baptised. We still have to ask a special uncle if he'll be her godfather. So once we get that done, coordinate a day with the godparents and the church, we'll let you all know.

Our June weekends are starting to fill up! On the 13th, we're heading to Cassville to Kristopher's 5 year class reunion. We missed mine last year because we were camping with my brothers and sisters. It was fine because it was at a classmates bar in North Andover and unbenounced to many of my siblings, parents and friends, I was pregnant at that time. Kris's class reunion is much more family orientated. It's a potluck at the park for everyone and their kids. Many of them do have kids but he's one of the few with 2 kids.

On the 20th, my cousin Tiffany graduates from Lodi High School and she's having her party that day so we'll probably go to that. And I think my uncle is turning 50 the following weekend so we'll probably celebrate that.

We're grilling out the entire weekend this weekend. I love the grill! Kristopher showed me how to turn it on and off. The last one we had was dangerous. We had to light a paper towel, lift the lid and throw it in. It would poof! I was so afraid my hair would caught on fire that I never used it. This one, which we've had for like 4 years, is so easy. All I have to do is turn the propane on and push a button! Easy a pie!

For supper tonight, we had my mom's yummy Italian dressing Chicken. I marinated it all day in Zesty Italian dressing. It was GOOD! We had burgers and potatoes for dinner.

Tomorrow we're going to have BLTs for dinner and KABOBs for supper. YUMMY! My Kabobs consist of Ribeye, little Red potatoes, red and green bell peppers, tomato and pineapple. I am marinating my Ribeye in Lawry's Steak and Chop (with garlic and pepper) 30 minute marinade (but doing it overnight). It's wonderful.

I made a double layer chocolate fudge cake with chocolate icing and sprinkles to top! It did not frost well at all. I had to use a knife to frost it and it still looks horrible. Good thing it still tastes good. I normally use a spacula to frost or my frosting long knife thingy. Kris and T didn't care so neither do I.

Overall, this weekend has been amazing. My home is amazingly dirty and messy and is dire need of a cleaning! Which I fully intend on doing once it's dark and kids are in bed. Which won't be for a while because T took a 3 hour nap this afternoon to accompany his 1 and half hour nap from this morning. And he slept in till 7:30 am. All the fresh air has tuckered him right out. RyRy of the other hand has been awake for the majority of the day, which is new for her. We're going to cozy up on the sofa and watch a television show before bedtime, take a bath, read a book, then off to dreamy land for these kiddos.

Though we have tomorrow off, I was reminding what tomorrow stands for (through a shlew of emails from Kris's dad(we do read them Kim!))! Take time tomorrow to visit loved ones at the cemetary, thank your marine and remember those who lost their lives for us to have this wonderful freedom! Have a wonderful evening!!

Call me Grandma...

The last 24 hours have been very very very long! We arrived in Iowa City at 8 pm last night. Rylee was taken to an ER room for examination. Blood was drawn, x-rays taken, iv inserted, nose suctioned...at 11:30 pm we were discharged. You must understand that I was told they were going to admit her so we only took the half full canister of oxygen plus 1 more for when we would go home. By 11:30, I had already had to switch to the second canister of oxygen so we had no choice at that hour and time but to go home. We arrived home at 2 am this morning. I was exhausted as all get out. We were suppose to follow up with Dr. Julie or the Peds Acute care clinic in IC so at 7 am we were all up, got ready, took Troy to Tara's and Kris, Rylee and I made the trek to IC for the second time in 12 hours. On the way down, we got hooked up with an appointment with the Peds Acute care, talked to our insurance company and made many many phone calls. The ER discharged Rylee because she didn't have anything severe that showed signs of needing to be admitted. When I talked to NP Diane this morning, she made it sound like we were going to be admitted once we seen Acute care and that Dr. Julie was very worried about infection and growth. However, the Acute care doctor, Donna, was impressed by her growth and sent us home. What the fluff? I mean seriously people! Some are worried and some are not!

On the way home, I called Dr. C office to let him know what was going on and see when he wanted to see her again. I received a phone call from his nurse with Dr. C in the background. It went a little something like this:

Me: Helloooo
Nurse: Mary?
Me: Yes
Nurse: Mary, was Rylee admitted?
Me: No
Nurse (talking to Dr C) No she wasn't...
Dr C (in the background): WHAT!!! REALLY???
Nurse:Really?
Me: Really, we are heading home now.
Dr. C (in the background): REALLY? mumble mumble
Nurse: Mary, are you her grandmother
Me: No, I'm her mother
Nurse: Oh, sorry. Dr. C went to see a patient. We'll call you back on when he wants to see her.
Me: OK, Thank you.

She really asked me if I was Rylee's grandma. WHAT?

Anyway, Dr. C just called me back. I think that he is beyond mad! He is very...extremely worried about her weight and growth. We chatted a little bit about what happened while we were there on both trips. He wants to see her on Friday. **SIGH** I am not sure what he is going to do. Kris and I are both worried about her as well. Dr. C is much more familiar with her than any other doctor at this point in time. If he's worried, than I am too. She has been stagnate at 8 lbs for over a week. She actually has fell below 8 lbs now. We seen her growth curve. She has been consistently between the 3rd to 10th percentile on a preemie growth curve. Which is great and all but you can the downward turn it taking. I believe that second opinions will be in order. For the most part, we liked IC but we may be taking a trip up to UW Children's hospital very soon...with Dr. C in the backseat (just kidding!)

Oh man, we're tired!! Tonight, we're going to have a relaxing night cleaning, washing and cooking!! My house looks like it's been ransacked! Thank goodness for the extra long weekend this weekend. Enjoy your evening. I know we will!