A Little Video

Enjoy a short video of the newest additon to the Nikkel clan.

A couple more

A couple more of Neal

What a Cutie. I don't mean Jason.

Our New Addition

Here is our newest addition to the Nikkel family--Neal Jason Nikkel. Neal was born December 30, 2008 @ 5:44 pm. He weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and was 20 inches. We think he looks like Arianna at times, but you can be the judge. We hope everyone has a blessed New Year.

Sorry it's been so long...

First off, I would like to say sorry for being a blogger slacker lately! For those of you who don't know, I've been on bedrest for a while and it's driving me NUTS. However, the good news is tomorrow we go in for an amnio and if all goes well Baby Boy Nikkel will be born tomorrow, December 30th. We are very excited.

The past few weeks have been hectic blurs of parties and gifts and Arianna LOVED every minute of it. She really loved opening her presents. She did struggle with the concept of leaving it in the box until we got home. Everything needed to be taken out right away so she could play with it. Unfortunately, because of the crazy weather we were unable to see Jason's family this Christmas. There were too many blizzards for us to all find a place to meet! However, here are some pictures of our Christmas parties...

Arianna with all her cousins. Left to right: Micah, Jackson, Arianna, Lauren, Claire and Natalie (we are missing baby Will...)

Here are all the grandkids with my parents. My mom is holding the newest addition, Baby Will

She still preferred the boxes...

With her new toothbrush. She LOVES brushing her teeth.

We've also enjoyed the massive amounts of snow this year. Jason took Arianna sledding for the first time and she really loved it. She jumped right into the sled.

Finally, here is Arianna with one of her favorite Christmas gifts. A baby from Mrs. Kathy and a bottle from Santa. She loves feeding her baby!

and this one, she's just saying "cheese!" I thought it was cute.

just wanted to let you know...

I hate snow. I really, really, really hate snow. I hate driving in snow. I hate walking in snow. I hate wearing boots. I hate hats. I hate mittens.
Just thought I would let you all know.
Oh, just so you know, my blood pressure has been pretty good. Sometimes it starts to creep up, but if I lay down and relax it usually goes back down pretty quickly. I only have 7 days of school left so I'm hoping to get through these days, then I'm on break so I'll have plenty of time to relax! Thanks for all the prayers.
Also, we still really don't have a baby name picked out..is that bad?

prayer request...

So, I went to the doctor on Friday afternoon and she said my blood pressure is getting high and that I needed to take it easy. I have to go back in soon for some blood work and they want to do an ultra-sound on the baby to see how he's tolerating all of this. My pressure is not NEARLY as high as what it was with Arianna, but I have a new doctor and she's much more cautious. Anyway, what I'm asking for is prayers. I really want to be able to teach the next two weeks and make it to Christmas break. However, if my pressure continues to rise, my doctor said bed rest is in the cards. Those of you who know me well know that would drive me nuts...obviously for the health of my child I would, but would rather not be on bed rest. Also, please pray that this little guy isn't experiencing any stress because of this higher blood pressure. Thanks so much and I'll keep you all posted.

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend...

We had quite the weekend. Jason started painting the basement so I had to "move out". I packed up Arianna and myself and moved into my parents basement while Jason sprayed our basement. We were at my folks house from Thanksgiving day to that Sunday. It was kind of like a mini-vacation! Arianan loved being around Grandma and Papa and had a really good time playing at their house. Jason finished the spraying and now we're getting ready to add the colors to the walls. Very exciting. My mom and I did our annual shopping day. I didn't know if I would make it this year considering my leg, but a deals a deal...and being dutch prevails. Pain over spending more money, right?! So, off we went at 5am and I lasted until about 12:30. We got lots of great things and I'm (almost) done Christmas shopping ~sigh~ now I must wrap.

We also got our Christmas tree. Another annual event. We head out with my family to cut down our tree. This year we decided on a tall but skinny tree. After getting it home, it looks a little like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree, but we love it all the same. Arianna LOVES playing with all the "nomen" (snowmen) and I have to keep reminding her that they are pretties and we don't touch. She's also quite fascinated with the large socks that are hanging from our wall and keeps trying to tickle the feet. Oh to be two again. This is her first Christmas that she is realizing what's going on and it is so much fun to watch her excitement and joy. Hope you all had a blessed holiday weekend!

Here are some pictures from the past few weeks:

This is Arianna and Grandma when she was visiting.

We've been working on the whole potty thing. This is what Arianna would rather do with her potty seat...play peek-a-boo. Maybe someday...

Helping daddy cut down our tree

Dragging the tree back to the road so we could be picked up by the tractor

Arianna with two of her female cousins (Natalie and Lauren)...aren't they all so cute?!

Papa and Grandma with some of the girls. Arianna, Lauren and Claire (held by my mom).

Posing in front of our tree with the big socks in the background! ;)

and, for those of you wondering why I am not in any pictures, the rule around our house right now is no pictures of the fat lady. Ah yes, I know...pregnancy is beautiful. I totally agree. I agree that when I see other people pregnant I think they are beautiful. I know that it's God's miracle and that there is an actual person inside of me (which is why my belly is large and round) but the human side of me sees the scale and those three little numbers getting bigger and bigger and I suddenly am gripped with the terror that I might soon outweigh my husband. So, until my weight does not challenge his...no pictures of the fat lady. Sorry people, no belly pictures. That's just how it is :)