Always Wear Clean Under Roos

Happy 6 months, sweet Quinn!

2009-09-16T11:42:00.000-04:00

I am not sure how it happened, but it appears that Quinn turns 6 months old today! It seems like yesterday I was struggling with sleepless nights and getting the hang of nursing...ok I still get up 2 times a night with him, but it not as long now!

He is still learning to sit up, but can for a few mins at a time with more practice I'm sure he will get the hang of it. He has been trying to crawl for a month now...he just needs to figure out how to move his arms and legs at the same time! He is funny to watch, he rocks back and forth and moves side to side but can't actually go forward yet! He rolls both ways too.

We started him on solids at 5 months. I was trying to hold out until 6 months, but he decided one night to try to DEVOUR Keith's ice cream cup and spoon so he was ready. He started with some rice cereal and seemed to like it. He has since had: applesauce, bananas, oatmeal, sweet potato, avocado(which he wasn't a huge fan of), and carrots. Hopefully he will have more soon. He also has had a mum mum(rice husk) he devours those into nothing!

Soon he will be off running and fighting back against his brother if the next 6 months go just as fast as the first! He is usually a very happy baby and is always nosy! He doesn't like to miss a thing. He is unlike most babies and sleep in his carseat...as soon as the car stops or the seat stops he is wide eyed staring at you! He also won't nap much or for long if he is around other people. All he has to do is bat his extremely long eyelashes and smile with his cute dimples and well your heart just melts!

Happy 6 months my sweet sweet boy!

Preschool at home...

2009-09-15T08:31:00.000-04:00

So I've decided that this winter or fall Avery will be attending preschool at least 2 days a week. I used to work at a wonderful program and really want him to get into it. It is more for the socialization and being away from me than the educational aspect, although that will help him too!

Recently, I've been participating in Muffin Tin Monday. So I decided to start doing theme weeks with Avery at home based on her themes. This week is the letter "a" as the monday theme is apples. Well I was supposed to get apples with my groceries this week, but they never came so after Quinn's dr's appt this week we will go get some!

After digging through the ENTIRE box of cookie cutters I finally found the letter "a" and could finally do a craft with Avery. He picked out some paint (yellow and blue) and he used the cookie cutter to make a prints. I also had a cutter for an apple and acorns so he used those too. he discovered that when you mix yellow and blue together you get green. then he grabbed the paint brush and mixed all his beautiful stencil work into nothing...so you can't tell we actually used the cutters.

we then talked about things that start with the letter "a" i was having a hard time coming up with more words, and avery yells out "ANTS" and also his name!

its fun to spend time with just my oldest while the babies nap. I hope to be able to do it 2-3 times a week, more if my creative brain allows and I have the time!

Muffin Tin Monday-Apples

2009-09-14T14:25:00.004-04:00

well i decided to order my groceries this week through stop and shop' peapod. I ordered a bag of apples as this week's them is Apples, little did I know that the apples never came until I tried to cook with them last night. So I did what I could with no apples...

So here is what Avery had! The author of this blog had some GREAT ideas! She is so creative!

bananas(for the song "apples and bananas), apple and cinnamon cottage cheese, "a" ginger pancakes, and "a" pb&j. he then also stole my carrots and licked off the ranch dressing.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-09T21:23:00.002-04:00

Not sure WHY I even bother with a bib...

Muffin Tin Monday(posted on wed)

2009-09-09T21:04:00.005-04:00

A friend of mine shared with me this blog called, Her Cup Overfloweth. On this blog they had this MARVELOUS idea for Muffin Tin Monday.(if you click the link above it will tell you how to do it). I found the idea intriguing so I decided to do it and see if that would help avery eat a little better! This will also help to get my creative brain moving again..even if it is for my kids!

So I stopped by Michaels to get some silicone muffin cups...I don't know about you, but washing reg. muffins tins bugs me. So after I paid a small fortune for them I got a coupon...so I will be going to buy more next week. In the meantime, I just used some little cups I had at the house. This week there was no theme and we actually had Muffin Tin Tuesday as we were away on monday.

For lunch I went with a shape theme: goldfish(fish shape), bananas for circles, and star shaped cheese. He ate almost all of it except for 2 pieces of cheese and a couple bananas.
For dinner, I just basically gave him what we were eating, just in the cups. there is rice, beans/corn, cheese, dried fruit, goldfish, and what we were having mixed together. I figured he should get used to eating with all the flavors mixed too. Again he did very well!(lunch pic is on the bottom and dinner is on top) I can't figure out how to switch them!

Tasty Tuesday

2009-09-08T08:29:00.001-04:00

I've been experimenting with some new recipes lately and here are the verdicts!

First up, Mega Turkey Nacho Dinner-we really liked this and it was VERY filling! i did add in extra zucchini. i also used gr. beef, added in a can of tomatoes for the romas, no avocado, and used diced jalepino's instead of the sliced. next time i think i will omit the chicken stock as it made it too "juicy". i also didn't layer it and yet we still had lots of extras!

Next, Citrus Curry CHicken-we both liked the unique taste of this dish. it does NOT make enough sauce if you want it over rice so i would double it. i think next time i will marinate it in the sauce as the chicken was a bit dry. i didn't cook it in the microwave but on the stove top. it was pretty simple too! i used chicken breast too.

We also tried, Fluffy French Toast, to me they weren't that fluffy. it was basically french toast with a thicker batter on them. they were still pretty tasty! Although it could have been the bread, i just used reg. wheat bread. I also used rice milk instead of reg. milk. My dinner guest did like them too! Just be fair warned...they are messy! I also added in a sprinkle of cinnamon!

Finally, Cranberry turkey loaf-we like this one as well...but i thought it needed more flavor. i did add extra cranberry sauce and it was def. moist! i used turkey flavored stuffing instead of herb(wasn't paying double for it!) the extra sauce made it taste better. im thinking ill add in some more s&p and poultry seasoning next time. maybe even some apple/celery too!

Drilling our kids?

2009-09-05T16:36:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I think in this society we put too much pressure on our kids to be "successful" at such an early age. There always seems to be a competition between who's kid is better than the other...it goes on even if you don't want it too! I do try my best not to compare my boys to others and try to let things go when people compare them to their own.

As most know, I am licensed as a family daycare provider. It is a slow process...but would like it to be a little quicker as least right now when we could really use the extra income. Since we became pregnant with Quinn last summer, daycare took a back seat. I had 2 kids in my care at the time. *I will admit I didn't do much with the kids for activities in the sense of arts & crafts or had lesson plans(i had every intention too). My kids were all under 2 and one of them everytime i brought something out he would either eat it, destroy it, or walk across other's work. So I let it go. Plus I was ABSOLUTELY exhausted and sick from being pregnant. We sang songs, read books, and played with NUMEROUS toys. It was a little more relaxed at the time, but it was the best I could do!

I closed down for 10 weeks and lost both of the kids...which is some ways I am ok with(as one bullied my kid and had NO support from his parents on discipline) and the other little boy I just lost to another daycare...

This other daycare pretty much GUARANTEES that your child will have basic reading and writing skills before they enter kindergarten. To me and my philosophy with my kids(and Keith does agree) this is putting to MUCH pressure on the kids to learn this. In my view, daycare is more for the social aspect vs. the learning aspect. So it seems like more of the day would be spent on " structured learning" than learning through play and each other. These kids range from infant to preschool.

We have talked about sending avery to preschool come jan or next fall. but we are SOLELY sending him for the social aspect and to get used to being away from mommy before I just throw him into full day kindergarten. Plus he will be home an extra year. This preschool is where I used to work and the teacher is faboluous! Plus this will allow him to make friends and to have friends once he goes to public school.

I of course can teach avery his numbers, letters, colors, how to write his name, etc. But we do it through play...I don't sit here and drill him on these things nor do I say "ok avery is time to write your letters".

I just seem to think that they have so much to accoplish now once they get into formal schooling so why should be pressure them in daycare or preschool? Just let the kids be kids! Let them get dirty, pick fights, argue, and play. They learn so much from each other and playing with objects that aren't just paper and pencils.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-26T08:00:00.001-04:00

my sister just got back from florida...and brought Quinn his own ears! Avery had some from my mom a couple years ago. they are so special they even got their names on them...ok its really b/c i name my kids "different" names and you can't find anything with their names on it!

Tasty Tuesday-Reviews

2009-08-25T11:51:00.003-04:00

After last week of not cooking very much...b/c I was melting!(in the 90's and HUMID) I've been cooking or will be cooking quite a bit this week due to the lower temps. I LOVE to do it and it makes me satisfied that I am providing my family with a healthy meal. I am always trying new recipes(well i used to try a lot more, when our budget allowed and before I had Quinn) Hopefully now that he is getting older I will be able to get back into cooking/baking. I find it very relaxing and enjoy impressing people! Btw, if you are ever a guest here or come over for a meal you eat QUITE well...im sure my friends can vouch for that!

so here are some recipes we have tried lately!

Ham and Cheddare Supper Waffles: these were FABULOUS! I really liked how the cheese got crispy...I LOVE crispy cheese. Plus they were different. I do advise if you have a belgian waffle maker to cook them a little longer(the first couple were still a little soft on the inside) and also to double the"dough" part, maybe the whole recipe as it only made 3 belgian waffles. I may try experimenting with ham/swiss, or turkey/swiss. i did also use the finely shredded cheese and used rice milk in place of the reg. milk. but they were fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Today I am trying another waffle recipe: chocolate pecan waffles for lunch. ill write a review after I have them.(and the recipe). ok if you want the recipe i will gladly share...but im not sure i can link it right now as its from a magazine and you need a subscription so before i type it all out, ill want to know that someone would like it!
-they were pretty tasty! even my lunch guest liked them. again they were in the belgian waffle maker so it only made 3 or 4. they didn't get crispy on the outside, but im wondering if it had to do with my eggs(they were supposed to be foamy and i thought they were, but not sure if they were foamy enough) i even cooked them longer, but then they were starting to burn so i stopped them. another thing i will make sure to do is temper the choc with the milk. you are to melt the choc. but then you add it into cold milk so it solidified and they were like choco shavings...i still went along and cooked them.
-as for the choco. it called for the unsweetened baker's choc. squares. I had none so i found a sub for it online. 3 tbsp cocoa powder to 1 tbsp shortening.

chocolate zucchini cake with peanut butter frosting! again if you would like the recipe let me know...its another great way to use up the over abundance of zucchini that we all seem to have! it was pretty easy to make as well. the frosting was super simple and tasted GREAT! i could have just eaten that. the cake was a denser cake where I like a fluffy cake, but it was completely edible!

I also made Big Dipper Oatmeal cookies as well today...they are my go to oatmeal cookie recipe now. I LOVE them and so do keith and avery. I started to make them b/c I didn't care of oatmeal and I had heard that oatmeal can help improve milk production during breastfeeding...its a good excuse to eat cookies at least! I wasnt sure I was going to like the cinnamon/choc. combo but it actually went together quite nicely. glad i tried them...and yes I do generally eat reg. old oatmeal for breakfast every morning now. I tend to crave it...i serve it with some brown sugar and REAL maple syrup, and some cinnamon. no instant stuff here...well keith likes it! i also use a little rice milk so its safe for quinn to recieve.

what a difference....

2009-08-24T15:17:00.002-04:00

between 2 boys from the same parents can be! Keith and I often find ourselves having a conversation about how different our boys are. Granted there is a little over 2 yrs between them and somedays they are just a like and others they are NOT!

Avery was always a mellow, easy going baby. He would go anywhere you took him and was as happy as a clam. Quinn on the other hand has been a lot better since cutting dairy out of my diet, but he DOES.NOT.LIKE. his carseat. he will last for short trips, but anything longer than 30 mins and forget it! Usually once he is out, he is fine.

Avery would sleep just about anywhere you put him(as a baby, not so much now). if we were out and he was tired, he'd sleep. he would ALWAYS fall asleep in his carseat and usually stay asleep...Quinn as soon as the car stops, he is wide eyed and staring at you!

Avery always slept on his back, Quinn hates sleeping or even being on his back. Avery hated tummy time, Quinn is always on his tummy. Avery didn't start crawling until 7/8 months, Quinn we feel will be there in a month(he already scoots backwards, and is up on his hands and knees)

I know there are other similarities but im drawing a blank right now...

Rockin' Green Laundry Detergent!

2009-08-23T21:17:00.002-04:00

I keep meaning to write a review of this new laundry detergent I've been using for a while now...ok a month! It's called "Rockin' Green" and so far its rockin' the cloth diapers in this house!

I had been battling with stinkings for a while...to the point where I was ready to "almost" throw in the towel on cloth diapers, although I do love them and they have been saving us a TON of money! Well I know we have VERY hard water and I've tried just about everything. While searching a diaper forum I stumbled upon this new detergent being made my a WONDERFUL wahm, Kim. I emailed her and asked a few questions, which she quickly responded back too. I was intrigued so I went ahead and ordered some samples. She had quite a few different scents to choose from so I chose "Ocean Rain" and "Vanilla Buttercream".

A few days later, when I went to check the p.o. box I opened it up to a wonderful smell! I was a little giddy knowing what was coming...(ok I really don't get out much!) I couldn't wait to wash the diapers. After the first wash, they came out smelling amazing and CLEAN! So the real test would come when my son "dirtied" them...and it passed with FLYING colors! I can say I won't be going back to use any other detergent. Kim has wonderful customer service any question you may have she will answer for you and will work with you to solve a problem until its fixed.(I haven't experienced that part yet...but I know someone who has).

Overall, if you are cloth diapering her little one's precious bum and need a WONDERFUL detergent to get them clean you should try out Rockin' Green(haha...i totally rhymed and didn't do it on purpose) I can't wait to try out one of her new scents...I'm thinking Mango Sorbet!

oh and here are some quick facts about Rockin' Green

Dye free
No fillers
No enzymes or optical brighteners
100% Phosphate Free
Vegan
Great for sensitive skin
Easy rinsing formula
Approved for Military Use
Works wonders on microfiber stink!
Perfect for cloth diapers
HE Compatible
Reusable packaging
Great for all water types
Economical at .13 cents a load!

why do i attend church?

2009-08-23T20:56:00.003-04:00

well it would seem obvious for the reason being that I truly believe there is a higher power to be! But the real question for those that don't know me would be, why do I attend a catholic church when I was raised as a Methodist? well the simple answer would be that my husband is catholic and we were married in the catholic church.

By being married in the catholic church you have basically agreed that you will be raising your children catholic. Now while, I do agree( and so does Keith) that religion is important to us, would I have picked catholism...probably not. But being as it is that my husband is the organist for the Catholic church and HE had to sign the paper about raising our kids catholic, we are now bound too....at least in the Catholic church.

Before we were married there were MANY a nights that we argued about this subject...I found it very important for our children to be raised with both religions, not that they differ all that much, but there are ways that they do. I am NOT catholic or will I ever be...I agree with the basics and the priciples, but there are some aspects I do not agree with and well i just let it be. so to answer the question...I attend a Catholic church b/c my sons are both catholic. they were both baptized into the religion and they will be raised as one.

Although, as a mom I do feel like its my job to be able to teach them about religion along with eveyrthing else a mom teaches their child. This is one thing I am unable to teach them about and it saddens me to a point, but then I think well this is ONE thing Keith will be able to teach them about(of course dad's do teach a lot more). I still can barely follow along during a service...I am getting better though. Although, generally I am up in the choir loft with both boys and can't see all the happenings going on down below, but we still attend as much as we can so the boys are used to it and know that it is expected of them to attend. Until they are old enough to make the decision on their own...but they will be at least 18 before that happens!

I find it very important to attend church as a family, so THAT is why I attend a catholic church, b/c MY family is Catholic.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-19T08:00:00.001-04:00

August Review

2009-08-18T14:34:00.002-04:00

I couldn't come up with anything good as a title...

So let's see...its not mid-august and summer has FINALLY decided to show up and NOT lightly I might add. Its HOT, HUMID, HAZY, and just plain gross! Quinn of course hates the heat, so he has an a/c in his room, avery could care less so he has a fan. He also sleeps under at least 2 blankets regardless of the temp outside.

We are still chugging along in the financial economy that we are all in, we hope and pray that things will be better soon enough for us. At least that we aren't gritting our teeth every month to squeak by. Although it is teaching us a lot...we don't buy things anymore, so it may be good in the long run!

Avery is now pretty much fully potty trained except for bed/nap time. He even does pretty well when we are out and about he will tell me he has to potty. In an hour and half one night he went 3 TIMES! (actually that might have been in 30 mins). I take what I can get and its less diapers I have to wash.

Quinn is now 5 months old and is such a happy baby. No idea where my little peanut went or how we even got to this point. I swear in the beginning I wasn't sure I was going to make it, but like most moms(and dads) we somehow do. He laughs at his big brother and smiles whenever someone smiles at him. And if you talk about him you get the biggest, dimpliest grin ever! I can't wait to see him and Avery interact more. He is still bfing wonderfully and saving us TONS of money!! He just started cereal this past weekend and is doing great with it and loving it. I was trying to hold off until 6 months, but Friday night he was trying to devour keith's spoon with ice cream on it, so I figured it was time!

We had a set back with Rascal, our dog. But we are working on his behavior. He is VERY VERY protective of us and the boys. He basically attacked another UNLEASHED dog, thinking he was a threat. Luckily, no one was hurt(or animal) and the neighbors do still talk to us. We've brought rascal in more(he usually hates it, but since this situation he comes more williningly), and also brought him in the front yard leashed when we are out playing or hanging out with the boys. he has been doing so well and he's almost a different dog! he is NEVER aggressive towards the boys despite the torture they put him through! So we are all on a learning curve here...

As for me? I'm still here! Getting more sleep, most of the time now that Quinn is only getting up once. I've been reading a lot more, so I guess I get a little me time. I need some more of it though, just never seem to find the time!

Keith is still Keith...chugging along at 2 jobs and trying not to stress me or the kids out!lol nothing new really on that front!

It actually feels like summer!

2009-07-30T16:55:00.002-04:00

I know I haven't blogged in a while, but life sure can be crazy with 2 kids!

We are about to embark once again into the world of potty training Avery. He did so well for 2 weeks and then we weren't home one weekend and it all went away...so I didn't want to push it. He has been telling me A LOT lately that "avery peed" or "avery pooped" so I told him if he can tell me that then he is a big boy and can use the potty! To my amazement he went flying into the potty this morning and went in it...and proceeded out with his "treasure" and wanting 2 of "jo's candies"(lifesavers). so he got them...maybe he will FULLY get the concept now.

Quinn is growing like a weed of course. He was 13 lb 11 oz at his 4 month appt. The dr agreed that it was good to stay away from dairy for now and we will revisit it after he is a yr old. oh how i miss my ice cream and cheese! He is also 24 inches long too! we were in a decent routine, but of course as babies go he is completely out of it now...i can't get the kid to take a nap longer than 30 mins now and I can't seem to put a finger on the cause. I usually have to lay down with him and allow him to nurse if that's what he wants to do...ok on somedays but I can't do it everyday. I finally got him to sleep longer today, but it was in our bed and not his crib. I let him cry it out earlier and I felt like a terrible mommy, but even that only lasted about 30 mins.

and of course now that I"m typing this he is awake...so there is a small update! I will try to get on to blog more for all of my 3 blog readers! lol

Happy 4 months, to my sweet Quinn!

2009-07-15T13:48:00.002-04:00

well it's actually tomorrow, but seen as I have time i'll post it now!!

I think I have finally figured out what has been causing all of Quinn's fussiness from day one. It's sad for me to say but I had to give up all dairy products! I have a great love of ice cream and miss it, but it sure has made for one happy Quinn for me not to eat it!

We took Quinn in at the end of June for blood in his stool and they said it was from an anal fissure. we then had to take stool samples(oh the fun in that) and there was no blood after. well i then questioned for the second time in 2 weeks a milk allergy/senstivity. I researched it a bit online and he had ALL the symptoms. one dr and nurse said we will keep an eye on it, but don't change your diet. ok fine...so for 3 days leading up to a mini vacation I had cut way back on dairy not b/c i wanted to it just happened this way. well we went away and went to a REALLY good ice cream place so i got a milkshake...it was super tasty, but didn't make up for the next 3 days of torture I put my son through. he was not happy...fussy, pooping, spitting up, etc. so I cut all milk out again...i do have a piece of cheese or a bit of ice cream but that's it. It is like he is a brand new kid, laughing, happy, smiling, and content. So clearly that had to have been the problem...I haven't talked to his dr yet about it, I will do that friday. But i'm not about to eat/drink dairy for a while just to test it out...

As hard as it has been to give up the dairy, I can't wait to have it again! I told keith I'm making a date to go out for an Applebee's mudslide once Quinn is done nursing...

he now laughs and coos a whole lot! he rolls both ways and tries his hardest to sit up from a laying down position. I think he is also teething b/c he is drooling buckets and sucks/knaws on his hands!

He is such a joy to have around and I love watching Avery interact with him!

some pictures!

2009-07-02T14:42:00.003-04:00

avery on the carousel...he finally went on the horse!

I don't think he was sure of the carousel at first

Tummy time for Quinn

Quinn being baptized

smiles at the park!

Twilight...

2009-07-02T14:33:00.002-04:00

well I finally gave in and read "twilight". I had the book sitting on my shelf for a yr that a friend let me borrow. I had heard so much about it so I said it must be good....it took me about 100 pgs to really get into it(the first book is 400+pgs) and then I couldn't put it down! I was completely shocked, surprised, and wanting to read more! we got rid of most of our cable channels so there isn't much to watch now at night. That's ok I was completely into the book and even told keith not to interupt me! lol

Its an amazing book and a great story line! Something you can never imagine possible for someone to write! It almost seems to real! I think I finished the first book within 2 weeks and that was really only reading at night. I then NEEDED the second book almost immediately so I had Keith stop at our friends house and get me the second book. This was sunday and I have about 40 pages left. Our friend is a little upset that I'll get to read her 3rd book before she does, but I promised not to tell her what happens. It's like I "thrist" to read it...I've only been reading this at night after the kids are in bed and while nursing. Keith says well I guess it shows how much nursing you do! It has been a lot lately...then he goes on to tell me I read fast which is true and that he is jealous that I do read that fast. He then asked if I comprehend what I'm reading and I said of course or I wouldn't know what was going on.

The second book in my opinion isn't quite as good as the first....but still pretty good. Not what I imagined AT ALL and I have my opinion what might happen in the 3rd book now. ALthough I may be pretty sad to see the series end but maybe the author will write some more books. I lover her style even though I sometimes do have to go back and re read a portion b/c i apparently missed something! But that just makes it that much more interesting!

So if you haven't read it I'm going to jump on the wagon with everyone else and say to go read it!
I even tried to start another book until i got the second one(new moon) and I just couldn't get into it! all i could think of was vampires. I was also dreaming about them...sometimes good sometimes not so good, but I was still intrigued to read the rest!

we may need an ark soon...

2009-07-02T14:19:00.002-04:00

For anybody living in New England knows how much rain we've been having lately. I heard the other day that it rained for the last 20 of 29 days. (this was june 29 and it has rained since then EVERYDAY!). Its getting depressing and frustrating especially for a 2 year old.

I decided to get avery out of the house AT LEAST once a week! Going to the park is free so we were doing that. I have few to choose from as I have to drive to all of them. I just signed him up for storytime at the library and we were visiting friends every other week. one would think this would be enough, but apparently not. This poor kid is in need of some major alone time...unfortunately Quinn has not been himself for the past week or so, so I'm not able to do anything with Avery. Luckily tomorrow Keith has off and he is going to do something with just him and avery.

We have also now designated Sundays as no house work day. Its strickly just family time. whether we go out and do something or stay home, but WE must resist the urge to do any housework. this gives us both time to relax and not worry about what needs to get done(so we usually do leave) and focus on our family. It gets hectic during the week so we don't get as much relaxing or down time as we desperately need. This does take some great willpower on my part as i HATE a mess house, but I'm finding its the break I need from not running around like a crazy mama all the time.

As for Quinn...last week he had blood in his stool so the dr wanted to see him. I was fearing the worst, but it turns out he just had an anal fissure which is now on its way to healing. I had to do samples this week to make sure there wasn't any blood I couldn't see and those came back negative. I talked to the nurse while I was at the dr today about a possibly milk allergy/intolerace(sp?) they didn't seem too concerned but I still think there is something wrong he just shouldn't be fussy all the time! for 3 nights he wouldn't sleep unless he was nursing so i brokedown and put him in bed with us and he nursed off and on(i was thinking growth spurt) now the night sleeping is better and the napping is worse...maybe an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. so i gave in and laid in bed with him yesterday so he could get a little nap...until avery woke up crying from his nap so i had to go in and comfort him, which in turn woke quinn up....someday my life won't be as hectic i swear! so now im paying close attention to what i eat for dairy and quinn's fussiness,sleeping, pooping, and spit up. i should be able to fit all that into 24 hours right? no wonder i'm tired...

Quinn is usually a happy baby smiling, laughing, and cooing. he went into the kiddie pool this week and avery splashed him a bit and to my surprise Quinn was laughing at him! It cracked me up!

Avery has a new swing set so both boys have been enjoying that.

we leave on monday for maine for 3 days with my mom. it should be interesting with my mom, sister, brother, both boys and myself. Keith has to work as he has no vacation time. We are only getting to go b/c my mom would split the bill and i really wanted to take avery to the beach(hoping he likes it better this yr) i'm still not sure who is getting the vacation here me(at the beach with 2 kids and my sometimes crazy family) or keith being home with no children, just the dog....something tells me its keith!

Of course the money tree still isn't growing in my yard, but I needed new brakes. Keith isn't sure they were completely necessary but what was I to do when I need the car to drive to maine. at least i know the car is safe. Keith has been getting a bit of overtime so it has been helping.

well that's an update on my end! i try to blog more but sometimes the thoughts don't seem to come!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-17T16:47:00.002-04:00

It has been a while...

2009-06-16T16:23:00.002-04:00

since I blogged. Boy is life crazy with 2 kids and when I find time I'm just tired....so let's see what has been going on.

-Potty training was going GREAT and now not so much! I'm tired of fighting a 2.5 yr old on a daily basis...numerous times over EVEYTHING. So I choose to pick my battles, the potty isn't one I choose to fight right now. I will he will train in time, when he is ready.

-I want my sweet Avery back...he seems to be a MONSTER lately. I know most of it is his age and the fact that he has a new brother, but man does it wear on one's nerves(and daddy's too) we aren't sure what is causing the acting out(fighting bedtime/naptime, throwing stuff, hitting, asking to do one thing and he does the opposite.) He is usually very good whene we get out of the house(which I suppose can be a blessing) but at home well...its yet to be desired.

-Quinn turned 3 months old today. He is still nursing which is great. His sleeping has gotten a lot better at night and during the day well he has good and bad days. I don't know how he got to be so old already!!

-he laughs, smiles, and coos a lot. I love those moments the best!

Keith and I are both still struggling to get things into a rhythm with 2 kids. Its still not working...a friend asked me the other day if I ever felt a disconnect to my husband after having kids...yes and I still do. it seems like we are so busy with the kids and house by the time we get to bed we may have 5 mins together and then we are both out like a light. We have now dedicated sunday as "no housework/chores" day. This way we can just spend the day together as a family and let all else go(except cooking/making meals and i may wash diapers, but those are needed) We want to start going out once a week just the 2 of us...but we need someone to watch the kids and i need to get over leaving my boys. Plus we don't have any extra money but keith even volunteered to go grocery shopping if it means going without kids! I laughed! He hates shopping!

well that's an update for now! ill post pictures as soon as I can.

Potty Training 101

2009-05-29T12:29:00.002-04:00

I was really dreading teaching avery to use the potty. Well last week he had a terrible diaper rash and nothing was helping it...(i think i posted this in a previous blog, now that I think about it)

Anyway, we are on week 2 now and we've had NO accidents at home. I don't even need to ask him to go anymore. He just goes when he needs too...he gets mad at me if I ask him so I just let him go. He even goes poop in the potty. I still put a diaper on him at nap, bed, and if we go out. He hasn't used a big potty yet so I need to work on that so he will use it when we are out. But it is nice that I don't have to change his diaper anymore! I didn't even need to buy any pullups/easy ups (sorry cooperate america)

I will also have daddy work on getting him to pee standing up. As sometimes he sits and it ends up on the floor, he still gets a treat as he at least got on the potty...not his fault his boy parts had a different idea!

I can't believe how easy it was for him to go! I have a feeling Quinn will NOT be so easy...so I'll have to pay for more patience!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-27T09:57:00.002-04:00

What are the boys up too?

2009-05-21T12:59:00.002-04:00

I really try to blog more often but it doesn't always happen. Quinn goes in spurts of when I MUST hold him and when he is content on his own. Luckily the mai tai i oredered is on its way and hopefully will be here before sat!

Let's see...Quinn is now 9 weeks(almost 10 weeks old). I still wonder where the time went as I can still remember having him...unfortunately. They say you forget the pain once you are holding the baby, not so in my case. It's still very vivid in my mind! Keith is still holding out that I will want another one someday. This is only being brought up as we are getting ready for a tag sale and I want to sell the baby clothes, but instead I'm holding onto them. I did weed out a few.

Quinn can roll from his belly to back since he was about 6 weeks old. Everytime I put him down for the dreaded tummy time he flips right over. He tries like crazy to roll from his back to his belly, but only manages to get to his side. He is now smiling and cooing...which is better than ALWAYS crying everytime you put him down. I did manage to get a smile with the camera the other day. Keith made the comment that we don't have as many pictures of Quinn as we did with avery. It's not because he is the second child, its b/c he WON'T hardly let me put him down and if i do its not long enough to take a picture. He is slowly getting better with it and is sleeping better at night. last night he slept from 930-4 am...I was quite shocked that happened and it was in his bassinet.

Now for Mr. Avery...his speech has taken leaps and bounds in the past few months. not always understandable but close. Afterall that is the way 2 year olds go. He repeats everything and is now stringing 2 or more words together. He has even talked to the dr a couple times we've been there with Quinn. At least they do have the same dr. and he can see that he does speak.

This past week he has had a HORRIBLE diaper rash...I'm still not sure what it could be from as we started a few new things all at the same time. Laundry deteregent, new juice, new wipe solution, or just the buildup on the cloth diapers. (we have hard water and i hadn't stripped them for a while) It didn't seem like no cream was helping at all and when he pooped it was HORRID! so i decided to put underwear on him and attempt potty training..yeah its going slow, but what can i expect. It's a lot to ask for a little kid. But we have had some successes and a poop so that is good. he seems to think he gets a "treat" just for trying, but I said its ONLY when you actually pee or poo...he knows the drill just trying to get it to connect now.

I think he is sensing some jealously with Quinn as he is acting out more and trying to sit on him or hit him. I'm still struggling to find a balance between 2 kids, a husband, dog, and the housework. I haven't been quite successful yet so somethings have to be let go and the last thing I want to do is disclude avery. So i'm making a valent attempt to spend more time with him.

I also don't know how single mother's do it ALL! there are plenty of days when i do it all, but I thank God when my husband comes home so at least we have a 1 on 1 with the boys, but yet I still feel like I'm being streched in 10 different directions. On the nights keith has church are usually the worse days...being sleep deprived doesn't help my patience. I love my husband but when he goes to bed at 11(b/c he's on the computer) and then complains he's tired the next day as he gets up from work, well I get a little ticked off...I made it 930 last night. Granted I wasn't feeling well and figured I would have to get up to feed Quinn but surprisingly it was avery who work me up at 1230...oh the joys of motherhood!

I can't deny..

2009-05-19T09:53:00.002-04:00

the fact that I am totally jealous of my friend all going to NYC this weekend! They have been planning it for a while and I was going up until I realize how much I was going to need to pay to have Quinn. I just could really use the time away...not that I don't love my children because I do and love every day I get to stay home with them, but sometimes it really drags on a person...especially being sleep deprived and nursing.

I have had a very short fuse with my husband lately and I know a lot of it has to do that I never get time to myself and when I do it's doing something for someday. I try to go at least grocery shopping by myself but even that doesn't happen. We haven't gotten into a schedule yet and my husband is not very good with scheduling time and being productive. At least he gets the drive into work to be alone. Even as I write this Quinn who was dead asleep miraclously woke up as I started to type...so what the heck?

mommy just needs a break...but sometimes that break costs money and that I definately DO NOT have any.

Although, if I did have the money a few months ago to go on this trip(which I had some set aside) I do think I would feel really guilty for going and spending that money on me. As there are some weeks I wonder where I get the money to buy food...

So girls, have a great time and I'm envious...

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-13T09:45:00.000-04:00

Quinn's 2 month check up!

2009-05-11T13:56:00.002-04:00

Quinn had his 2 month check up this morning...I'm not sure how he is 2 months old already, but it did happen and it happened WAY to fast!

Weight: 9 lbs 5 oz
Height/Length: 21.75 inches

The dr said he was doing really well and no major concerns. That's always music to a mom's ears.

He did have to get 3 shots and an oral vaccine. Still after having Avery I don't like watching them get shots. I had to hold his hands and he was NOT a happy camper, but calmed right down as soon as I was able to pick him up. I was waiting for Avery to freak out, but surprisingly he didn't. He did know what was going on as he watched the whole thing...if I could get into his little brain I'm sure he was thinking "glad that wasn't me".

All in all...it was very uneventful!

Mother's Day Weekend Thoughts!

2009-05-10T06:00:00.002-04:00

First off, Happy Mother's day to all my mommy friends!!

1. have I mentioned there was a bear on my neighbor's doorstep the other night? Talk about being on alarm when I'm outside...as they aren't always nocturnal!!

2.My sweet little Quinn will be 2 months old this week(8 weeks tomorrow), when and how did that happen?

3.Avery has been such a great big brother lately...sometimes too much! He helps to put the binky in his mouth, even if he is sleeping!

4.Avery is now TOTALLY binky free and should be in his new room this week...finally!

5.Someday I will sleep through the night again...someday!

6.Trying to figure out what clothes and baby stuff to get rid of is hard...I'm 95% sure I'm done, Keith not so much!

7.I love my husband...I really do, but having him home for 3 days this week was driving me NUTS! But as soon as he is gone I miss him...

8.I've been up since 5am to feed Quinn...it's Mother's day shouldn't I be the one sleeping in?

9.Avery's speech as improved IMMENSELY lately...you can't always understand what he is saying, but he sure does talk!

10. Planning a baptism party on a budget is NOT easy.

11. I found my book of stamps that have been missing for 2 weeks now...too bad the postage has now gone up!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-06T11:27:00.003-04:00

Rest In Peace Grandma Richardson

2009-05-03T21:44:00.002-04:00

How ironic it is that 7 weeks after the birth of our second son we lost another beloved member of our family. We learned this afternoon that Keith's grandmother, Alice(aka. Betty) passed away this morning. 4 months after having Avery we lost my dad...while he was unexpected we knew it was really any day now that his grandma would go to be with God in Heaven.

It's been pretty surreal as we found out as we were waiting for our friends Kristen and Brian to come over. If anything it helped keep our minds off of it. It hasn't really seemed to affect Keith yet, but I know its coming he was very close to her and very fond of her. I have apparently learned that guys grieve in a different way than women do...as I would be a total wreck even if I knew it was going to be any day now...

I can't really say I knew her very well or know much about her...I'm sure in the coming week I'll find out more. As that always seems to be the way it happens. At least now we know she is no longer suffering and is peaceful. She had numerous heart attacks and was showing heart problems and knew eventually that is what would take her from us.

We hadn't been able to visit her in the nursing home for a while now. One everytime we were going to go one of us was sick and we didn't want to get her sick knowing her health wasn't that great. Then we had the baby and sleepless nights...but I was still trying to encourage Keith to go see her knowing he may regret not seeing her...I've learned a lot since my dad leaving us and I didn't want him to feel the same guilt/regret that I feel.

So rest in Peace grandma...you will be sadly missed by us all...

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-29T13:36:00.003-04:00

Mr. Quinn...I think he looks like a little elf!

Monkey boy climbed INTO the pack n play on top of the stuff I piled inside...he thought it was great!

6 week appointment

2009-04-28T13:56:00.002-04:00

First off....who said Quinn can be 6 weeks old already? It doesn't seem remotely even possible! I am really hoping he grows out of this fussy/I need to be held all the time stage soon! Its starting to wear on my poor back...and daddy is loosing sleep at night! He seems to be sleeping better at night in the bassinet, as long as he doesn't loose the binky.I may have to try yet another one....

I made it to 6 weeks breastfeeding!!! YAY!! Never thought I would see the end of that very hard and long tunnel but I did! A friend asked me last week if I would keep doing it and I said, YES! After all I made it through the hard part and it should be somewhat easier now.

I went to my 6 week appt today. I don't think I will really miss having to go there every week! Although the staff and dr's are great! I met with the dr who did the c/s and I had no problems or complaints. I did ask why the surgery seemed to take longer( it really was almost 2 hrs long and should have been 45 mins or so). He said no major reason, other than it being my second c/s, I had some adhesions(scaring), and sometimes it takes longer to put things back in. I had minimal blood loss. But other than that, nothing major happened that would prevent me from having another...not that I plan on it! But ask me when the birth isn't so fresh in my mind! He looked at my scar and was boasting about how great of a job he did on stitching me up! It was quite humorous and we both got a good laugh..."I don't mean to brag, but I did a great job!" So all in all everything is fine and I healed perfectly...good thing after all of that.

I also asked about Quinn being breech and he said that he wasn't born breech. Apparently, he turned in 20 mins.

So now I don't go back until Aug, unless I decide on an IUD...but Keith and I have some reading and talking to do first! but so far I'm leaning towards that!

Crunchier than I thought i would be...

2009-04-23T13:59:00.002-04:00

this topic has been on my mind for a couple days now. I've seen it alot in some of the online forums that I frequent...alot! I need to do something with my 5 mins of downtime!

Anywho, I never thought I would be a cloth diapering, breastfeeding, baby wearing mama! Let's just say those first 2 are saving us a boat load of money right now!

Diapers: $60(assuming we used a pkg a week at $10/pkg)
Formula: $90(assuming we use a can a week at $15/can)

That's quite a bit of money for one little 6 week old!(he will be 6 weeks on monday)

As for the babywearing...I apparently have a high needs baby that just likes to be held esp. when I'm trying to make dinner. I've tried numerous wraps, slings, and a snugli and NONE seem to be working at the moment. They all pull on my back and it ends up hurting. I'm currently in the process of buying a babyhawk...well a mama made babyhawk. We got a little money when we had the baby so I'll use that towards the purchase of one...for my sanity at least. I was reading today that babies that are held more and carried cry less...let's hope it works! Quinn just has a fussy period in the evening, conviently when Keith gets home, which is good in some sense, but I'm exhausted by then and just want to crash. With a 2 yr old and a 6 week old this can't always happen...so I tend to get the baby. So i'm hoping by wearing him more it might benefit us all and Ill have some sanity left...

Although, I'm pretty "crunchy" I do still vaccinate my kids. But that's a WHOLE other blog and everyone is entitled to their own opinion and this is mine.end.of.story.

what to do, what to do...

2009-04-22T13:16:00.002-04:00

Back when I was contemplating closing the daycare for maternity leave, I had thought about closing until september. I figured this would give us PLENTY of time to adjust and hope that Quinn would be sleeping better...or at least I would be sleeping better. In the end I decided not to close that long knowing if I did I would probably loose both kids I watched and we needed the money. So I let go extra time with my boys and my sanity and decided to close for 10 weeks. Reasonable I thought considering i was adjusting to 2 kids and add to that the recovery of the c/s. I still had some resistance.

Well we all know how crappy this economy is so I was thinking about taking the kids back earlier than my June 1st deadline. Until I contacted both parents and now it looks like NEITHER child is coming back and if they do its only part time...ugh.

Now I'm left with a decision...do I readvertise and get a couple more kids and completely loose my sanity or do I just close for the summer and pick it back up in the fall, or not do it at all? For those that think its an easy job its not...but it allowed me to stay home. It doesn't make ANY sense to put both kids in daycare as I wouldn't be making enough full time to make it worth it. Plus I might have separation anxiety. I find after doing daycare for a 1.5 yrs my heart just isn't it to it.

Never leaving the house and dealing with bratty kids and parents drives on a person after a while. So I'm left to decide what do I do?

After talking to Keith he has no problem with me not doing the daycare...the problem lies in our bills and needing the money to cover them. Right now we are riding in the red as Keith's hours got cut and as for the savings, we have none.

I'm hoping to find a part time job I can do at home, data entry or something, but so far all of those are complete crap. Can't work in a restaurant b/c the hours won't work with keith's hours. I have one around to stay with the kids for a couple hours...well my mil but well...no.

I'm thinking maybe ill look into doing a paper route and hope that brings in just a little and will allow me to get out of the house...kid free.

Life just likes to throw me curveballs and I can only hope and pray that God will provide for us!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-22T13:08:00.002-04:00

avery loved to help give Quinn a bath!

Menu Planning...

2009-04-17T16:15:00.003-04:00

ok the object of the game this week is NOT to buy groceries or keep it under $20(have to buy 2 gallons of milk and bread at least). so here is a menu plan I will be FORCED to use for the next few weeks!

Frozen pizza
waffles
pancakes
grilled cheese and soup
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
Turkey(that I'm sure I can stretch into at least 2 more meals)
chili
mac and cheese
steak with rice

sadly all my veggies have depleted! Keith won't mind I'm sure! Unless I find a really good sale!

other things in my pantry:
chicken broth
tomato soup
cream of mush, chicken, and celery
1 box spaghetti
1 box elbow macacroni
1/2 box lasagna noodles
pork tenderloin
ground beef(2 lbs,separated)
ground turkey
1 lb chicken breast
potatoes
long grain rice, minute rice
2 cans black beans
1 can kidney beans
2 jars of salsa(mango and lime, gr. chili)
eggs
bacon

I'm trying to get as many meals as I can out of what I have so I don't want to use more than one protein per meal(ex. beans and chicken) so if i make taco soup it will only be with beans and no chicken

anyone have any good recipes?

Take time to hug and enjoy your children!

2009-04-16T14:32:00.002-04:00

So for that past hour I have been reading about little Maddie Spohr...my friend Amy has mentiond her in her blog and released purple balloons for her. While reading another blog today I happened upon her again so I decided to read her mom's blog and see her tribute videos.

As I sit here in the silence of nap time reading and watching this beautiful, sweet, 18 month old, little girl I can't imagine not having my boys in my life. I read and watched with tears and goosebumps and my heart truly aches for her parents. Rest in Peace sweet Maddie and keep an eye over your parents.

In this hustle and bustle we call life, I think we forget to stop and smell...well the baby of course!(go ahead and smell some flowers too!) For anyone, who has kids and especially experiencing the joys(and hardship) of a newborn know how the first month can be. I am very sleep deprived and can loose my patience very easily. Even through all this I try to take a moment to enjoy the simple things that come with having a baby.

As I sit with Quinn nursing I try to savor every moment even if it is 3 am and I can't seem to keep my eyeballs peeled open! I sit and play with his tiny toes and hold his tiny fingers. I listen to him breath and swallow, and stroke his peach fuzz head. I know all to well that they grow way to fast as I pick Avery up and wonder how he got so big!

I love to watch Avery sing as he walks around the yard or count as we are washing his hands. There are very few quiet moments with him as he is a busy 2 yr old. I am always hugging and kissing him even if he doesn't want to reciprocate, he needs to know he is loved and he won't always be this little and will grow up to be a man. So I will cherish every tantrum now...b/c they will only get worse when he becomes a teenager.

I even find I get frustrated with my husband and probably overreact to everything he does lately...I can't help it and know it won't last forever. I miss him as it seems our bed has been taken over by a 1 month old. We will hurry to bed while Quinn is sleeping in the bassinet just to have a few moments to cuddle...yes only cuddling. As we never know when Quinn will wake up and demand to sleep with us, a habit we hope to soon break. But for now its nice to cuddle with a tiny little body, although my husband will do too!

I'm stressed out with lack of money we seem to have right now and the amount of bills we need to pay with such money. So I really try to not dwell on it, but focus on those sweet boys even though I may be frustrated.

I am lucky to have such wonderful people in my life including friends and family. So give your kids an extra hug and kiss and let them know they are loved b/c some people in this world won't get to hold their children again and thos of us who can should never take them for granted...even in tough and stressful times!

I'm still looking for that money tree....

2009-04-14T12:59:00.002-04:00

and I still haven't found it!

Our budget has always been tight since I stopped working and stayed home with Avery. But in all honesty my ENTIRE paycheck would have gone to daycare so why should I have to work?

For the most part we have been doing well...until this week anyway. We cut out all extras such as eating out a lot, spending money on ourselves, netflix, and our water delivery. We bundled our internet/phone/cable, I dry clothes outside when its nice, and I cloth diaper both boys now. I also clip coupons, shop sales(never buy anything full price), and menu plan.

Once I had Quinn keith worked only a few days/half days so that didn't help our money situation, then I also didn't have daycare money coming in either and that helped buffer some costs. Well in the past 3 weeks or so Keith has lost his overtime...not that we truly depend on overtime to get by, but he was hired to work 42.5 hrs/week and just that little bit of extra helped...well we have felt the crunch this week.

We haven't really done any extra spending, but have just gotten through another holiday and a few things I needed for Quinn. After all the kid can't really go naked when its 40 out.

So we sat down last night and added up our expenses and our earnings...that was NOT so good. we will skim by the seat of our pants, but I hate feeling like this and have to worry about it. We don't have any money to even buy groceries and we don't qualify for anything as keith still makes to much money. I'm all for the programs out there to help and I have no problem asking for it, but we can't get it.

We've cut everything we possibly can...last night we cut our home phone and our cable down. Still have internet as I "need" it. It helps us save a little extra, but not a whole lot. I'm really hoping the economy will pick up and things will get better! at least I can hope right?

Thank goodness I don't need to buy diapers and formula for the baby as I have no idea how we would manage that!

Happy 1 month birthday, Quinny!(easter and updates)

2009-04-13T15:13:00.003-04:00

I can't believe my itty bitty baby is one month old!(well technically it won't be until the 16th, but he is 4 weeks old today). He is still tiny, he was 7 lb 9 oz last week at the dr. Everything else checked out good.

I have made it 4 WHOLE WEEKS nursing! Who knew that would happen? I figured something would have happened and it would go south, but so far so good! for those that have nursed you know how hard it is in the beginning I'm sure! You find a whole new respect for bfing moms now!

Quinn sleeps about 3-6 hours at night. Once at 6 hours straight, it must have been a fluke as it hasn't happened again. I would love to have it though! We are slowly starting to get back into a routine and once that happens maybe I won't be such a scatter brain.

Yesterday, was Quinn's first Easter he got mostly some summer clothes and my mom did buy him a toy. Not that I need either of those things.

Avery made out like a bandit...thank you grandma jo. He had 2 easter egg hunts and my mom even put money in some. He's not spoiled though...

We are now cloth diapering both boys again! YAY! Avery has them 90% of the time and Quinn is in them 100%. Saves us a bunch of money.

Here is a funny story...my dear husband decides he is going to potty train Avery yesterday(or at least start too). He has no interest in it at all, but he got some new big boy underroos so Keith decided to give it a go. 20 mins into it, he peed. So he got changed and the floor got cleaned. 20 mins later he pooped...again daddy got to take care of it! Afterall it was his idea...after that he was back in diapers! i think i need to get keith a potty training 101 book...it was quite humerous! I know it will come in time though!

Best Diet I've Ever been on!

2009-04-07T14:36:00.002-04:00

Well I'm not about to disclose how much I weigh, but I could definately be a contestant on Biggest Loser.

During my pregnancy with Quinn I gained a whopping 4 lbs...so I knew after having him I'd definately loose that!

So on monday when Quinn turned 3 weeks old I decided to jump on the scale...I held my breath and closed my eyes. To my suprise I've lost 31 lbs since having him! I didn't believe it and thought my scale was wacky...so I climbed back on it. Yup its true I really have lost that much!!

It must be the breastfeeding...I'll take it! Now if I would eat a bit more healthier...not that I'm eating total crap, but I have a serious addiction and cravings for chocolate lately and I haven't been limiting really what I've been eating.

So now that the weather is getting nicer, I'll start walking more and being more active. It is also coming into fruit and veggie season so chances are my poor husband will be forced to eat them and I'll loose even more!

I struggle so much with my weight regardless of what I do I was SHOCKED when the scale said those numbers!

3 weeks..

2009-04-06T12:35:00.002-04:00

I can't believe my itty bitty Quinn is 3 weeks old today! Those weeks flew by and I didn't even do anything but stay home!

He went for a 3 week check up...which will count as his one month appointment. He is weighing in at 7lb 9 oz so above his birth weight. This is also up from the 6 lbs 8 oz he was when he left the hospital. So I guess my milk is good! He is still nursing great and saving us a bunch of money! He will still feed for about an hour each time, but hopefully he will not be as sleepy soon so I get more sleep! I am half way through the tough 6 weeks of nursing...I just keep thinking of that and I know I'll make it! He is slowing starting to sleep in his bassinet...i think its going to take some time to get him used to it. He goes about half the night and then ends up with us. Its better than nothing! Quinn will be starting with vitamins as soon as I get to the store to get them!

My recovery is finally so much better! I can actually move and get comfy in bed. I could still use more sleep as any mom can attest too!

Avery is doing ok...he seems to be adjusting well and once we are back on a schedule I'm sure it will be better for him. Avery's iron level is up a little, but he is still on the supplements.

We went out for the first time shopping this past friday. We had a diaper explosion at Kohl's and I actually nursed in public...well kinda. It was in the dressing room. I have a small fear of REALLY doing it out in the open. But one of these days I'll have to do it and just get over it! Right now he is still little and I'm still new so we are still learning it! I was glad my mom and sister went with us. Avery was a bit rambuctious but over all he was very good! After riding in the car for 1.5 hours, you'd be active too! Plus we had lunch he had to sit through as well. Quinn slept most of the time.

We got family pictures done 2 weeks ago and they came out fabulous! If you would like to see them let me know as they are on a special website!

Well I guess that's all I can write today as Quinn conviently has woken up!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-01T09:30:00.003-04:00

A brother's love....

Recovery...

2009-03-27T16:49:00.002-04:00

sure has been slow this time around! They say your second c/s is easier...well I can honestly say its NOT! I was starting to feel back to normal monday which was one week postpartum, but after that it all went downhill!

Monday we had to take Quinn to the dr and Avery to get blood work. I took it slow walking and of course I wasn't driving. Keith decided to stay home monday and just enjoy the 4 of us. He had to work part of the week I was at the hospital and I feel bad he didn't get all the bonding time with Quinn like he did with Avery. But in this economy we can't afford a whole week without pay..

Tuesday was my first day home alone with both. I was nervous about it, but knew I could handle it. Afterall, I had 3 toddlers everyday for the last 9 months! It wasn't bad at all, Avery listened for the most part and we just hung around and watched movies. I will admit I've let him watch more movies/tv this week, but recovery hasn't been so hot so I haven't been able to do much else with him. I feel bad, but I'm very limited.

Tuesday night I started to feel sore again...I just figured I over did it and needed to rest. Even though my house was a COMPLETE diaster when Keith got home. I really didn't do much other than fold laundry, but I find if I sit to long then i get stiff and feel worse. So I try to move a bit in between feedings.

It was worse wed, to the point I was in tears. I couldn't get out of bed and Keith had to help me. I thought it was issues with my "digestive system" so I took gas meds and more "softener"(tmi sorry). I was having a sharp pain going from one side of my abdomine to the other. Then it was all crampy. I just layed low. It really didn't get much better and then my back started to hurt.

Thursday morning rolled around and Keith made me call the dr to see about going in. He was thinking the worse. Well after talking to the midwife we concluded that I pulled a muscle near my hip and the cramping could be gas, unterine contractions from nursing, and that I just needed to take it even more easy. So that's what we are doing this weekend...

My mom came down to help with Avery and to entertain him and to allow me to sleep in a little. I feed Quinn and then send him downstairs. Last night actually went better than it has since we've been home. Hopefully this sleepin while nursing will end soon and he will continue to sleep in longer increments. I got about 8 hrs last night...not in a row of course. But I felt better. Still not as sore while sleeping, but very stiff in the morning and takes me a bit to move around. Keith tries not to laugh at me, but he still does!

Quinn is still nursing great! Its so nice in this economy not to have to buy formula! I said to keith it was nice not having to pack up bottles, water, and formula in the diaper bag on monday. Nursing is tiresome believe me, but I know in the end its well worth it. They say the first 6 weeks are the hardest...so I only have 4 more to go! So far so good! I think my mom still thinks I'm nuts for doing it, but she doesn't say much now. I haven't had to nurse in public yet so that might be interesting...

Now I just need to get Quinn to sleep in his own bed! He likes to be held or sleeping with us. Not the ideal situation, but right now Keith and I both need our sleep and we are trying to work on getting him on his own!

Quinn's name

2009-03-26T09:00:00.000-04:00

Keith and I struggled this ENTIRE pregnancy coming up with names. After all it is a very important decision you face as a parent. Then when we didn't find out what we were having it made it even harder. We threw names around all 9 months...and towards the end we had a definate boy name...Everett Martin. The middle name was always going to be Martin after my dad. When we started to tell people the name, my family wasn't a fan, but it didn't really sway our decision. It was the one name we could agree on so we stopped talking about a boy name.

For a girl, we didn't have a name picked out. Well Keith did, Isabell/Isabella. the middle name was set at Elizabeth as it is his grandmother's middle name. I wasn't sold on it AT ALL! So if we had a girl I was going to pick another name on his list. After all I had picked Avery's name and I'm still in love with Avery on my sweet boy.

Well...when Quinn was born they showed me him and out popped the name Quinn. Keith looked at me funny and said, "where did that come from?" It was a name we threw around a couple times after seeing it on a stroller when we went to the big E. I said he doesn't look like an Everett to me at all! After being in the OR for an hour he still didn't look like an Everett and kept saying Quinn in my groggy, drugged state of mind. Keith looked at me and said you can name him whatever you want after going through what you just went through. So Quinn it became!

After recovering for a bit, he called out families and friends. We still weren't quite sure on the name so he told them that. When he called my friend Amy, she asked the name, and Keith said "i don't know..." Amy was puzzled and said "you don't know?" he said well we THINK its going to be Quinn. Which I'm sure she was surprised at. My mom was glad it wasn't Everett as she didn't like the name at all and kept trying to get used to it! We heard this from a few people and I was still happy with my decision. I still am happy with the decision and was glad we picked it! It just fits him so well! Its just funny how quickly things can change!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-25T15:49:00.004-04:00

Brotherly love! This is one of my favorite pictures of all my boys! Just missing the dog...yes I'm clearly outnumbered!

Avery pretending to be a dog! He will also eat food off the floor like Rascal if I'm not quick enough to stop him!

One Week...

2009-03-23T20:24:00.004-04:00

one week ago today, my sweet baby boy was born. I have to admit its been a bit surreal! But we are slowly getting back into things and a routine...maybe.

we went to the dr today for his one week check and he is doing great! he is up to 6 lb 14 oz, he left the hospital at 6.8 lbs. Apparently, mama's milk is doing him good! Keith met the pedi for the first time and really liked him.

I feel like he is so much older b/c he has been nursing so well. I can only hope it continues to go this week as it has great benefits to Quinn and our wallets! Now if I could just get him to not fall asleep after 5 mins of nursing, I wouldn't feel like I spent all my time doing it! He is pretty good at night, but it takes 30 mins to an hour sometimes for him to nurse. But I'm hanging in there and know it will get better!

The dr said everything else looked great and we go back in 2 weeks just to check to make sure his belly button and circ. is healing well. ALthough Im sure they will weigh his as well.

Avery is doing well...a few outbursts/throwing toys but nothing to bad so far. Tomorrow will be my first day home alone with them, and hopefully all goes well! we then took avery to get his iron checked again. We waited longer than it took to get the blood taken. He was a brave boy and didn't flinch or anything again this time! He is being a great big brother, but I do miss snuggling with him and being able to pick him up.

Quinn Martin

2009-03-21T17:28:00.004-04:00

This week sure has been a busy and tiring one! We welcomed our second son into the world on Monday March 16,2009 at 11:42 am. He weighed 7 lb 4 oz and was 20.5 inches. Here is his story...

All weekend I had been busy making meals so I wouldn't have to worry about them after I had the baby. Sat both Keith and I had trouble sleeping probably due to anxiety and nerves. I tried to keep myself busy so I wasn't thinking about the impending c-section(c/s).

Monday morning rolled around and we did sleep sunday night. My sister was here to stay with Avery and we left for the hospital around 8:15. Avery didn't seem bothered by the fact that we left him...which in a way made it easier for me to go! But I still wanted to feel like I would be missed! (I know deep down he did)

After arriving to the hospital and getting into my lovely gown, they put on the monitors and took all my vitals. Baby was still breech. We met with the pedi on call, the ob/gyn, and the anthesteologist, filled out paperwork, and waited.

They finally came in shortly after 11 to bring me to the OR. I kissed Keith and off we went into a cold OR. She started my spinal which didn't feel right AT all! I keep having/feeling sharp pains and she continued to ask what I was feeling. She finally got it in, laid me down, got me prepped, and brought Keith in.

Keith actually watched just about the whole c/s. He was able to take some great pictures(which if you know him, he doesn't always do this well). I was so glad he got them as then at least I could feel a part of the birth. (if you want to see the pics, email me or leave a comment as I don't feel comfortable posting them on the web. they are pretty gruesome, but neat at the same time!)

Quinn Martin was born at 11:42, crying the whole way out. He was NOT born breech and I have yet to figure out why or how...I honestly think they turned him before delivering him as it hurt really bad and they were tugging/pulling a lot! It was a VERY painful experience...they did have to use the vaccum as he was so high up to pull him out. As I laid there thinking they would need it, I heard a pop!

Keith got to announce he was a born and even though he had a mask on I could tell he was one proud daddy! He also got to cut the cord and I watched the whole time as they continued to pull/tug on things that just didn't feel right. It literally felt like someone was pulling out my uterus and stomping on it! They essentially were pulling on my uterus...but man was it painful. Again the dr. knew I was in pain and kept asking me if I wanted more pain meds...by the end it I had a half dose of demerol to take the edge off and it seemed to help a bit. It took them an hour to close...which I will be asking why at my 6 week appt. The c/s total should take less than a hour...so I really wonder if something happened.

They then continued to close and I felt every stitch...spinal wore off towards the end that warranted novacaine to finish. Did I mention I could feel my feet the ENTIRE time? But no pain besides the tugging/pulling...which in itself was painful! it was the most painful c/s I had ever had.

Originally, Quinn was going to be named Everett. Well after seeing him, I decided he didn't look like an Everett and in my foggy state, I looked at Keith and said he looks like a "Quinn". He looked at me a little puzzled and we didn't decide on a name right away...but he still continued to look like a Quinn. Keith said I could name him anything I wanted after going through what I just went through.

We spend the next 2 hours in recovery as Keith was a baby hog. I did get to hold Quinn for a bit as well while he went and got lunch and made phone calls. We made people wait long enough...

Ice chips never tasted so good after not being able to eat/drink since midnight the night before.

Recovery is going well and we've been home since thursday. Quinn is nursing like a champ. I'm still sore, but getting better! thanks for all the thoughts and prayers!

Random thoughts...

2009-03-12T12:55:00.002-04:00

I seem to have a lot to blog about and chances are nothing is connected so for now here are some random thoughts!

1. I did end up going to the dr on friday and I got some nice antibiotics for a sinus infection. This was after he felt the need to tap on my sinuses and ask if he hurt...he could have asked where it hurt first!

2. I have horse pills to take...for those of you that don't know I don't take pills well AT ALL! Even breaking them in half is a struggle...so I will go from taking these to take pain meds on monday after a c/s. BUT I do love my ob for saying I don't have to take the last day of pills as I'm having the surgery.

3. Oh yes...baby will be arriving on Monday around 11 am. Totally scared and nervous! I try not to think about it, but also need to take the time to come to terms with not having my vbac. I have a stubborn baby..

4. If you thought being preg was uncomfortable at the end, try having a head in your ribs or between them...its VERY uncomfortable.

5. I'm a little sad to think that Avery's world is about to be turned upside down next week...I know he will adjust and be a great big brother but I'll miss the little moments with him! Hopefully I will still get a few!

6. As I drove up to the hospital yesterday he asked for the baby...guess we've gone there a lot! I said we would be getting the baby next week so at least there is a connection!

7. A certain family member is driving me crazy...enough said!

8. I will be running around like a mad woman this weekend so if I'm MIA you know why! So much to do, so little time! I also want to spend a day with my boy but not sure if that will happen now!

9. I will probably be MIA until at least thurs, dr said I could stay til friday if I wanted the extra "vacation". I know last time being in the hospital was NO vacation, but Keith said it may be different this time...different hospital, different staff.

10. I really DON'T want to stay at the hospital by myself...it seems like a scary place to me and will miss sleeping with my husband. It can't be worse than the c/s right?

11. I am nervous about the spinal and wish my husband could be in there and hold my hand...I guess I'll just squeeze the nurses hand really hard!

12. The dr did say Keith can watch and take all the pics he wants during the c/s. I told him I wanted some bloody ones! Hey if I can't have a "normal" birth I would like to see my child messy..hehe. Keith said he can see what he can do, but he doesn't want to see them cutting me!

13. I am sad that neither of us will ever experience the way birth is supposed to be...but it is in the best interest of me and baby.

14. I hope NO ONE announces what we are having so Keith can do it! He deserves to be part of the experience too! I am looking forward to that moment and I may even cry! Hopefully I won't be as drugged up as last time.

15. what is with the random people calling my house today and NOT leaving a voicemail so I know who you are? (i don't answer if i don't know you!)

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-11T13:48:00.003-04:00

2 years...

2009-03-09T13:22:00.002-04:00

and one day. I have a hard time grasping sometimes that it has been 2 years since my dad passed away. I swear that I should see him when I walk into my mom's house and then reality slaps me in the face when I realize he isn't there and I see the "box". ( I meant to blog yesterday and just didn't have time)

I am glad I didn't go into labor and have the baby yesterday though. March 8th is a hard day anyways and didn't want the reminder on my baby's birthday. I still to this day hold regrets about my father and I's relationship and would give ANYTHING to go back! I wish I had one more day or knew that he was that sick and we could have made amends. Of course I know, that he knows deep down that I have forgiven him and loved him, afterall he was my dad. But I was never able to tell him and I'll never hear his voice again.

There is always something reminding me of my dad and with this pregnancy it has been even more apparent. I'm not sure if its b/c we plan on using his middle name for the baby if its a boy or if it seems to be the fact that our house is falling apart and he isn't here to fix it for me! If nothing else he would do that for me at least...our cabinets are falling off and we joke its my dad jumping on them, there is something wrong with the roof and he is poking holes in it. If something breaks or needs to be fixed I want to call him and ask how to do it or if he can do it...I just don't have that luxury anymore.

Everytime I look out my window I see the picnic table he made for us which can be hard to see, but I know it was made with love and something we really needed and wanted! They say people have a certain smell to them well...I still smell it. Sometimes there are other people around, other times not. People will walk/act a certain way and I'll think my dad did that...

I think the HARDEST part about loosing my dad especially now that Avery is getting older and is fascinated with outside and "building" things is not having him here to share those with Avery. My mom and I were talking about that this weekend and he was ALWAYS outside with us doing things and showing us how to do them. Even me being a girl he would say "just b/c you are a girl, doesn't mean you can't do it!" I know how to use a hammer, screwdriver, or to put things together all b/c my dad showed me. I know how to camp and hike(and hope NOT to get lost), set up a tent, start a fire, or go fishing. I know these are all things I can show Avery and Keith too...but I would love to see them interact with each other and build those memories. I'm sad that Avery will never have that kind of grandfather figure in his life and to have these memories to live and grow on.

I know I can't go back and change anything, but its always a daily reminder about my dad someone in my life. Avery has his eyes too so I see it EVERYDAY! Avery also talks about gramp gramp alot even stuff I have never told or showed him before. Somedays it is just creepy!

RIP dad and know that you are missed everyday that you are not here with us!

Emotional Roller Coaster...

2009-03-05T20:11:00.002-05:00

that's what I've been on today! It's bad enough that I still have this cold and it seems to only be getting worse, so I will be going to the reg. dr tomorrow morning. The ob/gyn said to wait until monday after taking sudafed, but unless I see some drastic changes tonight I'm going tomorrow. I have pain/pressure in my face, behind my eye, and my ears are blocked. I would like some reprieve before what I"m about to post now...

We went in for yet another u/s and dr's appt this morning. I had said to Keith last night that I think the baby turned, but he thought it was just the baby's butt...well come to find out I was right and NOT what I wanted to hear. My fluid levels were down a little(21 from 25) but still high in the dr's book. It is still possible that the baby will turn again...but at 37.5 weeks it doesn't seem possible.

Oy...so off to the dr. We actually saw one of the midwive's instead of the dr that I thought I was going to see. Basically we had to schedule a c-section(c/s). They won't try to flip the baby(inversion) b/c of my prior c/s which I'm ok with b/c I don't want that extra risk and then have to go off for another c/s anyway. I couldn't schedule it until at least 39 weeks, I was aiming for Friday the 13th even though that doesn't sound like a good day, but schedule wise it was going to work.

Right now its for Monday the 16th. I needed it this week as that is the week my sister will be able to help out. We are trying to get Keith to work as much as possible during this time as he has no vacation time and we obviously need the money. Hopefully it will work out and someone will be able to help me with a the baby...I'm really not that worried about Avery, but maybe a little! I know we will manage and do what we have to do. They say recovery of a repeat c/s is better so I really hope it is, i just didn't want it this time and wanted to ACTUALLY experience labor and giving birth naturally.

I had been back and forth so much this pregnancy that I had FINALLY set my sights on the vbac...and now my dreams came crashing down. I had pictured giving birth naturally, catching the baby, feel it on my chest, watching Keith cut the cord, and nursing right off...and now all my dreams are GONE!

I think Keith could see it that I was scared and disappointed...he told me it was going to be ok and we would get through it. I told him easy for him to say, he's not the one on the operating table, numbed from the chest down, and getting sliced opened. He said no, but I'll be there to hold your hand.

I cried all the way home as I was able to stop and think and process what had just happened. I was also listening to the radiothon about the NICU and PICU and that had me bawling as well!
Needless to say I was a mess and the dr told me to take sudafed, so I was an emotional basket case AND drugged!

I seem to feel a little better about it now, but it still shocking and disappointing. Hopefully I will be able to come to terms with it before next monday. Keep us all in your prayers as I am still scared, but would like some peace about it. I also want a nice healthy baby and my recovery will go well!

I can't ask for to much at this point...right?

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-04T11:51:00.000-05:00

*i apologize if i used this one already...i need to take some new pictures!

Weekly Menu

2009-02-28T15:14:00.002-05:00

I completely forgot that Lent started this week so a couple of my meals got moved...and then I felt quite crappy and not wanting to cook so a couple nights I had cereal. So here is the list for the week...there are more than needed, but that's b/c I can't make up my mind but wanted to make sure I had stuff on hand when I decided I wanted it!

Tonight: Ham and cheese Rollups:they sound like a wrap but hot!
the rest of the week in no order:
Orange Chicken w/rice and veggies(although I do think this will be sunday)
Pork Satay
Applesauce BBQ Chicken
BBQ Pork
BBQ Pork Penne
Friday:fish and "chips"

this is of course, the baby doesn't decide to come...but i would be ok with that too!

Weekly Wrap-up

2009-02-27T13:12:00.002-05:00

I can't decide on what to eat next week for meals yet so I'll post the weekly menu tomorrow!

As for this week...it did seem to go by fast! But that tends to happen when you have a couple "shorter" days w/extra kids!

On Tuesday, keith managed to hurt his back at work...it doesn't require heavy lifting so we still don't know HOW he did it! I had to take him to the dr on Wed. He was having back spasms and I really tried to NOT laugh at him as I could tell they were hurting as he was practically kneeling on the floor. He got some good meds and has been so so for now. At least he is able to dress himself and get out of bed by himself now...not much sympathy from the 9 month pregnant wife who he LAUGHS at when she can't get her socks on and then says...oh did you want some help? I love him I really do...but I sure am glad MEN CAN'T GET PREGNANT! I finally told him that yesterday after all his complaining...meanwhile there isn't much in my body right now that isn't complaining!

Avery's been sick with a cold all week...poor guy! I can tell he doesn't feel good as he gets this glazed over look and has been super crabby, not his fortay at all! Of course there isn't much I can give him to help relieve his discomfort, but I hope its on its way out!

I too have managed to get another cold...this is my second one in 3 weeks. The first one lasted for 2 weeks. I am just miserable and don't have much for relief either being pregnant.I hope I get rid of it before I have the baby as I'm not sure how to cope with labor and not being able to breath!

Sleep? I think I have forgotten what that is, but I did managed to get a couple nights rest...well better! I pulled the snoogle back on the bed and I love it!(its a really long body pillow for preg. woman)

We had our 36 week dr appt yesterday. Along with another ultrasound(u/s). Everything looked great, I liked this tech A TON better than the other one. At least she told me what she was doing and was friendly and not cranky towards avery. Baby is measuring around 6 lb 14 oz(give or take 1 lb), it was practicing breathing and I saw it open its mouth...Keith wasn't paying attention. We still don't know what we are having and we are good with that! We do have another u/s at next week's appt to check my fluid levels. They think they are high, not exactly sure what it might mean for my vbac so we will see what the dr says next week. The baby is head down, but very high up, hence why it feels like it crawls into my ribs/stomach. Hopefully it will decide to drop down soon and COME ON OUT! I'm done I really am!!

I think that's about it for the week...

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-25T14:34:00.002-05:00

*he really wasn't as scared as he looked!

Coffee...

2009-02-24T13:25:00.002-05:00

how I LOVE thee! I never seemed to be a big drinker of the stuff. I would have it on occassion and never everyday. it was something that usually tasted good or I would crave it!

Well that has all changed since I had Avery. We didn't even own a coffee pot until after he was born...and now we are almost using it everyday! I know its not something that is highly recommended during pregnancy but i only have one cup a day. I tried to cut it out and well...it made for one mean and grumpy mama! So for the kids sake I kept it!

It wasn't that Avery was a terrible sleeper...actually he was always very good about sleeping. Of cours in the early days they are up to eat and get changed, but nothing out of the ordinary. He was sleeping through completely(8-10 hrs) by 6 months.

So why was I still sleep deprived? Pregnancy does some weird things to your body and I don't think I'll ever recover from them. I don't sleep as soundly as I once did...this is probably due to having mommy on the brain and I NEEDED to hear him(as dh never would). But also my body just aches if it stays in one place too long...back, hip,back, hip..etc. Plus I don't think my bladder will ever make a full recovery as Avery sat pretty low and with the c/s.

Now I just can't wait to be able to sleep on my belly again! I'm a total belly sleeper and miss it so much!

Keith has also said that we may need to buy coffee by the gallon with amount we drink each day...i think its just b/c it seems its so much more than what we drank before!

Random weekend thoughts

2009-02-21T15:36:00.002-05:00

1. Everything I eat gives me heartburn now...only 4-6 weeks more hopefully!!(you can send me labor vibes for a week from tomorrow!)

2. I'm glad I only leave my husband and son home alone once a week...the whole house exploded w/ toys and everything in between! Can't wait to see what happens when I have the baby and I'm gone for 2-4 days!

3. Having a little bit of girl time w/o a kid in tow was nice! Of course all we talked about were our kids and jobs!

4. cloth diapers sure come out SUPER soft when you dry them!(i tend to line dry all the time to last longer!)

5. I'm thankful for Auntie Amy and her Aunt Hope for venturing into the cloth diaper making world! This new baby will have PLENTY of diapers and now they are working on some covers for Avery.

6. We will NOT be finding out the sex of the baby on thursday! It is exciting not knowing, but on the planning end its slow!

7. Hopefully Avery's new room will be finished by the time the baby comes!(Its been slow going for awhile)

8.We no longer have an ant problem...or so we hope! Keith+vaccum+bleach=dead ants!

9. Spending the week with just Avery(and ja for 3 days) was SO incredibly nice! I think I may dread Tuesday...

10. I miss my girls...and wish I was able to go on the NYC trip in May with them!

Menu Planning...

2009-02-20T19:57:00.002-05:00

I've been meaning to do this for a while now as I know more and more people are staying home and cooking at home. so here's my list for the week! I tend to shop fri/sat so that's generally where the meals start!

In no particular order as it all depends on the week and what this baby feels like eating!

Tacos
White Bean Chicken Chili
Orange Chicken w/rice
Pork Satay
Maple Glazed pork chops w/ranch potatoes

chances are there will be plenty for leftovers so some might go into next week!

a break from cabin fever...

2009-02-19T13:00:00.002-05:00

Both of the boys I watch were out mon and tuesday. One is still out until next monday...so I took FULL advantage of this.

On Monday, Avery and I met up with Amy, Gracie, Carter, Jamie, and Cameron at a place called Noodle, Noggin, N' Bean. It was basically like a children's museum with different rooms for the kids to play in. I found them to be quite busy, but the kids all seemed to have fun there. They got to drop/watch a golf ball do down a maze, play in a ball pit, on a seesaw, played in the water table, climbed on big wooden pirate ships and firetrucks. They also liked the music room. There was both fine and gross motor activities. It was pretty neat just wish it wasn't an hour away!

We then decided to get something to eat before trecking home. I had brought along some Friendly's coupons so we decided to go there. We thought we were being VERY brave for taking 3-2 yr olds and a 3 month old out to eat...and boy were we! The kids were very good despite the HOUR long wait for food. We got right in to a table, waited for our drinks, and then the grueling hour...the boys were getting antsy and poor gracie was falling asleep in her booster seat. we let the boys play in the corner and we were about to walk out when our food FINALLY came. we ate in 30 mins left our money and walked out. No one ever apologized for it taking so long and they weren't that busy when we got there. it was HORRIBLE service. the manager even gave amy a hard time b/c she asked for silverware! Next time we will just go to mcdonalds!

Tuesday was another trek in the car about 1-1.5 away. My brother works at the Marriott in Fitchburg where they just opened a new indoor waterpark. He was able to get us some free tickets. Thank you Uncle Jason!

After picking up my younger brother and sister at school we finally made it there. Poor Avery was stuck in the car for 2 hrs, but like always he was very good and glad to see Uncle Brandon and "olly". he kept looking for and asking for Amy as well and Jo(my mom).

Avery wasn't thrilled about the water at first...it was loud and a lot to see and do. We tried to get him in the water but he wanted me to carry him. Not so easy to do being 8 months pregnant. We sent Brandon off to go down the big water slides and we decided to eat lunch to give Avery time to warm up to the idea. well that worked! he loved watching the BIG bucket of water fall when it go full, Jason passed through a couple times to say hi and asked how we liked it.

Then Brandon showed avery how to splash by cupping his hands...I bet he later regretted this. He also went down a small water slide, he rode on the lazy river with Holly, was fascinated with a water gun type thing for a good 30 mins..no lie! He then got to see Coco the parrot who is the mascot of the place. He was FASCINATED by him and followed him around. He even gave him a hug. We then had to get going to meet my mom and he was an unhappy little boy crying "water" as we left. I said we would come back again, but we needed to go see jo. So off we went!

It was SO nice to get out of the house, but they were 2 totally exhausting days! stay tuned for pictures!(or check out myspace/facebook!)

Avery's word list...

2009-02-18T14:08:00.004-05:00

to post on wordless wednesday! haha

Anyway, I've been meaning to make a list of all the words Avery uses on a regular basis to help with whether or not to get a speech eval done. This way I won't loose it if its on here! So I can re-evaluate it in a few months and go from there! I want to try to get words that actually sound like words and not "nana" for banana!

Hello
hi
Please
puffs
bowl
cup
coffee
puppy
Juice
Water
Dora
jack
Jacob
Jo
Amy
Elmo
Rascal
up
more
out
bye
Mama, Mommy
Dada
Gramp Gramp
ball
3,4,5(not sure what happened to 1,2)

there might be more...but can't think of any right now.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-18T14:04:00.004-05:00

Valentine weekend thoughts...

2009-02-14T14:59:00.004-05:00

1. I went to the grocery store today and it looked like cupid threw up! (balloons, flowers, candy, pink/red, etc) all in one spot...makes one nauseous!

2. I got 4 bags of groceries...and managed to spend $100...

3. My brother made my weekend by getting us free tickets to the water park he works at.

4. yes we are going to a water park in February!(don't worry its indoors)

5. I wish this baby was coming sooner rather than later...BUT I need at least 2 more weeks of baking!

6. someone ACTUALLY asked if I was having a boy or girl last night, it must me I look pregnant! (ive never been asked or told by a stranger in either of my pregnancies)

7. we went out for v-day last night with Avery, he was very well behaved.

8. My mom didn't want us to find out what we are having...now that there is a chance we can find out again, she wants to know! Except we aren't finding out for another 5 weeks!

9. I'm making chocolate covered strawberries for dessert tonight...while I cuddle with my husband and watch "the secret Lives of bees"

10. we don't do anything big for v-day...a card that's about it. Oh and dinner...

He's growing up...

2009-02-13T14:14:00.002-05:00

and he can SERIOUSLY stop at any time!

This past week I've noticed that Avery can do quite a few things that I never knew he could!

Yesterday at my dr's appointment I saw him take out a juice box. Mind you I'm up on the table talking to the dr, so it wasn't like I could rush it out of his hands. Plus I didn't think he could open it...well I was wrong! Next thing I hear is "gulp gulp". He managed to open the straw and poke it through the hole...this is something I struggle with sometimes, but he did it on the first shot! The straw was in backwards at first, but he quickly flipped it around! He then proceeded to finish it off...it was only a little one!

Last night he climbed the stairs all by himself holding a stuffed puppy and a book...Keith thought that he would hold on like he usually does, but he didn't. Up he went without a struggle. 3 books and 3 songs later he was finally tucked in for the night.

Today I had the kids make valentine's. I gave them red and white paint and their choice of paper(red, white, or pink) Avery liked the pink the best. He picked white once and I handed it to him and he refused it so I asked him to pick again...pink! he mixed the paint to make pink which i knew would happen and that was fine. I then took out some foam stickers I had so they could try their hands at that. Avery was able to pull the sticker back off and stick them to the paper! I had to limit them on the stickers as they were getting a big sticker crazy!

He has been very nice to J today despite J not always being nice to him! I tend to give avery extra snacks if he asks for them b/c he's such a peanut. Lately, he has been making sure J gets some too...not that he needs it, but at least Avery is being a good friend! He will ask for a bowl for "j" and if I don't I get one unhappy kid. Today they were able to sit next to each other in the SAME chair after avery patted the chair and said his name. I took the opportunity to take a picture as this doesn't happen often. They went on like this for at least 15 mins. Its nice to see them like this after such a long week of TORTURE!

Meatball Grinders(by request)

2009-02-11T13:25:00.002-05:00

ok Sarah, you are going to laugh at this recipe, but I told you I would post it!

-1 jar of your favorite spaghetti/pasta sauce(this was barilla tom/basil) dump into a pot
-add in your favorite frozen meatballs(im lazy and buy the frozen ones at the store, this brand is especially good!)
-heat until sauce bubbles and meatballs have warmed through
-take some grinder rolls and cut them into a "v" as Keith says.(aka not all the way through)
-add in the meatballs and sauce, top with shredded cheese(i used cheddar as i didn't have any italian cheese)
-broil for 5 mins until cheese is melted

it was so simple...yet it hit the spot for both of us! I even said we may have them again next week! Keith was ok with that! I even had leftovers for lunch today followed by a milkshake chaser as this baby doesn't like tomato products! but im willing to sacrifice the heartburn they tasted so good!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-11T13:14:00.003-05:00

Weekend Antics

2009-02-09T12:24:00.002-05:00

Surprisingly it was a busy weekend! I haven't had one in a while...it was nice to get out of the house though!

I actually went grocery shopping this week on friday. So I could just bum around in the morning and not have to rush out to get the shopping done. of course, I spent way to much! but most of it will last us a while.

I also got my haircut friday night. It is finally short...but I think she cut it TOO short..at least in the front. Luckily its hair and being pregnant it should grow out quickly!

Saturday we went to the inlaws...oh my favorite place(enter sarcasm here). It was for my bil bday and his girlfriend was there, so as always I prepared to be compared to them and basically ignored. My mil actually commented and NOTICED that my hair was cut and short. She even said she liked it! I was in true shock..Avery had a couple spills and I was waiting on the "why did you do that" buy to my surprise my fil just cleaned it up and said it was no big deal.(he spilled a tiny thing of bubbles and the cat's water dish) Lunch was actually delicious and I later had to admit I needed the recipe. keith said it was nice to here something good about his mom...usually her and i dont agree much. I feel bad and I really try not to say to much, but he also needs to know how I feel. then of course it went down hill from there. I have really learned to live with it and just chaulk it up to "that's the way is".

Sunday, Keith asked me to go to church. I had to physically go and not hang out at the neighbors. he said there was a reason and that I would like it. Avery did great during church which surprised us both. At the end of the service they did a wedding vow renewal...that's what he wanted me there for. It was sweet...he told me it was part of my v-day gift. he can be romantic sometimes! He also said that we just renewed them early...we talked about renewing our vows after 10 yrs while watching Jon and Kate one night. We will still do it I'm sure, just need to save up for the trip b/c I said it HAS to be on a beach.(that's where I wanted to get married in the first place).

We also met with the doula, but I will put that in a seperate post as this one is getting long!
we then went to the nursing home and celebrated his grandma's 85th bday. It was bittersweet as it was great to see her and for her to see Avery, but sadly we know there isn't much time left with her. I am going to encourage Keith to go see her more even though our life is extremely busy as it is.

I made it pretty!

2009-02-06T12:06:00.002-05:00

I'm so in love with the combo of pink and brown! I was jealous of everyone's pretty blogs but wasn't sure how to go about it! Well I finally figured it out! I did it all on my own! YAY! hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

I also like brown/blue...but b/c I'm surrounded by ALL boys(even the dog) I love the pink way more! I did tell Keith that if we have a girl I'm making her room pink/brown. Maybe not so much the walls, but more of the accessories. wouldn't my sister love a pink room?(she DESPISES pink!)

Picture Meme

2009-02-05T20:18:00.002-05:00

Terra tagged me...what you have to do is going into the 4th folder in your pictures and post the 4th picture. I wasn't sure I had 4 folders on this computer...its a pretty recent pic as the computer is recent. Otherwise it would probably be of Avery as an itty bitty!(this really isn't the 4th pic, actually the 5th as the 4th pic has a daycare child in it and I can't post it!)

So I'll tag...Amy, Lori

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-04T12:51:00.004-05:00

This is a new way to sit in a highchair...he managed this all on his own!

33 weeks pregnant...

FireProof-Movie Review

2009-02-02T13:11:00.002-05:00

I went out yesterday afternoon before the doula was "supposed" to come. I had to stop at the store so I decided to check the Redbox to see if there were any good movies there. They had "FireProof" with Kirk Cameron. I wanted to see it, but was going to buy it. I decided renting it first for a $1 was better. Btw, I WILL be buying it!

There has been a lot of talk about it esp. in the Catholic and christian fields. (it is christian based) I think with the high divorce rate that EVERY couple should be required to do this "40 day Love dare" before a divorce is settled. This is also something you can watch before you get married and during your marriage. It makes you think a lot about why you got married in the first place and why you should stay married.

In the catholic faith, you are required to take a class and fill out a "test" as I call it before you get married. Myself not being catholic had NO idea this was going to happen. It was multiple choice and then you compare you answers to your fiance's, then talk it over with the Deacon or Priest. you can explain your differences. Its basically to help open up the lines of communication and to ward off divorce in the end. Keith and I did very well other than a few minor things that we did talk about. It seems we still know each other very well...b/c after the movie we went to the website and did a couple of the evals there and shockingly we still passed as a great marriage.

I won't say we haven't had our ups and downs, but so far we have had more ups. I do love him more today than I did the day I married him. I think that happens as life happens and you see them in a whole new light. I also think we all get so caught up in the day to day life that we forget about our spouses and the little things that you might have once done for each other. I know in our life it can get pretty mundane. But we never leave the house or talk on the phone without saying "i love you".

Neither Keith or I do believe in divorce so I know if it comes down to it we will get the help we need or do the "love dare". I am hoping to get a copy of it, just to have as a reference.

it is a great, wonderful, and thought provoking movie. It might even make you fall in love with him/her all over again!

So for your homework: go out and buy or rent this movie and curl up on the couch for a nice evening with each other! I promise you won't regret it!

25 Things about Avery

2009-01-30T12:28:00.003-05:00

I realized that the past few posts have been how I've been frustrated with Avery's behavior. He really isn't bad...he's a very good kid and well behaved most of the time. Sometimes just the frustrations add up and I forget about the little GREAT things about him! So in true facebook tradition here are 25 things about him...now that there were 25 things about me!(those were hard btw)

1. He's a small little boy that I just love wrapping my arms around to hug

2. His laughter is VERY contagious and can always put a smile on your face...even when you are mad at him.

3. He can somehow entertain himself in his room for 2 or so hours...all he has are books, a box we made into a house, a chair, and stuffed animals. what does he do? I have NO CLUE!

4. he is a GREAT sleeper! He hardly ever puts up a fight about going night, night.

5. we have to read 1 book and sing "twinkle star" at least twice followed by the lullaby song at night. This has somehow become my job...it used to be Keith's.

6. I love hearing "mommy" come out of his little mouth...its so much cuter than mama!(but ill answer to both!)

7. He tends to be a very good helper...esp. w/Ja(he's 10 months old). I think he will make a great big brother.

8. He dances to any kind of music...mostly classical. Its mostly a teetering back and forth and sometimes spinning.

9. Watching him interact w/ other kids is very precious...esp. when it doesn't involve hitting, but actually playing.

10. He loves his puppies...he has more stuffed animals than anyone! But its so cute watching him hug or kiss them.

11. he kisses and hugs "the baby" when it suites him.

12. I swear he sees "angels".

13. He can sing parts of the Abc's and do all the gestures to itsy bitsy spider and twinkle star. but don't count on him showing you.

14. his eyes are never the same color...they are always changing.

15. He's got the longest eye lashes that any girl would be jealous of!

16. he "pages" me over the monitor when he is ready to get out of his room

17. he will soon have a new big boy room...I personally can't wait for his bed to be OFF the floor, so he doesn't laugh at me trying to get up being 8 months pregnant!

18. he laughs big belly laughs when keith and I kiss.

19. he helps to "cook" and run the mircowave

20. he loves Dora, Blues clues, and Deigo

21. we are slowly working on potty training...

22. he helps w/ the laundry(putting it in the washer, dryer, and taking it out) now if i can get him to fold it acceptably he'd be one up on daddy!

23. I love watching him interact w/Keith

24. He misses my mom and sister and always asks for "jo/go" and "olly"

25. I never knew his smile could bring such happiness!

my day of frustration...

2009-01-29T12:58:00.002-05:00

yesterday I could have used the blog for a HUGE venting fest, but it being "wordless" wednesday I did that instead.

I've slept horribly this week...I've decided that being pregnant and having a cold DO NOT MIX!! I either couldn't breath, couldn't swallow, or laying a certain way was uncomfortable. I woke up with a headache yesterday, stuffy nose, achy, and 2 toddlers that just wouldn't leave each other alone!! I really wanted Keith to stay home and he offered if I wasn't feeling good, but I know in reality he really needed to work. I was hoping the storm would stop him, but just my luck it didn't.

I let the boys watch tv all morning...not something I normally do, but I seriously couldn't handle it. Maybe I should have called J's mom to come and get him, but I just have a cold...doesn't seem like a big enough excuse to me. So I toughed it out. J has a tendency to touch EVERYTHING that avery has, he will eventually get it, I ask him to give it back, and well he teasing A with it. This makes A whiny and so very dramatic! I was ready to put them in seperate corners for the day. I hate days like this! Through my blurry eyes, I could see moments where they actually play together nicely...but they don't happen often enough!

I also had a TON of laundry to do as I had no clean clothes to wear. Being pregnant and going down the stairs w/ a basket full of laundry doesn't work. Apparently, like all guys Keith conviently misses this so I have to ASK to get them downstairs. I don't like to do laundry when the kids are here so I try to do them during nap. Except yesterday there was so much i just got overwhelmed and did them. I had the promise of a husband coming home to help fold...they are still not folded in the basket. So I shall have to do it! Mind you he also can't seem to place his dirty clothes in the bathroom so im constantly walking on them as i REFUSE to pick them up! It gets hard for a pregnant mama to bend over, nevermind the fact that he is a big boy and should be able to do it himself. I wasn't happy with him either yesterday but that was only for a moment. I have to remember he has been working and doing work on avery's room. I do wish he would learn to manage his time better!

My fil has determined that the baby is coming early b/c Keith said that I was measuring big...we shall see I guess. The baby is more than welcome to come early...but not for at least 4 more weeks. keith and I last night were trying to decide where the heck my organs are inside my body...after he looked and said "i love your belly!" yes I actually do have one...aka a bay belly. but it is most prominent at night. other times you can't really tell.

I slept fairly well last night...or so I thought. As the day goes on I get more and more tired! But of course I will roll into bed and be wide awake as always! such is life as a pregnant mommy!

wordless wednesday

2009-01-28T12:34:00.002-05:00

32 weeks and counting...

2009-01-27T13:18:00.002-05:00

Avery and I ventured out to Noho this morning for my 32 week check up. It was pretty cold out and of course the dog didn't want to come in, so he stayed out.

I met one of the other drs...I think there is 5 or 6. I hadn't met him before, but had questions about the impending birth/vbac. He answered them all with answers that I liked. I was pretty convinced of going the vbac route seen as everything sounded so positive.

And then he measured me...crap. I'm measuring ahead/big. So if I am still measuring big at my next appt. they will probably do another u/s...maybe we will see what we are having, although at this point I'm ok with NOT knowing until I give birth. If the baby is big, it looks like I might be having a c/s. Of course all of this is after I have contacted a doula about helping with a vbac. Just not sure that I want to chance having a big baby esp. if I am overdue. Although, Avery was only 7.7 and he was almost 2 weeks late.

oh what to do...

My blood pressure was a little higher than normal. It was actually the same as it was last time I was there. The nurse commented and said that never happens! Dr. asked if I was having headaches or blurry vision...which I wasn't. Hopefully its not a sign of pre-e...we've had enough of that around here.

I am now up to a total of 4 lbs this whole pregnancy. So I really don't know how the baby could be measuring big.

I also had to go for more bloodwork b/c apparently my counts were low last time. I thought they were checking my iron, but this was a whole blood draw. Avery got to watch as they couldn't find a vein at first.

I'm also getting a cold and my severely sore throat kept me up last night. So now I'm draggin and won't have any hopes to really lie down and rest as I have a little one still awake. Hopefully when Keith gets home I can.

On a semi-plus note we are expecting more snow tomorrow. why is it on the plus side? keith doesn't think he will be making it to work. The road is already icy and add snow on top of it and well...he won't be getting out of the driveway nevermind the road. One can hope to have a snowday with my husband. Maybe it will just be Avery too...and I can rest tomorrow.

so we shall see what the next appt. shall bring!

2 year old tantrums!

2009-01-26T13:38:00.003-05:00

Normally, my 2 yr old is very well behaved even out in public. Well I needed to go to the mall this weekend. So I called my mom and sis and they came with me. Usually I can keep Avery in the stroller for most of the time, but not this time. he only lasted 5 mins. That's fine I will let me walk. We all took turns holding his hand and walking.

We grabbed some lunch and he snacked a bit. Then he basically ran wild the rest of the time..I sent my sister after him. Now if I remembered where the "leash" was it would have been a bit better.(btw, i found it after we left. it was conviently in Keith's car that I was driving!)

I ended up having to take him out of Babies R Us..it was the last store. Thank goodness, but the store I actually needed stuff in. I got another carseat base and a bed rail for Avery's new bed. He was pitching such a fit b/c he wanted a $35 toy. I didn't have the money for that plus my mom had already bought him a build a bear(aka dog). He wouldn't even let me put his coat on. So I handed my mom my money (and coupon) and out we went. I stepped outside and he stopped...talk about EVERYONE looking at you. Most were sympathetic moms with the look of "been there, done that". I then of course had to change him, but he was throwing such a fit that I didn't dare do it in the store. So I laid him in the trunk of the car...so it might have been a little cold! That shall teach him. By this time, my mom and sister were out of the store. Got him in teh carseat, and he was asleep 10 mins later.

Today he has also pitched a fit...a couple of times. I really think he knows there is a baby coming or something. He just always wants "mama". I have to put him to bed, change his diaper, bath, etc. daddy isn't minding too much! I also think maybe its b/c daddy has been busy working on his room so he hasn't really seen him much. Luckily we are done with that for now so daddy will be able to see him tomorrow night at least.

today he wanted juice before his lunch. Sometimes I give it to him...but usually he will chug the juice and not eat. So I asked him to take 1 bite of ravioli...nothing. screamed, pitched a fit, for a good 10 mins(long enough to feed Ja). meanwhile, J didn't seem to bothered by it and he went on to eat his lunch. I finally gave him, he got his juice, took a sip, and then proceeded to eat all 6 raviolis in record time!

Moral of this story...pick your battles!

Interview me-part 2

2009-01-23T13:10:00.003-05:00

I told Amy she could interview me again! It gives me something to do during nap time!

1. If you could only visit 5 websites for the rest of eternity, which ones would you pick, and why?

www.babyzone.com...I'm a bit of an addict and its my connection to the outside world most days! Plus I met some great people there!

www.facebook.com- this is how I stay in contact with friends and some family! Plus I have easy access to pictures!

www.blogspot.com- I have various blogs that I read and it gives me something to do, plus I have one too!

www.myspace.com- same reason as facebook!

www.hotmail.com- afterall this is where my mail email is!

2. What was your favorite movie as a child?

i think it would have to be Disney's Robinhood! I still love it!

3. List ten things that you absolutely could not live without (just things, not people).
my computer, my bed, camera, clothes, food, drink, house, cell phone, chocolate...and i have 9 and COMPLETELY out of ideas! lol

4. If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?
I would pay off all my debt and keiths too! buy a bigger house, put away money for my kids' college, and help my mom with her house.

5. If you could go back in the past and change one thing, what would it be? to know that my dad was sick and not to loose him unexpectedly. I would mend the poor relationship we had and maybe I wouldn't struggle with it so much some days especially with my kids.(although I think Amy saw this one coming!)

was it hard for you to come up with questions you didn't know the answers too, amy? hehe

Daycare blues...

2009-01-22T12:15:00.002-05:00

Its always a challenge to take care of someone else's child...especially when they are TEETHING! ugh...Avery was a very good teether you never knew he was! A rare couple of times he gave us issues, but after a little motrin, orajel, or some rubbing of his gums he was fine. I think he is WORSE now with the 2 yr molars. Lucky for us, I think he only has 1 left to come in!

But the little boy I have during the day...he is 10 months today has been miserable!! SCREAMING at the top of his lungs for 3 hrs yesterday. I'm not sure how I managed through that one. His parents are hesitant about just giving him tylenol/motrin, but after I saw him yesterday if it have been my son he would have gotten it! He slept for 45 mins in the morning and 45 mins in the afternoon...not his typical nap at all. he barely ate and was fussy no matter what I did. I should have called mom to come and get him, but once the boys got up he was fine. Same thing happened today, but mom came to see if she could try to calm him down. he also doesn't like the new sleeping arrangements of the pack n play. He was sleeping in the swing, but he is getting to big for it. After a half hour mom got him to sleep...all 3 kids were asleep before 12.

Avery was fussy today too and he had a time out for pushing J. He just liked to push my buttons. He did pee a tiny bit on the potty...but as soon as i put the diaper on he peed there. This was after we sat for a good 5 mins. Oh well...I'm not pushing it. Just letting him try if his diaper is dry after a few hours. He woke up dry this morning after sleeping for 12 hrs...no idea how that happened. he then peed right then and there, but the diaper was still on. he thought it was hilarious!

Keith's car is back...its nice having "my" car back. Not that I go anywhere..but i still felt house bound! $700 later the car is fixed and hopefully won't give us anymore trouble. The mechanic seemed to think that there might be a recall on the part b/c it was backordered...so let's hope that happens so we can get some of our money back!

on the plus side, our elliptical found a new home last night. Avery's new room is half(or maybe 1/4) painted. It needs another blue coat and then white on the bottom. We are getting his new furniture sat so hopefully by next weekend he will be in his new room. It all depends on when we can get the molding and get that up. He should be in it well before the baby comes...we have gotten rid of a TON of stuff. I didn't think we even had that much!

Wordless Wednesday-a boy's love for a duck!

2009-01-21T12:52:00.001-05:00

3 day weekend...

2009-01-20T12:22:00.002-05:00

Things we learned this weekend:

-goodwill does NOT accept toys anymore due to all the recalls. They have since found a new home through Freecycle.

-my husband and I are HUGE procrastinators...baby is due in 9 weeks and we are NOW getting to the room being finished! It is currently cleaned out with just a desk in it(also finding a new home soon) and has been primed. The painting will be finished by sat before Avery's new furniture arrives. Then we will just need to transition Avery into the room, see how many times he falls off the bed b/c he WILL jump on it, and get the chair rails up.

-the elliptical will also be finding a new home...I just don't want to take 1/2 price, but on one hand we NEED to get rid of it! We just don't have the room for it!

-Avery has NO problem with his hearing!! We clearly know daddy does, but mommy's is also perfect! It didn't phase avery at all to be there, I found it quite interesting. We are now discussing speech therapy and getting an eval, but I want to wait a couple months first.

-I have now started to look into a doula...they are VERY expensive and hope that one will volunteer or give me a discount. I REALLY REALLY want one so I can be the most successful in achieving a vbac..but so far no takers. Does anyone have $500-850 extra lying around? lol

-I never knew a 2 year old boy would be so content in a craft store! He loved being there...ok so maybe it was more that he was OUT of the house and it was just him and mommy! I did FINALLY find some fabric for Amy to make me a sling and a nursing cover. Now I just need to get the rings and mail it to her! Yes I have to mail stuff to her 45 mins away...as it will probably get there faster than if "we" try to make plans!

I was glad to have the extra day off...but by the afternoon I was tired and had a headache. I had to bring Keith to work and pick him up so I could have the car. I didn't want to be stuck at home all day...Amy and the kids were going to visit, but she was unable to make it this time!

Random weekend thoughts

2009-01-17T15:50:00.002-05:00

1. We went and donated a van load of stuff to goodwil today...note to self: they do NOT take children's toys.(so I can home with 1/4 of it)

2. We ALMOST have a room for baby...well it will actually be Avery's big boy room. Baby will get Avery's room.

3. We bought Avery a new bedroom set...even though he has a bunkbed set now. We went for a bureau, but got a GREAT deal on a desk, night table, bureau, bed w/underbed storage. He broke it in nicely while we were there. it is SOLID wood...not the cheesy stuff of today's furniture. Its nothing fancy, but for a little boy will stand the test of time!

4. I really wanted the more girly set...it had a doll house theme, picket fence, etc. I also liked the big white day bed...but really needed the bureau so the bed wasn't going to work!

5.My dog somehow got loose and is running around the neighborhood...hopefully he comes back soon!

6. This heartburn is KILLING me...this is the 3rd day in a row and its relentless!

7.why do I go into Bj's for 4 things and come out with a carload of stuff? of course spending more money than planned, but it was stuff we needed! good thing i only go every 2-3 months or so!

8. I'm glad my mom didn't loose her job...

9. I'm even more glad that we are fortunate that Keith has a stable job and we can sorta fall back on mine!

10. we are expecting MORE snow tomorrow...and Amy and I are no longer making plans in advance. It always rains, snows, or someone is sick!

Interview me!

2009-01-15T14:14:00.004-05:00

On Lori's blog, she did an Interview Me entry today! So I read all her answers and now in return she is interviewing me!! If you would like me to interview you, just post a comment and let me know!

Question 1: Growing up what did you think you would be? What do you want to do once your little ones are in school? I wanted to be a Marine Biologist for the longest time...and then in high school after a co-op position I decided to go into teaching.

After the kids are in school...I may either decide to continue to stay home and do the daycare(or NOT) or try to get into the school systems being paraprofession. Although, Im probably over qualified for that, unless Massachusetts changes their laws that is what I will have to be!

Question 2: How did you choose the name Avery? Are you considering any of the names you eliminated with Avery for your new little one? I came across Avery in the baby book one day...I decided I loved it. It took a little more convincing to get Keith to like it, but one day he came home and Avery was on the nursery door! So I won!! hehe We both LOVE the name and fits him so well!

The only other name we had that Keith wanted was Alexander...this has been vetoed so far because it is sooo long esp. with our last name. This baby has a short list of boy names so far...but as for a girl name, we got nothing. We did have a girl name picked out for Avery...which was Gracelynn, but now Keith doesn't like it!

Question 3: If you could go anywhere and money wasn't an object, where would you like to go and why? Right now it would be somewhere warm! lol Either Australia or Hawaii...if I could get over the plane ride. I think they would both be beautiful places to visit and see and a once in a lifetime opportunity!

Question 4: How did you meet your husband? Were you shocked when he asked you to marry him? I actually met my dear husband online through a dating service...niether of us remember which one. We took it slow and safe and here we are today...let's not frown upon this people! It's really no different than if you met a person in a bar. They can still be creepy there too!

I wasn't shocked when he asked me to marry him b/c we had looked at rings the day before and I was with him when he dropped off the check to buy it. He is also a terrible LIAR and was trying to be clever and it didn't work! It totally backfired and was very unromantic!

Question 5: When you have time alone (I know yeah right what is that!), what is your favorite thing to do? Is it the same answer you would have given before you had kids? If not what would that answer have been? I like to read or be crafty...by sewing quilts. This is probably what I would do before I had kids as well. I also like to shop...that's does require alone time...mostly!

The thoughts of giving birth...again!

2009-01-15T13:27:00.004-05:00

As I was watching "The Secret Life of an American Teenage" the other night, it dawned on me about how scary giving birth at the age of 16 is!!

All of a sudden I looked at Keith and was like "i'm 27, have given birth already, and I'm still terrified!!" what do people are 15/16 think...they must be petrified!! I can't even imagine! Especially without the support of my husband.

I am a little less than 10 weeks away from having my second baby and well I'm so scared! I think it just comes with the territory of not knowing what's going to happen and that things could go wrong. I remember being scared with Avery, then being scared of having a c/s(c-section), but I somehow managed to get through it...maybe it was the drugs!

We have been talking about whether we will have another c/s or go for a vbac(vaginal birth after c/s). I want a vbac b/c I want to KNOW what others are experiencing and sometimes I just feel cheated that I didn't feel the "pain" of real child birth. Although I did feel the pain of recovery...which wasn't so much fun. Stairs and getting up and down were my enemy then...

I could easily schedule a c/s for when my sister would be around and she could stay with Avery. My mom would also be able to take 1 or 2 days off to help as well. Then I could have Keith take half days or at least KNOW for sure when he would be off...without pay. He doesn't have any vacation time so what he takes is our loss. I just haven't figured out how I can get Avery up and down the stairs for nap/bed time. Getting off the couch or bed is going to be hard enough!

I won't even get into my thoughts on my mil...if I do have a vbac I have terrible anxiety about leaving Avery with her. I am trying to get over it, but its not working! She just doesn't know Avery well enough for me to be comfortable with it. All my friends work full time or live forever and a year away so that won't help!

I'm afraid I will go through labor and not progress like I should and end up with another c/s. I won't be induced or have an epi b/c they can cause rupture of the uterus or stall labor. If I am going to have a vbac I don't want ANYTHING to stand in the way of it. There is a small change of rupture with a vbac, but its not that much more than if this was a first child.(less than 1% chance). But in labor anything can happen...I just want me and the baby to be fine and healthy. I don't want the longer recovery time of a c/s, but on other aspects it will be better! I don't know what to do or how to do it! Unfortunately, I don't think there is any easy answer...nevermind an easy way out!

I just have to put my faith and trust in God that he will watch over the both of us...even Avery too. After all that baby boy deserves his mommy back too! Although, I will miss one on one time with...but I don't get it very often now anyway. You would think I would be used to it by now! I don't think you ever get over the love you have for your first child...just like you may never get over your first true love! Luckily for me...I'm married to him!

So as March rolls around, just keep myself and baby in your prayers!

Wordless Wednesday-water play in the sink

2009-01-14T13:09:00.002-05:00

My love of cloth...!

2009-01-13T20:36:00.002-05:00

diapers that is! who knew it could be so addicting or joyful to use! lol

I started cloth diapering(cd) avery when he was 18 months old. It was more for financial reasons, but the green factor does weigh in as well! Well we have been doing it for 6 months and love it!! I also plan on starting cding the new baby once he/she is born. It won't probably be until they are 2 weeks old or so...once the icky poo is out and if its a boy his little peepee has healed.

Avery is in cloth all day except nap and bed time. I have hard water and through trial and error of cleaning them I just can't get rid of the ammonia! so if he wears them at night or for longer than 2 hrs he gets ammonia burn. So I still use disposable for those times. It still saves us in the long run as i only go through 1 pkg a month vs. 1 pkg a week. Now if I could just STOP buying the cd I would be golden.

I did realize today that Avery has plenty. he has at least 20-25 diapers. I also just ordered avery 3 new diapers...so that is a good number! That gets us through 2-3 days. The new baby has a small stash right now as well that we are letting Carter borrow. I hear he is breaking in the trucks one quite well!

you ask if its hard or that I'm crazy? what's crazy? doing 2-3 loads of extra laundry a week? that's not difficult. My water bill is slightly higher, but I would pay more for disposables than I do for the water. It doesn't take special soap, I found a good one online that is cheaper than the stuff you buy in the store so I use it for all my clothes. meanwhile I'm saving money and doing something good for the environment. someday I will convert someone...just not sure who. Amy does it, but I didn't convert her. we just ended up doing it at the same time!

seriously, they are NOT that much different than a disposable diaper. you use, wash, re-use. you can even get back a portion of what you put into it buy reselling them. so see now you are recycling! Keith doesn't mind them either...especially since i do MOST of the changing, all the washing, and we have a sprayer on the toilet.

They are so cute, how can you not like them? They aren't what they used to be and most are incredibly soft! I get jealous...

So that's my little green tip of the day! go cloth!

2 lbs and other news...

2009-01-12T12:42:00.003-05:00

so i went for my 30 week appt this morning. nothing new there really...I've gained a whopping 2 lbs this ENTIRE pregnacy. Not sure how or why, but I'll take it! So that means I'll be below pre-preg weight after the baby! YAY! I go back in 2 weeks to meet another dr....there is about 6 of them and I've only met half I think. 2 of them are midwives who don't do deliveries so why I see them is beyond me. But hopefully I will get to at least meet the other dr's before I have the baby. I also get my iron level checked again...I just better make sure I remember to take them. Totally forgot yesterday!

Still vying for a vbac...if I can get over my anxiety of leaving my son.Hopefully I can talk my mom or sister into coming when I go into labor. It will also depend on if the baby is head down or not. The dr. thought it was today...but it still could move.

we ALMOST have a room cleared for the baby...I finished going through the clothes yesterday. Keith put the rest that we won't need for a while in the attic and the xmas stuff. I also have at least 2 loads of stuff to drop off at goodwill. I would really like to have an opportunity to sell it, but spring isn't coming fast enough. So I am just giving it and donating it. At least someone will get some use out of it and I'm not just throwing it all away!

no news on Keith's car yet...hopefully we will know something today when I pick him up at work.He's hoping it is ready to go...but I won't hold my breath! Good thing I don't need my car during the week.

Avery's hearing test is next monday. Now that I have it scheduled he has been talking and repeating more and more words/sentences. Figures of course...but it will still be good to get it checked. Keith is hopefully going to meet us there...he may even take the day off so we can go take a tour of the hospital and go see Dora at the mall. Hopefully Amy, Carter, and Gracie will be joining us.

well it seems my carpal tunnel (preg. induced) is starting to kick in so that's all for now!

Random Snowy weekend...

2009-01-10T16:16:00.002-05:00

Amy technically "tagged" me on facebook for 16 random thoughts...but I decided to blog them instead. Let's see if I can get 16, lol!

1. watching my son with his dad on a sat morning is THE BEST!(esp when he has been nothing but a mama's boy lately!)

2. I actually made a meal plan this week...let's see if I can keep it!

3. Cloth diapering is VERY addicting!

4. Coffee is my saving grace!

5. we were only able to clean/organize our bathroom & bedroom.

6. the baby will have a place to sleep before it's born!

7. we still have no girl names...

8. we are getting more snow...gotta love new england!

9. my son played for 2 hrs before falling asleep at 3:30 for a nap...

10. why does my laundry seem to mulitply?

11. I'm hungry and dinner won't be ready for at least 2 hrs...m&m's didn't help.

12. my dog's new licenese is making too much noise and is annoying me!

13. we still don't know what's wrong with Keith's car.

14. I spent WAY to much money on groceries this week...and there isn't much to show for it!

15. I'm making deli style chicken, mashed potatoes, and roasted carrots for dinner...followed by chicken stock over night! love my crock pot!

16. I will be a mom of 2 in 7-12 weeks...Keith says that is one big EYE opener when I say it like that!

yay! i made it to 16!

Thank you mr. sandman...duh tow truck guy!

2009-01-09T12:34:00.002-05:00

if you've ever been down my road you know it can be VERY trecherous when its icy/snowy. I found this out about 2 weeks ago when I didn't make it up the hill and came down backwards in my van. It was really nothing I didn't know before...but I was so close to making it to the top. well i managed to get the van down the hill...no gas or breaks were going to stop me and manuvered it to the bottom. There are 2 bodies of water surrounding both sides of the road...so I was fearing the worse. Needless to say I didn't go out that day, but drove my shaking pregnant body home!

well don't know you...the tow truck FINALLY shows at noon.(see previous blog) and it seriously has taken him a half hour to figure out how to get the car out of our driveway. I don't know why he just didn't use my neighbor's driveway to get up ours to get the car. After watching for a half hour...who shows up? but the LOVELY sandman!! now if i had called i would probably still be waiting for him...guess I need a tow truck to come and save the day.

so they did just use about a ton of sand on the road...at least in front of my house, so there should be no problems now! but gee...nothing can ever be simple can it?

maybe now the town won't dismiss our road and sand/plow it last! goodbye keith's car!

F.O.R.D.

2009-01-09T11:23:00.002-05:00

I should always listen to my dad...he does apparently know what he is talking about! I can totally hear him saying..."I told you so!" up there in the heavens. With a look of disappointment on his face!

My dad never liked fords, always referred to them as Found On the Roadside Dead...well it has now come true! At least its in the driveway and not on the roadside!

Yup that's right...Keith's car all of 2 yrs old is dead. He went to start it this morning and it wouldn't start. Apparently, it doesn't like cold weather. There is all of 23,000 miles on it or so. He has had off and on trouble with it since last yr when it got really cold. It would rev, die, start again. He thought it was the fuel like so he used some dry gas. It seemed to do the trick. Back in dec. it acted funny again...it rev to 4,000 rpm and he almost blew through 2 stop signs with Avery in the car. Luckily he wasn't going far...but still scary.

I told him to get it checked, but then it acted fine. We thought with all the rain, something froze and that's what caused the problem. I have been fielding calls all morning with Keith and the roadside assistance people. At least they do follow ups...the tow truck was supposed to be here an hour ago, still not here. They were running late. Hopefully they come soon and its no big deal to fix it!

Luckily its all covered under warrenty as it isn't that old! but come one...the guy needs his car! Glad I don't have plans this weekend and if I did I guess I'm not going. At least there is more snow coming so that would gurantee I'm not going anywhere. Good thing I stay home during the week as well, b/c I'm not sure how we would have gotten around only having one car.

keith has decided that we won't be owning any more fords...I don't know what he was thinking! lol

where does the time go?

2009-01-08T12:53:00.002-05:00

As I was reading a fellow blogger's blog today, it dawned on me that Avery is over 2 now and I have another baby on the way!! Can anybody tell me where the last 2.9 months have gone? ok it might be a little more than this if you count the entire pregnancy, nevermind that he was 10 days LATE!

I've learned in the past 2 years that he does things on his own time. He is a smart cookie none the less. Just like he was born 10 days late he is also taking his SWEET time "talking". So today I scheduled a hearing test for him. Neither Keith or I think that is the problem, but its better to rule it out than to go on wondering.(for those who don't know Keith is deaf and so is one of his brother's). They think its a totally fluke thing, but time will tell. So on Jan. 19th he will be going in. At least it doesn't cause pain and I may even get keith to meet me there. Afterall, he can TOTALLY understand all their terms.

He has started saying more and more now that we took the binky away during the day...ok I took the binky away. It was surprisingly easy, but most things with him are! just like taking the bottle away or sleeping in a big boy bed. Now if I could just get him to gain some weight and his iron level gets up to normal we would be golden.

He has always been a very easy going greatly behaved kid. Sure he does the typical 2 yr old stuff like hitting and spitting, but he behaves very well even out in public. When Keith injured his eye there were numerous dr's appts that week that avery and i attended with him and you never would have known he was there.

Now, I am absolutely preparing myself for the WORSE with this new baby. maybe ill get lucky and have 2 great sleeping kids and this one will be just as easy going. But the way the pregnancy has been going he/she might be the complete opposite. I'm hoping I get lucky...in just 3 short months we will find out.

I love the way avery acts like such a little boy...he isn't my itty bitty baby no more! I look at him and im amazed at the things he can do and understand. he still has those BIG eyes he has always had and the LONGEST eye lashes any girl would be jealous of. And when he bats them at you, watch out...b/c your heart will melt!

He has been a bit of a mama's boy lately which can be tiring. He also wants to be picked up quite a bit...last night I realized that I think he knows his life is going to change a bit with the baby. That is why he is looking for the extra attention. I had to put him to bed last night and lay with him...which isn't easy laying on a mattress on the floor being 7 months pregnant. But I can't help not wanting this time with him, even though there are days i want to run away! Especially when he does sweet things like, cuddle, rub my arm, or he sings to me. Im surprised I havent fallen asleep with him. good thing its a twin size bed...so i ALMOST fit.

I could go on for days about him...but I won't bore everyone with it now!

2 year old drama+preg=cranky mama!

2009-01-07T12:08:00.004-05:00

Winter just really sucks! Especially for a 2 yr old and being pregnant!! I would normally take him at least outside if not out and about, if I didn't most days have 2 other kids in tow. Its usually a little too cold out for the 9 month old and if we do go out, its only a short time b/c how much can one do in a snowsuit that looks like a big puffy marshmellow?

Anyway...I tried taking A and J to the "ball pit" the other day and well we got there and had 2 very excited kids and they were CLOSED!! Hello people, why are you NOT open during the week? Everything was conviently closed including the children's museum...ugh. Avery had the biggest alligator tears and kept crying "ball pit" all the way home.(half hour drive) of course there was NOTHING else open, couldn't even go to a playground b/c everything was covered in ice. I felt like such a bad mom...

Most days the kid can make me laugh more than frustrate me. I think he has a bad case of cabin fever and having J here doesn't seem to help, which I thought it would. J is worst at 20 months old...he doesn't LISTEN for the life of me, smiles, and keeps on going. Avery is at least listening(for the most part) and I can easily distract him. I think J does things just to spite me and man does it wear on ones nerves. I feel bad for both of them b/c I have such little patience being so miserable being pregnant...

I keep asking Keith if its March yet...at night its the worst. I can't move, can't get comfortable, and sleep well that doesn't happen either. I swear the baby conviently wedges inself between my ribs or hips or sometimes both and its so uncomfortable. I asked keith when i can sleep again and he said a yr...hopefully i will if this baby is as good a sleeper as avery was/is. But I'm still preparing for the worst!

oh and the stupid dog....i went to bring him in out of the ice and he runs the opposite direction!! who wants to sit in ice when its cold? apparently he did! I finally caught him(luckily he is on a dog line) and brought him in.

The coffee did seem to help, but now i want a delicious cupcake! lol

sickness and Iron....

2009-01-06T11:41:00.002-05:00

they don't really go together....but they do today!

On christmas Avery was sick...oh yes the pukey sick about 10 mins before 12 people were coming to my house. At this age you never know if they are really sick, they ate something, got too excited, or like avery does stick his finger down his mouth. We checked his temp and no temp. Changed his clothes and cleaned up the floor...did I mention it was in the bathroom a ft away from the toilet? Oh and Keith yells..."Heather he is puking" and what would you like me to do? so my preg. self with a not very strong stomach goes to clean it...Keith left the room! lol

One of the daycare kids had it over the weekend, but i thought maybe we had missed it being 4 days later! This boy had it for 4 days and i all i could think was great we will end up in the hospital b/c as the day went on, everytime he drank something it came right back up. I had the pleasure of getting it 3 times on myself.

Now 2 weeks later it seems Keith has gotten it...well he had it yesterday. He is just like a little kid when he is sick and I have to do things for him. I didn't mind as much b/c I didn't want him to expose Avery, J, or Holly. So I brought him stuff when he needed it. We thought maybe he had food poisoning but we aren't sure now...who really knows. At least he is back to work today b/c of course he has no sick or vacation time yet...plus he didn't get paid for the holidays so our pennies will be streched a little more.

After Avery's 2 yr appt we learned that he has low iron...still not gaining weight. So now he is on supplements and the plethora of do this not that that goes with it. Needs to be given on an empty stomach or small meals(all his meals are small!), no dairy products, vitamin c helps with absorption, and he needs it 2 times a day. Okay...so the one thing on the market that is "heathly fat" are dairy products. He still needs to gain weight so ive been trying to figure out a way around this. I was giving it to him at breakfast and bed...but not ive changed to lunch and bed.

At least he can get at least 2 cups of milk/yogurt in him...today i was reading his holy expensive yogurt and it has 45% daily value of iron in it...BUT how much is absorbed if the calcium blocks it? this really makes NO sense to me...and ive been struggling with not giving him that and then i read this...how does this world work?

Baby update

2009-01-05T13:18:00.004-05:00

well i know i haven't blogged in a VERY long time! I should do it more and somedays I have PLENTY to say but let me just tell you that this pregnancy hasn't been very forgiving.

We still don't know what we are having....u/s tech said it could be a boy, but she isn't sure. So after 2 u/s we shall wait and see what we have in march. I did pass my glucose test, but have low iron so im on supplements. This baby is SUPER active compared to Avery...at least I know everything is ok.

As far as names go...we don't have much on that horizon. It has taken us 7 months to get 3 boy names on a list, but even those aren't definate. The middle name is set...

Everett Martin
Kaelin/Caelin Martin
Finley Martin

my mom said she doesn't like finley but she doesn't really have a choice! Every name I suggest Keith doesn't like and vice versa. the one name we both really like rhymes with our last name so...that won't work.

As for girls...we have absolutely NOTHING! I had a name, but Keith has decided he doesn't like it now so we are back to square one. The middle name is set at Elizabeth...

The holidays absolutely FLEW by and I can't believe its already January and 2009. We have no place for baby to sleep...well the crib is up but no room put together yet. if we have another boy then they will eventually share a room once the baby is sttn. Our main problem is our house isn't big enough for all our "stuff" and we have no storage. I want to sell some of it, but its not exactly tag sale season...so I'll either have to find a place to store it or just give it all away. oh the choices!

I have gone through most of Avery's old clothes and pulled out the gender neutral stuff and sorted more by sizes. There is one thing to be told...Avery never went naked! This baby won't either I'm sure. I bought a few gender neutral sleepers the other day b/c I've been itching to buy something for the baby...but that was it. I did get a mesh bumper off ebay and will need another carseat base, but other than that, that is all we will need for the new baby. But of course IF we have a girl...I will need to go shopping for cute girly clothes!

I have bought quite a few cloth diapers that currently carter is breaking in for us! Thank you Carter for testing them out for us! hehe Of course I want some girly diapers, but if I have a boy then he won't look that cute in pink...

I go on wed for another appt and then start going every 2 weeks. Currently a vbac is planned, but so far this baby has been either breech or transverse...neither of which you can have a vaginal birth for. so a c/s could be in our midst...it also depends schedule wise too. Keith has started a new job and I'm having anxiety over leaving Avery and who to leave him with...hopefully in the end I'm sure everything will work out!

seeing angels...

2009-01-05T13:03:00.002-05:00

As most people that know me, know that my dad passed away 2 years ago coming in March. Boy does time fly...

Avery was only 4 months old when he passed and had only met my dad once for various reasons. Some that I still regret everyday, but I know I can't go back and deep in my heart my dad knows I forgive him. I still miss my dad like any child would...

I made a college of pictures for his funeral. I then hung it on our wall at the bottom of the stairs. Its mostly there so that Avery will see and recognize him, but not in a morbid spot.

I always refer to my dad as Grandpa or Grandpa Jeff. Avery will point to him and say grandpa when we come down the stairs.

One day I was bringing him down(well i was teaching him to go on his bum, in case I need another c/s can't bring him down the stairs) and he started saying "gramp gramp". I still to this day have NO idea where he got that from. I asked who was "gramp gramp" and he pointed to my dad...I said ok.

Well now he says it when my dad's picture isn't even around...so I ask him where gramp gramp is and the kid totally freaks me out by following with his finger in the air around the room. He has also done it with his eyes!! the thing that creeps me out the most about this is the fact that, Father Jeddie, the priest at church believes and says that babies can see angels...

Avery has also done quite a few things that remind us all of my dad. he knows all his tools even though NONE of us have every told them what they were.(hammer, wrench, screwdriver, drill,e tc) My dad was a carpenter and could fix anything...Avery also bangs and takes things apart just like my dad would. He even hammered his finger one day and I had to laugh b/c that is something my dad did ALL the time! He even decorated our xmas tree with his tools, even though he wanted NOTHING to do with puttin ornaments on. Again this is totally something my dad would do.

Avery's eyes also change color depending on the day and what he is wearing. He goes from green, brown, blue, or a combo of any of them. My dad's did the same thing! Talk about freaky!

a week of highlights!

2008-08-28T20:13:00.002-04:00

I've been coming to blog all week I promise!! But it seems by the time I actually sit down, do my email and such, and finally get to blogging I'm exhausted and just need to go to bed!

So quick before its my bed time!! lol

I went in for my echo on wed, the tech said everything looked fine, but the dr's would review it. She said it probably just sounds like a murmur b/c I'm preg and there is more circulation.

I left my poor husband home with 3 boys...avery(21 months), J (16 months), and my other Ja(5 months). I left with 2 of them crying. Ja was hungry, Avery was jealous, and J was happy! He got them fed, cleaned up, and all 3 were asleep by the time I returned. Luckily they all sleep well!

As for how I'm feeling...well I have my good days and my bad days. Today was a not so good day and I think I may know why. I think my prenatal vitamin is making me sick. I was fine up until I took it today and I've been miserable ever since. Of course you are supposed to take it on an empty stomach and no dairy products, but I did eat shortly after. Sometimes I think I feel sick b/c I'm hungry. I'm going to keep an eye on it and if it doesn't get better in a couple weeks when I'm in the second tri then i'll ask the dr about alternatives. I may just have to take some flintstone's vitamins!

Avery has of course been kinda growing like a weed! Of course he is bigger, funnier, and gets into more trouble!! But he is still tiny for his age! He is all of 23 lbs and still fits into his 12 month pants he wore last year!! they are a tiny bit short but only when he sits!! I guess I don't have to worry about new clothes for his this year...although I have bought him some stuff b/c I can't help it when I find some cute clothes. This is sometimes hard b/c I never can find cute boy clothes but this year I was having trouble with girl clothes! The other night at dinner Keith was asking avery to say some words...he asked him to say microwave, sure daddy whatever you say. so what did avery do, he started waving!! get it microWAVE! kid cracks me up!

It seems we won't be going out to eat only if necessary. Everytime we go Keith freaks out by Avery's behavior, then it frustrates me. Tonight avery was screaching..ok it was VERY loud, but he was looking for a reaction from Keith. Keith got to the point where he was yelling at him to be quiet. I ended up taking avery outside...of course it didn't help that it took FOREVER to get a casar salad. I brought him back in and then we packed up and left. I told Keith he needs to just relax and there is only so much you can do esp in public with a toddler!

keith is supposed to go out tomorrow night with some people from work so hopefully he will get to RELAX then as much as I don't really want him to go. BUt then again I am going out on sunday with just hte girls...but in reality there are somedays when I just need a mommy time OUT! esp. lately feeling quite crappy!

well there is my week in a nutshell! i'll try to post more I promise!

just a little update!

2008-08-21T15:52:00.002-04:00

holy moly! its been a month since I blogged? man I need to get back to it! Missy and Lori I have been reading your blog, just not responding much!

plus there aren't many people who seem to read this blog much those that do know all my news in my life!

Since the last time I blogged we have discovered that we are expecting another baby! yup that's right come March 09 Avery will be a big brother! I've been absolutely miserable with nauseous, tiredness, etc that comes with it. It is so different than with Avery...and I truly hope it is almost over!

I have changed ob/gyn b/c of the last hospital stay. I loved my dr but the hospital care was less than spectacular. I went to see a midwife who I heard great things about and well...i didn't feel safe in the environment. So now we are seeing an ob practice in Noho.

I have to go in for an echocardiogram next wednesday to check on a mysterious heart murmur I all of a sudden have. I am hoping and praying that it is nothing and won't cause problems with this preg. I have never had one before and supposedly it is small. I think Keith is a bit worried, but I try not to think about it!

I can't believe that it is the end of summer already! where did the time/summer go? I wished it was a more relaxing summer and not so busy, but I am looking forward to the fall and christmas. I love to bake/cook and hope my appetite will return just in time! Plus my birthday is in oct and we should be finding out the sex of this baby around then too! YAY!!

so that's it for now!

weekend with the inlaws

2008-07-23T21:01:00.002-04:00

I've been coming to blog for a few days now...but it seems I haven't made it here yet!

So we left friday night to go camping with my il's. I was hesitant at first but decided to grin and bear it. We got there around 6, got the tent up, and walked around the campground. Then it started to storm so we sat in the car with the portable dvd player and dora! (man was this a lifesaver!) Finally my il's showed up around 915. It would have been good to be in the trailer during the storm but that's ok. We finally went to bed around 11 I think.

Avery was the only one that slept well the first night . Did you know that is is possible to feel both hot and cold at the same time? it was horrible! I had to pee like 3 times and had to walk in the dark to the potty. Next time I shall use a bush...

The next day we had breakfast with my il's and just hung around. Avery actually took at least a 2 hour nap in his stroller. He was very good all weekend. Surprisingly I got along with my mil. Dh was thrilled and never thought he would see the day that his mom and i would get along and joke like we did. It was actually nice!

It was scary too to see how alike Keith and his dad was. There is a picture I took of them sleeping the EXACT same way. Avery actually let my fil hold him, much to my mil's dismay. At one point avery, grandpa, and daddy were playing copy cat, it was adorable until avery grabbed his crotch...daddy and grandpa stopped there.

Avery did excellent and my il's couldn't believe how good and smart he is. Mil said he would be able to pass the kindergarten eval, except for the speech part.

It was nice to relax and not have to do anything all weekend. I only wish I could do more of it!

one of those days....

2008-07-14T19:16:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I wanted to get out of the house so very badly! for you sahm i'm sure you know how it is! Plus we had plans for once to see people and they all got cancelled b/c of hand/foot/mouth. I think this was half my problem. Every time I suggested something to Keith he wasn't exactly thrilled. What I needed was a girls weekend but that wasn't happening. I was so very bored...I had plenty I could have done around the house(clean the office, organize stuff, etc) but I just didn't feel like it or have the motivation. So I sat and complained how bored I was! (real adult like I tell you!) Finally I went to the store to return our movie and decided we were going to the park. I picked up some chicken,went back home, got Keith and Avery, packed the rest of dinner and off we went. It was SOOOO nice to not see the same 4 walls for once. The park was a new park and was very clean, mostly quiet, and had a splash pool(only wish it was open!) I really hate days like that!

I should also add that the dr. never called in my script so I pretty much suffered all weekend. Luckily, it seems to be clearing up(I hope) on its own after a week of hell! I would just really like to know why they didn't call it in and make me look like fool at the pharmacy! ANother thing...do male ob/gyn really know what its like to need diflucan???? Apparently not, or I would have HAD that script!

Today I felt like all I did was change poopy, drippy diapers(sorry tmi). Every time I turned around one of them had to be changed. I should have just called their mom's and sent them home. One still wasn't feeling well and he slept for 3 hours, one was just a cranky butt with a capital c, and avery was pretty decent...except for the poop!

Now I am washing the diapers and coming out of the bathroom and my toe get caught in the baby gate....let me just tell you that ceramic tile does NOT feel good on my knees or toes. But my dog sure moved quick!

Kinda Bummed..

2008-07-10T20:58:00.002-04:00

Our anniversary plans have been canceled for tomorrow evening. We called our babysitter just to let her know about the hand,foot, mouth disease and her mom thanked us for calling, but doesn't want her exposed. Which I can understand completely as a mom, but still a bummer. We will have to reschedule.

No fun for us this weekend...although I don't think I will stay home b/c of it. Just won't expose people if we don't need too. Does that make sense?

Playdate:cancelled
Date night: cancelled

The other little boy, Lori, we believe is just teething. He has no spots...yet but his mom is aware. He has just been miserable, I think he is getting his molars and we all know how fun those can be!

July 10...

2008-07-10T16:13:00.002-04:00

Today I was going about my normal business of getting ready for 3 boys. Well one boy's mom called and said he wasn't coming b/c he had a fever and just not himself. He's feeling better he might come a bit later, ok that's fine.

The other little boy(L) shows up at 7:30(way better mind you than 11:30 yesterday). So L and avery play and I then take them outside. Normally L is the first one in the pool(kiddie pool) but not today. I noticed he was fussy, but has been for a while now due to 4 teeth coming in. Around 10:30 I decide he just isn't himself so I go in to take his temp. Him mom requests a bum temp...yeah never done that before, but surprisingly it wasn't bad. He has a 103 temp, so I take it again just to be sure(i swear the themometers can be finicky, mine not his) he has his own...102.3. So I call his mom. She asks me 101 questions and finally says I'll call the dr and come and get him(the bottom line really was he needed to be picked up). Meanwhile he had fallen asleep.

She shows at 11, takes him to the dr. and calls me. At first I was thinking she is overreacting by taking him to the dr with a fever b/c it could just be from teeth. well..he has hand, foot, and mouth disease. He won't be back until monday. She says its just mild and just starting. So now i am PRAYING avery doesn't get it. I sprayed all the toys with bleach and luckily most were already clean upstairs so I didn't have to do them all.

The real bummer is that we were supposed to have a playdate with Amy and Gracie this weekend and now we can't. Amy is prego, and shouldn't be exposed and neither should Gracie. There is always something that happens and it just plan sucks!!

On top of it all...I realized today is my dad's bday. I always seem to forget exactly when it is and once I did, I cried. Not on the agenda...this will be his second bday that he isn't with us anymore and it still feels weird especially when I need somthing fixed around the house.

Happy Anniversary to us!

2008-07-10T16:09:00.002-04:00

ok I am a day late on this. I had every intention of blogging yesterday but I was busy attempting to plan a girls' only weekend. This is not as easy as it sounds!!

I can't believe that Keith and I have been married for 3 years and together for almost 6. Gosh, where does the time go? It just amazes me and we have done so much over the last 3 years that I'm not sure I could ask for more in life.

Tomorrow night we are going out to celebrate...more to celebrate having a trusting babysitter, afterall we are both greatful for each other. Most days...we are going to Chandler's Restaurant at Yankee Candle. It's the most romantic restaurant in the pioneer valley for the last 7 years so we shall see how it is. I know its going to be expensive, BUT i have a coupon for a free dessert and my bil's gave us a gift certificate there for christmas($40) so that will help to defray the cost.

I should also add this place also has the best kid's menu too! Not sure how those 2 things go together but apparently they do!