tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56128350237596518782024-03-13T23:50:29.406-04:00The {Linc} Between UsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.comBlogger669125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-69355763749331137052018-02-16T15:37:00.001-05:002018-02-16T15:37:29.752-05:00Taya's Birth Story<br />
<div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don't blog much anymore....because hello I have zero extra time and zero extra brain space to commit to it...haha! But I want to write down Taya's birth story so I remember it. </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This baby girl threw everyone for a loop this pregnancy. I was on progesterone shots weekly starting at 17 weeks and ending at 36 weeks. I had lots of cramping and braxton hicks from 30 weeks on and so we all started to prepare for her to come early. At my 33 week appointment I asked to be checked and I was 1cm and 60% effaced. So all that cramping I had been having was starting things. And I know that women can walk around at 1 cm for a long time (6 more weeks in my case!) But with my history I didn't believe I could go that much longer. Thankfully I didn't progress anymore for the next month. At 38 weeks I was 3cm and 80% effaced and my midwife swept my membranes and I walked and bounced and tried everything I could to get labor started to no avail. The very next day Caedmon had a terrible cough that sounded like croup and Dietrich woke up with pink eye so I took them both to the dr. Turns out Caedmon was positive for strep. Monday morning we took everyone else in to get a strep test done and Dietrich also was positive. So I was thankful that baby girl hadn't made her appearance quite yet! At my next appointment I was 5cm and 80% effaced. She swept me again and again it didn't do anything. I had a previously scheduled appointment that I kept for the very next day (18th) and they told me to keep it and come in again. So I did and I was now between 5-6cm and 90% effaced. The midwife consulted with the OB and they both agreed that I needed to be induced because of advanced dilation. If I went into labor at home it was gonna go fast and I definitely didn't want to have a baby at home or in the car on the way to the hospital! So the soonest they could get me in was the next day (19th). </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So the next day we headed to the hospital at 10am. My awesome doula met us there and we started getting all checked in and ready. This was such a different experience for me since I had never had to be induced before. My water has always broken between 5am-6am (seriously...happened same time of the morning with each boy) sending us to the hospital. I knew paperwork etc would take quite awhile but 2 hours later and we were still getting all situated. We discussed options and eventually decided to start with pitocin in order to get some contractions going before breaking my water. I decided on this route because it was explained to me that if they broke my water and contractions didn't start on their own, and then we started pitocin, the contractions would hurt worse because the water wouldn't be there as a cushion anymore. So of course you never know what could've happened but I had pitocin with Caedmon and my water was already broken and those contractions were terrible. So I opted to have pitocin first. The contractions were very manageable and didn't hurt much at all. We got some good contractions working and I was ready for them to come break my water at 3pm. The midwife was in with another delivery for the next 2 hours so we just waited and waited some more. I walked the halls for awhile and got lots of compliments on my robe :) Did you know that you can labor in whatever you want? It's not a requirement to wear the gowns they provide. As long as they have easy access to you, it's fine. So I was comfortable in my own robe the whole time. </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPY7J1xT6sil6qSX_UigQlhjEONe85xrTlXQJg6CSEiJnwm-fsUKRwgvfCk3VL_TWA6p1R8HQvsgJSV4SM7gQNQY7_TKigf64kQctT4mV3yFXQZrxs-2GS6saxi9aaUL2qIeOU2gUCzA/s1600/IMG-3576.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNEiiK7FiPiBW3_ay8Xxtdiz34d5eg" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPY7J1xT6sil6qSX_UigQlhjEONe85xrTlXQJg6CSEiJnwm-fsUKRwgvfCk3VL_TWA6p1R8HQvsgJSV4SM7gQNQY7_TKigf64kQctT4mV3yFXQZrxs-2GS6saxi9aaUL2qIeOU2gUCzA/s1600/IMG-3576.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPY7J1xT6sil6qSX_UigQlhjEONe85xrTlXQJg6CSEiJnwm-fsUKRwgvfCk3VL_TWA6p1R8HQvsgJSV4SM7gQNQY7_TKigf64kQctT4mV3yFXQZrxs-2GS6saxi9aaUL2qIeOU2gUCzA/s640/IMG-3576.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While I was out walking the halls, my midwife walked out of another delivery room and said, "let's go break your water!" I was so ready by then. She broke my water at 5:14pm and I got up and walked the halls again. Contractions started getting more intense right away. Back in my room I labored leaning over the end of the bed. (they raised it up so I could lean on it) The first few contractions were very doable and I had a nice break in between. My doula, Kathy, coached Tyler how to squeeze my hips together during contractions and that felt good. It was during this time that Taya's heart rate started to dip during the contractions. They had me try to flatten my back out during contractions and try that position to see if it would help or not. But she kept dipping during each contraction and thankfully she would come right back up afterward. Now since I had a midwife, if there are any concerns with baby or me the OB steps in and will take over. The OB that was there came into the room at this point because she was concerned. When the heart rate drops like that during contractions it can either be completely normal or it can be the first sign of uterine rupture. And since I'm a vbac of course she was worried that it could be uterine rupture. She told us her concerns and then asked if I had any pain where my scar is or in my upper abdomen. I told her I didn't have any of that pain and that all my pain was down low. The OB then wanted to check me to see how close I was to delivering. She had me move onto the bed on my back and I wanted to punch her in the face. That was the worst position to be in during contractions in my opinion. She checked me and I was dilated to an 8 and baby's head was super low. I was very close to delivering and that gave her enough information to decide that uterine rupture wasn't the cause of the drop in her heart rate but most likely the cord being compressed during contractions since she was so low in the birth canal (after she was born we learned the cord was around her neck so that was in fact the reason). Had I only been 3 cm and baby's head still way up high they probably would've whisked me back for a c-section. So I've very thankful I was so far along at that point. I'm also told that the OB left after that and had she still been concerned she would've stayed for the delivery. </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So after the OB left I got up and continued to labor at the end of the bed like I had been. It wasn't long after that that I felt the urge to push. I crawled up onto the bed and kind of stayed in the same position by leaning over the back of the bed on my arms and knees. As I started pushing I surprised myself and everyone else (ha!) by yelling/screaming my way through each push. The first time I did it I immediately thought to myself "goodness Marie don't do that again, that's so embarrassing!" But I couldn't help it. I was the stereotypical lady in labor screaming her way through it. Tyler told me later that when I started yelling, he was like, "uh I'm not sure how to help her anymore so I'll just stand here and rub her back." lol Him rubbing my back did help so he did a good job :)</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmry8Ky1vCZeVANYl9y-T7XPgDgA_7sbj4Ysz8LAT3fsbozsNLlpV56LJ_HfkwzYixG73zOuUY_4CkdArIHo2_q_A1c79KsO6SwvUAA4Qo6SI7UGIRBpf0zpZjUPBvCer0B2OjJR26mI/s1600/IMG-3622.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNGl0wyq6yN1b4JH40FkISuVTexI2Q" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmry8Ky1vCZeVANYl9y-T7XPgDgA_7sbj4Ysz8LAT3fsbozsNLlpV56LJ_HfkwzYixG73zOuUY_4CkdArIHo2_q_A1c79KsO6SwvUAA4Qo6SI7UGIRBpf0zpZjUPBvCer0B2OjJR26mI/s1600/IMG-3622.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmry8Ky1vCZeVANYl9y-T7XPgDgA_7sbj4Ysz8LAT3fsbozsNLlpV56LJ_HfkwzYixG73zOuUY_4CkdArIHo2_q_A1c79KsO6SwvUAA4Qo6SI7UGIRBpf0zpZjUPBvCer0B2OjJR26mI/s400/IMG-3622.JPG" width="305" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don't remember how long I pushed (seemed like an eternity) but I'm pretty sure it was only like a couple minutes. They broke my water at 5:14pm and she was born at 6:23pm. It was fast and furious and I'm very thankful it didn't take long! </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As soon as she was out I remember that immediate sense of relief and the feeling of, "wow! I can't believe I just did that!" It felt so empowering. </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My mom captured the first time I saw my baby girl. </span></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXR7JH-Lj_6KmGJLQO6KXNDcYfJXDEvVeX6SLMksycYYO0mF2RGHm1ZvBlXH7cEWRx3KgQt1MoVMpqMs419pk3d2VGfWMHJW7T9p9a8yNIaIhCSHnFIgDc5QibfksDWvMEmJy9Xd4QQk/s1600/IMG-3433.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNH0FdGe6Ad4aEmho5zgRtbhFv33SA" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXR7JH-Lj_6KmGJLQO6KXNDcYfJXDEvVeX6SLMksycYYO0mF2RGHm1ZvBlXH7cEWRx3KgQt1MoVMpqMs419pk3d2VGfWMHJW7T9p9a8yNIaIhCSHnFIgDc5QibfksDWvMEmJy9Xd4QQk/s1600/IMG-3433.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXR7JH-Lj_6KmGJLQO6KXNDcYfJXDEvVeX6SLMksycYYO0mF2RGHm1ZvBlXH7cEWRx3KgQt1MoVMpqMs419pk3d2VGfWMHJW7T9p9a8yNIaIhCSHnFIgDc5QibfksDWvMEmJy9Xd4QQk/s640/IMG-3433.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Look at that big gorgeous baby!</span></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFnQh7dnx-Em8caxGr_awsUEUbz5OuCmdVAkZaml9uT9aWu3xNpM23pRXyqFnNZ_QMFjeRuvKpqYTdsb_9lZuWDFKJRLoOCA97cv472VnbKe7DU56qBD_DG0SMErdEIvACBEsVKk8-O4/s1600/IMG-3570.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNGr1IcmRimd1BoyOhJ-8C8DSiVbqA" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFnQh7dnx-Em8caxGr_awsUEUbz5OuCmdVAkZaml9uT9aWu3xNpM23pRXyqFnNZ_QMFjeRuvKpqYTdsb_9lZuWDFKJRLoOCA97cv472VnbKe7DU56qBD_DG0SMErdEIvACBEsVKk8-O4/s1600/IMG-3570.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFnQh7dnx-Em8caxGr_awsUEUbz5OuCmdVAkZaml9uT9aWu3xNpM23pRXyqFnNZ_QMFjeRuvKpqYTdsb_9lZuWDFKJRLoOCA97cv472VnbKe7DU56qBD_DG0SMErdEIvACBEsVKk8-O4/s640/IMG-3570.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Best feeling in the world</span></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdOyuQlKd3L6v-Ltr5skAqXkeSIeOLm6T-b3XQo8RGYA_toja79ybzD1ZcuTxBVKbk5rGTKT_wH_SA2d2HAyw85w-0H19CIsCTF_y92oQkq9QttoaZcV2AQtLsJgK7ujl2KobIBW0N28/s1600/IMG-3434.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNHVhoIugLkap9AcR4535oyomsIM3A" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdOyuQlKd3L6v-Ltr5skAqXkeSIeOLm6T-b3XQo8RGYA_toja79ybzD1ZcuTxBVKbk5rGTKT_wH_SA2d2HAyw85w-0H19CIsCTF_y92oQkq9QttoaZcV2AQtLsJgK7ujl2KobIBW0N28/s1600/IMG-3434.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdOyuQlKd3L6v-Ltr5skAqXkeSIeOLm6T-b3XQo8RGYA_toja79ybzD1ZcuTxBVKbk5rGTKT_wH_SA2d2HAyw85w-0H19CIsCTF_y92oQkq9QttoaZcV2AQtLsJgK7ujl2KobIBW0N28/s640/IMG-3434.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLTrXqDsxxPBmMdLP4ON7QItiR9-lthBEFfZP8foSn2EtkfyVrX4wUxfuFXivexdDuR_fnj4uZYWmdhDUgAq4z55TLwftYGUQl5egbrtdF2BLMBI9mR7tH5qHBezHqbtJtCPWWxORXuE/s1600/IMG-3435.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNE1IZaFdK8Pl8FrNrbMstPHQxh6eQ" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLTrXqDsxxPBmMdLP4ON7QItiR9-lthBEFfZP8foSn2EtkfyVrX4wUxfuFXivexdDuR_fnj4uZYWmdhDUgAq4z55TLwftYGUQl5egbrtdF2BLMBI9mR7tH5qHBezHqbtJtCPWWxORXuE/s1600/IMG-3435.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLTrXqDsxxPBmMdLP4ON7QItiR9-lthBEFfZP8foSn2EtkfyVrX4wUxfuFXivexdDuR_fnj4uZYWmdhDUgAq4z55TLwftYGUQl5egbrtdF2BLMBI9mR7tH5qHBezHqbtJtCPWWxORXuE/s640/IMG-3435.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP42uUSSmGXQRpVeOF1QA-0VLe3GBfbvtgBlw-uu7KOpj7C2Fk6Xhwrj5XPftm-8z53gKOKVwXD56i8tDY0Swibq5AzjUYnO0vMQfHbgrwDqtIoYYF5zITPU_8P2L1itkeszWH6GVvO60/s1600/IMG-3547.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNHwWo5lnDqAeDM2yDjAL6ZaTOuvzQ" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP42uUSSmGXQRpVeOF1QA-0VLe3GBfbvtgBlw-uu7KOpj7C2Fk6Xhwrj5XPftm-8z53gKOKVwXD56i8tDY0Swibq5AzjUYnO0vMQfHbgrwDqtIoYYF5zITPU_8P2L1itkeszWH6GVvO60/s1600/IMG-3547.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP42uUSSmGXQRpVeOF1QA-0VLe3GBfbvtgBlw-uu7KOpj7C2Fk6Xhwrj5XPftm-8z53gKOKVwXD56i8tDY0Swibq5AzjUYnO0vMQfHbgrwDqtIoYYF5zITPU_8P2L1itkeszWH6GVvO60/s640/IMG-3547.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkF72LxVzrccxCwR12TMZVLDK4qRYY9iJvEC5XvckkoC7P6RW8tQ7cvq7YMS40uWbwOfI51A_5Kik2BR0aE28sjlTXj3pw7I4E5-MaXqpaQcdwz3b0MXzIsvyCBg5gl3fM-Xu8zvlsps/s1600/IMG-3564.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNEfOXPymkuIYuTmlmNIcEcPHtqYMQ" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkF72LxVzrccxCwR12TMZVLDK4qRYY9iJvEC5XvckkoC7P6RW8tQ7cvq7YMS40uWbwOfI51A_5Kik2BR0aE28sjlTXj3pw7I4E5-MaXqpaQcdwz3b0MXzIsvyCBg5gl3fM-Xu8zvlsps/s1600/IMG-3564.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkF72LxVzrccxCwR12TMZVLDK4qRYY9iJvEC5XvckkoC7P6RW8tQ7cvq7YMS40uWbwOfI51A_5Kik2BR0aE28sjlTXj3pw7I4E5-MaXqpaQcdwz3b0MXzIsvyCBg5gl3fM-Xu8zvlsps/s640/IMG-3564.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSKUknfGBP5QuybSKL6_JKYljBYAN28LhURNWg5SFxINiqJa3POJQ5sK9Eu7fptDUrCe3veeG48j4hszEHzla3xhW69zvYXZ1IEzwBJqGv6WmxsBBYELqQ9PhzoSF9_YMUtJLRHBQFZY/s1600/IMG-3436.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNHBel1tKME_DGoKvYTfebWV5r5FCA" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSKUknfGBP5QuybSKL6_JKYljBYAN28LhURNWg5SFxINiqJa3POJQ5sK9Eu7fptDUrCe3veeG48j4hszEHzla3xhW69zvYXZ1IEzwBJqGv6WmxsBBYELqQ9PhzoSF9_YMUtJLRHBQFZY/s1600/IMG-3436.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSKUknfGBP5QuybSKL6_JKYljBYAN28LhURNWg5SFxINiqJa3POJQ5sK9Eu7fptDUrCe3veeG48j4hszEHzla3xhW69zvYXZ1IEzwBJqGv6WmxsBBYELqQ9PhzoSF9_YMUtJLRHBQFZY/s640/IMG-3436.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yVO0dOx-8TeWm7lVgjM9fU65BC5X90NE98oPIn4awXP5R5-zJnGnbZs21OlVvapi-S8XLhcrzXjyKl3CRAheoBVXyDVKWw8jwWKnNr-PxheP8nDpWI-sJU1MjsqdJZkVFF5qN8mlqDU/s1600/IMG-3437.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNElR8nnbZU7tH476OB5j1s6vCbI3A" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yVO0dOx-8TeWm7lVgjM9fU65BC5X90NE98oPIn4awXP5R5-zJnGnbZs21OlVvapi-S8XLhcrzXjyKl3CRAheoBVXyDVKWw8jwWKnNr-PxheP8nDpWI-sJU1MjsqdJZkVFF5qN8mlqDU/s1600/IMG-3437.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yVO0dOx-8TeWm7lVgjM9fU65BC5X90NE98oPIn4awXP5R5-zJnGnbZs21OlVvapi-S8XLhcrzXjyKl3CRAheoBVXyDVKWw8jwWKnNr-PxheP8nDpWI-sJU1MjsqdJZkVFF5qN8mlqDU/s640/IMG-3437.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyJCDmL89V7-NAQGAbnYu4pF6IZLpm9PMAC9_M0QgP4HsSvl89mjVqC788ABiR5jPZGWJRLQouU4gBC3l6CmNQiuJQhxhFOB8t-FppIbm9PeemcyP0vJFGt1VrJbUv77srj5Z5_VyLkA/s1600/IMG-3438.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNHa1NilHUbPdIFsfokvIeJj0rlzRA" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyJCDmL89V7-NAQGAbnYu4pF6IZLpm9PMAC9_M0QgP4HsSvl89mjVqC788ABiR5jPZGWJRLQouU4gBC3l6CmNQiuJQhxhFOB8t-FppIbm9PeemcyP0vJFGt1VrJbUv77srj5Z5_VyLkA/s1600/IMG-3438.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyJCDmL89V7-NAQGAbnYu4pF6IZLpm9PMAC9_M0QgP4HsSvl89mjVqC788ABiR5jPZGWJRLQouU4gBC3l6CmNQiuJQhxhFOB8t-FppIbm9PeemcyP0vJFGt1VrJbUv77srj5Z5_VyLkA/s640/IMG-3438.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEG3ceNxZidwQnOAyGmBDU4DvWu9t4DSlKKYhL9WaXS-IchebKj2ilZJS7UqmA7vdcwbUztksKEioPKpGu7HuL99OiJJx-cHOdZRAxpjkKtucdSySCigfBY0422BCbc8DdlJIy0sSzr0/s1600/IMG-3439.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNH72ZmLxb7_lPX7fuXySccj3ZIR8A" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEG3ceNxZidwQnOAyGmBDU4DvWu9t4DSlKKYhL9WaXS-IchebKj2ilZJS7UqmA7vdcwbUztksKEioPKpGu7HuL99OiJJx-cHOdZRAxpjkKtucdSySCigfBY0422BCbc8DdlJIy0sSzr0/s1600/IMG-3439.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEG3ceNxZidwQnOAyGmBDU4DvWu9t4DSlKKYhL9WaXS-IchebKj2ilZJS7UqmA7vdcwbUztksKEioPKpGu7HuL99OiJJx-cHOdZRAxpjkKtucdSySCigfBY0422BCbc8DdlJIy0sSzr0/s640/IMG-3439.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Holding his baby girl for the first time</span></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8YWdqxBR1eMlQfUkUm1nrPZVgLUPP3pPZ_FR-baSUT2SsvBqkIc83XbJRYu4ZV_TugMdOstFpPagRkR_angKoJX1Um7zxxqmEVGfinSbkFPO8sCdQNvVct7sVfH23zGIlSUd7kue2sk/s1600/IMG-3440.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNE50mMY1gdD1oqQV07f7dN4iGHjbw" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8YWdqxBR1eMlQfUkUm1nrPZVgLUPP3pPZ_FR-baSUT2SsvBqkIc83XbJRYu4ZV_TugMdOstFpPagRkR_angKoJX1Um7zxxqmEVGfinSbkFPO8sCdQNvVct7sVfH23zGIlSUd7kue2sk/s1600/IMG-3440.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8YWdqxBR1eMlQfUkUm1nrPZVgLUPP3pPZ_FR-baSUT2SsvBqkIc83XbJRYu4ZV_TugMdOstFpPagRkR_angKoJX1Um7zxxqmEVGfinSbkFPO8sCdQNvVct7sVfH23zGIlSUd7kue2sk/s640/IMG-3440.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kathy was an amazing doula! Hiring a doula was the best decision ever. She knew exactly how to coach me and exactly what to do to help ease my pain. Highly recommend hiring a doula to anyone wanting a med free birth!</span></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFLCOIMb0gbraxHci2em03UOpQHKoJy4UnrPyYnkY2nI94mLRHrJklkejXiEMJAzA1UibBEKVhnH9d3pR1eDY8CqWjr8FCbS1b6clDhY912XwIygaY1HLfx7pECXEV84_7oy9PtClRwo/s1600/IMG-3456.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNEkrthGV5kYX_Af8jPowdXl-7acTQ" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFLCOIMb0gbraxHci2em03UOpQHKoJy4UnrPyYnkY2nI94mLRHrJklkejXiEMJAzA1UibBEKVhnH9d3pR1eDY8CqWjr8FCbS1b6clDhY912XwIygaY1HLfx7pECXEV84_7oy9PtClRwo/s1600/IMG-3456.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFLCOIMb0gbraxHci2em03UOpQHKoJy4UnrPyYnkY2nI94mLRHrJklkejXiEMJAzA1UibBEKVhnH9d3pR1eDY8CqWjr8FCbS1b6clDhY912XwIygaY1HLfx7pECXEV84_7oy9PtClRwo/s640/IMG-3456.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJv4sJfHuWFRZCKQfA1aKBC7SBPtAjlAUK6gcWfETqfOK0V0D9Xa07A7AmmNGHnLPT4g4kjlc_nUPvBAhiHINO8DmnezRaRT-Smy2ZXxr_1n5fPxKL2l3hD7R3Ptt-0wAaTQxhuT1b5Oo/s1600/IMG-3457.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNELtcijydVRzZf9mlaAWBOhZn3UNg" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJv4sJfHuWFRZCKQfA1aKBC7SBPtAjlAUK6gcWfETqfOK0V0D9Xa07A7AmmNGHnLPT4g4kjlc_nUPvBAhiHINO8DmnezRaRT-Smy2ZXxr_1n5fPxKL2l3hD7R3Ptt-0wAaTQxhuT1b5Oo/s1600/IMG-3457.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJv4sJfHuWFRZCKQfA1aKBC7SBPtAjlAUK6gcWfETqfOK0V0D9Xa07A7AmmNGHnLPT4g4kjlc_nUPvBAhiHINO8DmnezRaRT-Smy2ZXxr_1n5fPxKL2l3hD7R3Ptt-0wAaTQxhuT1b5Oo/s640/IMG-3457.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN47TYjIvbmxQmvUsYUc4mWfJzzfFu7SpzusJHlG8awEniHlPLNCqx3ajfK7ML_SFJmoNpr0aK-FBKIUeSjyPOGHvgivOUr-yZhj75II6bPy01ibmn-P1KzGeuuMSb6Y1CsmalDGwfsGg/s1600/IMG-3471.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNE7FFGe-OKAU8ttsCvahqB2bjoahQ" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN47TYjIvbmxQmvUsYUc4mWfJzzfFu7SpzusJHlG8awEniHlPLNCqx3ajfK7ML_SFJmoNpr0aK-FBKIUeSjyPOGHvgivOUr-yZhj75II6bPy01ibmn-P1KzGeuuMSb6Y1CsmalDGwfsGg/s1600/IMG-3471.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN47TYjIvbmxQmvUsYUc4mWfJzzfFu7SpzusJHlG8awEniHlPLNCqx3ajfK7ML_SFJmoNpr0aK-FBKIUeSjyPOGHvgivOUr-yZhj75II6bPy01ibmn-P1KzGeuuMSb6Y1CsmalDGwfsGg/s640/IMG-3471.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8j2FsBqQpIFyqpneJZV7GdVhxlv77G8PYimOPhpFD1hZKGVwBmAyHnyQQABE3Nb-Tq0rUGqvKo0OBBUVlwi14BzNSu3bjoeQ57dICrN57c2TAjF4ttrIh2TjHrklPHyD42GBdBzQL0Yo/s1600/IMG-3475.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNHtE5EEox7enW2Op9AqHjIrXm7RZQ" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8j2FsBqQpIFyqpneJZV7GdVhxlv77G8PYimOPhpFD1hZKGVwBmAyHnyQQABE3Nb-Tq0rUGqvKo0OBBUVlwi14BzNSu3bjoeQ57dICrN57c2TAjF4ttrIh2TjHrklPHyD42GBdBzQL0Yo/s1600/IMG-3475.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8j2FsBqQpIFyqpneJZV7GdVhxlv77G8PYimOPhpFD1hZKGVwBmAyHnyQQABE3Nb-Tq0rUGqvKo0OBBUVlwi14BzNSu3bjoeQ57dICrN57c2TAjF4ttrIh2TjHrklPHyD42GBdBzQL0Yo/s640/IMG-3475.JPG" width="512" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9H-DdKU22lU0XIclA37Q-iLvbyEQEIx74atc85bleRM9UTj5mlMEsai3AjlqXLSqu1Sg-OaaRNhd2MxMshqHQ5B6eSCzciiQYFMZYM4Z9oYI9C28kD49X8pVxKM_WlgP5bajHeQh-RK8/s1600/IMG-3527.JPG&source=gmail&ust=1518899603100000&usg=AFQjCNE_7wLf_Vm_f09jXKthxe5ZTiUdxA" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9H-DdKU22lU0XIclA37Q-iLvbyEQEIx74atc85bleRM9UTj5mlMEsai3AjlqXLSqu1Sg-OaaRNhd2MxMshqHQ5B6eSCzciiQYFMZYM4Z9oYI9C28kD49X8pVxKM_WlgP5bajHeQh-RK8/s1600/IMG-3527.JPG" style="color: #1155cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9H-DdKU22lU0XIclA37Q-iLvbyEQEIx74atc85bleRM9UTj5mlMEsai3AjlqXLSqu1Sg-OaaRNhd2MxMshqHQ5B6eSCzciiQYFMZYM4Z9oYI9C28kD49X8pVxKM_WlgP5bajHeQh-RK8/s640/IMG-3527.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div class="m_8600670232515014739gmail-separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> She's here, she's absolutely perfect and I'm so thankful.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-24631675322340935642017-01-29T11:21:00.000-05:002017-01-31T11:12:35.817-05:00Keeping my eyes above the waves, holding a baby that belongs to Him and not me...<div class="_fdf _odf">
<div class="_Q1n" role="heading">
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ3B0IHSgAMAA">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaT_VvtbXgyhdmOndUczT4FmYH_N0XeaBh1VU8Vo44GuE-xZPSdD17X4Ed4tIQGgGlK55sSprlAcr_hkmkh-RHYwbrW5ykicJM8W5zHJagQPZj47wVgJnv2J6EQTKpbjwTK5XyJU7v-k/s1600/tumblr_mqiw33qG3T1qia15bo1_250.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaT_VvtbXgyhdmOndUczT4FmYH_N0XeaBh1VU8Vo44GuE-xZPSdD17X4Ed4tIQGgGlK55sSprlAcr_hkmkh-RHYwbrW5ykicJM8W5zHJagQPZj47wVgJnv2J6EQTKpbjwTK5XyJU7v-k/s1600/tumblr_mqiw33qG3T1qia15bo1_250.jpeg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ3B0IHSgAMAA">
</div>
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ3B0IHSgAMAA">
It's Sunday morning and we had a sick 5 year old last night so he, baby M and I are all taking it easy at home, vegging out on the couch while Tyler took the other two with him to church. So I have an unexpected free morning and thought I'd write out how I've been feeling about our foster care journey lately. </div>
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ3B0IHSgAMAA">
</div>
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ3B0IHSgAMAA">
When we started the adoption/foster care journey our prayer was "<span style="color: #a64d79;">Spirit lead us where our trust is without borders, let us walk upon the waters, where ever you call us</span>." </div>
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ3B0IHSgAMAA">
<br /></div>
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ3B0IHSgAMAA">
We brought baby M home from the NICU when he was 12 days old. We are the only family he's known. He has molded seamlessly into our family and I can't picture our lives without him. But soon that might be the case. He has a distant relative that has expressed interest in raising him. Her home study starts this coming Friday. If she passes, it will move fairly quickly. But I'm not convinced that she is capable of caring for him or really the best fit for him. I'm very supportive of reuniting with family when possible but in this case I just can't get fully on board. </div>
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ3B0IHSgAMAA">
<br /></div>
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ3B0IHSgAMAA">
But as hard as this whole situation is, I am so thankful that I can't control any of it. </div>
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ3B0IHSgAMAA">
Wait, is that a typo? Did she really just say that she's glad she can't control where baby M ends up? </div>
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ3B0IHSgAMAA">
It's not a typo. I'm so thankful that it's not up to me to decide where his future will be. I have come to realize that I "like" the situations that God has put us in, where we have zero control. Why? Because it FORCES me to trust. If I had control over the situation I wouldn't need to rely on God, because I would THINK I know the best answer and rely on my own opinion on it. But because I can't see the future, I can't see or know for sure what this relative is like and capable of. She might be the best thing for him and I just can't see it right now. But God knows. <span style="color: #c27ba0;">His sovereign hand will be the guide</span>. He's guiding the home study assessor and has the power to interfere and make sure baby M doesn't go with this relative IF this is a bad placement for him. OR he will allow her to pass and give her legal custody of baby M. <span style="color: #c27ba0;">God has never failed and He won't start now</span>. In both cases I have full trust that God's hands are all over this and <span style="color: #c27ba0;">my soul rests in His embrace</span>. </div>
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ3B0IHSgAMAA">
</div>
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ3B0IHSgAMAA">
But I'm broken. My heart is shredded every morning by that adorable giggle when I sing a good morning song to him. <span style="color: #c27ba0;">He's leading me out into the deep waters</span> where without him, we would drown. <span style="color: #c27ba0;">He's knocking down the borders of my trust</span>. Stretching us to trust him more and more. </div>
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ3B0IHSgAMAA">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;">So I will call upon Your name</span>. I'm praying over this sweet life. That God's will would be done. My eyes are locked on Jesus and not the waves that are growing higher and higher. I'm trusting Him to walk us through these scary waves, while holding a baby that belongs to Him and not me. Jesus' love for baby M is infinitely more than I could even imagine, so my fear is replaced with Trust. </div>
<div class="_Q1n" role="heading">
<br /></div>
<div class="_Q1n" role="heading">
I had been thinking about trusting God fully in our circumstances and I was driving (to pick up chick-fil-a for supper!) by myself last night and when this song came on I realized just how perfect it explained what I was feeling and thinking about M's situation. I highlighted the lyrics above where they were applicable but read the whole song here:</div>
<div class="_Q1n" role="heading">
</div>
<div class="_Q1n" role="heading">
</div>
<div class="_Q1n" role="heading">
<br />
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ3B0IHSgAMAA">
Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)</div>
<div class="_gdf kno-fb-ctx">
<span data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQ2koIHigBMAA"><a data-ved="0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQMQgfMAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Hillsong+United&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgVuLSz9U3MCzOMcqzBACpBPJRDgAAAA&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi_nKfW0ufRAhVn0oMKHanKAGkQMQgfMAA">Hillsong United</a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_UZe kno-fb-ctx">
<div>
You call me out upon the waters<br />
The great unknown where feet may fail<br />
And there I find You in the mystery<br />
In oceans deep<br />
My faith will stand</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
And I will call upon Your name<br />
And keep my eyes above the waves<br />
When oceans rise<br />
My soul will rest in Your embrace<br />
For I am Yours and You are mine</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Your grace abounds in deepest waters<br />
Your sovereign hand<br />
Will be my guide<br />
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me<br />
You've never failed and You won't start now</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
So I will call upon Your name<br />
And keep my eyes above the waves<br />
When oceans rise<br />
My soul will rest in Your embrace<br />
For I am Yours and You are mine</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_UZe kno-fb-ctx">
<div class="_Nvn" data-mh="-1">
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders<br />
Let me walk upon the waters<br />
Wherever You would call me<br />
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander<br />
And my faith will be made stronger</div>
<div class="_Nvn" data-mh="-1">
In the presence of my Savior.</div>
<div class="_Nvn" data-mh="-1">
</div>
<div class="_Nvn" data-mh="-1">
I will call upon Your Name<br />
Keep my eyes above the waves<br />
My soul will rest in Your embrace<br />
I am Yours and You are mine </div>
<div class="_Nvn" data-mh="-1">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-88327934971657000692016-10-07T13:30:00.000-04:002016-10-07T13:30:11.318-04:00a canceled visit. I stood there in my kitchen with tears in my eyes, surprised with the amount of sadness I felt for baby M. I was prepared to feel a sense of relief. Glad that I didn't have to drag him and two other boys to children's services for a visit with his mom. But I wasn't. I was devastated. For him. He's not old enough to feel all these emotions and so I felt like I was feeling them for him. Because she didn't show up. <br />
<br />
How our agency does visits with mom and/or dad is that they have to show up a half hour early, us foster parents get a text or call that they are there and then we drive to meet them at the office. I'm very grateful they do it this way as to not waste our time if they don't show up. <br />
<br />
Today was the first visit with mom. She said she was going to be there. I took extra care in making sure M looked super cute (didn't take much because he's just adorable no matter what!) but I put him in a brand new outfit, combed his long hair, got everything ready to jump in the car after we got back from the bus stop and head to his visit. <br />
<br />
We got back from the bus stop right at 8:30 and I waited for the text. Nothing yet. This isn't a good sign. Got a text saying that his case worker was going to give her 5 extra minutes. Those 5 minutes went by and she still wasn't there. Visit cancelled. I stood there with M in his carseat at my feet in the kitchen and just started crying. Right then and there it all became so real to me. How HARD this is on foster kids when they are old enough to realize what's going on and can feel the rejection. M is so lucky that he's a newborn and doesn't have a clue what just happened and I can at least protect him from that for a little while. But my heart was broken into a million pieces for all foster kiddos, who experience that on a weekly basis. "Will my mom show up this time?" "Does she love me enough to try and fight for me?" "Why didn't she come to see me today?"<br />
<br />
It just revealed to me just how much more important our job is as foster parents to try our best to show unconditional love to our kids in care so that they learn that it exists. So that they know they are loved and wanted and cherished. I tell M that every time I give him a bottle. To do as much as we can and pray the stuff we can't control, doesn't harm them any further. <br />
<br />
I struggled with being on mom's side. But after this, I realized that I AM on her side. I was cheering for her to make it to the visit. To show up for him. I'll still cheer for her and pray that she can make choices that help to turn her life in the right direction because that's the ultimate goal. For families to be reunited. Because that's how it's supposed to be. Foster care and adoption isn't how God wanted it to happen. Before sin enter the world, it was perfect. But now our world isn't perfect and we hope and pray that families can be restored but I'm so glad that there is an option like foster care and then adoption for children who have been hurt by their family. Adoption is the safety net. We are here for him for as long as he needs us. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-3757444095779865912016-10-04T14:47:00.002-04:002016-10-04T14:47:45.843-04:00a phone call...A phone call. That's all it takes to change how the rest of your day plays out or even your life. And as a foster parent without a placement, every time my phone rings my heart races a little. When I see the name of our placement coordinator on my screen, the feeling of excitement and the unknown is the same feeling I got going into each of our 20 week ultrasounds to find out if we were have a boy or a girl and how baby was growing. I take a deep breath and answer, of course trying to mask my excitement a tad so our placement coordinator doesn't think I'm completely crazy, wondering what's in store for us on the other end of the line. How old? Boy or Girl? How soon will they come? Will we have to say "no" for the first time? <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So it was Tuesday September 18th during the crazy rush of after school bus stop pick up, rush home to get a quick snack and change of clothes so Lincoln can get to his FMU class when I looked down at my phone in the car and realized I had a missed call from our agency and a voicemail. All three boys were in the car ready to go and I pressed play to listen to the message. I listened and jotted down notes, did a giddy screech, held back tears of excitement and called Tyler to tell him the details. I got the go ahead from him, called our agency back and said a quick YES when she asked if we would be willing to take this sweet baby in. This placement was a lot different, timing-wise, than our first placement. With baby G I had a whopping 2 hours to get ready before he came to us. This time I was first told it would be two days until M would be ready to be discharged from the hospital. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Needless to say, Lincoln was way late for his class but it was well worth it :) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our last call was similar where we were waiting a couples days for baby to be discharged before she came to us and a relative stepped up literally an hour before she was supposed to be at our house. So we were cautiously excited for M. We now knew that a relative could step in at any point before he was discharged. Because he was a preemie (born at 34 weeks) his discharge date kept getting pushed back. Thursday turned into the weekend and the weekend turned into "maybe" Monday. So we were prepared to go get him Monday afternoon but I wasn't counting on it. I had the nursery all swapped out from newborn baby girl things back to newborn baby boy :) I'm getting quite the workout with retrieving and putting away of clothes in the attic!! Because I know how unpredictable preemies can be (thanks for all that experience, Lincoln!) So I went to MOPS that morning and got the call during the meeting that he was ready to go and if I could meet the case worker at the NICU at 1:30. Thankfully Tyler was able to come home early to take over for me at home with the boys and get Lincoln off the bus and I started on the 40 minute drive downtown to meet the newest member of our family. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I found the hospital, drove up a couple floors in the parking garage, grabbed the infant carseat and headed toward the elevator. The carseat must've given me away to the lady in the elevator and she asked if I was going to pick up my baby (it's a children's hospital) and I said yes but I told her I had no idea how to get to get NICU floor. Which as I look back must have seemed odd because why would I be going to pick up a baby if I haven't been there before to visit that baby? But thankfully she told me where to go. I felt so weird getting up to the NICU floor and telling them I was there to pick up baby M but I didn't know his last name or anything else. Thankfully his case worker got there shortly after and she took over :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The actual discharge process took much longer than I anticipated. I was on the phone for 45 minutes trying to get him registered and a newborn appointment since they won't discharge without an appointment with a pediatrician scheduled. I asked his nurses lots of questions about his care, got to feed him once and then it was time to go! And just like that I followed the case worker out of the hospital with this tiny 4 lb 11oz baby boy in my carseat. And even though we've jumped through SO many hoops to get licensed, background checked and basically they know everything about us, I still felt so weird that they just let me leave with him! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We parted ways in the elevator as she got off on the floor where she parked and told me she would be back by our house in about an hour after she dropped off some paperwork, in order to do more paperwork with us :) I then panicked a little as I realized I actually had no idea which floor of the parking garage I had parked on! I was in la-la land when I got there, excited to meet our new baby that I didn't even take note of which floor I was one. So then began the fun game of trying every floor except one (there were 10 stories, guys, this took forever!) and I finally found our van! I even hit the panic button on my key fob and it didn't work through the cement floors! And I kept praying that no one was noticing this lady with a baby who seems to have lost her car! I was laughing at myself for the first 3 wrong floors and then got a little scared that maybe our van was stolen or that I was in the wrong parking garage and I was never going to find it! I'm then thinking, they aren't going to let us keep M in our home if I can't even get him to our van because I can't keep track of it! Come on, Marie! sheesh! But I found it, took a deep sigh of relief and headed home, in rush hour traffic. yay! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Baby M slept peacefully the entire way home and until the case worker got to our house a couple hours later. I fed him while we signed all the paperwork and braced myself for the "crazy first week" of foster care with a new placement. Dr appointments, WIC appointment, 1 week visit from both his case worker and our support worker, and setting up visits with his mom and dad. And that's how our story with M began...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-74519481854431426832016-06-05T14:47:00.002-04:002016-06-05T14:47:51.462-04:00how has foster care affected our boys?We have been talking to our boys about adoption for years now. They have come to understand what that means and what that might look like. For so long they have waited and waited for a new baby and have been SO, SO, SO excited for a new baby brother or sister. And then mom and dad go and change things up on them and get licensed in foster care. Each step of the way we've been honest and told the boys about the changes and how foster care looks different than adoption. When we got the call for baby G, they all had such sweet reactions. Lincoln smiled ear to ear and started jumping up and down saying "yay! finally!," Caedmon was more subdued and was a calm "excited" and Dietrich just said "yay, baby!! yay baby!" That night after baby G came, they all fought over who got to hold him again and again. Lincoln was overly helpful constantly asking me "can I feed him? can I hold him? can I hold his bottle for you?" And anytime I would lay baby G down it was an instant swarm of big brother RIGHT there in his face talking to him, making silly faces at him, gently stroking his head and talking about his cute little toes. It's safe to say they all attached as quickly to him as they would have if I'd had a baby biologically. Instant brotherly love. <br />
<br />
When we switched to foster care I was at a loss as to how to explain it all to the boys in a way that didn't tell it ALL. So our social worker gave me some good advice. She said to explain it as the parents of these sweet babies that come into our home, are sick. They are so sick that they can't take care of their kids and so while they are getting better, we get to take care of their child. But then to go further and explain that even if mom and dad don't get better, that the child might go live with an aunt, uncle, grandma or grandpa etc. And then asking the boys, if we were sick, you would want to go live with one of your aunts and uncles or grandmas and grandpas, right? Of course they said yes so it made it a little easier for them to understand why a child will leave after living with us for awhile. <br />
<br />
Fast forward to now. We are in the middle of saying good-bye to baby G. Last week I was informed that we would be doing a visit with his relative and that kind of solidified it for me. This was moving forward. So that night we told the boys what was happening, about the visit coming up and that baby G was eventually going to go live with this relative. Dietrich and Caedmon didn't really respond much but Lincoln was instant tears. And lots of tears. So we cuddled and cried with him and talked him through it, answering his questions as he had them and reminding him of what our job was as a foster family to love him as long as he's with us. After that sad night each of the boys has made comments daily about baby G leaving. On the way to the splash pad last week Caedmon randomly asked me how many more days we had left with baby G and I told him we didn't know yet. I look back and see him thinking hard about it all and then he spotted a water tower out the window and moved on (seeing water towers and shouting out that you see one is a fun game we do right now in the car lol). <br />
<br />
We took baby G to his visit this past Thursday and how that looks it us taking him to the children services office and then meeting his case worker and the relative in the waiting room, we hand him over and the relative has a supervised 2 hour visit. Of course I had all three boys with me as well and as we are giving him to his relative the boys said "wait! I need to give him a hug!" so all three proceeded to hug and kiss him in his carseat carrier. We all laughed and I told the relative that baby G is VERY loved! We leave the building and as I'm buckling Dietrich in his carseat he keeps sadly saying, "I miss baby, I miss baby." Tear my heart right out and stomp on it. Sheesh. But it was short lived and he moved on. <br />
<br />
I say all this just to show you all how it's affecting my boys. I know some people don't want to get involved in foster care because they think it'll be bad or hard on their biological or current children. Guys I'm here to say, kids are so resilient and my boys are learning so much about loving and caring for the fatherless through this. They are seeing what it means to see a need, take a step out in faith and meet that need. They are seeing how to put other's needs first. Just last night as Lincoln was helping me fold laundry out of the blue he said to me, "mom I hope baby G's mom and dad appreciate our help when they aren't sick anymore." And it wasn't said in a harsh tone like we deserve for them to be appreciative, no it was more of just a straight forward thought that he had. He knows that we are helping them and helping baby G and it just showed me how much he is being affected in a good way by this experience. <br />
<br />
We will find out more about when baby G will leave, this Tuesday at our meeting with his case worker but I know it's coming soon and I'm bracing myself. Every time I pick him up my heart hurts because I love him so much. But it's a love that I feel to my core every. single. day. when I look into those big dark eyes. So straight to my core that it could bring me to tears at almost any moment. We ask that if you think of it, would you pray for us as we say good-bye to our first foster-love. :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-9148531296235578242016-05-31T18:31:00.002-04:002016-05-31T18:31:32.320-04:00worth the riskIt was only a short 6 weeks ago that we got our first call for a placement of a 3 week old baby boy. And ever since, we have fallen head over heals in love with him. A baby who came to us needing love and that's what he's gotten. Lots of it. We have all since gotten attached to him and him to us. It's been so fun to watch attachment happen with a child who is not biologically yours. Little things like him turning his head towards my voice after just a week, how his crying changes and calms once he hears my voice, now the eye contact and smiles. When he came to us, it was a little bit of a unique situation and we kind of got our hopes up that since they weren't working a case plan with mom or dad that he would be headed toward adoption. Of course they had to look into all relatives but because of his situation, relatives, for the most part, had already been asked about taking him and said they couldn't. So I let my heart "go there" about possible adoption. I thought about what it would look like and how he would fit so perfectly into our family for the long run. Then a week after he came, his case workers came to visit and said that he had a relative that was very interested in taking him. {insert my heart dropping into my stomach} It was then that I realized that we needed to put our "foster care" hats back on. That is what we are doing and we needed to mentally be there too. <br />
<br />
Fast forward 5 weeks and this relative has now passed their background checks, the home study (which is not as in depth as ours was) starts this week and on Thursday I will take him for his first ever visit with this family member. So the ball is rolling and unless something drastic happens with the home study or they change their mind, this is where baby G will go. I'm not sure when or how fast this will happen but it's coming. <br />
<br />
I know nothing about this family member other than what the case workers have told me but I'm trying to be supportive. As far as I know, this is a good situation. He is wanted by them and that makes a huge difference. It doesn't matter if I think he'd be better off with us or not, family reunification is always the first priority and we need to support that. We are foster parents and our job is to love these kiddos for as long as they are with us and that's what we are doing with baby G. He is so, so loved here and we've given him the best start to life we possibly could and now we will watch him reunify with family and pray for him the rest of his life, even as our hearts are shredded to pieces. Because this hurts to much, I know that we did our job well. We didn't hold back and protect our hearts, we dove in head first and put his need for love above our own protection<br />
<br />
It seems like every time we are out in public with baby G and someone finds out he's in foster care/we are foster parents, the first thing they say is, "oh I could never do that, I'd get too attached! I would have 100 kids because I could never give them back!" And they are so right, yes they probably would get attached, because that's what we do! That statement makes me feel a little like they think I must have a cold heart or that I'm somehow stronger than your average mom and can keep myself from getting attached and that's why I can do foster care and they can't. And that's just not the case. It implies that only certain people can do foster care when really more people can, they just don't realize it yet :) The only thing that you need to be able to do in order to do foster care is to put these kiddos ahead of yourself. I'm just a regular mom who said, "yes." Another foster mom said it really well, "Did you know that we are never promised tomorrow, even with our birth children? But knowing that you stood the risk of somehow losing your child did not stop you from having that child, did it? It would be tragic and earth shattering if something happened to my birth son. It would be tragic and earth shattering if something happened to my adopted sons. And guess what, it is tragic and earth shattering when we lose our foster sons and daughters too. But, the possibility of loss doesn't stop us from letting them in. They are worth the risk of loss, just like my biological and adopted sons have been. We are only promised THIS moment in time with anyone in our lives. So why let the fear of losing a foster child stop you from investing in them? You don't let it stop you from investing in anyone else in your world. Choose to use the moments you have to the fullest and impact the world around you for the good. Because - ya know, you just might gain more than you ever lose!" @libbyarnoldwan<br />
<br />
This transition of letting go of baby G is going to be crushing. It's going to be one of the hardest things I've ever done, but he is so worth it. Worth every tear we will cry. I've been stretched so much starting this journey and it's a beautiful thing. Just like my stretch marks from my biological children are still on my body like beautiful reminders of what I did for them, I am stretching in other ways as a foster parent. It's going to stretch me to say good-bye to this baby that I love like my own. All this stretching requires a strength I've only been able to have because of fully leaning on Jesus through it. This is going to be hard but I can do these hard things for these kiddos. Because they deserve at least one person in their life who is willing to do that. <br />
<br />
So here we are getting ready to say the hardest good-bye of our lives and guess what we'll do? We'll grieve and cry but then sign right up to do it all over again. Are we crazy? No, just willing to sacrifice a little for a child who needs love. :)<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-55737565798568572892016-04-23T14:25:00.000-04:002016-04-23T14:25:04.275-04:00The Call.Today is the 4th full day that we have had Baby G with us and it has been such a whirlwind! And what a wonderful whirlwind it has been! There is so much I want to blog about, so much that I've learned already about myself, the foster system and just fostering in general. But for today all my sleep deprived mind can handle is that first day. I want to remember the details so I have to get it down before I start to forget some of it. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We knew it could be any day that we would get a call. We were able to meet our support worker and her supervisor last Friday. They came out to our house to see it and to just get to know us a little better. And before they left they said, "who knows, you could get the call this weekend or a month from now." Little did we all know it would be 4 days later. :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I had been on high alert constantly and Tuesday was no different. Monday Tyler had worked a long day. 18 hours to be exact and so he decided to take the morning off and just go in for a little while in the afternoon. I had planned on going to Y to workout so we all just ended up going together. We got home, ate lunch, and sent Lincoln off on the bus. Tyler left for work and I put Caedmon and Dietrich down for naps. I made myself something for lunch and after doing a load of laundry and picking up around the house I sat down to do my quiet time. My "first 5" app devotion was on having faith and what faith exactly is. "Faith is being sure and certain. It's having complete assurance and trust in something or someone. It's believing in action first -- even before we experience a hopeful outcome or receive fulfillment of a promise made." It was exactly what I needed to read as I was trying not to get discouraged while we were waiting. To have faith in God's perfect timing. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I had a little extra time after I was done so I opened up my iBooks app and was reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. So I was sitting on my couch just staring at my phone, deep into a book when my screen changed and it started ringing. It was from our agency. I jumped right up as I answered and told myself to stay calm, they are probably just calling to talk about something else. And then I heard the words, "Hi Marie, I'm _________ and I'm calling about a possible placement."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She proceeded to tell me details and I frantically searched for a pen and paper to write down as much as I could. I was also darting around trying to find my sheet that they gave us with questions to ask about a possible placement. I finally found it and by this time I'm shaking uncontrollably. All my writing is hardly legible because I was literally shaking so hard. At the end of the call I told her it was most likely a yes but I of course had to call Tyler to ask for sure. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I called him right away and after telling him everything he just said, "so this is really happening?! ok, tell her yes! I'll be home ASAP"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He's so even keeled and I'm over here having to change my shirt because I'm sweating so bad from the adrenaline rush LOL. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I called the agency back and gave our official "yes" and this all happened around 2:45 and she tells me that the social worker will be bringing Baby G to our house sometime between 5-6pm that same evening. Excited. Nervous. Scared. Panicked. Overjoyed. What do I do first? I stood in the middle of my kitchen just frozen, trying to organize my scrambled thoughts and making a mental list of what I needed to do to get ready for a newborn to come live with us in 2 HOURS! The first thing I knew I had to do was get up in our attic and get the newborn tub of clothes down and get them in the washing machine. So I'm tearing apart our attic looking for it, bringing tubs inside, trying to find all our baby items that we might need. I broke a light socket in my rushing and almost fell down the stairs but eventually I got everything out that I needed and by that time Lincoln was getting off the bus. I told the boys what was going on and they were all so excited! Caedmon's first words out of his mouth are, "do we get to keep him forever?" Bless his heart, we have been and still are, trying to explain it all the the boys but it's a hard thing to wrap their little minds around, a baby coming to live with us for a short time or possibly could turn into forever. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tyler got home around 4:30, I pulled a frozen lasagna out of the freezer and stuck it in the oven so we would have something to eat once the case workers were done with paperwork, and then we just waited. We all just sat in the front room staring out the window like crazy people. ha! And right at 5pm on the dot, our case worker pulls into our driveway. We aren't sure what to do, do we wait inside for her to bring him in? Do we run out there? :) We met her on the front porch and she took us over to her vehicle, opened the door, got this sweet baby out of his carseat, turned to me and said, "are you ready?" and just handed him to me. Just like that! Oh my heart. In that instant our world collided with his and our lives are all changed forever. He was so tiny and I was told he was super fussy. I held him from that point on while we did an hour or so of paperwork and he didn't make a peep. He was perfect. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was all a bit overwhelming and it's still kinda crazy but we are so in love with this little boy. We are adjusting to having four BOYS and I love that I get to do this journey with Tyler. We are not guaranteed tomorrow with Baby G, but in reality we aren't guaranteed tomorrow with any of our boys. So for as long as he is with us we will love him fiercely, like he deserves. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-42286856739143223812016-03-22T15:28:00.002-04:002016-03-22T15:28:59.289-04:00A letter to our future foster childThe whole process of adoption and then getting licensed in foster care has been a continual marathon of "hurry up" and "wait." Hurry, hurry, hurry get all that paperwork filled out, notarized, signed, and turned back in, hurry and get all your inspections scheduled and done, hurry and get your classes done. And now wait for your paperwork to get processed, your inspections to be approved and for your license to come in the mail. So now we are back in the waiting game. We have been licensed for 3 weeks now and I'm in such a weird phase of mixed emotions. We have been told all along that there is a huge need for us and the age range we specified so I was prepared to get a call within the first week. That obviously hasn't happened and it's weird. I'm so anxious to get a call that I want it to happen soon BUT the truth remains that if we get a call that means something bad has happened. Something REALLY bad has happened to this sweet, little child who didn't ask for this. He/She will be coming to us because the world is broken, THEIR world is broken. So I'm stuck in this strange place of emotions. I'm not sure how to feel. We want to add to our family because we know it's not complete yet but adding to our family through foster care comes only because something has been broken. There is hurt and pain involved with adoption of any kind. So we are hear and waiting. To be ready if/when we are needed to care for a child who has been hurt. Unfortunately it's going to happen, a child will be traumatized or neglected and we have been on our knees praying for that child. That whatever is happening to them at this very second, that God would protect them like only He can. So we wait. We pray. And I never let my phone out of my sight or put it on silent! :)<br />
<br />
So while I wait to meet you here is a letter I've written to you...<br />
<br />
Dear little one(s),<br />
<br />
I can't stop thinking about you. Who you are, what you look like, how old you are, what you are doing at this moment. Are you 2, 6 months, a newborn or still in your moms womb? Are you hearing or seeing things that make you scared? Is a chaotic, scary world all you know so far in your life? I want so badly for you to know that you are already loved by us. <br />
<br />
I'm constantly thinking about how our lives will change once we meet you. When will the call come? What will I be doing? You might be scared of this new place and these strange new people. We are not scary people and you will soon learn that. You'll have three protective big brothers who are SO excited to meet you. They will all fight over who gets to hold you first (even if you are 2, they are going to want to try and hold you) :) Our routines will change to add you in and I think often about how I will probably be up a lot at night with you and how more coffee will become part of my life. I've prepared a beautiful room just for you. This might be the first time you have your own room and I've tried very hard to make it special just for you. <br />
<br />
Ours lives will soon be intertwined. We will learn all sorts of things about each other. I will learn your favorite toys, your favorite foods etc and you will learn things about me like how I use a soft, soothing voice when you are crying, how I will hold you tight and rock you and hopefully you will learn to trust me as a safe person who really loves you and will care for you like you need. <br />
<br />
Maybe we will be together for a lifetime or maybe for just a season but I'm so excited to meet you. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-42643034609031830232016-02-17T16:58:00.001-05:002016-02-17T16:58:33.695-05:00Foster Care: getting the room readyIt's been quite awhile since I've blogged over here and I kinda miss it. I didn't miss it for a long time. Life is so busy that this was one thing that I had to let go of in this season of life. It's fun for me but it was also just one more thing to do. But now that we are going to be doing foster care, my goal is to blog along the way not only to document things but also to inform all of you of what foster care really looks like. The good, bad and the ugly. Foster care gets such a bad rep and all you ever hear about are all the out of control kids and bad behaving teenagers etc. I hope to shed some light on the other side of foster care and show you all what it's really like. I'm not going to sugar coat it though either. We know it won't be all rainbows and stars. It's going to be hard. But it's gonna be worth it. God has called us to this and even though we know we aren't anything special, we know He will equip us what what we need as we go. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I heard from the supervisor that is reviewing our home study and she said she has 3 other home studies to approve before ours so it's looking like we will be approved and then licensed beginning of next week!!!!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So since we could potentially get a call the day we get licensed, we've been getting ready for awhile now and the nursery is officially done and ready for our first placement! So I thought I'd show you all what it looks like. When trying to figure out how I wanted to decorate it to not only be gender neutral but also for a foster placement and of course cheap or free, so I did a lot of searching for foster rooms on Pinterest to get ideas. I found quite a few free printables, I used frames that I had on hand and painted them white, changed up the curtains a little, painted a dresser white and used it as the changing table and got creative with storage solutions. Here is how it turned out...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love how this collage turned out! And even better, it was free! I had all these frames already and the prints I searched high and low on pinterest for and they were all free printables. But I didn't just find free printables and that was it, I carefully chose each one specifically for this room. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8Er1-2XXGhgXkofRRuU7FeV5lOPsIhn3SRlBhy_GRmlDQVd2UUUXPGxQA6LGFr0Qhph-eRTguCuykrm78uj4e0_2MWJj6ZR-73Ful9C8FZWasxnBfz84f1yatdNLH32qPzs-h53XuFg/s1600/IMG_9841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8Er1-2XXGhgXkofRRuU7FeV5lOPsIhn3SRlBhy_GRmlDQVd2UUUXPGxQA6LGFr0Qhph-eRTguCuykrm78uj4e0_2MWJj6ZR-73Ful9C8FZWasxnBfz84f1yatdNLH32qPzs-h53XuFg/s1600/IMG_9841.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGEwSjBik4KJqPYUicNl7ZtYbbYCqBiVCqgylz9eh-kpt8uOu9AKsjSY2LsU4MroLQbQUWR0MJVVK775mx-pR2SySX7dP5fPDUnoRD8jBKFWrjGxBeTjgfZV-VeHP8U_9271Vwa8Wlco/s1600/IMG_9871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGEwSjBik4KJqPYUicNl7ZtYbbYCqBiVCqgylz9eh-kpt8uOu9AKsjSY2LsU4MroLQbQUWR0MJVVK775mx-pR2SySX7dP5fPDUnoRD8jBKFWrjGxBeTjgfZV-VeHP8U_9271Vwa8Wlco/s1600/IMG_9871.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AEaPJZ28FZ1LXd-gHCXOcuAWbw-IBc76uXrjLpMPgaMnoUIzaJq3xcVqtcgY_xNjEgAK4OcDv_XWCaR9cyL-XS486tyz-hBofCRnWqL5J9Wuoku0pwQzDr_RbWzKjqqYtm3EIRg-rj0/s1600/IMG_9872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AEaPJZ28FZ1LXd-gHCXOcuAWbw-IBc76uXrjLpMPgaMnoUIzaJq3xcVqtcgY_xNjEgAK4OcDv_XWCaR9cyL-XS486tyz-hBofCRnWqL5J9Wuoku0pwQzDr_RbWzKjqqYtm3EIRg-rj0/s1600/IMG_9872.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl46Cf6jf2sJqfOnUaX7YoQs9JfJ47atgU8nQ2aln-pWCuChCpVGChM2SLwkDVSMgmiDf_33WFyF5AKwjoetn2ac0MRAzDpvGIiZc2MBNGvLu3SJBtzsSQhUncmF5_QkH6zxUmp5EvRto/s1600/IMG_9873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl46Cf6jf2sJqfOnUaX7YoQs9JfJ47atgU8nQ2aln-pWCuChCpVGChM2SLwkDVSMgmiDf_33WFyF5AKwjoetn2ac0MRAzDpvGIiZc2MBNGvLu3SJBtzsSQhUncmF5_QkH6zxUmp5EvRto/s1600/IMG_9873.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52zeFR6ER6yB8rJl40PKqgsChOdaJdv3_yg-Il_TAWEQ228KxD3z7tDanLDQ50lK7pyysrurOoAFMVYgGf-AUu3O_eL-LLtX4402DJpNBYRFrM3TlBvKamuic3M017M8V6x4SsOxSWvo/s1600/IMG_9874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52zeFR6ER6yB8rJl40PKqgsChOdaJdv3_yg-Il_TAWEQ228KxD3z7tDanLDQ50lK7pyysrurOoAFMVYgGf-AUu3O_eL-LLtX4402DJpNBYRFrM3TlBvKamuic3M017M8V6x4SsOxSWvo/s1600/IMG_9874.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26sr_15eN_CCHeck924cgFJHJZjvs2wznYpKhQxg9c1r5jtdK3C2S4-0k1JOA4R3-uA8oQ8kxXYWCseLScYavuriDjeWztTkaWn5i773tDXYmx1_HOPQ5J7P6C8CGR5rpmB2-uuOStbI/s1600/IMG_9875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26sr_15eN_CCHeck924cgFJHJZjvs2wznYpKhQxg9c1r5jtdK3C2S4-0k1JOA4R3-uA8oQ8kxXYWCseLScYavuriDjeWztTkaWn5i773tDXYmx1_HOPQ5J7P6C8CGR5rpmB2-uuOStbI/s1600/IMG_9875.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxkZSheIueg66TfIy4vaz5P3iY1n6exFDltY2gVVVLdK0NQ7auxREyXvnjt0Q_nY5CkQvzI3i1lgCf0oKOy15hXV8hys-xBqzNBw0nP6pokM4Ctr-4gztUcaQI2olBHftQRuJiyPy9bc/s1600/IMG_9876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxkZSheIueg66TfIy4vaz5P3iY1n6exFDltY2gVVVLdK0NQ7auxREyXvnjt0Q_nY5CkQvzI3i1lgCf0oKOy15hXV8hys-xBqzNBw0nP6pokM4Ctr-4gztUcaQI2olBHftQRuJiyPy9bc/s1600/IMG_9876.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZxsgEeF5e1QaioVml40WST8lt2J0xn_95BS40Gn8UdoIEC6abz2DegyNSY7dE9zrhKg62EmL_8w0xKkkP6LqzHM3mR-BUpDEbXKdVxPvPoQOi6vAZpezYEqg4N5hA3d8KiDYQf8xsUI/s1600/IMG_9877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZxsgEeF5e1QaioVml40WST8lt2J0xn_95BS40Gn8UdoIEC6abz2DegyNSY7dE9zrhKg62EmL_8w0xKkkP6LqzHM3mR-BUpDEbXKdVxPvPoQOi6vAZpezYEqg4N5hA3d8KiDYQf8xsUI/s1600/IMG_9877.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuaig-TkVly-ONF9ZeYr1jCIcJgAVTTF6q79crwrcJF_NMro63941oAuwpQnYhaRadYCq4CifUpzLmdl-2gOPz6CssXiMoBxs9PyzzklnoADQqtVO-W1rRzXBNCb0otq_gnWL76N_DS0/s1600/IMG_9844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuaig-TkVly-ONF9ZeYr1jCIcJgAVTTF6q79crwrcJF_NMro63941oAuwpQnYhaRadYCq4CifUpzLmdl-2gOPz6CssXiMoBxs9PyzzklnoADQqtVO-W1rRzXBNCb0otq_gnWL76N_DS0/s1600/IMG_9844.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio46iYM2EPQEZPIfmkJqM99DN3kYRhNhZeyh4V7yu02KA6cpPYUmE_dbf6Ex1AYyKAb7R_PspJMNEzzdbUnXWTiXgbXeQmJLpTdUgw6KZ2Sd9Am2pMN1-mhlbb8gUKrjLJMkXAbuLtX1s/s1600/IMG_9880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio46iYM2EPQEZPIfmkJqM99DN3kYRhNhZeyh4V7yu02KA6cpPYUmE_dbf6Ex1AYyKAb7R_PspJMNEzzdbUnXWTiXgbXeQmJLpTdUgw6KZ2Sd9Am2pMN1-mhlbb8gUKrjLJMkXAbuLtX1s/s1600/IMG_9880.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And here is the finished dresser/changing table, I absolutely love how it turned out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(the pictures of Dietrich will be replaced with pictures of the child)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqISoXxeGo1KEpzB3oIq7W3FQxqrLQPcX2KyiKexuFT_F1Bk2WAdnEJoIOIhPuk6HfbDYe_ciqSRqpqAZv8VB5o5GYbsbEH7XjCmGt8xHMq7EkbvMBEJhRqzDfR41QOBSFwTMzHhn5zZM/s1600/IMG_9848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqISoXxeGo1KEpzB3oIq7W3FQxqrLQPcX2KyiKexuFT_F1Bk2WAdnEJoIOIhPuk6HfbDYe_ciqSRqpqAZv8VB5o5GYbsbEH7XjCmGt8xHMq7EkbvMBEJhRqzDfR41QOBSFwTMzHhn5zZM/s1600/IMG_9848.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because we live in a split level home, we have a grand total of ZERO storage. So this closet has many functions. Right now it has all of Dietrichs hanging clothes, a dresser for storage of baby items that we may need on a short notice once we get a placement, several sizes of diapers, extra blankets, and this is even where we have to store our luggage when it's not being used and up on the top shelf is my wedding dress all boxed up! We make it work :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsoUAzfDA-VC5FPCcAize7cN8zJnsjC0OH2RR1Vf4a7cVXwWBC6uWuNKcXrYGp2RbIJc4KeexfeJVnM7VF79QtTH_0o0DUZXltH71Uqn1Kf60P5MLWzSXPLe3vannGJwX5mYcfvt6bjs/s1600/IMG_9851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsoUAzfDA-VC5FPCcAize7cN8zJnsjC0OH2RR1Vf4a7cVXwWBC6uWuNKcXrYGp2RbIJc4KeexfeJVnM7VF79QtTH_0o0DUZXltH71Uqn1Kf60P5MLWzSXPLe3vannGJwX5mYcfvt6bjs/s1600/IMG_9851.JPG" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So there is the room! All we need is a 0-2 year old to come stay in it! We truly cannot wait to start this journey and I hope you all follow along as we wade these unknown waters and bring you along for the journey! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-70217478729782945162015-10-19T14:32:00.000-04:002015-10-19T14:32:06.001-04:00"Because there are kids who need homes. Tonight. In our city."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJd0NH2VN4Pb0b0fBniCaM6QpZ29kIyxrZRiQ7eEVscWMB5pRzIy7qCT6e8MkCpfBO5VM2N100DWSE4ZfvF-bCTdfQC8EHvHFq4rhgKJv-e1Nh85HFtq-5hTIquTdJpGDKS4uhNcGbT0w/s1600/IMG_0251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJd0NH2VN4Pb0b0fBniCaM6QpZ29kIyxrZRiQ7eEVscWMB5pRzIy7qCT6e8MkCpfBO5VM2N100DWSE4ZfvF-bCTdfQC8EHvHFq4rhgKJv-e1Nh85HFtq-5hTIquTdJpGDKS4uhNcGbT0w/s400/IMG_0251.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I wanted to write and update everyone on our latest adoption changes! We have been officially waiting with our domestic adoption agency for almost a year. In that year we have had two exciting calls telling us that we were picked by a birth mother. But so were 2-3 more couples. We all met with the birth mom, she asked us questions, we asked her questions and we went home and waited to hear if we were matched. Both times we got the disappointing call that the birth mom did not choose us. It's a very emotional rollercoaster but our perspective in all of this is that adoption is not about us. It's about what is best for the child. So as much as we want to add to our family and wanted those babies, we were happy that these birth mom's were brave enough to choose life for them and the best family that they thought for their unborn babies, even if that family wasn't ours. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But through this whole past year, foster care has been brought to our attention more and more. I've met tons of families who are foster parents, read so many blog posts about families who have fostered/adopted and their experiences, done tons of research and through it all, God hasn't left me alone about it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So we have decided to change directions with our adoption. We are going to do foster to adopt. We have started the 9 days (12 classes, 36 hours) of classes and training. We have completed the first class and we will get the 8 that are left, done in the next 3 weeks. We also have to have another home study done (our current one doesn't transfer even though it hasn't expired yet) and will hopefully be licensed soon! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are very, VERY excited about this change and can't wait to start.<br />
<br />
On our mark.....get set.....GO!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzJSyzN8Huk1u3bH5z39NLGobQG06R6FLLHB3zBZbuNdBmZVmnE_kCcjbxfUYMUx1_DrymchAQaztRc1DVlM6UgJqADoD5JIGVhuCKVQrZE22ca1XxP-0ldGaXyISg12dA_47UsAhHEA/s1600/IMG_0169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzJSyzN8Huk1u3bH5z39NLGobQG06R6FLLHB3zBZbuNdBmZVmnE_kCcjbxfUYMUx1_DrymchAQaztRc1DVlM6UgJqADoD5JIGVhuCKVQrZE22ca1XxP-0ldGaXyISg12dA_47UsAhHEA/s400/IMG_0169.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
But wait Marie, I have so many questions!<br />
<br />
Ask away! Feel free to ask me in person or just keep reading because I've answered some FAQ's down below.....because I'm a mind reader ;) and I know what most of you might be thinking since I had some of these same questions. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Why in the world would you do foster care?</b><br />
<br />
We, as Christians, are told to "look after orphans and widows in their distress" James 1:27. That looks different for every family. Some sponsor orphans, some adopt, some financially support those adopting, some do foster care and still some support foster families. <br />
For our family that looked like adopting an orphan. To give a child a home who needs it. To help a hurting child. We initially pursued international adoption but the doors were closed with every country we looked at. Either we were too young, already had too many children, or because of Tyler's job, we couldn't travel to certain countries. So then foster care came to mind briefly but I was scared. We had had a bad experience with not being able to adopt Baby J almost 4 years ago and I made up excuses about why we couldn't do foster care. So we decided on Domestic Infant adoption. And as I wrote up above, we've gotten really good at being "rejected." Haha. We got "rejected" again and again and to us it started to feel like God was closing this door. We began praying about if we were supposed to change directions and do foster care. And once we started praying about it, God just kept opening door after door. I would randomly talk to a friend who was also considering foster care, or stumble upon a blog on foster care, or hear an interview on the radio with social workers in our own COUNTY. And with the more I talked to people and the more I read the less scary it seemed and the more doable it became. And the more excited about it I became. <br />
<br />
While I was reading all those blog posts I came across one that really stuck with me. We were passionate about domestic adoption because it was a way to give pregnant women another option instead of abortion. And it absolutely is but there are also lots of women who chose life for their babies and decide to try and parent that child. And sometimes that decision doesn't turn out the way she had hoped and her precious babies need to spend some time in a safe foster home while she tries to get her life back to how she had planned. This particular statement stuck with me, "<span style="color: #b45f06;">BE THE SAFETY NET these kids need when their mother's decision to choose life doesn't go the way she hoped it would. We can't just ring our hands about how our society is going to hell in a handbasket based on the latest revelation from Planned Parenthood. People, GO GET THE HANDBASKET, THERE'S A CHILD IN IT.</span>" -A Musing Maralee And the need for foster parents has become greater. In the past 5 years the number of kids in foster care, in our county alone, has more than doubled. <br />
<br />
<b>Are you going to be able to handle it? Getting emotionally attached and then have to give the child back to their birth parents?</b><br />
<br />
That's a very valid question because yes it will be hard to get attached to a sweet child and then have to let them go back to their parents or relatives. I know people will tell me that they could never do it because they would get too attached, but that's the point. These kiddos need someone to attach to them. In order for them to learn to attach to someone, they have to learn what healthy attachment is. The reality is, the hard life that these children have had so far is much worse than any grief I will have to work through when they leave. So I'm not afraid to grieve. I'm afraid of what would happen to these children if no one took the risk to love them. So we are willing to take that risk. :)<br />
<br />
<b>But the system is so broken, there's no way I could deal with it.</b><br />
<br />
Yes sometimes the system seems so broken and these kids are held hostage by it moving slowly. We can use that as an excuse to not get involved or we can be a safe place these kids call home while they wait. <br />
<br />
<b>What about your boys? Won't they be exposed to these "damaged kids?"</b><br />
<br />
Our boys are our top priority. We have talked to them about Foster care and how it looks different then what a domestic adoption was going to be like. And they are excited too. As long as it's in the best interest of our boys, we will continue with foster care. And for our family we have decided that we won't break the birth order. So we will accept children younger than Dietrich. I know that breaking the birth order works for some families but we have decided to not do it. <br />
<br />
<b>Why are children placed in foster care?</b><br />
<br />
Children who are placed in foster care have either been abused or neglected in some way and foster care is a safe place for them to stay until their parents can make changes and get their life back on track. If that doesn't happen then other options are explored. <br />
<br />
<b>How long will the foster child be in your home? At what point are you able to adopt them?</b><br />
<br />
I'm still learning it all but a general answer is that for 6 months, the child's case worker is working with mom or dad to get them back on the right track and at 6 months there is a meeting to decide whether or not they will still keep working on reunification with parents or if they are now going to be looking for permanency (meaning adoption) And I think at that point even if permanency is the route they will be taking, it can take quite a few more months before adoption can be possible. I think the average time it takes is 12-15 months. <br />
<br />
<br />
Foster care is a switch in how we view adoption. We've changed how we think about it. Because right now as we become foster parents, our goal is to give a loving and safe home to a child for as long as they need it. Whether that is a couple months or for forever. We are willing :)<br />
<br />
And one last quote to leave you with that hit me hard, "It's scary, right? Scary to think about letting a child into your life that might leave you, or getting involved with some shady biological families, or letting "the state" into your home. There are lots of reasons to be intimidated about foster care, but just one BIG reason to do it.<br />
<br />
Because there are kids who need homes. Tonight. In your city."<br />
-A Musing Maralee.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here are some great blog posts to read:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amusingmaralee.com/2015/08/the-system-is-too-broken-is-not-a-good-excuse/">http://www.amusingmaralee.com/2015/08/the-system-is-too-broken-is-not-a-good-excuse/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amusingmaralee.com/2015/07/outraged-at-planned-parenthood-support-foster-kids/">http://www.amusingmaralee.com/2015/07/outraged-at-planned-parenthood-support-foster-kids/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amusingmaralee.com/2015/02/so-you-want-to-adopt-from-foster-care/">http://www.amusingmaralee.com/2015/02/so-you-want-to-adopt-from-foster-care/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amusingmaralee.com/2014/04/minimize-the-negative-impact-of-foster-care-on-your-kids/">http://www.amusingmaralee.com/2014/04/minimize-the-negative-impact-of-foster-care-on-your-kids/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-85417252677880574342015-02-08T22:03:00.000-05:002015-02-08T22:03:49.639-05:00Long Overdue Adoption Update!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Qx-2P8WlBVJpJ9skrWlEjRkPTPzt0xIpmddN52uUaTmb6veewlma8vk6eZUlJlzlcMewZBrxgxdcsVdwM9P10iavkkjEHze29fw8qBBldV9dUXLHH5jgczzvaWpVL2UMXbwghDwOPFQ/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Qx-2P8WlBVJpJ9skrWlEjRkPTPzt0xIpmddN52uUaTmb6veewlma8vk6eZUlJlzlcMewZBrxgxdcsVdwM9P10iavkkjEHze29fw8qBBldV9dUXLHH5jgczzvaWpVL2UMXbwghDwOPFQ/s1600/Picture1.png" height="320" width="249" /></a></div>
<br />
We are still here!<br />
<br />
We are DONE with lots of paperwork!<br />
<br />
And we lived to tell about it! :)<br />
<br />
It's true. We are done with our home study. Actually we've been done since the end of November. We became "officially waiting" then but how our specific process works with domestic adoption is that once the home study is done, then you create a profile book. This profile book is all that birth mothers will have to go off of when choosing a family to place their child with. So no pressure at all to get this book PERFECT! I may or may not have *freaked* out a little about this whole profile book thing. It was just a lot of pressure to put the right things in there. Ya know? There were certain guidelines that our agency gave us. Including things like, making it mostly about Tyler and I to begin with - how we met, our love story, when we got married, things we like to do, then just one page per child telling a little about each of the boys (you don't want a whole book about your kids), making sure that Tyler's voice is heard in the book. A lot of the birth moms are looking for a family where the dad is very involved since that is something they most likely lacked growing up and want for their baby. Other things to include are what a typical day looks like for our family, some of our traditions, our families (grandparents, aunt's/uncles, cousins) and then also writing a page to the birth mom. <br />
<br />
So to get all this into a book that looks appealing and and shows our family without coming off as overwhelming. Easy Peasy, right? I had to stop trying to guess what the birth mom is going to be looking for and just write about us. Our family. What we are all about. Needless to say it took me a LONG time to finish this book. <br />
<br />
I got it done about 3 weeks ago, it took a little while to get it "approved" and then I got 3 books ordered from shutterfly and shipped to our agency. EEK! <br />
<br />
So in other words we are officially, official! It's strange not knowing any kind of timeline. This could literally happen tomorrow or 2 years from now. We are assuming it'll be more of a longer wait since we have 3 kids and families with multiple kids usually don't get picked right away. So just preparing our hearts for a longer wait. <br />
<br />
BUT since we have a current home study done, we can take that in almost any other direction if something comes up. Say a friend of a friend is unexpectedly pregnant and is wanting to place the child for adoption, we could pursue adopting that baby. Or any waiting children here in the US or international (if we meet that countries "rules") So our plan is to adoption through our agency BUT we are open to pursuing another route with our home study if something comes up that we feel is right for our family. :)<br />
<br />
And where do we stand financially? The total for our adoption is $23,000 and we only have $9,500 left to go until we meet that goal! $9,500 is a LOT of money but compared to $23,000 it seems much more doable :)<br />
<br />
If you are reading this and would like to partner with us to give a child a loving home, there are a couple ways you can help. :)<br />
<br />
I've had a couple people ask if they could donate directly to our adoption fund and yes that is possible! We've set up an account at youcaring.com where people can donate through paypal. Here is the link:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/help-tyler-and-marie-give-a-child-a-loving-home/304118">http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/help-tyler-and-marie-give-a-child-a-loving-home/304118</a><br />
<br />
*ANOTHER OPTION*<br />
<br />
Are you a fan of both Coffee AND adoption? Well you can get your coffee and help us out with our adoption at the same time! How? Well there's this really cool site that sells coffee and then a part of the proceeds come straight back to us for our adoption! How awesome is that?!<br />
<br />
Here is that link:<br />
<a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/rfamilyadoption">https://justlovecoffee.com/rfamilyadoption</a><br />
<br />
AND as always if you want to give a gift that gives twice you can shop my Origami Owl website!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mariesdesigns.origamiowl.com/">http://mariesdesigns.origamiowl.com/</a><br />
<br />
It's so cool to have a front row seat to watch God working through this adoption so far. Adoption has been on our hearts for so long and we put our "yes" on the table without knowing how in the world we were going to come up with such a huge amount of money. And each step of the way He has provided and I know that He will continue to provide. <br />
<br />
And right now I've traded in all the home study paperwork for Grant paperwork :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-81103297400894062662014-08-06T15:31:00.002-04:002014-08-06T15:31:28.950-04:00Garage Sale - Adoption FundraiserThis past weekend we had an adoption fundraiser garage sale. What's
that, you ask? Well it's a garage sale where friends donated things
they were ready to get rid of but instead of just taking it all to
Goodwill, they gave it to us and we sold it at our sale! We had lots of
great items donated! So thankful to all our friends who <strike>dumped</strike>
err gave us such great stuff to sell! It was obviously great things
because we sold about 90% of it! We did the sale Thursday, Friday and
Saturday and what I had been told about garage sales held true. You
most the most on day 1, then each day following is half of the day
before. Thursday morning was non stop people. I'm extremely thankful
for my friend Meredith and all her help with the boys that day. Tyler
had training at work so he couldn't take either day off of work so if
she wouldn't have offered to help I would've been solo. There's no way I
would've been able to do it without her that day. Day 1 we made $800!
I was blown away. Day 2 was much, much slower. My friend Megan was
able to help me that morning, but I felt so bad because it was so dead.
Was very thankful for her great company though! By the end of the day
though we still ended up making another almost $400! Then Saturday was a
little busier than Friday but still nothing compared to Thursday. We
ended up at about $200 which put us at a total of $1400! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8puiobcUY2u55nrO0l6HKu1cr0Tleb-HdxSEYtKDm4V9fQ_gdYfzsiTspcQ6sLX8MjYdN2IbRHFTICZzE-u9bDwbdj2VV2LZQJG0xzCcN16GRLy2BNGvdJ-tlHf5U7CUPodATAw0hlQg/s1600/photo(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8puiobcUY2u55nrO0l6HKu1cr0Tleb-HdxSEYtKDm4V9fQ_gdYfzsiTspcQ6sLX8MjYdN2IbRHFTICZzE-u9bDwbdj2VV2LZQJG0xzCcN16GRLy2BNGvdJ-tlHf5U7CUPodATAw0hlQg/s1600/photo(1).JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lincoln's first lemonade stand! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lucas showed him the ropes :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2sRu8hJLcx4n3I4jAtmhtgQYnRI2webmJxGkpVix6QaQLrfW9uQ_HlE4YM0bGKyUCZCXvqNU_MoXWLmwae7kNmszdXByjvZT2pzA0mWSw_T7ZKK_nrUVbCe5ntO-9bCxW5f4TBlae6w/s1600/photo.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2sRu8hJLcx4n3I4jAtmhtgQYnRI2webmJxGkpVix6QaQLrfW9uQ_HlE4YM0bGKyUCZCXvqNU_MoXWLmwae7kNmszdXByjvZT2pzA0mWSw_T7ZKK_nrUVbCe5ntO-9bCxW5f4TBlae6w/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I
was so overwhelmed with how generous so many people were. I'd say
majority of the people that stopped at the sale said they stopped mostly
because the sign said it was an adoption fundraiser. Lots of people
would over pay for their items telling me to just keep it as a
donation. One guy just walked up asked who was adopting, I told him we
were and he handed me $10, didn't buy anything just wanted to donate.
My neighbor, who is hardly ever outside and so we haven't talked to her
much, walked over to our sale and handed me $100. Said she's never
donated to anything before but really wanted to donate to our adoption.
I was so touched. <br />
<br />
Over and over again things like that happened and I was just blown away. And I heard story after story of people who stopped by and they themselves have adopted, or they were adopted as a child. <br />
<br />
So
we are now $1400 closer to that goal of $24,000. So far we have raised
right at $14,000 so ONLY (haha, only) $10,000 ish left to go! It's
such a great feeling to get over that half way mark. Feels a little
more reachable now. <br />
<br />
I also wanted to update you all
where we are in the process. We are now in the midst of all the
homestudy paperwork. Lots of it. I remember it all from when we did
our homestudy for foster care so at least it's not all new. A little
less confusing :) This next week we will get fingerprinted, get things
ready for the fire inspection and fill out the rest of the papers that
are needed for our first homestudy visit. This coming Friday we have an
all day orientation at our adoption agency that will include 5 of the
12 hours of training that we need to complete. The rest of the training
will be completely with online courses. <br />
<br />
So we are
little by little chipping away at all this paperwork and getting closer
and closer with each day! Just getting more and more excited about this
whole journey to our next child. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-29373919205071779522014-07-08T13:35:00.000-04:002014-07-08T13:35:39.675-04:00Here we go, go, go, go!....on an adventure! (yes I'm quoting Cat in the Hat) That is what my fills my days so that is what I have to draw from for inspiring titles for blog posts. It's my fun filled life with preschool aged children. I love it. We love it. We love it so much that we are adding another one to our family! And I'm not pregnant :) We are finally (you know, only 18 months and 1 baby later!) starting our adoption! <br />
<br />
So since we are starting I thought I'd update you all on the progress and changes that we've made since announcing that we were adopting a year a a half ago. Last January we had decided to move forward and start an international adoption. Shortly after, surprise! I was pregnant with baby boy number 3 and so everything on the adoption front got put on hold. We were originally going to adopt from the Philippines. But after Dietrich joined our family we learned that because of the rules that the Philippines has in place, having 3 kiddos already was going to make that difficult. So we started looking into other countries and agencies. We didn't qualify for many (for example we both have to be over the age of 30 to adopt from China, and I'm only 28), or others Tyler couldn't go to because of certain things.....so long story short we are now moving ahead with a domestic adoption!<br />
<br />
It's funny how God leads to to where you are supposed to be. It was closed door after closed door until we finally found one open :) Just like in other countries there is a huge need for adoption here in the US. Domestic adoption, for those who aren't familiar means that we will be filling out a family profile for birth mothers to look at and will wait to be chosen by a birth mother. <br />
<br />
We chose an agency that's about 2 hours away from here, which was recommended by a friend and so far are really loving this agency. We did our initial inquiry to be accepted by the agency and finished filling out the application last night and mailed it today with our first payment ($350), yikes!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">At the post office, mailing our first round of paperwork! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysYhxJe0BiQ6fPTOpCBSZU8V-MSrcKo6HhSR5CVDZd0pL-D0flARJ_sfYHBGIrT1qsVa8YjoTeMOEUpyFcCBDRmSXS9-u4XGo3PMlPDFElLqWe0RkwDpWruGQgiDwaFoG0N33RqcQnOw/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysYhxJe0BiQ6fPTOpCBSZU8V-MSrcKo6HhSR5CVDZd0pL-D0flARJ_sfYHBGIrT1qsVa8YjoTeMOEUpyFcCBDRmSXS9-u4XGo3PMlPDFElLqWe0RkwDpWruGQgiDwaFoG0N33RqcQnOw/s1600/photo.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
That part of the process is going to be a real faith builder for both me and Tyler. Our mindset with money is if you don't have it all, don't spend it. We save until we have the full amount before we buy something. So to have this huge amount of money that we are going to need (at least $22,895) and we only have $7,000 of it saved/raised, is completely against what we are used to. But I know my God and I know His heart for the fatherless and adoption. And I've seen story after story of how He has provided money, sometimes no sooner than the night before it's needed to pay for the next step. So I know He will provide, one way or another. <br />
<br />
So I'm starting to try and figure out ways I can make some extra income (I've taken a little break but am now starting up Origami Owl again, so if you want to help out and wear pretty jewelry at the same time go shop at mariesdesigns.origamiowl.com) and fund-raiser ideas. My sister in law has offered to do a Pampered Chef fund-raiser and I'm going to get a garage sale put together to do before the end of the summer but any other ideas are welcome if you have ideas to share! :)<br />
<br />
That's our quick update of where we are right now. We are so excited to finally get started and really anxious to see how God builds our family through adoption! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-21696104183979728762014-04-22T15:58:00.001-04:002014-04-22T15:58:45.156-04:00an oily post.I've recently dove in head first to the world of essential oils. And I've got to tell you all just how they've been working for our family. <br />
<br />
I'll start with some background. My boys have been battling cold after cold followed by asthma and coughing and days turn into weeks of breathing treatments and then a week of health before another round of it all! Lincoln was prone to ear infections as an infant, got tubes put in when he was almost 2 and before that was on antibiotic after antibiotic until he started developing immunities to a couple of them. Which scares the crap out of me. And then recently has had two more ear infections and were treated with two more antibiotics and that's when I FINALLY was at the end of my rope. My children's health is at stake here and I'm not going to keep pumping antibiotics into them until they are resistant to all of them. So I started researching. Researching ways to boost their (and mine!) immune systems. After talking to a friend I started making elderberry syrup. And now give my boys a tsp. of it every morning as an immune booster. It's super easy to make and one batch of it last 3+ weeks.<br />
<br />
After months of research, I started finding other people who use essential oils and I started asking questions, tons of questions. Then my friend Katie told me about a class I could go to close by and after attending it and learning SO much about the oils I was ready to get some of my own. I ordered about 11 oils and a diffuser from Young Living and got started! That was the beginning of February and even though it's only been a little over 2 months, we have not made a single visit to the Doc's office. Which is saying a LOT considering we were there at least once a week if not every other week all winter. <br />
<br />
Since then Tyler and I have both started getting colds, started with my oils and we (or I at least) was over my cold in a DAY. One day people. No more suffering through weeks of a sore throat, cough, sinus pressure. Tyler's took a little longer because he was skeptical and used Zicam for the first few days and when he saw I was feeling 100 times better and he was feeling worse, he gave in a used some theives oil and lavender :) <br />
<br />
Since then we've treated the following with Essential Oils and NO trips to the Dr.'s office (besides well child check ups) and NO antibiotics and NO breathing treatments :<br />
<br />
- Dietrich has been congested, teething - treated with lavender, cedarwood, tea tree and lemon<br />
<br />
- Caedmon's asthma - treated with a combination of cedarwood, frankincense, lavender, lemon and RC if the others aren't getting the job done :) RC has some oils that are not recommended for children under 5 so it was used very mildly and under lots of supervision. And I just ordered Ravintsara with is supposed to be a good substitute for Eucalyptus, which is in RC. So I'm excited to see how that works. Since February I've only had to use his inhaler once and that was only because I ran out of lavender and had to use the inhaler until I could get some lavender from a friend. <br />
<br />
- Lincoln's asthma - same as Caedmon<br />
<br />
- I've had the flu - I literally bathed in Valor (added to epsom salts and either olive oil or milk and pour into the bath), thieves around the clock and breathing in peppermint to help with my chills (since I'm breastfeeding I didn't apply it because peppermint can reduce your supply)<br />
<br />
- bad cold for everyone - treated with thieves oil on mine and Tyler's feet, lavender on our throats and diffusing lemon, diluted lemon on the boys' feet, tea tree behind ears to relieve pressure.<br />
<br />
- sore muscles - Tyler put PanAway on his sore legs after working out and MAN that one is strong! (It is also on the not recommended for kids list)<br />
<br />
- my allergies - lavender and lemon<br />
<br />
- sinus infection for me - purification in a steam bowl every two hours. Worked to help with the symptoms but it wasn't getting RID of it so my friend Shannon made up an inhaler for me with a mixture of frankincense, opopanx and ravintsara. Worked SO well. Everything moved out of my sinuses and I felt so much better. <br />
<br />
- fluid in Lincoln's ears (which usually leads to an ear infection) - tea tree. I'm amazed. <br />
<br />
- goose egg bump/bruise - Caedmon tripped and fell face first into the corner of a chair. Seconds later it was already swollen and bruising. I applied a drop of lavender to it and because essential oils get into the blood stream so fast, it helped the swelling to decrease within minutes and the next morning there wasn't even a bruise! <br />
<br />
- Sunburn - we stayed outside all day and all of us were pink at the end of the day. Added some lavender to coconut oil and rubbed it on our sunburns. Helped a ton. I've been told that same combo is a good sunscreen as well but I haven't tried it yet :)<br />
<br />
For the first time in my life I feel like I'm in control of my health. Yes I still get sick, I'm building my immune system back up after HELLP syndrome destroyed it, but I can deal with the sicknesses better and I don't have to head to the doctor out of fear for every single thing. <br />
<br />
I'm so, so thankful that I was introduced to this class I've been going to because I've learned so much not only about essential oils in general but different application methods and the safety aspect of essential oils. <br />
<br />
Essential oils are very, very potent and concentrated oils and need to be respected in that aspect. I've learned that 1 drop of lemon EO contains the oil distilled from 27 lemons. That's a LOT. Which is the reason almost all oils need to be diluted in a carrier oil (like olive oil or coconut oil) before applied topically. There are a lot of things out there on oils, I encourage you, if you are wanting to start using oils that you would educate yourself. I'm more than happy to recommend some books, facebook groups, etc that have good, SAFE information!<br />
<br />
http://scentsablehealth.com/ is a great resource!<br />
<br />
Here are some resource cards to use if you have kids<br />
*Put together by Shannon Dennis of Scentsable Health*<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is a check list to reference when trying to decide if an oil is safe</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for your child or not. These are single oils. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RX-lLvTOShD_MVrLMcPv0sfZYL5Ofa6EhX9u3849ypzQQjvoGBRdJNZsxEO142ilcnBgCt-ZN_F1JaPLeA-Zl_AlZeDPoyLp7hy8mdxux2Qh6BZUaWPaNyAcTTDV9T3f5hKwErP7h8E/s1600/photo+1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RX-lLvTOShD_MVrLMcPv0sfZYL5Ofa6EhX9u3849ypzQQjvoGBRdJNZsxEO142ilcnBgCt-ZN_F1JaPLeA-Zl_AlZeDPoyLp7hy8mdxux2Qh6BZUaWPaNyAcTTDV9T3f5hKwErP7h8E/s1600/photo+1.PNG" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This one is the same thing just for Oil Blends like Thieves, Joy, Valor etc.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeo9-9rH-cF__3FecAmC1JwZRvwhVNK27RvLL9EHH5fs1OFQ3NlWScSvBz_McnNJZD6Xv5Aek4XtavWzu1Mhf3yVq0i6aix0e2HABXHtpohD1jfNYd4vBYGR4AbLPX4lc4RzO-X2qPSM/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeo9-9rH-cF__3FecAmC1JwZRvwhVNK27RvLL9EHH5fs1OFQ3NlWScSvBz_McnNJZD6Xv5Aek4XtavWzu1Mhf3yVq0i6aix0e2HABXHtpohD1jfNYd4vBYGR4AbLPX4lc4RzO-X2qPSM/s1600/photo.PNG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Like I said earlier most oils need to be diluted when used. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is a reference card for how much to dilute for how old your child is.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And it lists suggestions for carrier oils (the oil you use to dilute the essential oil).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I personally mostly use coconut and olive oil because that's what I have on hand. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And it's helpful to buy a couple extra amber bottle to store your diluted essential oil in.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So if I'm sick I go ahead and dilute thieves and store it in a new amber bottle so I don't waste it and can use it all before making more. This also helps make your essential oils last longer! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknG5q5tb-id1ximA3SrvcaYn2dT3WM3UhDeBeehAUvAqKYJH8zDX3gAYqRY1IJfFn4kl8TUJI2lH9G-vKoAtOIn6Nbd6f904cGyRI6SvZWZ3xo7Xl-5idu6-H_H8hgZGmyx6KYVpxODA/s1600/photo+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknG5q5tb-id1ximA3SrvcaYn2dT3WM3UhDeBeehAUvAqKYJH8zDX3gAYqRY1IJfFn4kl8TUJI2lH9G-vKoAtOIn6Nbd6f904cGyRI6SvZWZ3xo7Xl-5idu6-H_H8hgZGmyx6KYVpxODA/s1600/photo+2.PNG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you are just wanting to build up a stash of essential oils to have on hand</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
that are safe for the whole family here is a good list!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwAucTE9kNGu1T2cfHJfzUUxzGS_hizfWUE9tRj-nRdDgOGllzViI5KWq-ZEuZv5iHttzplVkSmPkgbC_EJAN8cHh3evC4lBHifOUwribdsFPFJagcPheZ-4zzy0y0IE52YlspG-qE2k/s1600/photo+3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwAucTE9kNGu1T2cfHJfzUUxzGS_hizfWUE9tRj-nRdDgOGllzViI5KWq-ZEuZv5iHttzplVkSmPkgbC_EJAN8cHh3evC4lBHifOUwribdsFPFJagcPheZ-4zzy0y0IE52YlspG-qE2k/s1600/photo+3.PNG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I just wanted to share with you all what has been working for us. I'm not trying to push this at all just am amazed at how well these oils really do work. :) If you have any questions about essentials oils, I'm happy to try and help!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-83864500274367137422014-04-04T16:35:00.000-04:002014-04-04T16:35:20.281-04:00Dietrich Jon {6 months}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've completely neglected this little blog, but it's been a good break. I may or may not be back, the jury's still out on that but for now here is a quick update on our sweet Dietrich. Who has decided to grow up. I mean seriously, must you get so big so fast?! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
6 months old</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
14 lbs {5th percentile}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
25 inches long {5th percentile}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
head {70th percentile}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...rolling everywhere</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...most nights you get up just once to eat</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...have quite the charming personality</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...still ebf but will start solids soon</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...both bottom teeth are SO close to showing themselves</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...all around a very laid back, happy baby boy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Decided to take some 6 month pictures today while the other two boys had rest time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Out of the hundreds that I took, here are my faves. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXB6VaYH7uR5Uxn_oSZxDhAPZv2fRvMDRMw0DZFaryGW5P1AAVWZKbPDavvfk1w5DvajIX8kD3Mn33pJsZhOGL33sg1eQJqlzieeNdZ9H8XtE6eYiVwM_KIjox9A6LYopdsncyobZSxGI/s1600/IMG_8701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXB6VaYH7uR5Uxn_oSZxDhAPZv2fRvMDRMw0DZFaryGW5P1AAVWZKbPDavvfk1w5DvajIX8kD3Mn33pJsZhOGL33sg1eQJqlzieeNdZ9H8XtE6eYiVwM_KIjox9A6LYopdsncyobZSxGI/s1600/IMG_8701.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6zOAm9wWQCo85XK219A4_JuUEHcxdD-UZvxocSXGWYnidwpoU6Vgm2d6icuh4Vd8nsx5H3neJGbk4lG9yZChmYbeBINFP0FXg5TZb_Jy2Q2ORQxgjHYHGYLBUBVIf4PfGafi5EC1jZ0/s1600/IMG_8703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6zOAm9wWQCo85XK219A4_JuUEHcxdD-UZvxocSXGWYnidwpoU6Vgm2d6icuh4Vd8nsx5H3neJGbk4lG9yZChmYbeBINFP0FXg5TZb_Jy2Q2ORQxgjHYHGYLBUBVIf4PfGafi5EC1jZ0/s1600/IMG_8703.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mjJrS7hDZCqVrW96b-_XxUPk3z02iqoRLvGyeb39hJErA_rc1ZQDxKPUmyiKFTDlyYeINifJhyphenhyphenpL32CfANL0TdpyOXiAzzq5yf_o7YXwWnyymcghaP-WgpsJYUzWWtQ5NvhuHYyxuEA/s1600/IMG_8710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mjJrS7hDZCqVrW96b-_XxUPk3z02iqoRLvGyeb39hJErA_rc1ZQDxKPUmyiKFTDlyYeINifJhyphenhyphenpL32CfANL0TdpyOXiAzzq5yf_o7YXwWnyymcghaP-WgpsJYUzWWtQ5NvhuHYyxuEA/s1600/IMG_8710.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7OMe47rS19IoBWiMHzsA3j6CfsjfYKb8HqIzGWbufo13b6b5KThluZJvykERFa6xoLaZ-615quyMtNWFsObPzSk34LNS5PZeU0QfyUftcwpsxoD-BPE-Rp0gqT3p4lWLDdIMMhACsbo/s1600/IMG_8836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7OMe47rS19IoBWiMHzsA3j6CfsjfYKb8HqIzGWbufo13b6b5KThluZJvykERFa6xoLaZ-615quyMtNWFsObPzSk34LNS5PZeU0QfyUftcwpsxoD-BPE-Rp0gqT3p4lWLDdIMMhACsbo/s1600/IMG_8836.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUgfA5_1gdupVbuesUdvAgr0L1ELmLbpPc91-cKOmKtT6fV1I7t5ga-nbrVxziz3kL2hAsQvU31g6py_AY-CwfsZBxoIB0Vm5I6naeHmZ9UQOGNvHzNLdrQmCWvAV4AhSLpi8JqGUNxc/s1600/IMG_8857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUgfA5_1gdupVbuesUdvAgr0L1ELmLbpPc91-cKOmKtT6fV1I7t5ga-nbrVxziz3kL2hAsQvU31g6py_AY-CwfsZBxoIB0Vm5I6naeHmZ9UQOGNvHzNLdrQmCWvAV4AhSLpi8JqGUNxc/s1600/IMG_8857.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-66901898792124918582014-01-15T20:31:00.003-05:002014-01-15T20:31:11.343-05:00lately...<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
hello? is anyone still reading this here dusty blog? it's been MONTHS since I last posted. I just have been so extremely busy that posting on here got pushed way down on the totem pole of importance. I've missed it tremendously though. I love looking back on it and our lives for the past 4 1/2 years and I hope to continue. I just haven't had the extra brain power to muster up anything to write. Even the monthly posts about Dietrich seemed way too tiring. Sorry buddy. I'm still keeping track of your milestones weight etc just not getting it on here! But here's some random stuff that been happening and on my mind....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I'm finally getting some sleep! Dietrich is in a good routine of waking up just once at night and if I'm lucky he'll throw in a whole night stretch for me. Those are just wonderful. wonderful.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The boys were all sick between Thanksgiving and Christmas. They start out with colds but then since they both have asthma it gets in their lungs and stays there. So a little cold turns into weeks and weeks of coughing and breathing treatments, steroids etc. So I was getting desperate in trying to keep them heathy and boosting their immune system. So I started looking up things I could try and I'm going to be making elderberry syrup and thinking about getting a diffuser and diffusing some essential oils (hastag hippie) :). Just in the researching part right now so if anyone has any suggestions pertaining to essential oils etc I'm all ears!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I'm still 20 lbs above my preprego weight and I'm trying daily to be ok with that. I've learned that I just can't lose weight when I'm nursing because I lose my supply so I have to wait until I'm done nursing to get serious about weightloss. But that is SO hard. But I'm trying to be ok with it. I only have this one 10 months - a year to breastfeed my baby, I have the rest of my life to get back to my pre pregnancy weight. Breastfeeding is much more important to me, breastfeeding is much more important to me... keep reminding myself.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I've been so blessed to have a year of working for Origami Owl now! January is my "owl-iversary" :) This at home job has been so wonderful and I'm so grateful for a way to help us meet this huge financial goal of ours. Slowly but surely we're chipping away at each dollar. I also am a Jamberry Nails consultant and have been with them for about 5 months now and it's gone tremendously well also. I love all the people I've met and new friendships that have formed because of these two "jobs."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
mariesdesigns.origamiowl.com</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
mariejoy.jamberrynails.com</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
(shameless plug) :)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It's January and this is the month that I told myself I would start back at the paperwork for our adoption. Getting the process started again! We couldn't be more excited and can't wait to bring our little girl home. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Lincoln has been asking TONS of spiritual questions lately. Questions about heaven and Jesus and how do we get to heaven, what is heaven like, does God's house have a basement (lol) and those questions and led him to want to ask Jesus to be apart of his life all the time. So about a week ago I sat on the kitchen floor with him in my lap and listened to my son pray the most beautiful prayer and ask Jesus to come into his heart. My prayer is that Lincoln will continue to ask questions and learn more and more about God and want to live his life for Christ.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I was told by a wise women (my mom) that I need to stop putting God in a box. I've been in the mindset of "I have to do everything and say yes to everything." And my reasoning was, if I don't do it, then who will? Which is very arrogant and essentially puts God in a box. Thinking that this or that won't get done without me doing it. But it will, because my God is NOT in a box and he doesn't NEED me for every aspect. Right now I need to be completely focused on my family, my husband and my boys. They are my priority and anything that gets in the way of that, I need to stop doing. A constant balance...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
A successful day in my books lately is when I can get all three boys napping (or resting in his room, in Lincoln's case) at the same time. This has been happening a few times lately and it. is. amazing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
we're a house full of sickies again. Yesterday there wasn't a minute when someone wasn't coughing in our house. Lincoln's got so bad that I thought it was bordering an asthma attack. So my doc called in a steroid and it helped calm down his cough but he was up in the middle of the night just not able to sleep so he came into our bed. Wow was that something. He was so uncomfortable, tossing and turning. And at one point just wouldn't lay still so Tyler and I both turned our backs to him so we could sleep and as we did that Lincoln says, "why doesn't anyone want to sleep by me?!" lol. I can't imagine why?! and then an hour later he is still getting situated so Tyler thought putting his arm around Lincoln would help calm him down and he would go to sleep after awhile Lincoln sits up and tells him, "This is not a good idea." I half heard it in my sleep and chuckled. I love him so much. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
So how's that for a random post? :) Happy Hump Day!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-91264691294441511272013-11-03T20:03:00.001-05:002013-11-03T20:03:24.876-05:00Dietrich's birth story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
{last belly picture}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
36 weeks 6 days </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day before Dietrich was born</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnkxKtLCcU9NKVkpVEQAGaaYMShz3uDLyz9LEIWc5wIq4ht-tEo8AqlVukrYGV32xmNoiz0RBx-9N8GdcDtM8FKnsowAeVRzTyPx9YOmMBMn0G6SfWcGcjHZQgSk6L4N91yevu6Lw6Gg/s1600/IMG_6260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnkxKtLCcU9NKVkpVEQAGaaYMShz3uDLyz9LEIWc5wIq4ht-tEo8AqlVukrYGV32xmNoiz0RBx-9N8GdcDtM8FKnsowAeVRzTyPx9YOmMBMn0G6SfWcGcjHZQgSk6L4N91yevu6Lw6Gg/s400/IMG_6260.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Months ago Southwest had a sale on their fall flights and so my mom called me and asked me when this baby was coming :) There was no telling when he would come since I wasn't planning a c-section, so she just booked two one way flights just choosing random dates in hopes that I would make it to 36 weeks and she would be able to use one of them and then if needed she could transfer one of those flights to another date. So the day her flight was booked for (Sept. 24) was coming up and we were all surprised that I was still pregnant. Her and I had a couple conversations about whether or not she should come already or just wait. I was scared that she would come and stay 3 weeks and THEN I would have my baby and not have any help. Be cause my due date was Oct 17 and her flight to go home was Oct 15. So if I actually made it to my due date, she would be gone! But she ended up deciding to just come in faith that God's timing of it all would work out perfectly. So she flew in Tuesday Sept 24th and we were all so excited to see her!<br />
<br />
The day before I had gone to my OB appt and was dilated to 4cm (from 1cm two weeks before). So that was a good sign things were getting started. But some women also walk around at 4cm for weeks so there was still no telling when this baby was going to make his appearance. <br />
<br />
Well we decided to make the most of her time here and had a fun day on Wednesday. Before leaving the house that morning my mom told me she felt a peace about the timing of this baby. That we didn't need to worry about it just go about our time together and God would take care of the timing. That seemed like such a simple concept but I realized I had been worrying too much about it all and just needed to let it go. I wasn't trusting God and his plan for this baby. So we ran some errands, did some shopping at the mall, Grandma took the two boys on a train ride, they played at the playspace and came home for naps for them. The week before I was talking to my mom about her getting here and my Dad being in town Wednesday-Saturday, I mentioned that Thursday the 26th would be the perfect day to have the baby. Then both of them would be there and it would just be a good day. :) Well my Dad got here Wednesday evening and we all went out to eat, came home and put the boys to bed. I went to bed not worried about when this baby was coming...<br />
<br />
3:20am I woke up to a contraction and then laid there awake for a couple minutes. While I was laying there I felt what I can only describe as like a balloon popped in my belly. It was the strangest thing and it wasn't my water breaking. So I just wrote it off as weird and fell back asleep for about 10 minutes. And had another painful contraction that woke me back up and then fell asleep again. Another 10 minutes later right before 4am my water broke. I woke Tyler up and as we were getting ready to head to the hospital the contractions started coming right around 6 minutes apart. I went downstairs to wake up my parents and let them know it was go time. My mom sat straight up in bed and the first thing she said was, "are you joking?" Yes mom I woke you up at 4 am just to play a joke on ya ;) It was so nice to just be able to leave and not have to worry about where we were going to take the boys. <br />
<br />
We live about 20 minutes from the hospital and at one of my last dr appts he told me if my water happened to break, to book it to the hospital because with all the contractions I had been having things would go fast. Well he wasn't kidding. On the way to the hospital my contractions got more intense and were every 3 minutes apart. <br />
<br />
We got there, parked and walked up to the third floor. Almost made it to the elevator when I bent over to get through a contraction and a Dr walking the empty halls stopped and watched until he saw I was ok and then went along his way. He was probably an intern who obviously didn't work in labor and delivery and wanted to brag to all his coworkers if I happened to be having the baby right then and there and he had to deliver the baby. (oh wait, have I been watching too much Grey's Anatomy?) :)<br />
<br />
I got up to triage and was at 5cm and still contractions every 3-4 minutes. These contractions were very bearable. They sucked but I had time to recover inbetween. When I had pitocin with Caedmon they were AWFUL. Super, super intense, long and right on top of each other. I think I was in triage for about an hour before they had a room ready for me. So another nurse came to take me there and she was the nurse that would be with me until shift change at 7am. She asked the same questions that I'd already been asked 10 times and would continue to get asked for the rest of my stay. Her first question, "do you know what you're having?" YEP! a boy! "is this your first?" No, my third. "oh, what do you have at home?" "Two more boys." and her response? <br />
"Boo!"<br />
<br />
......and my reaction? I said nothing. I glared at her. <br />
<br />
thankfully for her my first nurse was still there and broke the awkwardness of her rude comment and my silence by saying how awful it was that she just said that and that three boys is great!<br />
<br />
I mean I was so mad at her at that point. I just looked at Tyler like, "are you kidding me?!" Who says that? ESPECIALLY a labor and delivery nurse. 3 boys can't be that rare that she had never had another mom with 2 boys and in labor with a third. Oh it was just so rude. Seriously you are saying it's a bad thing that I'm going to have 3 boys. I'm sorry but I disagree tremendously. And please don't ever say that to anyone else. Ugh I'm just getting mad again thinking about it. I am beyond blessed and my THREE boys are such a gift!<br />
<br />
Anyways she knew I was mad and eventually apologized about the comment and she ended up being a pretty good nurse until shift change at 7. And in came two new nurses. One had just started so she was "shadowing" but really she did most of the work and did a fantastic job. <br />
<br />
Back in triage I was told that I wasn't guaranteed that I would be able to get my epidural. "ummmmm......you're kidding me, right?" Nope it was super busy that morning and lots of emergency c-sections. I just prayed I would get one in time. My nurse checked me and I was at a 7, I still had time and thankfully she saw how much I wanted one and made it happen. I got it at 6:45ish and I mentioned to my nurses that with Caedmon after I got my epidural I went from 2cm - 10cm in less than an hour. They semi took me seriously and slowly started to get stuff set up. By 7:20 or so I started to feel the urge to push. I was at 10cm and was told I could start pushing as I felt like I needed to. <br />
<br />
And this was the most awkward part. Tyler and the nurse were holding my legs and everyone (resident, dr on call, and two nurses) were all waiting for my next contraction and my contractions were still like 4 minutes apart so I would push and then they all just stared at me for 3 minutes until I had to push again and since I had the epidural I felt hardly anything so we all just casually talked and waited awkwardly until I pushed again. Seriously besides the awkward waiting periods it was the most enjoyable a delivery could be, lol! I pushed three times and he was here! (beat my record of 4 pushes with Caedmon) :) My amazing 6 lb 5 oz 18 1/2 in long miracle was here! That is the most surreal moment ever. With that baby laying on your chest, staring up at you with his dark eyes. Instant love. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivh5FpsAYW8vs7OMJb0vUTahe1uGCoFzkoRdIAHkkAf7FIsRNQn5fxwxlgXv_hUTEkjpykL_3veYZRKWjyzL1nedxHycHUtstDKOElZ2ZJQbS3W8XWob_-88-qfVVjPCVX3l6RfTWEOk/s1600/IMG_8331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivh5FpsAYW8vs7OMJb0vUTahe1uGCoFzkoRdIAHkkAf7FIsRNQn5fxwxlgXv_hUTEkjpykL_3veYZRKWjyzL1nedxHycHUtstDKOElZ2ZJQbS3W8XWob_-88-qfVVjPCVX3l6RfTWEOk/s320/IMG_8331.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9Vy7GKtf1rS9lI1c73YpehLCJ9JsoXMP8tGNk0c_mreGNwx7DfDfeZ4JZMvLu2jkId-cnhdewqe16vxKaKTQtYEFT3hEje1AfHgtnsAUL_AhtifdAaTjTnKU12s4Zo9XSl4RpVYIDPQ/s1600/IMG_8333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9Vy7GKtf1rS9lI1c73YpehLCJ9JsoXMP8tGNk0c_mreGNwx7DfDfeZ4JZMvLu2jkId-cnhdewqe16vxKaKTQtYEFT3hEje1AfHgtnsAUL_AhtifdAaTjTnKU12s4Zo9XSl4RpVYIDPQ/s320/IMG_8333.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrNkg20ZHDk1kT-OUx60JvkpeOSA54HJYhMDLRLBDjyEeuSd72Y_Ac-Ik6Q5iyh8vMpo4OkWsBNnqsEN2ZXsH3iPlAp51gvY0aDiCbosIuTGs-G2TIBMp36K5VD5DAsBCXlMqYrocEdA/s1600/IMG_8345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrNkg20ZHDk1kT-OUx60JvkpeOSA54HJYhMDLRLBDjyEeuSd72Y_Ac-Ik6Q5iyh8vMpo4OkWsBNnqsEN2ZXsH3iPlAp51gvY0aDiCbosIuTGs-G2TIBMp36K5VD5DAsBCXlMqYrocEdA/s320/IMG_8345.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIPe3_Vt33229iYs0JO1-AlA0Xd3y92hEhPElMEoGyF4qzKVlM67ZCo4QhmRQK347fH_HOOQHqCVg4eXrCoNeJtyR2CXpZB7tgIuCIIvhdfOAUJhtVHnYFGCMVFUEzQz6rT600yqTVjo/s1600/IMG_8352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIPe3_Vt33229iYs0JO1-AlA0Xd3y92hEhPElMEoGyF4qzKVlM67ZCo4QhmRQK347fH_HOOQHqCVg4eXrCoNeJtyR2CXpZB7tgIuCIIvhdfOAUJhtVHnYFGCMVFUEzQz6rT600yqTVjo/s320/IMG_8352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdRJlVChrgGXNAHx7l1UfBjsp35D91fkoisNzNLKz7GCcH0-rZO64bzECsdxb5Ou-V19qFYAjHpHmmEQZC7wuPNNjE94iCs62pxM5whyphenhyphen4pA7pRe3xsj7JBvnuRU7rVFsBs9cbYfC7zk8/s1600/IMG_8328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdRJlVChrgGXNAHx7l1UfBjsp35D91fkoisNzNLKz7GCcH0-rZO64bzECsdxb5Ou-V19qFYAjHpHmmEQZC7wuPNNjE94iCs62pxM5whyphenhyphen4pA7pRe3xsj7JBvnuRU7rVFsBs9cbYfC7zk8/s320/IMG_8328.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3d8nhb7WmZZZgpJ-uipCdhE3ymBoDvdQe9wO_tEJQAfujVgFJtVr13nxUiQA1ov8j-GYndVtcmaoRDDxn5MD8Q8o3aHvopLC5HWiiWb7xfZ6AObJXHlFgUGZoFs4vkA-pyJDZv5HDtE/s1600/IMG_8339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3d8nhb7WmZZZgpJ-uipCdhE3ymBoDvdQe9wO_tEJQAfujVgFJtVr13nxUiQA1ov8j-GYndVtcmaoRDDxn5MD8Q8o3aHvopLC5HWiiWb7xfZ6AObJXHlFgUGZoFs4vkA-pyJDZv5HDtE/s320/IMG_8339.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOQKm2PJ9iGQdMPI-0ZjtqJGjtc1jtsHXI8nFTqjjdOFiOB6CKVTt2OqTuEWYPMlIdeLXmN04Y1Kqc_JVUItF_nKVjP0mrn4tTOEThnVBXHXp4DhR2mSASC2-61-pqc4-Rj0j4z8ow0A/s1600/IMG_8342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOQKm2PJ9iGQdMPI-0ZjtqJGjtc1jtsHXI8nFTqjjdOFiOB6CKVTt2OqTuEWYPMlIdeLXmN04Y1Kqc_JVUItF_nKVjP0mrn4tTOEThnVBXHXp4DhR2mSASC2-61-pqc4-Rj0j4z8ow0A/s320/IMG_8342.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-50362569327887816222013-10-11T20:32:00.000-04:002013-10-11T20:32:04.655-04:00Dietrich Jon<div style="text-align: center;">
My baby boy is here! (and two weeks old already!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dietrich is such a blessing and seriously such a good baby. He was born on Sept. 26th at 7:39am weighing 6 lbs 5 oz and 18 1/2 in. long. He has turned our world upside down but in a good way. The first few days were the hardest just trying to get this sleepy, mucus-y boy to eat. Just as we expected, he was tongue-tied like his two older brothers but thankfully it was discovered by one of the nurses while we were still in the hospital so they just called in their Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist to come clip it one morning. Easy as that. Getting that done and then my milk coming in and he was well on his way to eating better. He got down to 5 lbs 12.5 oz and slowly, slowly gained it back and as of yesterday, exactly 2 weeks old he had gotten back to his birth weight! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Things I don't want to forget about you right now....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*You love your green binkie (yay!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*you tolerate being swaddled very well and sleep longer that way</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*Eating every 2-3 hrs during the day and night with a longer stretch thrown in during the night every once in a while</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*started cluster feeding in the evenings (which has led to a longer stretch for mommy to sleep)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*Lincoln is completely in love with you and Caedmon just needs to know where you are every second, finds you and then tries to put his germy, snotty hands all over your face.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*Grandma Hunni has been here almost 3 weeks now! The timing of your birth and her getting here was once again PERFECT timing....I'll post more about that later when I type up your birth story.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*This has been the easiest recovery I've had of my three deliveries. Still hard but lots better than the other two. <br />
<br />
And now here are some pictures of the little man... :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1uCr8YDpK-aoPL5t-EopK8V7-XFg74bjhrc4rDNwr4DMZfcV13BiASK6UO5TzyblCtj3jYr7fl5HNBGYJ2ppjgBjWUjrDx7RRFKehp0cmvhgRs_TRbR2_g-HRZsWTuvWrBl0Ho_qMWw/s1600/IMG_6450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1uCr8YDpK-aoPL5t-EopK8V7-XFg74bjhrc4rDNwr4DMZfcV13BiASK6UO5TzyblCtj3jYr7fl5HNBGYJ2ppjgBjWUjrDx7RRFKehp0cmvhgRs_TRbR2_g-HRZsWTuvWrBl0Ho_qMWw/s400/IMG_6450.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4FNV6XQFUWzpWky321EXpm-0dtzQ7zxxRXn3uXhwwy3W2SKxcadPXzxi1u3I9kOmAPjnQ6Gh2f7QuvoECUrONFA6NvSVzd2dDW15_Zip5oGzavm-R-1OrntB19L_2nN2vQHnDyaMqLk/s1600/IMG_6451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4FNV6XQFUWzpWky321EXpm-0dtzQ7zxxRXn3uXhwwy3W2SKxcadPXzxi1u3I9kOmAPjnQ6Gh2f7QuvoECUrONFA6NvSVzd2dDW15_Zip5oGzavm-R-1OrntB19L_2nN2vQHnDyaMqLk/s400/IMG_6451.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQedPtAklqTxjA_yYqP_foIx_8Lq0dACNOv9mrwKTkDQryRoFOsazi1s8J9vWtujS6VHuaAUHnS_pqzkA6t5xexctHnl6q00necd9McyBcklmflmFeJnBEQvHnCXJDtb_bkUqD1J9GbbY/s1600/IMG_6458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQedPtAklqTxjA_yYqP_foIx_8Lq0dACNOv9mrwKTkDQryRoFOsazi1s8J9vWtujS6VHuaAUHnS_pqzkA6t5xexctHnl6q00necd9McyBcklmflmFeJnBEQvHnCXJDtb_bkUqD1J9GbbY/s400/IMG_6458.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTYJlhF9bb5qZ0bg_l7-1T_sXHs_ypZ6ynV4fJZJYoIOE3mToFWPDan4QuGdL4JOn3NmCffbbp4iQvmrCv0zUvPchxGSoqmQNYcbVf_yew0O_RukIjfVTJJMna_bEKth53fiVhvztzJQ/s1600/IMG_6505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTYJlhF9bb5qZ0bg_l7-1T_sXHs_ypZ6ynV4fJZJYoIOE3mToFWPDan4QuGdL4JOn3NmCffbbp4iQvmrCv0zUvPchxGSoqmQNYcbVf_yew0O_RukIjfVTJJMna_bEKth53fiVhvztzJQ/s400/IMG_6505.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr_yBzTcIMhCpW45Mu8oqJllxPJRSGjebCAb6AONEl-yexF2tO9HQ0ZdLZVXioE5tABqLkhc0kH2qQKbMo646LZn8PaEn6ad5d-EueynnAlt-5WVaJ7S-0S3eoE1wskD84Eg7Ge3IGtQ/s1600/IMG_6522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr_yBzTcIMhCpW45Mu8oqJllxPJRSGjebCAb6AONEl-yexF2tO9HQ0ZdLZVXioE5tABqLkhc0kH2qQKbMo646LZn8PaEn6ad5d-EueynnAlt-5WVaJ7S-0S3eoE1wskD84Eg7Ge3IGtQ/s400/IMG_6522.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnRaNcPmIS3vWjr_Qit-aNMrXRUwJcRDhyFNQFQhw4C_A5JMIgXZxILnGgXvdkC5TC2K4QWJsrNjuC6PpwTBiHeD2mfczYBiu1L4linwJwkUQPNU3_NNuZ3rMCRsaSvJOfQ_JLL1HEZw/s1600/IMG_6546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnRaNcPmIS3vWjr_Qit-aNMrXRUwJcRDhyFNQFQhw4C_A5JMIgXZxILnGgXvdkC5TC2K4QWJsrNjuC6PpwTBiHeD2mfczYBiu1L4linwJwkUQPNU3_NNuZ3rMCRsaSvJOfQ_JLL1HEZw/s400/IMG_6546.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EkT_2nnJULMZy2CXpMBMCsWSUPZm0G25ukMSrVDweNL7XMhz9ep-zmxsUAWBzsQsmdROe2MN__N0Gnov5ZJgeUS8G69jgcIecl5GxtQ6oKglrH0YJ97ivaIu_ISMkb1iFDnvrniEtzY/s1600/IMG_6547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EkT_2nnJULMZy2CXpMBMCsWSUPZm0G25ukMSrVDweNL7XMhz9ep-zmxsUAWBzsQsmdROe2MN__N0Gnov5ZJgeUS8G69jgcIecl5GxtQ6oKglrH0YJ97ivaIu_ISMkb1iFDnvrniEtzY/s400/IMG_6547.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3qUpzSqvRMUBtrl_bfa8aGuEmCoqB0uJU8aEhJbkINixX_Xu_TJQOPPob45kSnqbsFpHvgG0gY2ne6NTSoF-uYNc_2J15XADk5V6dyTroLHzoV0uuCr5LAq8ljt8kJlktkan8sw3we0/s1600/IMG_6573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3qUpzSqvRMUBtrl_bfa8aGuEmCoqB0uJU8aEhJbkINixX_Xu_TJQOPPob45kSnqbsFpHvgG0gY2ne6NTSoF-uYNc_2J15XADk5V6dyTroLHzoV0uuCr5LAq8ljt8kJlktkan8sw3we0/s400/IMG_6573.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-66845231138189070732013-09-19T21:32:00.000-04:002013-09-19T21:32:20.896-04:00{36 weeks!}<div style="text-align: center;">
And I've offically broken a record! I've never seen week 36 in a pregnancy and I'm still kind of in shock that we've made it this far. What with all the contractions and such taking me to the hospital multiple times. <br />
<br />
{will post a belly picture soon!}</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8595882138426016955">
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b>Symptoms: </b>Just the usual. Contractions, pressure and cramps. Same ole, same ole. Still 80% effaced and 1 cm so no change with all that. </span></span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Weight: </b>30 lbs</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Movement: </b>Oh man he is becoming stronger and stronger with his kicks. They've gotten to the point where some of them hurt. I've never been this pregnant before so I've never experienced that. He's mostly set in one position so all his kicks are directed to the right side of my belly. I can feel his little foot with my hand and I just gently push him back in there (I'm sure I just completely weirded out Kelsey) :) Sorry dude, no stretching until your are on the outside! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><b>Sleep: </b>I'm super, super tired lately. Usually falling asleep on the couch during the boys' naptime. I'm sleeping decently at night, it just gets to be a hassle to turn over, not only because I'm as big as a whale but because I use 4-5 pillows and I have to move them all anytime I change positions. </span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="line-height: 27px;">Cravings/aversions/eating: </b><span style="line-height: 27px;">fruit and savory foods.</span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 27px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="line-height: 27px;">Clothes:</b><span style="line-height: 27px;"> you can bet I'm gonna be living in yoga pants for the rest of this pregnancy :) </span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;">Random: </b><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;">Still measuring a couple weeks ahead at my appointments so baby boy is getting big! I think it'd be safe for me to pack up all the preemie clothes that I had gotten out. :) </span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;"><br /></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;">I just need to keep this boy baking until after tomorrow. My cleaning lady comes tomorrow (thanks mom!) and I'm so excited to have this house super deep cleaned!! Now to just clean it today so that she can clean it tomorrow. And by me cleaning it I just mean picking up all the toys and clearing off the counters so that she can actually clean :) </span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;"><br /></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;">We have a pretty jam packed weekend. Myself and two other girls are doing an event all weekend for Origami Owl, Tyler is signed up to help out at a "Touch a Truck" event on Saturday, the Avon resale is this weekend and I'm hoping to make it. Lincoln needs some winter clothes and shoes. </span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;"><br /></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;">My mom is scheduled to fly in next Tuesday! We are so excited! And my dad will be in the area again for work next Thursday/Friday so if baby boy wanted to come Wednesday or Thursday of next week that would work out just perfectly. He'd be FULL TERM (what's that?!?!) and get to see both grandma and papa jay right away. Otherwise it might be awhile before my dad gets to meet him. But all in God's perfect timing. </span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;"><br /></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Oh and one last thing. I'm taking the rest of September and all of October for maternity leave for Origami Owl. If you are wanting to place an order, don't worry! I'm still taking any and all online orders from my website or if you email it to me I can get it placed as well. I'm just not doing any parties or events until November. SOOOOO if you are wanting to get a jump start on your Christmas list, I'm running a Maternity Leave Special! Or if you want to get a party booked for November or December (in home or online) contact me now so we can get it in the books!</span></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;"><br /></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">***Place an order of $100 or more before tax and shipping and you get a </span></b></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">free mini locket!***</span></b></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">Just order from <a href="http://mariesdesigns.origamiowl.com/">mariesdesigns.origamiowl.com</a>! </span></b></span></span></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A sneak peek at what is coming in the new Catalog in October!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iJby9SBlYN-JM8venvsplJ20ThC43C_bO0LaWN4gYKIr4h4XVgQNC4_O_1xCtMKlekLOnltlnimlR1FTH5O88aDeUT94O6iN60j0RGIMH_aeTAxLXw8DRK2Hs9o_3RVrRYOfxFqSa4I/s1600/1004811_364575560312610_1153718056_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iJby9SBlYN-JM8venvsplJ20ThC43C_bO0LaWN4gYKIr4h4XVgQNC4_O_1xCtMKlekLOnltlnimlR1FTH5O88aDeUT94O6iN60j0RGIMH_aeTAxLXw8DRK2Hs9o_3RVrRYOfxFqSa4I/s320/1004811_364575560312610_1153718056_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-footer" style="font-size: 12px;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-85958821384260169552013-09-08T20:21:00.000-04:002013-09-08T20:21:31.094-04:00{34 weeks}<br />
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b>34 weeks 3 days</b></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFA1GBE4RDpN73STTzxXTBPCxSJMkK0yOtERfO4Pc9fZJdIkxgBppV8WboJRB2QB7IhoQ04utIq33doCwPXNmoQ8dsoI_jAZ4yZJXlSHxHHBRCs0PEEyDW_Z4P3veAdqczfYXh7k1z5Q/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFA1GBE4RDpN73STTzxXTBPCxSJMkK0yOtERfO4Pc9fZJdIkxgBppV8WboJRB2QB7IhoQ04utIq33doCwPXNmoQ8dsoI_jAZ4yZJXlSHxHHBRCs0PEEyDW_Z4P3veAdqczfYXh7k1z5Q/s400/photo-1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b>Symptoms: </b>same as the last couple weeks as far as contractions go. Lots of them. I've started having horrible back aches and cramping then past week and LOTS of pelvic pressure. All that combined with contractions coming every 4 minutes for 2 1/2 hours sent me to the hospital again this past Thursday. Like magic as soon as we got there, the contractions slowed and eventually stopped. The doc did check me while I was there and I'm 80% effaced and 1 cm dilated. So at least I know that, it doesn't mean much though I could go into labor tonight or in 4 weeks....it doesn't mean a whole lot. Although it seems like everywhere I go these days, in my mind I'm planning out the fastest route to the bathroom in case my water breaks. </span></span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Weight: </b>27 lbs</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Movement: </b>It's been weird but every so often as I'm walking baby boy will press just the right nerve and shooting pain runs down one of my legs. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><b>Sleep: </b>Getting a little more and more uncomfortable at night so sleeping isn't the greatest. </span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="line-height: 27px;">Cravings/aversions/eating: </b><span style="line-height: 27px;">Wanting lots of fruit and water this week.....oh and that cheesecake Friday night hit the spot too :)</span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 27px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="line-height: 27px;">Clothes:</b><span style="line-height: 27px;"> getting pretty sick of my wardrobe. :) I basically just wear the same outfits over and over again!</span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;">Random: </b><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;">After tomorrow, I start weekly appointments. My house sure is suffering these past few weeks. I lined up someone to come do a deep cleaning for me Sept 21 and I'm just hoping I make it to that day before baby is born so I can have the house CLEAN before baby is born. :) I've never had a cleaning lady, I've BEEN a cleaning lady, but never had someone besides my mom come and clean my house. I almost feel as thought I should clean it before she comes to clean it. Weird huh? But I won't....I'm gonna thoroughly enjoy this one time gig. It'd be so nice to have someone come help but man I've now found out how expensive it is! yikes! </span></span></span></center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-52908562070309687212013-09-02T20:50:00.002-04:002013-09-02T20:50:29.685-04:00{33 weeks}<br />
<center style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b>33 weeks 4 days</b></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pJXe1jUoOf5IfiUilFwoLzi4jbadnow2raJWavJGCTEEYhRd1INqWLLcYUd7IZrkx9nc_okJyFjPCohfvIgepgfoun7II5FnRtt1sojNs84X_2Gx-dSMUwBHsHmD2UMejuVHiFHCNZM/s1600/IMG_5994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pJXe1jUoOf5IfiUilFwoLzi4jbadnow2raJWavJGCTEEYhRd1INqWLLcYUd7IZrkx9nc_okJyFjPCohfvIgepgfoun7II5FnRtt1sojNs84X_2Gx-dSMUwBHsHmD2UMejuVHiFHCNZM/s400/IMG_5994.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b>Symptoms: </b>still lots of braxton hicks contractions. I've stopped timing them but I have at least 4-5 every hour. Just tight, for the most part. Some have started to hurt a little but nothing comes from it. Lots of cramping and back aches. Some days it feels like I have a constant contraction all day.....just right all. day. long.</span></span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Weight: </b>27 lbs</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Movement: </b>baby boy is constantly on the move. He is currently digging his elbow into my pelvis. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><b>Sleep: </b>Still sleeping okay. I wake up with sore hips but that's nothing new. </span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="line-height: 27px;">Cravings/aversions/eating: </b><span style="line-height: 27px;">Craved candy this week. Came home one day with sour patch kids, laffy taffy and peanut butter m&m's. My child is going to be born addicted to sugar.... </span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 27px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="line-height: 27px;">Clothes:</b><span style="line-height: 27px;"> mostly maxi skirts and some gaucho pants with maternity shirts which are starting to get a little short.</span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;">Random: </b><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;">Everything is still looking good. I'm measuring "big" which is good that little man is a little bigger than normal in case he does want to come early. We are finally getting everything together around here in preparation for baby brother. I kinda freaked out last week and went to Target on a "baby run." We didn't have ANY newborn or size 1 diapers so I bought "a" box of newborn, diaper genie refills, binkies, wipes, etc. Should probably go back for some more diapers. I need to rearrange our budget again to accomodate two kiddos in diapers :) Pulled the infant carseat out (thankfully it isn't expired yet!) but man it was badly stained. My mom-in-law was here this weekend and she brought along her new norwex cleaning clothes and used one of them to scrub out those stains and it worked great! (might have to check into buying those for myself!) Got out all the baby clothes (preemie-3 months just to cover all my bases!) washed and put away. Now to just pack my hospital bag :) I've never had one packed, but at least this time I have some stuff at least laid out and ready to go. </span></span></span></center>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-24312550817260222792013-08-16T13:08:00.000-04:002013-08-16T13:08:37.210-04:00baby update***Quick little update***<br />
<br />
I had a sonogram yesterday to check on baby and my cervix. And I got good news. All those contractions yesterday didn't change my cervix at all. So the Dr. told me at this point he doesn't think that bed rest is necessary. Just slow down a little and if I'm up and doing stuff and have a lot of contractions to just use common sense and sit or lay down :) He said if he had to guess, he'd say I'll go quite awhile longer. That was the best news I could get! So even though I had such crazy contractions, it's so relieving to know that they didn't "do" anything. <br />
<br />
Baby looks great and is already measuring 4 lbs 2 oz :)<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-47861456090297901812013-08-14T20:14:00.003-04:002013-08-14T20:14:46.204-04:00weeks 29 and 30<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
29 weeks</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67HXapWSFJ_l_IBAiEKeFfppb8ERr0iqO5I14cLES7Snkvuc2FFgUl42l9mBnZ-GajVdTjpcG1K9h287qJKmjaZ9a2Nwj963Zh7FoBCSk8Ll1flywNdsfRs-_EfiOC2KEt0M9DW3N1WU/s1600/IMG_5749.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67HXapWSFJ_l_IBAiEKeFfppb8ERr0iqO5I14cLES7Snkvuc2FFgUl42l9mBnZ-GajVdTjpcG1K9h287qJKmjaZ9a2Nwj963Zh7FoBCSk8Ll1flywNdsfRs-_EfiOC2KEt0M9DW3N1WU/s400/IMG_5749.PNG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I finally got to wear this dress that I bought when I was 20ish weeks pregnant with Lincoln. My water broke before I had the chance and then Caedmon was a winter baby. So glad it finally got some use! :)</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
30 weeks</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpZXSkrNMKmSdgDN0DDfy1i7GoMLNVuSkOqp55LP_fwC2-Y1JDazXdke384dxDW6RlJJk8qElldh0Tc_vPvh-gKYOfEoC_0CrUG9LYiTM4vTD2reysL8gVY7qtID8cNRNiMx_UnDRA3g/s1600/IMG_5800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpZXSkrNMKmSdgDN0DDfy1i7GoMLNVuSkOqp55LP_fwC2-Y1JDazXdke384dxDW6RlJJk8qElldh0Tc_vPvh-gKYOfEoC_0CrUG9LYiTM4vTD2reysL8gVY7qtID8cNRNiMx_UnDRA3g/s400/IMG_5800.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<center style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b>Symptoms: </b>lots of contractions. like lots. enough to send me in to be monitored. For awhile they were 4 minutes apart. Super, super tight but not hurting. It hasn't changed my cervix yet so they were able to give me a shot of terbutaline and that stopped them right away. They tested </span></span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;">for Fetal fibronectin. It's a test that if it's negative it's a good sign that you won't go into labor within the next two weeks or so but if it's positive there's a slight chance that you will go into labor in the next two weeks but really I could also go full term. It's not a very reliable test if you get a positive, which I did. So I was able to go home and told to rest and take it easy (at my dr appt the other day he told me the same thing but knowing I had two very active boys at home he joked about needing to send home a sedative for them) :) So since being home now anytime I get up, the contractions start but as long as I'm sitting I'm fine. Ah this is going to be so much fun :-/ I'm 31 weeks tomorrow. </span></span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Weight: </b>24 lbs.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Movement: </b>Lots still. More kicks that take me by surprise lately because they are so hard. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><b>Sleep: </b>Sleep has been good lately. Not too uncomfortable. </span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="line-height: 27px;">Cravings/aversions/eating: </b><span style="line-height: 27px;">I've slowed down on my food consumption a little. Get full very fast and seems all my cravings are gone. Not much sounds REALLY good anymore. </span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 27px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="line-height: 27px;">Clothes:</b><span style="line-height: 27px;"> I foresee mostly sweatpants in my future of couch sitting :)</span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;">Random: </b><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;">On my way to the hospital today, having contractions every couple minutes, knowing exactly what a 30 weeker is like if born right now......the perfect song came on the radio. Building 429's "We Won't Be Shaken." Here are the lyrics:</span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.99652862548828px;"><br /></span></span></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">This world has nothing for me<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />This life is not my own<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />I know You go before me and I am not alone<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />This mountain rises higher<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />The way seems so unclear<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />But I know that You go with me so I will never fear<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />I will trust in You<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Whatever will come our way<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Through fire or pouring rain<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />We won't be shaken<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />No we won't be shaken<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Whatever tomorrow brings<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Together we'll rise and sing<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />That we won't be shaken<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />No we won't be shaken<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Oooh oooh oh<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Oooh oooh oh<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Oooh oooh oh<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />No we won't be shaken<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />You know my every longing<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />You've heard my every prayer<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />You've held me in my weakness<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Cause You are always there<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />So I'll stand in full surrender<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />It's Your way and not my own<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />My mind is set on nothing less<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Than You and You alone<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />I will not be moved oh<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Whatever will come our way<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Through fire or pouring rain<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />We won't be shaken<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />No we won't be shaken<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Whatever tomorrow brings<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Together we'll rise and sing<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />That we won't be shaken<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />No we won't be shaken<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />We will trust in You<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />We will not be moved<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />We will trust in You<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />And we won't be shaken</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">This is just another situation that I get to Trust God with. This boy's story is already written. All his days are already written even before one of them came to be. So I will walk this road of uncertainty knowing the One who is certain about it all, is completely in control of it. I hate bedrest, 8 weeks of it was enough for a lifetime but I will do anything for my sweet boy. <br /></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
</center>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh and I wish you all could've seen my nurse's face today in triage before she had my charts and history she was asking all about my previous pregnancies and the look of shock on her face as I kept telling her more and more was priceless. :) Oh and the entire time I was being monitored all Tyler and I were doing was looking at baby name lists and saying a name here and there and of course the other person didn't like it. We got no where :)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">That's all for now, will keep you updated, in the meantime pray that this boy stays puts until at LEAST 34 weeks. 3 more weeks....</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-539106922937961642013-08-06T09:00:00.000-04:002013-08-06T09:00:06.084-04:00one of those days...So I had one of those days where if you don't just force yourself to laugh about it all, then you'll just start crying. So I thought I'd do a little blog post about it, to 1)write it down and then come back and hopefully laugh about it someday 2)make you all feel better about yourselves :)<br />
<br />
My day started out rushed. I needed to get my glucose test done and my plan was to get to the lab at 9 which meant getting the boys to my friend, Malinda's, house by 8:30. Getting out of the house by 8:30 is a challenge and to say we left the place in a disastrous state would be an understatement. But we made it there on time and the only good thing about the glucose test when your pregnant is the hour of quiet that I had to myself sitting in the waiting room. Ahhhhh that was glorious. On my way to pick up the boys I swung by the grocery store to pick up a few things (including 4 gallons of milk, yes it's a lot but all 3 of my boys LOVE milk). So get that done, text my home health care nurse who I'm supposed to get my shot from at noon that I'm running late and will be home around 12:15. She's so awesome, and was cool with that. She lives right around the corner from me so it wasn't a big deal. <br />
<br />
So I pull into my driveway right at 12:15 and she pulls in right behind me. Which on a normal day would be totally fine and I'd love it because it was so efficient. But the night before I was trying to take it easy and so of course the house fell apart and I had enough energy to clean just the front room (the only room she would see when she came, or so I thought at the time) and then add the fact that we had a super rushed morning, let me just paint you a picture of what my kitchen looked like. Dirty dishes all over the counter because the dishwasher was full of clean ones that hadn't been unloaded that morning (which usually gets done right after breakfast.....obviously didn't happen), small toys all over the floor that Lincoln had spilled prior to leaving that morning, basically no clean spot on the kitchen counter at all. Cheerios from breakfast thrown on the floor by the one and only Caedmon. <br />
<br />
Now back to my garage. I'm still in the car and remember I had just bought groceries, most of which needed to get in the fridge asap. So I proceed to get the boys unbuckled and out of the van, open the trunk and my sweet, sweet nurse apologizes for catching me at the bad time and offers to help bring in the groceries. In my mind I'm thankful that she offered but I'm panicking because that means that she is going to follow me in through the garage door to the kitchen and not in the through the front door. {insert slight panic attack} Deep breath, it'll be be ok. Oh wait, I'm snapped back to reality by my 19 month old throwing himself on the ground right in the doorway between the garage and kitchen. He won't move, my hands are full, my nurse is waiting right behind me with her hands full. I mean could this get any worse? yes, yes it can. I step over him, set down the bags and go pick him up. My nurse follows me in and bless her heart, she starts putting away the items that need to be refrigerated. So remember I bought 4 gallons of milk, well my fridge was still pretty full and I always have to shuffle things around to get them all to fit. So imagine my nurse trying to do that, while I'm trying to calm down BOTH my boys now because they are both starving. I'm trying to think of something QUICK I can give them to start lunch so my nurse can get started and not have to wait. The didn't want a banana, grapes or an apple....so of course the healthiest option that quickly solved my problem? a cookie. hey, it's not the end of the world. Ok problem fixed. Moving on to the front room where my nurse is unloading her stuff and starts asking me the usual questions. Hooks me up to take my blood pressure (I thought FOR SURE it would be super high but amazingly enough it wasn't) In the meantime Lincoln decides he wants some yogurt, he asks if he can have some, I say yes and feel confident that he can get it himself. Well remember all that shuffling around? The yogurt got pushed behind the pitcher of water and the next thing I know, I hear a huge bang on the floor. Water pitcher spilt. I'm still waiting on my blood pressure reading so my nurse (have I mentioned how nice she is?!) jumps up to go clean it up. My bp is done and I was able to keep calmer than I thought 108/58. Not bad! I switch places with my nurse and finish cleaning up the water. Good thing it was just water. No big deal, right? Things surely can't get any worse.....<br />
<br />
Lincoln grabs his yogurt and the biggest spoon he can find and in the process spills the yogurt all over. This time I just yell from the front room for him to grab a towel quickly and wipe it up. Ok, no big deal, it's just yogurt. I'll clean up what he doesn't get as soon as my nurse leaves. It can't get any worse can it?!?!<br />
<br />
I move to the couch so we can listen to the baby's heart beat and usually both boys come running into the room at this point because they love hearing it. When they didn't, I should've known something was up. Caedmon came running but all I hear from Lincoln from the kitchen is, "mommy.....?" He peaks around the corner in embarrassment. I instantly know what just happened. He peed all over my kitchen floor. He was extremely embarrassed. This was the point where if I hadn't of laughed I would've broke down crying. And I mainly laughed out of disbelief. Is this seriously happening right now? This was just too much. Seriously. I had him just run upstairs, clean up and change while my nurse quickly gave me my shot. She left and I began the clean up of urine, yogurt and water. Fed my famished boys and got them down for naps. <br />
<br />
<br />
Wanna know what makes this even<strike> funnier</strike> worse? Later that evening I went to go meet my sweet friend's new baby girl. While there, with my boys, she was apologizing about her messy kitchen so I thought I'd make her feel better and tell her about my day. I kid you not, I JUST get done telling her my nightmare of a story and I hear Lincoln from the other room, "mommy....?" yes my son had another accident all over their floor. I wanted to crawl into a hole. This time I was all laughed out and just wanted to cry. A glass, or two, or three, of wine would've been needed that night if not for me growing another human inside me. So chick-fil-a sufficed as comfort food. Made me feel a little better. :)<br />
<br />
Today is a new day.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5612835023759651878.post-89720336779085011552013-08-03T20:23:00.001-04:002013-08-03T20:23:07.127-04:00lotsa random going on over hereThis poor neglected blog. Don't worry I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, I've just been busy. Busy and tired and my preggo brain just can't handle one more thing right now. So since I'm all over the place I'll just type up a random blog post to update you all a bit and just to give you a little random for your day :)<br />
<br />
**Thing 1 and Thing 2 are now sharing a room. It is going beautifully but I probably just jinxed myself by saying that so ask me again in a week or so. I've slowly started to mess their two rooms into one and am finally decorating what was originally Lincoln's room. This is one instance where I'm glad I was indecisive with finishing his room. Now it's a blank slate so I can do something that fits them both. We bought a sturdy wooden bunk bed set that can convert to two twin beds off craigslist. First we're gonna stain it a darker wood to match the room and then waiting until C is ready to move to a big boy bed. Right now he's just in a pack n play because it was going to be too much work to take down the crib, move it, set it up, tear it down for baby and set it back up for baby. So the pack n play works just fine :)<br />
<br />
**I'm 29 weeks as of yesterday. Sorry no post yet (because I haven't gotten around to taking a picture!)<br />
<br />
**Pray this little guys stays put, having some minor (which could lead to major) issues. Baby Weston needs to meet this world WAY before my baby. You hear that little man? Stay put and cook a little longer!<br />
<br />
**I haven't talked much about it on here but my journey with Origami Owl is going really well! July was a slow month but it was a nice break. But now I'm up and ready to get going again! I had a vender event today that went well and a couple parties booked for the month. I love that I have this goal of at least $18,000 that I need to get to for our adoption. It gets me super motivated. So if you are thinking about booking a party with me or just ordering a necklace for yourself let me know and I can set something up! mariesdesigns.origamiowl.com. <br />
<br />
**Speaking of adoption here's a super quick update: We've chosen the Philippines to adopt from. It's about $18,000. We have saved/raised $2,000 so far which is great but still a long ways to go. It's a little confusing but right now the Philippines is closed (at least with our agency, meaning they have too many dossiers (paperwork from families) to sort through but our agency said they should be opening again soon. How the process works: Application, home study, dossier. So we are close to submitting our application to our agency. Then we do our home study. Home study's are good for 1 year and then you have to pay more money to update it. So once we do our home study we'll have a year to wait for the Philippines to open back up and then we have to make a decision whether to wait longer or change to a domestic adoption (which is MORE expenseive, can you believe it?!) So that's why it's taking so long right now. I have a baby to prepare for AND since we have to wait anyway we've just taken our time with the paperwork. <br />
<br />
**parenting my 4 year old has been very difficult lately. exhausting.<br />
<br />
**I painted my nails. For the first time. In years. This is huge people.<br />
<br />
**I'm excited to try this<a href="http://www.katy-alphabetsoup.com/2010/12/homemade-cinnamon-dolce-latte.html"> latte recipe</a>. <br />
<br />
**The cooler temps this past week or so has gotten me in the mood for Fall! I love summer and all that it brings but man I'm ready for crisp mornings, pumpkin spice lattes, and for this baby! <br />
<br />
**I'm excited to start up MOMtourage again this year. It's a once a month get together for mom's of preschoolers that my church is starting up. We are on our second year and it's been so great! Are you in my area and want more info? here's the <a href="http://rockpointwestlake.com/momtourage/">website.</a> Our theme this year is "No More Perfect Moms." Based on the <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/listing/2688513224038?r=1&cm_mmca2=pla&cm_mmc=GooglePLA-_-Book_5To14-_-Q000000633-_-2688513224038">book by Jill Savage. </a><br />
<br />
**And this video of my boy singing the last verse of "Be Thou My Vision" brought tears to my eyes. Something so sweet about listening to your child sing a beautiful hymn. {we've been singing this song, a different verse each week or so and then repeating it since he was born and tonight he wanted to sing it to Caedmon before bed}<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/pFgYrCyKRp4" width="420"></iframe><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And some pictures, because what's a blog post without pictures?! :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfca-2BtjIxISMDWF3WFqdZxQOEw8TINcg7MQaI6c-fF_M9FdqPGjGocjbimngp9LwYfv3ML5qyDFv_oS_r9eNxBNaon2EBEruaW18vJYv5LYuzHgIS6g57aLSF6hb46feYyJ1S3Fkps/s1600/IMG_5216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfca-2BtjIxISMDWF3WFqdZxQOEw8TINcg7MQaI6c-fF_M9FdqPGjGocjbimngp9LwYfv3ML5qyDFv_oS_r9eNxBNaon2EBEruaW18vJYv5LYuzHgIS6g57aLSF6hb46feYyJ1S3Fkps/s320/IMG_5216.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSFpu6n6yztx0lOKnwXGY2CbLJDMhLbaYNlglECPujCgjUNHdX_ChIBOFmF1g7uXD5V0NteKMdYjgrmbcKuVznFRQn5FVCO8PvE19c_kRCz_gt1ExGKR992lZge2m_73qZdhAQHFAVT4/s1600/IMG_5231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSFpu6n6yztx0lOKnwXGY2CbLJDMhLbaYNlglECPujCgjUNHdX_ChIBOFmF1g7uXD5V0NteKMdYjgrmbcKuVznFRQn5FVCO8PvE19c_kRCz_gt1ExGKR992lZge2m_73qZdhAQHFAVT4/s320/IMG_5231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRY0AhsSL2fxLKM5SHmZRzcAkpi2hP6k2GXdOv3J4T3zvYEsRJKudSV4ZDr_Mb-2K5jgGaEK-1mBguz4U91bqyLS_U5dbWNlmUvejQdptUDPkoNR8H4CcQKfLqsaNV1bTlGLxj-PtoqA/s1600/IMG_5257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRY0AhsSL2fxLKM5SHmZRzcAkpi2hP6k2GXdOv3J4T3zvYEsRJKudSV4ZDr_Mb-2K5jgGaEK-1mBguz4U91bqyLS_U5dbWNlmUvejQdptUDPkoNR8H4CcQKfLqsaNV1bTlGLxj-PtoqA/s320/IMG_5257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYq5uVIvYzbqjjNuk6cv__ZQ6AJRKvxAwHEJzRG6LBwyhOMZwDzvxeIyXxgYqO6QWFhlVTjSPJ3c7PDBVIZsIbvc6BSjt-s9y4puS8U9WzxL2DmY87r_o59hURtQa3mTaz4X2Lq3kPE0I/s1600/IMG_5305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYq5uVIvYzbqjjNuk6cv__ZQ6AJRKvxAwHEJzRG6LBwyhOMZwDzvxeIyXxgYqO6QWFhlVTjSPJ3c7PDBVIZsIbvc6BSjt-s9y4puS8U9WzxL2DmY87r_o59hURtQa3mTaz4X2Lq3kPE0I/s320/IMG_5305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzBU5QATBlmMjg5O6w4OCu7fcAl03oG6Kfn5ZwWxnYXU4f53zyysRQY0o4k4QXFuQD-em1KiQdz2l7-cJ0Hah-dC5g16zlFFjKHAjEqHAejHgZklDXOj-isaH-49LRXLGiuyUy3QFsKo/s1600/IMG_5319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzBU5QATBlmMjg5O6w4OCu7fcAl03oG6Kfn5ZwWxnYXU4f53zyysRQY0o4k4QXFuQD-em1KiQdz2l7-cJ0Hah-dC5g16zlFFjKHAjEqHAejHgZklDXOj-isaH-49LRXLGiuyUy3QFsKo/s320/IMG_5319.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm gonna be sad the day this kiddo's hair stops sticking straight up. Especially when he runs!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgdWM9ETnDZC0-PUM19xrTmxCD1UvcP3nUhNd2M80WntG9aExmTNNgbHTOGzUw82dg1_R0r6RTWhI146LStu3qV2g0-qSjG7rfp38Imf6Lh7XbnClWuJ5_wK7BaApuLy-WEGSEatZedA/s1600/IMG_5490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgdWM9ETnDZC0-PUM19xrTmxCD1UvcP3nUhNd2M80WntG9aExmTNNgbHTOGzUw82dg1_R0r6RTWhI146LStu3qV2g0-qSjG7rfp38Imf6Lh7XbnClWuJ5_wK7BaApuLy-WEGSEatZedA/s1600/IMG_5490.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcBmVYq24eNRgc1WDm4Rf4wZGf3RwxDDGVz5FngcuCfA0-uPuyccjL6XocofJSeCwq85fRrKc83_qb0Jcb3Dd2kOBWucv0EZdfqrT497CwlttCZix88jH53kAL1Y8OqQjSfCXCooRwKM/s1600/IMG_5491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcBmVYq24eNRgc1WDm4Rf4wZGf3RwxDDGVz5FngcuCfA0-uPuyccjL6XocofJSeCwq85fRrKc83_qb0Jcb3Dd2kOBWucv0EZdfqrT497CwlttCZix88jH53kAL1Y8OqQjSfCXCooRwKM/s1600/IMG_5491.JPG" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654327380459724481noreply@blogger.com0