Tuesday, September 22, 2009

INTRODUCING............

Nicholas Jude
7 lbs 2 oz
20 inches
Born @ 11 am


Wednesday, September 16, 2009

1 Day to Go!!!

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!!
Lots to do today to finish getting ready. I also want to spend the day with the kids doing something fun.

I am trying to wrap my brain around the fact that tomorrow I in fact am going to be giving birth. Honestly, I am in "surgery mode" not "I am having a baby!". Believe me I am excited about having him. It just hasn't become real yet....and probably won't until I hold him in my arms.

Emotions are running high for me today. It's a bitter sweet day.

I am a little sad to know that this will be the last full day that I probably will ever be pregnant. I consider it a miracle that I became pregnant and looking back over the last 9 months I wish that I had let some things go and just been a little more selfish and just relaxed and enjoyed it.

I am nervous. You would think since I have had 2 c-sections before that this would be old hat for me. Being a nurse, especially a nurse that worked on post-surgical patients actually has put a fear in me. You know the say---ignorance is bliss. I wish I was more ignorant right now. Peace. I just want to rest in God's peace right now.

I am worried. Worried about my children being without me for 3-4 days.

I am excited. I finally get to meet our little guy. This is a new chapter for our family. I am looking forward to what that may be.

Prayers.....I could use them right now.
Thanks.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Happy Birthday!!!!

Happy Birthday to the love of my life Chris!!!!

I have a very selfless man. He took today off from work not because it is his birthday but so he can bring me to the doctor's this afternoon. I have my last appointment with the OB before Thursday's arrival. I am seeing the actual doctor who will do the c-section. After that, Chris is going to drop me off at the hospital for pre-admission testing. While I am there he is going to take the kids (minus CJ who will be at football) to the park. I was willing to change these appointments when I go them in the mail but he said no. He is always putting others before himself.

Just another reason I love him : )

Oh and......2 MORE DAYS TO GO!!!!

Monday, September 14, 2009

3 Days to Go!!!

Only 3 Days to Go!!! And I am feeling VERY overwhelmed at this point. I have lots I WANT to get done.....but no energy to do it. I will admit, because of this, I feel snappy.

Chris keeps telling me to relax. In fact, I was up in the middle of the night (big surprise) so he called me on his way to work (about 4:30 am). He told me he wanted me to take it easy and just worry about doing my menu planning. That's it. He said he would take care of everything else when he gets home.

I have an incredible husband and I love him so much. The guilties come in for me. I feel bad that after being up since 3 am he is going to come home and do all the things I want to do.

Today is Chris' last day of work until October 9th. Tomorrow is his birthday. I am hoping to make it a special one for him......in between my doctor's appointments.

Please keep me in your prayers that I would be able to stay in peace the last 3 days of this pregnancy. I do truly feel blessed for it.
Judy

Friday, September 11, 2009

A Reminder to Self

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

You know what......being a homeschooling mama can be hard!!! You don't get to call out sick, have a lunch or coffee break or leave the job behind at 4 pm. Attitudes can pop-up at any time (and I am not just talking about the kids here) and you have to be really good at multi-tasking.

A mentor I look up to told me that while she was homeschooling she had this verse on her fridge as a reminder to herself. I have been look at this scripture alot lately. Trying to remind myself to press on.

I have had one child in particular who drives me to my knees. The whole summer has been a tug-o-war with them in regards to 2 areas of sin----lying and not doing chores. Frustrating to say the least!!! We can have 3 great days followed by 4 horrible days. I have shed more tears than I wished to over this matter. In my mind, I just don't get it. How hard is it to just tell the truth!!

But then I a quiet reminder comes to me about my own sin. What is my reaction to this child? I would love to say that I have a sweet tender voice and heart while correcting but that just doesn't happen. I take this child's disobedience VERY personally and get angry. I let it set the tone for the whole house. Talk about not being fair to the other children, my husband, myself and the original child who was disobedient.

I am working on it. First off---I have been praying about this area in particular for this child and myself (their lying and my reaction). Next, I have been having this child write out a scripture many-many times (Proverbs 12:22) and also have them wear an index card with the scripture pinned to their shirt as a reminder (an idea from a friend).

In regards to chores---I have noticed over the last 3 weeks this child has been saying "I don't like to_______ (fill in the blank---clean their room, pick up toys, do their chores, basically anything we have been asking them to do) ALOT! A friend of mine told me how she went through a similar problem with her 2 older children when they were little. Her first word of advice----speak only ONCE! She said if she told them to clean their room in X amount of time and they didn't, she went in with a garbage bag and cleaned it for them. The kids did have an opportunity to eventually earn the toys back---one at a time.

After getting VERY frustrated on Tuesday and hearing at 3 different times how this child does not like to ______ I decided to take action. The garbage bags came out and their room was packed up. Tears were shed as this child saw that I was serious. I used this as an opportunity to talk (yes, I talked very calmly) about how God entrusts us with a little and when we show we can handle it He gives us more.

This gave us both a great life lesson. This child learned there are consequences for not being obedient and for not being content with what they have been given. It gave me the chance to correct this child with a calm voice and a loving heart.

Wednesday and Thursday were great days with this child. However, today they got up and decided NOT to do their chores. I am happy to say that I stayed calm, I didn't take it personally (had to remind myself on this one) and gave the child their consequence nice and calmly. This child came to me on their own and has since apologized. I accepted and had them go and do their chore (instead of having them wait until Chris got home). They will now have 3 extra jobs to do (since there was 3 jobs they decided not to do) while the other children enjoy some play time. After they get their jobs done I will let it go and let them continue on with the day (this is a new one for me).

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Prepping the Mommy!

New-Do

I think my belly looks bigger than yesterday!!

Today was Prepping the Mommy!! I went and got my haircut. I didn't want to scare the baby when he sees me : )-

Believe it or not, I took 3-4 inches off! Chris even said he didn't realize my hair had gotten that long. Now *hopefully* I will be able to blow-dry my hair out like this myself. I wonder if my hair dresser makes hospital visits ; )

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

37 1/2 Weeks


Today's appointment with the midwife went very well.

BP 110/72
Wt---stayed the same : ) Total weight gain (according to them) 22. According to what I weighed the day before I found out 16!!!

She didn't bother measuring me. She said she has no worries and added"oh, your good"....with a laugh. Last week I already measured 40 weeks so I can only imagine what I was this week. I don't think there is any more room at the inn ; )


Everything is going according to plan. My next appointment, on Tuesday, will be with the doctor who will be performing the c-section. After the appointment I will go to pre-admission testing at the hospital.

I can't believe he will be here in 8 days----actually, more like 7 days, 11 hours but who's counting : )

Please keep me in your prayers. My mind can go a hundred miles per hour and can get away from me. I am trying to take every thought captive.
Thanks!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

CJ's Dream Car

My Dad came to visit today. To our HUGE surprise he told Chris to bring CJ for a drive in his car. I had to stop to clarify when I saw him hand CJ the keys. I couldn't believe he wanted CJ to do the driving!!!!!

Talk about a giant smile on someone's face walking out the door.

First thing he did was put the top down.


Cool.


Chris and CJ


Ready to go.


Buh-bye!

I went to remind my father that CJ is the oldest grandson.....then I remembered the technically he isn't (my brother has 3 kids we haven't seen in 15 or so years). Man, I thought I could get him with that one ; )

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Baby Update--Week 36 1/2

I went yesterday to see the midwife.

BP 116/70
WT up 1 lb.....total 22
Measuring-----40 weeks!!!! Yup, I am measuring 3 1/2 weeks ahead, however my ultrasounds have always been right on target. Julie (my wonderful midwife) again said I am looking at an 8 pounder at birth.

When she went and listen to his heart rate he kicked right where she was listening to to move it. She looked at us and said "look at that attitude!" Gee, I wonder where he gets that from ; ) Everything else looks good (I still have ankles) and I go back and see her for the last time next week on Wednesday. Then I see the doctor the following week on the Tuesday and have the baby on the Thursday. WOW!! It is coming fast!!!!

Funny story----
While driving yesterday. Conversation between Chris and me:
Me----"Can you believe I am measuring 40 weeks already?"
Chris---"YES---your HUGE!"
Me---(in disbelief) "What! I can't believe you said that! I am putting on my blog that you think I am huge."
Chris---"Well if you are going to put it on your blog that you can use GINORMOUS!" (he was laughing----I was sitting there with my mouth open).
Me---"I can't believe you said that." (me laughing)

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

My Cute Nephew

Nathan Anthony
September 1, 2009
5:34 pm
7lbs-1oz
20 inches

Proud Papa


3 Generations!
Me, Niece Laura, Great-Nephew Nathan
Boy, that makes me feel old!!!

The New Mama with her little bundle.

The love of my life--Chris taken it in.
He is a natural with babies.

What a cute baby!!!

The Happy Family

I forgot how small they come out!!
I can't believe I will have one of my own on the 17th!!

Wide Awake : )

I think he was wondering if anyone was going to pick him up ; )

I saw the midwife myself today that delivered Nathan yesterday. She told us what an AWESOME job Laura and Brandon did with labor and delivery. I am VERY proud of the two of them.

Our family is extremely excited. With the birth of Nathan there are 5 generations alive right now in our family.
Nathan---age 1 day
Laura---age 19 Nathan's mom
Glenda---age 45 (46 on Sunday) Laura's mom
Joe---age 70 Glenda's dad
Irene---age 92!! Joe's mom

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Laura's Baby!!!!!

HE'S HERE!!!! My niece, Laura, had her baby : )
Nathan Anthony 7lbs-1 oz.
Mom and Baby are doing well.

Number 19!!!!



I have to tell you.......I love this family!!!!!

Laura Update

My niece, Laura, is in labor. Please keep her in your prayers today for a fast, safe delivery.
I will update after she has her bundle of joy!!