Life of a Pregnant Mommy.

I am 7 weeks and 6 days along. My baby is a Blueberry in size!!!

Wow. The nausea is much worse this time around, than it was with Luke. I will say that I haven't actually had an emesis all over the place, but the constant queasiness is catching up with me. If I am doing something, and not staring at the t.v. with a possible food shot popping up I do rather well. At work, meal times are not good. Otherwise, I am okay. The clean up on some people have thrown a curve ball at me, but not terrible--yet. It seems to get worse every day though. Every morning I sit just trying to get myself to calm down so I don't throw up. I can usually talk myself out of it. However, maybe it would just be easier to let myself puke and be done with it. Food consumption doesn't help or hinder the situation. I feel the same after I eat as I did before I ate. I will say though, if I eat slowly, so far I haven't had to get sick immediately afterwards. I did learn from my last pregnancy if you feel like you are going puke, you probably are (IE: Arby's, and expensive Boston restaurant). I may nibble on crackers or drink some lemonade so the nausea settles down before I dive in. Ah, Lemonade. It's my best friend! We are getting along swimmingly.I do remember the Nurse Practitioner telling me before that sweetened water will usually stay down better than water itself. So I have been big on the lemonade, it definitely has helped. Which brings me to a new topic.

Caffeine. I already know that the stuff is nasty for a baby, and before I knew I was pregnant I was sucking the stuff down, I was loving the soda and the coffee drinks, which was a rarity anyways for me, because I usually don't drink them due to some past problems with some tachycardia. Well I was beginning to notice the tachycardia flaring up again. I was bummed, I slowed down after that. However, what pushed me over was this little episode; I had known I was pregnant for about 1 week, and one of the doctors brought coffee and muffins for the nurses! How awesome is that!!! So I filled my 8 ounce cup half way with coffee and diluted it a LOT with creamer and sugar, half cream/half coffee. Anyway I drank maybe half of it, and I could feel my heart start to pound in my chest, I started to feel woozy, and pukey. It was not good. I checked my heart rate--140. Bp was still fine as it almost always was with my tachycardia. So I threw out the coffee and chugged some water, while I sat in break room. Man, it took like 1/2 an hour before I felt somewhat better. After that I decided caffeine and me are not friends. Thus, lemonade and I struck up a happy friendship. Sometimes a soda sounds really good, but I know better. I have been drinking some decaf sodas, but I prefer water or lemonade. It's better for me and for baby.

I am tired though. Nighttime is when I usually get my most ambition to do SOMETHING, and I tucker out quickly. I have passed out every night. So exhausted. I even have gone to bed before Luke. How sad is that?

I have actually lost 2-3 lbs, due to nausea. I really am only supposed to gain 15 pounds the whole pregnancy anyways, due to my pre-pregnancy weight.

Okay, well I talked to my mom and she asked me a question, that threw me for a loop. So I decided I better explain some things. This might get a little TMI and I am sorry. So we are thoroughly blessed to be pregnant right now. Even though, I not so secretly craved to be pregnant, I knew that Ryan and I couldn't conceive, for up to 2 -4 year, if even at all. We had the sperm banked in Omaha, and planned to possibly use some this next year IF we were unable to get pregnant ourselves. We had been trying for some time, that is why you read my sad posts about not being pregnant. I had done a lot of praying and seeking God, and finally became comfortable with the fact that we might not ever get pregnant naturally. Well if you remember my ovarian cyst episode, at my last appointment the doctor told me my right ovary was about to ovulate and Baby dance time was NOW. And well... we baby danced. and, umm... got the job done! So, Ryan is effective at getting me pregnant again/still. So no sperm bank was needed. Praise God!

The reason we held off telling everyone was because we were waiting to tell my/his parents. It was their Christmas present. It was 2 pictures, one of Luke:

And this one:

With this card attached:

I made the card on Scrapblog. I love that website. you have to check it out sometime!!

We sure enjoyed seeing every ones response. My little Sister's was cute.

Me: "Guess what Brentney?"

Brentney: "What?"

Me: "You're going to me an aunt again."

Brentney: "How?"

Me: "I am going to have another baby."

Brentney: looking at my belly "You are? I hope it's a girl... or a
boy"

Me: "Me too!"

Brentney then pats my belly and cups her hands around her mouth and places
her hand on my belly and says "Hi baby, I hope you are a girl or a boy."

She then informs me that if it is a girl her name should be Rosie. ----I am
not so sure about that. Hee hee.

Speaking of boy/girl issue. Its a boy. I know it! I just have that feeling. If not, well that just great too. I just see it being in this order boy, boy, and girl. I don't mind either way. I am nervous about a girl. I sure it will be fine though! Man I love being pregnant! I am so excited. I did buy a girl toddler shirt. Ryan wasn't very happy about it though. Oh well!! It was pink with gray dots on it with a gray ribbon around the waist, and has a gray long sleeve shirt underneath with a little ruffle on the end of the sleeves of both the gray and the pink shirt. too cute, and it was on clearance for 5 bucks. Ryan doesn't want me to buy stuff for a baby girl or a boy, until we know what it is..... Grrr... That frustrates me, but I still get some things and just take the grumbling. I still have the little dress and sweater I got for when we were pregnant with Luke, I told him I would return it or give it as a present, I didn't have the heart to. Its so cute, and I just have to keep it Just in Case! I promise that it will be used, when? I don't know but it will be. Ryan said "what if none of your friends have a girl?...... uhhh.....? I am sure Someone will!!! Crazy boy! Anyways, I still plan on buying things that are on sale and just deal with some noise from my big guy. :)

Oh yeah. Monday is the big day!!!! I have my first appointment on Monday. So I most likely won't post from now until then, but you never know. This will probably take you until Monday to read. I was a little long winded, but you all deserve a longer post, in place of my absence, I kinda left my thoughts just hanging last post.

Merry Christmas!!

Well, we are winding things down at our house this evening. Ryan and I both have to work, and Luke is supposed to be in bed, however, he has had far too much chocolate. Sigh. Bad choice Mommy. Oh well. He sure looked cute covered in chocolate. Luke got some great presents this year. We thank everyone for our wonderful presents!!!

Most of all we thank God for sending Jesus to be born and later die for our sins. Thank You!

Well, I am very tired, I have some great things to share, and I really really really want to go into great detail, but I am to tired and my 1000 pm bedtime is approaching very quickly. So, I will just lay it out straight, and share more details, hopefully tomorrow! WE are Pregnant!!! Yippee! I am 7 weeks along, and had to wait to share our big news until I told the folks-- it was a great Christmas gift. Explain more later. Anyways, the Due date is August 13th. Our Anniversary. More Later.

Have a great Christmas Night!!

Blessings to you and yours!
Cindy

5 Day Weekend

Oh man I am so excited that it is my weekend. I don't return to work until Wednesday! Woohoo! However, I am sick. Ugh! I have a terrible sinus congestion, ears hurting, sneezing, coughing, achy cold something. I went to bed at 930 last night, but I slept terrible. I am glad I didn't have to work, because I would have had to call in sick. So what are my plans for my lovely weekend. Well tonight is a Christmas party for Ryan's work. I hope I am feeling okay. I really don't want to get all dolled up to go to it... Sigh.

Saturday, Ryan is going to work on the bathroom cabinet. I am excited about that! Ready to get some of our bathroom organized a little better, and the plan Ryan has for the cabinet, is awesome. I think it will look great. What a man I have!!

Sunday is all about going to church. They cancelled church due to the weather last week, so I am really excited to to church this week! I love Singing Christmas songs. Afterwards, we probably will be working on the cabinet and cleaning the house.

Monday, clean the house. Clean the house. Maybe even go to Ryan's work and clean his office. I am hoping to shampoo the carpets here and there.

Tuesday. Bake, and cook. Bake and cook! All the yummy goodies for our Christmas dinners!!
I am making:

• truffles
• deviled eggs
• ramen noodle salad
• turtle cheese cake
• and probably something else I haven't thought of yet.

Well I hopefully will be on here again, Just thought I'd stop in for now, but If I don't, have a good weekend.

Cindy

10 Days

This is just a random post. Can you believe there are 10 days til Christmas?!

I still hate ham. Yuck!

I love Christmas.

I love my present this year! It's the best one ever.

This year. Wow, this year. I never want to repeat it. It makes this Christmas extra special.

My husband is the most wonderful, caring man alive.

P.S. I Love You is a great movie.

I am tired and emotional-- after watching this movie.

I still am wanting to cry.

I am excited for getting Christmas cards and treats delivered.

I posted different music for Christmas. These are my favorite ones.

Here are the Christmas tree hunt pictures. We had fun even though it was bitter yesterday.

Hot Chocolate and Candy canes are a must. Jamming out to Christmas tunes also a must.

Luke chillin' in his impressive snow suit.

Daddy enjoying his cup of minty cheer!

Yah! Our Christmas tree. It tried to escape twice and roll away from us. But we captured it!! hee hee.

Merry Christmas!

Cindy

Weary and Unproductive

Blah! So there are a ton of things that I need to be doing, I am very lackadaisical. When I finally get the motivation to get something done around here, I tired and its late. Well not today! I am going to try to get a list of things done before my LONG weekend of work... Yuck.
My List

• Blog entry. Done wo hoo!
• Laundry-- folding and putting away.
• Sweep and mop kitchen.
• Get a plan for Christmas Eve supper dishes ready. (Nervous about this one, first holiday at our house. Eeep! I am hoping Ryan's small family gathering will go well, and be able to have my bigger family gathering here for another holiday. I hope we have enough room! I am sure we will make due!)
• Call Holly about Christmas Eve
• Get bills paid
• Get some Christmas card out!
• Clean bedroom.
• Scrub toilet--- yuck.
• Take trash out. Even more yuck

See how I cleverly placed the yucky ones on the bottom... Maybe I won't be able to get to them and Ry... ahem. Excuse me, I will have to do it some other time. So, I had better just get it done sooner so I don't have to mess with it at 900 tonight when I am getting everything settled for my work weekend. On to more interesting things.

The Direct TV man is coming today! I am kinda excited, I love watching HGtv at work during my lunch break so, I will probably have it tuned there at times. Also, I will need to check out the kiddies channels. That's what I am not so excited about. I am nervous about getting a stony TV faced child, who get sits there, and me not realizing how terrible its getting will allow it. Ahh. No I will shut the !&#* thing off. I will not do that!! I am going to try my hardest. Luke runs around and plays so well, I don't want him time warped into the t.v. I don't want to be that either! However, I am excited to watch some prime time shows, like biggest loser and there are a few others that I see on the T.V. when I am leaving from work that I think hmm... that looks good. Ryan doesn't like prime time, however we are getting a super deal which we are getting a DVR. I am stoked to be able to record my shows. So I hope that goes okay. It has been over a year since we have had t.v. I actually didn't mind it but my hubby is missing the football games and news... Eh. No big deal to me. We went to his folks and stared at their t.v. for hours watching football. It was nice to hang out over there, I just hated it being for that reason.

Well I better get my list started so I can be done with it sooner! Have a great day!

Cindy

In My Place

You see when I get to thinking I control things, God puts a big "who do you think you are?" halt to it. But ever so gently. He has always been good like that. Although at times I may not think so, and well the whole issue of Ryan's cancer was a comletely different story, God has shown me what is right and that He is the one who is actually in control. When I realize that He controls things and I let God put me in my place, the pieces fall together. They totally make sense. I am humbled by Him right now.

At peace.

Cindy

PlayTime

The play went okay. Somewhere along the way we got totally mixed up... and skipped a lot and then retraced back. It was alright though... We had fun and the Theater was PACKED!!! Not even standing room left!!!
So that was neat. My father in law took pictures so I will post some whenever I get them.

Today is Christmas decorating day. I will see how helpful the little dude is. We are going to decorate all except the tree... because we don't have it yet. We have to wait for more snow to make the tree hunting process more fun. It's our tradition to go after a blizzard/big snowstorm, like RIGHT after it, the road are probably not meant to be on then but Ryan is too adventurous. Since Luke's arrival we have waited until the snowstorm was over and everything calmed. My blog ID picture was Luke's first Christmas experience. The one before Luke..... I was pregnant. And Emotional, and cried that we were taking the tree from its family. WOW! That was funny after I had Luke and realized how silly it was.
So, I look forward to getting hot chocolate for us and chocolate milk for Luke and candy canes and driving through the pastures to look for that perfect Christmas tree.

What traditions do you have during Christmas time?

MckRebeling in Awe.

MckMama is doing it again. Only this time the prize is HUGE. She is giving away a camera and accessories and a blog page make over!!! Totally sweet! I recommend y'all check out her page and check it out this super awesome contest. If you have time I highly suggest reading their story. It is a MckMiracle to be certain!!! Such a blessing. MckMama sure has a great talent for photography and being an awesome mommy. Anyways, check out here contest to score some MAJOR prizes!!! It is for a great cause--3 sources for the donation/entry. She has all the information on her page, and can explain it all much better than I can, so go MckRebel yourself!!!

Cindy

Christmas Charisma

Christmas!!!!! I LOVE Christmas!!!!!

I love love love the songs praising God for sending his baby boy to be born and later die for us unworthy people! Oh, I can never get enough of the Christmas music!!! I am soooo ready to decorate and currently am enjoying the some Christmas music. Ella Fitzgerald, Big Crosby, Frank Sinatra... Oh Man it pumps me up!

The Christmas play is today. Whoo Hoo. I am nervous and excited about. I am now taking a major part in the play, as one of the actresses was unable to take her part anymore-- the day before Thanksgiving, so, now yours truly is "Angelina-- the partyiest Baddest Angel." The play is a short play about bad angels trying to prove they're worthy of not being sent to the Black Hole. It's a cute play. This weekend I was to learn the lines exactly and direct the rest, while working... it didn't work the best, however, I was able to coax some wonderful helpers the hold practices for me. Please pray that tonight will go great and flawless!!!!

My sister in law told me a phase that I have been meditating on, and it definitely has helped.

Too Blessed to be Stressed

That's my new theme, and although at work this weekend I didn't meditate on this or pray enough, it did help when I thought of it and said a little prayer. Sigh...

Well I need to get the programs printed and cut for the play. You all are welcome to come see the play and enjoy some small town Christmas Charm tonight if you would like.

Christmas Charisma to You!

Cindy

Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

This year my family has a lot to be thankful for. I am humbled by the Grace of God to allow me to have this life I am blessed with. We are so thankful Ryan is better, and that we have a beautiful son. Please remember to give thanks to Him for all you are grateful for.

God Bless

Cindy
Gobble Gobble

Small Fryday contest.

Check out MckMama's webpage. It is a wonderful story. And her kids are just too darn cute.

Cindy

Randomness

So... I am a little hesitant to blog again. I feel dumb. I went to the doc on Wed. He said the cyst is fine; I still have some aches though. I have been trying to put it out of my mind.. but at work they were sneaking up on me. I talked about my little problem to Amy, she said that when you do have a cyst the ligament tend to stretch and sometimes that is what causes the pain. Then I got to thinking about things. I wonder if I don't have the medical term Mittelschmerz. Which is just painful ovulation. I say this because i have been having some pain on my right side this week also, and when I was having my ultrasound he asked if we were trying to get pregnant. I responded that we were, and he said that my right ovary was about to ovulate, and that the time to baby dance was now. So maybe that's it? I still have the discomforts on the left side, and i think Amy was right, that it might be those ligaments.. I'll continue to wait it out until the full 12 weeks has came and gone.

I have a play on Dec 1 that I am directing and even possibly take a large role in if I can't find willing actress/actors for.... I am a little stressed out about it. Please pray that it all comes together and that everyone has their parts memorized....

I will post pics of the play afterwards. Anyways, I think that is about it for now. I am going to be staying busy with the play, I will try to blog throughout the holiday week though.

Cindy

Catch-up Catch-a-roo.....

Sorry for not being very bloggy lately; it was a busy week. Hmmm.. I am not sure I have anything in particular interest to share.. I will do a little rambling and see where it gets us.
Me: The stupid cyst has been bothering me still. it will take 10-12 weeks I guess... Yesterday it hurt more than normal, however today it feels the same again. I have my appointment next week.

I had a good conversation with one of my co-workers, Tina, and she more-or-less set me straight. I mean I had been thinking along the same terms with not worrying about the whole pregnancy thing for a short time. I had started to accept it a little better. Sometimes I am nervous about not be able to have anymore babies, but why borrow trouble? I have 2 years to figure it out, and as Tina said. "You already know that is will be 2 years. Just don't worry about it, and take it as a miracle is you do get pregnant." So true...sigh. This last month has definitely been less stressful, I didn't get myself psyched out and "feeling pregnant."


Work has been crazy busy this week. with the snow storm that went through I stayed at my folks, it was nice to visit with them a little. We had mom, dad and Brentney over for supper on Sunday, but it was nice for me to have some closer family time with them.

Food: When I had my fam over I tried ALL new recipes out of the Holiday issue of Taste of Home magazine. Yum! Peppery roast beef, Honey glazed carrots, and Sour Creamed Potatoes, and for dessert Ginger Bread with Chantilly Cream. It was a good meal, the carrots were a little to citrus flavored for me, but everything else tasted great, I recommend the magazine, if you would like to try the recipes you can also go the Taste of Home website and search for the recipe you'd like to try. Here was the gingerbread recipe though, because it was the hit of the night!!

Gingerbread with Chantilly Cream
1/2 cup shortening
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup hot water
1 cup molasses
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl, cream the shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Beat in water and molasses. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg; gradually add to creamed mixture. Pour into a greased 9-in. square baking pan.

Bake at 350° for 33-37 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

In a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form. Serve with warm gingerbread.
Yield: 9 servings.

Try it!! My gingerbread cracked, but it still tasted delicious!!!

Ryan: working, doing well. We are getting ready for deer season this weekend. My husband always gets way excited for it!!!

Luke: he has a cold. Poor baby. He is rather grumpy today too. Oh yeah I almost forgot I was going to post Halloween pics....

Crawling Dragon

Bryce and Luke


Luke loved his Pumpkin flashlight!

However, he wasn't sure if he loved his hat...

Have a great Day!!!

Cindy

Good Weekend

Friday was a fun evening. We had a blast going trick-or-treating with the kids. Saturday the girls including my baby niece Bella went on a housing tour, while the boys stayed at Grandma and Pa Pa's house and sited guns in. Then we ate a wonderful supper and watched the not so wonderful Husker game. Today Luke and I went to church, and now I am going to try to make some Pumpkin butter and some monster cookies with peanut butter m & m's. Yum.

I will post my little guys costume pictures later. He was a dragon. Way too cute!

The answers to the "What is Luke saying?" game are below:


"brew-sips"-- grapes

"oo-baw"-- football

"ow-we-all"-- cereal

Have a fun Sunday!
Cindy

Random Post

This is just a boring post today. Nothing really great to share.

I am still having the pelvic pain, at times it's better, however today it seems worse, maybe because I am not at work, Thus, I am thinking about it/noticing it more...?

I am not sure if i have shared the good news you all. But Ryans CT's, which were done the first week of this month, came back clear! So, no sign of anymore cancer!! Yippie!

Luke is saying new words that's a little fun.
I will tell you some and give you a guessing game I suppose. Its been awhile since I've done that.

"Byche"-- Bryce his cousin

"po-pen"-- open

"mowmee"--monkey

Here is your guessing ones:

"bwew-sips"-- Hints: one word and its a food item?

"oo-baw"-- Hints: one word, and its a sport?

"ow-we-all"-- Hints: one word, a lot shorter than he pronounces it, and also a food item?

Have a good day!!
:)

Cindy

Shift gears back and head back to the starting gate

I didn't think today I would be relieved to hear that my pregnancy test was negative. Its the only thing I have wanted since we found out Ryan had cancer in April. However, when you hear that if you are pregnant it is a tubal pregnancy, your mind shifts gears, and that's what mine did today.

The pain was just like it was when I was carrying Luke. I also had a cyst when I got pregnant with Luke, so I knew the feeling, but the negative PT results were throwing me for a loop.

Luckily I was able to get an appointment with Dr. J. Wonderful man he is. He delivered Luke and I was blessed to have him today. He did an ultrasound and it showed a cyst and some free fluid in my abdomen. He also had me do a serum PT to r/o pregnancy, thus r/o a tubal pregnancy. That is why I was relieve to hear "the test came back negative."

The plan: wait it out. Most cysts go away by 10-12 weeks without problems. If I have increased pain, I have to go back. Otherwise I will see him again next month when he will do another US.

So I am not crazy! Good news to me. I was beginning to think all my symptoms were just made up because I wanted to be pregnant SO badly.

So I guess until next round of things I am going to be calm and happy. Thanks for the prays and concern.

I'm Baaack....

Third post in 1 hour. That's a little extreme most likely. I just wanted to post that my unsettled feelings I have been having are all going to be spilled out in front of me again this morning.

I am going to the doctor. So, I will be sure to find out how crazy I am there! Yippee! I am praying that my worst fears are not true, and that I am pleasantly surprised. I have this deep down feeling that I will most likely be told. "There is NOTHING wrong with you. Just take it easy for a couple of days."

Then why do I hurt, why is my brain filled with emotions of whys and ifs and hopes and nightmares?

Sorry this was a big bite for me to take. I wasn't ready to let it go yet. After today I will have a professional answer and hopefully some peace. Praying like crazy that it is all good stuff I find out.

Pray with me please. I will let you know when I know something.

Plagued with emotion again.
Cindy

Food.... yummy.

Last nights recipe for the week was spaghetti squash. It was easy enough to make. I didn't care for it too much. I didn't take any pictures either. So all I have is my past photos I need to post. So here you are:

Ryan's birthday cake the Turtle cheesecake. So delicious!

Pumpkin Cheesecake. Also quite yummy!!

Definitely being made for holiday dessert at the Tullis house!

Apple Cake with Apple Cider syrup.

I am pretty sure I have included in previous post where I got the recipes. But if I didn't please ask and I will give you the recipe.

I am still VERY interested in any of your recipes that you wouldn't mind letting me try!!! So please e-mail me or leave me a comment! I appreciate it greatly!!!!

Cindy

Photo Fun

Yesterday I had planned on taking a bunch of photos and posting them. Kind of like "A day in my life in photos," post. I was doing rather well, I had some taken and was importing them into the computer until Luke decided it was time to play with him, and shut the computer off. So that whole idea didn't work yesterday. So I am posting late for my yesterday life... :)


We had a terrible snow/rain storm come through the day and night before. I thought this pumpkin looked really neat with the snow on it though.

The wind was very strong and destroyed most of our tree out front.

There is the computer man. See I was getting ready to blog, hee hee...

There is my little man. I love him SO much!

That was my yesterday in photos. I am also going to post some food pics that I have been negligent at posting.

Cindy

Settling

Clearly I am feeding into my own problems. So I am going to try to relax and forget the time schedule and the "planning" of things and just let myself be happy with life and understand that things are not on my time schedule. They are on His, and work on realizing that, and when a miracle shows up, I will be all the more grateful to receive it.

I am very blessed right now anyways. I have a healthy wonderful husband, and a beautiful adventurous little boy to keep me busy. We are coming along nicely on our house and so soon I should be able to have friends and family over more often, which should be lots of fun. I also have an upcoming play that I will be directing... Plenty to keep me busy.

I am just trying to fill my head with things that I need to do anyways, rather than contemplating what my body is doing next and what it supposedly means.

There you have it. I am going to try to cut back on the nonsense. Phew... I hope its not a bigger bite than I can chew. You will have to excuse me if I revert back to the anxious unsettled stewing again.

Focused,
Cindy

Questions

Alright, so I have a few questions I need to figure out right now. I am confused, and anxious. I am doubting my feelings and that's probably a good thing, because as of lately my feelings have been very misleading. So there you have my pile of wish-washy-wondering. Now you can wonder right with me... What the heck is she talking about?


I also feel compelled to share with you that I have a sinus/cold congestion stuff going on, and it feels like someone hit me in the face with a bat. Okay, I have never had someone actually hit me in the face with a bat, but I still hurt none the less.

Ryan and I are starting a diet tomorrow. I hope I can stay on it for a while and start working out!! All three of us went for a walk to the State park and back. It was a beautiful day, and it helped me get my mind off of things, so it was very nice.

We also have almost all of the necessary trim up that is needed before the carpet get put in which will be in about a week!! We also cleaned the house up. Sigh... It's nice to have a clean house.

I shot my father-in-laws gun this weekend, getting me pumped for deer season. I hit the gong, 3 out of 4 times. The gong is approx. 130 yards.

Well, this summarized what going on in our lives right now. I will post more, hopefully by Wednesday.

Goodnight!

Cindy

Turtle Cheesecake

This was Ryan's Birthday cake he wanted. So delicious. Ryan thinks this is good enough for restaurants!! It was very easy!!!! Here is the recipe, or you can just go to the Nestle website and search for it.

I changed it a little. Our little town grocery store didn't have all the ingredients so I used chocolate cookie crumbs for the crust and I topped the cake with chocolate shavings (instead of the mini morsels). Which, by the way, was very easy to do. I just used a Hershey chocolate bar and shaved it with a carrot peeler. Be careful: Sharp objects and fingers don't mix!!! I didn't have any trouble but I just thought I would put that warning out there.
It was so good!!! Definitely making it again! You should try it too!!! I will post pics of mine a little later.

Turtle Cheesecake Estimated Times: Preparation - 40 min Cooking - 1 hrs 10 min Cooling Time - 3 hrs refrigerating Yields - 14 servings

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
3 (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
1 can (14 oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups (9 oz.) NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
2 tablespoons Chocolate Flavor Syrup
2 tablespoons caramel syrup or ice cream topping
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1/4 cupNESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels

Directions:PREHEAT oven to 300° F. Grease 9-inch springform pan.

FOR CRUST:COMBINE crumbs and butter in medium bowl. Press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of prepared pan.

FOR FILLING:BEAT cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk in large mixer bowl until smooth. Add sugar, eggs, lime juice and vanilla extract; beat until combined. MICROWAVE 1 1/2 cups morsels in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; STIR. The morsels may retain some of their shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted. Stir 2 cups of cheesecake batter into melted morsels; mix well. Alternately spoon batters into crust, beginning and ending with yellow batter.

BAKE for 70 to 75 minutes or until edge is set and center moves slightly. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes; run knife around edge of cheesecake. Cool completely. Drizzle chocolate syrup and caramel syrup over cheesecake. Sprinkle with nuts and mini morsels. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Remove side of pan.

Yummy!

Cindy

Sick Day

Wow. I believe the worst feeling in the world is seeing your baby sick. Physically getting sick, it tore my heart up. Luke has caught a stomach virus and has been sick all night. Got sick twice this morning too. I hate seeing that. Although its disgusting and I hate seeing him get sick, he is so cute. After he threw up he looked at me like "whoa Mom what just happened?" looks back down at the vomit and says,
"Ucky?"

"Yes baby, its ucky. Lets get you cleaned up. "

My sweet little Boy.

I am not feeling to spunky myself. I hope I am not catching the stomach virus, and if I am I pray that Luke is tolerant of a sick Momma... Argh.

Well I am going to make another post about Ryan Birthday (which was yesterday) which wasn't a typical birthday.

Cindy

Impatience

A heaping pile of impatience. Sigh...

Four tries. Unsuccessful. I know it will happen. But I'm impatient.
2 years is a long time.
Why must I be so anxious?
Why can't I just be happy with what I have.
I am luckier than most, yet I am disgustedly not satisfied. I need to be calm......


Cindy

Try it!

Hello all,

I am a novice cook and even more novice baker. I am messy in the kitchen and I LIKE IT! Ryan doesn't however. Ryan is a wonderful baker-- he makes half a dozen loaves of bread in and evening and is very clean and efficient. I admire his talent. I want to become a better cook/baker also, so I can feed my family good food too. So, I made it a personal goal to try to make something out of Ryan's mothers cookbook, or something completely new I have never even considered making. Doing this at least once a week on my days off-- if I am home. Last week we were gone so that didn't pan out well, but other than that I have tried to make quite a few things already, and most of them I was completely and pleasantly surprised at the turnout. Here are the things I have tried:

The Cheesecake Nibbles-- which you can get the recipe in an earlier post here.

Apple Cake with Apple syrup- Yum!

I tried Holly's pot roast in our convection oven, I thought its was --okay. I had picked a tough piece of meat to try, but the convection oven made it much more tender, the veggies didn't cook very well and had to stick them in the microwave.... its was okay though. I will have to try again sometime.

Stir fry made with tofu. I have never done anything with or even ate tofu (knowingly) before. It actually turned out great. The Woman's Day magazine also gave some great sauces to make with it and different ideas for add ins. I have made it twice now with a different sauce and different veggies. The sweet and sour sauce was excellent, last night we tried the peanut sauce-- I liked it at first but after some time the sauce made me want to vomit in my mouth a little. Ryan wants to have it again however. Ryan doesn't like peppers or mushrooms, so that limits some of my options, but I realized there are a lot more veggies out there that would work great. We'll see what we try next time.

Banana Bread-- I have tried this twice now with our convection oven and it is not turning out right. It still tastes good, but either the sides are close to burnt or the inside is gooey.... Maybe the third time will be a charm. I am going to try it in normal bake mode and not convection mode. See if that helps.

Pumpkin Cheesecake-- We went Olive Garden when we went to Omaha this last weekend . It's a must-stop anytime we are near one on our travels. We ate way too much food and couldn't get dessert-- which was a delectable Pumpkin Cheesecake. So, Ryan mentioned that that could be my food project this week. So currently it is sitting in the fridge chilling. That was the only complaint so far, I can't taste it after its done baking... Grrrrr.. (that was my stomach growling by the way). Ryan is even more disappointed, he was wanting to dive into it last night, I had to hold him back! I will hopefully post a pic of my newest project, and if its worth it, I will include the recipe.

Oh yeah I got Way to much pumpkin puree so i am also making pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting tonight.

I am enjoying this baking stuff SO much. I never cared for it before, I love it with this plan that I have to try something new. That way you don't get stuck in a rut of the same food and you find new favorites to try more often. I encourage you all to try this sometime, I love getting a random magazine and trying one recipe, my favorite magazine right now is Woman's Day, I have gotten 3 recipes out of already. Good stuff!

I would love to try one of your favorite recipes too. Just leave the recipe in a comment!!!

Cindy

Pumpkins and Leaves

I love Auntumn. Although the weather is not giving it the feel of Autumn I wish for, the pumpkins orange and the leaves of red here and there have gotten me delighted in the upcoming season. This is my favorite time of year. I am so thankful for this year. Our small family has been through a lot and we have so much to be thankful for. I know I am getting ahead of myself, but, I hope this next year has big plans for our family, I will share more on that topic when I know the time is right.

We went to Omaha this weekend. We got Ryan pair of work boots and myself some hunting/snow shoes. The Tullis family has a tradition of deer hunting every year, and this year I join the tradition with hopes of shooting a deer also. We'll see...

I also wanted to thank all of you for praying for my dear friend. Some of you have asked about her and I thought I would let you know that she is more optimistic and starting to feel better. She continues to compromise with her grief, but from what I heard from her last, she seems to be improving. Please continue to pray with me for her healing.

Blessings to you and yours.
Cindy

Place your Sorrows at His feet.

I have a heavy heart today. One of my best friends is going through something, I wish so much that I could be there with her. My heart is aching for her, my eyes fill with tears and I feel anguished for her troubles. Please pray for my friend. Pray that God gives her peace and calmness, and a renewed spirit to help her rise from her sadness.

I am not as well worded and articulate as some bloggers are, I wish I were. This plea doesn't captivate my emotions or desire to be heard as loudly as I wish. The request still stands, however.

On a side note, my fun day was okay. I do have a few things I want to post, but as of now my heart is just not up for it.

Cindy

Answers

"coo-koha"-- Cracker

"deet-dee"-- Excuse me, in which he says after he belches. So adorable.

He says "gocks" for socks. "Hungie" for hungry, I LOVE this stage! Luke has also beome very good at the animal noises. I love hearing his imitations.

Well I had an extra shift this week, so I was put on call. So..... I got some fun stuff planned, and will get back to you about all of it, this evening if I get it all done!!
Have a Great Day!

Cindy

Relaxation

Kind of a boring post this morning. Ryan is at a golf tournament, and Luke and I are just hanging out together. This evening we will be going to Ed an Holly's for the game. That will be nice!
I am going to try to make Mexican Fiesta Pizza. It is and Pampered Chef recipe. We are also going to have Beer Brats and Holly's wonderful Cheese Dip, the girls at work affectionately call it "Puke dip." Well, because frankly it not the most appealing thing to look at. This is the story behind the name, one of the gals made it for every Husker football game that she worked, and I guess one on the Doctors called it that... It sure tastes good, even with a horrible name. I don't refer to Holly's as that, but thats what the girls at work call it.

Well Luke has invaded the bedroom and is making a mess.

Toodles!
Cindy

Guessing Game Answers and More...

SUPER COOL LUKE

Luke has really been talking a lot more lately. I just love the developmental spurts. So awesome. Here are the answers to what he said from the post from last night.

"boone"-- Balloon

"wah-woh"-- Flower I know its a far stretch but it flower.

2 new words he said today.

"deet-dee" * (2 words actually)

"coo-coha"

I don't expect any correct answers, these are a stretch to be anywhere close to what the actual word is.

I have been blog happy today, however I have to work the next three days and probably won't get back to blogging until Saturday, so I want you all to have some fun stuff to hopefully hold you till then! :)

One Happy Momma,

Cindy

Swirled Cheesecake Nibbles

Ingredients:
36 vanilla wafers
1 2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® SWIRLED™ Semi-Sweet & Premier White Morsels, divided
2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Directions:PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Place 36 2-inch foil bake cups on baking sheet(s) with sides. Place one vanilla wafer, flat-side down, on bottom of each cup. Place 5 to 6 morsels on top of each wafer. BEAT cream cheese, sugar and flour in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract; beat well. Spoon heaping tablespoon of cream cheese mixture into each bake cup. BAKE for 15 to 17 minutes or until just set and not browned. Remove from oven to wire rack. While still warm, top cheesecakes with remaining morsels. Morsels will soften but will retain shape. Cool completely. Cover and refrigerate.

They are yummy!!! Mine doesn't look anything like the ones on the webpage does.... Check out the Nestle webpage for more yummy recipes like this.

Indulged,

Cindy

Amber's Wedding Photo Catch Up

I said I would try to get these photos up, so I am finally getting a chance to do something with them. I enjoyed taking some more artistic photos. You can tell I liked the flower picture. I used my microsoft photo shop program on my computer to try different things. I Liked all version I came up with, so I had to use them. I hope you enjoy them. I need to get these photos printed and to the bride and groom. I hope you enjoy them. I had a lot of fun putting these toegether. I love working with the Movie maker. Way easy and lots of fun things I can add too.

Do you have any fun projects you are working on?

Have a great day.



Cindy

Guessing Game Part 2

What is Lukey saying now...?


"boone"



"wah-woh"


Any guesses?

Cindy

Happy Birthday Gage!

Gage's First Birthday.

This video is a first attempt at this, so I hope it works. There is music with the video, so you might want to pause the songs at the side of the my blog.

We had lots of fun at Gages birthday. I wish Gage had been feeling better, however. He had an ear infection. Not very fun for a birthday boy.

I have to work tomorrow, so Thursday I hope to post more. Take Care everyone!

Cindy

Lucky number 8

8-8-08 at 8:41 pm, weighing in at 8 lbs 1.3 ounces, is my brand new little niece!!!

We are so excited to welcome Bella Grace into the world. She is a true blessing!!! She has the loveliest blonde hair. Her big brother Bryce is so proud! I can't wait to see my niece and nephew this Friday at our garage sale. Well, I really need to get more things prepared for Friday so I will just give you a few pics of the newest member of the Tullis family. Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Auntie Cindy

Long time no blog

We are doing good. I have been very busy with the house, being an auntie again, and getting thing ready for a baby shower and garage sale. I will definitely be posting soon with lots of pics of all of our fun adventures soon. Sorry there hasn't been much updating!!! More later.

Smell the Goods!

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful group of people to work with in the hospital! A dear friend Amy set up a bake sale in honor of our family to help us with some of our medical bills. We are truly humbled by the turn out. The girls on the floor said there were so many people bringing baked goods to the floor to be sold that next day. Some of them they didn't even know. If any of you are one of those people, Thank you!!! God Bless you! Here are a few pictures that I snapped when I got a break from work.

Cindy

Answers to Prayers and More

A big sigh of relief.

Ryan's cancer is gone. No evidence of any lasting disease present. Now we go into follow up mode every 6-8 weeks, they will do a chest x-ray and tumor markers, and every 3 months a CT of the chest. Such a blessing. Thank you God!!

I plan on making a special post about all the thanks you at a later time. But I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart--our whole family, for all of your prayers, and thoughts, and support along the way. We are truly blessed to have so many kind people taking time on our behalf. We are humbled and ever-so thankful for each and everyone of you!

I was hoping I would have had some guesses as to what Luke was trying to say, but I won't keep any shy blog followers from the "suspense," of not knowing what Luke was saying.

"noh"-- Nose. Luke also gracefully shows you where his nose is when you ask him to.... By sticking his finger right into his nostril. Hah ha.

"e-b oye."-- Big boy. As he points to himself. and on the occasion that I first heard this phase he was pointing at Daddy.

He is also getting better at identifying all of his body parts on his face.

We are working with Luke on potty training. He know what the potty is. Today I told him its time to go to the potty chair, and he went right into the bathroom and lifted the lid on his potty. He hasn't ever gone in the potty however. We have showed him the grunting noise to be made when on the potty and he does that very well also! :)
I am not positive if this is really what he was thinking or not, but today he was hanging out in his playpen while I was doing some touch up painting in the living room and he said "uh-oh" and grabbed his diaper. We headed into the bathroom and he again went right to his chair. So I am being very hopeful when I say this, but maybe, just maybe, is he getting it figured out?

I would really welcome any ideas or advise as to how to potty train a boy.

Oh yeah, one more word that I will just give you the answer to here.

"dub-you." --Love you. That one was easy. But was it ever so sweet to hear him say that today!!!!

God Bless you all!!!
Cindy

Guessing game

What is Luke trying to say?


"noh."

"e-b oye"

Ryan informed me.
I'll let you guess and next time I can post I will share the results.

Cindy

Emotional Me

I really don't have a lot of time to blog unfortunately. I am really emotional tonight, I miss my baby boy...... I wish we would have taken him with us to Omaha, because now it will be Friday before I see him again and that won't be for very long. I work this weekend, Saturday and Sunday after returning from Mayo Clinic on Friday evening. I know my baby is having a blast at his Great Aunt Patty's, but I wish wish I could be hugging on him right now. So Aunt Patty when you read this, please give my little guy one of your terrific hugs from his Mommy. That is if he will let ya. He is not usually the cuddly baby I want him to be. Oh well! Sigh... I miss him.

I am also nervous for Ryans Appointment. I know all of you have been praying your hearts out, which I can't not thank you enough for, however, if you wouldn't mind saying a prayer for this appointment to go well, and that we get good results, we all would appreciate it. Thank You . Thank you. Thank you!!

Emotionally wretched,
Cindy

Getaway

We are Omaha bound early tomorrow morning. I am going to one of my best friends weddings. Man, I am so excited!!! We are going to be gone through the weekend, so I will try to post if time allows on Sunday. I might even try to figure out and get a slideshow thing set up and show my photos from this weekend and last weekend. I hope everyone has a fun and or relaxing weekend. We are sure relieved to see this weekend here.

God Bless
Cindy

Trimming Memories

These are older photos, soon after Luke's first birthday I brokedown and finally let Daddy cut my baby's hair. I just thought they would be fun to share, as I don't have to much else to share right now. Before.

All smiles so far...

Evidence.

He is still all smiles just worried about his crying Momma.

How happy and sad it was for me to see my baby get his FIRST haircut.

After.

I would like to ask you all to pray for someone very special to me, as he is going through a difficult time right now. I am not clear as to all the details, but I know that his family is concerned for him and a few extra prayers sent his way might be helpful. Thank you!

God Bless you,

Cindy

Full Speed Ahead

YAH! We are over the speed bump!!!! Full Speed ahead!

Dr. Cretella states that he thinks we can put Ryan onto follow up mode. We go to Mayo Clinic on July 31 to find out for sure, and to also find out how closely Ryan needs watched. But based on Dr. C's opinion, no more Chemo!!!

Well ,We have a busy weekend ahead of us. I am trying to finish my Painting project and we are trying to get a few things done with other kitchen and remodeling things, while impatiently waiting for our countertops.

I am also a gift receiver for one of my close friends Amber's wedding. I had a great time at her bachlorette party, I hope to get some of those pics in my computer some time so I can share some of that with you. It was fun dressing up in prom dresses and masks and running around. I miss those girls. We had such a fun time.

Lukey has 3 molars popped up in his mouth now. And he is too small for his size 5 shoes.... Sigh. They are not kidding when they say they grow up to fast. I was admring his footprints we have imprints of, from when he was 4 days old. Wow! He was so tiny!

Well I am so happy that all this is getting close to being over. I was going to share our 4th of July pictures before, but this seems like a good time to use fireworks to show how happy, elated and thankful I am right now!!!!! Thank you to everyone for your prayers and thoughts during this time.

Cindy

Markedly Confused

Please Pray.

I think we have good news. The CT results show markedly smaller lymphnodes. Dr. Cretella says good response from chemo. Are we done? We didn't get that answered. So we are in the air still. We want to take these results and rejoice, but are we honestly done...? Are there still some residual cancer that still needs to be cleared?
more chemo?
Surgery?
Please, Lord, not surgery.

Ryan had a terrible dream that he was filled with cancer. So his nightmare wasn't true, so he was happy about that. We are thankful for the improvement but there is still so much up in the air as to what is next.....
Please pray for peace tonight as we wait until tomorrow to hear for sure.

Cindy

Show me your pearly whites.

Here are some more fun pictures or Luke.

Brush-A Brush-A Brush-A!

Ryan is all done with Chemo. feeling much better today too. CT scans on the 14th and we get the results the 16th, hopefully.

Our house is coming along nicely. We got all of the cabinets moved from storage and Ryan installed most of the bases cabinets today. Tomorrow, I will help him finish the bases cabinets up and do a section or tearing up old flooring in front of the door, and then we will screw down the living room floor so it won't squeak. That's our plans for tomorrow.

This month I have a couple of wedding to attend I am so excited to go to both. My friend Amber is having her bridal shower and bachlorette party Sunday, and her wedding the following Saturday. I am so excited for her bachlorette party we are going to dress up in our old prom/bridesmaids dresses and party.

Then on the 25th is my dear college friend Sarah's wedding. I am so excited to see her, and meet her new husband. I just adore her family to pieces, and can't wait to catch up with them, if they are not to busy during the whole wedding. Man, I miss my Sarah, Lynn, Anna, and Miss Darlene.

Well , its bedtime. Sweet Dreams All!

Cindy

Campin' Kids

These are more pictures from our camping trip some of them were way too cute to not share. I hope you enjoy them just as much as I am enjoying them!!!

Happy family! I wish I had a more natural smile cause this is such a cute picture!

Here Luke is trying to help take the picture.

Adventuring out at the campsite.

Getting ready to Roast Marshmallows!

I love this pic also. With the fog in the background and two of my favorite guys! Look at Ryan's cute dimple. I love my boys' dimples.

Roasting Time!

"What is this stuff?!"

"Eww... It's so sticky!"

If you are going to go camping this summer. I Highly recommend the KOA outside of Mount Rushmore. It's more like a resort. Lots of fun stuff to do. I wish Luke was a little older, because there was fun water slides and lots of swimming pools, and a bouncy pillow. Well here, check it out if you are interested. It was so much fun! Mount Rushmore KOA

Happy Summer Days

Cindy