David, Kristen, Ryan, Brooklyn, and Libby!

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2011-11-25T07:49:00.001-07:00

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Cameron's birth story

2011-11-04T06:46:00.011-06:00

Warning: For those of you who hate reading all the details of birth, don't want to see pictures before a baby is cleaned up, or think "woman things" are gross--don't read. This blog post contains all of the above, and more.

Let me first start by saying--a cesarean birth is SO DIFFERENT than a vaginal birth. I had many conflicting thoughts going into this. Cameron was transverse (sideways) for most of the pregnancy, largely due to the location and appearance of my placenta. The placenta was low, 1.2 cm away from the cervix, and n the front of the belly. There just wasn't room for her to head down toward the pelvis, and even after she was successfully guided into a head down position, it must not have been comfortable, because she turned back to transverse and stayed there for the duration of the pregnancy.

So, we scheduled a c-section for Friday, October 28th. I had a lot of guilt 'choosing' our baby's birthdate, as it seemed like I was controlling events instead of letting her choose when to come. We did have the option to just come to the hospital when I was in labor and they'd assemble the c-section team at that point, but I really wanted to have a team that was prepared and read instead of called in from home possibly in the middle of the night.

Also, I really wanted little girl to have an 11-2011 birthday as that's kind of neat, and Ryan's birthdate is 6-2006. (First and last children, that would have been kinda neat). But, I didn't want to wait until 3 days before term to schedule the c-section as none of my children have made it to 40 (or more) weeks. Granted, two of them were induced and Libby was born just 4 days before her due date, but still.

Also, Friday seemed to work well. David would only have to take 2 days off (Friday and Monday)--one for each pay period, so the financial hit would hurt less--, our caregivers for the older three would be less burdened as David could spend part of the weekend with them and they wouldn't have to worry much about school, etc...and if we had waited til Monday, the baby's birthday would have been Halloween. Not only is that not very fun for a kiddo (is it Halloween or my birthday? Which are we celebrating?) but, I wouldn't have been able to see my kids' costumes and share in the excitement of class parties, trick-or-treating, and sugar highs.

Additionally, the 28th is kind of a big deal in our family! My sister's birthday is November 28th, my Dad's is December 28th, and my best friend Lindsey's birthday is January 28th. Now Cami can start the whole winter processional of 28th birthdays!

And one more tidbit on the date (I know, I spent WAAAAY too much time thinking about the date of her birth)--Brooklyn and Libby are exactly 19 months and 15 days apart. Libby and Cameron are now exactly 19 months and 15 days apart! Not many sisters can claim that.

Moving on...

-------------------

We were given a 5:00 checkin time. From my previous experience with hospitals, OB, and surgery scheduling I figured her c-section would start either at 6:00 or 6:30. The kids spent the night with Grandpa and Grandma, which was nice to not have to wake them up at 4:45 to bring them somewhere! And I went to bed right at 10:00 the night before, as I was instructed to not eat or drink anything after 10:00. So, at 9:45, I had my last snack of pie, cheese fries from Outback, water, and cereal. Gotta cram it in when you can ;)

I was up at 4:00 to shower, dry my hair and straighten it--I really hate laying down with a ponytail or bun, and also knew I wouldn't be able to shower right away after the delivery and would have to make my hair last as long as possible! Plus, it just feels nicer when it's straightened...and we all know that anything that makes you feel better during or after delivery is a good thing. (Like my pedicure! It's still looking great, a week AFTER birth--and I got it done 2 weeks BEFORE that!)

I digress.

We got to the hospital, checked in, and went down to the room where I was being prepared for surgery. They put me on the monitor to check on baby and also to see if I had any contractions. We had a very nice nurse, Erica, prepping me for surgery. She had us fill out all the paperwork, she started an IV, we chatted a LOT...because she said surgery wasn't scheduled until 7:00! She had no idea why we were there so early, and we had no idea why we were waiting so long for anyone to come get us for surgery! :) Miscommunication between scheduling and surgery, I would guess.

I was having contractions every 2-3 minutes, and by the time we were walking down to the surgery center, I was having to breathe through the contractions and concentrate on what people were saying instead of the pain of the contractions. I have a feeling God was letting me know that regardless of my worries of "picking her birthday" and taking control, God had intended October 28th to be Cameron's birthday regardless of delivery method.

And had she not been transverse, I think it labor may have been even quicker than Libby's--due to the fact that within 90 minutes of arriving at the hospital in no pain, no contractions, I was contracting every 2-3 minutes with need for breathing techniques! Dr Hartung was very interested in this development when he came to talk over the c-section with us, and felt to see if she was head down, but, alas--she was still high up in my belly, and transverse. Vaginal birth was not possible.

Around 6:45, they took us down to the surgery center where the circulating nurse, anesthesia (the CRNA named Jeff--you'll hear more about him later), surgeon/OB-GYN (Dr Hartung) and pre-op nurse all chatted with us and had us sign papers, etc. I started getting a little anxious/excited here, because I knew we were minutes from seeing our baby girl and having delivery DONE. All the rush and busyness kept my mind off the contractions, and David made sure to share his humorous side with me.

Jeff and the circulating nurse took me back to the OR, where Jeff started the spinal block and intrathecal for post-op pain control. Getting the spinal was not much fun--zings down my legs, pressure in the back--thankfully the circulating nurse held my shoulders very well and pressed her forehead against mine. I don't know if it was to prevent movement or what, but, it comforted me at the very least and made the discomfort more bearable.

Within 10 seconds of starting the spinal, Jeff and the nurse hurried to get me to lay down before I lost all feeling in my legs. They really did start feeling heavy and 'dead' quite quickly. I did not like that feeling AT ALL. They had to pick my legs up to position them where they needed them and I really hated feeling so helpless like that. My arms were also strapped down. They then put in the foley catheter, which just is a bit humiliating and humbling. It was no fun to keep that in for 24 hours...

It won't be an issue, but having this spinal experience made me SURE that I never want an epidural or spinal block for labor in the future. (But like I said, it's not an issue for the future--it just reaffirmed my decision that epidurals or spinals are not for me!)

Dr Hartung and I had previously discussed lowering the drapes and raising the head of the bed slightly so I could attempt to see some of the c-section. I was so grateful for that opportunity! I love things like that (I watched my sister's c/s) and to be able to view my own child's birth was very special.

Before the surgery started, however, I started feeling very sick and had to throw up 3 or 4 times. Let me tell you, when you are strapped to a table, can't feel half your body, and have limited movement--getting sick is even worse!! I was given some epinepherine to raise my blood pressure and started feeling better. So, Dr Hartung began the surgery and sent the circ nurse to go get David. Dr Hartung brought in another surgeon, Dr Druffner to assist in the surgery, due to where my placenta was and the amount of bleeding and placental issues he was anticipating. This made me feel very reassured, and a bit nervous as well :)

The nurse had a hard time finding David, apparently, and Dr Hartung at one point said "Is David coming?!" Just then, he walked in and quickly took a seat by my head. He had no desire to watch any part of the surgery :)

I have come to realize that whoever is doing anesthesia during your surgery quickly becomes your best friend, especially if you are awake. Jeff became my guide and comfort during the surgery. Anytime I felt sick, I told him and he immediately responded. He described what they were doing during every part of the procedure, and he even volunteered to take pictures with our camera for us. I never thought I'd become so attached to a stranger so quickly, but Jeff was my lifeline.

Apparently I had quite a lot of blood loss (estimated around 1200 cc, and normal for a c-section is around 500). The OB nurse there to help with baby said as soon as Dr Hartung cut into the uterus, the placenta was cut (it had to be because of location) and blood was 'splurting out'. I am glad I did not see THAT part!

Because Cameron was SO high up, Dr Hartung really had to pull muscles/belly fat/uterus and maneuver his hands quite high to get her. Dr Druffner was attempting to push her down to Dr Hartung, from the outside, and I felt a LOT of pressure, tugging, and pulling from those two docs. An arm came out first, and then little Cameron Cate emerged to greet the world!! 7:33 a.m. We were only given a quick glance at her before Dr Hartung passed her to Jen and Annette, the OB nurses, and began working on extracting the placenta, controlling the bleeding, and stitching me back up.

After they made sure Cameron was breathing well, and got her Apgars (which I have no idea what they were by the way)...David brought her over to me and we spent a few minutes of family time. They put Cameron back in the warmer and brought her to my room on OB. The original plan was to have both of us recover over on OB, but due to my bleeding and blood pressure issues (more below) this wans't possible.

The placenta was quite well adhered (which comes as no surprise looking back at the rest of my deliveries and the issues after birth with those) and abnormal in appearance...I look forward to reading the pathology report from the hospital as well as the operative report and delivery summary (I know. I'm a dork, but I will request those records from Medical Records for my own reading enjoyment!) I was given at least one of not two injections of Methergine in attempt to slow the bleeding, in addition to pitocin in the IV. I was stitched up and steri strips applied externally, but during the 'post delivery' portion of the surgery, I started feeling awful again.

Thankfully, David and Cameron were already gone. David didn't see me get sick at all. Jeff was watching the surgeons work on closing me up and I started feeling "funny" again--tunnel vision, couldn't hear well (all I could hear was the scrub techs doing their instrument count!) and felt terrible. "Jeff?" I managed to squeak out. I turned to the right since that is where he was and noticed my blood pressure was a measly 86/32. No wonder I felt awful. "Jeff, I feel sick again". He ran and got an emesis bag just in time and even stroked my hair and squeezed my shoulder while I threw up (again).

Jeff started Neo-Synepherine in my IV bag since epinepherine had only temporarily raised the blood pressure and I kept dropping back down. Due to the Neo drip, I was unable to recover over on OB as they wanted me close to Jeff and the OR in case Neo wasn't successful. Dr Hartung kept apologizing that I wasn't able to go be with Cameron, but to tell you the truth--I didn't honestly care that I had a new baby at this point. I couldn't focus on anything except feeling so rotten.

In PACU, a very nice nurse (Ev) stayed with me and talked to me about her kids (grown now). The Bair hugger was put on me (ahh, so warm and nice!) and compression boots (which I coudl only feel in my left leg, due to the spinal). I got the anesthesia shakes but slowly started feeling better. Gradually, my blood pressure started to rise, so Jeff decided we could stop the Neo. When my blood pressure was at least 100/50's for a good 20 minutes, he decided I could go down to OB. I remember the Neo was stopped at 8:10 and I was 'good to go' at 8:40, but I don't know how long I was in PACU all together.

---------------------------

I was wheeled down to OB and into my room (Room #130) where my first look into the room showed me David holding Cameron and trying to comfort her as she was rooting around on his arm. The doc for her hospital stay had already examined her and the nurses had already done her admission assessment (one thing I was a bit sad about missing out on). They situated my bed, locked it in place, and handed Cameron to me. I think I was still a little out of it or overwhelmed or something, because Annette had to tell me "lets try nursing now". RIGHT!

Cam latched right on and nursed for a full hour. No problems there! After she was done, she wanted to suck more, so literally, we gave her a pacifier within minutes of her first nursing. She loves that paci, once she gets used to it being in her mouth instead of milk.

The spinal started wearing off, but as it did, I started having problems with the intrathecal. They put narcotic pain medicaiton into the intrathecal for longer-term pain relief, and apparently, some people have slight itching for a couple of hours. Mostly, it's in the face. Annette warned me of it, hoping it wouldn't happen to me (or the power of suggestion wouldn't make me think I was itching!) and about 15 minutes later, I started having random itching spots across my body.

I mentioned it to Jenn, my nurse and told her I wasn't sure if it was the intrathecal or just my body not feeling right still. 5 minutes later, when I started itching more and more, I rang for Jenn and asked if I could have Benadryl.

The rest of the day is kind of a blur to me--I know Andrea visited around lunchtime and brought me Pei Wei (hooray!) and the kids and Grandpa and Grandma came up after school was done. We also had some evening visitors and our friend Katie came to visit as well. But the itching was SO BAD that I couldn't really focus on very much. I think I was also feeling out of it because of the blood loss. I was on an IV with pit for a majority of the day and at the very least, an IV overnight. I'm not really sure. I kept asking for my catheter to be removed also, which I wasn't allowed until the next day.

Much of what I remember of Friday afternoon and evening is just the INTENSE itching. I felt like I needed to rip my skin off (violently) and jump out of bed and run away. I honestly felt like I was going crazy and that I couldn't control my thoughts or my itching or anything. The nurse (Jenn) sensing my anxiety and severe itching, called anesthesia. I had already had Benadryl, and Nubain (which didn't help the itching but did help me take a nap)...the CRNA on call came and talked with me. My only other option was Narcan, to reverse the narcotics that I had been given. She explained that with enough Narcan, the narcotics would leave my system and hopefully then, the itching would stop (if it was caused by narcotics), but the bad news was if I had pain, there would be a 45 minute-or-so period before any pain relievers would be effective.

I immediately chose Narcan. I honestly think I would have chosen no pain meds for the remainder of the hospital stay, if it meant I wasn't itching uncontrollably!!

I was given at least 6 doses of Narcan before I felt significant relief. And Toradol was given to me for pain control, which, since it's not a narcotic, worked with Narcan. Pain was minimal, and by morning on Saturday, all itching was gone. Whew. Even when I went to sleep at 11 p.m. I asked for more Benadryl for itching. I had at least 12 hours of intense, all body itching and I don't care to EVER repeat that again.

David's mom even went to our house at 9 pm to get sheets washed in our own detergent and I put my own clothes on, after I discovered that while walking in the halls, I felt okay, but once I layed down or sat in bed, the itching started fresh. It seemed anything touching my body would make the itching flare up. Even though the sheets weren't the CAUSE of the itching, they definitely did not help me feel better. The sheets from home were such a blessing!

The CRNA and nurses have told me to list morphine as a medical allergy in the future.

Gladly!

------------------

The rest of my hospital stay is fairly unremarkable. I was up and walking the evening of the 28th, even if only a short distance (to the nursery and back). My doctor had no restrictions on eating post surgery, so I was able to order breakfast within 3 hours of her birth! Raisin toast has never tasted so good :)

We were discharged on Monday, October 31st and David took us to Target for prescriptions, and Green Mill for food. YUM. I am a big fan of food, especially when it's not hospital food :)

We have blessed friends and family who have taken the girlies every weekday while David is at work, so all I have to concentrate on is Cameron, and healing.

Recovering from cesarean birth is SO MUCH DIFFERENT than from vaginal birth. First, I still have to move pretty slowly. I can feel the incision and know when I'm doing too much because it starts hurting and burning. My stomach is still shrinking like it did after vaginal birth, but the area above my incision is puffy and strange. Not at all what I expected. The incision itself seems to be healing--no redness, discharge, warmth.

But it's hard to not bounce back into normal life, like I seemed to have done with the other kiddos. My goal today is to empty and reload the dishwasher AND if I'm really feeling well I will fold all the laundry that was washed all week. Small steps, but as my sister and friends have reminded me--I need to have small steps in order to heal! And believe me--my body tells me if I'm doing too much.

The only bonus to this c-section business is that there has been FAR less bleeding than with any vaginal birth! I was somewhat anticipating this because I have always had bleeding problems with my placentas, but, it is far less than I was even hoping!

Also, I am grateful I didn't have a long hard labor and THEN go to c-section after that! That seems like "double work". While I was comfortable before delivery, the recovery has been far longer than I'd like (and I'm only a week out!) I'd much rather have 12 or 24 hours of hard work and pain and a quick easy painless recovery (for the most part) versus no hard work, surgery, and then at least 2 weeks of slow recovery.

These are just my thoughts on c-section vs vaginal delivery. I can't fathom why someone who is perfectly fine for a vaginal delivery would request a c-section instead (i.e. elective c-section).

On the Cameron Cate front--she is doing well. She eats every 2-3 hours during the day, and at night she'll wake up once around 1 or 2 a.m. and sleep the rest of the night through til around 5 or 6 a.m.--as long as she's tucked in bed with me. I'll take it--I love baby snuggles and am trying to drink in every moment of her newborn stage, knowing she's our last baby.

She was born at 8 lbs 1 oz, discharged at 7 lbs 9 oz, and yesterday (one day shy of a week) is up to 7 lbs 13 oz. I LOVE spending my days with her--and think that after next week, I am going to miss our quiet days as the other girls are back with us.

This (LONG) update has taken me two hours to write, with nursing breaks! I sure hope it doesn't take you this long to read :)

Belly flop

2011-08-21T20:02:00.002-06:00

Anyone remember this post? Well, this baby girl seems to be head down at this stage in the game, but, my belly is just as lopsided. Belly button a good finger-width off center (to the right), and lots of extra body parts (hers) squished on the left.

Liz the midwife thinks she's head down with her bum and body mostly on the left side of my body. Which would be why I can see knees and elbows and hands and toes push against the right side of my belly between the hours of 8-9 am, 2-3 pm, and 8-11 p.m. Her most active times of the day are of course, when I'd like to be most resting :)

Ah, baby girl--these next 10 weeks seem to stretch out far far away, but I know you will be here before we know it!

Mothers Day 2010

2011-05-23T08:09:00.002-06:00

If April 30, 2010 was the worst day of my life, Mothers Day 2010 was the second-worst.

First, let me start by explaining. David stayed behind in Laramie for a week, while I transported the children and our suitcases to Minnesota. David came a week later with the Fearsome Five with all of our belongings.

My mother-in-law and I drove from Wyoming to Minnesota, over a period of 6 days (I think). We spent 4-5 days in Gillette, and I soaked up time with my parents while Lois visited with a good friend from back in her Gillette days. Then we drove across South Dakota (let me remind you: BORING!!) and stayed one night in Sioux Falls.

The drive the next day from Sioux Falls to "Grandpa's house" was actually pretty exciting. It meant the end of doling out fruit snacks, finding dropped sippy cups, the end of McDonalds (HOORAY), listening to DVDs (but not actually seeing them), and stopping to feed sleeping Libby whether she wanted to eat or not (I needed her to!)

Plus, the land was turning from brown to green that leg of the trip and the LILACS were everywhere. It was beautiful. The drive into the Twin Cities was exciting because it was new, vibrant, and like we were on summer vacation. We got to Grandpa Gary's, where he was waiting for us (and I am sure, his wife) and we spent a couple of nights there until the kids and I transferred to my sister-in-law's house for the duration until we found a home to buy.

Meanwhile, David, working hard in a borrowed home office in Laramie, worked--and then his super special buddies (Sean, Sam, Tom, Ben) took time off work and as soon as work was done, drove all night and all day to bring our belongings in a borrowed horse trailer (Thanks again Kyle and Stacy!!). Might I add they drove in pouring rain across I-80 to avoid the snowstorms on I-90. Might I mention they lost an entire wheel (not just the tire) somewhere along the road and didn't even notice until much further along. Might I add that they are 5 guys, in a 5-seater truck (Thanks Ben!) with wayyy to many bodily functions and snacks to fuel the process. Those guys really love us to do that--and I am actually a little amazed they still love each other after that truck ride :)

They arrived with our belongings--some of them soaked from the downpour for the last 12 hours (the belongings, not the guys--that didn't happen until we unloaded into a storage unit) and exhausted. They worked hard, took showers at Kurt and Andrea's house, and crashed. On bunk beds, couches, floors, and one real bed (lucky them!).

After some naps, we went to John Piper's church for a Saturday evening worship service. To hear Tom and the others singing praise was one sweet last treat that I got to experience--it was a gift from Laramie that came to visit before it had to leave. (I'm crying pretty hard right now for anyone interested). Unless you've stood near Tom in a worship service, it won't mean as much to you--but it meant a TON to me. I very vividly hear his voice in that service, still. (Piper wasn't preaching, by the way) :)

Then, David and I took them to an awesome restaurant where portions are big and homestyle service is even bigger--seriously Debbie, every time we drive past there, David says "it's the Watson restaurant!" because it reminds him of your mom's cooking and love. We stayed way later than the kids needed to be up but we wanted to squeeze every second out of the short time we had with those great guys.

They crashed again at Kurt and Andreas and got up very very early on Mother's Day Sunday to go back home with an empty trailer and one empty seat in the truck. I don't know when I cried harder, to be honest--when I had to leave Debbie and her children, or when each of those precious men hugged David and I like they wouldn't ever let go. (I'm sobbing now, FYI). Andrea packed them hot coffee (except for the one who wanted OJ instead), hot breakfast sandwiches, and oranges. And gentlemen--may I remind you that the wife unpacking the cooler after the trip reported to me that there were still 4 oranges unconsumed when you arrived back at home, but a majority of the candy and snacks where gone??? :)

They drove away as the sun was rising, taking a big part of our hearts with them. At least MY member of the Fearsome Five stayed with me.

Mother's Day was kind of a bust after that. We went to church (not even sure which one we attended that day) and tried to go to a restaurant for lunch--without reservations--which is apparently impossible to do here on Mother's Day! We did find a place, but our hearts just weren't in the "celebrating mood". I am sure we took some joy out of the Cegielksi's Mother's Day (we had a big breakfast with them) due to our sadness.

So there you have it-why April 30, 2010 and Mother's Day 2010 were such awful days. But I've come to realize--they wouldn't have been so awful if all the other days and the friendships and experiences and people that made up the days BEFORE that weren't so blessed and sweet. God is good to allow us such joy and friendship, even if the sorrow is so very painful when it has to separate.

Aren't you all glad I decided to blog again!? :) These are the only two sad ones I have, I think--so you should be safe for the next few blog posts. I'll try to be funny again, once I wipe away the tears coming from memories of Laramie. We miss you all so very much...

April 30, 2010--The Worst Day of My Life

2011-05-23T07:36:00.003-06:00

Spring of 2010 was a very chaotic and tumultuous time in my life. We had prepared ourselves mentally for a move from all we knew, to something new--from Wyoming to Minnesota. Being third-trimester pregnant, working two days a week, caring for two toddlers, packing a house, trying to find a place to live in Minnesota...it was very hard. Very very hard.

Emotionally, it was even harder. There was no way to prepare myself for the shock and emptiness of leaving our very best friends.

March 12th and 13th were some of the best days of my life--the birth of Libby. Call me crazy but I really love labor and delivery (but am not looking forward to it as much this time--another blog post to follow as to why). Having sweet Libby join our family was awesome, her delivery was easy peasy and quick (in retrospect) and a two night stay in the hospital with JUST Libby and myself and room service bringing me food--pretty swell (even if I did get bumped from room to room and put on the old-folks floor, honest).

Once we were home, Libby's arrival took on a different meaning. We knew we weren't moving until after Libby was born. Now, Libby was here, and we had to get the house packed up, cleaned up, and moved.

We closed on our house April 30, 2010. That is not why the day was the worst day of my life--I loved that house (still have great memories of it and think I would be sad to see the changes the new owners have made, if that makes sense) but it was just a house. We sold it to some people buying their first house, which was fun--and there weren't any negotiation or inspection problems that we had to deal with.

My mother-in-law came a day or two before closing, so that she could help me after closing. David and I left the MIL at our dear friend Sean and Debbie's house with Ryan and Brooklyn. We stayed at Debbie's the night before closing (as our trailer was already all loaded up) and Ryan and Brooklyn stayed with their best friends for one sweet last playdate.

As soon as closing was done, back to Debbie's we went. I had to collect my children from their very best friends. I had to take myself away from my very best friend. I had to pretend to be strong for my kids and mother-in-law so they wouldn't know that I was breaking up inside (not to mention I was only 6 weeks post-partum and an emotional wreck anyway). The goodbyes lasted for way longer than they usually do...Debbie and I were both wrecks, crying really hard and I could hardly even talk.

We consoled the kids with movies in the DVD player and promise of Burger King in Wheatland for lunch, I fed Libby one last time before we started the long drive, and off we went. Good thing my van was used to that drive up to Sybille Canyon, because my eyes were full of tears (or dripping tears) for that first 10 miles until the turnoff. Bless my mother in law--she didn't try to console me, tell me she knew I how I felt, or try to fill the solemn silence. She was a perfect travel companion, especially for those first 10 miles.

Watching Laramie disappear in the rear-view mirror was the second-worst feeling in the world (the first being driving away from Fetterman St). It wasn't just a trip up to Gillette or over to Cheyenne or down to Ft Collins...every other time we had left Laramie, we knew we would be returning Home. This time when we left Laramie, when we we returned, we would be returning as visitors. Our claim in Laramie was being left there.

The first few weeks and months were really hard. Even though we met new people and found a church and found a home and a neighborhood and preschool and grocery store and doctor's office...it's hard not to compare. Especially in that first hard period of time. Especially when your baby is only 7 weeks old when you arrive in your temporary basement home. Especially when you are so lonely for friendship and companionship and familiarity.

It became easier to not think about "back in Laramie" because it hurt too much to think about it. Truly, I have not ever experienced that level of heart pain before. Even now, more than a year later, I still cry for Laramie every now and again. I still miss Debbie and Stephannie and Jo and Wiesje and Megan and Jaime with a painful ache. Any connection to Laramie makes me excited and wistful all at the same time. Things we used to do with friends in Laramie but now do by ourselves--watching a certain show or trips to the children's dentist or shopping for kids clothes or garage sale shopping--get done, but make me reminisce.

April 30, 2010, was the worst day of my life. I am content where we are and know that this what God has for us in this season of our lives. I am doing my best to raise our children as God wants us to and make the choices for our family that are the right choices. We have made friends, but distance and busy-ness separates us from the close easy companionship we shared in Laramie. We don't have 5 or 6 friends within 3 blocks of us and last-minute dinner invites usually don't work.

Our Pastor in Laramie told us that when we left Laramie, not to look for the same church because it just doesn't exist. I think Laramie (and everything that it stands for, and exists within Laramie, and everything we treasured in Laramie) doesn't exist anywhere else either.

We are fine. I think the depression has waned now that the sun has come out for the spring. We do have friends here that love us and pray for us. But April 30, 2010 was the worst day of my life and one that I know I will always remember because of how many GOOD days of my life preceded that date. I don't think it's healthy to dwell on the negative and sad, but April 30, 2010 was on my mind as April 30, 2011 approached. It came and went without incident and probably David was the only one who realized the significance to me.

Minnesota--you are lovely. Thank you for all the bugs (not really) but really, thank you for being green and having water all over the place. But Laramie--you're my first love and I really miss you.

Cheater's way out

2011-05-22T13:42:00.002-06:00

I have been reminded multiple times recently that it has been way too long since I have blogged. I still don't really have the time to sit and blog and make it coherent and something people could actually READ. But I have often thought of things I want to blog about. So here's a quick rundown of the blog titles I have thought of in the past few weeks...it's as far as I have gotten.

Think of it as a run of Facebook statuses.

* April 30, 2010--the worst day of my life

* My middle child is still the most busy child I have. How does she get an un-removable tick bite and a trip to the ER for a swallowed penny all the span of two weeks??

* I hope people come visit us at the hospital after our baby is born, but I'm not sure if people do that in Minnesota like they do in Laramie.

* Ryan's preschool graduation and the sudden reality that I have a school-aged-child and the panic that my children are growing up too quickly

* Is it wrong for a stay-at-home-mom (mostly) to want to hire a housekeeper??

It has taken me about 36 hours just to compose this measly bit. Evidence as to why I have not had time to make an actual blog post. Sorry, adoring fans (actually I think there's just one of you out there reading this anymore! The rest have given up....)

Busy week!

2011-02-17T06:27:00.003-07:00

For some reason (unknown to me), Ryan doesn't have preschool this entire week. A few weeks back, I realized this was my last year for "adventures" with the kids, whenever I planned it, with no regards to scheduling; a true stay-at-home-mom who can avoid the weekend crowds and "no school day" kids at the popular attractions for my kids. And when I say I "realized" this, I actually "panicked" over the fact that next year, any adventures will have to be over by 3:00, won't include Ryan, or will have to be on non-school days when everyone in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area is also at whatever attraction we choose. (And I'm not a crowd person)

So, when I discovered Ryan didn't have school this week, I jumped at the chance to fill the week with adventures!!

Monday, we made valentines, and surprised Daddy at work with some small gifts and took him to lunch. We also went shopping for Libby's 1st birthday cake pan--left with no success but found cute butterfly sprinkles to use on the cupcakes at her party, and found a great little cookie decorating kit, clearance priced, that we will do when we have downtime this week.

Tuesday's plans were a bit stunted due to the fact that I left my purse in David's car, and needed it for our adventure! He met us at 11:00, and we then went to the carwash (pretty exciting for kids, actually!) We then went to the library, where Ryan got his very first library card. He checked out some books for his sister and himself, and also checked out some Minnesota Zoo passes to use later in the week. That afternoon after nap, we went to a DIFFERENT library, checked out more books and two DVDs, and zoo passes on my library card, so we could go with friends and nobody have to pay the (high!) entrance fees.

I also got to get out for a few hours and chat over pie with a friend. I also went grocery shopping afterwards, with NO KIDS. How different!! Though I don't think I'll choose to go back to Super Walmart at 10:00 p.m. anymore--I couldn't believe how many people were bringing (tired-looking!) children into the store and just wandering around the store. Didn't seem to be any purpose of having the children out--like getting medicine--they were just wandering around the store, pushing 1 and 2 and 4 year olds around who definitely could be using some good sleep. I digress.

Wednesday was zoo day!! After last-minute diaper changes and making sure we had enough snacks for the day, we met our friends Katie, Adam, and Isaiah at the Minnesota Zoo. It started off chilly (35!) but we went to the indoor exhibits first. It happened to be High School Spanish day and seemed every high school in the metro area was at the zoo. We couldn't even view the Tropics Trail because of the crowds!! After watching shark feedings and seeing some dolphins and hunting birds, we went to the outdoor exhibits. It had warmed up pleasantly and there were NO crowds. The only downside was that Brooklyn was SO PAST READY for a nap, so we left around 1:30 and the girls slept in the car.

Today, I am blessed to be able to watch a little peanut baby while his mama and daddy have work commitments. Ryan and Brooklyn are excited to go with their grandma to an indoor playground--the Giggle Factory. Tonight is our Bible study's "girls night" and we are going to visit a Bingo Hall! Nothing but excitement here :) I am actually pretty excited and plan to win the BIG POT. I'll buy everyone ice cream if I do :) Maybe even save up for a trip to the Caribbean next year, if I win :)

Tomorrow we will use our membership and go to the Children's museum. The kids love that place and even if nobody ends up coming with us, it's a place I can manage three children OKAY without another adult to help me supervise the runners :)
**on that note, Libby has started scooting! Check out the previous post for a video of Libby! **

Saturday we are going to Babies-R-Us to buy Libby's "next step" car seat--I can't believe she will be ONE YEAR OLD in just a few weeks. Breaks my heart a little, not gonna lie. I love the baby stage, but David much prefers the "I-can-communicate-with-you" stage. :)

After Babies-R-Us, we'll be going to our friend Isaiah's 2nd birthday party, and shortly after that we are bringing the kiddos to their Aunt and Uncle's for a sleepover while David and I meet up with some friends for a couple's date night. (Libby will come home with us when the date is done, as she's not quite ready for sleepovers yet...) :)

David leaves for Chicago Sunday evening and returns late Friday. I haven't been a "single mom" in about a year, so this is going to be interesting! My goal is to not be a "yelling mom" but one who is quick to listen and slow to speak, slow to become upset; to not eat out ONCE while David is gone (we'll see), and to have the house clean, organized, and welcoming for his return!! We'll see how I do :)

I will upload pictures to Facebook here soon, so if you don't use facebook but would like to see them anyway (or aren't family that we send the pictures to on Shutterfly) please let me know and I'll post the best here on the blog. Until then...!

Libby moves!

2011-02-15T17:35:00.000-07:00

It's a start, anyway...

First, Second, Third

2010-12-14T12:20:00.003-07:00

With our first baby, Ryan's car seat handle was ALWAYS DOWN in the car, even if we weren't moving. I would almost hyperventilate if it was left up for a millisecond after the car seat was latched into the car.

With our second baby, Brooklyn's car seat handle was down most of the time--after all, the books say it's safer, so unless she was really playing with the handle, the handle was down and out of the way of a car crash.

Libby's car seat handle usually stays up. Hey, she likes to grab onto it, it has some jingly toys on it, and really, it's just easier!

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With our first baby, Ryan would sniffle in the night and I'd run into his room to see what was wrong.

With our second baby, Brooklyn would have to have a pretty noticeable cough for me to wake up and stay by her side for a few minutes.

Libby will kick her crib, rattle some toys, babble herself awake and asleep, and I'll send Ryan in to make sure she's okay.

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We were so anxious to try baby food with Ryan. Cereal the day he turned 4 months old, baby food before 6 months old (I called his pediatrician to see if I could!! Yes, I was that mother. He lived). We would cautiously explore all the food options available to him with gusto.

Brooklyn started foods later than Ryan, by a few weeks at least. I wasn't in a big hurry to get her used to "big people" food, but she did enjoy it. I made sure MOST of it was healthy.

Libby, poor baby, gets mostly breasfted still, because at mealtime, even though she's in her high chair, she will get some Puffs or Cheerios while I am stopping food fights between the older two, slicing a roast beef, dishing up potatoes for the family, pouring drinks, and wiping up spills. (Actually, not really). Her doctor encouraged me to let her start feeding herself table food if I am just too busy to spoon feed her baby food, as she should be having three meals a day. Whoops!!

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Ryan's naps were sacred times. If the UPS man came between 10-12, or 1-3, I would get angry! There was no way I would schedule a doctor's appointment during NAPTIME, and I would turn my cell phone to vibrate so it wouldn't wake him.

With our second baby, I trained her to sleep at the same time as Ryan so that I could have a peaceful couple of hours to myself. Anytime else she slept was a bonus (and rare).

Our third child takes her first morning nap either in the car, or the grocery cart covered by a blanket. Her second nap I make her fight and wait to take with the older two (I still need that peace and quiet!) and her third nap may or may not happen in a carseat in the vehicle as well. She takes it how she can get it.

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With our first child, I very carefully documented the milestones. First tooth, first ear infection, first time sleeping through the night, first sentence, first trip, etc.

With our second child, I tried to get things recorded within a week or two of them happening.

Libby's baby calendar is blank for her second, third, and fourth months of life. Just sayin'.

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Life certainly changes with your first child, to your second child, to the third child!! Good thing I haven't forgotten one of them at the grocery store or left one of them at home (anyone seen Home Alone recently?!). I do know of a friend who was forgotten at church for an entire afternoon...and he lived to tell the story, so even if I do leave one of them behind, it won't scar them for life. Right? RIGHT?!?

The first Winegar family Christmas singalong

2010-12-06T07:17:00.001-07:00

Clean thoughts

2010-11-03T14:30:00.001-06:00

As opposed to dirty? :)

No, I was actually just able to clean my kitchen--well.

Without just shoving piles into different piles and sweeping in a hurry. I got out my plastic gloves (yes, I am that person), my lysol wipes, attacked the countertops, and am in the midst of sweeping when I decided I should record the plethora of thougts going on in my head while it's quiet, and I have the ability to write a blog post.

The gloves, because I can't stand my hands after lysol wipes. Now, clorox on a washcloth, no gloves needed, for I actually enjoy the smell of Clorox. Might explain a few things.

But we can't use clorox, generally, here. We have a septic system and if clorox goes down the drain, happy little bacteria eating our sludge will die and our septic system will fail. Bad (and smelly) news.

So, anyway, my thoughts. First, in outline form, so I can continue cleaning in between bursts of writing (plus, if a kiddo wakes up, I can always come back, right??)* Preschool cliques
* Black stovetop
* New computer
* Christmas shopping
* Robots/DVD player

Yup, and as Murphy's law dictates--just as I am getting into this-- two children are awake from naps--one happily, one not-so-much and screaming. Will resume post at later time.

Crisis averted, older child now playing Mario Kart Wii, and middle back to sleep.

Floor swept and mopped, I feel I can type now!

So, Ryan goes to preschool three mornings a week from 8:20-10:50. First of all, it is hard getting three children dressed and fed and in the car on our way to school on time. Today was the first day we left before my 15-minute-reminder alarm goes off on my phone (it takes about 14 minutes to leave our driveway and get to school parking and in the door). We haven't ever been late (which is my absolute stress creator--being late) but I've been grouchy trying NOT to be late. It's hard!! It starts with prodding them out of bed, prodding them into clothing, prodding them to eat more quickly, prodding them to get shoes on more quickly...etc etc etc! Last week there was no school and it was a nice vacation break!! I can't imagine what it will be like next year with Ryan going to kindergarten 5 days a week and Brooklyn to preschool a few mornings a week. QUIET, when it's just Libby and I, but even more responsibility getting to school! Thankfully, we are just down the block from the bus stop and I can watch Ryan walk there--preschool is of course, not bussed.
ANYWAY I was going to type about preschool cliques. On the very first day of preschool two little loud girls hit it off and became best friends (Ivy and I forget the other girl's name). They let the whole class know about it, too. Ryan didn't (and doesn't) really care, thankfully, but Miss Connie picks different partners each week for the kids to buddy up with for their walks to and from the playground, library, etc. It's great--teaching them to make friends with everyone. But Ivy will cry and pout and not participate if she can't be ____'s partner (I wish I could remember her name). It's annoying, but I'm not at school to deal with it so I don't REALLY care. But Ivy's dad and ___'s mom are just as clique-y! They have set up playdates (no big deal, that's fine) and talk to each others' kids--but they don't talk to any other parent besides each other. Ivy's dad is strange, too. He must stay at home (with the hours of preschool) and he often talks about just sipping coffee at the cafe during preschool. He wears his hair in a ponytail and wears converse shoes and a hoody sweatshirt every day. I think he probably listens to NPR (so do I :o) ) He also probably makes his own granola (I do not) or buys only at organic stores (again, I don't).
It's all fine and well, but today, we signed up for parent/teacher conferences. He signed up Ivy's conference and then called ____'s mom and said "Can you do xx:xx slot? That's right after us. Great. I am so glad we can be back to back"WHY? I just don't get it. Anyway, since it doesn't bother my son, I should probably let it go too. In fact, even typing it out makes it seem silly. Sorry for wasting precious time for you to read this!! I think I just don't like feeling left out--this happened back in Laramie too when other kids would hit it off so their moms would naturally become close friends and then exclude other moms/kids (not intentionally). It was sad.I am a weenie and need to get over all of it. Next bullet point!!

I have a new black stovetop on my 5-burner/2 oven range...I love the unit itself, except you can really see crumbs (and salt and dust) on the stovetop! Makes me clean it more often. Nothing wrong with that...just...an observation.

Speaking of new, my lovely husband bought me a new computer yesterday as the one I used to use was fading. Scary fading. Losing information fading. This new one is also black (theme?? No. cheap :) I wanted pink but, alas...) It's fun but needs some getting-used-to-time.

Speaking of shopping...I love Christmas shopping. I am more than halfway done! It helps to have a plethora of stores available at my 10-minute-beck-and-call...but I also feel as though Christmas should be here within 2-3 weeks, not 7-8!!

We got a dual-screen DVD player like the Ennists, for our car trip to Chicago this weekend. It's nice, and we set it up to test it out--and haven't taken it down, as we are leaving in two days. But...you can tell we drive much more around these parts to get places, because I have listened to the movie "Robots" about 6 times and "Toy Story 3" twice (already! It just came out yesterday!!). I have the theme music from "Robots" stuck in my head now. (Which is better than Sid the Science Kid intro music. That was stuck there this morning).Anyway. I have other things I want to do before naptime concludes, so, here's my long post about, really, nothing...if you are looking for pictures, please refer to Facebook or Shutterfly!!

Sisters much?

2010-10-17T14:03:00.003-06:00

Thoughts on the day Libby turns 6 months old

2010-09-13T20:24:00.003-06:00

6 months old. Literally, where did the time go? At her well visit today the doctor told me Libby should be sitting supported now and asked if she does that. I can honestly say I haven't given her the chance. I'm letting her be my baby. Actually, I'm MAKING her STAY my baby. I am frantically holding onto the time I have when she is still so tiny. I am probably holding my baby back and stunting her development and she will need therapy as an adult to talk about how her mother screwed her up for life because she couldn't let her daughter be developmentally appropriate for fear time would slip too quickly from her hands.

It is also very hard for me to believe we have been in Minnesota for over 4 months. Sometimes it feels like an extended vacation and we'll go back to Laramie any day now and be back "home". How can there be "home" in two places? We are home here in Lakeland. But everything is still "back home." Our church, our friends, so much of the investment we put into life. But we have a home church here, new friends with deepening relationships, and strengthening family ties that because of previous distance weren't as feasible. Sometimes I am afraid to talk about the "first home" because I think my new Minnesota friends won't want to be our friends anymore if all we refer to is "back home". They'll feel left out or that we don't care enough about "new home" to plant roots and grow out here. But my heart is still sick for home, some days. Wherever home is.

Yesterday was another cry-for-homesick-heartsick-Laramie day. It usually hits at church when I think about worshipping with LVC'ers or teaching my precious two year old Sunday school class with my dearly missed Debbie and Erin. It's 100% my fault, but I often feel so isolated from what "was". "Before the Move". I feel as though if I write my besties back home that it's somehow a bother and they've moved on with life, so what would we talk about anyway? But sometimes, I am so desperate for Laramie. For instance, one of the deacons from our church came through a few weeks ago. I actually don't think I had ever even spoken to this guy before we moved--ever--but so desparate for a taste of Laramie, we took him out to dinner. We plauged him with questions about his girls, about church, about Pastor and his family, about UW--anything Laramie. It was sweet fellowship with a drink from Laramie for this thirsty one missing "first home".

I even sat in on David's fantasy football phone conference when they were picking their teams just to hear Ben and Sam's voices. I cried when I heard Sam laugh. It was absolutely taken for granted the million times I heard it before. Such sweet fellowship we had with such dear friends.

We had a long-standing date with one of our couples-friends watching the Amazing Race. The new season starts September 26th...it's going to feel empty without the great food and friendship we shared on those nights with our friends.

We do go back to Laramie in just over two weeks. I am excited and terrified all at the same time. It's not going to be the same...I just hope it's the same "enough" that we ARE back home. But people will have changed. People have had babies, people have gotten pregnant, people have started school and moved away and moved to town and there will be new people at church that I don't know. "My" two year olds from Sunday school probably won't remember me. It will be the same and yet SO very different. People dared to live even after the Winegars left Laramie, and life happened and changed for everyone in the last 4 months.

Ryan didn't remember his friend Jeremiah when he saw a picture of him last week. I cried when he told me "No, Mama, I really don't know who that is!! Who is it?!" Jeremiah moved away last winter and we moved too, last summer. Less than one year and Ryan doesn't even remember his first REAL buddy. Who will he forget next? Who will WE forget next? I know we have to move along and make room in our hearts and lives for new friends and not mourn over what was in the past...but I wish friendships could always be where you left off when you rejoin them in person again.

I have a friend who blogs, here in MN. She's witty and funny and I love being around her in person too. But her blog makes me laugh out loud most of the time. Sometimes I feel like a secretly-observing, shy teenanger...hoping she'll sign my yearbook and pick me for her dodgeball team or write a note for my locker. I want to invite her to my birthday party and if she says she'll come, be seceretly thrilled inside that SHE is coming to my party, but act on the outside like it's cool. It's nothing. Whatever, you know.

I wish my blog posts could be witty and funny and a brief but poignant snapshot of life like hers. Instead (if I even blog), they're updates about what we are doing, how big the kids are, and...if we're lucky, something a bit less mudane. Unfortunately for you, it's not usually the lucky.

For what it's worth, Libby had her 6 month well visit today and Brooklyn has surgery coming up on Wednesday and Ryan starts preschool tomorrow. I'll be boring in a typical blog post later, have no fear.

I have lots of thoughts flowing through my head, but never know what's blog-worthy or if any of it is worth mentioning anywhere! And often when I think I'm witty or blog-worthy, I am also juggling teaching a 4 year old spelling, playing baby dolls with a two year old, and nursing a baby who will likely never learn to sit up, all while taking out the trash, cooking dinner and making sure laundry is being folded.

But, maybe, just maybe, the blog friend from MN will read this post and sign my yearbook even if she doesn't REALLY think I'm as cool as her other friends. Or not. It's cool. Whatever, you know.

A libby video for you!

2010-08-06T15:10:00.001-06:00

For a true comparison...

2010-07-28T17:22:00.001-06:00

I wish I had measured the circumference of Brooklyn's thighs to compare to Libby's thighs...these girls have really taken on the definition of "THUNDER THIGHS" as babies. :)

2 year old weight comparisons

2010-07-28T17:14:00.001-06:00

Brooklyn: 25 lbs 4 oz weight (50th percentile), 33 1/2 inches tall (50th percentile) and 19 1/4 inch head (90th percentile!)

Ryan: 25 lbs even, 33 inches tall (no head measurement)

Pretty similar!

4 month weight comparisons

2010-07-28T17:11:00.003-06:00

Libby at 4 months: 13 lbs, 12 oz (50th percentile); 23 inches in length (barely 10th percentile), head was 16 1/8 inch (50th percentile)

Brooklyn at 4 months: 13 lbz 10 1/2 oz, 24 1/4 inches in length, 16 1/2 inches for the head

Ryan at 4 months: 12 lbs 2 oz, 24 1/2 inches long, 17 inch head

Kristen at 4 months: 12 lbs 6 oz, 23 5/8" in length

SO--Ryan is the runt for weight at 4 months old, and suprisingly Libby weighs the most! (Not by a lot), but she is also the shortest!!

June and July pictures--there are lots. Sorry!

2010-07-15T13:38:00.007-06:00

Darn it, some of these are in reverse order, again! I will do my best to narrate.

On June 20th we went to the Mall of America--Nickelodeon Universe for Ryan's birthday. He got in free and Brooke and his cousin Evelyn were able to come, too. Hooray for Mom getting to ride most of the rides with Brooke... :)

Grandpa and Grandma Winegar came too and it was a HUGE blessing as they were extra hands for Libby!!

How perfect, since we had a Toy Story party, that LegoLand made a Woody out of legos!

Evelyn was SO EXCITED to meet Sharky. After we were done at Nick Universe, Grandma treated the kiddos and David and I to Underwater Adventure aquarium (Grandpa sat on a bench with sleeping Libby the WHOLE TIME we were gone--about 90 minutes, I think).

The Diego Bus. David does look a little frightened, but it wasn't TOO scary. I don't know what's with the expression on my face, though.

This summer Nick stars are doing meet-n-greets. In addition to Dora, we also met Ming Ming from the Wonder Pets, and Spongebob and Patrick (woo hoo. NOT.) but the camera ran out of battery before pictures with those guys.

David and Libby Loo.

The day before, Saturday June 19th, we had Ryan's party. This is the three kid attendees eating pizza.

Here are the adult attendees of the party (minus myself)--Gary, Andrea, David, and Lois.

The balloon bouquet that lasted about 5 hours this time. The latex balloons became kick/punchballs, and the next morning Ryan released the Toy Story balloon into the sky so it could be "free" (Thanks, Pixar and "Up!" the movie...)

Ryan and his birthday cake that took me 4 hours after bedtime one night to decorate.

Before the cake and pizza party (I know, you think I'd learn how to upload pics!) we went to see Toy Story 3 in 3-D on the IMAX at the Minnesota Zoo. This is three cuties waiting in line.

We usually bring the kids' booster seats into theaters so the seat doesn't fold up on them, so they are high enough to see over heads in front of them, and so they have a cup holder.

We went boating with Andrea and Evelyn that day, too, before the movie. We 'parked' on a beach and David and Andrea played in the water with the kids.

Libby at 3 months. I love how squat and stumpy she looks.

Ryan at 4 is so gangly looking. I love it.

He really just wanted to take a picture with Libby. Who ended up accidentally sticking her tongue out at him.

Also in June, Ryan did a 3 week stint of preschool gymnastics. He loved it!

David and Libby and I jetted down to Rock Rapids IA for a wedding--David's college roommate and one of the groomsmen in our wedding got married. We didn't know anyone else there, but it was fun to take a quick little car trip (almost) without kids. Notice Libby's hair clip? Stayed in for the picture and that was about it :)

We went to Perch Lake over Memorial Day weekend with Gary and Lois and they rented a paddle boat for a few hours. Here's David and I on a solo excursion.

Picnic-ing on Perch Lake.

We also visited St Croix Bluffs park that weekend, just the five of us.

And into July now--fast forward! Dining on our new patio with new patio furniture.

Fourth of July!

So if you made it this far--there is a picture post below of 4 month babies, and then three blog entries below THAT. Sorry for not updating for 2 months and then a flood of posts!

promised pictures part 1

2010-07-15T13:29:00.005-06:00

These pictures are of all my kids around 4 months old.

First we have precious little Libby. It's a little blurry as it was taken across the room with zoom on, but I sure love her expression and little hands.

Again, Libby, in the pajamas that her cousin Brecken picked out for her when she was born!

Libby at 4 months next to Mickey.

Ryan's 4 month Mickey picture

And Brooklyn's 4 month Mickey pic

Libby looking precious and chunky and adorable on the countertop in the Bumbo while Mom cooks

Brooklyn getting ready for her first cereal. Cutie.

Ryan the midget ready to eat HIS first cereal at 4 months old. We have no similar picture of Libby--maybe because I'm holding onto her babyhood more than the others--but I don't think she's ready yet. Or else I am not. One or the other.

Ryan in the bouncy seat at 4 months, holding toys. I just caught Libby reaching for toys in her baby einstein gym the other day.

Sleepin' Ryan.

Washington County Sheriff's Office

2010-07-15T12:30:00.002-06:00

So, I am going to rant about my two encounters with the county sheriff's office, and if I am still upset when I am done blogging, I will probably write to the Sheriff himself and let him know how frustrating the service I received was!

Background #1: I have to get two fingerprinting cards done and sent into the South Dakota board of Nursing so I can be a camp nurse Aug 8-14 at Rushmore Music Camp (probably one of my favorite places in the world). I need to get it done ASAP so I can get the license in time to practice nursing at camp!

Anyway, I called on Wednesday to the closest town with a PD (ours doesn't have one) and the very nice woman who answered referred me to the county sheriff's office as they do digital fingerprinting which is way less messy and way cool, too :) I called there and the unfriendly woman who answered said "just come anytime 8:30-4:30 on a weekday. You have to live in our county." (Which I do). Done.

Background #2: My husband is out of the state all this week. Fingerprints have to be done this week or I may not get things to the BON in time for a license.

Yesterday, I drove the 20 minutes to Stillwater, braving a tornado watch and thunderstorms and heat index warning, to complete these cards. I strapped Libby into the Baby Bjorn, the other two kids ran along the sidewalk happy as could be and we entered the building. With officers behind bullet-proof glass. So comforting. I talked on the phone speaker to the officer who told me to take a seat and they'd be with me shortly to get the fingerprints done.

My kids somewhat patiently waited on the seats, for a good 5 minutes before they got antsy. 15 minutes after THAT he said over the speaker that the wait would be a "little longer" as all the sargeants are in a meeting and they are the ones that do them. I asked how MUCH longer and he said he didn't know--maybe an hour? I thanked him and said I'd come back tomorrow (today). He apologized and I said "no worries, it's not your fault!"

Fast forward to today--we went to some garage sales in the town of the sheriff's office first, then Libby fell asleep in the car seat and we were out of garage sales--so we went over to get the fingerprint cards done.

The dude recognized me and told me to have a seat again. This time there were other (scary) people in the waiting room who had just posted bond for a guy convicted of a felony. Or something like that. They were talking about how he couldn't stay with his mom again because she is an adult foster provider and can't have convicted felons in her home or else she'd lose her ability to be a foster provider. GREAT. The four people talked about it, the bondsperson they were with told them it would be an hour til he was actually released, so they all left. Whew. Thankfully my children quietly sat in their seats and played with their toys and did not interact with the scary people.

Then a female officer came out and said "are you the one that needs fingerprints?" When I said yes she said "I don't know what those three little ones are going to do while you do that." I said "They need to come with me" and she just looked at me. She said "I guess they'll have to sit on seats in the office." My hackles started rising and I said "They are well behaved and will sit where I tell them to." "I guess they have to", she replied. So incredibly friendly.

Next she asked if I was a resident of Wa County and I told her where we live; she said "Do you have exact cash?" and I did--as I handed it to her she said "The sign over there says only exact cash." (I gave her exact cash, remember??) Next she needed my driver's license. I gave it to her--my Wyoming one--and she said "This does not say Lakeland. It says Wyoming. I need your Minnesota license." I told her I did not have one, as we just moved to our home two weeks ago. She gave a BIG sigh and said "I don't know if I can put you in the computer then." And waited. For me to produce a magic license, I am guessing...but I had nothing else. Finally she said "You can just TELL me your address, but it would have been better if you had a MN license. You need to take care of those things when you move, you know."

(Thanks for the free advice, Officer.)

She told me she'd be right back and a few minutes later she came back down the hall and said she was ready for me. I told Ryan and Brooklyn to sit, I turned on the Super Why game on my iPhone and went around the divider for the digital fingerprints. Just then, Libby started crying and Ryan said he had to pee. I asked him if he could hold it, and he said "yes" and he went to help Libby.

Then, the nice officer said "Why did you bring your kids? This would go faster without them." I said "I know, but their dad is out of the state this week." She looked at me and said "You could have even come at 4:30 without them." I said "Not with their dad out of the state FOR THE WEEK." She goes "oh. It's still not going to go very fast because of them."

Got it. Now I was really ticked at her. Ryan was helping Libby the best he could but she was crying because she was hungry, and Brooklyn was throwing a mini fit because she wanted the iPhone to "play" the game too. The woman said "You are so calm with your kids by asking them please and telling them thank you and guiding them on what to do. I am amazed at how patient you are--I would be yelling by now".

Thanks, lady.

Then the lady got all frustrated at me because the scans weren't going well and only getting around 75% clear. She did my left hand fingers 9 or 10 times EACH. In the middle of this Ryan says "I can't hold it mommy, I really need to go!" and started hopping around. The lady at this point could have stopped but she said "well honey, your mommy's fingers aren't being very nice to the computer and it will have to wait till she's done."

One scan later he started scream/crying and saying "MOM I AM PEEING IN MY UNDIES! I am SO SORRY! MY PEE!!!" I pulled my hand away from the woman who was STILL trying to scan my finger, and said "This will have to wait. I am taking him potty."

Poor guy. I took him to finish peeing and his shorts and undies were wet (not soaked, but wet) and he was so embarrassed for peeing his undies. When I went back, the officer was trying to get Libby to stop crying by getting right in her face and explaining the fingerprint process and why it was taking so long. Nice.

Ryan calmed down and the lady asked me to move Libby's car seat closer so "she could see Mama and stop crying so much". So compassionate. I gave Libby her silky and paci and Ryan rocked her while Brooke kept doing things to my phone (sorry if she accidentally called you) and the lady was getting fed up enough with my three children that she just started accepting the 60-75% scans and the Right hand she only scanned one time each finger.

As they were printing she asked me how old the kids were and I told her-she goes "Wow, are you going to have more?" I said I wasn't sure and she goes "Well, three is sure a lot. It wouldn't be any question in my mind."

Good thing I don't HAVE her mind. Her mean mind. If those fingerprints weren't required I would have left the second she said "Why did you bring THEM along?"

I know three kids age 4 and under are a handful and if I had my choice I would not have brought them to a sheriff's office while their mom was fingerprinted. I didn't HAVE a choice. And my children would have been better behaved if the woman had been a CARING person who heard my son say he had to go pee. And would have let me rock Libby a little more than just once so she calmed down more.

I am so frustrated at that woman and it has really soured my taste for my county law enforcement agency. I hope I never have to go back there again, all because of that one mean lady. And because she made Ryan pee in his undies and thought we were all a big inconvenience :(

Our visitors

2010-07-15T07:04:00.003-06:00

I mentioned in the last blog that we have lots of birds in our yard. We back up to a nature preserve and I also saw two bunnies yesterday. The neighbor says that deer come to visit too, and we have seen buffalo in the prairie part of the preserve (they have not ventured to the woods and lumbered through the trees and bushes to our home, though) :)

We also have a ton of BUGS. Wyoming has about as many bugs per square mile as it does people per square mile, I think. Minnesota has enough bugs per square inch as India and China have people per mile.

We DID spray the backyard for bugs with the bug repelant that you hook up to the hose and it has helped; we don't get eaten alive and carried away by bugs every time we go outside. But in the last two days I have found teeny tiny ant-looking bugs in my house. IN MY HOUSE. And a few spiders. Ryan and I gladly squish all the bugs we see and I got some ant traps for the house hoping that helps. For some reason I have found them mostly in the bathroom and the living room--both places where food has never been. There aren't any in the kitchen.

And for those of you who know me you know I HATE BUGS. That is an understatement. I have toughened up lately and only made Ryan squish one bug for me instead of making David "take care of the situation".

We also have a MOLE in our yard. The only exposure to moles previously was in Winnie The Pooh, the cute little whistleing mole with the hard hat. I am much less enchanted now. I looked up moles on Wikipedia and they are ugly little sneaky things. David bought some mole killer which I do feel sad about...but the little guy is making molehills (not mountains) :) and you can see his burrowing tracks through our yard. Raised little bumpy parts of the yard that my kids fall over, the lawn mower gets stuck on, and the grass dies. Not a big fan of moles.

There is lots to learn about Minnesota, and the bugs and moles are just one part of it!

Worst blogger EVER

2010-07-14T21:05:00.003-06:00

I think I probably win the award for worst blogger ever. I will make lots of paltry excuses such as we moved, we lived in a basement with a family of five for two months, we moved again, I have been trying to unpack, and I have three children age four and under, and my husband is out of town for the week.

But really, I am usually just too tired at the end of the day to blog! And then I think "It's been so long that any update will take WAY too long, and that's overwhelming".

So tonight, though it may not be a complete update, it's AN update and here we go. I'll post pictures separately as I forget to do it in the post and then it takes me forever to get them where I want them to go.

We moved into our home on June 30th--two weeks ago today. What a glorious feeling! There are lots of wonderful parts of this home--ceiling fan, a dishwasher under the sink, a gorgeous kitchen, a waterfall/pond in the backyard, double car garage, birds (not in the house, in the yard :)), three bathrooms, a toy room...it's all quite wonderful. It is our house and we are settling in and it will become home in time.

We have our first visitors in two weeks--yay! My sister and her family will be out for about a week to visit. I CANNOT WAIT. Two weeks after that, my mom will be out for a 4-5 day visit. HOORAY!!!

We will be back in Laramie in October for 5ish days--ANOTHER HOORAY! And in Gillette for Christmas. YAY!

Since I last blogged, Ryan turned 4, Libby turned 3 and then 4 months, and Brooklyn is about to turn 2 (on July 29th). I need to get cracking on her birthday party!

I have started work at a clinic in a town about 30 minutes south of our house--I take triage phone calls and advise patients over the phone as to the best course of action for their problem/complaint/symptoms/questions. I really actually like the job and when I'm not on the phone I authorize prescription refills from pharmacies. Thankfully we have outstanding protocols for both and in the grey areas it's nice to use RN judgement and have autonomy to do that. There are only 5 RNs at the whole clinic; the gals that work with the providers are CMAs or LPNs. RNs do quite a lot of the "almost doctor" work while the rest of the staff fills in the gaps and does the more mundane work. RNs also do wound care and I am going to be IV certified in September should I need to hydrate a patient in the clinic or help the chemo nurse (who is an RN by the way--the chemo nurses also do the INR clinic) start an IV.

I have already sent 6 or 8 patients to the ER via protocol and a few to L&D with pregnancy issues--all this in a town similar in size/demographics of Worland WY! I lvoe the L&D and pediatric calls the best, but that doesn't surprise me :)

We went to a church gathering form 20s/30s and kids last Sunday and met a couple (Pete and Annie) who have a son, Judah who is 4 like Ryan, and a daughter, Sally who is 20 months old--they live in a town about 10 minutes from us (which is close, we have found out) and Ryan LOVES playing with Judah. We will probably start going to the same church service they go to (early insetad of 10:45) so Ryan can spend more time with Judah. He sure misses having friends his age to play with--especially ones that live just down the street! This time HAS made him play with Brooklyn quite a bit more and they play fairly well together now. That is a blessing! My heart just aches for him to have buddies like he used to in Laramie.

I know HE didn't mind, but my heart broke that the only people at his birthday party were his cousin and his sister. I am tearing up even now just thinking about it!
We did have fun though, we went to Toy Story 3 at the IMAX theater and then went back to the Cegielski's house (where we were living at the time) for pizza, cake, and presents. He got lots of cool Toy Story presents and his Buzz Lightyear cake only took me from 9 p.m. til 1 a.m. to decorate one night :) Not even joking!! But it got finished.

Brooklyn, who doesn't really care about characters or themes or anything, will be having an Abby Ca-Dabby cake (she's a fairy character from Sesame Street and I found the cake pan on clearance for 4.99! And it's really cute). We are going to have Brecken here for the party, and we'll invite her other cousin Evi, and some kiddos from the small group from church we've connected with. We plan to go to an indoor kid play area (Giggle factory) and then come back to our party patio for cake, and food--her favorite food is fruit, hands down, so we'll have that and probably something else kid friendly like chicken nuggets and mac and cheese. So gourmet :) I am looking forward to it!

Libby is chunking up and has her 4 month appointment next week with a new pediatrician. I sure miss our NP from Laramie!! I hope I like the new pediatrician as well. We took Ryan to one that was recommended, for his 4 year checkup, and just didn't connect. He was a fine doc, but, I am hoping this female pediatrician is more like Paula was and that we have a good fit with her. I am interested to see how much Libby weighs now, as her last weight was at 6 weeks old!!! She's looking more and more like Brooklyn and less like Ryan did at this age. She's doing great holding her head up and comes close to rolling tummy to back but then gets distracted and flops back to her tummy. (And then gets mad).

Pics to come tomorrow, I promise!!

Libby's first giggles

2010-06-10T21:19:00.002-06:00

So funny

2010-05-25T07:56:00.000-06:00

Have seen this on other people's pages and it is now time for me to post it!! Enjoy!

Thursday garage sales

2010-05-20T12:56:00.003-06:00

This morning, David took the C kids to school with Brooklyn, so Libby and Ryan and I could walk around the neighborhood garage sales. What a great start to the day!!

I got some great things--a chest-high (on me) plastic climbing structure/slide for $25 (deal!!), a 3-wheel Fisher Price trike like Ryan has, but with a push bar attached so we can push Brooklyn to the park but on the SAME BIKE that her big brother rides..$3. I also found a pair of capris, a pair of shorts, and a pair of bermuda shorts, all for $1.75--which is excellent as my shorts and tank top box got loaded into the storage unit, buried now, I am sure. Whoops.

I also found an ImagiNext dinosaur for Ryan, and he got a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toy (75 cents) and a Toy Story coloring book (25 cents). Garage sales are more expensive when you have "helpers" :) We enjoyed the walk around the nighborhood and didn't even come close to hitting up half of the sales. (I also got a pump-n-style Medela pump, with all parts, and the backpack model, for $5!)

Then after Libby ate and I started laundry, we went to the Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater. It's this park built into a really steep hill with three giant teddy bears--not sure why--but because of 1/2 of it built into the hill it's really secure; the other parts are fenced and there is a gate. It's very safe to just sit and watch your kids run around and play--they won't get out! :) The play structures are designed for kids 8 and under. It's the soft foam under all the structures, with a shaded area with benches for adults, some climbing 'walls' and sand pits--also, picnic tables and an amphitheater. They have summer concerts there on Fridays I think, with preschool-geared bands. If any of you come visit we'll take you there. It's pretty neat! I took pictures but they are on my phone so it might take me some brain power to figure out how to get them off.

This afternoon--health interview with my new employer to make sure I pass the health screening for the job :) (mainly immunizations) and then LAUNDRY--I kind of forgot we are going to CHICAGO this weekend and should bring some clothes with us :) We'll leave in the morning for Chicago (tomorrow) and come back Sunday. So don't expect a daily update, unless you're on Facebook :) Plenty of pictures will come, though!

Wednesday job!

2010-05-19T19:49:00.002-06:00

I got a call today from the clinic where I interviewed--I got the job!!

I will do some company-wide orientation on June 7, and start clinic orientation after that. I will work one Saturday/Sunday a month, 8-4. 16 hrs a month, with a possibility to cover evening clinic duties or other weekends if people request time off and I have the availability/desire to cover those shifts. Not a whole lot but enough to get out, be a working adult, keep my skills up and build new ones, and make a little money, too!

I am also getting paid $2.15 more/hour than I was at my last job when I left so that is exciting :) The other nice part about the so-very-minimum hours is the one weekend/month I DO work, David will be able to stay with the kids so we won't be having to pay any childcare!

That was pretty exciting. Nothing else terribly exciting today--we had burritos for dinner and went to the park down the street again. This neighborhood is having garage sales tomorrow-Saturday so I hope to catch some deals. We went and saw three more houses but didn't like any of them as much as the one in Lakeland that we made an offer on.

We are re-submitting our original offer to see what the sellers do--they will either just reject it, counter with a lower price than the first counter, or...I don't know what else :) If they reject it or counter too high, we'll go back in another week with our offer again--because it is a fair price for the neighborhood and home. If they truly want to sell (after 10 months, I would want to just be done!) they'll eventually lower the price. Hopefully enough to make it our home!! I don't want to wait forever, because I DO want to have my own home and living style back, and have guests come!! But we are totally blessed to be able to stay here rent free while we search and wait. If the sellers are just absolutely adamant on their high price, another home that we like will come up. I just hope it's soon--one way or the other!

Tuesday houses

2010-05-18T13:00:00.003-06:00

This morning, I set my alarm for 6:45 to ensure I'd be up in time to wake up Cegielski kids for school. No worries about waking up as Brooklyn was up at 6:30 and crawled in our bed. I could have snuggled with my drowsy girls for a good hour, so it turned out it was a good thing I set the alarm, to make me get out of bed!

I fed 5 children breakfast (six if you count Libby, but she didn't have pancakes and yogurt and fruit) :) and the neighbor boy Fred came over to hang out before he left for school because his mom had to leave her house at 7:30 for something this morning.

I got the C kids successfully to daycare/preschool, k-2 school and 3-5 grade school. In fact we were early for Grant's school and you can't leave them there early; they aren't allowed in before 8:45 so Grant was incredibly bored while sitting in the car with Brooklyn, Libby, Zach and myself. (Evelyn was the first dropped off; Zach the last).

This afternoon I will pick them up in reverse order and get them home by 4:00 hopefully--Zach has a soccer game 90 minutes away in Chippewa Falls, WI--thankfully Grandpa and Grandma are bringing him so David and I will stay with the rest of the kids and get them fed and in bed. Kurt will be home from work sometime after 6:00 he said.

I am thankful for my husband's flexible job; after a phone call concluded this morning the Winegars hopped in our van and drove to the town of Bayport MN to look at a new housing development that said it had new houses in our price range. They DO but we'd have to buy the lot, etc and wait for it to be built--sometime this fall or early winter. We don't want to live in the basement until then, and the lots were pretty small (no yard) so we are passing on that. It was nice to get out and see them, though.

Our Realtor took us to this house in Grant, MN last week--we are really hoping for something that is more secluded feeling than the suburban neighborhoods that have houses stacked on houses with no breathing room, for these Wyoming-ites. He took us there because it has 2.7 acres (or something) and was very reclusive--BEAUTIFUL outside.

Inside...there was the great room that was log-cabin-y feeling, but then as you passed through the kitchen (from the 70's) you went into this huge room, with an indoor pool in it. The pool room was the majority of the house. The bedrooms, you may ask? Directly off of the pool deck. No hallway. Imagine coming out of your room, half asleep, only to fall in the pool. Um. Pass. It was interesting, anyway...

We are still in the house hunt, though the ball is in our court currently for the house we made an offer on. They didn't come down nearly to what the house is worth but we LOVE the house. We aren't going to overpay for the house just because we like the setting, though...the house is pretty near perfect minus the price that the sellers are (unrealistically) hoping for. We are meeting with our Realtor tomorrow to discuss our next counter-offer or what we will choose to do, as well as look at three more houses in a town called Woodbury, MN. Pretty suburban feeling but one has 0.57 acres so it might feel more open than most.

On the job front, I emailed the recruiter who set up my interview last week, as I haven't heard anything since my interview last Monday. I got a call back and the position has been placed "on hold". The recruiter was unsure why, but told me as soon as she had any more information about the job/hold status she would contact me right away. She also said that "I know they were very interested in you, so we will definitely keep you in the loop." That was encouraging! I have a feeling the job is on hold for now because the boss lady is on maternity leave and I was interviewed by another nurse manager. The boss mama/nurse manager comes back June 1st, if I remember correctly, so hopefully that is why it is on hold, and hopefully, I get the job! It was very nice to hear they were interested in me for the position though!

I think I come from such a sheltered Laramie life that it is hard for me to think that people might want to hire me based on my qualifications/experience/know-how. I didn't even interview for my other two RN positions--I knew the first from clinicals and the "interview" was signing my job papers and description; my second job was "come in and lets talk about the schedule" and no interview/review at all. I hope that my self-confidence in my job qualifications, and my mothering skills, and my business skills (house hunting-wise) stop beeing so meek and mild in this new situation I am in, and that I gain confidence in where God has placed me with what He has given me for this season in life.

So there's your Tuesday update. I'll try to blog again tomorrow!! It's actually fun, and helps me de-brief on my day and on my events happening in life, which leads to a less stressed Mama/wife/sister-in-law/aunt!

Monday Shoes

2010-05-17T21:47:00.002-06:00

Today's adventure was shoe shopping. Brooklyn has been really attached to her princess tennis shoes but really has no other shoes--and those just won't work for summer every day!

The ironic thing I found out, even though we are living in a suburban metro area...we had to drive 20 minutes away to get to the shopping area. We started at Land's End, the kids and I, and were able to find Ryan some good lightweight sandals for the summer. We walked down to Stride Rite--closed, even though it was more than 6 minutes after "opening" time--so, carrying Brooklyn and pushing Libby in the stroller while Ryan held onto the side, we walked across this shopping mall area parking lot to go to Carter's.

I found three pairs of sandals there for Brooklyn to try and she didn't like any of them. I am not going to waste my money on shoes she refuses to wear, so we packed up again. Across the parking lot, same awkwardness. I also found out that it is not really fun going shopping with three children! Thankfully Libby slept the whole time.

We went next to JC Penney and again--found 3 pairs for her to try--and she didn't like any. At least I got two on her feet at this store--but she still said "hurt. owie. no shoe." Whatever!

We got back in the car and I was prepared to ask David to take a lunch break and meet us at a shoe store closer to the Cegielski's house and force some shoes on her feet :) However, we drove past Stride Rite one more time and it was open--found some shoes, she didn't say "owie"--she just didn't want to give up her princess shoes--and we got them, and back to the neighborhood in time to play at the park for a while.

I also discovered today that I am not a good ice-breaker/friendly park mom/outgoing. Actually, I already knew that. But while we were at the park just about a block from where we are staying, a child and his caregiver came and I don't think I even said hi to her...I smiled at the baby boy, but that was about it. And then we left because I felt awkward and it was more comfortable to play at the Cegielski's house.

This evening after dinner, David and I took Evelyn, Ryan and Brooklyn and Libby to the park again. A mom with a 4-5 year old son and a 1 1/2 year old daughter came to the park. My husband is such a good conversationalist and even halfway invited Ryan over to the kid's house for a playdate (he said as we were leaving "do you want to play with your new friend again? We live just down the street at 395 for now while we are looking for our own house"). I would have had a very hard time doing that! The mom said they are at the park a lot so maybe we'll run into them again. I DID ask her when she was due--she was in my estimation 18-22 weeks pregnant. David wasn't sure she was pregnant at all so he didn't want ot ask :) She's due in October--I was right on the money :) :) She said she'd like some advice about how it is to have three kids, so at least we talked a bit.

I am just so "comfort zone" comfortable that I think breaking out and meeting people--especially without my husband--is going to be like Brooklyn and shoe shopping today. She likes what she has, her pink princess tennis shoes, and doesn't realize that that's not going to work out well for the summer.

I like what I had in Laramie and am comfortable with what I have now--David, my kids, Andrea's family. I'm not looking toward the future though and the fact that I will need to accept something new and different in order to make it all work relationship wise!

On that note, we were invited to a small group at the church we think we will be attending. The couple that invited us are super nice and the rest of the small group seems very nice too. It was so NICE to be invited!

Ryan was invited to go play next door tonight--I almost got teary when the neighbor kid (who is 10!) asked if Ryan could play. Actually he came asking for Zach and Grant (almost 10, and 7) and when I said they weren't home yet, he said "Well...can Ryan play then?" It was still cool :) He pushed Ryan on the swing and minutes later Grant was home and able to play.

It's 11:00 at night and my ramblings have to end--Andrea is out of town and I have to play mommy to 6 kids tomorrow including getting them to and from school and daycare, getting supper ready and helping with homework! We'll see how well this mommy does :) And I hope to be able to blog more often, like this post--with random "here's what we did today" posts. I know that always made me feel more connected to far away friends and I hope my Laramie friends won't forget about us out here in muggy Minnesota!!

Pictures from the move and beyond

2010-05-16T15:03:00.006-06:00

Our first real "pit stop"--Gillette. We went swimming at the new rec center pool. Ryan, my dad, Josh, Brooklyn, and Kara are in this picture.

Grandma Lou (my Mom's mom) and 4 of her 5 great grandkids--Libby, Brecken (behind Ryan), Ryan, and Brooklyn. Lexi, my cousin Robyn's baby, is in Hawaii :) And do you know how hard it is to get 4 kids to sit for a picture?!
Tom and Libby's first smile caught on camera! Tom came out with the moving crew from Laramie to help.

From L-R: Zach, Tom, Libby, Grant, Ben, Ryan, Sam, Evi. Not pictured were Sean and David.

Ryan sporting the cheese-head hat at the cheese factory in Wisconsin.

The men at the cheese factory: David, Sean, Ben, Sam, Tom.

Brooklyn at Lookout Ridge in the toddler area.

Libby grinning at nothing in particular.

Brooklyn, again in the toddler area of Lookout Ridge. The other section is two stories high!!

Brooklyn and cousin Evi

Ryan, Brooklyn and Daddy walking to the marina to go boating!

On the boat!

Mama and Libby on the boat
Brooklyn helping Uncle Kurt drive the boat!

More adventures (and hopefully blog updates and pictures!) to come in the coming weeks, I am sure!

From Wyoming to Minnesota

2010-05-16T14:31:00.004-06:00

So, looking back, my last blog posts were written in Laramie, in April. It is now May 16th...so I know it is time for a long-overdue update! I will write the long update here, and then post pictures next in a separate post :)

Since April, what have we done?! Well. April 28th was the day we left our house in Laramie. We went over to the Ennist's house and spent some lovely extra time with them. Megan and Debbie helped me clean the house on the 29th and David and the guys figured out the best way to pack Kyle's horse trailer with all of our stuff! The 30th was closing and after we signed papers, we went back to the Ennist's. I fed Libby and clung to my last minutes with one of my dearest dearest friends! There were many tears shed between all of us as it was time for the kids, my mother-in-law, and I, to load the car. We left Laramie about an hour later than expected, got all the way to Wheatland, and had to stop for nearly an hour! First, Libby needed fed again. While she was being fed, Brooklyn proceeded to lose her pacifier. And I realized the pacifier box that SHOULD have been in the car, was on the moving trailer. So we visited Pamida, where I got paci's and pillows for the kids to sleep on in the car.

Our trip from Laramie to Gillette, which can take 3 1/2 hours if all conditions are great, took us 6 1/2. Yay. :) We hunkered down in Gillette for a few days, spending time with my parents, my grandma, and Kara's family. We went to the amazing new Gillette Rec Center; the adults (minus my mom) and Libby and I went to my dad's Big Band gig at the Boss Lodge; I did laundry, and we just enjoyed time with my family.

On Tuesday May 4, Lois (David's mom) and the kids and I loaded up the van again and headed across I-90. We had lunch in South Dakota with some great friends from high school/college and Libby slept from Rapid City to Mitchell--which took us about 5 hours! What a blessed trip. The wind was behind us and we got 29 mpg! We made it to Sioux Falls, SD around 8:00 that night and stayed in a Comfort Suites (with TWO adjoining rooms)--also such a blessing, as that enabled the kid sto go to bed, in their own beds, in their own ROOM. Lois even stayed with Libby so I could go down to the hot tub and read a book for a bit--just be alone. The next morning, we went swimming and had breakfast, then it was back to the car.

I had never driven from Sioux Falls to the twin cities (Minneapolis/St Paul--from here on out referred to as the TC's or MSP!) and it was a beautiful, green drive. The kids did great but you could tell we were all at the end of traveling in the car!! We got to Grandpa and Grandma's house around 4:00 in the afternoon on Wednesday, May 5th.

Thursday, Grandma took Ryan and Brooklyn to an indoor play place (The Giggle Factory) while I did paperwork and some errands for our storage unit in preparation for the boys arriving with the moving trailer. Friday, Aunt Andi and Grandma took Ryan, Brooklyn and cousin Evi to the Mall of America to Underwater Adventure. I took in a garage sale, went to Target, and got my library card all set up :)

The boys, having their own moving trip adventure, arrived later than hoped on Friday May 7th, but arrived none-the-less and unloaded the trailer. Of course, this being a Winegar move, they moved all of our belongings in the rain. They were cold, soaked, and tired--bless those men! The guys went to see Iron Man 2 on the IMAX that night and came and crashed at the Cegielski's house (Andrea and Kurt, David's sister and her family). Saturday they went and collected free furniture from some of the C's friends for us and put those things in the storage unit, and Saturday evening our family plus Ben, Tom, Sam, and Sean went to downtown MSP to hear the preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church. This is John Piper's church, but he is taking a personal leave of absence until December. We heard another pastor (Kenny Stokes) preach, instead, and then we took the men out to the Machine Shed restaurant for dinner. You should have seen the size of the meat! (and all the other fixings). I loved being able to soak in some more Laramie before the men left back for their wives.

Sunday was Mother's Day but it was a very bittersweet day. We tried a church, which was fine, but not quite "right" and had a nice lunch at a restaurant on the St Croix River. Having my three children for Mother's Day, and my husband with me, was sweet indeed. However, the guys from Laramie left town around 6:30 a.m. to get back to THEIR wives. We prayed and shared many tears and hugs befor ethey drove away, and as we watched them leave, a large part of our hearts left with them.

I think it was easier for me to leave Laramie than watch those men drive away. I was wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of everything I needed to get done, to take care of, and to focus on. When the guys came OUT it was like a little mini-vacation. When they left...the reality of not being in Laramie set in. Our hearts still live in Laramie though we are trying our best to adjust here!

We have filled the time since last Sunday with lots of activities. I had a job interview at a clinic, for a 1-weekend-per-month RN job, but haven't heard back yet. I would love the job, but, if it doesn't work out, I know there is a reason! Since we have been here, I have taken the kids to an indoor playground called Lookout Ridge; Ryan was able to go with Evi's preschool class to the Hugo Animal Farm; we have been boating with Kurt and Andrea on the St Croix River, and we are also house hunting! We found a house in a small, rural-feeling community that we love, but it is priced more than it is worth. We made an offer but the sellers want more for their home, so we are giving them the weekend to mull it over. We LOVE the house and it would be great for visitors to come over every night of the week! However, we don't want to pay what they are asking, as it doesn't make any financial or business sense--both now, and if we should ever need to re-sell! Please pray for God's will to be apparent in this house hunt/offering stage and that we would be able to walk away if it comes down to it, without regret.

It is going pretty smoothly being in another family's house--it really helps that the Cegielski kids are in school every day! One week down. I would really like to find a house that fits, as it is hard being a housewife in someone else's house, but we are completely blessed to be able to stay, rent free, during our house hunt!

We tried two more churches this morning and found one that, though larger than we are used to, feels like it could be our new church home. It has solid doctrine, Bible-based, passoniate preaching, and a worship style that we love. The children's education in that church seems great, too. I wish LVC could just come join us--there are so many things at that church that LVC would love--for one, a huge gym :) And an outdoor playground. It also has a garage (complete with metal garage door) for the youth to meet in--completely built inside the church, on purpose--it is pretty cool :) We visited on Wednesday and got a tour (it has a slide from the main story to the basement, for 1-5 grade students to slide down to their Sunday school room on!) and this morning we went to the Worship service. It is associated with the E-free churches. After church, a nice couple about our age, Dan and Emily, came and introduced themselves to us as they saw Libby and were excited to watch her during church because they are expecting their own baby in October (their first). We talked and after introductions, etc they mentioned they have a small group/Bible study with about 10-12 couples meeting on Sunday evenings in one of their homes. They invited us to come!! Dan is excited that we had the same difficulty last year with our small group of growing too large--he wants to pick David's head for ideas of what to do to facilitate a 'breaking down' of the small group, because they are all best friends and nobody wants to "leave" but it isn't conducive to SMALL groups and new couples being able to plug in--SO cool that our own small group in Laramie just went through that!!

Anyway, I am excited to go to the group tonight--almost as excited as a kid being invited to a birthday party :) It's the first "reaching out" that might lead to great friendships like we have in Laramie.

Libby is now 2 months old and beginning to really smile at people. Ryan is loving playing outside (and in) with his cousins--almost-10 year old Zach, 7 year old Grant, and 4 year old Evelyn (Evi). He has really become more independent and self-sufficient these last few weeks. Brooklyn is communicating with words (and emotions) more and more every day and having a hard time understanding limits, sometimes--but she's dang cute!!

I leave this post to go put up pictures now! Know that we miss ALL of you and our hearts truly will be in Wyoming forever!

Part 2

2010-04-25T21:12:00.001-06:00

Hearing Tom Watson sing behind me in church
The Amazing Race with the Lind's
Seeing my daughter run in excitement to Sam just to say hi and give him a hug
Hearing Kirby say my name!
Brooklyn asking certain people (Sam, Debbie, Sean, Jaime, Lee Ann) "up"...this is a big deal for my opinionated, Mama's girl.
The laughter of Joshua and Ryan when they find each other hilarious

Things I will miss (part 1)

2010-04-25T15:46:00.003-06:00

Wade coming to see my baby girls and love on them
Lunch at Corona Village Rapido with friends
The wisdom of people we love so much--Peggy, Kristi
"My" 18 month old and 2 year old Sunday school kids.
The "Keebler Elder"/"Papa Smurf"/"Mr Rich"
Worship led by David and supported by Sam, Kristi, Andrew, Tuesday, Autumn, Tom, Jeff, Micah...etc.
Singing with my LVC family
Paul's preaching
Debbie holding my baby boy during worship, just cause she loves him
My church family

I know there is another place and another family God has prepared for us. Today, the move is suddenly becoming real, and very emotional. I am going to miss this church family that God has blessed us with for 5 1/2 great years. Our children have grown up with this loving family and we have loved the people in our church so much. They will be greatly missed....no doubt about that.

1 month Mickey

2010-04-12T17:00:00.002-06:00

Libby at 1 monthBrooklyn at 1 month
Ryan at 1 month

1 month

2010-04-12T14:33:00.004-06:00

Libby will be 1 month old tomorrow! I took her in for her weight check today and here's her stats, compared with her siblings...

Libby 1 month:
7 lbs 12 oz (12%)
20 1/2 inches (25%)
head 36.1 cm (25%)

Brooklyn 1 month:
9 lbs 8 1/2 oz (60%)
21 3/4 inches (75%)
37.4 cm head (50%)

Ryan 1 month:
7 lbs 12 oz (really--they are the exact same!!)
21 1/2 inches

I was looking back at some pictures of Brooke when she was 1 month old and I actually thought it was Libby until I noticed the date. Brooklyn was much chubbier but Megan was right when she said all our kids come from the exact same mold! I'll see if I can find some pictures of all three kids and see if you can tell who is who :)

Brother

2010-04-09T12:16:00.002-06:00

Ryan has a new friend...named "Brother". Brother is a great friend to Ryan...they do most everything together, except Brother seems to do naughty things!

Ryan told us in the car the other day that Brother got in the garbage and ate a diaper and it was yucky so he died. But then he was alive again.

Brother and Ryan often make cookies at "their house".

Brother made Ryan ABC tater-tots at their old house, too.

Brother likes movies, just like Ryan.

Brother has cousins in Minnesota, just like Ryan.

Brother called someone "stupid" at school the other day and that is naughty and hurts people's feelings. Brother, reportedly, is not very nice sometimes. But RYAN wouldn't ever do what Brother does (or so we're told) :)

We hear about Brother ALL THE TIME; it was cute and now slightly annoying--but still mostly cute.

Libby's birth story and update

2010-03-14T21:59:00.003-06:00

Before I forget details, I figured I would get this up here!

Friday, all day, I had been feeling very crabby and annoyed with little things--anything would set me off, such as there were spots on my tile floor. So I individually clorox-wiped each square of my tile floor, cleaned bathrooms top to bottom, did laundry and decided around 1:45 or so to take advantage of the kids sleeping, to take a nap. I slept about 30 minutes then woke up realizing I hadn't finished Libby's last blanket I wanted to sew before she came. So, I did that, and when David was done working and the kids up, we went around town for some errands.

We got new doors for downstairs that need installed, so we took his pickup truck, and went a few other places. At 5:00 he asked if we wanted to bring the kids somewhere for dinner (Burger King or something similar) but I said no, I just want to go home! (which is atypical of me...I usually like going out).

Anyway, we got home shortly after 5:00 and I realized in addition to my grouchiness I was now having regular, painful contractions. I started tracking them and they were very regular at 3 minutes apart. I told David that I wasn't sure they'd stick around but I wanted to get the kids fed and make sure we had someone who could watch our kids in case we went into the hospital. With Brooklyn, we went in 2 different times only to be sent home and financially and emotionally, David didn't want to do that again :)

He fed the kids, as I was so testy with everyone, and I went downstairs and finished packing my hospital bag, packed the kids' bags, etc. I had told David if the contractions continued without change, I didn't want to go in until after 8:00, as shift change happens from 6:30-7:30 and I didn't want to interrupt that or get lost in the shuffle and ignored...and that I wanted to wait long enough to know it wasn't a false alarm but still get there without having to wake our other kids up to bring them somewhere.

I took a bath which made the contractions MORE painful due to the position I was in, so at 8:15 we packed up the kids and drove them down the street to the Ennists. Thank you, Debbie and Sean for taking care of our kids!!!

We got to the hospital and checked in at the ER. The admitting clerk called up to OB and said "I have ANOTHER mom for you guys who thinks she's in labor...yeah, I don't know where to put her either...okay, I'll bring her up just so she's there..."

They wheeled us up and put us in the PACU (C-section recovery area) as EVERY labor room was full. They were in the process of moving a post-partum mom and baby to a regular patient room on the OB floor and cleaning a labor room so we could go in there, but they put me in the PACU so I could be on the monitor making sure all was well with baby and to see how the contractions were progressing.

They were short-staffed, as well--they had to call in 2 other labor nurses as we were getting 'settled' in the PACU. In fact, the CRNA who puts in epidurals was the one who 'checked us in' to the PACU bed. She was so worried that the baby was going to just fall out right then--she didn't want to leave us but needed to put in an epidural for a mom...very nervous leaving us :)

After about 30 minutes in PACU, we moved to the delivery room but they were still low on nurses and the one who brought us to the room had to go back to HER labor patient. Esther came up while we were in the PACU, and she came into the room to get me put back on the contraction/baby monitor and to let us know she was there in case we DID have to deliver the baby before a nurse could officially admit me!

After a few minutes, an on-call nurse came in and started the admission process and a little later, our nurse who stayed with us the rest of the night came in to the hospital on call too. Laura was our delivery nurse. Esther checked me about 9:15 and I was 4 cm dilated and 75% effaced, so we were able to get off the monitors and walk around the halls.

There was another mom who checked into the hospital shortly before I did but they were pretty sure she was going back home in false labor, so they didn't give her the room I was in (even though she was there 'first')...they told her to walk the halls until something more happened. It was really awkward passing her every loop of the hospital circle (we were walking opposite directions) as I thought she was shooting me daggers that I got to stay at the hospital and she was probably going home. Very awkward!

Anyway, we walked for a while and I was doing well, in between contractions, and just needing to stop and sway in between some of them. While we were walking, Laura got the labor ball out for me and also suggested a bath. After bouncing while watching "Whose Line is it Anyway?" I started to get uncomfortable and restless so we went out and walked again.

Looking back, I was walking MUCH slower and needing David to rub my back with each contraction; I wanted to stop after one lap but he made me walk another. I was so angry with him but did it anyway because I didn't want to argue :) We got back to the room and I said "NO MORE" even though he suggested one more lap...Laura had the bath ready for me, bless her!

I wondered at this point, around 11:00, if I'd have the baby on the 12th (her Uncle Eric's birthday) or if it'd be the 13th...fervently hoping for the 12th :) Esther was taking a nap at this point as she had done 2 middle-of-the-night deliveries Thursday night/Friday morning and seen patients all day Friday--and gotten called back in by 8:00 at night on Friday! I felt bad for her.

I got in the tub and the water was deliciously warm. David started up the jets and contractions got stronger (mainly due to position in the tub, I think) so I only lasted 10 minutes in there and then had to get out. At this point the contractions were getting very strong and I thought I had to be close to fully dilated!!

I got out and climbed in bed where all I wanted to do was curl up in the fetal position. I looked at the clock at 11:50 and decided the baby was probably not coming on the 12th, especially since I had pushed for 33 minutes with Ryan and 49 with Brooklyn!

I don't really remember the next hour going by so quickly but it must have because I didn't get out of bed again. Contractions were terrible. At 1:00, Laura checked me and said I was probably a 5 and "pretty thin". I almost cried, thinking we were only halfway there and the pain was unbearable already!! I was squeezing David's hand with every contraction and soon I started telling him "I can't do this. I can't do this. Please get LuDonna and let her do an epidural. Please, I can't do this." That man of mine is strong--before we went in and again when we got checked in I told him DO NOT LET ME HAVE AN EPIDURAL, NO MATTER WHAT I TELL YOU!! I was just thinking labor could be so much more serene if I weren't in pain!!! I was BEGGING him with every contraction.

At 1:10 or so, Laura came in and said "Kristen, roll to your side." With my OB residency for school, I knew something was up so I asked if the baby's heartrate had dropped--she said the variability was just pretty flat and I needed to get on my side and see if the increased blood flow helped. She put me on oxygen about 1 minute later and said "I'm just going to let Esther know what's happening". I started freaking out, knowing what I know about intervention/labor process, etc.

Laura said "I checked her at 1:00 and she was at at 5, Esther." I said "I feel like I have to push." Esther ran and grabbed her sterile gown, Laura ran and grabbed the delivery table (they both literally ran) and Esther quickly checked me. I didn't hear what she said because as she said whatever it was, I said "my water just broke." David said Esther had JUST put the drape/bag to catch fluid underneath me before the water gushed out...and what she said as I was talking was "she's fully dilated."

I said "I REALLY need to push" and Esther said "Okay". I said "am I dilated?!" and she said "you're ready to go!" No wonder it was SO PAINFUL that I was begging David for the epidural--I went from 5 cm to 10 cm in about 15 minutes. The heart rate drop was probably when Libby dropped deep into the birth canal to come out, and the monitor lost her heartrate and picked up mine instead.

So, in between contractions, Esther tried to get me comfortable to push--squatting, whatever--and I was so gone mentally! I couldn't comprehend what she was saying about where to put my feet to squat, so she said "it's okay to lay, it is!" and Laura and David both grabbed my feet. I pushed and was SHOCKED--I said "was that her head?!" Esther said it was, and I was amazed that I had already pushed out her head--she said "slow down, Kristen!" and I couldn't--I don't even know if it was with a contraction or not but I pushed the rest of her body out with the second push.

Esther said she kind of "torpedoed" out of there and she has bruises on her face to show it! I remember looking at the clock at 1:27 thinking "okay, Ryan was 33 minutes...wonder if Libby will beat him or not." She did. By a lot :) Cause she was born at 1:27 a.m.! I can't adequately describe what I was feeling when I realized that giant push that hurt so badly was her HEAD coming out and it was the FIRST push!

In the pictures immediately after she was placed on my chest, you can tell I was bewildered at the fact that she was already out. They barely had time to call for the baby warmer and extra nurses when they realized this kid was coming out, even though at 1:00 a.m. I was only at 5 cm and Esther was still snoozing!

Things happened quickly once they started happening.

Looking back, I am so blessed that my husband kept telling me "no, you're doing great, you can do this, you can make it!" I feel so bad that he had to keep telling me no--one thing he hates to do! I am so grateful that I got through another labor without needing the epidural! (even though I WANTED it so badly at the end, I thought!)

My placenta, yet again, was uncooperative but this time the umbilical cord stayed on and over 30-or-so minutes, Esther was able to coax it out of the uterus (with MUCH pain. Almost as much as the end of labor, actually. I was moaning and needing to hold David's hand again!). However, it DID come out without her having to go fishing for it manually, like Dr Klingler did. Esther said she had 20 more minutes to work on it before she called in the OR team for a D&C! The limit is 60 minutes post-delivery to get a placenta out.

It HURT but not nearly as much as when Dr Klingler had to remove Brooklyn's manually! It came out in one large piece, but and an extra little lobe on it that was almost all calcified, so Esther sent it to pathology. Apparently, my placentas don't grow right or come out the right way, at least with the last two births! Because of the placenta removing the way it did, I had quite a lot of extra bleeding, so Esther gave me some medicine post-delivery to help the uterus contract, and there haven't been any problems since.

Libby was smaller than we guessed, at only 6 lbs (and 0.4 oz) and is a tiny peanut! We had to go get some preemie diapers and I bought Walmart's last two preemie sleepers (in girl print) as the newborn ones swim on her. She was discharged at 5 lbs 11 oz. I wish she had some warmer sleepers that fit her--I found one from Ryan days, but the ones we bought and the rest of the preemie stuff we have is lightweight summer material! She'll survive--she just seems so vulnerable when she swims in NB sized jammies :)

The labor and delivery went very quickly--from 5 p.m. to 1:27 a.m.! Natural (un-prompted) was definitely the way to go...I am not at all regretful that I let this lady come on her own. She's so precious. Apparently lots of babies decided to do that this week--I was told 13 babies were born Friday and Saturday with 2 more in labor when we left Sunday!! Esther is wiped out :) I hope she and the docs and nurses are able to rest!!

In fact, at 5 am (3 1/2 hrs after Libby was born), 2 nurses came in and asked if they could take my bed...they needed it as aniother labor patient was coming up. They traded beds (gave me a normal hospital bed and took the labor bed away) and I guess that poor mom was fully ready to push--she actually delivered on that bed, in PACU, where we first started out!

Saturday afternoon they moved me down thr hall to the extended care unit so they had labor rooms for any potential deliveries. I was bummed at first as I REALLY liked our 1st room's size, bathroom, etc...and the new room was old and tiny and far away from the nursery, kitchen, nurses, etc. But it was fne for Libby and myself (David came home to be with the kids) and very quiet! And I was able to have my own room--they weren't sure if they were going to have to double up recovering/post-partum patients or not.

Libby is doing well; she nurses excellently except she gets so cozy when she nurses that she'll fall asleep pretty quickly and I'll have to wake her up (or let her wake herself up when she realizes she's not nursing anymore) to be able to finish up the nursing--so that adds time. But, she's doing well in the eating regard. Her jaundice level was 7 today which is not at all high (they won't treat until 11-12 here in Laramie) but with the bruising her little face endured she might rise up tomorrow. If she's yellow on Tuesday I'm to bring her in for a check, but most likely it will be fine.

I am doing fine--my mom is amazed that I went to walmart this evening for supplies and have been doing as much as I have. I feel fine except for the cramping--they say it gets worse with every child and I REALLY THINK IT DOES. Still now, almost 48 hours post-delivery, some of the nursing cramping that goes on feels like the contractions I was having after checking into the hospital! Thankfully they are NOT coming every 3 minutes and will not continue to increase in pain and intensity. That's what I keep telling myself to get through them :) Otherwise I wouldn't want to nurse this little one--the cramps are pretty bad. I do have a prescription for Tylenol with Codeine should I need it but Motrin and a positive outlook have done pretty well for the cramps.

I am hoping to go into work--my "old" work now that I'm done!--and show Libby to my dear work friends; I am so excited for Tuesday with women's Bible study to show her to the gals I am closest to, and for church on Wednesday! I was so bummed we got out of the hospital too late for church this morning and evening church was off for this week.

I feel SO much better than I did on Wednesday and I feel awesome--and totally blessed--to have my three beautiful children in my life.

It is now nearly 11 p.m. and I need to get to sleep--as I know long bouts of sleep will be not in my immediate future--gotta get some shut eye when I can!!

Thanks for reading my LONG birth story and update and I hope I didn't bore too many of you!!

Libby Diane

2010-03-13T06:54:00.003-07:00

I will post her birth story later, but here's a quick blurb and some pics!

Libby Diane Winegar was born Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 1:27 a.m. She weighed 6 lbs even and was 19 inches long. What a little peanut--and we love her so much already.

And...of course, pics are in reverse order...this one was at about 4:30 a.m.

Minutes old with a proud Papa

I seem a bit bewildered--I was!

39 wk 1 day appt

2010-03-11T10:53:00.005-07:00

This morning, at 8:00 I got a call from the Women's clinic saying Esther was up at the hospital with a delivering mom, so could she reschedule me until 1:30 this afternoon? I said yes--thankful they weren't putting me off until tomorrow, but bummed I had to wait another 4 hours to see her...it seemed like a long time.

At 8:15 they called back and said Esther was actually coming to the clinic to see a few patients (mainly ones like me who are within a week of their due date!) since the mom at the hospital wasn't close enough to pushing or anything like that and they didn't want my appointment to get missed in case the mom was actually delivering this afternoon.

YAY!

So, I went to the clinic and Esther checked everything out...

BP 118/78, heart rate steady and normal, belly measuring 36 weeks still. This time, she checked me...the cervix is somewhat posterior, which means it's not moved forward enough for active labor, but she was able to reach it and said I'm dilated to 2 (which, for a 3rd baby, doesn't mean a whole lot) :) I could stay at 2 for a while (and may have been at 2 for a few weeks) or suddenly go from 2 to 6 in a matter of an hour. So being at 2 doesn't really mean anything, but combined with a posterior cervix means today is probably NOT the day for our baby to be born.

She did strip my membranes but said there wasn't a whole lot to strip--things have pretty much cleared out up there in prep for a baby. After she stripped me, I got a really good contraction (so much so I actually didn't hear her question she asked me!--I just nodded my head) and since I've been home (90 minutes) I have felt the back ache/crampiness/contractions that I have been getting the past week.

I have another appointment scheduled for next Thursday (40 weeks 1 day) but Esther said she doesn't think she'll see me there. I hope she wasn't just saying that!!! :) She also said she's ready to spend lots of time at the hospital this weekend--lots of moms are close to delivering and with the snowstorm she's prepared to hunker in and deliver a run of babies. I hope mine is one of them!!!

So we'll see if the weather (snow storm) combined with Esther's stripping (Prostaglandin release) plus nesting (got the baby car seat ready, and her clothes are now unpacked and ready, and the bed set up for her!) plus maybe some spicy food and housework does anything. If not, that's okay, too because God knows when this little lady is scheduled to make her arrival! I can tell you it won't be more than 2 weeks away, so in the meantime--pray for a delivery! And patience if she doesn't come when I'd like her to :)

David said he'll take a 39 week belly pic tonight so I'll post that as soon as it's taken.

Baby arrival pool!

2010-03-05T07:53:00.002-07:00

Check this out...if you want to guess our baby's arrival statistics and arrival date, you can enter them on this free site, see when everyone else has guessed, and when she arrives, we'll see who was closest!

Last time, it was my mom :) Way to go, Mom!!

http://www.expectnet.com/games/Soon2Come

38 weeks

2010-03-03T10:56:00.003-07:00

Nothing terribly exciting to report!

Baby doing well movement-wise; blood pressure steady; swelling and headaches up but since BP is fine, no real worries. Weight was down to 144 from last week so that means that the end is in sight!! Baby is still head down, very low but rolling all over--she was posterior presentation instead of OA (sunny-side up, in other words) but since she's so wiggly that still might change. Might not. We'll find out on delivery day!

Esther decided not to check any dilation today with Ryan and Brooklyn's surgeries tomorrow--with everything going on, how I have been feeling lately with contractions/tiredness/crankiness and how low baby is--she said if she checked me, (and since I've had two babies before) it might just start labor and it's bad timing to do that right now :) So while I am slightly dissappointed to not know if I'm dilated at all, it doesn't CHANGE anything, and I would appreciate not going into labor today or tomorrow. Or Friday for that matter :)

I have a friend who could probably check me, but I think that's just too personal for me :) I'll wait till my 39 week visit with Esther (39 weeks 1 day, next Thursday) and update you from there.

Ryan and Brooklyn's surgeries are tomorrow as previously mentioned--if, when we get home, they are settled and taking a nap or watching movies or something--I'll update the blog then to let everyone know how surgery went!

Also, no 38 week picture today because right after I leave work (and hopefully can leave early) we are on the road to Ft Collins so we can stay the night there before surgery.

37 weeks 1 day

2010-02-25T16:43:00.004-07:00

So, again I forgot to upload pictures before I typed, so they're all at the beginning of the post. But hey at least there are pictures!!

Here's my Irish cutie. Who didn't want to smile.

We had Ryan's friend Joshua over to play on Tuesday and we decided to make chocolate Cadbury egg Cookies! They all had a lot of fun making them. Please excuse Brooklyn looking like a boy from the '80's. She didn't want to wear her hairbow.

Brooke on the plane back from Minneapolis decided that it would be most comfortable to take a nap on Mommy's belly and lap. She didn't ask her mom first, though :) We had differing opinions on the comfort level!

David and I at Bruegger's Bagels in Stillwater MN--our home away from home while we were house hunting for 3 days! We used the Wireless internet there, waited for the Realtor to come our way and meet us...we had more hot chocolate and bagels in 3 days than we ever expected :)
I also just like the picture!!!

And...37 weeks.

That's how far along we are today and I feel like it! Here's the results from the doctor's visit with Esther today...

Weight: 146.5, up again from last week: I weighed 142ish right before Brooke was born.
Baby's heartrate: slightly slower but still steady and strong. She was napping at the visit.
Belly measuring: small!! It is slightly less than it was last week at 36 weeks (I should be measuring 37ish)--which means the baby has dropped and there isn't as much belly to poke out. Woo hoo!!
BP: don't remember but it was fine :)

I can definitely tell this little lady has dropped. Very uncomfortable to walk. One of my co-workers is convinced if I just jump up and down a few times the baby will fall out. :)

I was so excited to have confirmation from Esther both by measurement (slightly less than 36, instead of 37) and by feel (she felt for the head and said she has really burrowed down into the pelvis) that she HAS dropped! Ryan dropped. It hurt. Brooklyn never dropped until induction was WAY under course--she was a high-belly rider even at the end.

Anyway, there's the visit. Group B strep was negative as it has been all other times, so no antibiotics needed during labor--which means hopefully no IV either! Just waiting until it's all ready to be completed in God's timing. Next week Esther said she'd check if I was dilated at all, just for fun.

My feet and hands have been swelling quite a lot this week--most in the evenings but also today during the day. My hands and feet are actually hurting from the swelling but as my blood pressure is fine, I am sure it is just the end of pregnancy water rentention and all that. Not too concerned but definitely moving slower. I am trying to take it easy this afternoon and evening with the help of my wonderful husband--I took a nap and he 'left' work early to take care of the kids and has made me sit with my feet propped up on a pillow since we came upstairs from naptime. He is also making dinner. I have a lovely, caring, awesome husband!

36 weeks

2010-02-16T14:48:00.003-07:00

Actually, 35 weeks 6 days pregnant, as the nurse midwife (CNM) corrected me today :)

Weight: 142, up from 137 at 34 weeks (I think...didn't post it). Up 32 lbs overall so far.
BP: 117/78, pretty decent though the bottom number is creeping up--but just creeping
Baby's heart rate: Just fine
Measuring right on
Contractions, yes--but they always go away
Pressure--lots, especially when I walk, but Esther (the CNM) said nothing about that being worrisome :)

Today was the Group B Strep swab, hooray and fun, but a quick 30 minute in-and-out visit. I also have decided to switch to Esther--it was a last minute decision as I was in the exam room with the way she treated me/remembered me/noticed things that the other docs haven't noticed. That, combined with the fact that she will for sure be the only one delivering my baby (instead of a 1 in 3 chance getting the MD I prefer)...I switched in the last month to just the CNM.

So, I have my next 4 appointments lined up (and hopefully LAST 4 appointments but I am prepared to have 1 or 2 more after the 40 week appointment. I say this--we'll see how patient I am come the end of March :)

No pictures yet, sorry...I am really bad with posting those, I have discovered. It's easier on Facebook! I need to get off the computer and play with my kiddos--burn some energy off of them, and then we are going to Ryan's very first ever parent-teacher conference! I feel kinda weird, being old enough to have a kid with a P/T conference already!!

Two for one!

2010-02-15T15:08:00.003-07:00

Well, here in the next few weeks, both Brooke and Ryan get to visit the Ft Collins surgery center!! Ryan had an appointment with the ENT doctor that put his tubes in/took out his adenoids 3 years ago today to check out his tonsils. His asthma/allergy doc is concerned with how swollen they always look even while not sick, and thinks it would help him breathe better--as well as stop snoring and get better rest. Ryan has been waking up at night with owies in his throat and snores and has bad breath--we've even had to move his bedtime from 8:30-9:00ish to 7:45 and he still takes a 2 hour nap most days...before, he was sleeping 9-7 and no nap, now he sleeps 7:45-7:45 with a 2 hour nap and we think it's cause he's not getting good rest.

Anyway Dr Smith said we could go two ways...wait til the baby comes, summer's here, see if it gets better, and then take them out later this fall if it's not better...we told him we were due with the baby in 4 weeks and moving to Minnesota in 10 and he goes "well, then we should be pro-active, let Ryan get some attention and babying in before the baby comes and feel better before you have a new baby and move across the country. I'd recommend taking them out now, but there's no wrong answer...it's not an emergency surgery by any means but I'd recommend it".

We decided to be proactive too--easier before the baby comes, cheaper before Minnesota when we are out of network with insurance, and we already have our docs lined up here. I want him to feel better too and not snore/feel unrested!

This weekend we noticed Brooklyn's eye was gooping up like it did in early Jan when we thought she had pinkeye--but it turned out it was drainage from an ear infection. She also started running fevers yesterday and has been SUPER clingy the last few weeks. I called Dr Smith's receptionist this morning to see if he could see her too or if we needed her to see the pediatrician instead...she told me to just bring her in and have Dr Smith look during Ryan's appointment. That was nice! Saved one more dr's appointment, time off work for the appointment, and $ for the pediatrician.

Anyway, Dr Smith looked in her ears and said "She has a raging infection. Antibiotics 3x since Christmas is too much for a little one. She needs tubes." Granted, he IS a surgeon and feels comfortable with that and will make more money with surgery rather than prescribing more antibiotics, but, we agree with him for her too--4 infections since Christmas now in her ears, even though she avoided them all the way until this Christmas! (Ryan's tubes were put in at 8 months old, after 5 infections in 5 months).

So, two surgeries in one day coming up for our family on March 4th--I'll be 38 weeks 1 day pregnant.. I don't want to be going into labor in Ft Collins while my OTHER babies are having surgery :) And, David will come with me for this surgery (he was on business when Ryan was a baby and had his surgery!). Ryan will feel yucky for about a week and Brooke for 2 days or so. Will be a tough week but, better than dragging it out and better than doing it after we move and having to find all new docs, etc, AND bring a new baby to the surgery center or take care of the kiddos with a new baby too!

So anyway...there's the doctor update from here (I know I don't have anything else to write about besides drs appointments lately! There should be yet another update tomorrow, as I have my 36 week appointment) Looks like we're meeting our deductible early this year ;)

In other news...

Brooklyn, David and I are flying out to Minnesota to house hunt Weds-Sat while our wonderful friends the Ennists are taking care of Ryan for us! Brooke will stay with Grandma Lois during the day while David and I look at a multitude of houses. ALSO we are under contract for our house in Laramie! Praise God! We are set to close on April 30th, so it's great to have a time frame that we can start planning around. Now for all the other details God is holding in His hands!

Pray for the trip, for Brooke's ears as we travel, for Ryan being away from us (actually--for ME being away from HIM for 3 days!), for housing, for details to work out as intended!

Pictures to come soon...I really really hope to--I hope my words don't bore you!

Ryan's favorite things

2010-01-27T21:09:00.003-07:00

Playing with his daddy

Chasing his sister

Making his sister laugh

Cookies and chocolate

Superheros

Playing pretend

Crashing cars

Running, jumping, bouncing...things a 3 year old boy should do

Mama playing with his hair, especially when he's sleepy

Backrubs

Chocolate again

Movies

Surprises

Anything his sister has, and reminding her he's bigger by taking it!

Brooklyn's favorite things

2010-01-26T17:51:00.002-07:00

Kleenexes and blowing her nose

Dust pans, brooms, and cleaning

Her paci...but only on her bed!

Baby dolls, wrapping them in blankets, kissing them and rocking them.

Tackling her brother and daddy

Up.

Pretending to go "ni ni" on the couch and giggling when she "wakes up"

Eating. All we have to say is "do you want to go eat?" and her mood changes!

Dresses, hairbows and "being pretty"

Anything Ryan is holding, and fighting him for it.

Just for fun

2010-01-19T14:27:00.003-07:00

With friends having babies recently and all the names that are out there...

What do you think we'll name our baby? Any guesses? Any suggestions? Leave a comment...I'd love to hear what you all think we might name our little girl or hear what YOU would name our little girl.

:)

30 week visit update

2010-01-04T21:03:00.003-07:00

Long update in the post below, if you haven't read it--there's even pictures :)

Here's the quickie 30 week appointment update.

Weight: 133, up from 130 2 weeks ago
Heartbeat: 154 (baby's, not mine) :)
Blood pressure: 116/78

We had an ultrasound to measure baby's growth as well as check the position of the placenta. Our little girl is cooperating very nicely. She's head down, very low and as close to the birth canal as she can almost get. Up above that is the placenta--it has moved all the way out of the way of delivery. Hooray! Her little toes were tickling my liver during the ultrasound and often, when I am sitting up straight, I can feel her fingers or toes on the lower right side of my belly, like she's tap dancing or typing a secret message.

She's measuring in the 46th percentile for her due date so no tiny growth, and her amniotic fluid pockets are just fine, maybe even "more than adequate" according to Dr K. The only thing that didn't match due dates was her femur measurement--it put her 2 weeks behind on that measurement...but hey, maybe she'll be short like her mama :)

Anyway, good appointment, no worrisome news, and still due to meet this little one sometime mid-March!

And, here's a less pointy belly pic for those interested in why my belly looked like a triangle in the lower post :)

2010...

2010-01-04T08:21:00.006-07:00

For some reason, I can't move the uploaded pictures to various spots in the post, so you can look at all of them (in random order!!) before my huge long book of a post below. :)

This is Brooklyn (above) on Christas morning with her new computer--she ABSOLUTELY loves it.

This was one of the only times that a) Brooklyn would let anyone besides Mommy hold her over Christmas and b) one of the only times she smiled for the camera! I love this picture :)

The kids' big Christmas gift--a kitchen just for them!

Brooklyn was trying to put her cardigan on all by herself, like she sees Ryan putting his coat on. She's pretty cute.

Ooookay....apparently there are a lot of pictures of Brooke! She had a cupcake after dinner one night so it was right to the tub afterwards :)

On New Year's eve, we had the Teini's over and Brooklyn sure liked smiling at baby Brinley!

Sam Lind and David, playing Wii basketball (I think--maybe it was jousting) with Ryan loving watching.

Ryan's typical camera pose these days..

Brooke being a goof for the camera. But I had to capture her pigtails!!

29 weeks--only 10 more to go! (The picture was last week)

And now....to the long post. Read at your own risk--could be very random and rambly!!

I am home letting myself be a baby this morning--feeling sick with a nasty cold, sore throat, painful cough, little voice, and some weird belly pains. The kids are at school and David is at one of his last days at Handel, so I have time to update. Finally.

Brooklyn has had a double ear infection since the week before Christmas--amoxicillin didn't take care of it and was becoming increasingly more fussy and sleeping less. Last Wednesday I took her back to the doc and he prescribed her a stronger antibiotic and thought she probably also had a sinus infection, that the antibiotic will also take care of. 4 days later we finally have a girl who's mostly sleeping through the night again and not crying all day long. So grateful.

Also incredibly grateful she hasn't had a yeast infection in more than a month (knock on wood!) even with two rounds of antibiotics (knock on wood!) and we were even able to switch to a less expensive diaper with no rash problem (knock on wood). She has popped throuh 4 molars since Dec 19th, so we're up to 12 teeth. In some outfits she looks like such a big girl. I look back at pictures and miss my little baby girl (and my baby boy when I see his pictures too!)--I know it's making me get ready for our other little girl to join our life.

Our friends are going to be having their baby next Friday--I can't believe it's 2010 and Baby Watson is so close to coming! That means Baby Martin will head our way soon, and our due date is only 10 weeks away.

-------------
I will be stopping work when the baby comes (or just before)--David has accepted a consulting position with a company out of Minneapolis-St Paul and with the increase in salary our bills will be more than covered, allowing all money I make to pay off debt or save for other uses--not a neccessity to pay monthly bills like it is now. We prayed very hard about it and both felt peace with the decision for him to leave Handel and start the next phase of his career--he's been with Handel for just shy of 5 years (would have been 5 years at the beginning of February). It is quite a blessing, this new job, and he's very excited about the change. However, it does mean we have to leave Laramie :(

We will stay here until after the baby comes, and until the house sells (within a reasonable time frame); David will work from home in our 4th bedroom Monday through Friday. In January and February, he'll fly to the Twin Cities to get hands-on training on the computer system he'll be working on. He'll go out there every other week, starting next week, until the end of Februrary. At that time he won't travel as I will technically be "full term" and the little lady might come any time from the end of February on! (doubtful but possible) :)

We hope to put our house on the market in February after we do some updating and cleaning out of the garage/closets/etc to make it more sellable/marketable/appealing and then when we close on the house (not before the baby comes, probably not before April, but whenever the Lord wills!) we will plan our move to the Minneapolis area.

A huge relief is that David's sister's family and his parents live in suburbs of Minneapolis so we have visited, know the area, and last year we even 'community hunted' and know various outlying towns that we would feel comfortable in. We'll probably rent for 6-12 months while we build a down payment on a home in the bank, and figure out the school district we want to be in, which exact neighborhood, etc.

It is going to be a major change--but one that we both feel peace about and one that we know in our hearts is God's will for us at this time. I can't say we won't miss Laramie--because we will. I have to not think about that part or else I start crying--and I am not a crying person! We will also VERY MUCH miss being so accessible to my family in Gillette and Saratoga...with the salary though, we will be able to save for trips back to Wyoming much more easily than we are able to save for trips to Minneapolis at this point.

2010 will bring us lots of changes! A new baby, a cross-country move, a new job for David, no job for me (save staying at home all the time--that IS a hard job!), and many more changes that we don't anticipate yet but will happen anyway because that's what God does--calls us out of "comfortable" sometimes and calls us to change for His glory!

-----------

Back to more random...

We have an ultrasound today at 11:00 to check on the growth of the baby and where the placenta is...I should probably shower before then. It is an incredible treat to sit here in the empty home with 9news/Today show on sipping hot chocolate.

Ryan is growing and changing so much and has such a personality. He loves making up stories to tell me these days--they mostly start "Once upon a Christmas, all through the house, there was a creature. And it was a dragon." There is also usually a princess and one other dragon, that is nice.

He also loves to pray at bedtime and meals out loud--it's great to hear what he's thankful for and what he's asking God to do--protect him and his sister and his baby and keep them warm and healthy are usually included in the prayers.

We had some friends over for New Year's--pictures are above. It was a fun time with great food with the Linds and Teini's!! We will definitely miss all the friendships we are so blessed with, here in Laramie!

When we DO move I will be sure to send out our address to those interested, and I will do my best to be better about updating this thing so friends far away can see what we are up to! I am grateful the move is at LEAST 12 weeks away...it will give my heart time to prepare.

Anyway enough about that...time to get off the computer, enjoy the rest of my morning and try to get some voice back and throat pain gone before I try going into work this afternoon!

28 week visit

2009-12-22T15:31:00.002-07:00

This is really sad that I only update when I have doctors appointments! I will try to be better at updating. Maybe in 2010 :)

Anyway, 28 week visit today during which I was given the choice between orange and fruit punch flavored sugar water...10 oz to consume in 5 minutes...room temperature...for the glucose test. It was disgusting but after it was down, there weren't any problems. I saw Dr Glode, as my normal doctor was up at the hospital (darn babies coming!) :) I am measuring a bit small, but she didn't say how small, and the little lady's heartbeat was just fine. Then she karate-chopped Dr Glode in retaliation for pushing down on her body with the doppler. :)

Weight was up to 130, heartbeat great, BP excellent (105/64), belly measuring a tad small. Dr G asked how big my other babies were and guessed this one might be in the 7 1/2 lb range when she's done cooking, but there's quite a few weeks left to find out.

Anyway, because I am measuring a bit small (and Ryan stopped growing at 33 weeks), as well as having a low-lying placenta at 20 weeks, I am scheduled for a growth ultrasound for my next visit in 2 weeks. It will be fun to get a peek at our little lady and I trust that everything with the baby and placenta will be going as is in God's plan!

Everyone enjoy the Christmas season--remember WHY Christ came as a baby to our earth to be 100% man and 100% God--and redeem us from sin and the punishment we deserve from God--if we trust in Him! I will try to post some pictures from our December, Christmas, belly pictures and everything else as soon as everything slows down a bit :)

Merry CHRISTmas!

Where does he get this stuff?

2009-12-07T07:59:00.001-07:00

Last night, while we were all hanging out watching a TV show, Ryan asked if he could have a drink of my pop. I said sure, so he picked it up, took a nice long slurp, set it down, wiped his mouth off and said "Ahh. That's a good cup of joe, Mom." And walked off.

I almost died laughing--where does he get this stuff?!

24 week update

2009-11-25T10:47:00.002-07:00

Today I went to the clinic to see Esther, the nurse-midwife, for my 24-week visit. After waiting 45 minutes (of course), she came in, reviewed my EKG and TSH with me (which are in the normal ranges), and then we checked out baby.

Belly: measuring 24 weeks
Weight: 125, up from 117 last visit
Heartbeat: No rate given but nice and regular, and this little girl is quite active.

I was able to sleep from 10:30-3:00 last night before I got restless and unable to sleep well...I haven't been sleeping well the past week and I'm not quite sure why--no aches or pains...just sleeplessness! I woke up 2 nights in a row, every hour, from the time I went to bed to the time I woke up.

I plan to take a 24-week belly picture (before Thanksgiving, otherwise the picture will be quite a bit different after TG dinner! :) ) and hopefully scan in the 22-week ultrasound pics of our litteist girl while we are visiting my parents.

Everyone enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday--remember to "give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!!" (Psalm 118)

Ryan's bedtime prayer 11-23-09

2009-11-23T20:57:00.000-07:00

"Dear God, thank you for saving us and please keep me safe and Brooklyn safe and to not cry and to not let the monsters get me. And thank you for my friends not hitting me or kicking me or biting me. And for my covers to stay on and me not crying. and Brooklyn. And to keep me healthy. Okay, I'm done."

Time for an update

2009-11-03T20:56:00.004-07:00

Lots of words and then pictures at the end :)

We have seen many doctors in the last few weeks...I had my 20 week appointment, as was previously mentioned, but if you missed the post, we are having a little girl. I had an EKG at the hospital that week as well to check on my heart rhythm...it was as I suspected (PVCs in the sinus rhythm) but as I am not symptomatic as in passing out or getting dizzy from the heart rhythms we'll probably just keep on keeping on and not do anything for it (that's my choice, anyway).

Brooklyn had her 15 month visit on Friday, and dropped from the 35th percentile of weight at 12 months, to the 10th percentile at 15 months. It's concerning so we are to keep an eye on it and try to 'bulk her up' with lots of eggs, cheese, good fats, and even some instant breakfast powder in her milk. At 18 months if she hasn't climbed back up on the percentile chart, we'll start looking into what caused the sudden change in the chunky monkey that lives at our house. It could be celiac disease--which would be terrible--so please pray that it is just because she is so busy running after her brother to gain any weight in 3 months!

Today, I took the kids (and Wiesje and Andi!) to Ft Collins for Ryan's follow-up allergy and asthma visit. We actually saw the doc this time (last time was the PA, whom I didn't really love)--I really like Dr James in Ft Collins! He was great with Ryan and switched his medications to more of what I feel he needs to be treated for--without me even mentioning it :) Ryan is now on a medication to control both asthma AND allergy symptoms, with his other meds to be used only "as needed"--previously he was on one allergy medication and one asthma med that made him really jittery and not able to go to sleep well. AND...Dr James gave us a full month's supply of the new med, in samples. Yay! We'll go back in Februrary for a follow-up and go from there. Ryan's doctors here in town will probably be able to manage him after that Feb visit with maybe only annual checkups with Dr James to check his airways.

That's the doctor update...what else has been happening?!

David shot an elk last weekend up in the mountains with Sean and Sam--lots of work involved and the men are TIRED, but we will have plenty of meat for the winter! Hopefully Debbie and Jo will teach me what to do with these huge hunks of meat my husband provided and we can get it cut up, ground up, and frozen soon.

Halloween was a blast--we started Friday afternoon visiting David's and my work with the kids in costume, then went to the pediatrician's office for a carnival, followed by some trick-or-treating and a cake walk at the UW Student Union. After a nice supper at the Lucas', we went to Ryan and Brooklyn's school Halloween party--had lots of fun there even though it was crazy with kids :) That was all Friday. Saturday morning we went to the downtown trick-or-treat with Debbie and her little boys, and after naps and supper, we put costumes back on and went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. Daddy came home from hunting just in time to finish up trick-or-treating and help me "sort" the bags of candy the kids raked in. :)

So you made it this far...enjoy the pics!

This is what happens when you have a big brother...you play swords while all dressed up ready for church!!

My lady bug and Batman at the school carnival. So cute.

She was SO THRILLED to have a sucker and now has turned into a sucker MONSTER. Don't let her see one or she will throw the biggest fit trying to get it from you!

Ladybug and Batman getting ready for the first of many trick-or-treating events

19 weeks 1 day (2 weeks ago...I need to get better at taking pictures!!!)

Oh, I forgot...

2009-10-28T17:54:00.001-06:00

Baby girl is 10 oz right now.

:)

20 week ultrasound/visit

2009-10-27T19:43:00.003-06:00

Today, we were able to take a nice, lengthy peek at our little baby. We were in the room for probably 45 minutes or so, with a souviner DVD and a whole page of ultrasound pictures.

The placenta is a bit low, so we'll have a repeat ultrasound in 8 weeks to make sure it hasn't gone further down (covering the cervix, which would be a very bad, dangerous delivery!) and that it is either maintaining or has moved further up.

My heart is still doing funky things at night, and when I'm dehydrated, so I have an order for an EKG tomorrow...probably won't catch anything since it's supposed to be at 11, and my symptoms usually happen at night, but just checking to make sure it's nothing more serious than PVCs or PACs (which aren't really a big deal unless they cause you to pass out, etc). The doctor that came in to check the placenta and my heart was the one that delivered Ryan and I was really close to...I kinda feel bad that we're 20 weeks along (Wednesday) and haven't even seen him! My next visit is with the doc that delivered Brooklyn, but I think after that I'll request the first doc, just so he doesn't think I don't like him--I really do! I just like the other doc too and he seems more available :)

Anyway, the baby is measuring a few days behind (19 weeks 1 day instead of 19 weeks 6 days), so by measurements the due date is March 23rd, but March 17th is still the 'official' due date. You could pray that this little one doesn't have the growth issues Ryan did...he stopped growing at 33 weeks and was delivered at 38 1/2 weeks (still measuring 33 weeks!). That, and the placenta, seem to be the only 'complication' thus far but things are measuring great. Belly is full, bladder functional, kidneys perfect, brain containing all it's supposed to, no cleft lip or club feet...things look good.

We brought Ryan to the appointment so he could see his newest sibling...he was interested for about 3 minutes but did really well throughout the appointment. He has requested a baby brother, but will have to be content with two little sisters, instead!! Brooklyn and the new baby girl will share a room when the little gal makes her appearance!

Tomorrow I have a class for work to take at the hospital all day--8 to 5, and 8-3:30 or so on Thursday. We are supposed to get 10-20 inches of snow by Thursday so MAYBE it will be cancelled and we can just all hang out inside, warm and cozy!! I have had a fever all day and a stomach bug this morning...pretty worn out and praying I feel better before the class. We also have things to do in the evenings Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday is Brooklyn's 15-month appointment...then naps, then a Halloween party at the doctor's office from 4-6, and then another at the kids' school from 6:30-8:30! Friday will be just as busy, but more fun, than Wednesday and Thursday. One day at a time and we'll get through the week!

I'll post some pictures of the baby as soon as I get them scanned in to the computer. Ryan also wants some pictures for his wall of his new little sister. He's okay with having two baby sisters, but would still like a little brother, he says...he can share Sarah's little brother coming in January, or Tyler's little brother Weston.

:)

The things your children tell people...

2009-10-15T20:54:00.003-06:00

While at the OB today, Debbie watched my kids. She had all 4 children in the tub (her two and my two).

I came back and she said "Ryan told me something I didn't know about you today..."

"Oh?" I said, starting to get a little nervous...what exactly did he say?!

"He said that his mommy takes a bath by herself. And she doesn't need anyone to wash her."

True. Very true. Very observant, and I am glad that's all he shared about home. Wonder what other things he has in his head to share with people?!

18 week visit

2009-10-15T13:12:00.003-06:00

Weight: 117.6
Baby Heart rate: Don't know, she didn't say out loud, but nice and regular :)

This little one is hiding nice and low in my belly--she had to dig around to find him and once she did he was ANNOYED that she was trying to listen to him. It was actually painful when she was listening because he was kicking or pushing or head-butting up against the doppler, saying "umm, leave me alone!"

Heart's been a little funky so I am on a COMPLETE caffeine restriction--she said, not even chocolate. Gasp. For real. We'll see how well that goes. She also ordered a TSH blood test to check my thyroid level and make sure all is well there as thyroid issues can make the heart do funky things. If the TSH is normal and the caffeine elimination doesn't fix it, I'll be doinga 24-hour Holter monitor so she can catch my weird heart rhythm electronically.

Otherwise things are good--obviously baby is doing well, BP was 100/62 or something like that, and I got my flu shot. Ouch on that arm and ouch where the tech drew my blood on the OTHER arm :)

Tomorrow David gets off work at noon (YAY!) and we will all leave for Denver around 3:00 to pick up his parents. They're staying with the kids next week while we are in Las Vegas. I like road trips--snacks, pretty scenery, good company. We'll have supper with Dave's aunt and uncle and then head home with 6 Winegars in the van.

Saturday I have grand plans to get the yard cleaned up and winterized--outdoor toys cleaned and put away, scooter in the garage for the winter, leaves raked as much as possible, hoses wound up and put in the shed. We'll see how that goes :)

And SUNDAY, David and I leave for Las Vegas! I probalby won't have much computer access while there, so don't expect any updates that week :) Lindsey is meeting us there and she and I plan to have a grand time while David slaves away working!! :)

Lots of pictures to come in the coming weeks...kids being cute, Las Vegas, time with Grandpa and Grandma...we'll be just dying to take pictures!

October

2009-10-12T20:33:00.003-06:00

I thought as soon as September was over, October would be easy-breezy and full of family time! Woo hoo, was I wrong. Things have just gotten more crazy!

GOOD news is soccer is done, and my EKG class is successfully over, so Monday/Wednesday nights are now free from 5-6:30, and David doesn't have to come home Tuesdays to watch the kids in the afternoon.

That is a HUGE help to him because right now...60 hour work weeks are the norm, and often it's much more. The Handel conference is next week and they are trying as hard as they can to get everything working, shiny, and pretty before the clients arrive in Las Vegas.

David was able to take Friday off and go hunting up with some great friends last weekend (Thursday night-Sunday evening). He didn't get his deer, but had a great time nonetheless and we are blessed with the friendship of the guys that were there with him. It was also great for him to get away from work and be able to be a guy for a weekend!

I chose to stay behind with the kids, and while I missed the girl's company of the wives that tagged along, it is probably for the better we stayed here! Brooklyn woke up around 10:00 on Friday night throwing up more puke than I thought she could hold (sorry). I got her cleaned up, bed changed, and 30 minutes later, rocked back to sleep but was SO paranoid that she'd get sick again through the night that every time she whimpered, I would run in there, and of course, wake her up completely, and we'd start all over again with trying to get her back to bed.

I was a hurting unit Saturday morning and I think I either had a small touch of her bug, or my pregnant belly was grossed out by the previous night's performance and too tired to handle it, and I got sick once myself. Thankfully it was before Ryan was awake, so I was able to handle it with just one child peering over my shoulder into the toilet.

BOY did I wish for David to come home and take care of his sick girls! Ryan watched a LOT of cartoons Saturday and Brooklyn and I snuggled for most of the day. We were even able to sneak in TWO naps--one short one in the morning and one normal one in the afternoon. Nobody got sick again, and Ryan hasn't shown any signs of getting a bug, so I pray it's over.

Today, I got a call around 11:30 that Brooklyn needed taken home from daycare, because her temp was 100.6. Oh, boy. I finished up what I could at work and got the kids home by 12:30. Of course, when I took her temp here, Brooke's temp was 98.4, but what can you do? I put them both to bed, ate some lunch, and took a nap myself. Hey, if I have to leave work, at least I should get a nap, right!? :)

When the kiddos woke up, David came home for supper...and HE is a hurting unit now. Temp of 99.4, raging headache, and he felt chilly even though I was actually warm. I loaded him up with tylenol and ibuprofen, fed him some dinner, and he took a warm shower.

In the midst of all this, Brooklyn has had some diarrhea which we are pretty certain is related to teething...but poor girl, her bottom is like an acid-dipped bum. She cries so hard during changes and says "all done, Mama" during the changes. She cried so hard tonight during one, that I cried. I HATE hurting Brooklyn but leaving those diapers on just makes it worse. We can't find ANYTHING that makes the rash go away except no diarrhea! Tonight we dried her bottom with a hair dryer and let her run around naked for a good 30 minutes, and then loaded the kids up and brought them to the store.

We have been using Huggies on her since she was born, but thought maybe Pampers Cruisers would be better, because they have two layers on them--one is net-like on the bum and separates the wetness/poo from the skin surface. We used them with Ryan. So, we went to the store to get some, only to find out when we got home and tore the package open--no net. Don't know if they've changed the make of the Cruisers, but I was highly dissappointed. We used the last few of Ryan's old size 4 Cruisers on her a week ago and they DID seem to help the rash. If anyone knows of any leads on the 'old style' Cruisers with the double layer we'd love to know!

So, anyway, I covered her bum up with Vaseline tonight and put her in a Pampers just hoping it would help. If the rash isn't improved tomorrow we're going back to the doctor.

Because not only is she running random fevers (which we attribute to teething) and this terrible rash that won't improve (also teething?), tonight while she was naked, we found a spider bite on her armpit. Two little holes, raised, and red around the area. There was no streaking, so no emergency, but maybe this is what has caused her fevers? And maybe the vomiting?

Oh, trying to figure out what is wrong with your sick kiddo is SO HARD.

So there's our incredibly involved last-5-days which, on paper, haven't been that great! But God is good, is continuing to guide our family and give us the strength we need when we think we've run out of our reserves and can't parent anymore.

David is back at work tonight (even sick), and I am probably going to take a nice hot bath and get in bed myself so I don't get sick or run down!!

One last thing, to reward you if you've read this far... :)

On the way home today, Ryan said "Mama, your belly is getting big, because of the baby inside." I agreed with him, and he started laughing. "Mama, the baby is getting FOOD on her everytime you eat, because she's in your BELLY!" He laughed the rest of the way home, and I did too. I love that kid and the way he thinks!!

17 weeks

2009-10-07T22:27:00.003-06:00

I honestly meant to take pictures at 12, and 14 weeks--but as you know, September was a completely crazy month! Tomorrow is my EKG class exam, and then I'll be done! Soccer ended last week, as well. Poor David has been working really hard getting ready for the Handel conference and working with clients, so his 60+ hours leave few hours for taking pictures!

So here's a 17 week photo--self portrait, with messy background to complete the picture :)

We went on a drive to Steamboat Springs, CO, last weekend to see the fall beauty--I'll post pictures of those soon. Until then..enjoy the baby bump.

Why I love him.

2009-10-02T13:19:00.001-06:00

This morning, as is typical of many mornings when Ryan wakes up before Brooklyn, he crawled into bed with me so Mom could have "just 5 more minutes" :)

As he was laying there with me, he stroked my cheek and said "You're so pretty, Mom. You're pretty just like a princess. And I am cool just like a boy."

So the pretty princess hugged her cool boy, felt truly beautiful in the eyes of the one gazing at her, and got up to start the day.

Video clips

2009-09-26T18:42:00.002-06:00

Ft Collins date

2009-09-18T21:38:00.003-06:00

Ryan and I went on our 'date' to Ft Collins today...just the two of us. About 5 minutes into the drive he panicked and said "Mom! Where's Brookie?!" We haven't had alone time, just the two of us, in quite a while. I need to remedy that and spend some special time with just him!

Anyway, onto the doctor's appointment. We got there with few minutes to spare, thanks to some construction on 287, and an urgent potty need for a little boy right as we got to the clinic.

We were checked in, met by an awesome nurse named Debbie, and the PA, Lisa came in right away. She went over his 8 page symptom history form that we had to fill out, and discussed with me the plan of attack.

They did skin prick testing on his back with tiny toothpicks (nearly 20 of them) and he had to wait 15 minutes in agony without being able to scratch his back, or even touch it! He told me it felt better when I blew on it, so the nurse gave me the clipboard to make his back feel better. AND, smart people they are, they gave him a choice of movies and let him watch "Cars" while they pricked him and waited for the results. The two controls immediately formed welts and turned red, but only one of the allergens did--Locust trees, of all things.

The PA said that because trees give allergies in the spring, not the summer or fall, they don't really know what's causing his nose issues. There is definitely swelling and irritation and drip in his nose, but because it didn't show up on the official 'test', they have to classify it as "Non-Allergic Rhinitis" and don't technically know what's causing his terrible allergies. She said it's likely that the allergens that cause his symptoms didn't show up on the screening--they don't do ALL of them on 3 year olds because their back isn't big enough, and, they don't want to traumatize poor children! Also, she's pretty certain his non-allergic rhinitis will become ALLERGIC rhinitis in the near future.

In relation to his airways and asthma...she also can't technically call it asthma, because he doesn't have the lung capacity at 3 years old to do the pulmonary function tests (not until they are 4-5 years old can they do it). However, with his symptoms, she says it's pretty likely a textbook case of mild childhoold asthma. His offical diagnosis, because of the lack of testing, is "reactive airway disease" and his is most likely viral induced (if he gets sick, his airways react worse than yours or mine), and exercise induced (he coughs a lot when he plays soccer or rides his bike a lot). She gave us samples of an albuterol inhaler (with a spacer)--she thinks he's old enough and smart enough to do an inhaler/spacer instead of having to sit for a nebulizer treatment every night. He's to get two puffs a night, and two puffs before he plays soccer. If the coughing decreases or goes away completely, he has asthma...if it doesn't help (she doesn't suspect this) then he coughs a lot :)

He's on a new antihistimine (Allegra)--also a sample, so nice! We'll try it for a week and if it works we have a prescription to fill...if it doesn't work, we'll go to a different oral antihistimine. We also have a new nose spray to try--his nose is super irritated with allergens, she said. I am not excited about this--he had Flonase before and he said it burned like a fire when we did it! I hope the Allegra is enough to take care of his symptoms though I suspect the Nasonex would help even more. Maybe it won't burn as much.

So, no suprises with treatment...even though technically he "doesn't" have allergies and "doesn't" have asthma...cause the tests didn't show it...the symptoms do! If the treatments for them work, then the diagnoses will be there.

We were at the clinic for 90 minutes! Ryan did get to watch a lot of his favorite movie, though :) When we were done, we ran to an oxygen company to get the spacer, and then went to Target to get Ryan a toy for being so good while they poked him. He picked (with Mom's not-so-subtle persuasion) a Batman guy with motorcycle. For less than most other toys he was eyeballing :)

We got home just in time to pick up the rest of the family and head to the kids' school...the preschool was hosting a "parents night out". They fed the kids pizza, had them playing--there was a room for Brooklyn's age, too. Brooke got to be with her teacher that she likes a lot-Danica-and had a great time. Ryan played with his friends and was watching a movie when we got back to pick them up at 8:30. We didn't do much--we went to Chili's for dessert and an appetizer, and wandered around Walmart for a bit...we could have left them there all the way until 10:00! I didn't think that was very good for our kiddos, but, super nice of the school! It was free, so that was an added bonus. Ryan thought it was awesome to get to go to school and play tonight!

Anyway, David says I'm writing a novel, so I'll wrap it up now...tomorrow is Ryan's first soccer game so expect pictures of the Green Gators winning over the Red Dragons!!

14 week visit

2009-09-17T12:59:00.005-06:00

Today, we are 14 weeks, 1 day pregnant with this little munchkin. Who I think is a boy, but that's besides the point.

Weight: 114.4
Baby Heartrate: 160

I saw Dr Klingler, the doc I am most familiar with and really like. We heard the heartbeat (as in Dr K and I) and he measured my belly--didn't say anything about the measurement but I can always check myself and see if I'm measuring "correctly". He was concerned with the cramping/backaches I have been having since it's pretty constant--not just coming and going like round ligament pain.

(Which, by the way--you can totally tell the difference between cramping and RLP!)

Anyway he had the girls check for a UTI, which was negative, so that rules out that cause for cramping--but since there has been no bleeding or spotting with the cramps, we'll just watch it. It could be because it's baby #3 and my uterine muscles are more "relaxed" (my mom said "serene"--haha) and much lower than a woman's uterus in a first pregnancy. The ligaments are having to 'pull' the uterus up to where it's supposed to be carrying this baby--and the uterus is getting grouchy with that and deciding it is going to cramp and make me miserable every now and again.

It happens most often when I'm active so it may be my body telling me to slow down. However, it occurs most often in the evenings, which is when uterine irritability--and later in pregnancy: contractions--occur. He wants me to watch it and keep tabs on when it happens/what precipitates it/if pushing fluids will help (I was a bit dehydrated)

If it worsesns or changes, he'll want me to come back in, but his main theory is the "relaxed uterus" becoming "irritable" and cramping--especially when I'm more active. It's kind of an oxymoron--the relaxed irritable uterus.

So there's the baby update--I meant to take a picture last night at 14 weeks, but fell asleep on the couch and was too tired to remember when we went to bed 5 minutes later!

Tomorrow Ryan has an appointment with a pediatric allergy and asthma specialist down in Ft Collins--just he and I are going and Daddy and Brooklyn will stay behind. It will be a nice trip for just the two of us, but he has no idea what's going to happen at the appointment. I don't really, either, except for I do know they'll be doing skin testing--probably scratching his poor back with all sorts of allergens. :(

I'll update tomorrow when we get back.

Anyway there's our updates--hope all is well with everyone!

Part 1 of 3

2009-09-13T20:37:00.001-06:00

David's been working on some videos...here's the first. Enjoy!

Nice weekend (and no pics yet sorry)

2009-09-07T16:52:00.003-06:00

We had a very nice labor day weekend. Friday we went to Michael and Lee Ann's for supper and conversation while the kiddos played...we walked there, and Ryan rode his trike "all the way there". He loves riding his bike!! If only he had more confidence to ride his 'real' bike with training wheels...it's taller than his trike and he has to pedal harder, so it scares him, especially when the bike wobbles!! Soon, I'm sure.

Saturday I had a great "Mama morning" with my boys bringing me breakfast in bed, staying lazy until 10:00 when I emerged for the rest of the family. My great husband gives me Saturday mornings to do whatever I want to--no kid duty at all. Sometimes I go garage saleing, but for the last few weeks I have chosen to be lazy and sleep in!

After my glorious morning, we got ready and walked to the football stadium, where my work had a tailgate lunch before the game. We had GREAT food and ate with the Ennists and Cody Martin, and Ryan had a great time playing on the Pepsi inflatible jumpy things before we had lunch. We had tickets to get into the game too, but Brooklyn thinks 1:00 is naptime, not football time! We found a guy who was trying to buy tickets for his family and gave him ours (that my work had provided for us) and walked back home, trying to keep Brooklyn awake til we got to her bed! David and I dozed the afternoon away while listening to the game on the radio. We won--go Pokes! That night I made a from-scratch-my-own-recipe ham and bean soup that David loved, to use up leftovers--I love being thrifty like that (especially when it turns out well!!)

Sunday, we went to church as usual, ate lunch in the coffee shop, and then hit the road for Torrington/Lingle. Our nephew Brecken's birthday party was being held there, so we drove through Guernsey, Ft Laramie and Lingle before arriving at his grandma's house where we hung out a bit. I also was able to buy 6 of the best popcorn balls on the planet--made in Scottsbluff and sold at the convenience store in Lingle :) I bought their shelf empty! David agrees that they are pretty delicious, and since we don't go to Goshen County hardly EVER...it was a valid purchase :) We went to Torrington for the actual party and Ryan had so much fun playing with Brecken's cousins Karlee and Trevor, baby Hailey, and baby Bryell. (Mostly Karlee, Trevor and Brecken) :) There was a trampoline there, he had a CUPCAKE, and Brecken got to have a fun birthday party with all of his cousins!!

Brooklyn decided to be brave yesterday and start walking more--she took 10 steps a few times between Kara, David or myself--when we bribed her with a chip :) This morning David watched her take a few steps, unprompted, to get to me. I am so excited!

This morning after we all slept in until 8 (I am starting to sound like my mother--saying 8:00 is sleeping in!!) we got ready to head to Cheyenne. We went to Target and got Ryan some new shoes for the fall and winter that he can put on by himself (thank the Lord!!) and then met my parents, my grandma, Kara and Josh and Brecken at Olive Garden. The 10 of us had a delicious, if not loud, lunch!! Then the four of us went to the mall so Ryan could spend his quarter on a gumball and play in the indoor playground. Who did we run into at the play area, but our friends from long ago (before they moved)--Russ and Marcie Adels!! What Russ was doing in the play area remains somewhat a mystery unless you KNOW Russ, but we had a good talk with them and were so happy to run into them! We were only sad it wasn't suppertime so we could have taken them to eat and spent more time with them. They were in town for a roping competition.

We got back home, threw the kids and ourselves in bed, and now I can just hear the slightest sounds of my family awakening during a thunderstorm here in Laramie. It has been a great weekend, and if we can find a babysitter for tonight I hope to convince my husband to take me to a movie tonight!!

I hope all of your Labor Day weekends were just as full of fun and family as ours were--and I will post pictures soon, I promise! :)

Crazy Busy

2009-08-24T19:00:00.003-06:00

Well, it's August 24th and today marks the first day of insanity. And I don't even have school aged kids.

Today was Ryan's first day of soccer. He is on the "Green Gator" team with two girls from church. It was the organizational meeting tonight, and from now through the last week in September Ryan will have soccer on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30. He will have four Saturday game days (there are 4 time slots on each Saturday, as well).

So Mondays the kids will have school, then rush home for dinner, throw food in our mouths, walk to the park for soccer, come home briefly and go to Bible study. Wednesdays it is the same drill except there's church at 6:30 instead of Bible study, but we might hold off on that for September.

Additionally, in Brooklyn's room at school the babies don't sleep in cribs (the 12-18 month old 'babies'). They sleep on kiddie cots. Yes. Babies who crawl and wiggle sleep on cots. She actually SLEPT today and it will be good training for a toddler bed down the road, but she didn't sleep for very long, they said. They didn't tell me exactly how long she napped (or didn't)...but judging from how hysterical she was at soccer practice...it was not much. She was also up at 6:30 this morning. We had a TIRED girl on our hands who passed out in my arms at 6:50 tonight. I pray and hope she sleeps through the night or at least wakes up before I go to bed for a snack and then sleeps until morningtime!! I am exhausted as well.

ALSO, on Tuesdays, I have an EKG class for work from 3:30-5:30 through the first week of October. I know I will learn a lot, it will help me grow as a nurse, blah blah blah, but I'd so much rather be learning how to read labor strips or fetal monitoring or some aspect of nursing that I REALLY love. The cardiac system was my incredibly least favorite system to study. So it will be an extra challenge for me to WANT to learn the material and pass the course--especially because my work is paying for it!!

Anyway, if I don't blog much between here and October, you know the reason why. I am tired just thinking about everything we have going on this month, and by this month, I mean September. And it's only August :) So, if we make it through to the other side, I will let you all know!! Until then...I might just set Ryan up with a movie and go to bed at 7:00 tonight.**

***Not really, but it's tempting!

Pictures

2009-08-21T12:16:00.003-06:00

Well here's the promised belly pictures. I was a lot more "all around" with Ryan...as in, not showing anything at that point. I think I look about the same with Brooklyn and this little one at this stage...except, the outie that's already here! I TOLD you, Stephannie, that I already have the belly button outie caused by pregnancy! It's not really my favorite thing but oh well :)

Ryan had a 'circus' at school today so we went to go watch for a bit...he actually didn't like jumping through the ring of fire or walking the tightrope at all. These are the best of the pictures...which shows just how thrilled he was.

After the circus acts we went into his room with the other kids...this big kid (and i mean BIG) BIT Ryan on the arm. Hard. David and I were shocked. The teacher was like "oh yeah, Matthew has anger issues." What?! All they did was get him an ice pack and wash it off and then 'reminded the other kid that biting is not nice'. David and I weren't happy with the way they handled it, since this kid has bit Ryan before! And he's only been there like 10 times...and these are just the two times I KNOW about! The teacher said she was pretty sure that this kid wasn't going to be in Ryan's new room on Monday but when we bring Ryan and Brooklyn to school on Monday we're going to ask to speak with the director about how they handle that. It was more about Ryan instead of removing the biter from the situation--no time out, no nothing, just a 'gentle reminder to be nice'.

Anyway. That was my frustration of the day.

I have all the laundry from this week folded, kids fed...time to throw them in bed, and then I am going to enjoy a book and some lunch in quiet!! Have a great weekend!

St Patrick's Day surprise

2009-08-20T08:20:00.004-06:00

Well, for those of you that haven't heard, we are expecting baby #3! It was a surprise to us but God has bigger plans for us than we have for ourselves. I won't go on and on about it because I know some of you out there don't really want to read about other's pregnancies, but I will be posting updates because there are some out there that want to hear...and, we are excited too and I don't want to keep that under a bushel! David and I are quite happy, and Ryan seems to be too! Brooklyn will be in for a rude shock come March :)

We had our first "real" OB appointment today--I had a dating ultrasound a few weeks back, right before Brooklyn's 1st birthday, when we found out I wasn't sick with a stomach bug and head cold, but instead--a baby. We found out at that appointment we are due on March 17th, so today, that makes me 10 weeks and 1 day pregnant. We took the first obligatory belly picture last night at 10 weeks, and I will post comparison belly pics later tonight. For now here's a sneak peak at our tiny babe.

In other news...we are going to Ft Collins tonight and meeting with a window salesman that came to our house last week--but we wouldn't sign the contract with just 12 hours consideration. We prayed about it and got some good recommendations, so in the next week or two we should have some nice new windows up! We are also going to look at couches tonight at American Furniture Warehouse, and hopefully David will let me sneak in a store or two to scope out maternity clothes :) We will also go to Lowes--David wants to get pegboard for the garage so he can hang up his tools, build shelves, and organize the garage enough for me to get to park in there before snow flies!! (Which, doesn't seem like it could be too far away...it was kind of chilly this past weekend and I even turned on the furnace!)

Ryan is loving his 'school' and moves up to the Penguin room (3-4 year olds) and Brooklyn gets to start there on Monday as well! One place for both kids--hooray! It will be much simpler having them in the same location! Brooklyn will be in the Hippo room.

UW starts school Monday and YOU CAN TELL. Laramie is getting crowded again. We get so spoiled in the summer here. It is definitely an exciting time though, the beginning of the semester, and I am looking forward to the first home football game, September 5th! My work provides two tickets for each employee and a great tailgate party beforehand for the first home opener. Brooklyn and Ryan may not love the game, but at least we can have fun in tailgate park beforehand and try to stay for most of the game!

Seeing all the dorm kids moving in makes me very nostalgic. I have some great memories of my times in the dorm!! So fun! I am grateful to be out of college, but the early years of school were pretty fun. Fall and starting school is just a special time.
Enough rambling...time to get busy doing housework!

True Love

2009-08-08T15:23:00.002-06:00

Ryan, in the car today:

"I love my friends Tyler, and Jeremiah, and Joshua, and my cousin Brecken. And cookies."

And I think the love he has for all of those is probably equal.

Pictures to accompany the wordy post below

2009-07-28T16:32:00.002-06:00

Pictures in a random order...

My new haircut

Mama and her babies at the Saratoga Inn pool.

Brooklyn in the tunnel

Ryan in the tunnel

Brooklyn and Ryan at Libby Flats in the Snowy Range Mountains

Ryan at the pool in Saratoga

Camping! The boys setting up the tents

The girls tending to the campfire

Ryan's first day of school!

That's all...I'm sure I have more to post, but, for now, that's all folks!

Long time, no update

2009-07-28T13:18:00.003-06:00

So, what has been going on with us since July 11th? Tons! Lots of home improvement and decorating projects, fun with Lindsey and family, as well as the busy-ness that comes with a three year old and a moving baby!

Brooklyn turns 1 tomorrow at 4:49 p.m...I can't believe my tiny baby is a year old already. How time flies. She is growing and changing so quickly and imitates sounds now..."quack quack" is a favorite of mine. She scoots around and army crawls, so I am so glad David finished the baby gate when he did! She's starting to walk with help, and will sometimes do it one handed. She's standing by herself occasionally if she's not thinking about it :)

Ryan started school a few Mondays ago--he goes to preschool when I work on Mondays and Wednesdays. He LOVES it. I really think it was the right choice for him. He comes home talking about what he did, what he ate, what he learned, and what he played. So far, the only 'friend' that he knows the name of is Olivia, but whenever I pick him up he's right in the middle of the other 3-year olds playing.

This weekend will be bittersweet, as Lindsey leaves for Texas, and my family comes for Brooklyn's birthday party. We have SO enjoyed Lindsey this past month and really thank her husband for giving her to us for a whole month! Her help has been invaluable, but more than that, we have reconnected our friendship in ways that got lost between husbands, school, families, and being apart. I can't wait for October when we both get to meet again in Las Vegas for a week of girl fun while David's in a conference!

My family will be coming down for B's birthday party--my grandma from Worland, my mom and Dad from Gillette, and Kara's family from Saratoga. It will be fun to have them all here for Brooklyn! And, as a bonus, my mom is staying through Wednesday or maybe Thursday morning--we don't have a sitter for Brooklyn next week so my mom is going to stay and be a grandma sitter!!!

Lindsey and I went to Saratoga and had Kara take pictures of the kids for their 3 and 1 year old pictures. She took GREAT ones if you want to take a peek. We had a great time driving over the mountain, stopping at Ryan Park and Brooklyn Lodge signs, at Libby flats for some great pictures, and Lindsey got to play in the snow :) We stayed with the Sandlians and went to the hot springs, and caught the 'mountain bug'...two days later we grabbed David and we went up for our first camping trip since Ryan was a year old!! We had fun though it was cold and rainy...but the food and company and atmosphere was all wonderful.

I got a haircut today for a pick-me-up...we kind of all caught a cold this past weekend and I just feel a lot better now :) Not so run down--and my hair is done, at least :)

Time for some pictures...I think I'll publish the text and then the next post will be the pictures accompaining our stories.

Busy busy!

2009-07-11T16:11:00.003-06:00

Well, I see I have much updating to do since it's been such a long time! Of course, I uploaded pictures in the wrong order so we'll have to go in semi-reverse.

We have had a busy July so far and it's only the 11th!! July 2nd, I drove to Denver and picked up my good friend Lindsey. She's staying with us for a whole MONTH! I am super excited. After we got home (thanks for watching the kids, Jo!) we picked up David, Ryan and Brooklyn and continued driving to Gillette, where we spent the Fourth of July weekend. It was a great time, as not only were my parents there, Kara and Josh and Brecken came up--and my Grandma drove from Worland, AND my aunt and uncle and two cousins from Helena MT made the trek to Gillette!! It was so much fun having so many family members around for the holiday weekend.

The fifth of July was my mom's birthday, so before we headed back to Laramie we celebrated with an ice cream cake. Brecken picked out the cake and both boys got to put candles in the cake. :) Brooklyn liked eating it!!

Brooklyn dressed up for Grandma's birthday and LOVED being in this rocker at Grandpa and Grandma's house.

The fourth, of course, we watched fireworks. Gillette's display is always quite excellent! It was also quite late, and Brooklyn fell asleep during the show. She was not impressed with getting home at 11:00 p.m. instead of being in bed at 7:30 p.m.!

Ryan had a good time snuggling with Daddy, on my cousin Amy's pillow, and snacking on popcorn. He kept saying he wanted to go to sleep, though!!

Kara and I took the boys to the neighborhood park that we used to play at when we were kids. They have way cooler toys now though :)

Brooklyn was done with pictures by this time. Brecken looks kinda skeptical.

First try, great shot of my kids!! Too bad she couldn't be happy with the picture of Brecken too :)

Brooklyn and her Great-Grandma at the parade. It was an hour-long parade! We got a can of coke, a banana, a pop-ice, and TONS of candy. Ryan liked it but both kids were ready for it to be done.

Grandpa made some great kid-sized golf clubs for Ryan and Brecken and of course, we had to try them out! We all took a swing I think--Uncle Stuart, cousin Ian, Grandpa, Daddy, Mommy, Brecken and Ryan--not sure if Aunt Kara did or not.

Also while we were in Gillette, David and I celebrated our fifth anniversary. It's kind of weird to have it on the holiday weekend every year (it's July 3rd)--things are so crazy that it's hard to set it aside as something special for just us. However, we DID have an ample number of babysitters, so we ran away to a great new mexican restaurant and saw "Up" in the movie theater. I can't remember the last time we have been gone from our kids for 4 hours!! It was really nice.

July 2nd, Brooklyn started army crawling! She is a pro at it now and seems to be very drastically changing every day! Crawling was a week ago, and she has been pulling herself up to her knees pretty well. Today in the tub she pulled all the way to standing! Good thing the crib is lowered now :) I picked her up from her nap this afternoon with her sitting up in the pack-n-play so apparently she can get from laying down to sitting by herself as well.

Tuesday, Brooklyn said her first 'real' word (besides Dada, Mama, Yeah, and Hi...)--she said "noodle". Figures that this girl would have a food item as her first word :) Ryan's first words (on the same day) were hat, and cracker.

Thursday, Lindsey and I went to Loveland for some shopping and met up with Jessica. We had noodles for lunch :) I got some zip-up lightweight jammies for Brooklyn (finally!!) and am kinda sad that she's firmly in 18 month clothing!!

Yesterday began projects in earnest...David has been working hard on a baby gate for our moving baby, and Lins and I started painting Brooklyn's room. After many hours, lots of tape, and not too many mistakes, I have finished! I have decided that pianting ceilings are NOT fun. Ryan really wants his room painted next, so, I will tape it off tomorrow and work on it. Thankfully his colors are going to be close enough to the ceiling color that we won't have to paint that!!

I will post pictures of Brooke's room as soon as it is loaded back in. I cannot WAIT for her to sleep back in her own room instead of in the hallway like she did last night--she woke up four times!!

We are headed to the PRCA rodeo tonight thanks to some free tickets and going with friends...though with all the work I've done on the bedroom I'm ready for bed :) Only 1 bedroom to go, then some new lawn furniture I got at a garage sale, and then the trim of the house! We're changing it from red to a forest green.

Until next time...!

Bible study

2009-06-24T06:32:00.003-06:00

This summer, for 4 meetings total, every other Tuesday night, a batch of ladies ranging from early 20's to 50+ are meeting at our house to go through a book, based on Biblical truths and the Word of God on the lies women tell themselves, and what God would have them believe instead.

I am excited!

Last night was our first meeting and I got to know all the women more than I already did. Many of the ladies are close friends of mine, but I was able to know a gal from our church more than just by face; one of my new neighbors came, and two of my co-workers also came and I was blessed by the presence of all these women! The wonderful husbands of many of the women watched children so we only had tiny babies Weston, Andi and Will there--it was great to actually be able to discuss without kiddos running around needing attention!

As group leader, I feel more accountable to be in the Word and to keep myself blameless for Christ. Our couple's Bible study on Monday talked about praying, the will of God, and if he hears/responds to our prayers...all of this combined with the responsibility of leading a flock of God's sheep has got me re-energized for the Word!

My latest scripture memory verse is Phillipians 4:8-9. Here it is:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Moving

2009-06-18T19:53:00.005-06:00

Well I am here at a laundromat, which I will explain later--but it means I actually have time to sit and blog!! And no kids to distract!! I will start at the beginning of our crazy past couple of weeks first :)

Last week was crazy with packing and getting ready for clsoing on Monday. We went to Ft Collins on Thursday, I think, to get David some new tennis shoes, get paint and banister makings for the new house, and we got something for the kids too, but I forget what. It was last week :)

Saturday and Sunday David played in the Alpine Tennis Association tennis match (or tournament? I'm not sure). The kids and I were able to go watch a little bit of Saturday's match and some on Sunday as well. He played singles, and won his bracket!! He played doubles with one of the doctors at my work, which was kinda weird to see that doctor in a 'normal person' capacity! They had fun and I think they placed second in that bracket. David got a tennis towel for the doubles placement, and a nice hat for the singles win. And I got a big old dent in the back of my van for my souvenir of the tourney :) I was backing out and ran into a pole right on the corner of the bumper--but it didn't bust out the light or affect the liftgate, so, for now we will just live with it :)

We stayed up late Sunday packing up the rest of the house, disconnecting electronics, etc, and loading up the van with the first loads for the new house.

Monday was closing!! We were there a little before 9, and out and at the new house by 10! We had the first load in the house by 10:20 and then the rest of the day was spent moving. One of our friends watched the kids till 3:30--what a blessing that was!! David and I got about 2/3 of the boxes moved by then, and around 4:30 people from our Bible study started showing up to help move the rest of the stuff! We broke for pizza for dinner, people unpacked our kitchen, and we had the crib up by bedtime. Ryan and David and I slept on mattresses on the floor but the house has been coming along since :)

We discovered the washer and dryer that came with the house actually didn't dry clothing. My wonderful husband bought me a completely new SET of washer/dryer from Home Depot--a fancy high efficiency model which I am very excited about. We sold the other washers and dryer we had within 12 hours of posting them for sale, so our laundry room is empty. We were set to go to Ft Collins tonight and get them, but then David was told they are on backorder. So we were going to go tomorrow. He called today and they actually won't be in until next Tuesday tne 23rd!! Apparently the great deal he got was pretty popular and they are having to order lots more from Maytag :)

Hence, why I have been sitting at the laundromat since 7:30! The 4 loads of wash are now in two giant dryers and I am watching them spin. It's kind of hypnotizing.

No pictures of course as I am at the laundromat--but I have some pretty good ones from the last week!!

Tomorrow I am planning on garage sale-ing in the morning with the kids, grocery shopping (AGAIN--the plan of emptying the pantry and fridge before I moved was good, but now I have to buy lots more groceries. I hate spending money like that!!) and then more unpacking...Brooke's room is probably 90% done, with a lot more to go in the rest of the house. We have the living room about 50% done, but when we get a wall mount for the TV and David can hook up all the electronics, things will go quickly to the finish point in that room. My kitchen is mostly done and I LOVE it. My fridge is a top fridge/bottom freezer and it's great...the dishwasher, even though it's a wheel-to-the-sink version and loud, cleans great. I have ample cupboard and pantry space...I just really like my kitchen a lot. The living room is huge and will have room for the kids to play, room to lounge and watch movies/TV...it's great.

Our room now has a box springs so the bed is built and we are in the process of looking for a dresser (we had to get rid of one that was breaking before the move). When that happens, and when we get the washer and dryer, the bedrooms will be in much better unpacking condition.

David is currently putting up Ryan's bunkbeds, which will help Ryan's room look better...we'll just hav eto find where we want to put all his toys and his room will be done. Thank goodness they were already in rubbermaid tubs--with the lids on them, they were quite easy to move!

The garage is the big area to tackle--there's lots of random things in there that need brought to the shed or brought in the house and put away. I want to get it unpacked so I can park in the garage and stop getting a sticky car every morning from the trees above the driveway :) However, it IS quite a blessing having a driveway to park in! I LOVE our new home. God definitely blessed us in this home he provided for us! The backyard is great and I have already mowed it :) I am spray painting some chairs for the backyard (patio chairs that my parents gave us) and we're getting ready for Ryan's birthday party on Saturday!!

Long post, I should wrap it up--and I promise pictures soon :)

Two Spiritual Gifts inventories

2009-06-09T17:20:00.002-06:00

1st, from Lifeway...

Service -19
Faith -15
Mercy -14
Giving -13
Administration -11
Exhortation -10
Hospitality -10
Teaching -9
Knowledge -9
Wisdom -9
Leadership -8
Discernment -8
Apostleship -7
Prophesy -6
Shepherding -6
Evangelism -6

Spiritual gifts test #2
======================
Music-21
Faith-17
Giving- 13
Hospitality-11
Encouragement-11
Helps-11
Poverty-11
Intercession-9
Exhortation-8
Miracles-7
Teaching-7
Mercy-7
Leadership-6
Pastoring-6
Discernment-6
Wisdom-5
Administration-5
Prophecy-5
Evangelism-5
Knowledge-4
Apostle-3
Missionary-2
Writing-2
Craftsmanship-2
Healing-2
Anything relating to tongues-0
Celibacy-0

From http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift/index.htm

10 months (and 400th post!)

2009-05-30T22:00:00.004-06:00

Two milestones in the same post. How lucky can you 5 faithful readers get? :)

Here's a picture post for all of you. Brooklyn turned 10 months old yesterday. Last week she was 18 lbs 3 oz at the doctor's office...CHECK OUT THOSE LEGS! I love summer weather and being able to see her chubby legs and arms!

This was after Mom tried to take her paci away and get a good Mickey picture--she screamed and cried and Ryan came to comfort her.
This is honestly how Ryan fell asleep, after playing on his bed for about two hours during naptime. I don't know how he actually slept like this, but it's awfully cute. David took another picture today of Ryan on a mound of toys, blankets, and his pillow--Ryan has been 'creatively napping' as of late.

So that's all--I am so tired and am going to bed! I packed quite a lot today and organized things for our garage sale coming up...we are maybe 20% packed. The big things will be the kids' rooms and kitchen which I can't do until closer to closing. I'd LIKE to pack the kitchen, but it will just have to wait. I want packing to be DONE and be able to be in the new house, unpacking!!!

He KNOWS he's doing wrong...

2009-05-26T21:07:00.004-06:00

Tonight when we came home from Bible study (during which, he had been pushing the limits just a little)...Ryan walked in the door and after his shoes were already put away, he picked one up and threw it at the door.

Just because.

I said, "Ryan Dean, that was not a good choice!"

He walked away from the door, hit his bum, and said "I 'panked myself, Mama. All done."

And went about his business.

Well, as long as he can discipline himself, that makes my life easier, right??

9 lessons from the conference

2009-05-25T22:29:00.002-06:00

Briefly, with little explaination I will post the 8 truths Beth taught from Psalm 66.

Who is it that you want to be? Are you willing to train for it? Are you trainable? Are you running aimlessly, or with a purpose? (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

1) God trains us to think bigger. (Ephesians 1:4)
2) He trains us to praise louder (Ps 8:2)
3) He trains us to live livelier--you can't go for the RIDE OF YOUR LIFE with Jesus, if you insist on sitting in the driver's seat!!
4) He trains us to prove mightier (1 Peter 1:6-8)
5) He trains us to emerge purer
6) He trains us to follow through better (Jonah 2:5)
7) He trains us to pass the Word plainer (Titus 2:4)
8) He trains us to trust Him deeper.

A few other randomites that if you want to know more, ask.
--Stay in your lane!!
--It is not about you (me). It is about God!
--Start praising Him more instead of talking about the circumstances. Bring attention to His Excellence, not our problems!

Waayy overdue update

2009-05-25T21:29:00.005-06:00

I just have so little motivation to write blog updates anymore! We'll see what I can dredge up. Since it's been three full weeks. I might deserve to go to the blogging hall of shame for that.

Actually, quite a lot has happened in the last few weeks. Some big news for our family, some great events that have happened in Laramie, and just lots of busyness going on!! No pictures...this post turned pretty long...sorry. Maybe tomorrow I'll get some up :)

In the realm of the kiddos, they have both been growing and changing. Ryan hasn't had a potty accident in almost 2 weeks and is becoming quite the outdoor adventurer. He will spend most of his day outside if we let him--even today, when it was raining! (Just a little bit, Mama, it's okay if I'm wet, he told me...) He is doing chores every morning (that I am home) and every night and earning an allowance for doing so--and loving helping me cook in the kitchen. He especially loves baking (that's my boy!) but I think it's because he can crack the eggs, pour oil or milk or water, and lick the batter :)

He also loves matching silverware in the drawer so I jumped on that and he helps me unload the dishwasher. I LOVE having someone help me do chores now! He will also put dirty laundry in the hamper and pick up toys--even his sister's. Ahh. Self-sufficiency. I hear it only gets better! While it breaks my heart that he's growing up ("you don't have to kiss me ALL THE TIME Mama" he told me a few days ago...and is calling me "Krissen") it is also nice to have a helper!

Brooklyn is developing quite a little personality and shaking her head 'no' a lot! She even says no appropriately, such as when I am trying to feed her when she still has food in her mouth, or if people ask her if she's a little monster :) She hasn't mastered 'yes' yet, and is still hit-or-miss with "more" in baby sign, but she's starting to get that we can communicate together. She ALSO has developed a nice screech/squeal if she doesn't get her way and has had her cheek tapped if she won't stop. That does NOT go over well and as an emotional female, she lets out a heartbreaking cry and her eyes spill over with tears. Oh, joy...the emotions of femaledom have come to play already.

She's not crawling yet but rolls like a champ and is desperate to get where I am...if only she'd get on her knees she'd figure out she can get into trouble sooner!! Ryan is still her favorite amusement and I pray they continue to be great friends.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend "Living Proof Live"--a Beth Moore study weekend. IT WAS AWESOME. The worship team was AMAZING, Beth brought God's Word to us plainer than day, and I walked away refreshed, energized, and thoughtful. She taught on Psalm 66 and the strict training God has set for us so we can run with purpose the race He has set before us. It was great. I felt like I had just received a big hug from this wonderful, personable, lovable woman. The worship team was awesome and I think I have decided they could really use me on their team--I'd LOVE that. Or, to be a sign language interpreter...the ladies they had there were beautiful in their sign, especially during the singing! Travis Cottrell was the worship leader. I have both Beth's blog and Travis' on my 'blogs I read' list...check them out. I can't wait to save up extra money for some CDs of Travis' and some sermons/teachings/books from Beth.

It was amazing.

Now onto the big family news...

Ha, no we are not pregnant. But I had some of you thinking that, didn't I? (I always think that when I read that on others' blogs!) No, we have enough friends to cover that base for us :)

But, just as life changing--we have bought a house! Or, more accurately, are in the process of buying a house. We found a for-sale-by-owner that we just adore--and even better, it's just blocks from our good friends the Watsons, and close by the Ennists, Lucas', Bryan's, Reese's, and I'm sure there's someone else I am forgetting. It seems to be a popular area :) It is 3 blocks from a great elementary school, close by two parks, and has a wonderful FENCED backyard to let the kids loose in. If it all goes well we are set to close on June 15th, and I will post pictures as soon as I can after we know it's truly ours. The offer was accepted, inspections completed, and appraisal was on Friday. Our realtor has said if we haven't heard from the appraisal, that's good news--I'll call tomorrow to be sure, if I don't hear back first. So now, we pack, pack some more, wait, pack, and pray that it's what God has intended for our life! Three weeks from today, we will hopefully be in our new home.

Ryan turns 3 in just a month, and Brooklyn will be one in July. I can't believe how the last year has flown. 1 year ago, I graduated nursing school, LOVED my summer 'off', became an RN, watched my baby turn 2, went to Disney World, had another baby, started my first job and found my second, had a great Christmas with David's family, and watched my favmily grow physically and in Christ. I can't belive how time has flown for the four of us.

Ryan is signed up for "Little Kicker's" 3 year old soccer starting in August--he will have practices at a park a few blocks away for a month and games for another month. I think he'll love it!! We have ordered birthday supplies for their respective birthday parties--and hope to have Ryan's party outdoors at our new house. Pray for a beautiful day because we want to let the kids play in the sprinkler on our great lawn during the party!!

I started a new work schedule, Mondays and Wednesdays 7ish till 4:00(ish). Though I work more hours overall, it gives me more days home with the kids and I love being able to spend more quality time with them. I am able to get more accomplished at work, as well, instead of just running in and out 5 hours later.

Anyway, a lengthy enough update I think this is...please leave me a comment if you actually read this thing and it will motivate me to update more frequently :)

Weddings

2009-05-04T13:38:00.003-06:00

Ryan was looking at our wedding photo on the wall the other morning at breakfast. He asked me where that was, and when I said it was at Daddy's and my wedding, he asked what that meant. I said, when grownups decide they love each other, they can get married, and have a wedding.

He thought for a moment, and said "I want to get married, Mama."

I asked "who do you want to get married to?"

And he said "I want to marry God. Cause I just love Him."

There's your dose of cute for the day!

Brooklyn's dedication--in video form

2009-04-26T19:46:00.004-06:00

Thanks, Sean!

Watch her steal the show and love on Pastor Paul...

Brooklyn's happy dance

2009-04-26T19:05:00.000-06:00

She just started this goofy dance this morning during breakfast--she must have been happy to get fed! She's totally capitalized on the charm it invokes and has learned how to make people smile!

Brooklyn's dedication

2009-04-26T16:01:00.001-06:00

Narration and an ADORABLE video to follow, but here's some pics :) Thanks, Sean!

Schmorgasbord of Easter pictures

2009-04-14T10:28:00.003-06:00

Easter baskets! Ryan was too busy finding eggs to really notice the goodies in his basket!

Hard to get 5 people all cooperating for a picture in the middle of College avenue in Ft Collins...

What can I say...she likes to eat! :) Actually Ryan 'helped' get her some more cereal for the 2.5 seconds I wasn't watching him like a hawk. I should be grateful we have a good 'helper' for a big brother.

Cuties. My cuties. Easter Sunday morning.

My cutie; Easter evening making a HUGE mess of graham cracker and water.

Still another cutie, ready to dye eggs on Easter Eve day. (Saturday)

Ready for the Easter egg hunt at Kiwanis park in Gillette! He did so well and even SHARED eggs with other kids who didn't have as many as he did! He really liked the Easter egg hunt, for the first time.

We had a hectic weekend--left Thursday evening for an uncle's funeral in Loveland; after the funeral Friday drove to Gillette for Easter; left Gillette Monday morning back to Loveland to spend more time with David's parents before they left back for home in Wisconsin, and finally, home to Laramie last night at 9.

I just realized I didn't get pictures of my dad this weekend...that always seems to be the case! I'll have to try harder next time.

Hope all of your Easters were well and that we remember that Christ died for your sins and rose again, conquering death, and reigns over all! He wants to live in your heart if you will just let Him!

What a night...

2009-04-06T07:39:00.004-06:00

Ryan, Brooklyn and I are in Saratoga today; we came up yesterday afternoon to stay with Brecken while his mommy and daddy are at work, and his normal babysitter is gone.

Ryan and I shared a queen sized bed last night--I thought it would be fine! He's always asking me to sleep in his bed with him (twin sized) and loves cuddling there; I thought a queen sized bed would be great for the two of us.

Um.

Here's an overview of our night.

Brooklyn was exhausted and went to bed at 7:15 or so...fell quickly into the dead-asleep world, in the pack-n-play in the room where Ryan and I would be sleeping.

Ryan went to bed at 8:30 and as I carried him into the room I told him he would have to whisper; I showed him where his sister was sleeping; I laid him on HIS pillow (and showed him where Mommy's was, so he wouldn't overtake it...HA)...tucked him in...and rejoined my sister and brother-in-law.

20 minutes later, I thought I heard Ryan crying. I got closer and realized he wasn't crying ON the bed...he was somehow off the bed. His cry was the "I got hurt!" variety, so I hurried in. And stepped on him. Whoops. He fell off the bed and knocked into the pack-n-play. Cue baby sister crying because she got woken up when the big brother belly-flopped into the side of the pack-n-play.

Ryan tucked back in and Brooklyn calmed down, I went back to join Kara and Josh.

10 minutes later, now Brooklyn is screaming. I went in the room and Ryan was sitting up. I thought he said "I can't get in there" while he was pointing to Brooke's bed. I said "honey, you aren't supposed to get in there!" and he took his paci out and said "No, Mommy, the KITTY got in there!" I reached down to pick up the baby and ran into the fluff ball of Ditka, one of the Sandlian's kitties. Cuddled up next to the crying baby, Ditka was as happy as could be! Until I took him out of the room :) Brooklyn was probably rudely shocked awake by a cat jumping on her ample tummy. She wasn't fond of that. (She also was not fond of Ditka licking her face earlier in the evening. She's not used to kitties!)

When I went to bed, the rest of the night consisted of Ryan snuggling up to me only to kick me and whine and push me away moments later...crying if there were blankets or sheets touching him...losing his paci (behind the bed...I had to pull the mattress partially away so I could move the box springs enough to reach behind the bed at 3:42 a.m.)....feeding Brooklyn 3 times...YES she suckered Mom! That never happens at home, but I didn't want her to wake up her brother, or cousin, or aunt and uncle! Lucky baby.

Finally around 4 a.m. Ryan stopped tossing and turning...he cuddled up on me and said "Mama, I just love you" and I smiled. I said "I love you too, Ryan." and he replied "Mama, I just love my paci, and silky, and water...." and didn't move until 9 a.m. Brooke went down for a nap at 8:00 and talked herself to sleep...Ryan didn't even notice. I'm ready for a nap this afternoon if all three kiddos cooperate! :)

Kara took some great pictures of Brooklyn yesterday...if you want to see them, visit this link!!

http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=661355999&k=4XE662US3W4M5AAGQA5YSP

Shameless 'job' posting

2009-03-26T21:17:00.002-06:00

One of our babysitteres let me know she won't be renewing her contract with us when this semester is over...so we are looking for a summer babysitter while I work part-time at Gem City! If you are interested in some income over the summer months and want to talk to me about days and times...let me know!! PLEASE! :)

Vacation, birthday, and pictures

2009-03-23T13:19:00.008-06:00

Last weekend, March 13-15, we took our family vacation to Denver. We haven't ever gone on a 'just us' vacation without any other family with us or anybody else's itinerary to keep in mind. It was nice and relaxing to do what we felt like doing on no particular timetable! We ate at Beau Jo's pizza, had Coldstone ice cream, watched movies in the hotel room with popcorn, went swimming 4 times, went up and down the elevator around 20 times, went to the Aquarium and Children's museum, Cherry Creek mall, visited with friends in Denver, went to Whole Foods Market and shopped at Carter's (Yay!)

(by the way...just going IN a whole food's makes me feel healthier. I can't really afford their food, but if I lived near one I'd probably make Brooklyn's baby food from their produce offerings. I did buy cereal bars for the kids and they are delicious...you can see them here if you are interested. David and I even liked them enough to steal them from the kids, and now :-( they are all gone).

Here's some pics from the trip...

So, the first night there, Ryan was in his swim trunks and water wings, ready to go swimming. And I realized I hadn't packed swimsuits for David OR myself. So...the good Daddy he is, David trekked off to the gift shop to peruse the offerings. The very SPARSE offerings. They had nothing that would work for me (honestly) so David sucked it up and bought some WONDERFUL blue swim trunks (ridiculously overpriced, of course) and he and Ryan went swimming...the next morning, we went to Target, where not only did I get to purchase things for the kids' Easter baskets, and a new car for Ryan, but a really cute swim suit. I got the better end of the deal, I am sorry to say (for David) :-)

At the aquarium, Ryan got to have his cheek air-brush painted. He thought it was really neat, even if an hour later, during his nap, the paint wore half off, and during swimming that evening the rest washed off. Oh well, vacation is for splurging and fun, right??

Our hotel lobby was really neat with a waterfall and stream. Ryan had fun throwing 'monies' into the water. This is the three of us posed on the bridge on the way out the door Saturday morning.

Brooklyn and Ryan on one of the beds. I am so grateful we had a two-room suite--Ryan on one bed, David and I in the other, and Brooklyn in the other ROOM in the pack-n-play. :)

David and Ryan posing in front of the aquarium. Ryan truly had a blast here.

At the Children's museum in the kids-sized basketball court.

Ryan painting his masterpiece. He painted waterfalls (he was obsessed with the one at our hotel!!)

"Where's the fire?" He kept shouting :)

At the Children's museum in our awesome sit-n-stand double stroller. I LOVE IT, I can't even tell you how much! It was so nice on Sunday that we ate lunch outdoors and Ryan got to play on the outdoor playground as well.

Watching a movie with popcorn, in the hotel room.

March 19th (Thursday) was my birthday. My family made it great for me...I had salmon and mac and cheese for dinner (some of my favorites) and a french silk pie for dessert. Yum! We went on a drive out to a beautiful subdivision north of town (I love drives when I have David to keep me company!) and visited with some friends on our way back home. It was a great 26.

My wonderful husband had flowers sent to work...I LOVE how pretty the daffodils are, and the balloon is still going strong!

Not sure why this is sideways, but Brooklyn was given this glowworm from her Great Grandma Lou when she was born. Now it helps me distract her in the night when she wakes up...I can push its tummy and sneak out while she's occupied by the lights and music. And, poor girl...she has to wear her brother's hand-me-down jammies :)

My birthday pie...Ryan helped put in the "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" candles...can you tell? :)

Brooklyn all dressed up for church on the 22nd, in one of her new dresses from Carters. I could easily spend $1000.00 there, and STILL not get everything that I want to. Carters...ah....makes me happy.

:)

Well that's it for now... no more pictures to share!

Wow, time for an update

2009-03-07T13:53:00.003-07:00

So, I see I have SIX followers. And no recent blog posts. You 6 make me nervous. I need to update or I fear I may lose you. :) I also have two more blogs to add to my sidebar. I've been meaning to do that for well into a month.

So news from the Winegar front...

* Brooklyn still only has one tooth but boy, what a beautiful tooth it is!

* I ate an entire french silk pie in 6 days. Delicious. And I'm not really ashamed of it :)

* Brooklyn is in the midst of baby sleep boot camp. Last night, instead of feeding her at 3, I only rocked her to calm her down, and back to bed she went. Until 8 a.m.!!! Woo! Thanks for the motivation and idea to get started, Elizabeth. Maybe by next week I will get to sleep through the night :)

* Speaking of sleep...my wonderful husband is letting me sleep in on Saturday mornings, as late as I want! WOO! It's so refreshing, being able to feed a baby at 7:30 or so and go back to sleep for an hour. The latest I have slept is 9 a.m. but just the freedom TO sleep later...it energizes me. Refreshes me. My husband is the best. I love love love it.

* My birthday...March 19th. I think I'm going to ask for another french silk pie. But I'll probably have to share it :)

* There are some pictures for your enjoyment...most of them are of Brooklyn, cause, frankly, she's more fun to dress up. I have more on the camera I need to upload.

* We are going on a family vacation next weekend! Denver! Hotel, aquarium, children's musem, Carters, and MAYBE I can even talk my husband into the mall! Friends, food, fun, family. Can't wait to use our double stroller for more than just a walk around the block!

* I have laundry to fold, a kitchen to clean, and banana bread to make. I should get off the computer. But it's so nice during quiet naptime to just...zone. Ahh, productivity calls.

Until next time...here's the pics!

Ryan at 7 months Brooklyn at 7 months

An adorable baby dressed in a springy dress. Too bad it's snowing again...

I am addicted to putting bows & ribbons & do-dads in my daughter's hair.

Smells like Wade

2009-02-23T09:27:00.007-07:00

There is an elder in our church. He's a man's man. Tough. Gruff. You wouldn't want to cross him in a dark alley (if he were to be found in a dark alley). But he has a soft spot for babies. Especially baby girls. He loves to steal the babies away and spend one-on-one time with them. Many a mom has called him "Grandpa Wade".

With the rash of babies that were born when Brooklyn was born, she hasn't really had any "Grandpa Wade" time. Until yesterday.

Wade abducted my baby girl and loved on her for close to an hour. Talked with her, danced with her, cuddled her, and loved on her.

We are so blessed to have a church family that loves each other so much. So much that my baby can have a surrogate grandpa while hers are far away.

She came home smelling of Wade. I love it. Smells like Wade is a good thing in my book.

Parenthood...

2009-02-17T21:37:00.002-07:00

Taken from Jaime...a good laugh. (Elizabeth, if you multiply this by three...do you have a 33 step program?!)

11 Steps to prepare yourself for Parenthood

Lesson 1
1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.
Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3
A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...
1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)
2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
4. Set the alarm for 3AM.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.
6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4
Can you stand the mess children make? To find out...
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them o n the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5
Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh. (make sure it is a live octopus!)
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6
Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.
1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7
Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8
1.. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air. (TRUE!)

You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 9
Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10
Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy' and occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler. (TRUE!)

Lesson 11
Start talking to an adult of your choice... Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. The goat might work. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

Ah...I laugh because it is so true.

First Tooth!!

2009-02-16T16:46:00.002-07:00

Brooklyn has been SO drool-laden today, with puffy gums and hasn't slept well the last two days. She went through 3 outfits today, just totally soaked in slobber.

The payoff? A TOOTH!

Her bottom middle tooth (on the left, if you are interested) popped through and I saw it with my penlight this afternoon! You can feel it if you try :)

So, hooray to grumpy babies when the result is an adorable tiny pearl of a tooth!

It makes me laugh out loud.

2009-02-12T23:15:00.002-07:00

My friend Ellen pointed me to this blog...it cracks me up. Go look at it. I actually laughed out loud, and I'm not a laugh-out-loud type of gal! It maybe 11 pm an that is part of it...but still. Funny funny. Cake Wrecks.

Trip to Gillette

2009-02-09T08:31:00.007-07:00

This was a busy weekend in the Winegar household...Thursday night, we celebrated David's birthday with him a day early. I made a rainbow chip cake and it was fun having the kids and I able to celebrate with just our Daddy. We also went swimming that night, which Ryan absolutely loves. We had to buy Brooklyn a new swimsuit...hers was just TOO small. We bought a 12-month size and it fits great. It makes me laugh!

Friday, the kids and I loaded up the van and hit the road (we were out by 9:15 a.m., I was really impressed!! It would have been even earlier, but I forgot my wedding ring and wanted to come back for it). Ryan did great watching movies in the car, and Brooke took little catnaps up to Douglas. We stopped for lunch, where both of my kids were melting down...we hurried through McDonald's lunch (I actually don't think I ate at all!) and Brooke slept the rest of the way to Gillette. Ryan watched "The Incredibles"--his latest favorite movie.

We got to town and visited Grandma at one of her schools, since it was on the way into town and she had a quick break. She had fun showing off her grandbabies to some co-workers. If we had been just a few hours earlier, they could have met Rylan, McKenzie's baby!! She had come to school for lunch with her mama.

Friday night we went to Humphreys for dinner...my favorite restaurant! Ryan was SO tired from not taking a nap that he actually fell asleep on Grandma's lap in the waiting area, and stayed asleep to be carried to our booth, and curled up on the long bench to keep sleeping. I woke him up to eat though he was not very happy or interested in his food! I wish I had brought my camera.

The rest of the weekend was spent grocery shopping and clothes shopping (for the kids) with my mom--one of my favorite things to do!! We also saw the new Wyoming Center at CamPlex...it's amazing! Dad bought Hong Kong for lunch on Sunday and I was able to bring David home some Kung Pao chicken...he really misses Hong Kong :) My parents really miss David...we'll have to try to get up there with all FOUR of us sometime soon.

There were lots of cartoons, puzzle-playing, and building towers with Grandpa and Grandma...Ryan had a really good weekend, and I did too! I was able to finish a book I had started, and enjoy my parents. I loved watching my kids play with my parents. I took lots of pictures to record the events!

This picture just about summarizes the trip...Brooke didn't sleep well in the pack-n-play, so both she and Mama were tired! Ryan jumped on furniture and played so hard that he crashed in the car and slept from Wright to Wheatland. I made him an impromtu "pillow" and I turned around at one point to see him dead asleep, like this.

We had a great weekend and have to spend today getting back to normal! Thanks to being up with the baby, my laundry is all washed and just one load left in the dryer..then 3 to fold :) I have a bit of grocery shopping to try to accomplish, kids to feed and get dressed, a kitchen to clean...glad we came back one day earlier than planned! I've got to get my chores done so I can take a nap this afternoon with the kids!!

Brooklyn at 6 months

2009-01-29T17:20:00.004-07:00

Can you believe my baby is already 6 months old? Where did the time go?

We went to the doctor (actually, nurse practicioner) this morning. Brooke is HUGE! Well, actually not as huge as some babies we know, but for a Gleason-Winegar baby she is HUGE!

She's 16 lbz 1/2 ounce (just over 50th percentile)
26 3/4 inches (90th percentile!!!)
and 43.6 cm head (75th percentile).

Ryan at 6 months was 13 lbs 1 ounce (1st percentile), 25 3/4 inches (30th percentile) , and 44.1 cm head (70th percentile). We also had to defer his immunizations due to an ear infection. I believe it was his second already, at only 6 months! Ryan didn't hit 16 lbs till 9 months old. These kids aren't related, I swear!

She does have a cold that the NP wants to make sure doesn't turn into RSV, but was healthy enough to give FOUR shots and an oral vaccine to. Surprisingly and thankfully, she hasn't had a fever or been too fussy today. She has slept more than normal, and hasn't wanted to eat too much, but she's doing great. We'll see how the next day or so goes!

Anyway that's the update from here...I have a funny story to relate about Ryan and some chocolate syrup...so stay tuned. :)

Baby Tag

2009-01-25T21:52:00.003-07:00

1- Where were you when you first found out you were pregnant? I don't remember, honestly. Probably at home; with the previous baby it was in a bathroom at Rushmore Music Camp.

2- Who was with you? Nobody was with me for any of the babies' postive pregnancy tests

3- How did you find out that you were pregnant? I took a home pregnancy test.

4- What was your first reaction to finding out you were pregnant? Excited, nervous, cautious, but at peace mostly and happy.

5- Your Husbands reaction? Happy, I am sure, but they don't get into it as much as mommies do, I think.

6- Who was the first person you told? David, and then possibly friends, and then family in person...I think....I honestly can't remember back that far. It was over a year ago!

7-Did you plan to get pregnant? Yes. We waited the recommended 2 cycles after my miscarriage and then were trying again.

8-Was everybody happy for you? Some, yes, some I think were bittersweet feeling, some probably felt we didn't deserve it.

9- Did you go out and celebrate? I haven't any idea...I don't think so!

10- Did you want to find out the sex? Yes, but David knew all along :)

11- What was the sex? Girl.

12-Did anyone throw you a baby shower? Yes.

13- If yes, who? Lee Ann did, right after Brooklyn was born, and then the church had a joint shower for 5 babies.

14- Did you get any outfits at the baby shower that you just knew you weren't going to put on your baby? Ha, no, not with this baby, but with Ryan...I got a little sailor's outfit and a bib that said "I'm the little brother" from a gal at work :)

15- How much weight did you gain? 40 lbs with Ryan, 32 with Brooklyn.

16- Did you loose all of the weight that you gained? Yes. Took longer with Ryan than it did with Brooke.

17- Did you get a lot of stretch marks? I did this time, right around my belly button. They're fading but still a little bit there.

18- What did you crave the most? Sweets, I think.

19- Did you crave anything crazy? No.

20- Who or what got on your nerves the most? How I felt at the end with various physical ailments.

21- Were you married at the time? Of Course!

22- Did you have any complications during your pregnancy? No, none at all. She was turned breech at one appointment but straightened out :)

23- Where were you when you went into labor? I had two weeks of early labor contractions (starting July 15) and it was driving me nuts--they kept telling me I'd progress "so quickly" with this amount of 'labor' but kinda just...treaded water. They broke my water July 29 at 8, started pitocin at 10...predicting a lunchtime baby. Ha. BTW--Pitocin is miserable. Vote for something else!!

24- Did your water break? Artifically by Dr Keeler.

25- Who drove you to the hospital? Dave did, I think...we went in at 6 a.m.

26- Did you go early or late? Brooke was 'early' at 39 weeks and 5 days by the doc's calculations.

27- Who was in the room with you when you gave birth? David, Debbie, Dr Klingler, Deb Dawson, Emily (nurses), and Anne Page, my labor nurse.

28- Was it video taped? No, Ryan's was and that was enough :)

29- Did you have any drugs for the pain? I had one dose of Fentanyl IV to get me through the worst of the contractions...I don't think it really did anything but relax me enough to get a few seconds of rest between the worst ones right on the brink of fully dilated.

30-Did you go Natural or have a c-section? Natural.

31- What was your first reaction after giving birth? I didn't have much time to react except for that Brooke was so much BIGGER than Ryan...and then my placenta acted up and I was thrown into a tailspin and didn't get to think for the next 5 hours!

32- How big was the baby(s)? 7lb 10 1/2 oz, and 'officially' 18 inches, but I think she was 19.

33- Did your Husband cry? I honestly don't remember with the stuff that happened right after she was safe.

34- What did you name the baby(s)? Brooklyn Paige.

35-Did the name have any significance to you? We just liked it and could finally agree on something.

36-Does the baby's name fit? Now it does, but I had a hard time with it at the beginning. I had other 'favorites' that I thought fit her personality more.

37- Did the baby(s) have any complications? Nope! no jaundice, feeding problems...I guess her belly button bled a little more than usual...that's all :)

38- How old is your baby today? 5 months, 3 weeks and 6 days. (Thanks to the counter thing on the sidebar!)

39- When is the next one(s) coming? Only God knows :)

40- If you could would you do it all over again? I sure would but would hope to have more willpower and focus less on MY discomfort and let the baby come when she was ready instead of choose to be induced. But who can say what we will or won't do? I just am dissappointed and want the chance to go into labor (and continue labor!) on my own...experience it ALL naturally next time. I digress.

I tag Annie, Kristen Martin, Megan, and Elizabeth...if you will, ladies, I'd love it!

Video update

2009-01-19T14:21:00.004-07:00

Ryan and Brecken in their "band".

Ryan's memory verses. Can you give the scripture reference?

A great giggle session from an adorable little girl.

Picture update

2009-01-19T13:42:00.003-07:00

I do so good for a while, and then I fall way behind on the blogs, pictures, and videos. Well today is your lucky day, viewers...cause you will get all THREE by nightfall. How much more lucky can you get??

Kara, Josh and Brecken came over to Laramie this past weekend, and while Josh, Kara and David shopped for a new computer for Kara, Brecken and Ryan and Brooklyn and I stayed at home and played. (Brooke actually slept, but the boys played!) They found two new sheets of stickers. As you can see.
Ryan is such a goof and loves putting on his "glasses" so he can "see you!" The joy in his eyes is precious. He actually 'put on his glasses' at the Rec Center to try to find Mom's car last week.

Every day he grows and amazes us. This morning, David told him he couldn't get out of bed until Mom or Dad said he could...he's been getting out between 4 and 6 a.m. and just wandering around. Well, at 9:00 this morning, I found him STILL on his bed, just quietly playing. He told Daddy later that he "bayed" him (obeyed). I LOVE it when he conceptualizes concepts like that! I was so proud of him.

Brooklyn is learning how to sit up...she'll sit in the boppy for a good 10 minutes before she leans back for a 'rest' and is done. She sure is sitting pretty here. She can sit by herself, unsupported, for maybe 5 seconds at a time, too. Still no teeth, but she LOVES eating...anything. Even baby food green beans. Who's kid is this?!

She's close to rolling back-to-front and can wiggle her way across the floor or a blanket, and will wake up perpendicular to the way we layed her down in her crib. A mover she is starting to become! And a chunk! (well, she's just continuing that, not starting :)) She's around 16 lbs by an unofficial baby scale...double baby Weston's current weight!

Not sure why this pic turned sideways but I think it's great. People at my work are probably sick of me after 3 days as I have two pics on my locker of these kiddos and one on the computer where I have been working. Who can resist these monkeys, though!?

Brooklyn's 5 month picture next to Mickey. Below is Ryan's 5 month Mickey pic. I will have to study closely to see how much alike I think the kids look or not. :)

This Sunday, I was teaching in Sunday school about Jacob and Esau. I said that Esau liked to hunt and be outdoors. I asked some of the kids if their dads like being outdoors. One kid said "My dad goes out the door!" and the rest chirped up "My dad goes out the door too!" "My dad goes out the FRONT door to work." "My dad goes out a door!"

So much for reaching them deeply this Sunday! We did continue memory verses--one of the 4 videos I hope to post has Ryan reciting two of his memory verses. See if you can figure out where in the Bible they come from! :)

Ryan-the-ham.

2009-01-11T20:18:00.002-07:00

2-year old Sunday school can be a lesson for the teachers, not just the students...a lesson in patience! While it seems that 2 year olds can't learn much, you'd be surprised sometimes at the memory verses they can learn or the Bible truths they pipe in with sometimes.

Today Megan was teaching about Abraham and Issac. You know, Abraham and his son walked up the mountain and Abraham trusted God so much he was willing to give his son to God. (2-year old version, remember). After telling the story 3 or 4 times (at least), Megan said "now, what was Abraham's son's name?"

A majority of the 2 year olds resumed tuning her out.

Ryan thought a minute and said "Umm...Jeez-a-ham!"

Good try :) Most of the time, Jesus IS the right answer in Sunday school...but, who exactly, is Jeez-a-ham?

At least he was trying...

Nanny Nicole/New Job

2009-01-08T23:50:00.002-07:00

We decided to hire a college student, Nicole, to be our part-time Nanny on Tuesdays and Thursdays! I will be starting my second job on Tuesday but keeping the public health job—I’ll be working Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday each week from 11-4 at Gem City. I am grateful for a consistent job with a good pay!!

From the 1st to the 12th of each month, I will still be doing public health Medicaid renewal clients, but my boss at PH said I could do those on the evenings and weekends if it works for the clients. I also have the opportunity to pick up new referral clients throughout the month—the ones at the hospital and nursing home I can do when David is home, and I also have the freedom to turn them down. So that won’t take any ‘family’ time away from the kids as they will stay with David when I do those—and we won’t have to pay babysitting pay, either.

My Public Health pay will cover the majority of babysitting costs, so the Gem City pay will just be a paycheck to pay bills off with! That’s quite encouraging. It seems like we will be able to start gaining ground on what we owe everyone instead of falling farther and farther behind each month, as has been the trend recently.

God is good to provide us with this job to help us out right now!! I have the availability to pump milk for Brooke there (even if she won’t take a bottle) and it will be a lot closer to what I want to do—actually take care of patients and learn about medical things instead of government paperwork :) . I can also cross-train into surgery recovery so I can help give breaks to other RNs and fill in as needed for patient care.

I hope Nicole works out—the benefit of having someone come here is quite nice for us. I won’t have to leave quite as early for work and can nurse her RIGHT before I go, instead of 30 minutes or more before I have to leave for the babysitter and then work, etc. And, if the kids are sleeping when I’m done, I won’t have to pay a sitter to stay with them, or try to kill time, or wake them up. I had to wake up Brooklyn at 5:30 tonight to bring her home—she slept from 2-5:30 and then I had to wake her up then at Jo’s house!

I am really excited about this and hope it all works out. Nicole will work on T/Th for us, and we’ll bring the kids to Jo’s on Wednesdays. It will be good for the kids to play with Sarah and get out of the house, but so awesome to stay home two days a week too when I work. Anyway that’s our news from here!

I desperately need to get to bed--I have slept pretty terribly these last few nights due to some bad neck pain but a chiropractor visit later and lots of prayer, heating pad time, and Motrin later I think I will be able to sleep in more comfort :) Goodnight!