I say untimely arrival because 8 days past my due date, I was still pregnant. We knew the exact day we conceived so we were pretty sure our due date was September 24th. My midwife computed September 26th. We started to get a bit nervous that my home birth would never occur and that I'd go so late past my due date that my midwife would legally have to take me to the hospital because of the laws here in Colorado. So just to be sure, we finally called my OB who did an ultra sound very early in my pregnancy to verify I was really pregnant. I had conceived just two weeks after a miscarriage so we were very surprised and wanted to make sure everything looked healthy.
Based on the ultrasound measurements of the baby at 8 weeks, my due date was September 27th. So, technically when my water broke on October 5th, we were only 8 days overdue. I like to think that the baby is due when it is born, and since my other 3 were born after their perspective due dates, I expected the same with #4.....just not 8 days!
My water broke at 8:30am, while standing in the kitchen calling Tammi. It has burst with each of my babies so again, I expected the same. I also expected labor to start shortly after as it did with Stella's birth. The day went on and on with no signs of labor. We took a few power walks that wore me out, but did not start labor, just a few contractions here and there. I got a bit discouraged as the day wore on, and kept my midwife up to date. The older girls went to the in laws for a sleepover and my midwife, Barbie, came by at 7:30pm to see how things were going. The baby's heartbeat was perfect and I was healthy and strong, so another power walk with Barbie, and then we relaxed for the evening.
The problem was that in Colorado, my midwife by law, has to recommend I go to the hospital after my water is broke for 24 hours. I wouldn't do anything that could jeopardize her, so we were watching the clock. She stayed the night, knowing if I didn't go into labor, we would have to head to the hospital by 8:30am the next morning.
I gave up around 11pm and went to bed. Within minutes, I had a contraction. Within 15 minutes I had had 3. I knew labor was finally here!
I labored for awhile and finally told Davey and Barbie, it was real.
I've learned that I don't like a lot of people taking care of me during labor. I like to do it alone. Focus, breathe, relax, and people are a distraction to that. So I told Davey to go watch TV or something and Barbie that I would call when I needed her, and I spend the next few hours laboring alone between leaning over the bed, sitting in the rocking chair or on the toilet. The toilet is great because it is the natural place that all the sphincters relax and I could keep my bladder empty. By 3am ish, I was pretty focused and shaky. Pain was not an issue at this point at all. I just felt like I wanted to push but it wasn't really intense yet. Barbie checked me for the first time and I was 5 centimeters but the baby was really low, that's why I felt that pushing urge.
I tried the bathtub at this point because I was starting to feel pain...but not labor pain. More like lower back pain but it was not the same as the back labor I felt with Zoe. I wanted to relieve it because that was the part that I was struggling with. The water wasn't helping my back at all, it just made me hot and sweaty and I wanted to jump out. At that point, alone in the tub, I begged God, to let me get through this quick because my back was taking all my focus off my contractions and I was just at that point that made me think...if my back doesnt' let up, how can I keep going?
So I jumped out of the tub (well, it was more like crawling slowly and safely) and tried the toilet but I just couldn't sit since the baby was so low. I then crouch over my rocking chair footstool for awhile. Maybe half hour or so, the baby again was so low, I couldn't really walk or move either. I was starting to feel that pushing urge again but knew I couldn't push if I wasn't dilated so I did a bit of breathing and slow grunts which helped me not push. Well, that only moved my bowels. Yes, lets me honest here, poop is a real part of labor. And well, it was part of mine. I finally had to call in the troops....just Davey and Barbie. We didn't call anyone in the middle of the night. I was focused on labor and didnt' really think about notifying anyone in the middle of all my hard work. So, Davey and Barbie came in and I apologized I was pooping but I was ready to push. It was kinda funny, poor Davey but what's a girl to do when she's about to push out a full human being?
Barbie said to lie on my side on the bed so she could make sure I was ready. I thought to myself, yeah right! Laying down right now is impossible! But as soon as I did, it relieved my back pressure so much that I felt amazing. She had Davey grab my upper leg and said push when I was ready, so, I did.
Baby was in my arms suddenly and I couldn't see who it was. I kept lifting the baby to try and see the gender and when I saw the little vagina, I started crying and saying sorry to Davey it wasn't a boy. He asked what I was doing acting so crazy and I just overreacted because we really thought it was a boy.
Then I calmed down after Davey told me to and I saw my baby Adele, through new eyes. I just told her I loved her over and over. I never wanted her to feel unloved for one moment, I just felt I disappointed Davey a bit, until Barbie reminded me HE is the one that makes the X or Y chromosome that decides the gender at conception.
I just held my baby and told her I loved her while Barbie and Daddy cut the cord and got warm towels and blankets on baby and I. The placenta came just minutes later and Although I felt like someone just kicked me in the groin, I also felt really good. I didn't tear at all, everything stretched perfectly to accommodate my baby, and she was nursing just minutes later.
A healthy 8 pounds 3 ounces and 20" long, reminded me, that at 8 days late, she was not that big and perhaps just needed that extra week to "cook" a bit longer.
She was perfectly pink and rosy, and had a tiny bit of hair even. She looked clean even before our bath.
We did take an herb bath about an hour later. Just soaked a bit in these herbs that really soothed my perineum and let me relax and the baby floated just as if she was in womb still.
We were soon clean and snuggled up in our fresh warm bed and Barbie was tucking us all in and putting away the unneeded oxygen and emergency tools she keeps on hand just in case. Stella woke up oddly around 5:30am so daddy brought her in to see the baby and she was over the top excited and cautious and said "bebe" for the first time clear as could be. Back to bed for her and finally around 6:30am, we saw signs of the morning sun peering in, as Barbie headed home and daddy, mommy and baby, snuggled in bed and fell asleep...at least for an hour until Papa Ted text asking how i was. :)
I sent a quick update on Adele Faye and her stats and slept. Until I got another text from my Colorado friends near by checking on me as well. A little copy and paste sent them the same stats, and we drifted back to sleep.
It was only a few hours of rest but by 9am friends were checking on us and Mimi was bringing big sisters Zoe and Chloe back home to meet their new sister.
It was all sort of a foggy dream, happening in the early hours of the morning and being so exhausted....I'm surprised I remember it all. A 5.5 hour labor from first contraction to birth, was pretty quick and easy. The hardest part of the day was waiting 15 hours between my water breaking and labor starting!
One week later, I hold my sweet baby Adele as she nuzzles into me, feeling great and just trying to let my insides heal and return to normal.
Blessed with family and friends near by who have helped take care of the older girls and bring meals and keep the house picked up, I've been so thankful. Although I miss my "family" back home in CA, filled with years of friendships and family like bonds....that I thought I would share these moment with....I know that Colorado is a good place for us right now, and God has not left us to be forgotten.
Adele is a blessing. My girls will always have a sister they can count on, since they each have 3 to choose from. I see the girl across the street playing alone and I think, sure I'd loved to have had a boy, but God knows what we need more than we do. He knows that Zoe, Chloe, Stella and Adele, will have each other for life. That they need each other and I'm grateful that they will never be alone.
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Friday, October 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Is It Summer or Winter?
A tale of two days will demonstrate the amazing life in Colorado....
Saturday, April 2nd, we decided to BBQ and try our hand at ribs. We spent the afternoon playing in the 80 degree warm sun, running around the yard and cooking up a fantastic backyard grudgy meal.
NOW, for Sunday the 3rd....
Saturday, April 2nd, we decided to BBQ and try our hand at ribs. We spent the afternoon playing in the 80 degree warm sun, running around the yard and cooking up a fantastic backyard grudgy meal.
Corn was so good, it blew her hair back! (and that was Zoe's corn)
Taking down a root beer and testing the BBQ sauce.
The master griller acts nonchalant
Corn so good it blows her head back (wow that was good corn)
And yes that is our plain ugly yard beggin for attention.
Chloe learns to eat ribs off a bone
That's what Zoe thinks of eating meat of a bone. She wouldn't do it.
And we ended the evening with smore's over a bonfire, note the t-shirt and shorts
Davey still wears at 9pm.
NOW, for Sunday the 3rd....
The wind and snow blew so fierce after church, that the trampoline soared sideways into the corner of the yard against the 2 fences. Daddy brought it back to life later in the day so the girls could jump, but then they decided it was much to cold and came in.
Yes, Colorado is mysterious but we love it! Monday the snow melted and Tuesday we BBQ'd salmon outside at noon and enjoyed lunch at the table, no snow in site, summer clothes adorned.
Happy Birthday Stella
April 6, 2011
Well it is week 15 for baby #4 already! Finally in my second trimester I am feeling much more energetic, not needing naps during the, day and actually baking again. I'm no great baker, but I do make everything from scratch and muffins, cookies and breads are my favorite morning comfort foods.
With my friend Shannon in her third trimester just a block away, and my new neighbor just across from us, 12 weeks along with twins, I like to share my goodies with them as I know how nice it is to get homemade treats when all I feel like doing is ordering take-out.
In the mean time, Stella turned 1 on March 11th.
We had a great surprise in that dad flew his mom out for the event since her birthday is also the 11th. So great-grandma Marion got to meet the girls for the first time since Zoe was 2 months old. Zoe was hilariously excited as we told her papa Ted's mom was coming to visit. Once I explained she was my grandma and her great-grandma, she formed the term "great-grandma mom" and it has stuck.
Stella enjoyed her home-made strawberry cake very much, although it didn't turn out as pretty as I hoped, it was yummy! And papa Ted made his best homemade ice cream yet....orange chocolate-chip....with his own homemade chocolate chipys. Another version of vanilla with all organic ingredients and raw milk, proved to be no less amazing and creamy as ever!
Here are some fun pictures of our celebration with miss Stella, and great-grandma mom.
Well it is week 15 for baby #4 already! Finally in my second trimester I am feeling much more energetic, not needing naps during the, day and actually baking again. I'm no great baker, but I do make everything from scratch and muffins, cookies and breads are my favorite morning comfort foods.
With my friend Shannon in her third trimester just a block away, and my new neighbor just across from us, 12 weeks along with twins, I like to share my goodies with them as I know how nice it is to get homemade treats when all I feel like doing is ordering take-out.
In the mean time, Stella turned 1 on March 11th.
We had a great surprise in that dad flew his mom out for the event since her birthday is also the 11th. So great-grandma Marion got to meet the girls for the first time since Zoe was 2 months old. Zoe was hilariously excited as we told her papa Ted's mom was coming to visit. Once I explained she was my grandma and her great-grandma, she formed the term "great-grandma mom" and it has stuck.
Stella enjoyed her home-made strawberry cake very much, although it didn't turn out as pretty as I hoped, it was yummy! And papa Ted made his best homemade ice cream yet....orange chocolate-chip....with his own homemade chocolate chipys. Another version of vanilla with all organic ingredients and raw milk, proved to be no less amazing and creamy as ever!
Here are some fun pictures of our celebration with miss Stella, and great-grandma mom.
She loves her chair from papa
She wipes her face after dinner
And lounges in her rocking chair (which was her great-great-grandmothers)
The girls with great-grandma mom (Ted's mom)
Davey always says Zoe looks like me...now I see it.
Stella has no trouble eating cake as you can see
She also insists on getting into her new mini van.
No matter how many times her foot got stuck, she got right back in the van
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
A Walker and Many Blessings
March 9, 2011
Well miss Stella just walked 8 steps and happily clapped for herself!
Her first official step was just 4 days ago, one solid step. Then yesterday, 3 solid steps.
Today, she has outdone herself. Walking across the room, with a ball in hand. She is so proud of herself!
She then climbed on the little trampoline we have in the basement for the kids and proceeded to stand up and walk the few steps across it. Even giving a little bounce in the middle.
After Zoe and Chloe both walked 2 weeks after their first birthday, having Stella walk a week before her first birthday is exciting! I guess its really only 2 days away that my baby will turn 1 year and I relish in the memories we have shared as mama and baby for the past 12 months.
Knowing that as she grows into a busy toddler following in her sister's footsteps, my job is not over as the other of an infant. In just 6 short months and a few weeks, I will hold a new infant in my arms, completely helpless and dependent on my love and care.
With a trying few weeks as a pregnant, nursing, mother of toddlers, I feel weak in my abilities as a parent, failure in my tasks as a wife and overwhelmed with the daily necessities running a household entails. My emotions want to cast blame on my husband for not doing more, and my kids for not behaving better. Yet my heart cries out for God's renewed strength, knowing that a frail human can only do so much on her own accord.
I need his wisdom and strength for the tasks He's laid out before me. For if I do not see the blessings He's given me for what they are, I might selfishly cast them down as curses.
No one said this would be an easy calling. Not even God himself, said that having my 'quiver' full (click link for scripture) would be a piece of cake to handle. But He did say I would be blessed.
And out of His abundant grace, He has indeed blessed us.
And from the birth of my cousins new son, came a scripture that spoke directly to the roots of my heart:
"From His abundance we have received one gracious blessing after another" John 1:16
Well miss Stella just walked 8 steps and happily clapped for herself!
Her first official step was just 4 days ago, one solid step. Then yesterday, 3 solid steps.
Today, she has outdone herself. Walking across the room, with a ball in hand. She is so proud of herself!
She then climbed on the little trampoline we have in the basement for the kids and proceeded to stand up and walk the few steps across it. Even giving a little bounce in the middle.
After Zoe and Chloe both walked 2 weeks after their first birthday, having Stella walk a week before her first birthday is exciting! I guess its really only 2 days away that my baby will turn 1 year and I relish in the memories we have shared as mama and baby for the past 12 months.
Knowing that as she grows into a busy toddler following in her sister's footsteps, my job is not over as the other of an infant. In just 6 short months and a few weeks, I will hold a new infant in my arms, completely helpless and dependent on my love and care.
With a trying few weeks as a pregnant, nursing, mother of toddlers, I feel weak in my abilities as a parent, failure in my tasks as a wife and overwhelmed with the daily necessities running a household entails. My emotions want to cast blame on my husband for not doing more, and my kids for not behaving better. Yet my heart cries out for God's renewed strength, knowing that a frail human can only do so much on her own accord.
I need his wisdom and strength for the tasks He's laid out before me. For if I do not see the blessings He's given me for what they are, I might selfishly cast them down as curses.
No one said this would be an easy calling. Not even God himself, said that having my 'quiver' full (click link for scripture) would be a piece of cake to handle. But He did say I would be blessed.
And out of His abundant grace, He has indeed blessed us.
And from the birth of my cousins new son, came a scripture that spoke directly to the roots of my heart:
"From His abundance we have received one gracious blessing after another" John 1:16
Monday, March 7, 2011
Week 10.2 - Homemade Playdough Anyone?
March 7, 2011
If your kids are like mine...they LOVE playdough. My girls can enjoy a good full hour occupied by the colorful yet smelly substance. But lucky for me, I remembered months ago that my wonderful Deborah D used to make it for us when we went over to play with her kids.
I haven't bought playdough in over a year. I love making natural playdough with the girls, allowing them to see how to make it with me and enjoy the fruits of their labor right after.
Today we make red and purple and I love playing with it to because it smelled like cherry and grape and makes me crave a Starburst candy.
I made a whale spouting out water for Zoe and I asked her..."do you remember what whales spout out of their breathing hole?" she looked up at me thrilled to know the answer and said, "Jonahs!" Yes, I have been telling her the story of Jonah this past week and apparently all whales spout out Jonahs now.
I even let Stella play with us since it's natural playdough. She squishes it around and tastes it of course, and I know that the worst thing she's tasting is salt.
So here's our homemade playdough snapshots and of course...the recipe to share!
Enjoy!
In a sauce pan on low heat mix:
1 cup of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup of salt
2 teaspoons of Cream of Tartar
stir and add in
1 cup of water
1 tablespoon of oil
increase heat and stir until it starts to thicken,
add in 1 packet of koolaid of your choice for color (or leave plain white)
Stir, stir, stir. When it's almost solid I dump it on a placemat and mix it with my hands (its not that hot for an adult), until it has the consistency of playdough...then play away!!!
If your kids are like mine...they LOVE playdough. My girls can enjoy a good full hour occupied by the colorful yet smelly substance. But lucky for me, I remembered months ago that my wonderful Deborah D used to make it for us when we went over to play with her kids.
I haven't bought playdough in over a year. I love making natural playdough with the girls, allowing them to see how to make it with me and enjoy the fruits of their labor right after.
Today we make red and purple and I love playing with it to because it smelled like cherry and grape and makes me crave a Starburst candy.
I made a whale spouting out water for Zoe and I asked her..."do you remember what whales spout out of their breathing hole?" she looked up at me thrilled to know the answer and said, "Jonahs!" Yes, I have been telling her the story of Jonah this past week and apparently all whales spout out Jonahs now.
I even let Stella play with us since it's natural playdough. She squishes it around and tastes it of course, and I know that the worst thing she's tasting is salt.
So here's our homemade playdough snapshots and of course...the recipe to share!
Enjoy!
In a sauce pan on low heat mix:
1 cup of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup of salt
2 teaspoons of Cream of Tartar
stir and add in
1 cup of water
1 tablespoon of oil
increase heat and stir until it starts to thicken,
add in 1 packet of koolaid of your choice for color (or leave plain white)
Stir, stir, stir. When it's almost solid I dump it on a placemat and mix it with my hands (its not that hot for an adult), until it has the consistency of playdough...then play away!!!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Week 10 - I Call Them One Pot Wonders, Yum!
March 6, 2010
With my second trimester of pregnancy on the horizon, I eagerly await the new energy that awaits me. I'm always filled with energy and new excitement during the middle stages of pregnancy and usually get a lot done.
Napping daily and just wanting to eat and read, has me feeling very lazy and unproductive. Yet, I know my body is giving, giving, giving and my mind and soul must rest as well.
Cooking is always an annoyance for me during the first few weeks in pregnancy. I normally enjoy cooking and out of 21 meals in a week for the average family, I prepare from scratch at least 19. So I've searched for ideas and created my new ease for cooking dinner...."one-pot wonders." I don't prepare a meat, a starch and a vegetable, I just simple make everything in one pot and everyone eats out of a bowl and it makes leftovers a snappy lunch for the next day.
Here's a few recent ones that I have taken from others or created on my own and might be of some interst to your busy life too....
The Tortellini Garden Extravaganza
-this was taken from Tammi G's past meals I have shared with her and the kids. She boils prepared tortellini (Costco has the best deal), and on the side sautes up some vegetables of their liking.
After draining the cheese stuffed pasta, she adds in the veggies and stirs in a white sauce and its good to go. For our family I do:
1 family pack tortellini
1 container of Alfredo sauce (or make your own...but I like short cuts right now)
1/2 pound of our natural locally made Italian sausage...we like it spicy
Brown the sausage and chop up and set aside. I don't wipe out the pan, I just drain it and then add in a a bit of olive oil.
Saute veggies of choice. We like onion, red, yellow and green peppers, broccoli, zucchini.
Throw it all together and enjoy!
The Meat & Mushroom Mush
It was the end of our week, the day before grocery day and I had to use what I had on hand...it came out great!
Brown rice, we make it in a rice cooker (But I did buy Uncle Ben's Brown instant last week and it was so easy but way more expensive and not as good for you)
A pound of organic, ground beef (Costco has great deal on a 3 pound pack)
Brown it up in little crumbles and just before it's about done add in
A teaspoon of olive oil and a pound of mushrooms and saute together. Add in
A cup of water and a tea-tablespoon of Better Than Boullion Beef Stock. ( I never buy broth anymore I just make it my own with these...(Costco sells both chicken and beef Better Than Boullion Jars too) and Boil it for a bit,
Add in Sour Cream ( I had no milk or cream on hand and only about 3/4 container of sour cream but I threw that in and simmered for a bit. Added some fresh ground pepper.
Throw it on the rice in a bowl....Yum!!!!!
Stay tuned for more wonders in one pot!
With my second trimester of pregnancy on the horizon, I eagerly await the new energy that awaits me. I'm always filled with energy and new excitement during the middle stages of pregnancy and usually get a lot done.
Napping daily and just wanting to eat and read, has me feeling very lazy and unproductive. Yet, I know my body is giving, giving, giving and my mind and soul must rest as well.
Cooking is always an annoyance for me during the first few weeks in pregnancy. I normally enjoy cooking and out of 21 meals in a week for the average family, I prepare from scratch at least 19. So I've searched for ideas and created my new ease for cooking dinner...."one-pot wonders." I don't prepare a meat, a starch and a vegetable, I just simple make everything in one pot and everyone eats out of a bowl and it makes leftovers a snappy lunch for the next day.
Here's a few recent ones that I have taken from others or created on my own and might be of some interst to your busy life too....
The Tortellini Garden Extravaganza
-this was taken from Tammi G's past meals I have shared with her and the kids. She boils prepared tortellini (Costco has the best deal), and on the side sautes up some vegetables of their liking.
After draining the cheese stuffed pasta, she adds in the veggies and stirs in a white sauce and its good to go. For our family I do:
1 family pack tortellini
1 container of Alfredo sauce (or make your own...but I like short cuts right now)
1/2 pound of our natural locally made Italian sausage...we like it spicy
Brown the sausage and chop up and set aside. I don't wipe out the pan, I just drain it and then add in a a bit of olive oil.
Saute veggies of choice. We like onion, red, yellow and green peppers, broccoli, zucchini.
Throw it all together and enjoy!
The Meat & Mushroom Mush
It was the end of our week, the day before grocery day and I had to use what I had on hand...it came out great!
Brown rice, we make it in a rice cooker (But I did buy Uncle Ben's Brown instant last week and it was so easy but way more expensive and not as good for you)
A pound of organic, ground beef (Costco has great deal on a 3 pound pack)
Brown it up in little crumbles and just before it's about done add in
A teaspoon of olive oil and a pound of mushrooms and saute together. Add in
A cup of water and a tea-tablespoon of Better Than Boullion Beef Stock. ( I never buy broth anymore I just make it my own with these...(Costco sells both chicken and beef Better Than Boullion Jars too) and Boil it for a bit,
Add in Sour Cream ( I had no milk or cream on hand and only about 3/4 container of sour cream but I threw that in and simmered for a bit. Added some fresh ground pepper.
Throw it on the rice in a bowl....Yum!!!!!
Stay tuned for more wonders in one pot!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Day 34 - Whoop, There It Is
February 23, 2010
The joys of pregnancy always outweigh the inconvenient um-comforts, even if it doesn't seem evident right away.
Take cleaning for example.... being so tired I can't get myself off the couch is like a free "pass" from mopping the floors.
Or how about the smell of food lingering through the house. It's a wonderful reason to title the dinner menu as "take out" for the night.
And, best of all, the only thing that I can possibly put into my mouth is ice cream and tangerines, therefore excusing any reason to eat broccoli or lettuce.
Week 9 is here and baby and I are growing well. My jeans, oddly enough, are already getting tighter this week in the belly. I was sure I was bloated until every pair, every day I tried, remained the same. I ended up with the hairband around the button so I didn't have to close the jeans all the way.
At 9 weeks, this seems a bit ridiculous. Then I realized that being so thin right now is allowing for my every-so-ready uterus to pop out and say "I know the routine, here I am." So, whoop, there it is.
Being a busy mom still keeps me up much longer than my body would like to be up throughout the day, but the girls are in gymnastics now so twice a week I take them each to their own classes. Chloe in the 2 year olds, still needs mommy assistance, but Zoe is in the 3 year old class with just big kids. Even though I see Chloe exceeding in her abilities, doing the splits, summer salts, hanging on the bar, flipping with assistance, I am encouraging Zoe in her desire to do the same, despite her coordination and flexiblitiy challenges. I hope to find a dance class for her in the spring, which I'm sure she would exceed in with her great desires to dance and sing and perform shows nightly for the family.
Stella is giving kisses these days, especially when daddy leaves for work, and with only 3 weeks until she turns the big '1' we are watching her like a hawk, waiting for that first step to be taken.
Other than just slipping down a flight of stairs while carrying Chloe down here to finish this blog, I am seeing 2nd trimester on the horizon and energy to accompany it will be greatly welcomed.
The joys of pregnancy always outweigh the inconvenient um-comforts, even if it doesn't seem evident right away.
Take cleaning for example.... being so tired I can't get myself off the couch is like a free "pass" from mopping the floors.
Or how about the smell of food lingering through the house. It's a wonderful reason to title the dinner menu as "take out" for the night.
And, best of all, the only thing that I can possibly put into my mouth is ice cream and tangerines, therefore excusing any reason to eat broccoli or lettuce.
Week 9 is here and baby and I are growing well. My jeans, oddly enough, are already getting tighter this week in the belly. I was sure I was bloated until every pair, every day I tried, remained the same. I ended up with the hairband around the button so I didn't have to close the jeans all the way.
At 9 weeks, this seems a bit ridiculous. Then I realized that being so thin right now is allowing for my every-so-ready uterus to pop out and say "I know the routine, here I am." So, whoop, there it is.
Being a busy mom still keeps me up much longer than my body would like to be up throughout the day, but the girls are in gymnastics now so twice a week I take them each to their own classes. Chloe in the 2 year olds, still needs mommy assistance, but Zoe is in the 3 year old class with just big kids. Even though I see Chloe exceeding in her abilities, doing the splits, summer salts, hanging on the bar, flipping with assistance, I am encouraging Zoe in her desire to do the same, despite her coordination and flexiblitiy challenges. I hope to find a dance class for her in the spring, which I'm sure she would exceed in with her great desires to dance and sing and perform shows nightly for the family.
Stella is giving kisses these days, especially when daddy leaves for work, and with only 3 weeks until she turns the big '1' we are watching her like a hawk, waiting for that first step to be taken.
Other than just slipping down a flight of stairs while carrying Chloe down here to finish this blog, I am seeing 2nd trimester on the horizon and energy to accompany it will be greatly welcomed.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Day 26 - Girls Vs Boys in Utero
February 15, 2011
Today is my hubby's birthday. We celebrated all week long pretty much. So today, a sunny day in the 60's we spent playing outside in the yard. The girls had so much fun running around like ragga muffins. Stella is a trooper. She scoots all over climbing on toys and chasing after the girls. What fun it will be when she can walk and follow after them. Daddy and I had a great game of football with Zoe's mini Buffalo Wild Wings superbowl ball and I have to say, I'm not as bad a thrower as I thought. Terrible receiver though.
I have a few bruises to prove it.
But on to pregnancy chatter. A few days into week 8 and I am not feeling so great. I have great energy after breakfast usually then afternoons are really tough. Yesterday I went to bed before 8pm feeling really sick. I still think this baby is a boy. Not just because Zoe tells everyone on earth we have a baby boy in mommy's tummy, and not just because I happened upon his name we picked out 3+ years ago randomly in a book, but because I feel really different.
The Chinese/Asian food craving for sure, and then meat. We had ribs Sunday night and I was doing everything possible to eat the left overs Monday and not share with Davey. I think about steak almost every day, and when I was pregnant with Zoe especially, I couldn't even smell steak.
I feel quite nauseaus too and then I'll feel great and off and on. Being totally exhausted and falling asleep randomly, always happens to me, so that is consistent. And I want oranges and tangerines all the time. I can't get enough. I used to only want peach yogurt, and well....yuck...to say the least.
So I guess we shall see how this goes. I don't even pee as often as I have with the other pregnancies.
I should get a check up here in the next 2 weeks so we can hopefully hear a healthy little heart beat. (singular not plural).
Here's a fun recent article of mine from Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979044745
Today is my hubby's birthday. We celebrated all week long pretty much. So today, a sunny day in the 60's we spent playing outside in the yard. The girls had so much fun running around like ragga muffins. Stella is a trooper. She scoots all over climbing on toys and chasing after the girls. What fun it will be when she can walk and follow after them. Daddy and I had a great game of football with Zoe's mini Buffalo Wild Wings superbowl ball and I have to say, I'm not as bad a thrower as I thought. Terrible receiver though.
I have a few bruises to prove it.
But on to pregnancy chatter. A few days into week 8 and I am not feeling so great. I have great energy after breakfast usually then afternoons are really tough. Yesterday I went to bed before 8pm feeling really sick. I still think this baby is a boy. Not just because Zoe tells everyone on earth we have a baby boy in mommy's tummy, and not just because I happened upon his name we picked out 3+ years ago randomly in a book, but because I feel really different.
The Chinese/Asian food craving for sure, and then meat. We had ribs Sunday night and I was doing everything possible to eat the left overs Monday and not share with Davey. I think about steak almost every day, and when I was pregnant with Zoe especially, I couldn't even smell steak.
I feel quite nauseaus too and then I'll feel great and off and on. Being totally exhausted and falling asleep randomly, always happens to me, so that is consistent. And I want oranges and tangerines all the time. I can't get enough. I used to only want peach yogurt, and well....yuck...to say the least.
So I guess we shall see how this goes. I don't even pee as often as I have with the other pregnancies.
I should get a check up here in the next 2 weeks so we can hopefully hear a healthy little heart beat. (singular not plural).
Here's a fun recent article of mine from Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979044745
Daddy's Valentine Breafast
Helping make daddy's birthday cheesecake
Chloe loves to wear hats that are too small and in all types of weather
Stella eating a bit of snow and realizing it's quite cold.
Zoe refuses to look at the camera but you can see what great style sense she has
For fun, we mow the dead lawn in the winter
Stella is discovering that the grass is poky. She actually steps with that right leg and then drags the left one behind her to get around on the grass so she doesn't have to put her hands on it. I crack up everytime
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Day 23 - Boy's and Chinese
February 12, 2011
I think that eating Chinese food is embedded into boys, and men. My husband went to the Chinese buffet with his buddy the other night and I just started salivating when he told me. I wanted sushi suddenly, so at the grocery store I grabbed a store made thing of rolls and literally ripped open the package the moment I got in the van. The wasabi was so amazing. I couldn't get enough of my eyes watering and throat burning.
That same day, a friend suggested PF Changes for our little night out tonight. I haven't stopped thinking about it for two days. And it was heaven! Every bit, (There were a lot of bites too) was amazing. Food is so incredible with enhanced taste buds. Tammi always said, when your pregnant food is so much more awesome. Well, on #4 now I finally get it. I am eating PF Changes left overs as I write this. I couldn't resist.
And that's how I know this baby is a boy.
I think that eating Chinese food is embedded into boys, and men. My husband went to the Chinese buffet with his buddy the other night and I just started salivating when he told me. I wanted sushi suddenly, so at the grocery store I grabbed a store made thing of rolls and literally ripped open the package the moment I got in the van. The wasabi was so amazing. I couldn't get enough of my eyes watering and throat burning.
That same day, a friend suggested PF Changes for our little night out tonight. I haven't stopped thinking about it for two days. And it was heaven! Every bit, (There were a lot of bites too) was amazing. Food is so incredible with enhanced taste buds. Tammi always said, when your pregnant food is so much more awesome. Well, on #4 now I finally get it. I am eating PF Changes left overs as I write this. I couldn't resist.
And that's how I know this baby is a boy.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Day 20 - Pregnancy Symptoms: Can I Get A Nap Please?
February 9, 2010
Pregnancy Symptoms seem to start the second we get a positive test. Literally the next day, I was swooning over the smells in the kitchen.
Well, I'm holding myself together better now that I know my pregnancy symptoms with this baby. Dizziness, constant hunger, yet no appetite, until I want ice cream, super tired, feeling like I'm on a boat most of the day, super tired, hate the taste of plain water, desire to brush my teeth to get any tastes out of my mouth everytime I eat, super tired, and low patience. Other than that, I feel great. I did reorganize the basement with Davey's help, and I did do some chores around the house and I even baked. Not bad. Oh, and I haven't gotten take out but once last week! Cooking everynight is a feat for a prego woman.
But I still think my kids were starving. At least Stella. She screamed so much yesterday and even threw herself down and kicked her legs while screaming in the floor...at 11 months old. I think not! At bedtime more screaming. I got her up, changed her, nursed a bit but it wasn't enough. I fed her 2 cups of yogurt after that. Then she slept 6 hours. It's true sometimes pregnancy symptoms take over my life and I forget to do other things...like feed my baby obviously. I didn't pay attention to her dinner intake. Now, I will watch like a hawk to make sure they eat enough. Talk about a guilty mom. Ugh.
But in the past I have known how to overcome the side effects of pregnancy. Symptoms like nausea I can battle with constant snacks and carbonated drinks. Getting up slow and taking my iron, helps with the dizziness and weakness I felt before.
Now, if I could just get a few naps a day. Or get my girls to sleep before 10pm so I can go to sleep before 10pm.
Or at least can I get my 2 and 3 year olds to stop acting like toddlers and act like grown ups. Really..I mean, pistachios all over the basement floor? Dumping out all my toner and makeup remover into the bath? And using a purple crayon to play hopscotch on the kitchen tile and marking a line on everysingle one!!!! My hand still smells like scrub and has a kink in it from scrubbing so long, so hard. I plan to rid the world of crayons one day...
Right after I conquer all pregnancy symptoms and get a nap.
Here's another article from Pampers on pregnancy symptoms:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978819963
Pregnancy Symptoms seem to start the second we get a positive test. Literally the next day, I was swooning over the smells in the kitchen.
Well, I'm holding myself together better now that I know my pregnancy symptoms with this baby. Dizziness, constant hunger, yet no appetite, until I want ice cream, super tired, feeling like I'm on a boat most of the day, super tired, hate the taste of plain water, desire to brush my teeth to get any tastes out of my mouth everytime I eat, super tired, and low patience. Other than that, I feel great. I did reorganize the basement with Davey's help, and I did do some chores around the house and I even baked. Not bad. Oh, and I haven't gotten take out but once last week! Cooking everynight is a feat for a prego woman.
But I still think my kids were starving. At least Stella. She screamed so much yesterday and even threw herself down and kicked her legs while screaming in the floor...at 11 months old. I think not! At bedtime more screaming. I got her up, changed her, nursed a bit but it wasn't enough. I fed her 2 cups of yogurt after that. Then she slept 6 hours. It's true sometimes pregnancy symptoms take over my life and I forget to do other things...like feed my baby obviously. I didn't pay attention to her dinner intake. Now, I will watch like a hawk to make sure they eat enough. Talk about a guilty mom. Ugh.
But in the past I have known how to overcome the side effects of pregnancy. Symptoms like nausea I can battle with constant snacks and carbonated drinks. Getting up slow and taking my iron, helps with the dizziness and weakness I felt before.
Now, if I could just get a few naps a day. Or get my girls to sleep before 10pm so I can go to sleep before 10pm.
Or at least can I get my 2 and 3 year olds to stop acting like toddlers and act like grown ups. Really..I mean, pistachios all over the basement floor? Dumping out all my toner and makeup remover into the bath? And using a purple crayon to play hopscotch on the kitchen tile and marking a line on everysingle one!!!! My hand still smells like scrub and has a kink in it from scrubbing so long, so hard. I plan to rid the world of crayons one day...
Right after I conquer all pregnancy symptoms and get a nap.
Here's another article from Pampers on pregnancy symptoms:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978819963
Monday, February 7, 2011
Day 17 - Salt, Caffine and Sugar, Oh My!
February 6, 2011
I've never had such a lazy Super Bowl day. Of course I didn't want to cook anything and ate more chips and dip than I have in the past 3 years! Cravings are awesome! Picked up some Buffalo Wings because that seems to be the standard accompaniment for beer and football and I ate most of the girls popcorn shrimp and let them eat the celery. Lucky them.
Water is the enemy right now. It just tastes like toilet (if I knew what toilet tasted like). So the soda police (me) wants to drink Ginger Ale or Pib Extra all day. Just don't let my midwife read this (HAHA Barbie :)
I also think I ate ice cream twice. So, this pregnancy is off to a grand start in the health department.
The girls loved the football game. Watching them, and Davey stress about every single punt, was the entertainment for me. Chloe might only be 2, but she knows how to get on daddy's good side. She just copied every word and motion he made, (so he had to cut out the bitchin word real fast, like he's in highschool in 1989 again). Her little arms pumped as she yelled "go, go, go!"
Anyway the game ended in Daddy's favor so all was joyful in the Breedlove house and the music got really loud around bedtime of course and the the girls wanted to party and dance all night. I was falling asleep on the couch by then, I think it was only 8pm. By 10ish daddy and Chloe were asleep on the couch and Stella crying to nurse. Zoe goes to bed after a little pat-pat and prayer so that was easy. Thank you God, one child is easy to put to bed!
I've never had such a lazy Super Bowl day. Of course I didn't want to cook anything and ate more chips and dip than I have in the past 3 years! Cravings are awesome! Picked up some Buffalo Wings because that seems to be the standard accompaniment for beer and football and I ate most of the girls popcorn shrimp and let them eat the celery. Lucky them.
Water is the enemy right now. It just tastes like toilet (if I knew what toilet tasted like). So the soda police (me) wants to drink Ginger Ale or Pib Extra all day. Just don't let my midwife read this (HAHA Barbie :)
I also think I ate ice cream twice. So, this pregnancy is off to a grand start in the health department.
The girls loved the football game. Watching them, and Davey stress about every single punt, was the entertainment for me. Chloe might only be 2, but she knows how to get on daddy's good side. She just copied every word and motion he made, (so he had to cut out the bitchin word real fast, like he's in highschool in 1989 again). Her little arms pumped as she yelled "go, go, go!"
Anyway the game ended in Daddy's favor so all was joyful in the Breedlove house and the music got really loud around bedtime of course and the the girls wanted to party and dance all night. I was falling asleep on the couch by then, I think it was only 8pm. By 10ish daddy and Chloe were asleep on the couch and Stella crying to nurse. Zoe goes to bed after a little pat-pat and prayer so that was easy. Thank you God, one child is easy to put to bed!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Day 15 & 16 - Baby Bellies
February 4-5th, 2011
This is a comb platter of the last two days. I was sick pretty good Friday again. Ugh. Then it changed. I had no idea it could be so painful....thankfully my husband ran to get me some GasX haha!! It was like labor pains. I couldn't get up. So embarrassingly ridiculous. Those minty strips he brought me were my life saver so I could sleep. I think I would take suggestions if I could find a better cure. I've not had this problem before. I'm definitely going to add my Probiotic back into my supplement routine. I never had digestive issues with my last pregnancy.
Then, grocery shopping the day before the Super Bowl, with the kids, was a really stupid idea. At least I felt up to it. I was happy to feel so good as I kicked off week 7 of baby #4.
I keep re-decorating the nursery in male motif (in my head of course) just in case Zoe is right. It seems every single day she talks about her baby boy. She said, "mom, you can push out your baby boy when Stella grows up to be like Zoe and I grow up to be like a mom." Well, I'm not waiting THAT long to push this baby out, but I do love her understanding of growth. At least she knows that everyone is getting bigger, including me :) Maybe she'll be ready to watch this birth. 33 Weeks to go, we shall see.
This is a comb platter of the last two days. I was sick pretty good Friday again. Ugh. Then it changed. I had no idea it could be so painful....thankfully my husband ran to get me some GasX haha!! It was like labor pains. I couldn't get up. So embarrassingly ridiculous. Those minty strips he brought me were my life saver so I could sleep. I think I would take suggestions if I could find a better cure. I've not had this problem before. I'm definitely going to add my Probiotic back into my supplement routine. I never had digestive issues with my last pregnancy.
Then, grocery shopping the day before the Super Bowl, with the kids, was a really stupid idea. At least I felt up to it. I was happy to feel so good as I kicked off week 7 of baby #4.
I keep re-decorating the nursery in male motif (in my head of course) just in case Zoe is right. It seems every single day she talks about her baby boy. She said, "mom, you can push out your baby boy when Stella grows up to be like Zoe and I grow up to be like a mom." Well, I'm not waiting THAT long to push this baby out, but I do love her understanding of growth. At least she knows that everyone is getting bigger, including me :) Maybe she'll be ready to watch this birth. 33 Weeks to go, we shall see.
Our baby bellies at 7 weeks. They begged to take a picture of their bellies too.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Day 14 - Flesh and Faith
February 3, 2010
I've been so tired at night I can't stay up to write. 9:30pm is about as far as I can make it. That's first trimester pregnancy symptoms for you. I wake up starving throughout the night but too tired to get up. Then in the mornings I mope to the kitchen slowly and gulp down a banana then lay back down to let it digest. I can't wait until my second trimester starts!
So a book I got from my neighbor A Voice In The Wind, by Francine Rivers, has been sitting by my bed for a week now. I finally opened it up and to my astonishment, God spoke right to the parts of my heart that needed it most.
I like the Preface of books as they seem to set the tone of where the book is coming from. A quote from the author reads, "... I learned that courage is not something we can manufacture by our own efforts. But when we surrender wholeheartedly to God, He gives us the courage to face whatever comes. He gives us the words to speak when we are called to stand and voice our faith."
It's been a difficult week as not everyone around me is in agreement with our stand on having babies. Feeling the doubt, the negativity, and outright disapproval all around me is quite defeating at times. I begin to question if I am doing the right thing. If Davey and I are being foolish in someway by trusting God in this way. It's very honest and transparent of us to be open about our personal stand on birth control for our family. It is something we never intended on using and have always giving our fertility and our family size to God. Not everyone would agree with us of course and that is to be expected.
Reading this quote, my heart was immediately quickened by God's encouragement through it. Surrendering wholeheartedly to God, isn't a cowardice act. It takes a lot of courage and faith in Him, trusting His plan for our lives. But it's not something I can make up on my own. He has given me the courage to face this battle in our lives. Even when I feel weak and doubtful, I know He has already prepared me for this call. We each have something God has called us too. He created us each with a divine purpose. Only by surrendering to Him and seeking Him out can we fullfill that purpose. We can go through life saying, I was good, that was a good life, and die happily at the end of our life's journey, but what if there is more? I believe that there is and always has been. It's up to us to accept that and allow God to use us in this life. Our free will gives us the choice and human nature is always in battle against God's greater purpose.
In this small and seemingly indifferent stand of faith that we have made in our family, for us and our children, it is still a battle of our flesh and our faith. Our flesh screams out we can't and shouldn't and asks a million questions based on fear and doubt. And our faith calmly assures us, as Francine Rivers said, "He gives us the courage to face whatever comes. He gives us the words to speak when we are called to stand and voice our faith."
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:20
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
I've been so tired at night I can't stay up to write. 9:30pm is about as far as I can make it. That's first trimester pregnancy symptoms for you. I wake up starving throughout the night but too tired to get up. Then in the mornings I mope to the kitchen slowly and gulp down a banana then lay back down to let it digest. I can't wait until my second trimester starts!
So a book I got from my neighbor A Voice In The Wind, by Francine Rivers, has been sitting by my bed for a week now. I finally opened it up and to my astonishment, God spoke right to the parts of my heart that needed it most.
I like the Preface of books as they seem to set the tone of where the book is coming from. A quote from the author reads, "... I learned that courage is not something we can manufacture by our own efforts. But when we surrender wholeheartedly to God, He gives us the courage to face whatever comes. He gives us the words to speak when we are called to stand and voice our faith."
It's been a difficult week as not everyone around me is in agreement with our stand on having babies. Feeling the doubt, the negativity, and outright disapproval all around me is quite defeating at times. I begin to question if I am doing the right thing. If Davey and I are being foolish in someway by trusting God in this way. It's very honest and transparent of us to be open about our personal stand on birth control for our family. It is something we never intended on using and have always giving our fertility and our family size to God. Not everyone would agree with us of course and that is to be expected.
Reading this quote, my heart was immediately quickened by God's encouragement through it. Surrendering wholeheartedly to God, isn't a cowardice act. It takes a lot of courage and faith in Him, trusting His plan for our lives. But it's not something I can make up on my own. He has given me the courage to face this battle in our lives. Even when I feel weak and doubtful, I know He has already prepared me for this call. We each have something God has called us too. He created us each with a divine purpose. Only by surrendering to Him and seeking Him out can we fullfill that purpose. We can go through life saying, I was good, that was a good life, and die happily at the end of our life's journey, but what if there is more? I believe that there is and always has been. It's up to us to accept that and allow God to use us in this life. Our free will gives us the choice and human nature is always in battle against God's greater purpose.
In this small and seemingly indifferent stand of faith that we have made in our family, for us and our children, it is still a battle of our flesh and our faith. Our flesh screams out we can't and shouldn't and asks a million questions based on fear and doubt. And our faith calmly assures us, as Francine Rivers said, "He gives us the courage to face whatever comes. He gives us the words to speak when we are called to stand and voice our faith."
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:20
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Day 13 - Miracles Do Happen
February 2, 2011
It was not a fun day with morning sickness creeping into every second of it. It was now called all-day sickness. The good side of it was that my hormones were creating enough to make me sick, therefore, making a baby as well.
I managed to get over it for enough time to play in the basement with the kids. We just glued some felt pieces together of Zoe's choosing and made stuffed bears with cotton balls. It was pretty fun actually.
Then I checked Facebook. The news I found was astounding. A friend from the past I had known wanted a baby. They tried for years. We talked of Supernatural Childbirth when I was pregnant with Zoe and how it had inspired us both.
Since then, she and her husband adopted two children. The oldest just turned 5. About the number of years they have been trying to conceive. I think the younger one is close to 2. Adoptions take awhile and in the meantime, being a mommy, she quit her job. And a week after the adoptions were final, found out she was pregnant.
16 weeks along now, the miracle still seems shocking. Why now? Why not 5 years ago, 2 years ago, why now? God's timing doesn't always make sense to us, but it doesn't mean we stop trusting Him.
Here's my article on my own supernatural childbirth experience:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979011276
It was not a fun day with morning sickness creeping into every second of it. It was now called all-day sickness. The good side of it was that my hormones were creating enough to make me sick, therefore, making a baby as well.
I managed to get over it for enough time to play in the basement with the kids. We just glued some felt pieces together of Zoe's choosing and made stuffed bears with cotton balls. It was pretty fun actually.
Then I checked Facebook. The news I found was astounding. A friend from the past I had known wanted a baby. They tried for years. We talked of Supernatural Childbirth when I was pregnant with Zoe and how it had inspired us both.
Since then, she and her husband adopted two children. The oldest just turned 5. About the number of years they have been trying to conceive. I think the younger one is close to 2. Adoptions take awhile and in the meantime, being a mommy, she quit her job. And a week after the adoptions were final, found out she was pregnant.
16 weeks along now, the miracle still seems shocking. Why now? Why not 5 years ago, 2 years ago, why now? God's timing doesn't always make sense to us, but it doesn't mean we stop trusting Him.
Here's my article on my own supernatural childbirth experience:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979011276
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Day 12 - The Ugly Duckling
February 1, 2011
As woman, we battle with our image all our lives. Chloe was standing in front of the mirror sucking in her belly today, just out of 2 year old innocent fun. But it made me say "yeah, that's what us girls pretty much do all our lives." Her little belly stuck out just like it should and her thick little thighs were just that...thick. So why the drama 20 years later if we still look the same!
I was sitting behind her brushing her hair prior to this, and when she moved I saw myself in the mirror. Gaunt, dark circles, pale, neck bones sticking out. I felt like an ugly duckling. Way too skinny and no shape at all. That post partum, shrinkage in the breast area and flatness in the butt area, hasn't helped either. And being sick last week of course made loosing more weight a really depressing event.
You might want to say, 'shut up at least your skinny' about now but I want to clarify something.
Being skinny, thin, and fitting into pre-wedding jeans, does not mean a person is beautiful or confident or suddenly happy with their self image. When my husband doesn't find me sexy anymore, it makes me wish I had a 14 oz steak and loaded potatoes to eat and gain 10 pounds overnight (ohh and a cheesecake!) It's not an insult, it's honesty. I want to feel beautiful for myself of course and confident in who I am, but as a wife, more than anything, I want to be beautiful for him. We all know what our husbands love about us, and I know skinny, is not in his top 10 favorite things about me.
So here's the good news! Being pregnant means gaining lots of weight and getting ginormous breasts once again! At least that's what I tell him.
Morale of the story is, if you are trying too loose weight and you see 'skinny' people around you, just know that some of us are trying to gain weight and we might feel exactly the same about ourselves at the moment. I know that when I deliver baby and I have 30 pounds to loose again, I will try to not see those around me and say "at least your skinny." Because I want to be happy with myself where I feel best and feel confident for my husband. And that might mean only loosing 20 pounds of baby weight and giving up the bragging rights to my designer jeans.
Check out this post for Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978427318
As woman, we battle with our image all our lives. Chloe was standing in front of the mirror sucking in her belly today, just out of 2 year old innocent fun. But it made me say "yeah, that's what us girls pretty much do all our lives." Her little belly stuck out just like it should and her thick little thighs were just that...thick. So why the drama 20 years later if we still look the same!
I was sitting behind her brushing her hair prior to this, and when she moved I saw myself in the mirror. Gaunt, dark circles, pale, neck bones sticking out. I felt like an ugly duckling. Way too skinny and no shape at all. That post partum, shrinkage in the breast area and flatness in the butt area, hasn't helped either. And being sick last week of course made loosing more weight a really depressing event.
You might want to say, 'shut up at least your skinny' about now but I want to clarify something.
Being skinny, thin, and fitting into pre-wedding jeans, does not mean a person is beautiful or confident or suddenly happy with their self image. When my husband doesn't find me sexy anymore, it makes me wish I had a 14 oz steak and loaded potatoes to eat and gain 10 pounds overnight (ohh and a cheesecake!) It's not an insult, it's honesty. I want to feel beautiful for myself of course and confident in who I am, but as a wife, more than anything, I want to be beautiful for him. We all know what our husbands love about us, and I know skinny, is not in his top 10 favorite things about me.
So here's the good news! Being pregnant means gaining lots of weight and getting ginormous breasts once again! At least that's what I tell him.
Morale of the story is, if you are trying too loose weight and you see 'skinny' people around you, just know that some of us are trying to gain weight and we might feel exactly the same about ourselves at the moment. I know that when I deliver baby and I have 30 pounds to loose again, I will try to not see those around me and say "at least your skinny." Because I want to be happy with myself where I feel best and feel confident for my husband. And that might mean only loosing 20 pounds of baby weight and giving up the bragging rights to my designer jeans.
Check out this post for Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978427318
Monday, January 31, 2011
Day 11 - Oh To Sleep Again
January 31, 2011
I finally released my first 10 days so you might have been swarmed with blog-posts from me. Sorry about that. I had to wait, but now, everynight for the next, oh lets see, Feb to Sept is around 8 months divided by, well I'm 6 weeks, so that multiplied by, and that equals....roughly 238 days before my due date, I plan on writing an update. Someday my pregnant daughters can read these too!
Today I remembered why girls are awesome! Because they BEG to help clean! I had one scrubing the toilet with the brush and one wiping down the sink. Then Zoe begged me to clean my bathroom and hers after that. I was ready for a break but oh, not her. She sprayed and wiped down the outside of our shower while singing. It was glorious! I just have to keep this up for the next 15 years!
I'm feeling pregnant so that is a great sign. A little off with some nausea and constant hunger but nothing sounds good. That's about how it goes for me. And I napped on the couch for an hour (well my eyes were closed at least) which I hope will help the black holes I have caving in around my eyes from lack of beauty sleep. I rearranged the girls sleeping arrangements (again) to find the best solution to my problem (constant waking up for children over and over all night). With the two heavy sleepers in one room, (Zoe, won't wake if Stella cries for a midnight nursing, and Stella won't wake from Zoe stirring) then Chloe in her own room again in the crib that she can't get out of where it's dark and quiet...I SHOULD get some sleep tonight.
Then maybe I will tackle the taxes tomorrow because I won't have anymore excuses.
Only 4 or so more weeks before I can do the DNA gender test so I need my tax return so we can buy that test and find out the gender of this baby!!!
I finally released my first 10 days so you might have been swarmed with blog-posts from me. Sorry about that. I had to wait, but now, everynight for the next, oh lets see, Feb to Sept is around 8 months divided by, well I'm 6 weeks, so that multiplied by, and that equals....roughly 238 days before my due date, I plan on writing an update. Someday my pregnant daughters can read these too!
Today I remembered why girls are awesome! Because they BEG to help clean! I had one scrubing the toilet with the brush and one wiping down the sink. Then Zoe begged me to clean my bathroom and hers after that. I was ready for a break but oh, not her. She sprayed and wiped down the outside of our shower while singing. It was glorious! I just have to keep this up for the next 15 years!
I'm feeling pregnant so that is a great sign. A little off with some nausea and constant hunger but nothing sounds good. That's about how it goes for me. And I napped on the couch for an hour (well my eyes were closed at least) which I hope will help the black holes I have caving in around my eyes from lack of beauty sleep. I rearranged the girls sleeping arrangements (again) to find the best solution to my problem (constant waking up for children over and over all night). With the two heavy sleepers in one room, (Zoe, won't wake if Stella cries for a midnight nursing, and Stella won't wake from Zoe stirring) then Chloe in her own room again in the crib that she can't get out of where it's dark and quiet...I SHOULD get some sleep tonight.
Then maybe I will tackle the taxes tomorrow because I won't have anymore excuses.
Only 4 or so more weeks before I can do the DNA gender test so I need my tax return so we can buy that test and find out the gender of this baby!!!
Day 10 - What Are We Going To Name Him Again?
January 30, 2011
The cat is out of the bag now as we revealed the pregnancy to our families tonight. It was a pretty quiet reaction and I wasn't sure weather it was shock, joy or fear. The evening just sort of moved on to the next topic. I think they are as shocked as we were last week. But as we ate I asked Zoe publicly if she wanted to tell everyone what was in mommy's tummy. She smiled her incredible dimpled grin and got excited. "A baby boy is in mommy's tummy!" She was very confident and has not wavered from her proclamation that this is a boy, even once. I asked her what we were going to name him and she looked at my mom and dad on the right and said confused that she couldn't tell, then leaned over to ask me.
Of course at 6 weeks along I have no idea what our little lentil bean is growing up to be. I just know that it's growing (and have my fingers crossed).
Here's another one of my posts from Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978426163
The cat is out of the bag now as we revealed the pregnancy to our families tonight. It was a pretty quiet reaction and I wasn't sure weather it was shock, joy or fear. The evening just sort of moved on to the next topic. I think they are as shocked as we were last week. But as we ate I asked Zoe publicly if she wanted to tell everyone what was in mommy's tummy. She smiled her incredible dimpled grin and got excited. "A baby boy is in mommy's tummy!" She was very confident and has not wavered from her proclamation that this is a boy, even once. I asked her what we were going to name him and she looked at my mom and dad on the right and said confused that she couldn't tell, then leaned over to ask me.
Of course at 6 weeks along I have no idea what our little lentil bean is growing up to be. I just know that it's growing (and have my fingers crossed).
Here's another one of my posts from Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978426163
Day 9 - Another Lesson on Sacrifice
January 29, 2011
Becoming a mother is another way of saying "sacrificing self" and sometimes we forget to embrace that. Well, at least I do. A very windy day sent us to the library instead of the park, which the girls didn't mind at all. Even Stella was crawling around following a 2 year old boy like the plague. She played with every toy he touched but I don't think he thought it was as adorable as we did. I was starving all day, and I wasn't sure if it was due to Stella nursing so much lately due to her teething, or if it was the baby trying to grow and tired of starving over the past 3 days. So I ate, and played and ate again, and some laundry and ate again and made dinner and put the girls to bed and that's when the sacrifice came into play again.
I was laying with Zoe and Chloe after 45 minutes of the bedtime battle and I was so hungry. I started to fall asleep before they did so I got up and they came trotting out just a fem minutes later. Again we tucked in and I was just feeling frustration while I sang "grace and peace, may the Lord give you peace..." It dawned on me then.
What is my problem! I chose to be a mother and it is my job and my love and my life and all I want to do. But did I forget that every child must be put to bed every night? That is part of motherhood and during those first 5 years, can be pretty challenging for any mother as their child learns to go to sleep. I let it get to me every night. I think of all the chores I need to do or bills to pay or emails to write and once a week the only show I like, I want to go watch. It's ridiculous. I huff and puff to Davey as he relaxes downstairs but realizing he is usually working every night and this is his actual night to be home in the evening. I was ashamed. Sure I can't sip wine and watch recorded episodes of The Real Housewives... or shop online on my computer for some new shoes, or even just sit in bed and read that book Shannon let me borrow.
But I can lay in bed and cuddle with my amazing little girls. I can carress their cheeks and brush back their hair and hold their tiny hands while I pray in their ear and sing lullabay about God's grace and peace in their lives. I can nurse Stella as she pokes me in the face with her finger she just learned to point and rock her and smell her baby skin while singing, "you are my sunshine." And in a few years, they will go to bed when told. They won't need my touch to help them relax or my voice to ease them into peaceful rest. And one day they will not even be home for me to tuck in and I will have to pray for them across town. So I remember today that tomorrow will be different. I will change my outlook and my attitude but most of all my heart. I am blessed to have children to tuck in and I will do my best to treat bedtime as a blessing....no matter how cold my incredible green chili smothered, pork burrito gets while waiting for me in the kitchen all alone in the microwave because I am starving again, even though I ate one 2 hours ago. *sigh* Pregnancy and Motherhood. Never mastered but still go hand in hand.
Check out my latest post on Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978942090
Becoming a mother is another way of saying "sacrificing self" and sometimes we forget to embrace that. Well, at least I do. A very windy day sent us to the library instead of the park, which the girls didn't mind at all. Even Stella was crawling around following a 2 year old boy like the plague. She played with every toy he touched but I don't think he thought it was as adorable as we did. I was starving all day, and I wasn't sure if it was due to Stella nursing so much lately due to her teething, or if it was the baby trying to grow and tired of starving over the past 3 days. So I ate, and played and ate again, and some laundry and ate again and made dinner and put the girls to bed and that's when the sacrifice came into play again.
I was laying with Zoe and Chloe after 45 minutes of the bedtime battle and I was so hungry. I started to fall asleep before they did so I got up and they came trotting out just a fem minutes later. Again we tucked in and I was just feeling frustration while I sang "grace and peace, may the Lord give you peace..." It dawned on me then.
What is my problem! I chose to be a mother and it is my job and my love and my life and all I want to do. But did I forget that every child must be put to bed every night? That is part of motherhood and during those first 5 years, can be pretty challenging for any mother as their child learns to go to sleep. I let it get to me every night. I think of all the chores I need to do or bills to pay or emails to write and once a week the only show I like, I want to go watch. It's ridiculous. I huff and puff to Davey as he relaxes downstairs but realizing he is usually working every night and this is his actual night to be home in the evening. I was ashamed. Sure I can't sip wine and watch recorded episodes of The Real Housewives... or shop online on my computer for some new shoes, or even just sit in bed and read that book Shannon let me borrow.
But I can lay in bed and cuddle with my amazing little girls. I can carress their cheeks and brush back their hair and hold their tiny hands while I pray in their ear and sing lullabay about God's grace and peace in their lives. I can nurse Stella as she pokes me in the face with her finger she just learned to point and rock her and smell her baby skin while singing, "you are my sunshine." And in a few years, they will go to bed when told. They won't need my touch to help them relax or my voice to ease them into peaceful rest. And one day they will not even be home for me to tuck in and I will have to pray for them across town. So I remember today that tomorrow will be different. I will change my outlook and my attitude but most of all my heart. I am blessed to have children to tuck in and I will do my best to treat bedtime as a blessing....no matter how cold my incredible green chili smothered, pork burrito gets while waiting for me in the kitchen all alone in the microwave because I am starving again, even though I ate one 2 hours ago. *sigh* Pregnancy and Motherhood. Never mastered but still go hand in hand.
Check out my latest post on Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978942090
Day 8 - I Left My Heart in California, Well Part Of It
January 28, 2011
I've been waiting for this horrid stomach virus to pass so I can know if I am experiencing real pregnancy symptoms or if its just my brain. Maybe it's still a lingering nervousness in my digestive system. I'm slightly afraid to eat despite feeling good yet when I passed by the donought shop on the way to the bank, everything in me screamed STOP AND EAT !!!! But I passed by, reluctantly.
So we spent the day eating light snacks and enjoying the amazing sunny Colorado day. Finally taking down the Christmas lights out front and drawing chalk sketches on the driveway, even taking the baby dolls on walks around the block.
I was reminded of how blessed we are to have a home for our kids. Not just a home, but our own home that we can make and call our own. It feels strange at times to look around and not see anything I expected to see as my kids were growing up: Family in every town, friends up every street, church functions we had childhood memories up and traditions I would continue with my own kids. Leaving California wasn't easy and there are days it still isn't easy. When Zoe wants to know who's on the phone and I saw Auntie Shannon or Grandpa Stan and she doesn't really understand who I'm talking about. When they received Christmas gifts from Uncle Justin and Traci and the Gyori's, I felt saddened that they couldn't witness the girls opening them, and seeing their reactions, and cherishing who these girls are. Growing up with my own group of friends and planning how our own kids would one day grow up together, is hard to swallow when it isn't happening. Isabelle B. will be 7 years old this year! What! When? How? Graycee is turning 3 and I've never heard her even talk or watched her play. Josiah and Noah are across the Atlantic ocean with their daddy fighting for our country and mama enduring the gloomy English weather. Jaylina is a pastor now and we haven't had a late night conversation in the dark for about 10 years. Christine is still in Hawaii and that's ok because she's not in CA to miss when I think about it, but I'm so proud of all her adventures she experiences. My sister is learning to be a mommy too and we don't get to see the cousins playing and celebrating their first birthdays together. Uncle Brad has a new wife, and boy would auntie Grace be an awesome niece-sitter for date nights. The girls love her! Grandpa's about 73 now and his memory might now allow him to even remember I have 3 girls let alone understand #4 is on the way.
And I really need Tammi in person sometimes. And I need to see all the kids growing up, driving, deciding on colleges and not even knowing my girls and who they are or what they are like.
So you see, after I reminisce in all that I am missing, I get a call from Crystal up the street to go see a movie next week, no hubbys or kids, and we make plans for a game night so she can whoop Davey's butt again at a random board game. Shannon, next door brings over a book for me to borrow and I share all my winter prego clothes with her. We plan a walk with the kids next week and talk about our growing bellies and hope we both have baby boys to play together. Mimi asks to see the girls and let us go on a date night and my dad helps us remodel another bathroom. Yes, I look around my life in Colorado I see God's hand in all of it. New friends, family close by and 360 days of sunshine! So much opportunity ahead and I know that no matter where we go, where we raise our family, California is always in my heart and we won't let the girls forget about what we have there still. And of course after #4 is born, I get another reason to go visit and share our baby with everyone we love.
Check out my posts at Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978823897
I've been waiting for this horrid stomach virus to pass so I can know if I am experiencing real pregnancy symptoms or if its just my brain. Maybe it's still a lingering nervousness in my digestive system. I'm slightly afraid to eat despite feeling good yet when I passed by the donought shop on the way to the bank, everything in me screamed STOP AND EAT !!!! But I passed by, reluctantly.
So we spent the day eating light snacks and enjoying the amazing sunny Colorado day. Finally taking down the Christmas lights out front and drawing chalk sketches on the driveway, even taking the baby dolls on walks around the block.
I was reminded of how blessed we are to have a home for our kids. Not just a home, but our own home that we can make and call our own. It feels strange at times to look around and not see anything I expected to see as my kids were growing up: Family in every town, friends up every street, church functions we had childhood memories up and traditions I would continue with my own kids. Leaving California wasn't easy and there are days it still isn't easy. When Zoe wants to know who's on the phone and I saw Auntie Shannon or Grandpa Stan and she doesn't really understand who I'm talking about. When they received Christmas gifts from Uncle Justin and Traci and the Gyori's, I felt saddened that they couldn't witness the girls opening them, and seeing their reactions, and cherishing who these girls are. Growing up with my own group of friends and planning how our own kids would one day grow up together, is hard to swallow when it isn't happening. Isabelle B. will be 7 years old this year! What! When? How? Graycee is turning 3 and I've never heard her even talk or watched her play. Josiah and Noah are across the Atlantic ocean with their daddy fighting for our country and mama enduring the gloomy English weather. Jaylina is a pastor now and we haven't had a late night conversation in the dark for about 10 years. Christine is still in Hawaii and that's ok because she's not in CA to miss when I think about it, but I'm so proud of all her adventures she experiences. My sister is learning to be a mommy too and we don't get to see the cousins playing and celebrating their first birthdays together. Uncle Brad has a new wife, and boy would auntie Grace be an awesome niece-sitter for date nights. The girls love her! Grandpa's about 73 now and his memory might now allow him to even remember I have 3 girls let alone understand #4 is on the way.
And I really need Tammi in person sometimes. And I need to see all the kids growing up, driving, deciding on colleges and not even knowing my girls and who they are or what they are like.
So you see, after I reminisce in all that I am missing, I get a call from Crystal up the street to go see a movie next week, no hubbys or kids, and we make plans for a game night so she can whoop Davey's butt again at a random board game. Shannon, next door brings over a book for me to borrow and I share all my winter prego clothes with her. We plan a walk with the kids next week and talk about our growing bellies and hope we both have baby boys to play together. Mimi asks to see the girls and let us go on a date night and my dad helps us remodel another bathroom. Yes, I look around my life in Colorado I see God's hand in all of it. New friends, family close by and 360 days of sunshine! So much opportunity ahead and I know that no matter where we go, where we raise our family, California is always in my heart and we won't let the girls forget about what we have there still. And of course after #4 is born, I get another reason to go visit and share our baby with everyone we love.
Check out my posts at Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978823897
Day 7 - To Be Or Not To Be?
January 27, 2010
To be pregnant that is. I mean, yes I am pregnant, yet when my Dr. called today with my HCG levels at 5,000 I was a bit nervous. If they should double every other day, then I should have been closer to 7,000. So that with my progesterone being 4 points low, made me worry.
The thing is, this is God's baby right? He plans everyone. So I must give this to Him and not live in fear of what might or might not happen. To be fearful, or not to be?
I pulled out my little book called Prayers and Promises for Supernatural Childbirth, which accompanies the original Supernatural Childbirth book that I feel in love with at age 12. This little pocket book is filled with scripture on childbearing and all that it encompasses. Reading God's promises to me was a reminder that I am not to just sit around waiting and almost expecting a miscarriage to occur. Just because It happened once does not mean it will always happen again.
I am to stand in faith and the promises of God's word and proclaim them over my family and our lives. That includes the little life inside of me. So that's what I am doing. That my vine will not cast down its fruit before its due time!
At the end of the day, I remember that God is in control IF I allow Him to be. He won't take over. He has given us all free will, as Tammi reminded me yesterday, and we make our own choices and we chose to be faithful and trust in God, or we chose not to be.
I tucked my girls in tonight, thankfully with the help of my dad who also brought dinner, occupied the kids while I cleaned up another spat of vomit, and put Stella down (thanks daddy). As Zoe and Chloe lay in bed with their messy hair all over the pillow and their 'bears' tucked close under their arms, I just smiled and thanked God for all His miracles. The ones before and the ones ahead. And whatever happens, I will stand of God's promises no matter what.
Check out my article on Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978426223
To be pregnant that is. I mean, yes I am pregnant, yet when my Dr. called today with my HCG levels at 5,000 I was a bit nervous. If they should double every other day, then I should have been closer to 7,000. So that with my progesterone being 4 points low, made me worry.
The thing is, this is God's baby right? He plans everyone. So I must give this to Him and not live in fear of what might or might not happen. To be fearful, or not to be?
I pulled out my little book called Prayers and Promises for Supernatural Childbirth, which accompanies the original Supernatural Childbirth book that I feel in love with at age 12. This little pocket book is filled with scripture on childbearing and all that it encompasses. Reading God's promises to me was a reminder that I am not to just sit around waiting and almost expecting a miscarriage to occur. Just because It happened once does not mean it will always happen again.
I am to stand in faith and the promises of God's word and proclaim them over my family and our lives. That includes the little life inside of me. So that's what I am doing. That my vine will not cast down its fruit before its due time!
At the end of the day, I remember that God is in control IF I allow Him to be. He won't take over. He has given us all free will, as Tammi reminded me yesterday, and we make our own choices and we chose to be faithful and trust in God, or we chose not to be.
I tucked my girls in tonight, thankfully with the help of my dad who also brought dinner, occupied the kids while I cleaned up another spat of vomit, and put Stella down (thanks daddy). As Zoe and Chloe lay in bed with their messy hair all over the pillow and their 'bears' tucked close under their arms, I just smiled and thanked God for all His miracles. The ones before and the ones ahead. And whatever happens, I will stand of God's promises no matter what.
Check out my article on Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978426223
Day 6 - Will This Pain Ever End?
January 26, 2011
Our normal routine was drastically interrupted today when I couldn't get my self together and spent the morning in a ball on the couch. Fortunately I knew this was not pregnancy related morning sickness or cramps at this point. I was just plan sick. It was like return of the stomach flu from last February when our 6 guests from California, and us and our two girls, all shared the stomach flu during Davey's birthday weekend.
I had to get myself to the lab to get my blood drawn for my second hormone count and I wasn't going to miss that. I wanted to see that my numbers were doubling and by our math on Monday, I should have been around 7,000 today. I will have to wait to hear from my Dr tomorrow because he probably won't call me at 8pm.
Fortunately I have amazing in-laws and since Zoe was feeling 100% herself today and kept food and drink down all day, they came and picked her up for a sleep over with her sister.
That left me and the couch to battle out this flu. Stella was a peach and cuddled or played. And I pray that I will feel 100% tomorrow. I miss my kids and we missed our craft and library time today and had to cancel our playdate for tomorrow.
But having my in-laws down the road and my parents not too far, reminds me how blessed I am to have family to call on. When I can't stand up long enough to make instant oatmeal, I have family who will cook and feed and bathe my girls with love and all the routines I put into place for them. To love my girls when I am pre-occupied in the restroom and can't give them the attention she need and deserve.
I can't wait to tell them on Sunday about our new baby on the way. I know they will be shocked as Davey and I were, but after December's events, I look at my girls and cherish them so much and look forward to holding this new baby's soft perfect little bundle, 8 months from now.
Check out my article on my favorite prego books on Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978426179
Our normal routine was drastically interrupted today when I couldn't get my self together and spent the morning in a ball on the couch. Fortunately I knew this was not pregnancy related morning sickness or cramps at this point. I was just plan sick. It was like return of the stomach flu from last February when our 6 guests from California, and us and our two girls, all shared the stomach flu during Davey's birthday weekend.
I had to get myself to the lab to get my blood drawn for my second hormone count and I wasn't going to miss that. I wanted to see that my numbers were doubling and by our math on Monday, I should have been around 7,000 today. I will have to wait to hear from my Dr tomorrow because he probably won't call me at 8pm.
Fortunately I have amazing in-laws and since Zoe was feeling 100% herself today and kept food and drink down all day, they came and picked her up for a sleep over with her sister.
That left me and the couch to battle out this flu. Stella was a peach and cuddled or played. And I pray that I will feel 100% tomorrow. I miss my kids and we missed our craft and library time today and had to cancel our playdate for tomorrow.
But having my in-laws down the road and my parents not too far, reminds me how blessed I am to have family to call on. When I can't stand up long enough to make instant oatmeal, I have family who will cook and feed and bathe my girls with love and all the routines I put into place for them. To love my girls when I am pre-occupied in the restroom and can't give them the attention she need and deserve.
I can't wait to tell them on Sunday about our new baby on the way. I know they will be shocked as Davey and I were, but after December's events, I look at my girls and cherish them so much and look forward to holding this new baby's soft perfect little bundle, 8 months from now.
Check out my article on my favorite prego books on Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978426179
Day 5 - Morning Sickness, Or?
January 25, 2011
Zoe woke throwing up last night. I wasn't feel that peachy myself. The ham and potato casserole I made the night before, made me run to the sink. What a horrid smell it was. I thought I was getting some morning sickness already and that made me feel good about my hormones being up.
But the day progressed and nothing got better. Chloe went to Mimi and Paps for the afternoon since she was healthy and Zoe and I bummed on the couch all day.
I begged God that I hoped this wasn't pregnancy symptoms and that I had whatever Zoe had because I didn't want to feel this way everyday for weeks. My other 3 pregnancies were very light on the morning sickness and although I was sensitive to smells and had to constantly eat, I didn't have the throwing up problem so many battle with during morning sickness.
Chloe got to spend the night at the in-laws which made bedtime very easy for me and my continuing cramps. Stella went down like a champ and Zoe and I cuddled in her room until I went to bed.
As my stomach cramping increased, I prayed against a miscarriage yet I also wanted God's will for our family. I am truly tired of trying to figure things out on my own. I have to surrender daily to God's constant knock on my heart to be a part of my daily life and our decisions. It felt good to take that weight off my shoulders and cast my cares upon Him. I know He cares for me. So why do I think I should stress over it all.
I will continue to pray for our baby and strength, health and safety for both my body and my tiny, growing sesame sized miracle. We are both in God's hands and that feels really good to know.
Check out my article on morning sickness at Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978433347
Zoe woke throwing up last night. I wasn't feel that peachy myself. The ham and potato casserole I made the night before, made me run to the sink. What a horrid smell it was. I thought I was getting some morning sickness already and that made me feel good about my hormones being up.
But the day progressed and nothing got better. Chloe went to Mimi and Paps for the afternoon since she was healthy and Zoe and I bummed on the couch all day.
I begged God that I hoped this wasn't pregnancy symptoms and that I had whatever Zoe had because I didn't want to feel this way everyday for weeks. My other 3 pregnancies were very light on the morning sickness and although I was sensitive to smells and had to constantly eat, I didn't have the throwing up problem so many battle with during morning sickness.
Chloe got to spend the night at the in-laws which made bedtime very easy for me and my continuing cramps. Stella went down like a champ and Zoe and I cuddled in her room until I went to bed.
As my stomach cramping increased, I prayed against a miscarriage yet I also wanted God's will for our family. I am truly tired of trying to figure things out on my own. I have to surrender daily to God's constant knock on my heart to be a part of my daily life and our decisions. It felt good to take that weight off my shoulders and cast my cares upon Him. I know He cares for me. So why do I think I should stress over it all.
I will continue to pray for our baby and strength, health and safety for both my body and my tiny, growing sesame sized miracle. We are both in God's hands and that feels really good to know.
Check out my article on morning sickness at Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978433347
Day 4 - Start The New Year With a Bang...Literally.
January 24, 2011
I got my bloodwork done today so we could confirm my pregnancy and track my HCG levels. That hormone starts at 0 and should double every other day in a healthy pregnancy.
On the websites that calculate your due date they ask for the first day of your last period and then guesstimate when you might have ovulated and so forth. My Dr said to use the miscarriage date as my last period day so in doing that they said I conceived around January 1st and would be due in late September.
So when my Dr. called me while making dinner and told me my bloodtest results, I wasn't shocked. We proceeded to do some math backwards and landed on conception date of January 1st. I can't believe I am that far along!! I thought I just conceived this week. Haha.
With only 1 ovary I still must say that I surprise myself constantly. My body didn't skip a beat. I ovulated exactly on time as always and bang. A baby.
It's exciting to know I'm technically already 5 weeks along, instead of the 5 days along that I thought I might be last week.
And once again, during prayers with the girls tonight, Zoe reminded me about our baby boy. She prayed for every member of our family and extended and I said not to forget the baby in my tummy, and she said, "ya our baby boy. What's should we name him again?"
God, I hope she is right! *wink, wink*
Here's one of my articles on Pampers, check it out:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978819963
I got my bloodwork done today so we could confirm my pregnancy and track my HCG levels. That hormone starts at 0 and should double every other day in a healthy pregnancy.
On the websites that calculate your due date they ask for the first day of your last period and then guesstimate when you might have ovulated and so forth. My Dr said to use the miscarriage date as my last period day so in doing that they said I conceived around January 1st and would be due in late September.
So when my Dr. called me while making dinner and told me my bloodtest results, I wasn't shocked. We proceeded to do some math backwards and landed on conception date of January 1st. I can't believe I am that far along!! I thought I just conceived this week. Haha.
With only 1 ovary I still must say that I surprise myself constantly. My body didn't skip a beat. I ovulated exactly on time as always and bang. A baby.
It's exciting to know I'm technically already 5 weeks along, instead of the 5 days along that I thought I might be last week.
And once again, during prayers with the girls tonight, Zoe reminded me about our baby boy. She prayed for every member of our family and extended and I said not to forget the baby in my tummy, and she said, "ya our baby boy. What's should we name him again?"
God, I hope she is right! *wink, wink*
Here's one of my articles on Pampers, check it out:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978819963
Day 3 - And Oh What A Day...
January 23, 2011
It's days, well mostly evenings around bedtime, like this that I say, "Why are you punishing me!" to no one in particular.
Trying to do pre-school things with a pre-schooler who is extremely motivated to use her scissors and cut millions of tiny pieces of paper up all over the house, while trying to train and discipline a toddler who just wants to push the boundaries all day long and scream she needs the toilet while ripping her clothes off, while trying to do baby things with a baby who is teething her 5 front top teeth all at once and just wants mama to hold her every single second or nurse her and love her....all while trying to fold 5 loads of laundry, proves to be quite difficult.
By the time bedtime comes around, I keep the same routine every single night. Dinner, then straight to baths (because Stella insists on feeding herself like a gorilla), to PJ's and warm milk, then to nursing Stella and her bed time, followed by teeth brushing the other two, book reading, last pee of the night, then lights out. Then tuck in, pat-pats, stars and moons, re-arranging, some screaming, back to Stella after she's woken from the screaming to, lights out again, tuck-in again, water, but just a tiny bit, lights out again, finding bear again....and so it goes.
I had to walk out twice so I wouldn't get angry. Frustration I can deal with, but when I look at the wooden spoon with a slight smile, I know I need to excuse myself from the situation.
I dream of the night I can tuck in my girls, give them kisses and walk out.
Sometimes I can lay between the toddler and the preschooler who might want the same thing at that point and hold them both and we all fall asleep together. Yes it might be 8:30pm but I started this at 7 or maybe even 6:30pm and I am begging to sleep. When I wake and realize it's 10pm and I look around the house and it still looks like Edward Scissor-Hands was over visiting, I just come downstairs to write about it.
The glorious moments of parenthood are not always perfect, but they are glorious. I might miss falling asleep with my girls one day when they tell me to get out of their rooms and give them some privacy.
But I won't forget the best part of the tuck-in nightmare tonight, when I was praying with the girls and I thanked God for our new baby and asked God for protection and perfect health and Zoe interrupts and says, "our baby BOY, mom. What should we name him again?"
Check out this article on Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978691905
It's days, well mostly evenings around bedtime, like this that I say, "Why are you punishing me!" to no one in particular.
Trying to do pre-school things with a pre-schooler who is extremely motivated to use her scissors and cut millions of tiny pieces of paper up all over the house, while trying to train and discipline a toddler who just wants to push the boundaries all day long and scream she needs the toilet while ripping her clothes off, while trying to do baby things with a baby who is teething her 5 front top teeth all at once and just wants mama to hold her every single second or nurse her and love her....all while trying to fold 5 loads of laundry, proves to be quite difficult.
By the time bedtime comes around, I keep the same routine every single night. Dinner, then straight to baths (because Stella insists on feeding herself like a gorilla), to PJ's and warm milk, then to nursing Stella and her bed time, followed by teeth brushing the other two, book reading, last pee of the night, then lights out. Then tuck in, pat-pats, stars and moons, re-arranging, some screaming, back to Stella after she's woken from the screaming to, lights out again, tuck-in again, water, but just a tiny bit, lights out again, finding bear again....and so it goes.
I had to walk out twice so I wouldn't get angry. Frustration I can deal with, but when I look at the wooden spoon with a slight smile, I know I need to excuse myself from the situation.
I dream of the night I can tuck in my girls, give them kisses and walk out.
Sometimes I can lay between the toddler and the preschooler who might want the same thing at that point and hold them both and we all fall asleep together. Yes it might be 8:30pm but I started this at 7 or maybe even 6:30pm and I am begging to sleep. When I wake and realize it's 10pm and I look around the house and it still looks like Edward Scissor-Hands was over visiting, I just come downstairs to write about it.
The glorious moments of parenthood are not always perfect, but they are glorious. I might miss falling asleep with my girls one day when they tell me to get out of their rooms and give them some privacy.
But I won't forget the best part of the tuck-in nightmare tonight, when I was praying with the girls and I thanked God for our new baby and asked God for protection and perfect health and Zoe interrupts and says, "our baby BOY, mom. What should we name him again?"
Check out this article on Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978691905
Day 2 - Time to Surrender
January 22, 2011
Even though going to church tonight was a battle with three tired toddler/babies that somehow all spilled something on themselves or pulled out their hair prior to entering the building....it was well worth it.
I have been praying everyday for weeks now about a business opportunity. I felt a lot of wishy-washy feelings about it at first but really wanted to go for it. When I found out about the twin pregnancy in December I let the plan go to focus on our family. Then after the miscarriage I felt free and ready and excited to jump in head first.
I had done all the prepping I could think of starting with a business plan and getting lots of feedback from family. I was praying just making sure this was a good thing for me to get into. It was a 3 year commitment, a financial commitment and something I didn't want to fail at.
So I sent in my application for approval from the franchise and the next day I sign up for my first step of training.
Then, I take a pregnancy test....Boom! Baby on the way.
Of course I'm thinking how this can even be. After a miscarriage just 4 weeks ago, the safety and health of this baby is on my mind. I don't want to go through that again. I want this baby. But then again, I didn't want a baby anytime soon. It wasn't something we planned for or even really wanted for 6-12 months. So why on earth is God giving me another baby now? I ask Him what He is doing and why He is doing it now.
But then what about this business? I start to wonder if I can do it pregnant and I ask God direction in the decision making for this business. I want to do it so bad! Our family needs another source of income especially with another baby. But there are so many unknowns.
Then here we are sitting in church, which we haven't been to this particular church we love for about 5 months, and halfway through the service it all hits me. Pastor Jim is talking about pride and how it destroys our lives and keeps us from trusting God fully and having faith in Him. He talks about the love of money and how the man who asked how to inherit eternal life in the Bible, was sad when Jesus told him to sell everything, give it to the poor and follow him. The man couldn't and wouldn't release that sense of security and control he had in his wealth, to trust Jesus fully. He was religious but he had this backup plan in case God didn't come through and wouldn't let go of it. So, he walked away from Jesus.
I'm sitting there imagining myself as that man, trying to run a new business, trying to find a way to create income for our family. Trying over and over again to think of new ways to start a business or take control of our families financial situation to improve it. I'm in control, I have the prideful confidence that is saying, I can do something! I know I can. And that's all I think about.
How is it that I am so caught up in taking control and trying to create a sense of security for our family by something I think I can do....wonder woman, while being a wife and pregnant mom as well.
I started crying thinking of myself as a mother and this gift God has blessed Davey and I with. Why have we been blessed with these children? Why another baby right now? When I wanted to take control of everything and run it all and make us more secure! Now, I have to focus on a pregnancy.
Well, I realized then that it isn't my job. I need to let it rest. I need to stop trying to do it all and truly put my trust in God and His plan for our lives. Do I not trust Him so much that I have to go through all these crazy things because I'm afraid our family won't have enough of what we need?
I say that I have surrendered my fertility to God. That it is what Davey and I decided long ago.
But then I'm freaking about about being pregnant and having twins a month ago and frustrated with the timing and then I loose them and I am humbled and I miss my babies.
Then here I am again. Questioning God's plans for our family and this baby after surrendering our fertility to Him before we were even married and supposedly trusting His plan for our family and children. What a hypocrite I am!
We don't use birth control to interfere with our fertility, yet I order these ovulation tests to try and avoid pregnancy.
Isn't that my "backup" plan. So I can take control of things with a business so we don't have more than we can handle, just in case God gives us too much because He has no idea what he is doing??
HA! What am I thinking!!!!
I sit here tonight humbled. With my questions answered. Yes God, I will not be foolish and turn away from you because I am afraid to trust you. I will not continue to exhaust myself by trying to financially secure our family because it isn't what you want from me. You want my complete trust. You want me to be willing to surrender it to you and allow you complete control. Because I trust you.
I don't need a backup plan because you will never fail me. You have everyday of my life and every child I will bear, planned and accounted for.
How dare I think that I can control any of it.
I re-surrender that to you. Thank you for this baby.
Check out my birth control article on Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978683596
Even though going to church tonight was a battle with three tired toddler/babies that somehow all spilled something on themselves or pulled out their hair prior to entering the building....it was well worth it.
I have been praying everyday for weeks now about a business opportunity. I felt a lot of wishy-washy feelings about it at first but really wanted to go for it. When I found out about the twin pregnancy in December I let the plan go to focus on our family. Then after the miscarriage I felt free and ready and excited to jump in head first.
I had done all the prepping I could think of starting with a business plan and getting lots of feedback from family. I was praying just making sure this was a good thing for me to get into. It was a 3 year commitment, a financial commitment and something I didn't want to fail at.
So I sent in my application for approval from the franchise and the next day I sign up for my first step of training.
Then, I take a pregnancy test....Boom! Baby on the way.
Of course I'm thinking how this can even be. After a miscarriage just 4 weeks ago, the safety and health of this baby is on my mind. I don't want to go through that again. I want this baby. But then again, I didn't want a baby anytime soon. It wasn't something we planned for or even really wanted for 6-12 months. So why on earth is God giving me another baby now? I ask Him what He is doing and why He is doing it now.
But then what about this business? I start to wonder if I can do it pregnant and I ask God direction in the decision making for this business. I want to do it so bad! Our family needs another source of income especially with another baby. But there are so many unknowns.
Then here we are sitting in church, which we haven't been to this particular church we love for about 5 months, and halfway through the service it all hits me. Pastor Jim is talking about pride and how it destroys our lives and keeps us from trusting God fully and having faith in Him. He talks about the love of money and how the man who asked how to inherit eternal life in the Bible, was sad when Jesus told him to sell everything, give it to the poor and follow him. The man couldn't and wouldn't release that sense of security and control he had in his wealth, to trust Jesus fully. He was religious but he had this backup plan in case God didn't come through and wouldn't let go of it. So, he walked away from Jesus.
I'm sitting there imagining myself as that man, trying to run a new business, trying to find a way to create income for our family. Trying over and over again to think of new ways to start a business or take control of our families financial situation to improve it. I'm in control, I have the prideful confidence that is saying, I can do something! I know I can. And that's all I think about.
How is it that I am so caught up in taking control and trying to create a sense of security for our family by something I think I can do....wonder woman, while being a wife and pregnant mom as well.
I started crying thinking of myself as a mother and this gift God has blessed Davey and I with. Why have we been blessed with these children? Why another baby right now? When I wanted to take control of everything and run it all and make us more secure! Now, I have to focus on a pregnancy.
Well, I realized then that it isn't my job. I need to let it rest. I need to stop trying to do it all and truly put my trust in God and His plan for our lives. Do I not trust Him so much that I have to go through all these crazy things because I'm afraid our family won't have enough of what we need?
I say that I have surrendered my fertility to God. That it is what Davey and I decided long ago.
But then I'm freaking about about being pregnant and having twins a month ago and frustrated with the timing and then I loose them and I am humbled and I miss my babies.
Then here I am again. Questioning God's plans for our family and this baby after surrendering our fertility to Him before we were even married and supposedly trusting His plan for our family and children. What a hypocrite I am!
We don't use birth control to interfere with our fertility, yet I order these ovulation tests to try and avoid pregnancy.
Isn't that my "backup" plan. So I can take control of things with a business so we don't have more than we can handle, just in case God gives us too much because He has no idea what he is doing??
HA! What am I thinking!!!!
I sit here tonight humbled. With my questions answered. Yes God, I will not be foolish and turn away from you because I am afraid to trust you. I will not continue to exhaust myself by trying to financially secure our family because it isn't what you want from me. You want my complete trust. You want me to be willing to surrender it to you and allow you complete control. Because I trust you.
I don't need a backup plan because you will never fail me. You have everyday of my life and every child I will bear, planned and accounted for.
How dare I think that I can control any of it.
I re-surrender that to you. Thank you for this baby.
Check out my birth control article on Pampers:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978683596
Day 1 - Opps, I Did It Again
January 21, 2011
Today is Day 1 of knowing I am pregnant. This is pregnancy #5 in less than five years of marriage.
I'm feeling a lot of shock and confusion. I have so many decisions to make on a new business I was about to purchase, on activities I was starting Zoe and Chloe in and just new goals and visions for our family this year.
Not expecting or really wanting to get pregnant for awhile, I am still in disbelief.
Then I think about my baby and I just smile. It was just Tuesday I sat by two pregnant woman at a MOPS meeting. I even told them, just seeing them made me want to...ooooh! Just being pregnant is so exciting.
I wonder how this pregnancy will be after a miscarriage barely a month ago.
I wonder who this baby will be. Could it be multiples again? Chances are slim, but you never know.
I think about holding my baby and I reflect on how much I love my 10 month old Stella sleeping upstairs. How I could kiss and squeeze and cuddle her every second of everyday and never have enough. How I panicked and cried when I found out we were expecting with her almost two summers ago while Davey was jobless and we had just moved 2 states away from our friends and family.
And then how I wanted a boy so bad and even felt some disappointment at first when I was told our baby was another girl.
Stella turned out to be my perfect dream birth, my perfect baby and the most amazing, joyous 10 months I could have imagined. She is incredible.
I know this baby will be too. This time, I push all the crazy feelings aside and reflect on the miracle that this baby is and will be. Whomever this baby is, God has a perfect plan. And I can't wait to see it unfold.
Check out my Pampers article:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978426207
Today is Day 1 of knowing I am pregnant. This is pregnancy #5 in less than five years of marriage.
I'm feeling a lot of shock and confusion. I have so many decisions to make on a new business I was about to purchase, on activities I was starting Zoe and Chloe in and just new goals and visions for our family this year.
Not expecting or really wanting to get pregnant for awhile, I am still in disbelief.
Then I think about my baby and I just smile. It was just Tuesday I sat by two pregnant woman at a MOPS meeting. I even told them, just seeing them made me want to...ooooh! Just being pregnant is so exciting.
I wonder how this pregnancy will be after a miscarriage barely a month ago.
I wonder who this baby will be. Could it be multiples again? Chances are slim, but you never know.
I think about holding my baby and I reflect on how much I love my 10 month old Stella sleeping upstairs. How I could kiss and squeeze and cuddle her every second of everyday and never have enough. How I panicked and cried when I found out we were expecting with her almost two summers ago while Davey was jobless and we had just moved 2 states away from our friends and family.
And then how I wanted a boy so bad and even felt some disappointment at first when I was told our baby was another girl.
Stella turned out to be my perfect dream birth, my perfect baby and the most amazing, joyous 10 months I could have imagined. She is incredible.
I know this baby will be too. This time, I push all the crazy feelings aside and reflect on the miracle that this baby is and will be. Whomever this baby is, God has a perfect plan. And I can't wait to see it unfold.
Check out my Pampers article:
http://pregnancy.pampers.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978426207
Saturday, January 22, 2011
OMG!!!!
I'm feeling a million emotions. Maybe I will throw up. Maybe I should cry. Scream....(not in the office, no not appropriate). I'm sweating. I can't stop shaking. I'm scared to death. Really. Excitement. Joy. OH MY GOSH! Freaking out. Panic is setting in. Now I'm laughing. Uncontrollably. Is this a joke? God?? Hello there???? Are you seeing this? Are you really in on this???
Truly, I wasn't expecting a baby right now. Then spotting and panic. Now, seeing the little tiny heart beat I'm relieved and a bit teary. There's my baby. Real, alive, and growing. The thing is, there's another one right below it. Yes. Another heart beat.
Yes, that equals 2. Two. TWO!!!!
I think the appropriate word for this is twins. And according to the calculations I just received....they are due before my oldest turns 4. Yes that means in less than 9 months I will have 5 children under the age of 4. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They do run in my family. But who knew. (I sure didn't).
Truly, I wasn't expecting a baby right now. Then spotting and panic. Now, seeing the little tiny heart beat I'm relieved and a bit teary. There's my baby. Real, alive, and growing. The thing is, there's another one right below it. Yes. Another heart beat.
Yes, that equals 2. Two. TWO!!!!
I think the appropriate word for this is twins. And according to the calculations I just received....they are due before my oldest turns 4. Yes that means in less than 9 months I will have 5 children under the age of 4. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They do run in my family. But who knew. (I sure didn't).
Why, Why, Why?
December was a tough month for us.
On the second, we found out we were pregnant with #4. It was crazy and exciting and shocking all at once. I was still nursing Stella who was 7 months at the time of conception. But we didn't find out until we were 5 weeks.
On the tenth, after a great workout, I started bleeding so naturally called the OB I had seen prior to my midwife and he sent me in for an ultra sound. That night was amazing.
I saw an image I will never forget. Two beating hearts. I remember the technician saying "huh?" and tilting her head. I looked at the screen and started shaking. "No way." I said, "don't tell me." She looked at me and asked what I saw and I said, "there are two!"
The Xray tech confirmed they were identical sharing the same sack and the same placenta and I was 6 weeks exactly.
I was so shocked and totally in disbelief. Twins. Before my oldest turned 4. That would mean, 5 babies under that age of 4. OMG!
Well, the bleeding didn't let up and on the 13th I had my blood work done then went back for another check up on the 15th. By then we already knew my progesterone and my Hormone levels seemed low, especially for twins.
Well the ultrasound only showed us 1 baby with no beating heart.
The next 3 days I spent in cramping pain physically and the loss of my babies emotionally. I had already picked names. Silly me.
On Saturday the 18th, I woke gushing blood all down my pants at 4 am. By 5:30am I was soaking my third pad and after 10 minutes of bleeding in the shower, I felt light headed so we called Mother in Law to come stay with the girls and went to the ER.
I had a D&C that day as there was so much tissue left that the misscarriage bleeding could have lasted for weeks on end.
I prayed for God's will for those babies. If they were not whole and healthy babies, of course I would not want to beg for a life of misery here on earth. So, they are with Jesus now and I will never know why, but I will never forget those two beating hearts. My babies #4 and #5.
They will always be "my babies" and I believe someday I will know them in heaven.
On the second, we found out we were pregnant with #4. It was crazy and exciting and shocking all at once. I was still nursing Stella who was 7 months at the time of conception. But we didn't find out until we were 5 weeks.
On the tenth, after a great workout, I started bleeding so naturally called the OB I had seen prior to my midwife and he sent me in for an ultra sound. That night was amazing.
I saw an image I will never forget. Two beating hearts. I remember the technician saying "huh?" and tilting her head. I looked at the screen and started shaking. "No way." I said, "don't tell me." She looked at me and asked what I saw and I said, "there are two!"
The Xray tech confirmed they were identical sharing the same sack and the same placenta and I was 6 weeks exactly.
I was so shocked and totally in disbelief. Twins. Before my oldest turned 4. That would mean, 5 babies under that age of 4. OMG!
Well, the bleeding didn't let up and on the 13th I had my blood work done then went back for another check up on the 15th. By then we already knew my progesterone and my Hormone levels seemed low, especially for twins.
Well the ultrasound only showed us 1 baby with no beating heart.
The next 3 days I spent in cramping pain physically and the loss of my babies emotionally. I had already picked names. Silly me.
On Saturday the 18th, I woke gushing blood all down my pants at 4 am. By 5:30am I was soaking my third pad and after 10 minutes of bleeding in the shower, I felt light headed so we called Mother in Law to come stay with the girls and went to the ER.
I had a D&C that day as there was so much tissue left that the misscarriage bleeding could have lasted for weeks on end.
I prayed for God's will for those babies. If they were not whole and healthy babies, of course I would not want to beg for a life of misery here on earth. So, they are with Jesus now and I will never know why, but I will never forget those two beating hearts. My babies #4 and #5.
They will always be "my babies" and I believe someday I will know them in heaven.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Chloe Turns Two And a Peak at Thanksgiving
Chloe's birthday was on Wednesday and Thanksgiving on Thursday, and we had her party Saturday. So it was a very busy week. All the girls had colds on Tuesday so that made it even longer. Chloe had a great day helping mommy cook and Zoe asking me all day why I wasn't making a birthday cake yet. Thanksgiving was celebrated at Diane and Bob's and we had a turkey cook off. Diane and I and my dad all made a turkey, side dish and dessert. It was pretty fun, and Diane even made up these voting cards for juciest, most flavorful and best presentation for the turkeys. Proudly, I won first place! Diane was a very close 2nd. I think her flavor was better than mine. And dad, well, he can try again, next year. Poor guy :( But his Apple Pie was awesome!
Chloe had a fun little party Saturday and I'll let the pictures tell the story.
Today is Sunday and we are all sick. Davey never left the couch, the girls were tired and still congested so we played with Chloe's new toys most of the day. And me, well, mom's don't get breaks so I took double dose of vitamins and OJ, some Advil for the headache and a 15 min nap on the couch and later a bath with all 3 girls, and I feel pretty good now.
Birthday girl starts her day out with her favorite.... raspberries, that were obviously sour. She ate the entire pack.
This is how we 'walk' Stella! LOL! We just grabbed this pacifier to keep Chloe's balloon down and Stella found it. She never takes a paci so it was pretty funny.
Oh, I just threw in my prize winning turkey for fun! Chloe's birthday was before Thanksgiving and her party was after. But my turkey was the center of it all!!
The girls said they needed a nap before Thanksgiving. So this is where they chose to lay.
Stella has discovered the play kitchen and is in there all the time pulling out dishes and putting things in the sink. At 8 months old she is keeping up quite well with her sisters.
The Butterfly Birthday cake I made for Chloe. It was a little different. Pumpkin cake with Chai spiced buttercream. I don't think I'll make it again soon but the girls sure liked it!
Birthday Party morning, daddy begs for kisses everyday and she leans in and puckers then turns her head and laughs or runs away.
The surprise trampoline for my crazy jumper! It's the couch, the beds, the cribs, anything that is bouncy so this is a great relief for my furniture.
Stella wasn't ready to jump, but she was still cute.
Sisters having fun together. I'm pretty sure Zoe opened all Chloe's presents and thinks they are just as much hers. Fortunately this trampoline was spelled out to be shared.
It's pretty cool that it fits right here in the basement. Eventually it will go outside when it warms up. Then I can really do up their playroom area.
PInata time. The bummer was we had friends coming over that both have girls that are also 2 years old, but all my kids had colds and Davey still had it coming on so we had to keep our friends healthy by not coming over. Chloe still had fun beating this butterfly. (I have no idea what papa Bob is looking at).
Deanna took some pictures from upstairs and the pinata mess looming below. The girls had the most fun picking candy to eat.
My birthday girl was a great candle blower. She blows with her top lip out and bottom lip in, and a bit of spray, but she did blow them both out!
I loved how perfect the cake layers looked in this picture. Chloe's cute too of course!
I think out of all of us, Zoe was the most worn out party girl. After a bath and GOOD teeth brushing, she was asleep in 5 minutes and it wasn't even 8. In fact, at 8:15, I had all the kids asleep. That must have been a first in many, many months.
And now, December begins.....Happy Holidays!
Chloe had a fun little party Saturday and I'll let the pictures tell the story.
Today is Sunday and we are all sick. Davey never left the couch, the girls were tired and still congested so we played with Chloe's new toys most of the day. And me, well, mom's don't get breaks so I took double dose of vitamins and OJ, some Advil for the headache and a 15 min nap on the couch and later a bath with all 3 girls, and I feel pretty good now.
Birthday girl starts her day out with her favorite.... raspberries, that were obviously sour. She ate the entire pack.
This is how we 'walk' Stella! LOL! We just grabbed this pacifier to keep Chloe's balloon down and Stella found it. She never takes a paci so it was pretty funny.
Oh, I just threw in my prize winning turkey for fun! Chloe's birthday was before Thanksgiving and her party was after. But my turkey was the center of it all!!
The girls said they needed a nap before Thanksgiving. So this is where they chose to lay.
Stella has discovered the play kitchen and is in there all the time pulling out dishes and putting things in the sink. At 8 months old she is keeping up quite well with her sisters.
The Butterfly Birthday cake I made for Chloe. It was a little different. Pumpkin cake with Chai spiced buttercream. I don't think I'll make it again soon but the girls sure liked it!
Birthday Party morning, daddy begs for kisses everyday and she leans in and puckers then turns her head and laughs or runs away.
The surprise trampoline for my crazy jumper! It's the couch, the beds, the cribs, anything that is bouncy so this is a great relief for my furniture.
Stella wasn't ready to jump, but she was still cute.
Sisters having fun together. I'm pretty sure Zoe opened all Chloe's presents and thinks they are just as much hers. Fortunately this trampoline was spelled out to be shared.
It's pretty cool that it fits right here in the basement. Eventually it will go outside when it warms up. Then I can really do up their playroom area.
PInata time. The bummer was we had friends coming over that both have girls that are also 2 years old, but all my kids had colds and Davey still had it coming on so we had to keep our friends healthy by not coming over. Chloe still had fun beating this butterfly. (I have no idea what papa Bob is looking at).
Deanna took some pictures from upstairs and the pinata mess looming below. The girls had the most fun picking candy to eat.
My birthday girl was a great candle blower. She blows with her top lip out and bottom lip in, and a bit of spray, but she did blow them both out!
I loved how perfect the cake layers looked in this picture. Chloe's cute too of course!
I think out of all of us, Zoe was the most worn out party girl. After a bath and GOOD teeth brushing, she was asleep in 5 minutes and it wasn't even 8. In fact, at 8:15, I had all the kids asleep. That must have been a first in many, many months.
And now, December begins.....Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Motherhood Can Often Equal -Disaster
Thanksgiving weeks hasn't exactly gone smoothly so far and I'm a bit nervous about preparing the REAL MEAL for Thursday.
It started off with a great quiche I found Sunday in a magazine. I got up early Monday and started to make it. The hashbrown crust was taking awhile so I started to prep the sausage, mushroom and spinach mix for the middle. The problem was when I had the crust on the oven and poured in the mixture, my mind suddenly forgot the quiche plate was scolding from the 400 degree oven and I grabbed it with my bare hand to take across to the counter to add the eggs. Well, it didn't make it. It landed in the floor, upside down, with my shattered glass dish all over the kitchen. Barricading off 3 curious girls while Chloe repeatedly shouts "Happen mommy? Happen mommy? Happen mommy?" was not easy and Davey, running in saying " I knew you were going to break something today, I had a feeling." AHHHHHHH!
After sweeping, mopping and sweeping again, we just had eggs that day...at 10am.
Then it was Tuesday.
Steak tacos for dinner, but frozen corn tortillas. So I defrosted them a bit and started to toss them in the hot oil one by one to make shells. About #4, there was still watery residue on the tortilla which caused the oil to literally explode all over the kitchen and start flames. Just tiny flames but I dropped the glass plan lid I was holding and shoved the highchair out of the way as fast I as could so the oil didn't pop on Stella. Thankfully only I got hit but the oil splattered up the cupboards, down the cupboards and across the kitchen to the island.
I mopped twice more with some Basic H Degreeser spray, and went on with dinner.
Then it was bath time. I promised Zoe we'd paint her toes. So off came the polish, then they bathed, then I re-polished Zoe, and Chloe was next. She just had her toes in the air saying "To-zzz mommy, To-zzz mommy." So she was sitting on the toilet and I on a still while I painted her little half toe nails (not much there on a 2 year old) bright Christmas red like Zoe's.
Stella loves playing in the bath so I left her in while I did this, and was sitting right next to it.
Chloe grabbed the nail polish off the counter and held it sideways like it dripped red all over her special towel and as I realized this, I grabbed it from her and turned to see Stella just barrel over the tub head first and I caught her mid air with her little wet head inches from the floor. Of course I had the red polish in my hand at the time.
After running out of nail polish remover, I had two red streaked towels and a floor mat, Chloe had red streaks all running down her leg when she went to bed and Stella has it, well lets just say I won't let Davey change her diaper cause he might freak out at how "red" her bottom is. My hands are stained a lovely red/ pink smeary shade as well.
Ahhh, what will Wednesday bring. Chloe is 2 today. Happy birthday love. I hope it goes...well.
It started off with a great quiche I found Sunday in a magazine. I got up early Monday and started to make it. The hashbrown crust was taking awhile so I started to prep the sausage, mushroom and spinach mix for the middle. The problem was when I had the crust on the oven and poured in the mixture, my mind suddenly forgot the quiche plate was scolding from the 400 degree oven and I grabbed it with my bare hand to take across to the counter to add the eggs. Well, it didn't make it. It landed in the floor, upside down, with my shattered glass dish all over the kitchen. Barricading off 3 curious girls while Chloe repeatedly shouts "Happen mommy? Happen mommy? Happen mommy?" was not easy and Davey, running in saying " I knew you were going to break something today, I had a feeling." AHHHHHHH!
After sweeping, mopping and sweeping again, we just had eggs that day...at 10am.
Then it was Tuesday.
Steak tacos for dinner, but frozen corn tortillas. So I defrosted them a bit and started to toss them in the hot oil one by one to make shells. About #4, there was still watery residue on the tortilla which caused the oil to literally explode all over the kitchen and start flames. Just tiny flames but I dropped the glass plan lid I was holding and shoved the highchair out of the way as fast I as could so the oil didn't pop on Stella. Thankfully only I got hit but the oil splattered up the cupboards, down the cupboards and across the kitchen to the island.
I mopped twice more with some Basic H Degreeser spray, and went on with dinner.
Then it was bath time. I promised Zoe we'd paint her toes. So off came the polish, then they bathed, then I re-polished Zoe, and Chloe was next. She just had her toes in the air saying "To-zzz mommy, To-zzz mommy." So she was sitting on the toilet and I on a still while I painted her little half toe nails (not much there on a 2 year old) bright Christmas red like Zoe's.
Stella loves playing in the bath so I left her in while I did this, and was sitting right next to it.
Chloe grabbed the nail polish off the counter and held it sideways like it dripped red all over her special towel and as I realized this, I grabbed it from her and turned to see Stella just barrel over the tub head first and I caught her mid air with her little wet head inches from the floor. Of course I had the red polish in my hand at the time.
After running out of nail polish remover, I had two red streaked towels and a floor mat, Chloe had red streaks all running down her leg when she went to bed and Stella has it, well lets just say I won't let Davey change her diaper cause he might freak out at how "red" her bottom is. My hands are stained a lovely red/ pink smeary shade as well.
Ahhh, what will Wednesday bring. Chloe is 2 today. Happy birthday love. I hope it goes...well.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Masquerade The Elements Hair Show
I had the awesome privilege of being a hair model for my hair stylist Krista a few weeks ago.
The Salon she recently joined wanted to do something new for the city and something that would draw some attention and business to their salon.
This hair show was modeled after other hairshows the owners and stylists had been too and was really fun!
We got to get all dolled up in theme's of the elements. I was "Mother" Earth. I added the mother because it was just inevitable!
The hair color and style and make up was of course fun, with big eyelashes and painted nails. And then the outfit and accessories were just to accentuate the EARTH theme.
I think the results were awesome! After having 3 babies in the past 4 years and gaining 50 pounds and then just loosing it all in time for this show (Just by chance actually), I felt so lovely and beautiful and of course was excited for my husband to see me in something other than work out pants and sweats with 3 day old greasy hair. The joys of motherhood come with many sacrifices and often it is our, 'presentation' I'll call it, that our husbands miss out on when all of our days work piles up in front of "take a shower" on our list of things to do that day.
So thank you Krista! It was really fun, the girls that put it on did a great job and I hope we helped create some business for Beauimage.com
Elaine came to cheer me on! Thanks for a Stroller Strides body Elaine! I learned it all from you!
I love that Davey looked like he was a little in Shock and Awe. That was fun!
Krista hates her pictures but I had to give her credit! She also styled "WIND" to her right.
Mid Pose to the new song "Commander" by Kelly Rowland. Very cool song!
The Salon she recently joined wanted to do something new for the city and something that would draw some attention and business to their salon.
This hair show was modeled after other hairshows the owners and stylists had been too and was really fun!
We got to get all dolled up in theme's of the elements. I was "Mother" Earth. I added the mother because it was just inevitable!
The hair color and style and make up was of course fun, with big eyelashes and painted nails. And then the outfit and accessories were just to accentuate the EARTH theme.
I think the results were awesome! After having 3 babies in the past 4 years and gaining 50 pounds and then just loosing it all in time for this show (Just by chance actually), I felt so lovely and beautiful and of course was excited for my husband to see me in something other than work out pants and sweats with 3 day old greasy hair. The joys of motherhood come with many sacrifices and often it is our, 'presentation' I'll call it, that our husbands miss out on when all of our days work piles up in front of "take a shower" on our list of things to do that day.
So thank you Krista! It was really fun, the girls that put it on did a great job and I hope we helped create some business for Beauimage.com
Elaine came to cheer me on! Thanks for a Stroller Strides body Elaine! I learned it all from you!
I love that Davey looked like he was a little in Shock and Awe. That was fun!
Krista hates her pictures but I had to give her credit! She also styled "WIND" to her right.
Mid Pose to the new song "Commander" by Kelly Rowland. Very cool song!
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