18 Weeks!

As of tomorrow I will be 18 weeks along in this pregnancy. Whew! It has already been such a long road I can't believe we are barely half way there! But on the other hand, I still really can't believe I am pregnant again and far enough along to know we are having a GIRL! Weird how that works!

Yesterday we had a day of appointments. We saw my Dr. first and he found the heartbeat again immediately. He said it was nice and strong and around 140 beats a minute. He explained their ultrasound policies and let us know you don't leave the office without knowing if all is well....very nice to hear! Then we went next door to see our baby! I was very nervous about many things...would she still be a she? Would the baby be healthy with all parts in place? Would she be growing right? Thanks to God who calmed my fears!! Our baby is indeed 100% a girl!!! When I asked if she was sure, she said she was positive and had achieved text book proof! Very reassuring! She also said all of her organs look good. She is weighing about 6 oz which is right on target. And she has all her fingers and toes! YAY!!

As far as the babies personality, so far she seems to be a sweetie and pretty calm. At this stage we remember Tyler doing flips and other amazing acrobatics. This little one seems to have gentle movements. When the tech began to press down on my tummy, she immediately tried to get away from the pressure! She was also sucking her thumb which we have never seen with the boys. The more the tech probed her, the more she tried to get away until the tech said she had balled herself up into a corner...poor baby! She kept trying to search for her thumb again to be comforted. Hopefully she got it again when the poking stopped!

So now I need to continue to rely on God to get us through the rest of this pregnancy. As for my health, I have seen a big jump of improvement this past week. My general practitioner put me on a hefty dose of iron when I realized there had to be something more dragging me down. She said it would take about a week if it was going to work and THANK GOD I started noticing a difference at the week mark. I am now able to get around the house more, help with some of the chores and not be stuck in bed all day! I am still on Zofran and food is the enemy. I am praying for that to change sometime soon as well!

On another note, we were supposed to have gone to Colorado to meet baby Bella two weeks ago. It had been planned since I found out Susie was pregnant so I was crushed when the trip had to be delayed. At that point there was just no way I could have made the trip. Thankfully, the iron has kicked in and we are heading out this Friday! It will be interesting to come up with things to eat on the road! We will be packing a nice sized cooler! But all of us are in great anticipation of finally seeing that sweet baby and congratulating the lucky parent's in person! I'm sure I will return with many pictures to share!

Thanks again for all of the enthusiasm about our little girl...makes me one happy mama!

These pictures were not nearly as good as the first batch! But here are a few of our baby girl! =0)




This one was a lot of fun!! The tech said, "This is your 4th right?" and than said, "look she's holding up 4 fingers as if saying I'm #4!!" =0)


And one of our girl shots.


This past weekend at Hillary's baby shower!

It's a GIRL!!!!!!!

WOW!!! I never thought I would be able to say that! I have wanted to for so long and thought it would be a dream unanswered! With Jacob being our last, I thought I would always be left to wonder what our daughter would have looked like, what it would have been like to hear, "It's a Girl"! Well here's the story on how we finally heard those words!!

On Sunday night, very spur of the moment, we decided to make an appointment with a local Ultrasound office. We wanted the boys to be a part of the "finding out" process but didn't want to try and shove them into a small tech room at the Dr's office. The techs there are often so clinical and focused on measurements that finding out the sex is just thrown out there. We wanted it to be special for our family and not as stressful. So, the place I found had a 100" screen mounted on the wall, a huge room, and an extra TV screen as well as the computer monitor. There were soft couches for guests, and lot's of room for the boys to run around and look at all the screens. The tech immediately went "down south" and said she could tell right away but wanted to make sure before she told us. Then she smiled big and said, "You are having a baby GIRL!!!" as soon as those words left her mouth I burst into tears! Uncontrollable, tears! The boys heard her (and me repeating "A girl? It's a girl!?! through my sobs!)and screamed, jumped and ran around the room! Such an amazing moment! Throughout the 10 minute ultrasound the tech repeatedly checked, re-checked and checked again to make sure she was right. She printed us two girl shots out of the 10 photos. And we have a DVD of our time there! What an experience!

So that appointment was Monday night. We hadn't told anyone we were going. I was able to call my mom right after and completely surprised her! It was the best to share our special news and hear her shriek...I had never heard her sound that happy and excited before. Sharing the news has been so much fun as those close to us know how very much this means to our family! And Zachary, who has begged me for a little girl since we told him I was pregnant, couldn't be happier! I had told him that Mommy couldn't decide if it was a girl or a boy and that was God's job. Today I was talking to him about how thankful we should be to God for answering our prayers and our hearts desire. He certainly knows what is best and His timing was perfect. Now this little girl has a family of five eagerly awaiting her arrival and whole bunch of family and friends eager to meet her as well!

And of course I wouldn't be me if I didn't immediately start to worry more! After not sleeping at all Monday night(way too excited), I had a tough Tuesday. I felt much sicker and worn down. Doubt started to creep in that maybe it wasn't really a girl (even though she really did check at least 6 times!). I worry that something will happen to the baby before she (SHE!!!) is born. I'm worried that I still feel so sick, it is hindering my eating and therefore gaining. I will be 17 weeks tomorrow and am actually still losing. That scares me! So if you get the chance, please pray for me I would really appreciate it! I have a Dr's appointment next week and our clinical ultrasound same day.

So, I am going to post pictures from our time on Monday. Our little girl was just hanging out and at one point turned and waved to us! So amazing on that big screen! She looked perfect with her sweet little fingers and toes! And if you experienced girl moms out there would like to reassure me on the girl shots...I would appreciate your input! I said the only way I could instantly tell was from the lack of boy parts hanging out that I'm used to seeing!

I'm so excited to share this with all of you!

It's a GIRL!!!




Sweet Girl!




Amazing 3d shots!






My favorite! She's just so complete! The umbilical cord is amazing!

A leave of absence

So I am dragging myself over to the computer to blog. It has been months since my last entry and it has been a very dreary few months.

Going back now to December. After arriving home from our trip to Colorado, I was still awaiting a certain "nuisance" to show up. Thinking the traveling and elevation was messing me up, I didn't think much of it...until "it" still didn't show up. Just to "toss that idea out" I quickly took a pregnancy test. I can't describe how FLOORED I was to see the two lines. I was never supposed to be pregnant again. My pregnancy with Jacob had endangered my life. I had given away my maternity clothes. All of my sweet baby boy clothes. Always wanting four children we had talked more and more about adoption. Picked up fliers from an agency. Looked at many different adoption web sites. And then there were two lines. The days to follow were a blur. I was terrified of what was to come. I knew I was a ticking time bomb but how bad would it be this time? So many people prayed earnestly that somehow this time would be different. That this time I could enjoy my pregnancy. But unfortunately, that was not to be the case.

At 6 weeks on the dot, I first threw up. I still tried to think positively, that maybe, just maybe it wouldn't be as bad. I had already visited the Dr. to obtain Zofran (a drug that is given to chemo therapy patients to reduce nausea and vomiting.) which had helped with Zachary but did nothing for me with Jacob. I began taking it. The weeks and months to follow have been terrible. The whole time spent in bed. New issues were added to this pregnancy with severe bloating and heartburn. No food, and I mean NO food, was appealing and I could hardly keep anything down. Today at 15 weeks along, I still struggle with being able to eat. I am trying to build my strength up by getting out of bed more but the side effects from the Zofran of fatigue and weakness, are not helping that battle. I tried going off the Zofran about a week ago and that turned out to be a very bad idea as the vomiting reared up violently and quickly. So upsetting to see that at 14 weeks the Hyperemesis was still going to strong! And in this time, I have not been able to enjoy the fact that I am having a baby! A new, sweet addition to our happy family. I'm trying to get there. I have moments of extreme excitement that quickly gets taken over by one fear or another. Or just by feeling so horrible. Or so completely worn out.

I'm not sure what to be striving for now as in the past, week 14 has been when I start feeling better. I'm thankful to be able to get out a bit more. I'm thankful that the Zofran has kept me hydrated enough to stay out of the hospital. But I am so desperate to feel like myself again! To like food! I tell Craig that as long as a donut still sound repulsive, I have a ways to go! So, here's to the day I eat a donut again and adore every bite!

*(and on a side note I am going to try and get myself to post more. I think it will be good for me and I have so much to share! So, hopefully more to come with cute pictures and happenings of the kiddos!)

Tag...I'm It!

So as my first post of 2009, I am finally going to respond to a "tag" from Jill. I am supposed to answer these quickly...let's see what I come up with! Oh and "HAPPY NEW YEAR" to those who still check in!

1. Where is your cell phone? … my bed side.
2. Your significant other? … Craig.
3. Your hair? … Messy and up.
4. Your mother? … Helendale, CA.
5. Your father? … also
6. Your favorite thing(s)? … my family, home, friends, books and the Wii
7. Your dream last night? …I was forced to move back into a small apartment...ahhhh!
8. Your favorite drink? … Soda and water. (and shakes!=0))
9. Your dream/goal? … oh man...to raise my children to love God with all their hearts!
10. The room you’re in? … my office "loft".
11. Your fear? … children being hurt, loved ones dying
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? … everyone healthy, a growing Creative Memories buisness.
13. Where were you last night? … home visiting with Melinda.
14. What you’re not? … Full of energy.
15. Muffins/donuts? … DEFINITELY donuts!!
16. One of your wish list items? … The Ink Heart Book series....got all 3!=0)
17. Where you grew up? … Whittier, Ca.
18. The last thing you did? … Ate lunch.
19. What are you wearing? … Sweat pants and a long sleeve shirt (about to go take a shower...really!)
20. Your TV? … Which one?=0)
21. Your pet? … Cody and Chloe (both cats).
22. Your computer? … Gets daily use!
23. Your life? … Always something going on!
24. Your mood? … Anxious.
25. Missing someone? … Susie.
26. Favorite pastime? … Disneyland, reading going to the movies (rare now!)
27. Something you’re not wearing? … shoes
28. Favorite Store? … Target and Macy's!
29. Your summer? … Fun!
30. Your favorite color? … Green.
31. When is the last time you laughed? … At lunch watching my silly children.
32. Last time you cried? … This morning.
33. Who will re-post this? …I'll say Natalie to spur her on!=0)
34. Four places I go over and over? … Disneyland, Pick up Sticks, Target and Vons.
35. Four people who e-mail me? … Melinda, Hillary, Susie and my Mom.
36. Four of my favorite foods? …Pizza, Mexican food, donuts and ice cream! (Healthy!)
37. Four places I would like to be right now? … HAWAII, Disney World (so much cooler right now!) San Diego, or on a shopping spree at Target or Macy's!=0)
38. Four people I tag? … Natalie, Bryan (get you to Blog again!),Scott and Traci.

Quote of the Day!

We were sitting eating lunch today and I noticed that Zachary had dropped a pile of his Macaroni and Cheese onto the table. When I went to ask him to clean it up out came, "Can you Mac the Cheese please?" Wow, I'm more tired than I thought!

Christmas Bells are Ringing

We are in day two of December. The Holidays are in full swing. We have the Christmas decorations up inside and have begun our advent tree adventure. The countdown is on!

Life continues to be busy. Isn't that so for all of us? But this time of year is always so full. So many more activities, places to be and people to see! This year is no exception except we decided to make it even more busy! In less than 2 weeks (1 week and 4 days to be exact...but I'm not counting!) we are leaving for an impromptu road trip to Colorado. I was really missing Susie and during one conversation with her we were saying how nice it would be to spend the Christmas season together. I just automatically thought it wasn't even an option (we already have a trip planned for March when the baby is born and this is already the most expensive time of year!) and was really sad. Then those wheels started turning...why can't we go, really? Craig has a job he can work anywhere. Gas is at a 15 year low. Tyler gets out of school two weeks before Christmas...and so I talked to Craig. And talked. And talked, until he started to see what a grand idea it was! Within two days a trip was planned and we are all so excited!!! Oh to just sit around, scrapbook, watch the snow fall (HOPEFULLY!) bake, exchange gifts, feel Bella kick, play games late into the night (you can do it Craig!)and just enjoy the season with my best bud! We are also excited to see Craig's family. It was fun to surprise his mom with the news! Being able to celebrate Christmas with them as well will be a lot of fun and a first since she moved and the kids were born. We wait for this trip in eager anticipation!

Last night we kicked off our Advent Calendar. Night one was going to Disneyland with the Hooper family. The boys absolutely love this tradition and have been eagerly waiting for December 1st! When they picked the card and saw we were going to Disneyland, and with their best buddies no less, they screamed and jumped up and down! It was a fun night of "snow" , "Small World" all lit up, decorations everywhere, the castle lighting and of course rides. I love Disneyland at Christmas time!

So busy as it is, I am feeling excited, blessed and thankful!Excited for Christmas, blessed that we are able to go to Colorado and that Craig has such a great job, and thankful for good friends to celebrate this season with!

Quote of the Day

As we were leaving Disneyland tonight, it was starting to rain. I said, "Hey guys it's starting to rain again" (it had been raining and stopping for a few hours). To which Tyler replied, "Yeah, and it only rains once a year here!"

Quotes of the Day!

Here are a couple more from Zachary. Enjoy!

While in Vegas about a month ago, he was looking puzzled and than asked, "Why is Vegas lost?" As we had been saying "Las Vegas" he had been hearing, "Lost Vegas!!"

And, Jacob was doing something funny at lunch time and I said to Zachary, "Isn't he funny?" and he replied with, "Yeah! Funnier than I thought!" =0)

Quote of the Day!

I think I am going to try and keep up with this...it may be more like "Quote of every few days"...or even "of the week!" =0) We'll see how it goes!

Today's quote is brought to you by Zachary! So here it is.

"Outer Space is the BIGGEST space of all!"

What's That?

Jacob has developed a habit over the past few months. Actually, I'm not sure habit is the right word. More like a skill or a sixth sense. Whenever there is food around, preferably snack foods or treats, he knows. No matter how quiet and careful I try to be he always knows. If I try to unwrap something, even if he his fully engaged in something else I suddenly hear, "Was dat?" and see those eyes staring at me. If there is a hint of a crinkle from a cracker box I am sure to hear, "Was dat?" This morning I went downstairs to indulge in some leftover donut pieces from church. Jacob was upstairs mind you. Silly me thought I was going to get away with it until I heard it. "Was dat? Jakey share donut?" Man, that boy is crafty!

Broken Moon

A cute story. A few weeks ago Jacob was looking out the window at the moon which was a crecent shape. He started urgently saying, "Broken!! Moon is broken!" He then saw it a few days later and said, "Moon broken!! Fix it Daddy??"

Halloween...It's What You Make It

Halloween. Such a controversial time for Christians. When Craig and I first were married, we talked about the Holiday and how our kids would participate. His initial reaction was that they didn't need to trick or treat to which I quickly disagreed. While growing up, Halloween was one of my favorite holidays. Getting to dress up and receive a ton of free candy...couldn't get all that much better then that! I have to admit that I loved it so much, I trick or treated into my high school years! I know that the initial Holiday itself is evil, and that many awful things occur on the 31st. But when we partake in the festivities, along with the majority, it is a time for fun and memories. Our children will never be allowed to dress as something evil or scary. We will participate in the Church Festivals, carve pumpkins and enjoy mounds of candy! Thankfully Craig is fully on board now and we both relish seeing our little ones dressed up so cutely and hearing their little voices as they say "Trick or Treat"!



And to keep our traditions alive, we went to Whittier for the festivities. First we went to my best friends parents. There we had the kids trick or treat at a few houses and took lot's of pictures.









Then we headed off to our home church,Whittier Hills,for their Harvest Festival. We met our good friends the Hoopers there, as we have spent Halloween with them for the last several years. The boys loved the bouncers, playing the games and even Jacob was able to join in this year. It was so much fun to see many friends that we hadn't seen in awhile as well. It was a great night of memories!

Contagious Joy

Saturday, after a morning of soccer games, we came back home. My parents had given the boys a little piano that has a working microphone attached to it. They thought it was the best and that started the wild dancing, singing and running around the house that ensued. The boys have so much life, love, excitement and energy in them. They love to run around the house, wrestle and dog pile anyone who will oblige. Their joy is contagious and we just laughed with them, taking in the moment. I love my family!!

What are some things that you did with your parents growing up, that you look back at with fond memories?

Double Standards

I have been very frustrated lately with the political views that have been flying around Facebook, forwards and the like. At first I didn't think much of it, but then as I noticed all the views being expressed were basically one sided, and that they were bashing those who believed differently, it really began to bother me. I brought the subject up with Craig last night and felt my blood pressure go up. I said that I was at the point where I wanted to speak up on Facebook, that someone needed to represent the other side. But I figured my blog would be a good place to get my feelings out on the subject.

If someone wants to support something they believe in, I believe that is their right. What I don't understand, is people saying that others are not "tolerant" when they themselves are not "tolerant" of those people they are speaking about. If I choose to believe that abortion or a gay life style is wrong, does that make me intolerant? Or does that mean that I believe the Bible to be 100% true? The Word of God. That I don't pick and choose what I want to be true out of the Bible and ignore the rest. That when He says that marriage should be between a man and a woman, I follow that. And when He says that we should not kill, I follow that. Just as I should follow other things like loving my neighbors, not lying, caring for the poor...are those things wrong as well? I know that those commandments fall under the "politically correct" section but the others do not.

And I know there are extremist. Those who choose to take things way too far and instead of showing love, they show hate. And that is not biblical. That is not what Jesus did when He was on earth and not what He would want us to do now. Although He does not condone same sex relationships, He would not have us hate those that are gay. We are to love our brothers gay or straight. If a women has an abortion, we are not to hate her. We don't have to agree with it, but we need to show her love.

So for those who seem to think it's OK to call me intolerant, stupid, unbelievable, uneducated, etc., I would just like to ask what that makes you?

Potty and Go-Go's.

Jacob has slowly been learning to "go on the potty". We are not pushing him as with his personality, we know that would not go over well. So we put the potty out, talk about it, ask if he wants to go and watch potty videos. He goes once every few days and has even told us he has to go, held it and then gone. He gets various rewards for going ranging from fruit snacks, to small candies. One thing he LOVES are yogos...yogurt covered fruit snacks. He calls them go-go's which we think is the cutest thing (isn't it though?) Anyway, tonight he was asking for his go-go's. I asked if he had to go potty. He says "pee-pee potty!" so we go try, twice, and no potty. He then asks for the go-go's but I put them up in the bathroom. He then decides to have a complete meltdown. After asking again for his treat, not getting the answer he wanted and more yelling and tears, he gets up, pulls on my arm and says, "Come on Mommy, come on! Too dark!" So I go with him to the bathroom again turn on the light and ta-DA, he finally goes. Just a little bit but he knows that qualifies. Man, when there's a will, there's a way!

Everyone Loves a Pumpkin!

Last Friday we went to a pumpkin patch to bring home a nice round pumpkin to call our own! Usually it would be a full event, rides and all, but this year we are pinching pennies. Thankfully the boys were just super happy to be picking out a pumpkin they didn't even miss the rides! Tonight when Daddy finally gets home from his long 3 days at the L.A. Convention Center, we will turn our pumpkin into a Jack-o-lantern. And fun will be had by all!











And today Zachary had his little Halloween party at school. The kids got to dress up and then parade around the park. The parents were stationed every few feet with bags of candy and the kids went around and trick or treated. Zachary had a blast! Just a few days more until the big event!

Hello God!

I was just going around and opening up windows on our second floor. (Man it sure has been hot!) As I opened one Zachary ran over and yelled out into the open air, "Hello God! I want you to come over to my house!" How cute is that?

Seriously?

So last Thursday night, the night before my Dr's appointment mind you, I was heading to bed. I rounded the corner from our bathroom into our bedroom and Craig had just turned the lights out. My eyes had not adjusted yet so I could see nothing...most pointedly the suitcase still laying on our floor. Before I knew what had happened, I was flying onto the floor and of ALL places, landing ON MY HURT FOOT!!! Not anywhere else...my knees, hands, other foot ...leg...oh no, the left broken foot. Seriously?!? I just lay there for the longest time in disbelief. I sometime truly think I am jinxed!

The next day at the appointment I told the Dr. what had happened the night before. He had been ready to just have the assistants put light bandaging on my foot after he looked at it...I was so happy to be getting the cast off and to have only two weeks left!! Then he looks at the x-rays. Dislocated. Again. "Thankfully," he tells me, "I put two screws in there so I don't have to go back in". Holy crap!!! I must have looked like a deer caught in the headlights. He wanted to know what a suitcase was doing in the middle of the floor...sheesh...it was obviously not put away yet! He then said he was going to have a full hard cast put on and I begged him not to. Going from the expectation of having less on my foot to more was completely unbearable. Thankfully he allowed the soft cast. And I now have at least another 4 weeks completely off the foot...and that's after already being off it for FIVE!! When the nurses came back in to package my foot back up, they knew I was super upset and felt really bad. I was at the point where I couldn't talk because then I would bawl...not a fun place to be. And as for the look of my foot...horrible. Peeling, red, purple and yellow, raw in spots and just plain awful looking.

Please pray that no further injuries occur. I have been so crazy careful and I can't believe that from just a few seconds I set myself back so far. I need my foot back. I need to be able to resume all of my responsibilities and all of the extra Christmas ones that are coming my way. And, man, I just need a break! (NO pun intended!!)

Little Illustrator

When we moved into this house, the boys received our old dinner table as a craft table. They now have a space completely devoted to creativity. As a result, we have seen their drawing abilities and love for art dramatically increase over the past year. Just these past few weeks or so, Zachary has become obsessed with "making books". We thought he would have fun making the first and that would be it, but they just keep on coming! I have never seen him do something with such fervor! Now when it's quiet, I know I'll find him at the table, creating a new book. At least once a day now he comes running, "Mommy I'm done! Can you please staple my book??" He started off making a book for each member of the family. Then he started giving them themes, such as Dinosaurs or Sonic characters. It is so sweet to see how proud he is of his books and to hear him "read" them to us. He is quite a good storyteller and is very entertaining!

Thought you might enjoy some of his art work. Let him know you stopped by to take a look!





Wall-E


Sonic the Hedgehog


Shamu (One of my favorites!)




Holding a book with a Golden Sonic cover.


Taking a break to hug brother!


The illustrator, Zachary James, 4 years old.