Born to be a Cards fan...

Tal is looking very loyal to his team with his new buddy next to him! Emma let Tal borrow her Fred Bird and told him all about who Fred Bird is. She still hopes that one time at the game she'll get to meet the real Fred Bird..."cause he's funny!" We'll work on that!

But for now all Tal needs to know is that the we cheer for the Red Birds... even though they lost last night ;)

Happy Father's Day!!

We love the dad's in our lives. Here's a funny "tribute"!!!

2 months old!!!

Tal's is getting bigger and better all the time. He was very tough for his shots today at the doctor's (he had to get 4... no fun). His top notch stats were: 12.8 pounds, 24 inches long, and 15.6 head circumference! Good job buddy! 

Swimming at the pool

It finally stopped raining here so we were able to make use of our sub-division pool. We love having one so close. It's a life saver during the summer!!

Emma showed off her pretty new swim suit. 
Although Tal didn't get wet, he still looked very cool in his swim suit.
Matt has just as much fun and the kids do. The neighbor kids love when he is there cause he'll play all of their silly games!
Yes, I even got in too. Don't be so surprised!!!
Emma had to wear her goggles even though she doesn't put her face in the water. This picture is perfect: top of the hair dry... bottom nice and wet!!!

Swimming and nail polish!

 


Two of Emma's most favorite things right now: swimming lessons and painting her OWN nails. That's right, she painted her own finger and toe nails. I've never seen her concentrate so hard on something. She was so proud of herself when she was done and made sure they were nice and dry so she wouldn't "smudge" them. Very pretty!

Last week she started swimming lessons. She thinks it's pretty neat to do it without mommy in the pool. She loves her teacher Miss Lyndsey and the other 2 girls in her class (Grace and Tristin). She practices all the things she learns at home. She'll follow me down the hallway doing the "side stroke" (so funny) and then she'll show me the "back stroke" on the way back. She loves to put on a show!

100 things Tag

100 things... seriously Jessi, ok we'll see how this goes! I've also been tagged by Crystal and Amy for kind of the same thing (4 things tag and 3 things tag), so I'll combined them... it will help me out a bit! So here they are, 100 things you always wanted to know (well maybe not "wanted" to know, but will now) about me!

1. My full name is Angeline B. Coleman (the "B" is for my maiden name)

2. I always thought is would be cool if my initials were ABC... well they are!

3. That's actually one of the first things I said to Matt when we started dating, "If we got married my initials would be ABC!" (real smooth right... and how dorky)!!

4. He actually stuck around after that stupid comment and we've been married for 5 years.

5. Matt and I were married March 1, 2003 in the Manti Temple.

6. We have a beautiful little girl named Emma, and she'll be 4 in August.

7. We also have an 8 week old little man, Tal. 

8. I love being their mom. What a blessing!

9. 4 jobs I've had are: dental assistant (for my dad), 

10. Ropes Course Instructor (Snow College), 

11. President's Leadership Team Leader (for Pres. Benson at Snow College)

12. and I currently arrange the travel itineraries for those who travel at Engineered Fire Protection (Matt's work) from home.

13. 4 movies I could watch over and over are: "The Wedding Planner"

14. "Cinderella"

15. "Dirty Dancing"

16. "Second Hand Lions"

17. 4 of my favorite foods are: Matt's BBQ hamburger (he seriously has mastered it)!!

18. Lasagna,

19. My mom's homemade rolls,

20. and peanut butter and jam sandwiches (it's hard not to when Emma likes them so much)!

21. 4 places I've lived are: Fillmore, UT

22. Manti, UT

23. Indianapolis, IN

24. Cedar City, UT

25. and now St. Louis, MO (I know that's 5, thanks for counting)!

26. 4 things I'm looking forward to this year are: going to the pool and the lake

27. Nate's wedding in July in Utah

28. My sister Lindsay's baby in July (yeah!!)

29. and Tal not getting any more infections!

30. K- now I'm done with the 4 things tag... know the 3 things tag!

31. 3 joys: 1. Matt, Emma, and Tal are the brightest spots in my life. I would have never imagined 3 people could means so much to mean.

32. 2. My membership in the church and testimony of the gospel. 

33. 3. Visiting family and friends.

34. 3 fears: 1. Crazy enough moving and change were fears of mine, but since meeting Matt I've been everywhere, so I've learned to adapt. It takes me awhile, but I eventually get there (yeah for me).

35. 2. Matt leaving me a widow... let's not even go there!

36. 3. Someone breaking into my house. Sorry if you have ever been to my house and I've locked you in... it's habit!

37. 3 goals: 1. To be the best mom and wife I can be.  

38. 2. To really learn the gospel, so that I may teach it to my children and others (you have a lot of opportunities out here)!

39. 3. To truly make everyone I meet feel welcomed and appreciated. 

40. 3 obsessions/collections: 1. I love to decorate my house... my credit card bill will confirm that at times!!

41. 2. I keep every rose anyone has ever given me (some are just the dried pedals in a vase, but I have every one).

42. 3. When I get in a cleaning mood I clean everything. It's very invigorating.

43. 3 surprising facts about me: 1. When I'm in a new situation I get very, and almost awkwardly, shy. 

44. 2. I don't mind speaking in public.

45. 3. I'm currently working on this one, but I tend to be late when I go places... I hate it and I'm doing much better, right Matt!!

46. I drove an '86 Ford Bronco in high school (loved that thing)!!

47. Now I drive a Ford Edge (love this too)!!!

48. I can't get used to the humidity here (and neither can my hair).

49. The thunderstorms are CRAZY out here too... kind of scary!

50. Half-way done!!!

51. My favorite time of day is when Matt gets home from work and to see how excited Emma is to see him.

52. My favorite flower is a tulip.

53. I danced all the way through high school and college; the best times ever!!

54. I have a goal of being able to do the splits when I'm 90 (I better get stretching)!

55. I have become a HUGE Cardinals fan. I watch almost every game!

56. I love going to the dentist... because it's my dad!

57. My high school graduating class was the largest our school had ever had up to that point with a whopping 108 students, and yes I knew ever single one.

58. While doing drillteam in high school our team won 3 state titles and 2 National titles!

59. I played softball in high school also, and we took state once!

60. I love playing all sports but...

61. I can't play tennis or golf (I just can't get the hang of either)!

62. I got hit in the mouth during softball practice the day before our National Drillteam Competition in California (my lip was enormous).

63. Icecream is not my favorite thing (sad, I know).

64. I love staying home and learning from Emma and Tal.

65. I love Saturday mornings when all 4 of us cuddle in our bed (I'm really going to miss that as the kids get bigger).

66. This is getting hard...

67. I have broken my left arm twice, both times from falling off the monkey bars.

68. I have discovered the BEST drink in the world: A raspberry, vanilla limeade from Sonic. I promise you it will make a bad day good again!!!

69. I'm the oldest in my family... but the shortest at 5'9''

70. My sister Lindsay is 6'3''(and beautiful) and her husband Lance is 6'9''

71. My brother Corbin is 6'6 and I not sure how tall his wife Rachel is, but she's got me beat!

72. And my youngest brother Tyrel is also about 6'6''!

73. I love my mom and dad and siblings very, very much.

74. I have the greatest in-laws ever. I feel pretty blessed to be a part of their caring family!

75. I love to make lists, like Jessi. I would be lost without my lists!

76. When I was younger I dreamed of ice skating in the Olympics... to this day I've never put on a pair of ice skates. I guess it's never to late right?!?!

77. I'm so excited to be an aunt!! My sister is having her first baby in July (I think I mentioned that, but I'm really excited)!!!

78. I love blogging and keeping in touch with those I love.

79. I'm not a big fan of scrapbooking. Although my friend Emily has introduced me to digital scrapbooking... I'm still working on figuring that out.

80. I can't believe you are still reading this!

81. When I was younger we used to "pick rocks" in the farm to get ready to plant

82. We also used to move the cattle from pasture to pasture. I can't say that I liked doing these things then, but looking back it was pretty great!

83. I love a freshly vacuumed floor.

84. Nothing is better then the smell of clean, except the smell of a new baby!

85. I really like to eat cereal.

86. Growing up, my sister was my best friend.

87. She also was the best study partner ever (she helped me figure out Physics)!!

88. I really didn't do anything crazy in college... pretty boring huh!

89. How much trouble could you really get in though in Ephraim, but I loved Snow College???

90. She always told me this would happen, but in some ways I'm turning into my mother (and it's not so bad)!!!

91. My favorite season is Fall.

92. My favorite color is green.

93. I really am sort of a homebody.

94. I hardly ever fill up my own gas tank... thanks Matt.

95. I love a hot shower...ahhhh!

96. I'm not a fan of talking on the phone, unless it's my mom or sister!

97. I have been so blessed to have had great friend throughout my life.

98. Two more! I can do it!

99. I love a good rodeo!

100. And I love all the holidays, but Thanksgiving and Christmas are the best!

Wow! That's a lot about me. Thanks for the challenge Jessi. It's not very often I think that much about myself this days! Now I tag: Rachel (my sis in law), Autumn Allen, Emily, and Nicole Holm (it really is fun I promise).

Memorial Day

I wish I had a happier picture of what our Memorial Day was like, but I don't. Tal was in the hospital for 3 days (Sunday through Tuesday), while we tried to determine what was causing his 101.5 degree temperature. He woke up feeling quite warm on Sunday morning and pretty tired. While he slept I took his temperature and is was 100.3. I decided to wait until he woke up to see if it had gone down at all. When I checked it again about 1 hour later it had jumped to 101.5. I called Matt at church and he met us at the ER. When we finally were able to be seen, they quickly started all kinds of tests: blood samples, a spinal tap, a urine sample, and a chest x-ray. After 4 different needles, poor Tal was filling like a pin cushion, and his temperature was still very high. After the tests came back, his urine sample showed a high white cell count. The doctor was concerned and decided to take another sample using a catheter. This test showed an even higher white cell count and into the hospital we went. Once we were in our room the nurse came to get him so they could start an IV. After 8 tries and 1 1/2 hours later they finally brought him back with the IV horribly stuck in his head. After a day like we had had, Tal was not a happy boy and exhausted from all the screaming, and mom and dad's heartstrings were barely hanging by a thread.

The next 2 days brought more tests and an ultra sound of his kidneys each showing that that's where the problem was. A culture of his urine showed that he had a staph infection causing a urinary tract infection and the ultra sound showed that his ureter (the tube that connects your kidneys to your bladder) on his left side was very dilated and that there might be a blockage into his bladder. Our doctor transfered Tal to St. Louis Children's Hospital for more testing to see what was really wrong. We were able to go home for one day before going to Children's Hospital, but still had to take Tal to the doctor's office every day for a shot of strong antibiotics (he had to do that for 4 days). Emma would come to help him be brave!

Our trip to Children's Hospital brought over 2 hours of tests, another IV, and finally the results. Tal has what they call grade 5 Reflux, which means that the ureters are bringing urine back into the kidneys causing bacteria to settle and infection to grow. Reflux is graded 0-5 so Tal has the worst. The good news, I guess, is that he has a chance of out growing it. So for the next year, Tal will have to be on an antibiotic every day to hopefully keep infections from coming back. After a year, he'll have to redo all the tests and we'll see if there is any improvement. If not, then they will have to fix it surgically. They'll also have to do surgery if the infection continues to come back while on the antibiotics, because that could damage his kidneys. Tal's already giving us a run for our money!

We are so thankful for the nurses and doctors that took care of Tal. They were so knowledgeable and kind. We are also thankful for loving friends and family who were so willing to help. Tal was as good as he could have been... our sweet little man. Memorial Day was definitely "memorable." And we couldn't have BBQed anyway... it was raining! 

I am Cinderella!

You Are Cinderella!

Dignified and hard working. With a gentle and soft-spoken manner you have something many people don't. Patience. Even through the moments of heartbreak you're still able to hold onto all of your hopes and dreams. Bide your time; your dream will come true.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

All cleaned up

Tal cleans up pretty nice for church, but at home he like to let his hair down... or in his case, up. We love the crazy hair after his bath! Emma always tries to comb it down, but it pops straight back up!

Tal's favorite baby sitter

 

Emma loves to hold Tal, even when he's crying. She rocks him and gives him kisses when ever she gets a chance (which is probably how he got his stuffy nose... a gift from big sis)!! She always makes sure he has his binky... even if he doesn't want it. Tal couldn't ask for a better baby sitter... and neither could I!!

The "camp-in"

The other night Tal and I were at our neighbor's house for a little get together. Emma was excited to have daddy all to herself. After about 30 mins. we noticed the pizza guy leaving my house... that's Matt's way of making dinner (which is great)!! We all had a pretty good laugh about that, but I had a bigger laugh when I got home. Matt and Emma and brought out just about every blanket in the house and draped them  over the couch and chairs to make a way cool tent! Emma was so excited because daddy told her they could sleep in it!!!

And so they did!! This is Matt and Emma inside their tent... so comfy!! They had a great "camp-in!!" 

Self explanatory!!

Matt works at EFP- Engineered Fire Protection. They engineer fire sprinklers in commercial buildings. So when I saw this shirt I thought it would be fun because of Matt's job. I just didn't realize how true it would be... Tal really is an "automatic sprinkler!!!" He really should have come with a warning label about that! But he's so sweet... I'll let it slide for now!!

These are just a couple of more pics of our cutie-pa-tootie!! He's changing so much. How do you slow that down? I couldn't figure it out with Emma, so if anyone has any good ideas...!!

A special visit!!

  

  

Last week we had some very special visitors!! They came all the way from Utah to see us. My mom and sister were here!!! Yeah!! I was so happy they came, especially my sister being that she's about 7 months pregnant-yes I know, you can't even tell... she's beautiful (as always)!!! They were such a big help, real lifesavers... literally! They said they wanted to come out and help for a few days, but I think they got more then they bargained for. After a trip to the Emergency Room and surgery due to kidney stones I was the one they were taking care of instead of just Emma and Tal. As sad as I am that we didn't get to spend some fun time together, I really don't know what I would have done if they wouldn't have been here. Thank you Lindsay and Mom with all of my heart, I love you both so much!! I'm counting on a "re-do" for some fun girl time this summer!!!!

p.s. I'm doing ok now. I had another surgery on Friday to finish up this joyful experience. I'll tell you one thing, Matt and I have definitely had our fill of hospitals lately! I would much rather experience birth then have another kidney stone!!

What's a "WOW?"

Emma's new favorite thing to do is sound out words and try to guess what letter the word starts with. She does this for just about everything she sees: "ba ba bathtub- it's 'B!'" or "s s skittles- it's 'S!'" (her favorite thing in the world is skittles!!) She gets so excited when she can figure it out. So we were working on "W"- wind, window- things like that when my mother-in-law said, "wa wa WOW!" Emma looked at her and was very puzzled. After a minute she said, "What's a WOW?" 

We had a good laugh, but it made me think just how much I love seeing how simple things are to these precious little kids! Why do I try and make things so much more complicated then they need to be? Emma is not afraid to learn and if she doesn't know the answer she's not afraid to ask. Just one more of the million things that she has helped me to remember and learn! "WOW!"

Popcorn popping...

"I could take an armful and make a treat. A popcorn ball that would smell so sweet."

If adding a sweet, new baby to our lives wasn't good enough, look how beautiful it is outside! I LOVE tulips! Emma has woken up singing "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree" the last few mornings! I think she likes the nice weather, too!! We better make the best of it... you never know when it will rain again!!! 

Big Sister...

Mom: Emma, do you like being a big sister?

Emma: Yeaaaaaah!

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Tal?

Emma: Ummmm... comb his hair and play with him... and watch movies with him, and play in my room with him... aaaaaand that's all!

Mom: You're a pretty big girl!

Emma: Yep!!

Emma loves being a big sister... so far!! This morning I asked Emma if she wanted to help give Tal a sponge bath. She thought that would be great... but a little boring! So, she went and got the baby tub and filled it with shampoo and soap, a rag, a cup, his towel, and a bunch of toys to make it more fun!! What a great helper! I love to see her smile every morning when she comes in to see Tal. Emma you are my best girl... I love you! 

Wow baby... BOY!

  

  

Our little man is here... and early!!! Matthew Talbot Coleman, Jr. -"Tal" was born April 12, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. He was 7 lbs. 6 oz. and 20.5 inches long. He brought with him the sweetest spirit and we are so happy he's come to our family. Big Sis Emma is so in love with him it's funny. She's doing really well with the... "sharing of attention" let's say! Matt and I feel so blessed to be the parents of two beautiful children. What a wonderful blessing our Heavenly Father has given each of us to be touched by such sweet spirits here on earth. We're so happy you are here Tal... Happy Birthday! We love you.

2 weeks and counting...

  

Well, here I am! Could my feet get any bigger? Actually at times they do!! We are so excited for our little guy to get here. Emma asks me every morning if the baby is coming today!! What a fun big sister she'll be. I found this quote and it kind of sums up motherhood:

"WHILE WE ARE TRYING TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN ALL ABOUT LIFE, OUR CHILDREN TEACH US WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT"

Learning from Emma has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. She has the love and true joy in her eyes that I try so hard to achieve. We love her and we just wish she could stay 3 forever!! Love you, bear! 

Opening Day with the Cardinals...sort of!!

Well it finally arrived!! Opening Day at Busch Stadium. We put on our jersey's and were all set for a Cardinal win! 

We sat in our seats munching on our hotdogs as the Cardinals went up 5-1!!  Yahoo!! 

One problem though... RAIN!! They made it to the bottom of the 3rd inning and out came the tarps. Huge bummer!   

They eventually called the game because the rain wasn't letting up, which means since they didn't get to the 6th inning they have to replay the entire game today. Hopefully the Cards and pick up were they left off yesterday. Emma and I will be watching from our warm, dry living room tonight since they are playing late. Matt's going back to the game and can give us all the great details in the morning!

(Yes, I know... how much more puffy can my face get? You think that's bad, you should see my feet!!) ;)

Flooding over!!

I'm sure a lot of you have heard about the flooding here in the Big MO! The Meremac River has been the biggest problem. It runs just barely south of us (our town sits on the bank of the Missouri river) but this is what happens when it rains non-stop for about 48 hours!! Matt gets a little overly crazy about these floods. He loves it really, so we drove around taking these pictures on Saturday.

     

I44 is what Matt uses to get to work every day. The River got high enough where it was almost closed down.

Here's Matt and Emma! The little red thing in the middle of the water is the top of a cab to a semi!

Happy Easter!!!

Hope you all had a great Easter!

 

The Easter bunny hopped through our house and left some fun surprises! 

Outside was a different story...we started out with snow, then sunshine, then rain, then sunshine, then snow, then blizzard, then sunshine, then rain, then hail, then.... well you get the picture! We experienced just about everything mother nature can do! May our Heavenly Father's blessings be with each of you this time of year! 

The Hubby Tag

K- kind of new to this whole tagging business... but I guess I'm "it!!" Here are some fun facts about the guy in my life!!

1. How long have you been together? March 1 was 5 years!!
2. How long did you date? Met the summer of 2002, Engaged December of 2002, Married March of 2003 so a total of about 9 months!

3. How old is he? 27
4. Who eats more? Let me be honest here...Matt by a long shot, even when he's competing with a pregnant wife! You would never know where he puts it all though, right dear!
5. Who said "I love you" first? Matt...that is a moment I'll always remember. The stars were definately shinning brighter that night!!
6. Who is taller? Matt
7. Who is smarter? Seriously... probably Matt. He is constantly reading books and the Wall Street Journal! I call it "newspaper mode"...truely you've never seen anything like it.

8. Who does the laundry? That would be me, although Matt irons his own white shirts. He's kind of got a certain way he likes it and I haven't quite mastered it.
9. Who does the dishes? I think it's safe to say that I do it most of the time. Matt did do them for me 2 mornings ago before he left for work at 6:00 am...thanks babes!
10. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If you're looking at the bed I sleep on the right side.
11. Who pays the bills? Matt...I did mention he reads the Wall Street Journal, right!
12. Who mows the lawn? Matt all the way...I don't get close to his white shirts or the lawn! That's his domain. He really does makes our yard look sooo good all spring, summer and fall. The "best" looking yard in the whole neighborhood!
13. Who cooks dinner? Me! It's not something I mind doing, most of the time. Matt does take his turn every once in awhile...Papa John's pizza love it when it's his turn!
14. Who is more stubborn? I think Matt is, and I think he would agree with me. He can "win" almost any argument anyone wants to have with him. He can sell you on anything. He was a car salesman...give hime a break! I have to say though, I do have my moments.
15. Who kissed who first? He kissed me first--also another moment I'll never forget...neither will the dogs, right, babes! BUT I held his hand first no matter what he says!
16. Who asked who out? I introduced myself to him first and invited him to come to a party my friends and I were having, so I think I get that one!!!
17. Who proposed? He did!
18. Who is more sensitive? Hands down I get this one no problem...even when my harmones aren't messed up by being pregnant!
20. Who has more siblings? I do: 2 brothers, and 1 sister (who I love more then anything...Hi Linds), 1 brother-in-law, and 1 sister-in-law; Matt has 1 brother
21. Who wears the pants in the relationship? I like to think we both fit pretty well in one great, big pair!
Now I tag Emily, Cammie, Nicole, Traci, Rachael Varady and Lindsey Smith