Love, Honor & Stick Together

Rain

2012-01-30T01:04:00.003-06:00

2012-01-27T01:01:00.004-06:00

I don't have any more photos or videos to post this week.

Today is my diaper shower, for which I'm very grateful! I exfoliated my face, deep conditioned my hair and even put on scented lotion (thanks mom!). I'm ready for my party. I know our family is going to be really blessed today.

Other thoughts...

As Kate nears Kindergarten, I've decided it would be best to make my blog private. Not everyone that Kate will come into contact with needs to know all about her childhood.

If you want be one of my approved readers, you'll need to send me your Google account email address. Most of my blog readers already have one. It's the one you use to post comments. If you don't have a Google account, you can set one up on this link.

I will make my blog private in the next couple of months.

And speaking of Kindergarten, I've found some collared shirts for Kate lately on clearance at Walmart and from the Land's End emails that I receive. I'm slowly building her school clothes wardrobe. I'll be hitting a couple of spring consignment sales too.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Pregnancy Week 36

2012-01-26T01:01:00.002-06:00

OK, 9 months! Here we go.

Sometimes when people ask me what I'm having, I say, "We don't know. What do you think it is?" The check out girl at Walmart thinks it's a girl.

I love this blog from my Lamaze newsletter. It's a good reminder about stress and labor.

Here's a quote from the end of the blog:

"Labor is an important job that only you can do. It is not an ordeal you must simply endure. This is work that you innately know how to do, and you can do it beautifully."

Finally, I call this video, "Isn't it amazing how they know?"

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Big Sibling Class

2012-01-25T01:01:00.000-06:00

We took the girls to a Big Sibling class at our hospital.

Here they are making door hangers for Baby B.

Reading a Big Sibling book. The teacher also went over safe toys for baby.

All the kids got to play with dolls and learn how to swaddle the baby. Lauren's baby got a poopy diaper.

We got to tour a hospital room. Lauren's baby got measured and was told "Happy Birthday."

We walked over to the nursery where we saw three newborns. Lauren said, "That's cool."

Here's video of the girls swaddling their babies.

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Yee Haw Cowgirl!

2012-01-24T01:02:00.000-06:00

I absolutely adore it when Lauren jumps onto the landing and yells, "A-Prize!" (Surprise). She does it when she wakes up in the morning and she knows I'm at the table eating my breakfast.

Raise Your Hand....

2012-01-23T01:02:00.002-06:00

If it's so refreshing to have new toys to play with! I'm enjoying it!

Connectagons from Grandma. Very fun.

Stencils! Another way for Kate to do her daily art. Courtesy of our family friends Keith and Lauren.

We got Kate a Lite Brite for her birthday. No more bulky box with a light bulb inside this classic toy. Now it's battery operated with a flat, LED light screen.

Pregnancy Week 35

2012-01-20T01:00:00.004-06:00

Chad said he nearly fell out of his chair last week when he looked at my pregnancy graphic on the right and it said 41 days remaining. Yep, we are close!

I have been nesting with my shopping. I went to Costco and stocked up on TP, paper towels, trash bags, laundry soap, etc.

I even used some coupons and bought some essentials that I'll be needing in a couple of weeks: mascara, moisturizer, etc.

Had another doctor appointment. Doc thinks baby is a girl. He confirmed something I heard: that 3rd babies tend to go past their due date. We shall see! It would be cool to have a Leap Year baby.

I start weekly appointments on the 31. It's so hard to juggle these appointments with Chad's long working hours and two other kiddos!

"Birth goes best if it is not intruded upon by strange people and strange events. It goes best when a woman feels safe enough and free enough to abandon herself to the process."

– Penny Armstrong and Sheryl Feldman, A Midwife's Story

One more birthday posting

2012-01-19T01:07:00.001-06:00

I think Kate was party-ed out by the time we got to her birthday dinner at Chile's. She buried her head in Daddy's arm.

Happy Birthday to Chad today! We love you. Kate really wanted to buy Chad something with her birthday money for her daddy. So I took her to Walgreen's yesterday and she bought Chad a box of chocolates. She felt so important and grown up giving the lady her money and getting change. Even the receipt was exciting. "Mommy, my first real receipt! I'm going to put it in my wallet."

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What is it about...

2012-01-18T01:02:00.000-06:00

dining room chairs that have been moved? They are a play magnet for kids. I even remember our cat Rambo getting all frisky and jumping on the chairs as we moved them to vacuum.

Contemplating

2012-01-17T01:01:00.001-06:00

She puts a lot of thought into making decisions. Treats, Christmas books, diapers, socks, you name it.

Chad McMuffins

2012-01-16T01:05:00.001-06:00

It's called the "Back to Basics" Egg and Muffin Toaster.

It's another brilliant kitchen gadget given to us by Grandpa B.

It's breakfast in 7 minutes. No excuse not to start your day with a healthy meal.

When Chad used it for the first time, he called me all excited while I was picking up some after-Christmas things at Target.

The inventor of this product has thought of everything. The toast and egg are done at the same time. The egg cooks in 7 minutes.

Here's some video of the toaster in action. I make mine with spinach, avocado, and cheese.

P.S. Happy Birthday Grandpa B!

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Love this dress!

2012-01-13T01:09:00.000-06:00

Dress courtesy of Cousin Melissa and leggings Aunt Jocelyn.

Pregnancy Week 34

2012-01-12T01:08:00.006-06:00

Here we go. 8 and a half months along.

I saw this and thought it applied well to waiting until the baby is born to find out the gender.

My invites went out for my diaper shower on the 27th. I'm so thankful for the friend who is coordinating the event. Any ideas for a hostess gift?

Also, saw this on my OBGYN's Facebook status: "Every human has spent about half an hour as a single cell."

Pretty cool.

Yesterday I spent a good hour transferring Lauren's clothes to Kate's room, organizing all her hand-me-downs and filling the empty dresser with Baby B's clothes. Mom, I'll take the multicolored onesie you bought to the hospital for Baby's going home outfit.

My size M shirts are becoming too small! I've asked some mom friends if they have any L or XL (for the very end) winter maternity shirts. One mom gave me some 2X shirts but they are too big. I'm going to a consignment store next week to see if I can get some good deals on a couple of shirts to last me these remaining weeks.

Speaking of large, prenatal yoga started up again last night. My belly is quite a bit bigger than it was at our last class in November. As we were ending our session with a few minutes of mediation while in Supported Butterfly Pose, Baby B was in full throttle action making my upper body twitch and roll. I'm trying to meditate kid!! I think Baby B is just as happy as I am to be back on the mat. During the studio's hiatus, I did do my yoga DVD, but it just not the same as a live class.

I have a pedicure date with a friend for when I reach 37 weeks. I haven't gotten a pedicure in more than 8 years so never while I've been pregnant. I definitely deserve some pampering after carrying another baby to term, while running a business, household and taking care of two other little ones!

I also need to get one more hair cut prior to baby. I got a cheap, $16 hair cut just before Christmas (to try and save money.) And unfortunately, it's not a good $16 hair cut.

Finally, Chad's coworker, who is due about the same time as me, has been put on partial bed rest. So Chad has taken over her afternoon classes. This means he has started his long days again. Please pray for him to have good self care, strength and endurance to get through his long days. Please pray for me too because around 5:30 in the evening I start to get pretty tired. This is when I head upstairs to take a "shower" break. The girls follow me and play in our room, but at least it gives me some quiet time and rejuvenates me enough to start the bedtime process.

One Line A Day

2012-01-11T01:02:00.005-06:00

I did it. I kept a journal for an entire year.

Last Christmas, I asked Jocelyn for this "Five Year Memory Book" called "A Line A Day."

It's a brilliant concept for people like me who appreciate the art of journaling but don't have the time to write pages and pages of thoughts at the end of the day.

It's 6 really short lines on which to write something quick.

From the beginning, I made one rule.

I told myself I wouldn't obsess on what to write. "What will I most want to remember a year from now?" Because, you know what? A year from now, I'll appreciate whatever I wrote!

The longest I went without writing (usually just forgot and it's usually weekends) was three days. Easy enough to force my brain to track back and write something quick.

I also didn't write during our vacation. I keep a travel journal and I didn't have it in me to write the same thing twice.

On this day in 2011, I wrote, "Lauren has 100 toys to play with and what does she prefer? Closing the dryer door as I'm trying to load wet clothes. Ordered Chad's cherry pie. Walmart today. Kate spent her $5 on a Fashion Fairy Tale Barbie."

I'm really glad I wrote that about Lauren. I had forgotten she used to do that all the time.

Thank you Jocelyn, for blessing me with an easy way to record life. Here's to easily recording the next 4 years.

Kate's Ariel Birthday Party

2012-01-10T01:08:00.001-06:00

Lauren's Ariel shirt courtesy of Cousin Melissa. As guests arrive we had the bubble machine going and the sound track to the Ariel movie playing. (Video below)

Ariel candle. Many thanks to my dad who sent some money which helped pay for some of the extra party items.

Ariel cupcake toppers courtesy of Etsy.com.

As each guest arrived, they received an Ariel tattoo. Lauren would ask, "You want a tat?"

Ariel juices for party favors.

"Water" crepe paper with fish cut-outs.

Pin the flower on Ariel. Chad drew the Ariel poster.

Sea shell necklaces.

Decorating treasure boxes.

Snack time. "Fishing" with pretzel rods, peanut butter and goldfish and oyster crackers. I had chicken salad sandwiches for the moms on bread in the shape of goldfish crackers.

I was so thankful for the moms who helped us run the party. I put them to work!

Ariel napkins.

For at least 4 days prior to Kate's birthday, she asked, "Are we going to Kate's birthday now?" She was super excited to get her cupcake.

Presents!

Our annual photo with the birthday hat Kate has had since she was one. Ariel shirt courtesy of Cousin Melissa.

Thank you to everyone who helped make Kate's birthday so special! This was a fun year for her to get birthday cards in the mail. She loved them! And the ones with money were just so amazing. This is the first year that money has meaning and she put her money in a wallet and slept with it under her pillow. One card had $2 and she just imagined all the things she could buy.

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5 & 5

2012-01-09T01:08:00.002-06:00

"Nothing happens unless first a dream."

– Carl Sandburg

It took 5 years to get her.

Now she's 5 years old.

A decade has gone by since those early haunting days of the unknown.

What a year she'll have.

Another sibling.

Starting Kindergarten.

I'll cover her in prayer every step of the way.

Happy Birthday Kate!

We love you.

Kate, Age 4

2012-01-06T01:05:00.001-06:00

What a year for this little girl!

The baby decor was taken down and she got some big girl curtains.

She learned how to ride a bike.

She held her own in her swim class with 5 and 6 year olds.

She found out she's going to be a big sister again.

I don't have video, but she has also learned to read. She can read the "Sam I Am" books my mom saved from when I learned to read.

Tomorrow is her party.

Monday will be celebrated with breakfast at McDonald's and dinner at Chile's.

Pregnancy Week 33

2012-01-05T01:05:00.002-06:00

This is it! 2012. The year we will meet Baby B. I can officially say, I'm due next month.

Prenatal yoga starts up again next Wednesday. It lasts through Feb. 15. Will I take any more classes after that?

Zoe has licked my belly a few times.

I no longer fit into my winter jacket. I have to wear Chad's.

I had a doctor appointment yesterday. I have gained 19 pounds. I received my RH shot yesterday. (See this link for explanation.)

It's getting harder to bend down.

I keep a bottle of lotion on the kitchen island now for the end of pregnancy dry skin itches. The girls are real good about helping me lather up my shins and ankles (and sometimes belly) when the discomfort threatens to make me go crazy.

Baby B is impressively active. Sometimes, I'll just pause and think, "Wow, this baby."

Grandpa Frank

2012-01-04T01:10:00.001-06:00

We had a great visit with my dad/Grandpa Frank. Kate warmed up to him right away. Lauren took a couple of days. My dad brought some books and each night he would read to them.

We are grateful to have spent Christmas with Grandpa Frank!

Christmas Videos

2012-01-03T01:00:00.000-06:00

Jelly Belly machine from Grandpa B.

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Singing dog from Grandpa B.

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Nursery Center for baby dolls from Aunt Jocelyn.

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Christmas 2011

2012-01-02T01:26:00.001-06:00

It's so hard to wait for Lauren to wake up.

Awake! Opening the stocking.

Stringing beads (from Grandma). I asked for this for Lauren because it's so hard for her to string the little beads when Kate makes her necklaces (and Lauren wants to do the same.)

Reading the letter from Santa. A tradition from Chad's childhood.

A snow cone machine from Daddy! He also got an ice cream machine. We are going to have a tasty summer!

Styling Barbie's hair.

My favorite Christmas photo. Kate reacting to opening her Ariel princess doll.

Lots of books for this reader! My mom lovingly purchased every book in the Rose Wilder series. (Laura Ingles Wilder's daughter.) They don't come in a complete set so she had to search for them and order them separately. I always get the "Mom you're so weird" reaction when I blubber my way through the chapters when families have to say goodbye. It's quite familiar. In this case Laura, Almonzo and Rose are saying goodbye to Ma and Pa on the prairie as they move to MO.

Ariel sheets from grandma!

Isn't that blue so pretty? It's like she's a mermaid sleeping in water. Lauren got the cutest cup cake sheets, which she has slept on for 5 nights now!

Photos today. Christmas videos tomorrow.

Thank you to all our friends and family for your generosity! It was a very Merry Christmas!

Love, Honor & Stick Together Year In Review

2011-12-30T01:04:00.001-06:00

January
Kate's indoor swim party, followed by a night of sick.

February
A one-year old's prayers of thanks.

March
Matching spring dresses.

April
We got ourselves a "Swagger Wagon."

May
Lauren's kitty cat birthday party.

June
We made our own pickles!

July
Participated in the 4th of July parade.

August
Surprise!

September
Little Mama

October
Ariel pumpkin.

November
Sister bonding.

December
Mary, Mary Quite Contrary

Happy New Year blog readers. Here's to another year together and all the miles we have logged.

May God bless you, your family, and your friends.

Pregnancy Week 32

2011-12-29T01:06:00.001-06:00

Eight months! Here we go.

I passed my fasting glucose test! Amen to that.

This is the season (winter) that we will meet Baby B.

Lauren has slept on the bottom bunk for night time. (Three times so far. Huge sigh of relief that this transition, so far, is going well.) I will move her clothes over real soon. (She's still sleeping in the toddler bed for naps.)

I bought a gender neutral photo album. And Chad got an Amazon gift card and so I bought Baby B a baby book and month-by-month photo frame.

Thank you Baby B for making our 2011 very exciting. See you next year.

2011-12-28T03:30:00.001-06:00

I was able to squeeze in enough time this week to schedule blogs for tomorrow and Friday. See you then! (No Christmas photos yet. I'll try finish those this weekend.)

Pregnancy Week 31

2011-12-21T19:46:00.003-06:00

I had my epic 4-blood draw, fasting test today. By God's Grace I got through it. (Since I couldn't eat past midnight, I woke up at 11:30 p.m. and forced myself to eat an egg salad sandwich to help me not be so hungry in the morning.)

I was hungry through out this test, but not the low blood sugar, I'm going to vomit kind that I was greatly fearing. My dad and I hung out all morning as I went in each hour to have my blood drawn. Then he treated me to a wonderful, well deserved lunch at the Olive Garden.

I also had a sonogram that my dad got to view today to which he said, "This is amazing."

Praise God every thing looks good.

Baby is big. 4 pounds 5 oz. (Baby will gain half a pound a week for the next 8 or so weeks.)
Has hair.
Is practicing breathing.
Heart looks good, in-flow and out flow.
Cervix is closed.
Sono tech is the only one in the world who knows what we are having. She had me close my eyes while she measured my fluids and had to go around "that area." Crazy huh? She knows what we are having.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-21T01:01:00.002-06:00

This will be my final blog post this week. (The first two blogs this week were scheduled a couple of weeks ago.)

I'm writing this on Saturday and I have a lot to do to get ready for our Christmas guest and for Christmas Eve.

I have to strategically clean areas around the house. Which areas will most likely stay presentable so that I don't have to triple clean things? As the plaque my dad sent me says, "Cleaning with children around is like shoveling snow while it's still snowing."

Plus, I need to get our wrapping done.

On Monday our play group went caroling at a local nursing home. The girls did great. Kate and her little friend held hands. It's the moms who forgot to print out and bring the lyrics for the song list I had created. (One other mom did bring it up on her phone.) So we only sang a few favorites and couldn't sing the rest.

We'll see how our Christmas day unfolds and if I'll have time to blog.

I do wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! Here is a really cool patriotic light display.

And finally, just in case you haven't heard one of my favorite Christmas songs yet this season, here's Amy Grant's "Breath of Heaven."

Testing the birthday games

2011-12-20T01:03:00.001-06:00

We will have an Ariel birthday party.

Here is Kate decorating a treasure chest. (Oriental Trading Co.)

Then we will play "Pin the Flower on Ariel." (Daddy will draw Ariel.)

Then on to sea shell bracelets. This is really what I wanted Kate to test because the holes on the shells are tiny. She was able to string them.

Then snacks, cupcakes and presents.

Invites have been distributed. I like to give her invites out early since her party is so close to Christmas and it allows moms to shop the after-Christmas sales.

The other day I realized it was Kate's last day in the 4 year old Sunday School class. (There's no Sunday School during the last two weeks of the month due to the holidays.)

Wow...

She knows...

2011-12-19T01:03:00.000-06:00

Zoe knew Kate wasn't feeling good, so she cuddled with her on the couch. The next day, Kate was sitting on the foot stool pouting because I wouldn't let her play with any of the ornaments on the tree. Zoe jumped up next to her and rubbed against her shoulder. After a while, Kate unfolded her protesting arms and placed them around the cat instead.

Kate is feeling much better now. Thank you for your prayers.

2011-12-18T19:31:00.004-06:00

Our own Christmas miracle.

For the 3nd time, Lauren went poop in the potty.

She was in the bathroom by herself and called me in to tell me she went. Sure enough. Yes, she and Kate got some celebratory ice cream.

The first time was 3 months ago on September 22.

Additionally, she has been cough-free for three nights! Yeah!

2011-12-16T01:00:00.000-06:00

Read this and then you may be able to understand Lauren's 2-year old accent in the video.

Mary Mary quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells
And pretty maids all in a row.

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2011-12-15T02:48:00.003-06:00

Night time cough, night 3.

About 4 attacks (and I write this at 3 a.m.).

I had to get up with her for 2 of them.

When we first put her to bed, it's so hard to listen to her cough for an hour before she settles down. We just want to give her something to instantly make it stop.

Luckily during the day, for the most part, she's her happy self.

Thank you for your prayers.

Pregnancy Week 30

2011-12-15T01:05:00.001-06:00

My right ankle is swollen and purple, it looks like the purple ornaments on our tree. The blood just pools down there thanks to my lovely veins.

My actual due date is in 10 weeks. It's statistically difficult to have your child on your actual due date. Both Kate and Lauren were born on their due dates. I really don't think this baby will be due on it's due date. 3 in a row?

I also wonder if this baby will have blue eyes. I'm quite shocked I have one kid with blue eyes, let alone two!

I have my fasting glucose test on Wednesday. I will have good company: my dad, who I haven't seen in 2.5 years! I've had the good fortune to sit with him during a couple of medical procedures so now he gets to sit with me. Please pray for strength for me to get through that test and that I will be all right without any food in me.

2011-12-14T03:14:00.002-06:00

We are in a battle with the croupy cough.

Chad and I are armed with all the things that have been recommended to us: steam shower, humidifier, elevated mattress, some holistic cough remedies from a mom friend who shares our pediatrician. She let me borrow some things until I can get to the store today.

I would like to publicly thank my mom for nursing me thought night time coughs.

I would also like to thank our neighbor for keeping their Christmas lights (including a strand of blinking lights) on all night. It gave me and Lauren something to look at as we stood on the balcony at 1:15 in the morning trying to breath the cooler air. Of course on the night I need cooler air, it's 60 degrees outside.

This is my first time dealing with a croupy cough and I feel like I don't know what I'm doing, yet at the same time I'm trying to trust my efforts. Cringing with prayer every time I hear her cough seems to help too, "Lord have mercy on that child."

Thank you for your prayers for healing and good sleep.

Biggie got cut

2011-12-14T01:08:00.008-06:00

Biggie finally turned orange!

Look at all that pumpkin meat.

Biggie is so big, it took 4 rounds to get him all the way cooked. Each slice took 40 minutes.

Puree time!

I had four empty baby food freezer containers. These will be the perfect amount for pancakes.

And of course the blender breaks in the middle of this epic project. Santa, please send a new one! I need it for Baby B 3 and summer Popsicles! Edited to share that I purchased a new blender with my credit card reward points. I've never done that before. So cool. I've had the card for 2.5 years so I had a lot of points.

The neighbor's smoothie machine to the rescue.

I'm sure all of my blog readers have separated pumpkin seeds from the flesh at some point in their lives. This took at least 30 minutes and I was definitely channeling Ma Ingles. I saved 50 seeds to plant next year.

16 cups of pumpkin puree. We are set for muffins and pancakes in 2012.

2011-12-13T03:18:00.003-06:00

Well Kate is feeling better. I asked for prayers for her because last Thursday she was not feeling well. I asked for prayers and Friday she was so much better and continues to improve.

Now Lauren has a bit of croup. That seal cough. Yesterday she completely lost her voice. Luckily she's sleeping well. Last night in the Bittenbender infirmary, we all gathered in the steamy bathroom to read our Christmas books and then Lauren's room has the cool mist humidifier.

Thank you for your prayers for Lauren.

What a sicky fall huh? It's not even winter yet!

New Bar Stools

2011-12-13T01:19:00.001-06:00

We've been wanting to get some for a long time.

We are hosting 9 guests for Christmas Eve.

We had some gift cards that were starting to lose money.

So we bought 3 bar stools from Target.

It's amazing to think about all the furniture in our house that Chad has built.

The only two downsides? Now there's more furniture I have to move in order to vaccuum. And the food crumbs that fall down are very visible. The dark rug under our dining room table hides crumbs really well. (Shhhh...don't ever look to closely at our dining room rug, it only gets vacuumed about once a week.)

Little Ceiling Fan Disk/Uncle Duane to the Rescue

2011-12-12T01:08:00.000-06:00

Chad was cleaning our ceiling fan and the small, decorative disk at the top of the pole (20 feet up) came down. We couldn't leave it down, it looked too ghetto.

After 20 texts to borrow a tall enough ladder, Uncle Duane, who works at a construction rental company, came over with the biggest ladder we had ever seen.

Tall ceilings are glorious eye candy for first time home buyers, but a pain in the kiester for the reality of home ownership.

2011-12-11T17:57:00.002-06:00

Our anniversary tradition: pizza and sparkling grape cider. This is also the candle from our wedding day 12 years ago. We toasted the start of our family.

2011-12-09T03:14:00.002-06:00

Will you please pray for Kate? She has had a cold for two days now and just feels crummy.

Strep throat is really going on around here. I don't think she has it, because she doesn't have a fever or a sore throat, but I'm praying for protection from it for our family.

12 Years

2011-12-09T01:00:00.000-06:00

On Sunday Chad and I will be married 12 years.

Who would have known that when we received this train set on our first Christmas that 12 years later, we would have two little ones who enjoy it as well. (Chad has fond memories of setting up his train set every Christmas season.)

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Pregnancy Week 29

2011-12-08T01:08:00.002-06:00

According to this site, baby is 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel.

I had an appointment this week. I've gained another 4 pounds for a total of 17.

Back when I was pregnant with Kate, having my doctor 22 miles away was OK. Now with two little ones, it's a project to get over there. This week I had to load Kate and Lauren in the car and then Chad met us at the doctor's office to take them back home. They got to stop at a restaurant for dinner and that night he made them chocolate milk shakes. I got to take two hours for myself and run errands.

The doctor's office called and my glucose levels were elevated. Normal is 140 and I was 161. So I have to go in for a 3 hour fasting test. Many women who fail the first test, go on to pass the 2nd test.

My fear is not being able to eat all morning. I literally wake up hungry. I'm so afraid of being shaky, headachy, unable to really think because I won't be able to eat. On any given day, I don't go 90 minutes without eating.

I will have to fast and have my blood drawn at 8:45 in the morning. Then I have to hang around the doctor's office and have my blood drawn every hour: 9:45, 10:45 and 11:45, while I drink some higher concentrated glucose concoction. What a hassle.

The only time I will have child care to do this is when Chad is home for Christmas break. We'll see when the doctor calls on Monday if I can schedule this test for then.

Bird Seed Pie

2011-12-07T01:08:00.000-06:00

Kate discovered that the birds enjoy eating Holly Berries. So, to earn our December Family Fun Magazine badge, we made pies for the birds. We filled pie plates with bird seed.

Lauren added rocks.

Kate added Holly Berries.

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Well, here it is

2011-12-06T01:21:00.001-06:00

Halloween wreath project. I was really nervous about this. I didn't have any step by step instructions, and quite often my projects don't turn out like the picture in my mind.

Materials.

Re-use the Halloween ribbon.

It wouldn't be a project with something getting broken. (I did have help from a 4 year old.)

Place the bulbs to see how I should glue them.

Decide on clusters.

Will I have enough bulbs??

No I don't. So I make a little design with what I have.

The finished project.

Of course it doesn't fit in the storage box.

The inspiration: A .50 Christmas wreath I bought at a yard sale. Also, I adore any jingle bell wreaths.

She is officially 2-and-a-half

2011-12-05T01:28:00.003-06:00

She adores Zoe, is afraid to try new foods, is getting good at puzzles, loves music and being anywhere Kate is.

Attention Future House Guests

2011-12-02T01:25:00.000-06:00

It tends to be the loudest at our house between the hours of 5 - 7:00 p.m. Often at that time, these two are giggling, wrestling and chasing.

Please forgive the look of our kitchen counter. It can become quite the resting place for clutter.

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Pregnancy Week 28

2011-12-01T01:08:00.001-06:00

OK. month 7 here we go. 3rd trimester. The final stretch, literally.

This is when the body makes it's drastic changes. Have mercy, stretch marks, veins and swelling!

I have my glucose test on Monday. Thank you for your prayers in that matter.

Joc, look closely at the ring on my right finger! I still wear it every Christmas.

I'm doing another happy, grateful dance for some friends who gave us their crib mattress. It's in far better shape than our 5 year old mattress. I was able to delete that baby item from my Amazon wish list!

P.S. Happy December 1 everyone!

2011-11-30T01:20:00.001-06:00

Yes, she is going to have a new little brother or sister, but Lauren is going to miss Kate when she starts Kindergarten.

Sister Bonding

2011-11-29T01:08:00.000-06:00

It's times like this that I hope will seal their bond for a lifetime.

These two play really well together right now. Of course there is still daily fighting/arguing, but they do play really well together.

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Thanksgiving and Pumpkin Update

2011-11-28T01:14:00.000-06:00

We had a tasty Thanksgiving. I'm so grateful my sister hosted.

Here are the pumpkin pie girls.

My sister and my step brother, Aaron.

Trampoline fun. Kate was so tired, she fell asleep on the way home.

We might get one pumpkin from our garden. Biggie is trying to turn orange.

Pregnancy Week 27

2011-11-24T01:05:00.001-06:00

This song reminded me of the joy I have when I think about bringing another baby/child to be with our family. We are so blessed.

Words are below. (Sorry, you have to click on the link. It wouldn't allow me to embed it into my blog.)

http://youtu.be/ZPUE8aEn20M

I had a good life
before you came
I had my friends and my freedom
I had my name

Still there was sorrow and emptiness
till you made me glad
oh and this love
i found strength
never knew i had

And this love
Is like nothing i have ever known
Take my hand
I'm taking you home
Taking you home

There were days, lonely days
When the world
Wouldn't throw me a crumb
But i kept on believing
That this day would come

And this love
Is like nothing like i have ever known baby
Take my hand
I'm taking you home
I'm taking you home
Where we can be with the ones who really care
Home
Where we can throw together
Keep you in my heart forever

Oh and this love
Is like nothing i have ever known
Take my hand
Taking you home
Taking you home

Yes I am

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T01:00:00.004-06:00

Of course I'm thankful for my family, home, jobs, etc.

I thought I'd make a list of other things I'm thankful for.

The power of prayer this is so evident in the lives of my family and friends.
Family and friends who can step in during a crisis when I can't be there.
Freshly washed little girl hair that is shiny and soft.
Empty laundry baskets and empty trash cans.
Freshly washed sheets.
Chad's dedication to keeping our yard looking good and his honor in taking care of our house.
Surprise packages in the mail.
The effectiveness of 10-minute power naps.
The power of a chocolate raisin to get my 2 year old to go pee on the potty and let me blow her nose.
Good sleep for my kids.
Little arms in my rear view mirror that go up during, "Out comes the sun and dried up all the rain."
Catching up with old friends on the phone.
Reading time.
Trash men and our modern trash removal service.
Our pediatrician and the wisdom she has in combining Western medicine as well as effective alternatives. I've recommended her to various friends over the years and she has helped two sets tremendously recently.
Graphic designers for paper towels and wrapping paper. I think they have cool jobs and I appreciate their art.

Happy Birthday Joc!

2011-11-22T01:03:00.000-06:00

I totally thought of Joc when I saw this graphic.

I'm just so proud of her and her decision to live a healthy lifestyle. I love hearing all things she's accomplished and the exercise classes she's attended.

Since starting this journey, she has lost 41 pounds and 19.75 inches. (31 of those pounds since joining Jenny Craig. Seems like a VERY effective and worthwhile weight loss program.)

Other impressive numbers:
Since starting to work out and modifying my diet, I've seen a 40 pt drop in cholesterol, 22 pt drop in LDL (the bad one) and a 67 pt drop in triglycerides. My hemoglobin and red blood cell count are totally normal. No anemia anymore.

One of my favorite motivators has been "Nothing tastes as good as looking great feels".

I always remind myself that I can't alter my genetics. However, I can alter my weight, food choices and activity levels. Obesity raises your risk for most of the major killers out there..diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer and strokes. Each pound I've lost reduces my risk of these diseases. Each pound I've lost takes stress off my joints.

All of the physical changes and physical health improvements are wonderful, but I'm feeling better about myself everyday.

Love you Jocelyn!

Home From the Library

2011-11-21T01:08:00.000-06:00

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Messy Mitts

2011-11-18T01:03:00.001-06:00

The girls and I recently took part in an art class called "Messy Mitts." It was for 2 - 4 year olds. It was really cute and worth the $40 each fee.

Painting pillow cases.

Aprons from home.

Painting pumpkins.

Quick Sand (corn starch and water)

Fishing with pretzels, peanut butter and goldfish.

They also got to paint t-shirts, decorate cookies and get messy with jello and "goo."

Pregnancy Week 26

2011-11-17T01:24:00.001-06:00

I had a doctor appointment last week. Doctor says I've reached the stage, where if the baby were to be born now, it would have a good chance of survival.

I gained 7 pounds in one month. Wowzer! It's all belly.

This is a photo from our Christmas family photo shoot and I'm still wearing my pre-pregnancy jeans.

The prenatal yoga teacher taught her last class last week. Just like most service industries (retail, spa, hair) there is high turn-over in the fitness industry. The owner of the yoga studio is going to take over the class and I hope I like it.

I massaged some part of Baby B the other morning. I'm not sure what was sticking out, but I gently massaged. It's my hope that it's the start of helping this child feel safe, secure and loved.

We were on a fabulous fall morning walk and Kate said, "Mommy, I can see your big belly in your shadow." Made me smile.

For the record, this is a very active baby.

Finally, Kate and Lauren have been registered for their big sibling class at the hospital. Remember when Kate took the class?

She's really good at organizing

2011-11-16T01:14:00.001-06:00

Kate is into keeping her room really clean.

She's also very good at organizing.

She recently organized the downstairs book case.

Sorting by size.

See, I told you she's good!

Encouragement

2011-11-15T01:03:00.001-06:00

Remember when I felt called to help the West Family (or here)?

Well, tis the season of giving again and another family has a need for encouragement.

This time it's personal and it's a very dear friend. (She was even my matron on honor at my wedding.)

After 16 years of marriage, my dear friend is going through a divorce. Many of my blog readers have experienced the loneliness, fear and struggle of starting a new life on your own.

My friend has two children ages 10 and 14. They really aren't in need of anything. They have a wonderfully supportive family and will still have a generous Christmas.

My friend has a good job and is working extra hard to finish her masters to move up on the pay scale to establish a secure future. She's incredibly stressed - not eating, not sleeping much. Typical survival mode.

I feel called to send encouragement and God's love during this time. This will be their first holiday season as a separated family.

If you feel called to send encouragement to this amazing mama and her kids, feel free to send me an email (lori at lbpublicrelations dot com) and I'll send you her address.

Suggestions: Funny cartoons, cards, gum, $5 gift cards to Subway, Starbucks, etc.

Should you want to go a step further and surprise her kids with something fun, I did ask my friend for suggestions.

Boy 10
Warrior series books by Erin Hunter
Any kind of sour candy
Hoodie size 10-12
Non Fiction fact books about bunnies and guinea pigs. (Any at your local used thrift store?)

Girl 14
Any kind of sour candy
iTunes gift card
Hoodie size XL in teens
The Gathering series (books) by Kelley Armstrong

Thank you so much blog readers!

Turn Orange Already!

2011-11-14T01:06:00.001-06:00

We harvested about 8 pumpkins. They are all green. Will they turn orange by Thanksgiving?

The orange one on the far end is from the pumpkin patch we visited. Our pumpkins were a lot bigger!

We/Chad also cleaned up the garden for winter. We are making mental lists of things to plant come February.

2011-11-11T01:02:00.000-06:00

This cracked me up when I first saw it.

It's dedicated to my dad since he sees a lot of this style driving teenagers around in the school bus.

It has got be one of the most stupid styles ever created. I have to force myself not to ask the young men I see, "Sir, do you know your underwear is showing? Do you need a belt?"

Sorry for the poor quality.

It says, "Your father says he'll stop wearing his pants like that when you do."

Pregnancy Week 25

2011-11-10T01:06:00.000-06:00

Oh this baby has probably been exposed to more viruses! 8 days of diarrhea clean up (with Kate) and our recent snot fest, sneezey colds.

The only safe place for a woman who is 6 months pregnant to have a violent sneezing attack is on the potty or in the shower.

I can't take anything either. So I've been pounding the veggies and green tea and keeping up my exercise and water intake. I have found that it's really convenient when I spend half an hour or so chopping veggies and putting them in salad bowls so that I can just grab them at lunch each day. Having my chopper thanks to Grandpa B makes it even easier.

It is my prayer that this baby will be a good veggie eater. I have one good veggie eater and one not so good veggie eater. It just makes life easier when they'll eat those veggies.

Look! John Lennon Wore His Baby!

2011-11-09T01:23:00.000-06:00

Look what this 4 year old can do

2011-11-08T01:07:00.000-06:00

I'm pretty sure I didn't learn how to do this until elementary school.

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It also amazes me that she can do 100-piece jigsaw puzzles.

4-and-a-half is a really fun age. I remember being excited when Kate's imagination was first developing. Now it's going to another level. Her block designs are more elaborate.

She's really into art. She loves drawing. She does it every day.

Bunk Beds!

2011-11-07T01:08:00.001-06:00

This a fun story how God helped us with this bunk bed. Chad did some summer work and got paid extra. That money paid for most of the beds. Then my dad sent some surprise money to help pay for more of the bed.

This project took 9 hours on a Saturday.

First, dismantle the original big girl bed.

Then figure out how to fit it in our "under the stair case" storage area. This is where Chad has a creative genius part in his brain.

Even though the walls were cursing and he bumped his head twice on that dang too low of a shelf, he got the bed in there. He laid it all down and put all the holiday decor on top. It really didn't take up too much extra room.

We laughed at how when we first moved into this house, there were a couple of Christmas containers in there. Now, it's getting pretty full!

The bunk bed project begins.

Helpers.

Organize the hardware.

More helping.

I called several friends to see if they could help Chad lift the top bunk onto the bottom one but no one was available. I helped and it wasn't heavy at all.

She was a little nervous to sleep up there the first night and woke up at 3 a.m.

We still need to get a twin mattress for the bottom bunk.

2011-11-04T03:08:00.002-05:00

Snot Fest 2011 over here with me and the girls. Will you please pray we get over these annoying colds! So not fun.

Idea vs. reality

2011-11-04T01:36:00.001-05:00

Colored bubbles. The idea is really cool and fun. The reality is one big royal mess. (Just like a sand box!)

Yes, it was fun. Yes, I enjoyed watching them get messy.

Yes, the bubbles make great big, colored bubbles and I blew several so the girls could chase them.

Yes, I'm still wiping blue from doors and walls.

Yes, it really stained the the back patio and yes hubby said, "You better hope that %*#& comes off.

Dish soap and a scrub helped a little.

The Crayola website says, "A good soaking rain should do the trick. (We've had two and we swear the blue looks brighter.) And sunlight will eventually fade away any remaining color."

Now edited to add that about a month after taking these photos, the stain is starting to fade.

Our neighbor does have a power washer we may be borrowing.

I quietly threw the purple bubbles into the trash.

Pregnancy Week 24

2011-11-03T01:20:00.004-05:00

Six months along now.

Aren't these varicose veins so pretty?

I can't even imagine what my leg would look like if I had 4 or 5 kids.

I am grateful though that I can still get on the treadmill and do some jogging. (Although that will probably end soon because my bladder was talking to me on the mill on Sunday.)

There is a woman at my church who has to spend the reminder of her pregnancy in the hospital.

So I'm grateful that so far everything looks good and I'm remaining strong.

Here's a great quote from my latest Lamaze newsletter:

"The knowledge of how to give birth without outside interventions lies deep within each woman. Successful childbirth depends on the acceptance of the process."

– Suzanne Arms

I took this old wives tale quiz at 4 months and it said 60% chance of a girl.

I took it again at 6 months and now it says 53% chance of a boy.

Most everyone I know says a boy. Even my yoga teacher said it's a boy, "it's the vibe she gets up there."

What do you think? Can we still call him Peaches?

Thank You Aunt Jocelyn!

2011-11-02T01:07:00.003-05:00

She recently sent a box of goodies. Among the items: Gel stickers.

Cool pen and journal.

Flash cards.

I'm thankful for the love and generosity of family.

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-01T01:16:00.002-05:00

These girls were adorable! Thank you Cousin Melissa for the kitty cat costume. I had to persuade Lauren with a piece of candy to get it on her, but once on, she seemed to enjoy it.

It's so funny to see their different personalities when it comes to knocking on the doors. Kate knocks and gets nervous and shy, backing away from the door. Lauren charges right up to the door already shouting "Trick or Treat!"

Fun night. We got back from trick or treating when it was still light and we waited for others to come to our house. Kate and Lauren were good helpers passing out candy.

I'm thankful for a fun and festive Halloween with a neighborhood that really gets into the spirit of the holiday.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T01:06:00.005-05:00

I'll try to post photos of the girls this evening.

I love celebrating the season and not just the actual holiday. For a look back at how we celebrated Halloween season, 2011, click here.

This Halloween t-shirt is courtesy of Cousin Melissa.

These are pumpkins from our garden. Aren't they beautiful? We have several growing. I'm so proud. Unfortunately, they didn't turn orange in time for Halloween. They will be Thanksgiving pumpkins. Maybe we'll be able to harvest enough to paint "Give Thanks" on all of them.

Kate really wanted to help carve the pumpkin this year.

Kate is going to be Ariel this year, so we carved Ariel into the pumpkin. Isn't Chad talented? We didn't do a kitty pumpkin as well because carving takes a long time! Lauren will probably get to pick the design next year.

Here is Kate helping with the gutting of the pumpkin.

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Pumkin Patch

2011-10-28T01:02:00.000-05:00

We haven't been to this pumpkin patch since Kate was a baby.

These girls can be timid when it comes to petting zoos.

It was a beautiful fall morning.

Playing on the tractor.

Finally got up the nerve to feed a goat.

Matching shirts courtesy of Cousin Melissa.

Her goal was to find a big pumpkin. Success!

Pregnancy Week 23

2011-10-27T01:05:00.003-05:00

Checking things off my list.

I've recently been given or purchased inexpensively at a consignment sale for Baby B:

Hooded towels & wash cloths (Consignment Sale)
Bath tub (Given)
Bouncie seat (Given)
Gender neutral clothes (both)
Bibs (Given)

Kate felt the baby's thumps three times on Sunday. I love her surprise and that she's old enough to marvel at the action.

This baby does seem to be a bit active. He/she was kicking away while I was getting my birthday facial. I do love the little thumps.

They say the baby will most likely have the same personality once outside the womb.

Active baby = Active child.

"Lord have mercy" said the already tired mama.

There are two things that I've done for Kate and Lauren and feel obligated to do for number 3 was well.

This Baby Journal.

This photo frame.

I'm also eager to get a crib mattress before baby is born.

My friend Shelley is hosting a diaper/wipe shower for me on January 27.

Happy/Grateful dance!

I love Wednesdays

2011-10-26T01:07:00.002-05:00

Thank you to Chad for pausing from his heavy workload every Wednesday afternoon so that I can go to prenatal yoga.

Yoga is as essential for me during pregnancy as prenatal visits with my physician.

It calms the every day pregnancy aches and pains and prepares my mind for birth and labor.

I usually enter the class with mid-week fatigue. (Contributed in part to staying up to watch Dancing with the Stars.)

The class actually wakes me up and afterwards, I take advantage of the free time to go grocery shopping by myself.

Other weeks I have quietly wandered the glorious aisles of Michael's without kids and tonight I will be visiting Hobby Lobby. I've had a long list of craft supplies I've needed to get for Christmas and Kate's birthday party for a while now. But the thought of going to either of these craft stores with a 2 and 4 year old made me postpone the trip. Hence the long list.

Thank you Chad!

See below for an update on Kate and Zoe.

I have good news and bad news

2011-10-25T20:31:00.003-05:00

The good news.

After 8 days of diarrhea Kate is on the mend.

The bad news.

Ceruminal gland adenocarcinoma.

Zoe has cancer in the wax producing skin cells of the inner ear.

As Chad read on the lab report, they have a "low mitotic rate." That's good for cancer cells. Her's are not reproducing quickly.

Because of her age, there's really nothing to do but keep an eye on her and see what happens. If tumors come back, we can have them removed and cauterized again.

The surgery to remove her ear canal (cartilage, etc.) is too risky. It would drop her heart rate.

This type of cancer, if it does spread, typically goes to the lungs.

Zoe is 15 years old and some things in her blood work show her age.

For now, she's acting like her normal self. She cuddles with me and Chad at night when we watch TV. She still hangs out under my desk, often putting her head on my feet when I'm working. Of course, she still adores Chad, often meowing to him when he gets home.

How cool is this?

2011-10-25T01:08:00.000-05:00

I love this Halloween decoration.

I'm going to assume the homeowner excelled in knot tying in Boy Scouts.

Park fun

2011-10-24T01:19:00.001-05:00

I'm telling you, this girl is an amazing climber.

She's practicing her skills too.

2011-10-21T03:06:00.003-05:00

Will you please pray for Kate? She's had diarrhea for five days now. It's a virus that's going around and it lasts about a week. Overall, she is fine. Playing, eating, etc. It's just messy and uncomfortable when she gets on the potty. I'm getting tired of disinfecting the toilet every time she uses it and boiling toothbrushes every few days.

I pray none of the rest of us gets it.

Toddler Bed

2011-10-21T01:09:00.002-05:00

Because she can do this...

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We did this...

On the first night we put her in her toddler bed, she started crying and was scared. I bent down to rub her back and hug her. I was impressed that Kate was right there doing the same thing.

After a couple of minutes of comforting, we got up and closed the door and she fussed for about a minute and then got quiet.

It's been about 3 weeks of sleeping in a toddler bed and she's had a few issues that we are working and praying through. Overall, she's done OK.

Pregnancy Week 22

2011-10-20T01:07:00.002-05:00

I'm due February 23. Kate's 5 year old well child exam is scheduled for February 24. The one she needs before Kindergarten. This should be interesting.

This is a scan of one of the sonogram photos we received last week.

Baby B #3 at 20 weeks.

Holiday birthdays run in my family.

My paternal grandmother was born on Leap Year.

My dad on St. Patrick's Day.

I was born on Halloween.

This is our last chance to have a holiday birthday. There are several opportunities to have one in February. I wouldn't even mind going past my due date for a Leap Year baby.

I have had a dream where I've had a daughter on Valentine's Day and she was born with red hair. We called her "Peaches."

2011-10-19T03:09:00.003-05:00

Zoe's surgery went well. Doctor got a good tissue sample, about the size of a chick pea. This is what he'll send to get tested. Then he went further into the ear canal and cauterized the other tumors. There were many and there was a lot of bleeding. He did not go all the way to the ear drum. He cleaned out both ears. She's on antibiotics and pain meds.

Jack-O-Lantern Jars

2011-10-19T01:00:00.000-05:00

We had some friends over and made these Jack-O-Lantern jars. Idea is from Family Fun Magazine.

Gather some jars, clean them, wipe the glue stuff off.

Tape off jack-o-lantern faces.

Paint them orange!

Peel off the tape and outline shapes in black.

Drop in a battery operated tea-light candle.

2011-10-18T01:03:00.002-05:00

As I was holding Zoe down so that Chad could give her her medicine, a small, pudgy hand with smeared pink nail polish appeared on the cat's back.

Perhaps to help.

Perhaps to comfort.

Today is Zoe's surgery.

Thank you for your prayers to guide the surgeon's hands as he removes the large tumor for diagnosis and then proceeds to remove the other tumors growing down along her ear canal.

Thank you for your prayers for the tech who will be examining the tumor. We pray for a quick and accurate diagnosis.

Lauren takes the initiative to pray for Zoe at night. At church she includes her in our family when she says she wants to go home and see daddy and Zoe.

Love on the Line By Deeanne Gist

2011-10-17T13:50:00.005-05:00

I recently received "Love on the Line " by Deeanne Gist for free for review on my blog from The Litfuse Publicity Group.

About Love on the Line

Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man's world . . . which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder.

Dashing Luke Palmer is more than he appears though. He's a Texas Ranger working undercover to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers. Repairing telephones and tangling with this tempestuous woman is the last thing he wants to do. But when his stakeout puts Georgie in peril, he realizes more than his job is on the line.

The main characters have interesting and quite different occupations. The author pairs a Texas Ranger with a switchboard operator who loves bird watching. Ms. Gist said she had a lot of fun researching for the book and I thought she did a thorough job of explaining the details of such professions and interests.
It was quite comical how much these two characters disliked each other at their first encounter.
The Texas Ranger thought Georgie had no more "sense than a grasshopper" and dreaded the thought of having to "put up with her for the entire spring and summer."
I could only imagine how my mom would have seethed because of the way the Texas Ranger was appalled that Geogie was wearing trousers, not acting like a proper lady and talking to him in such a manner!
I enjoyed how the author weaved clues as the Texas Ranger got to know the townspeople and inched his way closer to capturing the leader of the train robbers.
The ending was sure a surprise when the identity of the lead train robber was revealed.

Once again I'm thankful for the opportunity to read another book that allowed me to get lost in the story and characters. There were several night when I pushed the clock to read just one more chapter.

Enter to win your very own iPad2 Prize Package in Deeanne Gist’s “Love on the Line” Giveaway! Enter at the link below:

Purchase your copy of "Love on the Line " by Deeanne Gist here.

Rapunzel Birthday Party

2011-10-17T01:27:00.002-05:00

We went to a Rapunzel themed birthday party for a 3-year play group friend.

I love this picture. The mom asked, "Who want to meet Rapunzel?"

Kate does!

Rapunzel read a story and all the kids got their picture taken with Rapunzel and Flynn. It was a very cute party.

Baby Love

2011-10-14T01:53:00.000-05:00

It's just so sweet to watch her playing with her babies.

At play group, Lauren's favorite "real" baby is Baby Noah. She strokes his arm and constantly asks, "I hold that baby?"

Pregnancy Week 21

2011-10-13T01:25:00.000-05:00

We had the full sonogram on Monday. (Thank you to Michelle for watching the girls.)

So far everything looks good.

Baby is the right size for this stage: 13 ounces.

Bladder and stomach were full.

I have gained 6 pounds so far.

Maternity pants are starting to feel better than regular pants. Aghh, stretch waist band.

The bunk beds were ordered on Saturday and already arrived on Tuesday. Kate's closet has been cleaned out, lower clothes bar removed and book case placed in there.

I bought a few sleepers at the consignment sale and I was just given a whole bag of neutral clothes and bibs.

God Bless that furniture salesperson

2011-10-12T01:27:00.002-05:00

We bought our couch before we had kids.

The sales person encouraged us to buy the stain guard package as well.

We said sure. Thank God we did!

Lauren made this beautiful mess.
I didn't take a final photo, the red ink came out.

The stain guard has also saved us from cat vomit, kid urine, blue berries, watermelon juice, to name a few.

This is not the final photo. Just round two of scrubbing. It took three rounds.

Update on Zoe.

2011-10-11T03:27:00.003-05:00

The infection and swelling have gone down and the vet could see the tumor a lot better.

Zoe was feeling much better this week. She was her "don't touch me" uncooperative self. She scratched the doctor a good one so he trimmed her nails. That didn't help so that had to hold her down with a towel to look in her ear.

Anyway, he recommends surgery to remove the large polyp and the smaller growths that do grow down along the wall of her ear canal. The polyp will be sent to a lab for diagnosis.

The surgery cost isn't as high as I thought it would be so we'll go ahead and schedule the surgery.

Lauren's First Hair Cut

2011-10-11T01:08:00.002-05:00

Lauren was all excited to get her hair cut. Sister went first and Lauren kept saying, "I want to get my hair cut!" She tested out all the chairs while we waited for sister.

When it was Lauren's turn, she didn't want to sit in any of the chairs and she didn't want a cape. She had to sit in my lap and eat her lollipop while getting her hair cut.

Before

After

She got to go to the same salon Kate has been going to. She loved getting her nails done.

Sorry for the red in the photos. The room is painted bright pink and my camera didn't like it. Lauren is getting her glitter star on her cheek.

After. The woman mostly cut the back short, kind of like a bob. It's been about two weeks since she got her hair cut and you really can't tell it's been cut. Her hair is so curly, she's got his bozo thing going on on the sides. Plus her bangs can get this weird frizziness (Kate's did that too.) This is such an awful time for little girl hair. It's not the cute, short baby hair, and not the longer little girl hair. Kate went through the same thing. I remember taking Kate to get her hair cut and the lady asked what I wanted done. I said, "I don't know. Look at it."

So sorry, there will be messy hair photos for the next year or so until Lauren's hair grows out!

Hungry, Hungry Hippo

2011-10-10T01:05:00.000-05:00

I found it at the latest yard sale. I had this as a child. Now I'd like to get them the Cootie game.

No wonder they are called Pumpkin Patches: You need a patch of land

2011-10-07T01:16:00.001-05:00

Our pumpkin plants are HUGE!

We have multiple flowers blooming which may mean several pumpkins. We learned that this is the male flower. We were alarmed because two of the flowers had fallen off. We assumed pests. But a quick Google search says this is normal and the female flowers are actually the ones that will produce a pumpkin. We've got lots of female flowers too.

I don't think we'll have any pumpkins for Halloween.

Maybe Thanksgiving. Plus lots of puree for muffins and pancakes!

Pregnancy Month 5 - 20 Weeks

2011-10-06T01:00:00.002-05:00

Half-way done!

Now that things are really showing and pulling in the front that means things are pulling in the back. I get this discomfort right in the middle of my back. It feels like I could use a good chiropractic pop. It's kind of a difficult place to stretch. Thread the needle yoga pose helps a bit.

I'm also at the point where when I sneeze, a little bit of pee comes out. TMI???

I am starting to feel the baby move more and Chad finally felt it move this morning.

I have a sonogram on Monday. I'm eager to make sure all of baby's parts are working.

2011-10-05T03:08:00.002-05:00

My regularly scheduled blog post is below.

Zoe has an ear tumor.

We took her to the vet yesterday because she's been bleeding (on the sheets and then a splatter against the wall above her water dish.) We just thought it was a cut.

The doctor doesn't know how big it is just yet because her left ear is pretty infected and swollen. The tumor is not allowing air circulation into her ear which has caused the infection. Plus all that blood is allowing bacteria to grow.

We have meds and drops to get the infection under control and take her back in a week to see if he can get a better look at the tumor. Hopefully it is small enough that he can cut it out and cauterize is to stop the bleeding.

We had been noticing some hearing loss in Zoe but chalked it up to old age.

In her old age, Zoe was actually really good at the vet. In the past she has been pretty uncooperative (even having to be put under for a flea bath years ago). I warned the doctor that she bites, growls and hisses, but she didn't even do that yesterday. (Well a little for the temperature part, but that's understandable.)

We are praying that the infection goes down and that the tumor is small.

2011-10-05T01:34:00.000-05:00

Remember my plans to create a new Halloween wreath?

Well, Cousin Melissa found and sent some black bulbs.

I also want some small purple and orange bulbs.

I looked at the after Christmas sale in Walmart last year, but didn't find any.

I'm currently looking at various stores because many of them have their Christmas stuff on pre-season sale.

So far Hobby Lobby had good mini bulbs but not in orange or purple.

Yes, Amazon has some, but I don't want to pay $40 for ornaments.

If you see any orange or purple bulbs on sale will you let me know?

What plant is this?

2011-10-04T01:22:00.000-05:00

Blog readers, what kind of flower/plant is this? We have three of them in our backyard and they are HARDY!

They totally THRIVED in our Texas summer.

I'd like to plant some in the front, but I don't know what they are.

One neighbor has them in her front yard. Red, white, red, white and they add such a nice splash of color.

Help?

We made it.

2011-10-03T01:10:00.002-05:00

This is Chad's school calender. Each letter represents the rotation of classes each day. On E and F days he doesn't get any breaks. Teaches all day and then coaches. We like to draw an "X" at the end of each day.

When Labor Day was over, the month looked so daunting without any breaks.

But we made it. We all made it through Chad working 12 - 13 hour days. His long days are also super long for me. Some days I'm just so "done" that all I can do is countdown the minutes until I can close the girls' bedroom doors and curl up in my bed with my book. But you know what? When Chad gets home, I instantly feel better. I manage to squeeze in another hour, talk with him and eat some dinner.

Only about 6 more weeks to go and this crazy trimester will be over. Of course Chad has a lot to accomplish in those 6 weeks including writing more than 80 comments by Wednesday. (Please say a prayer for him as he is feeling the stress.)

We can do it. We can do it.

For Cousin Melissa and Aunt Pat

2011-09-30T01:02:00.000-05:00

Just two of the goodies they sent.

Thank you!

Zoe is 15 years old now

2011-09-29T01:08:00.000-05:00

Lauren is always so delighted to see her.

Lauren

2011-09-28T01:03:00.001-05:00

She is the same age Kate was when Lauren was born. 2 years and 4 months.

She loves to cut paper.

Fall is a time for Texans to celebrate the survival of summer

2011-09-27T01:24:00.001-05:00

I delicately lowered my 18-week pregnant body onto the inflexible, hard sidewalk, grunting slightly along the way.

I enjoyed listening to the concentrated breathing of my two year old as her chalk swished along the sidewalk tracing my outline.

When I squinted my eyes open, I noticed her eyes were the same color as the blue sky.

The Spanish music and hammers banging from workers replacing the neighbor's roof provided background acoustics to a glorious first day of fall.

Fall is a time for Texans to celebrate the survival of summer. Especially since this summer made the record of being the hottest with 70 days of 100+ degree temperatures.

Earlier, we had relished a walk to the park without sweating and hurrying home to devour ice water and popsicles.

Instead, we got to play hide and seek, tag and visit the "fairy hole" in the base of a tree. We gathered acorns for future fairy meals. Sticks for a fairy fence and leaves and grass for fairy decor. The girls shrieked with delight when we found teeny-tiny, green plastic balls which were gathered for future fairy fun and games. As we admired our set up for the fairies, the 4-year old claimed to see a fairy wing.

I'm tempted to sprinkle some glitter on this homestead the night before we take another walk to this park.

Back on the sidewalk, the 2-year old says, "Mon, mama, I help you up." I grunt a little more as I figure out the best way to get to standing.

Once on my feet, I smile at our Scarecrow family and say a silent "Thank You" for this wonderful morning.

Just Write.

This is how I stay such a gorgeous Domestic Goddess

2011-09-26T01:27:00.000-05:00

And the additional member of our family isn't even here yet.