Lemons and Lemonade

Holy February

2012-02-02T17:25:00.001-08:00

I can not believe that 1. it's already Feb. and 2. that I have worn capris the last three days. It's been 60 and higher all this week. I just have a hard time believing Puxatawny Phil. This isn't really an overly exciting post for most. I just can't seem to write in my journal all the funny things Stella has been doing lately so I'm going to do it here...that way my sister can read it also.
(ok.. this one is Isabel but it was pretty funny)
when asking about her vitamins she wanted to know if Costco made her dinosaur ones.. yes they do.. "well do they still make the cave man ones?" What cave man ones? "you know, the ones with the man in the cave". Me: Oh! you mean the flintstone ones!

Stella.
- Dances.. or just turns randomly.. around in circles to the left until she gets tired or too dizzy.
- tries to jump while playing peek a boo off the bed.
- signs please with both hands rubbing her belly when she sees smokoes
- tries to blow raspberries on cheeks and hands
- points to everything she wants and says mama... apparently that means she thinks momma will get it for her
- goes insane for peanut butter. squeals, begs, whines
- likes peanut butter on anything
- if she is trying to play in the bathroom, I have to call for her and keep eye contact with her until she gets to me (like in runaway bride), otherwise the second I lose contact, she is turning right back towards it.
- she likes to claw faces.. and leave marks
- loves to walk around with one shoe on. She will bring a shoe to me and beg and beg until I put just one said shoe on.
- scrunches up her face and nose and then squeals in laughter when playing any game with her.

I think that's about it for now. I feel like I am missing one or two but I'll add them later. So that's Stella my 24lb baby that feels like she's 30lb.

Fun month part 2

2012-01-04T17:19:00.000-08:00

On the 10th Mike flew in and Mom and I were at a cookie decorating class. It was a lot of fun! I'm not amazing yet.. but watch out! We really just hung out for the first week. We did get to see Niki and Ray. Niki is one of my closest friends from high school and we have stayed close through out life. We went over to their house for dinner and took them some our awesome cookies. Isabel was asking for a cookie and Niki said they have a rule at their house... you have to ask "may I please...." or you must wait 5 min before asking again (I LOVE this rule.. we are incorporating it in our home) so she needed to wait. Isabel turns to Keegan (their 6 yo son)and says "you ask". So Keegan asked correctly. Needless to say they got their cookies, and props for using teamwork. :)

If you only knew how often this took place. Stella would squeal or scream for a cookie if she saw anyone else with it. Then she figured out how to take the lid off the tupperware to get her own.. these were not small cookies people.

We took the girls to Seattle and walked around the Seattle center area. HOLY COW... I forgot how fortunate we are here in St. Louis...everything is either free or really cheap. The zoo=free, science center=free botanical gardens=$6 the arch=free to see the museum and a nominal fee to ride to the top. Seattle= NO FREE. We went up to the Space Needle and ate lunch at the 360 degree restaurant. Isabel LOVED it. The food was delicious. It was really a fantastic family date. Afterwards we went to see the troll under the Freemont bridge. I just love my little family!

We found the toy soliders

Love this picture of Daddy and Stella!

It was so cold!

Bunny ears when they don't know are the best.

Troll under the bridge, and no, I have no idea why on earth I am standing like that.

Izzy spent most every morning out feeding the horses, Stella did go one time but it was so cold. Leslie even indoctrinated Isabel on how to properly climb to the top of the hay bales and camp out.
The girls feeding

We played with the Bonnell's again. We got a picture of Averi and Stella hanging out in the swing together... they were not too amused.

This was taken one night after we got back from seeing Eric and Amy Radimak. I forgot to get pictures with them.. but Stella loved her Grandpa.
Stella talking with Grandpa

We did an advent calender while we were there. It was not as fantastic as I had hoped, but it was a start... and more importantly got me FINALLY using something I had pinned on pintrest. :) So the activity one night was to make smore's. So downstairs we went in front of the fireplace. We let Isabel roast her own marshmellows this time. She was pretty excited.

We did have a great visit the Great Gpa and Ma.. Aunt Sue and Uncle Jerry along with the rest of the McLees family. It was been too long since we have really visited with everyone and 8 Christmas's ago since I was there. Leslie and I each received a newspaper from the Seattle-Post Intelligencer from the day we were born. Pretty cool.
All the men on my Dad's side.
Gpa Gerry, Uncle Jerry, Jacob, Dad and Mike

And the Ladies.. I had to get on of my mom smiling. We were all laughing at how hard it is to make her smile with eyes open
Grandma Donna, Mom, my, Aunt Sue, Leslie and of course, Isabel and Stella

One tradition many of my friends do with their families is to have matching pajamas for Christmas. So I decided I would make them for my family... then added mom and dad since it was just two more.. then added Leslie and Jacob because I thought it would be fun. After MANY tears and frustrations and a few laughs all eight pairs of pajama pants were made. most didn't fit right but everyone wore them and at least pretended to like them!
Here are all 8 pairs of pajama pants I made!!! Oh and my awesome family.

This was Christmas eve... hanging out and Leslie and I reliving life when we were kids.

Isabel's favorite cookie she left for Santa.

Christmas morning we woke up with this.

The following moments were so fun... Isabel was able to finally join the tradition of the littlest passing out gifts.. she got sidetract a few times and wanted to just start opening her own. We got a couple of great pictures of Gma smiling and looking happy... just imagine for those that might know mom.... eyes open AND smiling. IT's A MIRACLE!!!

The girls enjoyed their matching glowing rings... Stella was pretty much done after opening this... and it was in her stocking.

Isabel was SO excited that she received all four boy barbie dolls that she wanted. Flynn is her favorite.

And after Christmas... mom and dad played a board game with us.. yea my parents playing pictionary is PRICELESS.. especially for a dad who thinks so technically.

We had such a great trip and can't wait to do it again.. although Mike may not be able to stay for as long! :)
And saying goodbye to Auntie Leslie!

The wild month part 1

2012-01-04T17:02:00.000-08:00

Oh Goodness!! Where do I start. Isabel had her 2nd dance recital on the 1st of December. She did awesome. She was pretty upset that she didn't get any flowers... like major meltdown upset. I tried to explain that we were leaving the next day and she wouldn't get to enjoy the flowers but it took a while to sink in.
I was traveling with both girls that day out to Seattle. The girls did A.MA.ZING on the flight. Part of the reason we were heading out so soon (and Isabel missing 2 weeks of school) is because Leslie and I were throwing our parents a 40th Wedding anniversary party. I have to say that for all the things I remember my parents going thru as a child, they toughed it out. I am so grateful for two people who loved each other thru it all and are still together. Come to think of it, all of their closest friends are still married also. Leslie made some AWESOME food, as usual. All in all it was a very fun party. Leslie got to tell everyone (including Mom and Dad two days before) that she is expecting!!! I am so excited for her and Jacob.

We took Monday off and Tuesday the girls and I left to drive down to Eugene, OR to visit more with Leslie and Jacob. We toured The University of Oregon campus, Isabel and Leslie saw Santa Duck (the mascot dressed up as Santa), met Leslie's friends at school, played twister (a pregnant lady and me with Isabel spinning....)pretty entertaining and hung out. During this week Stella was teething so my calm, happy baby was anything but. Most memorable was the night she screamed for an a hour (35 min of which she wouldn't calm down enough to get medicine in her mouth), come to think of it... most nights were that way for the first 1.5-2 weeks.

We came back on Friday and then Daddy came to us on Saturday!

So I didn't have my camera during the first week of vacation so part 2 will be really picture intensive!

So the only picture I have from about this time is with Isabel's crown from burger king... she loved it.

Thanksgiving

2011-11-27T15:51:00.000-08:00

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving!! We had a fun Thanksgiving this year. It started out a bit sketchy with a little girl who is teething and also had a cold. She forgot to sleep on Wednesday and when we got her home after our date, she woke up every hour from 1 am to 8:30. It was rough. We went to Mike's uncle's house for the big family gathering and ate and played some games. We left from there and went out to some friends house for another dinner. The smoked turkey was amazing and her potatoes... TO DIE FOR!!! I must get her recipe, something about white and gold potatoes with a sweet potato and turnip thrown in and of course butter, cream cheese and milk. OH MY!

Friday we all stayed at home and lounged, watched some TV, slept, ate some leftovers then went to another friends house for some leftover food and great conversation. We were so blessed and so stuffed at the end of the two days.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving here are a few of the things I am thankful for (in no particular order).
1. Family. I love my small little family.
2. Health
3. Heavenly Father
4. Jesus Christ
5. Alabama football
6. a warm home that keeps me safe
7. Amazing friends near and far. (and too many are far away)
8. My sister... she is pretty awesome
9. laughter from my family
10. the internet
11. Food. We have been so blessed with awesome cookbooks that make me a pretty darn good cook
12. A husband who does dishes so I don't have too...
13. A mom and dad who bring us home to spend a whole month with them.
14. teething tablets and children's advil.
15. Men and women brave enough to go out and fight for their country, people like Mark A. Forester.

I hope everyone out there had a fantastic Thanksgiving!!

Happy Birthday

2011-11-21T14:44:00.000-08:00

On November 4th 2011 my happy smiling baby turned 1!! It was a Friday night so we didn't do much. We sang happy birthday to her and gave her extra attention (is that possible??). I had to work that night so we kept it pretty low key. I did make her a tye dye cake. It was not bad but I realized 1/2 way thru mixing the colors I didn't buy food coloring, I bought a box of icing tubes. OOPS! oh well. I also think I forgot to add a bunch of the powdered sugar to the frosting.. my buttercream was... well buttery. Stella loved it. We took the family to the park. I was chilly but not to cold. Until the wind started. It was crazy windy. So we left Stella in the car sleeping and ate at the picnic table without her. :) We were joined by Mike's brother Jamison, his wifey Sheri and their cute baby James. Mike's parent we not there yet. So after we ate lunch we decided it was too cold to stay so we headed out to the church. Some friends were setting up for a wedding reception so we snagged on of the extra rooms and set up her birthday cake. Mike's parents met us there and we had a low key but fun afternoon. Stella really loved her cake. I stripped her down to eat and true to form the church was cold so she started shivering. I tried to take the cake from her so I could put her clothes on and she snatched her arm away and shoved the cake in her mouth. It was pretty funny. I let her shiver and shake for another moment then I cleaned her up.

The birthday cake decorated by Isabel

Birthday Girl!!

loving my cake!

We spent the next little bit playing with the kids. Stella did open up her present and got some awesome stacking/nesting balls from her aunt and uncle. She LOVES them. She also graced us with more walking and crazy laughter while playing with a balloon. Seriously, it's crazy how much fun kids can have with an air filled piece of latex.

Happy with the balloons.

The rest of the night consisted of a bit of shopping, a reception and dropping the girls off at Gma and Gpa so we could go watch the LSU/Bama game at a local bar/grill.

All in all it was a super fun day (minus the outcome of the game of course). Sunday we had our big family home evening with extended family. I made two cakes and man...they were AWESOME. My buttercream was to die for and my chocolate... oh my.

For posterity's sake
Stella is 22.7lbs and 28 in tall.

October recap

2011-11-11T18:03:00.000-08:00

I have been waiting to have the camera to download all of our pictures and Mike takes it most everyday for work.... so.. I'm (patiently) waiting for the camera. I worked and worked the whole month and finally we were able to use our Groupon to Grant's Farm here. I had never been and I LOVED it! Grant's Farm is a 281-acre ancestral home of the Busch family, located just south of the city of St. Louis. The Farm is home to more than 900 animals representing more than 100 different species. Ulysses S. Grant founded and farmed a portion of the 281 acres. There was a tram that took you around so you could see the wildlife and it dropped you off at the center of the farm. There were places to feet baby goats, which was awesome. One of them was trying to eat the fringe off Stella's pants and Izzy couldn't figure out how to walk with them jumping on her. We went to an Elephant show, fed some chickens and saw the Clydesdale. I forgot just how GIGANTIC their feet are.

Tram ride into park

zebras

feeding goats

We also had our ward Truck or Treat party, we didn't get to stay long but the girls were cute in their matching outfits. After that party... Some great friends from back home who are HUGE Cardinals fans flew in town just for the 7th World series game. So Mike and I ran down to the stadium to watch the game just outside gates. It was so much fun. After a nice visit at Steak N Shake we finally ended that part of the night.

Halloween night we went over to our old stomping grounds and did trick or treating. Stella made friends with a really cute dog and a bunch of ladies. Izzy made a haul and will still be eating her candy in February. :)

So blogger is being funny and my preview is all messed up... Hope you enjoyed the many odd faces of Stella!

Buddies

2011-10-17T10:04:00.000-07:00

Stella has a little buddy, meet Kyle. Kyle is the son of a friend of mine that I get to watch periodically. He was born a week before Stella and is SO CUTE! I love watching him. This last time a couple weeks ago I started snapping some pics of them both right after their naps. Kyle's face was almost dead pan the whole time Stella was slapping his back and laughing. I love that she cracks herself up. And yes... my child is naked.

Favorites

2011-10-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

I know that you shouldn't have favorite children. I mean heck I only have two living with me but at times I love them both (ok...all the time) and sometimes... well you know. But for the last few weeks this cute face (I wish I had another recent picture of her doing this)

She is awesome! School has been so good for her, it's helping her focus her energy, follow directions better, she is so helpful at home. Isabel loves playing her with little sister... you know this one..

Now of course I love this little girl, she is super cute and squeals all the time. But.... well but. Yesterday we were all desperately trying to take a nap, I have been working so much that I needed sometime to sleep and lay around with my family. Since Stella decided to sleep during church she took it upon herself to try and keep us all awake, squealing with some sort of delight, crying when we tried to ignore her, climbing all over us with her booty in our face. I tried telling her that I would love her more if she just gave me 30 min...honest to goodness, she laughed at me.

one of those days

2011-10-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

You know when you have those days where the powers that be are conspiring against you? yep, that's me. Yesterday went pretty well, sewing class was great, I went and babysat for a friend, that was fun but poor Stella never got a nap. So we get home at 3:30 I put Stella down for nap, got Isabel from the bus... and live as we know it was over. Stella was CRANKY (of course I did feel bad that her sleeping was off) and the rest of the night was more cranky, no making her happy, whining, whining and more whining. In the middle of all this I was trying to get my FBI background check info so I could be a chaperone for Izzy's field trip today. (oh and Isabel is the best daughter, I love her!) My work requested me to have it done, but the school also requires it to be with the kids. So I thought 'great I'll knock it out and it will count for both'. So 2.5 weeks ago I went and had it done. Now it turns out that even though it was categorized the same for both, done thru the DESE (dept of Edu) Isabel's school doesn't have access to it. I just don't understand. Isabel was CRUSHED when I told her I probably won't be able to go. I could find no way to log in to check it, no one could help me, my boss was calling to get it done also and to no avail.

Finally we go to bed, it took Izzy 2 hours to fall asleep, Stella was crazy so I went to bed in tears. (my apartment is also a MESS so that wasn't helping) Fast forward to 6:00am. Stella wakes up screaming bloody murder I get her calmed down and for the next 15 min it was like she had turrets, randomly crying or screaming out in her sleep. So all this has left me with an awesome day I'm having trouble shaking. I apologized to Isabel for not being there for her fieldtrip, she understood but said it would be so much more fun if I was there. So Isabel loves me, Stella is driving me nuts (I'm so grateful for cute kids that I can't stay mad at... Stella grins and melts my icy mood). However she did just fall asleep....

one year

2011-09-28T18:03:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been one year. I was driving home from work and it hit me that it's been one year since I received a call from Cheyenne telling me that Sr Airman Mark Forester was killed serving our country. I cried on the way home. I cried for the loss of my friend, cried for his family, and cried for what might have been in store. Followed behind those tears was an overwhelming sense of love and pride for what Mark did for us, for Mark living his life, and dying, doing what he felt was his duty, and was what he felt God wanted him to do. My thoughts and prayers are with my friend Thad, with his family. I hope I can always teach my children of the sacrifices, the selflessness of so many who are better examples then I.

New design

2011-09-21T19:40:00.000-07:00

Big thanks to Sara Archi for helping me fix my blog! I'm a bit technology challenged and she help....but "she" lost my blog list.(just kidding).... rather blogger is silly so if y'all don't mind leaving me your blog addresses again. Most I should be able to find again, but just in case.

So Thanks Sara!! And now I can weed out some blogs that seem to be dead...or just never updated... :)

September 11

2011-09-11T20:20:00.000-07:00

I am humbled and honored this day. Humbled for the obvious, so many people were victimized, so many died, so many injured and hearts still ache, tears still fall and lives were forever changed. I am honored to be an American. Honored to live in the same country where thousands are selfless enough to run into burning buildings, to search for hours, days for survivors. Honored to be served by those are willing to fight for our country overseas, to give their lives to try and save ours.

I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing, like everyone else. Today we tried to teach Isabel about why we keep this day a sober one. We watched a bit of the tributes, explained about the planes and towers. Why people would want to hurt us. As much as her little self could understand. When she seemed a bit overwhelmed we turned it off. I hope she can learn to appreciate the freedoms we have, the country we live in, and the giving on ones self that our country displayed that day. For those who died, for those who fought against the hijackers and changed the route of the plane etc.

God Bless us all.

first day of school!! first day of school!!!

2011-08-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

"dad, wake up! First day of school, first day of school!"
I thought of Nemo when Isabel woke up last Wednesday for her first day. She was so excited to get out there and really be a big girl. She wanted to ride and I really wanted to take her, so a deal was struck, if she let me drive her to drop her off, I would let her ride the bus home. She was good with that. So off she went with her back pack and her lunch all packed. She was so excited! My 5 year old is getting so big!
Mommy walk me in!

Public transportation is our friend.

Reunited and it feels so good!

Ahoy!

2011-08-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

Love these two photos!

July 4th, birthday week and Pioneer day

2011-08-12T09:24:00.000-07:00

Now that we're on our way to celebrating Labor day, I thought I would finally post about July 4th. We started out our 4th with a pancake breakfast at the church, (yum!), followed by the parade, the girls loved it but then we left when the rain really started coming down. Mike's best friend Cameron, his wife Annette and their cute kids were in town for Annette's family reunion. So we to to hang out with them. We headed to the Science Center for most of the day with the kiddos before heading down to the arch grounds to watch the fire works. Let me just say that spending 4 hrs by the arch with approx 12 adults and 12 children is SO much more fun then just having the 4 of us. The kids had a great time dancing until there were so many people there was just no room. Watching the fireworks was great, the kids had a blast with it.

Then we celebrated birthday week (or in this case it was drawn out for two). Mike has his favorite peanut butter chocolate chip cheesecake, I had a yummy key lime pie. And we both had more candles then we really wanted. :) Mike's mom also had us over and man I love my two girls!

And for pioneer day, we attended our ward activity and played with friends sat in the shade on a crazy hot day. It was good times with good friends. Mike participated in the pie eating contest, although he didn't win, he did stay the cleanest...I think he deserved a shout out. :)

Our last offically summer before school!

2011-08-12T08:57:00.000-07:00

We ended summer the same way we started.. on a high note with lots of family time. We took the girls to the history museum, Izzy has been dying to go there, thanks to Ben Stiller and night at the museum.

Isabel loved looking at the exhibit of the 1904 World's Fair here in St Louis. I learned that the first bread maker was showcased here, the carpet broom, ice cream, and more stuff that I have forgotten in the last couple weeks. Izzy also went to a salon for a hair cut. She was so excited to sit in the chair and get her hair cut! I of course forgot my camera.

We then went swimming last week as a final hurrah. Isabel made some new friends, Stella loved the slide and enjoyed crawling in the water. I was of course worried that she would face plant and drown. When I would put my hand under her to make sure she didn't fall she would stop crawling and toss my hand out of the way.

Izzy sliding, Stella sleeping, and Izzy pouting because we need to leave. Ended a great day at the pool!

Slows cooker bags

2011-06-26T18:02:00.000-07:00

I just had to post really quick. There is not much more I hate, and will delay, to the point of...well a disgusting mess, then washing a huge baked on mess out of the crock pot. Especially if I've made a roast. That greasy, fatty residue is enough to make me gag. Well a few months ago I bought some Reynolds slow cooker bags on sale. Let me just say ....heaven in a cardboard box. Simpy place the bag around the crockpot bowl, add and cook as you normally would. When you're done.....simply task out the bag and throw it away! Genius, best thing next to Gouda cheese. The second time I used one I punctured the bag with a fork but the ensuing mess was still next to nothing. I made an awesome tamale pie tonight but wanted to use shredded chicken instead of meat so I threw 6 giant chicken breasts (not all for my pie!) and some salsa and let it cook for 5 hrs. After taking the chicken out I threw out the bag and put away the crock pot. Huge time and mess saver in my little kitchen (and sink). So if you haven't used them go now, right now and get them.

new place

2011-06-25T08:33:00.000-07:00

So here it is.. my 2nd Saturday in my new place. I write from sitting here on my bed, Izzy laying on her bed on the floor next to mine. Stella sleeping in the pack n play, in the kitchen. The bathroom 6 steps away. We moved out of our house that was built almost 4 years ago. It finally sold! We were very lucky to have sold it and moved into an apt for the time being. We will start remodeling soon and have bigger space to live it. But for the time being... we are in 312 squ ft. Yes, you read that right. 312 squ ft. It's crazy. But working pretty well. We'll be in here for about 30 days then hopefully be able to spread out slowly. So for now we are on an extended camping trip. :) We have a had a great time most everyday. We are leaving the house daily, Izzy and I can walk to a friends house that's very close, the park is about 4 blocks away. So for now we are on our next great adventure! I can't wait to start work and get dirty working on our home, well not too dirty.. can't bring all the lead paint dust back to my girls. :)

And we finally just got the crib set up. I love it! So does Stella, she was spending time just staring at all the bright colors. Should be a pic up on FB. ( I'm too lazy to grab my phone and up load to my blog right now.)

Orlando

2011-05-29T21:21:00.000-07:00

warning.... more pictures again.
Orlando segment

Monday we drove to Orlando and reached our hotel. Isabel was SO excited when she finally figured out where we were. We hung out at the pool that night and watched Oliver and Company on the big screen poolside. Tuesday we woke up nice and early and went to Magic Kingdom. Mary Poppins was the first we saw to take pics with and we played in Fantasyland for a while. We met Rapunzel, Flynn, Mary Poppins, Tiana, Prince Naveen and of course Mickey and Minnie. Isabel has a crush on Flynn and we have a great picture of him doing the smolder. That little girl had so much fun!! Stella about melted but thankfully we avoided heat stroke. We at some amazing food for dinner at the Liberty Tavern. Isabel and Mike went on Buzz light year and Izzy kicked Mike booty at the game. :) We conquered Izzy's fear of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and now she wants to be a pirate. I really have the best girls.. (have I mentioned that already?) 13 hrs at Magic Kingdom and no crying, no whining, no "my feet hurt" it was magical. We took the bus back, and the girls fell asleep. A couple of quick showers later and we were all in bed ready for the next adventure.

Wednesday brought on Hollywood Studios and Downtown Disney. We go to Hollywood Studios and honestly I wasn't expecting much... man it was great. The interactive Disney channel show (Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Club, Little Einsteins and Jake and the Pirates) so great, Little Mermaid show was fun, albeit a tad scary. Ursula was HUGE! Isabel was curled up trying to not cry in her seat. The Monsters Inc show was hilarious as well. It really was a great venue for kids. We ended our trip there with the Toy Story arcade game ride. Again.. that was so fun.

Downtown Disney was fun. We took a but to the Saratoga Springs hotel and took the water taxi over. We walked around and waited for our dinner at Wolfgang Puck. There is a water fountain over by Planet Hollywood and Isabel made a friend so we watched her play and run around for 45 minutes. Dinner was fantastic, although we were still full from lunch. My salmon so amazing as well as my key lime pie, oh my goodness!!! We barely made it home... bus never wanted to get there and when we did.. we tossed everyone in the showers again and tossed them in bed. Poor Stella was not doing so great after lack of proper naps and getting so hot. At least Tuesday we were in air conditioning most of the day. One more day to go.

Thursday we were all so tired getting up but had to be up early for Isabel's princess breakfast at Epcot. We were running late due to a wrong turn and ran so fast inside. Thankfully all was well. She had a blast getting to do the princess parade with Cinderella the 1st time and Aura the 2nd. Since we were celebrating her birthday she got a card signed by all the princesses (and Mary Poppins). She was totally smitten. We did a bunch of rides, walked around the aquarium at the Nemo ride ( I love the picture in front of the 'mineminemine' birds) and enjoyed watching sea turtles, dolphins and a manatee. We walked around to a few countries but we were all exhausted by this point. We did hit the reset button when we picked up some frozen lemonade and stopped by the french bakery and ate some yummy, yummy food. We ended the day about 3 o'clock with a ride on the monorail. And yes, we're already planning our next family vacation there! Next time I think we'll definitely plan a day or two of rest and not try and do three days in a row. But it was a GREAT trip!

On the road again.. and again, and again.

2011-05-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

(warning! LOTS OF PICS!)
St Charles, MO-Destin, FL
So here it is... a month later and I still a haven't posted a real update. So I'm bypassing Easter, birthdays, graduations and anything else I missed and starting with our awesome road trip (which we're still on.. typing while Mike is driving).
For Izzy's birthday (or that's what we tell ourselves) we headed to Orlando. But wait, let me back up (beep, beep, beep). My youngest cousin got married in Destin on May 22nd. I love Will and he and Sara make such a wonderful couple. Sara also spent many-a conversation with Isabel, so I really, really like her even more. We embarked on our trip May 16th and drove to Tuscaloosa to spend the night at the Barr B&B as usual. We were able to drop off many donations, from friends in St Louis, comprising of mainly kids clothes but some adults also. Then we headed to the B&B. Our normal room was occupied upon arrival by a new tenant, but all was well. The accommodations were still perfect. After a great dinner and lovely conversation we headed to bed and woke up nice and early to get in the car and drive to Destin. My Aunt rented a house for all 16 or so of us to stay in. This house was Out.of.this.world. So beautiful, travertine floors throughout, vessel sinks in every bath room (functionality is lost but design impact is there), slate tiled shower, HUGE....huge.. 105" the downstairs one was a mere 80" That was two of the 5 huge ones in the house. 4 floors... right on the beach... a.maz.ing. (wait I think I have pics on the computer... hold on... not the ones I wanted but there now you can see it)

We took a tour of the house, camped our stuff in the bedroom with 4 bunk beds and a crib. Izzy loved the bunk beds. The 'ladies' headed out for a dinner while the men (and kids) ate some awesome seafood made by my Uncle. Mike loved it. Then we we were all back at the house we had a birthday party for Isabel. I would just like to give a shout out to my whole family.. they easily doubled the wardrobe of both my girls, along with beach toys for Isabel, coloring/word books, a cool t-shirt with disney stuff to color and so much more. Our trunk was STUFFED again. We are so blessed. (then when Leslie and Jacob got there there was even more stuff!)

Wednesday, needless to say, there was a lot of playing on the beaches. Not sure where my brain went, Wednesday we went outside and I lathered up everyone with sunscreen.. everyone but myself so I did not get to enjoy the water or sun much. I did get out to the beach but just stayed covered. Izzy LOVED the beach and water. Stella also had a blast feeling the water and sand. She was just cute!
My other cousin Alex had her 1st baby 5 days before Stella so the kids got some baby bonding time. Mike and I did some shopping with my mom. (Mike scored a $700 suit for $150 it's awesome!) {random pic of my mom... yeah a RARE find. eyes open AND a smile}

Friday morning Mom and I went to the airport to pic up Leslie, Jacob and Dad. It was full of, well an interesting trip. We laughed a lot, got lost, and had some great family time. We had many, many gatherings at this wedding, 4 parties plus the wedding ( we missed one because of the airport trip). Lots and lots of good food, normal family chaos, Leslie and I had a great walk and girl time. Much needed. The wedding was great {note: I sat on the wrong side again, I do not like myself photographed from my right side}. After the reception Mike and I took the girls on a family date. Let me brag for a minute. My girls are amazing. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing they were the whole travel time (and still are), in the car, at the house, everything. I am such a proud momma.

Sunday morning brought the end of the Destin trip, we drove to Pensecola to take Leslie and Jacob to the airport, spent the night and then got up early so drive off to Orlando!

surreal

2011-04-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

Seeing pictures and videos of the huge tornado that hit Tusacaloosa and Birmingham is surreal. It's crazy to look at pictures and know what part of town you're looking at, but no landmarks are there. Krispy Kreme, gone, taxi fads gone, a house I spent many hours in my freshman year, gone. I am so grateful that all of my friends and loved ones are so far accounted for and safe. One friend had a tornado just a couple streets over from her, way too close for comfort. I miss everyone down there and I really want to come down and do something. We'll he there in 2.5 weeks and I can't imagine how different it will be. My heart, my prayers and most every thought today is going out to the people of Tuscaloosa. May Heavenly Father keep His merciful hand over you and keep protecting you.

last call

2011-04-09T13:13:00.001-07:00

Ok everyone this weekend is the last call for our March of Dimes team shirts. Please let me know asap if you are wanting one!! All proceeds go to Team Brooklyn!

2011-04-03T15:57:00.000-07:00

This shirt in green.
These are our team shirts for our March of Dimes walk on April. We want EVERYONE to come out and join us. No t-shirt purchase required! :) This is a great day and a fun family activity. They have breakfast and lunch provided, snacks, moon bounces, craft areas, inflatable basketball games, balloon guys. It is so much fun!!

If you are in St Louis, please, please come out and join us for an awesome day supporting all babies that they can one day be born healthy.

Oh and feel free to donate on the tab to the left and just leave me a comment if you want shirts. They are $12 each.

Thank you everyone for your support.

Thoughts

2011-03-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know I have so much to get caught up on. Posting pic but instead I want to show you what our family is doing. As you all know March of Dimes is an orgainzation that is near and dear to our family. We are walking again on April 30th 9am at Forest Park in St Louis. It is always a ton of fun, walk, face painting, moon bounces, giveaways, free food etc. Please, please join our family. If you are in town this is a great family activity to take part in, the kids have a blast and forest park is beautiful. If you are not in town please feel free to donate, even $0.50 will help. You can donate by using the link on the left hand side of my blog or by purchasing a team shirt. I have two examples of what are shirts may look like.. we haven't decided just yet, will decided this week. Shrits will be $12 dollars and we will hopefully have onesies available as well.

The shirts will be a kelly green color and one option is

The est oval will have 2008, her year of birth

The other option is one that says
I (heart)
Broo
klyn

We'll let you know but PLEASE let me know if you are interested in shirts.

Thank you so much for your support for this important cause.

March of Dimes

2011-02-16T13:45:00.000-08:00

(see banner to the left)

Hello everyone, it's that time again. March for Babies is gearing up again and will be in St Louis on April 30th. Our family is raising money to help fight for this wonderful cause. You all know my history with pregnancies and the joy we had with this last successful pregnancy and being able to carry Stella pretty much full term and come home with a beautiful healthy baby.
If anyone wants a wonderful family outing for a day and has a walk near them they can join our team and still walk in another state. There is also a 5k run for any of my running friends. If you want your registration fee ($15) to be credited to the team I'll have to email the form to be faxed in. We are having t-shirts made this year for our team. It looks like they'll be about $8 and will be very plain with Brooklyn's name in old script letters (looking like it's a t-shirt for the city of Brooklyn).

Please join our family, here in St Louis or where ever you are. If you are not able to join us in the walk I would be honored if you could give what you are able, be it $1 or $1000. We walk for hope, hope for our family, hope for others, hope for continued medical advances to save lives, we walk so one day, all babies will be born healthy.

2011

2011-01-25T08:11:00.001-08:00

I have been trying to write this post for awhile. I just haven't felt up to it. Nothing major is going on, but lets just say I have never been so glad to see a year end. Aside from the obvious (see two and three posts below) 2010 was awful! We've had trial after trial after trial, including that huge blessing (see aforementioned posts). Mike and I have never had an easy married life (between us has been fine, it's the outside crap that's been hard) and last year was no exception. To be honest, the last 3 years have been tough. We have both felt like 2011 was going to be different, it is going to be better and it has so far. We have been blessed with Mike's work, our girls are wonderful, we're healthy etc. I know it's so important to hope. But hope is exactly what has been tough. Mike and I are dreamers, we don't let things get us down for too long. But I am so tired of hoping just to have it come crashing back down again. Each time it was harder to get back up. It's like watching a fight scene and one person gets knocked down get up knowing the next blow will come again and knock them down, not just once but again and again.
Thankfully we had just enough faith to keep us going. My family knows that there is a refining process that occurs during this mortal life, but never did I imagine that I had THAT many rough edges that had to be knocked off so forcefully. We have come out of it, a little battered, a little bruised but also a little brighter. We are so grateful for the blessings we have received and know that the trials have been for our benefit but I would be lying if I didn't say there are times I felt like we were forgotten about. Like when you put a child in time-out and you forget they are there. ( Countless times Isabel has been the bearer of that) It now feels like Heavenly Father remembered us again.

On a more upbeat note. We are very excited to go to the beach this spring for my cousin's wedding. A week at the beach will be awesome. We are also going to try and sneak over to Orlando and take Isabel to Disney World for a couple days. We truly are blessed, now if we could just act a bit quicker on those blessings so we don't run them off life would be amazing. We have done our family goals for this year. A bit wiser then in years passed, we kept it to about 6, we edited out the obvious ones because they kept us focused on them, not the bigger ones. Besides, shouldn't family scripture study be a habbit by now as well as family home evening? We do those anyways and they should be ingrained.

I have to brag about my husband for a minute. I married an amazing man. Yes, he's a dreamer but that's one of the things I love about him. He has worked and worked and worked some more to achieve his goal with his business, granted we're not there completely, but he NEVER gave up. No matter how many times people would tell him to do something else to get another job etc. He never lost sight of his answers from Heavenly Father (even if at times I did). I am so grateful to this man who takes care of me, pushes me (and my buttons :) ) and is a great father to his beautiful children. Thank you Mike for picking me, for choosing me and for loving me.

a favor

2011-01-05T20:46:00.000-08:00

I found this story and hope you will all go and wink at Caleb for his miracle 6th birthday.

Stellllaaaa

2010-12-09T17:49:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday we blessed Stella. It was a wonderful day. My aunt Barbie made her blessing dress, bonnett, and booties. She looked beautiful!
We were fortunate to have many friends and family there to help us. (for posterities sake I will list them here, Daddy, G'pa Eric, G. G'pa Arden, Uncle Jamo, G. Uncle Barry and Scott, Bishop Fred, Pres Mackey (stake Presidency), Jake Ericson, Billy Hunter, Ryan Lenahan, Dana Farnsworth) Unfortunatley.. we were not able to get all 12 guys in the pictures. Jamo, Billy and Ryan had to leave, and Bisho... well he's a Bishop and I couldn't catch him after Sacrament meeting.

In an effort to not be out done with attention... Isabel was CRAZY at church all day. At one point she left Sacrament meeting, presumably to go to the bathroom, and I found out after church she left to run around the (hardwood floored) gym in her mini heeled shoes. Yeah... she was THAT kid.

I learned a few things that day mainly that I should never stand on the right side of MIke for pictures... my right side is not my pretty side. :)
So here is our wonderful Stella.

more news!!

2010-12-01T09:06:00.001-08:00

Ok, not really but I just wanted to get your attention so you would read my blog. :)
Stella is sleeping pretty well...or was until last night ( hoping that is just a blip on the radar). I learned that if I don't stay totally hydrated Stells doesn't get to eat. We took her to church for the 1st time on Sunday, she was awesome. I always said that I wouldn't take my kids before 4-5 weeks, but I woke up that morning and just felt like I needed to be there and that we should go as a family. It was so nice to go again! Other then two weeks in October, I had not been at church since around the 24th of July. I did get to be ( as one friend put it) a momma bear making sure no one touched her. Mike was just as vigilant if not more so. He's such a great daddy!

Isabel loves being a big sister and is getting better at holding her ( and picking her up unauthorized!), and has started keeping her entertained for me if I need to finish up a task before feeding Stells.
All in all, life s great!!

Giveaway!!

2010-11-23T11:24:00.000-08:00

Ok so not mine, but a blog I follow, http://shanty2chic.blogspot.com/ is giving away a new Silhouette Machine! This thing does so many cool things, (think cricut but without the cartridges). You can download the designs and have them all saved with out the bulk of trying to keep the cartridges organized or changing them out constantly.
I hope I win.... I hope I win!

another week

2010-11-21T13:38:00.000-08:00

This has been a wonderful week. I've gotten to hold my baby lots and lots (yes I know the grammar in that sentence was awful). We had a couple of rough nights.. but over all I'm pretty lucky. I have learned that she burps MUCH better for Mike than for me. My mom was in town this week. It was so great having her here. We didn't do much besides sew.... and sew and sew. That was punctuated by a few trips to JoAnn's, one to Costco (where Isabel conned my mom into buying goldfish and fruit snacks) and Target where the girls were loaded up with clothes from Grandma. I need to take pictures of the projects we did but I have to finish my two first. I have just a few details left and I really, really want to get them done. So here is our list of projects..
ponchos for each girl
dust ruffle for Stella's bed set
Car Seat cover (I messed up a bit so fixing it soon!)
Diaper bag (looks awesome!!! I just bought the wrong snaps for it, so it will be done this week)
curtains hemmed for Stella's room
and something else I"m forgetting.

Note the car seat and diaper bag were my only two projects... Grandma had the rest and got hers all completed! She also did the binding on a quilt for my cousin this week. I was tired! My aunt came in town also to stay for a day, she also brought more clothes for Isabel, and she knitted hats for the girls. One I really want in my size... but Isabel and Stella have matching hats. SO cute! I have a picture up on FB and will add that to the list of items to post this week.

The one thing I'm tired of is the hormones. I have been snapping at everything like crazy. Silly things are setting me off and the fact that someone is trying to be nice is forgotten... I instantly start raging. yeah.. that needs to stop. I guess it's better then being depressed except that my raging affects my poor husband as he has to deal with the windfall of it all. Hopefully just another couple weeks and I'll be back on track with some normalcy.

I'm excited for this holiday season. I have so much to be thankful for this year. I'm excited for the magic and peaceful feeling that comes with this part of the year. Our tree is definitely ready to be assembled and decorated. My sister is coming again for her annual trip in December. Again.. so excited for her to come. My mom called today (she left yesterday morning) and following up with a conversation we had... Stella looks more like Leslie than anyone else at this point. Hopefully we'll have some baby pics to compare too when she comes.

One week... (and a bit more)

2010-11-12T18:03:00.000-08:00

It has been an interesting week around here. First, I didn't get to leave the hospital on Monday like I was supposed too, I spiked a fever on Sunday and the Dr. wanted to make sure I didn't have an infection. So I had one more day to hang out. On Saturday they put Stella on the bilibed because her bilirubin levels were too high. Thankfully that didn't happen until after we watched a rather sad football game, but at least we were able to cuddle all day. Stella met one of her Great Grandma's that day. Sunday we had friends come and visit. Lacey and two of her daughters came up, Isabel had fun playing with her friend. Just before they left Crystal and Billy came by and stayed for awhile too. It was fun trying to discreetly nurse with Billy there. It was the first time I've had to try. I think I did ok and avoided flashing him. Monday morning Stella's bili levels were holding steady so they took her off they lights. My friend Candy came and visited Monday night and we had a great visit. Tuesday I found out about 8:30 that we'd get to go home and were so excited!!! We finally got home about 1:30 and by 2 I was asleep. I woke up at 4 and felt like I was run over by a mac truck. Mike had Stella outside and couple of our neighbors saw him and stopped by for a visit. We just vegged the rest of the day. Wednesday was my overly emotional and hormonal day, I couldn't stop crying all day. Not sure how I got thru that day, but even a form thank you card from the St Louis Cord Blood Bank sent me in tears. Thursday we took Stella to the doc, then had to run down to the hospital to get her blood tested again. This is where is gets fun. Apparently the cord to charge my phone suddenly was broken and not working, tried 4 different outlets, and my computer nothing. Of course that would be the day that the Doc's office was trying to call me and home health was trying to call. Mike finally called my friend Candy who drove over to my house to check on me. Needless to say, Mike was worried because the offices were calling him. We finally got it all worked out. Stella's bili count jumped up a bit for the few days she was off the light and they wanted her on the bili bed immediately. So 2 hrs later home health was at the house. Candy stayed with me thankfully, I was starting to turn into and emotional wreak.

So we've been back on 3 hr feedings so she can excrete the bilirubin and go back to get the blood tested tomorrow morning. My mom comes in town on Monday so hopefully we can get her off the bilibed by then so we can all cuddle.

So that's it, I'm going to try and download pictures from my phone so that you can see all the many fun times we've been having here!

Ok so there are a lot of picture but I finally have time to post and not sure how quickly I'll get to it again. Great news... Stella's bilirubin levels dropped 5 points after 2 nights on the bilibed!! So she's off the bed. Now just to be able to keep on a fairly normal feeding schedule.

Enjoy the montage of pictures!

Notice her cute little grin.

I love this 'old man' grin!

For those that remember... this same ring was up to the shoulder of both Isabel and Brooklyn when they were born. Stella only gets 2 fingers inside. (I LOVE MY DOCTOR!!!)

Bilibed at hospital

Bilibed at home

I LOVE these next three.. While Mike was outside the OR as they were getting me set up, he was practicing his surprise face.

My three favorite people!

Cute daddy and Stella!

Lastly a random picture I found of Mike on a work trip to Tx.... riding a Jack-a-lope.

And baby makes 4

2010-11-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

Introducing miss Stella Ann Pulley.

So Thursday I went to the Doctor for my normal weekly appointment. I had been stressed out that morning, I found out the night before that my mom is coming down on the 15th of November and since I was no closer to delivering I didn't know how it would work out. Obviously I need a baby if my mom is coming down. She can't change the dates due to work. So after Doc comes in and asks me how I'm doing... I quickly spoke of the stress. Then we talked about if/when VBAC, what stars have to align for it to happen. Turns out the reason he wouldn't turn her is because of the increased risk of a uterine rupture (which would equal no more kids). So after we discussed all this, he starts the exam. While he's doing the exam... it was so funny to watch him sigh and his face drop slightly. I jokingly asked him what's wrong and there was a hesitation before he asked me..."you haven't had any contractions or cramping?" No I replied... I've had really minor cramping every now and then but that's it. He looks at me and said.. "you daughter is kicking me". So I was 2-3cm dilated and Stella was trying to come out feet first. He looked at me and said.. we need to have this baby.
I was a bit taken back.. wasn't how I expected my morning to go. He stepped out to make a phone call, came back in and said. This baby is coming today. It was all set up. I walked over to L&D was admitted and had to wait until 4:30 since I had eaten breakfast.

Fast forward a few hours the happy drug people came in to do my epidural, it was the easiest epidural I've had put in but it didn't take well. Instead of my surgery starting at 4:30... it didn't get started until 5:15. They had to keep giving me more and more drugs and rotating me trying to get my right side numb. Finally they had it but holy cow... this C-section was more uncomfortable then my last two were. I don't know if it was just a different Doctor, he seemed faster, or because I had a big baby they were pulling out and they had to pull and push harder or what but they ended up giving me a bit of nitrous oxide too because it was ridiculous how uncomfortable the whole thing was. BUT... I got this cute lil' person out of it...

It was so much fun to hear her kicking and hollering and to watch her being dried off (the fact that she was big enough and there weren't a thousand NICU people around her helped) and then got to watch Daddy hold her. It was so wonderful! Isabel was so excited about the whole thing and was practically running into the recovery room with Daddy so she could meet sister. Mike's whole family was there and his brother and wife brought dinner up for everyone. They took Stella from me to take her to the nursery and I didn't see anyone for a while, the whole family followed Stella up to the nursery and watched thru the window while she got her bath and measured etc. When they came back I was starting to be wheeled up to my room and Isabel was literally jogging along side the bed hyper, hyper, hyper.
All in all it was a fantastic day and I'm so grateful for all the love, support, kind words, prayers offered up etc. Our family is so excited to have a little addition that we get to take home!

Look at these rolls! Not as impressive as some.. but for one of mine...yay!!

Weighing in at 7 lb 4 oz and 19.5 inches

Holding baby for the 1st time in recovery room.

Lest we get the wrong idea

2010-11-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

Izzy's new dress

I love being pregnant. The tiredness has passed.. I was just from finally being able to move again. My chiropractor is fixing my back and reminding me to ice so I can decrease all the inflammation in my SI joint so that's feeling better. I've been having fun starting on some projects I've wanted to do, ie burp cloths, tent blanket for car seat and possibly starting on the high chair cover although that one might wait a bit. This morning I got Isabel's room all clean including the closet floor which had become a dumping ground. We are finally ready to start moving things around to get the baby's room ready and I had to get Izzy's room clean to move out the dresser. Mike is going to get some help this weekend and move the dinning room table in the basement (we only use it 3-4 times a year) and in it's place we are putting my desk and a player piano we are the foster home for, for the next couple years until it's owner graduates from BYU, move the tall dresser that houses my scrapbook stuff in there also. Then we can get Isabel's dresser out and put it in the baby room.

I'm excited for all THAT to be done so I can get Isabel's closet in order. She needs a new shelf so she can help put her clothes away and some shelves on her wall do make up for losing dresser space. Who knows when the painting will get done in baby's room but the smart bet will be whenever my mom comes into town. :) So.. it's fun to finally start getting ready like normal people.

So this had been so much fun. Apparently there have been times it seems like I'm complaining about it but if it sounds that way it's only because I don't handle change well (surprise, surprise) and honestly... who really thought I'd still be pregnant. So it's adjusting to that change that is hard for me, although I'm grateful for it every day.

So just to hold people over.. her us a pic of me being more and more huge everyday! yea...I'm finally able to get big!

(pardon the super tired look... I had no makeup on)

Major Tiredness.

2010-10-29T08:40:00.001-07:00

Holy cow! I am tired! Going from nothing to long walks standing all day cooking and lets not forget trying to run up the stairs! However, I am so grateful that my Doctor has fixed me (maybe too well... baby still doesn't want to come out!) and that I get to get up and move around a bit before I have her. I couldn't imagine now.. knowing how tired I am now, going straight from 3 months of bed rest to new mommy. Never thought I'd appreciate how hard my stairs are to climb. Now if my SI joint would ever get back in place... :) So things are going well here. I'm happy to be able to take Isabel trick or treating on main street today (the shops here in town have people outside with candy.. it's a mad house!) and to our church's trunk or treat tomorrow night.
I know have more compassion for those who's feet hurt all the time. My heels kill me from the extra weight and finally being on them again!
Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers.. now off to call a chiropractor!

I'm FREE!!!

2010-10-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

Well at least from bed rest. Cerclage came out yesterday with surprisingly less pain then I thought. It was over pretty quickly. Because baby is still breech and the two previous c-sections... Doc says I have only a 40% chance of a VBAC. Sad day. He also is apparently a fan of the episiotomy, not happy about that so we'll work on that. He won't turn baby either, well not while in labor, he might try while I'm in the office next week but we'll see.

I tried doing the lunges and squats I told everyone I'd do. It was truly pathetic. I got 3 lunges in on each leg and my muscles about gave out on me. Then I tried running in the hall way but all I succeeded in doing was making Mike laugh at me. So I am now up for suggestions.. I know I still have about 4 weeks left, but I really, really want to meet my girl. Plus I have a feeling that it might be a few weeks before I go into labor. Yes I'm learning how the other half lives. Oh and I have my first stretch marks which means if I have to go longer.... my cute stomach will be cute not longer. I remember going down for a wedding in Alabama a few years ago.. I think it was Doug and Sarah's.... all my old roommates were commenting on my nice flat stomach after I had Isabel (granted when you're only pregnant for 6 months...) now I'm going to have to work much harder to get it back. I know, no one feels sorry for me.

So the super happy note... I'm off bed rest!!! So I am running around doing whatever I can now. I don't know if I'm hitting "nesting mode" or just excited to be up but I have been cooking/baking the last couple days and will do more today (oh the cinnamon rolls last night were AMAZING), starting sewing projects, getting excited to go to JoAnns for fabric to do more projects.

Oh to be free!!!

Showers and waiting

2010-10-25T07:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday we had a friend throw us a baby shower.. a bama baby shower. I have a picture of Isabel sitting in the living room with my AWESOME Bama balloons, I LOVE THEM!!!! (thank you Crystal!). The shower was at Buffalo Wild Wings and we just had a great time sitting around talking and eating. It was a couples shower so it was nice to have the husbands there... the ones that could come.

I hung upside down on the inversion table and almost threw up. Apparently I should have known better then to use it the 1st time and go straight up and down. My dad kindly reminded me that I could stroke out so we're taking it a bit less then vertical from now on!
We're getting really excited for this week. Tomorrow is the big day... 36 weeks!!! The stitch is coming out... and the lunges, squats and attempted sprints are coming. I even had a dream last night I was jogging thru the halls of the hospital in my underwear trying to get baby to want to come out. She may not still arrive until next week.. or later but I'm still hoping by Wednesday. Just my luck she'll be more stubborn.... but I can still hope. I can't wait to be able to actually get off the couch without help or my basketball getting in my way!

And tonight for family home evening... painting my pumpkin belly.

We'll keep everyone posted... Oh and for those who are really concered (Cheyenne).... my 1 st stretch marks came in.... and they are not even on my stomach! Thankfully I think my swim suit will hide them.

Hanging around...

2010-10-23T05:15:00.000-07:00

My FIL brought up his inversion table yesterday.. I get to start hanging upside down to try and have my baby turn. Yesterday Mike and I went and got our pedicures and I had my eyebrows waxed... I feel pretty...o so pretty. It was nice to get out the house and have a mid-day date with my husband. I got an idea from my friend back home... I'm going to try and find some paint lying around and paint my stomach like a pumpkin. I'm pretty excited. Since I have no stretch marks (knock on wood it stays that way) my tummy isn't too bad looking! Stay tuned for pictures!!

To celebrate...

2010-10-20T10:18:00.000-07:00

my 35 weeks.. I decided to watch Transformers 1 and 2. The black military guy fighting... with one with the red hat, made me think of Mark and I smiled often, beating the bad guys. I digress.. My lil' girl still hasn't flipped, rather then trying the pillow under my pelvis for a few minutes (because lets face it my back hurt for days) I decided to lay upside down hanging off the couch. After Mike had to rescue me to put more pillows under my head, it wasn't so bad. Baby loved all the space to move around and holy cow... my hip flexor attachments are TIGHT! So I enjoyed the stretch. However... I would not recommend this for people who get motion sick. If I turned my head away from the TV to talk to Mike I really thought I would vomit upside down. I only made it about 5 minutes like this because of the whole wanting to be sick problem but my back didn't hurt nearly as badly so I think I might do it every night.
I could not however sit up so Mike had to come rescue me again and was lifting me up and helping to move me like I was an invalid. I love my husband! Thankfully with his help there was no emptying of the stomach. So here's to another few days of head rushes.

35 Weeks!!!

2010-10-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

I just realized at 2:45 this afternoon (that would be when I clicked on my blog) that I'm at 35 weeks! I have monitoring tomorrow, a Dr. appt on Thursday then my hopefully last Dr visit on Tuesday when they pull out my stitching!!! I do have this fear that because the US tech messed up my due date that Doc will want to make me wait one more week. I even dreamed about it the other day. Mike took a pic of me looking all pregnant but I haven't gotten it off his phone yet. I might even be on his FB. So that's all for how. Just waiting.. I did start all the laundry for baby stuff and grabbed a few things for baby at the hospital. If she doesn't come until Halloween... I have Isabel's old pumpkin costume to bring her home in!

Such a tease!

2010-10-17T13:22:00.000-07:00

Since I'm able to get up for a couple of hours in the morning I went to church today for the first time since the Sunday before the 24th of July (I'm guessing the 21st). It's been FOREVER. I have missed it terribly. So I was able to go for Sacrament today and loved it. While sitting there, having baby move all around she started sliding down.. her head was not longer straight up and down. She was sideways in my belly.. yes I was super excited. Then I stood up and was walking out of the Chapel and when I stopped to talk to someone.. I realized her head was back up top. I mean really.. flip already. Back to laying down on pillows and lots of prayer!

please, please, please

2010-10-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

Little baby of mine....please turn over so I can have a chance to deliver you "normally" I'd really like to not be required to have another person cut into me. So please behave and listen to your mommy and flip!

34 Weeks!

2010-10-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

So 34 weeks came this week. I'm getting pretty excited. I went in today for my ultrasound, she weighs approx 4lbs 10oz and apparently has a bunch of hair, well at least more then the last few babies the US tech had seen, she's still breech. I started monitoring this week also. If you've never been on monitoring before, it's kind of fun... they hooked me up to the machine that I'm used to being on and gave me what looked like a morphine pump and I had to push the button every time I felt little girl move. There wasn't a ton of movement at first then she started doing a congo line and I felt like my finger was twitching.

Because I saw Doc today I can miss my appointment tomorrow and see him next week. I"ll head in, and finally get to ask a few questions about the labor process hoping for that VBAC. I need to figure out how to turn her around so I can deliver her. Then on the 26th of October at 2 pm my cerclage comes out! Doc said I have to stay around the hospital for about an hour or so in case I head into labor. So basically if her can pull it out... I"ll be doing squats, lunges and what not all the way to the elevator and then I'll be doing wind sprints up and down the halls. I really hope she comes out with in the week of my stitch coming out. Apparently I have a 50% chance of delivering within 3 days. So everyone should keep their fingers crossed. Mike and I finally got a picture taken.. Of me at 34 weeks. I need to get it off his phone but man I feel huge!

So that's it... we're about done with this crazy weekly blog update. :)

My 33 week visit

2010-10-09T05:48:00.000-07:00

I went to see my Doctor on Thursday. I mentioned to him about missing my friends memorial service and about started crying right there on the stirrup table. He was very compassionate but let me know that he would not have cleared me to go, that and Mike was not going to drive me because he wasn't comfortable either. So I guess a family visit is in order this May.

On to happy news that doesn't make me cry. Doc was so excited to see me at 33 weeks. I don't think he really thought I'd make it this far. So here are my cool changes coming up.....
34 weeks... bed rest is modified and I can get up for 2 hrs in the morning and 2 hrs in the evening (which means I can legitimately go to the Primary program for church next week, it's Isabel's first one)

also at 34 weeks.... I'm off my meds!!! Finally no more pumping my body full of drugs (although I owe it to those drugs to mention they have helped keep baby inside me)

36 weeks... CERCLAGE COMES OUT!!! I can't wait for this! He said about 25% of people go into labor within the next 3 hours after the procedure, and about 50% within the next 3 days! So this lil girl might must make her debut before Halloween.

Oh AND my mom is being 'forced' to take vacation because she has so much accumulated that she is going to be able to come down!!! So she's planning on being here the end of the 1st week in November which is 37 weeks. We figured that was safe just in case I didn't go in to labor right away.

So exciting to think that in 3 weeks I might finally get to see this baby. Once I get the go ahead, I'm going to start washing all of babies clothes and such to get ready. Now to make it perfect I just need to be able to deliver and avoid a C-section.

WOO HOO!!!!

Thoughts

2010-10-02T09:00:00.001-07:00

"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them,
glory and danger alike, yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it." ~Thucydides

This week I have been almost fanatic with checking up on blogs and facebook checking for updates and comments on Mark. I have cried and cried everyday since he has passed. It still breaks my heart even though I know that Mark truly felt like this was his mission on this earth, to take out the bad guys and he was able to even while being shot at. His heroism overwhelms me. His love for his country, his selfless service and the service he gave in honor of our Heavenly Father, overwhelms me. I can only hope that I can live MY life like Mark. Truly aware of my purpose and ready to face whatever comes.

It breaks my heart that I won't be able to attend his memorial services. They are in Haleyville, AL, about a 5-6 hr drive from here. I can't see any way my Doctor will let me forgo bed rest for a day to drive down there. I would, I will ask but I doubt that he will let me make that trip. This spring when we head down there, I do want to stop to pay tribute to a hero of mine.

Below are some quotes I found on a Military post his brother Thad linked to.

“Lest I keep my complacent way I must remember somewhere out there a person died for me today. As long as there must be war, I ask and I must answer was I worth dying for?”
Eleanor Roosevelt

When tomorrow starts without me, And I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes, All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry, The way you did today;
While thinking of the many things, We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me, As much as I love you;
And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name, And took me by the hand.

She said my place was ready, In heaven far above;
And that I'd have to leave behind, All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, A tear fell from my eye;
For all my life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for, So much yet to do;
It seemed almost impossible, That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, The good ones and the bad;
I thought of all the love we shared, And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday, Just even for awhile,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you, And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized, That this could never be;
For emptiness and memories, Would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow;
I thought of you, and when I did, My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home;
When God looked down and smiled at me, From His great golden throne.

He said, "This is eternity, And all I've promised you;
Today your life on earth is past, But here it all starts anew."
"I promise no tomorrow, But today will always last;
And since each day's the same day, There's no longing for the past."
"But you have been so faithful, So trusting and so true;
Though at times you did do things, You knew you shouldn't do."
"But you have been forgiven, And now at last you're free;
So won't you take my hand, And share my life with me?"

So when tomorrow starts without me, Don't think we're far apart
For every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart.

We love you Mark

Mark Forester

2010-09-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

I received a phone call from my friend last night telling me that Mark was killed in battle in Afghanistan. There is a really beautiful tribute to him on the Michael Andrew Photography blog on the left but I wanted to put a few of my own words down. I am by no means eloquent. But I have had a few memories bouncing around my mind. mark was the brother of one of the first people I met when I went to school at Alabama. Thad and I Hung out quite a bit my first year and had a friendship from then on. Mark came around a few years later and I spent many, many days at their place. They, along with Mike and Paul were the first guys to let me practice my cooking on them at least once a month. Some recipes were great...others not as much but they let me practice anyways. I remember hing grocery shopping for Mark and Thad because I couldn't believe the food they bought.

Mark and I spent a fair amount of time becoming friends and was my foot rub buddy, my friend to bounce ideas off of and the first person to show me that they carried a hand gun in their truck. I will admit, I was a bit nervous after that one! Mark was such a wonderful young man, very caring with a good sense of humor. He lower you to just be, be who you are, sit in comfort and didn't push. However, when you got him on a topic he was passionate about, well it was fun. He and Thad would get into "fake fights" as brothers do and the atmosphere around them was just fun.

Mark and I lost contact when I moved to Missouri for grad school and through the wonders of Facebook we reconnected. I was so proud of him when I learned he entered in the military. Willing to serve the country, help make it a better place, keep our freedoms, and set an amazing example for us all. He died in combat, fighting, taking out the enemy in the process. I am so proud to know him. To have shared a part of my life with his, not matter how small. I still can't believe he's gone. My heart breaks for his family but at the same time I hope they are so proud of what he has done. I am, I thank him, my family thanks him and I hope we all will give thanks for men like Mark. Many of you know others who have served, I do too, but this is the first one that I that I knew personally who lost his life fighting for what we get to enjoy in this country. Mark, you are loved and will be missed.

another week

2010-09-28T20:12:00.000-07:00

Well, we've done it. My awesome husband has taken care of me and we have made it to 32weeks!! It's a bit surreal, but we've done it. I can't wait to see my doc because on 2 weeks I'll have a change in my bed rest and hopefully be able to wander around some more. I am grateful for all of my friends who have helped out our family whether by watching Isabel, bring us dinners etc. Our family went outside tonight to enjoy the weather, I laid on the lounger, watched Isabel play, spoke with our neighbors, played with their dog and helped Mike study for his test tomorrow. now I'm just hoping for a quick week.
I'm also excited for General Conference for my church this weekend and will be trying to Skype with my sister in Africa and my friend in Hong Kong. Should be a great weekend!

Another Sunday

2010-09-26T10:05:00.000-07:00

Here I am, another Sunday, at home, by myself. Bored. I have a couple of pictures I'll post below of our last ultrasound. Unfortunately they are not the best but it's what I have. I am trying to be patient with many of you... y'all really should update your blogs. I know, I know, you're busy off living your lives and working/kids/etc, but just think of me here...bored, lonely just waiting for a small glimpse of what goes on outside the walls of my home. No contact (ok, other than FB) with the outside world. Especially those who have recently been to the beach (*ahemcheyenneahem*) or those who regularly blog (*ahemjeniahem*) and those planning on moving (*ahemsaraahem*). And to everyone else.

Ok attempted guilt trip over. :) It's been pretty good here this week. We did go to the playground yesterday, me and my lounger laid and watched Mike and Izzy play. We met some friends up there and I got to see Kourtney and her boys. She's another one of the 10 ladies that have been pregnant in my ward since summer. Then came home to watch Alabama, or a team that once resembled Alabama play football. I was honestly worried but thankfully we pulled it out, somehow, but that's what makes a team champions. Somehow winning when odds are against you, pulling together to make it work. Now on to FL, I'll see my Doc a few days after the FL game, might have to find some Alabama stuff to wear if we pull that one off too....

Ok so here are some pics. One good one of her arm and a bit fuzzy one of her face. Enjoy!

31 weeks

2010-09-23T13:57:00.000-07:00

So for those of you who haven't heard, which would be the couple that haven't seen facebook yet... I have an approx 3lb 7oz baby (in my belly still). Apparently when I posted it on FB some people were not sure if I meant I had delivered or not, so know she's still inside. I had that ultrasound yesterday and all looks great, then I went to the Doc today and he told me that I'm one of his best patients. Not as far as following rules, but in how I'm doing. When he marked my sheet for return I am officially off the high risk and in the moderate risk category! Granted that probably has more to do with me being 31 weeks along but still.
I had to laugh while I was there today, I don't know how most doctors react when they see their handy work, but mine jokingly complements himself on a job well done on my cerclage every week and then today he came in and says..."your blood pressure looks great, your weight looks great, your urine looks great..." How often is that apart of normal conversation. So accoring to him, I have great looking urine and a great looking cervix. Aren't you glad you stopped by my blog today. :)

I also have progressed enough to where I don't need to go to the doctor for awhile. I'm not going to know what to do with myself next week when I have no where to be. I don't go back to the office for 2 weeks then an US at 34 weeks. Once I hit the 34 week mark I do weekly monitoring.

I scheduled the appointment for my return visit and it was so weird, I don't go back until October. OCTOBER! I can honestly say I did not think there was anyway I would still be pregnant in october, but here it is. Doc asked me today if I had any questions or if anything was bothering me... I said "yes...the thought of pushing out a 7-8lb baby, I might have to rethink this vaginal delivery."

cramping and dreaming

2010-09-21T11:26:00.000-07:00

So I spent most of the day yesterday cramping. I didn't know I was worried until I called Mike about 4:30 to see what time he was coming home and told him. Then I started to cry. How funny, now matter how many times I go thru this I still cry. Yes I realize I'm still super early and I think that's why. As much as I feel like I'll never stop being pregnant and I want this baby out because I know it will be fine.. it's still just a 31 weeker. (yea for 31!!!!) Doctors and nurses will always tell you to drink 32 oz of water to see if the cramping stops. They like most medical people realize just how important water is and how quickly your body revolts without enough.
So 96 oz of water went in me yesterday, I still probably have most of it in me and my body is back to it's happy normal self.

So then the dreaming starts. Last night I dreamt I was cramping so I went to the hospital and found an empty room up on Antepartum (my 2nd home) and hooked myself up tot he TOCO machine (ya'll know the one... they put it on your belly to see your contractions on the print out) and I was there hanging out with Isabel. We were in this huge room that was more like a mini dance hall.....so I did what anyone whose dreaming would do, I tried to get up and casually dance, with out engaging my stomach muscles. You can probably guess how well that went. Needless to say my printout was all over the board and all I could think about was... man there goes my flat line record. Finally Isabel told me I should probably stop dancing. I don't remember much else other then a nurse coming in. It's pretty foggy after that.

So that's my welcome to 31 weeks party.

Diaper Bags

2010-09-20T14:54:00.000-07:00

So with little else to do besides watch Grey's and surf the internet, I have looked at just about EVERY diaper bag there is available (at least in a price range I'm willing to pay) and I've found a few but then I happened upon this site, it's one of my favorites, and I was thinking...if this baby comes early, I just might have to make it!

I have decided I really want a messenger bag after remembering what it was like with Isabel and a full bag plus it's just more my style. So I'm just thinking...

If the link doesn't work go to the Make it-Love it button on the left. It's the messenger bag tutorial.

Has it been so long?

2010-09-19T06:24:00.000-07:00

I didn't realize I hadn't posted in 5 days. Granted my days don't change much but I had intended to be posting most everyday. Yesterday was a pretty good day. Mike made some amazing breakfast and then we went to the park. We took the lounger with us so I could lay down while Mike played hockey and Isabel ran between the playground and her dad playing in the hockey rink. It was a great morning. We came home and rested, watched the Alabama game, I rubbed Mike's feet (one side badly, I was falling asleep and I never finished... it's on my to do list today), My cute family family made cookies that were SO good. A wonderful lady the ward made us some yummy Mexican casserole.
All in all a pretty good day. I did however realize at the end of the day that being on bed rest, (obviously) makes it hard for me to contribute, but I have got to find ways to be a better wife and companion for my husband. This whole situation places more stress and responsibility on him and most day I just take and take from him and don't give back. It's really sad. I don't mean by doing 'things', we all know I'm not supposed to but in showing him in the small and little ways that I do appreciate him and all he does for me. I married a man who works so hard and is so caring and I need to show him that I am so very grateful for all he does. I decided last night, after he came and put me to bed (yes I'm like a 4 year old who like to be tucked in if he's not coming to bed at the same time), that I need to pray and pray hard to be a better wife. A much better wife. So of course I won't magically wake up better but I know I'll be given more opportunities to show my love and appreciation for him.

In case you've been gone...

2010-09-14T20:04:00.000-07:00

30 weeks today!!!! I'm pretty happy about that one! I see my Doc tomorrow for my weekly follow up and get my injection. Only 5 more injections and 3 more ultrasounds. I still feel like I'm farther along but according my email.. baby is about the size of a cabbage and about 3 lbs, I mean really, I might have to push out a baby that weights over 2 lbs. :)

Slowly, ever slowly

2010-09-12T16:53:00.000-07:00

Time is passing. I actually can't believe that it's Sunday already. I'm almost at 30 weeks! It feels like I should be farther along since I've been on bed rest for about 6 weeks now. Don't look now but all my muscle is leaving my body. Funny thing about my family.. my cousin went in the hospital last week with pre-term labor.. or so they thought. Thankfully she is at 34 weeks and doing fine. She should be good for a few more weeks at least. Mike is leaving town this week and we just set up a slumber party for my and Isabel at a friends house. We were all worried about me being here by myself and trying to take care of me and Isabel, no one could stay with me so I'm going to a friends. I think I'll pack up the fresh veggies and fruit that might go bad this week and take with me to donate to the cause. I'm so grateful for friends who let us 'impose' on them whether with watching Izzy, making us dinner or letting us do slumber parties!

I found a new Sunday 'activity'. With the recommendation of friend I listened to BYU-radio. It was a nice change from the same CD's over and over and helped me to keep focused on my Sabboth day, which is hard when you haven't been able to attend church in 5 weeks. It also makes me feel more worthy to partake of the Sacrament when the Elders from our church come, when I've been able to keep the Spirit in my home and it's not like an after thought.

So everyone keeps asking Mike and I how, well how I am. I know sometimes it's hard to know what to say. Mainly because my days don't really change from one day to the next. I'm bored, (currently waiting for Season 6 of Grey's Anatomy to show up on Netflix on Tuesday), tired of laying here but knowing I don't have a choice if I want to bring my baby home from the hospital, I stay busy with crosswords, books and inet. So that's it. No one has to ask Mike over and over.. I'm good. The good thing about having a ward family is word travels fast so if I'm not doing fine, or I go into labor, everyone will find out within a day. :) If I can actually make it full-term, my friend was joking that we might actually have a full waiting room of people excited for me! That was a funny thought but in many ways, this baby is the 'ward baby', however that doesn't mean anyone will get to hold her for a bit. he he! :)

Grey's

2010-09-08T15:21:00.001-07:00

So my new obsession is Grey's Anatomy. Between the hospital and home I have watched the end of Season 3, all of Season 4 and I'm 4 episodes away from finishing Season 5. I do have a book I want to read but all these cute doctors are getting in the way. So today's last episode I watched was where Izzy was making Merideth try in wedding dresses and Bailey was holding on to a little girl who was dying of Tay Sachs disease. Needless to say, I have been crying. It's not so much about the little girl dying that got to me. What was hitting home was watching her scared Dad, not sure what to do, finally holding his daughter for her last few seconds of life. I remember watching Mike hold Brooklyn her last few moments, giving her a blessing and as they took her off all her machines and monitors, they handed her to Mike and she passed in her Daddy's arms. I still don't think that was the hardest part.

I feel for those who have also lost children, and hope and pray that none of my friends have to go through that experience. But what people don't tell you about death, what no one thinks about is what comes next. I don't mean the funeral, or how the family copes. I remember like it was yesterday, about two hours after Brooklyn left this life, we handed her back to the nurse then we stood up and left.

What they don't tell you is the emptiness, loneliness and out of body experience... walking out of that hospital knowing you're not coming back, knowing you're not taking that little angel home, knowing that despite all that has happened, you are making that long journey back home, alone. Having to walk back, with empty arms, its like you're moving in slow motion and everyone around you is on fast forward and you just want to shout at them that your life, a small piece of your life is over for now. But you don't, you hold on, you make that journey and you wait for the pain to come.

(No)Labor day

2010-09-06T17:51:00.000-07:00

So here we are on (NO) Labor day and I have spent most of it watching Grey's Anatomy. My family left to go to the ward picnic then Mike took Izzy swimming, they both had such a wonderful time! Now we have just been hanging out and watching Enchanted. Isabel loves this movie. I hit 29 weeks tomorrow. I'm pretty excited, although it's a bit tough this week, Mike is working so much so on top of everyone helping my family....I have to find rides to the Dr's. Just one more way my family has to depend on others with this baby.
I woke up this morning and realized I didn't comment on Saturday. Granted September 4th is not a day I like to remember, but I'm actually happy that I didn't think of it. September 4th was the 2 year anniversary of Brooklyn's passing. We decided as a family to remember her birth and not focus on her death. So I'm actually quite happy that the thought didn't cross my mind that day.
I am so ready to get off this couch. I'm so tired of being a bump on a log and not helping my family. I know what's more important, I know it's all worth it, but I'm still tired of having to ask others for everything. I really just want to cook for my family, unload the dishwasher or even do laundry. Instead I get to fight off depression, boredom, and laziness. woo hoo.

Saturday's news

2010-09-04T06:38:00.001-07:00

This picture was taken by the public relations lady at the hospital, she's doing an article for the mom's on bed rest and interviewed me.

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!

I'm so excited that football season has started! Granted the first game is in PPV so I'll be taking my info from my phone, but nonetheless, I'm so happy to have some family time festivities taking place every Saturday. The weather has been beautiful the last few days, last night Mike took my pillow and a big towel out to the front lawn for me so I could lay there and still be part of the fun with sidewalk chalk. All of our neighbors were out and I finally was able to see them. It was so nice to be out in fresh air, with the breeze, even the mosquito bites were tolerable because I was enjoying myself so much. We may do the same thing this afternoon.

I go back to see my Doc on Tuesday. Hopefully he'll be running close to on time. He's usually an hour or so late, but now I know it's because he's usually on call Tuesdays so he's been down in L&D taking care of those patients. I'll get to ask him about wheelchair rides and specifics on my bed rest. Y'all know me and if I don't have specifics... well I find grey areas without really meaning too. Wednesday are my ultrasounds. We're still back to every week, two appointment, and I can't drive to either. At least the US won't take long. I'm usually in and out in 15 min.

My week has gone by pretty slowly, I'm hoping it picks up soon. My first week or two at the hospital was the same way so it could just be the change of scenery. I am much more relaxed and having much more fun at home. I have to say I have either taken 2 hr naps every day or (like last night) slept for 9 hrs.

My cousin Chelsea brought over a ton of DVD's last night of TV show seasons. I can get caught up on my DR smut with Grey's Anatomy, get addicted to Bones, which I've never watched and Arrested Development. On top of reading and finishing my cross-stitch. I'm so grateful that I have so much to do..even if I'm not really doing it yet.

Another win!

2010-09-01T21:09:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning and went to lay on the couch, I checked my email and found out I won another giveaway!! This time from Cap Creations off the Make it and Love it blog you see on the left. I received a $40 gift certificate and just purchased this necklace. It will have all three of my girls' names on it but I can't show it to you since we're not telling this girls' name!

On a different note... my first day of bed rest went pretty well. I did get a nice nap in for 2 hrs today, which helped since I didn't sleep well last night. I guess I have officially hit the point where I get too hot since I'm pregnant and poor Mike will be freezing while I'm sweating. So tonight, poor Mike will have to pile on the blankets, I need to sleep at night. My nap was amazing. Isabel still went to another friends house and loved playing with their little 1 year old and came home and told me how cute she was and the fun she had. Apparently she also stole the 1 yr olds sippy cup. Sorry Amanda!

I will get back to reading tomorrow, books that is, I read 4 magazines today and I'm ready again for something that requires more then 45 min to read. :)

28 weeks

2010-08-31T12:03:00.000-07:00

I'm going home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally, I can go to bed with my family, wake up with my family, see my daughter who desperately needs her momma, a hubby who needs me and frankly, I need them more then 4x a week. Sill have weekly Dr apointments and weekly US and I can't drive myself to them. But who cares... I'm going home!!!!!!

I did it!

2010-08-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

28 weeks. Today. The big 2-8. I'm pretty excited about it. Never been this far, never been this big and never been so ready to get back to my family! I'll find out tomorrow if I get to go home. So far everything is stable it will just depend on my ultrasound, and hoping my Doc does rounds in the am! The funny thing about still being pregnant (and I know I wont get any sympathy from anyone, nor do I expect it)... if you think about it, this is full-term for me. So now I'm supposed to go home and keep baking for another 4-6 weeks at least. Now I don't need any reminders on why it's important, trust me I know, but mentally its a bit hard for me to get around. I knew my surgery would help me, I had a good feeling I'd have a viable baby and one I can take home, but man.. thinking about being pregnant for another month is tough! I feel like I'm at 40 weeks and I now have to try to have the gestation of an elephant.

All my pregnant life I'll I've known is surprise, NICU, traveling to see my baby, a bit of stress, tears, I know way to much about preemies, but the plus side is being well rested when baby gets home. Now I'm in no mans land...so to speak. It's still a bit of a waiting game, and hoping I can make it a bit farther. My next goal is 30.5 weeks (Mike is out of town when I hit 30 weeks so I have to shoot for that Friday), and I don't want to deliver during ALABAMA FOOTBALL(!!!!!), then 32 weeks and so on. I'm still hoping for a VBAC delivery, but that just depends on who is on call. I guess in some respects, all my pregnancies are up in the air, it just now, I feel like I'm in more foreign territory. I could concievably have a normal delivery, with a baby to bring home and I never really thought that would happen for me. I'm excited about it, but... well we all know dealing with change isn't exactly my strong suit!

I also want to thank everyone for their comments on FB, this blog, their encouragment, prayers and service to my family. We have been truly blessed to be remembered by everyone during this time and I wish there were words to adequately express my appreiaction and love for you all! HOpefully...tomorrows post will be full of excitment and good news!!

I'm waiting....and watching....

2010-08-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

(if you've watched Phineas and Ferb...sing in that tune)
Here it is... Saturday, 27 weeks and 4 days. It was this 'day' or time of my pregnancy 4 years ago when I had Isabel. So tomorrow I'll have gotten farther than any other pregnancy. Pretty exciting! And I'll find out Tuesday if I get to go home to complete bed rest there. My week has been pretty slow since Tuesday. That as such a great day, and I have been bored, bored, bored. The sad thing is I have so many things I can be working on, yet I'm not. So now I'm back to working on my cross-stitch... after my family leaves tonight...I think. :) Mike and Isabel stayed last night with me and since Mike was able to resurrect my computer briefly, we got a ton of pictures we thought we had lost when Isabel knocked Mike's old computer off the bed. So we laughed and laughed as some great memories.
They have left for a few minutes, Mike had to get a new phone, his software is glitching really badly and making him miss stuff with work. So they are coming back in a bit and we're taking a wheelchair ride outside in the sun!!!! It will be my 2nd time outside in about 4 weeks and my first in the sun. We'll walk all around until we can find some sun I can sit in.
So that's about it. Nothing very exciting. (other than talking with my cool sista on the phone this morning!)

GREAT NEWS!!!!!

2010-08-24T19:27:00.000-07:00

Happy days always start with a chicken balloon...-courtesy of Leslie.

Ok, so I am so excited today. The day started out with me being able to remember my awesome daughter Brooklyn, she would have been 2 today. I was excited for our family night and the traditions we are starting with celebrating her day.
After that, not only did I get some great French toast for breakfast, right afterwards I headed downstairs for my ultrasound. They were doing another big one getting all the measurements. It went by quickly but the 1st thing we did was get my cervical length and it was the exact same as last week which was awesome! THEN she did the measurements and we found out the baby weights 2lb 4oz!! For those that don't understand this huge milestone, 2 lbs is huge for NICU babies, there is a big difference in complications between a 2 pounder and less. Isabel was a 2lb 4oz baby and Brooklyn was 1lb 7oz. Many, many more health problem occur to babies weighing less. SO, this is huge! I'm at 27 weeks and feel awesome. As I was waiting for my chart to be done one of the Docs in the practice told me all was perfect and said, "when is Webb (my doc) sending you home?" I told him not until after 28 weeks. So immediately after I got upstairs Dr Webb came in to see me and asked how it all went, I told him that everything stayed the same, measurement had not changed at all AND that I was the proud owner of a 2+lb baby! I was SO excited. Needless to say, so was he. I got a huge grin from him and he said...
wait for it....

wait for it...

If next Tuesday when I'm at 28 weeks, things are still the same... I can go home!!! I'll still be on full bed rest but I'd be at home! I really hope that happens, it would be so great to be at home with my family, even if I have to stay in bed/couch all day, I'd get to see them everyday and be there when Mike came home. I will want to cook, but knowing I can't get up for that long.. I might be able to make a sandwich. :)

So then Mike stopped by after his meeting and brought me some chocolate that a friend sent with him (Thank you Taunia!!) so I received truffles and two different bars of Ghirardelli chocolate bars. Plus Mike dropped off the rest of the peanut M&Ms that we added to our trail mix. Later that day Mike and Isabel came back by with some yummy dinner that was prepared by another friend in our ward, and Mike made an awesome birthday cookie cake. I got to take my wheelchair ride and we went outside in the courtyard to eat dinner. The weather was beautiful, it was my first time outside in 3 weeks! We ate dinner then Isabel was able to do our balloon tradition. We take 11 balloons (and both years... one popped in the car!)- one for every day of her life- and we set them free and send them up to Brooklyn. Isabel loves this part of the tradition and gets so excited to let them free! Then we blew out our imaginary candles and ate our cookie cake. It was a bit odd being in the hospital courtyard for this moment but I'm so glad that we did it anyways.

Today has been such a fantastic day and I'm so grateful for all of the blessings I received this day. I have an amazing family, and one on the way that fills me with so much joy. I am so grateful for all the prayers, thoughts, well wishes and acts of service in which we have been the recipients. We love you all! And because it's been forever since I posted pics... here are pics of my chicken balloon for those who wanted to see it and some pics from our birthday celebration today.

Birthday Celebrations.... (I so needed my makeup!)

This is a close up of the headband I made for Isabel with my friend Becca.

A break from the ordinary

2010-08-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

Today is a rough day. I had so much fun yesterday with friends and family coming to visit, but today...whew! Before anyone freaks out...baby is fine, I'm still stable..well physically anyways. It all started with not turning off the TV until 1am. That is never a good start. I'm having a tough time processing everything today. We have some wonderful, supportive amazing people in our ward at church who have taken Isabel in daily. Everything has been fine until one day last week and then today. Mike and I had some miscommunication on our end with the people watching and I feel awful. One friend missed an activity she was supposed to be at, and had Isabel for 14 hrs. Yeah, I'm an awesome mom! Then today... well Mike's phone is on the fritz and keeps deleting his texts, emails and call logs, so he didn't see the new email with who had Isabel so when he dropped her off, the lady couldn't do it so he took her to the next person he thought it was... and dropped her off. Turns out it was still the wrong person and he could finally read his emails on the way to work. So I tried calling to straighten it all out. It seems like a small thing but I don't want to take advantage of the people who are helping our family out.

One of my friends watching her called and let me know it was all fine and not a big deal and people just want to help out our family and are glad that I'm doing so well. I hate feeling like I'm putting people out or taking advantage of them. This is just a rant... I'm hoping I'll feel better tomorrow. I just hate not having control and part of me really wants to go home and be able to take care of my daughter but I know if I do that, I'm putting my other daughter's life at risk. I hate being here today. Oh and to top it off... tomorrow is the 2 year birthday of Brooklyn. So where I'm sure I'll be just fine tomorrow.. today it's hitting me. So here I am again, in the hospital, pregnant, emotional and really missing my family.
I think I need to go find some more chocolate....

Moved again...

2010-08-22T19:11:00.000-07:00

So they just moved my room again. My AC is leaking into the room below so they are fixing it tomorrow so hopefully I'll be back in my room tomorrow since I didn't move my decorations/stuff. I just brought my electronics/toiletries/clothes for the day. So we'll see. My room I'm in now, seems so stark and stale so hopefully...hopefully I'll get back to my room with personality tomorrow.
I did have some fun visitors today. Lacey and Crystal came, followed by Mike and Isabel then Mike's Grandma and Grandpa came for a bit. It was a great day! Thanks everyone!!

When Isabel left she was in tears, she misses Brooklyn and is scared that this baby won't get to come home either. It's so hard for a 4 year old to process everything. So we talked about her fears for a minute and talked about her praying to Heavenly Father to ask for some comfort. Mike and I have good feelings about this baby and trying to convey it to Isabel. Hopefully she's like me and after a really good night sleep she'll be able to process better. We're going to have to talk her thru this one.

Birthdays and Sleepovers

2010-08-21T18:15:00.000-07:00

Last night I was able to have Mike and Isabel come spend the night with me. It was so much fun! They got up here and we all had dinner together, watched a movie, had to go out in the hallway for a bad storm (for safety reasons they have to make us sit in the hallway if there are tornado warnings)-I did meet my neighbors though. Came back in and put Isabel to bed around 10:30, it was really late I know. This morning we had breakfast, scriptures and watched Phinneas and Ferb then heading to the craft room to do some painting. We just relaxed most of the rest of the day. It was so great to get to spend most of last night and this morning/afternoon cuddling with my girl! We all needed it so badly.

We also called Grandpa Jim to say happy birthday! I can't believe my dad is 61.... that seems so old and I don't think of him as being old! I guess it makes sense..I am 30 now.

Doctor update!!!

2010-08-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

I just saw my Doctor! He is so excited that I'm still pregnant and doing really well. He agrees that even though he 'could' send me home he wont before 28 weeks. I am not comfortable going home before them because I know I won't stay down like I need to. There is a small chance I could go home but if my cervix shortens by a half a centimeter, then I won't be going anywhere. He's getting more confident I'll get to 30 weeks and definitely to 28. He was saying as he left..we'll have a 34 week delivery. Now we all know that he's getting super almost crazy optimisic but it's all good. I had been taken off monitoring unless I felt like I needed it but I think he's going to put me back on. Which is fine, it's only 1 hour 2x a day plus extra if I feel like I'm contracting. All in all he says things look good and knows that if we hadn't done the revision of my surgery... I'd have another baby now.

The hard part is Isabel missing us when she goes to bed. Mike has spent the night here twice and where Isabel can play and play all day she really misses me/us at night and nap times. We might do a family slumber party on Friday night. Layna is bringing her to me any second now and we're going to call A. Leslie in Tanzania!

WOO HOO!!!

2010-08-19T05:47:00.000-07:00

So I won again... Today I won an adult hoodie from Evy's Tree! I'm so excited! These hoodies are so cute with ruffles all along the zipper area around the hood and accents on the pockets. Complete with a little flower on the left shoulder! I'll have to take a picture when I get out of the hospital with my bread maker and my hoodie!

Check out Evy's Tree website to see my prize!

26 weeks

2010-08-18T05:11:00.001-07:00

I made it to 26 weeks yesterday!!! So happy, 2 more weeks and it will be the longest I've ever made it pregnant. Yesterday was a great day. Mike felt SO much better and was able to go to his class, Becca came over and we finished off the cute flower headbands as seen here they turned out really cute! Note: an embossing gun works well in place of a lighter. I had my ultrasound and it appears that my cervical length hasn't changed at all since last week, awesome news, physical therapy stopped by and tried to fix my SI joint and reminded me of simple things to do and I found out I can start doing some small exercises, which is great because I'm losing so much muscle. I remember my Bama girls at a wedding commenting on how I didn't have a stomach and I had to remind them that I never carry far enough...well here's my lot, I'll have to replace/rebuild every muscle in my body because it will be completely gone!
After all that Mike stopped by for a second, I had a steak dinner, and then a friend came over and spent another hour or so with me and brought me Twizzlers!

It really was a great day. I have been so blessed while I'm here and great friends, family, doctors etc. I am very, very fortunate. Oh and I just found out that I won a new Cuisinart bread maker from http://www.fabulousfunfinds.com/. I'm so excited to make cinnamon rolls and homemade bread whenever I get home!!

One heck of a day!

2010-08-16T17:16:00.000-07:00

So this morning started out just like most any day, then I find out my Dad was taking Mike to the ER. He felt like his gallbladder was bothering him again. Not really sure what the MD's thought..they finally got a needle in and he had an IV then released him a few hours later. They have no idea why he was in pain but the best part was they gave him literature for heart attacks but told him he didn't have any problems with his heart. I just love ER Docs. Then he came up to my room as was pretty miserable, then started a fever. My nurse was getting worried about him being here and sick while I'm here...the last thing I need is to have an infection while I'm finally doing well. So he's at home, hoping to go to his classes this week, Isabel is at a friends and may be spending the night. It's been too crazy! So hopefully, he'll be feeling better tomorrow. Our GP is going to redo some blood tests and ultrasound is gallbladder soon. Hopefully, we'll get some good news!

Great weekends

2010-08-15T18:35:00.000-07:00

This has been a great weekend. My Dad has been in town, playing with Isabel, Mike and the two of them stopped by last night and again today after church. Mike even brought real dishes and dinner to me! I did go and play a bunch of games on the wii again and play super mario bros. I dabbled a bit in some scrapbooking and one day I'll remember to bring the tape to start hanging up some decor. Did I mention the fresh blueberries?! I have been feeling pretty good this weekend. I get sore from sitting up a bit much so I'm learning better what my limits are. Oh and my friend and I did make some cute flowers for our girls' hair. I just need Mike to bring the cord to download pictures so y'all can finally have something more fun to look at then just my ramblings.
I'm ready for this next week... Tuesday is 26 weeks!

Fabulous Fun Finds

2010-08-14T05:56:00.001-07:00

Ok everyone, I have been so busy every morning entering this website's giveaway contest. You should go look at the stuff she has to giveaway! I think there are about 25 different giveaways in all sorts of categories. It's wonderful!

Schedules

2010-08-13T19:45:00.001-07:00

Today I started with trying to get on a schedule. One variable is of course wake up time... but eat, scriptures and whatever until 9am. Shower, monitoring for an hour. Read, lunch around 1. Then in the afternoon craft time.. or the original Mario Bros o the wii they have in the lounge they have for us moms. I totally played for 30-45min and yes, the pads on my thumbs hurt. I loved it! I even remembered most of the hidden coin, or extra guy spots. They have SO much to do in the craft room and tons of recliner chairs so non of us are going against our 'bed rest' rules. If I could describe the amount of scrapbook paper, insane!! They have embossing tools, cricuts, paint supplies, cards, crafts for kids, foam kits, stamps, punches... the list goes on... I'm going to be spending a lot of time in the afternoons there! First step is to make a couple of items to decorate my room so it doesn't look so clinical.

anyways back to my schedule, dinner and then either TV or reading whatever I feel like. The last two day of trying the schedule have really been great for making time go by.

Oh and I was pampered today. A lady from my ward came up and did a facial, rubbed my shoulders, rubbed my feet and put lots of lotion and then plastic bags with booties on them. It felt so good! Couple that with getting to use conditioner in my hair for the 1st time in over a week... and real lotion on my body.. it felt awesome! And since I did a stellar shave job on my legs, I haven't stopped feeling up my shins all day, my skin is so soft and smooth! I know to much info....

and Leslie, Pictures were taken of the chicken, I'll try and get them posted soon!

busy, busy, busy

2010-08-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

I know.. how can I be so busy when I'm confined to a bed... well lets see.. after spending the morning watching Color Splash reruns on Hulu.. and getting awesome ideas for the babies room here is the rundown of my day...
Mike came during the day for 3.5-4hrs, while he was here Layna stopped by, she left and a NICU Parents volunteer stopped by, Mike left, then Chrissy left. Bro and Sis in law stopped by, while they were here Becca come by for craft time, Bro and Sis in law left, then during craft time father in law came by. FIL left and Becca and I worked on crafts, then Meg came by and Becca left. WHEW! I was a great day and I have so many great ideas for fun easy crafts, some for me (and Becca), some for the NICU Parents group, and some for the moms with me on antepartum. I'm actually not to tired after all this excitement and an so grateful for everyone who came to visit!

Still had a great day, physically wise...and found out I am going to be interviewed for an article that goes out to all the bed rest moms. They want pics with Mike and Isabel too! How fun!

Day 8

2010-08-11T20:16:00.000-07:00

Today was a fun day. Nothing major but one crazy, energetic nurse! I had some flowers brought to me that my sister sent from Africa, with a balloon shaped like a chicken head....the card read, "this in no way encourages the consumption of chick-fil-a" and it's in a mug with a chicken that says.."eat veggie soup". Loved it! All of the nurses were laughing at it.

Some lovely ladies from my church came, they brought me chocolate covered pretzels that were yummy! But more importantly we had a great visit and Mandy brought her baby Jolene.. I'm telling you that little girl is one of the CUTEST babies every! I was so wonderful to visit with them all!

Mike and Isabel came next and Isabel brought me some really pretty flowers and as the nurse was cutting the plastic cover off the flowers, she knocked over the make-shift container and spilled water EVERYWHERE! It was hilarious! My cute family stayed for a bit then had to head home. I miss them. I'll see them most all day on Saturday, my dad will be here so they're going to come visit for awhile and we'll have either lunch or dinner together.

I'm so grateful for everyones loves, support, prayers and well wishes. My family has been so supported by everyone and we couldn't do this with out y'all. I just wish there were enough words to adequately describe my feelings. Love everyone!

tons of giveaways..

2010-08-11T06:47:00.001-07:00

Check out the link on the left to Fabulous Fun Finds.. awesome giveaways the next couple of days... I just sit here and wait for her to add new giveaways to enter all day... :)

Happy Update!

2010-08-10T21:27:00.000-07:00

HELLO 25 weeks! I FINALLY just saw my Doc and it was worth the weight. He does his rounds later so he can spend more time with patients. Usually you're lucky to get 5 min... I had 45! I wish I could tell you how much I love my doc and that I have a REALLY, REALLY good doc. He's one of the only ones around that would even do my revision surgery. So He's pretty optimistic that I'll be here for many more weeks and that I could easily make it to 30. (granted, other things could always happen, but he's not expecting them too yet) I am back on monitoring, 2x a day 1hr each on the 'contraction' monitor just to make sure since I felt a little tightening today. Granted with all the stress and anxiousness... I'm chalking it up to that. He is also just fine with me having a VBAC, but out of the four Docs from his practice that round... 1 will not let me, 2 will and 1 flip flops... so I told him he needs to give me his schedule so I don't try and labor if he's not here.

I also get wheelchair rides now.. FREEDOM! WOOHOO!! up to 30 min a day.. SO EXCITING!!!!

I can't tell y'all how relived I feel. I had really worked myself up today and just had an emotional day but thanks to my awesome husband, who sent my pillow down with friends (and to my friends for bringing said pillow), and a little ambien.. I should be much better tomorrow!

Next up 26 weeks!

starting to get frustrated

2010-08-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

I'm sure by now everyone knows that I try and be an overly optimistic person... but today I'm struggling with that. I still haven't seen my Doctor, however in his defense he spends time with everyone not just runs in and out which is one of the things I love about him. The Resident also mentioned that he likes to go home and spend a few minutes with his kids when he's on call. Again more reasons why I like him. However...I haven't seen him since Thursday night right before they knocked me out. It would probably be ok, but I had a repeat cervical length measurement done today... it's shorter, by a decent amount and I'm trying not to worry, or let my mind wander today, I just really want to see my Doctor, talk with him and then I'll feel better. I'm sure a lot of it is the fact that I slept horribly last night and am so tired.... that might be why I'm struggling today. So I'll update when ever I talk with him at some point this afternoon/evening.

Good news is I made it until 25 weeks... hopefully I'll go another 2.

Almost there!

2010-08-09T17:57:00.000-07:00

Today is officially my last day as a 24 week pregnant lady. Just one nice long nap and I'll hit 25! Funny thing is, when I type that... makes me realize that 25 isn't the high number I was trying to make it too. I know that sounds odd... I am so happy to make it this far, it just seems like I've been in the hospital forever already and I should be at 26 week or so. Oh well. I should FINALLY see my OB tomorrow. I thought he'd be on today but it was the only other Doc in his practice I hadn't met. Normally not a problem but since I don't have normal pregnancies and lets face it, I have dealt with this many more times then the average person, add that to the fact that they only glance at my chart.... not a happy patient. I called Doc's office and they said he should be on tomorrow so I wrote down all my questions so I could finally remember to ask him everything.

My cute husband and daughter came to see me tonight. I didn't realize how much I miss just being held and cuddled by my husband. And Mike may not like me to admit it... Mike misses cuddling too! So we're going to see if we can have someone take Isabel overnight this weekend (Can everyone say... "PLEASE GRANDMA?") so he can spend the night with me.
I just realized my dad comes into town this weekend but I have no idea when he comes in...that might solve a problem for us...

I had an awesome moment today. After I was able to shower and get dressed I noticed... my bum, face and stomach have tripled in size. Not bad for a weeks worth of bed rest. I think starting today my body realizes that it doesn't need the calorie intake since I only burn about 10 calories a day now. Couple that with my crazy water intake today.... I may have gained 10lbs. I even wouldn't mind so much, yes I had lost 30lbs last year, I was looking good, but the part that gets me the most is my face... my face now looks like it did last year at this time when I weighted 15lbs more (more then pre-pregnancy weight). That's the disconcerting part. so if I could just get salads to sound yummy... I'd be ok!

Enough of my rants on weight. I read the Princess Academy today. Not at all what I expected but I really enjoyed it. Mike will be bringing me my other stash of 8 books a friend let me borrow.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Anniversary Weekend

2010-08-08T15:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our 6th Anniversary. I just realized we should have taken a picture and we didn't.... Oh well. Mike was at home and cleaned most of the morning then he and Isabel has a fun daddy daughter date to Costco. Isabel paid for her own yogurt with pennies and they brought me dinner. Our awesome meal was Costco combo pizza and these awesome huge chocolate chip cookies from McAlisters. It was so much fun to just sit and eat with them. Usually I've already ordered dinner and eaten by the time they get here so it was nice.
We had a couple of friends stop by for a bit and then Mike's dad, Eric, came by and visited for a while too. Poor Isabel was so tired by the time they left!

Today has been a good day. I tried to keep myself busy in the morning with activities that would remind me of Church, I think I did pretty good! Mike brought me down some clothes, toiletries, scriptures etc. Just stuff I didn't have so it was nice to receive it. Oh I had a couple of other people come down too.... and they brought me Hommus (I'm still so in love with this stuff) and a big, big bag of M&M's. So needless to say we mixed the M&Ms with the ice-cream they keep up here on this floor and we had 'blizzards'. YUMMY!

If anyone in the area wants to come visit please feel free... may not be too exciting but I have a variety of 'chick flicks' at my disposal and a somewhat comfy recliner in the room.

Doc Moore came in today to check on me. The residents keep asking me when I hear that I'll be going home. Apparently they haven't talked to Doc! I reassured her that I have no illusions of going home before baby is born. I asked her for a ball park of how long they thing I'll make it before I deliver, she said lets just make it thru the next 1.5 weeks. I forget that they just take it in 2 week increments to make it more manageable to think about. When I get to 26 weeks then we can look at getting to 28. I should finally see my main Doc tomorrow and I'm excited to ask him a bunch of questions and find out when my ultrasounds and monitoring start up again.

So that's my news for today. I'm going to try and actually go to bed tonight at a decent hour. Hope all is well for everyone and anyone who reads this! Looking forward to having some books read this week!

1st full day

2010-08-07T14:05:00.001-07:00

On bed rest in the hospital and I'm bored! I have watched a couple episodes of House, Extreme Home Makeover, showered, ate... oh I talked with some people online and on the phone. I haven't tried reading again yet, will probably start that tomorrow. Since I just got rid of my headache I didn't want to delve right back into reading. However, as aforementioned....I'm bored so I must start a new hobby. My mom said she'll try and find me something while at work that I can do, cross stitch, embroidery, who knows really, I wish I could get my binding made for my quilt then I could work on putting the binding on and have that to brighten my room.
Ok so that's my new project I want to do. I can lay in my room on bed rest and put my binding on my small quilt. Now just to find someone who has nothing better to do then piece my binding together for me and bring it to me with lots of needles and thread. Sometimes I wish I had a magic wand.

Ok so life is not really this difficult, but it is odd to spend your anniversary away from family. Mike and I even had tentative plans, so maybe we'll get to rain check. I did see one of the Docs today and she said all her reports from surgery has it being a success but I won't see my OB until Monday I'm guessing. He's not on call this weekend. So here's to hoping for a couple of uneventful days ahead. Tuesday is 25 weeks!!!! Only a few more to go until we can all breathe a bit easier.

breaking news!!!!

2010-08-06T13:04:00.000-07:00

I got taken off magnesium 4 hours ago. My headache would be completely gone but I seem to have lost my left contact somewhere along the way but it's manageable now. Everything, I mean everything is disconnected from me and I am ready to be moved to antepartum where I'll stay until I deliver... yep, no going home for me but at least it all looks good! I'm so excited!!!!!!!

surgery

2010-08-06T07:18:00.000-07:00

Hello again! So I had surgery yesterday after a crazy roller coaster of a day. Mike cancelled his appointments that afternoon so he and Isabel could come see me. I had not seen her since 8 am Wednesday morning. She had a slumber party that night and Mike picked her up and spent a bit of time with her then took her to another friends house. Poor girl is being shipped off everywhere but I am SO GRATEFUL for the friends we have that have been helping us out. Izzy had a hard time when I was being wheeled down for surgery, and when I talked to them last night poor thing was crying for me to come home.
I went in for surgery at 6pm and came out pretty good. We have a friend that is a nurse anesthetist who saw me right as I woke up and called Mike for me. I'm guessing surgery was a success... I case anyone isn't sure why I went in, my cerclage stitch was pulling out and I was going to start dilating soon. Since I'm infection free the too flips of the coin were between letting me go and risk infection and probably deliver in a week or two. And the other side was do the surgery and have a small risk of sending me into labor but if it works it just might buy me another 4-6 weeks and probably keep me with not infections.

Obviously we know what which side of the coin landed up. So I haven't seen Doc yet but I'm guessing surgery went well because I have not had a single cramp or contraction since I've come out. They did put me back on magnesium to ward off any cramping before it starts and this time since they know they are not going to have to do surgery I have been able to eat! The only side effect is a migraine that has formed, and coke is the only thing sort of keeping it at bay but my resident is trying to see if they can get me some oxy codone to help me out. Also she is hoping my doc will let me get off the magnesium since it's been 12 hours... I'm just guessing my Doc will say no.. but it's fun to hope. I'm just praying something makes this headache go away. I just want to throw up from it but thankfully I'm not really stomach nauseated.

I talked to Mike and Isabel this morning, he took her home to sleep in her bed and go figure she's wetting the bed but I think she's just out of sorts right now. Our friend was there to pick her up so after prayer she says "I love you momma muah!" and kissed the top of the phone. HOpefully I'll feel better and she'll get to come see me tonight, if not I'm sure they'll come down for most of the day tomorrow.

So that's it. Doc's original plan was to keep me here until the duration, I'm assuming that's still holding true, if so I'm going to apologize to everyone now and do a pre-emptive THANK YOU for all who watch my girl.

More updates tomorrow! I'll try and get Mike to bring the new ultrasound pictures from this week. He took my purse home so they are in there.

here we go again...

2010-08-04T17:38:00.001-07:00

So many of you know that I'm back in the hosptial. This morning while getting ready to go to my ultrasound I had some slight bleeding and when the did the ultrasound they could tell my cerclage stitch (think circlular like on a drawstring handbag) was pulling thru which caused the bleeding. The bleeding has stopped but when they were looking to get a cervical length... well baby girl was trying to kick her way out and her foot was thisclose to the stitch a couple of times.

So... they are preping me for surgery starting at midnight and then decide tomorrow morning if they are doing the surgery. The issue with regards to the surgery is that if I'm already cramping slightly (since my cervix is trying to dilate and the stitch will hopefully fix that), is it worth the risk to mess with my cervix trying to tie it off which can stimulate the cervix/uterus and put me in labor also which would probably make me contract enough to bust open the stitch.

So that's the decision my Doc gets to make although he is an agressive OB so there is a good chance he'll do it.

However.... GREAT NEWS!!! For the 1st time ever... NO INFECTIONS!!!! This is huge because both my girls have had to battle infections along with trying to survive outside the womb so early. If I do end up delivering soon, that is on MAJOR hurdle out of the way. YEA for small victories!!!! (or really big in this case).

Thank you everyone for their thoughts and prayers I really appreciate them.

It's 98% official!

2010-07-14T12:54:00.000-07:00

I went back to the OB today. I have weekly monitoring now, exciting I know. But good news is they looked again and the nurse was 98% sure that we're having a girl! Baby is still in a funky position and being difficult but she got a pretty good shot of, well, her and we are really excited! So now that wait is over.... not just to hoping I can make it to the middle of September and hit 30 weeks. If today was any indication, my body is going to try and make that a bit difficult and bed rest will probably be in the next week or two. I will be a stellar bed rest patient... can't wait.... :)

Great picture of the little fingers....

quickie....

2010-07-08T15:42:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know what the results were from my ultrasound.....
any guesses????
Boy, girl, anyone...

Yea they couldn't tell.... baby was curled up and didn't want to get out of it's comfy place. I'll be heading back the next two weeks for some follow up ultrasounds anyways so hopefully we'll see on one of those!

Groupon!

2010-07-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

I'm sure most of you have seen this site, but if not its totally worth signing up!
http://www.groupon.com/r/uu4556676

Michael Buble

2010-07-05T09:03:00.000-07:00

So last weekend we got together with Ryan and Lacey to go to this awesome concert. We met for dinner which was a bit of a fiasco, Ryan and Lacey's babysitter was 30 min late, so we had to pick up the tickets at 7:25 at will call. They got to the restaurant at 6:30 after which the boys promptly left to get the tickets then come back and eat. Wellllll... Lacey and I ate without them (side note: if you live in STL go to Katie's Pizzeria, best gourmet pizza, vegan options and the most A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. toasted rav filled with spinach and gorgonzola cheese! YUM!!!!) we found out when they got there the tickets were not at will call... I should mention that a friend got us all FREE tickets! They guys ran back and got us and we sped to the Savis Center, Ryan and Mike eating in the car, then were lead by a guy who works with the opening act with his all access pass to the sound area on the floor.

Naturally 7

We sat with they sound guys during the Naturally 7 performance, if you haven't heard these guys you have to check them out. They were with Buble when we saw him 2 years ago and we love them! So since we didn't have tickets we couldn't leave the floor to go the bathroom or anything so a sound guy went and grabbed us some back stage passes. Needless to say the rest of the concert was awesome, we ended up by the stage singing and dancing for a few hrs. Lacey is 29 weeks pregnant and there were these, um...slightly intoxicated girls, talking, telling their stories of being pregnant when they saw him and how their kids love music... oh and one of the girls had caught a sweat towel from Buble and she was rubbing it on Lacey's belly for some kind of good luck or something. After the concert we walked around back stage and while we didn't get to meet Buble... we did get our picture taken with his 'closet'. :)

Michael's Closet

We had a great date that night and were so grateful for the free tickets, gift certificate for dinner and our babysitters even wanted to babysit for us for free so we could have some date nights before I end up on bed rest. It was fabulous!

apologies and rest of trip

2010-06-22T14:39:00.000-07:00

Grandpa and Izzy

Grandma and Izzy... G'ma can't look at the camera and smile and keep her eyes open so we just take the best shot!

Ok so I just reread my last post. All I can say is wow... we all know I am not the most proficient writer, but man that was bad! I guess when you're at a friends house and you don't want to take to much time that's what happens. For those that don't know my parents only have dial up and can't get DSL or Cable out where they live so it can take up to 15 min for 1 page to load. Needless to say, I don't try the internet there!

So on to the rest of the trip. We got home this past Sunday and all I can say is I now have 1 more reason (as if I needed it) why I should NEVER move to UT. One word... Turbulence. Flying in from the West over the mountains when you're pregnant, can't take anything and are easily motion sick anyways was not the best combination. At least I was able to wait until we landed.

We had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa. Isabel was outside helping to feed the horses morning and night. She only missed 3 feedings the whole time we were there. My little girl LOVES horses. Saturday night we were able to get Isabel on Sam to ride. She went faster then last time and was loving it. Unfortunately it rained the whole time we were there... oh wait the sun was out Friday and that's it. I've never had a vacation out there like that before!

As you saw in the previous post we had dinner with some great friends who are celebrating 2 years together this August, hung out with Niki and Keegan (and some of Ray when he wasn't sick) and of course Ms. Kate. Kate was in town doing another wedding and Mike and I were able to go and help her assemble the center pieces. It was great so see all three of my closest friends from high school and not feel rushed as all.

Below are some pictures (I never got any with Kate, why does that always happen!) with the Bonnells, lots with horses and family. Oh and the day we left happened to be Father's Day and my sister called to wish a happy day to my dad and we got to talk to her! It was so fun to speak with her although she had been at the hospital, finally caught a bacterial infection over there but she sounded in good spirits.

The cats ran from Isabel the whole time she was there... until Saturday night. They are not used to loud, excitable children!

Grandpa was trying to teach Izzy how to do some lat pull downs

helping Grandma load hay for a nightly feeding

on the phone with Auntie Leslie

She was trying to look like a farmer with the hay in her mouth.

Seattle trip so far

2010-06-19T10:51:00.000-07:00

We came to Seattle (ok, Kent really), last weekend and are leaving tomorrow.. here are some pictures of Isabel helping with the horses, trying to put the hay in the gator. She got some new cute cowboy boots and jeans because its FREEZING here and I didn't pack correctly. I packed for high 60's low 70's and it's been in the 50's here. Needless to say Isabel has been so cold in her shorts!

We're hanging out at Niki's house.. a great friend from back in JH all thru now and had yummy cinnamon rolls and the kids are playing. We're about to head home so Isabel can ride the horses if the rain hold off.

enjoy!

oh wait I just realized that the pictures we have downloaded are from our trip to the Museum of Flight in Seattle.. So the other pictures will be shown when we get back! So here is pictures of us with lots of planes and me in a wheelchair since walking became a bit difficult.

We also had dinner with some good friends that we married two years ago when we were up there. Eric and Amy. Isabel and Carly had fun playing too! Dinner at Red Robin.
Oh and the last picture is Isabel and her dad by his FAVORITE plane.. the one that he really wants to buy.

Sorry It's been so long

2010-06-10T10:02:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, just wanted to give everyone the update, went to the MD yesterday and all looks great. They did an ultrasound and everything is wonderful, baby is of course not cooperating and would not move much for good pictures, which is typical for my babies.
So we still get to go on our vacation to Seattle (ok really it's Kent) and we are super excited!!! I've decided I'm just reaping the benefits of my Dad working a lot growing up. The man has so many frequent flyer miles and is generous enough to let us use them!! I go back to the MD in 2 weeks for another US, 3 weeks for my next office visit, and 4 weeks for the big US to see what we're having, that one will be on Mike's birthday!!!

All the info

2010-05-29T07:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, so now that everyone knows! I'm 14 weeks 5 days along. I had a cerclage at 13 weeks and once the cramping stopped have been feeling great. My Doc is confident with the procedure and will be watching me like a hawk from weeks 20-24 especially. I see him every 2 weeks between office visits and ultrasounds and once I hit 20 weeks I'll be having ultrasounds every 2 weeks unless one of them shows a decreased cervical length then I'll be back 3 days later after bed rest to see if the 'problem' is fixed. I'll be on bed rest at some point but I'm hoping to make it at least to 20 weeks and hopefully to 24 before that happens. Once I get to 30 weeks Doc isn't as concerned. Funny thing... once I hit 15 weeks... that could be 1/2 way thru my pregnancy! Hopefully not.. but I had that thought going to bed last night!
So far all is good. I start my progesterone shots at 16 weeks and they are coming out to the house to give them to me. YEAH!

So far all is good. I've been modifying my activity already and trying to take it easy. I have learned the squatting while doing searching through papers is a big no-no, causes cramping, and picking up Isabel is also a big no-no.

That's about it! I'll keep posting..we may have figured out the internet situation at the house in the next week and if so I'm going to try and do a daily blog entry of my exciting life during this pregnancy.

Charlie

2010-05-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

There once was a little bean
who could grow up to be anything
it wasn't quite sure
there's so much to choose

The bean's mum and dad
thought... this isn't so bad
we could teach we could train
help it to expand it's brain

Really all they wanted
is for the bean to get started
on its life's story
and they could watch all it's glory....

so for now while they wait..
so 'patiently' for it's fate
before they strike up the band
they'll have to deal with the little hand

Introducing 'Charlie' Isabel is obsessed with the name Charlie and is so sure that it's a girl... this is the only name we're allowed to call her... and no it will not be the official name whether boy or girl.

going on with it all

2010-05-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

Another week has gone by. Nothing super exciting. Lots of laying on the couch and watching movies, just that kind of week. Isabel has coined a new phrase that I'm using and love it. She was watching the news and a teaser about a booby trap for some bikers that were racing and when they all fell and crashed going around a corner she says "mom, now that is a humpty dumpty" Love it.

Mike has been crazy with business mtgs, mtgs and mtgs. We are the proud owners of a 165 qt cooler. We are hosting 4 open houses for Mike's business and we have sponsors to pay for it all and we realized it would be cheaper for us to do the food ourselves so we bought a few neat serving pieces from Costco and we're doing the food run the 1st week in June. I'm so excited! The food is going to be so good and I get to make some of the most amazing cookies.... yeah Mike will be completely off his diet and phase in period so he's going to love it also!

That's our update for now, we're trying to head out to Seattle the 3rd week in June so hopefully that will happen. We're also hoping to get to Atlanta to see my Grandma this summer, she is in the early states of dementia. On the plus side that will mean a side trip to ALABAMA!!! Man 2x in one year! We'll keep our fingers for that one!

SWAGGER WAGON

2010-05-15T13:24:00.000-07:00

The mini van is cool again... This is for all you that own one.

Isabel's 4th Birthday

2010-05-10T15:57:00.000-07:00

So on May 1st Isabel turned 4. We had a ton of fun with her soccer practice that we took cupcakes too, birthday party, then vegging out later on the coach after being wiped out!
I made a cat cake that turned out pretty well, the cheeks were supposed to be the hostess snowball things, but since I couldn't find them and couldn't bring myself to actually have anyone ingest those crazy things, I just opted for powered doughnuts.
Isabel had some great friends come over and she loved seeing everyone. Her Auntie Leslie called her from Tanzania, Auntie Katie from Utah and the Grandparents and great Aunts and Grandmas were called to say thanks for the presents. By the end of the day Isabel was a bit tired of the phone!

Playing outside at the party with friends

Playing with her alien fishing game that was given to her by Ian

My 1st attempt at a themed cake

finally got those silly candles to blow out!

Love this picture of my big girl. Her new dress and necklace she made from a kit she got. She wore it to church the next morning.

March of Dimes

2010-05-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

So here are some fun pictures from our March of Dimes walk a few weeks ago. THANK YOU to all who where able to support and participate with us. We had a very small team this year but it was great to have family come. One of our cousin's even skipped his track meet because it was so important for him to be there. It was much more of an emotional day then I thought it would be. Both Mike and I really had a tough time, but we had a wonderful experience.
We started off letting Isabel play in the moon jump, ate some bagels, went on the walk and Isabel even walked the whole way! well... 2.9 miles, she was carried for a brief time. We made good time, and Isabel held on to her sucker the whole time! Longest lasting sucker ever. :) After the walk and eating lunch we made it over to the other activities and Isabel played on the basketball game, and cheated but it was fun nontheless. So enjoy the pictures!

Pictures

2010-04-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

So.... i know y'all are so tired of my excuses... but this one is good. Mike was downloading our pictures to his computer yesterday and of course we delete them off the memory card on the camera... well.... right after we did that his computer crashed briefly and all the pictures he had just uploaded.. well they didn't have a chance to fully import so we lost the last 2 months on camera. Very sad... My sister is probably crying now but we'll try and recreate all the wonderful moments of torturing our daughter and all her fun soccer practices.
Sadly, Isabel didn't win that photo contest she was in... I'm totally biased but she was still MUCH cuter then the winners. Below is the picture I chose to use. I loved everyone's input and probably to her detriment I chose this on because I thought is showed a bit of her personality, not just a cute posed photo.

My sister leaves for Africa tomorrow, for 9 months,.. as long as her flight can get to London with Iceland's volcano trying to reek havoc. It seems a bit surreal that I won't be able to just pick up a phone and call her whenever Isabel says something cute or whenever Isabel just wants to talk to her Auntie. We did set up Skype and Isabel... well she just likes to watch herself on camera but it makes for great entertainment.

Saturday is our walk for March of Dimes, It seems so odd that it's been 1 year and 8 months since we lost Brooklyn, in some ways it seems so recent and in others that was a lifetime ago. I'm very grateful that we get to participate in this organization and help all babies one day be born healthy. So please donate what you can to our team.

never blogging

2010-04-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

So I wanted to post just because I never post. I have been so crazy busy with work, Isabel, work, work and more work. One day I'll even post pictures... one day. I still never seem to have time to get on-line anymore, at least not on a computer... only on my phone. So happy spring to all around... it's been 85 and wonderful here all week.

Spring is here!

2010-03-30T13:28:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited that spring is finally here!!! This week just might be up to 80 degrees and I can't wait. Tomorrow is our Easter playgroup hosted by yours truly... which means nothing other then I delegated stuff out... Easter egg hunt... bunny and egg shaped cookies for decorating....candy... and playground! Hopefully it turns out well. Isabel is super excited to see her friends.
I hope everyone had a chance to stop by Courtney's blog for her contest... It ends tonight! *fingerscrossed-ihopeiwin*
My sister is leaving in 23 days to go to Africa for 9 months to do her research for her dissertation, we are going to miss her but are SO HAPPY for her to be heading over to Dar es Salam in Tanzania (Leslie I hope I spelled all the right!)

Everyone please don't forget to donate to our March of Dimes team, even $1 will help!

Oh and I signed up as a volunteer for the NICU Parents group at the hospital. I can't wait to get started. It's a group that helps to support current parents of NICU kids and provide moral support that the nurses and MD's just can't provide. And if I ever have to have another baby in that situation.... the new center private room pods are AMAZING!!! each baby get private room (multiples are all together in bigger room) the rooms are about the size of a normal bedroom, with at least one couch and chair, breastpump, computer (for nurses), privacy screen and sliding double glass doors. Hello Taj Mahal. The hospital is building a new wing for the NICU and we'll be one of the top 3 in size in the whole country. They are having a Ronald McDonald type facility on the 2nd floor for only NICU families, showers, washer and dryers, computers, kitchen, meditation room etc. (as well as a large Ronald McDonald house on campus for everyone else to use)
I just have to go thru the hospital orientation and get a TB test and I'm in!!! That's the big exciting news at our house.

Sorry the post is a bit boring, no good stories about Isabel eating cat food....:)
She is entered in a contest so if you have a second want to look at the pictures I have to choose from .
http://www.pictage.com/811833

Don't forget to donate!!!

CONTEST!

2010-03-19T15:05:00.001-07:00

So my friend, the amazing Princess Courtney Barr is having an awesome contest so you can run over to her blog and check it out. She's having a celebration for reaching 100 followers and giving away 8 book, a D&B purse, cute wallet and a few extra surprises... so check it out! If you sign up to win make sure you note my name in your comment as a referral!!!!
http://princesscourtneysbarr.blogspot.com/