Long time no post... sorry. All is well in the Schmidt household; we just seem to never get around to posting lately. We will try and do better but I doubt it right now as we close in on baby number 2.

So what’s new with Kendal Marie... we pretty much gave up on the potty training thing for awhile as it got old really quick taking here to the potty 5 times a day to have her just sit there smiling saying "potty" and clapping her hands. She enjoys unrolling to toilet paper and throwing whatever she can in the toilet. Maybe next month.

In anticipation of Kendal's little sister we bought Kendal a little baby doll that looks and feels real to see how she will react when we hold it or put it down for a nap. I have no idea if other parents do this but we figured we would try it as Kendal did not do so well when a new baby started coming to daycare. Kendal was always the "baby" so she was not too nice to the new baby at first. Thus, we seem to be experiencing the same thing with "pretend" baby sister. When we bring the doll out she has to hold it and feed it, but that is as good as it gets. When she is done she just chucks the baby across the room. If you try to take the doll back she pulls an arm or gives it a wack. We are going to keep trying. We are open to any other suggestions???

Kendal had a 1 year x-ray on her left leg that broke last year... how did that happen again? Don't remind me! The results were great! Everything is perfectly healed up and the doctor said you could not tell it was ever broken. The growth plate is fine and both legs are exactly the same length. Great news!

Kendal had a couple visitors this weekend and got some new clothes and toys from grandpa "papa" and grandma "baba" Schmidt this weekend. She really enjoyed getting into all kinds of trouble with them. It is nice to get some help on the weekends that Marnie is working. Thanks.

Marnie is hanging in there. Doing quite well I must say. She looks amazing for being almost 30wks pregnant! Still helping out around the house in addition to taking on a new hobby... cooking! Not just typical pasta or hamburger helper, but real food! From scratch and lots of it! Sometimes more than one meal a day. I'm really proud of her as she is getting really good at it. She watches cooking TV shows, bought a stack of cook books, etc. I'm sure we will me making some upgrades in the kitchen soon. The only downside is the size of my stomach... its been doing a bit of stretching lately.

Other than that, not much else new. The game last night was one of the better Super Bowl’s I have ever seen... our volleyball team is 24-0 and on the lookout for a new name now... Take care everyone! Recent pics below:

Kendal and her "Beep Beep"

Look at my hair now...

Look what I figured out!

Kendal and Maddy

Smile!

Why do you keep doing this to my hair?

Freeze Sucka!

Yes, I know how cute I am!

Weeeeee...

Kendal taking a nap with Grandma Schmidt

No, you cannot get a piano Kendal...

Kendal's first (and only) use on the potty.

Kendal is officially a big girl now! We decided to move her into our other spare bedroom in anticipation of her little sister. We decided to do it early just in case she did not cooperate. Well, the first night was tough, but after a couple nights she is doing great. We repainted the room "girly" colors and bought her some new furniture and bedding. We plan to just leave her old room and furniture exactly as is for the new baby. All ready now... hurry up Marnie! Pictures below:

What else is new...? Our Volleyball team is 18-0 this season thus far. We call ourselves the Patriots! I'm not much help though, we just hit it to Jason and he tomahawk's it off an opposing players head most of the time.

We bought a Wii! We have been looking for awhile and could never find enough free time to wait in line for one so I bought one on eBay. It's a lot of fun! All the neighbors came over a few times for some tennis and bowling tournaments. Other than that I'm still bummed about how football season ended this year... it's only a game. Maybe next year.

Kendal and Marnie are doing great as well. Marnie is much better this time around. She is starting to complain about some swelling, so we will see how she handles it down the stretch. Kendal is still discovering new things everyday. Her latest infatuation is the “potty”. Some kids at daycare are getting trained and Maddy is starting to figure it out so Kendal of course always wants to sit on the potty! We haven’t had that magical moment yet but I’m sure it will come soon. We will see if she sticks to it though. Have a great rest of the weekend! Happy Birthday Paps! Take care everyone!







Greg playing Wii, he is not very good.

Jason... good form!

Sarah... not bad, better than your husband…

Mark, Shelly, Brenden, and Olivia. Brenden is actually really good at tennis (only 3 years old!)

Kendal after a fine meal cooked by Marnie... not kidding, she is actually cooking a lot lately!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Our trip to Cleveland was fun; Kendal had a great Christmas and got a lot of great gifts! Thank you everyone for your generosity! We truly appreciate it! Cheeto made the trip with us in the new minivan and did just fine. Traveling was much easier with the extra space... I guess that's why we bought it!

Anyway, we hope everyone had a great Christmas as well and has a safe and happy new year! Recent pictures below:

Look at my new chair!

Wee... thanks Mandy!

My new necklace...

Gimmie five!

The McDonnell's

Mike's favorite new hat... thanks Paul!

Kendal and aunt Maggie

I like to open presents...

Kendal doing to dora dance...

Feed me!

Kendal coloring at lunch...

Kendal vacuuming!

Look at my belly!

Things have been busy lately (as always) trying to get ready for Christmas. We have not had a chance to make Christmas cards; so we may just do New Years cards, or skip it all together this year... we will see. Otherwise, all is going well! Recent pictures below:

Kendal helping daddy shovel the driveway

Playing in the snow!

It sure is cold out here!

Merry Christmas!

Good boy Cheeto.

Sweet

The kids last night at the annual neighbors gift exchange!

Another

Last one!

22 week ultrasound, look at my foot...

Waving!

We've been elf'd...

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1436353385

A cute picture from this afternoon as well:


Marnie's new ride...

Christmas is almost here! This past weekend Kendal got a visit from grandpa and grandma Schmidt. That allowed me to get a lot done, including some Christmas shopping. I got Marnie a sweet @#$%^*$... like I'm that stupid.

Kendal really enjoyed the company and was fairly upset when they left. She starred at the front door for 10 more minutes saying "PAPA", that's what she calls my dad. She missed you too mom!

Some pictures are below:

Kendal and Grandpa

Kendal and her new kitty

Kendal playing on her new travel bed

Kendal and grandma brushing teeth

Listening to some tunes...

Recent videos below:

Kendal jumps!

Kendal doing "The Monkey"

Another...

Kendal and Mommy

I made it to the 21 week mark! I am actually feeling pretty good and enjoying eating a lot more than when I was pregnant with Kendal. Unfortunately, I want to eat sweet food all the time. I will definitely put on more weight this time than the last.
Last week I attempted to see what it will be like with more than one child. I volunteered to watch Ben and Maddy while all the parents went to open volleyball to get in a practice prior to their first game tonight. It went ok, but open gym was from 8pm to 10pm, pretty much all 3 were tired and ready for bed. Plus Kendal is still fighting her lingering winter cold. I am definitely not ready for triplets. I was whooped by the time volleyball was over. But I did find a few minutes to whip up some brownies for us.

Mandy and Aunt Maggie came to visit last weekend. We just hung out at home, and enjoyed the time with Kendal. We enjoyed lots of food, and I actually cooked most of it. Maybe I can be a stay at home mom???

Kendal is talking like crazy and loves the Wonder Pets and the Wiggles. Every time she sees the TV remote she asks for Ming Ming (one of the wonder pets). She does the Monkey Wiggles dance all the time making the monkey and tiger sounds, doing baby squats wile dancing around the room. Mike has it on video, someday once our lives slow down we will get it on here. Kendal must either be going through a growing spurt or getting some new teeth, she has NOT been sleeping good! On average she is waking up once a night for about an hour at a time. Or she is just getting us ready for the next child. She loves to give Cheeto hugs and jump all over him. We are sure lucky to have a dog that puts up with so much. Kendal is starting to bring us diapers and the changing pad when she wants her diaper changed. She also will tell you, "I pooped". Maybe we should start potty training soon?

We are working on Kendal's new room. We are going with a dark brown and pink theme. We are hoping to have the room done soon, so that after Christmas we can put her in her big girl bed.

Hope all are well. Enjoy some new pictures below:

Kendal, Cheeto, and Daddy

Kendal in her Dora table!

Kendal riding her giraffe...

Kendal and Mommy

Bananas anyone?

Kendal in her new Christmas pajamas!

Kendal in her new travel bed...