holiday version of a random list

• I'll start the list out right, on a very lovely note: Eliza slept through the night last night! Can I get a "Woot! Woot!" (I'd love to say I'm well rested, but, come on. I have 4 kids. One of them is bound to wake up while on vacation.)
• It seems like O almost always has an asthma attack while we are visiting my parents.  If I count back, she's been on steroids the last 6 visits with my family.  (most of those are when we were visiting Michigan, two of them were when we went to Florida.)
• Poor O has had 1.5 weeks of various steroids in her body.  First with her rescue inhaler for several days, then the nebulizer, then an oral steroid AND the nebulizer. 
• I have introduced E to the world of Swamp People.  That show just makes me laugh a little bit. (while at the same time hiding in a corner since I have a weird fear of Alligators.)
• E and I went to Greek Town in downtown Detroit last night with some friends from college (E's old roommates.)  We left the older 3 kids at home with my parents.  It was SO fun!  The place had a lot of dairy free options for me to eat (which was wonderful) and we had a wonderful time visiting. 
• Speaking of yesterday, I had two wonderful people come visit me during the day at my parents house.  The first was my beautiful cousin, that I've blogged about before, and her baby girl.  We surprisingly didn't get along very well as small kids, but we've grown to love each other as adults.  I SO wish she was closer so we could hang out more. The second person was one of my college roommates, and a childhood friend.  It was so great to catch up.  Facebook is good at keeping some of the major details up to date, but there are some things that are just better learned in person.
• I'm dreading Christmas a little.  I actually LOVE Christmas.  It is one of my favorite holidays.  But, it is on Sunday, and we leave on Tuesday morning.  It just makes me a little bit sad to think about leaving already.
• I haven't run a single time since we've been here.  I forgot my cold weather running clothes and I'm not about to brave 38 degrees in shorts and a t shirt. 
• My momma is making pancakes for me so I'm outie. :)

2 months

Pride Cometh before the fall defiance

The other day Isaac, Eliza, and I were leaving the library.  Our library has a drive through drop off directly in front of the doors of the library itself.  When I opened the door to walk out, Isaac bolted out, running right towards the road and drive through. 

Sure he was going to run into the road, I yelled "Freeze!"

Isaac stopped instantly. 

I was amazed.  And, if I'm being completely honest, a little proud of myself.  I, some how, managed to get a child to actually STOP when I meant it.  Go me.

That's when it happened.  Isaac, still standing in the same spot, turned slightly to look at me.  He had his two fingers in his mouth and a mischievous smile on his face.  With the same grin, and looking right.into.my.eyes. he slowly put his right foot, tip toe first, into the road.

In case you were keeping track,
Score:
Isaac-1
Mommy-0

Go me.

Zeke

Isaac is TWO!

Isaac,

I am writing this the day before your second birthday.  Today reminded me so much of the same day two years ago.  The weather was so similar, (warm, breezy, sunny) and as we all took a walk, I couldn't help but remember the walk I took when that day when I was in labor with you.  I talked with you on that day, telling you to come out and join us.

I can remember your birth so vividly (sometimes more than I can even Eliza's birth. Maybe because your birth was so long.)  Its hard to believe that 24 months have gone by since that amazing day.  Not only do you get cuter every day, you've done a lot of other amazing things in one year!

in the last year you have:

• started and graduated speech therapy.  You went from "babbling" at 15 months, to being well above where you needed to be with the amount of words at 20 months. My favorite part of this?  You learned how to say "mommy" and "I love you." Swoon.
• you weaned. It was quite sad for me, as your mommy.  I had hoped to continue our nursing relationship until you were at least two.  However, when I was 6 months pregnant with your baby sister, there just wasn't enough milk for your liking.
• stared "school".  You love mother's morning out, (and so do I!) and your teachers dote on you. 
• became a big brother!  I can't believe how well you've done with your new role.  I expected some jealousy, maybe even some acting out towards Eliza.  However, you've been super!  You are a big helper to me, and love to "hold her.  Hold E-wi-wi, mommy."
•  started throwing tantrums.  Its to be expected.  You ARE two, after all.
• gained 6 pounds!  Woah!  You weighed 18lbs at a year, and you weigh 24 lbs now.  Way to grow, buddy!
• you had tubes.  These were a life saver in a turbulent ocean.  Seriously.  I think you'd write your ENT a long thank you letter if you could , you know, write and stuff.
• lost some of that baby look. :(  Mainly because of all of the teeth you have now!
• moved into a big boy bed.  You went straight from the crib into sharing a room with A in a bunk bed.  Its rough at times, especially since you get up so early, but you love being close to Bubba.
• Learned all of your animal sounds.  Your favorite: the elephant.
• Stopped screaming in the car.  this was a welcomed accomplishment by all who ride with us.

You've had an amazing year.  I'm so glad that God gave us you, Zeke.  Happy birthday!
Love,
Mommy

p.s. here's your birthday video. :)

and, if you want to see last year's birthday video, its here.

Stay calm

It's amazing to me how people can be.  All people, really, but especially E and I.  I've had some on-hand experience with this the last few weeks in relation to staying calm or, essentially, being patient.

E hates shopping.  I mean, totally loathes it.  He's the type of person that buys a gift just to "get it over with."  We just bought a gift for his mom that I thought was rather pricey for what it was.  He say to me, "well, it may be bad to think this way, but that's another $20 off what we have to spend on her."  (Obviously, his love language isn't gift giving, folks.  How lucky for me that mine is.)

So, E hates shopping.  Sunday afternoon, we dropped the big kids off to help my MIL put up her tree, and we talk the littles to Target to go shopping.  Target normally isn't the worst place on E's list (that's saved for special little "hells" like Hobby Lobby or Old Time Pottery in his opinion.) but Target on the weekends, in DECEMBER, are pretty crowded.  I had a few things to look at and price.  After the first one, E was getting antsy.  I asked "which color do you think looks better?" he replies: "the first one" with out even glancing over at what I'm holding.  

It only went down hill from there.  We went to the toys, and he is just standing there, staring (maybe going to his happy place?  Lowes or Costco possibly) while Isaac is climbing out of the cart and drinking out of his coffee cup.  The only thing he says "can we get out of here now?" over and over. 

what's my Achilles heel when it comes to patience?  Screaming/crying/whiny children.  Isaac has a sinus infection and he has been very prone to crying jags (well, that sinus infection and he's almost 2).  He cried so much yesterday, I can't even begin to explain how shot my nerves were.  It wasn't just sad, I don't feel good, cries.  It was screaming really.

I'm making dinner rather late in the evening,  (Our original plan was to go out to a local pizza place for kids eat free Monday night, but we decided against it because of Isaac.) and Isaac is throwing a fit about every.single.thing.  He wants the cheese I'm shredding.  He wants the tortilla I'm frying.  He wants the tortilla chips I'm setting out.  I give him a small bite of each, but he's screaming because he wants more.  He's hanging on the fridge because he wants an apple.  All.while.screaming. 

Then there's the bigger kids.  Asking for markers, fighting over who has the best green.  "Mine's dried out!  MoMEEEE!  Mine's dried out!"  "Can you get me some glue?"  "Mommy, I need the crayons!"  "He took my idea!  Look, mommy!  He stole it!"  "She's looking at my paper!"

E's over on the chair, peacefully rocking Eliza.  Completely unaware, or unaffected, by the commotion in the kitchen. 

That's when it hits me.  This is MY Target-on-a-Sunday-in-December.   Let's pay for our stuff and GET ME OUT OF HERE!

Because I can hardly stand to post an entry with out a picture... pictures!

Two years ago

Two Years Ago

One of Isaac's besties was born to my closest friend.

  this is how *I* looked.  Very pregnant.



this is what Isaac looked like.  Well, part of him, at least.

The girls

Sorry it took me so long to get around to posting these.  We've been, well, rather busy.  We had the sickies, then A had some sleep study appointments, and O had her therapy for her anxiety stuff, not to mention the 4 week long tummy issues Isaac has had. *whew*

Little E's birth story- an outside perspective

I asked my friend, D, who was at Eliza's birth, to write a birth story for me.  One, because it's sometimes tricky to really remember things correctly in your own birthing mind.  Pain tends to blur the boundaries of time.  3 minutes seem like 30.  It's neat, and special, to have another view of Eliza's birth to post here, and to put in her scrapbook to read when she's older.

I may interject with my own personal thoughts through out her narrative.  Maybe throw in some pictures, too. :)  I hope you don't mind, D.


There's something really special about watching a new person join the world. I was lucky enough to have T at my birth with C and part of my labor with Miss L and she was kind enough to let me join her and E for her labor & delivery with Miss E.

I can't say that I wasn't nervous, because although T is my closest friend, I've never actually seen a birth before. Also, I have absolutely no experience helping people (besides myself) through having a baby!! I was hoping I would end up being some help, or at least a distraction. (in a good way!) I knew that at the very least, I could take some pictures!

Poor T had contractions for days (not even exaggerating!) and when she texted me that night that she was going to the hospital to be checked, I had a feeling that she would be staying. I got dressed (yes, I was in my pajamas) and waited to hear from her. When she texted again she said she was about a 7-8 and was staying. I think that was about 8:30 PM and I was ready to go! I got to the hospital around 9, maybe a little later... I really can't remember. (you have a good memory, D!  I just checked my texts and you asked for my room number at 9:10)

T had had her water broken by the time I got there and the contractions were painful. We chatted a bit, and she was doing great breathing through the contractions. We talked about names, I think, but I still didn't know what they were going to choose. In my head, I thought they would pick the name Amelia so it was a lovely surprise when I heard her real name!

Then, transition hit. How do I know? Because T said she couldn't breathe and was going to die. I know that feeling and you really think that you will die.  (T here again. Seriously.  There's no way to explain it to someone else.  You just have to experience it to know that you really think you might die.)  I have to say that T's husband E did an excellent job of coaching her. There were a couple of times during the night that E turned very pale, but he sipped some soda and seemed to recover just fine. He tried to make sure that getting an epidural was what she really wanted, and I tried to mostly stay out of the way. I know from my own experience that when I felt like dying I really didn't care about a drug free birth, or my husband, who else was in the room or anything but making the pain stop or getting the baby out. NOW.

At this point I felt like I was mostly just getting in the way. (You weren't!) I couldn't think of one good thing to say or do that would actually be helpful so I erred on the side of trying not to annoy anyone. Now I know how my husband must have felt when I was in transition!

I'm sure it felt like an eternity, but from the time the nurse (who was very good, by the way) went to get the anesthesiologist and the time he got there, it could not have been more than 10 minutes. He was very friendly, and thankfully for T, very fast. I tried not to watch the epidural all that much, because I saw the needle and it looked... really big.

My curiosity got the best of me and I did watch a little. It was interesting, being on the other side of it and just getting to watch. It was at this point that I was pretty glad I wouldn't be having any more babies!

I simply cannot recall what time it was when T got the epidural, but it was definitely at some point after 10 PM. Maybe 10:30? I'm sure T remembers better because that was probably when she realized she wasn't going to die after all. I could tell instantly when the medicine hit her. She could breathe again and open her eyes and the contractions were bearable, although still obviously painful.

It wasn't that much later that T said Miss E was coming. At this point I was really trying to stay out of the nurses and doctor's way (There are a lot of people in there during a delivery. A fact I never noticed nor cared about when I was on the delivering end.) and have my camera ready. Some of my favorite pictures are those that T took for me during C's birth, and I wanted to get some for her.
I remember at some point the doctor said "Don't push!" and T assured them she wasn't. (I wasn't!) It was clear Miss E had taken her sweet time getting to the labor stage, but now she was ready to come out and she wasn't waiting! It seemed like there was basically no pushing and there she was! A sweet, screaming, dark haired little beauty! At this point I changed my mind and I was quite sad that I wouldn't be having any more babies.

It was still before 11PM - 10:53 I think? - when she was born. E cut the cord and they whisked her away to be weighed and measured and cleaned up a bit. (Did I tell you that this is the FIRST child he's ever cut the cord with?  He thought since she was probably our last he should do it once.)She screamed a lot for a newborn; I think she just wanted her mommy. It's amazing to think about meeting a little person that just 9 months ago, didn't even exist. A brand new little miracle!

I think it was while you were taking these pictures, D, that you kept telling me she had hair, but I didn't believe you.

 Birth is a lot of things; painful, messy, uncontrollable, amazing, & miraculous! I feel pretty blessed to have been able to experience it in a new way. Thank you, T & E, for sharing it with me!


Thanks, D, for being such an amazing friend and writing a birth story for me!  I can't imagine anyone better to share the birth of our daughter with! Muah!

One month!

Happy one month, Eliza!

Stay tuned, because I'm working on a neat blog post for later today.  My friend D was kind enough to write her version of Eliza's birth story to share with you all (and to put in Eliza's scrapbook!) 

(I got the idea from a blog I read.) 

The boys

Black and whites

Why I'm convinced it's important to wait until 39 weeks

Before I start this post, I want to put a disclaimer.  This is, obviously, just my personal opinion.  I realize that I have very strong feelings in regard to inductions over all.  I also realize that there are medically necessary inductions/Cesarean sections.  Those are not included in my feelings or opinions.  I am strictly referring to planned inductions or c/s based on convenience.  Even then, I'm not saying "don't get induced!" I'm just saying "wait until 39 weeks!"

Ideas in the medical community seem to change rapidly.  Especially when it comes to children/babies/pregnancy.  Put them on their tummies to sleep.  No, wait.  Put them on their backs.  Keep them rear facing until age one.  Now, it's age two.

These changes are important.  They keep our children safe.  For example, we no longer have to worry about our child being thrown through the car window in an accident on the way home from the hospital because we have infant car seats.  We know to buckle them up before we head out and to make sure they are in a 5 point harness until certain age and weight.

Here's a newer recommendation that you may not have heard of, though.  The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that no elective delivery should be performed before the gestational age of 39 weeks. 

The reasoning for the recommendation is for the safety of mother and baby.  studies report rates of 28–35.8% of elective deliveries occurring before 39 weeks and reveal that they also contribute to increased rates of late-preterm births These deliveries are associated with increased neonatal morbidity, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, and associated hospital costs compared to deliveries occurring at 39–40 weeks. (taken from this website.)

In regular people terms, they found it causes more breathing issues and deaths in babies when they are "forced" to come before 39 weeks, (and, again, we're obviously NOT talking about pregnancies with health concerns for momma or baby here.)


This recommendation has even changed since O's birth. I was induced with her at 38 weeks (of course, one could argue that I was 5 cm dilated, 70% effaced, I was contracting, and she was very low. My OB's conclusion was that I may not make it to the hospital in time. Therefore, it would be under the ACOG's list of "okay to induce". But, I still believe her breathing issues stemmed from her c/s and being forced out before she was completely ready.)

Now, my last three children have entered this world on their own timing.  A was 38 weeks, Isaac was 37, and Eliza was 39.  I can tell you, from experience, that Eliza is, by far, more "advanced" at 4 weeks than my other kids.  When I say "advanced" I don't mean that she's talking in full sentences.  I mean that E and I have noticed a marked difference in several things when we compare her to the other kids.

1. How alert she is when she's awake
2. How well and fast she nurses
3. How she's able to hold her head up sooner/more
4. How she cries a lot less
5. How she just "looks" older



Eliza at 2.5 weeks

Now, obviously, these are in no way medical issues that would be a cause for concern in a 37 weeker versus a 39 weeker.  But, I firmly believe that a lot of these things are due to the fact that her brain is more mature.  I mean, if you figure it all out, she's really 2 weeks "older" or "more mature" than Isaac and Olivia were at this same out-of-the-womb-age.  She's had more time for her nervous system to mature.

So, there you have it.  My soap box post for the month.  Let your babies pick their own birthday if you can.  If not, wait until they are 39 weeks before you induce.  Their little baby brains will thank you.

Working on Christmas

We got our CD in the mail from our pictures that we got taken the other day. I'm working on Christmas cards and birthday party invitations (for who?  Not MY little boy.  He's NOT going to be 2!)

Here's a teaser. :)

A bullet

• My door bell rang at 2:00 pm with a "Happy November" gift for E and I.  The newest Harry Potter movie!  Woot! (and, my E is a teeeeny bit of a nerd.  he and his, also nerdy, college roommate refer to it as HPTDH2)
• I am attending a baby shower tonight.  Honoring Eliza and several other friends and babies.  I hope it will be fun.
• I'm eating peanut butter on saltines.  I'd eat it right out of the jar right now, but that some how seems pathetic.  So, I basically put it on air with calories.
• I am drinking a home made salted carmel hot chocolate.  Double yum!  (Thanks, D!)
• E just brought in a tiny little flag and A said "Hey daddy!  Where'd you get that president's flag?" hehe
• I took all four kids to Babies R Us today.  We all made it back alive, and with all of our shoes, purses, hair things, so I guess that constitutes a good trip.
• Eliza has been gagging on her pacifier.  I've been trying to find one she'll take with out gagging.  No luck so far.
• Salted Carmel hot chocolate is a little salty at the bottom.  Note to self: must stir better next time.
• Isaac is just hilarious.  I can't believe, sometimes, that this is the kid that didn't talk 5 months ago or the kid that would.not.give.his.momma.a.smile FOREVER. 
• I think I'm ordering these towels for some Christmas gifts.
• A is all about bad guys/good guys right now.  He used his allowance money to buy a mini nerf gun at Toys R Us.  He cracks me up with his, "I'm going to use it to shoot bad guys, mommy."
• It's insanely hard to type with a 22 month old (okay, ALMOST 23 month old) demanding "ore cackers, mommy!" But, it's cute to hear "ank you mommy."
• BRU wouldn't accept my return of NB sized pampers diapers.  So, sorry, Eliza.  You're going to have to squeeze those sweet thunder thighs in them.  (Oddly enough, she fits in the huggies NB's just peachy.)

Parenting FAIL

I had a parenting fail today.  F.A.I.L 

My morning was a little crazy today. 

It didn't start off that way.

No.  In fact, it was pretty calm and relaxed. 

I got the big kids off to school.  Isaac was watching cartoons, while I was enjoying a cup of coffee.

The phone rings.

It's the school nurse (again.  3rd time this week.)

A's had an accident.  He needs to come home and take a shower.

It's 8:20.  I have to leave at 9:00 to take Isaac to school.

Crap, I say to myself..  I haven't gotten Eliza dressed. 

Isaac's lunch isn't packed. 

Can I wear my slippers to pick him up?

Then comes the anger. 

This is his 4th accident in two weeks.  (The first 3 were #1.  This was #2.)

We've been to the dr. and nothing is wrong.  He's either 1. Lazy or 2. Scared to ask his teacher

He won't tell me what happened.  Or when it happened. 

He's laughing, thinking it's fun to go home and take a shower in the middle of the day.

I lose my patience.  I ask him again what happened and when.

He suddenly "can't talk" because his "throat is scratchy."

Lies.  All lies. *sigh*

Patience lost again.

Urge him to take a shower quickly.  Fast!  We've GOT TO GO!

Take him back to school, where I realize he's embarrassed.

It's at this point that I am, too.  My behavior until now was atrocious. 

I was thinking about how he inconvenienced ME.

Not at all about how embarrassing it would be for HIM.

I feel like crying.  I totally failed.

F.A.I.L.E.D.



Sorry buddy

Her birth. Again. In more pictures.

Just a GIANT PSA:

 if you don't like birth photos OR you don't want to see my beautiful naked thighs, please do not read this post.

Okay.  Now that THAT's out of the way.  I love these photos way to much to not share.  Most of them are from my friend D, who was there at Eliza's birth.