Dziadzia Rychlinski

We love and miss you, Dziadzia!

I wish so much that I could be with everyone in Pennsylvania, please know that everyone is in my thoughts and prayers.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Chester Francis Rychlinski, 81, of Lower Burrell, died Thursday, March 26, 2009, in his home. He was the beloved husband of 59 1/2 years of Eleanor I. Sobiewicz Rychlinski; loving father of Charlene R. (Paul) Mahu, of Lower Burrell, John C. (Tarrie) Rychlinski, of Tacoma, Wash., Michele M. (Alan) Jacobs, of Upper Burrell, Pola Rychlinski and Sonya (Edward) Swiech, of Lower Burrell, and Rozlyn (Gregory) Franklin, of Danville, Calif.; cherished grandfather of Erin Riggs, Jon, Ksavera and Hana Rychlinski, Scott, Kevin and Brian Ferguson, Edward and Heather Swiech and Kane and Gabriella Franklin; six great-grandchildren; and brother of Elizabeth Kelman, of Natrona Heights, and the late Stanley, Bernard and Sylvester Rychlinski. Chester was born March 10, 1928, in Natrona, to the late John Rychlinski and Ksavera Tokarski Rychlinski Przystup and was also preceded in death by his stepfather, Walter Przystup. He resided in Natrona until moving to Lower Burrell in 1954. A glassworker, he was employed by PPG Industries in Creighton for 45 years and served as president of Glassworkers Union Local 12, Creighton. He was a proud Army veteran, having served in World War II and the Korean War. A life long member of St. Margaret Mary Roman Catholic Church, Lower Burrell, he also was a life member of the VFW in Lower Burrell and the American Legion Post 48, Natrona, and Post 868 in Lower Burrell. He was a former member of the Elks, Eagles and the Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3. First and foremost, he enjoyed his family and family entertainment, bowling, dancing, singing, and gardening. He was an avid sports fan and was especially proud of his Polish heritage. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the RUSIEWICZ OF LOWER BURRELL FUNERAL HOME, 3124 Leechburg Road at Alder Street. Christian funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Monday in St. Margaret Mary Church, Lower Burrell. Burial with military honors by the Vandergrift Honor Guard will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell. The family suggests memorials in care of St. Margaret Mary Roman Catholic Church, Lower Burrell. www.RusiewiczFH.com.

Lost Lake

Perfect weekend for a quick getaway. Ash, Caitlyn, and I ventured down to Lost Lake after work on Friday and stayed in one of their model cabin homes. Besides not getting much sleep we had a great time! Caitlyn enjoyed the swings and big toys, she loved the game room, and the foggy lake. She attempted to sleep for the first time ever in her very own sleeping bag, but didn't quite make it through the night... she instead enjoyed sleeping horizontally between mom and dad in their big sleeping bag!

Work & My Pineapple

Friday, I was allowed to return to work with light duties...which means no lifting or running around too much (difficult to not do as a nurse). I talked to a lot of patients, started many IVs, did a lot of paperwork and other really boring things... but it felt so good to be back! At the end of the day, I was a little out of breath and my feet were sore and I was ready to simply relax with my family...and we did just that (after I scrubbed my entire house from top to bottom). What a great weekend and I will return to work tommorrow for the beginning of another work week...

Caitlyn's expression when I told her I would be returning to work

Also, today marks my 33rd week of pregnancy!!! According to babycenter.com, my little one should be about the size of a pineapple right now (4 pounds & 17 inches). I am so happy we've made it this far! A special thanks to my Mom and Vicki and all my family and friends for helping out so much with Caitlyn while I was on bed rest!

Big Girl Potty!!!

Oh yes... this morning, Caitlyn removed her sleeper and pointed to her onsie for me to take it off. I did and she then pointed to her diaper so I removed that too. She then walked into the bathroom and sat on her tiny toilet. She stood up a few times to look inside it and then sat back down. I asked her (after about a minute or so) if she was all finished, she said no and that's when I heard the music to a mother's ear... tinkle in the toilet. I screamed, "Caitlyn, you went potty in the toilet!" I then jumped around and clapped and hugged her... I must have scared her cause she then grabbed onto my leg and began to cry. I sat on the bathroom floor with her until she was calm and told her how proud I was of her. After she calmed down we both walked, hand in hand, to the candy drawer where she received her reward... a dum dum. She finished her treat and then went down for her nap. While she was napping, I said to my mom about ten times... I hope I didn't scare her or traumatize her because I got so excited. I wonder if she'll do it again soon?!? Three and a half hours later she awoke from her nap and told DziaDzia (who was over visiting) the same thing she told me this morning... so we got her ready and she walked into the bathroom and went POOP in the tiny toilet! I was equally excited as before (I even snapped a shot of the #2 and texted it to Ashley at work...I was really really proud!). Then when Ashley came home from work we ate dinner together and when Caitlyn was finished I heard her let out a tiny toot. I asked her if she needed to go to the bathroom and sure enough... she did another POOP in the toilet... Yes...everyone you have read this post correctly... Caitlyn's first day ever using the tiny toilet and she did 1 #1 and 2 #2s! I am so so so proud of her. She received 3 dum dums today and this is a pic of a proud little BIG Girl with blue lips from her cotton candy flavored treat!

Trip to the Park

What an amazing day! After it hailed and snowed a little, we bundled up and walked to the park. Caitlyn loves the swing, she laughed harder the higher she got. She climbed all over the big toy and when it was time to head on home, despite the fact that her lips and hands were turning purple from the cold, she threw a fit. She absolutely did not want to head home... and who'd blame her... it was her 1st time being able to play with her mom outside in two weeks.

*I totally just deleted a whole paragraph of me venting about how I miss being able to pick Caitlyn up and being her mom again... so just know that it tears my heart in pieces not being able to hold and cuddle with my little girl!

A Little Freedom

Today, I had yet another doctor's appointment. This time she said that I am allowed a little more freedom. No more resting in bed, but I'm not allowed to lift anything (especially Caitlyn-which still breaks my heart), no heavy house work, and still no work. She also told me to 'push it' a little this week. She must have read my mind and seen my face light up cause she quickly stated that I am still on pelvic rest :( She also said that depending on how this next week goes...I might be able to return to work work with light duty...we'll see. As for this past 15 days I have been doing a whole lot of NOTHING! I know that I'd said I would try to post from bed... but really nothing is exciting enough to post about. I usually wake up and my mom is already here and taking care of Caitlyn then she takes care of both us until Ash gets home and then takes care of everything... BORING! I did manage to take these 3 photos from the couch and the other 4 from outside... Here's Caitlyn helping clean the kitchen floors with the dust buster while my mom was sweeping. She's such a good little helper. So serious though! Here she is with her totally innocent face trying to steal my starbursts that Ashley bought especially for my bed rest... sneaky! Here she is probably wondering if I can tell that not only did she sneak into my starbursts... she put the entire thing in her mouth... little chipmunk. Speaking of chipmunks... Caitlyn knows the sign for chipmunk now... it's super cute (actually it's for squirrel... same thing, right?!?)
Yesterday, it was sunny and in the high 50's right before it started pouring buckets and thundering... we took advantage of the warm weather by playing with sidewalk chalk. My mom set me up in our lawn furniture out in our front yard while she drew such pretty pictures with Caitlyn. Those two are quite the artists!

Caitlyn ran around our entire turn-around looking for places to draw... It was a blast to watch... she concentrated so hard.
Here she is taking a break from all the drawing... her tiny tush slid right through the seat and she lost a shoe.

Babcia helped her find the shoe and then Caitlyn thought it'd be interesting to taste the chalk... mmm!

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That's it for my exciting bed rest. Also, I somehow managed to catch a terrible cold! Seriously... I have no idea how, I really haven't gone anywhere to even come in contact with any germs. Oh well, I can't wait to get better in order to better enjoy my new found freedom!