We're Having A Baby

I never got around to scanning the sonogram pictures from back in February.  Now that the built in computer desk is nearly finished and Hubbie has set up the desktop computer, I figured I'd better get these on the blog before she got here and I forgot about these pics!  ;o)

So, here she is!  I still have a small amount of doubt and anticipation to hear the words "its a girl"...just because when I study these sonogram pictures, I don't see anything!  HAHA!  Its definitely not like my sono pictures from my boys!  There was NO doubt about what we were having!  :o)  People laugh at me when I talk about hoping its still a girl!  

Happy Birthday Hubbie!

Hubbie's birthday was on May 21st and he turned the BIG 30!  In the midst of packing and moving craziness!  I think we were going to have a yard sale that day, but ended up, at the last minute, not doing it.  I don't remember much about that weekend, but we did try to celebrate it the best we could, even though life was crazy!  

Hubbie and I have both said that we really hope next year celebrations are a bit more special.  This year, in the midst of all the moving and baby chaos, we've had a less than exciting Mothers Day, Father's Day, my birthday, Hubbie's birthday and a few holidays!  Maybe next year we will actually have a "low key" Spring so that we can enjoy and celebrate all these fun days!  

My sweet husband, even on his birthday, was as loving and sacrificial of his time as always!  He grilled out (because he enjoys it so much!) and made his birthday dinner!  We had a special dessert that each of the boys helped with and it was quite delicious!  

Hubbie-  We love you and are so thankful for you!  

Happy 30th Birthday!

  Thank you for spending it with us!

Love-  Your family

Last Doc Appt & Hospital Pre-Op

Yesterday was my last "official" doctor's appointment with my OBGYN.  Followed by pre-op with the hospital, for my scheduled c-section.

On Sunday I was suffering with a summer cold I had just come down with on Saturday evening.  Its one of those yucky ones with the head cold, sore, scratchy throat, coughing, either congestion or a running nose.  Its MISERABLE and makes me feel worse than I already do!  So, after church on Sunday, I laid down during rest time and still felt awful.  Hubbie fed the kids dinner and took them outside to play so that I could rest but I got up to do the dishes and I felt a tiny bit better...still suffering but functioning.  Once Hubbie put the kids to bed, I got in bed again and watched TV and was asleep by 11.  My throat was so raw I didn't even want dinner, so I just ate a muffin and drank a ton of water.  I was up a few times during the night with abdominal aches.  I drank a glass of water, went to the potty a few times and went back to sleep.  I did this routine over and over again.  Around 5am I woke up, drank a glass of water and took a Zantac for my heartburn and went back to sleep for a few more hours.  At this time, when I got out of bed to use the rest room, my aches were more intense and I was having pressure.  I wasn't sure if I should call the doc or wait.  So, I waited until my normal appt and spent the next few hours on the couch, reading to the boys and trying to rest.  The pressure and discomfort seemed to not be as worse if I was standing up, which is opposite than all my other aches.  I was able to get the boys dressed and to my parents and headed to the doctor's office.  I had to see a few people before actually seeing the doctor and was still feeling the pressure, contractions and pain.  When examined, the doc said the baby is still head down and lower, but no progression made towards labor and that she is resting on my bladder.  I was a bit bummed that she didn't take a few extra minutes to set me up on the monitor because it sure does FEEL like contractions!

Afterwards I headed to the hospital to do my registration and pre op.  While talking to my mom on the way, I was told that I hadn't left a diaper bag for Buggy.  Oops!  So I ran the diaper bag to my parents and then to the hospital.  The registration and pre-op process went fairly quickly.  I was told that I am the "Queen of C-sections" and had a lovely talk with all the pre-op gals that were interested in our family having 3 boys and now having a girl, etc.

The contractions, pressure and discomfort/pain at times continued throughout the day and once we got home, I tried to sit down or at least just not bend down a bunch and get the kiddos to pick up for me so that I could get them dinner.  Hubbie came home and got the kids to bed, got us dinner, then went grocery shopping and did the dishes so that I could get in bed.

We've got about a week until we're scheduled to meet our little one and I just hope we can stick it out until then!  So much to be done between now and then!  I really don't have time to be laying around!

Family Day

On Saturday we decided that we wouldn't spend the day working on the house!  We all needed a break and Nana and Pops, who have spent the last four weekends helping us, had plans, so we had some much needed family fun!

We woke up early, grabbed breakfast and headed out to a local, family friendly blueberry picking place!  I  really love going blueberry picking.  Its so quiet and peaceful out there and definitely not  as difficult as strawberry picking with kiddos!  This was our 3rd year to visit this couple's blueberry field(first year was just my mom and myself, last year was my Mom, Bubbie and myself) and they are the sweetest people!  Even though our children ate quite a few of what was picked and I tried to pay him extra because of it, he insisted that we were fine and that eating while picking was just the way to do it!  Most people, when you see 3 little ones coming to invade your hard work would be a tad bit cautious, but these folks were eager to give each of our children their own bucket and sent us off!

The kids did an EXCELLENT job!  Even Bugs!  We only picked the ripe blueberries and blackberries and were eager to get their buckets full!  I was so impressed with their hard work!  We were out there for a good hour and filled up our entire bucket (5lbs worth) of blueberries and then had a few handfuls of blackberries!

We discovered that our children LOVE blackberries!  We knew that the younger ones go crazy over blueberries (Bubbie is like me and only likes blueberries in things!) but blackberries- whew! it was quite a job to get Buggy and Peanut to not eat them ALL before we got them home!  :o)

After we picked and paid, we headed home, changed and then went to the swimming pool!  

Sadly, we had an accident and Bubbie busted his lip, scraped his chest and knees on the splash pad.  We were able to get cleaned up during the life guards "break" and got back out there!  We enjoyed cooling off with the water and found out that Buggy and Peanut are quite the dare devils on the splash pad!  They enjoyed getting SOAKED!  We had lots of good laughs and the boys were super sweet holding while playing!  Wish I could have taken a few pictures, but I'm a bit antsy about taking my camera to a public pool!

Once the kids were FREEZING (the sun went behind the clouds!) and asking to go home, we cleaned up and headed to get lunch!  Five Guys is near our home now and is super yummy when you want a burger and fries!  :o)  We don't eat there very often (I think its kinda pricey for a family of 5) but it was a family, fun day, so we splurged!

Lunch was delicious and we had a good time just enjoying being together and laughing!  Definitely something our stressed out family needed- good quality time!

Of course, a family day wouldn't be good without naps!  :o)  This Mama was tuckered and I knew the kids were too!  While the kids napped, I piddled and got some things unpacked while Hubbie got some more accomplished with his built in computer desk.  Ahhh.....home for naps and homemade blueberry cobbler!  I an't wait until all the projects are accomplished and we can enjoy every Saturday afternoon like this!

We have one more Saturday before Baby Girl is scheduled to arrive!  We will probably use that day to take care of any last minute must-do's especially with it being a holiday weekend!  We know we won't get everything done on our HUGE to-do list with only a week and a half before baby comes, but its nice to continue to check things off, slowly!

The family day was much needed.  The kids had a great time!  And I know slowly down and taking a day "off" helped me enjoy my children!  After such a stressful few months, just letting go and remembering WHY we have worked so hard was a good reminder!  :o)

First Room Completed!

Woo hoo!  We finally have a room that is completely finished!  It needs NOTHING and I'm perfectly content with it being JUST like it is!  :o)  Eventually, when I have the energy and get bored (haha!) I'll probably paint it a different color.

This is the master bath.  Its a half bath and we love having it.  We don't really need or use two bath tubs.  At all the other places we've lived, if two people tried to shower at the same time, the hot water would run out quickly, so we've always just taken turns.  I definitely HAD to have two bathrooms, but was fine with one full and one half.  :o)  In our second home purchase, we'll definitely look for more than what we have, but for now, we are good with what we have!    

The people before us completely renovated both bathrooms and we love the new-ness of our bathrooms!  We love the bead board...especially after pricing it for Baby Girl's room.  The color is a mustardy-yellow.  Similar, if not the same, as the other bath and/ or kitchen.  We aren't quite sure what color is on the walls.  I'm not a huge fan of the sink and cabinet storage, but it works for what we have.  

The curtain was made by my grandmother a few years ago for our last place, but we must have gotten the measurements wrong or something, because it didn't work any where in the home, so its been underneath our bed for 3 years awaiting a home!  I am so thankful I kept it because it definitely matches and is perfect for that window!  

This room is the least used room in our home, so thankfully, it stays pretty clean!  The kids like brushing their teeth in this bathroom because they can climb on the potty and get to the sink easier.  That part is a little annoying because Buggy can climb and turn on the water and then LEAVES it on!  Eeek!  :o)  

Cooking for Baby

Its that time!  Time to start cooking some stuff so that we have a deep freezer full of food for the family!  With over a week or so until baby girl comes, I had better get cooking!  Here is a few of the things I hope to get prepared and in the freezer BEFORE she arrives!

• Make 4 meals worth of spaghetti meat sauce to go with noodles and frozen garlic bread- freeze!
• Marinate 2 dinners of pork chops and twice baked potatoes- freeze!
• Prepare chicken strips with onions and green peppers for faqitas- freeze!
• Make and bake(?) a ham and broccoli quiche- freeze!
• Cook a roast with potatoes and carrots to serve with freezer biscuits- freeze! 
• Make 2 meals worth of sloppy joe meat to go with frozen potatoes- freeze!
• Make a chicken pot pie- freeze!  

I also plan to buy some frozen pizzas, a bag or two of the frozen meal bags from Viola! and stop by the discount bread shop so that we are stocked up on bread for sandwiches!  The kids love quesadillas, so I plan to buy an extra package or two of tortillas for a quick lunch or dinner!  

In addition to these meals, we have had a few meals already taken care of a meal for our family.  I am so appreciative of everyone who has either given us gift cards or brought meals or offered to do something for us so that our freezer would be ready for my c-section recovery.  We have awesome friends!  

Do you have any freezer friendly meals?  Or ideas for us?  What did you do when you were preparing for your recovery after a baby or surgery?  

Do You Like?

Conversation with Peanut..... 

P:  Mama, do you like yellow?

Me: Yes, I do

P: Do you like green?

Me:  Yes, I do.

P:  Do you like purple?

Me:  Yes, I do.

P:  Do you like brown?

Me:  Yes, I do.

P:  Do you like gray?

Me:  Hmmm...not so much.

P:  Do you like Peanut?

Me:  Yes, I do, very much.

P:  Do you like Bubba?

Me:  Yes, I do.

P:  Do you like Buggy?

Me:  Yes.

P:  Do you like Uncle Mark?

Me:  Yes, I do.

P:  Do you like Aunt Lindsey?

Me:  Yes.

P:  Do you like their dog?

Me:  Uhh... yeah?

P:  What about Nana?  Do you like her?

Me:  Yes, I do.

P:  Pops?

Me:  Yes, I do.

P:  And their dog?  Precious?

Me:  Yeah.

P:  Do you like the new baby?

Me:  Yes.

P:  Hmmm..... I love you.

Me:  I love you too.

Silence...... while he's concentrating on his puzzle.

P:  {poot}   Awkward!

I was thinking the  other day, Peanut is such a funny little dude, but hardly does he let people see his true, silly side.  He can become very bashful of attention and definitely can "clam" up.  I wish more people could see his true self because he is super silly and probably our most loving of the three boys.  Some evenings we can barely eat dinner because he's telling everyone how much he loves them or hugging on your arm or smiling at you or telling you how delicious your meal was.

He recently turned 3.5 yrs old and when I mentioned that the day was his "half" birthday he said, "So, I'm 4 now?"  We had to disappoint the little dude and tell him that he was just 3.5....NOT 4 yet!  But he's got his birthday cake all planned out... m&ms and several characters on it!  :)

Over the last few weeks, Peanut has done so well at obedience and helping out.  Not sure if its the age or just a season of wanting to please or what, but I'll take it.  He loves to sign "A helper I will be" song that Nana had taught him from Sunday School, I guess?  If he does start to complain about picking up, start singing the song and he is instantly ready for the job!

Sadly, his sleeping and obedience with doing good in that area is NOT so hot!  He is waking up Buggy and once he wakes up Buggy by playing or singing or WHATEVER! he falls asleep and then Buggy is awake and Peanut gets a half nap that isn't so good for the rest of the day!  I don't understand how you can be so willing to please in one area of your life and full of love and admiration for your family, that you can't obey in this ONE tiny thing!  Most days I don't put him down for a nap.  He has gotten to the age that he can make it to bed time without one, BUT I still think its good to have some sort of down time each day and putting him in his bed, with books, is a way for him to get some much needed down time....and a schedule established for when the baby comes and Mama needs a nap!

Peanut eats wonderfully.  He will try just about anything.  He especially LOVES to try Daddy's salsas from Moe's and other hot and spicy things that Daddy tries to get him to eat.  He doesn't always LIKE what Daddy offers him, but he is willing to try!  Last night, for dinner, we ate a summer time saute (from e-mealz) that uses up a lot of our veggies that the CSA man brought us.  Its yummy and so summery!  Peanut gobbled it up!  He still loves fruit!  I think he could live on fruit if I let him.  We buy one cantaloupe each week and its gone within a meal or two.  Between him and Buggy, they eat us out of fruit each week!  Peanut has also been all about ice cream and frozen yogurt and banana splits!  He talks about them almost daily!  He definitely has a sweet tooth!

Peanut went to his first 2 VBS's this past month.  The first one was with a local church that sponsors a Mom's group.  We don't do much with them because the days or times never seem to work out, but we do a few things and we have done the VBS with them before and think the people that organize the events are a wonderful family.  Peanut was very hesitant to go to VBS.  He would say that he was going to go and then he'd change his mind and cry, he said he didn't want to.  This went back and forth for a few days.  On the morning of VBS, he again said he wasn't going.  We walked in the building and I told him he could go or stay with me and he went.  He had a great time.  He learned all the songs and movements and really enjoyed the experience!   The other VBS was at our church.  Peanut had no hesitation to go to this one!  He even had a "Water night" with the kids his age and had a blast with water guns!  I was so thankful that both churches were open to having younger kids participate in VBS.  Such an important thing, to me, that its not just for 1st graders and up!  He learned so much and had a lot of fun!

Wish I could bottle him up and keep him like this forever!  :o)  

Pregnancy Brain

I posted the last post as "35 weeks" pregnant.  Guess what?!  I'm not 35 weeks.  HAHA!  I'm 36 weeks.  DUH!  No wonder I feel DONE! DONE! DONE!  So, excuse the 2 posts that say "35 weeks!"

35 Weeks....I Mean....36 Weeks Preggo

Today marks another week in this pregnancy that has passed.  35 weeks!  Silly me!  Not 35 weeks!  36 weeks!  We had another appointment today.  My normal OBGYN was out of town, so I had to schedule this appointment with a partner.  I actually really liked the partner.  She was older, quiet and very thorough.  Oh and quick!  The appointment was super quick- I was home within a hour!

My blood pressure was elevated (same as last week) for me and this pregnancy.  Not liking that so much after a great pregnancy with the blood pressure, but maybe my body is just tired!

I've lost a big of weight.  A pound, maybe, so obviously I've reached my max weight, because I don't remember the last time the scale was much different.

We went ahead and did the GBS test.  I was positive with this in my first pregnancy and since my water broke with Bubbie, he and I had to have the antibiotics.

Baby Girl is still head down, but thankfully, no thinning or "dropping".... hopefully we can stay that way until D-DAY!!!  Since we have a scheduled c-section, it really doesn't matter what her position is, but its nice to know "where" she is when I feel her moving around!

My next appointment is next week!  I'll have my last doctor's appointment before Baby Girl and then meet with the head of surgery at the office and sign my life away!  Afterwards, its over to the hospital to register, do pre-op, give blood and urine, meet with the anesthesiologist and many other things!  I hate these appointments!  I've had to do this 3x and have only made it to the day surgery appointment once!  I guess I need to start praying that everything just flows quickly and efficiently that day!  Otherwise, I may not be home until dinner time!  UCK!

Nothing new during the last week.... just normal pregnancy stuff.  My back hurts.  My belly feels heavy.  I am having trouble doing much walking around and shopping!  I took the kids to the park and library on Tuesday and I was very proud that I actually moved and kept up with them!  HAHA!  We were out for about 3 hrs and I was BEAT!  The heat was incredible, even at 9 am in the morning and I was just DONE!  I was so thankful that the kids burned some energy and we had a lazy rest of the day!

I cleaned the bathrooms a few days ago and I jokingly said that Baby could come now!  HAHA!  I've cleaned the bathrooms before now and my Mom cleaned the bathrooms when we moved in, so its not like they hadn't been cleaned, but I just thought it was funny how I felt like they MUST be cleaned!  No worries though.... no more spurts of cleaning energy!  I have the desire to clean my home, keep it straightened and get it the way I want it, but I just don't have the energy!  Taking care of the 3 boys....well....its really....taking care of the big boys and keeping Buggy alive and out of trouble is what takes every ounce of energy!  I am really looking forward to feeling like myself and being able to move and bend and not feel like I gotta sit down after doing the dishes or sweeping!!!

One more weekly update and then we'll have a BABY!  :o)

Did You Know?

Did you know that Cars 2 comes out this weekend?  Like in 2 days?!  Did you know?!  Did you know?!  Well, if you didn't, I knew for you!  

About 3 or 4 mos ago, Bubbie learned that Cars 2 was coming in June!  We were over at Nana and Pop's house shortly after him finding out and watching the trailer.  He took it upon himself to arrange childcare for Buggy so that Mama and Daddy could take him and Peanut on a special Cars 2 date.  They've decided that we're getting popcorn at the theater as well.  Fun stuff!

Since arranging the babysitters, we've talked about Cars2 coming to theaters on June 24th no less than a million times.  Thats a lot for a Mama!  Especially this one that has had the stresses of finding a home, buying a house, moving while being VERY pregnant and many other life stresses!  Cars2 is DEFINITELY not on my top 10 list of worries!  But, my little man wouldn't DARE let me forget our date!  And I guess I need the reminders that life of a kid is swell!  

The other night, while wandering around Tar-jey, we discovered this, Cars 2 cereal from Kelloggs!  The best stuff EVER.....to my children!  You should of seen their faces! The boys were thrilled with their breakfast option the next day and EACH of them (all 3 boys!) ate 4 bowls of the cereal.  I guess its good?!  Or maybe its the fact that the cereal is "colored" red and yellow like McQueen?  Whatever it was, they gobbled it up!

Bring on Cars 2, quick, please!  This Mama can't take much more of the anticipation!

9 Years of Wedded Life!

9 years ago 

I married this man 

We were both so young and stupid

Made a ton of mistakes

But one thing we did do right was stay together

Through the thick and thin

We pushed through our dislikes, arguments, money troubles, sickness and sometimes really rotten days, months or years of marriage

I am forever thankful for where God has brought us

He has taught us about forgiveness, true love and His grace

I am so grateful for the life God has given us and the story of redemption that God has given us to be able to share.  I wouldn't trade our past nine years together in order to have an easier time, because I know God has brought us through some really difficult and dark days and our belief and trust in Him is strong because of what we've had to walk through....and we did it all together.  

God has given us three beautiful boys to raise and the excitement over a new life, a baby girl, coming in just a few weeks.  The children have brought us joy into our lives and I'm grateful for the Daddy that my husband is to our children.  He is a wonderful provider, devoted to his family and spending time with us.  He is always sacrificing his time or hobbies for his family.  I am so grateful to God for giving me such an awesome man to live my life with.  

I love you!  

Anticipating Her Arrival

-Anticipating the arrival of our little girl- 

Her room is not ready, but getting there.  

We have diapers and wipes awaiting.  

All her clothing has been washed and are in the dresser drawers and closet.  

Bows and smocked dresses are thought about.  

I have gotten out all my favorite childhood trinkets.  

Family antiques decorate her room.

Going through so many things brings back memories and it all feels very surreal.  

Seeing pink and lace hanging.... its all not quite real yet.  

I have a hard time truly believing that this little one is a girl. 

I cannot wait to lay eyes on her.  Hold her.  Feed her.  Find out who she is.  




Someone asked me last week if having a girl after three boys scares me.  I didn't quite understand the question.  No way am I scared about having a girl.  I cannot wait to love her, teach her, guide her and just enjoy being a Mom of a little girl and three boys.  No matter whether you have sons or daughters, both come with challenges.  We, in no way, believe that this little girl is a perfect creature and unable to make mistakes or give us a hard time in certain times of her life.  She is already showing us that she has quite a personality with all the movements in the womb.  She, like her brothers, were created in His image and we can't wait to see where God leads her in her life.  We feel blessed and privileged to be the parents to these children.   

Happy Father's Day!

I am so thankful to have such an awesome father in my life.  A father, who is caring, compassionate, willing to listen, offer advice and prayers and invest time and energy in his children's lives.  I am a better person because of my Daddy being in my life and I am grateful that my children have such a great Pops that is always willing to lend a hand!  

In the same way, I am thankful to have my husband as my children's daddy.  He is willing to play, listen, read books, change diapers, discipline, offer encouragement and be a partner with me in raising our 3 (almost 4) children!  He is willing to invest plenty of time and often sacrifices his own hobbies for the needs of his children.  Not many men are willing to have a "large" family.  I am so thankful for my husband being willing to not stop at 2 or 3, be open to having a few kiddos and trusting God in His provisions for his family!  

Menu Plan For the Week- June 19th thru 26th

For once, in what feels like a month, I have a menu plan, everything in my cabinets and I have a small desire to cook.... or perhaps its not a desire to cook, but rather, no desire to eat out!  So, here is what we'll be munching on this week!

Breakfasts-  cinnamon & raisin bread, banana bread, pancakes

Lunches-  sandwiches, mini corn dogs, quesadillas with fruit and chips or crackers and yogurt

Dinners- spaghetti, summer saute with corn bread, eggs, bacon and biscuits, taco casserole w/ chips and guacamole and salsa

This week we have NOTHING on the agenda except doctor's appt, some schooling and to-do list!  And Saturday we have NO TO-DO list working per this Mama who is ready for a break!  I cannot wait!  Hubbie and the boys are planning a few date nights this week!  Hubbie and I will be celebrating our 9th anniversary on Tuesday!  We hope to continue to plow away on our to-do list... a little at a time.... but some of the major projects are done or nearing completion.  I need to work on quite a few sewing projects and decorating projects for the baby room and the boy's room.  So, it would be really nice to knock those all out before Saturday and then relax for a week until the c-section date!

Life

Warning!  Do not read if trying to get pregnant, have fertility issues, have never had a difficult or stressful period of life or  for those of you who do not have children.  

2 days until Father's Day

4 days until our 9th wedding anniversary

7 days until we have a weekend with NOTHING on the calendar

14 days until my husband is off from work for 10 days

17 days until we meet baby girl 

I am emotionally unstable.  I feel like I'm on a roller coaster, daily.... just exhausted from life.  Buggy is giving me a run for my money and into everything!  I know my other children were JUST like him, but goodness! he is active!  Nap and bedtimes can't come quick enough.  I completely forgot about Father's Day and our anniversary.... kinda like forgetting about Mother's Day until the day before and throwing my husband a weak 30th birthday party.  Oops!  Not exactly the easiest 3 mos one would wish for as you're preparing for a new baby.  

Every day I have to decide if I want to get house things done or do I want to get normal, chores done.  My body can't do both, every day, all day long.  Sometimes I choose laundry, but it sits in the living room for a week after being washed and folded.  Sometimes I choose household settling things, but remember that I can't do much of that, because most of it requires help from my handsome Hubbie.  

Speaking of my husband, he looks ROUGH!  I think in the last month or so, he's gotten to bed at a normal time twice?  Maybe?!  His eyes are blood shot.  He is stressed with work, the house, life in general...yet, he is always willing to do what I need him to do.  He is some kind of man and I'm so thankful I have him with him during this time!  

We've been in the new house, as of today, 3 weeks and we still have boxes and junk to be moved.  Our backyard is a disaster zone.  My laundry room is the storage room and my sweet husband has YET to have an evening to finish his built-in computer desk so that he can do more contracting work.  I'm starting to go crazy with little tools and boxes and things being undone.  The constant need to move around things in order to "live life" is exhausting for me and makes me one unhappy Mama.  

My ever expanding belly, even though the scale says I haven't gained weight in almost a month, makes me feel like a waddling whale!  I know I waddle.  I saw myself doing it the other day.  Because of my belly, I can't do anything easy any more.  Washing dishes hurts.  Bending over takes a lot of time and planning.  Reaching into the washing machine is an Olympic event.  Even sitting hurts, unless I'm in the PERFECT position.  Buggy thinks my belly is now the most wonderful step stool or smacking zone.  I guess it sticks out, so he finds it quite hilarious to point and jab and smack it!  

Cooking and baking and the desire to grocery shop or feed my family isn't there.   I have no desire to do anything.  I have no creativity when it comes to the meals.  Yesterday Hubbie asked for "breakfast" last night and I just couldn't bring myself to make biscuits.  I just couldn't do it.  Knowing I had dishes to do afterwards and a child to wrangle into the bath and down for bedtime..... having VBS this week and Hubbie helping every night has kicked my tail.  I've said it once, I'll say it again, I couldn't do this mothering with three (almost 4) and household duties without my dear sweet husband.  He takes so much of the burden off of me.  

I wanted to be able to sit for a few days and just ENJOY our home and our family and just remember "when".... but lately, all I can think about is getting to that D-DAY! and starting this journey.  The journey of sleepless nights, nursing around the clock, juggling life with a newborn, again, and a toddler AND this time, with two older ones.  

My doctor asked me what possessed us to move in the midst of life with three and pregnancy.  I had to laugh as I fought back emotions.... because honestly, if I had started, amazing story and God's provisions, I would have started crying.  I've said before that God has a sense of humor and I truly believe that His ways are NOT mine!  God must be preparing me for life with four or SOMETHING stressful!  

Rainy Evening

When I tell you our home (either home) hasn't gotten rain in a month, I mean, NO RAIN, no sprinkles...no nothing!  Guess what it did last night?!  It rained!  I was so excited!  I actually told Hubbie to "listen" because I didn't know what the noise was.  So thankful for the rain!  We desperately needed it!  Sadly, a lot of areas around us lost power and had fallen trees in their neighborhoods, because the wind gusts were up to 60 mph.

So, anyway, once the kiddos were in bed, I started on some projects that have been whirling around in my brain since finding out the gender of baby number 4.

First off, tissue pom poms(pics to come once hung!)!  Love them!  Ever since I first saw them on a blog, I knew I wanted to do them for something!  I had envisioned them for a friend's baby shower, but I wasn't able to do the decorating for it, so I figured I'd stick them in my memory bank and pull it out for another day and another time!  Well, when we heard "G-I-R-L", I started looking for directions on how to do these lovely little works of art!  I finally found a tutorial, here, and voila! easy-peasy!  Takes a little bit of patience, but I love how ours come out.  I had originally planned on putting them above the changing table.  And I still might.  Hubbie is thinking over the crib, so I guess we'll see where they end up.

Another thing on my list was a painted canvas for baby girl's room.  I've done a few of these for the boys.  One for each of the younger boys, for when they shared a room, right after Buggy was born and again for the big boys room when we moved Peanut into Bubba's room, about a year or so ago.  I wanted the verse from Psalm about being wonderfully made on a canvas, but I am NOT going to pay someone $95 (from Etsy) to do a canvas verse art for me!  I'd rather do it myself for less than $10!  Michaels has 2 pks of nice sized canvas' for sale for less than $10 AND if you print off a 40% off coupon, its a great deal!  I already had a canvas from the previously mentioned wall art for the two older boys, so I figured if I messed up, no biggie!  Usually, before I start to paint, I find a picture on Etsy of something I want to re-create!  I am not super crafty, but I can copy!!!  So, I find something I like or what matches and just kinda wing-it.  :o)  I need to, of course, add the verse or "saying" that I want.  That part always freaks me out a bit!  The leveling of the words and spelling something wrong always makes me second guess myself.

So, good, productive night crafting! Hoping for, at least, 2 more weeks of evenings like tonight, getting things done and enjoying not having to pack or unpack!  :o)  

35 Weeks Pregnant

Its here!  35 weeks pregnant!  Whew!  Can't believe the weeks have flown by.  It feels like I was just 20 weeks and then 30 weeks and now, we're nearing the end of this marathon!  For all one of you who have asked for a recent belly pic, here it is.....

35 WEEKS

I did MUCH much better documenting my growing belly with baby no. 2 and no. 3.  This one, well, I guess the move kinda kicked me in my rear and I either forgot or took them and they weren't great pictures or something.  But anyway, this isn't great, but shows that I'm BIG!  

I went for several weeks.  Probably closer to a month, with no comments about my belly- the size, how many, what gender, are you done, hands full comments, etc.  It was lovely!  The comments started back shortly after our move.  Right around the time I stopped caring WHAT I looked like because my body ached so bad from all the activity and most of the clothes were boxed away or needed washing!  So, if you saw me those few weeks, forgive my appearance!  But anyway, thats when the comments started.  I got quite a few "twin" comments... followed by you are HUGE, you must be due tomorrow comments.... .followed by more of the is it a boy this time?!  So, lets just say I'll be thankful when ppl start minding their own business!  HAHA!  

We had another appointment today.  The fastest appointment for this pregnancy....or, in fact, any of my 4 pregnancies!  In and out in less than a hr.  :o)  What a treat!  Next week will be a 1 week-er and then pre-op a few days later.  Once we have our pre-op, only a week until D-DAY! I know these last few weeks will fly by and its not helping that my house still looks cluttered and unsettled.  I am just praying for us to be able to get it all done before baby comes!  No early bird arrivals, please, Miss Thing!  As far as my progression and baby, heartbeat is good.  She is head down, but no thinning or active labor!  My blood pressure was kinda high today, at least for this pregnancy/me.  I'm gonna assume it was because the nurse and I were talking and laughing and that I had been rushing from across town to get to the appointment!  My mom was so sweet to offer to keep my three little ones so that I could get some stuff done this morning.  Sadly, the haircut took so long, I couldn't get a pedicure, but that won't be a biggie to fit in in the next week or two.  I was able to get some shopping in, alone! and a smoothie!  Yum!  

The idea of having a girl in our home, in less than 3 weeks, is a bit surreal.  The first thing I'm gonna ask Hubbie to check for, the morning on the c-section, is for a gender.  Just tell me the gender.  PLEASE!  I have all this pink stuff set out and clothes and smocked items and shoes and girlie things ready for HER.  If its a BOY, its gonna be a devastating day in the house.  Not because I don't want a boy, but because I've gotten use to the idea of a girl, gotten rid of so much stuff for BOYS and I'd have to try and get rid of SO MUCH GIRL STUFF, plus change the room.  And I don't even have a boys name any more.  Not good!

We bought diapers today for baby girl.  I figured that even if her room wasn't ready, I needed to have clothes washed and diapers!  Babies can sleep anywhere and they don't need much to exist, but diapers are essential!  I still plan to do cloth diapers....well..... I did until we moved.  Our new toilets are high efficiency, which is fabulous! But, my swish and dunk method of cleaning the diapers won't work in our toilets....so....either I need to invest in a sprayer for the diapers or just sell them and do disposable from here on out.  I can't decide which.  In one way I think, I've done the cloth diapering thing, I'm OK with not doing it with 4 children to look after.  (No Super Mom Award needed here!)  But, in another way, I think 2 in diapers.... it would be LOVELY to only purchase disposables for outings instead of all day, every day, for 2.  So, who knows what I'll decide.  Either way, baby girl won't be in cloth for a month or two, so we still needed to purchase diapers. And btw, diapers are NOT cheap!   I should have planned my shopping better and had coupons ready, but didn't think about it.  :o)  Live and learn....AGAIN!  Even though its only been 21 mos since we've had a newborn, you get out of THAT groove and gotta get back in!

Along with diapers, I did get all the clothing, sheets and gear washed and ready to go!  I also have all slings and baby wearing items ready to go!  :o)  Kinda exciting to get the slings out!  Buggy wasn't much of a baby wearing dude after about 9 mos or so.  The last baby wearing we tried was in the mountains, last August, and Hubbie tried it.  Buggy was NOT having it and not cooperating!  We never tried again!  

My sewing table and crafting area is going to be set up in the laundry room!  I can't wait to have a dedicated space for my stuff and behind a closed door!  Sadly, I don't think it'll get done before baby gets here.  While my Dad and Hubbie are taking care of the outside building and fixing projects, our laundry room is the storage shed for tools and paint and all sorts of things!  It makes it quite difficult to even do laundry in there!  I can't wait to claim our laundry room back and get it cleaned, painted and everything set up!  Until then, I went ahead and had Hubbie get my crafting and sewing boxes down so that I could work on more bows and a few other things!  Hopefully I can get my act together in the evenings and get some stuff done!

I'm having all the normal end of pregnancy aches and pains.  I thought the heartburn was lessening up a bit, but it started back.  I'm noticing that my leg pains are lessened considerably if I just wear my "running" shoes instead of flip flops.  I just need to remember it in the morning because putting on the shoes is a bit of a challenge!  Almost fell over a few times putting them on!  

Why I Heart Etsy!

Funny store here.....  my mom painted the baby's room for us a few weeks ago.  When she painted, she painted our outlet covers.  It wasn't a huge deal to me since I figured they were 68 cents at Lowes, but I hadn't really planned on changing them out.  So, once I knew I had to replace the light switch cover, I started thinking about my old light switch cover from my room, growing up.

this is the light switch cover I had growing up... not sure the story behind it.... I think Mom said it belonged to her sister.  Maybe my Aunt has it now, but when talking about the room with my Mom, she happened to mention this light switch cover a few days later, wondering if I had it somewhere.  

Well, on Sunday afternoon I decided to look on Etsy and see if I could find something similar.  I wasn't even looking for this one.  Who knew what it was called or the story behind it.  

Guess what I found when I searched for "girl's room light switch cover"?!  The same exact light switch cover! Boy!  Brought back memories!  I was so excited!  Hubbie didn't understand!  HAHA!  I figured, since I had to buy a light switch cover ANYWAY, might as well get this one!  

I wish it were mine going into the room, but this is good enough!  I found this light switch cover and a few other goodies here.  

Money Talk At Church

Yesterday we had a wonderful sermon talking about giving of your time, talents and money.  The church we started going to does a wonderful job of bringing up topics and convicting, but not condemning.  So nice from the seeker friendly church we had gone to for a while.  Recently, a friend and I were discussing a preacher talking about giving, but in a tithing way and how it could be uncomfortable for the preacher to bring it up, since his paycheck comes from the tithing members, etc.  I thought the way that our lesson was taught, yesterday, was a wonderful way of preaching on topics that could be uncomfortable, but also making you think, "how does God want me to use what He's given us?"

I'm always convicted by the verse in Matthew about not worrying.  I am a worry wart by nature.  My mom says I come from a long line of worry-ers, so I get it innocently, but still, I hate that I can let something consume me.  I am the type of person that wants all my ducks in a row BEFORE we head to the pond.  I need assurance that everything will work out and if not, lets not do it or lets find a way to make it work out.  In some ways I've gotten better over time and in other ways, I am probably worse as I get older and know more.  But yesterday, as I heard the verses read again, I was again, convicted of my lack of trust in God.  Its amazing to  hear the words in the verses and to think about God loving His flowers and the birds and Him loving me more.   I guess I never really take time to think about God's relationship with His other creations like birds and flowers, etc.  It never crossing my mind that He loves them, but most things I spend time on and create, I love or enjoy, so why wouldn't God enjoy and love His creations

Matthew 6:25-34

The Message (MSG)

 ^25-26"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

 ^27-29"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

 ^30-33"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

 ³⁴"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

I love that last part- "Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative and God provisions"  Sink your life into living for Jesus and the rest will be taken care of.  Quit worrying about things and pay attention to what God is doing now!  Its amazing how many things I can miss by worrying about something that hasn't  even happened yet.  Such as me concerned about how we are going to pay for Baby Girl's delivery, etc.  Every other child, we've always had the money sitting in our bank account, ready to pay them off once we got the bills.  This is the first time that we can't say that.  But yesterday, during the sermon, I just felt a peace wash over me.  God knew when SHE would be born.  He knew He would give us this house and all the extra costs of moving and settling RIGHT before she was born.  He knew that the van needed work at the exact same time as moving and baby and all the other expenses.  He knew.  Its not a surprise to Him.  Our job is to trust that God has a plan and is in control, so what kind of joy am I stealing away from my day by worrying about it?  Definitely convicted!

The sermon continued with a story from Luke 12 about the son receiving an inheritance and his brother being concerned about not getting any part of it.  The brother went to Jesus to clear up the matter and Jesus was very forceful with His response to the questioning.

The Story of the Greedy Farmer

¹³Someone out of the crowd said, "Teacher, order my brother to give me a fair share of the family inheritance."

 ¹⁴He replied, "Mister, what makes you think it's any of my business to be a judge or mediator for you?"

 ¹⁵Speaking to the people, he went on, "Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot."

 ^16-19Then he told them this story: "The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: 'What can I do? My barn isn't big enough for this harvest.' Then he said, 'Here's what I'll do: I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll gather in all my grain and goods, and I'll say to myself, Self, you've done well! You've got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!'

 ²⁰"Just then God showed up and said, 'Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?'

 ²¹"That's what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God."

While reading these passages, I was thinking how consumed with self I get caught up in.  Either with time or with money or with other things.  I need to pray more, asking what God wants me to do with my time, talents or money than to just be consumed with ME ME ME!

Prayers For Family

In the midst of moving and house projects, baby preparations and life with three little ones, my heart has been heavy for my grandmother and her health.

If you aren't aware, my grandmother has been battling cancer for over 6 years.  I'll never forget WHEN we found out that she had cancer.  I was pregnant with Bubbie.  It seems that every time we have a child, something changes for the worse with her cancer.  I probably remember the "bad times", more than the good times, because of it.  But my grandmother, even during the bad times, seems to keep up her spunk and ability to live life to the fullest.

I'll never forget my grandparents attitude as their health started to decrease and the physical ailments of "getting-on-up-there" started to take a toll.  They decided that their mission in life was to minister to others, in the home, through small groups and various other ways and continue to serve their community.  I will always be proud of my grandparents for their spirit in life, hospitality and willingness to serve others, faith in God and in His plan.

I haven't had a chance to talk to my grandparents yet this week, with the latest news, but my heart hurts for my grandmother.  Most of the time, even though the cancer had spread or whatever the diagnosis, they could always operate or she wasn't in pain.  This time, as you can read on this blog post, she is in a lot of pain.

We know God can heal my grandmother.  We've seen Him perform miracles in my grandmother's body before.  We know, as the kids and I sang in VBS this week, that God healed the blind man, He can heal my grandmother of the awful thing called cancer and make her new.

My heart is torn to be near my grandparents and to be able to help, even though there isn't much I can do, but also to take care of my family and await the arrival of baby girl.  I know the doctor won't let me travel with the c-section so close and I also know that traveling close after the baby born is also out of the question because of healing and Hubbie taking time off to help care for the kids while I recover.  These are the times when I wish I lived in Tennessee and could be close to both sets of grandparents and other family.

Baby Girl's Room

Not sure if having the date officially set with the doctors and hospital or the fact that deep down inside, underneath all the weariness, stress, tired body, etc., I'm just READY and outside don't FEEL ready, so I got my act into gear and after naps, I touched up the wood work in the baby's room.  After dinner, baths, bed time for the boys AND a Hubbie mowing the front lawn, I got my handsome man to put together the crib that my sweet friend loaned us.

Having the room semi-set up and putting the PINK changing table pad cover on made it ALL very REAL.  Oh my gosh!  We're having a girl!  Did I mention that yet?  Gosh!  What a surreal feeling... to have PINK!

So, next step is to finish the yard sale- TODAY!- and then unload the closet with all the girlie goodies, start washing things and find some curtains, a rug and pull it all together!  :o)

Its coming together.... slowly.......but its gotta be ready, because she's coming whether we're ready or not!

We Have A Date!!!

We have a date for baby girl's c-section!  

What a shock and relief to FINALLY get the date!  

7:30 AM, in a little more than 3 weeks!  Eeek!  

So much to do!  So little time!  I think I am going to go into panic mode!  

Can I hire someone to help us get it all done?!  Or maybe an assistant.  I think I need an assistant!  Or another husband....for a few weeks......  the to-do list is just too long!  

Praying for a healthy family, peaceful home during the transition, easy going and good sleeping babe and a calm Mama and Daddy!  :o)  

Yard Sale 1....2....3.....

Today begins prep and pricing for our yard sale.  I love going to yard sales.  Having them?  Not so much.  I haven't been yard "sale-ing" in..... quite a while.  Its been since the weather was C-O-L-D!!!  So, several months!  I hated going out "shopping" as we weren't sure where we'd be, how much space or  rooms we'd have, etc?  Plus dejunking- bringing things in as I was packing and getting rid of stuff.  Didn't make much sense!  But for the record, I'm TOTALLY going through withdraws!  So, anyway, my parents have been so gracious to hold all of our STUFF, that we want to try and sell, and now the weekend is upon us.  Yard sale no. 3 of the year for the Lu household is about to begin!  24 hrs and counting!  Lets all hope and pray and cross your fingers that we sell MOST of it, because it isn't coming back in here and I know my parents would love their carport back to normal working order.  As my Dad calls it "the used furniture show room!"  All the stuff that is left is being carted downtown to a local ministry.  Since we're homeowners now, we get to use that kind of stuff so its worth it for us to just give it away instead of hanging on to it for- yet- ANOTHER yard sale!  I do believe Hubbie and I are  yard sale-d out.  No more yard sales this year!  Maybe one in the Spring.  Until then, we will use our attic space to hold whatever we want to try and get money for.  And whatever isn't important or depending on what mood I am in, it may be headed off to a local ministry!  Bring on the "fun"!

Sneak Peek!

Baby Girl's room is coming together.... slowly but surely..... like the rest of the house....  lots of hardwork, little sleep and many hands.......

Sorry for the fuzzy picture, camera pic from Facebook.....

This is Baby Girl's room so far.  The blue is just perfect.  Like robin's egg, but peppy and bright!  Its Olympic which means safe for me, baby and little ones breathing in any paint smells, so I was able to help a tiny bit with border.  I still need to get in there and fix the wood work.  Today a sweet friend brought us her children's crib and lots of goodies to use for Baby Girl.  I am so excited to get the room situated!  I never wait THIS long to set up the room, so I'm anxious to get it fixed SOON!  I have lots of ideas floating around in my head.  I just hope I can make it all happen and come together!  I also need my dear, sweet, hard working and sleep deprived husband to set up my sewing "room" aka a desk in the laundry room so that I can finish all these sewing projects!  

My dear Mama, after all the help with the boys, painting, moving, organizing, etc. has been working on Baby Girl's quilt.  Again, sorry the pic stinks!  Another save off of Facebook.  Just gives an idea of the colors we're going for.  Mom wanted Baby Girl to have a green and pink room.  SO popular now!  I wanted blue and pink!  HAHA!  I won!  But now I can't find the curtain fabric that I have been wanting because blue isn't popular right now, I guess!  BOO!  ;o)  But anyway, Mom has been busy with the quilt this week.  

I hope within a week or two, the room will be finished, clothing washed, projects finished and we'll just be waiting on D-DAY!

Whew!

Whew!  What a long week and a half its been!  

We didn't have internet until yesterday due to scheduling conflicts with the provider that we choose.  I definitely don't think I'd suggest THEM!  ARGH!  How frustrating that was to not be able to get my online banking information and see what kind of damage we had done with a week of trips to Lowes!

Speaking of trips to Lowes, I think we're slowing down a bit on them.  Haven't been since Sunday night!  Its a record since purchasing our first home!  HAHA!  Some of the trips were necessity and others were things that just needed to be picked up (like paint, etc)

The house is coming along... slowly.  My parents have been incredibly helpful with house projects.  We could never repay them for all the help, support, love and sweat!  When purchasing the home, we knew there would be a few things that would have to be done.  One of the biggest projects was replacing wood on the outside of the home in a few areas and putting up a finishing piece between the roof shingles and the overhang of the house (I'm sure all this has a special name and will change it once Hubbie reads this post and corrects me!!).  After a few of the pieces of wood have been replaced and the finishing piece is put on (around the entire house), we will need to paint.  These projects were something that the owner knew needed done, but never got around too.  Since we got such an awesome- God send of a deal on the house, we knew it was something that we could NEVER suggest that the sellers do.  Along with this wood project, the home also had issues with the foundation (fixed by the previous owners) and since the house had settled during all that work, there were some cracks along windows.  My Dad and Hubbie fixed those the first weekend that we were in the house so that we could start painting.  Painting is something I didn't really want to do that much of.  Mostly because I knew my body wasn't up for too much of it.  I've been surprised at how much we have painted though.  By "we", I mean, my parents!!!  When we moved in, the kids room was a light, sage-y green.  I liked the color fine.  It didn't match anything that the boys already had (decorating wise), but it was something I was willing to live with until after the baby came and we were semi settled, etc.  On moving day, my Dad asked what he could do and we found some paint that the owners had left and since he's such a quick painter, he offered to get that room done before the bed was in there and put together.

Boys room (closet is to the left and long empty wall to the right)

  Then, when we moved in, I knew that a wall in our room was going to be painted.  The owners had 3 walls a neutral creamy-tan color and one wall BRIGHT red!  I hated that red wall!  I'm all for red walls and I'm all for neutral creamy tan colors, but not together, in the same room.  It just threw the whole room off for me!  So, my Dad and Mom got that wall primed and ready for painting.

Master bedroom (empty wall to left and to right, closet and bathroom)

 Then, like I mentioned, the spots around the house above doors and windows, from the settling of the house that had been fixed, my Dad and Hubbie had fixed, needed touch up painting.  Its amazing what just a little bit of touch up painting did to those rooms!!!  I don't remember any other projects off the top of my head.  Oh, our faucet had a tiny leak and I guess the previous owners tried to "fix it" by tightening it the wrong way.... which is quite annoying, because it was a Moen (buy it for looks, buy it for life) and if they had just called Moen, they would have gotten a replacement part and saved us $100!  On Sunday afternoon, the small leak turned into a countertop full of water.... so we had to replace that.  Little things like that.  I've tried to be very calm and easy going about all the money being spent at Lowes.  I truly believe that this home is a gift from God.  Again, the way things worked out in quite a few ways and fell into place to get us in here, in time for baby and the location and needs that we had were fulfilled, I just know, deep deep down, that God will provide.  I have to believe, because it really wasn't our idea to purchase a home.  I have to put complete trust and faith in HIM to provide.  He knows the needs we have and the future.  I have placed all finances and decisions into HIS hands, so I'm really trying to let go of my anal retentive need to KNOW and rest in His promises to take care of His children.  Of course, don't get me wrong, I still have moments of concern!

Here are a few more pictures of the house.... this was on move in day, so excuse the boxes or the previous owners curtains, etc.  I will try to have more updated pictures as the rooms are finished.

Main- hall bath 

Baby's room (wall to left and right) nice size, deep closet ahead on left

Living room (opened to left- to kitchen and on right, front door, hall closet, wall and hall way to bedrooms)

Master bath

And I guess, I don't have a picture of the kitchen.  I was working on the kitchen when I took these pictures, so thats probably why. 

I also should have taken a picture of the front of the house before and after since the guys have been working and sweating on this project.  The back of the house is a disaster zone.  During moving, we had canceled our trash pick up, after moving day, but before inspection, but somehow they set it up wrong in the computer and our cans were picked up, so we still have moving trash awaiting pick up.  Plus tons of toys and things out of the shed from the last place, awaiting a home!  Just needs someone to take the time to do it!  The laundry room is off the kitchen and is a nice size.  We plan to get a sewing table built for in there so that I can have a dedicated work space!  I really REALLY hope we can do that BEFORE the baby comes, so I can have an evening or two of sewing last minute projects!  

Along with housing projects, kids, Hubbie working, lots of help at the house, we also found out last week at the doctor's appointment that the doctor doesn't want me to go past July 11th.  My due date is July 20th, so I assumed week 39 ish was going to be a c-section date, but since this is no. 4 c-section, she doesn't want me to go too far along.  I was suppose to hear an exact date by now, but hadn't, so I called the doctor's office today.  Sounds like if its as "early" as the doctor is requesting it to be, the hospital requires a code.  Not sure why or if this is typical, but anyway, the doctor was out today and they couldn't get a diagnosis code from her, so hopefully we'll have a date by the end of the week!  Basically we have 4 or 5 weeks until we get to meet our baby girl!  The clock is ticking!  

The big kids are doing VBS this week at a local church.  They are having a ball.  Buggy is having a hard time getting use to a quiet house and no one to play with.  I am trying to use my mornings up to accomplish something around the house, but the VBS time just isn't very long once I drive them to the church, drop them off and then do it all again a little over 2 hrs later!  But its definitely been worth it!  They've enjoyed it so much!  Next week is our church's VBS, so they'll have 2 weeks of lots of fun and learning!!!  

Better get these kiddos fed and in bed so we can tackle tonights do list!  :o)  

Catch Up

Well, we're in and getting settled.  Its been quite a roller coaster of emotions for the last week for everyone.

Moving week started off with a sick child.  Peanut was coughing, low grade fever and green snot for several days and by Thursday he was complaining about his ear.  Hubbie took him to the doc on Thursday evening,diagnosed with an ear infection and got medication.   Of course, in a big family, once one person gets something, everyone gets it.....  Buggy started coughing by Thursday as well.

The house closing was on Friday morning.  It went very quickly.  No issues.  We were done and at the new house, with our cars loaded with boxes for the kitchen, within a hour or two.  My sweet Daddy took the day off to help us, so he and Hubbie walked around the house assessing little jobs that needed to be started and could be done before moving.  I set up the kitchen all day on Friday while the guys did little things.  Momma had my kids ALL DAY LONG on Friday!  Bless her!  And I was able to get the kitchen tackled and have at least one room done!  I had a hard time maneuvering around the kitchen with my belly!  It took a lot longer than it needed to, but we got it done and I was back at the old house with Hubbie, packing MORE on Friday night while the kids spent the night with Nana and Pops.

Saturday morning started WAY too early, since we didn't go to bed until 2am.  I grabbed doughnuts and coffee for the guys, loaded up the van with large pictures and mirrors and Dad helped me take them and unload at the new house.  While I did this, three FABULOUS guys showed up at our house at 7 am on a holiday weekend to help us move!  We are forever in debt to these men!  Without me helping this move, we were completely relying on these guys and we could never repay them for all their hard work in yucky temperatures!  Once I got unloaded, I headed to my Mom's to get the kids.  We took the big boys to Lowe's for their free building workshops and to grab a few things that were requested for projects.  Once we were done there, we had to rush across town, get lunch for the movers.  We were much later than I had wanted to be getting there and the guys had over half the truck unloaded!  The rest of Saturday is a big blur.  We did sleep at the new place on Saturday night.  Hubbie and my Dad were able to get the beds set up so that we had a place to sleep, but thats about all I remember.  The house was total chaos!  The kids were upset that they didn't have toys unpacked yet, etc.

Sunday was more chaos and INSANE-ville!  Buggy woke up coughing much MUCH worse than he had done.  All he wanted to do was sleep and be held, but he wouldn't stay asleep.  He was very VERY fussy and went back and forth from me to Hubbie and then he'd be irritated with us and lay down on the ground and fuss.  Very unusual for him to be acting like this.  We knew he had to be sick.  During all this, Hubbie and I were trying to get things put away, a shopping list for Lowe's made and the big kids occupied since nothing of theirs had been unpacked yet either.  It was just total chaos and lots of outbursts of frustration from everyone!  Bubbie even told me at one point that he wanted to go HOME and that he didn't like the new house!  What a heartbreaking thing!  I wasn't having fun either!  HAHA!  I wanted to go home too!  LOL  Wherever that was!  :o)  After naps, Buggy had a fever, so we rushed to the after hours clinic, knowing that he had what his brother had had a few days before.  Sadly, the doc office closed early on us (long story), but after a few phone calls and some fabulous friends, we were able to get a medication for Buggy's ear!  We got home around 10 pm (VERY LATE for us) and I'll never forget how upset Bubba was about missing bedtime.  We try to be pretty diligent about keeping bedtimes and routines the same, but for the past month, we've been pretty lax because of packing or late hours for Hubbie, etc.

Monday was cleaning day for the old place.  Boy!  What a job!  And a miserable one!  We got over to the old place around 9am and worked until 7pm.  The kids did a fabulous job for being in a warm house with no toys and nothing to occupy them.  Hubbie and I worked like DOGS! for hours trying to get our "move out" inspection list completed.  We really thought it wouldn't take as long as it did, but before we knew it it was noon and the kids needed to eat.  I ran and got lunch while Hubbie kept working.  We gobbled our lunch and then the carpet cleaning guy showed up.  Part of moving out with the rental company was to get the carpets professionally cleaned (BLAH!) so we kept the kids in one room of the house while we continued to work.  By 2, Hubbie had the truck (that we had borrowed!) loaded up and I decided to take the kids home for naps.  Once we were home, all 3 kids were awake and ready to go.  Hubbie dropped off the load in the truck.  I took the kids back to my parents to play while I finished up the kitchen floor.  Hubbie was still working on taking things apart outdoors, so once I finished, I went back to get the kids.  We ran home.  I fed and bathed them and put them to bed- STILL in a room FULL of boxes! while Hubbie finished up at the old place.  My sweet Daddy offered to meet Hubbie at the truck owner's house (so that the kids could go down and I wouldn't have to do all that carpooling again) and then back to the old house to pick up his car.  What a lifesaver that was!  Hubbie was home after 8 and what a day it had been!  We both stunk and were hot and sweaty from a FULL and exhausting day!  I think I did way too much that day and was praying I wouldn't go into labor!

Tuesday morning was a day we never thought we'd get to!  It was move out day and inspection day for the old place!  We "passed", I guess!  And hopefully we'll get our whole security deposit back!  The house was as clean as we were going to get it, unless we spent a few more days on it.  The house was in desperate need of repairs and fixing up and it showed the age badly.  Once we got finished with that, we made another trip to Lowes!  Not sure HOW much money we've spent at Lowes in the last few weeks, but its a lot!  Geesh!

I won't bore with more details... but each day has been filled with tedious progress with kids underfoot.  We finally have their room unpacked and they have toys!  The living room finally got finished last night and by finished, I mean, can be lived in and enjoyed.  Things to hang and painting will come!  The babies room is FULL of things to sort through. go in the attic or things of hers awaiting to be set up/put away.  And of course, the outside needs LOTS of attention, but one thing at a time.

We are forever grateful to my folks for helping just about every day for the last week or two.  They've been so helpful at dejunking, moving things, getting organized, working on projects, etc.  We couldn't have made it this far without them and there is never enough to repay them for all their hard work, love and time!

Oh and guess what!?  During ALL this, we went to our regular doctor's appt on Wednesday and we're scheduling the c-section!  WOO HOO!  And its earlier than I expected it to be!  So, all my thoughts of "rush through" June and get things done and have a few weeks to settle in and enjoy the family, take a short trip, etc.....yeah......  not gonna happen!  HAHA!  We're gonna get the house done and have a baby!  So, in a little over a month we'll have a new baby!  :o)