Many Faces of a Family

WOW!

2010-11-23T07:59:00.000-08:00

I cant believe I totally forgot about this blog! Life has been so busy I haven't even thought about posting! Sorry if you check in from time to time to hear new updates! Let's see....quick rundown.

ODD Abbie is a HS cheerleader now! She is turning 15 on Thanksgiving. Enough said.

DD2 Molly is a 5th grader now and will be 11 in Dec! She plays violin, made all-city chorus (a traveling chorus that you have to tryout for), plays volleyball, and does tap, ballet and jazz. She is getting so big too fast.

ODS Nate is a 4th grader! He plays chess at school once a week, plays seasonal baseball and I think we are going to try out tennis. We are still trying to find "his thing" like the girls have theirs. Boys are so much different in so many ways!

DS2 Zach is ALL BOY and will be 3 in Jan! We are trying to kick all his bad habits...pacis, potty training, & sleeping w/ mom and dad, and learning to talk better. He is just so funny and adorable.

DS3 Sam....oh my sammy boy. He is 18 mos, wears his heart on his sleeve and is a CLIMBER. Anything he can flip over, turn upside down and use as a step he will. Anything and everything he isnt suppose to have...he wants. And when he doesnt get it..he will let you know what he really thinks.

As for mama and papa we are doing well! Papa works alot and has an hour commute to and from work. We have been on the TTC journey for over a year now w/ no success. I guess when God has decided to bless us again, we will be ready. I am still working part time on the weekends...my weekend getaway :) Somedays you just dread leaving them and heading into work....but then there are THOSE days when you just want to throw your hands in the air and say...GOOD LUCK! :)

I will try to keep up w/ this poor lonely blog! I'll be checking everyone elses here too so you better have something good for me to checkout!

Large Family Living

2010-02-14T22:28:00.000-08:00

It seems that I have 2 groups of friends. One group is the baby makers, the other group is your normal, typical family. I have friends that have up to 17 kids, and then, I have friends that have 1, and that's it. Two far sides of the spectrum. My MIL thinks we are nuts, crazy, and do not need anymore kids. Its amazing when you have more than the standard 2-3 kids, that it seems to be EVERYONE'S business if you are having more, when your having more, if your trying for more, if we know how it happens, if we know what causes that, and is concerned on how many TVs we own. My typical family friends do not understand large family life at all. I get asked the questions that most of my large fam friends get, "how do you do it?", "glad its you and not me", "are you turning amish?"

I just do, me too, and ummmm NO.

Here are a few things that us large families deal with and will understand that most normal families dont and wont:

The sock bucket or buckets
Waiting a turn for the bathroom
Hiding snacks and chocolate
Enough food on the floor of your vehicle to feed a starving village
Owning stock in the Rubbermaid company
Confessions Board
drooling over 8, 12, or 15 seater
Sams Club & Costco
Knowing what dtd, dh, ds, dd, opk, hpt, bfn, bfp, kup all mean

These are just a few that come to mind. You all know what I am talking about :)

Well some of you that is. Its almost like a secret club. You have to have more than X kids to find out the secret lingo us large families know. Its a special bond we have, you can spot a large family across the store, give a nod, see each other bob heads as you count each others herd, and move on with a smile and feel like you've instantly clicked and have known each other forever w/o speaking a word.

Large family life, wouldnt trade it for the world.

Long time no type! Family Updates!

2010-02-05T21:11:00.000-08:00

Well if you still check in here, thank you for being such a good friend. We are all doing well, living our fast pace life, and sometimes i wish it wasnt that way, but with kids, and activities, and a family, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Abbie has been busy as usual. She is all signed up and ready to head to FL come June. She will be going on the 8th grade trip to FL and Disneyworld. She will be going w/ her best friends and the 4 of them will be rooming together. God bless those who take the kids on the trip. She will be doing Zoe again this year, and will be doing that right before the FL trip. She will be trying out for cheerleading in March, has been coaching gymnastics on Thursday nights, taking tumble in Omaha on Thursday nights after coaching, and will be attending DRIVERS ED, yes....DRIVERS ED in the summer. LORD. Again, help us.

Molly is now taking dance, so that takes up our Monday evenings. She is taking ballet/tap/jazz and hip hop. She LOVES the classes and told me "its the fun'est thing ever!". She is also trying out golf on Friday's after school and has been told she is a natural lol Doesnt hurt that she's went out w/ daddy a time or two.

Nate has been taking karate on Tuesdays, this is his first session. He seems to like it and I think its a good "sport" for him, something that he is to focus on.

Zach has been growing up so fast. He is working on potty training, and also speaking. I think he has a little lag, probably something to do w/ him being a tad early. All is OK though, and is working on his speech. Today we were watching the baby channel and the sign lady came on, and he signed MILK and said it. He's so stinkin cute. Everyday is something new with him.

Sam, mama's little Samlet. He is my lover. He loves to play, he loves to stand, he loves to talk. He doesnt care to crawl, just would rather hang out. He rolls when he wants to get somewhere. He's currently fighting off his 2nd ear infection and you couldnt tell he is sick at all. He loves to sit on the couch and bounce backwards into the cushions, lol, and for the first time this am, was found on his belly in the crib. He too is growing up way to fast.

As for daddy and I, we are doing well. Daddy has taken a new job in the big city, and has about an hour commute to and from work. He will have to work every 4th saturday, which is alot better than working every Saturday like he has in the past 5 years. We've had our ups and downs starting out 2010, but everything seems to be falling into place now. We believe God has a plan for all of us, everything is happening, or will happen for a reason, and we try to tell ourselves that often.

Another wee-one may appear in the future, but we are uncertain if and when. We, ok I, get asked often, if not on a daily basis when we are having another. I sometimes dont know how to answer that question? I guess when it happens, it happens. If we let it happen, it will happen.

I hear alot of, how do you afford it? Why do you want another? Your nuts/crazy! You know what causes that? Glad its you and not me! Isnt 5 enough? First off, I wonder why these people think its any of their business to tell me how many kids to have, or when to stop. If you want to have X kids, then you have X kids. If I want to have 6 kids, then let me have 6 kids and keep your comments to yourself. I dont go around telling people, you have ____ isnt that enough? Why do you need another ____. Just baffles the mind. Especially when I hear it from others that have had more than the "norm" of kids or came from a family that had more than the norm. You are one of 8, but you are telling me not to have 6? Seriously? We dont live off the state, we pay our taxes, we dont have more kids just so we can qualify for services, we have insurance, we dont ask for handouts, or hand me downs. We take care of our kids, we clothe, feed and love our children. We give them as much as we can, we budget, we take short-cuts, and we live the best life we can with what we have. We dont drive $30,000 vehicles, we dont live in a 7 bedroom mansion. We dont go out every weekend and party til the sunrise. We spend any extra time with our kids, not with friends. We shop at sales, we check the clearance racks. We buy for the next season, and box up outgrown clothes for the next sibling in line. We're thrifty, but, splurge when we want.

We live our life, and no one else can tell us how to do it.

No time for Choas

2009-10-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Hello there! Welcome back!

I have came to the conclusion that I am tired of the Chaos. As I sat here on a Friday afternoon with 5 kids (schools out for fall break), no vehicle, and utter chaos I came to the decision that enough is enough. I did some searching on the internet for Large Family blogs and I couldnt fathom what I found. Families of 12, 14, 16 or more kids blogging about how they do it and keep their homes running ship shape. And here I sit in total chaos, pillows and toys everywhere, papers and shoes and of course the TV constantly running and noise and concert decibles. Order needs to be restored in this home and guess what, this week is my last week of work and then things are changing drastically here. I am giving myself these last few days to bone up on my organization tips that I have found, ideas and tips on raising a large family, meal ideas and shopping tips. I am sure the kids will balk and I will have other family members tell me that I am not doing things right but things have got to change around here.

Kids will be given chores that will be done before anything else around here. Beds will be made before off to school, and no more of sleeping in til 715-730 and throwing clothes on and running out the door for school. Kids will be up promptly by 630 for breakfast and chores and will be ready for their rides when they arrive. These are just a few things that have popped into my little head of mine today and Im sure there will be more.

Keep coming back for more insight into my craziness. It should be a wild ride!

Oh My...

2009-10-15T09:38:00.000-07:00

Its offical. We have hit the terrible 2s. Oh my lord.

This boy, is on a rampage on a daily basis. I can only pick up my decorative pillows and bears so many times. I find crackers, snacks, and you dont want to know what else in my couch. We have a child protective piece on the front of our TV so he cant turn it on/off anymore and so we have to use a old credit card to slide inbetween the plastic and the button. Yep, you guessed it. He found a Staples rewards card, and went over to the TV and slid that thing right inbetween the plastic and the button so now he can turn it on/off/on/off/on/off as much as he likes. I think we have found all items that would work for him to do his magic and hid them. Lets see just today I have had a book thrown at me, I guess he wanted to read, has taken my pillows off at least 3 times, got himself up on the sofa table and was standing on top of it looking at my big picture window and trying to reach over and turn buttons on the DVD player. Then got himself stuck trying to get down inbetween the table and tv cabinet (maybe I should have just left him there...ok..I wouldnt have, but I was tempted) and as I was folding some too small clothes to pass along to my fellow crazy mamas, I see he has taken my almost full container of carpet freshner and dumped it all in one spot on my carpet. He is flying from the end of the couch and doing a superman flight test into my cushions, and he is trying to ram his baby brother w/ his airplane.

And now he is riding the broom into my living room as we speak. Too bad its backwards and he is trying to keep the heavy end in the air. Oh just tried to sweep the fireplace hearth and now trying to sweep the carpet where he dumped the fresher and trying to hit my tv screen w/ the broom handle.

'I just tryin to help mama, I really really am'

Happy Fall Ya'll!

2009-10-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

Well here is Sam...5 mos already can you believe it! Time goes by so quickly, cherish and snuggle with them while you can!

Sam 3 mos

2009-08-21T07:21:00.000-07:00

Samuel Oliver born 4/29/09...7lbs 1oz

2009-08-21T07:12:00.001-07:00

Busy Busy Busy

2009-08-21T06:48:00.000-07:00

Ok, for those of you who follow, or WAS following my blog I am so sorry for being MIA. With baby #5 arriving in this house, well, you can imagine what we have been doing. Its been an adjustment having SAMUEL OLIVER in our home, just with such a close age range with Sam and Zach things have been quite chaotic to say the least. Zach has always been such a mama's boy and well now that he has to fight for attention, we have been going thru this stage of SCREAMING if he doesnt get what he wants, or if there is something he does want that is how he lets us know he wants it. BOY. I have been dosing myself up with Tylenol on a daily basis to help relieve the headache.

I want to officially introduce you to SAMUEL OLIVER GRIGER. He was born April 29th at 9:30ish...I knew the offical time, but as some of you may know, by baby #3, 4 or 5, those little things arent as important, hey, at least I remembered the date and the correct month. He weighed 7lbs 1oz and the smallest of the bunch (although by u/s he was suppose to be big, that is why we induced a week early). We arrived at the hospital at midnight for the induction. We got the ball rolling at 2a, finally had all the paperwork done and the meds rolling and the ctx started a good 10 mins later. Worked w/ the contractions all early morning, got the epi at 830ish doc came in at 9ish, I was at 5 and he broke my water. He walked out of the room w/ the nurses, and not more than 5 mins later I told DH he needed to get the nurses that I thought I needed to push or that the meds were wearing off and I needed a bolus of meds. He left came right back w/ her, and sure enough, one pull back of the blanket and all H$^L breaks loose. She yells down the hall for help, and to page doc overhead, Mr. Sam was right there, knockin on the door. Mr. Sam was born right after doc walked in the room. 1 1/2 pushes and there he was. Perfect w/ a lil skid mark on the back of his head from comin down the shoot so fast ;) But just perfect.

I will try to keep up now w/ posting, now that things are getting a little better juggling time. Thanks for all the well wishes and emails!!

It's Time!

2009-04-28T06:24:00.001-07:00

The time is finally here. Can you believe it!?! Its crazy to think just 39 weeks ago we were sitting in shock that we were expecting once again. We are going to officially be a family of 7 by Wednesday night. Crazy! Me with 5 kids? Who would of thunk it! We've been thinking of a few things lately like...

What this little one is going to weigh, is he going to outweigh the others? Is he going to tip the scales at over 8lbs? Is his newborn clothes going to fit or are we going to have to start out in 0-3mos?? LOL
What time is he getting here? I vote for about 9:30am tomorrow and Adam says not til 3ish in the afternoon (HE'S CRAZY!) How fast will I go with already being 3cm?
Who's he gonna look like? I say like Zach, and Im hoping the same temperment!! LOL Zach was such an easy baby besides the terrible jaundice at the beginning and the scare w/ the state tests, well and the reflux but other than that, he was a dream lol
How is Zach going to take to the new baby? How is he going to do with Adam's mom watching him for a few days...Im sure I will be a total emotional mess when the kids come to visit us in the hospital but I'll try to suck it up the best I can. UGH.

We are set to be induced at 12:01am (tues night/wed am) so the plan is to just relax for the day, rest when I can, go to my doc appt at 2:45p, make dinner, and get the kids to bed, and then try to lay down w/ adam for a few hrs before getting up and heading out. His mom will be here at 11:30pm so we can finish up and head out. We cant check in til 12:01 so we dont get charged for Tuesday. Good thinkin doc!

My next post will be photos and info about baby so make sure you keep in touch! "Piglet" is so excited to come out and see his new family! Thanks to everyone for putting up w/ my prego brains and roller coaster emotions!

We love you all!!

Still Pregnant

2009-04-14T05:15:00.000-07:00

Well here I sit....still very large, round, & massive. The whole contractions saga the other day, ended up being from dehydration. Go Figure. Its just a waiting game here. My water broke w/ Zach at 37 weeks, which is this week. I am just waiting for it to happen. I've had a few more "pre-labor" signs....so we'll see what those bring. Baby feels very heavy and out there. It is impossible to get up off the couch, especially from a laying down position. Its quite commical Im sure to most folks, but I dont think its very funny. LOL

We have changed the name....AAAAAGAIN.....but im not going to throw it out there quite just yet. Im thinking maybe we need to just keep it quiet for now, and see what he looks like. We have a few that are on the list now.

My brain cells are gone. I have no memory left. My 4 other kids has sucked the majority of them out of me, and this last baby has taken what was remaining. I cannot remember appts, meetings, dates, days, times, nothing. I feel lost everyday, and sometimes get some place and wonder why I am there. The other day I walked into walmart w/ Zach and stopped as soon as I got in the door and couldnt remember why I was there. I had to stand there for a few, and then call Adam and ask him if he knew why I was there. I think it had dawned on me why I was there, but right now I cant recall why. Hmmm.

Well I will post as soon as I know something more about "piglet"!!

Labor??

2009-04-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

So, I've been dealing w/ contractions all day today. Been about 20 mins apart since sometime this am. Nothing to "write home about" but there. I've done laundry, picked up the house, etc, finding things to do to distract myself. Some of you may know, I ended up visiting the dr office on Tues w/ ctx and was checked. I was FT (fingertip) and baby was high, and thick. Okey Dokey. Well, since this is baby #5 and doc didnt want me to deliver at home LOL we were admitted and they were stopped w/ meds since I was just shy of 36 wks according to their dates. I was on bedrest so to speak til the next day, was rechecked in the early morning and was still FT, and we got dismissed late morning. I was told to go to the office at about 230 to be rechecked. I was then 1cm and she could feel the top of baby's head, still thick. She told me I had the go ahead now to deliver and that they wouldnt stop them now. So that was Wednesday.

Here it is Friday. I lost a large amt of plug this am (sorry all you non-children bearing folks for the whole labor talk LOL) and have been losing a fair amt for most of the day. Ive had pressure in my leg sockets most of the day and back aches. Its now 6pm and the ctx are now coming closer and stronger together so I do think this is a good sign. Once I get to about 5 cm I can go from 5-10 in about 20 mins flat and have always pushed twice, so its important that I dont screw around too long at home. I dont feel that they are strong enough yet to go in, and I am not going in to be sent home. Sorry. This is baby #5 and Im not going to look like a doofus and be told, you arent in labor!?! or having contractions?!? what are you thinking?? LOL Especially since I know every single nurse on that floor and have known some of them for at least 13 yrs.

One good thing about popping out a baby this weekend is the doc that has yet to deliver one of our children is on call. See we have 5 doc's in our practice, and we have 4 kids now, which each doc has delivered one of them, except one lady doc that has yet to deliver, and she just so happens to be on call. Perfect. So help me they better never add more staff to that practice!!

Let's just hope that the Easter Bunny brings us a baby this year!!! :) We will update you as soon as we can!

Love My Family to yours!

The name is.....

2009-04-04T15:41:00.001-07:00

I think we have finally come up with a name for this little boy. There has been many arguments over what to name him from Lucas to Lucius and Bennett to Desmond (can you tell who wanted what? LOL) but we have decided on.....for the moment anyway.......

Landon Joseph G.

We are going to see the doc every week now, and are just about to 36 wks. I have been told that if I do by chance go into labor before 37 wks they will stop it and not let him arrive til then. I was having a hard time w/ that at first because I am so uncomfortable and so ready for him to be here, but lately, I have been terrified that something will go wrong or that he will not be as healthy as he should be. I have been so blessed to have 4 beautiful, strong, healthy babies, who says this one will be too? Have we taken too many chances for having one more and nothing being wrong with him? This has bothered me since we found out we were expecting once again. I am sure its just that normal feeling that something will be wrong, and Im sure everything will be fine, but that thought is always in the back of your mind that something will not be just right.

As for everything else, he is still measuring ahead, and if he is not here by 39 wks the plan is still to go ahead and induce. We have never had to induce so we'll see how that pans out. The bag is packed, the house is clean, and the baby clothes have been washed. Ive been on my diet for almost a month now, it seems to be going quite well, and I have just fallin back into my old routines like when I was nursing Zach.

Nate has started flag football and baseball this week, and Abbie is doing Zoe thru the Luthern Church. She is debating on quitting gymnastics, and Im not too happy about that at all, but we'll see if it will blow over. She really wants to go for cheerleading come HS and I think she needs to stay in gym until then so she doesnt loose her skills.

For those of you who are not from around here, we are dealing with Tornado Warnings to our south and blizzard warnings to our north....ONLY IN NEBRASKA.....Im so sick of this weather!! We are in for around 3-6 inches starting tonight into tomorrow. ICK. Hopefully this is our last snow fall so we can get some yard work done sometime this year!!!

Hope all is doing well and staying warm or cool depending on where your reading this from!!!

Sending love from my family to yours!!

Time to Ramble.......

2009-03-26T14:07:00.000-07:00

We had our dr appt yesterday and had our U/S to see how big our little man is! It is a BOY and there is no doubt about it this time!! He is measuring about 5lbs 6oz which is a bit big for his "age". Sounds like doc is sure he will be here early, but if by chance he isnt, we will induce at 39 wks if everything is favorable. Doc thinks he will be here around the time Zach came, and I have already dropped, he said he is pretty low in there. In most cases, veteran mommies dont drop until close to delivery, so that is promising to me. I was checked, thick and closed, so all is still ok in there at this time. Although that really doesnt mean anything for me, because with Zach I was barely 1 cm and then my water broke that night. I rarely dialate much before I go into labor.

I am feeling more and more "ready" for him to arrive. I think I have came up with a name, I am just waiting to get the "OK" from Adam. I dont think I am going to give it away, but I can tell you this much that it isnt one of the names on the poll LOL Nothing like waiting til the last minute. I have the luggage out but not packed yet, but I did get my pre-registration done and dropped off at work so I dont have to worry about getting registered when I am in labor.

I am almost feeling at peace with the whole idea of him coming. The last few weeks I have been feeling nothing but terror, so I am glad that I am starting to feel more calm and ready. I feel now that I can do it, and that it wont muck up things as much as I have been thinking it was going to. Everything will fall into place. I think I can do this, there is alot of women out there that handle more than 4 kids (thanks to my BBC friends to keep me in the right mindset of having a big family) and if they can do it, then so can I.

I am going to try to clean clean the house up until delivery, organizing, scrubbing, etc. So, if anyone is out there that wants to get down and dirty with me, come on over!! LOL Just remember I am a mom to 4 kids and my house is of course going to look like chaos!! LOL I just hope to have it showroom ready for this baby before he gets here hee hee I think I better rent one of those huge trash bins!!!! OK so its not THAT bad, its lived in, but its driving me crazy so I must be getting close! Where are my sisters when I need them??? LOL One of them has got to have the Queen of Clean gene in them....right???

34 week belly!

2009-03-23T07:29:00.001-07:00

Seriously????

2009-03-23T07:02:00.000-07:00

So last night was the humpteenth night of having ctxs. Seriously??? Cant I just get one night of going to bed and staying there?? I dont understand why they start up when I get in bed! Last night was a little bit different however, I started getting this sharp pain on the right side towards the top at work. I was uncomfortable sitting there at work, couldnt get comfy for nothing, and it just smarted like baby was pushing something up in there and had it stuck. It was time for me to call it a night, walked to the truck and that sharp pain got worse by the time i got home. I got inside and told Adam (who graciously waited up for me) to get the "bed buddy" my little seed filled bag that you throw in the mic and warm it up, somewhat like a heating pad. He asked what for and I sd for my gut and he sd, you are not putting that on him! lol Well, then you figure out how to get whatever it is out of where ever he has it stuck!!

I got ready for bed, hunched over the majority of the time and crawled in and then they started. For gosh sakes! I told Adam to feel my belly, you could feel the baby's butt, some parts, because it was so hard and stiff. He sd, I think your having ctxs, its all hard. So we tried pushing that butt down to move it and get it out of the way which did not help at all. The pain went from a constant stab to timable contractions. I tried rolling, turning, rubbing, and I would give them a good 4-5 on the pain scale. The worst so far this pg. After whinning and groaning he chimes in...go get the bed buddy and put it on your gut. LOL Funny he didnt want me doing that 1/2 hr ago! But now of course it was daddy's bed time and he wanted sleep and not messing w/ ctxs again for the 3rd or 4th night in a row.

So up we went to the kitchen, warmed up the bag, and timed them. 2-3 mins apart and they were not something I could just ignore. I woke daddy once again and sd, this may be one of those nights we have to go in. I was trying to think of where my things were that I was going to pack, because I have yet to do so. Although they would stop the ctxs and I wouldnt really need a bag I thought..... so then I turned to thinking, ok so do I call my mom? Wake Abbie and tell her to go sleep on Zach's floor? Wake up Abbie and have her hang out downstairs? I've got to get better prepared!

I did not want to go in. I knew as soon as I got Adam up, got in the truck and got signed in, the dang things would disappear and I would look like a fool in front of my co-workers. So, I decided to deal w/ them. I swayed, rocked, moved, did a lil dance, put the warmer on my back and then moved it to my belly. After a lil while FINALLY relief!

I am tempted to give the OB a call today, but it seems a bit pointless since 1. I am not having them now, 2. I go to the dr on Wed anyway, and 3. I really dont want to go spread um for the docs to check me and then them say...nawww your closed, yada yada and AGAIN look like an idiot that I dont know what im talking about or that no they werent ctxs and im just a wuss. This is baby #5 I am almost POSITIVE that I know what ctxs are, what they feel like, and so help me if I stay home because I dont want to go in, and I have to deliver this kid myself someone better be buying me something big and expensive for doing so!

So I will go about my day again, and if they start up tonight I am either going to just go up from work and get checked out before coming home, or wait a bit and then go in w/ adam after I get home. If they are coming this strong, and I go pretty quick when I get part way, I dont want to be here when it happens.

Im hoping we do not have a repeat again tonight, Im getting tired!!

You know your nesting when...........

2009-03-19T15:35:00.001-07:00

You know your nesting when...............

1. You spend half of your morning walking around Super Target looking for storage containers in pretty colors, in different sizes and shapes to organize the massive amt of kids toys and games that have taken over the 2nd floor.

2. You spend the other half of your morning walking around Costco looking for easy to make meals for the family while waddling and holding your belly up because it feels like baby will fall out onto Costco's floor at any minute. While your waddling around, you find a economy box of yard and leaf bags which will come in handy when you are organizing and tossing the massive amt of toys and games that has taken over the 2nd floor.

3. You grab your kids from school, drive immediately to your mother's house to drop off her pretty colored totes that she found today, and while taking her things out of the truck, you see the economy box of bags and decide to grab everything that is taking up space in the truck and putting it in one of these huge leaf bags, and then in exchange for the pretty totes, you grab the wet/dry vac because you all of a sudden get a wild hair to take everything out of the truck and sweep it all down and know you will spend more time on it then your 75 cents will get you at the car wash.

4. You get home from the delivery trip and lug out the huge black bag of kids crap, find the drop cords in the house for the sweeper to find that your MOTHER forgot to include the attachments for the sweeper. While you are waiting for her to bring you the attachments because you need them RIGHT NOW so you can do the truck, you dig out the rake and decide to rake the yard, pick up the sticks and crappy leaves that has been smashed under snow for the past few months, corral the older kids to pick up the broken easter eggs they dug out which was making your front yard look like the Easter Bunny had been massacared in your front yard, and stow the baby in the stroller to supervise over everyone.

5. Finally she arrives w/ the much needed attachments, you drop the rake, and go back to the truck, sweeping every nook and cranny, put in new smelly things to make it smell so yummy, move all the seats, fold up the other seats, sweep here and there, and then, you get the BRILLANT idea to put in the new infant carrier to make sure there was going to be room for the new addition. So, after sweeping, putting everything back in its place, and lugging out the infant carrier, read over the booklet quick, and install the base and carrier it fits PERFECTLY right in the middle, next to Zach. We'll have to see how that goes to make sure Zach doesnt decide to use the new baby as target practice.

6. The truck is done, so now, you go back to the yard, raking, scooping, bagging, sweeping the sidewalk, putting all the tools in a pile so you can continue your hard work tomorrow because nowwwww its time to start dinner!

7. But as you are walking to the kitchen to start dinner, you decide to jump on the computer to write in your blog quick on how you think you are now nesting and getting ready for the new little addition to arrive, and thoughts running thru your head what you are going to make for dinner before the hubby gets home. Then cleaning up and going to work til midnight, coming home getting to bed and then what you are going to start on first thing tomorrow morning since you have the kids home all day long..............ohhhh I bet they will be wishing they were in school!!!

Annnnnnnd all the while having little contractions from all the hard work you have accomplished in the past 2 1/2 hrs!!!!! Oh the life of a pregnant woman!!

The Time is Near.....

2009-03-09T15:31:00.000-07:00

I am almost certain that the time is near for this new one to arrive.

Today is one of those days where my body feels like it is ready to explode, give up, and just peeter out. I am huge, I feel huge, my heartburn is flared up something fierce and I am out of any meds, from the middle of my back to the base hurts with pain that comes and goes, my belly is having BH ctxs and feels full/bloated and I feel sick to my stomach. Im thinking the pain that is in my back is related to my BH ctxs or they could be real ctx for all I know. I feel short of breath, my legs ache and I just feel like I need to go to bed, although I slept all night last night til about 7am and have laid down for 2 half hr naps today. I feel like I could bust into tears at any moment just because I dont feel good. Im in no mood to chase Zach or put up with noise from the other kids. I have to make dinner here and then head back to work (my first night back from my dr. keeping me off all last week).

I really think baby is going to be here early like Zach, if not maybe sooner than Zach. I am looking fwd to my appt on Wed w/ the dr to see what the plan is for the rest of the time.

I will keep you all updated, sorry this has turned into a boo-hoo post! I will try to be more happier w/ the next entry!!! :)

Moving in the right direction!!

2009-03-07T07:16:00.001-08:00

Thanks for checkin in on our blog!!

So here we are, just shy of 32 wks. We have approx 4-6 wks left of this pregnancy and we are FINALLY getting some things accomplished! The double stroller travel system w/ the carseat has arrived. It took forever to find the "perfect" set, but it has been found, purchased and delivered. I LOVE the print of the carseat and its a higher priced one so it fits to 30 lbs and like 32 inches so we can use it longer than the standard carseats. I have yet to get the stroller out of the box but we'll do that today. The pack and play bassinet has been set up, the bassinet in our room is up and ready and the swing has been brought out of storage. I am going to do a major clean up overhaul of the house the next two weeks or so organizing things and tossing alot of junk and then I am hiring a cleaning lady to come in and do the actual cleaning before baby arrives. So many of my friends have cleaning ladies, I just think its going to be the best for us too.

I think nesting has begun. I went to menards to get a light fixture for our existing ceiling fan for the living room yesterday. Brought it home, it didnt fit, went back bought a new ceiling fan. Brought it home, had my FIL try to put it in, wasnt the right one, took it back and bought an even more expensive one LOL and had him put it in. So now i have a new ceiling fan/light fixture in my living room!! I also went and got my eyebrows done, my hair highlighted and cut. I've started going thru Zach's clothes for the new baby, seeing what we have and what we need. I've noticed alot of staining on Zach's sleepers so he must of been pretty spitty at first and I just dont remember it!! Soo looks like I get to go shopping!!!!

I am going to be doing a registry at BabiesRus and at Target JUST because I have received a coupon for a free $10 gift card at BRU if I do a registry and a free $20 gift card if I do one at Target...heck who doesnt like FREE money!!! LOL That will at least get me a set of paci's at BRU LOL and maybe a sleeper or two at Target. Im going to do that this Monday.

If you havent heard because of BP issues and dizziness/passing out spells I have been on no work rest all week. I am going insane!! Needless to say I havent been the best of patients, but I try to sit and chill when I can. I can tell when i've done too much or been on my feet too long. Its the wierdest feeling and so hard to explain what is going on. But I can feel my heartrate pick up and usually feel it in my upper chest, I feel off kilter? dizzy I guess you can say and almost like I am somewhat floating? or feel lighter? When I was driving the other day I had one of these spells and felt like my eyes were going to roll back into my head as I was driving down Military on the winding road to the Middle School w/ the kids in the truck. Not good by no means, so doc said, no work and try to rest and drink lots of fluids as much as possible. I think he forgets how many kids I have in this house! We go back to the dr on Wed so we'll see what he says about it all.

I cant wait to have my body back. It seems like I havent had it back since before I was pg w/ Zach. It seems like Zach's pg and this one has rolled all into one pg. Since I bf Zach and was on my diet I didnt have any "me" time to eat what I want, or not be a milking machine, or anything like that. So it will be nice to get this baby here, and be able to bend at the waist again.

Thanks for checking in on us!! Im thinking of starting a kids blog...a speical place for just the kids' updates, dates of competitions, awards, etc, things like that. I'll send out the link if I ever get it started!!! :)

Take Care!!

The countdown begins??

2009-02-19T14:16:00.000-08:00

So as you can see by my ticker up there, we are in the last trimester, the home stretch for this new baby to arrive. I am starting to panic. Like, major panic.

I have no crib for this little new one (Zach is still claiming it), all the clothes are still packed away, we still do not have the rooms 100% switched, my house looks like a twister has hit it (w/ the majority of the disaster from the little twisters that call this house a home). Abbie has gym meets over the next few months, and show choir performances, I am going to work til I can no longer work, and not to meniton Zach and I have been under the weather all week and I have gotten NO sleep all week. I cant win!!

I keep hearing from alot of folks, it will all turn out ok, things will come together, yada yada. Easy for them to say. Zach graced us with his presence 3 weeks early, which if this one follows in his big brother's footsteps would be in approx 7 weeks. 7 WEEKS. To some of you im sure are thinking....hey 7 weeks, that's alot of time. OH no really its not. Not when there is this, that and everything else that needs to be done, bought, cleaned, stored, found, etc. And thanks to the way Zach decided to come into this world (middle of target anyone?) Im sure my mother will not let me 100 ft of a store in my last month or so of pregnancy which means I need to get all my shopping and such done like....Now? Then there is the dr. appts and of course the ever important last hair appt before the big day, the mani's and pedis that HAVE to be done before you are up there in those lovely contraptions with your feet in the drs face. Everything needs to be nice and purty for the big day.

So dont be surprised of here in the home strech I am on here ranting and raving, trying to figure out where to buy the home coming outfit, if I need a new carseat or if Zach's will do, what to name this new Griger, and to find the ever important double stroller that is going to be a MUST have for haul the two little ones in. Oh and I will have to move Zach's carseat in the suburban...where do I put him? I cant put him right next to the new baby...or the new baby will look like a red target sign to Zach and Im sure Zach will have the urge to share every toy with the new baby. So do I move him to the way way back? Usually we save that back seat for the naughty kids (ok not really lol) but it is way out of arms reach and well, I just dont know how Im going to work it. Ohhhhh and what about when I do go into labor??? Who is watching the kids? Who will put Zach to bed when daddy and I am gone? What if I go into labor while Adam is at work, kids are at school......here at home w/ Zach and have to wait for Adam to drive back to town???

Now I am freaking myself out MORE than I was....maybe writing all this down wasnt a good idea....just makes me realize there is SO much more stuff to do then what I thought!!

YIKES!

The Time has Come....

2009-01-28T15:59:00.000-08:00

There comes to a point in pregnancy where the pregnant woman (which would be me) comes to the realization that her @ss and thighs have grown to proportions that are unspeakable. I, have came to that point in this pregnancy, and to me it seems a bit early on. Most of my maternity jeans that I have gathered for this pregnancy (mainly wonderful finds at the Omaha goodwills) will not hold all this chub. Now, let me explain, they fit early on in the pregnancy, and I was quite happy as they are a size or two smaller than what I was wearing with Zach's pregnancy. I started out about 20 lbs lighter this time around, so I figured I would not be needing my other maternity clothing that was purchased at the local tent and awning store (ok not really, but you get my point). After Zach I had gathered my maternity clothing, planning on selling them at our annual garage sale, but just couldnt bring my heart in doing so, so I piled them in the back of my closet for "safe keeping". When we got the news that we would be expecting once again, I dug out those little treasures to find them WAY TO BIG for me to wear, the jeans were no way staying up even if there was a belly in there and the shirts looked like I had went to the big and tall store and found things on the clearance rack.

Oh how I wish right now I could remember what I did with those few pairs of "fat pants" that didnt fit a few months ago.....because now as I sit here in a "last year's model" shirt and a pair of normal jeans being held up with a huge piece of elastic fabric (someone must of been in the same boat as me and has designed a product for people to keep their pants up-conviently called the bella band) and my belly being only covered by that piece of fabric because the actual pants are stretched to my hips.

I would really love to find those fat pants and have my belly, @ss and thighs in complete comfort.

2009-01-22T14:10:00.001-08:00

Here is a little humor for you all that have a New Years Resolution to get in shape!

Dear Diary, For my birthday this year, my daughter (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me. Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try. I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear. My daughter seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

MONDAY: Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me. She is something of a Greek goddess - with blond hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!! Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring! Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!!

TUESDAY: I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT!! It's a whole new life for me.

WEDNESDAY: The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot. Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this whine that is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other crap too.

THURSDAY: Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late - it took me that long to tie my shoes. Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When she was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. She sent another skinny witch to find me. Then, as punishment, she put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.

FRIDAY: I hate that witch Belinda more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it. Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the stupid barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich. The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher.. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

SATURDAY: Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my daughter (the little brat) will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!

My New "Calling".....

2009-01-20T06:12:00.000-08:00

I got to bed at about 12:30 (early for me actually) last night and then Zach woke at 330 wanting to snuggle w/ mama in the chair and have his butt patted back to sleep. MEN. I have pretty much decided its pointless to "crave" all night sleep since we will be starting the whole night thing again in about 12 weeks, so I just get up and deal with it. As I was crawling back into bed, it came to me. My "calling" I guess is how I describe it. I dont know why I didnt think of it sooner.

I am going to start a MSPI support group. I had actually toyed with the idea of writing a book, but, I just dont have all that time and plus, well, I have no idea how or where to start. So I figured a group is the next best thing. I was told last night at work about another poor soul who will be venturing on the MSPI diet so she can nurse her little one. This is the 2nd girl I know of that is in my MOPS group that is having to follow this diet and we are only about a group of 30 ladies. I have came to the conclusion that this diet has got to be the WORST diet imaginable out there. The only possible good outcome of this diet....ok there is two well maybe three....

1. Its the best for your baby, no question about it.
2. The price of formula for a baby with MSPI is OUTRAGOUS. Depending on the type that your ped wants you on, ranges from around $25-$45 per can. This is the normal standard size can, not some economy kind that will last you weeks. This can will last you maybe a few days with a newborn. And as of last insurance WILL NOT cover formula. You may be one of the lucky ones to qualify for WIC or state assistance that will help with the price, but alot of families arent so lucky.
3. Its GREAT on the waistline. I mean, you cant eat a dang thing ya want, so of course the weight will melt off you.

Now since I work at our local hospital, I figured I could probably talk to a few people there to set up a room to use maybe once a month for a meeting. Im pretty sure they hold a diabetes meeting group so why not this ? And, Im sure I could probably talk a few people into being speakers, maybe my ped that has helped me from baby #2 with the whole MSPI issue, maybe the local WIC agency would be willing to come and talk about their services or maybe a La Leache group member, and maybe the hospital's dietician. I myself have quite a story, steming all the way back to baby #2. I will be starting up the MSPI diet myself here at the end of March.

So, there you have it. There is the beginning of my little dream...or calling....however you wish to describe it. Im sure it will take a bit to start, and what we would do at these meetings I have no idea, but......OOOO just came to me and figured I better jot it down so I dont forget. We could have a recipe swap at each meeting that is Milk and Soy free. I guess I'll have to start some type of book of ideas so I dont forget.

So, if you know of anyone who is dealing w/ the same issue pass along that hopefully it will be starting soon and pass along their info to me and I will start some type of mailing list.

Let the fun begin!!!

Zach's 1st Birthday Party!

2009-01-08T14:53:00.001-08:00

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY LIL BUB!

2009-01-08T14:27:00.000-08:00

Well the little man managed to make it to his first birthday. He held his ground w/ his brothers and sisters, made sure the doggies know who's boss, and took down his birthday cake with a few good jabs. The day was wonderful and had a wonderful turnout to celebrate his accomplishments, and his special day. Here is a slideshow above of the party. We all had a great time and we thank all of you who were able to come and celebrate with us. We love you all!

Bad Bad Blogger.....

2008-12-30T17:24:00.000-08:00

Ok Ok I know I know.....Im a bad bad blogger. With the Holidays, Birthdays, Work, Kids, Dogs, House, Shopping....well I have alot of excuses to throw your way if you need one. I have been neglecting the computer all together, its not just here.

Well, we are expecting another................BOY!! He isnt for sure, and told us not to go painting anything blue, but that is what he is thinking. The lil stink had its legs closed pretty tight so he couldnt be for sure that it was a unit he saw, and could have been the cord. I guess if we do another u/s for a weight check we will see if we can find out anything else. Im ok w/o knowing "for sure", I mean, it is #5 and well, I was sure it was a girl this time around, little boys are just as special. I am now 22 wks.....it seems to be flying by at times but then others I cant wait for the labor and the new package. This is more than likely it.....but if we could ever move to a bigger house in the country, I may consider just ONE more. Yeah......TOTALLY NUTS.....but it seems Adam was really hoping for a Zoe. Not that we could be for sure to pop one out, but, Im pretty sure this little one is it. LOL Baby is measuring around 77% for his size, so we were told once again he isnt going to be small by no means. LOVELY. Just my luck. We are still staying with a May 5-7 due date...it seems like they tell me different each appt, but i am sure its going to be a April Baby, which is good, we dont have any bdays in the family in April that I can recall.

Zach will be 1 in just a few days.....CAN YOU BELIEVE IT.......my lil boy is gonna be a big boy in the matter of days. We will be celebrating at our local Gambinos on Saturday at 630 if you havent heard already you are welcome to attend. Just a lil get together to celebrate his accomplishments. He is still having sleeping issues.......I am trying to figure that out here before the new one arrives.

The kids are all doing great, had a great Christmas got way to much stuff and is ready to head back to school, and so am I. Gezzzzzz I have never heard more complaining coming out of little mouths as I have this vacation. I dont see why they call it a vacation either.....more like punishment for the parents. LOL Ok they werent that bad.

Well that is all I can manage for right now but I will be back soon with photos and such. Thanks for hanging in there for me!!! Love Yas!!

Finally an update!

2008-11-23T05:49:00.000-08:00

So, I know there are only a few of you that actually read this thing, and I mainly do it for some sanity for myself, so I figured I would take this quite time to jump on and do an update. Things are going well in our household, Hubby has been transfered to another store in the big city, about 45 mins from home. He is now making a few hundred more on his reg check since he is working more hrs, and his commission check has now doubled. We have talked about me quitting work so I can be home more, but I have such an wonderful job at a great hospital with awesome pay so I think I'll just tough it out and see what we can do to work around it. We dont see daddy as much as before, but, it seems to be all working out ok at the moment.

Well "buddy" (what Nate calls the new baby) or Zoe (what everyone else calls it because we are really thinking its a girl this time around) is doing well. I am expanding at a high rate of speed it seems this time, but I have only gained about 7lbs so far. I caught a glimse of myself in the Old Navy mirror while changing and BOY do I look different this time. I am carrying really basketbally, nothing like the last two, but I dont remember how I carried the girls. I am also a bit lighter on my feet starting out this pg so that could be something w/ it too. Here is a belly shot....16 weeks 4 days....

Zach is such a little stink. He is learning to pull himself up and get into trouble. He loves bananas, cheerios, rice, green beans, peas, chicken, ham and carrots. Thanksgiving should be a blast for him. He loves to walk w/ your hands, and i really think he will be walking before he gets the hang of the normal crawling. Right now he inchworms his way around, but goesnt go very far and ends up rolling the rest of the way. At least we still have him contained to one room, since he doesnt go off to get in trouble yet. I cant wait til his 1st birthday! One, just because I cant wait to see him dive into the cake, but, I want to turn him around in the suburban!!! Its so hard with him facing backwards, and his seat is soooo big, its hard to get a hand around it when your in the truck. Kinda a selfish reason, but hey, with this belly its hard to twist like I used to be able to! Here is a photo or two of the lil munchkin...

Zach eatin chinese.....YUMMY

The rest of the group is doing well.

Abbie is on the middle school show choir, so they are now touring and doing their performances. We got to see them once so far, but it was at a crowded nursing home so we really didnt get to see the full thing. Hopefully she will be doing it again around here so we can tape it and show it to you all. She will be turning 13 on Tuesday....WOW.

Molly is doing well, she will be turning 9 Dec 9th. I think we are going to have a party at the amazing pizza machine. She is growing up so fast, she walked in the door yesterday and she looked like a mini Abbie....Abbie must of dressed her. Skinny jeans, boots, and a tank top w/ a over shirt. I was shocked when I saw her, never saw her in that "light" before. GEZZZZ

Nate is well, Nate. LOL He is doing better at school and I actually got him to study his spelling words and he only missed one! He hates spelling and reading, but has straight A's in science and math. I guess that's good classes to have A's in if any. He is starting to grow up a bit, but still has all boy in him and tends to get into trouble for little things.

We are having thanksgiving this year, and then its Christmas! Its coming up so fast! We have started our shopping so at least we have that taken care of. We still have alot to do, but, we are going to try to hold back a bit this year and not go overboard. The kids have so much, they dont need alot.

Well this has turned into a longer post then expected so I will let you all go back to your lives. I will try to stay better updated especially since we are already almost half over with this pregnancy!! WOW! We will be getting our ultrasound in mid Dec so make sure you check back to hear the news!!!

LISTEN TO THAT LAUGH!

2008-10-24T12:40:00.001-07:00

Growing by Leaps and Bounds

2008-10-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

Zach is growing so much lately! Just lately he has learned how to stand at the playpen, pulled himself up in bed twice from a sitting position, loves his little gerber snacks and cut up nanas, and has cut a tooth! He will stare at you while you eat which most of the time is something he cannot have because of his intolerance. He is now on Nutramigen because my milk supply is gone. It was a gradual ween and he hasnt nursed now in 5 days. It was a bit sad at first, but, I figured, it would have needed to be done at about a year anyway, so I might as well get it done now before he got a bit older and then have trouble getting him to ween. He didnt really mind the switch, and has been quite the little eater now. He is sleeping much better at night, going down for a good 6 hours before waking for a bottle right around the time I get home from work and then sleeping for another 4 hrs and wakes up at 6:30 on the button to catch Blues Clues first thing in the morning.

WOW what a different point of view!

Best Buds-Starbucks Playdate

2008-10-18T07:19:00.001-07:00

Best Buds!!

2008-10-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

Ok so the mama's and the boys went off for their last Starbucks trip before they closed the doors. We have enjoyed our lil outtings since T was a month old and I w/o knowing it, would be having Zach that evening. Our playdates then was with carriers in tow, with little boys sleeping away, or staring at us while we drank tea and cider. And now, for one last time, we had a stroller and a crawler with us, and tried to enjoy our tea and cider between chasing the crawler, or replacing the binky when needed. The boys seemed to enjoy themselves, and so did the mama's, even if it was just for one last time. Enjoy the slideshow, its the only photos we have of them and their playdate.

Im falling apart.....

2008-10-13T09:26:00.000-07:00

I am officially falling apart. Im not going to go into full detail of my night on Sat, but lets just say things werent just right where they are suppose to be down there, so out to the ER we went at 11:15 at night. Thanks to an extremely drunk man causing ruckus, we didnt get to the back until an hour later. Glad it wasnt much of an emergency. We finally got out of there 2 hours later, and come to find out, I have a prolapsed bladder, or so the ER doc said. He looked for the heartbeat but was unable to find it. He said not to worry, that alot of times they cant get a beat until after 12 wks with their doppler. They cannot do surgery for the prolapse while pregnant, so I am to do kegels, rest, and drink lots of water. I was to see dr. on Wed, but ER dr said to check in in a day or two. I called the office this am and they sd that was fine, they would see me on Wed. Not more than 5 mins later, they called back and said they want me to come in at 1:30 for a ultrasound. Now is that to check and make sure nothing else is falling? Because the ER didnt hear a heartbeat? If something is falling, am I going on bedrest? I cannot do bedrest. I have 4 kids, halloween, thanksgiving, christmas?? Im only 11 wks, I cannot be in bed for 28 weeks! Im sure everything is fine. We will see our little peanut, and everything else will be in place.

10 weeks!

2008-10-08T07:04:00.000-07:00

Here we are again....going thru the wonderful weeks of pregnancy! LiL Zoe (we are really banking on it being a girl LOL) is 10 weeks! Things are progressing nicely and we head back to the dr. on Oct 15th for our checkup. I havent gained any weight yet, which is surprising by the size of my belly!

Zach is doing well w/ the whole mama and the baby belly thing. He is still nursing like a champ even though it seems my supply is dwindling. We are supplementing with Nutramigen formula for his bedtime bottle and sometimes early am after he nurses. He is still getting some from me but not enough to tide him overnight. He is talking up a storm lately, its crazy to her his chatter.

We are still working on the rooms to get them moved around for everyone to be comfortable and not squished. We are in need of bedroom doors for our room on the main floor, so if anyone knows of where I can get some 76.5 inch tall doors for my bedroom let me know! They are hard to come by since this is such an older home. Zach and Zoe needs to be moved into the old master so I can start decorating and places the cribs in there.

I really need to be focusing on a boys name just in case. LOL Just for some reason we think its a girl and have been going with that since we started thinking it. Zoe Elizabeth is what we are going with right now and just sounds right when you list all the kids; Abbie, Molly, Nathan, Zach and Zoe. Now if you throw in another name instead of Zoe it just doesnt sound right. So, if anyone has any boys names they want to throw my way to add to the list, feel free. I need to get my head in a two gender mode just in case. We always have the few I wanted last time, but im sure since I didnt sway hubby last time it isnt going to happen this time around!

Mama's New Look

2008-09-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

Ok, so there comes to a point in a "new" mom's life where she has the urge to chop off her hair. Whether it be after delivery, early in her pregnancy or months after bringing the new bundle into the world, but in most cases it does happen, as so it did today. It came to me as I caught a glimse of myself in the mirror after getting out of the shower (after the shock of seeing a pregnant once again belly) and noticing that I look extremely old and tired. Now, some of you may say, "oh no you dont" or "your too hard on yourself" but please come on, lets jump into reality. My body is working on baby #5, I work evenings, try to take care of a house and a child during the day, play taxi from 3-5p most evenings and a Ref from 3-8pm. I have no time really in my life, or even in a day to take care of "me".

So, jump to noon today. I had it. I had once again pulled my hair back up so i could nurse Zach w/o having little fingers yank on my hair and I sd, that's it. Im getting it cut. So, a quick phone call into my most fav hair lady and an appt was set for 2:15. There was no backing out. It was done, and I was ready. Since most of you either know me from computer land and have never seen me IRL but if its straight and down its down to the middle of my back. In desperate need of some TLC, and hadnt been graced in my hair lady's hand since I was 6 wks pregnant w/ Zach. Scary.

So I count down the time for 2:00 to get here as soon as it can and off we go to the hair salon. Zachy in tow of course and Grandma on the way to rescue him from having to sit alone in a stroller while mama gets pampered. I plop down in the chair and tell her, I need you....my hair needs you. I need it layered, I need it shorter...just do whatever and do it now. So she started to cut and I close my eyes for her to work her magic. After a wonderful shampoo job, a chop, and a clip here and there, and a blow dry and its done. Just in time for me to run and get kids from school. I glance up in the mirror after she is done........

I LOVE IT! Its shorter, its layered, its soft, its fuller, its hip, its just sooo me! I wish I would have done it sooner. So, here ya go. Here is the masterpiece. Go ahead, be jelous I know you are! Hee Hee

Sorry for the crappy photo, it was taken w/ my phone, near the window, with less than perfect make-up on....ok I can make up tons of excuses cause I hate taking photos of myself, so you get what you get. Its me. LOL

Loooook What I can doooo!!

2008-09-30T14:01:00.001-07:00

8 weeks

2008-09-22T15:23:00.000-07:00

So here we go again with all the pregnancy updates and photos! I must say I am expanding at rapid speed this time around. Im going to have to go back and see if I have a 8 week photo from Zach's pregnancy because I surely dont remember being this big. I know I know, the body knows what to do after having multiple pregnancies, but this is crazy! We had a ultrasound already, and for clairification yes there is only ONE in there, well, unless #2 is hiding...OYE! Let's hope not! Check it out for yourself!

I am feeling quite well actually, no real nausea unless I dont eat, and the smells, is what gets me the most. Adam is boiling chicken at the moment for chicken and dumplings, and well, its the most unpleasent smell. Other than being tired, this has been a breeze so far. Check back again for more updates on the family and more photos!!

**UPDATE**
Ok so inquiring minds wanted to know (well mine so far) and I dug up a 9 week photo of when I was pregnant with Zach. OH MY. Yeahhhhh for some reason I am expanding quite "nicely" this time around! I have only gained 1 pound since getting pregnant so I know its not just weight gain that im dealing with. All Baby!!!

And then there was 5....

2008-09-17T12:06:00.001-07:00

Ok so we had our first OB appt yesterday for lil bean #5. YES there is ONLY 1 in there. Thank goodness! I was asked by a coworker last night, well what if #2 is hiding??? Yeah not going there. Im sure there is only one. They did an u/s just to make sure everything was ok since I did have some early on spotting and im thinking to make sure there was only one, by the way the dr. was talking. Hubby & I are thinking this is a girl, and dr. sd well, right now its a 50-50 chance.... DUHHH

You can see in the photo he marked 2 X's, from 1 point to another, that is the baby. The round ball like shape (which kinda looks like a head) to the right of the body is the yolk sac (for those of you not up on the baby terms-is what baby lives off of til the placenta takes over). Heart rate was good, 125 and strong he said. Things look good, and gave us a EDD of May 5th, 2009!

Here we go, jump on for the ride!

A Baba Strike

2008-09-10T15:48:00.001-07:00

Ok so as most of you know I have nursed Zach from the get go. Every day, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. Back at a few months old, Dh would occasionally give him a baba and I would pump at work. Well it got to the point where he would just end up waiting til I got off of work to want to eat so there was no reason or need to pump and give him a bottle while I was gone. Fast foward to a few days ago.

Now that we are due for another munchkin in our home I figured dh better be giving the bottle and I pumping at work to get up my supply and my stash for when its needed. SO, he wakes and I am still at work, so dh warms up a bottle. Zach was having NOTHING to do with it. NOPE. Doesnt want that, wants his mama. So, here dh comes w/ Zach in tow to work at 8:30 at night for a mama feeding. LiL Stink. Ok so we thought maybe it was just a fluke and figured we would give it a try again tomorrow. Next night was just a repeat of the previous night. There was no way this kid was taking a bottle. DH tried 2 different types of nipples and bottles, tried just mama milk and 1/2 mama 1/2 formula, nothin. So, here comes mama to the rescue, left work early to come home and feed the monster. I then took some of the mama milk from the bottle and put it in a tippy. He opened his mouth wide, grabbed on w/ his gums and yanked it and laughed a full belly laugh. Which in turn made me laugh out loud at this poor boy pulling at the cup nipple, just like he does to mama (my fellow nursing mama's know what I am talking about). He did this over and over, opened mouth, took in cup, tried to suck it out, ended up w/ mama milk all over his chin and screamed laugh in delight.

So, today I poured him some mama milk w/ his afternoon fruit and gave it to him. He couldnt seem to get much out of it, so I took off the lid and put the open big boy cup to his lips. He ended up lapping up the milk like a puppy dog, how cute can that be!! He ended up drinking 1/2 an oz like this, lapping away and milk soaking his shirt.

So, now I ask, do I just forgo the bottle all together and jump straight to tippies??? And is he going to be satisfied if Daddy gives him milk from a cup while I am gone?? Enough maybe to tide him over til I get home??

Oh the joys of nursing mamas!!!

Quick Refresher...

2008-09-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

So since I messed up the other Blog, here is a quick update.

Abbie has made show choir at the Middle School, she is in 7th grade this year. She will get to travel and compete in a singing/dancing competition with the school. Only 30 classmates made the team. She is also still attending gymnastics, and they have just brought in a new director which we are all so happy about. Abbie will be turning 13 this year, so any birthday ideas are welcome!

Molly is having a great 3rd grade so far. She isnt in the same room as her best friend, but still is having a good time. She isnt doing gymnastics any longer but wants to find something else to try. She will get to do Cheer Chicks this year w/ the HS cheerleaders and preform at a football game. Should be neat to see!

Nate is on track so far in 2nd grade. We've had good days so far, knock on wood for that. He says he wants to try karate, not sure about that one. I dont know if I want him to know how to take down his sisters in one swipe. HMMM

Zach is just a lil angel. I think he is teething, but still in pretty good spirits. He is rolling over and grabbing for toys. Loves to try to walk w/ your hands, but has no interest in crawling. Still not too steady sittin alone, but, that's ok, each at his own pace.

And then there is the new addition. We are expecting once again in May 09. This one was quite a surprise but welcomed just the same. The kids know and are quite excited. They have named it LiL Buddy for now. We go see the Dr. Sept 16th for our first appt.

Mama is feeling well, tired, but, that's expected. Not really showing yet, belly is starting to feel a bit more firm (but hey, who doesnt love firm?? LOL) and queezy in the evenings, but that's about it.

Thanks to all who keep in touch! We love reading other's blogs, so keep us in mind if you make one so we can add you to our list!

Starting New

2008-09-07T10:09:00.001-07:00

OK So I was playing around w/ my first Blog and totally screwed it up somehow. So, Instead of bothering Miss Julie, my guide to blogging, on a Sunday afternoon, I just made a new Blog instead. I wonder if I can link the two together? All that work, dang.

But here it is. Check it often because instead of trying to update every family member on everything, its easier for everyone to check in on their own pace. I encourage you all to make a blog, its a great way for family to keep in touch!!

Love My Family to yours!