Congrats Katy!

                                                                      ~Me and Katy
In 2005 when I started in the ER, I met the sweetest fireball ever.  She was nice to everyone and had a mouth like a sailor.  It wasn't long and we were friends.  Through change of jobs and now living in different cities, we had lost touch for a little bit.  We continued though to be friends and reconnected over mommy hood and blogging.(go figure)
On Sunday, Rylie and I went to Phoenix for my old friend but new mommy friend Katy's baby shower.  I was very excited that we were able to go and I can't wait to see her become a mommy!!!  We had a great time and I only wish we could have stayed for a longer visit.  Baby Michael is very lucky to be getting Katy as his Mama!!!!

Katy opening some gifts!!!

Congrats Katy and Ryan!!!

To update on the kids: Liam has had a fever on and off for the last couple of days due to teething possibly.  Poor little guy doesn't know what to do with himself.  Lucky we still had his swing up and put it to good use to keep him calm while we ate dinner.  I hope this passes and he gets to feeling better.  This week is technically Spring Break(fair week).  Rylie has no dance class this week but she will have her first school field trip on Friday. Of coarse I'm tagging along, mainly because I'm scared she will wonder off or get lost and I will feel better being there. Crazy I know, but that's this mama!!! We are now on the count down to Disneyland, 9 more days and the Fitzgeralds will be taking it over.  Rylie keeps asking which characters she is going to meet and "Mommy, are we going to see Mickey today?"  I'm sure there will be more excitement in the coming week!!!  So after a couple great days off, it's back to work:( tomorrow while looking forward to the next days I have off with my babies!!!!!

To Sum it Up!!!

The past week was a fun one! Bill went to Wisconsin again for his seventh week long trip in about ten months:( I kept busy with my little ones and working modified shifts to be able to take them to preschool/baby-sitter and pick them up. We were all excited for Bill to come home, only to find out an hour before he was supposed to land that he wouldn't be home for another 3 1/2 to 5 hours. We passed the time by having dinner with my parents (thanks for letting us tag along) and lucky for us Bill made it home sooner than later!!!

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day like any other normal Irish family. Rylie had a party at her school and was dressed in her green dress and little sparkle head piece (a girl I work with made it for her). Liam was dressed in his little green outfit and I in some green scrubs for work so no one would pinch me and I wouldn't have to slap anyone back!!!! Nope no green beer for me, but I know Bill drank enough for the both of us while visiting family in Chicago for the holiday!

Sunday was Bill's birthday! We had a party with some yummy food and family!

~Sam, Joe and Conor helped Uncle Bill blow out his candles

Monday we drove to Phoenix for Liam's follow-up for his ear tubes. A couple days after the surgery he had a small clear plastic waxy piece in his hand. To my relief Liam's tubes are green and that wasn't what he had in his hand. Dr. Raines said Liam's ears look great, he has to wear ear plugs in the bath and he needs to have his ears checked every 6 months by him or Liam's pediatrician. If the tubes don't fall out in three years, we will have to go back for another surgery.


We are getting ready for our busiest month!! Mine, Rylie and Liam's birthdays are all in April and mommy is in planning mode. In a couple weeks we will be taking over Disneyland for Rylie's 4th birthday, crazy that our baby girl will be four! The weekend after, our baby boy turns one!! We have a family/friend barbecue planned at the park for him. If it was up to my husband, we would celebrate all of our birthdays on one day. Nope, not while mamas alive!!! Each day I had these two was very special and I want their birthday to be just as special for them as that day was for me when I had them. It's not their fault they were born a week apart. After all Rylie was a week late and Liam was born 6 days early. So I apologize to our family, but Rylie and Liam will continue to have separate birthday parties!!!

The rest of this week will be working, Rylie has dance today and on Sunday Rylie and I will be going to Phoenix for my friend Katy's baby shower (unless baby Michael comes before then). I also have midterms; we will be finalizing Disney plans and working on our little one's parties!!!

That's all for now from the Fitzgerald house!!!

You know You're a Mommy When....

(Liam standing!) "Look mom, no hands!"

It's funny how life changes when you become a mommy.  Shopping for you becomes shopping to have the kids look cute, 6 week hair cuts and 8 week highlights become whenever you can squeeze in an appointment and before your hair looks awful and the world revolves around them.  However, once you're a mom, these beautiful kids now make your life great and all the stuff in the past are just details.

You know you're a Mommy when:
1. Your daily shower revolves around nap time.
2. While looking in your purse you find a pacifier.
3. The kid's musical toys are playing in the car on your way to work, yet the kids aren't even in the car!
4. The kids getting naps + no injuries = a great day!
5. When a shopping trip takes twice as long because your 3 year wants to "help" push the cart.
6. A new season = new wardrobe for the kids!(makes my husband cringe!)
7. A new milestone warrants a picture or update on Facebook because "everyone" thinks your kids are just as cute as you do.
8. "Mommy, I love you!" can change your mood and put a smile on your face in an instant!
9. You wake up with pillow pet and Tigger in your bed along with your 3 year old sleeping cross ways on the bed!
10. You may forget a lot of things, but you'll never forget the moment your children were born.

Proud to be Rylie and Liam's Mommy!!!

A Year Ago Today I became the Mrs....

Today is mine and Bill's first wedding anniversary, some days it feels like 20 years(in a good way)!!!  Sometimes it's hard to remember a time before we were together.  Right now I am thinking of our wedding day, so here are the highlights!!!!!

I woke up early enough that day and thought, "I'm getting married today, it's here!(very excited, not nervous)  I got my hair dried for the hair dresser to turn it into bride hair, packed my stuff to get ready and  got Rylie's bag ready to go to my sister-in-law's.(they were getting her ready and taking her to the wedding for us)  My aunt took me to get my hair done and my maid of honor met me there when she was done getting her hair done.  Before long, we were off to the wedding site!!  We stopped for some coffee and a little chicken sandwich. ( mama needed to eat) Ali(maid of honor) asked if I was nervous, I couldn't be more excited.  I knew it was time, we were both excited to start this next chapter of our relationship.  I had no doubts, no questions!!! I was ready to become the Mrs.!!!

My bridesmaids and I started getting ready in my Aunt's room and huge bathroom!!!  Pretty soon were were all pretty and I was ready to see Bill!! I even peaked through the window just to make sure he was there.  My aunt came in and told me the wind was blowing too bad so we couldn't light the unity candle and the potted plants had to be put under the tent for the reception because they kept blowing over.  I didn't care about those details, I just wanted to get started, nothing could ruin that moment, not even mother nature.

~Exchanging of the rings

~First married kiss

~Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald

The ceremony was beautiful! Yes one of the groomsmen had to help hold the pages down in the Pastor's book so he could read them and my veil flew off due to the hurricane wind!!! To me, it was all beautiful!  After the ceremony,we took our pictures and my aunt helped me hold up my dress so I could pee before we walked out for the reception.(I was almost 9 months pregnant after all!)

                We led the reception with our first dance, then dinner and more dancing. 

                                            ~Our first dance

                                          ~Dancing with my Dad

                                            ~Cutting the cake

                                            ~I loved our cake!

                                             ~Dad and Phil bustin' a move!!

            ~They are pretty funny to hear sing when you are drunk, even funnier when you're sober like I was!!!

                                            ~She just wanted her mommy
It was an amazing day; not even a preggo belly, some contractions or the wind could change how excited I was.  That day, I married my best friend!!

Rylie Says What.....#2

I can't believe my baby girl is almost 4, it's bittersweet seeing the little lady she is becoming.  I wish I could slow down time a little bit, but I love every minute of watching her grow.  For such a little person, she sure has a lot to say!!!! Here is some of our conversations!

1. Mommy: Rylie am I your best friend ever?(she often tells me I'm her best mommy ever or I heart you)  Rylie: Just a little bit Mommy.  Mommy: Well who is your best friend then?  Rylie: It's brother!

2. Rylie has had Tigger since she was about 9 months old.  Rylie: Tigger I love you, you're my family!!!

3. Mommy: Rylie I'm going to make lunch, you need to take a nap then we are going to your dance class.  Rylie:  Mommy I don't want to take a nap. I eat lunch then we go to dance class.  Mommy: Rylie if you don't take a nap, we aren't going to dance.  Rylie: Okay mom so we are going to have lunch, I take a nap and then we go to my dance class ok mom.

4.  Most kids ask "why" to everything, miss Rylie asks "how" to everything.  Mommy: Rylie we are going to the store.  Rylie: How we go to the store?  Mommy: We are going to drive there.  Rylie: How are we going to drive there?  Mommy: We are driving there in Mommy's car.  Rylie: How we drive there in mommy's car?  The "hows" continue from there!!!

5.  Mommy: Rylie I love you!! Rylie: I love you!  Mommy: I love you more!! Rylie: I love you more!  Mommy: I love you all the way around the world!! Rylie:  I love you to the world!!! (cheesy I know, but it's our thing)

6.  A 3 year old's concept of time is off a little bit, when Bill is out of town he calls every night to check on us and say good night to the kids.  Bill: Boo boo I love you, I will see you on Friday!!!!  Rylie:  I love you too Daddy!!! Okay Daddy you be home any minute okay!!!

7. Rylie: Mommy I love you! Mommy: I love you too Ry!! Rylie: You're my family.  Mommy: Yes I am, I'm your mommy. Rylie: Yes mom but you're my family too.

8. Mommy: Rylie you need to eat your corn.  Rylie: No mom, I'm too old for it.

9. Rylie: Aww brother, you're the cutest baby ever!

10.  It's very rare that I get to get dressed without little children eyes on me.  Rylie: Mommy you have a belly button. Mommy: Yes Rylie, you have one too.  Rylie: Look mom, I have a belly button like you and brother has one too!

11.  Mommy: Rylie sit down you're going to fall! Rylie: What you say Mommy?(selective hearing at its best)

Dear Grandpa...

This past week has been very difficult for my family, as I was driving to work last Saturday morning, I saw my mom had called at 1:14 am.  I knew something had happened and called her as I was driving to get my coffee before work.  Never would I have thought the words I was hearing would be that my Grandpa had died at the hospital late the night before.  I immediately fell apart, so surprised, so unexpected to hear my Grandpa was gone.  I drove around in the rain for another 45 minutes talking to my mom with so many questions, guilty that I hadn't heard the phone ring and wasn't able to see him one last time. 
                                                       ~Me and Grandpa~

~My grandma and Grandpa~

As a tribute to my Grandpa, I wrote his obituary for the paper.  I wanted everyone to know that Grandpa was the best and he loved his family so much and we loved him.

                                                                      ~Me and Grandpa~

Gary L. Foreman:  August 3^rd, 1937-February 18^th, 2011

He walked beside us yesterday; today he walks as an angel.  Our Grandpa answered his call to heaven on February 18^th, 2011.  Gary L. Foreman was born to Thelma and Everett Foreman on August 3^rd, 1937 in Athens, OH.  He served in the Air Force for four years and the National Guard for 7 years.  In his spare time he loved participating in horse shoe tournaments and bowling leagues. In years past, he enjoyed taking his son to race BMX bikes at the local BMX track; and in his younger days, he tore up the dirt track racing stock cars in Imperial, CA.  Most of all, he loved being surrounded by his family.

  Gary is survived by his loving wife of 46 years years, Sharen Foreman of Yuma, AZ.  He is survived by his children, Victoria Griffes of Yuma, AZ, Jeanne (Richard) Hollis of Yuma, AZ, Denise (Randy) Tucker of Yuma, AZ, Wesley (Stacy) Foreman of Yuma, AZ, Gray Allen (Helga) Foreman of Altensteinreuth, Germany, Kimberly Foreman of Yuma, AZ and youngest son Houston Foreman of Yuma, AZ.  He is also survived by his 17 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, his brother and sister-in-law Glen and Arlene Jackman of Yuma, AZ as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers Ralph and Hoyt Foreman, his daughter Angel and his son-in-law Ron Griffes.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 27^th, 2011 in Yuma, AZ at Foothills Southern Baptist Church 13148 E. 40^th Street at 12:30 pm.

Grandpa we wish you could have stayed with us longer but we knew you were ready when God called your name.  You were the best Grandpa in the world and we will miss you very much.  Until we see you again, our memories of you will fill our hearts.  We love you Grandpa.  Love, Your Family

I have so many great memories of him.  We always went camping 4th of July in Prescott growing up, he loved traveling with Grandma and Houston in his motor home. We always had a great time on our camping trips. He was up at 4:00 in the morning making the turkey Thanksgiving every year. While Aunt Victoria might have been late with the dessert, we always had our turkey thanks to Grandpa.  He was nice to everyone he met and was always there to help anyone in need. He had a warm smile that made any place home and his marriage to my grandma was comical.  They were like Lucy and Ricardo, their love for each other was endless. 

Everyday I wish we had more time with him and our memories with him will never go away.  He probably is looking down on us, wondering what we are making such a fuss about. I will always miss you Grandpa!!!

Looking forward to a new month....

I'm a little behind on blogging so I guess it's time to catch up!  After my Grandpa passed away last weekend, my husband had to go to Wisconsin for a week for work, not the best timing but we made it through.  I spent the days working, taking care of my loves and helping my family plan my Grandpa's service.  The kids were great, even the dog took it easy on me(not dragging me around the house).  I was very happy to see my husband when he came home and I was able to see my Uncle Gary from Germany, who I hadn't seen since I was 3.  He had come in for my Grandpa's service and we had a nice family dinner at my parents Friday night after I got Bill at the airport.

On Sunday was a hard day for my family(my Grandpa's service).  I wanted to tell a little bit of what I remembered about him, but I just couldn't do it. I instead posted in the blog I wrote about him.  I see his empty chair at my grandparents house and think he'll be right back.

After the reception that was at my parent's house for everyone who went to the service; Liam, Bill and I drove up to Phoenix for Liam's surgery that he was scheduled for Monday morning.  I didn't sleep all night, anxious for the morning and scared for him.  Once they called us back to pre-op and they got him in a gown and all the questions answered; I just wanted to run out the door and not look back!  I knew the surgery would be the best for him and just had to deal with my fears.  The tears started to roll as his OR nurse took him from me.  She assured me they would take good care of him. I thought to myself, they had just met him, how could they promise not to let anything happen to him.  So as I saw her take him, I piece of me went with him.

                                                    ~Liam and Daddy before surgery
Bill and I were sent to the waiting room.  He knew the heartache I was feeling without me or him saying a word.  Before I got through even a quarter of the magazine I was carelessly thumbing through, Dr. Raines came out and told us that Liam was in recovery. I immediately jumped up and he said it would be a few more minutes but they would be coming to get us (I was ready to run back and grab my baby).  Liam's left ear had been completely full of fluid, worse than when we went for our consult appointment and his right was getting full too.  As we walked back to recovery, I heard him crying.  A relief that he was putting up a fight with the nurses!!! He was happy to see us, relieved for us to hold him and excited when he got to have some milk(since he hadn't eaten since 9 the night before).

Liam is doing great so far since the procedure; he is babbling more(his quality of hearing was affected from the fluid), he slept through the night for the first time in weeks and is is all around a happy camper.

                                                     ~Liam's first real meal after surgery, so happy!!!

Thank you all for the prayers for him, we will see how the tubes are doing when we go for a follow-up in two weeks.  I am looking forward to this week home with him and getting things back to normal after Bill being gone and losing my Grandpa.

I am excited for this new month!!! Lots of plans and fun things we have coming up!!!