Feeding the deer at the Wisconsin deer park in the Dells.




Happy halloween!




She loves her animals and to read.




Raegan was a little scared of Santa to say
the least, but every kid needs this picture!




Reindeer hat is just one of many art projects she has grown to love.




Merry Christmas!




Happy New Year!




Tunnel and tent fun with Daddy.




Playing in the first big snow we got of the season.
Nothing like the blizzard from the year before!

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Let's see what 2012 brings us!

Well, again, it has been a long time since an update to the blog. We are one busy little family that continues to grow (and really here I'm specifically talking about froggy!). We made our annual trip for apple picking which was a rainy but fun filled day and family weekend at Christmas mountain in the Dells. Both were full of laughter and fun. Mike made the trip to up to the Dells twice as he had to return home for the Chicago marathon for cross country. I was really glad he did cause otherwise I would've missed him too much.

The holidays found us busy going from one family function to the next. Between Halloween and New Years, I think we had more family events than one can count. Raegan seemed to love her first trick or treating and was a cute little Thing 3 of our family of Things. She wanted to eat all the candy that went in her bucket, with suckers being her favorite. We even won the costume contest at Scott and Stephanie's annual Halloween party, but I think it was really due to Rae being so darn cute. During thanksgiving we of course ate ourselves silly, but managed to have some fun along the way. Christmas was again a whirlwind of touring the surrounding suburbs of the city. Rae was a trooper and held up fairly nicely when it came to late nights and short naps. To treat ourselves, we spent two days in the Dells just as a family of three for some much needed rest and relaxation.

Raegan continues to amaze me everyday. She is picking up new words and phrases all the time. We really need to watch what we are saying now! Her favorite game is playing hide and seek. She is constantly telling us hide mommy, hide daddy. And when she does hide, she gets so excited she almost can't contain herself. Another way she has surprised us is by starting to potty train. One day a light bulb must've gone off in her head and since then, she has been pretty consistent about being dry when she is awake. All this in about a weeks time! We even spent the day at the Shedd Aquarium and she was dry and went on the big potty. This is especially great news for me since I wasn't looking forward to having to buy two sizes of diapers!

Froggy is doing well and continues to grow. At my 20 week appointment, everything looked great on the ultrasound and froggy was moving and even looked like a little thumb sucker like their big sister. The movement I feel is unbelievable! I don't know how this kid has this much room to move as much as s/he does. It's awesome though to be able to see the movement, but I still can't figure out which end is up. I passed my first gd test and will take the next one next week. I'm crossing my fingers that I get the same results as I did 10 weeks ago.

Mike is halfway through the school year and stays busy with yearbook. I think it will be a huge accomplishment for him and turn out great. He is in the middle of planning a trip to Washington DC for the academic decathlon kids which happens in March. It will be a long week for Raegan and I that week, but I'm sure we'll make it through. I have lost one of the little girls I watch and will be losing another after froggy is born. I will be sad about the latter because she was my first who I took with me from the daycare. It will be a nice summer however because that will give us some time to become a family of four (plus Sammi). We plan to take lots of field trips! I do have some prospects, but nothing set yet.

As of now, life is pretty good for us and we can't complain much.

And baby makes 4!

Well, the cat's out of the bag...the Shunt family is expanding by one! I am expecting our newest member, froggy, some time around April 29th. Although, to be honest, I'm hoping it is before then, because that means I may have actually gone into labor by myself this time.

We are very excited by this news and have been patiently waiting to tell everyone. We started with my family during our annual trip to the Dells. Mike made Raegan a cute shirt that says, "this little monkey has a secret" on the front and then "I'm gonna be a big sister" on the back. The plan didn't work out as smoothly as I had hoped, but all were excited about the news and at the same time, upset we had kept it from them for so long (and lied to some). Then we told Mike's dad, mom and sister. His mom was funny cause she read Rae's shirt about three times before she looked at us in astonishment. She wasn't sure she was reading it right; we laughed.

The biggest person we are working on telling about froggy is Rae. We have been teaching her to say "big sister" of which sometimes she just says no, but other times she says it. I think she is going to be a great big sister. We were able to meet a new baby last week and Raegan did not mind that I was holding her and she even got a chance to hold her. She was cute looking at the baby and cried when I took her away. Here's to hoping she stays this good!

I had two doctor appointments so far. Mike and Rae came with to the first one and we got to see the precious little flicker of a heart beat on the screen. Not too much to report so far except that I am able to listen to the heartbeat whenever I want and have been doing so since about week nine. I am almost 14 week, so almost one third of the way done. It's amazing how fast it goes when you don't even feel pregnant! I am so looking forward to feeling this little one move.

Mike is days away from being done with his cross country season. Four of his runners advanced to sectionals, two guys and two girls. It is a really great accomplishment for these kids, but I'm not gonna lie, I can't wait to have him back, and neither can Rae!

A long time overdue...kind of like my library books

Well, better late than never, I say. It appears, as always, time has gotten away from me. It has been almost 5 months since my last post and I must say, much has changed.

We'll start with Raegan. She is now walking, no, I should say, running on her own. She started out hesitantly, but is now at full speed with Amelia, the almost 3 year old I watch. Rae also has a mouth full of teeth; at my last count (when I can get my finger in her mouth to check), she had 11 teeth! She is still a good eater, and her favorite food would have to be apples, which she can now say. She has somewhere around 2 dozen words between sign language and words that I can figure out, it amazes me every day how quickly she picks things up. I think it helps having Amelia around as an example, whether that's good or bad, I've still yet to figure out! The latest thing that I am loving is she will do the motions to The Wheel on the Bus and Twinkle Twinkle when I sing them with her at group time; it makes me smile so much at how smart she is!

On to me, Jenn. I am now watching a third little girl; yes, all girls and for now, I am thankful, cause a houseful of boys would not be as quiet as my house can be some times. I thoroughly enjoyed the spring and summer months that Were spent outside with the girls. We enjoyed walks to the park, swimming in our baby pool, running through the sprinkler, and so much more. I am getting slightly depressed with the weather we've had in the last week...rain and cold; not something I'm looking forward to, but I'm sure we'll get through. Other than that, I'm back singing every week, or as often as I can. I enjoy singing and do miss it over the summer.

Mike is, of course, back in school. Cross country season is halfway over. It seems his team is doing well, as he talks about them all the time. It's great to know he's passionate about it! I am however, looking forward to when the season is over, cause then Rae and I get our guy back! Beside cc, he is also the new yearbook teacher. This, hopefully, will keep him going through the year.

Our summer was spent with family, friends and most importantly, each other. Mike and I got to have a week to ourselves in Disney World while Rae got to stay at my parents house. We most certainly enjoyed ourselves, even if It was hotter than the sun! I think Rae had fun too! Our next trip will be in a week to Wisconsin Dells, for our annual family trip. I am so looking forward to it as it will be my first days off since Disney...much needed! I will try to get some pictures updated and to keep up with posting.

Happy Brithday Raegan!

Well, a year has come and gone! Raegan Kathryn-Anne, who took her sweet time getting here, has turned one year old! We spent the day outside, thanks to warm weather, which has now seemed to disappear. Neighbors came with presents to help celebrate the day with us. Rae enjoyed her birthday cupcake and was a real lady about eating it; nothing in the hair or on the clothes! We are planning a party at the end of the month to celebrate with family and friends. Here are a few pictures of her big day:

Mike brought home balloons which are her new favorite things

Cake is so good :)

Birthday Wagon ride

First presents from Sammi: books

Birthday smiles :)

It's hard to take a picture when she doesn't want to sit still anymore!

Not having fun in the snow fort my uncles and aunt made!

One month closer

Well, I find myself asking where all the time went. I cannot believe that almost a year has gone by since Raegan has entered our lives. To say, your life will never be the same, is an understatement. The times that we have had this past year have been at times rough, full of tears (both hers and mine), but they have also been full of such laughter that it makes all those other times melt away. And then there's the special moment we have before she falls asleep at night, just cuddling and rocking having passed another day. My baby is almost a year old and I am just now learning to cherish all these small moments. You don't really believe people when they tell you it will fly by and to cherish everything; but it's the truth. I love this little girl more than she may ever know.

In the past month, Raegan has:
*gotten three more teeth on top, for a total of four on top and two on the bottom
*learned to sign please...finally! I've been working on that one for a long time
*started letting go while standing up and actually standing from a sitting position
*started blowing kisses
*made a new friend, Sammi
Needless to say, she has been making leaps and bounds to become a wonderful little one year old! We have been busy making plans for Raegan's first birthday party. We can't wait to celebrate with our family and friends. It will be filled with balloons (her new favorite things), monkeys (of course), and colors. I find this little tidbit funny; in her first year of life, Rae will not have an Easter.

I am enjoying staying at home and have a new little girl that I watch. She is 6 months old and her name is Sammi. I am loving that the weather is getting warmer as this means we can play outside! We have already been on many walks and love playing out front. For now, Rae rolls along in a walker, but it won't be long until she's walking right along with Amelia!

Mike is rolling along with the school year. He is almost done with the 3rd quarter, which means he's that much closer to being at home with us, which we can't wait for. Summer will be full of cross country practice, HUG Camp, and I'm sure lots of trips to the zoo and pool.

In other non-snow related news, Raegan is getting bigger by the day. Her first top tooth has finally started pushing through after weeks of drooling and chewing. She has been using her teeth to mash up pretty much all her food lately. She is, for the most part, on all table food. No more pureed baby food for this little girl. No allergies so far and she has loved everything she has tried.

She is also learning new things every day. She can now wave hello and good-bye. It's so crazy to think that she's almost one. She can also do her own version of the sign 'more'. I can't wait to teach her the rest of the signs that I know. I think she'll catch on quickly.

Other than that, we are all well. The school year is half way over and I think Mike couldn't be more excited about that. I am still looking for more kids to watch, but happy to have down time with just the two girls. Here are some recent pictures.Playing the piano at Grams'

Cheering for the Bears before they gave up

Loving Daddy

This is the, 'Aren't I so cute?' head tilt

Hanging with Ozzie

Blizzard 2011

Well, I didn't believe it when they started reporting on it. I kept saying, I'll believe it when I see it. Well...I believe it! The 3rd worst snow storm in Chicago history hit us early Tuesday, February 1st, afternoon and didn't stop til late the next morning. Luckily, Mike was able to make it home in just over an hour and the mom of the little girl I watch was able to make it here safe to pick her up. We spent the night listening to the wind roar and watching the snow swirl around the house. It seemed like it was blowing more than it was snowing, but when we woke up, we were literally snowed in! Our front porch had snow up to my waist cover it. It took us a while to shovel our driveway, but thankfully, we only have a small, one car one. Here are some pictures of our snow day.

Ozzie knee deep in snow

Before shoveling

Raegan getting to explore snow; Oz was waiting to eat it

So ready to go out

Christmas pictures

Alex and I getting ready to pass out presents at Grams...
just a little overboard!

Raegan getting a little help from her Nana

Yeah! I love paper!

Ladybug pillow pet from Daddy

Hanging with Aunt Tracy, Riley, and a very large gorilla

2011

Welcome to 2011! We hope this new year finds everyone happy, healthy, and ready to take on new adventures.

We had a very busy Christmas holiday making it four family filled days. We started the holidays celebrating Mike's 34th birthday on December 23rd. To do this, we spent the day doing 34 random acts of kindness which included dropping cookies and donuts off at various village places, giving away lotto tickets to random people, donating food to a pantry, visiting my mom at work and dropping off many things at the hospital, and so many more things. It was great to see the reaction people had and felt good to give back, even in a little way. Then on the 24th we had Christmas dinner with Mike's cousin Paul and his family. Raegan got her first Christmas presents there and was excited to open them. The candle-light church service, which is a family tradition, was made even better sharing it with Rae. She fought sleep, but finally fell asleep about halfway through. Mike and I woke up Christmas morning and were able to share a moment to ourselves without other family there. Once Raegan got up, it was time for Mike's mom and her family to come over and celebrate. Raegan was very spoiled, but very good through it all. We had a quick stop by my parents and then off to Grams for Christmas dinner. Raegan had fun trying to open everyone's presents and love playing with all the boxes. The day after Christmas found us at Mike's dad's house celebrating with them. All-in-all we had a great bunch of days spent with family, which is really the most important thing.

Apple Picking

In the middle of September, Mike had a free weekend from cross country (very rare!) and we took David, Amy, Alex, and Melissa to Apple Hollar to pick some apples. The day started out wet, but ended up full of sunshine and laughter. We had a great time and can't wait to go again next year! Here are some pictures ( just a few from the over 500 Alex took)

Everyone is amazed by the funny goat.

Climbing to get apples

Raegan is pumpkin sitting

Alex proud of his apple skills

I think Raegan likes apples

Really likes apples

Free rides

Auntie Amy and Raegan

Sugar Monkey meet Monkey

Awww.....

Delicious!

Job skills

Happy Baby. Happy Mommy.

I can't believe they let us out in public

Duck...

Our friend the scarecrow

Pig races

Too big to fit in the car

I'm a big kid now!

I am the best little pumpkin!