2011 in Review

MY MOMENTS FROM 2011

January ~ Celebrated New Year Eve in Style, and I moved to Grand Haven.

February ~ Went to my first Gun & knive show

March ~ Fishing, Fishing, and more Fishing and DIRK turned 5!!

April ~ Celebrated Easter

May ~ Tulip Time with the Family & Friends, and got to see New Kids on the Block with Gina & Cara

June ~ I turned 30!

July ~ Celebrated 4th of July and got a great souvenir

August ~ CWM3 and I celebrated our 2nd Anniversary, and I lost a great friend {Kurt Milarch}

September ~ Shipshewana for Labor Day

October ~ Went to the Pumpkin Patch, and Millie turned 2!!

November ~ Found out we are HAVING A BOY!!! {Montgomery}, CWM3 shot a 4 point and a doe, and it has been 25 years since my dad died.

December ~ Gene Kraai Wrestling Invitational, CWM3 turned 33 and celebrated a very Merry Christmas!

25 WEEKS

How far along? 25 weeks {12/31/11}
Total weight gain/loss: up 10 pounds
Have you started to show yet: Yes
Gender: my little prince
Labor Signs: No
Maternity clothes? Jeans and Belly Bands
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: either GREAT or HORRIBLE
Best moment this week: being spontaneous,
but realizing I can’t hang with the big dogs anymore.
Miss Anything? Alcohol around the holidays
Movement: YES! He is a kicker!
Food cravings: Sunkist Orange Soda and Diet Coke
Anything making you queasy or sick: still a little nauseous,

getting better :)
Symptoms: Heartburn
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Looking forward to: THE NEW YEAR!!!!
{Goodbye 2011 and Hello 2012}

A {Montgomery} Christmas

The stocking was hung,

Montgomery all snuggled still in Momma's Belly...

And on Christmas Day... Santa had brought gifts

Then off to Nana & Papa's where what did Mommy find,

another stocking filled with gifts from SANTA, himself...

Montgomery isn't even here yet, and is 100% loved

And don't forget gifts from Auntie Gina, Dirk & Millie

and Uncle J.J. and Auntie Cara

Montgomery says a HUGE THANK-YOU!!!!

....and he will see you all real SOON!!!

FAMILY!!

Christmas Day was at my mom and dad's in Gun Lake.
Since Grandpa & Grandma are home from Florida, they joined us!
Everyone had a wonderful Time!!

We got stockings from SANTA

and played ANGEL {BINGO}
NO SNOW AND 42°

My stocking and Montgomery's stocking

My mom and dirk


OUR BEST PRESENT :)
we are going to Florida November 2012


{and don't forget to visit last Christmas}

24 WEEKS

How far along? 24 weeks {12/25/11}
Total weight gain/loss: lost 2 pounds TOTAL GAIN 10 pounds
Have you started to show yet: YES!
Gender: BOY
Labor Signs: No
Maternity clothes? Jeans and Belly Bands
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: either GREAT or HORRIBLE
Best moment this week: hearing Montgomery’s heartbeat
Miss Anything? A day without heartburn
Movement: YES! Especially when his daddy is around
Food cravings: Shells and Cheese & Sunkist Orange Soda
Anything making you queasy or sick: sudden movement, getting out of shower. I still am nauseous and dry heaving {Hence I lost 2 pounds in 4 weeks}
Symptoms: Heartburn
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Looking forward to: Spending time with Family for the Holidays.

Merry Christmas!

our 2011 Christmas Card
...and don't forget our 2010 Christmas Card

homemade CHRISTMAS

This is what I bought for my mom and dad. I put 2 ultrasound photos of Montgomery in each coffee mug, and filled with instant coffee...

This is an idea I found at kilwin's over the 4th of July. They were crazy priced, so I ordered Michigan cookie cutters from Manistee Variety Store, and found a fudge recipe I love:

Cookie Cutter Fudge

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter chips
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla

Step 1:Place each of six 3x1/2-inch mitten-shaped cookie cutters, or other cookie cutters in a simple shape, on 5-inch square of foil. Seal foil tightly around outside of each cookie cutter. Place on cookie sheet. Lightly spray cookie cutters with cooking spray.

Step 2: In 4-cup microwavable measuring cup, mix chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, milk and butter. Microwave uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until chips are almost melted. Stir in vanilla.

Step 3: Pour mixture into cookie cutter molds, filling to tops of molds. Refrigerate uncovered about 2 hours or until firm. Decorate with icing and candies if you wish.

Step 4: Carefully remove foil. I then put into baggies and use colored ribbon.

Thanks to pinterest, I found this awesome Santa hat party mix.

Dirk was awesome and helped make all 40 Santa hats out of bugles.


Also from pinterest, but they made ornaments,
These are dirks 2 fingers, turned into 4 snowmen.
It's his gift to his mom.


Millie's Reindeer Frame with her hand print.
A special gift to her Mommy :)




Reindeer Noses: also found on pinterest
Whoppers and red gumballs
Dirk made 12 of them :)
Practicing his writing

Kraai Christmas

We had our annual Kraai Christmas Party on Sunday December 18th. I am one of 20 grandchildren, and there are now 9 great~grand kids. Santa even got Montgomery an adorable elephant 3 piece outfit :) We had salad and appetizers, Hungry Howies Pizza and a Sundae Bar :) I got to meet Rayne, My Cousin Jennifer's Daughter. Looking forward to Next year when Montgomery will be here! {Photo is missing Ainsley, Jennifer's step-daughter}

Braylon belongs to Michael
Collin to Megan
Madison, Maxton, and Molly belong to Stacey
Rayne to Jennifer
Dirk and Millie to Gina

Christmas Card from my sister

Here is Dirk and Millie's Christmas card 2011

I took the photos and designed the card

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

{and remember last years???}

CWM3 "33"

CWM3 turned 33 on December 11th, 2011.

We finally got to have cake on Saturday December 17th :)

He had a great Birthday!!!!

I got him a few gifts from Myself and a few from Montgomery
{My favorite were the carhartt bib overalls}

{CWM3's favorite: Camo Fishing Bag}

{see 32 post here}

23 WEEKS

How far along? 23 weeks {12/15/11}
Total weight gain/loss: 12 Have you started to show yet: YES!

Gender: BOY! Montgomery Gene Miller
Labor Signs: No
Maternity clothes? jeans and black tank top :)
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: so~so
Best moment this week: shopping for Monty :)
Miss Anything? my winter coat from last year :(

Movement: YES!!! usually at night: 5pm until I fall asleep.
Food cravings: McDonald's Double Cheeseburgers and FF

Anything making you queasy or sick: I am still nauseous and dry heaving
Symptoms: Still some heartburn when I eat Ketchup and drink Sunkist orange soda and eat chocolate
Happy or Moody most of the time: a little moody and stressed :(
Looking forward to: Christmas!

{NOTE: I was in the ER on Tuesday 12/13/11: all is well}

DAY #348 {17 days left}

My Goals for 2011: See my Progress Here

1. Take one picture a day minimum (see here) : started out great, then got pregnant and kind of just blog. Sorry A photo a day isn't going to continue for 2012.

2. read my 5 minutes a day devotional book everyday: I am reading book and Bible.

3. read 2 books per month (see here) : I love reading, lately pregnancy books but waiting for my mom to finish with a karen kingsbury book.

4. continue to blog here on blogspot http://www.rachaelandmontgomery.blogspot.com/ : I love to blog, and I hope you enjoy reading my blog. I will definitely continue to blog!!!

5. getting a job I love : My last day is January 27th :( That means a NEW BEGINNING!!

6. trying one new thing a month that I have never done. : I am doing this, and being pregnant makes it so easy, everyday is a new thing :) (see here)

7. to find a church in my area that I enjoy : I am pretty sure this is a goal I will not complete in 2011.

8. Celebrate my 30th birhtday with those that I LOVE! :I had a blast for my 30th Birthday!!!

9. Tone and lose weight. I’m Pregnant!! So I am walking and eating healthy.

10. quit smoking by my 30th birthday (6/11) : As most of you know I did NOT quit smoking by my birthday. But when I found out I was pregnant I had cut way back. At my 6 week ultrasound I had a big scare and QUIT!!! I have not smoked since.....

11. BE HAPPY!!! : I am Happy, especially that I am pregnant, and having a baby boy {Montgomery Gene Miller}. A little stressed, but working on this. Life is about to CHANGE!!!

Gene Kraai Wrestling Invitational

Gene Kraai Wrestling Invitational was on Saturday December 10th, 2011. Held at Zeeland West.

After West Ottawa and Hamilton battled to a 30-30 tie in the championship match of this long-running tournament, meet officials had to go all the way down to the eighth tiebreaker criteria to determine the team champion.

Congrats to WEST OTTAWA!!!!

It was a great afternoon!! Dirk and Millie had a blast and Dirk enjoyed telling people that it was Papa Gene's tournament. Grandma and Grandpa Kraai were there as well, and Uncle Chuck and Grandpa handed out medals and trophies.

22 weeks

How far along? 22 weeks {12/8/11}
Total weight gain/loss: 12 pounds as of 20 weeks.
Maternity clothes? loving my new belly bands, I can now wear jeans that I can't button or zip.

Stretch marks? No
Sleep: wonderful lately
Best moment this week: getting gifts from my MOM {nana} after her trip to Florida.

Miss Anything? being flexible

Food cravings: sunkist orange soda

Anything making you queasy or sick: smells and empty stomach

Have you started to show yet: yes, I really popped this week
Gender: BOY! Montgomery Gene Miller
Labor Signs: No
Happy or Moody most of the time: happy
Looking forward to: celebrating Monty's Daddy's 33rd Birthday!

Ultrasound Clips {20 weeks}

RACK: Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

So I found this on pinterest: RACK Random Acts of Christmas Kindness: and decided to not go into such detail as she did, but to make my own and think of fun way to help others.

Made my own and had them printed as photos

We started on the 5th of December:


Our 1st stop was the mailboxes: we left RACK note & 7 stamps!

Nicknames...

Montgomery has a ton of nicknames so far....

nick·name: a familiar or humorous name given to a person or thing instead of or as well as the real name.

Monty {I call him this alot}
Hotgomery or Wolverine {Dirk}
Monte Carlo {Grandpa Miller}
L.J.
Carlos [off of Monte Carlo]

...Any other nicknames?????

21 Weeks

How far along? 21 weeks {12/2/11}
Total weight gain/loss: 12 pounds as of 20 weeks.
Maternity clothes? love maternity jeans and leggens' and just 2 belly bands :)
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: really good lately, with a pillow in front of me.
Best moment this week: making over 1/2 way
Miss Anything? I miss being able to drive from Grand Haven to Manistee without stopping to use the bathroom once or twice.
Food cravings: lately it's these 50 cent STAR CRUNCH snacks from WESCO
Anything making you queasy or sick: OMG the smell of urine...
Have you started to show yet: yes
Gender: BOY! Montgomery Gene Miller
Labor Signs: No
Happy or Moody most of the time: HAPPY
Looking forward to: continuing to shopping for my little man.

Breaking Dawn {Part 1}

On Sunday, November 27th, I finally got to see Breaking Dawn {Part 1}

I saw Eclipse last year in theater, and was the 1st of the twilight saga I saw in Theater.

I was very impressed with the movie....And look forward to {Part 2}

A November to be Thankful for....

Thanksgiving day is great and all... But I think we can do better! Let's make November a month of thankfulness. What are you thankful for today?

Day #1: I am thankful to be Pregnant, and the baby is Healthy. We had a rough start and thankfully at almost 17 weeks everything is great.

Day #2: I am thankful for dirk and millie. They brighten up my life. I love being an Auntie :)

Day #3: I am thankful to God for his mercy, goodness and love for me.

Day #4: I am thankful for my FAMILY: my mom and dad, my little sister Gina VanOrder, my little brother Jared VanOrder, and his girlfriend Cara Jo Nuiver. I have been truly blessed to have such wonderful people by my side through the thick and the thin. I love you ♥

Day #5: I am thankful for my Smile :)
{a gift that keeps on giving}

Day #6: I am thankful for my friends! You all are wonderful. Thank you for your support and love ♥

Day #7: I am thankful for seasons: that we live in a beautiful state where we get to experience all four seasons. There are so many wonderful, and special things about each, no matter where I live or spend the time.

Day #8: I am thankful for kindness.

Day #9: I am thankful for the doctors and nurses at North Ottawa Community Hospital. For there early diagnoses of my low progesterone which may have saved my baby's life and for there steady hands as Miss Millie has surgery on her tongue today!

Day #10: I am thankful for Country Music, it has powerful words and I think I can find a song for just about every mood, and every feeling.

Day #11: I am thankful that I am an American, and get to celebrate Veterans day. On this day 11/11/11, I am so proud of our men and women who have served and are serving our great country!!! Happy Veterans Day!!! {Wayne, Karl, GL, Courtney Polnicky, Uncle Carl, Ken, Vitold, and Nick}

Day #12: I am thankful that I have the ability to Dream, especially at night. They may be strange dreams at night now that I am pregnant, like last night, I dreamed I was in high school and the last class of the day was food pantry, and we had to bring 12 items a day for credit, but I am always late for this class because I was coming from Scrapbooking Class. {I wonder what high school that was} LOL

Day #13: I am thankful that I am able to go upnorth almost every weekend... I love that I have great people in my life who let me visit and wanna spend time with me :)

Day #14: I am thankful for my BED!!! I love to sleep :) it is nice to come home after a weekend away and climb into my own bed!!!

Day #15: I am thankful for hunting season, today is opening day of firearm!!! Good luck to everyone hunting and Be Safe!

Day #16: I am thankful for my Cell Phone, That I can text and Call family and friends when they don't live so close to be able to visit.

Day #17: I am thankful for Facebook, to be able to re-connect with old friends and to connect with friends and family who I may only see once a year, or live far far away!!

Day #18: I am thankful for FAMILY VACATIONS!! past, present and FUTURE!!! I am lucky to have been on many Florida Family Vacations, Cruises to Haiti, Jamaica, & Bahamas, All Inclusive to Mexico, Trips to Mackinaw, and Cedar Point. A once in a lifetime trip to Prince Edward Island, and the East Coast. Family Adventures to Holiday Inn and to see the Amish! And etas I am 30, I am super excited for Another FAMILY Trip to Florida Next Fall, when I get to bring my own offspring on his/her first FAMILY VACATION!!!

Day#19: I am thankful that I have been able to live in many cities in our beautiful State of Michigan: Zeeland, Holland, Vriesland, Hudsonville, Montague, McBain, Bear Lake, Manistee, and Grand Haven. It should make my decision easy when deciding where to live come February.

Day #20: I am thankful to wake up to this amazing view of Gun Lake and the sun shinning!! Love my parents Lake House :)

Day #21: I am thankful for my creativeness :) I love to do projects with the kids, and I love to scrapbook!! Thank-you God for this ability!

Day #22: I am thankful for cartoons. No violence, no swearing, just good music and good overall message. {It's a me and Millie kind of morning}

Day #23: I am thankful for positive and negative people, they have helped shape who I am today!! Remember as you are in a rush this holiday season to slow down and enjoy every moment!!!

Day #24: I am thankful to be able to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade with Dirk and Millie :)

Day #25: I am thankful for the fact that I got to sleep in today!!! No black Friday shoppin' for this mama!!!

Day #26: I am thankful that my Vacation Starts Tomorrow Morning :) 4 days of BLISS!!!!

Day #27: I am thankful for Chocolate Chip Cookies at 10am :)

Day #28: I am thankful to be able to wake up to snow!!! I Love Northern Michigan :)

Day #29: I am thankful for wonderful conversations with great friends and fun people.

Day #30: I am thankful to be ME!!! My life may not be perfect but it's MY LIFE!!!! I am Happy, I have feelings and I am enjoying every moment of being pregnant, The man in my life is Montgomery and one day soon he will call me MOMMY!!! So I am very Thankful for the past 30 days, for the past year and I look forward to the Future!!

Montgomery's Pool

Please click here and cast your vote: please make sure to use Blog Friend or Facebook friend or family member when filling it out. The winner will receive a $25 gift card to BWW {Buffalo Wild Wings} You will get to choose: Birthdate, Weight, Length, Hair and Eye Color!!


Scoring System (LOWEST score wins)
Birthdate 1 point(s) added for each day off
Weight 0.5 point(s) added for each ounce off
Length 0.5 point(s) added for each quarter-inch off
Hair 2 point(s) added for incorrect hunch
Eye 2 point(s) added for incorrect hunch

Have Fun and Enjoy!!!

20 weeks and Thanksgiving

How far along? 20 weeks {11/24/11}
Total weight gain/loss: 12 pounds total in 20 weeks.
Maternity clothes? love maternity jeans and leggens'
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: I either sleep really good , or toss and turn all night
Best moment this week: Finding out im having a BABY BOY!!!!
Miss Anything? energy :) LOL I do good, and then takes a day to recover!
Food cravings: I like to eat, but not really any cravings
Anything making you queasy or sick: Changing Millie's Diapers and when my stomach is completely empty.
Have you started to show yet: yes
Gender: BOY~~~IT'S A BOY!!!! Montgomery Gene Miller
Labor Signs: No
Happy or Moody most of the time: HAPPY :) HAPPY :) HAPPY :)
Looking forward to: shopping for my little man.
Today marked the 25th Anniversary of my dads death. Gina and I put flowers and a It's a BOY balloon on his grave, since mom is in Florida with Aunt Tami and grandparents, my grandma had a pacemaker put in last night. She is doing well! Mom, Gina and I usually do dinner and flowers to grave, but since mom was gone, we still went to see dad.

It's a BOY!!!

On November 22nd, 2011 I found out I was having a sweet little boy. My two sisters {gina and cara} came to my appointment with me!!!

He is pretty proud of his "BOY" parts...





He has the cutest little hands

and the longest little legs and a Buddha belly!!!

within 1 1/2 minutes after the ultrasound started he wanted his mommy to know that he was a BOY!!!!!!!

and look at my baby's feet....

I would like you meet Montgomery Gene Miller, he is a stubborn baby, I wonder where he gets it from??? hmmmmm LOL. Monty is so proud of being a boy!!! and I am so proud to be a mommy to a son!!! He has the longest skinniest legs and a Buddha belly. He is a mover and a swimmer {little fish}. He would not give us a profile picture, but we did get to see tiny hands and fingers, feet and toes. Montgomery's heartbeat was 152 and we got to see the 4 chambers of his heart. My little man is adorable and perfect in every way.

I love you Montgomery!!! Love~ Mommy

Thanksgiving BOOK

So I found this neat Blog, what a neat Idea for a Thanksgiving Book.. So on Monday when Dirk got home from School, we started the book, Dirk did some pages, and Millie did some too....

Cover, 1st page and 2nd page

3,4 and 5


6,7 and 8th page




9th and 10th pages

It turned out great. Once all papets are dry I will bind it together!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

THINGS YOU WILL NEED:

8x8 paper

crayons

stickers

glitter glue

glue stick

paint

brushes

wiggley eyes

colored paper/scraps

scissors

marker

pen

COOKIES