Thursday, October 30, 2008

Should we choose a date?

We took Aiden to his school Halloween carnival last night. We were proud that he was able to wait in the line to get in the door and we were able to stay for about 30 minutes (that's pretty good for him). Bryan and I were also proud of ourselves that we were able to identify when he was reaching his max and leave BEFORE a melt down. All in all it made for a pretty good evening.

So here's a little summary of something I have been thinking about, and I would like some feedback:
As you may know my due date is Jan 2. The problem we are encountering is 1)Bryan has a business trip scheduled for the first week in January, and it would be very beneficial if he can go (it's necessary really) 2) Aiden's Christmas break ends Jan 2, someone will have to get him too and from school after that 3) My doctor, Finley, is going to leave for his annual ski trip on Jan 2.
So my point is, Bryan and I are considering an elective induction at 39 weeks. It's not something I would normally consider, I feel like a woman's body knows what to do on it's own. But I just don't know how else to get around all these other things. On top of it we really would like it if she doesn't have to share a birthday with Jesus, Jack, me, or new years. (25th, 28th, 30th, 1st)
I would like to hear some induction stories. I am pretty wise in the way of childbirth. I would only agree to attempt an induction if it is agreed not to break my water until active labor is reached, and if it isn't working I go home. No cutting. I have had 3 kids vaginally and I'm not trying to mix it up now.
Anyway, it's something we have to start thinking about. It's already almost November!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

My confession

After many days and many delays Bryan finally made it home yesterday afternoon. (he was supposed to be home on Saturday) I am soooo happy to have him back. As they say "absence makes the heart grow fonder."

So here is my confession of the week:

I have really been enjoying the bible study I have been involved in at BBC. Embarrassingly, I had to show up to study this morning with my last weeks homework unfinished. The reason... a book called "Twilight". Yes, I replaced bible study with vampires. I really didn't mean too. I have so little time to sit and read with out the kids interrupting me.

I found the book on the bedside table when I stayed the night at my mom's house Friday night. I put it in my bag and brought it home thinking I would just try it (I have so many friends who liked it) and I got SUCKED IN.

Anyway, so it shouldn't have replaced bible study time. I am going to buy the next book in the series under the condition that I do my bible study FIRST, and limit the vampires to my free time at night.

So having that said, have any of you read this book (no it isn't exactly a Christian book)? Probably the most romantic thing I have read all year. And those who know me know that I am not into that mushy love stuff. It also takes place in Forks, WA. I am now trying to convince Bryan to take me there for our anniversary ;)

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Mandi's top 25 prego must-haves

This is my list of top 25 pregnancy must-haves. From baby stuff, places to shop, and the things that basically keep me alive.
Warning: this is very honest. All boys should stop reading now or you won't ever want to have children.

25)Chap stick. Between the hormones making my skin dry and all the mouth breathing because my nose is swollen, I go through a ridiculous amount of chap stick.

24) Granny panties. Just put those thongs somewhere you can't see them. Your butt will thank you.

23) A good hair cut. You have to do a little maintenance each trimester. But don't let your hormones take it too far. Pregnancy is not always a good time to cut it all off. You may end up crying for days.

22)Pregnant celebrities. I don't know why. Maybe it makes you feel like you are in good company ???

21)MOPS. So you can sit around and talk to other mommies about stuff that makes your husband cringe.

20) 3 pillows. I need 3 pillows all to myself at night. One under my head. one under my belly. and one between my knees.

19) Promethegan (rectal suppository). I vomited up half my brain in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. I would have vomited out the other half if it weren't for this prescription life saver.

18)Low rise jeans. I just started wearing low rise jeans before I go pregnant this time. I was too heavy to wear them before. They also made it possible to wear my regular jeans for the first 20+ weeks.

17) Target. They have everything. I love the pharmacy (where I filled my prescription for promethegan). It's were I buy most of my maternity clothes. And it's where I'm registered. Oh, and they have Starbucks.

16)Cotton dresses. That's all I wore all summer. breezy, cool, and no waste band.

15) Breath mints. Is it just me or does pregnancy cause halitosis? I brush my teeth about 5 times a day, and it still doesn't take care of it. The mints also helped a little with the morning sickness.

14) Subway. Why is it that I only want their sandwiches, and the ones I make here at home just "aren't the same"? I actually went there 10 times in 2 weeks when I was sick.

13) The "Enfamil Baby Bag". They hand these out at the doctors office around 30 weeks. They are full of coupons, free formula, and this time I got a "Intuition" razor.

12) My new Schick Intuition razor (see above). I was about to give up on shaving my legs when I got this. No shaving cream or accuracy needed. It really cut down on the amount of time spent hunched over not breathing. And I'm sure it is a safety plus.

11) ivillage.com. I have used ivillage pregnancy calendar and message boards with all four of my kids. it's just fun.

10) Once Upon a Child. This consignment shop is full of baby stuff for super prices. I bought a practically brand new portacrib/co-sleeper there for only $45. The same bed was still being sold at Babies R Us, and it's so pretty! Plus they have tons of clothes, boppy's, carrier covers, strollers, and any other items you cold need. I have also taken the boys old clothes there to exchange it for the baby stuff I needed.

9) Really warm socks. My feet are always freezing!

8)Poise pads. I sneeze, I pee. I cough, I pee. I laugh, I pee. A person is sitting on my bladder.

7)Pregnancy books. I have sooooo many. I still read them. Yes, even the 4th time around, I still read them.

6) Preparation H, in the tube.

5) Preparation H, the wipes.

4) The shower. Aqua therapy is so wonderful. I have never wondered why women like to have their babies in water. I'm not planning to do that, but it sure does help with all the aches and pains of pregnancy. When I was pregnant with Aiden I took an average of 3 baths per day. No joke.

3)Sugar Babies. My favorite baby store. Boutique meets consignment. You can buy a $35 designer hat, and a used outfit for $8. I just love everything there. I bought Jack a Baby Dior outfit there when he was born for only $20 (apparently it was originally around $150.

2)Christmas. I have been pregnant over Christmas with every single pregnancy. I realize it doesn't work this way for everyone. But it always gives me something other that getting the baby out to look forward too. It's just special. (Thanksgiving is up there too, the food...)

1)CareNet. Free pregnancy test (when you're freaking because you had 6 positives at home and still don't believe it) and free ultrasound to help reassure you that everything is going to be okay, and that you really are only 8 weeks and not 12.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

I read on comcast today that two small planes collided over Colorado. One plane was transporting several inmates to another prison. As you probably know mid air plan collisions are most always fatal to all who are involved. Well, not this time. Everyone, all the inmates included, survived. If God can save a criminal from in mid air plane collision, what more proof do we need that he has a plan for everyone?
This story could sound unfair when we look at our own lives and think about all the injustice around us. At least, that was my first reaction. But the more I thought about it the more I realized it is a good example of God's mercy, and also shows he just. He spared their lives, also guaranteeing they will be able to serve out the remainder of their sentences. Maybe they deserved a second chance, maybe they didn't deserve to be spared from the rest of their lives. Hmmm. Interesting story. Check it out on comcast.net.

Arrg!

I am scheduled to do my blood glucose test this morning. I have to drink the weird juice at 6:50 and be at Quest by 7:50. I have been fasting since last night.
So this morning when I made Jack his oatmeal I did what I always do and took a big bite to make sure it wasn't too hot. As soon as I swallowed I realized what I had just done. Is this going to ruin the test? I don't know what I should do. I really don't want to reschedule all over one bite of oatmeal when I have been fasting for 12 hours! I took the bite of blueberry oatmeal at about 6:15. That's only and hour and 35 minutes before my blood draw. Oh, this is soooo aggravating.

So today is my parent teacher conference with Aiden's teacher. The intervention specialist is going to be there as well. I am looking forward to it for the most part.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Valley Bible Church MOPS starts today!

I am so happy that my friends over at Valley are getting their very own MOPS group. There has been a baby boom going on their for several years. Anyone who knows me knows that my favorite ministry is reaching young moms. Motherhood is such a roller coaster!
So everybody say a prayer for all the moms who are going to be attending today that they will get the refreshment they need, and that all the ladies who have put so much effort into making this happen will be able to sit back and enjoy it! Oh, and for all the little moppets... that they will stay in their classes and behave like good little moppets.

"Lord, I pray for your hand on all the sisters going to the new MOPS group at your Valley Bible Church today. Bless this ministry and our time together. You can see where we are all coming from this morning and what our needs are, please touch everyone.
Also for my sisters at the Bethany Ladies Bible Study this morning, bless their time spent learning about you. I will be missing them!
Amen."

Monday, October 20, 2008

My computer works!!

After 24 hours of mysteriously not being able to log onto the Internet I am finally cured. (Thank you comcast lady!!!) I am telling you guys, I tried everything (and I am usually able to fix most of our computer problems). I even called Bryan in Milwaukee several times and screamed in his ear.

Everything is going to be okay... but I'm scared to check my email.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Pink and Blue Ribbon

I didn't post yesterday. There was something I have been debating on posting in honor of pregnancy loss awareness month (October), I just haven't felt like doing it.




Thank you Keren for your post yesterday for October 15. http://seahawkfanforlife.blogspot.com/2008/10/october-15.html




I didn't feel like writing about what this time of year means to me... it is soooo complicated. I will talk about it in March.




Instead I will just leave everyone with this....








You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times

And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you

But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry

Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways

The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know

But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same

Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbyes

And in Christ, there is no end

So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have

To see you again

To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Nasal showers and baby showers

Finally everyone is healthy (aside from seasonal allergies)! I got the cure for my ongoing congestion problem yesterday, part from Jessica, and part from my mom. Jessica suggested that I get real sudafed at the pharmacy instead of that weak substitute they put on the shelf. Before I even got home from Target I could hear and breathe! Then my mom brought me this crazy sinus rinse kit. Seriously, it sounds ridiculous/gross, but it WORKED. It is the kind where you sprinkle the little packet into the weird bottle and then spray it in your nose until it comes out the other side. It sounds uncomfortable... but it's not! I woke up this morning with no congestion. ((sigh)) Finally!!
Last night was Jessica's baby shower. She got lots of cute stuff. It was nice to see everyone from Valley. It got me psyched for MOPS to start next week. It sounds like there are several things we still need to pray for for that ministry. I am so hopeful that things are going to go well because I know there are soooo many moms/babies in that church. Mom's need to be ministered to! But I have a lot of confidence that God will put the pieces together.
I am also pretty amped for my own baby sprinkle! My mom and I are going to sit down and do a little planning for that tomorrow. I hope it's not selfish to have a "baby shower" for each baby, even if it's the 4th. In some ways I do have quite a few needs because Jack hasn't finished with some of his things, and everything we have is boy stuff. I don't want everyone to go overboard, but I do want to celebrate! I have several fun ideas for my shower, and I want to make it really enjoyable for anyone who comes (I don't want it to be all about me).
On that note, if I don't have your email and you want to come hang out Sunday November 9th, make sure I get it asap!
I'm off to bible study this morning, and REALLY looking forward to it as usual. I am soooo blessed with my discussion table. I like not choosing where I sit, that way I am guaranteed to get put with the right people ;) There were a few ladies I was secretly praying would be at my table because I really want to get to know them. Yay yay yay!

"Lord, bless this day with both productivity and rest. Help my boys to be calm, kind and obedient. Thank you for this season of contentment in my life, even though so many things remain unseen. Thank you for everything I am learning from Apostle Paul and the letter to the Philipians, your Word is so complete. Open doors today. Amen."

-I forgot to mention, the ultrasound went great!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

My Punkins



We had a very short trip to the pumpkin patch yesterday. We were all very excited to go, but Aiden had a really hard time. We were only there for about 10 minutes before he had a total melt down. There were so many people and his expectations were way too high. That's pretty typical for him at a public place though. You can't imagine what our last trip to the Pacific Science Center was like... 3 minutes... no joke. But I did get to snap a few pictures and maybe they will help me prep him because we are going back on Wednesday.

I have an ultrasound tomorrow! I'm between 28 and 29 weeks, so that should be fun. This week is looking pretty busy, but I like that.
Unfortunately Bryan is going on another trip for work next week. He's going to Milwaukee to deliver boat #4. I think he is excited because Milwaukee seems to be an ideal vacation spot for men. He's planning on hitting the Harley Davidson Museum and Factory and the Miller Brewing Company. Ha. He has a cool job.
Back to the pregnancy stuff. I weighed myself this morning. I shouldn't have. I know that I am healthy and the gain is good for Lucy, but nobody likes watching the number on the scale go up...up...up. I had a pretty substantial gain this week. I knew I would because I have been sooo hungry, although I have been eating pretty healthy. Several pounds in one week just feels scary. My pants are tighter now too. Bummer. Waa-waa, I know.
So, yes I should normally be getting ready for church right now, but Jack has green boogies this morning and isn't acting like himself. So I am going to spare other families from any possible illness we may have and hope we are all healthy before bible study on Tuesday (both my kids have really bad allergy problems this time of year).

Friday, October 10, 2008

The date has been set!!

The Baby Sprinkle for Lucy Clover will be Sunday November 9th! I will be sending out evites so make sure I have your email. Remember, this is a sprinkle... not a shower! I really just want to get together and celebrate with my friends. The plan is that the party will be at my mom's house (she is hosting). I gave her my input on what I would like, but she is in charge. So if anyone wants to be involved or has questions you'll have to call her. The evites will go out in a week or two.
On the subject of babies, I am making the transition to appointments every 2 weeks instead of once a month. I can't believe I am already to this point. This time my appointment is actually 3 weeks apart because it evens it out and I have an ultrasound, glucose test, and Rh test before the next appointment. Eeek! That means I get my Rogam shot at my next appointment, ouch! That is probably the biggest needle I have ever been stuck with. I think it's just to prep me for the IV and epidural (I luuuuuv my epidural).
Also on the subject of babies, my Jack isn't sleeping very well. He never has been a good sleeper, but things aren't getting better. He had colic when he was little, and has never established good sleeping patterns (yes I tried babywise). The past couple weeks he has been waking at about 4am and can't go back to sleep. I have been officially getting up for the day at about 4:45, that's too early for pregnant me! I am starting to really wonder if he may have acid reflux. Does anyone know any natural remedies for this (before I let the Dr try to drug him)? I'm nervous to let him sleep with a pillow yet, he isn't even 2. Any advice would be appreciated!

"Lord, thank you for this laid back morning. Thank you that both my kids are being so calm this morning. Help me to bask in all the anticipation and joy of this season. I feel so blessed today. Amen."

I got tagged

I got tagged by Jessica and Keren to give a list of my darling hubby's top 10 favorite things. Seriously, this is kinda tough (Bryan is easily impressed). I'll tag a few people at the end to give it a try. I like to read these, it's cute.

10. Doritos and Mountain Dew

9. Football (not to be confused with a game they play with a brown pig skin ball)

8. Motorcycles

7. Guns

6. Backpacking/hiking/camping

5. Video Games

4. his tattoos

3. his job

2. his kids

1. me :)

Tag: Jen (you're married now.. you can do this!), Amanda, Amy E., Amy W., Amy C. (ha, that made it easy!), and Candy (you know you want to!)

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

UN-official Belly Gallery for 28 weeks

I have been trying to make a point of having Bryan take some belly shots with our nice camera. it just slips my mind. So here are a few (that I had to take myself) and hopefully there will be some good ones to follow. Maybe these stink enough that Bryan will want to take better ones tonight :) I can't let this pregnancy go completely undocumented.




Monday, October 6, 2008

How to get on with it:

"Therefore we do not loose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all, so we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

II Corinthians 4:16-18


When I went to bed last night I didn't want to think about waking up in the morning. I was dreading 5 am. But every night while I am sleeping, the Holy Spirit hits my re-start button. I wake up, and I get on with it. Cheerfully :)

Friday, October 3, 2008

TGIF Top 10

I'm so glad it's Friday! Here's my top 10 things I did this week:

1. Bryan and I spent Wednesday evening playing Monopoly after the kids went to bed.

2. Ladies Bible Study at Bethany kicked off on Tuesday morning.

3. My mom came home safely from a week long visit to Indiana.

4. Today I bought the movie Labyrinth at WalMart for only $9 (I'm going to watch it tonight!)

5. Aiden made it all week with out getting sent to the Principal's office or getting recess taken away.

6. MOPS finally started back up after what felt like a very long summer.

7. The first day of October!

8. I started my 3rd trimester!

9. Jack and I had lunch at Olive Garden with my mom yesterday.

10. I got my new glasses.


Next week, is going to be RIDICULOUSLY crazy. I have a doctor's appointment, Aiden has his Autism evaluation at Children's Hospital in Seattle, we have a meeting with several people from Aiden's school to discuss his IEP, Bryan has to spend Monday in Astoria for work, and the regular events are mixed in like bible study and school, and probably several other things I am forgetting about. Oh my.

"Lord, thank you for Fall. Thank you for my busy schedule the next couple weeks, it means that some things are getting done. Help me to have lots of energy, and PLEASE keep my whole family healthy. Amen."

Thursday, October 2, 2008

October 2

So today is the first day back to MOPS at Bethany for this school year. Aiden won't be going, he will be at school today. I am looking forward to doing an activity with just Jack (and eventually Lucy too). My mom is joining MOPS as a mentor mom this year.
Today also marks the first day of my 3rd trimester. Yay, I guess. January 2 still feels so far away. My energy level has already taken a dive, which didn't happen until closer to 30-35 weeks with Jack.
I am really planning on having a fun day today. Since Aiden will be at school Jack and I will both be able to come home and take a nap, which is a bonus.
I got a new pair of glasses yesterday. I have been having a hard time adjusting to the new prescription, it's MUCH stronger than before. I knew I wasn't seeing very well, but I didn't expect this big of a change. I was really dizzy yesterday, but today it is starting to feel right. So I am going to wear them today... yes in public. I know some people wear their glasses all the time. I am trying to wear my contacts less, maybe only on the weekends or when I'm going out somewhere nice. We'll see how that goes.