Lauren used the potty tonight (Yeah, Lauren!) and went #2.
While I was putting a new diaper on her Josh was cheering and then started screaming.
Do you know where this is going?
Yeah, Mattie ate her poop!!!
DISGUSTING!!!
I of course immediately started gagging and then Josh started gagging, too! It was awful and Mattie is quarantined to outside. I don't care if it's freezing out there. That's nasty!
That dog is so stupid!
Second verse same as the first
Lately every weekend feels like we take two steps forward and one step back.
It has been nearly impossible to make any headway in the basement with two small children running around. Friday night I worked in the basement after they each went to bed, but you can only do that so many nights before you're falling asleep at dinner. And since I'm alone with the kids Monday through Friday...that's not really an option.
Josh has been a trooper and usually works on one of his Kindergarten workbooks or on his reading while I work on a project. That way I feel like we actually get to spend some time together and he's not plopped down in front of a tv for 8 hours while we get some work done. Although, even with this arrangement it's not a real fun way to spend a weekend for a kid. He did get to join me in some painting yesterday (which he loved) but after a few hours of that he was ready to play. So I wrapped up my project and I made time to play with him and Lauren while Dustin continued to work.
Lauren, on the other hand, is really only helpful when she's taking a nap. And as awful as that is to say, the alternative is locking her up in the dog's old crate. Honestly, how exactly do people do remodeling and renovations with a 17-month old child? Yesterday her and Josh ran around in the basement and in less than 10 minutes she had drywall mud on her feet and white paint on her pajamas!
While this project has been frustrating, the level to which it is frustrating has been magnified by the fact that our poor kids are thrown into the mix as well.
Saturday morning Dustin and I bought eachother our Anniversary gift and part of our Christmas gift...a miter saw. It just oozes romance, doesn't it? I guess the traditional gift for a 7th Anniversary is copper so I guess the saw is at least a metal. While this obviously wasn't the way I was hoping to spend our money on eachother it really is a nice saw (I won't admit that to him, though). I told him that few women would enjoy a good saw as much as I and he was lucky for that. Because if any other woman received a saw for her Anniversary and part of her Christmas gift...she would have used it on her husband.
Througout the weekend I would randomly remind him of that fact by looking at him with a smile and saying, "Happy Anniversary" or "Merry Christmas" every time I made a cut. Oh...he just LOVED that! :-)
By Saturday afternoon we had to make a Menard's run. The kids were happy because their favorite cart was available.
We also bought a small Christmas tree for our new basement and at somehow lost Dustin while looking at all the Christmas decorations. So there I was stuck in the middle of Menard's without Dustin, Lauren screaming, Josh whining and me without a phone or the car keys. I was THAT woman. It was awful and by the time I found Dustin my eyes had turned red and I was speaking in tounges. Needless to say, we left shortly thereafter.
We quit working around 7:00 on Saturday night and thought we could try and enjoy a family movie night. Dustin and I were beat but the kids had been troopers all day so we decided to reward them with a little popcorn.
We did have a really fun family moment on Saturday night. Josh's favorite song is "Girls just want to have fun" by Cyndi Lauper. It's on his Rayman game and he loves to jump around when it comes on. So right before we called it quits on Saturday it came on the radio. We called the kids downstairs and blared the music and all jumped around. I'm telling you...it was the most fun we'd had all day and exactly what everyone needed.
Sunday morning we got up for church, went out for breakfast and were back at it in the basement by noon. It was a very long day but we finally started to see things come together. However, if I see another gallon of Ultra Pure White Semi-Gloss paint my head may start spinning around - so stay tuned. I believe that is also how Dustin feels about drywall mud right about now.
Of course nothing can go smoothly and the bi-fold doors that I painted yesterday are 1/2" too tall. So the last project of the weekend didn't get finished because our house was built by morons.
But all in all, besides the bi-fold door and his room door...HIS ROOM IS FINISHED!!!!
The trim is up, the blinds are up, the vent covers are up, the nail holes are filled and painted and the closet doors are painted. Dustin has the mudding in the family room 80% complete and plans on finishing that next Sunday!
This week Josh starts swimming lessons two nights a week. Josh is really excited and I'm just hoping Lauren will cooperate with me and make them as stress-free as possible. And I am already looking forward to this upcoming weekend because Dustin and I are getting to spend some time together...away from the kids...and more importantly, away from the basement FOR ONE WHOLE NIGHT!
And on a happier note, I already know what I'm getting Dustin for the rest of his Christmas present. After supper he decided to break into the Halloween candy and eat a box of Dots. Shortly after his first bite he yelped and spit out part of a tooth! SO...following our new tradition, he's getting a root canal for Christmas!!
Baby Update: 20 weeks
You're at the halfway mark — congratulations! Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (The way your baby is measured changes now.) He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper.
It has been nearly impossible to make any headway in the basement with two small children running around. Friday night I worked in the basement after they each went to bed, but you can only do that so many nights before you're falling asleep at dinner. And since I'm alone with the kids Monday through Friday...that's not really an option.
Josh has been a trooper and usually works on one of his Kindergarten workbooks or on his reading while I work on a project. That way I feel like we actually get to spend some time together and he's not plopped down in front of a tv for 8 hours while we get some work done. Although, even with this arrangement it's not a real fun way to spend a weekend for a kid. He did get to join me in some painting yesterday (which he loved) but after a few hours of that he was ready to play. So I wrapped up my project and I made time to play with him and Lauren while Dustin continued to work.
Lauren, on the other hand, is really only helpful when she's taking a nap. And as awful as that is to say, the alternative is locking her up in the dog's old crate. Honestly, how exactly do people do remodeling and renovations with a 17-month old child? Yesterday her and Josh ran around in the basement and in less than 10 minutes she had drywall mud on her feet and white paint on her pajamas!
While this project has been frustrating, the level to which it is frustrating has been magnified by the fact that our poor kids are thrown into the mix as well.
Saturday morning Dustin and I bought eachother our Anniversary gift and part of our Christmas gift...a miter saw. It just oozes romance, doesn't it? I guess the traditional gift for a 7th Anniversary is copper so I guess the saw is at least a metal. While this obviously wasn't the way I was hoping to spend our money on eachother it really is a nice saw (I won't admit that to him, though). I told him that few women would enjoy a good saw as much as I and he was lucky for that. Because if any other woman received a saw for her Anniversary and part of her Christmas gift...she would have used it on her husband.
Througout the weekend I would randomly remind him of that fact by looking at him with a smile and saying, "Happy Anniversary" or "Merry Christmas" every time I made a cut. Oh...he just LOVED that! :-)
By Saturday afternoon we had to make a Menard's run. The kids were happy because their favorite cart was available.
We also bought a small Christmas tree for our new basement and at somehow lost Dustin while looking at all the Christmas decorations. So there I was stuck in the middle of Menard's without Dustin, Lauren screaming, Josh whining and me without a phone or the car keys. I was THAT woman. It was awful and by the time I found Dustin my eyes had turned red and I was speaking in tounges. Needless to say, we left shortly thereafter.
We quit working around 7:00 on Saturday night and thought we could try and enjoy a family movie night. Dustin and I were beat but the kids had been troopers all day so we decided to reward them with a little popcorn.
We did have a really fun family moment on Saturday night. Josh's favorite song is "Girls just want to have fun" by Cyndi Lauper. It's on his Rayman game and he loves to jump around when it comes on. So right before we called it quits on Saturday it came on the radio. We called the kids downstairs and blared the music and all jumped around. I'm telling you...it was the most fun we'd had all day and exactly what everyone needed.
Sunday morning we got up for church, went out for breakfast and were back at it in the basement by noon. It was a very long day but we finally started to see things come together. However, if I see another gallon of Ultra Pure White Semi-Gloss paint my head may start spinning around - so stay tuned. I believe that is also how Dustin feels about drywall mud right about now.
Of course nothing can go smoothly and the bi-fold doors that I painted yesterday are 1/2" too tall. So the last project of the weekend didn't get finished because our house was built by morons.
But all in all, besides the bi-fold door and his room door...HIS ROOM IS FINISHED!!!!
The trim is up, the blinds are up, the vent covers are up, the nail holes are filled and painted and the closet doors are painted. Dustin has the mudding in the family room 80% complete and plans on finishing that next Sunday!
This week Josh starts swimming lessons two nights a week. Josh is really excited and I'm just hoping Lauren will cooperate with me and make them as stress-free as possible. And I am already looking forward to this upcoming weekend because Dustin and I are getting to spend some time together...away from the kids...and more importantly, away from the basement FOR ONE WHOLE NIGHT!
And on a happier note, I already know what I'm getting Dustin for the rest of his Christmas present. After supper he decided to break into the Halloween candy and eat a box of Dots. Shortly after his first bite he yelped and spit out part of a tooth! SO...following our new tradition, he's getting a root canal for Christmas!!
Baby Update: 20 weeks
You're at the halfway mark — congratulations! Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (The way your baby is measured changes now.) He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper.
Out of the mouths of babes
Last night I was going through Josh's book bag and pulling out all the papers he brought home for the day.
I pulled out a cute little pumpkin he cut out and colored on and told him that it was cute.
Josh: Thanks. There was another one but Gabby took it.
Me: Well...that was rude.
Josh: MOM...she's my girlfriend.
Me: I don't care. People just don't TAKE things.
Josh: Mom, she's my girlfriend and you have to give them what they want.
Part of me says, "What a pushy little girl." And then part of me says, "You go girl!"
I was looking through some old belly shots of when I was pregnant with Josh and was shocked and appalled at what I found. Boy what a difference two big babies can make on a person's stomach muscles. I just keep remembering that my reward for all of this, besides having three healthy children, is the tummy tuck Dustin's paying for in a few years. :-)
Anyway, here's my 19 week shot. Blah!
Here's my 24 week shot with Josh.
Why do I even torture myself?
I pulled out a cute little pumpkin he cut out and colored on and told him that it was cute.
Josh: Thanks. There was another one but Gabby took it.
Me: Well...that was rude.
Josh: MOM...she's my girlfriend.
Me: I don't care. People just don't TAKE things.
Josh: Mom, she's my girlfriend and you have to give them what they want.
Part of me says, "What a pushy little girl." And then part of me says, "You go girl!"
I was looking through some old belly shots of when I was pregnant with Josh and was shocked and appalled at what I found. Boy what a difference two big babies can make on a person's stomach muscles. I just keep remembering that my reward for all of this, besides having three healthy children, is the tummy tuck Dustin's paying for in a few years. :-)
Anyway, here's my 19 week shot. Blah!
Here's my 24 week shot with Josh.
Why do I even torture myself?
Death by drywall
Since I seem to be back to a more normal "me" lately, I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous fall weather last Thursday and take the kids for a nice walk. Either I'm out of shape, the kids have gained weight or a combination of the both...but that walk wiped out half my energy before the evening had even begun.
I think I should have had the kids pull me in the wagon because then they'd be the ones out of energy and I'd be fully refreshed by the brisk, fresh air. Instead it was the other way around.
Once we got home I made a nice spaghetti supper (Josh's favorite) and even made a batch of cupcakes (Lauren's favorite). After supper we did a little Halloween project. I had purchased these foam pumpkins a while back and thought we should wait closer to Halloween to assemble them because in my household...they'll only last a week of two.
Josh did a great job on his pirate pumpkin and Lauren helped, in her own little way, by throwing away all our sticky tabs and yelling "Kiki" (a/k/a Kitty). They turned out cute and Josh was proud of his masterpiece.
Friday night Lauren was being super silly so I got a few photos of her being wacky. She was laughing at herself and playing peek-a-boo with the camera. As soon as I got the camera out she was in full performance mode.
Saturday was a crazy day from hell. We worked down in Josh's room for most of the day. Dustin painted the ceiling and I painted the walls. It was a disaster. We didn't have ceiling paint so Dustin used some white paint we had. Wrong! It was semi-gloss and looked like crap. The color on the walls...was awful. I wanted gray but this had too much blue and looked almost purple when it dried. By the time we were done for the day I was irritated beyond belief and had to quick make dinner and get ready for a work party.
Sunday morning we had to go buy some new ceiling paint and a new color for the walls and a run a few errands before meeting the family for Uncle Joel's birthday lunch.
We all were stuffed after lunch yet each of us found room for chocolate shakes. Poor Lauren could barely keep her tummy covered she was so full!
After lunch I was bound and determined to have Josh's room completely painted by the end of the day whether it killed me or not.
So in between doing 10 loads of laundry I repainted the ceiling, put two coats of color on the walls, painted the trim and painted the wood for inside the window. By last night my back was in spasms, my feet were numb and my entire body was screaming. I was so achey that I couldn't even fall asleep so every 45 minutes I kept getting up and switching laundry loads until about midnight.
I am thrilled with the results and even though all I want to do is crawl into bed when I get home tonight I will muster up some energy after the kids go to sleep and continue painting.
I had a little freak out session about the basement this weekend. We have about two months before this entire project needs to be done. I set a Christmas deadline for a number of reasons but the biggest being that as soon as tax season gets here all work will halt. Because I'll be working a million hours, Dustin will either be caring for the kids or working and then all of a sudden it will be baby time.
Having to see the basement in such disarray every day is just a constant reminder (or nag) and it's wearing me down. Dustin's gone so much that he only sees it once or twice a week so I know he doesn't have the same "doomsday" outlook that I have. Hence the source of a lot of our heated discussions. On a side note, I once read a study about how many marriages can't survive a remodeling project. I doubted the validity at the time I read it. I get it now.
Basically I never start anything I can't finish so I refuse to do that now. But...if this basement kills me (like I feel it's doing) please put something witty on my epitaph about how I'd rather die than fail.
Baby Update: 19 weeks
Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.
I think I should have had the kids pull me in the wagon because then they'd be the ones out of energy and I'd be fully refreshed by the brisk, fresh air. Instead it was the other way around.
Once we got home I made a nice spaghetti supper (Josh's favorite) and even made a batch of cupcakes (Lauren's favorite). After supper we did a little Halloween project. I had purchased these foam pumpkins a while back and thought we should wait closer to Halloween to assemble them because in my household...they'll only last a week of two.
Josh did a great job on his pirate pumpkin and Lauren helped, in her own little way, by throwing away all our sticky tabs and yelling "Kiki" (a/k/a Kitty). They turned out cute and Josh was proud of his masterpiece.
Friday night Lauren was being super silly so I got a few photos of her being wacky. She was laughing at herself and playing peek-a-boo with the camera. As soon as I got the camera out she was in full performance mode.
Saturday was a crazy day from hell. We worked down in Josh's room for most of the day. Dustin painted the ceiling and I painted the walls. It was a disaster. We didn't have ceiling paint so Dustin used some white paint we had. Wrong! It was semi-gloss and looked like crap. The color on the walls...was awful. I wanted gray but this had too much blue and looked almost purple when it dried. By the time we were done for the day I was irritated beyond belief and had to quick make dinner and get ready for a work party.
Sunday morning we had to go buy some new ceiling paint and a new color for the walls and a run a few errands before meeting the family for Uncle Joel's birthday lunch.
We all were stuffed after lunch yet each of us found room for chocolate shakes. Poor Lauren could barely keep her tummy covered she was so full!
After lunch I was bound and determined to have Josh's room completely painted by the end of the day whether it killed me or not.
So in between doing 10 loads of laundry I repainted the ceiling, put two coats of color on the walls, painted the trim and painted the wood for inside the window. By last night my back was in spasms, my feet were numb and my entire body was screaming. I was so achey that I couldn't even fall asleep so every 45 minutes I kept getting up and switching laundry loads until about midnight.
I am thrilled with the results and even though all I want to do is crawl into bed when I get home tonight I will muster up some energy after the kids go to sleep and continue painting.
I had a little freak out session about the basement this weekend. We have about two months before this entire project needs to be done. I set a Christmas deadline for a number of reasons but the biggest being that as soon as tax season gets here all work will halt. Because I'll be working a million hours, Dustin will either be caring for the kids or working and then all of a sudden it will be baby time.
Having to see the basement in such disarray every day is just a constant reminder (or nag) and it's wearing me down. Dustin's gone so much that he only sees it once or twice a week so I know he doesn't have the same "doomsday" outlook that I have. Hence the source of a lot of our heated discussions. On a side note, I once read a study about how many marriages can't survive a remodeling project. I doubted the validity at the time I read it. I get it now.
Basically I never start anything I can't finish so I refuse to do that now. But...if this basement kills me (like I feel it's doing) please put something witty on my epitaph about how I'd rather die than fail.
Baby Update: 19 weeks
Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.
Go Lauren. Go Lauren.
So last night Lauren and I were cuddling in the recliner and she looked at me with a paniced look and said, "Uh oh." and pointed to her butt.
I said, "Do you have to go potty?"
She said, "Yeah."
So off we went to her potty chair. She started to pull down her pants and got situated on her seat.
Ten seconds later and she was standing up and looking at her accomplishment!
Man...if I could get this girl out of diapers by the time I have to start buying them for the baby...well, let's just say I'd be one happy mama!!
I said, "Do you have to go potty?"
She said, "Yeah."
So off we went to her potty chair. She started to pull down her pants and got situated on her seat.
Ten seconds later and she was standing up and looking at her accomplishment!
Man...if I could get this girl out of diapers by the time I have to start buying them for the baby...well, let's just say I'd be one happy mama!!
Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere!
Honestly...I'm sitting here after folding laundry for the last two hours and don't understand how anyone in this house can complain about having nothing to wear. I usually do laundry on the weekends and since I was out of commission last weekend, got behind a week.
I did laundry from the moment I got up on Sunday until I went to bed that night and still have about three loads left. We literally had NO towels left and had to wait for the first load of towels to dry before I could give the kids a bath last night.
It was bad.
Anyway...I digress.
We ended up going to the pumpkin farm on Saturday morning. This is our favorite farm in the area because it is the perfect size for small children. It's about 40-45 minutes away but it's totally worth it. Well, we thought we'd take a little side route this year and get a chance to see some of the season's changing leaves.
And boy did that extended drive give way to some very interesting conversations in the truck.
Conversation #1 - The birds and the bees
I don't know how we even got on the topic but somehow Josh was talking about a bird and its eggs. And when the baby comes out of the egg it's called "hatching". So far...I'm good.
Then the question...."Mom...how does the egg get out of the mommy bird?"
The look of panic on my face made Dustin bust out in laughter. I composed myself and silently cursed all this knowledge he's gained in Kindergarten. I said, "Well, it's kind of funny. The mommy bird kind of 'poops' it out." Oh God. He giggled and said, "Are you serious?"
I'm like, "Uh yeah!" He giggled again. Then he named about 100 animals and asked how each of them had babies.
Having had a c-section with each of my children, I have the easy explanation as to how mommy has babies so we've already had that conversation...but it's one of my favorites and I don't believe I've ever blogged about it.
A few months after Lauren was born he asked how she got out of my tummy. I explained to him that the doctor gave mommy a big owie on the tummy. He was very concerned and asked if it hurt. I told him that yes, it did hurt but that mommy took medicine to make it not hurt so much. I told him I got a huge band-aid and that just like his owies...mine healed up!
I wanted to tell him the truth and told him that I would show him my scar if he wanted to see it. That's when he started to cry and came running to my arms. He was sad that I had to go through that in order to have him. I gave him a big hug and said, "Josh...if I didn't have that...I wouldn't have you. Well, that or I'd have a 5 year-old in my tummy still!"
Then when we were in Des Moines this last camping trip we started talking about it again. He said, "Mom...I don't even want to think about that again. It makes me sad."
He's such a sweetheart!
Conversation #2 - Bi-lingual
The drive was taking much longer than expected and Josh said,
"Man...this is far away. Do these people talk different out here?"
Once we got out to the farm Lauren immediately spotted the goats and started squealing like a little pig!!
Josh was thrilled to spook the chickens and make them run in fear. That of course made him laugh and inhale the God-awful stench of the chicken coop. Then he was the one running in fear which made me laugh!
Lauren was in no mood for photo ops and had ripped off her "pretties" (a/k/a barrett) by the time we got her to sit down for a second. So...out of the twenty photos I took...these are the best two. So what does that tell ya?
We really had a great time and the kids had fun so I guess you can't ask for much more than that!
Baby Update: 18 weeks
Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.
I did laundry from the moment I got up on Sunday until I went to bed that night and still have about three loads left. We literally had NO towels left and had to wait for the first load of towels to dry before I could give the kids a bath last night.
It was bad.
Anyway...I digress.
We ended up going to the pumpkin farm on Saturday morning. This is our favorite farm in the area because it is the perfect size for small children. It's about 40-45 minutes away but it's totally worth it. Well, we thought we'd take a little side route this year and get a chance to see some of the season's changing leaves.
And boy did that extended drive give way to some very interesting conversations in the truck.
Conversation #1 - The birds and the bees
I don't know how we even got on the topic but somehow Josh was talking about a bird and its eggs. And when the baby comes out of the egg it's called "hatching". So far...I'm good.
Then the question...."Mom...how does the egg get out of the mommy bird?"
The look of panic on my face made Dustin bust out in laughter. I composed myself and silently cursed all this knowledge he's gained in Kindergarten. I said, "Well, it's kind of funny. The mommy bird kind of 'poops' it out." Oh God. He giggled and said, "Are you serious?"
I'm like, "Uh yeah!" He giggled again. Then he named about 100 animals and asked how each of them had babies.
Having had a c-section with each of my children, I have the easy explanation as to how mommy has babies so we've already had that conversation...but it's one of my favorites and I don't believe I've ever blogged about it.
A few months after Lauren was born he asked how she got out of my tummy. I explained to him that the doctor gave mommy a big owie on the tummy. He was very concerned and asked if it hurt. I told him that yes, it did hurt but that mommy took medicine to make it not hurt so much. I told him I got a huge band-aid and that just like his owies...mine healed up!
I wanted to tell him the truth and told him that I would show him my scar if he wanted to see it. That's when he started to cry and came running to my arms. He was sad that I had to go through that in order to have him. I gave him a big hug and said, "Josh...if I didn't have that...I wouldn't have you. Well, that or I'd have a 5 year-old in my tummy still!"
Then when we were in Des Moines this last camping trip we started talking about it again. He said, "Mom...I don't even want to think about that again. It makes me sad."
He's such a sweetheart!
Conversation #2 - Bi-lingual
The drive was taking much longer than expected and Josh said,
"Man...this is far away. Do these people talk different out here?"
Once we got out to the farm Lauren immediately spotted the goats and started squealing like a little pig!!
Josh was thrilled to spook the chickens and make them run in fear. That of course made him laugh and inhale the God-awful stench of the chicken coop. Then he was the one running in fear which made me laugh!
Lauren was in no mood for photo ops and had ripped off her "pretties" (a/k/a barrett) by the time we got her to sit down for a second. So...out of the twenty photos I took...these are the best two. So what does that tell ya?
We really had a great time and the kids had fun so I guess you can't ask for much more than that!
Baby Update: 18 weeks
Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.
All about baby
This weekend is good to have over and yet it was eventful. Go figure.
Friday I wasn't feeling very good. I was a little nauseous but mostly just in some general discomfort.
Saturday morning Josh got to go with Harrison (a friend) to his Grandma's cabin on the river. So Lauren and I went grocery shopping and Dustin worked in the basement. I know...we are a fun group.
Saturday night mom, Titi, Joel and I had tickets to Kathy Griffin. Even though I felt awful I could not pass up seeing her.
Our seats were AWESOME! We were in the 7th row!!
It was a sold out show and she was hysterical! Dad and Thomas had seen her the night before up in the twin cities so I was totally phsyched to see her.
Unfortunately, I started to feel worse as the night went on. I had a piece of pizza for supper before the show and it was the first thing I'd eaten in a couple of days. But as they say, "The show must go on!"
About 45 minutes into the show my back was throbbing and by the time the show was over I couldn't breathe. So I climbed up all the stairs at Carver Hawkeye Arena (and there are a few), found mom and, in between me trying to catch my breath, told her to take me to the ER.
We made the LONG walk back to Titi's car and the stubborn woman I am, requested we drive all the way back to Cedar Rapids so that I could go to Mercy Hospital. Can I just say...God forbid I ever have anything seriously wrong with me while I'm not within driving distance of Mercy Hospital? I may just tell them to let me die!
Twenty minutes later I met up with Dustin at the ER. The doctors were worried I had a blod clot in my lung because I couldn't take a deep breath and because of the pain I was in. My blood pressure was out of control and my pulse sent everyone into a tizzy.
Then the puking started and unfortantely the one piece of food I'd eaten in two days was evenly divided between three or four sickness bags. Once they got an IV in (OUCH!) they pushed two whole bags of fluid in me.
I had two chest x-rays, an ultrasound on my legs, bloodwork, an EKG, and the wosrt test of all, a CT scan. They said there have not been many studies on the effects of a cat scan on an unborn child but went through a million possibilities - all of which were horrifying. I just sobbed which made everything hurt.
I guess not every CT scan involves a dye, but mine did. I laid in this tube with my hands above my head praying over and over again for our child. Please God, keep this child safe from harm. Keep him or her healthy after all this testing. I promise I will be a better mother. I didn't cry until they injected the dye. The dye felt like it was burning the inside of me and as I literally felt it pulsing through my veins my tears poured out in fear for the safety of our baby. It was just awful and remembering it now...well, I'm still a mess.
Fortunately, they found nothing: unfortunately, I am still in pain. Once they got some fluids in me my pulse was still elevated but not anything they were freaking out about anymore. My blood pressure came down to normal levels and all the tests came back normal. They gave me a prescription for Vicodin and seven hours later we were on our way home.
By the time we had the prescription filled and got home the kids were up a mere 60 minutes later.
The pain seemed to get better on Monday but by Tuesday morning it was back. I had my regular check up with my OB yesterday and she said that she would figure, given my wonderful test results, that it is a ligament causing all the problems. She also gave me the WONDERFUL news that these types of injuries don't tend to heal on their own during pregnancy. Great!
In other news, I am down another 4.5 pounds! I was thrilled, but Dr. Hocking said she'd like to see the scale stop going down at my next appointment. We did get to see baby on the portable ultrasound machine and he/she was squirming away. I couldn't bear to look after everything that happened this weekend so I'm taking her word that everything looked good.
I am trying to take more "belly shots" of this child, as it is my last and I sometimes regret not taking more with Lauren. So, in my new found pocket of courage...here is my 17 week shot!
This weekend we're going to the pumpkin farm so next week's blog should be a little more exciting!
Baby Update: 17 weeks.
Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.
Friday I wasn't feeling very good. I was a little nauseous but mostly just in some general discomfort.
Saturday morning Josh got to go with Harrison (a friend) to his Grandma's cabin on the river. So Lauren and I went grocery shopping and Dustin worked in the basement. I know...we are a fun group.
Saturday night mom, Titi, Joel and I had tickets to Kathy Griffin. Even though I felt awful I could not pass up seeing her.
Our seats were AWESOME! We were in the 7th row!!
It was a sold out show and she was hysterical! Dad and Thomas had seen her the night before up in the twin cities so I was totally phsyched to see her.
Unfortunately, I started to feel worse as the night went on. I had a piece of pizza for supper before the show and it was the first thing I'd eaten in a couple of days. But as they say, "The show must go on!"
About 45 minutes into the show my back was throbbing and by the time the show was over I couldn't breathe. So I climbed up all the stairs at Carver Hawkeye Arena (and there are a few), found mom and, in between me trying to catch my breath, told her to take me to the ER.
We made the LONG walk back to Titi's car and the stubborn woman I am, requested we drive all the way back to Cedar Rapids so that I could go to Mercy Hospital. Can I just say...God forbid I ever have anything seriously wrong with me while I'm not within driving distance of Mercy Hospital? I may just tell them to let me die!
Twenty minutes later I met up with Dustin at the ER. The doctors were worried I had a blod clot in my lung because I couldn't take a deep breath and because of the pain I was in. My blood pressure was out of control and my pulse sent everyone into a tizzy.
Then the puking started and unfortantely the one piece of food I'd eaten in two days was evenly divided between three or four sickness bags. Once they got an IV in (OUCH!) they pushed two whole bags of fluid in me.
I had two chest x-rays, an ultrasound on my legs, bloodwork, an EKG, and the wosrt test of all, a CT scan. They said there have not been many studies on the effects of a cat scan on an unborn child but went through a million possibilities - all of which were horrifying. I just sobbed which made everything hurt.
I guess not every CT scan involves a dye, but mine did. I laid in this tube with my hands above my head praying over and over again for our child. Please God, keep this child safe from harm. Keep him or her healthy after all this testing. I promise I will be a better mother. I didn't cry until they injected the dye. The dye felt like it was burning the inside of me and as I literally felt it pulsing through my veins my tears poured out in fear for the safety of our baby. It was just awful and remembering it now...well, I'm still a mess.
Fortunately, they found nothing: unfortunately, I am still in pain. Once they got some fluids in me my pulse was still elevated but not anything they were freaking out about anymore. My blood pressure came down to normal levels and all the tests came back normal. They gave me a prescription for Vicodin and seven hours later we were on our way home.
By the time we had the prescription filled and got home the kids were up a mere 60 minutes later.
The pain seemed to get better on Monday but by Tuesday morning it was back. I had my regular check up with my OB yesterday and she said that she would figure, given my wonderful test results, that it is a ligament causing all the problems. She also gave me the WONDERFUL news that these types of injuries don't tend to heal on their own during pregnancy. Great!
In other news, I am down another 4.5 pounds! I was thrilled, but Dr. Hocking said she'd like to see the scale stop going down at my next appointment. We did get to see baby on the portable ultrasound machine and he/she was squirming away. I couldn't bear to look after everything that happened this weekend so I'm taking her word that everything looked good.
I am trying to take more "belly shots" of this child, as it is my last and I sometimes regret not taking more with Lauren. So, in my new found pocket of courage...here is my 17 week shot!
This weekend we're going to the pumpkin farm so next week's blog should be a little more exciting!
Baby Update: 17 weeks.
Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.
Drop, drop, fizz, fizz
My goodness. This week has been full of sickness, doctor's appointments and puke buckets. It started with me on Friday night, then the kids on Monday (early morning) and continued with another doctor's appointment just last night.
This is what we know; I don't have strep and Josh doesn't have appendicitis. Lots of help, huh?
Anyway, in the midst of all the coughing, sneezing and puking...we ended up having a nice weekend with Dad and Thomas. Dad, Dustin and I replaced the windows in the basement. What a task!
Those old windows gave Dad and Dustin quite a fight! Removing the old ones took 10 times longer than installing the new ones. And even with all the broken glass the only severe injury was Dustin stabbing himself with the crowbar...on accident.
Dustin and I installed the vinyl trim on Sunday after our company left and I am SOOOOO happy with how they turned out!
It was Josh's weekend to have Q-bear. Q-bear is a little teddy bear that each child gets to bring home for a weekend. He has all these different clothes and even his own toothbrush. Then after your fun filled weekend with Q-bear you are supposed to write up a cute little story about your weekend.
Friday Josh, Q-bear and Grandma Cathy got to go see the movie Igor. And then Saturday night we went down to the Amanas to thank Dad for all his help in our basement. Josh and Q-bear were wiped and both fell asleep on the ride down.
It was pretty cute how he wanted to include Q-bear on all our adventures. I didn't mind...as long as I didn't have to change any diapers!
After our yummy dinner (Lauren's favorite was the ice cream dessert) we decided to take a stroll around the Amanas. All the shops had closed but the evening was just beautiful and the sunset was breathtaking.
Dustin mowed the lawn on Sunday so the kids and I came out for a little fresh air. Lauren is becoming more and more "girl" every day. She has a favorite pair of shoes that she INSISTS on wearing and she is almost constantly carrying her favorite purse.
I honestly don't know what I am going to do with that girl!
We don't have much planned this weekend except for I get to go see Kathy Griffin!!! A few good laughs may just be what the doctor ordered!!
Baby Update: Week 16
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length . Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too.
This is what we know; I don't have strep and Josh doesn't have appendicitis. Lots of help, huh?
Anyway, in the midst of all the coughing, sneezing and puking...we ended up having a nice weekend with Dad and Thomas. Dad, Dustin and I replaced the windows in the basement. What a task!
Those old windows gave Dad and Dustin quite a fight! Removing the old ones took 10 times longer than installing the new ones. And even with all the broken glass the only severe injury was Dustin stabbing himself with the crowbar...on accident.
Dustin and I installed the vinyl trim on Sunday after our company left and I am SOOOOO happy with how they turned out!
It was Josh's weekend to have Q-bear. Q-bear is a little teddy bear that each child gets to bring home for a weekend. He has all these different clothes and even his own toothbrush. Then after your fun filled weekend with Q-bear you are supposed to write up a cute little story about your weekend.
Friday Josh, Q-bear and Grandma Cathy got to go see the movie Igor. And then Saturday night we went down to the Amanas to thank Dad for all his help in our basement. Josh and Q-bear were wiped and both fell asleep on the ride down.
It was pretty cute how he wanted to include Q-bear on all our adventures. I didn't mind...as long as I didn't have to change any diapers!
After our yummy dinner (Lauren's favorite was the ice cream dessert) we decided to take a stroll around the Amanas. All the shops had closed but the evening was just beautiful and the sunset was breathtaking.
Dustin mowed the lawn on Sunday so the kids and I came out for a little fresh air. Lauren is becoming more and more "girl" every day. She has a favorite pair of shoes that she INSISTS on wearing and she is almost constantly carrying her favorite purse.
I honestly don't know what I am going to do with that girl!
We don't have much planned this weekend except for I get to go see Kathy Griffin!!! A few good laughs may just be what the doctor ordered!!
Baby Update: Week 16
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length . Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too.
