A night out on the town.

The day started with an onslaught of snow. It seems the first major snow we have had here..of course we have had plenty of ice. I woke up to the wonderful thought that tonight was my night out. Courtesy of my wonderful husband, who was going to stay with the kids while I went to an auction. It seems that an auction might be the best way to get some much needed items for the house on our tight budget.

I was stoked! I couldn't wait until 3 when my "alone" time would begin. I was already plotting in my mind what I might grab to eat on my way to the auction. It seems forever since we have eaten out...even fast food. It is just WAY to expensive since the boys need something as well. I once spent $18 for the the boys and I at McDonald's. I was shocked, but that is another story for another time.

Nate sent me a text to see if everything was a "go" for tonight. I hadn't even thought things would be canceled. But sure enough, the auction was canceled for the night. Boo! I was so discouraged. When Nate got home he told me to go out anyway and do something. YEAH! So, now I had to figure out what to do. So, where else would I go but the mall. I fought the bitter cold to get into the mall but all the time thankful I wasn't dragging 3 kids with me.

As I entered I spotted the Bath and Body works. Oh how I love their hand soap, it smells so good. And it was on sale too. I put that in the back of my mind and I wandered around the shops, maybe I would indulge and get one. I decided that I really didn't NEED soap, so I should probably pass on that one.

Then I saw a hair salon, fantastic idea...a haircut! I really did need a haircut...BAD. So I stopped in and was happy to see that there was no wait. And a cut was only $15, my kind of bargain. I was lead to a chair and the lady proceeded to ask what I wanted done. It has been probably 7 or 8 months since my last cut. But I wanted it cut short and where the front comes down longer than the back. So...she begins. I had a few tweaks here and there, but was pleased for the most part. It was hard to tell because I just paid for the cut and no style. So I left with my damp hair. Feeling lighter than normal and slightly feminine again. I strolled past Claire's and overcome with my new femininity, I went in...just to see! My ears are super sensitive, so I have not worn earrings in eons. I know that I would need sterling silver, so I head right for that rack. The prices weren't too bad. Dare I buy them? I know Nate would want me to have something and he would love them on me. So I did it...I bought two pairs, since my ears are double pierced. As I walked out of the store, I held miserly onto my little Claire's bag. Man it has been a long time since I bought something from a mall store. Not to mention earrings which serve no utilitarian purpose. Usually it would be shoes for one of the boys, or my last purchase of a purse that practically adheres itself to my body so I wont keep leaving them in the carts at the stores. This purchase was just for me, It felt so....weird.

I quickly put the earrings on and they went through just fine. I am sure the holes didn't close up anyway, never much had a problem with that. I decided I was hungry so I decided to grab some Panda Express, another one of my favorites. I sat there alone in the food court, watching people, thinking about life. It felt good to have time just to sit and reflect, something I love to do but is often interrupted by my energetic children.

Tonight was shaping up to be a great night. I found a picture at Hobby Lobby that Nate told me I could get for above our couch. We have been looking for some time, and this one was 50% off, a great deal. That was the climax of the night because after that, it all went downhill. When I got home I showed off my new haircut. Nate said warily that it looked "good". Hmmm...just "good"... then I heard the word "alright". What was wrong with it? Then said, "what did she do to the back?" I freaked. What did he mean? Sure enough there was a line in the back of super short hair...maybe the stylists version of a "layer." I didn't think too much about it, I was enjoying my night and still wanted to hit the Home Depot for paint. Nate did love the earrings though.

I got the paint from Home Depot and made my way back home. When I opened the back door to get the paint out I noticed one of the can had tipped over and paint spilled all over the seat. OH NO!!!! I ran inside to tell Nate. All the while I feel the aftereffects of the oily Panda Express coming to haunt me, I feel nauseous. He took the carpet cleaner out in the sub zero temps to clean as much out as he could. To make a long story short, we now have a frozen paint stain in our back seat/trunk and $200 credit at Home Depot ( it is a crap car anyway, so don't freak too much about our new stain). The next morning I spent a good hour trimming my own hair from the mess that the mall lady made of it. I finally got to see the poor job she did and had a little freak out session of my own. I am happy with it now, but as I am cutting my hair with the scissors I repeat over and over to the boys....don't you ever do what mommy is doing. Goodness knows I don't need them cutting their own hair.

What a night. What a mess. What an adventure.

Addison's 4th birthday

Addison's 4th birthday was a BLAST. Complete with a Spiderman cake...made by myself and Aunt Net. And to top it off, this was during the ice storm in December, so my parents didn't have any electricity!! It was quite the adventure, but surely a birthday to remember.

Just a thought

Just wanted to comment on the recent economic crisis. Although I don't think that the US economy crashing is a good thing, I can't help but think there might be SOME good in all of this. For example...our frivolous spending habits. Maybe people will think twice about what they are buying --- or where their money is going. Perhaps we will reflect on what we need versus what we want. When the gas prices where skyrocketing, that made us try to conserve, buy more efficient vehicles, dare I say actually care about the environment because it was now affecting our pocketbooks. When I say "we" I am also speaking about myself. Classic example. When I lived in a tiny town in Missouri, I was practically forced to recycle because of a 33 gallon trash limit. Oh, we could throw out more at the price of $1 per bag. But I didn't...being the frugal person I am. I recycled anything and everything. Often having more in the recycle bin than in my garbage can. Now, I can't help but recycle because I saw how much of what we use can be reused. Cereal boxes, plastic bottles, cans...you name it...I even drive it to the recycling center since they don't pick it up in my new city. Why? because someone else hit me where it hurts...the pocketbook and forced me to change my habits. Sad but True.

The saga of a postpartum woman...

Well, life is good. Really good. God is good and even when life seems to be hard I just remind myself that all of my family's needs are met. We are happy and have so many blessings. Ever since Juliana's birth I have been dealing with what might be a bladder or uterine prolapse. My doctor tells me that he wouldn't diagnose anything yet, all this is normal for just having a baby. HA! What is "normal" anyway? Why don't people tell you what happens after having a few babies. Even with this wierdness hanging over my head, I am really happy right now. I am sure that I will not want to carry another pregnancy for fear that my "normal" 3rd baby body might just fall apart. I would consider adoption though, if I really would like another child. The kids are growing like weeds. I am finally ready to potty train Kaden, but he has to have surgery on his hydrocele first. Oh boy....here we go again! My moods have been really good lately, now that I hardly feel my prolapse problem anymore. I have my bad days, but they don't get me down anymore. I feel like I can funciton on a normal level now. I actually am ready to start painting my house, something I didn't think would ever happen just a month ago.

I am looking forward to watching my 3 babies grow, teaching them about my Lord and Savior. I really enjoyed this Christmas teaching my 4 year old what it means to give to others. Mimicing the way God chose to give us himself through Jesus. I love leaving out Santa and having fun buying gifts for each other. Addison's face lit up with excitement as Kaden opened the superman pajamas he picked out for him. It was soooo much fun. Everytime I make my bed with the new comforter Nate and the boys got for me I tell Addison and Kaden how beautiful it is and how good they are at giving....they smile big cheesy grins. Thank you Jesus for giving me so much!

A million more?

Ok, so I was obviously on cloud 9 when I wrote that I could have a million more...because I am fairly certain that this will be my last one. Recovery has been really hard this time around. I have been slow to get back on my feet and I am not sure my body could even handle another pregnancy. So much is going on right now. Juliana is a really great baby, a bit fussier than my other two were, or that I can remember anyway. Addison has to go in the get his tongue clipped this week, soon he won't be tongue tied any longer. Kaden has a hydrocele and I have to take him to see a urologist. Juliana has thrush....and the list goes on and on. I have pretty much lived in the doctor's office this week. It is not my idea of fun, to drag all three kids out in the cold to go to the doctor. But hey, that is what being a mom is all about, right? HA! I can't wait to be 100% again, so I can enjoy my kids. So, I need to take my own advice and try to live in this moment, soaking up every detail----as hazy as they can be sometimes through sleep depraved eyes :)

The big day...

So i figure it is about time to post on Juliana June's entrance into the world. First of all please note that this story may contain details that may be too much for some viewers. If you wish to remain ignorant of what happens during pregnancy and childbirth please don't read any further. Having said that... her arrival on October 25th couldn't have been timed any better. My parents were in town visiting and that provided my ideal circumstances.

That morning we were headed out for a full day of fun with Grandma and Grandpa. We started by taking a trip to Toys R Us. The boys love going and looking at all the toys. We spent awhile there walking up and down all the aisles. I noticed that I was very crampy but I figured it was just this polyp that I have had for a few weeks and it tends to do that. It really has made this last month pretty uncomfortable. On top of that, I get cramps and contractions all the time. So I go about my business trying to be excited with the boys.

Lunch time is around the corner, so we head over to the Pizza Hut for a buffet. There is nothing more appealing to a pregnant woman than all you can eat pizza. Especially now that my heartburn was gone. YUM!!

Ok, now on to more fun. Chuck E Cheese's. Even though both I and the boys are dog tired we go to Chuck E Cheese's because we told Addison that we were going there after lunch. He loves that place. But this is Saturday and it is super crowded and noisy. At any rate, while we are there I start up my Braxton Hicks contractions every 5-10 minutes on top of my crampy belly and back. I really feel pretty aweful, so I plop down on a bench and watch everyone have fun. I think to myself...maybe this is it! Isn't it weird that I am laboring in the Chuck E Cheese?

We go home and I relax on the couch. I am wondering what to do. Do I go into the hospital only to be sent home because my contractions taper off. They seem to have slowed down or gone away completely. The polyp I have is the size of Texas and it is making me miserable. So I call Labor and Delivery and ask them what I should do. They tell me to come on in and get it checked out. So off we head...fully expecting to be sent home and told to just deal with it.

When I get to the hospital at about 6:30pm they put me in a labor and delivery room. Check me out... I am 6 cm!! So I really was in labor. Ha, good thing I called. The contractions start up again only they are in my back. Ohhh...that is why my back hurt. They were 4-5 minutes apart. Immediatly I ask for the epidural, just to get everyone going that direction. I am not going to miss it this time. About a half an hour to 45 minutes later I still haven't had my epidural.. come on people we have limited time here. I have been laying in bed with the back contractions...which is not ideal and makes them hurt a whole lot more. I tell Nate that either they get here with the epidural or I am standing up... and I know fully well once that happens it is only a short time before baby will come. I ask everyone who comes in the room... can I get my epidural? Annoying...I know. They give me not one but two IV's. One for me and one in case my polyp ruptures and I bleed real bad. They even take some extra blood in case I need it. I HATE IV's!!!

7:30 and finally my epidural is here. It was quick and pretty much painless. I feel my body relax over the next half hour, even though I am still shaking all over. I can feel it go to my left leg...but nothing in my right. Oh no, it only worked half way. My doctor breaks my water and I know it wont be long now. But I really want to numb my right side too. I can feel the intense contractions in my right side, so I breath through them. It wasn't too bad really, I am thankful that I had at least half a numb body. The nurse pushes the epidural button about 5 times to see if we can get it to work. I look at the clock and tell Nate, this baby is going to be here by 9:30...it is 8:30 right now. It was amazing how I could actually feel the baby moving down the birth canal. So I called the nurse and told her I was feeling lots of pressure. When she checked I was at a 10 and ready to push. In come the doctors and nurses. He tells me to push, so I do...3 times and then he says... oh push one more time lets get his baby out!!

Up she plops on my belly. And at that moment all of the past nine months seem to make sense. The sickness, the hip pain, the stupid polyp, the weeks of contractions, the sleepless nights, the shortness of breath...it all makes sense. I get this precious little baby out of the whole ordeal. Somehow I forgot about that part. It sounds silly to say and may be even sillier to read. It was the most unreal birth I have had yet. It is like reality slapped me in the face with this beautiful baby girl. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. And at that moment I felt like I could have a million more.

Juliana June
October 25th, 2008
9:12pm
8lbs 11oz
19" long

The ticking time bomb

So, here I sit 37 1/2 weeks prego and my body is one raging hormone. When did that happen? I have done so well this pregnancy keeping my cool. We moved, had a busy summer and just now I am feeling at the end of my rope. Go figure. Everything in my body is telling me that it is time for this baby to come. I have contractions every time I move...literally. Sometimes they last for an hour or two and then disappear. It leaves me anxious and tired, irritable and at a loss for self control. Last night I slept all of 20-30 minutes at a time. Between being uncomfortable and this little girl flipping around I couldn't manage to sleep much. I know, blah blah blah -- boo hoo hoo. This is what I wanted, be thankful that I have this precious one growing healthy inside of me. I remind myself of these things every day and that is the only way I can make it through. I really try not to complain, but this is my blog, so I figure I should be honest here.

So where does that leave me...a ticking time bomb. I never know if the contractions will continue. If I will actually make it to the hospital in time for an epidural, since I actually want one this time. Do I risk it and go to my due date, knowing that this could be another 9 pounder that rips me inside out. Whoever told me that it hurts the same if it is a 5 lb baby or 9 lb baby must have never had a 9 lb baby. Because those bowling ball heads can do some damage. Or do I schedule an induction a week early just to get it all going with a slightly smaller baby? Does a few ounces really matter? I am currently 3cm dilated, so really it shouldn't take much to get things rolling. So many thoughts...I just haven't made up my mind yet.