We were carving pumpkins for Halloween and Tommy was "helping": he'd reach in with is scoop, swish it around, and bang it in the garbage. Daddy was cleaning out the junk drawer, (I know, random, but he was looking for the carving tools.) and he found an old CD from Kriss Kross. Remember them? No? Well, you shouldn't. But they had a fun dancey beat, al least Tommy thinks so. Check it out:
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Sick :(
Yucky. I am so glad I rarely get sick anymore. I have the cold and it came on so suddenly last night. I worked out fine at about 4, took the boys and Grandma for dinner, and by bedtime felt some sniffles. When I laid down, though, my nose just started dripping. I fell asleep, but woke up later with super dry cotton mouth because I couldn't breathe through my nose. Today my nose is still dripping and now I have a {small} fever. Except I haven't run a fever in ??? years??? and it feels really yucky. Plus the boys are wound UP! And Grandma left after staying for two days, but Daddy will just be getting home in the next few from his work trip to Tampa. I just want to go to bed.
But...Halloween weekend! I love Halloween! We need to get pumpkins and carve them, then find some Trunk or Treats, trick or treat, etc. etc. Ugh. Was this whiny enough for you????
So I am going to put my warm jammies on since I am freezing and let the big boys put on a movie and hope the little one can be contained for a while. See you in the AM feeling better {fingers crossed}
But...Halloween weekend! I love Halloween! We need to get pumpkins and carve them, then find some Trunk or Treats, trick or treat, etc. etc. Ugh. Was this whiny enough for you????
So I am going to put my warm jammies on since I am freezing and let the big boys put on a movie and hope the little one can be contained for a while. See you in the AM feeling better {fingers crossed}
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Halloween Costumes
We are getting all geared up for Trick or Treating. Joey and Ben decided way back in the spring that they would like to create their own costumes and ask Nana to sew them. After some drawing and shopping and compromising, these are what they came up with. (Thank-you Nana for doing this for us.)
Ben is a Ninja. He thinks he might need some nunchucks. I think not.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
My First Run
Whoops! I let a few days go by without a post....
I wanted to post about my run on Saturday so I will start there. I am signed up for a 5k this coming Sunday and since I never run I thought I might give it a try (a few friends are walking it so I am not too worried about having to run). I took the 2 older boys and their bikes with me to the bike path, did a little stretch and hit the trail. And ran. Immediately realized that my capris are too big. I had to run while hiking them up every few steps. Joey said "You should have done a practice at home to make sure." Well. Other than that the first mile was easy peasy. The next half mile was slightly more difficult, but I was at a 10 minute mile pace and thought 3 miles was very doable. So at 1.5 miles we turned around to head back. And then my bladder started talking to me. Not very nicely. No bathrooms at any point on this path. So the last mile involved some brisk walking in order to keep my pants at least somewhat dry for the drive home. Got back to the car in 34 minutes. Not bad for a first run. Straight back home and into the potty!
Sunday my shins and calves were pretty sore and by Monday they were really sore. According to my HRM I burned similar calories to my workouts at home and I find them way more enjoyable (plus the bathroom is nearby), so I still don't think I'll ever be a runner. But I am glad I tried it and still looking forward to the race- if nothing else I get to visit with some old friends.
Not much other news at the moment. I want to try to post pictures of all of our costumes in the next day or so. Tommy has several options so maybe we can have a vote for which one he should wear on Halloween.
I wanted to post about my run on Saturday so I will start there. I am signed up for a 5k this coming Sunday and since I never run I thought I might give it a try (a few friends are walking it so I am not too worried about having to run). I took the 2 older boys and their bikes with me to the bike path, did a little stretch and hit the trail. And ran. Immediately realized that my capris are too big. I had to run while hiking them up every few steps. Joey said "You should have done a practice at home to make sure." Well. Other than that the first mile was easy peasy. The next half mile was slightly more difficult, but I was at a 10 minute mile pace and thought 3 miles was very doable. So at 1.5 miles we turned around to head back. And then my bladder started talking to me. Not very nicely. No bathrooms at any point on this path. So the last mile involved some brisk walking in order to keep my pants at least somewhat dry for the drive home. Got back to the car in 34 minutes. Not bad for a first run. Straight back home and into the potty!
Sunday my shins and calves were pretty sore and by Monday they were really sore. According to my HRM I burned similar calories to my workouts at home and I find them way more enjoyable (plus the bathroom is nearby), so I still don't think I'll ever be a runner. But I am glad I tried it and still looking forward to the race- if nothing else I get to visit with some old friends.
Not much other news at the moment. I want to try to post pictures of all of our costumes in the next day or so. Tommy has several options so maybe we can have a vote for which one he should wear on Halloween.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
A Picture Update
Isn't he the cutest baby ever? Just this week he has started talking and communicating sooo much. He asks for an app-o when he wants a snack, shoos or molk when he is thirsty. For a long time he has called all animals Sasha (our dog's name), but now he learned Grandma's dog's name and animals are boo-boo or Sasha. He loves balls and points them out wherever he sees them. And whenever something is missing (sometimes because he hid it), he says "(where)Is it?" then when we ask him where it is, he says "don't know" and shrugs.
I would also like to mention that I am one.point.five. pounds from my goal weight!!!!!!! So excited and proud of myself for coming this far and I have no intention of stopping now. From here I am just going to aim for 5 pounds at a time.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Snippets
Some things you maybe don't already know:
*Tommy is 18 months old (almost 19!) and has yet to sleep through the night.
*Joey finished 3 books today. 3! (He tends to read several books at a time.
*Ben is a night owl and prefers to sleep in in the morning, but he has been surprisingly agreeable about getting up on time for school this year.
*We had a houseguest this week (left today). We enjoyed having him but I am happy to be sitting here in my jammies right now.
*I signed up for a 5k. I'm thinking I want to try to run it?!?!? I just feel like this is the next step for me in my fitness quest.
*I love my job. Love it. Love 3 year olds. Do not love the "outside the classroom" stuff and nonsense.
*My bathroom is rarely clean. Know why? 4 boys. Boys are messy. Boys are sloppy pee-ers.
*My laundry is always done. Know why? Not sure actually. Just something I can easily control I guess.
*My toenails are bright blue today.
*I really like the new show Pan-Am, especially Cristina Ricci.
Ok, running out of steam. Thanks for visiting. Come back soon.
*Tommy is 18 months old (almost 19!) and has yet to sleep through the night.
*Joey finished 3 books today. 3! (He tends to read several books at a time.
*Ben is a night owl and prefers to sleep in in the morning, but he has been surprisingly agreeable about getting up on time for school this year.
*We had a houseguest this week (left today). We enjoyed having him but I am happy to be sitting here in my jammies right now.
*I signed up for a 5k. I'm thinking I want to try to run it?!?!? I just feel like this is the next step for me in my fitness quest.
*I love my job. Love it. Love 3 year olds. Do not love the "outside the classroom" stuff and nonsense.
*My bathroom is rarely clean. Know why? 4 boys. Boys are messy. Boys are sloppy pee-ers.
*My laundry is always done. Know why? Not sure actually. Just something I can easily control I guess.
*My toenails are bright blue today.
*I really like the new show Pan-Am, especially Cristina Ricci.
Ok, running out of steam. Thanks for visiting. Come back soon.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Shopping!
I got paid yesterday for the first time since May, so I kinda felt like there was some $ burning a hole in my pocket. Plus I've had to buy a lot lately, but it has been all "need". So today I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond- got 2 new pillows: the side sleeper pro and the cloud pillow (hoping for better sleep), a new Yankee candle in Pumpkin Spice (25% off), and a full length mirror (the only mirror in the house was the vanity in the bathroom. Moved on to Target, my fave. Got a new jacket,
a dress,
jammies, workout clothes, costume for Halloween, and socks (I think that was it). My problem right now is that everything that I try on looks good to me and I want to buy it. I've never been able to go in a dressing room and really love how something looks on me before. So I spent a little more than I intended but it felt pretty good, and I will try to control myself for a while now until I get down another size. :)
Friday, October 7, 2011
Back to Blogging (again)
I just sat and read all of my posts from the last 3 years and am so sad that I didn't keep up with my blog since Tommy was born. There are so many stories on here that I barely remember about Joey and Ben but they are here forever to look back on....
So I want to recommit to blogging again. Stories about the boys, my fitness news, and so on and so forth.
Today I will list Tommy's words that he has so far:
Da-Da
Ma-Ma
cheese
sticker
shoe
Joe-Joe (and Ben but they sound the same)
Sasha
Tom-Tom
Mine
Where it is?
I don't know (this one is new)
poo-poo
teeth
no-no (while pointing to his nose)
eye
ca-ca (icky)
fishies
Love you
night night
juice
cracker
That's all I can think of for right now. Until tomorrow (or maybe the next day)
So I want to recommit to blogging again. Stories about the boys, my fitness news, and so on and so forth.
Today I will list Tommy's words that he has so far:
Da-Da
Ma-Ma
cheese
sticker
shoe
Joe-Joe (and Ben but they sound the same)
Sasha
Tom-Tom
Mine
Where it is?
I don't know (this one is new)
poo-poo
teeth
no-no (while pointing to his nose)
eye
ca-ca (icky)
fishies
Love you
night night
juice
cracker
That's all I can think of for right now. Until tomorrow (or maybe the next day)
Saturday, September 17, 2011
My Turbo FIre/CHalean Extreme Results
I began my weight loss journey on January 1st of this year after deciding that I had no excuse to get fat again. Tommy was born last March and all of my pregnancy weight had come off with nursing, but as soon as I stopped in December (plus those pesky Holidays) I put on 10 pounds. I knew that if I could stay committed I could get to a point of enjoying workouts. I also knew what it felt like to be close to a healthy weight and in shape. I had done this 11 years ago shortly before my wedding.
So I started small- Wii workouts 4 to 5 days a week. Smaller portions and less eating out. By May 1st I had lost 12 pounds (not nearly what I had hoped), and was ready to start Turbo Fire and Chalean Extreme. I was committing to a 20 week schedule of working out 6 days a weeks for 45 minutes to an hour and a half each day. 3 days of high intensity cardio and 3 days of strength training. I enjoyed the workouts from the beginning, though some days were harder than others to get going. By the end of June I had lost 10 more pounds and was starting to feel more confident and comfortable. In the beginning of August I hit my original goal of 160- 30 pounds lost. More and more people were noticing and commenting on my results.
Now it is September 18th and I have reached the end of my 20 week schedule. I missed a couple workouts when we went on vacation and had to adjust my schedule for other priorities on occasion, but I have completed the program. My results since May 1st:
Weight: 178 to 155 23 pounds
Pant size: 14 to 8!!!!!!
Shirt size: L to M
Bra size: 38c to 36b
......and pics:






So I started small- Wii workouts 4 to 5 days a week. Smaller portions and less eating out. By May 1st I had lost 12 pounds (not nearly what I had hoped), and was ready to start Turbo Fire and Chalean Extreme. I was committing to a 20 week schedule of working out 6 days a weeks for 45 minutes to an hour and a half each day. 3 days of high intensity cardio and 3 days of strength training. I enjoyed the workouts from the beginning, though some days were harder than others to get going. By the end of June I had lost 10 more pounds and was starting to feel more confident and comfortable. In the beginning of August I hit my original goal of 160- 30 pounds lost. More and more people were noticing and commenting on my results.
Now it is September 18th and I have reached the end of my 20 week schedule. I missed a couple workouts when we went on vacation and had to adjust my schedule for other priorities on occasion, but I have completed the program. My results since May 1st:
Weight: 178 to 155 23 pounds
Pant size: 14 to 8!!!!!!
Shirt size: L to M
Bra size: 38c to 36b
......and pics:







Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Story of Thomas' Birth
After a pregnancy with many potential issues- Mommy’s high blood pressure, an indication of slow growth, high amniotic fluid levels, etc., we never expected to go all the way to our due date.
Well….that’s what happens when you have expectations. March 15th (cousin Charlie’s 1st birthday) came and I was so hoping that so would Thomas. At our appt, Dr said I was dilated to 3 and if I wanted she would induce me Thursday, March 18th as that was the next day she was on call. Oy. I was so uncomfortable, had been having contractions for weeks, and really just wanted him to come out so that I would know that he was ok. But I went home to wait. Tuesday started out with contractions about 10 minutes apart for most of the day. By 3:30 in the afternoon they were about 5 minutes apart but still not as strong as I thought they should be. I took the boys to the park since it was the nicest day of the year so far, came home and called Daddy to let him know that tonight might be it, then tried laying down for a bit to be sure it was time. While I was laying on the couch, I felt a small gush of fluid and was so excited. Yes, my water is at least leaking, we can go to the hospital and have this baby. Called Daddy to go get Grandma, called Dr to let them know I was going, and ran around getting my bag packed. This was at about 7pm.
We got to the hospital at about 8 and they let us know that I was being admitted and induced whether my water broke or not. Yay!!!! We knew then that were very likely to have a St Patricks day baby. Daddy was in love with the idea of calling him his little leprechaun. They took an hour to check us in (to the hottest room in the hospital), and got some pitocin and antibiotics started by about 10. When we started I was still at 3 :P At midnight I had progressed to a 5. Great, I thought, this is going well. Ha. At 2 am I was getting miserable. They checked me and I was still at a 5. Grr. Not sure I can do this without an epidural. We decided to just get something to take the edge off the pain. Dilauded made me feel real good between contractions, and took the worst of the edge off so I felt like I could keep going. Dr also came and broke my water and I thought it would have to be over soon. They checked me 20 minutes later because Dr got another call and I was at a 6. Great. Moving right along again. But at 4 the meds wore off and the pain and pressure were intense. Checked again- still at 6. Aaaggghhh. Please give me more meds. Gave me meds, but the pain was getting more and more intense. Said it felt like I had to push. At 5:10, checked me again. No, it is not time to push, you are still at 6. NOOOOOOOO! I really feel like I have to push! I’m going to push! Don’t push. Just a minute. Went to get another nurse. I need to push now! I’m pushing. The other nurse comes in and I am pushing and he is coming. Oh my God. His head is out. There is no Dr, just one nurse saying ok, ok, ok. Bill pushed the panic button while she caught the baby. Out came baby, in came many nurses and such (so I hear). Still no Dr. A few minutes later the staff ob comes in, is quite short with me, has no idea what is going on, but manages to help with placenta (easy) and give me a few stitches. I feel awesome. The baby is getting cleaned up and seems to be fine, I didn’t have an epidural, and he popped right out.
I’ve already forgotten the intense pain, and Thomas is sooooo perfect. He hasn’t really cried at all, nurses like a champ, and just loves to look around. His brothers are about to meet him for the first time and they are so excited.
Overall this has been the most amazing awful experience ever. Quite a story.
Well….that’s what happens when you have expectations. March 15th (cousin Charlie’s 1st birthday) came and I was so hoping that so would Thomas. At our appt, Dr said I was dilated to 3 and if I wanted she would induce me Thursday, March 18th as that was the next day she was on call. Oy. I was so uncomfortable, had been having contractions for weeks, and really just wanted him to come out so that I would know that he was ok. But I went home to wait. Tuesday started out with contractions about 10 minutes apart for most of the day. By 3:30 in the afternoon they were about 5 minutes apart but still not as strong as I thought they should be. I took the boys to the park since it was the nicest day of the year so far, came home and called Daddy to let him know that tonight might be it, then tried laying down for a bit to be sure it was time. While I was laying on the couch, I felt a small gush of fluid and was so excited. Yes, my water is at least leaking, we can go to the hospital and have this baby. Called Daddy to go get Grandma, called Dr to let them know I was going, and ran around getting my bag packed. This was at about 7pm.
We got to the hospital at about 8 and they let us know that I was being admitted and induced whether my water broke or not. Yay!!!! We knew then that were very likely to have a St Patricks day baby. Daddy was in love with the idea of calling him his little leprechaun. They took an hour to check us in (to the hottest room in the hospital), and got some pitocin and antibiotics started by about 10. When we started I was still at 3 :P At midnight I had progressed to a 5. Great, I thought, this is going well. Ha. At 2 am I was getting miserable. They checked me and I was still at a 5. Grr. Not sure I can do this without an epidural. We decided to just get something to take the edge off the pain. Dilauded made me feel real good between contractions, and took the worst of the edge off so I felt like I could keep going. Dr also came and broke my water and I thought it would have to be over soon. They checked me 20 minutes later because Dr got another call and I was at a 6. Great. Moving right along again. But at 4 the meds wore off and the pain and pressure were intense. Checked again- still at 6. Aaaggghhh. Please give me more meds. Gave me meds, but the pain was getting more and more intense. Said it felt like I had to push. At 5:10, checked me again. No, it is not time to push, you are still at 6. NOOOOOOOO! I really feel like I have to push! I’m going to push! Don’t push. Just a minute. Went to get another nurse. I need to push now! I’m pushing. The other nurse comes in and I am pushing and he is coming. Oh my God. His head is out. There is no Dr, just one nurse saying ok, ok, ok. Bill pushed the panic button while she caught the baby. Out came baby, in came many nurses and such (so I hear). Still no Dr. A few minutes later the staff ob comes in, is quite short with me, has no idea what is going on, but manages to help with placenta (easy) and give me a few stitches. I feel awesome. The baby is getting cleaned up and seems to be fine, I didn’t have an epidural, and he popped right out.
I’ve already forgotten the intense pain, and Thomas is sooooo perfect. He hasn’t really cried at all, nurses like a champ, and just loves to look around. His brothers are about to meet him for the first time and they are so excited.
Overall this has been the most amazing awful experience ever. Quite a story.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
I'm Tired!!!!!
I'm almost at week 31 today, and the last couple of weeks have been HE## for me. First, the Monday after Christmas, my husband's Dad went into the hospital in Madison (an hour away) and it has been touch and go ever since on whether he would make it through. So Bill has been up there almost every day, plus trying to help figure out paperwork and benefit info for him (his insurance changed on Jan 1). I had planned to get the baby room ready over break, but since my husband was MIA, I didn't have anyone to lift the heavy stuff anf it is still not done.
Also the boys have been very umm....wild lately and I'm sure it is partly my fault because I don't take them out enough, but see my title. It's hard. I am not sleeping at night, not comfortable during the day, and I have had no one to help me. I was very close to a bit of a mental break yesterday, but I think I'm feeling a bit better today. Bill plans to be here with me at least part of the day and carry some stuff out of the baby room. The boys and I went to Kidspot (a gymnastics center) for a while last night, so they got some energy out. I have hopes for maybe going out to dinner tonight, too.
The thing is, I feel like a bum sometimes because I know that there are Moms out there who work full time all the way to the end, and single Moms who have to do it all by themselves every day, and obviously there are many many people who have it worse than me....but I can't seem to cope for 2 weeks by myself, and I can't get everything done that I want to because I am just too tired. Oy
So I am hoping this gets better soon. I am very much looking forward to meeting this crazy, active baby of mine. I do love him already. And my FIL seems to be making some small improvements, so hopefully that stress will ease up a bit as well. We pray every day that he gets better and is able to have a few more years with us.
So thanks for reading my whiny rant. I don't visit the Dr again until next Monday, but I get another ultrasound then, so I'm sure there will be an update.
Also the boys have been very umm....wild lately and I'm sure it is partly my fault because I don't take them out enough, but see my title. It's hard. I am not sleeping at night, not comfortable during the day, and I have had no one to help me. I was very close to a bit of a mental break yesterday, but I think I'm feeling a bit better today. Bill plans to be here with me at least part of the day and carry some stuff out of the baby room. The boys and I went to Kidspot (a gymnastics center) for a while last night, so they got some energy out. I have hopes for maybe going out to dinner tonight, too.
The thing is, I feel like a bum sometimes because I know that there are Moms out there who work full time all the way to the end, and single Moms who have to do it all by themselves every day, and obviously there are many many people who have it worse than me....but I can't seem to cope for 2 weeks by myself, and I can't get everything done that I want to because I am just too tired. Oy
So I am hoping this gets better soon. I am very much looking forward to meeting this crazy, active baby of mine. I do love him already. And my FIL seems to be making some small improvements, so hopefully that stress will ease up a bit as well. We pray every day that he gets better and is able to have a few more years with us.
So thanks for reading my whiny rant. I don't visit the Dr again until next Monday, but I get another ultrasound then, so I'm sure there will be an update.
Monday, December 21, 2009
28 week appointment
Today I got to go to the Dr for many tests in preparation for a healthy delivery and baby. I had my glucose test (yech), an ultrasound (yay), a 24 hour pee test for protein (ugh), and my thyroid tested. I have noticed that my new ob is much more conservative than my old one. She really wants to keep an eye on me every step of the way, which is very reassuring if not particularly convenient at times. She let me know that starting at week 32 I will be coming in twice a week for NST (I think just making sure the baby is moving around and doing fine) along with an u/s every four weeks till the end.
Ultrasounds are awesome. I wish we could just watch him play in there all the time. Today he was as uncooperative as last time for getting pictures, but she did confirm again that he has boy parts. He is also head down at the moment with his hands and legs still over his head. I wonder if he'll straighten out when he comes out? And he weighs almost 3 pounds already- about 10% over what is expected. The u/s tech asked if I usually have big babies. Yup. But that's ok. Big and healthy will do just fine. Just won't need any newborn clothes.
Christmas is in just a few days and I find myself more connected with Mary this year- this is the first year I've been really pregnant at Christmas and it just makes me appreciate more what she must have gone through. We're getting there on shopping- hoping that Joey maintains his belief for at least one more year even if it means spending a little more moola. I'm doing my best not to get the bad Mommy award and ruin it for him, like I have done with other magaical creatures and other children (oops). I am sad that none of my students gave me any homemade goodies this year-I love Christmas cookies! (And I'm not making them myself.) But I did get plenty of decorations and gift cards and other very generous gifts. I am so blessed to be a teacher and work with so many wonderful families.
Christmas cards are not even in concept phase yet, boo. I still hope to get them done, but they might arrive closer to New Years:)
Have a very blessed and merry Christmas. Love to all.
Ultrasounds are awesome. I wish we could just watch him play in there all the time. Today he was as uncooperative as last time for getting pictures, but she did confirm again that he has boy parts. He is also head down at the moment with his hands and legs still over his head. I wonder if he'll straighten out when he comes out? And he weighs almost 3 pounds already- about 10% over what is expected. The u/s tech asked if I usually have big babies. Yup. But that's ok. Big and healthy will do just fine. Just won't need any newborn clothes.
Christmas is in just a few days and I find myself more connected with Mary this year- this is the first year I've been really pregnant at Christmas and it just makes me appreciate more what she must have gone through. We're getting there on shopping- hoping that Joey maintains his belief for at least one more year even if it means spending a little more moola. I'm doing my best not to get the bad Mommy award and ruin it for him, like I have done with other magaical creatures and other children (oops). I am sad that none of my students gave me any homemade goodies this year-I love Christmas cookies! (And I'm not making them myself.) But I did get plenty of decorations and gift cards and other very generous gifts. I am so blessed to be a teacher and work with so many wonderful families.
Christmas cards are not even in concept phase yet, boo. I still hope to get them done, but they might arrive closer to New Years:)
Have a very blessed and merry Christmas. Love to all.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Quarterly Update:)
Egads! I know it has been forever! Now that I've waited so long to update I really don't even know where to start, so... I think you get a small update now and then when Christmas break comes (1 more week!!!!) I'll try to catch up everything.
Mostly I haven't been on because my energy has been completely gone. This baby DRAINS me. I do my best to get through each day at work, come home and do the minimum chores, and try to take a nap between the other boys' demands. They've been getting to watch quite a few movies lately.
The pregnancy has been going well otherwise since my early blood pressure scare. I take meds to keep it under control now and they seem to be working. The baby is very active, kinda like Ben was, so I worry that I'm going to have another Ben on my hands. At the ultrasound he kept waving his hands and feet in the way when the tech was trying measure or get a good picture. Very funny, but I sense the feistiness. At my next appt in a week and a half, I have my glucose test, a 24 hr pee test, a blood test and another ultrasound. I'm kinda hoping he settles down a bit so we can get a better picture, and it did take her a while to decide he was a boy, so I hope we can get a clearer picture of those parts as well. I'd hate to prepare for a boy and have a girl come out.
We've been talking about names but haven't made a definite decision yet. We also haven't gotten the room ready, although I hope to accomplish that over break. I'd like to decorate in Monkeys but we shall see.
School has been going well. There are certain things that I just don't feel up to some days (can you say no shaving cream?) but otherwise I'm keeping up. The kids ask me funny questions about the baby and I have one student who wants to know each day if I've had him yet. I have great families and we've stayed fully enrolled. It seems like every time we lose someone, another family calls for a spot.
Joey and Ben you ask? Well...they are certainly taking advantage of Mommy being tired to get into mischief, but they seem to be pretty excited about the new baby. They've been aroung their new cousin, Charlie, enough to realize whats involved in having a baby. Hopefully he doesn't cry much, because Ben can't stand the noise. Joey is doing awesome in school as always. He still loves to read and has been gragging that he reads "teen" books because one of the series he likes is found in the teen section at the library. Ben is also doing great in school. He is apparently a great singer even though he won't sing for me. I worry a bit because he still doesn't pronounce his "r" sound, but I think he will grow out of that.
Ok thats all for today. More soon (I hope) and definitely once the baby comes I'll update better.
Mostly I haven't been on because my energy has been completely gone. This baby DRAINS me. I do my best to get through each day at work, come home and do the minimum chores, and try to take a nap between the other boys' demands. They've been getting to watch quite a few movies lately.
The pregnancy has been going well otherwise since my early blood pressure scare. I take meds to keep it under control now and they seem to be working. The baby is very active, kinda like Ben was, so I worry that I'm going to have another Ben on my hands. At the ultrasound he kept waving his hands and feet in the way when the tech was trying measure or get a good picture. Very funny, but I sense the feistiness. At my next appt in a week and a half, I have my glucose test, a 24 hr pee test, a blood test and another ultrasound. I'm kinda hoping he settles down a bit so we can get a better picture, and it did take her a while to decide he was a boy, so I hope we can get a clearer picture of those parts as well. I'd hate to prepare for a boy and have a girl come out.
We've been talking about names but haven't made a definite decision yet. We also haven't gotten the room ready, although I hope to accomplish that over break. I'd like to decorate in Monkeys but we shall see.
School has been going well. There are certain things that I just don't feel up to some days (can you say no shaving cream?) but otherwise I'm keeping up. The kids ask me funny questions about the baby and I have one student who wants to know each day if I've had him yet. I have great families and we've stayed fully enrolled. It seems like every time we lose someone, another family calls for a spot.
Joey and Ben you ask? Well...they are certainly taking advantage of Mommy being tired to get into mischief, but they seem to be pretty excited about the new baby. They've been aroung their new cousin, Charlie, enough to realize whats involved in having a baby. Hopefully he doesn't cry much, because Ben can't stand the noise. Joey is doing awesome in school as always. He still loves to read and has been gragging that he reads "teen" books because one of the series he likes is found in the teen section at the library. Ben is also doing great in school. He is apparently a great singer even though he won't sing for me. I worry a bit because he still doesn't pronounce his "r" sound, but I think he will grow out of that.
Ok thats all for today. More soon (I hope) and definitely once the baby comes I'll update better.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
I Know I Said This Wouldn't Be A Pregnancy Blog...
Whoops. I was trying to be better....
Anyhoo...
I had my second prenatal appointment yesterday and it was horrible. First the scale said I had gained almost 10 pounds in a month, which also happens to put me back where I started a year ago when I got back into working out. Amazing how easy it is to put weight on. Then I the nurse took my blood pressure and it was 140/90. Bad. Mid-pregnancy your bp is actually supposed to be lower than normal. So she checked again. 140/90. Then she left for a few minutes and came back to check it again. 136/86. Phew I thought, going down. Then the Dr came in and was VERY concerned about it, especially after hearing that I had this problem with my 1st pregnancy (even though that was much later in the pregnancy). So I have to come back in 2 weeks and be more closely monitored. She didn't say I am high-risk, but I think I am approaching that threshold. I also have to save my pee for 24 hours so they can do furthur tests on my kidneys. Ugh. I came home so upset and depressed, which I know does not help any of my problems. After a few hours I remembered that I have a bp cuff at home so I can self-test. Every time I've taken it since last night, it has been 115/78. Normal. So, I'm hoping and praying that I just have a touch of white coat syndrome, because I REALLY cannot afford to be taken off of work early.
In other news, school starts Tuesday and I am completely full with 47 3-year olds. I can't wait to get to know them. We had meet the teacher night on Tuesday, but try to imagine 47 kids, their parents, siblings, and some grandparents all in one little bitty preschool room all at once. It was a little crazy. I think I met about half of them and could identify about a third right now. Next year I am having one class at a time come in.
Ben, my baby (for a few more months), turns 5 tomorrow. He got to pick dinner tonight because tomorrow is Joey's Cub Scout campout and he is going with. He chose Hometown Buffet. Eww. In the morning before school, we will take him to Toys R Us to pick out what he wants and he will celebrate at preschool tomorrow and next Tuesday at my school with Logli's soft cookies. He has been so excited for weeks to get to pick out some toys, because Mommy has been on a no new toys strike all summer. They just have toooo much, mostly thanks to Grandma, and it ends up all over my house instead of being played with. So it will be an extra special treat for him to get something new.
Oh, the pigeons: we haven't won a race yet, but I think we one one particular branch of a race (don't ask, I don't understand all the details). For his first year, though, everyone else in his club wonders how he is doing so well. And we've lost less birds than most other lofts as well. Always look for the positive, right?
Anyhoo...
I had my second prenatal appointment yesterday and it was horrible. First the scale said I had gained almost 10 pounds in a month, which also happens to put me back where I started a year ago when I got back into working out. Amazing how easy it is to put weight on. Then I the nurse took my blood pressure and it was 140/90. Bad. Mid-pregnancy your bp is actually supposed to be lower than normal. So she checked again. 140/90. Then she left for a few minutes and came back to check it again. 136/86. Phew I thought, going down. Then the Dr came in and was VERY concerned about it, especially after hearing that I had this problem with my 1st pregnancy (even though that was much later in the pregnancy). So I have to come back in 2 weeks and be more closely monitored. She didn't say I am high-risk, but I think I am approaching that threshold. I also have to save my pee for 24 hours so they can do furthur tests on my kidneys. Ugh. I came home so upset and depressed, which I know does not help any of my problems. After a few hours I remembered that I have a bp cuff at home so I can self-test. Every time I've taken it since last night, it has been 115/78. Normal. So, I'm hoping and praying that I just have a touch of white coat syndrome, because I REALLY cannot afford to be taken off of work early.
In other news, school starts Tuesday and I am completely full with 47 3-year olds. I can't wait to get to know them. We had meet the teacher night on Tuesday, but try to imagine 47 kids, their parents, siblings, and some grandparents all in one little bitty preschool room all at once. It was a little crazy. I think I met about half of them and could identify about a third right now. Next year I am having one class at a time come in.
Ben, my baby (for a few more months), turns 5 tomorrow. He got to pick dinner tonight because tomorrow is Joey's Cub Scout campout and he is going with. He chose Hometown Buffet. Eww. In the morning before school, we will take him to Toys R Us to pick out what he wants and he will celebrate at preschool tomorrow and next Tuesday at my school with Logli's soft cookies. He has been so excited for weeks to get to pick out some toys, because Mommy has been on a no new toys strike all summer. They just have toooo much, mostly thanks to Grandma, and it ends up all over my house instead of being played with. So it will be an extra special treat for him to get something new.
Oh, the pigeons: we haven't won a race yet, but I think we one one particular branch of a race (don't ask, I don't understand all the details). For his first year, though, everyone else in his club wonders how he is doing so well. And we've lost less birds than most other lofts as well. Always look for the positive, right?
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Ben's Dream
Ben came to me this morning when he woke up: "Mommy, one of my dreams was bad last night. I dreamed I turned the water on and it went all over the floor. Then I was in the old bedroom and there was pipes and the water went all over." I think he had this dream from the guilt of constantly playing in the bathroom sink. I even catch him in there long after he is supposed to be in bad sleeping sometimes. Yah-hoo.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Have You Been Wondering About the Pigeons?
I haven't updated you on the pigeons lately.
Well, they've raced the last 3 weekends and we've done pretty well each time. The second weekend was the best, we got 5th and 6th out of 300 something birds. Every Sunday we sit outside on my swing and watch the sky, waiting for that first bird to come in. It's funny, cause when they train, usually all of them come in together, but on race days they tend to get broken up, or some of them join groups that are going to different homes, etc. Our first few birds come in a few minutes apart, but the last ones could come home as late as the next day. We had one come home the other day that had been gone for 10 days. And right now there is a lady in Iowa who says one of our birds is hanging out at her house and won't leave.
So tonight we are sending them to Des Moines, Iowa, 250 miles. I think we are sending about 20 birds. They usually get released at about 6:30 AM, and it should take about 5 hours for them to get home. At about 10:30 Daddy will start watching for birds. Sometimes he gets excited when a mourning dove flies by, but mostly he frets that something bad is going to happen and none of the birds will come home. He is very dramatic.
So I'll update tomorrow or Monday and let you know how we do this week.
Well, they've raced the last 3 weekends and we've done pretty well each time. The second weekend was the best, we got 5th and 6th out of 300 something birds. Every Sunday we sit outside on my swing and watch the sky, waiting for that first bird to come in. It's funny, cause when they train, usually all of them come in together, but on race days they tend to get broken up, or some of them join groups that are going to different homes, etc. Our first few birds come in a few minutes apart, but the last ones could come home as late as the next day. We had one come home the other day that had been gone for 10 days. And right now there is a lady in Iowa who says one of our birds is hanging out at her house and won't leave.
So tonight we are sending them to Des Moines, Iowa, 250 miles. I think we are sending about 20 birds. They usually get released at about 6:30 AM, and it should take about 5 hours for them to get home. At about 10:30 Daddy will start watching for birds. Sometimes he gets excited when a mourning dove flies by, but mostly he frets that something bad is going to happen and none of the birds will come home. He is very dramatic.
So I'll update tomorrow or Monday and let you know how we do this week.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Back Again
Do you miss me?
There has actually been sooo much going on since my last post, I just haven't been sure how to put it all down on here. The biggest thing is after several years of not deciding whether or not we want a 3rd child, I found out that I am pregnant in the middle of July. So today I am 10.5 weeks along, due March 15th. I've had all the symptoms the last few weeks, and certainly didn't want to use my blog to whine about this precious thing inside me which has caused so much havoc. Also with this pregnancy my feelings are so much more mixed than with my other kids. I feel I have been so blessed with two healthy children when so many other people want another (or just one), and then it was so easy for me to get pregnant again. I know there is always a reason, but I have some guilt this time. At the same time I am excited. I love babies, I love kids.
And then there is the boy vs girl thing. I'm scared to have a girl because I am used to the boys, a girl will cost more, etc, etc, but a girl would be so precious, and we would spoil her, and I could finally buy those cute girl clothes, etc, etc. So like I said, mixed feelings. I have always been so sure of my plans in life, and this just throws my security levels off.
Anyways, I don't actually want to make this a pregnancy blog. I'll try to just give periodic updates, and I do have other things going on in my life.
School- I am so excited because our enrollment is way up from last year. Our first official year as directors and we have been very successful (with some help from extenuating circumstances, but we'll take it). We are almost full now, only 3 spots in the 3's and 5 spots in the 4's. Awesome.
Joey and Ben go back to school next week, and then I don't start until after Labor Day so I am looking forward to those couple of weeks by myself. Ben and I especially have spent way too much time together this summer and he has gotten very clingy. Joey at least had his sport and Cub Scout camps, which he loved. I am so proud of him, even after a few injuries he couldn't wait to go each day.
So anyway, now that we are getting into a better routine, I will try to update my blog more often. One goal I have is to remember the hilarious things the boys say on a daily basis.
Oh, let me tell you one story about my pregnancy: Just so you know, not all pg tests have a plus sign to mean you are pregnant. SOME tests just have one control line and one other line to mean positive. And also, if you aren't sure, you probably shouldn't throw the instructions away. I went a week and a half thinking that I had a negative test and was just late before finally taking another test and looking at the instructions. Yes, I am one of those people from the commercials that incorrectly reads a pg test. Ha. Ha.
There has actually been sooo much going on since my last post, I just haven't been sure how to put it all down on here. The biggest thing is after several years of not deciding whether or not we want a 3rd child, I found out that I am pregnant in the middle of July. So today I am 10.5 weeks along, due March 15th. I've had all the symptoms the last few weeks, and certainly didn't want to use my blog to whine about this precious thing inside me which has caused so much havoc. Also with this pregnancy my feelings are so much more mixed than with my other kids. I feel I have been so blessed with two healthy children when so many other people want another (or just one), and then it was so easy for me to get pregnant again. I know there is always a reason, but I have some guilt this time. At the same time I am excited. I love babies, I love kids.
And then there is the boy vs girl thing. I'm scared to have a girl because I am used to the boys, a girl will cost more, etc, etc, but a girl would be so precious, and we would spoil her, and I could finally buy those cute girl clothes, etc, etc. So like I said, mixed feelings. I have always been so sure of my plans in life, and this just throws my security levels off.
Anyways, I don't actually want to make this a pregnancy blog. I'll try to just give periodic updates, and I do have other things going on in my life.
School- I am so excited because our enrollment is way up from last year. Our first official year as directors and we have been very successful (with some help from extenuating circumstances, but we'll take it). We are almost full now, only 3 spots in the 3's and 5 spots in the 4's. Awesome.
Joey and Ben go back to school next week, and then I don't start until after Labor Day so I am looking forward to those couple of weeks by myself. Ben and I especially have spent way too much time together this summer and he has gotten very clingy. Joey at least had his sport and Cub Scout camps, which he loved. I am so proud of him, even after a few injuries he couldn't wait to go each day.
So anyway, now that we are getting into a better routine, I will try to update my blog more often. One goal I have is to remember the hilarious things the boys say on a daily basis.
Oh, let me tell you one story about my pregnancy: Just so you know, not all pg tests have a plus sign to mean you are pregnant. SOME tests just have one control line and one other line to mean positive. And also, if you aren't sure, you probably shouldn't throw the instructions away. I went a week and a half thinking that I had a negative test and was just late before finally taking another test and looking at the instructions. Yes, I am one of those people from the commercials that incorrectly reads a pg test. Ha. Ha.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Picture Day!
The whole family arrived at Portrait Innovation to get our pictures taken today. Two hours and a few $$ later, this is what we got. Really good considering how many people had to be accomodated, including one infant and 3 Daddys who would have preferred not to be involved. Do you like our red, white, and blue theme? 





Monday, June 22, 2009
Last Week
Picture Recap!
This is a rose that was in the backyard at my sister's new house. One of many cool things about her house. Isn't it beautiful?
And of course while we were there we had to take pictures of Charlie. He is 3 months old already and getting so big and strong (do I say that every time?)
Just Ben climbing on Mommy.
We've been to the pool 3 times in the last week. We go at the end of the day when it is not so crowded (and a little cheaper) to cool off for an hour or so.
Last week was bible school. It was the first time we've been able to do it, and both boys loved it. Pay no attention to Ben who refused to participate in the singing part.
Now Joey's birthday. He was in charge all day.
First he opened the presents that Daddy had picked out for him. (Ben got a new bike helmet and wears it everywhere right now.)
This is a rose that was in the backyard at my sister's new house. One of many cool things about her house. Isn't it beautiful?
First he opened the presents that Daddy had picked out for him. (Ben got a new bike helmet and wears it everywhere right now.)
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Happy Birthday Joey!
Happy Birthday to my big boy today. Seven years old! Time is running away without me.
Some things about Joey at 7:
*LOVES to read, pretty much a chapter book per day. Especially My Weird School, but also Ready Freddy and Magic Tree House.
*Finally learned to ride a two wheel bike and now wants to go on bike rides constantly. We are going to look for a new bike today.
*So very polite in school and group settings. His Bible School teacher pulled my aside to let me know how much she enjoyed having him in her group this week. He always raises his hand when he wants to talk.
*Still has horrible seasonal allergies and refuses to blow his nose. Bad combo. That's all I'll say about that.
*Enjoys going to the pool to cool off. He's getting good at putting his head under water and jumping off the diving board.
*Likes apples and yogurt for "healthy food"
*Will only wear Sketchers shoes
*So far this summer refuses to wear shorts, worried that he looks dorky. No idea where he got that from.
*Loves the tv shows Wipeout and According to Jim.
*Sleeps with no pillow and cocooned in his blanket.
*Thinks he knows everything and frequently tells me I'm wrong. (I'm certain that he will be done with that by his next birthday)
*Can do pull-ups
*Has started eating french fries on occasion (He went years not liking them)
I could keep going, but I think that sums up my lovey for today.
Look for an update w/ pictures later:)
Some things about Joey at 7:
*LOVES to read, pretty much a chapter book per day. Especially My Weird School, but also Ready Freddy and Magic Tree House.
*Finally learned to ride a two wheel bike and now wants to go on bike rides constantly. We are going to look for a new bike today.
*So very polite in school and group settings. His Bible School teacher pulled my aside to let me know how much she enjoyed having him in her group this week. He always raises his hand when he wants to talk.
*Still has horrible seasonal allergies and refuses to blow his nose. Bad combo. That's all I'll say about that.
*Enjoys going to the pool to cool off. He's getting good at putting his head under water and jumping off the diving board.
*Likes apples and yogurt for "healthy food"
*Will only wear Sketchers shoes
*So far this summer refuses to wear shorts, worried that he looks dorky. No idea where he got that from.
*Loves the tv shows Wipeout and According to Jim.
*Sleeps with no pillow and cocooned in his blanket.
*Thinks he knows everything and frequently tells me I'm wrong. (I'm certain that he will be done with that by his next birthday)
*Can do pull-ups
*Has started eating french fries on occasion (He went years not liking them)
I could keep going, but I think that sums up my lovey for today.
Look for an update w/ pictures later:)
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