SO much has changed....

Well, I decided I would give blogging a try again. I can't guarantee I will be very good at doing a post every week but I will at least try to keep you up to date on our lives. The last post I did was a post about Brynn being a month old. WOW, our lives are so different.

While I was absent a lot has gone on with our lives with Brynn. We moved when she was only a few weeks old, we survived the teething phase, we survived TONS of ear infections which lead us to Brynn getting tubes put in April 2013. She has had a few black eyes, one bloody nose, traveled with her grandparents to Colorado for a week without mommy and daddy. Turned 1, is finally starting to get some hair (still red) and her BIGGEST milestone was she became the BEST big sister to Chandler in October.

That leads me to our next topic- Brent and I were very lucky to get pregnant with Brynn and we knew we wanted more kids, since it took so long to get pregnant with Brynn we decided we would let God be in control of the timing of our second baby. However, that happened very fast! We were shocked and excited!

We spent our summer preparing for baby #2. We found out the gender so we knew we were having another little girl. Chandler Jae Schumacher made her appearance on October 15. We fell in love all over again. It has been a HUGE adjustment for all of us. Having two kids under the age of two is a challenge and my life has never been more chaotic than it is now, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Dishes don't get done, laundry doesn't get folded, toys are all over the house, but we make the best of it. One thing I have learned from the girls is just go with the flow and it will all work out!

I am back to work at the pharmacy, both girls are in daycare, and Brent is still keeping busy with the car washes and officiating football and wrestling in his spare time. I will leave you with a few pictures, but I am sure that many of you have seen them on facebook or instagram but I can't write a blog without pictures!

Sitting in her "old" car seat watching TV with dad

taking a stroll in the mountains with grandpa Chuck

Grandpa and Grandma Schumacher with the grand kids in Rocky Mt. National Park

Brent and Brynn posing with a bull elk

Family photo-Chandler made the picture just still in my tummy

It got VERY cold on top of the mountain

Schumacher cousins (Peyton and Maddox)

Feeling the freezing water at the national park

Brynn meeting Chandler for the first time

She wasn't sure what to think of her sister

First photo as a family of 4

these girls have him wrapped around their fingers

proud daddy!

Chandler Jae

I will do a blog updating you about Chandler and all her stats hopefully sometime this week. Both girls are napping so I need to try to get something done such as laundry, dishes, but more than likely a NAP for me!

1 month- and catch up with pictures

Brynn,
You were a month old on the 11th. I can't believe how fast time is going now that you are here. Last week at the doctor you weighed 10 lb. 10oz. You have been gaining about a pound a week. You eat 4 oz. every 2 ½ to 3 hours. And you actually have your nights and days figured out, Mommy and Daddy really appreciate that you go right back to sleep after you late night feedings.

We have struggled to figure out why you are so fussy during the day, even tried to switch you to soy formula but that didn't make a difference. So, you are back on Enfamil Gentlease. I am glad you didn't need the soy (it smells awful and stains everything).

You are starting to make some really cute noises, and you smile while awake so I know its not just gas smiles! We finally have a schedule figured out with you and I am much more relaxed which helps you to relax. I was such a nervous mommy for a couple weeks but its all good now.

You bring such joy to our lives, we worked so hard for you to come into this world, I can't imagine life without you. You are worth every tear I shed and every "down" moment on our journey to becoming parents, because now that you are here I know God was waiting to give us the perfect little girl and he did. You are our "miracle" and we couldn't be happier with you in our lives.

We love you so much,
Love, Mommy

I have TONS of pictures to catch up on getting here so here is a bunch and they will be in no particular order. Enjoy!

Dr. Markham checking Brynn out the day after she was born

Brent changing his first diaper

her pacifier says Heaven Sent- perfect description

Grandma Sue giving Brynn a bath

While Grandma Sue was here she had a photo shoot with Brynn

Another picture taken by Grandma Sue

I really wish she wasn't flipping us off cause this is a super cute picture of Brynn

Another pic by Grandma Sue

Brynn, Grandpa Jeff, and me

1 Month old in this picture!

This was her coming home outfit. Made a few family members proud!

Brynn got adjusted by Brent's cousin (her cousin too)

Brynn makes so many funny faces I finally got one on camera

Meeting the family

Brynn had lots of visitors after being born. We enjoyed all the visitors and all the people so eager to meet Brynn. I have so many pictures to get up here I thought I would start with the family. I know I have more pictures of family to put on here but Brent has them on his phone so I will get to those. Sorry!

Brent called his parents after Brynn was born and told them they had a new grand child. He decided he wasn't going to let them know if it was a boy or girl until they got to the hospital and they could guess. The first thing Grandpa Chuck said "that baby is way too cute to be a boy" yep, he was right even though he had to check under the diaper just to be sure. The next day (Saturday) my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and nephew, and niece all came to meet Brynn. Of course I had to tell my family what we had and named her because they weren't able to come until the next morning! My sister and my mom even went out and did some shopping late Friday night so Brynn could have something to wear other than yellow or green! THANK GOODNESS!!!

Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Sue with Brynn

Ashley, Lia, me, and Brynn

Proud Grandpa with his girls. Ashley and I have been replaced

Brynn and Lia- Best of friends already!

This is a little (emphasis on the little) better of a family picture

Uncle Jameson and Brynn

Uncle Curt and Brynn---Curt said she will just be a "baby" until she has more hair and looks like a "girl"

Jack getting to meet Brynn for the first time

Finally a girl for Grandpa Chuck to spoil

Grandma Coleen got her GIRL!!!

Well, Brynn is hungry so I will have to cut this short, and I need to watch the finale of Glee! I will get more pictures up this week!

Brynn Elizabeth- Her story of coming into our lives

I am so happy to finally say our "Miracle" is here! Many of you know what we went through trying to have a baby and God surprised us with the best miracle ever and she finally made her appearance.

Brynn Elizabeth was born May 11 at 7:53 pm. She was 8lb and 20.25 inches long. She is perfect in every way! Other than she was very stubborn while trying to make her way into our lives.

It all started on Thursday May 10th. We went for another routine doctor appointment (39 weeks) to see if I was dilated or if any progess was made. NOPE, none and to top it off my Dr. wanted to put me on bed rest because my blood pressure was still too high for his comfort. However, after that he decided we would "try" to get things going by starting a drug called Cytotec. He explained that if it didn't get things to progress they would just send me home and he would see me Monday. So, we went home grabbed a "few" things for our induction. After a few hours of contracting Dr. Markham came in to see if I had progressed enough to do another dose. NOPE just a finger tip dilated. So home is where we were headed.

That night my contractions started coming fast and hard. We went back to the hospital hoping to have made enough progress that our baby was going to make an appearance that night. We got there and the nurse checked me again, well we were 1cm. Ugh, why is this child being so stubborn (haha, many will say because I am stubborn, but I disagree). After giving me some meds to ease the pain of the contractions that were coming every 2 minutes, they sent us home Friday morning and once again said see you Monday and your regular appointment with the doctor.

Friday afternoon I was miserable. Same thing as Thursday night. I called labor and delivery and they told me that have NO ROOMS available. WHAAAAAT.... A town the size we live in (small) and there are no rooms HOLY BABY BOOM! The nurse said she would call back in a few hours to see how things were going because she didn't think we would be having a baby anytime soon. Well, it turns out we went back in again around 6pm Friday night. I still was only dilated to 1cm. My dr. told me they could give me a drug called Nifedipine, and that would STOP everything and let my body start over when it was ready...say what??? At this point I was bawling, exhausted, annoyed, frustrated, everything but happy. I wanted to be happy. Brent and I worked so hard to become pregnant I just wanted our baby to be here.

Dr. Markham could tell everything I was feeling and decided a c-section was the best route. So, that is how our evening ended. They quickly got things ready for surgery. Brent was getting into scrubs, had to page the surgical team in and we were going to have a baby that night. My mood changed within seconds of knowing we were going to meet our little boy or girl.

Once they had everything ready Brent was allowed to come into the surgery room. I was already numb, and we shared a special moment that I will never forget. With tears in his eyes he sat at the head of the surgical table by my head, placed his forehead on mine and we prayed. Prayed for our future with our child, prayed for the doctors and surgical team, prayed that we really were ready to be parents, and prayed for a healthy baby.

It seemed like 5 minutes and the doctors told Brent "If you want to look now is the time to look". He stood up and saw our baby being pulled out of me. His eyes were full of tears and I kept asking him what is it????? He couldn't get the words out so finally Dr. Markham told me it was a girl! Finally we heard our baby GIRL cry! Of course Brent and I were already full of tears. It was the best day of our lives. Our miracle was here, and we were proud parents!

I should add 4 babies were born Friday May 11, 2012. That is A LOT of babies in one day for a hospital of that size. Usually they have maybe 1 born?? There were 14 babies scheduled to be born in May at Myrtue Medical Center, and only 2 in June. May is a great month!

All our bags ready to go for our induction.

Our first family photo. Happiest day of my life!

My first time holding Brynn- Don't mind the swelling, I had about 7-8 bags of fluid from Thursday until she was born

A little more cleaned up after making her appearance

Back in our room- that is one PROUD daddy!

I will try to get another blog about Brynn done tonight or tomorrow. We have LOTS of pictures to share of her and all the family she has met. We are also moving to our new house this weekend so if I don't get it done be patient with me!

Bump Date: Almost 38 weeks

37 weeks 4 days, before Ryan and Heidi's wedding 4-28-12

How far along: 37 weeks and 5 days (Almost 38 weeks)

Size of Baby: 18-20inches and 6-9lbs. At our appointment last Monday, Dr. Markham is guessing it weighs about 7lbs right now. We'll see (hopefully sooner than later)

Maternity Clothes: Still a little of both, I can wear a majority of my regular tops but all maternity pants.

Gender: Guess we'll all find out in May cause we're going to let it be a surprise!

Movement: Lots, but definitely running out of room, this baby needs to drop and get out of my ribs!

Sleep: Haha, what is that? Jk jk, I know its only going to get worse when the baby gets here but he/she is preparing me for what is about to come.

What I miss: Not being able to bend over and tie my own shoes

Symptoms: Heart burn and swollen feet

Cravings: Anything salty, only because I am not supposed to have a lot of salt right now since my feet have been swelling so bad.

Best Moment of the Week: I thought it was going to be a great moment, but we went for our appointment and now we're going weekly and they checked me to see if I was dilated, haha NOPE not even a finger tip. I thought maybe 1-2cm...dream on! Maybe this coming week!

Looking Forward To: This baby making an appearance! This mommy is ready and I am pretty sure his or her daddy is ready also!

This is what I normally wear for clothes, yoga pants and Brent's sweat shirts! (37 weeks 5 days)

We have been having LOTS of trouble keeping Wrigley home. He just had his 2nd birthday and we couldn't find him that day. He took off. It bothered Brent more than me. Don't get me wrong I love that dog to pieces, but he is by far Brent's dog. He doesn't listen to me like he does Brent. Our neighbors (a mile away) have a black lab puppy named Duke. They are best friends. Brent found him the next day swimming in their pond with Duke. However, he needs to learn he can't just go over to Duke's house. So, we are having to tie him up. HE HATES is, but he'll learn.

Wrigley pouting because he had to be tied up. He does it to himself. Also, he looks like a silver lab since he had been swimming in the pond with Duke, and he had a bath the day before this. Ugh!

Also, we have some more exciting news other than having a baby any day, purchasing Schumacher East, LLC, we are MOVING!! We have been looking to move for awhile now but nothing was just "right" for us. Bad timing but its the perfect place. It is 1 mile north of Harlan. Its on a county road that they aren't maintaining the road anymore, but its not gravel....yet!! Since Wrigley has been so naughty we are going to have to build a little (big) pen for him. We decided we will cut a doggie door into the machine shed and have it so he can go inside and out. He'll hate it, but not being as far out in the country we can't take the chance of him going to town or getting hit.

Here is the link to our new house: Click to see our new house

Hopefully this baby decides to make an appearance ANY DAY! We had some false labor going on Friday night so my body is trying to get ready!!!

Big Purchase

A little over two years ago Brent and I made the decision to move to western Iowa. Brent previously worked for Principal Financial/Wellness in Clive and I was working for a Long Term Care Pharmacy in Johnston. Principal was going to be doing some cut backs and Brent may have been without a job. So my father-in-law Chuck gave Brent and great opportunity. Chuck purchased the only two car washes in Harlan, IA. Brent was going to learn the business of the car washes and eventually we would own them. Brent was the manager of the car washes until he felt he was ready to take the responsibilities. Well, that all took place last week. We officially purchased Schumacher East, LLC. So, we are the new owners of two car washes.

I had no idea there was so much involvement in a car wash, I learned very fast that you can't leave town very often cause someone will have a problem! I also learned something about Brent, he is very good at figuring out problems. If you want to run a car wash you have to be able to fix your own problems otherwise you would spend all your money on maintenance.

I felt like I was signing my life away (wait I was) at the bank last week, but I am super excited for the journey and opportunity that Chuck offered us. Here are a few pictures of our car washes. We call them them big car wash or the little car wash. But the "true" name of them is Ultra No Touch Car Wash---previous owners named them NOT us!

Enjoy

The "Big Car Wash" our main location. 2 Automatics 3 hand bays

Another view of the main location

View of the "little" car wash (1 automatic and 2 hand bays)

Little Car Wash

I love living in the Harlan area. I love the feeling of the small town. I am currently working at the HyVee Pharmacy in Harlan I will have been there a year this May. Brent and I are enjoying all the opportunities this town has offered us so far. Now, if only this baby would like to make an appearance so we can enjoy raising our child in a small town! 2 weeks left (if we make it to 40 weeks) I will try to get a Bump Date done tomorrow. We have a wedding to go to tonight so I will be dressed in something other than sweats or scrubs.

Bump Date: 34 Weeks

How far along: 34 Weeks

Size of Baby: 17-19 inches and 4.2-5.8lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Still a little of both, I can wear a majority of my regular tops but all maternity pants.

Gender: Guess we'll all find out in May cause we're going to let it be a surprise!

Movement: Lots!

Sleep: I would love to sleep all day everyday, but I usually get about 5 good hours of sleep at night.

What I miss: Not having swollen feet. My feet resemble Fred Flintstones feet.

Symptoms: HEART BURN! This has been horrible the last couple weeks.

Cravings: Anything and everything, since Dairy Queen has opened in Harlan for the season I am in heaven.

Best Moment of the Week: It wasn't this week, but it has been since I blogged, for the longest time our baby has been sitting breech. Not anymore, he or she is head down and ready to make an appearance next month!!

Looking Forward To: My feet not being swollen and actually being able to see my feet when standing up. We start going to our appointments weekly now, and that means we are that much closer to getting to meet our miracle!

In other news, My sister Ashley had her baby one week ago today! Lia Michele was born March 26th. She weighted 7.6lbs and was 19" long. She is beautiful, however please keep Lia in your prayers as she was born with several heart defects and will be undergoing surgery in the near future. Also, please keep my sister and her husband, and my nephew Jack in your prayers for strength and understanding during this time.

Lia shortly after she got home

We have now mowed twice, and it is only April 2nd. Hard to believe. Wrigley has been enjoying this weather a lot because that means we are outside a lot more! We even got his pool out for him to cool off in during the day!

Brent and Wrigley pouting because they couldn't come insdie. They were both very muddy.

We had to pick up some sticks/limbs before we could mow last weekend and this is how Wrigley helped, he layed on the trailor and sun bathed.

Please take a moment and check out my sisters blog to read about Lia's heart condition. Ashley's Blog