Flashback Friday, Pregnancy Journal ~ Birth Story

Ack! I'm a little late. Sorry, but it's been a busy day. We're getting ready for a big first birthday party around here, don'tchaknow! {More on that to come!} Anyway, here it is. The last journal I kept for Storknet.com a year ago during my pregnancy with Kameryn. Her birth story. The very, very condensed version ;) I'll be back soon with some party pictures to post. Stay tuned!

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{originally submitted January 31, 2009}

Birth Story ~ Meet Kameryn Faith

Wow, it is hard to believe that I’m writing our birth story already! Our precious little Kameryn Faith is now a part of our family, and we feel so very blessed.

After my last journal entry we continued to play the waiting game. I got through the rest of the week without too much drama, and was told by my team of doctors that as long as she remained stable with no changes, they would continue to postpone delivery. As soon as an ultrasound or a non-stress test came back with changes, we would be induced.

On Monday, January 26th I was wheeled to the Perinatologist clinic in the next building, for my daily Level 2 Ultasound, and it showed that things had, indeed, changed. I was then sent to Labor and Delivery for a non-stress test. It was then that I was told I would be induced. I called Jeremy, and he and the girls made it to the hospital in time to visit for a bit before they started the pitocin. At that point I was only dilated 1cm, so I definitely had a ways to go.

The pitocin was started at 2pm, and by Monday night I still wasn’t progressing. Mild, regular contractions were about the extent of it. Jeremy’s parents took the girls home that night. It was the first time they had left the hospital excited, as they knew they would meet their baby sister soon. Jeremy and my parents decided to stick around in case labor progressed. Around midnight the doctors checked my cervix again, and found no change, so I got to have my cervix manually dilated (I’ll spare the yucky details!). At 5am on Tuesday, I finally dilated to 3cm, but still wasn’t experiencing painful contractions. Jeremy’s parents brought the girls back in on Tuesday morning, and we continued to wait.

By 2pm on Tuesday afternoon I had been in labor for 24 hours, and was exhausted. The doctors decided it was time to break my water. Once that happened, things took off rather quickly. Within about a half hour my contractions became painful, and I was re-considering the epidural! However, there was no time for one. By 3:30 I was having a hard time breathing through the contractions, and thought I might need to push soon. Doctors rushed in ~ 2 specialists, 2 residents, a nurse, and 2 pediatricians from NICU (as we were informed that Kameryn would be immediately whisked away for observation). Three pushes later, and our little one made her appearance!

Kameryn Faith was born at 4:12 pm on January 27th , at 34 weeks, 6 days, weighing 6 pounds even, and measuring 19 ¾ inches. Not too terribly tiny, considering. She was whisked away, but was able to come back so I could take a peek at her. They ran some tests, and found that she wouldn’t need to have a blood transfusion (yay!), but her blood sugar level was a little low, so she did have a short stay in NICU. By midnight she was rooming with me. We felt so blessed that she had no other complications. No breathing problems, no temperature-control issues, nothing!

She was a little jaundice, so Wednesday night was spent under bilirubin lights, but praise the Lord, she was able to come home with us on Thursday morning.

We are now settling in at home, though we are far from any sort of schedule. After being in the hospital for two weeks, there is a lot of catching up to do. Though all of that will have to be put on hold for awhile. Kameryn lost quite a little bit of weight, and is now down to 5 lbs. 6 ozs, so we have to go to the doctor for daily weigh-ins. She seems to be having a hard time putting weight on, but I’m trying not to get discouraged. My main job these days is making sure she is getting enough to eat, which includes trying to supplement in between feedings, and tracking all feedings and wet diapers. I really took for granted the fact that Sierra and Makenna gained weight so quickly after the were born. It’s hard to truly enjoy this time when I am feeling like I’m not doing a good job growing my little baby. With prayer and a little time, I have faith that it will all work out.

A great big thank you to all who have followed my journal, especially those of you who have taken the time to write. Best wishes to all of you for happy, healthy pregnancies.

Blessings,

Liz

Flashback Friday ~ Week 33

Alright y'all I'm just going to be honest, I'm sort of looking forward to the end of these journals. I am getting some odd anonymous comments, and it's always on these journal entry posts. Weird. Anyway, this is officially the last week that I journaled besides my birth story, so the end is in sight ;) Happy Friday!

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{originally submitted January 21, 2009}

Week 33 ~ Hospitalized

Just typing the title for this journal entry seems so surreal. I am still in shock that I have been hospitalized for the last 6 days with a very good possibility that I will not be going home until I deliver our baby.

Where do I begin? Last Friday we were scheduled for a follow-up ultrasound at the perinatologist office. Jeremy and I made the drive and waited patiently for the ultrasound to begin. Much to our surprise the ultrasound showed that the anemia had gotten worse, and in a matter of minutes we were whisked away to Labor and Delivery to get set up on a fetal monitor. We were then told that I would receive my first of two steroid injections, and most likely deliver our baby on Sunday, just shy of 34 weeks gestation.

Since then I have had my two injections of steroids, and the doctors have kept a very close eye on our little one. Most importantly, it is now Wednesday and I haven’t had to deliver yet. I’ve had almost continual fetal monitoring, and 1-2 ultrasounds daily since being admitted. I feel very lucky to be in a place that is taking such good care of us.

While I am trying so hard to keep a positive outlook, I would be lying if I said this wasn’t the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Being away from Jeremy and the girls is excruciating; I miss them every minute. It’s especially hard because I am used to being with them all day every day. I’ve never been away from the girls for more than 24 hours, so the past 6 days has felt like an eternity to me. And as you can imagine, this is equally hard on them. At 6 and 3 years old, Sierra and Makenna don’t quite understand why I can’t just come home. As for Jeremy, I can’t imagine how stressful it must be. He’s gone from dad to single-parent in the blink of an eye, and has acquired many more responsibilities.

Now we play the waiting game. Each day we wait to see if today is the day we deliver, or if we can buy just a bit more time. If she remains stable, they will try to postpone delivery as long as possible. Our first priority is a healthy baby girl.

Thank you so much for the thoughts and prayers. We appreciate them all!

Blessings,

Liz

Flashback Friday Pregnancy Journal, Week 32

Alright y'all, welcome to another week of Pregnancy Journals. I kept this journal a year ago, when I was pregnant with Kameryn. We're in the home stretch . . . and it's about to get a little exciting.

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{originally submitted to Storknet.com January 14, 2009}

Week 32 ~ What a Week!

It looks as though I spoke too soon, last week, regarding peace and quiet! This week has been quite the whirlwind.

Remember a couple of weeks ago I mentioned that Makenna had come down with Fifth Disease? Back in October we were exposed through our Sunday School class, I mentioned it to my midwife, and she assured me that it was probably nothing to worry about. It finally made its way to Makenna right before Christmas, and shortly after, Sierra came down with it. Being that I wasn’t just “exposed” to it now, I was actually living with two little pumpkins who had it (loving on them, and in close contact 24 hours a day), I thought I would mention it again. The midwife agreed that I should probably be tested, though it was unlikely that I wasn’t immune to it, as I’d probably had it as a child, and didn’t even know it. So, I had some blood work done at my last appointment, and the nurse assured me that they’d have the results “soon”. When I hadn’t heard anything in over a week, I just assumed that the results were fine, and I put it out of my mind.

Imagine my surprise last week, when I received a call from the midwife letting me know that the tests came back that I had a full-blown case of Fifth Disease! I was so sure that I was immune to it. As I had mentioned in a previous entry, Fifth Disease is completely harmless and often times mild, but it can present complications in pregnancy. Because the hospital I go to now isn’t equipped to monitor this type of situation, I was referred to a
specialist, and ordered a Level 2 Ultrasound at a larger hospital that specializes in high-risk pregnancy.

Yesterday was the big day. My mother-in-law came over to watch the girls as it is close to an hour and a half drive each way to the hospital, plus the wait time for the ultrasound and appointment. We were so grateful for Geri to be able to watch the girls. My parents took off last week for their annual 6 week trip through Nevada and Arizona, so we don’t have quite the help we normally would have.

My ultrasound was scheduled for 2:20 with a follow-up consultation appointment at 3:00. Through the worry and concern, I must admit it was wonderful to be able to take another peek at our little princess. This ultrasound was a bit more detailed, so we really got a good look at all her little fingers and toes, her adorable little mouth and nose, and her little heart, just beating away. We even got a 3-D picture! After the tech took an extensive look around, she gave the results to two other doctors, and they both came in and had another look around. While they found no fluid around our little girl’s heart (a sign of severe anemia), they did find a sign that she had possibly developed the anemia. It is at a mild stage at this point, so I will be monitored up at this hospital 1-2 times per week via ultrasound, and I have been ordered to have a NST (non-stress test) twice a week at my regular hospital. I’m going to be one busy gal!

After the ultrasound, I got to meet with the perinatologist. He was wonderful in helping explain everything to us. He let us know what we might be able to expect every step of the way. Once our consultation concluded, he wanted me to have a NST, so we got set up for that. The nurse had mentioned that we would need to get a good reading which means having the baby alert, awake, and moving. Well, that was no problem! As soon as the monitors were strapped to my tummy our little girl kicked, punched, and prodded the entire time! Needless to say, it didn’t take long to get the reading they were after. About a half an hour in all, and we were on our way.

By the time we left the hospital it was after 5, and we had a long drive home in rush-hour traffic. It was the perfect time to reflect on the day, I suppose. I feel so blessed that I was able to leave the hospital last night. I couldn’t help but think of all the women who wind up with complications during pregnancy which keep them hospitalized for days, weeks, or even months! I, on the other hand, was able to go home and see my precious daughters and enjoy the rest of the evening with them. It will be a bit of a pain to make weekly trips up to this new hospital. The drive is long, and it’s not easy to get there. But I have to remind myself just how lucky I am that our baby is doing so well through all of it. I truly feel taken care of.

Of course, any and all prayers are welcome. With 7 weeks to go, we have our fingers crossed that baby girl doesn’t decide to make an appearance too early!

Until next week, enjoy all the blessings in your life!

Liz

Flashback Friday Pregnancy Journal ~ Week 31

Hi y'all! Another Flashback Friday. Is it just me, or does it always seem like Friday around here?? So . . . we're getting close. Week 31. I was hospitalized by Week 33, and Kam was born just shy of 35 weeks, so the end is in sight ;) For those new {and not-so-new} this weekly installment of Flashback Friday Pregnancy Journals follows my pregnancy with Kameryn . . . exactly a year ago. I kept a journal for Storknet.com, and am having such fun going back to read all about my experiences. Funny how quickly you forget! This week had me chuckling and shaking my head a bit. I submitted this journal on the morning of January 7, 2009. Blissfully unaware that mere hours later I would get a phone call from my midwife with the news that I had Fifths Disease. Oh how life was about to change drastically. And with that, let's get this show on the road! :)

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{Submitted to Storknet.com Wednesday, January 7, 2009}

Week 31 ~ A Brand New Year

It’s hard to believe that a new year is upon us. I find it to be so true that once you have children, time flies right by! This week was delightfully quiet. After two months of going, going, going, and the excitement of constant holiday activities, I welcome the peace.

As predicted, we had a quiet New Year’s Eve. My parents invited us over to play a few games, and we had a great time! My dad went all out and bought prizes for Bingo games, and as you can imagine that was an exciting surprise for the girls. Sierra is quite the Bingo champ, as she won 7 out of the 10 games. Makenna was content to snack and sip her sparkling apple cider. We made it home by eleven, and a very sleepy Makenna was definitely ready for bed, but Sierra made it to midnight . . . Barely!

Monday marked the first day back to home-schooling in more than two weeks. We took advantage of a few extra days of Christmas vacation due to all of the snow and local school closures in mid-December. We enjoyed our time away, but are all looking forward to following a schedule again.

I’m finally feeling a little more organized in the baby department. The girls and I picked up my mom yesterday for an all-day shopping trip. We bought the stroller and carseat (yay, we are set to bring our new little one home!), bath tub, towels, wash cloths, and a few other odds and ends. I still have a running list, but at least I’ve made a dent. Besides, I’m finding it harder and harder to ‘power shop’ all day. I’ve got the pregnancy waddle down, and I tire way too easily.

Speaking of waddling and exhaustion, I didn’t want to do it, but I’m going to have to complain a bit. I am having some of the worst back and leg pain these days. I’ve been through a couple of pretty bad car accidents in my lifetime, so I have a little back pain on a regular basis, and I do remember having my fair share during my pregnancies with the girls. But this leg and pelvic pain is driving me crazy. There are times that I can barely walk, and forget about sleeping at night. I know, I know, this is preparation for the sleepless nights ahead. But, I would rather be sleep-deprived because I am up all night with a new baby than be sleep-deprived because I am up all night with leg pain !

This afternoon we are going to visit some home-schooling friends of ours so that the girls can play. I’m not sure who looks forward to these “play dates” more, me or the girls!

I hope this week finds you all enjoying the start of 2009!

Blessings,
Liz

Oh for goodness sakes, late again!

******EDIT*******

Hey, y'all, I'm sorry if I'm totally confusing you. I am not pregnant. My Flashback Friday posts {that are now super confusing because sometimes I don't post until Saturday}, are flashing back to a year ago at this time when I was pregnant with Kameryn. I submitted these journals to Storknet.com while pregnant with Kam, and am posting them here as a reminder to me what my pregnancy was like. I'm forgetful, don'tchaknow. Don't worry, Kam's birthday is coming up which means that these journals will be coming to a close shortly ;) Sorry for the confusion! :)

Here I am, late again for Flashback Friday. Oh well, that's the story of my life these days. Better late than never, I guess.

{Last week I deliberately skipped out being that it was Christmas day ;)}

{originally submitted December 30th, 2008}

Week 30 ~ Evening Gown for the Chubby Lady, Please

What a wonderfully memorable week we had. Each year brings more excitement as the girls get a little bit older, and this Christmas was definitely our best yet! Jeremy was able to get Christmas Eve off of work, so we enjoyed a full week at home with him.

We spent the evening of the 24th at Jeremy’s parents’ house watching home videos from our last several Christmases. It was so fun to watch the girls grow through the years. Afterward we stopped by my mom and dad’s for a quick visit. Then it was home to bake cookies for Santa, and get the girls to bed. Jeremy and I had a late night putting together Makenna’s new bed from “Santa” and moving Sierra’s new dresser in from the shop, but we managed to get it all done.

Christmas morning was a flurry of excitement. Sierra awoke before Makenna, and could hardly wait for her to get out of bed. Finally Miss Makenna joined us and we got started. Once we had opened our presents here, we went up to Jeremy’s parents’ to have brunch and our Christmas with them. Then it was over to my parents’ for turkey and to spend the rest of the evening with them. It was a long day, but full of happy memories.

This week I received a wedding invitation in the mail. A dear friend from my pageant days is getting married in February, and I would love to be there to celebrate this special occasion. However, this wedding is an evening wedding, and formal wear is required. I will be almost 37 weeks pregnant at her February 6th wedding . . . What is a girl, who is as big as a house, to wear? Now, I’ve worn many an evening gown in my day, but a maternity evening gown? I kind of have to chuckle at the thought. So, my question is: Where does a pregnant girl even find an evening gown? The answer: ebay! Honestly, I hadn’t even thought of it as I don’t shop on ebay, but my mother-in-law mentioned it, and now I’m on the hunt for (as silly as it sounds), a maternity evening gown. Wish me luck, oh, and please don‘t laugh.

Sunday night we (finally) had our church Christmas program. After almost two weeks of snow and ice, it was nice to get out of the house. Sierra and Makenna had a wonderful time up on stage, and they looked beautiful in their little angel costumes. There’s nothing cuter than a stage-full of little ones belting out Christmas carols.

On Monday I had another appointment with a midwife. It seems as though I live at the doctor’s office these days. But the frequent appointments mean that I’m that much closer to meeting this little one! Everything looked great, and I got to hear the heartbeat again ~ my favorite part. This little princess did not like the pressure of the doppler, though, and she started kicking at it. Seems we already have a bit of an attitude ;)

Now we get to enjoy a little down time before the hustle and bustle of getting everything ready for our new baby’s arrival. We look forward to a quiet New Year’s Eve, and hope that the new year finds you all happy and healthy! Wishing you warm wishes for many blessings in the coming year!

Hugs,
Liz

Should I just call this Flashback Saturday???

Another week, another missed pregnancy journal. It's not that I forgot. There was just too many other things going on ;) So, here we go again. Flashback Saturday: Pregnancy Journal Week 29

{originally submitted December 23, 2008}

Week 29 ~ A White Christmas

We are working on week two of extreme winter weather here in the Northwest. We have enjoyed snow (and more snow!), freezing rain, and ice over the last week and a half, with no real break. Thank goodness I had finished my Christmas shopping the week before, because, other than a quick trip to the grocery store, we have been snowed in!

It’s been a fairly uneventful week around here, mostly filled with sledding and snowman-building. The girls love playing in the snow. Sierra would stay out in it all day long if I let her. It seems Makenna has finally come down with Fifths Disease. I had thought she had already had it, but I was proven wrong. It started with very rosy cheeks about a week ago, and has resulted in quite the rash, but other than that it doesn’t seem to be bothering her.

Due to the unexpected winter weather, we’re not sure of our plans for Christmas. We will, of course, enjoy our own little Christmas morning here at home, and then head to Jeremy’s parents mid-morning (they live right up the road) to celebrate with them. However, my brother and sister and their families live in Portland, and may have a hard time driving out to my parents (who live right next door) on Christmas day if we don’t get a break from the snow and ice. It looks like we will have to wait and see!

Baby girl (that’s right, still no name for this little princess!), remains as active as ever. Now that space is limited, she’s doing more stretching than kicking. The days of somersaults are over! Sierra and Makenna get a kick out of watching my tummy move, and they love talking to her. They tell her “goodnight” every night, and greet her every morning. They’ve even started finding their own “treasures” around the house that they think she might like, and have wrapped them in Christmas paper to set under the tree. They want to make sure she has presents on Christmas morning as well. They are so sweet!

Wishing you the most special Christmas ever, full of memories and celebration!

Blessings,
Liz

Flashback Friday {on Saturday} Pregnancy Journal, Week 28

I'm tardy, I know. Flashback Saturday just doesn't have the same ring to it. But we've been so busy, and now I'm getting sick. I just didn't get around to posting this yesterday.

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edited: Why, yes Julie, I do have a couple pics from our outing. The rest are on my laptop which is still "getting fixed".

Pleasantly plump ;)

Look how much they've grown in a year!

{originally submitted December 17, 2008}

Week 28 ~ Brrrrrr!

The calendar may say that winter officially starts on the 21st, but here in Oregon it has already begun! With highs reaching barely into the teens the last few days, it has been quite chilly!

We woke up Sunday morning to a dusting of snow, but continued about our business. Our church Christmas program was scheduled for that evening, so we didn’t want to miss rehearsal during Sunday school. Once we got to the church, they had made the decision to postpone the program. Sierra and Makenna were disappointed as they were really looking forward to belting out the tunes they’d worked so hard to learn. Of course, most of the disappointment disappeared once we got home and they were able to play in the snow.

Luckily we couldn’t have picked a better day to visit the Pittock Mansion. There weren’t many people there which meant we could take as long as we pleased looking through each room. It was just beautiful. The girls had a great time getting dressed up for the outing ~ they wore their fancy shmancy Christmas dresses. As we were headed home Sierra decided that she wanted “one” (meaning, a mansion). Oh, how she makes me laugh!

On Friday I had my 28 week appointment with yet another midwife. I have really liked the last three I’ve seen, so I knew it was only a matter of time before I saw one I wasn’t thrilled with. It wasn’t a horrible appointment, but it felt very rushed, and the midwife was more than a little scatter-brained and disorganized. I was also scheduled for my glucose tolerance test that day. Let me just say, that super-delicious syrupy drink at 8am does not sit well on an empty stomach! The good news is that the follow-up ultrasound showed no cause for concern regarding premature labor. I’m still measuring about a week ahead, so I figure that is another sign that this little princess is growing strong and healthy every day. I can’t wait to meet her!

After my appointment I decided I had better take advantage of being in town, and get the rest of my Christmas shopping done. I’m rarely without the girls, so it was the perfect opportunity to pick up the remaining stocking stuffers, and a couple more gifts. I am happy to report that I am officially done with my Christmas shopping and almost all of the wrapping. And it’s a good thing, with this crazy weather we’ve been having!

I hope this last week before Christmas finds you all celebrating the many joys of the season. It is such a magical time of year, filled with so many memories. Enjoy yours!

Blessings,
Liz

Flashback Friday ~ Pregnancy Journal, Week 27

It's Friday again {already!}

{originally submitted to Storknet, December 9, 2008}

Week 27 ~ The Countdown Has Begun!

The house is twinkling, the tree is decorated, and there are constant carols being sung. It can only mean one thing: the countdown to Christmas has officially begun! I have always loved this time of year, but it is especially enjoyable when you get to share it with children. My daughters are so much fun to watch because everything is so exciting to them. Even a simple evening drive results in oohs and ahhhs over all the Christmas lights.

Sierra and Makenna had a wonderful holiday dance recital. It was so much fun to watch both of them up on stage. I think Makenna, especially, felt very special to be taking part in such a “big girl” activity. She sat with the other dancers in her class through the entire recital, and went up on stage with no problems. No slips, no melt-downs. The evening was a success! Dance classes will start again the end of March. The girls will miss it, but honestly, I’m looking forward to the break.

This week has kept us all busy. The girls and I started wrapping presents, and we’ve made quite a dent. I had hoped to be done with my Christmas shopping by this point, but I’m pleased to say that I do have most of it done. One more trip should cover it. We also got to pick out our Christmas tree and decorate it. I strung all the lights, but didn’t put one ornament on ~ the girls decorated the entire tree! It was such fun to watch them, and they did a fabulous job.

I have finally started a few sewing projects for our new little sugarplum. I’m kept pretty busy sewing for my online baby boutique which has left little time to sew for my own sugarplums. But now that I’m entering the third trimester I have come to the realization that I may not feel like attempting these projects later on. It’s now or never! Anyway, I finished my nursing cover (a handy little luxury I didn’t even know about when I was nursing my two daughters!). This should get a lot of use if our new little one is anything like her sisters. Sierra nursed until she was 20 months, and Makenna nursed until a little after her second birthday. I also was able to finish two blankets, a bib and some burp cloths. I’m feeling very productive!

Tomorrow my mom, mother-in-law, the girls, and I are going to visit The Pittock Mansion ~ a beautiful mansion-turned-historical monument that will be decorated for Christmas. This year’s theme is ‘Twas the night before Christmas. 23 rooms in the mansion will be decorated featuring verses from the poem. It should be a fun outing. We are in search of the ‘perfect’ holiday tradition, and we haven’t found one yet, so we continue to look
.
Friday is my follow-up ultrasound and check-up. Hopefully we will find that my cervix is behaving and that all is well. I will keep you posted! It will be fun to get yet another peek at our little princess.

Enjoy these last couple of weeks before Christmas!
Blessings,
Liz

Flashback Friday, Pregnancy Journal ~ Week 25

It's Friday! Let's Flashback, shall we?

Laptop update: {Because I know you are all as concerned as I am}

I figured that it needed a bit of "clean-up", but I was not prepared to hear these words:

I think your hard drive is going.

Waaahhhhhhhhh!

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{Originally submitted November 26, 2008}

Week 25 ~ So Much to be Thankful For

As I sit here typing this week’s journal, I find myself in much the same state as I was two weeks ago. Another week has flashed by, and I’m left feeling exhausted. But in spite of all the errands, the preparations for Thanksgiving, crafts and projects for home school and Sunday school, and packing for a mini-trip this weekend, I can’t help but take a few moments to really reflect on all that I have to be thankful for this year. Besides having the most wonderful family a mother could ask for, I actually get to enjoy my husband and children all day long, every day of the year. (Of course Jeremy does work, but my point is that I am here every day to enjoy my family). While I am always thankful to be a stay at home mom and wife, I admit, I sometimes take it for granted. But every once in awhile I get a little reminder of how lucky I am . . .

On a trip home from town last week, Sierra, Makenna, and I were chatting about all the traffic on the road. Typically when we plan to run errands we try to make it a morning trip so that we can be home by early afternoon. On this particular occasion we had gotten a late start, so we were driving home about the time that many people were leaving work. After I had explained to the girls that there was a lot of traffic because many people were on their way home from work, Sierra got quiet for a moment. Then she said "Mama, if you had to work you would be coming home right now and we wouldn’t get to see you all day. I’m so glad we get to be together all the time." Talk about a reminder to count my blessings!

I am so thankful that I have a husband who not only understands how important it is to me to be at home with my children, but who also works extra hard in order to make that happen. I am thankful that we are all healthy, and that in these hard economic times, we have all we need, and want for nothing. And, of course, I am so thankful for this new little blessing who will join our family in just a few short months. We are truly blessed this year.

Tomorrow we will celebrate Thanksgiving at Jeremy’s parent’s house. It will be a nice gathering, and I’m looking forward to it. On Friday morning I go in for my follow-up ultrasound to check on my low-lying placenta, and then we are headed up north with my mother-in-law to help decorate her mother’s gift shop. It will be a short trip, and we’ll be home on Saturday afternoon ~ just in time to prepare for Sunday school the following day. Next week will be a busy one with the girls’ last dance class until spring, dress rehearsal, and Christmas recital. Hopefully I’ll have some adorable pictures to post!

Many wishes for a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Blessings,
Liz

Flashback Friday, Pregnancy Journal . . . It's Baaaack!

Last week was a little chaotic {and germy, and sad},

so I skipped out on the Pregnancy Journal.

But, this week it's back!

The journal that I kept a year ago while pregnant with Kameryn Faith.

Here we go!

{Oh, and check back later. I'm having some ideas that I need to bounce around ;)}

{Originally submitted to Storknet on November 19, 2008}

Week 24 ~ Time, where have you gone?

Can it be that we are headed toward the end of November already? I know I’ve said this before, but I really don’t know where the time goes. It seems we were just waving good-bye to Summer, and here we are (a blink of an eye later, it seems) a week away from Thanksgiving! I do love this time of year, but it goes by much too fast for me.

I think we finally have our plans set for Thanksgiving. Jeremy has to work, so it was up to me and the girls to plan our turkey day. We typically spend the holiday with Jeremy’s family. The last time we celebrated Thanksgiving with my side of the family was 4 years ago when I was pregnant with Makenna. Maybe I’m just being silly, but I believe that the holidays should be celebrated at the Grandparent’s house. My brother and sister-in-law enjoy hosting the dinner, and I can appreciate that, but they live over an hour’s drive away. Thanksgiving at my brother’s just doesn’t feel as festive as a holiday gathering at my parent’s house. Needless to say, we are going to celebrate with Jeremy’s family again this year. I am looking forward to it. It should be nice and laid back.

It is obvious that the holiday season has officially begun in this house. While both Sierra and Makenna have been practicing for their Christmas dance recital since the end of September, we have also recently started rehearsing for the church Christmas program. This means that in our house, Christmas music is playing almost non-stop. It is so much fun to watch them, though. It amazes me how much Makenna, especially, has grown these past few months. She has really become her own person with her own activities and interests. We have incorporated the holidays into our homeschooling, as well. This week and part of next have been devoted to learning about the first Thanksgiving. I am impressed with how attentive Sierra has been. She truly enjoys hearing the stories, and even had tears in her eyes when we were discussing the Pilgrim’s voyage and the difficult times they faced. She’s definitely my emotional one. She reminds me a lot of myself at her age ~ definitely a crier, like her mama!

My next doctor appointment is on the Friday after Thanksgiving. At that time I will have another ultrasound to check on the placenta. I’m neither anxious nor worried about it, though, as I have this feeling that everything is fine. She has been so active, I get kicks and jabs day and night! I’ve been feeling pretty good ~ tired, but good. And I even started exercising again this week. I honestly haven’t felt up to it until recently, but I know how important it is. I’m pretty active, anyway, chasing after the girls most of the day, but my goal is to get at least 20-30 minutes of official exercise time in each day. When I was pregnant with Makenna, I was put on bed rest for the majority of the pregnancy. I’m not sure if it was merely coincidence, but my labor with her seemed harder. I don’t think my body was up to it after so much “rest”. I’ve enjoyed exercise my entire life, and have never been one to struggle with weight issues. But as I got older, and became involved in pageants and such, exercise became more of a chore or an activity I did solely to attain a certain goal. I am now able to look forward to exercising during this pregnancy solely for healthful reasons, and to hopefully make this labor a little easier. We shall see.

Until next week . . .
Blessings,
Liz

Flashback Friday, Pregnancy Journal ~ Week 23

Welcome back to another installment of Flashback Friday, Pregnancy Journal! If you're new here, this is a journal I kept during my pregnancy with Kameryn. I am so glad that I have all these memories written down. I regularly read the journals to my older girls and we reminisce. It's such fun!

{originally submitted November 12, 2008}

Week 23 ~ Another long week

As I write this I am fighting like crazy to keep my eyes open. It has been another long week around here, but this time it’s been a good busy. The girls are finally over the flu/cold business, and feeling more like themselves, and we have been spending the week with my sister and her children. What fun we’ve been having ~ family dinners, shopping, catching up, and letting the kids play (though her youngest is only 2 ½ months old). Sierra and Makenna have definitely been enjoying playing with their cousins, and what great practice to be around a newborn. I am so impressed with how helpful they are with baby Sonoma. They constantly want to hold her and help take care of her. It is so sweet. And today while we were out shopping, Sierra said that she wished our baby were here already. My girls are going to be such wonderful big sisters, I can’t wait either!

Oh how I wish my sister and I lived closer and got to spend more time together. Growing up I always assumed we would live next door to each other and raise our kids together. Sadly, she and her family live 300 miles away ~ a do-able drive, but it’s not close enough for me! This past week, getting to spend time with them, has been so nice, but it‘s a tough reminder that we don‘t get to see each other all the time.

The candle party, last week, was a success. At the last minute several people couldn’t make it, so I was nervous that the consultant was going to be disappointed, but I had a few “extras” show up, so it turned out fine. It was a nice gathering of people, actually, and now that the weather has officially turned (we’ve had winds and rain for days straight), I can’t wait to receive my candles. I even picked out a Chistmas gift for Jeremy’s nana.

Speaking of holiday shopping, I have finally started ours. We have so many family members to buy for, it can take awhile, but it is nice to have at least started it. My goal is to be finished by the first week in December. A couple of years ago I made the mistake of going out and doing a bit of last minute shopping a few days before Christmas, and it was no fun at all.

Well, it is definitely past my bedtime! Until next week . . .

Blessings,
Liz

Flashback Friday, Pregnancy Journal Week 22

Thanks so much for your support and encouragement regarding my long-winded Etsy / small business rant yesterday! You gals are the greatest!

*************************

Here we are, another Friday! Another pregnancy journal ;)

{originally submitted to Storknet November 5, 2008}

Week 22 ~ Busy, Busy, Busy

It has been one of those weeks that never seems to end, around here. Sierra and Makenna continued to fight the cold/flu, and Jeremy didn’t manage to escape the germs this time. While the girls are feeling much better now, they are still not quite themselves which means a lot of grumping and fighting with each other, and that can make any week seem long.

Jeremy and I managed to get out to hunt this week. This was only my second year of hunting, and honestly I wasn’t sure how I felt about it in the beginning. I love that he is so passionate about it, but didn’t know if I could share in that. Last year, my first year of hunting experience, was pleasantly surprising. I found that I really enjoyed the time we got to spend together, and I wound up getting my first deer ever. But the uneasiness returned this year, being that I am five months pregnant. I just wasn’t sure I wanted to go along this season. But that all changed this week. He had asked me to go with him, so I thought “what’s the harm?” As we were walking, I remembered why I enjoyed that time together. The scenery is gorgeous (especially this time of year), and I don’t often take the time to just sit and watch nature. It is wonderful to slow the pace and appreciate your surroundings, and let‘s face it, we don‘t get a lot of time alone together. In the end, we got to do more than just appreciate the scenery, and wound up with a very exciting evening, as I got my second deer!

Of course our week also included lots of Halloween fun! Though it was a bit more quiet than in years past, we all had a great time. We visited a few houses and businesses around our little community, then called it a night early. Later on, while Jeremy went to watch his brother’s last home football game, the girls and I snuggled in bed and watched Halloween specials. And may I just say that Sierra and Makenna made the cutest little kitties ever!

This week also included a monthly trip to the doctor. I saw a different midwife this time (the women’s clinic I go to encourages visits with all the midwives and doctors so that a patient gets to know each one before delivery). I loved her! We just clicked, and she really took a lot of time to answer my questions ~ I appreciate that. We discussed the “low lying placenta” issue, and she told me though I shouldn’t worry, I do need to be careful and aware of some warning signs, and I would need to alter some “activities”. Honesty I was a little surprised because when I got the original call regarding the issue, I had specifically asked the other midwife if there was anything I needed to do differently, and she had said no. Luckily I only have a few weeks to wait it out, as I will have another ultrasound to check on the placenta at my next appointment, at the end of the month. I should know more then (plus, how exciting to get another peek at my little sugarplum!).

I’m having a candle party tomorrow night. I’m looking forward to it, but having people over means I really need to get some things cleaned up and organized around here. At 6 and 3 I think the girls are old enough to start being responsible for the clean up of their toys and games, but it is definitely a work in progress. I feel like I follow behind all day long picking up after them. It will be fun to make some treats for the party (I know the girls will enjoy helping with that!), and I always love a get together.


Wishing you all a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Liz

Flashback Friday, Pregnancy Journal, Week 21

It's Friday {again!}

I tell you, I do not know where the time goes. Wasn't it just Friday, like, yesterday? So, around here, Friday means Pregnancy Journals! If you're new, this is a journal I kept for Storknet a year ago, during my pregnancy with Kam. Go catch up whydon'tcha?

And can I just veer off topic for a second? {Actually, I can, because it's my blog}.

You guys seriously are cracking me up with the hair comments from my last post. I will have to consider doing a hair post in the near future. But I'm telling you, you will LAUGH when you hear my "hair beauty secrets".

On with the journal!

{Originally submitted October 28, 2008}

Week 21 ~ Sniffle, Sniffle, Cough

It has been a week filled with sneezes, sniffles, and coughs around our house, and after being cooped up for the last several days we are so ready to get out! We chose to stay home from Sunday School and Dance classes this week due to the sniffles, so it seems as though it has been ages since we’ve left the house. In reality we did manage to escape Sunday afternoon. A trip to my sister’s house in Portland to celebrate my nephew’s 15th birthday was the occasion. As our families continue to grow it seems harder and harder to gather everyone together. And though it wasn’t complete (my younger sister lives 300 miles away and often misses out on family gatherings), it was nice to get most of the family together. We were able to plan for upcoming holiday events, and just visit and catch up.


It’s looking as though we are going to have a fairly quiet Halloween this year. With the girls not feeling their best, and rain in the forecast (not to mention Jeremy having to work), I’m thinking we’ll hit a few houses ~ family mostly ~ and come home to snuggle up and watch Halloween specials. This sounds just fine to me; I can only hope that Sierra and Makenna see it the same way. Goodness knows we don’t need buckets full of candy anyway!


I have a doctor appointment at the end of the week. I am really looking forward to it, as I have quite a few questions. Have I mentioned that I am having the worst time ever with my skin? I do not have beautifully flawless skin to begin with, but this is just ridiculous. I never had such problems when I was pregnant with the girls. I suppose it could be worse, but now that I’m halfway through this pregnancy, I just figured it would have subsided. And in the tradition of skin issues, I also seem to be battling some eczema. Bring on the Eucerin! I also want to find out if I need to get a flu shot, and if so, when the best time would be to get one. And lastly, it seems I have been exposed to Fifths Disease. I think I have mentioned that I teach the Toddler Sunday School Class at our church, and this time of year at least one child has the sniffles at all times. This little sweetheart in our class hasn’t been feeling her best for the last couple of weeks and her parents are pretty sure she has Fifths Disease. Unfortunately, by the time you realize you have it, you’ve already been contagious. Apparently exposure can be very harmful to a fetus if the mama isn’t immune (though in most cases even if the mom was to contract it, it‘s nothing to worry about). Now, I’m a worrier by nature, but I’m not going to get too stressed out about it. First of all, I’m almost positive that I’m immune. I used to work in daycare, AND I’m almost positive that Makenna had it a couple of years ago (not sure if Sierra ever did?) I do want to mention the exposure to my doctor, and hopefully I will be tested to check if I truly am immune, and then we can go from there.


Well, that’s it for this week. Hopefully once we’re all feeling better there will be some interesting stories to share.

Hope you all have a wonderfully Happy Halloween!

Blessings,
Liz

********* Like the Fifths Disease foreshadowing, do ya? **********

Flashback Friday, Pregnancy Journal, Week

You know the drill, it's Flasback Friday around here which means . . . Pregnancy Journals! In case you're new, this is a journal that I kept and submitted weekly to Storknet when I was pregnant with Kameryn, one year ago. While it's not super exciting {yet! Just stay tuned, the excitement gets turned up a notch here in a couple of months when I wind up in the hospital!}, I'm so glad to have these memories.

{Originally submitted October 22, 2008}

Week 20 ~ Pumpkins, Pumpkins, and more Pumpkins!

We made another trip to the pumpkin patch this week. This time we visited a new one, and went with different friends. Three mamas and eight kiddos . . . It was a long day, but so much fun! We started with a hay maze, played in corn kernels, enjoyed a picnic lunch, took a hay ride ~ complete with fun facts on pumpkins and farming, and finished off the day by choosing the perfect pumpkins. Of course, by the time we actually got to the pumpkin picking Makenna had had a very long day, and we were in meltdown mode. I’m including a picture, but you’ll have to excuse the pouty face.

We found out, this week, that our dance instructors will be taking a break from the middle of December through the end of March, which is actually a bit of a relief. Though I love that the girls are involved in dance, I think it will be nice to have a break right after the holidays. I tend to be a little bit of a worry wart about bringing newborns around people during cold and flu season. It’s not that I’m a freak about germs, but little ones are so fragile. It’s amazing to me how many strangers will come right up to a new baby and touch or kiss their face (ugh!). Or stand there hacking and coughing and then ask to hold your precious little bundle. It’s enough to drive me crazy, I tell you. I don’t know if it’s lingering memories of 4 days in NICU with Sierra during her staph infection when she was only 3 days old, or if I’m just naturally prone to worry. Either way, I'm thankful that we'll have a few weeks after the baby is born to settle in and have time to ourselves.

This week has brought about even more kicks and “somersaults” from our little sugarplum. Last week I had made a comment to my mother-in-law about how “laid back” this little one is. It seemed as though when I was pregnant with Sierra and Makenna they were both in constant motion, kicking and prodding night and day. But this pregnancy seemed different. Boy, did I speak too soon! Baby Girl (sorry, but we have yet to settle on a name) has gotten to be quite the little wiggle worm. I have to say, I love all the movement. It’s a constant reminder that there is a little pumpkin in there just waiting to join our family.

I cannot believe how time has flown; it is already the end of October. Soon we will be eating turkey, then celebrating the holidays, a few birthdays in January and February, and then we’ll be welcoming our new little one! I want to enjoy every moment of this pregnancy, but it’s hard not to be anxious to hold a new little princess in my arms.

Hope you all have had a fabulous week full of memories and blessings,

Liz

Flashback Fridays, Pregnancy Journal, Week 19

Another week, another pregnancy journal from the past :)

{Originally submitted October 15, 2008}

Week 19 ~ Apple Cider and Pumpkins

We are gearing up for Halloween around here! Our shopping trip last week was a success as both of the girls found costumes (or rather, they found the “makings” for costumes). They are both going to be little black kitties. We picked up some black tulle and I made their tutus, and we bought black leggings and long sleeve tees. Now I need to make their kitty tails and ears, and they’ll be set. All in all it was a great shopping trip; we got a lot accomplished. I didn’t end up with new bedding, but I did find a gorgeous set that is now on my wish list.

Jeremy and I took the girls to the pumpkin patch yesterday. We met a friend and his two children and had such a fun time. I think we wore them out - there were corn and hay mazes, giant tube slides, obstacle courses, giant sand boxes filled with grain to play in, and the best apple cider ever! We sampled some while we were there, and wound up buying a gallon to take home. The weather, though a little cool, was sunny and gorgeous. This is our second year going to this particular pumpkin patch. We will definitely need to make it a yearly tradition.

At my last appointment, after my ultrasound, my midwife had said that my ultrasound information would be sent out to another physician and the results would be back at the office in about a week. She told me she wouldn’t call unless there was something out of the ordinary to report. So, imagine my surprise and immediate fear when I received a phone call this week from my midwife. Luckily she got right to the point, because in the 10.2 seconds that I was left wondering, everything that could possibly be wrong with the baby was flashing through my mind. I’m not typically a hypochondriac, but after the complications during my pregnancy with Makenna, I tend to worry a bit. Anyway, it is truly nothing to worry about, but apparently my placenta looks a little low which means I will need to have another ultrasound sometime in the third trimester to make sure that it has moved up to where it should be. My midwife assured me that I don’t need to change anything that I’m doing, and that most likely it will cooperate and move into its correct position. If, for some reason it doesn’t, and is still low enough to be covering my cervix then I guess it might mean a C-section. But I’m not even going to think about that. I’m only thinking positive thoughts! Honestly, the phone call turned out to be a blessing because the ultrasound had been on my mind for over a week, and now I can rest assured that everything looks completely beautiful with our little sugarplum. That’s the best news I could ask for!

Oh, I almost forgot! Sierra and Makenna got to feel the baby kick for the first time. While I have felt her movements for weeks now, they’re just beginning to be strong enough and regular enough that I thought the girls would be able to feel them on the outside. A couple of days ago I was sitting at the computer, and she was just kicking away so I called Sierra into the room. Both she and Makenna thought it was so neat. They’ve been waiting for this for a long time!

I hope this week finds all of you doing well. Until next week . . .
Blessings,
Liz

Flashback Friday, Pregnancy Journals, Week 18

It's still hard for me to believe that one year ago we didn't even know we would be blessed with another daughter. Funny how certain moments stick out in your mind. My ultrasound with Kameryn seems like just yesterday.

{Originally submitted October 7, 2009}

Week 18 ~ It’s A . . . .

Wow, what a week! We went in for the ultrasound the day after my last entry. Jeremy planned to meet the girls and me there, as he was just getting off of work. It was an early morning for Makenna, who enjoys sleeping until 9am or later, but all in all we had a fun drive. The girls got a kick out of the fact that I had to drink a boat load of water and then not go to the bathroom. By the time we got to the doctor’s office (about a 35 minute drive) my poor little bladder was hurting, and Sierra and Makenna thought that was too funny. As exciting and wonderful as it is to get to see your little one during an ultrasound, I have such a hard time downing all that water and then “holding it in”.

Amazingly enough, after getting behind a huge log truck and a school bus that had many, many stops to make, we still managed to arrive with a few minutes to spare. We checked in, and I only had to wait 10 minutes before I was called back. Jeremy and the girls waited in the waiting room for the first half of the ultrasound while the technician had a look around to make sure the baby was doing okay. All looked fine, which is such a relief. Finally, Jeremy and the girls got to come back, and the first thing the ultrasound tech asked was what Sierra and Makenna were hoping for, a brother or a sister. Both answered “A brother!” And the technician proceeded to show us that, in fact, they would be blessed with another sister. It took the girls all of two seconds to be excited at the prospect of a baby girl. I still can’t believe we are having another precious girl. I honestly thought this little one might be a boy, so it was a bit of a surprise to find out differently. I know Jeremy really would like a son (I would love one too!), but I also know how much he loves and enjoys his little girls. Three daughters is such a blessing!

The ultrasound was obviously the highlight of our week. The rest of the week was pretty average ~ schooling, church, and dance classes kept us busy, but nothing too exciting. The girls and I are planning a shopping trip with my mom at the end of the week. Sierra and Makenna are both in need of new dance wear, tights, and socks. And I am hoping that we’ll find Halloween costumes while we’re out. Sierra has decided that she would like to be a black cat, so I will make her costume. Makenna is still deciding. One day she wants to be Ariel, the next she wants to be a cat, but she’s also talked about a ladybug and butterfly. I’ve tried to prepare her for the fact that once we choose a costume and bring it home, she won’t be able to change her mind. I’m still on the lookout for a new bedspread or comforter. Have I mentioned that we have a duvet cover right now and it is such a pain in the neck? The blanket shifts and bunches, and every time I have to wash it I practically have to be an acrobat to put it all back together again. But, I have such a hard time parting with money for things like that. They seem like an extravagance when we already have bedding. So, we’ll see. If I find a great deal, I might have to splurge, but with Christmas less than 3 months away, and a new baby on the way, I’d really like to save the money to spend on more important things.

Well, that’s it for this week. I hope this entry finds all of you doing well.
Until next week,
Blessings,
Liz

Flashback Friday, Pregnancy Journal, Week 17

Another Friday means, another pregnancy journal! If y'all are getting tired of these it's okay, you won't hurt my feelings. I just enjoy reminiscing for myself. Do stay tuned, though, because one of these days {once I wipe the drool from my face and pick my exhausted body up off the floor} I'll post about our fantastic trip to the beach! The main purpose was a field trip to the Oregon Coast Aquarium for the kiddos, but it was so much more than that. Lots of great memories with our dear friends!

Here we go, on to the pregnancy journal.

{originally submitted October 1, 2008}

Week 17 ~ Nothing New

Well, I must say, this week hasn’t been very eventful. But I suppose I should be thankful for that. I did manage to gather up the energy to attempt the re-upholstering project I was talking about last week. Jeremy watched while I fumbled through the first chair, and thankfully he stepped in to finish the project for me. I was so grateful, and he did such an amazing job! Now my dining room set looks brand new, and I couldn’t be happier. I guess motivation won over exhaustion because Sierra’s duvet cover got finished too. Now if only I could find a new comforter for our bed . . .

We successfully made it through another week of dance classes, and I am happy to announce that Makenna still loves it! It’s so much fun watching both of the girls up on stage. I can’t believe how fast they are growing up. It was a little strange, however, to be listening to Christmas music on a ninety degree day (they are already preparing for the Christmas Recital).

I worked for a few hours at my mother-in-law’s office yesterday. Once a month they have an all staff meeting and need someone to come in to cover phones and such. It’s an opportunity to make a few extra dollars and a good excuse to get “dressed up”. It also reminds me just how blessed I am to be able to stay at home with my little sugarplums.
We are headed to the library this morning. There is a really nice playground there, and I thought we might all enjoy taking advantage of this beautiful day. It looks as though the rain starts tomorrow, and once it starts here in the Pacific Northwest, there’s no stopping it until late next spring!

I am feeling the baby’s movement more and more, and am so thankful for that. I drive myself crazy with all of the “what ifs” the first several months of pregnancy. Especially after such an event-filled pregnancy with Makenna, it’s as if I’m just waiting for something bad to happen this time around. I go in for my ultrasound tomorrow, and debated whether or not to submit a late journal entry as I am anxious to post some sort of news. But I think I’ll leave you hanging one more week. Seeing our precious little pumpkin will be so exciting, I can’t wait! And hopefully my mind will be put at ease once I can see a healthy little baby on the screen.

Until next week, Blessings!

Liz

Flashback Friday, Pregnancy Journal, Week 16

Is it just me or do Fridays sneak right up on ya?

Around here, Friday means Flashback Pregnancy Journals!

Wanna catch up? Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15

{originally submitted September 24, 2008}

Week 16 ~ Fancy Footwork

Dance classes have officially begun! Can I just mention how adorable it was to see Makenna out there on the stage tapping away? It was fun to watch Sierra too, but this is nothing new for Sierra. She’s an “old pro”. For Makenna it was a milestone. She tends to be pretty shy and a little hesitant to try new things, so to watch her wave goodbye as she trotted up the steps to the stage and take her place among the nine other little girls in their pink tutus . . . oh, it was one of those moments. Never mind that I tear up at the drop of a hat even when I’m not pregnant. It was a happy day all around. Makenna loved her class, Sierra got to reunite with dance friends from last year (and may I mention that her technique has improved tremendously over the summer), and I got to have some visit time with other moms!

I can’t believe how quickly this week has flown by. We started with a trip to the doctor for Makenna. She has had a bit of a cough since our Labor Day trip to the beach. But it was off and on and nothing horrible, so I didn’t think too much about it. I figured it was due to allergies or the change in the weather. Then last week, (just about Friday evening, of course), the cough started getting worse and it was constant, to the point where no one was getting sleep at night. Did I mention that it was just about the time our humidifier quit working? After a couple of nights of very little sleep, and still the cough, I took her in. Looks like it’s just a viral infection, and I do think she’s getting better. Welcome to Fall, huh?

While we were in town for the appointment we stopped by the fabric store, as Sierra has been begging for new bedding for the last month. She picked out some very soft, snuggly fabric for her duvet cover that will be perfect for the chilly months ahead. And I found some fabric to re-upholster our dining room chairs. Why, oh why, anyone would think that ivory fabric was a good choice for dining room chairs is beyond me. I’m hoping to get both projects completed this week. I’ll let you know next week if motivation or exhaustion won out.

Next week is our ultrasound. Sierra is so excited that she’s counting down the days. I have to admit, I’m pretty excited myself. I really haven’t had many appointments yet, and I’m starting to get anxious to hear the heartbeat again. I haven’t been feeling a lot of movement lately, and am a little worried about that. I’m thinking that 16/17 weeks is still a little early to be feeling strong movement every day. Or maybe I’m not paying enough attention . . . we have been on the go a lot lately. Any positive thoughts/prayers for the baby’s health and safety would be greatly appreciated. And by next week, hopefully my mind will be put at ease when we see a healthy baby on the screen, and perhaps we’ll even know whether we are welcoming a son or daughter to our family.

Until next week, blessings!
Liz

Flashback Friday, Pregnancy Journal, Week 15

Whoops! Is it Friday? Really?

Ugh, I'm battling this horrible head-cold/virus type of thing

and I'm just walking around like a zombie.

Remembering to post at 5:30 is better than not remembering at all, right?

Okay, here it is. Then I'm off to bed.

{Or to clean house, take care of children, and have dinner, whatever}.

{Originally submitted September 17, 2008}

Week 15 ~ Surf, Sun, and so much Fun!!!

We have been planning a ‘Girls Only’ trip to the beach with my mother-in-law for several weeks now, and the time finally came. Lucky for us we couldn’t have chosen a better weekend; the weather was absolutely gorgeous. We left after Sunday School and made it to the coast by 3pm, checked in to our hotel, and immediately hit the sand. No jackets or sweaters required, it was so warm. After getting quite sandy and a little chilly after a dip in the ocean, we changed clothes and went to dinner. The plan was to get some scrapbooking done while we were there (Sierra, especially, loves to scrapbook!), but there was so little time, we didn’t get too much accomplished. Needless to say, we had a wonderful time. We will definitely have to make it an annual event.

I think we’re finally getting organized and easing in to the school year. Sierra and I make it a priority to get up and get moving, and get our “responsibilities” accomplished first thing. She is now responsible for making her own bed, getting dressed, and brushing her teeth without being told. So far it’s hard to keep Makenna’s attention on any sort of “work” at the table, but she's only three. She may settle in for a few minutes to color a picture, or join in for a craft, but mostly school time is a quiet play time for her. Luckily she’s a very late riser, and on most days Sierra and I have a good hour of schooling in before Makenna is even out of bed.

Both girls will be starting dance classes next week. Sierra has been taking dance lessons since she was three, but this will be the first year for Makenna. We are all looking forward to seeing our “dance friends” again. I also enjoy the routine. I think that’s one of the reasons I enjoy Fall so much. Don’t get me wrong, I love the spontaneity of Summer, but it’s nice to get back to a routine as well. And honestly, I think I’m ready for a weather change. I love the sunshine, but we’ve been having ninety degree weather here. I’m ready for it to cool off a bit. I am having a hard time fitting into most of my regular clothes, and all of my maternity clothes are for cooler weather.

I’m finally getting some relief from some first trimester pests. Only two weeks ago I was getting up 7 or 8 times every night to use the bathroom, and I’m so happy to say that I’m now down to 2 or 3. And now that Sierra and Makenna are sleeping most nights in their own beds, I’m getting much more sleep at night. Somehow I still manage to be exhausted, but the nausea is under control now, and I couldn’t be happier to officially be in the second trimester.

Well, only two weeks until our ultrasound. The girls are so excited!
Until next week, many blessings,
Liz

Flashback Friday, Pregnancy Journal Week 14

Back again for another installment of Flashback Friday ~ Pregnancy Journals!

{Is it really Friday again, already???}

Want to catch up?

Week 13

Week 12

{I have to laugh that I was an organizational mess at this time last year, too! Hmmm, I guess I have a hard time switching gears after Summer vacation.}

(Originally submitted September 10, 2008)

Week 14 ~ An Organizational Mess ~

Week 14 started with a trip to visit my sister and new niece. It was a long drive for the girls (5 hours in the car Wednesday, and another 5 in the car Thursday), but so worth it. My mom came along for the drive, so that was a big help. It was so wonderful to hold a brand new baby again. I forgot how tiny they are! I kept looking at little Sonoma and thinking “there’s no way my daughters were ever that small”, but they, of course, were. It’s amazing how fast they grow. While it was a super fast trip - we were in town for less than 24 hours - we tried to fit in a lot of visiting. Wednesday night we went to dinner at a delicious Italian restaurant. My sister, niece, mom, the girls, and I met my aunt and uncle, another aunt, and a family friend. It was so much fun to catch up. And now we are home, and back in the swing of things.


All is going well on the home schooling front, but I am finding that I am going to need to step it up in the organization department. I’ve just been so tired lately that I don’t always feel like jumping out of bed in the morning. Sometimes I like to read for a little bit or just snuggle my girls. Inevitably I wander around the house finding things that need to be straightened, and then it’s on to the computer where I check my email and website (I run a very small children’s boutique online). Before I know it I’m rushing around to get a shower before we start school, and I feel so unorganized! While I don’t necessarily want to constantly follow a rigid schedule, I am challenging myself to get up early and get myself ready first thing so that I’m ready to face the day by the time the girls are awake and ready to go. I think it’s important, for us, to stick to some sort of schedule on our schooling days, and I need to take responsibility for that. At least I am recognizing this now, and not two months from now. Of course, come Spring, when we add a new baby to the mix, all talk of schedules might go right out the window!


Just as I thought I was getting over the nausea, it hit hard again. The girls and I went to my in-laws to visit on Saturday evening. Geri (my mother-in-law), and I both teach Sunday School at our church, and we wanted to do some planning for lessons and crafts. After dinner Sierra started asking to stay the night, but she wanted me to stay too, so I ran home and gathered up a few things. When it was time to get ready for bed I started brushing my teeth, as usual, and it hit me. I don’t know if it was some sort of gag reflex or what, but the next twenty minutes were spent with my head in the toilet. Not pretty. And it just seems to come from nowhere.


Tomorrow I am planning on doing a little bit of clothes shopping. I am already having a hard time fitting into most of my “regular” clothes, but my maternity clothes seem way too big yet. I could really use a few pieces of transitional clothing, and also a couple more
maternity outfits, as my closet seems pretty bare. The girls love to shop, Sierra in particular, and my mom is coming along, so it will be a fun outing.


Hope you all have had a wonderful week!

Blessings,
Liz