A Day out with Thomas

I am not even going to attempt to try and update from February so I will just start with some big things that has happened

Thomas the Tank Engine came to the Strasburg Railroad for a couple of weeks in June and Kody is OBSESSED with Thomas! So we just could not say no to taking him for a ride on Thomas! We had a great time! It was very warm that day but it was a blast to see Kody and the excitement of seeing Thomas!

"ALL ABOARD!!" Says Kody as the train starts moving for our ride

Heidi at 4 months old enjoying her first train ride!

Grandma Groff went with us on this memorable ride! ( I don't know why my pictures don't want to stay upright but here they are anyway)

Heidi Joy

Heidi Joy Groff
Born: Jan. 28, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Weight: 7 lbs. 5 oz. (one oz heavier than her brother)
Height: 20 in. (one inch longer than her brother)

Heidi was not one to be hurried but when she was ready she was ready. I was due on Jan. 23rd but that day came and went without so much as a contraction. So at least I thought. I had my post date appointment scheduled for Friday the 28th. I was now 40 weeks and 5 days.

Anthony had off that day so he came with me. I am really glad he did. So we dropped Kody off at Grandma's and away we went. First off, the fluid check. My fluid was a little low. Okay... next off the the stress test. Not realizing what was going on i was watching the monitor and realized that according to the monitor i was having a contraction. All i felt was the baby pushing up.. (so that is what these contractions felt like!) I had two of them in the 20 minutes of the test. Then off to the doctor we went. Anthony and I were hoping that they would want to start us today but did not think it would actually happen. Dr. Habecker came in and informed us that while I was having contractions that the baby's heart rate was actually dropping so with that and my fluid being low we were sent next door to the hospital to have the baby. :)

We called and text the family to inform them of what was going on and we were admitted at 11:30 am. Talked with the midwife and decided what was the best way to go about this and away we went. The kind of drug she used made me have to lay practically flat on my back for two hours before i could move around. At 1:30 pm we started the drug. It wasn't 10 minutes that I was having major contractions!!! Not like Kody's at all! Did not like!! So, having to lay in the bed for 2 hours was not a fun thing. I had to get up to go to the bathroom a little after 3 and could not seem to hold it... I had the nurse come in and check to see if my water had broke. Sure enough it had the midwife came in at 4 and told us we were 4 cm. I was in a lot of pain so I asked for the Nuban (Spelling?) Got the drug and felt pretty loopy right away but it did nothing for the contractions!!! After another 1/2 hour I told Anthony I felt like I needed to push! I never had that sensation with Kody! The nurse came running in and called the midwife! Sure enough i went from 4 cm to 10 in a 1/2 hour!! 4 minutes of pushing non stop our little girl was born!

Ryan & Krystle's Wedding

Our next stop for the summer was getting Anthony's brother Ryan, married. Ryan and Krystle were married July 11th. Only 4 days before Anthony and my 4th wedding anniversary.
















We all had some part in the wedding,
except Kody but then again I think he was the distraction for everyone. He always had a smile on his face and could make anyone laugh. The photographers just thought he was great! I can't believe the amount of pictures that we have of this kid at the wedding and the reception.

(Uncle Ryan and Kody hanging out after the ceremony waiting for everyone to show up for pictures.)




















("Aunt Krystle? What is under that big tent of yours?")




















Kody dancing with his little girlfriend Corrine Hamilton (her dad was one of the groomsmen.)
Kody dancing in his chair!


Kody having a good time on the dance floor with his Uncle Ryan!

It was a long day but a very enjoyable one. At that point I was exactly 3 months pregnant and still not feeling well but God blessed me with a good feeling day. Kody was so fun at the reception with the dancing and such.

He stole the show but I don't think his Uncle and new Aunt minded much!

Kody's first Combine Ride

Kody had his first ride on a combine earlier this fall!

HE LOVED IT!!!!!



They were in there for a good 4 hours. Anthony was in his glory too of course. It brought back some good memories of how Anthony and I met. Thanks to Nate Umbrell for letting us take your combine for a ride. (I am sure he didn't mind he had help for the afternoon.) :) Now whenever we see a combine he goes crazy and says "bine!" As we pass them in fields around our house he has come to the point that if we go anywhere he points in the direction he wants us to go. It usually always results in him seeing a "bine". He is such a joy to watch with the big machinery!!!

Update of our baby!

Here is our second little rays of sunshine's first pictures. What a photogenic baby we have on our hands. We also got to find out the gender of the baby today. So hold on to your hats... WE ARE HAVING A GIRL!!!!

We feel so blessed to have one of each now. As far as we know she is doing well in utero. She does have a bright spot on her heart but Kody also had that and it disappeared before birth. So we are not to worried about that at this point. She is weighing in at 13 oz. She is kicking ferociously!! She is very busy! She is recognizing Kody's voice. Whenever she hears him in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning she lets me know that she hears him. I pray that they will be the best of buds.

Announcement

Dear Family and Friends,

I do not have a face to see,
Or put inside a frame.
I do not have soft cheeks to kiss.
I don't yet have a name.

Not yet can you hold my tiny hands,
Nor whisper in my ear.
It's still too soon to sing a song,
Or cuddle me so near.

But all that will change come this January;
When they say I am due.
I am the newest addition;
and I can't wait until I meet you!

All I ask between now and then
Is your love for me to grow.
I promise I'll be worth the wait;
Just think of all the joy we'll know!

So as you're waiting patiently,
Please pray lots of prayers for me.
I cannot wait to be a part
Of this wonderful family!

As you have read we are expecting our second child in January. January 23, 2011 to be exact. So far so good. I have been blessed with not being as sick as I was with Kody but there are still those days. Keep us in your prayers are we do this new journey. Kody will be delightful with a new little one around the house. He is already helping mommy and wanting to hold babies. It has been fun to watch him. Here is the official announcement! We love you all and will keep you updated as the time continues!

Blessings,

Anthony, Niccole, Kody and baby Groff

What a personality!

"Hey Kody, smile for Mommy!"




This is what I got in return... the finger! :) What a kid!




Enjoying his pudding cup. Before bed yes. He seemed to sleep pretty good even though he had chocolate before bed. Oh Kody what would we do without you? Life would be dull that is for sure!

Kody has discovered how to stack the blocks on his own so this is the first attempt...







He is such a funny kid! He knows it too! If you laugh at him it only gets him going more. Such a comedian!