What did you say???

Well the tree is up and packages are beneath it and at the rate time is going; Christmas will be here tomorrow. I love Christmas and this year is truly special because we have a toddler to enjoy the season with us. She is slowwwwwlllly grasping the concept of Santa and who he is although I don't think she will sit on his lap this year and be happy about doing it. (lol) I actually secretly hope she doesn't like him because I think those pictures are so cute and funny when they don't like Santa.

So earlier this week Addison said her first sentence and then they kept on coming.

Addison was over at Grammy's house and she was looking at a picture of John and his dad at the baseball game. So the "conversation" went like this.

Addy: dada, papa, dada, papa (pointing to each of them0)

Grammy: Addy who is that?

Addy: Dat my Papa!!!

(we looked at each other)

Me: Did she just say "that's my papa."

Grammy: Addy who is that in that picture?

Addy: (very matter of fact) DAT MY PAPA!!!

Then later on that night she said "I want Ana" and a day after that we were at the park with cousin Hunter and she had some goldfish crackers that Hunter wanted. He came to get some from her and she pushed him down and said "NO Hunnah dat mine...no..no. She didn't yell or scream but she did get the point across. It was pretty funny. (yes I did explain that pushing someone down wasn't nice at all) AND my absolute favorite is "I love you"

I am feeling great. My hips are starting to spread already. I tried to run down the street the other day and when I stopped I couldn't walk without limping. Boy that was dumb of me. This coming week starts our busy season....so i am sure John will be pretty bored in the evenings considering I will probably be in bed by 7 every night. Poor John.

We decided to change the spelling of Brodie's name to B*R*O*D*Y It seems a little more masculine; or so John says.

Oh.....I almost forgot...I am calling on the assistance of all you experienced parents with toddlers who wake up consistently at night between 12 and 1. You see.....Addy was doing so well and then one night and from that night on it seems she has a nightmare or night terror or whatever and then screams and doesn't stop til one of us gets her. It totally sucks because one of us every night doesn't get sleep because she is up every hour after that. ANY SUGGESTIONS???

I am tired and John is tired and we need sleep especially before another baby comes into our lives. Thank you in advance for your help.

Hair extensions

In the news and In the know....or is it NO!!!!





Addy has officially decided to date Jayce Rivera. She is thrilled to have her first boyfriend. Her daddy however, isn't really all that happy. He doesn't think Addy is really quite ready to date boys yet.


Addy is also this years new spokes kid for every makeup line you can imagine. She informed me this years colors were espresso, cinnamon, and chocolate. She gave me a makeup lesson earlier this week and I had to take pictures of her talent for applying makeup.


And if you thought that was enough.....Addy gave a demonstrative cooking class where we learned the culinary arts of making peanut butter & jelly. We are soooo proud of our little chef.





These days Addy is truly learning what it means to put in "time-out" I swear we say no to her at least 10 times a day. I am really surprised she doesn't say "no" to us, although I am sure her time is to come.


"Addy please don't pull the cat's tail, it hurts!"


"Addy please don't put that cup in the toilet and drink the water"


"Addy get out of the toilet!"





Seriously!!!! totally makes me crazy and totally makes me laugh at the same time.

And LADIES AND GENTLEMEN here is our precious little boy....BRODIE

Pics left to right.....

It's a Boy......His foot........and front of face with mouth open

He's really skinny and there isn't much fat on his face, but you get the idea.

He is measuring 2 days ahead and 13oz. I get more and more excited each day. Every time I get to tell a customer I get even MORE excited. Yes it's possible.

We will keep you posted. Thank you to all of you for your congrats and continued friendships.

Love, Mer and John

Hooray for the Holidays!!!

Super sweet, understanding, kind....I am absolutely IN LOVE with my family

Pretend you are on a roller coaster with really high ups and really little downs. That's MY life and I am really proud of it.

Yes is a word I will always say to Addy as long as she continues to put that little head of hers on my shoulders and hug me. (I cherish those moments)

Challenge and change are two things I look forward too everyday.

How may times do Addison and John make me smile each day? Hmmmm...I can't even count.

Apple is one of Addy's favorite words to say. Of course with a voice inflection like she is asking a question. Ahhh puhl? Really really really cute A little butterfly moving around in my belly is truly one of the most amazing feelings.

John....I couldn't do it without him. He does everything around here and I appreciate every thing he does.

With Thanksgiving around the corner I just wanted to reflect (as I do pretty much every day) how much I really do appreciate the little and BIG things in my life.

Here are the latest pics.....

My Handy Man

In recent news....John Paul Spychaj II installed a brand new sink, garbage disposal, and faucet. Total time from deconstruction to full installation was only 4 hours. This four hours included a trip back to Lowe's. Team Spychaj was very proud of Mr. Spychaj. When asked what she thought of her daddy, Addison Spychaj commented, "da da oppy." (Da da happy) We asked Mr. Spychaj if he was proud of the job he had done. Mr. Spychaj said, "I am proud and the sink only leaks a little."


Addison Lillis Spychaj became the world's strongest baby when she carried her mommy on her shoulders. Her parents are so proud of their little polish girl. :)


Meredith Erin Spychaj went to the doctor on Friday and was told not to buy clothes yet, but the little bundle of joy growing inside her was probably a boy. When asked what she thought, Meredith said, " I was really surprised by my reaction when they told us the news. I knew I would be happy, but I had no idea I would be this excited."

Hurrican Ike- September 13 2008

Here are some pics from the hurricane. I will say that I don't think John is going to be excited anymore if a hurricane is ever headed our way again. I am planning on doing one of those blog books so I kinda wanted to just memo (for my own sake what happened)

September 12th....I was in bed and at 12:54am talking to my parents who were in Alaska telling them it really wasn't that bad and that the little tree in our front yard was barely moving.

1:30am my parents told me goodnight and I sat up in bed watching t.v. waiting for Ike to "bring it on."

3:00am I had no more t.v. because of the weather, but the little tree in front was still doing ok.

3:34am our power went out. I got up to look at the tree and it was going around in circles nearly touching the ground. I went back to bed and sat there and just listened. I remember hearing the wind and the awful sounds it made. Awful comes to mind because I was terrified. (What is a tornado comes....my daughter and husband are in other rooms.....how am I going to get them both into the closet in time.....how can I keep my family safe.)

4:00am I went and woke John up (yes he was sleeping) and told him how scared I was and made him get out of bed.

5:00am I finally told him I was ok and I went to bed.

7:00am I woke up and John, Addy and I went out to see the damage. Yes....we were that curious. Plus we had to go to my parents house to fix the roof because a tree was in their bedroom.

All in all I feel we were extremely blessed in this situation. We went without power for 1 week and 1 day, but had a generator and a window a/c unit. It really wasn't that bad. We just pray that people who were less fortunate will be back on their feet in no time.

We didn't pose her for this. I love the candid photos.

On the way to check out the store.

This was on kuykendahl for a week. We had no other option than to drive under it if we wanted to get anywhere.
This is our little friend who sadly didn't survive the hurricane. It's a sphinx moth cocoon in case you were wondering. :)

Hooray Addy!!!

I just wanted to give props to Addison because she went pee pee and number 2 in the potty. HOORAY!!! We do a dance afterwards and she get all sorts of hugs and kisses and praise. She can't tell me yet when she needs to go, but when I am home I try to take her as often as I can.

I will post pics later of her accomplishment. :)

Here are some random pics and some pics I took for a bridal portrait this past weekend



I LOVE THIS CAT!!!

Ahhhhh Mexico and......Juan

We went to Playa del Carmen and had a great time. We went to an all inclusive resort. (recommended by the Depoy's when they went on their honeymoon)I have put some pics below. We went zip lining and swimming in Cenotes (see-no-tays)which are big sink holes with lots of stalagtites and stalagmites. And then we did absolutely nothing but lay by the beach and lay in the pool. We loved life last week. :)



John "Check out my package" he he he

A Cenotes


Here are a few pics of the hotel





Conversation Today
I will preface by writing that there is a hurricane coming and we all know how Spychaj gets when a hurricane comes.

ring ring ring
]=
me: hello dummy

spychaj: hi dummy

me: what's up

spychaj: I was thinking....

me: ok

spychaj: Well...I have to take some stuff back to Wally World and I figue with that money I can buy rations and make my hurricane survival kit. I figure I need some frozen food and batteries and stuff like that.

me: laughing and rolling my eyes "what are you going to cook the frozen food on?"

spychaj: the grill or the toaster oven that I will plug into the generator that we borrow from your parents.

me: laughing my ass off now

spychaj: it's not funny Meredith you wait you'll see....i'll be the only one prepared

So much to my chagrin.....I came home to this today....he makes me laugh every day

It's Confirmed

Addison, John and I ventured to go see Dr. Crowder today and it's official. I am pregnant. I went into the ultrasound room and the second I layed on the table Addison freaked out. The ultrasound tech (Julie) said that it is extreemly common for a child to freak out like Addison did because they feel threatened and they don't want their Mommy to get hurt. (AWE!!!) So we heard the heartbeat and then John and Addison went for a car ride.
During the ultrsound Julie made a sound and said OH. I let it slide and then we started talking about high HCG levels. Some of you know that I was a little concerned that I might be pregnant with twins because it took like two seconds for the little lines to be dark and I was only a week pregnant. Then she (Julie) proceeded to say that she thought she saw twins, but it was just where my ovarie had blasted the egg. It was still swolen I guess. It's amazing to me that they can tell which ovarie you ovulated from. So anyway....NO TWINS. HOORAY.
I talked to Dr. Crowder and everything is a go. He said that since we heard the heart beat we should be in the clear. I am currently 7 weeks 1 day along and the baby is measuring 6 weeks 1 day (totally normal). My due date is April 1st. Of course I would have a baby with a due date on April Fool's Day. (ha ha ha) I think with this pregnancy I am going to keep a video diary. Should be kinda cool.
I hope everyone is having a great summer. I can't wait to do more updates now. :)

I'M A GRAVIDA!!! WHAT???

So as most of you know, ok all of you know. I am a HUGE dork. John and I had been in Vegas for a convention. Two years ago we went and when we got back I called him on Monday, August 28 2006. I called to tell him "holy shit I'm pregnant." :) This year July 28, 2008 (ironically on a Monday) I called to tell him "holy shit I'm pregnant." :) So the dorky part in me decided to look up the scientific term for pregnancy. The scientific term for pregnancy is "gravid." The term for a pregnant female (I've never seen a pregnant male, but whatever) is gravida. So yes ladies and gentlemen I am a gravida. I am 4 weeks along and my due date is April 4th. Really freakin cool and really freakin scary. We want another girl really bad, but I have had dreams that it is a boy. I had dreams long before Addison was even conceived that I was having a girl and this time my dreams have been about a boy. So we will see. Babyman.net says we are having a boy and he was right last time. So here is one of my favorite quotes.
"I know God doesn't put more on my shoulders than I can handle. I just wish he wouldn't trust me so much." -- Mother Teresa

Suprise Suprise I have Updated

Addy and Reese decided to go to Galveston. They just took off and called us when they got there. Here are some pictures from their trip above and below. :)

Hi All,

No...hell has not frozen over...I just finally have the time to update my blog.

So UPDATES:
ADDISON:
She is now 15 months. I can't believe the time has gone so fast. Addy commonly now known as Addy Boo (Reese Picard's favorite nickname for her)is on the go more than ever before. Everyone remember that child who just sat at dinner like a little lady, or that little girl who was the most chilled out baby ever. WELL she no longer exists. :) K..that's a bit dramatic, but she really is on the go. She hates to sit still. She pretty much runs every where she goes and her new found love is to push the cart at Walmart. Which reminds me...she threw her first ever temper tantrum at Wally world a few weeks ago. It was great. I did learn very quickly the art of diversions. (If you haven't learned already...learn it now..cause your turn will come.)Things really are going well with Addison. Everyday she shows us how smart she really is. She knows so much more that I give her credit for.
She stays at Jessica's (our niece's house) for part of the week and Jessica only speaks Spanish to Addy. It's so cool cause Addy can show your her Panza(belly) or manos (hands) or foot (she only knows her foot and nose in English) we are working on the other body parts. She does her signs for milk, and more, and up, and please and you can ask her what a dog says and she uf uf uf. SOOOO CUUUTTTTEEE!!! I smile every day.

JOHN: It is John's birthday tomorrow. The Big 32. We are going to that new Brazilian steakhouse Guri de Sol. John is doing well. He has started working out on a regular basis and has lost 13 pounds. I really really proud of him. He has been working for me more at the store too so I can spend more time with Addy Boo. I am trying to think of something funny he has done lately and I can't really think of anything which is really weird to say about John Spychaj.

Meredith: As for me. I finally finally finally paid off my business. HOORAY. Ya'll have NO idea what a huge stress reliever that is. I have just been doing the daily grind. I am selling stuff on ebay again, so if you need some extra cash let me know and I will list it. I know that is so boring, but there really isn't anything exciting going on with me.

THE PARENTS: John's dad now goes to dialysis 3 times a week for 3 hours each time and he has been put on the list for a kidney transplant. He is doing great. He said he feels really week after dialysis, but the next day he feels great.
John's mom had her surgery to remove the breast cancer and thankfully the cancer was not in her lymph nodes. We did learn that 95% of breast cancers are not genetic, so we are waiting on the results to see if her cancer is of the non-genetic type. Keep your fingers crossed.
My Mom...is dealing with her rheumatoid arthritis and has weekly shots to keep her joints from flaring up. She is doing well. Keeping Addison I think really keeps her spirits up.
My Dad...his brain is broken. lol :) I say that cause he is limping for no reason. No pain he just limps. The doctors did an MRI and couldn't find anything. So they did another MRI and we are waiting for those results. What will they find you ask? I don't know but I will keep you posted.

Seems like daunting news but everyone really is doing well. We hope you and your families are doing well too.
Lots of love, Mer

Dearly Departed

Last weekend we had to put dear sweet fat Cooper (our dog) to sleep. The seizures were just getting too bad and even when he was on max meds he would still have a seizure. The vet said that having a seizure is the equivalent to running a marathon. I don't know anyone in their right mind who would want to run 3 marathons in a day. So we made the decision to put Cooper out of his misery.


ON A MUCH BRIGHTER NOTE :)

Addison turned ONE!!! I have reflected on the the past year several times and I just smile. Here are some pics from the party. We had such a wonderful time and really do value the friendships we have. Thank you to all of you who came. In one pic addy is giving Jack a kiss and it's really not fair because she hardly ever gives kisses away. (ok so I'm a little jealous)