Stressful Memories...

Why is it that the object of trying to capture one professional picture your family has to be one of the most stressful tasks known to man? The concept isn't that hard, really. Sit, say cheese, capture picture. All in all, it should take about 15 minutes. But with 8 kids under the age of 9 and one child that crosses his eyes and sticks out his tongue each time the camera clicks, trying to capture this one moment in time seemed to take an eternity!

My good friend Jenny came out to the cabin this weekend to try to get pics of the Steger family. And while she did capture many good pics, she definitely earned her money w/ this family. While she was taking the pics, she didn't notice my nephew Ben attempting to sabotage every single picture, but upon editing, realized the comedy that lay before her! Note below the little boy in the blue shirt....

Luckily, Ben did choose to smile for one family picture and many others.....

8 Weeks Old....a week late!

Hard to believe already, but Paige turned 8 weeks old (last week). At her 8 week check up, the doc gave her a clean bill of health saying she looked like a perfect little girl. (I couldn't help but agreed!)

She weighed 11 lbs, 3 oz....gaining just over 3 lbs since she was born. And measured 23 1/2 inches long....growing 2 1/2 inches. She's eating 4 oz at a time, eating every 3-4 hours. And the only time she screams bloody murder is when she's hungry.

She is by far our best sleeper, sleeping literally through the night since she's been born. She got a head cold and struggled sleeping for about 2 weeks, but once that was gone she was back to sleeping 6-8 hours. She has spoiled us rotten at night.

She still won't take a binki, which kills me, but is a great baby so I shouldn't complain. I'm just not use to babies that aren't addicted to their binki's. The thing was like baby crack for Lauren & Reese so it just feels strange that she won't take it.

She is a very happy baby and loves to be talked to. As soon as she makes eye contact w/ you she is smiles from ear to ear. Lauren nicknamed her Smiley and it fits perfectly, as you'll see in her picture below. I nicknamed her Fidget, cause the kid does not sit still unless she's sleeping. Every limb on her body is constantly moving when she's awake. She fidgets the most when Lauren and Reese talk to her. It's so cute. I don't want her to grow up, but I'm excited to see her start interacting w/ the girls.

She loves her swing. I'm not quite sure I'd be able to get through the day w/o that thing. That is the only place she will sit, awake, w/o being held. She will sit in that swing for hours just laughing, cooing and smiling. Not sure what's making her so happy in there, but it works for me.

She just started cooing this week and it melts my heart. She has been trying so hard for about 2 weeks but nothing would come out. It was funny to watch. A couple times she would be trying so hard that a big ole squeal would come out and scare the bejesus out of her! It was hilarious.

I love having a baby in the house again. But life w/ three has made me late for everything! Before Miss Paige came along, we had it pretty easy w/ a 6 & 4 year old in the house. Picking up and going was a piece of cake. But since she's been born, I don't think I've been on time for a single thing! I totally forgot the prep work it took to just simply run to Walmart! A couple weeks ago I took all 3 girls to my cousin's softball game. We got there and Lauren got out of the car, I got Paige out of the car, then Reese got out of the car and said, "Mom, where's my shoes?" So we sported a Shoeless Joe Jackson look for the Beckman softball game! (All of the moms there appreciated my frustration!)

I kid you not, the next day I took the girls out to the farm. Reese got out of the van, I got Paige out of the van, then Lauren got out of the van and said, "Mom, where's my shoes?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

So now, the last thing I say before we leave the house is, "DOES EVERYBODY HAVE A PAIR OF SHOES ON???"

Ok, that's probably enough for now. I have to get some laundry done anyway. Enjoy my smiley!

Jodi & Tom's Wedding

My good friend, Jodi Wilhelm, got married this weekend and I just happened to be bridesmaid #5. It was an honor to be a part of her day. She was the most beautiful bride I think I've ever seen. Her dress was absolutely perfect for her and she looked stunning in it. Tom is a very lucky guy.

Jodi and I have known each other since I moved to Dyersville when I was 5. We grew up in the same neighborhood playing everything from Ghost in the Graveyard to crick stomping behind her house. There weren't many summer days we didn't spend together.

The ironic thing about our relationship is that the man I would eventually marry, 20+ years after meeting Jodi, was her cousin. Jodi's mom and Troy's dad are brother and sister. Small world, huh! To think that my kids and Jodi's kids are cousins is pretty neat, considering Lauren idolizes Jodi's daughter Leigha! Lauren even had the honor of handing out programs, which made her feel like pretty big stuff!

I love when ya have a wedding in the family, cause it always provides for great family picture opportunities with everyone all dressed up and looking nice! Most of our other family pics are w/ t-shirts and shorts!

This wedding was extra fun for Troy and I because both our families were there. Even my brother Ted and his wife were there, because Tom (the groom) is Ted's wife's cousin. Like I said, small world.

Poor Shana.....she's 4 months pregnant and had to put up w/ me, the drunken sister-in-law! She was a trooper tho!

When Jodi and I turned 14, a girl by the name of Jenny Wagner entered the scene, riding her black Razz moped. And the rest they say is history. The three of us developed an unlikely bond that summer. Jodi, the straight A student, Jenny, the drama club president, and me, the athlete. But it's a friendship that has survived and one I plan to be a part of forever.

Congrats Tom & Jodi...I'm so glad I was able to be part of your special day! You are an amazing couple and I wish you years of happiness!

Our little angel...

Paige received the sacrament of baptism this weekend, officially making her one of God's little angels. We had a great celebration for her, with her godparents, grandparents, Great Grandma's and all her cousins, except Ben and Chloe :(

She was the 3rd little Osterhaus girl to be baptised at St. Joes Key West Church. And with us moving in a couple months, it was important to me to have her baptised here, where both her sisters were baptised by Father Bakewell. She looked so adorable in her baptismal gown and we were able to get some great pictures!

Paige's godparents are Tim & Dawn, and she couldn't be luckier to have them. Dawn spoils all my girls rotten and Uncle Timmy (as the girls call him), desperately needs to have a girl of his own, cause he is smitten w/ my girls, as you'll see in the pic below....SO adorable!

Tim & Shana are pregnant w/ their 4th baby, and we are all praying for a girl for Uncle Timmy! If they have another boy, I promised Shana that we'd have one more and if it was a girl, we'd switch!

Dawn and her god-daughter....she had her smiling from ear to ear! The woman's got the touch!

Both the Osterhaus and the Steger grandkids are very lucky to have their Great Grandma's still in their lives. We don't get to see Grandma Joan (Troy's Grandma) very often, so we were so thankful she decided to drive the 2 hours home for Paige's baptism. The last time she was at our place was for Reese's baptism. Thanks Grandma for making the trip home!

My Grandma Cleo was also able to make the baptism and we take every opportunity to get photos of her with all her girls. Grandma has 15 great grand children ..... and 14 of those grandchildren are GIRLS! What are the odds!

Just one additional, adorable pic. Troy snapped this one today. Such a happy baby...