Look who's here!!!

 

This is the outfit I worn to the hospital for all my deliveries. My water broke at 5:04AM and we headed out the door about an hour later, I of course needed to finish packing.

Here is our not so little new guy.  He weighed in at 8lbs and 15ozs.  Due to his projected size, previous complications and possible new bigger complications, we ended up having him by C-section at 12:14pm.

 

Proud Papa

We are very blessed to have a healthy addition to our family. The girls are very excited for us to come home and CJ is happy to find out we get to keep him forever and that he'll move with us to AZ.  He has Grandpas' Jim Ludeking and Ryan's habit of sleeping whenever they get a chance and Grandpa Jim Ryan's chin.

Kjetil Michael Ryan

12-28-08

12:14pm

8lbs 15ozs

20.5"

10 perfect fingers and toes

Look who's here!!!

 

This is the outfit I worn to the hospital for all my deliveries. My water broke at 5:04AM and we headed out the door about an hour later, I of course needed to finish packing.

Here is our not so little new guy.  He weighed in at 8lbs and 15ozs.  Due to his projected size, previous complications and possible new bigger complications, we ended up having him by C-section at 12:14pm.

 

Proud Papa

 

We are very blessed to have a healthy addition to our family. The girls are very excited for us to come home and CJ is happy to find out we get to keep him forever and that he'll move with us to AZ.  He has Grandpas' Jim Ludeking and Ryan's habit of sleeping whenever they get a chance and Grandpa Jim Ryan's chin.

Kjetil Michael Ryan

12-28-08

12:14pm

8lbs 15ozs

20.5"

10 perfect fingers and toes

Christmas

We have had a great Christmas! Many blessings. No baby ---yet. My parents arrived Sunday evening, to a cold front that we had, but by Christmas it was near 80 and sunny. The girls have loved having extra people to play with.



Christmas day, we delivered home made oatmeal bread to the base fire station and the girls got hats and CJ got to sit in the driver's seat!


Today I got my toes done, and we have been plugging away at my to do list, so we are nearly ready for the baby to come. I did get my camera back...I got the call after spending 5hrs at the hospital that it was in and I needed to pick it up within 5 days. Justin the supervisor of the geeks, got an earful on Friday when I picked it up after not having it for 8 weeks.

That is all for now. I hope you had a blessed Christmas.

200th Post and a picture

This is my 200th post and I guess that means I must average about 100 posts a year.  I'm just shy of the 2yr mark when I began this blogging adventure, I don't mind posting as long as someone keeps reading.  I also hope to use this as a resource for my lack of scrapbooking in the past 2yrs.

Today I had a check up.  I'm 36 wks and they really want the little guy to cook a bit longer.  However concerned about his size and decrease in movement, I got to spend 5 HOURS at the hospital today.  I had 3 ultra sounds done and a bunch of fetal monitoring -which I had contractions all the way through.  The break down...baby is still a boy --and proud of it-- he looks healthy and potentially big measuring at about 8lbs 7oz right now.  The girls were only 7lbs 8oz each.  The ultra sound can be off by a pound and a half either way, so I'm PRAYING that he is only at about 7lbs right now.  He was busy snoozing and had no interest in showing off his kicks, flips or punches, which is why I was monitored for so long.  I did get some pictures, and that is always fun to see your little one growing.

 

For anyone needing help, this is a face shot, his lips look similar to CJ's but I really can't say he looks any different than any other baby ultrasound picture.

Thankfully he is not in distress and appears to be very healthy.  I'm also grateful that today I found a neighbor to watch the girls, since normally they come along and love to listen to the heartbeat as much as I do.  The girls did well for Angie, I felt really bad not taking an supplies for her, I really thought I'd be gone for maybe an hour. Laurelei took a nap for her and CJ and Burke played well the whole time.

The nurse also mentioned that I should have a coke and some chocolate...that'll stimulate him...that is treatment I can handle!

This year's santa visit

Many of you may remember how last year's visit with Santa went. If not, our children scream at him. In fact, when he made a drive by in a fire truck this year and I called for CJ to come and see, she yelled back "No, I'm scared of Santa" and today when at the store and there was a display area with a chair CJ said to me, "that's were Santa sits, when is he going to be there?" I said, "Saturday, would you like to come and get your picture taken?" "No"

I'm not pushing it. But here are 2 fun videos of the girls checking in with Santa anyways.

CJ
Laurelei



****I made another lovely call today concerning my camera, I was told that my camera will NOT be expedited nor replaced, but it should be in on Dec. 22nd and that I will have it before Christmas. I said I will be in on Monday Dec. 22nd to pick up my camera or my replacements, that I will not leave the store without a camera ---of course I have no intention of paying for one and really don't plan on spending the holiday in jail either, so crossing my fingers.

Question for you

I have been looking at my stack of Christmas cards and my stack of unfinished baby announcements and have begun to wonder...should I send each one out or should I just pack away the Christmas cards for next year, and focus on the baby announcements? I am proposing the question to you. If I don't have your address or if unfortunately I had to make the cut somewhere and you don't get an Christmas/announcement card, I will be posting here some of that. The Christmas Cards will not include a family letter, because honestly it could be a book and I don't have time. It also will not include a photo of any sort. I hope to include a baby picture in the announcements. Take the poll -----> And let me know!

I also have been hassling about getting my camera back. I called yesterday and told the nice geek that I would be in today to pick up my camera. She said, um it's not here, it just got assigned yesterday. I explained how I haven't had my camera for 6 weeks and I am not waiting any longer I will be in on Wednesday, please have my camera fixed and ready or have a replacement for me. She said she'd send an email. Well I did go today, handed over my work order, the nice geek put it into the system and said confusedly, it's not ready. I explained how I called yesterday and need to pick it up. She said it is in Connecticut. She sent another email, but told me it could be 2 or 3 days before they respond. I said I wasn't happy, I didn't want to be ugly, I JUST WANT MY CAMERA.

I only have a few pictures left on my film camera, I will try and get them taken and developed as quickly as I can, maybe I got a few pictures I can share.

Thanks

Thanksgiving

Still no camera and in an effort to be cheerful this Christmas Season, I will leave it at that for now and not go into a big tirade of it being in the shop for 6 WEEKS!!!

However, thanks to my friend Toni, I do have a couple of pictures I can share.

A few days ago at the cookie exchange

Christmas

The season of Christmas is really here. I know the stores have been trying to get us in holiday mode for about 3 months now, and I'm all about preparing in advance, but NOW the season is truly here. I am excited about it. We put our tree up this weekend. WWAAAAYYYY earlier than normal for me. I like to leave it up until Epiphany, the 12 actual days of Christmas that follow Christmas day, so to put it up right after Thanksgiving, makes it a long time to have up. However, since Eric was home we did it together as a family. It may not stay up until Epiphany this season either.

This week I am participating in a cookie exchange. So I'm busy making 6 dozen cookies. The first batch did not turn out as nice as I had hoped, and I have let the girls have one each, so now I'll need to make at least 4 batches to get my 6 dozen, but CJ is a big help and it is an activity that we can do together. Currently I'm not much for actually getting on the floor and playing gymnastics and although we all love to read books, it is nice to mix up the activities.

We will have company for Christmas and Eric will be home. Although this means I have cleaning and organizing to get done, it helps with the excitement of the season. I made an Advent/Christmas countdown board (with Stampin' Up!'s exclusive home decor) and CJ loves to change out the numbers and her excitement is contagious.

In the middle of all this, we are preparing to welcome our new little one --most likely sometime between Christmas and Epiphany--and he has been a rockin' and a rollin' lately so I know he is anxious to arrive as well. Let us not forget that we are also preparing for a big move. I should be stressed and feeling like skipping Christmas, but I've made the choice to just roll with it and enjoy it with my girls. Their happiness and wonderment makes it hard to even think about the stress I could be having.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to share with you what Eric and I have decided about Christmas. He and I have loved going to church both Christmas Eve and Christmas day, if we can, and we love to just spend time together. Exchanging gifts is always fun and we love to find something special for friends and family. However, we don't buy into the commercialism that Christmas has become. We have decided that the spirit of Santa is fun, but doesn't need to be over done. CJ is already talking about what kind of underwear he'll bring her this year and she hopes he doesn't forget the orange. We're glad that we started the low key yet thoughtful Santa for our house.

As for gifts for the kids, they will each get 3 from us. Jesus, our Savior whom we are celebrating this season, received 3 gifts. The girls won't be getting gold, frankincense, or myrrh, but will be getting age appropriate items that they need or will love. Another reason for this, their birthdays are just a few weeks after Christmas, and it seems more appropriate to make them feel really special and focus on them on those days, and to take the opportunity to learn about Jesus at this time of year.

Counting our blessings, learning to love, enjoying each other, that is what makes Christmas the amazing season that it is. Stop on by, our home will be filled with cookies, fresh bread, Christmas music, and much joy.

Now, I've got to run and make supper, clean up from the first batch and start a second batch of cookies, vacuum the living room, bathe the girls and try to have them in bed by 8.

Blog tag

This is a blog tag game that is making the rounds. Here are the rules of the game: Link to the person who tagged you. I've been tagged by Bobbie.
Post the rules on your blog.
Write 6 random things about yourself.
Tag 6-ish people at the end of your post.
Let each person know he/she has been tagged.
Here goes nothing...

1. I am currently having issues with breathing. The baby is pushing on my lungs (which makes the rib hurt oh so bad) and I have a cold with a very stuffy head. I will be one happy mama once this cold passes.

2. Even though I love playing with my girls all day, I look forward to bedtime and a chance to just be still.

3. I have lots and lots of ideas floating in my head...some of them I start, I even finish a few.

4. I'm an insomniac.

5. Being a responsible adult (a moment for the chuckles) I don't really live life on the edge, but recently I had my moment that made me feel like I was back in college, oh yea --I'm good. I needed gas, but was running late to pick up CJ. So I picked her up and drove all the way back to base, where I had seen the cheapest gas. My van said I had a good 7 miles to go, my tank holds 20 gallons. I put in 19.97 gallons, and saved myself 10 cents each gallon by not filling up in the morning, when I had time. Yup that's my life, my good story from the past month.

6. Recently I realized that as much as I LOVE chocolate, I love it more with peanut butter and actually may love peanut butter more than chocolate.

The following have been tagged:
Susan
Heather
Jenny
Hannah
Ellen
Mandy

Foul!

I'll admit it, I've been irritable, cranky, just plain in a foul mood. Why? Well a few potential reasons:

1. Eric's gone and I miss him and his help, yet he is possibly coming home for a few days, just enough time to mess up our routines to leave again, and make us all sad to see him go again.
2. I'm just very pregnant with lots of hormones, a sore rib, with preggo itchies, my feet and hands burn/itch SO bad, and sometimes it is everywhere, and a house that needs cleaning.
   
3. My kids have been acting like kids, acting their ages, and well, I would like a nap even if they don't think they need one.
4. Sleep is hit or miss. 10 days ago I was sleeping really well, the past 7 have been horrible sleeps.
5. After getting my camera back, I find out that it is still broken, and have to take it in again.
   
6. Friday I took a bunch of things to the post office to mail off. One being a rebate that I'm very excited to get, it was just a letter but I had them check to ensure proper postage, yesterday I got it back, it needs 17 more cents!!! ARG!!!!
7. I can't see my feet.....oh wait, that is what turned my afternoon around....How you ask? Please make sure that you have used the facility before continuing....I'll wait.....

Okay, is your bladder empty? Maybe that isn't a big deal to you, but for me it is.

This afternoon, I finally got a chance to sit, with my feet up, reclined back, with no kids sitting on my lap, taking pressure off my rib. As I was listening to my mom's story concerning early dementia --this makes it all the more ironic, trust me -- my feet start to burn/itch again.
As I'm scrubbing one foot on the other, listening to the story, I'm looking at the pattern on my shoe. Wait a second, switch feet start itching again, the shoes have.....oh shoot!!!

That's right...I have 2 different shoes on. Both are tennis shoes, one has purple, navy and silver accents, the other in a completely different design in light blue, navy and silver....and I have been wearing this "pair" for TWO DAYS!

I would share a photo, but please refer back to #5 and the previous post.

So no matter how your day is going, if you have a matching set of shoes on, smile you can at least see your own feet!

no camera

I picked up my camera on Tuesday...only to get it home and find that something else is broken on it and I still can't take pictures.  I took it back in today, they promised to rush it if the service people don't decide to junk it and give me a new one.  It is 4 yrs old and so as far as electronics go, ANCIENT and I wouldn't mind a new one, as long as it is as good as the one I currently have.

We are doing well.  Crossing our fingers that in some way we'll get to see Eric over Thanksgiving, not currently looking good, hopefully Monday will bring good news.  I had contractions on Sunday and Monday.,..some intense and painful ones and Sunday night they were 8-10mins apart, but they have subsided and my check up on Thursday went very well.  Everything is as it should be, baby sounded great and my BP was great too.  I go back in 2 wks, but then I'm on to every week, YIKES!!!  Time will fly by!

The girls are doing well and growing!  CJ has been sleeping a bit more, later in the mornings and even zonked out one night by 7:15, meanwhile, Laurelei has been eating me out of house and home.  Today the high temp was 53, yesterday it was 82 or something and our average is about 73 for this time of year.  Never fear by Tuesday it is suppose to be back to 84.  I know I've promised warm weather to any notherners who'd like to visit, just don't come tomorrow.

The crazy farm

Today on the way home, CJ asked, where are we going.  I had already said home several times, so I changed it up and said, "the crazy farm".  She thought this was hiliarous, and once her laughing subsided a bit, she said, "that is too far away, that is where Grandma Martha lives".  G'ma Martha may agree.

My camera is still in the shop, and as life is typical on this street, there have been some "kodak" moments that my neighbor captured for me.  Thanks Toni!

Here is Laurelei.  CJ had put these stickers, that look like band aids, all up and down Laurelei's legs and arms, because "she got shots".  Laurelei began to transfer them to her babies.

On our street little girls are everywhere and on any given day, dressed up, or really just how they prefer to dress.  At an after Halloween sale, I got this "Hannah Montana" costume for CJ for a buck.  She doesn't even know who Hannah Montana is, but she got all dressed up and proclaimed her self a little Miss Eugenia.

The other day, there were 7 little girls playing with chalk in my driveway. They ranged in age from 4-1 and some of the "regulars" weren't even there.  It is nice to have so many friends to play with so close.  We will miss that when we move away.

Giving thanks for my blessings

Did anyone else notice that apparently the Christmas season is here already? I have heard carols on commercials, in stores, and the displays are beautiful! I love Christmas, the spirit and focusing on what makes us Christians. However, right now, it is time to be thankful, to count our blessings, and to revel in God's abundance to us.

I love Thanksgiving! I love that it is about getting together with friends and family, to share food, games and stories. I love that there is no pressure to bring more than yourself and it is a day celebrated in slow motion. The pick up football game --that I'm sure I won't be allowed to partake in this year, the home filled with wonderful aromas of food and love. Afternoon naps, and fierce card games. What more could we ask for.

It is a day that few worries creep into conversations, yet many hugs are given and even tears may be shed. The laughter comes from deep within the belly and is contagious.

My life is very different from what I ever imagined. It is different than how I would plan it even now, but this is the life that God has given me and he has blessed me. I am thankful. My children are healthy and pure joy. My husband is currently not in harms way. This year we will not get to celebrate Thanksgiving with extended family, but we will be with friends. It makes me smile to think about food I might make, the yummy left overs, my house filled with guests, and more.

The girls and I are making a blessing tree. I'll share it when we are done and I have my camera back. I challenge you to slow down and count your blessings during this opportunity to be reflective and not to worry about things out of your control. It can bring you peace, which is a blessing.

feeling better

Yesterday it seemed CJ was on the mend. She went over 36hrs with no upset stomach, then at 2:30AM it returned. She did wake up this morning her regular self, so hopefully it has passed. Here are a couple of pictures from a couple of weeks ago.

I do pull Laurelei's hair into a barrette or pony, but she pulls it out as soon as I'm not looking. CJ at gymnastics.

On another note, I hope everyone has taken or will take the opportunity to vote in this historic election. No matter which party comes out on top, history will be made, and that is exciting. I have voted by absentee ballot.

Did I imply....

Did I imply that Thursday night was a long- short night. I am so sorry to have mislead you. Thursday was a good night.

We handed out treats last night and headed down to the carnival. The girls had a blast. CJ had no interest in riding the ponies, but Laurelei did. That is until it started moving. She made it twice around the small circle before jumping into my arms. After all that fun at the carnival we headed home. We had a couple of friends come over while their mom and big brother went to the homecoming football game with big sister.
The four girls had fun. About 9 I put Laurelei in her crib and the big girls laid on their pillows and blankets watching Cinderella. Between the excitement of Halloween and being together, the girls were having a hard time settling down. About 10:15, the excitement, candy and hotdog were too much for CJ's tummy. After scrubbing the carpet, cleaning the bathroom, and giving CJ a bath, all the girls fell asleep, and their mom showed up about 10mins later.

Before I headed to bed, I packed up most of the candy, talked with Eric, took my own shower, moved CJ upstairs and switched the laundry. So again, not in bed early. However, as moms know, with a sick one, it is hard to fall asleep and to sleep soundly.

I had hoped that it was just too much junk food. But CJ was up 3 more times last night/early this morning and pretty lifeless this morning with one more big mess for me in the living room. I'm really glad that Eric cleaned the carpets before he left, I enjoyed the nice carpets for 3 days. Laurelei pooped again on the carpet today...because she is feeling good, but apparently felt left out.

So we didn't make it to the store to get 9-volts for the fire detectors this morning--which thankfully have remained silent. I made veggie noodle soup for lunch. She did keep half a piece of toast in. I guess it wasn't just junk food, she managed to pick up something last night.

I love my kids. I'm ready for them to be healthy for more than a couple of weeks. Can I blame it on our geographical location?

oh what a night

Tonight we will pass out treats then go to the base Halloween carnival. It already looks like it will be fun! We'll even dig out our flashlights to use on the walk home along with the glow bracelets I got the girls. I will be going as a tired mommy.

This is part of the reason why.

Last night, after going to bed waaaaay later than I had planned, because I was talking to Eric, I of course had a hard time falling asleep. As I began to doze, I had a quick dream or thought that my mom was downstairs and I had just gone to bed without getting a bed set up for her or even telling her I went to bed. As I tossed and turned and hemmed and hawed, about getting up and taking care of her, all while thinking, but I'm so tired. I did fall asleep.

About 2:30AM I woke up with sharp pain in my side. Although not quite as severe as last Christmas when I ended up in the ER, all I could think was, not again, not now. I got up and used the bathroom --especially when pregnant, alwasy something that seems as if it might help. I was able to move myself around and I didn't feel as if I was going to vomit. So after 10mins, I decided to head back to bed and see how the rest of the night would go. I climbed into bed, rolled to my left side, and INSTANTLY the pain was gone! Such a RELIEF! I must have been sleeping in a bad position. Awww....sleep is almost as instant, when I hear the dog. The dog who was sleeping in the hallway, saw me up, watched me snuggle back into bed, and THEN felt the need to relieve herself. I took the opportunity to drink more water and happily return to bed.

Just about 4:30AM the fire alarm went off. I just laid in bed feeling how incredible the night had become. After a few seconds it turned off. Oh good, it must be the battery and if I don't change it, it will continue all night. It IS day light savings this weekend, time to change the batteries. Shucks why didn't I put that on Eric's to do list before leaving? A few minutes later it went off again. I got up, to shut the girl's door and try and figure out which alarm it was and just what to do. CJ had woken up.

She asked, "Mommy, what are cooking?"
Isn't that sweet? Nothing my dear.
I covered both girls up and assured them I would take care of the annoying alarm. Not smelling anything, but since our windows were open, I did go and peek outside, to make sure that there wasn't a fire near by. Thankfully the girls went back to sleep. The alarm went off one more time, and it has since been quiet. --well that is until I turned on the stove burners to investigate how many aren't working and I managed to set the alarms off, again not while I was cooking, but while I was cleaning. So I'll change the batteries today.

So with no make up, I'll show up as the mommy with bags under her eyes, blurry vision, hair that at some point might have been brushed, and if I'm lucky real clothes and not my PJs. The mommy who is sneaking the candy away from the kids to get her own sugar high so she can make it back to the house and tuck the little ones in. The mommy whose kids will probably be missing shoes because she was too tired to notice they didn't have them on and have to carry their treats in a plastic store sack cuz she couldn't find the cute bags for their costumes.

Happy Halloween!

***CJ did show up to gymnastics this week with no shoes, it could happen again.

Dear faithful

To my faithful viewers.  I must warn you, the next 3 weeks will be slim...okay possibly no picture updates.  I had to take my digital camera in today, and they had to ship it out to get fixed and it could take up to 3 weeks.  I know that some check regularly for new pictures and I don't want to dissappoint, so I thought I'd warn you.

Eric got into an apt. on Monday. He has discovered that it is "cold" up there and has called requesting a few warmer items he "forgot" to take.  He also got good news about possibly taking time off when the baby comes.

The girls are doing well.  CJ tells everyone that Daddy is on a trip and will be back...."Mommy when will Daddy be back?" I say Thanksgiving, she shares, "Thanksgiving", followed with "what is Thanksgiving Mommy?"  Laurelei has done well so far and only one day woke up looking for Daddy.  I hope the month continues as well.

Painting pumpkins

What a week we have had. I won't get into all the drama, but today at 11, Eric finally got his orders, and they're WRONG. Anyway, he heads out bright and early tomorrow morning. On Wednesday we took the girls to a pumpkin patch. They had lots of fun picking out pumpkins.

Today Daddy painted the pumpkins with them, they were a mess by the end.We are all hoping that the next month goes by quickly. We have our activities to keep us busy and tomorrow we may try out a free kids movie on base as something different to do. If winter comes too early for any of you, we welcome visitors and I don't think they get frost around here.

Quick update

CJ headed back to school today.  They did a field trip to the pumpkin patch.  I got an excellent report from the teachers and parents about her listening skills and behaving very well.  It is always nice to hear those things.  One of the moms took this picture of her.  And it was rather warm today...in the high 80's.

 

CJ was a big helper at my OB appt. today.  Baby's heartbeat sounds great and got to hear it in tandem with mine, such a difference!  My stats were good, although I did loose a pound. My OB asked what I was doing...I said, "besides eating the chocolate covered cherry cake that my hubby made and eating the bag full of treats I was Boo'd with? Nothing, just my normal stuff."  My BP was good too, and a bit closer to normal for me at 104/58.  I'm now at the every 2wks stage.  I will also meet a couple of other OBs from the practice, although I told her I want her to be at delivery, since I'm not sure that Eric will be.  She did say that around 36/37 wks she will start doing baby measurements, but at this time plans on inducing my around 39wks if the little one hasn't come on his own yet.  Both girls came at 38wks, we'll see if he is as anxious to join us.

On another note, Eric still doesn't have orders.  Yet, he is suppose to start next Monday in Little Rock.

Healthy again

Laurelei making sure that big sister was on the mend.

Everyone seems to be healthy again.  The flu really knocked CJ down, she didn't even ask about school, gymnastics or even going outside to play with friends.  This weekend we have done a few things and will be back to normal routine this week.
Friday night we took the girls to a high school football game.  We all had fun and it was fun to watch the girls get into the action.  Both teams were undefeated so it was a big crowd!  We left after 3rd quarter, but something we all enjoyed as a family.

Saturday we went to the squadron Halloween Party.  The girls had fun and we stayed for only about half an hour.  Eric tried to explain to CJ how to bob for apples, but she just looked at him and said "why can't I just use my hands?"  She did get him to bob, and that was fun to watch.  Laurelei was all about eating that apple.

Tagged

I've been tagged. So now I present 6 random things about me.  It has taken me awhile to come up with them, but now that you have read them, YOU are tagged!

1.  I have a particular order I eat potato chips in.  I really can't stand finding one that I missed in the order.  I try not to eat chips too often, it can be stressful.

2.  If you ask me if I'm reading a book, I have a list of 6-8 that I am probably in the middle of.  All different subjects, some fun, some non fiction.  Some I have been "reading" for years, but despite them not holding my attention, I still pick through and try to finish.  Of course there is a bigger list of children's books that I read, and many of them several times a day.  But I LOVE to read.

3.  I don't like carnations.

4.  I most definitely have mommy ADHD, but I am now suspecting that I could have ADD for real as well.

5.  I played 6 on 6 girls basketball.  Last of an era.  I was a guard.

6.  I love to bake bread.

Where we are....hiding

This long weekend has been a stay at home one. Not because we had a huge to do list around the house --which of course we have. Not because the weather was bad, because it never is here. No, sick little girls have kept us home.

Laurelei is battling some lovely diarrhea. So the BRAT diet for her. Each day it seems to be getting better, then the morning comes and it is back. I did notice 2 teeth working their way in, so that may be the culprit since she is not having any other symptoms, yet. However, her poor little hieny is sore again due to the diarrhea and I feel so bad for her.

CJ has the flu. High fever all weekend, at one point it reached 105.1 --SCARY!! and has been pretty lethargic, no I take that back, extremely lethargic if you know her. Today when she woke up it was 103, so I called in to the doc's. It is a holiday Monday so no one called me back and I called back this afternoon when she began to complain of a sore throat. I got her into urgent care, the rapid strep came back neg...THANKFULLY, however she does have the flu type B or something and they acutally have medication for it now. Besides no appetite and the high fever, she doesn't have any stomach symptoms which is nice. I have held her more this weekend than she would let me as an infant on a normal day. My poor little girl.

However, the girls have been real troopers and Laurelei has been a sweetie. Over the past week, Laurelei will cry and alert us when they are in bed, and when we get there, all she wants us to do is to cover CJ back up. It makes my heart go awww every time. CJ the other night heard me coughing (all it was, was a small tickle I got at 2am) and came in and asked if I was okay --all while she is battling the flu. I love their concern and compassion for each other and those all around them. I pray they continue to be sweethearts to each other and compassionate for others their whole lives.

Eric and I did get the garage cleaned up...okay he did the actual garage, but we both sorted through many boxes and have loaded the van for a trip to the thrift shop --it feels good to shed that weight! Between blankets, sick kids, and sorting boxes, our living room is missing, but I'm sure we'll find it again soon.

recent pictures

Here are a few more recent pictures.


They were being a bit TOO quiet and I found them contently painting behind the couch. This was a chocolate before 10AM day.













































At Sea World, the girls both wanted to play in the sand. After living with sand all around for the past 2 yrs, at the fun park, it is the sand that is the biggest draw. I don't get it.
As you can see, we have had lots of fun and activity. Today is a stay at home day, maybe we'll get a few things done. Have a great week!

Weekend pictures

Blogger isn't letting me do this the easy way, so now all my pictures are jumbled together. Let me try and explain them...Eric's family at the River Walk, Eric and I at the River Walk, each time we go, we are suckers and get our picture taken again, in nearly the same spot each time.
Jenny and I, we have the same due date, her first, my 3rd, isn't she cute?

CJ got the best view a couple of times thanks to Daddy and Grandpa, our family at Sea world, everyone at Eric's winging, and Laurelei having a great time clapping at the Dolphin show. We had lots of fun and pictures only capture a quick moment.

He's a Pilot!

We had a fabulous and busy weekend. Here is the quick update, pictures to come later, so check back.

Eric got his wings!  He is a Pilot for the USAF. Six and a half years ago, this is what he wanted to do, and even though he took the long road to get here, he is now a Pilot.  Congrats honey!

To help celebrate this achievement, his parents and sibblings came, and we had a great time with our company.  Eric and Andy got a round of golf in, us girls did some shopping, Saturday we went to Sea World in San Antonio, and Sunday we spent at the riverwalk and the boys made a stop at the Alamo.  A good time was had by all and great food enjoyed.  Everyone was tired when we headed for home, but it was a good tired.

6 months

This week I'll reach the 24wk mark.  At this point, 6 months pregnant, statistically things really start looking great for the baby.  Another sigh of relief to pass this pregnancy mile marker, especially with as crazy and stressful as things have been recently.  A few have been asking me about belly pictures.  I don't do belly pictures.  Plus this time, I didn't just provide the little one with a womb to snugly grow in, instead I have provided him with a gymnasium to be able to adequately tumble, kick, stretch and flip around.  Sure, if I had done 500 sit ups a day between pregnancies I wouldn't be so large, heck if I had just done 5 sit ups between pregnancies, maybe things wouldn't have relaxed as quickly or as much as they have.  However, he needs to be ready to move when he arrives, since he has 2 big sisters who are very excited about him and all the things they'll get to do.

So here is a picture of me pre-pregnancy.  I had worked my tail off (minus sit ups) and was feeling pretty good and only had a small way to go to meet my goal.  Oh, and as a side note, this is a shirt that I made.

And here I am now, at least I have a tan.

This week things will be busy for us and time will fly by.  Celebrating the first day of fall tomorrow with a high around 95 which means the heat index will be over a hundred again.  Our Honeycrisp apples are helping us to feel a bit more like fall.  The seasons are at least changing elsewhere. Thanks Grandma Linda!