Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Count Your Blessings

I just got back from the doctor... I was hoping for a "baby date" but they still need to coordinate with the surgeon. So, no date yet. I am starting week 35... my lungs are clear (yea!) The baby's head is down, which is good. She is still small. She is measuring only at 32 weeks. The doctor doesn't seem to be too concerned though, so I have to keep telling myself that everything is ok! I guess not all babies have to be over 8 lbs.

I stumbled upon a blog yesterday about a family that was due to have a baby about the same time as we are. They found problems with the baby at their routine ultrasound and she had the baby a few weeks ago. The baby lived for only a few hours. It impressed me so much how this woman has handled what was given to her with such grace and beauty. They took beautiful portraits at the hospital with her other girls and the baby. These will be their only family pictures with this baby in them, and somehow they pulled themselves together enough to make the pictures beautiful and the moment happy and memorable. I asked myself if I would have been able to do that. I know with the losses I have experienced how crushed and defeated I have felt. I would only hope to have the strength and grace that this family did. They say God doesn't give you more than you can handle, I guess this woman is extra special to have been trusted to handle what she has had to endure. It is amazing how many people must have been touched by this one little baby who's little body couldn't make it in this world.

So, after reading their story I started to reflect on my blessings. I can't believe that I have been blessed already with two beautiful, smart girls who show me unconditional love every day. Their smiles are like sunshines from heaven and even when I am not as patient as I should be with them, they still choose to love me and admire me. I am so lucky to have found Tyler, who treats me like a queen and our girls like princesses. His optimism and energy give me the fuel to make it through my day. No matter how busy he is, he always takes the time to find out how my day is going, and always makes me feel so loved and special. Then I think of this little miracle inside of me. It is amazing to visualize her in there, fully grown, moving around, just waiting for her time to be born. I feel so lucky to be going through this amazing experience again. All of our parents are planning on coming and helping when the baby is born and I feel so lucky to have their love and support.

Life has felt crazy lately and thinking ahead to the next month feels overwhelming. But after reflecting about everything that is right and everything that I am blessed with, I feel renewed with strength and energy.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Your birthday is next week???

I am finally feeling like I am going to live. Yesterday at breakfast, Tyler and I were talking about how fast April was going. All of the sudden, we realized that Shanna's birthday is next week! It sneaks up on you when it's during the first week of the month.

So, we quickly planned a party, and Super Dad ran a bunch of errands while I slept. He found all sorts of Hawaiian Luau stuff, and Shanna is having a backyard luau next Saturday afternoon.

He also changed the oil, ran around to a bunch of different nurseries looking for raspberry plants, found some and planted them, rented movies, went to the bank and the office... and I slept. He is amazing!

Another one for the list...

You know that list of things you never thought you would say until you had kids?



"Get your head out of my pocket!"

Have you ever seen artichokes grow?


These are really amazing. I planted them from seed last year, and they have just grown and grown but haven't produced anything. They have looked like a big weed out there, they stayed green all year long. Then, out of nowhere we started noticing little artichokes growing! I would have expected them to flower or something, but they just pop up out of nowhere!


Here were the fixings for a great salad tonight. Kaci helped shell the peas, both girls love eating stuff fresh out of the garden.

Tractor Girl


Our neighbor stopped the tractor while we were eating dinner and asked Kaci if she wanted a ride. She was thrilled!

Friday, April 25, 2008

First "Rock" Concert


Better later than never... here's one happy girl at her first concert!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

In case you're wondering...

I'm still alive and kicking. They finally figured out that I have pneumonia and got me on some antibiotics. I am slowly starting to feel better. Kaci is back to her happy self, with lots of energy of course! She has been so good taking naps in the afternoon which I am SO grateful for!

Everything seems to be paused at our house, a little laundry here and a trip to the store for more medicine there... but I think we'll survive! Hopefully with some sunshine and rest, this weekend will be the turning point and things will get back to normal! (Just in time for the baby countdown to start!)

Monday, April 21, 2008

Super Stepper Review

Saturday night was Shanna's 3rd Super Stepper Review. She looked beautiful and danced really well.

The tradition is for the Dads to escort the girls out on stage, as they present each dancer individually. They entered the arena from the top level, and walked down the stairs. The lights were all off, and the sun was setting, so as the door opened, it looked like they were emerging from the sunshine, with the Celine Dion song "A New Day" playing in the background. It was such a special moment!

I'm not sure why the slide show looks blurry... if you want the pictures e-mailed to you, just let me know!


Here's to a better week

Oh please, oh please, oh please let it be a better week.

It HAS to be better. After 2 hospital trips, I am still not feeling well. I do feel better though, so that's a start. Kaci is still recovering too. I guess our immune systems aren't as strong as Shanna's and Tyler's. The silver lining has been that they baby is just fine. That's a huge relief.

Tyler earns Daddy of the Year award for taking Shanna and her friend to the Drake Bell concert on Friday. After a long stressful week, not only at work, but also being the mom, and taking care of me, he ends it all with a screaming teeny bopper concert. Sorry ladies, I snatched up the best man out there, and he proves it at least once a day!

Saturday I slept most of the day, determined not to miss Shanna's recital. I made it, and she was beautiful. I will post pictures of it next.

So here's to a week of feeling better, resting and enjoying the simple things.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

MERCY

I know... I whine almost as much as a tired 3 year old.

I have almost no voice. My kids think that's fun. Shanna is out of school today and tomorrow, so they are able to double team me non-stop.

They think: Let's do lots of naughty things so that Mom will try to yell at us. Then when she tries to yell at us, we'll say "I can't hear you. What did you say?" Then she'll try to yell louder.

Sounds like a fun game, right?

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

A bump in the road

You know when you're driving down the road, just trying to get where you're going and you hit a bump and all of the sudden have a flat tire?

I think we have been hitting a lot of bumps lately.

Shanna got sick over the weekend, but recovered pretty quickly. Monday morning, Kaci and I woke up with the crud. Flu/Bad cold... whatever. It is awful. Fevers, sweats, stuffy noses, severe aches, an awful cough and sore throat, can't sleep, can't function... Mix that in with Tyler's stress from work and that would seem like a lot to deal with. Yesterday we hit an even BIGGER bump where I got to spend the day at the hospital having the baby monitored, getting re-hydrated and some tests done. Everything turned out fine with that...

And I am so lucky to know Robyn. I called her crying, freaked out of course. Within a minute she was at my door, carried Kaci out of my bed and took her to her house, sick and all. What would I do without her?

Today, I am trying to regroup. Kaci and I are still sick, Tyler is off to another battle at the office, and is starting to come down with the crud. We have extra dance practices today and tomorrow... the Drake Bell concert on Friday, and Shanna's recital on Saturday. sigh. Does anyone have a magic wand?

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Do your "ears" hang low?


Putting your legs in the right hole can be confusing!
(Especially when you are putting on your older sister's panties!)

Friday, April 11, 2008

Me and My Girls

Shanna, Kaci and I had some "girlfriend" time today at the mall. We were in search of some dresses for the recital next weekend. 3 hours later, we had 3 new dresses, 2 necklaces, 1 hairbow, 1 pair of shoes, and 3 worn out girls.

Then Daddy met us and we found a matching pink tie and then he bought all of his girlfriends dinner.

It was a great afternoon!

From My Perspective


My view when Kaci kisses my tummy!

In Training

Dear Kaci,

Thank you for providing nighttime training to Daddy and me. We have really enjoyed your training sessions for the last 3 nights. It has been hard getting used to being up almost all night and not getting sleep again, but hopefully by the time your baby sister is born we will be ready. Now will you PLEASE let us sleep tonight?

Love, Mommy

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Folding Baby Clothes

It's no secret how much I HATE (that word isn't strong enough) doing laundry. But, this afternoon I washed up little pink baby clothes and LOVED every minute of it! They are so cute and little and soft and the thought of holding my next little princess in them makes me smile!

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Like a Squirrel

I feel like a squirrel. I have been stuffing my cheeks with nuts today. Not really, but I spent the day stocking up on all kinds of household items that I'm not going to feel like running out to get in the next few months. Diapers, wipes, paper towels, soap, mustard, pasta sauce, etc... you get the idea. The pantry is full, the storage shelf in the garage is full. Now if I can just remember what I bought so that we can use it all! (I have been known to forget when I buy things before we need them!) I hit some killer sales, so between being stocked up and saving so much, it feels pretty good!

My grandpa's surgery went well. I am so glad for that.

We are off to watch a windy softball game. "Here we go Daddy, here we go!"

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

My baby ballerina (s)

Kaci had ballet this morning, she was cute as always. She looks really serious when she dances. (There are so many things to remember!) She is dancing the same recital piece that Shanna did when she was 3, and it brings back all sorts of memories. They look so much alike when their hair is pulled back that sometimes I have to blink twice at who I am looking at and what year it is! Then I think about this next little baby ballerina dancing it in another 3 years, and that Kaci will be 6 and Shanna will be 11 (!) Yikes!

It has been feeling like the baby is doing ballet constantly now. My tummy is so tight, and her movements are more like rolls than kicks. She pushes bony parts out, and that part of my stomach will stick out an extra few inches. I have actually lost weight, probably because there is no room for any food! I get hungry, but I can't eat very much. Tomorrow starts week 32.
8 Months!!! It is coming so fast!

We just found out that my grandpa will be having open heart surgery tomorrow. If you would please, say a little prayer for him!

Monday, April 07, 2008

Here we go again!

Back to the grind...

I was informed this morning that bagels have crust on them... Shanna left little half moons on her plate. I asked her how she knew which side of the bagel was crust and which side was not... Then I said "BAGELS DON'T HAVE CRUST!!!"

I have decided to pile all 47 baskets of laundry which need to be folded on my bed. That means it's going to get done, or I'll have to find somewhere else to sleep tonight!

I think I will take a nap on Kaci's bed after lunch to try to recover from our fun weekend. (That sounds really bad after just saying how much laundry I was going to get done. I wonder if the laundry fairy exists?)

It was a good weekend though. We went to the park 3 times, the girls ran through the sprinklers and had a water fight, I cut the egg carton apart and let them finger paint the "caterpillars" (It's a little sad that it was Kaci's first time finger painting and she's 3!) We ate every meal outside on the patio and got some other projects done as well.

The weather has been so nice here. It won't be long before it is hot again. I planted my garden this weekend... we have been enjoying fresh lettuce, carrots and onions so far. Hopefully soon, we'll have spinach, broccoli, cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs, artichokes, beans, beets and strawberries too!

Here's some random knowledge to start your week with:
The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for blood plasma. emoticon

No piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven (7) times.

Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes.

You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television. emoticon

Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are fifty (50) years of age or older.

The King of Hearts is the only king WITHOUT A MOUSTACHE

American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one (1) olive from each salad served in first-class.

Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise. (Since Venus is normally associated with women,what does this tell you!)

Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.

Most dust particles in your house are made from DEAD SKIN!

The first owner of the Marlboro Company died of lung cancer. So did the first 'Marlboro Man.'

Walt Disney was afraid of MICE!

PEARLS MELT IN VINEGAR!

The three most valuable BRAND names on earth: Marlboro, Coca Cola, and Budweiser in that order.

It is possible to lead a cow upstairs...but, not downstairs.

A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.

Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.
(I keep my toothbrush in the living room now!)

And the best for last.....turtles can breathe through their butts. (I know some people like that, don't YOU?)

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Voices in her head

We were in the car (the setting of most great conversations) this afternoon with Kaci.

Kaci: Do you ever hear voices in your head?

Tyler and I looked at each other, with a smile, knowing that this was going to be good. Tyler asked her what she meant by that.

Kaci: Sometimes voices get trapped in my head and I have to let them out.

Tyler: How do they get caught in your head?

Kaci: Like this: ...... she then gets really quiet and looks around for a little while.

Tyler: Well, how do you get the voices out of your head?

Kaci: Like this: You have to talk them out. (she then babbles on about various subjects for a few minutes) Ok, they're out.

(The same apparently goes for when you get a song "stuck" in your head. You just sing it out!

Tyler and I are trying not to laugh hysterically by now, he is trying to keep the car on the road...



It was a fun day. We took Kaci to a new park to play and bought her a popsicle from the ice cream man while Shanna was at a birthday party. Then, we took both girls to the school field with the dog and some kites. Everyone got to run and play (I'm regretting the running part right now) We came home and grilled hamburgers and sat by the fire afterwards. I think we'll all sleep well tonight!

Friday, April 04, 2008

What's up Doc?

Carrots from the garden... Yum!

Today Sucks

Get ready to hear me complain. It was NOT a good day.

It started when I was woken up before I was ready to. I was actually sleeping, which doesn't happen very much anymore.

Then, I was bombarded with questions (before I was out of bed) like:
Where are my jeans?
Did you fill out my book order?
Can you make me oatmeal?
Where's my cocoa?
I don't want to wear those pants.

And on and on and on...

Robyn and I went to Costco together. Kaci had a piece of napkin stuck on her tongue and she gagged and threw up. It got on Robyn's daughter and me too. I am sure everyone in line really appreciated that as well.

Shanna had a birthday party to go to at the Bear Mill, which of course meant hurt feelings for little sister. I tried my best to make her feel special, but it kills me to see pain or disappointment in those beautiful blue eyes.

Work has been awful for Tyler lately. I try to cheer him up when he comes home, but I don't feel like it makes much of a difference.

I have heartburn all the time. I feel like my stomach is in my throat, and even though I am hungry I can't eat very much. At least I don't have to worry about gaining too much weight this month!

Maybe that doesn't sound like much, but I'm glad today's almost over. I rented a few good movies, the girls are going to bed early, it has to end better than it started!

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Random bit of knowledge

Little pink crocs become little teeny pink crocs if they accidentally find their way into the dryer. It is especially a problem if only one sneaks into the dryer.

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

First Place!


Shanna won 1st place in the second grade for her science fair project! We are so proud of her!!!

Science Fair... Done

Whew! We are done with the science fair for this year. Yes, it turned into a major project on the last day. We worked on it for over 5 hours after school and into the evening, but Shanna did a great job. I am terrified for when she gets into high school, I have GOT to teach her how to get things done early. (Did I ever learn that?)

Her project is titled "Does noise affect a person's concentration?" She tested people's ability to solve Memory cards with silence, then soft music, tapping and loud rock music. She thought that having it quiet would make someone concentrate better. Actually though, soft music playing in the background was the best for everyone tested.

I am proud of her that she did most of the work on her own this year. This is her 3rd science fair, and each year she is able to do more of it on her own. I did type the report for her, but she wrote the first draft and made sure that I got everything "just right." (It would have taken hours for her to "peck type" it all out. They still haven't taught her how to type right in school.)

Keep your fingers crossed for her today, I am really proud of her!

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Secrets to a Happy Home

Always be Honest
Count your blessings
Bear each other's burdens
Forgive and Forget
Be kind and tender hearted
Comfort one another
Keep your promises
Be supportive of one another
Be true to each other
Look after each other
Treat each other like you treat your friends
but most important
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
deeply from the heart