Mom Rocket

That's what I'm calling our new (or at least new to us) minivan. I've always thought it would be a sad day when I would have to drive a minivan, but since I found out that we were going to have a third Baby Riechmann, I've been looking forward to this purchase. We have been searching online since the summer trying to narrow down our choices. We decided that we really liked the 2009 Nissan Quest. It's pretty cool looking as far as minivans go. We had a hard time finding used ones in this area for a good price. This past Sunday we found one that seemed to good to be true. It had most of the features I was looking for and the price that Dustin had been dreaming of. Go figure. We headed out on Sunday to test drive it. We loaded the kids into the Stratus (since that would be our "trade in") and headed to South County. When we had looked at it online it had said the color was "burgundy," which I wasn't really pumped about. However, when we drove up, I quickly realized it wasn't at all what I had envisioned. I loved it. And the real color is called "Tuscan Sunset Metallic." We put the carseats in and drove it up and down the road and decided it was what we wanted. The salesman happened to be driving to Edwardsville the next day (fate?) and would bring us the van and take the car back with him. The kids were sad that we couldn't take it home that day, but glad to know that they would be able to ride in it on the way home from school on Monday. I must say that I am loving every part of it, especially the power sliding door. What a great invention! I look forward to breaking it in and putting yet another car seat in the back in just a few short months! Braden offered to help me take a few pictures of it, but it was kind of dark. I'm sure you get the jist of it...

The van in our driveway. Complete with a sidewalk chalk railroad track beside it.

I thought turning the flash off would help. It didn't.

Braden showing off our favorite part...the power sliding door!

Braden in the "far" back as he likes to call it.

Disney on Ice

We try to go to at least one family show a year, usually in the late winter or early spring. Last year we enjoyed Sesame Street Live and decided to try an ice show this year. I registered Braden for Kindergarten that day (tear) and then quickly headed home to give the kids baths and head to Applebee's for dinner with the Rodgers Family. The kids did a great job eating (slightly unusual) and then we drove over to STL for the show. The kids really enjoyed the skaters. Kendall loved the princesses (of course) and Braden liked Buzz Lightyear the best. We were able to leave the show without breaking the bank. They sure do a hard sell on some of those toys! Talk about expensive souvenirs! When we got back to the car I felt like something wasn't right. I quickly checked my purse (which I had left in the car between the two carseats and under some blankets) and found that my wallet was not where I thought I had left it. When I opened it up, I found that my credit and debit cards were gone! Dustin thought I had misplaced them, but I knew someone had stolen them. We decided to cancel the cards anyway just in case. The next day, in the sunlight, I found that someone had indeed broken in to the car by sticking something up under the door handle and pushing the lock in. Thankfully, the robbers didn't take anything else. It's still an eerie feeling to know that some creepy person was in my car looking through my stuff. Anyway...all is well that ends well. No harm done. Insurance will pay to have the truck's lock fixed and I received my new cards in the mail yesterday. It was quite the exciting family bonding experience.

My cuties before the show.

Daddy and Braden cheesing it up.

Say "I'm getting robbed!"

Grand Finale

We're Still Here!

This time of year is always SO busy for the Riechmann Family (as Braden likes to refer to us). Since Braden's birthday (6 weeks ago) we have been going non-stop! We had a few sicknesses along the way, which had us home for a few days, but overall we have been doing really well. My belly is getting bigger, much to Braden's delight. Dustin has felt the baby kick, which is really great. Braden claims he has, but he rarely sits still long enough to feel it for real. Kendall doesn't really care one way or the other. She's too busy being a princess. My next Dr. appointment in in two weeks and we will schedule another ultrasound and my glucose testing. It's hard to believe this pregnancy is half over!

We ordered bunk beds for Braden and Kendall. They seem VERY excited about "rooming" together. They will come in right around Kendall's birthday, which will be perfect timing. This way we can get the kids settled before Baby #3 makes its appearance in July.

Braden is signed up for T-ball again this spring. He is looking forward to playing with many of his old "teammates" from last spring. I'm not so sure I'm looking forward to sitting in a lawn chair 8 months pregnant!

The most shocking news for the next month is registering Braden for Kindergarten. It happens on March 10th. When did this happen???? It seems like he just started preschool! I asked him today to stay home with me instead of going to Kindergarten and he told me "NO!" He claims he has to meet new friends and he can't do that at home. Dang. Why does he have to be so smart?

I haven't had the opportunity to take many pictures, but once I do, I promise to post some for those of you who may have forgotten what we look like!

Until then...take care!

How can this be?

I have no idea how this happened. How did Braden turn 5? I feel like I just rocked him to sleep and put him in his crib, and now he's getting ready to go to Kindergarten in the fall! It makes me want to tear up just thinking of how fast my "baby" has grown and how big he is getting (and I actually did a little crying - I blame it on the pregnancy hormones!).

Thinking about growing up always makes this song come to mind. So, of course when I found the lyrics, I figured I should post them. And more than one tear fell as I read them. Enjoy reading them as you think about your little ones. I know I'll be thinking of mine today.

Happy 5th Birthday to the one who will always be "little" to me.

"Let them be Little" by Lonestar

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand
Felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute
How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink
Faster than a flower blooms they grow up all too soon

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

I've never felt so much in one little tender touch
I live for those kisses, prayers and your wishes
Now that you're teaching me things only a child can see
Every night while we're on our knees all I ask is please

Let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around
It's time to let them go

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

Let them be little

We love you Braden!!

Happy New Year!

Since it has become tradition to spend NYE with the Rodgers family (since it's hard to find a sitter and sometimes it's just too much work) we headed to Fairfield to party down. Sticking to tradition we made way too much food. The kids played with new toys for a few hours and then we gave them baths and attempted to put them to bed before midnight. Kendall was quiet but didn't fall asleep until after 11:00. Jackson and Braden declared that this was the worst New Year's Eve party ever because they didn't get to stay up until midnight. Technically, Braden was awake, but we didn't let him come downstairs with us! The adults rang in the new year by watching the ball drop and then playing Twilight Scene It and attempting to play euchre...not as easy as one would think! We were home by 2:30 and the kids were up by 8:20. How do they survive on such little sleep???? Anyway...we had a great time and will probably do something similar to ring in 2011, only this time there will be more kids! We told the kids on Christmas day that we were going to have a baby, so by this time next year he/she will be around six months old!


We are getting ready to celebrate Mimi's birthday at our house. Happy Birthday, Mimi!!! Until the next blog marathon...this is Bethany. Over and out!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

While we try and try to teach our children that Christmas is about celebrating the gift of Jesus, the kids still want the presents. This year, Braden did seem to understand that the gifts were given because of the gifts given to Baby Jesus when he was born to show Him love. But...that didn't stop him or slow him down from ripping into his pile from Santa. The kids were both very excited this year. Kendall sort of got it last year, but this year she could hardly wait to get out of bed to check out what was by the tree. Our gift was that the kids slept until 8:00 (late in our house) and waited patiently to open gifts. Braden was super excited about all of his trains and tracks as well as his new toothbrushes. Kendall liked her new easel and roller skates. The kids played well all morning. We ate a big brunch with Mimi, Papa, Uncle Nana, Amelia and Addy. More playing and then it was nap time. We spent the rest of the day playing with new toys and spending time with family...my favorite way to spend Jesus' birthday!

Christmas Eve

We spent the morning hanging around the house and then after naps we got ready for church. The mass started at 4:00, but it is so popular that we arrived at 3:15 (thanks to Gunkle and Lissa we had good seats). The kids were really good considering mass lasted until about 5:15. After that we headed back to get the presents before heading to Brighton for some delicious lasagna. After we forced the kids to eat (I hated waiting when I was a kid, but I am much older and wiser and now see the reasoning behind eating first and opening later) we headed downstairs to a MOUNTAIN of presents (mostly for the 4 grandkids). The kids sort of took turns opening presents, but mostly Braden thought he should open a gift after every person. Whatever. The presents got opened and everyone seemed happy with their loot. The kids played, took a bath, and then we headed home to get ready for Santa to visit!!!