Pregnancy Tummy Rumblings

Over Christmas break (which a few of us are still enjoying..), I've discovered sweets again. : (  I was doing so well eating only healthy (read: high protein) food, but after baking cookies, gingerbread men, coconut cream pie, sweet potato casserole, cherry cheesecake dessert, dipping chocolate pretzels, Ches' ice cream birthday cake, Ethan's big birthday cookie.. and loving a daily McDonald's peppermint hot chocolate..I've oversweetened my baby's amniotic fluid just a tad.

I am reading a great book (on my new kindle!), called Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies?  ..and indeed they do!  So..I let myself go.  All in the name of a super-sweet baby.  Don't we all just *love* a sweet baby?

There are only a couple problems with this strategy, one being the massive number of pounds it adds to Mommy (and the rolling-around-whale effect at night), and there seems to be an impact on one big sister.  Well, on her blood sugar.  She sees mommy sweetening up baby, and wants to sweeten herself too.  She's been running a bit high, I upped all her basal rates, and we still saw high numbers.  One antibiotic later (can you say ear infection?), and she's beginning to do better.  Especially after all these desserts reach their expiration, and we boldly shove them down the garbage disposal or trash can..and coat them with dishwashing detergent.  (thanks, Miranda) ; )

So, now we have embarked on a new vocation: cooking from Martha Stewart's cookbook, but only the dinner food (no desserts!).  We began last night with the Southwestern Cobb Salad (and it was amazing!).  I'll snap a picture of the recipe, but here is the rundown.  We marinated cucumber in lime juice, cilantro, salt, and pepper.  Added cilantro, olive oil, salt/pepper to drained & rinsed black beans.  And had a mixture of chopped tomato, broiled yellow pepper (my broiling power is back!), and red onion, with cumin, salt/pepper, and all these sat while I made half a pound of thick-cut bacon, and cooked the turkey (but it calls for chicken).  You layer all these amazing flavors together over romaine, and it is total Salad Explosion-Yum!

Hers is prettier, I had to make each plate separately since the kids all have their preferences. ; )

Here is the recipe (just call me lazy, but I don't have time to type all this up!):

And tonight, I'm making the Gratineed Macaroni and Cheese with Tomatoes.  I've just broken up bread crumbs, and grated 4 cups of sharp white cheddar (and added mozzarella since the cheddar was really strong!).  I can bet that this one won't help me in the poundage department, but it is high in protein. ; )  And I'm using wheat elbow noodles, and I think it's a pound of fresh tomatoes! : ) So, we'll call it healthy-er.

Are we programmed only to think about our tummies during pregnancy?

Here's the latest look at my huge one.  On New Year's with my baby-and he does love his baby brother. ; )

I know!  It's totally the horizontal stripes.  (Please disregard the mess in the background.)

It's a...

Boy! 

Oh gosh-was I surprised.  I totally thought the ultrasound doctor was wrong at 13 weeks..seemed impossible.  But, maybe he was better than we give him credit?  Hahaha!  Or he was preparing us?  Totally.

We are excited, and soooo thankful that our sweet baby boy is healthy.  Everything looked great today.  The placenta is low again..it's on my cervix, but it should move up.  I'll have a c-section anyway, so I think it'll be fine. : )

I have already separated out the girl clothes I got on Black Friday with the kids.  I'll take those back in the next couple of days, and get some more boy clothes.  I have to say, I did cry for the first time today separating them, but I'm okay.  I'm so thankful to HAVE a baby, to have a HEALTHY baby, and that we're still making it!

We talked about names..since Ethan feels it is über important to have a name!  We have a few: Maximilian Nicholas, Maximilian Xavier, Zachary Nicholas, Carter Nicholas (Ches doesn't like so much), and William Xavier.  He loves Cole and Chase (because they play for the Phillies!!), but I'm not crazy about them.  I think Maximilian Xavier or Nicholas is in the top spot...we'll ask the kids for a vote too. : )  

..and we have to tell them!  I was going to call the nurse to tell Mary Claire on her 12:00 blood check, but there is a substitute nurse, and I didn't know how Boy would go over.  I'll tell them all after school. ; )  Praying for happy responses and good attitudes from all!  God chose what we needed, and He knows our long term plans.

Just thankful for today, and to be here in this spot right now!  Thank you SO much for all your prayers for our family, we can feel them.  We have J-O-Y on this happy day! : )

Mocha Turtle

Sandstone Gardens (in Joplin) is my absolute favorite place.  The chicken tortilla soup is amazing, and the decor...even better.  I got a few things: a box turtle (he's concrete), a bird's nest with eggs, a big roll of burlap "ribbon", and a really big lantern! (it's about three feet tall, with glass in a wood frame, and it has an opening door!)  It's just beautiful. I have a picture, but it's on my phone and I forgot the USB connection wire to my computer (and..therefore the charger too!).  I'll get it up when I get back home.

Sandstone sells (and makes) tons of concrete, and then custom colors it for you.  It takes about 15-20 minutes to wait on it.  They have about 2000 designs, a catalog (that's pretty rough-looking!), and oh..it's just so fun to walk around and explore all the neat stuff!  I took my turtle the way he was (mocha dark), but you can have natural, aged, mahogany, green..it goes on and on.  It's neat that they can age them right there for you!  I found so many beautiful things today.  It gives me great ideas (lots of lanterns right now, birds' nests, birds, crowns, glass, tree branches, animals, fountains, architectural remnant lamps, each thing is more beautiful than the next, it just makes you want to go home to clean and decorate for the season! : )

My sweet friend, Tiffany finally had her baby today!  Bless her heart-she was in the hospital on Sunday, dilated to a 3, and 80% effaced, but they sent her home-even though her contractions were 3 minutes apart!  How do they know a baby is not imminent?  I mean..in the next 24 hours?

Her water broke at lunch today, and her husband hurried back from Van Buren to meet her at the hospital, and Veronica had her kids in the car outside!  (Poor Tiffany went in alone!)  What a day-and I'm so thankful that Veronica was there to take her to the hospital-that girl was listening to the Holy Spirit today-there's so much more, but suffice it to say she was really in tune with God's will.  I know God will bless her richly.

Angie and I are in Branson now (after our afternoon in Joplin!), and we'll be here until Sunday afternoon.  Lots of shopping, eating out, some relaxing, and we'll catch up with Dina and Sara while we are here!  (Our friends-the girls at Gymboree!  That's what happens when you continue shopping at the same place over and over and over, year after year! : )  What will we do when our girls are too big?  Ummm...cry?

Precious days with our friends are just that..priceless! : )

Note to Self: Get Dishwasher Fixed!

The Jones family is safely home, Yay! : )  It seemed like a longish drive (more than the actual 6 hours since we kept stopping to eat).  There was laundry, well, still is.  And the getting back in the routine!  I made dinner, the kids had baths, we laid out clothes, and packed lunches.  I was so glad they had school-we all needed some change and routine!  They got to see their friends, and Ethan was even excited-he wasn't clingy when I dropped him off-and that always makes me have a great day!

I went back for lab work, again.  It was good.  My hcg was at 183, which seems good.  I will get a progesterone update tomorrow, and more lab work on Thursday.  I guess I'm braver than I ever thought I'd be.  I have gotten so many holes poked in me-I used to hate it, but I don't even fear it for hours in advance like I used to: Progress, I guess.  I'm really tired, but not complaining, for I heed my own advice! : )  heehee  I'm just going to bed early.

Clay is getting in with his doctor tomorrow to get his medicine prescribed.  They called today with a cancellation, so we'll fit it in somehow.  I'm kind of excited.  I'd love for him to maintain focus and increase his self-esteem. He's pretty proud of himself, but he can get really down on himself easily.  We'll see how the next week goes.  Apparently it can require adjusting, so we may go/call frequently till we get it nailed down.  I would love to see him utilize all that crazy knowledge he has!

Well, my dishwasher is really broken.  It wasn't working before we left, but we weren't sure if we'd just overloaded it, or if the dishes were really dirty (even though I prewash/rinse them).  There were little brown things on the tops of some of them.  So, I ran it again, opening it halfway through the cycle.  I poured fresh water on them, closed it, and opened it later, to see more yucky things.  It was like the water (wash cycle, maybe?) wasn't running, but the heating/drying cycles were.  Weird.  So, when we got home we had the dishwasher dishes plus the ones waiting in the sink (cause that's how we operate).  So, they allll had to be washed. : (  Tonight I washed all of today's plus dinner dishes.  It took a long time!  I take that workhorse for granted sometimes!  I will appreciate it more when it's working.  I can't decide if I need a service person to repair it, a plumber to check it, or a new one...I'd really like the double dishwashers, but I think you have to have the cabinets changed.  Not happening.  I can dream, but not really practical.  Anyway, I am willing to wash, but I paid a putter-awayer today.  Only fifty cents, but I'd better get it fixed!

Next Tuesday night we have too much to do.  Clay has a boy scout meeting, Mary Claire has gymnastics (which I'm not happy with-she can do her bridge and cartwheel, and has yet to be moved up!), she has a school musical, and her first confession (Reconciliation Service).  I am not sure how it's all going to play out, but we'll make an effort.  She opted not to have a speaking part (she LOVES to sing, but not in front of people, go figure), so I'm ranking it pretty low.  Reconciliation is first, since she has to go to make her first communion.  She could probably arrange to go another time, but I'd like her to be with her class.  The priest will be prepared to hear young kids, and hopefully patient.  It takes some of them a really  long time to name all the sins they can remember from their whole life!  Boy scouts may get bumped-it's three times a month now, and it's a lot.  He never misses, so we'll see how it plays out.  If (Big IF) Ethan gets a nap, I could take him with me to take Mary Claire...  ahhh, just planning it is a lot!

My friend, Sandra, had her baby!  It is a girl, Rose Eileen, and she is beautiful and just perfect!  I went up there today, because I just couldn't wait.  I always say it, but they are sooo tiny, and for such a short time.  Her sisters came up there when I was getting ready to leave, and they were so sweet.  They loved holding her hands (which seem sooo tiny too!), and I think they were happy it was a girl.  I know they would've been happy with either, but it was precious to see the three of them.  I think when you have all the same sex kids, they are close.  They usually have similar interests, and understand each other.  And Emily has had a baby sister before, so she knows what to expect. : )

Clay was soo small (17 months) when Mary Claire was born, that I don't think he remembers much.  They both remember Ethan, but they were older.  They both adore him, even now, so it was fun for them.  I think babies are a gift you give your family. Fun, sweet memories, even despite all the not-so-fun times.  It's just work, and you create the happiness.  They remember even the smallest things!  I think if you asked the kids what their favorite thing was from our trip to Dallas, they'd probably say the swimming every night! (well, and the all-you-can-eat-breakfast!)

Buzz Lightyear is Singing!

Sometimes I read my old posts and think I could be my friend (you know, hypothetically, if I wasn't me). Heehee She has feelings like me! and is experiencing things I've experienced! If only it was that easy. Very few people have walked the road I'm on (or maybe they have, but haven't told me). I didn't want to be an expert at these things.
I found this tiny piece of pinkish red skin/tissue/stuff on my finger today after my shower, and I have to say (crazy as it sounds, don't think I haven't dismissed my own thoughts thirty-two times) it looks like a teensy baby. Albeit, the size of two poppy seeds squished together. I kept rolling it in my fingers thinking it would spread out or break up, but it didn't. I saved it in alcohol, and if I get up the nerve, I'll ask my doctor to send it for lab work. I'd just love to know what happened. Even if it was bad. Well, even though it was bad.
Ches did not dismiss me as totally psychotic, so that's good. He's great that way. He allows me to be creative or imaginative, or just to believe God put it in my hand.
So, today I had a horrible headache (and the receptionist did not think I was funny when she asked what was wrong and I told her about the noisy kids home from school and my splitting headache), made it through the snow-packed roads (and some cleared ones!), and got some antibiotics for my sinus infection (contributing equally with the noisy kids towards the headache). Ches drove me, and the kids watched Toy Story in the van and played with their cool new toys (that I've begun to understand!).
We went to eat at Olive Garden, and it was really nice. We sat in the big round booth (good), and the kids could see the hostesses reading a big book with the name in bold print, including the word ASS (bad) (It was The Big Ass Book of something-or-other Recipes), then giggled constantly until I asked our waitress if she could move the book. I sampled the wine (good), and got a buzz instantly from the teensy bit I had so decided not to order a glass. We played with the kids' DSi's and chatted back and forth until our salad came, and Ethan yelled out, "Awesome" when he saw the salad full of cheese and croutons! (made the waitress laugh!) Then we all loved dinner (and I turned my head as Mary Claire ate over a hundred grams of carbs). We even ordered dessert-the little pillow-looking doughnut things with the chocolate and raspberry sauces. They were amazing, really. Ethan looked at us all (as in unbelief), and shouted, "Buzz Lightyear is singing!" That was the funniest! It was totally Frank Sinatra (who I love!), and he thought it was his hero. Silly thing, he is. Anyway, after Mary Claire licked the chocolate sauce cup clean (with a knife, no less) and Clay licked the raspberry one till I shouted, we all took turns washing (all the sugary stuff off our fingers), then made a trip to Wal-Mart to get ready for our next big snowfall.
We already know there's no school tomorrow, and the snow is tomorrow night. I'm planning to go to Branson this weekend, so we got groceries for Ches this weekend too (including easy dinners).
I have debated the merits of shopping in single-degree temps at an outdoor shopping area, but the draw is just too strong. Although I'm totally considering looking up some flights out of here (LA maybe?) for the weekend. We find these great $39 each way flights, and how fun to shed a coat for a couple days?
I didn't resolve to work out this year, but I did pull out the Wii, and it was so happy to see me! He jumped up and down, and told me it'd been over 300 days since he'd seen me last. Heap on the guilt, old friend. He also told me I'd gained 4.9 pounds, but on the upside, I'd dropped my Wii Fit age! Now, I'm only 30.
After my third visit up to see Ethan (at his screaming requests), I think I'll settle down for bed. He stays in his bed, with his door open, but it's always something. I think it's just a phase. He's been doing well for the past couple months or so, but I just cleaned his room, and took out the pack-n-play that had been in there for the past month! (He loves hotels and pack-n-plays!)
What are we resolving, really? I think I'm headed towards health-less caffeine, more fruits and veggies (notice my non-use of measurable goals?), maybe (big and fat maybe) more exercise (just in case, I stopped tonight before I got tired-so I would want to come back tomorrow), and cleaning out the house (still the "dusty" goal).

Bed Hopper

He had no nap again today. : ( Tonight we meant to get him to bed earlier, but it's just almost impossible! (with dinner late after girl scouts, bath/showers, spelling words, cupcakes for dessert, books..) We set up gates at both of his doors, so maybe that will help the little bed-hopper stay in his own room! He went into both kids rooms early this morning, and never went back to sleep. It annoys Mary Claire, but Clay just lets him climb in! I think it's sweet. They just aren't getting their rest, and it all comes down to Ethan sleeping. I'm not get to rest or nap either, so it's affecting me too! : P Of course he pretty much went right to sleep tonight after not having a nap! That's the good news.

When it was time to go up and read his bedtime stories, I wasn't sure if I should sit on his bed: he'd used the back of my jeans (my pockets) to wipe his cupcake remainders on! He'd walked right up and wiped his face on me! Silly boy.

What do you dream of? Lately I'm dreaming of two dishwashers. More and more frequently (not EvErY night yet), I have to wash dishes while the dishwasher is running. There just isn't room in the dishwasher. We run it every night, but it seems to fill up as I finish making dinner (measuring cups, cutting boards, mixing bowls, etc. added to breakfast/lunch/snack dishes and cups/glasses). I just can't imagine running it right after lunch, since it's not quite full yet (and that seems wasteful I think). Oh, what to do since another dishwasher just isn't fitting on my To-Do list? : )

I'm having ambivalent feelings about a baby again. It's still hard. I still want one more baby, that last time to be pregnant, one more chance to buy baby clothes, smell a new baby, watch them sleep, learn to crawl, and watch the kids adore them. But. Sometimes I wonder if we got another chance to not have a baby. Ethan is almost in preschool, and there is a day coming soon that he'll be in school, and I'll be busy with projects and time will fly while the kids are in school. I just wonder both ways a lot lately. I might be preparing myself for the chance it won't happen, who knows. I just can't get my hopes up again. What if it was a chance to want one even more than last time? I just have to lay it at God's feet, and not worry about it.

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11

Signs Point to Yes

Well. It's out there. And walking around (or..not) and telling other people!

So, I greet you, sweet readers, with my biggest news in quite a while! I've decided to make my life busier (or God has Great Faith in me!). We just found out that I'm pregnant. There are a million questions hanging in the air, and I can hardly answer any of them. : ) I'm excited, and I think that's all that counts.

My doctor had told me back in January that if we wanted any more kids, it needed to be by the time I was 37 (next September), so he only gave me till Christmas to try, if that's what I decided. I had never had a pop-up timer set on me, and it was incredible pressure. I debated and prayed for a while. I really couldn't make a decision. On good days with the kids, I thought maybe I could handle another, but on bad days, I knew I was done with that song and dance. Well, I decided to let God decide since I had no clear answer (or was ignoring His answers?). I just walked out on a limb and decided to have great faith. A couple of months ago, I thought maybe I was pregnant, took a test, and I was not. I was (surprising to me!) kind of disappointed. I didn't know until then that I even wanted a baby for sure. Really. It happened like that. So, we tried a little harder (heehee). This month, I had some malfunctioning tests (one that didn't absorb, umm..liquid, and one that didn't have ANY lines-not even the "control" line). Talk about stressful. Ches went and bought the newest fancy tests: Digital! If you can imagine. They are not iffy or confusing, and there's no misinterpretation. So after the two bad ones, I took the fancy test, and got a very definitive No. I was sad, but this past week, I prayed some more, and decided I was fine with the great kids I already have. I "told" God that I was okay with not having more, and I was happy (He must've been laughing mighty hard). So when I took the last of the digitals on Sunday, I was quite surprised to see it say, "Yes". I was just so confused and surprised, and a little scared, mix it all up with nervousness (or is anxiety a better word?). That was me. I cried and was so shaky-I was just shocked that God would yet again put his faith in me (literally). I know this baby is a gift from God, and we will dutifully raise him or her the best we can. Babies and little people are not easy (even when they're all packed tightly inside you..), but you learn so much about yourself, your family, your partner, your life-it magnifies things. When you see happiness looking back at you, you feel so content. You see your mark on them, and it's wonderful. Every thank you that comes from them came from you. Every hug they give their friend or brother came from you. The desire to give to others came from you. You know you've made the world a better place. At least until the yelling begins again.

I will set out on a new adventure with wind in my sails. It won't always be calm seas, but I've seen it and done it before. I'll just have to work on putting me on the schedule again. Naps? Check. I got my first one today! : )

Oh, the only answer I can give is that I'm due around April 26th. Yes, 2010. Sounds so futuristic!

There's always a first.

About my dad's friend that's been helping, my dad says, "Of course he'll be back tomorrow, who wouldn't for 50 bucks an hour?!" to the sweet lady we're all helping for FrEe. She either didn't hear him, or chose to ignore his humor. I did think it was funny, but I know him. : ) heehee

What a fantastic day! : ) I got up early, and set right to work. I just love those feel-productive days! I really swear (not that I should) that I love to do stuff. If I got to choose, I would absolutely never lay around the house. Even if no one was home. I'd get the chance to MoP or clean windows, clean off the deck, water my flowers without some little person escaping out the door in his underwear! Geez, clean my van, vacuum, dust those icky spots, organize my desk, etc. I could literally go on for two days (well, if I had two days).

Anyway, I had the kids go outside (and watch Ethan), and they played sidewalk chalk, had snacks, drinks, I set them up a table, they drew on it, then they progressed to painting with water on the driveway (because I'm a neat freak. It involves a small cup of water and a paintbrush. They "paint" on the driveway, then it dries! Genius, if I do say so myself!), then the Biggie. They all got on swimsuits, and played with buckets of water, measuring cups, and even put on masks, and dunked their faces in the buckets! When they were good and soaked, I took them their lunch, and they ate outside. The entire time I was running back and forth (and obviously hyped up on tea), monitoring them and making dinner for the family with the precious new baby girl! I chopped veggies, cooked and diced chicken, made absolutely yummy brownies! and then cleaned up the kitchen and the hearth room which was destroyed again (takes only an estimate of 4 minutes with 3 children). Then by the time they had lunch, my dishwasher was busy, and I washed their dishes, and I was done! WooHoo! Ches put Ethan down (oh, are you wondering where Ches was all morning? Bed.), and then I got the kids washed and put together, and we headed out!

We delivered the dinner (ok, so it was early), and I got to see the absolutely adorable baby Veronica. She's still New Baby tiny-which only lasts a week or two (the time it seems to take their heads to grow). Ahhhh...just precious. Babies are just miracles. No more can be said.

Then we traveled not far down the road to Mom's friend's house. We stayed there till almost 5, not being very nice. Mom's friend is soooo very nice, sweet, best person she can be. And we had to tell her all the things we'd change/improve about her house to help it sell. How sucky a day could it have been for her? She was so gracious, even with all the honesty flying around. I told the truth, only because I really care about her and her house selling! One of my friends on Facebook posted yesterday that "Lies are ripples". It is so true. I don't want to make ripples. If I can't say it to her, I can't say it. So, I told her.

Then we ran to Target to let the kids spend their money (Tooth Fairy money included), and we were there for an HoUr! We'd forgotten Mary Claire's meter at the friend's house, so we did a little shopping for her! We found the most beautiful ripple-y turquoise-y shower curtain-just amazing. Enough so, that I wish I had a shower to hang one on! Then we added a shower curtain rod, some rings (cute ones!), a bamboo roman shade (for the bathroom too)...and then we ran all over the store looking for light switches, wire ties, etc. Fun!

The most amazing thing I can say about that trip (minus the AmAzInG shower curtain) was that my baby, my big boy, elected to not get anything at Target. He decided to save his money. For the First Time Ever. I kinda did use language like, "maybe you'll find something at the Museum of Natural History", "maybe you'll buy something down by the beach", "there will be lots of stores on vacation!" etc. But still! He actually went with it for the first time. Of course, Mary Claire loaded up on junk at the One Spot: stapler, desk set with protractor (well, it was red), and a little flower-shaped case with push pins, paper clips, etc.

Then we backtracked back to the 'house, and got MC's meter, went by our house, picked up Ethan, and headed to Kendra's to let out her baby to peepee. And she was so good! She ran right out and peed! We kinda cheered for her, and then she quit. Hopefully we didn't scare her! She walked around and peed some more. We took her in since she didn't really want to play, but Zoe wanted to play with her too! So, we all went out back, and the kids jumped on the trampoline (since we don't have one..) and they had fun! Zoe ate all her food, so I bugged Kendra to see if she should have more!

Back home, and busy continued..kids snacks, jammies, brushed teeth, stories (more Pooh and the Princesses Are People Too), then put the kiddos to bed, late. I'm investing in the fact that maybe they'll sleep in? But then. There was the yelling that came from Ethan's room. He had made a train track all along (the inside of ) his bed! He was frustrated that he couldn't round the corner! I had to set him straight. We cleaned up, and I told him to go to sleep!

What a great day! I feel like I got a lot done, and it was all fun. I learned a lot (whole other story), and I felt blessed to be able to help others. What blessings we receive when we allow our spiritual gifts to function. It runs so smoothly. I'm still learning, and I'm having an amazing time in the process! Woo Hoo! : ) Bring it on!