We Are Family

"Our brothers and sisters are there with us from the dawn of our personal stories to the inevitable dusk."

When I See You Smile

He's trying, really trying. This week Little dude has been showing those pearly gums. You can see it in his face when he really wants to smile. But most of the time it comes out as a half smile, half squint eyed, funny face. It's adorable.

If 6 Was 9

Today Crazy turns 6! He loves to play football, Wii, Bakugon, and Legos. So far, he is the first of our children to place an object up his nose and have to go the ER to have it removed..lol..but I am sure he will not be the last. He is stubborn, determined, dramatic, emotional, loving, caring, and our very "crazy" little boy. Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Needles and Pins

Little Dude's 1 month shots were today. He did great! A couple of squeaks and whimpers, and then he fell asleep. What a tough, little guy! He weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. He gained 10 oz since his last appt. 2 weeks ago, and grew 1.5 inches.

A Moment Like This...

April 13th, 2010
Little Dude's 1st full bath...



1st time meeting Grammy and Papa W (April 12th-23rd)....


Sister and Brothers spending some time together...

Just Showing Off...

Sweet Little Dude 1 Week Old

New Soul

April 1, 2010 was my 38/39 week appointment. All went well, baby looked great, but still no progress in the dilation/cervix area. She told me I am still high and closed tight and she did not want to strip my membranes until my next appointment.

That evening we made a stop at Walmart to pick up a few things, then went to go to eat around 7pm at IHOP. We ate, got our check, and boom....about 8pm, my water broke..LOL. Right there in the IHOP booth during dinner. We immediately got up, paid the bill, then headed home so I could change. Since I was not contracting or in any pain, we decided to call our friend to pick up the kids and wait around at home for a while instead of having to sit in the hospital. Around 10 pm we went to the hospital. We got checked in, and I was checked out. I was dilated to 2. I was taken right into a labor room to get started on Pitocin because my cervix was not thinning. After 8 hours of labor, I was dilated to a 5. But still not thinning. I was being shoved from one side to the other because baby's heart rate kept dropping. I finally gave in and said lets do the epidural. By the time the anesthesiologist came in, I was told we did not have any time, and they wanted to do an emergency c-section. Allot of what was said and done is a blur to me. I was in allot of pain and very, very scared. I absolutely did not want a c-section. But no was not an option. The baby was in allot of distress. I was rushed into the O.R. I will not forget the experience. The way the docs and nurses sounded, hearing my OB talking to me and reassuring me everything was going to be OK, my arms and legs being strapped down and being so cold..all the while still having contractions. It was the scariest thing I ever experienced. Before getting knocked out, I remember telling them to make sure they give the baby to Hubs. He had to go directly to Hubs. I remember praying that everything go OK. Then that was it. I wake up to nurses talking and asking me if I was in any pain. I remember saying yes, I hurt and my throat hurts. Then she assured me she was giving me something for the pain. The next thing I remember is being in the recovery room and Hubs said they were bringing the baby to me. He was absolutely beautiful. Beautiful and healthy. They told me his cord was wrapped twice around his neck which was the reason for his failing heart rate and why my cervix was not thinning. Because of the cord, he was not able to descend into the birth canal. But he is healthy and beautiful and a survivor.

He is the sweetest baby. All 10 fingers and 10 toes. He was born on April 2nd, weighed 7lbs. 3oz and was 18.7 inches long. He was also born on his Great Grandfather's birthday.

We were discharged from the hospital Easter morning. Hubs had picked up the kids Sat. night so he could spend Easter morning with them, then they came to pick me up. What a great Easter gift. To bring home our new baby.

The kids love their new little brother. They cannot keep their hands off of him. He is a wonderful addition to our family.

Baby Mine

I am so ready for this little one to come. This past week has been nothing but contractions, massive heartburn, aching back and tailbone and sleepless nights. I don't know if I would even be able to make it to my due date without going absolutely insane. We have taken several long walks lately, but they haven't done much good. I am walking around like a mad woman cleaning constantly and never just sitting down to relax. My dreams are getting more and more strange, but have the same theme...going into labor. The swelling in my feet has gone down quite a bit, which is good. My next appointment is Thursday, so I will wait again to see if anything has progressed. I am tempted to set up an inducement date, but am eager for the excitement and anticipation of him coming on his own. I will once again, try to sit back and relax and let this little one join us in his own time. But, I'm not saying there wont be some bitching and moaning along the way!

37/38 Week Appt.

Well I was almost positive that my doctor would tell me some good news today at my appointment. Last night was quite the night. I was having contractions and cramping for at least 4 or 5 hours, but was finally able to fall asleep about midnight or 12:30am. I couldn't get comfortable or sleep, and it didn't help that Hub's dog was snoring like a freight train. lol I was sure that something was progressing. So sure that I started to clean things up before bed just in case I did go in and I didn't want the house to be a mess..lol But nothing.

I had the Group B test done, along with the usual measuring and heartbeat check. I should hear in a couple days if anything comes of the test. After I told her about the contractions and stuff, she did a thorough check, and told me nothing is changing. But his heartbeat is still nice and strong, my measurements are still pretty accurate and I didn't gain any more weight from last week.

I guess we shall see in the next couple weeks how things are going to play out. I am really ready for this to be over though. I don't think I can take another 3 weeks till my due date..lol

Hunting Bugs

Today was my 36/37 wk OB appt. I was told my blood pressure was to high and I need to relax. That wasn't surprising because I had both boys with me today. I was also told I am measuring at 38 weeks and he thinks this baby will be a bigger baby. I told him the weights of the other kids and he said this baby will probably be my biggest one. Oh goody! LOL I gained a couple more pounds, but my 2nd glucose test came back just fine. He said I need to quit drinking soda because that is what is causing the swelling in my feet. Not surprising, but we all know how I love my soda. Little Dude's heartbeat was strong and aside from the blood pressure, he is looking good!

Aside from that, today was the boy's yearly physicals (hence the reason why both boys were with me today). Crazy's 6 year, and Baby Boy's 4 yr. Crazy looks great. His nose was double checked to make sure it was good to go and he was given a new prescription for his inhaler. We talked a bit about his nighttime accidents. Doc said boys bladders mature later and they only really start to get concerned around the ages of 7 or 8 if they are still bed wetting. He said just keep doing what we are doing (getting him up at night to go and cutting off his drinks at 6) and use allot of positive reinforcement. Baby Boy was in for his preschool physical. He got pricked twice, once for TB and the other was to check his hemoglobin. He did fantastic and hardly flinched at all. His vision was checked and everything looked good. He was also given a new prescription for his allergy eye meds. We need to go back on Thursday to have his TB test looked at. All this just for preschool. All in all, the boys are healthy and looking good!

On a different note, Girly was sent home today because she has lice. This is our first encounter with lice, so we aren't quite sure how to go about getting it taken care of. The school gave us a treatment to use on her, and gave us some instruction sheets. Tonight has been busy. Hubs did 2 treatments on her head, while I washed all sheets, towels, clothing, stuffed animals and anything else she's been in contact with. I baked all comforters in the dryer and vacuumed all the furniture and floors. We are beat. Now she has to miss a couple days of school to make sure the lice are dead. This adds to the 2 days she missed last week because she had what we thought was pink eye, but turned out to be allergies. Fun times I tell you! Now we just keep our eyes on the boys and ourselves and pray that no one else gets it!

“You haven't lost your smile at all, it's right under your nose."

Yesterday (March 8th) was quite the interesting day. Around 1 in the afternoon I received a call from the school. It was the secretary calling to inform me that Crazy had found a pink bead on the ground at recess and stuck it up his nose. Now, his nose is bleeding and they cannot get the bead out. He is very scared and there is no nurse on call, so I have to come to the school and help him get it out or take him to the doctor. So I wake up Baby Boy from his nap, get ready super quick and head out the door. When I get there, Girly is in the office with him, he is crying and his face is crusted over with boogers and blood. He had 5 or so teachers and secretaries around him telling him all would be alright, and he was a very brave little boy and so on. They again told me the story, said they did all they could think of to get it out, and it was just not going to budge. I asked him what the heck he was doing sticking beads in his nose and his response was the infamous "I don't know!". I packed him up, thanked everyone repeatedly and got the boys loaded back up in the truck. I called the pediatrician and was informed to take him directly to the ER because they may need to do x-rays. I called Hubs, and he said he would meet me over there from work.

Crazy was very brave and calm for the 1st hour as they (2 docs) poked at his nose, looked up there, sprayed some sort of solution up there, and had him lay in several different positions to see if they could see it. Then they pulled out the tube instrument that they had to use to sort of inflate his nostril just so they could see the bead. That's right, he shoved the bead so far up his nose it could not be seen. After inflating his nostril they used a suction catheter to sort of suck out the bead. It looked like the spit sucker they use at the dentist office when cleaning your teeth. The whole ER could hear him screaming. I felt horrible. So 2 hours, 2 docs, and 2 nurses later they finally retrieved the bead. A nice, bright, humongous, pink bead.

The nurse put the bead in a test tube for him to keep. He was also given a wise piece of information.."Never stick anything smaller then your elbow up your nose or in your ear!" LOL

Baby Shower Fun

March 6th, 2010

My friend threw me a wonderful Baby shower for Little Dude. I wasn't expecting a shower at all considering he is baby #4 and people normally don't do showers for your 3rd or 4th child. It was a wonderful shower though with a few close friends and some wonderful food. We got lots of goodies. Plenty of diapers (big plus!), clothes (mostly onesies and sleepers,(which are great because we all know newborns live out of those), washcloths, bath time accessories, and blankets. I also received in the mail, a beautiful, you wouldn't know it was a diaper bag diaper bag/purse from my sister-in-laws, lol, and a wonderful handmade nursing cover from my cousin Amie! All the new stuff has been washed, folded and put away. Little Dude's crib is officially made up with a new crib sheet and comforter and ready for his cute, little butt to be in it!

33/34 Week Appt.

All is well on the baby front. Heartbeat strong, measuring good. Baby has been causing quite a ruckus in there lately. I have had random contractions for the last week, and allot of cramping and braxton hicks. He is slowing down in there allot, but it still seems as if every once in a while he decides to do a somersault or two just to put me in pain! lol He is up in my ribcage and is making it very difficult to breathe and sleep comfortably. Hubby has been complaining about my snoring lately...lol...but I think he is just making it all up! *wink* lol I am anxious more and more to get the ball rolling and have this baby! :)

Girly is once again going to district for the science fair this year! She is very excited and is insisting she is going to make it to state competition. I say good for her and great work Girly!

Baby Boy has his 1st speech therapy session today. He couldn't make it last week due to a nasty ear infection he had. He was put on Omoxacillan and is now doing so much better!

Itchy Twitchy

On Feb. 5th, 2010 Crazy Boy finally had his student of the month ceremony. He was so excited! He got to go on stage and receive a folder with coupons in it for free kid's meals from restaurants in our town and a certificate.




But...where's there's 1 extreme..there's another. Today, we received a call from the principal of Crazy's school. He wanted to inform us that there was an altercation on the playground between Crazy and a 1st grader. Apparently the 1st grader hit Crazy, so in return Crazy bit him. Ya, you heard that right...bit him. Soon after he bit him, he went to the recess lady and told her what had happened, and both boys were sent to the office. After they had been spoken to by the principal, they both apologized to each other and parents were called to come pick them up. The principle wanted to let me know that he was not being suspended, but he thought they should go home and think about what had happened. When we got there to pick him up, he was crying and scared. All the secretaries and the principal wanted to let us know that he had said he was sorry several times and was very scared of being punished. lol Crazy has never bit anyone. Not even attempted to bite anyone. So when we first got the call my gut told me he had to have been provoked or something. Crazy's not a fighter. He'd be the little boy who tattles on everyone before he'd fight them. So I thought maybe the little boy was holding him down or something and he was defending himself. When we asked him what had happened, he said they were playing "zombies" and the little boy was pretending to stab him all over with knives by hitting him. So because Crazy was the "zombie", he bit him in return. Why you ask...lol..."because zombies eat people who are trying to kill them!" So when the little boy said that it hurt, Crazy got scared, told the recess lady and they were both sent to the office. Definitely not the kind of "altercation" I had assumed it was in the beginning. lol And don't even ask me how the heck he knows about zombies and stuff...as far as I know Nick Jr. and Noggin don't show that kind of thing! lol

So so much for Student of the Month for Crazy!! lol Has anyone else put their child's first visit to the principal's office in their baby book? lol

31/32 Week Appointment

Baby is well. Heart rate and measurements were right on again. I have gained 32 lbs and was told that I need to re-do my glucose test. I asked if something was wrong with the first one and she said no, but because she feels I have gained to much weight for this pregnancy, it may be because of my sugar levels. Crap. I say that's a load of crap. I guess the weight gain has once again gone down. With Girly it was between 25-30 lbs. With the boys it was between 20 and 25. With this one she says 15 to 20. I don't believe I have gained excessive weight, but I know for a fact I could lose a few lbs. My last 4 appts. I have gained 1.5 lbs. I'd say that's pretty good. The first 20 lbs were from the 1st 4 months when I was so sick that all I did was lay around and do nothing. Aside from that, the baby is doing well. I am ready to go though! lol I feel like I am getting bigger every day. I even underestimated my stomach size. The other night when I was brushing my teeth I did not bend forward enough to spit and ended up with spit down my belly! lol

If You are Happy and You Know It...

Yesterday was Baby Boy's speech therapy interview. We are happy to say he qualifies for the county speech program. He will start in 2 weeks and will attend once a week. The man that worked with him learned very quickly that Baby Boy has his own language. lol He had him go through sheet after sheet of pictures and name the shapes, objects and actions. He did wonderfully, naming each and every one of them correctly...just not with the proper pronunciation. The man said in no way is he physically or mentally challenged, it is simply a problem of articulation. He described it as a New Yorker with an accent. No matter how often you tell them to say car...they pronounce it is as caaaa....lol We made sure to ask what we could do at home, and he said once he starts the program he will have homework to do at home and we will be able to use these tools to help him. He also said the baby sign language we used with him and his brother as babies in no way affected how he speaks now. That was a small sigh of relief, because I was almost afraid we were hindering his speech by teaching them to sign so early. He actually said signing is a great way of communicating with your baby when they have no other way of telling you how they feel. Which I totally agree with.

Great job Baby Boy...I am so excited to see you start this program and excel the way I know you will!

29/30 Week Baby Appointment

Today was my 29/30 week OB appt. It went great. She decided to take a quick peek at Little Dude on the ultrasound machine. It was amazing how big he was. He is in the head down position, is measuring right on, and he has a very strong heartbeat. So far I have already gained almost 30 lbs. Yikes....lol That's OK, I am not nearly as freakish about the weight gain during this pregnancy. I have been through it 3 times before, and I am sick of worrying about the numbers. As long as I am staying healthy, and the baby is healthy, then I am not going to worry. My tailbone is still killing me and I am doing the whole pregnant lady waddle. lol I am also having a heck of a time tying my shoes. lol I am getting very excited. I can't wait to meet my little man.

They Say It's Your Birthday

Happy 4th Birthday to my sweet Baby Boy! (Jan. 24th, 2010) I love you so much!

Learn to Listen

Today was baby boy's audiology exam. He had a complete hearing screening. This is because his speech is very delayed (still) and he will be starting preschool in the Fall. His pediatrician wanted to make sure he did not have a hearing problem before we started him in on therapy. We are happy to say his hearing is excellent. He passed with flying colors. Now the question is..why is his speech so delayed? I guess there is no definite answer as to why, the audiologist just said some children are delayed, and they tend to benefit greatly from speech therapy. When they work with someone who knows how to teach them, they thrive. So, insurance has given us the green light to get him started, it is covered. Now we just have to get the list of therapists in our area and get him enrolled. I am excited to see how this pans out, and I am also excited to hear him speak properly. It's amazing to hear him talk now, he speaks mostly in vowels. If you ask him to say "stand", he will pronounce it like "and". He knows his ABC's and 123's, but when said it is in his own little language. He'll say 1, but then 2 is "ooohhh" and 3 is "eeeee". But he knows them which I am happy about. Right now, he gets very frustrated when we don't understand him. He will repeat things several times over until one of us finally just gives up. Either that, or he will literally drag us over to whatever it is he is talking about. I am excited. I can't wait to see how he does. He is the most excited, energetic little boy, and I know he will be ecstatic when he speaks properly and we get excited and can understand him!

27 Weeks

Everything went well today. Little Dude's heartbeat was strong and we were measuring right on schedule. Starting next week I am suppose to start a kick count chart and bring it into my next appointment. I start going every 2 weeks now. How time flies. My gestational diabetes test came back negative, so that is good. My heartburn has gone away thanks to the Protonix that I was given, but now my tailbone is unbelievably sore. It sends shooting pains up my back and down into my crotch area. It hurts to sit for more then a few minutes, and I can't lay flat on my back because that hurts. Dr. Tan said there is nothing she can give me for the pain (which I find hard to believe) and that I should start sitting on a donut pillow. lol Other then that, not much else is new. My tummy is growing and I am definitely feeling more and more pregnant each day.