Two-Weeks Old

Should we sing Happy Birthday? OK, maybe not. But how 'bout a couple of pictures then.

The two of us got to hang out on the patio swing for a little while tonight after it had cooled off a bit. He seems to like being outside.

After dinner he takes a snooze in his bouncy seat. So cozy and peaceful. Terribly cute as well if I do say so myself.

We had him at the doctor again yesterday for a weight check among other things. I was disappointment to find out he'd only gained about an ounce and half. That is about half of what they expect babies to gain in the same amount of days. We had our regular pediatrician though and he is not worried. He doesn't get worked up about weight gain as long as everything else looks good. I wouldn't say I'm worried but I do wish he'd gain better. Mostly because of my supply issues. Weight gain always has me second guessing myself. If he gained better I would be less inclined to do so. But right now he's all bright eyed and busy watching the little fish on the toy bar of his bouncy seat so I guess he's doing well.

Family Fun Day!

We had a day free of appointments so we went out to have some fun. We started off by having breakfast for lunch at IHOP. I confess that the advertisements for their new dishes celebrating the movie Despicable Me (which looks totally cute!) have been tempting me and Rob for a while now. The kids had a great time. Gideon spent most of the time bouncing on the bench seat with half a slice of french toast in his hand (powdered sugar, no syrup). Zion and Gabe got MinionAde with their meals. Rob and I stole sips, it was super yummy.

Then we stopped at Walmart to pick up a pool. The one we've had for a couple of years broke. Naturally Walmart was sold out of anything that wasn't HUGE.

So then we went to Target.

Score!

We finished at Target just in time to hit the movie theater. Elias' first movie ever was Toy Story 3. Granted, he won't remember it but he was a very good boy and nursed or slept the entire time. A huge relief to everyone in the theater I'm sure since he was screaming when we walked in (he hates his car seat so far). I'm pretty sure I felt a few eye rolls in the room when we walked in. Gideon, Zion and Gabe were darting about finding seats, Elias was screaming, Rob and I were burdened with snacks, drinks, car seat and diaper bag. All we needed were a few minutes to settle in though and we were golden.

I absolutely loved looking down the row of seats that we occupied to see all three of my oldest babes, their faces aglow from the screen, eyes wide in amazement. They were SO good the whole movie - and it was a LONG movie! Toy Story 3 itself was a pretty good flick. I especially liked the ending but I won't spoil it for you. There was a moment or two that might have been a titch scary but the kids didn't let it bother them and at one point Zion was overcome with emotion and shouted at the characters some advice as to what they should do to get out of their predicament. It was so super cute.

After leaving the theater we headed for home and Rob got the honor of blowing up the new pool. What a guy! This one has a little shower and slide. I hope I won't regret getting the darn thing since now that pretty much means the kids can't play outside without supervision (Gideon is just a bit too young still to not watch around the water). I guess I will be making a home for myself on the patio swing again. Not such a bad place to hang out, especially now that summer weather has FINALLY hit Washington.

Suddenly it was bedtime. Funny how it sneaks up on you sometimes. Now if only I could get myself to go to bed when we put the kids down...

Random Pictures

Ah, some of my favorite posts are my random photo posts. I hope you like them too.

This is the photo I mentioned the other day. Elias is one week old this day and Zion is just in love. She is a sweet and caring big sister and seems to have forgotten that she was hoping for a little sister instead. Yesterday in the car Elias started to cry. Zion told him "Don't worry, baby, we're almost home." Then when we got home he stopped crying and she said "See, I told you it would be OK." Her words are so tender and sweet.

Rob gave me a pedicure for Mother's Day. I've never had one before and I was SO excited. I planned it for a weekend when I thought it would still leave me with pretty toes while I was in the hospital. I chose a bright purple called "Let's Grove". I think this may just start an obsession with pedicures. It was really amazing, so relaxing and of course the gal who did them did a way more amazing job than I could have done even if I could have reached me toes (bear in mind that this photo was taken weeks after they were done so they don't look as nice as they did at first).

We have been blessed with a number of our friends bringing us meals since we came home from the hospital. Nora, Matthew and the kids were the first and brought some super yummy pork stew and blessed us more with their company at dinner too. Matthew really loves babies so we let him get a fix while they were over. Seems like a super good deal to me.

One of my most favorite things is a baby in what we call the "little bean" position. You know, with their knees all tucked up and cuddly they look like little kidney beans. This was the day we came home. Boy, his hair looks red! Sometimes it looks brown, sometimes a darker blond. He'll need more hair before we will be able to tell what color it will stay.

We purchased in advance a little gifts from the new baby to each of the kids. Gabe got a small Lego kit that makes a fire engine, Zion got a new My Little Pony and Gideon got a Lightning McQueen play mat. Later Rob took the kids out and they each got to pick out something little for their new sibling to welcome him to the family.

Grandpa Jim (my dad) getting to meet his fourth grandson for the first time.

Zion getting to meet her new little brother for the first time.

Gideon is meeting Elias for the first time too but seems to be afraid of him. No worries, he's since gotten over it. He's not super in to his little bro but he's not afraid. One time since we have all been home together Elias was crying really hard and Gideon started to cry too. He kept saying over and over "I don't want it!" Poor little guy. We asked "do you not want the baby to cry?" and he said, so pitifully "yeah." Aw, poor little guy, he was just so sad to hear the baby cry. We are thankful that Elias doesn't cry very often and Gideon seems to now understand that it's OK. Ever since we added Zion to our family and Gabe was concerned with the crying we've told our kids that babies cry because they don't know any words yet and that it's OK when it happens and they aren't bothered nearly as much.

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Elias and I had a bit of a rough weekend. His ability to nurse kept getting worse and worse until finally over Friday night he quit nursing entirely. He was clearly hungry but just wouldn't latch on. So Saturday morning he and I went to see a Lactation Consultant. She helped us figure out that Elias only wanted to latch while in a vertical position. Imagine me perched on the edge of a chair holding him as he dangles between my legs and letting him find me to latch on all by himself. Yeah. If you are picturing this correctly you can imagine how uncomfortable this is for one of us. She gave me some other helpful tips about getting Elias' latch to improve. As it was, it didn't matter how long he nursed, he just wasn't moving milk. So after getting to the point on Friday where I thought we'd have to give up entirely we are doing much better now. He is latching better and that has enabled me to gradually get to the point where we can nurse in other positions and get rid of the darn plastic shield we were using. Now I just have to get my supply up so we can ditch the occasional formula bottle we are having to give. Today he had a weight check and was only up an ounce since Friday. It's not as much as we'd hoped but at least he isn't losing any more. We'll have him at the doctor again on Thursday so let's hope for a big jump by then!

1-Week Old Today

...and I forgot to take a picture. OK, I did take one of Zion holding Elias. It's really cute. It's still in my camera. But here's some cute for you:

Eva seemed to double in cuteness while I was in the hospital.



And double in size. She still can't compete with Elias though, bigger and cuter.

All of our cats seem to realize there are good cuddles to be had when one of us settles down with a baby. It's always been that way.

Things are going pretty well with the little guy. He sleeps pretty well at night. Sleeps so well he will not wake up for anything when he's not ready. This does not bode well for when he starts school (he's going to need like 5 alarm clocks) but for now it's hard to get him to gain weight when he misses what could be 2 or 3 nursings. I would try to make up for them during the day but he won't have it. He also has a bad latch. Bad latch = not getting as much milk per nursing and a TON of pain for me. I have not had such a hard time with this with any of my kids. There's always a period of soreness and with Zion a lot of frustration because she didn't much care for the work nursing took and got fed up but nothing like this wretchedness. Sore, bruised, bleeding, crying, massive amount of pain that doesn't go all the way away in between nursings.

He has lost a lot of weight, down to just about 9 pounds and hasn't started gaining yet. *sigh* He is alert when he is awake, has the right amount of pees and poos and all that. Zion did this. Gideon lost more than average but bounced back quickly. If only we could get in some more nursings and if he was better at latching on so he could get more for his effort (calories in needs to be more than calories out and all that)...

His jaundice is better though. We had to have him at the doctors on Tuesday for a recheck and back again today. The doctor didn't feel the need to retest him since his skin had cleared up enough. Small victories though I feel frustrated that I've had four babies and I've yet to just be able to rest and recover. Something always happens that keeps us running back and forth to the doctors almost every day.

Even today after we got back from Elias' doctor appointment and grabbed some lunch Rob had to take Zion to the walk-in clinic. When she was with my sister (all the kids got to stay with Jamie for a few days when we came home, it was awesome for us and them) she pulled a door over her toe and flipped the nail back and took off some skin. This morning she started fussing about it big time in a new way so I knew something was up. Luckily, it doesn't seem to be broken but likely some infection was starting to set in so she's on antibiotics now and seems to feel better already.

Most likely it's just the baby blues talkin' but I'd so wished that this pregnancy and delivery and recovery would be free of complications and I'd just be able to enjoy. I guess that sort of thing wasn't meant for me. Tomorrow is Saturday. Perhaps we can stay out of the doctor's office for a day.

On a different note, Gabe realized that it was July today. He remembered that we set off fireworks on the Fourth. It was unexpected. Suddenly I realized that I have a child old enough to remember holiday traditions like that. It's going to get harder to skip these things when we just don't feel like it. So tomorrow we'll head out for diapers (those newborns sure go through 'em) and fireworks. Small ones. Little flowers and bees and things. Remember those?

Oh dear, I hear a baby over the monitor. Gotta go.

It's A Boy!

Rob and I arrived at the hospital at 9AM on Friday. We checked in, got our room, I got my IV and a TON of fluids, my midwife came and shortly I was being walked down to surgery. It was a fascinating experience though I would have rather just been a fly on the wall. I got my spinal, a process that is greatly effected by gravity interestingly enough, a big drape goes up so I can't see and Rob comes in and before we know it the anesthesiologist announces that 80% of those who voted in my little poll were wrong - it's a boy.

We have a little Elias Robert in our midst at 10lb 7.4oz (Gideon was 10lb 6.8oz) and 21 1/2 inches long. He only cried for a minute. Maybe not even that long. After that he cooed and sighed and made contented little noises. They quickly get him wiped down and wrapped up and then Rob got to bring him to me. We all got to visit while the doctor took care of me.

My sweet boy only minutes old.

Shortly after I'm all stitched up we're all back in the room and I get to hold him. The next few days are a blur of bonding and feeding and visitors. This afternoon we got to come home but not without stopping for a yummy sandwich and a shopping trip at Target. Gabe, Zion and Gideon are staying with Jamie for a few days while we settle in. A few more days' healing for me and some quiet for us and some fun for them.

I have a lot more pictures and will post more soon. Ta ta for now.

Tomorrow Is The Day!

The complications in this pregnancy have not resolved to our satisfaction so yesterday I (somewhat tearfully) scheduled a c-section with Dr. S. Even though I have been fortunate enough to have had three (mostly) wonderful vaginal births I still feel a bit cheated. So, I'm trying not to think too hard on it. Rather than "I'm having a c-section tomorrow" I'm trying to go with "I'm meeting my baby tomorrow!"

For those just tuning in it was discovered when I was 20 weeks along that I had complete placenta previa and velamentous cord insertion (bad, bad!). Then later they said the placenta moved and the cord was "just" marginal. Then later they said "oops" the placenta is actually a marginal previa and it has stubbornly stayed that way. The cord is still considered a marginal insertion which is rather a neutral thing at this point since it is not between baby and cervix. Also, the baby has been breech, no transverse, no breech, no head down, oops, no wait transverse, now breech... and finally head down. Not that it matters now.

Given that the baby's last measurements put him/her at about 11lb and my history for hemorrhaging after labor we all, me, Rob and midwife (with Dr. S's encouragement) decided that, given all of the unknowns a c-section delivery would be safest for the two of us.

So, there we are. Next time I post I'll have actual REAL news about the baby. We'll know, in fact, the gender for instance! :) And we'll likely have a name to go with it and no longer be calling him/her Baby D. And we'll know if this one will have beaten Gideon's birth weight of 10lb 7oz.

Back soon!

Overheard

A serious conversation between Gabe and Zion in the backseat of the van.

Gabe (having just chosen to watch Lilo and Stitch on the van's DVD): "I don't love a lot of movies. I love this one. I love the classics." (Yes, because Lilo and Stitch is such a classic. And where did he hear something like that anyway, what does he know about "classics"?!)

Zion: How do you know? (that you love it, she means)

Gabe (laughing): That's silly. I just know that I do.

All night long Rob and I have been joking about whether or not something is a classic.

The kids have named her Eva and she seems to be settling in nicely...

Notice the semi-drugged look on her face. That's the look of kitten contentment.


She sleeps with Zion at night, usually snuggled up in her blanky right along with her, and seems to be loving hearing all about Fancy Nancy. This is a great cat.

Each night when we put the kids down to bed we bring the kitty up with us and she goes to bed too. Tonight I went up without her as Rob already had the kids up for their bath and I simply forgot to round her up. Zion noticed of course. I told her that we bring her up later but half way through the bedtime process guess who should appear but Eva. I guess she new it was that time and didn't want to be left out.

Now if only it were that easy to get her used to the concept that cats don't go on the kitchen table or walk on my laptop keys (how can they always make it do something that I have no idea how to undo?) we'd be golden.

Like A Hole In The Head

I needed one of these...
And yet when we went out for milk yesterday this is what we brought home (and forgot the milk). She is precious and sweet and loves the kids. She was NOT my idea (I will swear that until the day I die). She is Zion's kitty. That girl loves cats. She loves our cats. Our cats tolerate her.

From a distance.

This kitty is staying in her room, in a crate at night with her box and food and water and a bed until she's a little bigger, in the hopes that is where she'll want to stay, bonded with her little girl.

I suggested naming her Fred or Freddie because we picked her up at Fred Myers. Zion wants to name her Eva (after Eve in WALL-E) and Gabe wants to name her Playful.

Because she's playful.

I think we need to get him around more kittens so that he will understand this is not a unique characteristic to this particular kitten. (Not a fan of the name, can you tell.)

Her name isn't set in stone yet.

Rob and I just realized last night that all three of our current cats we acquired when I was pregnant. And honestly, Rob suggested getting two of them. Aw, I just had a thought. Maybe he gets broody too?

She is so stinkin' cute though. And sweet. I think I said that already. But she is.

Belly Shot

I'm trying to remind myself that one day I will care if I don't get any pictures of me pregnant. So I had Rob take a couple the other day. It's not too bad besides the fact that my face looks like mush. Just look at the belly and ignore the rest, 'K. :)

And even though I said no more pregnancy updates there is more info to be had. *sigh* (This will be over soon. This will be over soon...) OK, so I had the ultrasound that showed baby was head down and the placenta hadn't moved enough. Then my midwife referred me to a doctor for a consultation, at my visit with her baby was back to head down. This is the doc who will do the c-section if it's necessary.

I think that summarizes the last update.

It was a more positive appointment than I expected. He said that if baby is breech for sure I'll need a C. Yeah, I knew that. But he said that if baby is head down he feels OK allowing me to try for a vaginal birth but only by scheduled induction in the hospital where I can be moved to a surgery suite very quickly if need be.

As it stands I have an appointment with my midwife on Monday for a regular ol' check up and a non-stress test for the baby (who has passed two with flying colors so far) and another that day with the chiropractor who does the Webster Maneuver.

Tuesday I see the doc who does the ultrasounds. Pretty much everything is hanging on this ultrasound. If by chance the placenta has moved more AND baby is head down I don't have to be in the hospital AT ALL.

Wednesday I have a follow up with the new doctor to discuss the results of the ultrasound and The Plan. (So, that likely means I'll have at least one more update to do, huh?)

I may have one more chance for an ultrasound the following week if things still haven't changed by Wednesday but my hope and prayer is that the next ultrasound will show baby head down and placenta moved and that I can just let things happen. No induction, no c-section, no hospital at all. Still a little time to hope and pray.

Hopefully The Last Pregnancy Update

I told myself I wasn't going to write another one since things keep changing but one more (I hope the last) to just let people know what is going on.

My midwife got the report from Dr. M (the specialist who does my ultrasounds) and talked with Dr. S (the one who will do the c-section if it's needed) and then she and I met yesterday and we have a "plan". It's not much of a plan as it doesn't actually plan for much but that's what we'll call it. :)

So MW (midwife), Dr. M and Dr. S are all comfortable with watching and waiting at this point. I will see my MW twice weekly for non-stress tests which lets us know that baby is doing well and she will likely peek to see what baby's position is. Yesterday the baby passed the NST with flying colors and, guess what, is head down. No longer breech or transverse. (We all speculate that Gideon stretched me out so much being 10 1/2 pounds that this one has tons of room and just lies however s/he wants to.) I will also see Dr. S once a week. We will monitor placenta, cord and baby closely and wait.

If I go into labor on my own I'll go to MW and she will check everything one last time. If things look favorable I can stay with her at the birth center. If not, I get transferred to Dr. S for a c-section right then.

If I don't go into labor on my own by June 22 (I'll be 39 weeks that day) I go to Dr. S and he checks everything out. If placenta, cord, baby or any combination thereof look unfavorable we do a c-section that day (though that day could change depending on the Dr's schedule, I'll know for sure on Tuesday when I meet him for the first time). If EVERYTHING looks good he'll send me home and I just wait to go into labor on my own and keep seeing MW.

So really, we don't know what is going to happen until it happens. But there is still time to hope and if I do end up with a c-section I'll know for absolutely sure that everything was done that could be done to avoid it and that it really was the best birth for Baby D.

Unless something drastic or new pops up (Good Lord, I hope not) then this will be my last note until I am writing a birth announcement. Really looking forward to that day. :)

Thank you everyone, so much for your prayers and support. This has been a crazy pregnancy and your kind words have meant so much.

Pregnancy Update

I SO expected to be giving a grand report of how my ultrasound went today! Oh my, I was so ready since the placenta had nearly moved far enough out of the way the last time and a few weeks ago the baby had turned head down and things just really seemed to be lining up.

Alas, it is not to be so. :( I'm so bummed. The placenta is clearly too close to the cervix to risk a vaginal birth. The baby has turned breech again and now has the cord wrapped around his/her neck. I'm not overly concerned about that last bit, it happens. The baby is too big for the doctor to see how the cord attachment looks. The big IS really big. Still running about 2 weeks and 3 days ahead which puts him/her at 9lb 11oz. I'm very excited to hear that. At least one thing we were told was a concern (the cord condition causing growth restriction) is not a worry.

It seems that it is pretty much final. No water birth for me. No natural birth. No vaginal birth period. I haven't had a chance to talk to my midwife yet so I don't know all the details yet as far as the plan, likely tomorrow I'll know more.

Keep praying for us. I told God that I would trust He would have this baby born in the way that s/he needs to be for health and safety but it's still very disappointing to me. It's like I've planned for the last nine months to vacation at the Ritz and ended up at a Holiday Inn. Still a vacation, but not near what I'd imagined and hoped.

And not only for my peace and mourning my hopes for this baby's birth but also because c-sections carry such a higher risk. People tend to be rather cool about them these days because they happen so commonly but that doesn't mean they are risk free. I'm not afraid, not assuming something WILL go wrong but I'm not naive to the problems with breathing and breastfeeding not to mention risks for the mom who is being cut open as well as other draw backs.

I will, of course, keep filling you in as I know more. Thanks for your prayers so far. They have meant a lot.

When Clean Underwear Isn't Enough

Mamas often tell their kids to make sure to wear clean undies just in case they get in an accident. What mamas need to be teaching their kids is that, no matter how strongly you believe you can laze around in PJs all day because you don't need to go out of the house and no one will see you, people will come to you - so dress up and look decent already!

I had such a day last Wednesday. Our morning playgroup was canceled. Aside from dropping Gabe at the bus stop after lunch I didn't have to leave the house. I.e. I wasn't going to be seen by anyone.

Right?

Wrong!

I let Gideon and Zion stay in their jammies. I, at least, put on a pair of jeans. Accompanied by my most comfy sweatshirt (read, my favorite 15 year old, ratty, threadbare, holey sweatshirt). I put on no make up and put my hair up in a pony tail. I looked, well, I don't even know if there are adequate words for how dumpy I looked that day. Remember, when you picture this in your mind, that I'm also massively pregnant. he he

That morning a dear friend from my Bible study called and asked if she could come help with a big chore around the house suggesting scrubbing toilets or my stove. Well, as luck would have it, I had already had the wishful thought that someone would come and clean my stove top so I said yes.

So, I get Gabe to the bus and Gideon and Zion down for nap and Friend comes over and goes to work. A little while into it she starts feeling overheated so I open a window and ask her if I can feed her or if she needs to take a break. At first she says no but then after a bit confesses that she doesn't think she is going to be able to finish so I have her sit down and get her some water. By the time I get back with it though she is flat out on my couch and having massive muscle contractions that are contorting her arms and hands and she is in a great deal of pain.

I call 911 and explain that my friend is having an episode of some sort and needs to be seen. I didn't think about what I expected to happen until after my house was full of people but I really thought they'd send an EMT unit with two people. I did not expect the EMT unit with two people and their five friends. I ended up with three emergency vehicles in front of my house and more people in my living room then it's seen in a while. Stove Cleaning Friend, me, my other friend who was visiting, and seven firefighters and EMTs.

Wow.

While they were checking out Friend the kids started to fuss so pregnant ol' me waddles up the stairs and comes down with Gideon on my hip and Zion in tow. It was only then that I realized what I must have looked like. Threadbare Mama looking worse than a celebrity caught with no make-up on for the cover of a tabloid with a three-year old, two-year old and one due practically any day.

I don't feel bad for having kids or having them close together. But I do wish we'd looked perhaps a little more like ourselves that day and a little less like a family out of Grapes of Wrath.

Let that be a lesson to ya! Even if you think you won't be seen, you never know. At least put on a little mascara and shirt without holes for cryin' out loud!
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And don't worry about my friend. They took her to the hospital and ran a battery of tests and suspect that she had a potassium crash which effected, not only her muscles, but her blood pressure (they EMTs couldn't get a bottom number at all when she was here) but they sent her home later the same day and I've seen her a number of times since then and she feels fine. Next time she comes I told her I'm making her eat a banana!

Kudos to all the folks who showed up to help my friend. They were really awesome, especially the gal who said my house smelled fantastic (I was baking bread at the time) and the guy who I nearly gave a heart attack to because he showed up a little later and when I answered the door I think he thought the call was for me and well, he was expecting a "woman having an episode" not a "lady about to pop". The look of relief on his face when I pointed to the back of the house and said "she's back there" was priceless.
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On another note, I have an ultrasound tomorrow. I really, really hope this will be my last one. They will once again check the position of the placenta and the cord and check baby's size and position. Baby has been head down the last two visits to my midwife so - woohoo! I'm praying that everything will look perfect and I'll get the green light for the birth center birth I have been hoping for. Feel free to pray with me!

Also, I've had some signs that this baby won't be satisfied coming late like the others. A couple of times I've wondered if I would be calling my midwife by the end of the night. While that sounds well and good it's just too early. If baby wants to come before 37 my midwife will have to transfer my care to an OB for a hospital delivery. So. I also need this baby to wait just a little longer. June 7 or 8th to be 37 weeks. Stick around just a wee bit more Little One. :)

G'head, guess.

Guess who wondered if pre-term labor was starting yesterday. Had a number of signs.

Guess who discovered last night it was just a case of stomach flu.

Guess who's been walking around with a bucket all day.

At least the bucket hasn't been used. Phew!

Pregnancy Update! :)

I got good news at my midwife appointment this morning - baby is head down! Yay! I'm so thrilled. I had wondered last night as it felt like baby was in a different position but I couldn't be sure that was head down or head up considering that for days before that the baby was transverse. I felt like I was wearing a "baby belt" with the head under my right elbow and his/her behind just to the left of my belly button.

My midwife says that the baby shouldn't move back but this has been such a strange pregnancy I feel like I should be prepared for anything. I have my next visit with her in two weeks and my next ultrasound the first week of June. That doctor will check the placenta, cord and baby's growth again and we'll be able to see again what position Baby D is in. In the meantime, I will continue to see the chiropractor that has been doing the Webster Maneuver for me once a week.

I have to admit that I'm a bit nervous now when baby moves. Before I would cheer baby on "yeah, yeah, keep moving around, woohoo!" Now when I feel it shift I put my hands on the sides of my belly and utter something more like "Don't you dare!"

Public Service Announcement

Many of you are aware of adding a contact in your cell phone named "ICE". ICE stands for In Case of Emergency and should list your emergency contact in the event that you are in an accident or something and cannot answer questions yourself. I recently stumbled on a blog that takes ICE one step further. The entire post can be found here (second PSA - while I love this blog if you go wandering around there outside of this post consider yourself warned - LOTS of language!).

In short, the author who happens to be a paramedic states that the following information is much more handy:

The patient’s name (that would be the phone's owner)
The patient’s address
The patient’s date of birth
An emergency contact name and number
Any medical conditions the patient suffers from
Any medication the patient habitually takes
Any allergies the patient suffers from.

Since my phone is capable I entitled the entry "Julie R* ICE" (under "I" in my contacts, the actual entry contains my entire last name I just don't put it on my blog) with the notation "this is my phone, my info:" and added my own picture in case there's a doubt as to who's phone it is.

So there you go. Now you know, go put it in your phone.

A week or so ago Rob asked what I wanted for Mother's Day. I told him that I couldn't think of much since every day feels like Mother's Day. I am one lucky lady to have such a great husband. He goes above and beyond taking care of our family when I don't feel up to it which seems like most days lately. He cooks, he cleans, he helps with the kids, what more could I ask for?

Well, I was able to come up with two thoughts. A gift certificate to one of my favorite online stores for knitting supplies (Knitpicks) or a pedicure. I've never had one and have really been wanting one lately for my poor feet (which I can barely reach these days). To my surprise Rob got me the gift certificate for Military Spouse Appreciation Day on Friday then this morning the kids delivered me cards and presents in bed one of them was the gift certificate to the spa in town for a pedicure. Wow!

Even without them I felt so blessed today. My kids one at a time came into my room and gave me something they had chosen. Gideon brought me a lovely Mother's Day card. It had Elmo on it. Naturally. :) Zion brought me red carnations. They look beautiful on my mantle. Gabe brought me a little black and white stuffed cat. He still tries to comfort me about losing Spot. I'm just bursting with love at this point.

Then Rob takes the kids downstairs and I get to shower at my leisure. Meantime, Rob is downstairs making the most wonderful french toast using cinnamon bread. Oh, yum, it was SO good.

After breakfast we head off to church. This was lovely since I've been missing lately for a number of reasons. And the church service was lovely. I received yet another red carnation for being a mom. The pastor had the moms all sit and everyone else stand and any one who wanted to was invited to pray over the moms. Service was also a bit shorter than normal and I can't say as I'd complain about that given my comfort level when it comes to sitting in upright chairs these days.

After when we picked up the kids from children's church we found Zion hysterical. Apparently they had gone outside for story time (I failed to mention that it was also gorgeous today, the weather was darn near perfect - thanks God) and she saw a worm. She says it touched her but I can't be sure. She was shaking and sobbing and freaked out if anything at all touched her skin. I've seen her flip out over bugs but not like this. I couldn't even get her shoes on because the second the shoe touched her she panicked. Poor thing. I had hoped to go home and just grab sandwiches and let the kids play outside but given her current state we decided to go out to lunch instead. Perhaps the distraction would help.

Not so much. I barely managed to get her shoes on in the van at the restaurant and I believe it was only because of my veterinary technician training and my experience in animal restraint that I was. In the restaurant and once seated she immediately removed her shoes and remained skittish the entire lunch. She didn't eat. She jumped at each brush of cloth on her feet and legs and cried that there were snakes. It was still a pleasant lunch but I wavered from feeling bad for her and feeling annoyed by her. We went home for an immediate nap.

I let her borrow the little black cat that I'd received just that morning thinking it would distract her into sleep. Later I heard her crying though. I went up and she was bunched up against the head of her bed upset about bugs and snakes again. I laid her down and told her that is why I gave her the little cat, because cats eat bugs. A quick reminder to stay quiet so she doesn't wake Gideon and I leave her. It must have worked. I didn't hear from her again until it was time to get up from nap. She asked to sleep with the cat again tonight. I may never see it outside of her room again. :)

Shortly before Gideon and Zion woke up I laid down for a little shut eye myself. As Sandra Boynton and The Bacon Brothers would say, I was feeling snoozy. (If you have not heard the music CD Philadelphia Chickens it is a must have for moms of young kids!) Rob got the kids up while I was down and Gideon saw fit to come join me for a bit. He's my snuggle puppy (another Sandra Boynton reference).

Once we were all awake we played outside for a bit. Gideon went straight for the water table before we had a chance to roll up his sleeves of course and soaked himself up to his elbows. Gabe and Zion started out on the swings. Zion was doing a lot better but still having flip outs over bugs and snakes. I refilled the suet holder and bird feeder and then sat on the patio swing for a while. It was still gorgeous and warm. A wonderful end to a wonderful day. I couldn't have asked for anything more, it was pretty much perfect. I feel so blessed.

Flippin' Baby

This morning I had my third Webster Maneuver to try to get the baby to turn. I am now seeing a chiropractor who specializes in this technique and we are hopeful that we have started when baby is still small enough to turn head down. At the very least the pinched nerve that I've had in my hip for months now, despite my visits to my regular chiropractor, has found relief. Phew!

Baby D does seem more inclined to be active. I have told him/her to feel free to move about the cabin. :)

I'm starting to lean toward declining an external version if Baby D still hasn't turned come June. A version can be forceful and distress the baby and since the umbilical cord isn't the strongest I wonder if it's too much risk. So, I pray. I pray that the baby will turn on its own unless the risk is too great. God knows what is going to be the best birth for my baby. Feel free to pray with me.

And don't forget to vote if you haven't already. :) The poll is located in the right hand column underneath Baby D's photo and blurb.

This Day

This day I woke up at 7AM (despite my alarm not going off) in plenty of time to have a calm morning getting the kids and I off to MOPS. No rush, no stress.

This day we had plenty of time after MOPS to get Gabe to the bus stop on time and it was sunny while we waited.

This day Gideon screamed for more than an hour after putting him down for nap (I checked on him multiple times to calm him but each time he got upset all over again when I left). Still wondering about those teeth.

This day I had a great story time with Gideon and Zion on the couch. It turned into a physical play time with each wanting to be lifted repeatedly above my head.

This day we shared a yummy dinner of Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, corn and bread. Yum.

This day I read something funny that I wanted to share with my mom. Only on this day, one year ago, my mom died.

This day I also turned 32 weeks with this baby. I wish I could share that with her too.

Randomness and Family Fun

I am hanging out in my favorite spot at home. That would be the recliner love seat. My spot is the seat on the left. Just about everything I need is within arms reach here. Remotes - check. Phone - check. Knitting - check. Laptop - double check. Snacks - check. Drinks - check.

I'm munching on guacamole flavored tortilla chips that we got at Costco tonight.

I've got a poor man's heating pad on my back which is killing me. I would like to put my belly down for a while. I love feeling the baby move but I don't love the muscle strain. Ouch.

I should probably not go to Costco again until this baby is out. And likely until this baby is weaned ('cause I'm a starvin' Marvin when I'm a nursing mama).

Lemonade season has officially started in our household. I make my own. Somehow that makes me proud which is silly since it has all of three ingredients and takes about two minutes. But still.

I love lemonade!

Lemonade does not love me. It's the darn pregnancy heart burn. Ugh!

I can't help myself. I drink it anyway.

Zion is hysterical when she talks about shopping. I have to get it on video soon.

Gideon has been running a low grade fever the last few days and his diapers are atrocious. I'm hoping it's teething. Really hoping. Because GI issues with him scare me a titch. I just always wonder if it's another allergy coming up and the great allergy chase is starting again. So let's hope it's teeth.

But that did offer us a chance to stay home on Sunday and have church at home and have a little fun. Gabe dipped into the "fun sticks" and pulled out the one labeled "electric train". The fun sticks are craft sticks (like Popsicle sticks only bigger) with activities written on them (don't tell mama you're bored or you just might have to pick a stick). Interestingly enough he ALWAYS ends up picking the electric train stick. It's my least favorite and I nearly always end up telling him it's not a good time. But yesterday it was a good time. Yay!

Gideon hadn't actually seen the train yet. I guess it has been a while since we had this train out (mind you, we have numerous other train sets that are always out).

Today wasn't so bad either. I'm trying to ease us into the habit of not having the TV on until after Gabe gets home from school. It's my bad habit to click the TV on PBS when we come down stairs in the morning and I start getting breakfast ready. That doesn't mean that it won't ever get turned on in the morning but I'd just like to be more mindful of the decision. Today having the TV off after breakfast prompted a sibling coloring session.

Zion lovers her markers. Washable of course.

Gabe drew a treasure map. After they finished coloring they went on a treasure hunt around the house. I don't know what the treasure was ... or if they even found it, but they had fun. :)

Gideon seems to have found a color he'd never seen before.

Speaking of Gideon. He was a bit grumpy today. To top it all off he woke up from nap before he was ready. Typically when that happens he just needs to cuddle. Sometimes he needs to cuddle and have his milk cup. Today I got up to get his milk cup and he followed me to the kitchen where he saw Zion shut the pantry. He freaked out. I kept asking if he wanted his milk because typically all he needs to know is that his milk is coming and he's fine. Nope. Not this time. Then Zion moved the stool. The little stool on which the kids often stand when they are helping me in the kitchen. He wasn't going to use it or even near it but it upset him even more. He followed Zion around the house screaming in devastation. He could not be distracted. So I brought him back to the pantry where it all started hoping that a snack in addition to his milk would do the trick.

It did. Sort of. All he wanted was Spaghetti Os. *sigh* He cannot be swayed. No other snack offering will do. Luckily I had some Spaghetti Os in the fridge from the other day so it was just a matter of a few seconds in the microwave and he was happy as a clam. As a pregnant woman I know all about weird cravings. I must be rubbing off on him.

Last bit of randomness, I have an appointment on Thursday for something called a Webster Maneuver. This is done by a chiropractor and is intended to help flip this baby head down like it's supposed to be (though it often requires more than one visit). Hoping and praying for a good result!