Hey Bloggers

Just wanted to tell you all I'm very thankful to know you in RL and/or through your blogs. I've been reading your posts through Bloglines since Zachary has been here. Though I haven't posted much, I just wanted you to know I'm still reading and loving each of your insightful, fun, spiritual, real posts. They really speak to me as I read them, in these days of being a stay at home shut-in, um...mom, I mean :) Thanks for being you and I'm looking forward to getting more interactive and branching out to other blogs and new friends as time goes on. Love you all!

Oh Happy Day!

I forgot to mention my 2nd birthday was this past Saturday. March 29, 1989, I was born again into Christ when I was 12. Bryan and I got the chance to go out on our first date that night too. We left the girls with some friends and took Zachary along to Olive Garden. I fed him in the car while Bryan got us a table and got our food ordered. The food had just arrived when I got inside. After the meal, some ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery. A great 2nd birthday celebration!

Today, I am totally doing happy dances all around. My student loans are finally paid off, my friends!! Nearly 10 years after I graduated college, mind you :) Woohoo!! We've also been able to pay off some other debts too from our tax return and hubby's bonus. Of course, now we still have the septic tank to fix, but at least it's some burdens relieved. Yay!! I'm all kinds of excited.

Zachary is 3 weeks old now. Can you believe it? He's growing up too fast already. He's still a newborn right now, eating, sleeping, pooping. He's starting to smile more and coo a bit and I'm just eating it up. Lovin it!

Imagine this

"It was approximately 5:15 am. In Opelousas, La. I had stayed with a friend there and was on my way to work. I stopped at the Exxon/Blimpie Pie station to get gas. I got $10 gas and a Diet Coke. I took into the store two $5 bills and one $1 bill (just enough to get my stuff).

As I pulled away from the store, a man approached my truck from the back side of the store (an unlit area) He was an 'approachable-looking' man (clean cut, clean shaven, dressed well, etc.) He walked up to my window and knocked.

Since I'm very paranoid and 'always looking for the rapist or killer,' I didn't open the window. I just asked what he wanted. He raised a $5 bill to my window and said, 'You dropped this.' Since I knew I had gone into the store with a certain amount of money, I knew I didn't drop it.

When Itold him it wasn't mine, he began hitting the window and door, screaming at me to open my door, and insisting that I had dropped the money! At that point, Ijust drove away as fast as I could."

Have you ever gotten this e-mail? These often emerge from real events, like a serial killer on the loose in Louisiana a few years back. Fear sparked many stories such as these, that continue to be circulated, even though the killer has been caught.

Though rumors are annoying, ones like these can serve a purpose other than increasing our paranoia. They can remind us to be aware of our surroundings at all times, especially when alone, and recognize unusual behavior. Also, I like how in one version the target asks an employee to escort her out. If in doubt, have someone walk you out! Good advice, even from e-mail rumors!

Read the rest of the story here: http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/batonrouge.asp

Here it goes

Yesterday, I began my first day alone as full time mama to all three kids. Bryan went back to work. As terrified as I was, it was ok. Everyone survived.

This morning, Bryan had to leave extra early for an out of town day trip, so I had to get Meg ready for school. Bryan had been doing it for the last couple weeks. I was lucky enough to get Zachary fed and back to sleep before she got up. Then, Zoe slept late as well, so I was able to lie down for another hour before Zachary woke up again.

Not exactly caught up on my sleep mind you, but every little bit helps.

Praying for God to help me balance my days and get everyone used to a new family member, to be really forgiving of myself and not worry about the house being a wreck. To be patient in developing a productive daily schedule while I recover from childbirth and adjust to new sleep patterns. To be sensitive to the needs of my family and be more grace-filled, more gentle and loving towards them, even when fatigue makes me super cranky. And most of all, to be thankful and content with what I have every day, to complain less and praise more.

"Thank you God, for giving me more strength than I thought possible, more patience than I can produce on my own, and enough love in my heart for my husband and all our kids, and thank You especially for the grace and love you show me. Amen"

Zachary captions

Because it's funny and he's too little to argue about it :)

"Say what??"

"Whatchu talkin bout, mama?"

"So, Zachary, what do you think

about this year's presidential candidates?"

Egg hunt or bust?

Sounds like it was a bust. Bryan called the house 1/2 hour after the egg hunt started saying it was already over and the poor girls barely got any eggs. In fact, Zoe only got one. The kids all ended up hunting at the same time at different ends of the church, so Bryan could only be with one at a time. By the time he got back to Zoe, she was already coming back inside, holding one Hershey kiss from the one egg she got, crying her little eyes out. I don't know what happened with the planning this year. Last year we held it indoors and different groups went at different times and there were enough eggs. I didn't bring any this year due to the baby coming and all, and I guess not many other people did either.

But despite the disappointing church egg hunt, we had a nice one here at home. Bryan asked me if I could get some eggs prepared and hidden all around the living/dining rooms. So while he antd the girls were still out, I prepared a bunch of eggs with candy, stickers, and change we had around here. They had a great time hunting them and going through their "stash".

Now, boiling eggs to color after naptime. I'm so sleep deprived, I hope I don't color Zachary or something :) But I'm determined to have a little fun today.

Hard decision

I decided to skip the Easter egg hunt at our church today and stay here with Zachary. Bryan took the girls along. I helped them into some new spring outfits and fixed their hair. Bryan has the video camera and my digital one so I hope he gets some good footage for me. It's the first egg hunt I've missed since the girls started hunting eggs.

I had thought about getting my front carrier out and taking Zachary along, but decided to sit it out this year. Zachary was up and down a lot last night, crying with gassiness or something, so I'm especially sleep deprived. Also, it's still cold/flu season and really chilly outside, so I figured taking him along with a church full of little sniffly kids was probably not the best idea, since he's only two weeks old today.

So just a morning alone with Zachaboo, time to rest and reflect on the real Easter miracles. Later, the girls and I will be coloring Easter eggs, and I'll gear up and rest up for tomorrow, when we'll finally get Zachary to church for his "debut". :) See you then!

It's different

Going from your first baby to your third. With your first, you've read all the books, attended all the classes, and you get through the birth, only to be absolutely terrified when you actually arrive home alone with the baby. The baby cries and suddenly all the conventional methods of dealing with crying babies that you read in the books don't work like they should.

By the time you get to #3, you know most of the tricks, but you also know the real trick is knowing that each baby is different, so what worked with #1 and #2 doesn't necessarily work with #3.

You realize now that it's ok to not force-feed babies every 2 hours when they're newborns, but that feeding on demand works best. You have finally learned to sleep when the baby sleeps and to take advantage of every minute of maternity/paternity leave and let your husband and anyone else that offers do the chores for a couple weeks. You finally give up on the conventional baby bedding and opt for whatever works--a car seat in the bassinet, co-sleeping, etc. You allow baby to pacify themselves on whatever they like--a pacifier, thumb, or your pinky.

Most of all, besides the sleep deprivation and craziness of raising 2 other kids at the same time, you can enjoy your baby #3 and all those cuddly coos, without being terrified you're starving or freezing or traumatizing him for life. Just think of all the money he'll save on therapy...

Snuggle time

Daddy's boy--enjoying some snuggle time yesterday.

Zoe came back Saturday evening and held little brother for the first time. She's really taking to him better than I thought. She and Meg fight over who gets to hold him and she loves to give him his pacifier when he's fussy.

Zachary's first checkup

He looked good. The doctor didn't think his jaundice looked bad enough for blood testing or anything like that. She said as long as he's eating well and peeing and pooping well, he'll get it out of his body soon. And he was up an ounce from his birth weight too, which is good, considering a lot of babies lose some weight in their first week.

And boy is he ever! His appetite has finally caught up to the milk production and he's now starting to nurse from both sides on most feedings. Having a little problem with N. soreness on one side, but working on better latching and using Lansinoh lanolin is helping that. He's a great burper and hardly spits up anything at all. I'm glad to have a good little eater!

He had his first vaccination for Hep B. He did NOT like that! Man, did he turn red, but he calmed down as soon as I picked him back up.

Also, he seems to take a pacifier well so far. Neither one of the girls ever would, and Megan was a thumb sucker (still is in her sleep). It's interesting to see how different each of the kids already are.

The new debate

We're debating between hubby and I about how to shorten Zachary's name. I've been using Z-a-c-h. Bryan says it looks better as Z-a-c-k. I don't really have a strong preference one way or another. Shortened names have always intrigued me, like how William is sometimes "Bill" and not "Will" or Charles is "Chuck". Anywho, I've added a poll in my sidebar. Vote away!! It'll be interesting to see and may sway our decision.

Big sister/Little mama

*Note--I can't get Blogger to cooperate with picture placement and captioning. If it looks goofy to you, my apologies! By the way, Zoe is with her Nana and Papa for the week and won't be back until Saturday, so that's why you don't see pics of her here yet :)

Tuesday night...stealing kisses.

Wednesday afternoon...lovin after school.

Wednesday night...curling up for a nap with Zach.

Today's Highlights and Breastfeeding Tips

Zachary has some jaundice. He has a little tan, as did our girls when they were newborns. It's pretty common in a lot of babies, especially breastfed ones. Most of the time, though, it's no cause for concern. Sometimes the doctor will want to do blood testing 3 days in a row just to make sure bilirubin levels are going down. I don't think Zach's is that severe, but he has his first checkup on Friday and we'll see what his doc says then.

We've discovered he likes sleeping in his car seat and tried it in his bassinet last night. He slept two good stretches. He wasn't liking his bassinet until then. I think he likes being snuggled in so we're going to try one of those sleep positioners or something like that.

Bryan also noticed what appeared to be a little tooth right under his bottom gum. I am in denial. I'm really hoping that is not what that is. He's not allowed teeth until he's at least 7-8 months old! So there :)

Nursing is going well. He's eating about every 3 1/2-4 hours. My milk is in with a vengeance. I'm thinking about putting out a sign to advertise "Free Milk!" to any baby who's passing by :) I could feed a whole slew of them right now.

For those of you who don't know, milk ususally comes in 3-5 days after birth, and very often, the breasts will become engorged, which is just an overproduction of milk. They kind of overcompensate for the infant's needs in order to make sure they get enough. It can be very uncomfortable though, so putting ice packs on them between feedings and taking pain meds like Aleve helps a lot. After a few days though, the production will slow down as they start to match the infant's feeding needs. Sometimes, the infant will get a bigger appetite right after they slow down production, and this will result in the baby wanting to eat much more often for a couple days or so. This is called "cluster feeding" and is best met by just feeding on demand, though it's very tiring! Often women will give up nursing at this point, believing they don't have enough milk to satisfy the baby. This is usually NOT the case as again, the breasts will begin to increase milk production to meet the baby's needs!! So, if you are expecting a baby, or will be at some point and plan to nurse, remember that! Hang in there those first couple weeks and you'll get a great breastfeeding relationship established with your baby.

The first few days

I'd forgotten how idyllic, yet exhausting these first days/weeks at home with a new baby were. Well, hadn't forgotten, really, just hadn't thought about it until now that I feel like a zombie ;)

First there was the still-shocking fast birth experience, then they had to throw in a time change over the weekend. I'm all mixed up! Poor Meg is really exhausted too, having to get up an hour earlier now for school--in the dark again *sigh*. We caught a few more moments of the last couple of days for your viewing pleasure.

Meg was so tired last night, she settled in with Dad and Zach and went right to sleep. Didn't even move when Dad got up. He propped her up with a pillow for a while until supper.

This morning, it was bad....

Then, it was good.... :) I love these first little smiles. It's not just gas, you know.

And the milk comes in...

Whoa! Let's just say I can't believe I was a B cup before I got pregnant!

Zachary is doing well. He's nursing every 4 hours or so at the moment, except for last night when he wanted mom as a human pacifier :) We finally ended up sleeping together so he could nurse to sleep and I could get some sleep too. He's finally stopped passing meconium (that yucky tarry first poop) and is getting that mustardy yellow breast milk poop. We've already been hosed with pee a few times! Changing a boy will take some getting used to!

Here's a pic from right after he was born and one with the girls first meeting him. I'll post a few more later as we get them converted from raw format.

And he's here!

Zachary Bryan arrived yesteday, March 8, at 12:11 pm CST. He weighed 7 lbs, 1 oz and 20 in long. Surprisingly one ounce lighter than Zoe and 2 weeks later than she was :) He was born on his due date, another surprise, since both our girls were early by 3 and 2 weeks.

We just brought him home and we're exhausted. Bryan's parents, sister and brother-in-law are here and they are going to take Zoe for a week so we can have a little more peace at home.

Megan is already crazy about him. Zoe's not quite so sure. I think she hasn't quite grasped that Zachary is what was in mama's big belly for so long. I think she likes him, but it's just shocked her a bit.

Here's the shortened story of the labor and delivery for now. I'll catch you up on details and more pics later after I've rested. Yesterday, 4 am, water broke. Nothing happened much until 9:30, when irregular light contractions started. By 11 am, very active labor had begun and by 11:30 we had left for the 1/2 hour ride to the hospital. By that time, I was in transition, which is the last stage before you push!! We rode in our 4 wheel drive very quickly (to say the least) on the snowy roads, got to the hospital, got to the delivery room about 11:49 AM, and he was born 22 minutes later at 12:11 PM. We just about didn't make it. 3 pushes and he was out. We are still in shock that he came so fast. But we are totally in love! He's nursing well and is calm and preciously cuddly. Thanks for all the prayers for a safe drive and delivery!

Looks like he's on his way...in a blizzard!

It was 4 am. I heard a little popping sound, but didn't feel anything until a few minutes later...a little trickle. Yes, my water has broken. I have been having contractions on and off since then. Managed a little more sleep until a few minutes past 6 am, and now I'm up eating breakfast, hoping contractions will start coming on stronger and faster soon. I want to wait here at home until labor is really uncomfortable to try to avoid the "devil juice" :)

We're going to eat and take showers and try to go on with life as usual until we have to go. There is a lot of snow on the ground and it's still coming down. He just couldn't wait any more, I guess. And today is his due date too--never had one on their due date :)

Debating on when and who to call first. Don't want to jump the gun too soon, but man--what a time to have a baby--well at least it's daytime.

I'll post again as soon as I can...hopefully I'll be able to report a little boy being born soon.

Angels of mine

I woke up this morning with really bad cramping and back pain. I thought--"This is it--he's finally coming." Nope. After getting up and moving around a while, it subsided.

I fixed the girls some waffles for breakfast since school is out for the snow storm--yes, a real snow storm, with more than just sleet and freezing rain!

Since all is now quiet in Zachary-land, I finally relented to Megan's "When can we go out and play?" and took them out for a bit. They've just finished up some s'mores and hot cocoa and I thought I'd post some pics of my "snow angels". I sure love these little girls. They fight like wildcats sometimes, but they're crazy about each other and I'm crazy about them.

Perpetually confused

*Edit: They are going by the due date of March 8, so I'll be considered 40 weeks along this Saturday. The nurse also said the swelling is probably a lymph node related to the recent colds/drainage I've had and just to keep an eye on it for further swelling, heat in the area, or fever. So there ya go--less confused now.

Yep, that's me. Today, another appt with my midwife, since Zachary is taking his sweet time coming out. I realized I have 3 different due dates on my chart, one is March 8 according to the first U/S, the next is March 16, according to my last period, and the last is March 19, according to the last U/S. *sigh* I think they're going by the first one as of now, but I did call back later and left a message with the nurse to verify that. My midwife told me if I go past 41 weeks, they will want to do another U/S to check fluid levels, and if all is ok, then they won't worry about anything until 42 weeks has passed. So, I want to be sure what week of gestation they are considering me to be in so I'll know what to expect when.

Then, I took Zoe to McD's for some playland time, and I discovered I have some swelling on my left jaw muscle right in front of my ear. It's really sore to the touch too. I have no idea what it is. Maybe clenching my jaw when I sleep? Mumps? Drainage? So, another call to the nurse's voicemail. Hopefully she'll call back soon, so I won't be so confused.

Looking forward to spring

To warmth, to sunshine, to renewed hope and hopefully better days, smoother paths for those I love.

Yesterday, Bryan's brother and family said goodbye to another baby in a small graveside service. We sent flowers. Hardly seemed like enough. Wished we could be there. Wished we could take away their pain and rewind time...like it was just a bad dream that never happened.

But it did. And we move on. Another day. Another season approaches. And I pray for peace, for joy, for a break in the challenges and hurts. A time to recoup, to gather strength, to make happy memories before the next life storms hit.

Zachary is still content to stay inside me for now it seems. His due date is Saturday. Looks like he's not in a hurry to come out like his sisters. But each day that passes, I find myself more ready and more happy to meet him. I think the waiting is good for us now, hopefully a transition to the better season I described above.

Yep, I'm looking forward to spring.

Saying goodbye before we even met

Bryan's brother Roger and his wife Angela delivered a little girl last night. They named her Riley Anne. We wished so much that we could be there for them. Bryan's parents were there and his mom called with the news around 9 pm.

I was antsy all day yesterday, waiting to hear something, yet not wanting to hear what I was hearing.

Then the last call came, and now we have to officially say goodbye, and we never got to meet her. I could almost picture in my mind our little niece, what she would have been like, how wonderful it would have been to hold and cuddle her. But it's not meant to be.

We want to be there with our family, yet Zachary is due any time now. We look forward to bringing our last child into the world, but we're so sad that they don't have the same chance now.

I ask for you to pray for Roger, Angela, and their two teenage kids and our whole family, as we are all hurting for them.

Can you feel too much?

I feel the suffering of others so strongly, it is almost debilitating. This winter, so many have suffered from so much, and I feel it weighing on me like a ton of bricks in my heart. I can't ease their pain or give them back what they've lost. I can pray, but they still hurt. I still hurt.

I feel a sense of selfishness even, feeling this way, like why can't I hurt for them, but just be functional and productive with the hurt? It does no one any good for me to mope around, cry at the drop of a hat, and be so ultra-sensitive about everything. I just can't stop the flow. I try to stay busy just doing mindless work, but as soon as I stop (and I have to sometimes) here it comes again.

I can understand why people drink and do drugs to numb the hurt. It seems like the easy way out, when of course it is not. I guess as humans, we need to feel the emotions and work through them. Some of us are more sensitive than others and we have to accept what we are and ask God to help us move on and do something positive with the emotion.

This was a completely rambling, journal-ish post. I just needed to write it down. I'm sure you can all relate.

Why, Lord, why?

Bryan's brother and sis-in-law lost their baby today. I'm devastated for them. They were supposed to have their big ultrasound today. I can't understand why this keeps happening to them. I can't understand why God hasn't answered our prayers. We've all been praying so hard for them to have a healthy child. It's not fair!

All I can ask today is "Why, Lord, why?" Please keep them in your prayers as this is such a hard day for them.

I just gotta laugh today

My latest cold is nearing its end. The girls are both coughing now. The cycle goes on ;)

My hubby and I are starting to freak each other out at the end of this pregnancy. When one of us can't reach the other one, we get nervous. Bryan tried to call me this morning while I was at library story time with Zoe. Apparently, my phone was out of range, though I had it with me. He finally reached me when we were leaving, and he was actually on his way back home to check on me. So, after that phone call and the frantic message I heard when I got home, I sure needed this laugh.

Thanks to my sis-in-law Angela for sending this one. You'll laugh your socks off at these.

They're Back! Those Wonderful Church Bulletins!
Thank God for church ladies with word-processors. These sentencesappeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services(Summer, 2007 Release).

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
----------------------------------------------------------
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermontonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
-------------------- ------ --------------------------------
Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
----------------------------------------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
----------------------------------------------------------
The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
----------------------------------------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
---------------------------------------------------------
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
---------------------------------------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
----------------------------------------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
----------------------------------------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
----------------------------------------------------------
The Rector will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing: 'Break Forth Into Joy.'
---------------------------------------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
---------------------------------------------------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
---------------------------------------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
---------------------------------------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
---------------------------------------------------------
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
---------------------------------------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
-------------------------------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow..
------------------------------------------------ ---------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
----------------------------------- ------ -----------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
---------------------------------------------------------
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM . All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
----------------------------------------------------------
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
--------------------------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
---------------------------------------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in theChurch basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
----------------------------------------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church.Please use the large double door at the side entrance.
----------------------------------------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday : 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours'.

Live Simply. Love Generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. And laugh your *&! when you can! (That one was mine :) )

Feelings...nothing more than feelings

I can't get that song out of my head today. My physical feelings are completely taking over my life right now.

Yesterday, I began feeling like the baby is dropping, began feeling more Braxton-Hicks contractions and some cramping. I am officially "at-term" now, so the baby could come at any time. I have no idea when, of course, as these feelings could go on for weeks, literally.

Besides that, I've been having extreme fatigue. I'm not sure how much of that is just recovery from being ill, or perhaps my body preparing for birth, telling me to slow down and reserve energy. Whatever the case, I've been listening! I'm sitting and lying down as much as possible.

I'm beginning to get over the lastest cold, though the drainage I'm producing, mainly post-nasal drip, is really annoying and I feel like I'm going to drown at times. Megan has picked it up now, I think, and is starting to cough a bit. I don't think poor Zachary will have a chance of not getting a cold early on. We're all just petri dishes around here.

Now for a lighter subject, for I'm sure you're all tired of hearing about my ailments:

The Oscars. I didn't watch this year, but I've been seeing all the after-math this morning. What's with the actress who chose a curtain-like dress and no makeup? Tilda Swinton won the best supporting actress award, but looked like she had 5 minutes to get ready.

Normally, I'd be like, "Well, way to go for her, being all natural-like." But these folks have hair and makeup people literally at their beck and call 24/7. I think they owe us some makeup on Oscar night. What do you all think?

My new best friend

I just wrote that title, and I realized I had ordered a new nursing pillow called My Brest Friend. I just got it yesterday, and though I feel a little guilty for betraying my Boppy, I think I'll like it just fine. My Boppy had gotten kinda flat and had holes in it from using it for 2 girls.

Anyway, I'm way off my original idea here. My new best friend--it's not a nursing pillow, actually. It's a Neti Pot. "A what?"you might ask. A Neti Pot. Here's the one I got.

My midwife suggested to try it for my cold. I had seen them in Wal-Mart and also had seen it demonstrated on Oprah with Dr. Oz. I had Bryan stop by yesterday and pick up one for me.

Basically, you fill it with warm water (filtered is best), add a packet of the salt mix (the box comes with 50 of them), and shake gently.
Then, you lean your head over the sink to one side, keep your mouth open and breathe through your mouth, then put the spout to the upward nostril and gently pour. The solution goes through your sinuses and out the downward nostril. You gently blow your nose and repeat on the other side.

Bryan thinks I'm going to drown myself or something. He's a bit water-phobic though :) Actually, if you get the water temp right, and mix in the saline, it feels quite comfortable. The only problem I had was that my right side has been clogged up pretty bad, so it wanted to go down my throat and feels like it's going into my right ear canal a bit.

However, I used it before bed and I breathed so much better last night and didn't have to wake up to blow my nose or anything. Wonderful. It really soothed my nasal passages and helped me breathe. Therefore, it is now my new best friend. :)

Well, Meg is out of school yet again today. We already have ice all over the roads. Hubby just called on the way to work and said he was sliding all over the place. So, we won't be going anywhere today. I wasn't planning on it anyway. Just going to sit around and take care of me and the girls today.

No baby yet

The doctor appt today was uneventful. I had another group appt. today. I may make it to the private one scheduled for next week. Every 2 weeks, it's been group appts, and now I'm up to weekly, so every other week, I'll get a private appt. I missed last week's because Meg's school was delayed 2 hours.

So, anywho, I have not been "checked". I probably will not be "checked". I've been asked by several folks if I have been "checked". Just to be clear--I am not planning on being "checked" this time unless there is a problem, or if Zach is late, or until I'm in the hospital in labor.

The midwives I visit don't make a practice of "checking" people unless specifically asked to or unless there's a problem. There is a risk of infection anytime an internal exam is done. Also, "checking" for cervical dilation, etc, really doesn't give a whole lot of information on when the baby's coming. From my own experience, it can only serve to make you anxious when the baby may be even a few weeks from coming, or make you disappointed if there's not much sign of "progress" and labor might be hours away!

During my last appt with Zoe, I was 38 weeks along, and was SO ready for her to come out. I asked to be "checked", and the midwife suggested a "membrane stripping", which involves gently separating the bag of waters from the cervix, which can trigger labor. Well, it worked, and Zoe was born the next day :)

However, I've wondered since if that was the best course to take since I still was hooked up to Pitocin (aka "devil juice") to get my labor to progress faster. Let it be known that I would like to avoid the so-called "devil juice" if at all possible this time around. A natural childbirth with Pitocin involved is not pleasant. Not impossible, just more intense. This time, I've decided to let nature take its course and let this baby come when he's good and ready, and not rush it with anything. I've also decided to stay home longer as well, even if my water breaks early on as it has both times before. I want those contractions good and strong by the time I get there so hopefully there's not as much desire to hook me to the "devil juice".

Will things work out the way I want them? Who knows? Labor hardly ever goes completely smoothly for anyone. There will always be something unexpected, but there's my rough "birth plan" anyway. I'm hoping this labor will be a little faster than the other two, which were 12 and 10 hours, respectively. 6-8 hours sounds just right :) All I know is that this is probably my last birth experience, so I want to be as comfortable and un-"checked" and un-"intervened" with as much as possible. Is that too much to ask? ;)

Wednesday--I need mom advice

No baby yet, and I really hope he decides to wait a few more days until I can start to recover from this cold. I'm just a mucus factory right now. Don't you love my TMI descriptions?

I have an appt today at 11:30, so I'm blogging a bit before I go. I thought I'd seek some mom advice on a few issues I've been wondering about.

1. How do you encourage other family members (kids that are old enough of course) to pitch in with household chores, especially when mom's under the weather? Advice, tips, tricks, anything is appreciated. Also, just for discussion, is it unreasonable for a stay-at-home mom to expect help with household chores, even when she's feeling fine? I'm thinking I do the same job that babysitters and daycare providers are paid for, so why not?

2. This one is kinda funny: can baby boys wear little white Keds tennis shoes? Hubby says they're girly. I say they look unisex. What's your opinion?

3. Moving children into the same room together, especially when one has a different schedule than the other (i.e. Meg gets up early to go to school, while Zoe usually sleeps later). What are good ways to adjust to that? I'm wanting to keep Meg using her alarm clock and getting up by herself, but I'm concerned that Zoe will lose sleep she needs too. Hubby is working on their bunkbed, and he'd really like to move them in ASAP, but I'm thinking even waiting until summer might be a good idea, so they don't have to get up early, etc. Zach will be in a bassinet in our room for probably the first 4 months. Is that too long to wait to move the girls together? Will Zoe feel displaced more if we wait?

So, there ya go--things for you to think about today while I'm out. Thanks in advance for reading my rambling :)

Don't miss church when you're 9 months pregnant

Or people will call you wondering if you've had the baby :)

We had an interesting, but fun weekend. Bryan, his dad, three uncles and his brother-in-law went to Louisville Saturday for the farm machinery show/tractor pull--an annual tradition now with the men of the family. The women usually get together at this time as well, to hang out, eat and play games. I'm usually there at my in-laws' house in our hometown, but since I'm 9 months along, my mother-in-law and sis-in-law came here instead.

They were able to see Megan cheer at the Upward game Saturday morning, which really made her day. Then we all just hung out, ate, and watched movies the rest of the day. All of us even took a good long nap that afternoon too. They were so sweet to catch up the laundry, vacuum and do dishes for me as well.

The men didn't get home until after 1 am or so (I don't know for sure--I was in bed!), so we let everyone just sleep in and I got up and made my semi-famous pancakes :) and bacon for everybody. Bryan had to go on to church to do A/V for the children's service, but came on home after that.

I guess not many people saw him there, because a few folks called here later to see if I'd had the baby or something. The only physical problem I'm having now is cold #3 (I think) of the season, which has given me uncomfortable chest congestion and runny nose. At least each illness has been different so far, so at least I've had variety :)

There is a full moon this Thursday, and I'll just be at term, so it's possible that we'll be meeting our little boy later this week. If you don't see me or hear from me here, go ahead and call--I'm either having a baby or just too lazy to blog or get out :)

When you're down...

Go eat a chili cheese coney and mozzarella cheese sticks from Sonic. Well, no, you shouldn't do that. You should go jogging or something. But that's what a heavily "with child" woman does when she's down. :)

Actually, I was just craving that today for whatever reason, and I justified eating it because I had had a bad week. I'm probably going to pay for it later tonight...sorry hubby.

Backing up some, my Valentine's evening was nice. Hubby and I got the girls to bed on time and were able to curl up together and sip some sparkling cider and eat some of the Ghirardelli chocolates he got for me (he knows me well!). We cuddled and watched Batman Begins.

And now, for a few more of those chocolates with my green tea and a short break to play Everquest II. I like to divert my attention with chocolate and computer games when I've had a bad day :)

This IS Valentine's Day, right?

Then why am I so depressed? Well, maybe it's because I side-swiped a light pole last night with my car, ripping my driver's side mirror off and denting up the driver's side doors.

Yes, that's right--I'd like to say that light pole came right out of nowhere and ran right into me. The fact is, I just didn't see it in the dark bank parking lot after visiting the ATM. As I was trying to turn back onto the side street to head to Wendy's to meet my husband for supper, I heard the crunching sound and finally realized what happened.

I pulled back into the parking lot and called Bryan, who had to leave the chiropractor's office and come see the damage. As I was waiting for him to arrive, I had a severe breakdown in front of my girls. I cried, I screamed, I wailed. I think I scared them. Then I felt bad for that. Then I was embarrassed trying to keep from crying while the policeman took down a report and made sure I wasn't drunk or had stolen the car.

This has been a very trying two weeks for me. No one thing in itself was devastating, but it has just cumulated until I think I'm going insane. Add the events to one very hormonal, emotional, almost-ready-to-pop pregnant woman, and it's not pretty.

So, despite worrying how in the world we're going to pay to get the damage fixed, I am trying to go on with life today and not ruin the day for the rest of my family. I fixed sausage, biscuits, and eggs for everyone this morning, took Meg and her Valentine box to school (two hours delayed), went to Wal-Mart to do more stocking up and got some other errands done, and am going to Meg's Valentine party at kindergarten in about an hour. Hopefully sometime tonight, I'll get to pop open the sparking cider I bought for hubby and me and cuddle with him a while.

What I really want to do is just hide under my covers and pretend I'm not here, but I have to get a grip and keep on going.

If you happen to see me, just don't bring up the car. I'll probably have another breakdown in front of you, and that's just embarrassing. I'll take prayers though...lots and lots of those. And maybe a hug or two.

Another snow day

Well, sort of. Let's say a little bit of snow on top of ice. We got freezing rain the past two days, and this morning, snow is falling on top of that. At least it looks pretty. I've got the window shades all open to enjoy it. I even woke up the kids from their late slumber to see it.

Another day out of school. They were out three days last week, came home an hour or so early Monday and haven't been back since. I think they're just going to be out all of February.

My only concern is wondering if this break is good for Meg--getting to spend more time with me and Zoe before the baby comes, or if it will make it that much harder for her to go back. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Today, I'm just enjoying the morning, sipping my coffee, going to play a computer game for a bit, then head to the shower. Hopefully we'll make it to church this evening for church supper.

A great thought on a messy day

A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, 'Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.'

Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know.'

'You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?'

The doctor was holding the handle of the door, on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, 'Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing... I know my Master is there and that is enough.'

Monday, Monday

I'm getting harder to deal with as this pregnancy winds to a close. My poor hubby hears about all of my nesting "needs", and I've been so intolerant of people not pulling their weight, not picking up after themselves, etc. He's trying and working hard at work, here at home, at church, and building a new bunk bed for the girls. I'm sorry, dear hubby--I hope to at least be good on Valentine's Day :)

Everything and everyone is just getting to me. I have this unsatiable desire to completely ready the house for this baby, but these people I live with--well, they just keep eating and wearing clothes and using the toilet :) The events of the last week, along with the stomach virus that wiped me out, plus not having energy for more than a few hours at a time....all that just does not cooperate with my nesting desire.

I know in my head that we're ready for the most part, that carpets don't have to be spotless for a newborn, etc. So now, I've made myself sit down and relax a while. I'm treating myself to some turtle candy I bought at Cracker Barrel yesterday and I'm going to lie down and hopefully nod off a while while the girls are asleep.

Thank you Lord for children that still nap! You blessed me with good sleepers and I'm so grateful! *yawn*

Tornado cleanup and painful gas

Doesn't really have anything to do with each other, except that I was thankful to not have the latter this morning so I could do the first thing better. :)

Bryan and I took advantage of having our girls at his parents' house until tomorrow. We went to help some friends who had some extensive home damage. We mainly just boxed up things from the most damaged rooms and some clothing and other items they'll need if they move. They're kinda in limbo now waiting for a visit from a structural engineer to see what their insurance will do.

It was hard looking at the surrounding neighboorhood and our friends' home. Harder still to imagine that no one was injured there in the storm. One 83 year old woman in a nearby home hid in her bathroom and the rest of her house was blown away--only the bathroom she was in was left standing. Miraculous.

I can't believe that so much damage can occur in just a few minutes and some wind. Broken glass everywhere, neighbors' belongings and home debris scattered all over. You can't tell what's what in the piles outside. I can't imagine how everyone there must feel...their homes and memories scattered with the wind. All the years of work and love they put into their homes gone in just a few minutes. However, true to our community and church family, there were lots of volunteers out to help with cleanup and bringing food to everyone. It's good to feel such Christian love during such crisis times.

Being nine months along, I wasn't able to persist longer than a few hours, and no heavy lifting of course, but it felt good just to go be doing something to help somebody. My main contribution was bringing donuts--I think if you're shoveling debris out of your house, you're entitled to donuts.

The stomach bug is still hanging around. Bryan and I went out for a date last night while the kids were gone. We saw the movie "Cloverfield", which I don't recommend unless you like to feel nauseated from shaky camera views. Ugh. After that, some Olive Garden. I loved just going out alone and being able to fix my hair after 2 days without power.

Unfortunately, the gas pains hit and I couldn't eat much. I picked up some Gas-X on the way home and got some in me, but it took a few hours to work after I tried to go to bed. I couldn't stay out of the bathroom until at least 1 am. It was horrible! It is not natural for a human being to produce that much gas--I've defied physics or something. I was ready to call a doctor when it finally died down and I was ready to sleep.

Tonight, trying to keep food bland and hydrate myself with electolyte water. Hopefully this will be gone before I go into labor--that's hard enough without stomach problems to add to it.

It's been a bad week, but I'm thankful

To be alive and to still have a home. Tuesday night, some 80 tornadoes struck through 6 states, and our little community was hit hard. We huddled in our basement as my husband saw the funnel cloud coming down not a 1/2 mile from our house, hitting the community just beyond the field and bypass behind our house.

We know several people who have lost their homes or had damage. A family of 3 died in a local trailer park. The only thing we've lost here was the top to our sandbox. And our power. But if you're a local and have seen any of the damage as you've driven by, you can see why. Power poles just uprooted and broken, lines down everywhere. Hundreds of linemen are out working around the clock to get power restored. Power has been restored to many areas as of this morning, but just not to us yet.

My dear husband wrangled up a generator for us to run our heat, refrigerators, TV, and my computer. We have to fill it with gas every few hours, but I'm thankful to have it to keep our food from spoiling and to stay warm. I had bought up and cooked up a bunch of stuff already to have for after the baby is born.

The only thing bothering me now is a case of diarrhea that I've had for 2 days now. It's weakened me even more than usual. We took our in-laws up on their offer to keep the girls for a couple of days. School is cancelled here for the rest of the week, so Megan won't miss any and I can use the break. I'm spending the day relaxing on my bed, watching TV, surfing on my computer, trying to keep drinking and eating so as not to become dehydrated.

It's certainly inconvenient to be without power, but things could have been so much worse. I'm so thankful that our home is still here and our family is ok.

I want to go away

Somewhere cool and quiet. We've been having this little heat wave around here (around 70 degrees) and I'm really hot...I mean really hot...not in your good-looking way, but really sweltering! I'm so glad I haven't had to be really pregnant in the summer time. I would melt.

Then, today, Megan was at it again, not wanting to go to school this morning, even though I took her. I told her I would take her and eat lunch with her at school once a week. We have figured out after a phone call with Nana that Megan may be anxious about me going to the hospital while she's at school, and she may be scared about who will pick her up and if I'm coming back, etc. I also think the long days are still getting to her as well, so I'm trying to keep her napping in the afternoon and get her to bed at or near 8 pm.

After that, Zoe had a nice little Valentine's party with her library story time group. Then we came back home, and the day went downhill.

First, my dad calls complaining about how much he was hurting last night from his kidneys. He's sure his kidneys are shutting down and he's "not going to make it until spring". He says he can't see the urologist until the 22nd.

I asked, "Well, have you called your regular doctor?"

"No. I might call her after while."

"Would you PLEASE call her and get in there to see her?"

Lovely conversation there. He's a disabled widower, living alone since my mom died 4 years ago, and he just doesn't take care of himself well at all. I live over 2 hours away. I have a kid in school, a 3 year old at home, and one getting ready to come any week now. What exactly am I supposed to do from here? I love my dad, don't get me wrong, but I can't be there to take care of him. So instead, I just get phone calls like that every now and then, worrying myself to death about him.

Then Zoe decides to pee all over herself, little pee trail all down the hallway, completely soaked her pants, panties, and socks. The kid is 3 now and still doesn't go to the potty by herself. I have to take her every couple of hours or so, or that is what happens. Luckily she hasn't had any poop accidents for a long time, but I have to make her sit on the potty every few days to do that too. *pulling my hair out!*

Then there's the cat. The spoiled, very co-dependent Poncho, who should be very grateful I let him back into the house after the older cat Charlie died, but true to a cat's nature--he's very selfish and has not the smallest shred of gratitude. He decided to puke all over the stairs again after begging for food all afternoon...even though he has perfectly good dry food in his bowl. I decided to try some of his moist food again. Nope, didn't suit his digestive tract, so he politely puked it up in several places on the stairs. I don't have any idea what to feed this cat now to make him happy. He was loving everything the first few weeks after we moved him in....tricked me into thinking he was grateful, I guess. Now, his true nature has emerged :/

So, I'm to the point where I want to go somewhere cool and quiet and tell everybody to shut up. Yes, I'm just that moody today.

Monday, Monday

This weekend, we reverted back to our college days for just a while when we had my small group ladies and their husbands and kids over for a game/pizza/cookie exchange night. Oh, yes, we just packed it all into one night. Everyone was here at 5 and didn't leave until 11 pm. Pizza boxes, brownie crumbs, and popcorn everywhere. Really takes me back :) At least I didn't leave the pizza out all night and scrounge around eating it the next morning like I did back in college. It's a wonder I didn't die of food poisoning.

We had a great time, though we missed church from being so zonked. We did make it to Sunday School for a baby shower our class had for us. Then back home--Zachary was pushing so hard on my pelvis that is was aching! I think he's planning his escape.

We had a nice afternoon with the girls yesterday afternoon though. We let Meg finally ride her new bike around for the first time and I played Uno with her and colored pictures with her and Zoe until bedtime. We had no Superbowl festivities around here--no one is interested in football in our house (I LOVE my man, ha, ha!). But we did tune in to the newest episode of House that aired after the game and all the useless commentary. Well, actually, I fell asleep during the last few minutes, but what I saw was good ;)

This morning, Meg was crying about not wanting to go to school again. I finally e-mailed her teacher, who said she had also cried at school, saying she wanted her mommy. But, she said she was getting along well with the other kids as far as she knew. So, at least it's not someone being mean to her. I think we can get past this, but someone being mean to her--now that brings out my mama bear--and heads would roll :)

I left all the pizza boxes and crumbs lying around this morning to head to Wal-Mart and buy half the store. I wanted to stock up on baby items that we needed like diapers and wipes, and stock up on more food/bulk items to get us through the first few weeks. I'm kinda just buying most storable food in double now, so we can cook some now and save some for after Zach comes. Some things I'm cooking big batches of, then freezing half of it after dinner.

Well, since my lazy house didn't clean itself while I was gone, I had better get some of it done now. Toodles!

Well, it's back to school

The snow missed us as usual. I want to move up north--specifically northwest. They get all the snow and it just passes us by. I don't know if it's the river systems or what. Poor Meg was so disappointed. I told her we'd go eat lunch with her today--they eat at 10:25--ugh.

It's not so much that I want to get snowed in all winter, but if we're going to have winter, I'd at least llike some decent snow days. Enough to make a snowman or build a snow fort--that lasts longer than a couple hours like it did yesterday. I'm tired of 30 degrees one day and 58 the next, and just wet and icky outside.

So, I think I'll move northwest, or to Hawaii, where it's just beautiful all the time. What to do, what to do?? ;)

First snow day of the season!

I think we got a bit of an answered prayer. Meg has been suffering from school burnout and I had actually planned on going there to eat lunch with her today to help her feel better. This morning, the snow was falling heavily, yet no news of school closing at bus pickup time. So, she got on the bus, and not 10 minutes later, her bus driver called and said he was bringing her back because they had just cancelled school.

So, we threw just a few snowballs at each other and daddy as he was leaving, and now we're inside, the girls eating together, watching their newest Yogi Bear movie. I'm glad Meg got a break today. She may even be home tomorrow, depending on how much more we get. Reports say the biggest of it is coming this evening.

Anyway, I'm happy today to have my girls here together today. Now, back to my coffee and Good Morning America.

What's a mom to do?

When your little kindergartener doesn't want to go to school? Poor Meg actually was crying and just clingy to me last night saying she didn't want to go to school and just wanted to stay home and play with Zoe.

I took her to school this morning, hoping that would help. It did some, but she stopped eating her breakfast and said her tummy hurt and she thought she should stay home. I gave her some Pepto and went through the whole "Everyone has to go to school. It's not optional." speech again.

She teared up again as she was getting her coat on, but I took her anyway. I can't let her start staying home and I can't take her and pick her up each day--not with 2 other little ones here escpecially.

I wish they didn't push them so hard in Kindergarten. The poor kids start school at 7:40 and don't stop til 2:25. They only get about 20 minutes for lunch and they stopped taking naps after Christmas. To add to that, Meg has to get on the bus at 6:45 and doesn't get home until after 3 pm.

I'm just not sure what to do about it. Megan as my first has always been my "guinea pig", so I'm learning as I go with her. She's doing very well in school--a great reader, good behavior, learning math well. I hope she doesn't go downhill because of this. I'm hoping it's just a phase, a normal "burnout".

Things I'm trying: snack and nap or rest after school, helping and encouraging her with reading assignments, hanging up pictures she brings home, heaping praise for good grades and good behavior reports. Other than that, if you moms of slightly older school-age kids have any ideas, I'm all ears!

Ick.

If you haven't tried Smucker's Microwave Toppings Hot Fudge, don't! I just bought a bottle today, and it has a strong chemical/plastic taste to it. I can't even taste the fudge. I was so disappointed. I had been craving some hot fudge and whipped cream to go on my ice cream that I've been eating on. It was just gross. I don't think I'll be eating that again. I've had the kind in the jar, and it's always been fair to good. I hated it so much I sent in a complaint to http://www.smuckers.com/. Ick.

I've finally reached uncomfortable

I held out pretty well for most of this pregnancy. Now, I'm officially uncomfortable.

I think it started with the false labor contractions over the weekend. Zach has decided he likes to wake up about 3:00 AM and kick, roll, and party for an hour or so.

Hormones are making me crazy, so while he's keeping me awake kicking, I'm lying there worrying about all kinds of stuff.

He's really low-lying, so he's putting tons of pressure on my pelvis, actually making my pelvic bones sore, squishing my bladder, often giving me the urge to go---NOW! And restricting my large intestine, so going No. 2 is harder than ever.

I'm 33 weeks now, and I honestly don't feel all that "big", maybe because he's lying so low, but I sure feel it. Still, I'm not in a rush to get this pregnancy over with. It's been great. Now, ask me that in a couple weeks and I might change my mind!

An exciting weekend

We traveled to my in-laws' this past Saturday to celebrate Zoe's third birthday. I was so happy to be able to have my brother's three girls there. Zoe's great uncle and aunt (Garlan and Doris) were there too. Zoe shares a birthday with Garlan. It was great to share that time with family, seeing all 5 girls playing together again. It'll be different with a little boy in the mix.

After the party, my in-laws surpised me with a baby shower. We got some cute little boy clothes, bibs, blankets, and a new diaper bag. I loved it! Not many people think of having a baby shower for a third baby.

During the shower, I began having some uncomfortable contractions, so I had to go lie down on the couch for a while. I think I overdid it that day and didn't have enough water, so I just relaxed and drank a lot of water. Eventually it calmed down. Then yesterday on the way home, it started again, so I had to lie down when we got back.

Today, just taking it easy mostly. Getting new baby things washed, putting stuff away and just sitting down a lot in between. I'm frustrated though, because there's still so much I want to get done. I just lack the energy to get much done and I'm afraid to overdo it. I'm trying not to freak out and just take things slowly, trusting that we'll get done what's necessary in time. Darn nesting instinct!

Three years ago today...

I woke up with some small contractions, and about 8:00 am, as I was talking to my sister-in-law over the phone, my water broke. Zoe was on her way! My youngest girl is now a three year old. I miss having a two year old girl. I will go through a mourning period, missing her babyhood, but looking forward to her preschool years.

It's been so wonderful to watch her grow and develop each day. She learns new things all the time. She can sing her ABC's now. She gets dressed by herself (although everything gets put on backwards often!). Life with my Zo-Zo has been a hoot! Happy birthday, my little "monkey clown"!

And just for kicks and giggles, here's a picture of me when I was three (thanks to cousin Nuiel for sending). See any resemblance?

And there's still the nesting

Kicked in full force. Problem is I'm big and awkward and I tire easily after an hour or so of physical labor. And I have two little kids to work around. My brain is just completely in "nesting mode" and it's so hard to focus on anything else. Just want to apologize to my blog friends for the past couple weeks. I've been lurking here and there, but I just can't keep up and comment as much when I'm in the "mode".

Today, I've been working on the closets in the girls' room and the bathroom. Oh, the bathroom--it was a mess. I got a big garbage bag full of junk out of there to throw away, a box full of stuff for our yard sale pile and swept out a ton of dust/hair. I just didn't realize how messy it was in there. But now it looks good and I finally have the girls' bath towels in there instead of their rooms. I'm thinking of adding a few shelves for extra storage in there.

We got the girls' closet organizer system in their closet on Saturday and I'm slowly getting their things in there in an organized fashion. Hubby has been so good about helping me get all this stuff together, even when I get tired and have to sit down and watch (or supervise). I'm so glad I have a man who is handy around the house and anything mechanical. Saves us a lot of money too.

As far as our sicknesses, we're all doing better. Megan's was only a 24 hour thing. None of the rest of us got that. My cold is nearing it's end. Still a little snotty, but dealing well with it. I hope we can manage to stay relatively germ free until after Zachary is born.

The dishes I've neglected today are waiting for me and I guess I'll have to feed these people I live with too so better run :)

Nothin better

Well, not much anyway, than spending a really cold morning sleeping in, then fixing pancakes for me and my girls. I let them watch me prepare the batter, instructing them in my best "Food Network mom" tone, and gave them the first ones off the griddle. Zoe ate 3 and Megan had 4. I think I had 5. I made them a bit smaller than usual though :)

Highlight of the morning: Megan was reading the recipe to me and I asked her, "Do you know what 2 eggs, separarated means?" She said, "You put them in different bowls." I had to laugh at that one.

I wonder how nice mornings off like this one will change when Zach is here. I hope he'll enjoy pancakes as much as the girls do. Of course, if he's anything like his daddy, he'll have to have bacon to go along with it :)

I'm sick of sick

This house is a germ-infested zone right now. My cold has now switched to my sinuses, particularly my right sinus and it's aching. I'm producing more mucus than anyone should ever produce.

I took 2 Tylenol PM's last night instead of my usual 1 just to ease the aching and get better sleep. However, my sleep was disrupted by my oldest daughter emerging from her room, standing in the hallway at 3 am. I looked at her, and knew she had gotten sick. I said, "Did you puke?" She nodded and headed for the bathroom. And there it was, on the bed, down the side of the bed, in the rail, on the floor and rug.

So here go hubby and I cleaning it up, which wasn't easy in my Tylenol PM induced daze. Poor hubby almost gagged himself. I shampooed the mattress, rug, and carpet. We changed Meg and got her down on the couch, and we were back in bed around 3:30ish. Zach kicked me in the side for quite some time after that (I must have disturbed him) and my sinuses started draining again. Not a great night of sleep at all, and poor Bryan had to get up early to head to Louisville for a day trip.

Needless to say, I kept Meg home today. The good news: I got my new washing machine last night and I"m making good use of it already today :) It's nice and quiet too. I love it. I've got minestrone soup in the crock pot for supper and I'll make some chicken salad with some pre-baked chicken I bought at Kroger. Keeping Zoe away from Meg is a challenge in itself, and she's being a typical almost-3 year old, so it's a tiring day. At least I've got my crock pot and new washing machine to help me out :)

Where have I been?

Well, my baby (my Dell laptop that is) has a bad video card, so I've been forced to come downstairs into our dusty basement to use our standby PC. I've no games on this one now, so I'm in withdrawal. We've found a few cheaper used cards on Ebay so we'll be getting one of those soon. I just feel lost without my baby, err, laptop.

Plus, I've had a terrible cold that started in my nose and went down into my throat and chest. I completely lost my voice on Sunday and felt lousy over the weekend, so I stayed home from church and rested while hubby was nice enough to take the girls with him and on to a birthday party for one of Meg's school buddies afterward. My blog-friend and local mom friend, Melissa, took Megan to another birthday party for a schoolmate that happened to be just after the first one, so I had a nice quiet day to rest. Thanks to hubby and Melissa for that.

Also, my washing machine broke--so that kinda puts life on hold here as the laundry monster looms. We went to Sears Saturday night to purchase a new one. I did a little research and found one with decent reviews for a reasonable price. It's a bigger capacity too, so that will come in handy as #3 appears and I have yet MORE laundry to do. It will be ready for pickup today, so hubby will be on his way after work to pick it up. Pray for it's safe arrival here :) We haven't had the best of luck with driving large appliances home (ask me about the dryer sometime).

I've been doing more nesting as well. Saturday night we visited Lowe's and bought a closet organizer system and some nice bins for storage for the girls' room. Yesterday, I went through a few boxes of baby clothes to find things that Zach could wear. I had a whole cycle of emotions going on. First I was happy to look through the little baby clothes again. Then I was sad that some of my favorite outfits that the girls wore wouldn't be worn by another daughter of mine. Then I felt lucky to have seen two daughters wear the outfits. Finally, I felt hopeful that one of my sisters-in-law would have a little girl and I would see them worn again ;) Pregnancy moods--lovely

Woot!

I've reached 10,000 visits to my little ole blog. Thanks to all of you who read my ramblings! I'll continue to read yours too ;)

Prayer Request

**UPDATE--Joey just called and little Austin Scott was born about 9 am EST. He weighed in at 7 lbs, 10 oz and was 19 1/4 inches long. He has lots of dark hair too. Mom and baby doing fine!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My friend Jamie in Versailles, KY is scheduled to have a c-section tomorrow to deliver her second baby, a little boy they're naming Austin. If you would, lift up a little prayer that all would go smoothly in the delivery. Her husband is Joey and they have a 4 year old daughter Kaitlyn as well. I'm excited for them and can't wait to see some pics!

Back to Nesting

Since the holiday season is finally over (where did it go??), I'm back into nesting mode. I took down the tree over the weekend and got the rest of the decor down yesterday. I cleaned the living room really well, even vaccuuming around the baseboards. Got some more laundry caught up.

Today, I'm alternating between laundry, cleaning up bedrooms, and shampooing the living room. I was way behind on carpet shampooing. And now I'm almost out of detergent, but I'm going to keep at it until I run out today. I'm doing a few passes at a time, then taking a break in between to do the other chores and rest my back. My Hoover steam cleaner is great, but it's heavy and can do a number on your back if you overdo it.

I'm getting really anxious to get things ready for the baby. I've got to start getting Zoe's clothes into Megan's room. We're brainstorming ideas to organize the closet better. I think we're going to storm Lowe's this weekend and buy one of those orgnanizer system things, plus some extra bins, etc for shoes and out-of-season clothes.

Bryan wants to build the girls a bunk-bed and is looking for plans and ideas for that. He has already been offered help from our neighbor (the one who had the heart bypass a while back). He is a good woodworker and has a nice shop in his garage.

I'm not in much of a rush to move the girls in together, since Zachary will be in our room for the first few months, but we do need to keep moving in that direction. Anybody have any organizing ideas for clothing and toys when you move two kids in one room? I'm up to any suggestions.

Barack Obama a Radical Muslim?

I received an e-mail this morning that started out like this:

"Who is Barack Obama? Very interesting info and something that should be considered in your choice for President. If you do not ever forward anything else, please forward this to all your contacts...this is very scary to think of what lies ahead of us here in our own United States...better heed this and pray about it and share it. We checked this out on "snopes.com". It is factual. Check for yourself."

It goes on to claim that Barack Obama is actually a radical Muslim, instead of a Christian as he claims. And that he refuses to put his hand on his heart during the national anthem or to say the pledge of allegiance.

What I liked best about the e-mail is that it tells you to check out Snopes for yourself--really makes it sound legit, doesn't it? Well, if you actually check out snopes and their evidence, you'll find that this e-mail is actually a hoax full of false allegations. Here are the links to the Snopes articles I found:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp

The photograph in question in the second article was a true photograph, but claims that Obama routinely doesnt't put his hand over his heart during the anthem or refuses to say the Pledge are unfounded.

Lesson: Don't believe everything you read, especially in e-mails. Check it out on Snopes.com or other sources, especially before you forward it to lots of other people. That's how smear-campaigns and rumors are spread--people sharing information that they don't even investigate for accuracy.

There's enough political yuck going on already between the candidates themselves, don't you think? We don't need to propagate it.

Adventures in cake-making

In the last two weeks, I've made 3 cakes. It's truly a record for me. I'm not much of a cake maker, especially from scratch. I've made the girls their birthday cakes from mixes and pre-packaged icing for the past 3 years now. Though I get frustrated at not being a great decorator, I just like the fresher taste of home-baked birthday cakes, even though it's from a box.

These first two are Megan's 6th birthday cakes, with a Barbie, Island Princess theme. I used Duncan Hines white and dark chocolate fudge cake mixes, Pillsbury vanilla whipped icing (2 cans), and Betty Crocker decorator icing (the green in a can and the purple, pink, and white in tubes). The decorator icing comes with their own decorating tips too. I also used Betty Crocker Decor Selects colored sugars for the rainbow. Nothin but convenience here folks. The Barbie edible image and gazebo thing I found at two different places online (can't remember where right now).

Today, I finally got to try out my new Wilton Bundt pan my in-laws got me for Christmas. I made an Orange Pound Cake--a recipe that came with the pan. I wanted an orange cake recipe to use up some of the oranges I bought from my oldest niece for a fundraiser. I got to use my new microplane for some orange zest. Last week, when I took Meg shopping, I used a little Christmas money I had to buy me a new juicer (only about $10 at Wal-Mart) so I had fresh orange juice for the cake and icing. Though the cake looked and smelled wonderful, it was a bit lacking in taste. And for the life of me, whenever I make a cake from scratch, the texture ends up denser than I'd like. It WAS a pound cake, which is a dense cake anyway, but I had a ring of extra dense cake around the top (which was on the bottom of the pan). I may have underbaked it, but I couldn't get my toothpick all the way to the bottom and it looked clean when I pulled it out, AND I baked it the maximum amount of time. I followed the recipe to a T, and it ended up being a moist cake with yummy icing, but the cake itself is a bit bland. There is no salt in the recipe, which I found odd, and that may explain the blandness. I don't know if pound cakes usually call for salt or not.

Well, those are my adventures in cake making. I will probably try a recipe from online for a different and more flavorful orange cake.

Attitude Adjustments

Megan had her first Upward cheerleading practice tonight. Unfortunately, she also exhibited a majorly bad attitude towards me and therefore required an "attitude adjustment" when we got home. I'm glad we had the time there at practice so I could better plan the "adjustment", instead of reacting out of anger.

Man, that kid can push my buttons. And so can just about anybody right now :) I'm giving myself a ton of slack with my moods because I just can't control them most of the time since I've been preggers.

I think, though, that when this pregnancy is over and I'm into the child-rearing years, I'll need to consider my own attidude adjustments. I want to reach the point where at least most of the time, I'm mindful and conscious about how I react to the kids (and others too). To think before I act and speak. And at the same time, be real about my feelings and not deny them. To be a good example to my kids about how to handle feelings in healthy ways.

Right now, I'm not sure how to go about that without talking their ears off, but if I can just reach the point of being a good model of behavior and taking responsibility for my actions and reactions, that should speak louder than words.

Now, where's that chocolate....?

Time keeps on tickin...

**EDIT: The actual highlight of Christmas Day was finding out my hubby's brother and his wife are expecting again! Please keep them in your prayers that this pregnancy will be successful and healthy this time around!

It's a new year! Christmas came and went, Meg's 6th birthday came and went, and we're already full-steam into a new year. I don't know how it all goes by so fast.

We traveled to our hometown to be with family for Christmas. Highlight of the trip: Bryan and I went to Opry Mills in Nashville on Thursday to shop and just spend the day together. We had a ball buying little baby boy clothes we found on sale. We spent about 3 days with the family and came back here last Friday. I had to bake a couple of cakes for Meg's party on Saturday.

We had a nice little party for her at our church. Such a blessing, since I didn't have to worry about cleaning up the Christmas tornado at home :) She had her Nana and Papa there, Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Bradley, and a few little friends there and they each had a little sibling with them, so it was fun day.

On New Year's Eve (Meg's actual birthday), I took her shopping with the money she got for Christmas and birthday. She bought some new Bratz shoes (with no laces--she's very proud of that), a Fairytopia Barbie, and a Dora movie. That night, we had a fun party with our Sunday School class. The kids played upstairs and the adults played games and munched on goodies downstairs.

Yesterday, we mostly just rested. I started putting away stuff and washing new clothes. Today, I have a Dr. appt and it's so cold I dread getting out. Then it'll be back here washing more laundry :) The neverending stories of laundry and dishes begin again!