Last Updated:
Nov 16, 2009
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Friedman Family Clark Garrison Friedman Quinn Kat Friedman Home Pictures Stories Family Guestbook |
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Stories We made it home to South Dakota very early on Saturday morning after an extremely early-season Colorado blizzard. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend Katie's funeral and for all the prayers from around the world. It was a wonderful tribute to Katie's life.
The boys are doing good. Clark remains in his full cast for another two weeks but the doctors are now confident he will not need surgery. His radial bone is angled 10 deg in one direction and 24 deg in another, but the doctor said that at his age it will correct about 10 deg per year. Quinn's checkup went well also. He has already surpassed his birth weight and is up to 8 lbs 6 oz and is back to 22in long (he shrank 2in at his 1 week appointment...they just don't stretch like they used to :) Lastly, a very special thank you to the folks at USAFA Ortho, Peds, and X-Ray who blessed us once again by staying open just for us in the blizzard to see the boys...blessings never cease! Brought the family home from the hospital in the new car, just as Katie wanted. Both boys are doing wonderfully and even fell asleep on the drive home like normal...Katie would be very proud of both of them! Pictures on the picture page! Trying to keep Katie's pace...
IT'S A BOY!!! Quinn Kat (after his mommy) Friedman blessed the world on 16 October 2009 at 8:48pm. He weighed 8lbs 1.8oz (exactly like his big brother), at a length of 22.5in (one inch longer than his brother)! He is a healthy, beautiful boy with lots of dark hair, and yes, the Friedman chin...verdicts still out on Katie's button nose!
Sadly, after Katie gave us this beautiful addition to our family, she ran into complications. The doctors tried everything they could, and were able to revive her a few times, but in the end our Lord took her home just before midnight on 16 October. I know dad is there to welcome her into heaven and into Jesus' loving grace. An amazing wife, mother, daughter, and best friend...you will be missed by everyone who knew you. Love always and forever, me To make your guess CLICK on the box below. It will direct you to place your guess, name, etc! The winner will get a prize! Don't be a slacker (or cheater and you know who you are) and wait til the last minute to vote!
And the winner is: Kayla!!!! Congrats, you were a far better guesser than either Katie or I. A few honorable mentions: Corinne came in a close second. Birth date & Time goes to Karey. Weight goes to Daniela. And finally, even though we had a tie on the length, the completely unbiased judge is giving it to Quinn's wonderful mommy! (I'm pretty sure Katie would score it that way too) ;) October 16 Today might be the day!! (Or at least this weekend) I was up all night with contractions ranging from every 7 minutes to 15 minutes and lasting about 1 minute each. I think I got a total of about 1.5 hours of sleep last night. Bleh! I have my 39 wk doc appt today so we'll see what he says. We've been busy this AM packing bags and charging cameras JUST IN CASE! Glad Jon is home this morning to help with Clark!
In other exciting news.... we picked up our new car yesterday!! It's sooo nice! We got a 2010 Volvo XC 90 (suv) Thank you for prayers for Clark..... turns out he WON'T need surgery on his little arm! We will meet and get a follow up x-ray next week and continue with the cast for the month. He's been doing great and hasn't slowed down one bit with it. Guess that's it for now! Stay tuned in!! And Mommy of the Year goes to... Oct 9: Clark's first ER visit. Yesterday afternoon we were at a local cafe, Clark was playing with some friends, tripped, and when he fell landed directly on his arm on a table post. I didn't think much of it since the fall didn't look bad and insisted he was fine and to stop crying. (This all happened at 11AM) As the day progressed Clark continued to cry, didn't take a nap and wouldn't eat. When I asked him what hurt he said, "arm." After doing a little exam/ comparison of his arms I noticed his left one was very sensitive to me touch it and looked a bit curved. After more observation I realized he wasn't using it at all. He kept it draped at his side. At 3PM I called peds. and explained the situation. After consulting with a doc and 3 nurses they came to the conclusion that and ER visit to Pordenone was a must (Italian hospital). I called Jon, got him out of a meeting (with the entire wing present) and told him to come home. I'm sure everyone thought I had gone into labor. Ha ha He came home, changed and we headed down to the hospital where we ended up spending close to 5 hours. 2 x-rays, 1 temp. cast and 1 'real' cast later we headed home. Clark did a great job at the hospital with the doctors. Next Friday we go back for a follow up x-ray. If his bones have not shifted we're in the clear and just have to deal with a casted 22 month old and newborn for 2 months. If the bones shit (in the wrong direction) than Clark will probably need surgery. So needless to say we'll be taking it easy this week. I see lots of Elmo's World in my future. (pictures are a bit fuzzy sine I took them with my phone) A few more pics on the picture page too.   Oct. 7 It's "Babetober" and time for this baby to come out!!! I had my 38 week doc appt today and don't have much to report (sorry). The heart beat was in the 140s, baby kicked the doc with his/her heel and I'm measuring a bit big on the belly (nothing new there). He didn't check me to see if I've started progressing 'down there', but said that next week he will. We'll see if I make it...I didn't make my 39 wk appt with Clark! This past week I've had some contractions (yes, real ones) but nothing exciting, just uncomfortable. I had forgotten what contractions feel like. After being 'reminded' I soon realized that I'm SOOOO not looking forward to this labor thing once again. All I can hope for is an epidural before I've been in hard labor 14 hours and at 8cm. It's not asking for much, right??? Over the past 5 days my friends, Emily and Josh (Brianna too) Prehm have been in town visiting. Brianna and Clark had fun playing together and visiting in their own language. We took in some of the sites with them including Venice where we also met up with Emily's parents. Fun!! I'll post pictures of their time here once they get home an send them to me (wink wink). Brianna has a new name for Auntie Katie....Auntie Belly. Ha ha ha If anything happens this next week we'll be sure to post it and inform you all. I need to give Jon another crash course in our baby website so he can update if I'm in the hospital. Stay tuned in!!! Happy Birthday to Auntie Bethie Oct 8!! Happy Birthday to Grandma Doreen Oct 9!! We love you!! 38 weeks with Clark  38 weeks with #2
 Okay, so here is a little video clip of Clark playing with Makayla last week. I'm not a big fan of the 'link to see the video' and for some reason photobucket is being poopy to me. So, at any rate, here is a video clip. I'll try to get more on here the correct way since it's been a while.
Sesame Street Live USO Tour
We had a blast tonight at Clark's 'first' concert. I wasn't sure how he'd do, but he LOVED it! He clapped, yelled Elmo's name, danced, jumped and giggled. I wish I had a video of him. The pictures just don't do it justice.
Sept 27: Not too much to report these days. I'm getting more and more tired and feel 'heavier' each morning when I get up. Bleh! My 36 week doc apt. went well on Friday (with Mc Dreamy the hot doc). He said I was measuring at 37 weeks (a week early), the hear beat was at 138bpm and everything looked great! Next apt is this coming Friday.
Clark has been a busy boy. Talk talk talk is all we get these days. He loves giving kisses and hugs to both of us, the baby bump and family when we webcam with them. He's started to say 3 word sentences like "Mommy's car outside," "Bye bye Daddy's car" and "Wow! A big tractor!" See any relation in these??? ha ha We love our crazy little monkey boy! I had my first Italian pedicure this past week with a friend. Let's just say it was an experience. They put you in a small room, no massage chair, no bubbles for the tootsies, nothing to read or look at, no leg massage or lotion, no second coat of paint and no top coat!! The funniest part Laura and I were laughing about was the fact our feet were soaking in a bucket of warm water with a trash liner. Classy. We had fun anyway! I REALLY needed to get my toes done since I can't reach them anymore and needed them to look nice for October!
36 weeks with Clark  36 weeks with #2.. not a total side view... it makes me look slimmer, right?
 Air Force Ball picture
 'Auntie' Katy came out to visit for the weekend a few weeks ago!
 September 9: Scary to think I can start counting the days versus months or weeks! 41 DAYS. Whoa. So here is the latest on #2.... The wedding rings are officially off due to swelling in my hands (never happened with Clark), maternity tops are getting too small and expose the lower part of the belly, sleeping is not fun and it takes me about 5 minutes to get up from a sitting position on the floor. Who said pregnancy isn't a beautiful thing???? I feel slim and slender like Shamu. This past week I've had a major craving (once again) for anything sour. Italians have invented the best drink in the world called Lemon Soda. It's carbonated with a bitter lemon flavor. I LOVE IT! I never had this crazy sour craving with Clark...just sugar. Maybe that's why he is so sweet?! Clark at 34 weeks  #2 at 34 weeks
 This month we've attempted to take a few weekend trips that have been sitting on the back burner for quite some time. 2 weekends ago was a 3 day weekend for Jon so we headed over to Verona and Sirmione (on Lake Garda). Although it was beautiful, it was hot hot hot! I think I lost 3 pounds just from sweating. Over Labor Day weekend we drove up to Lake Bled in Slovenia. Finally some nice cool 60+ degree weather! It felt great, and was so fun. Our next big adventure is one of my long time best friends, Katy Daniel coming to visit on Friday! Nothing is set in stone on what we'll be doing but I'm sure Venice is in the mix, some wine tasting and yummy Italian food. Clark can't wait to see Auntie Katy! I can't either--she's bringing me Red Vines from Target ( you can't get them here and I MUST have them!).
Many more pictures on the pictures page!
Lake Bled, Slovenia
 Verona, Italy
 August 21: Only 9 more weeks to go? Ack! This is going by WAY TOO FAST! Below is a picture of me prego with Clark @30 weeks and then #2 @ 30 weeks. What do you think? Do I look bigger? The same? Smaller? 30 weeks with Clark
30 weeks with #2
Not too much has been happening the past few weeks. As I get bigger sleeping isn't comfortable, walking long distances hurts, and living in a country with very minimal AC is the worst!!! But, all in all I'm feeling good. This baby moves and wiggles SO much more than Clark ever did--I'm a bit worried he/she is going to be a lot like Auntie Bethie (those of you who 'really' know her). Baby is healthy and growing like a weed (as is my belly)! Next apt is Sept 10 (with Dr. Hottie as I call him!) Clark continues to make us laugh daily as he picks up new words and surprises us all the time. This past week he looked at himself in the mirror and said, "Hi Clark." He's still in love with tractors, airplanes, helicoptors, trucks, boats, cars, dirt, rocks and loves playing in the water hose. ALL BOY! I remember my best friend saying that the age between about 15mo-2yrs is the best and so fun...she is totally right! Friedman Family version 3.5 in Munich (Yes, my legs are apart..very lady-like, I know, but it was hot and I'm pregnant)
I love this picture of my boys.
2 weekends ago we had a squadron trip up to Munich for some annual beer rafting. They literally strap tree logs together, throw on some benches, 5 kegs, Spam, chicken, a band and we float down the river all day. It was tons of fun and we can't wait to go again next year! See more pics of the trip on the pictures page.
August 1: Yesterday my good friend Shannon and I took the kids to Lignone Beach (about 40 min away) for something different and fun to do. The kids had a blast! The water was warm, it didn't get too crowded until about noon and the temp + sea breeze felt great. Below is a lovely picture of me sportin' the belly at 28 weeks. Other pics are on the pic page (ignore any Italian man-kinis or thongs in the background of pictures--we are in Europe ya know). Last Sunday we drove up to Lake Barcis (30 min away) to enjoy the cooler weather and walk around the lake. To our surprise there was a craft fair going on, live music and food. Clark enjoyed the kids parks and fish in the lake. #2 update: Really there ins't much to report other than I'm getting bigger by the week and have been asked several times if I'm due next month. You can imagine how good that makes a pregnant woman feel. :) Yesterday I went in to take the glucose test-the make you drink an EXTRA sugary cola drink in 5 minutes, sit for an hour and then draw blood. It's tons of fun, and I'd recommend it to anyone.
Lignone Beach
My sweet peanut asleep in the car..I took this pic at a red light this past week. He looks so peaceful and content when he sleeps. Our little angel (most of the time)
Lake Barcis
July 18 Lots has happened this past month. Sorry once again for the lack in updates...the comoputer fried due to too many power surges here and then our internet was out (again). Clark is doing great as is #2. We've finished week 1 of swimming lessons on base and have 1 more week to go. He LOVES them!! He's learned to blow bubbles, kick his feet and become more comfortable playing and getting dunked in the pool. We've had play groups weekly that somehow involve water since it's sooo hot here (see pictures) and even managed to fit in an ultrasound for #2. Baby #2 is doing great and growing growing growing! I'll have a belly pic up tomorrow. I was told it has a big head (what every expecting mother wants to hear) and enjoys both hands up around the face. This one is a night owl and likes to wake me up around 3 AM most nights kicking and squirming around. More u/s pictures are on the pictures page. Enjoy! The game board is up for #2! I did the same game with Clark and kept it in his baby book. It makes for a great keepsake so be sure to post a guess when you are ready!! This time around I'll have a prize for the winner (sorry Annie, all you won with Clark was bragging rights!). Here is #2 at 26.5 weeks!
Clark loves playing with the water hose
Enjoying some time at the pool on base
Clark's 18 month stats 24lbs 1oz (25%) 32.5" (50%) Head circ 19.75" May 12 16.5 weeks! The belly decided to make its debut this past week--a whole MONTH earlier than Clark did! (Yikes!) On a side note I felt a first kick 2 nights ago!
The first casuality with a toddler. Really, it's not his fault. We were sitting on the couch, he tipped it over, my hands were stuck and we both watched it roll off the table and crash to the floor. I'm bummed. It was a set o two from Korea. *simulated moment of silence for the broken vase*
Clark is thrilled for the warm weather. Wanna know why? Take a close look at the below picture :)
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