Halloween has become one of my most dreaded and favorite times of year.
Monday, October 28, 2019
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Update
How has it been 3 months since my last post!?! Well I guess there has been quite a bit going on. I am going to give you the abbreviated version since I just finished writing a longer blog post on our other site.
#1 www.TopHomeowner.com
We, including a friend, have been recording and posting videos on YouTube helping people learn how to do home improvement projects and giving reviews/demonstrations on products. I have also been posting blog posts there.
#2 Working Vacation
At the end of January we were able to make a trip to Miami so Mark could attend a conference but we also made a vacation of it. Most of the trip was great but we also all ended up catching a stomach bug.
#3 Injuries
In February, Mark fell and broke his elbow! He ended up having surgery on it 2 weeks ago and is doing much better but it definitely didn't slow us down just created a different busy.
#1 www.TopHomeowner.com
We, including a friend, have been recording and posting videos on YouTube helping people learn how to do home improvement projects and giving reviews/demonstrations on products. I have also been posting blog posts there.
#2 Working Vacation
At the end of January we were able to make a trip to Miami so Mark could attend a conference but we also made a vacation of it. Most of the trip was great but we also all ended up catching a stomach bug.
#3 Injuries
In February, Mark fell and broke his elbow! He ended up having surgery on it 2 weeks ago and is doing much better but it definitely didn't slow us down just created a different busy.
#4 We're moving!
Not exactly sure when or where but the plan is to sell the house and figure out our next move. It is definitely a full time job keeping the house clean and we are only a few days in!
Ok I'm pretty sure that was was short and hopefully sweet. I do plan to get back on here and post about some of our trips we have been taking lately but I can't promise when. Especially with the whole not knowing when we are having showings, we are finishing school this week, and soccer began on Tuesday...But I will be back
Not exactly sure when or where but the plan is to sell the house and figure out our next move. It is definitely a full time job keeping the house clean and we are only a few days in!
Ok I'm pretty sure that was was short and hopefully sweet. I do plan to get back on here and post about some of our trips we have been taking lately but I can't promise when. Especially with the whole not knowing when we are having showings, we are finishing school this week, and soccer began on Tuesday...But I will be back
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Wrapping Up 2018
Here it is the end of December. We have just celebrated my two older sons' birthdays...actually one is today. This last year has been a huge adjustment for us. School is harder not only for the boys but for myself as their teacher.
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Baby Shark 1st Birthday
Disclosure: Some of the following links are affiliate links, at no additional cost to you if you click through and make a purchase I will make a commission. Affiliate links will also be posted at the bottom of this post.
I can't believe it has been 4, almost 5 months since my last post but even more so that my baby is ONE! It has been a stressful, frustrating, joyful, and incredible year. Our daily life is a constant change...maybe one day we will have a routine but for now it is about hanging on and going with the flow.
Let's take his first Birthday for example: 2 weeks before, Caegan became sick with croup followed by ear infections that oozed from his eyes up until his birthday. Of course baby was not to be outdone, big brother had to also require a doctor visit for a mysterious rash. We all ended up relatively healthy by the day of the party but it helped remind us to keep things more simple.
I may have started out planning this "incredible" 1st Birthday Bash and then decided to pull it back and just make it about this absolute blessing that has been placed in our lives.
Before the song "Baby Shark" became popular it was our go-to song to help settle a very upset infant. Even now he can be screaming in the car seat and as soon as we start playing the video he stops and smiles...until it is over. So it was a given that we should make it the theme.
Since we are in Missouri and the weather is...mmm...temperamental at best, we decided to have an indoor party inviting only our families.
Most of the cousins were able to join in on the fun. The older kids could play with balloons and games in the basement and the younger kids had the ocean on the main floor. We had an old inflatable pool and turned it into a ball pit with blue and white balls we bought off Amazon.
You can almost create anything with some balloons and streamers. Of course after they are decorations the kids can get creative in coming up with their own games...or using them to add to their ball pit. My sister was a big help with that because between exhaustion and the cake I probably would have forgot.
While looking for sand buckets in the clearance section at Wal-Mart we found sharks from Shark Week...Bonus! They were only $1 for the small ones (we gave as goodies) and $2 for the large one in the "ocean".
We finally found a couple sand buckets but they were huge. I found that some of our smaller bowls fit perfectly on the rims to help give the appearance of it being filled without the waste. In those we had coral (Cheetos) and fish bait (Goldfish) The older boys enjoyed spearing grapes onto wooden skewers to create a bouquet of seaweed surrounded by driftwood (pretzels).
I use to love decorating cakes but hated making the icing. This time we decided to buy a tub of buttercream from Sam's Club. This is not for the faint of heart, it is 32 LBS of buttercream that I have to use up in the next 3 months. I do have a few things coming up that will help put a dent into it.
I must admit while I make like decorating cakes, I am not patient and am very frugal. Believe me, Pinterest gave me tons of ideas but when it came down to it I didn't want to make up a bunch of different icings, use a ton of bags/decorator tips, or work with fondant that most people will just set to the side to throw away. So I try to go simple...
With the exception that especially for the first birthdays I try my best at 3D smash cakes. The base is a standard double layer cake covered in blue tinted icing, using a Leaf tip to create the seaweed and a Grass tip for the coral.
Baby Shark was its own conundrum to be figured out. He was made out of 1/2 of the Wilton's sphere cake pan. I just tilted the cooked cake so it was at an angle to make the flat edge/start of the curve tilt in the air a bit for his nose and the other end would become his tail. I had some leftover batter that I cooked in a square pan and then cut triangles for the back, side, and tail fins. By the time I started on his face it was close to midnight and I was exhausted...again I lack the patience. So I did a quick go of it and went to bed...it bothered me so bad that I got up at 4am and redid his mouth to be at least a little better.
One of my favorite parts of the party was the shirts I bought for us to wear! I am normally not a character t-shirt type of person but these were to cute to pass up and can always work for family vacations or outings to identify each other.
Caegan's was a custom order off Etcy from CJ Orange. The seller was quick and the quality was excellent.
Amazon:
Daddy Shark Shirt
Mommy Shark Shirt
Brother Shark Shirts
I can't believe it has been 4, almost 5 months since my last post but even more so that my baby is ONE! It has been a stressful, frustrating, joyful, and incredible year. Our daily life is a constant change...maybe one day we will have a routine but for now it is about hanging on and going with the flow.
Let's take his first Birthday for example: 2 weeks before, Caegan became sick with croup followed by ear infections that oozed from his eyes up until his birthday. Of course baby was not to be outdone, big brother had to also require a doctor visit for a mysterious rash. We all ended up relatively healthy by the day of the party but it helped remind us to keep things more simple.
I may have started out planning this "incredible" 1st Birthday Bash and then decided to pull it back and just make it about this absolute blessing that has been placed in our lives.
Before the song "Baby Shark" became popular it was our go-to song to help settle a very upset infant. Even now he can be screaming in the car seat and as soon as we start playing the video he stops and smiles...until it is over. So it was a given that we should make it the theme.
Since we are in Missouri and the weather is...mmm...temperamental at best, we decided to have an indoor party inviting only our families.
Most of the cousins were able to join in on the fun. The older kids could play with balloons and games in the basement and the younger kids had the ocean on the main floor. We had an old inflatable pool and turned it into a ball pit with blue and white balls we bought off Amazon.
You can almost create anything with some balloons and streamers. Of course after they are decorations the kids can get creative in coming up with their own games...or using them to add to their ball pit. My sister was a big help with that because between exhaustion and the cake I probably would have forgot.
While looking for sand buckets in the clearance section at Wal-Mart we found sharks from Shark Week...Bonus! They were only $1 for the small ones (we gave as goodies) and $2 for the large one in the "ocean".
We finally found a couple sand buckets but they were huge. I found that some of our smaller bowls fit perfectly on the rims to help give the appearance of it being filled without the waste. In those we had coral (Cheetos) and fish bait (Goldfish) The older boys enjoyed spearing grapes onto wooden skewers to create a bouquet of seaweed surrounded by driftwood (pretzels).
I use to love decorating cakes but hated making the icing. This time we decided to buy a tub of buttercream from Sam's Club. This is not for the faint of heart, it is 32 LBS of buttercream that I have to use up in the next 3 months. I do have a few things coming up that will help put a dent into it.
I must admit while I make like decorating cakes, I am not patient and am very frugal. Believe me, Pinterest gave me tons of ideas but when it came down to it I didn't want to make up a bunch of different icings, use a ton of bags/decorator tips, or work with fondant that most people will just set to the side to throw away. So I try to go simple...
With the exception that especially for the first birthdays I try my best at 3D smash cakes. The base is a standard double layer cake covered in blue tinted icing, using a Leaf tip to create the seaweed and a Grass tip for the coral.
Baby Shark was its own conundrum to be figured out. He was made out of 1/2 of the Wilton's sphere cake pan. I just tilted the cooked cake so it was at an angle to make the flat edge/start of the curve tilt in the air a bit for his nose and the other end would become his tail. I had some leftover batter that I cooked in a square pan and then cut triangles for the back, side, and tail fins. By the time I started on his face it was close to midnight and I was exhausted...again I lack the patience. So I did a quick go of it and went to bed...it bothered me so bad that I got up at 4am and redid his mouth to be at least a little better.
Here are a few other pictures from a great day with family.
Affiliate Links: The following links are affiliate links, at no additional cost to you if you click through and make a purchase I will make a commission.
Amazon:
Mommy Shark Shirt
Brother Shark Shirts
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Postpartum Depression?
The first 4 months were ROUGH! Everyone asked how I was going to handle homeschooling the boys, continue with real estate, and have a newborn...I thought since I use to babysit, in fact I had 2 newborns in my care the previous year, so I wasn't stressed about it. What I didn't take into consideration was that I sent the babies home at night and was able to sleep! Not only was sleep deprivation an issue but we were still in soccer season, the boys were an emotional mess, my newborn wasn't gaining weight, we had almost daily doctor appointments, and I was overwhelmed.
I always thought Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression was the thought of wanting to harm yourself or your baby. It wasn't until I was talking to my cousin that I realized that feeling overwhelmed could also fit in that category. When I started writing this I did a Google search and came across this link on fitPregnancy and Baby that really hit home.
Let me start with we were released from the hospital right at 24 hours after giving birth! I could have stayed but we had some other factors play into it...mainly 2 other children and no one to watch them. We found out while in the hospital my mom couldn't find a sub so they ended up staying overnight in the hospital with us. I honestly felt great and on top of the world fast forward 2 days and we went in confident to our first checkup and they became concerned he hadn't gained weight and was still pretty jaundice looking. This is my 3rd time through this and 2nd time with this same situation. I wasn't overly concerned but we made a follow-up appointment and his growth continued to slow. Now I was getting worried, not about his weight gain as much as wondering if I wasn't producing milk.
My husband noticed it first that I was putting myself down feeling like I was letting everyone down especially Caegan. I started meeting with a lactation consultant, who was great, but was insisting on supplementing by finger feedings and bottle, putting me on medication, and finally formula. I'm not against it but yet I didn't feel like I had done everything in my power before starting down that road.
There were a few things that happened that I think contributed to him not gaining weight, one being he was constantly spitting up. He had a little testing done but everything led to it is normal and the reason he is choking is because it went up his nose. This kid pukes through his nose frequently and his choking would scare us, he still sleeps in our room because he did it up until a couple weeks ago. We are in the process of transferring him now that we have a video monitor but it was some of the scariest nights just barely asleep so you could hear if he was breathing.
Supplementing was not helping his weight gain and the medication I was on causes drowsiness which I totally forgot until I went in again and was feeling so drained when I was reminded. On the plus side it did help my supply increase. We also discovered he had a slight tongue tie at 2 weeks.
I was just hanging on making it through each day, still exhausted and feeling like everything was piling up. I couldn't catch a break but at my 8 week postpartum checkup my doctor asked how long I was nursing on each side and about my diet...things began to change. Once I extended his feeding to 20 minutes a side he started making progress. At his 5 month checkup in February he was actually on the chart again at 5%...yes that does make me excited! Yesterday he weighed in just over 15lbs and while it is small he is still on the charts and gaining, just slowly.
Here is the thing I let his weight issues eat at me, I gave in to using food to "comfort" myself gaining quite a bit of weight which then turned into a hate of any pictures where you can see below my neck...who am I kidding didn't like pictures of myself at all. If I am being completely honest...I still don't but I'm getting better.
Looking back on it the first few months I may have had mild postpartum depression. My symptoms included guilt, quick temper (still working on that one), trouble concentrating (why I haven't blogged in a few months), and being overwhelmed.
Help is typically hard to get up the nerve to ask for but I did. The thing is I wasn't asking for help emotionally, but instead the physical. I got to the point where I was asking for help to clean the house, maintain the yard, or encouragement (granted this one wasn't as direct). My family was to far to help with these every day tasks and those closest helped with food. I know they had the best intentions with advice and suggestions on people I could hire or things I should try. BUT I just really wanted to know that they were willing to come and help me catch up on life so I wasn't so stressed about playing catch up down the road.
This isn't an easy topic and if it wasn't watching someone else go through it I wouldn't have had the realization that I am finally on the other side. I still have some work to do but we are putting new routines together, giving more responsibilities to the boys, and learning to let go a little.
I always thought Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression was the thought of wanting to harm yourself or your baby. It wasn't until I was talking to my cousin that I realized that feeling overwhelmed could also fit in that category. When I started writing this I did a Google search and came across this link on fitPregnancy and Baby that really hit home.
Let me start with we were released from the hospital right at 24 hours after giving birth! I could have stayed but we had some other factors play into it...mainly 2 other children and no one to watch them. We found out while in the hospital my mom couldn't find a sub so they ended up staying overnight in the hospital with us. I honestly felt great and on top of the world fast forward 2 days and we went in confident to our first checkup and they became concerned he hadn't gained weight and was still pretty jaundice looking. This is my 3rd time through this and 2nd time with this same situation. I wasn't overly concerned but we made a follow-up appointment and his growth continued to slow. Now I was getting worried, not about his weight gain as much as wondering if I wasn't producing milk.
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There were a few things that happened that I think contributed to him not gaining weight, one being he was constantly spitting up. He had a little testing done but everything led to it is normal and the reason he is choking is because it went up his nose. This kid pukes through his nose frequently and his choking would scare us, he still sleeps in our room because he did it up until a couple weeks ago. We are in the process of transferring him now that we have a video monitor but it was some of the scariest nights just barely asleep so you could hear if he was breathing.
Supplementing was not helping his weight gain and the medication I was on causes drowsiness which I totally forgot until I went in again and was feeling so drained when I was reminded. On the plus side it did help my supply increase. We also discovered he had a slight tongue tie at 2 weeks.
I was just hanging on making it through each day, still exhausted and feeling like everything was piling up. I couldn't catch a break but at my 8 week postpartum checkup my doctor asked how long I was nursing on each side and about my diet...things began to change. Once I extended his feeding to 20 minutes a side he started making progress. At his 5 month checkup in February he was actually on the chart again at 5%...yes that does make me excited! Yesterday he weighed in just over 15lbs and while it is small he is still on the charts and gaining, just slowly.
Here is the thing I let his weight issues eat at me, I gave in to using food to "comfort" myself gaining quite a bit of weight which then turned into a hate of any pictures where you can see below my neck...who am I kidding didn't like pictures of myself at all. If I am being completely honest...I still don't but I'm getting better.
Looking back on it the first few months I may have had mild postpartum depression. My symptoms included guilt, quick temper (still working on that one), trouble concentrating (why I haven't blogged in a few months), and being overwhelmed.
Help is typically hard to get up the nerve to ask for but I did. The thing is I wasn't asking for help emotionally, but instead the physical. I got to the point where I was asking for help to clean the house, maintain the yard, or encouragement (granted this one wasn't as direct). My family was to far to help with these every day tasks and those closest helped with food. I know they had the best intentions with advice and suggestions on people I could hire or things I should try. BUT I just really wanted to know that they were willing to come and help me catch up on life so I wasn't so stressed about playing catch up down the road.
This isn't an easy topic and if it wasn't watching someone else go through it I wouldn't have had the realization that I am finally on the other side. I still have some work to do but we are putting new routines together, giving more responsibilities to the boys, and learning to let go a little.
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Birth Story
So here it is almost 7 weeks 4 months (to the day) since I gave birth to my 3rd son. The name of this blog definitely fits... Our Little Piece of Chaos
See I started this in November when things were really crazy. People tell you that you to "sleep when baby sleeps" and "things will fall into place" but what they don't acknowledge is "HOW" and especially when you have older kids how to balance your new life.
My pregnancy was pretty normal. I stayed in shape even went to ReFit even 2 days before his birth. I was extremely nauseous up to the day. Week 37 my husband and boys were in the car waiting for me because I thought I would be "checked"...I had rushed in, ran up the stairs and taken back right away. Needless to say my blood pressure was elevated. At the end of my 5 minute appointment I was sent to have blood-work and check into triage. I didn't think much about it but did call my guys to come in just in case we needed to make some decisions.
I was hooked up to monitors for 2 hours so we could be monitored. They ended up "checking" me there. I was actually further along than I expected, 1 and 50%, but not far enough to be comfortable with them inducing me. I had family and friends on standby just in case but after watching my blood pressure come down to completely normal my doctor convinced the triage staff to let me go another week. We were very relieved since we didn't have bags packed or the car seat installed...yep I was a little frantic at that moment but those things were taken care of that night. We also ended up buying a blood pressure cuff.
For the next week we I was a little on edge hoping and praying he would make his entrance on his own. I had dear friends throwing a baby shower on that Saturday, I thought for sure I would go into labor right before...but I didn't. It was a wonderful shower and I was able to relax a bit and celebrate my little guy.
Monday I went to Refit hoping to dance myself into labor there...still nothing. Tuesday I went in expecting to be told my blood pressure was elevated again, I had been stressing about the appointment, but it was perfect. They didn't want to take a chance and I was at 3 and 75% so they told me Tomorrow was the day! I had never been induced with my other 2 so I was a bit nervous. I had told my husband if they sent me home I was going to go get a mani/pedi so that is what I did. Then we waited for my parents to arrive.
Early Wednesday morning we were off to the hospital. It was so weird walking in without my water already being broke. They started me on pitocin around 8:40am. Let me preface this with saying that I am a little unusual as I don't feel contractions. Due to this and according to the monitors I was having some pretty strong ones they went ahead and broke my water at 11:30am so they could insert an internal monitor to better regulate the pitocin. Around 1:30pm I ended up getting an epidural to help my body relax. It is hard to explain because it isn't pain but I can just feel myself getting tense like how one gets when anxious. After I had that I settled in for a nap. The nurse came in to check if I was feeling the need to push around 3:40pm and told me I was having consistent strong contractions but I didn't feel like it was time.
I went back to sleep only to be awoken about 3:50pm by the fire alarms! My husband reassured me that everything was ok and it happens all the time. BUT it wasn't ok, in fact it was time and the doctors couldn't get in their fast enough. I told the nurse in training that I was having to hold back from pushing. Glad the doctors finally made it to the room...One push and I was holding my beautiful baby boy! 3:58pm, 7lbs 8ozs 20inches My smallest by 1.5lbs
He hated the world...including me at first but after a couple hours he finally calmed down and was ok with me. I held (kangaroo style) my older boys right after they were born and tried to feed my 2nd right away, this one had no desire for quite awhile. Much has changed in 10 years, before I had to request to hold and feed right away, now it is what they do. On top of that they informed me they don't give baths for at least 6 hours after birth and everything was done in the room so I got to watch. He never left my sight, except when we had a scare in the middle of the night and for his circumcision.
I was STARVING! As soon as the doctors left the nurses were calling to get me dinner but allowed me to stuff my face with cookies, juice and water. Dinner the night before had been my last meal and I wasn't allowed to drink water since arriving at he hospital.
My older 2 met Caegan around 6pm and announced his name to my parents... They had been holding in that secret for a month.
Unfortunately my mom couldn't find a sub for her so they had to go back home that evening which meant we were left scrambling trying to figure out what to do with the boys for the night. Our hospital is wonderful because they let them stay with us. I know many would want the time away but I welcomed having them there. I slept with my 2nd in bed with me while my husband shared the couch with our oldest.
Best part is that they also were able to watch his first bath...which of course he hated.
It was actually very good my husband and the boys stayed because in the middle of the night Caegan started choking. I was sound asleep and didn't hear it but daddy did and was able to get help right away. He didn't have a chance to expel the amniotic fluid in his lungs...which for the next few days we slept very lightly.
The next day went by pretty fast with routine checks, pictures, getting in all our required videos/paperwork. The boys watched the videos with us over SIDS and Shaken Baby, I was surprised by how well they listened. My middle boy was worried about us putting a sheet in the crib or swaddling his baby brother. He did not trust leaving his side the first few days at home.
We were on our way home at 4pm! Just 24 hours after becoming a family of 5 we were on our own...
See I started this in November when things were really crazy. People tell you that you to "sleep when baby sleeps" and "things will fall into place" but what they don't acknowledge is "HOW" and especially when you have older kids how to balance your new life.
My pregnancy was pretty normal. I stayed in shape even went to ReFit even 2 days before his birth. I was extremely nauseous up to the day. Week 37 my husband and boys were in the car waiting for me because I thought I would be "checked"...I had rushed in, ran up the stairs and taken back right away. Needless to say my blood pressure was elevated. At the end of my 5 minute appointment I was sent to have blood-work and check into triage. I didn't think much about it but did call my guys to come in just in case we needed to make some decisions.
I was hooked up to monitors for 2 hours so we could be monitored. They ended up "checking" me there. I was actually further along than I expected, 1 and 50%, but not far enough to be comfortable with them inducing me. I had family and friends on standby just in case but after watching my blood pressure come down to completely normal my doctor convinced the triage staff to let me go another week. We were very relieved since we didn't have bags packed or the car seat installed...yep I was a little frantic at that moment but those things were taken care of that night. We also ended up buying a blood pressure cuff.
For the next week we I was a little on edge hoping and praying he would make his entrance on his own. I had dear friends throwing a baby shower on that Saturday, I thought for sure I would go into labor right before...but I didn't. It was a wonderful shower and I was able to relax a bit and celebrate my little guy.
Monday I went to Refit hoping to dance myself into labor there...still nothing. Tuesday I went in expecting to be told my blood pressure was elevated again, I had been stressing about the appointment, but it was perfect. They didn't want to take a chance and I was at 3 and 75% so they told me Tomorrow was the day! I had never been induced with my other 2 so I was a bit nervous. I had told my husband if they sent me home I was going to go get a mani/pedi so that is what I did. Then we waited for my parents to arrive.
Early Wednesday morning we were off to the hospital. It was so weird walking in without my water already being broke. They started me on pitocin around 8:40am. Let me preface this with saying that I am a little unusual as I don't feel contractions. Due to this and according to the monitors I was having some pretty strong ones they went ahead and broke my water at 11:30am so they could insert an internal monitor to better regulate the pitocin. Around 1:30pm I ended up getting an epidural to help my body relax. It is hard to explain because it isn't pain but I can just feel myself getting tense like how one gets when anxious. After I had that I settled in for a nap. The nurse came in to check if I was feeling the need to push around 3:40pm and told me I was having consistent strong contractions but I didn't feel like it was time.
I went back to sleep only to be awoken about 3:50pm by the fire alarms! My husband reassured me that everything was ok and it happens all the time. BUT it wasn't ok, in fact it was time and the doctors couldn't get in their fast enough. I told the nurse in training that I was having to hold back from pushing. Glad the doctors finally made it to the room...One push and I was holding my beautiful baby boy! 3:58pm, 7lbs 8ozs 20inches My smallest by 1.5lbs
I was STARVING! As soon as the doctors left the nurses were calling to get me dinner but allowed me to stuff my face with cookies, juice and water. Dinner the night before had been my last meal and I wasn't allowed to drink water since arriving at he hospital.
My older 2 met Caegan around 6pm and announced his name to my parents... They had been holding in that secret for a month.
It was actually very good my husband and the boys stayed because in the middle of the night Caegan started choking. I was sound asleep and didn't hear it but daddy did and was able to get help right away. He didn't have a chance to expel the amniotic fluid in his lungs...which for the next few days we slept very lightly.
We were on our way home at 4pm! Just 24 hours after becoming a family of 5 we were on our own...
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Change
This post was meant for August then September and now I realize it is November! Yes, much has happened since my last post and some I'll cover... Some I hope to in future posts but can't guarantee it because well life is a little chaotic!
In August we started school. Did I get our first day of school pics done...NO. I did make muffins or had some special breakfast every Monday for the first 2 months. The other days are pretty much cereal and milk, which is actually my boys' favorite. I felt good and like I was making this year memorable then we got to school and the tears started.
My oldest can be emotional, trying to perfect his work, but my youngest was usually pretty level headed through school stuff. I felt like someone if not both were in tears almost daily and over really small stuff...math I get but copy-work? Easiest assignment and it would take 2 hours sometimes all day for it to be completed.
Soccer was very similar, both kids have loved soccer but this year was hard on them. My oldest had a strict coach that worked on stamina and my youngest again just would break down, although it was after he played for awhile without a break due to no subs. I remember getting in the car after practice and my oldest wanting to quit. He wasn't having fun, and while it was part of it I realized they were going through the change that I always warn friends and clients about with their kids.
Kids can sense change and typically can't express it verbally so it comes out in behavioral or emotional outbursts. I'm not a psychiatrist, but the class or two in college taught me that this is a real thing. Frequently I see it in younger kids that have a harder time understanding what is going on around them but this was a first for me. My boys were excited about the new baby and understood what was coming (good and bad). Yet they were acting out.
So what did we do? Took it one moment at a time, tried to be more understanding, talked it out, and kept going. We let them talk but we also made sure they knew some of their actions were not acceptable or that even though we may not like something (running long distance sprints) the still had to do it and try to have a better attitude or learn that some of their actions/emotions had consequences. There was a lot of apologizing not only from them but from myself trying to help us all navigate through this uncharted territory. It wasn't easy for any of us but it helped.
In August we started school. Did I get our first day of school pics done...NO. I did make muffins or had some special breakfast every Monday for the first 2 months. The other days are pretty much cereal and milk, which is actually my boys' favorite. I felt good and like I was making this year memorable then we got to school and the tears started.
My oldest can be emotional, trying to perfect his work, but my youngest was usually pretty level headed through school stuff. I felt like someone if not both were in tears almost daily and over really small stuff...math I get but copy-work? Easiest assignment and it would take 2 hours sometimes all day for it to be completed.
Soccer was very similar, both kids have loved soccer but this year was hard on them. My oldest had a strict coach that worked on stamina and my youngest again just would break down, although it was after he played for awhile without a break due to no subs. I remember getting in the car after practice and my oldest wanting to quit. He wasn't having fun, and while it was part of it I realized they were going through the change that I always warn friends and clients about with their kids.
So what did we do? Took it one moment at a time, tried to be more understanding, talked it out, and kept going. We let them talk but we also made sure they knew some of their actions were not acceptable or that even though we may not like something (running long distance sprints) the still had to do it and try to have a better attitude or learn that some of their actions/emotions had consequences. There was a lot of apologizing not only from them but from myself trying to help us all navigate through this uncharted territory. It wasn't easy for any of us but it helped.
Monday, July 31, 2017
Baby #3 Update
I figure it is time for an update..considering the last time was when we announced in April. This pregnancy has been so different than with my first 2.
In the beginning it was an adjustment. Believe me we wanted another just after 4 years of trying we thought that it probably was not going to happen and we were ok with it. Then came the positive test and rush of realization. In ways it was the disbelief and then the thought of such a big gap between the boys and this baby, and I'm not going to lie it is still there but I also know I'll have 2 big helpers.
So much was happening at one time we decided to just take it one day at a time...it flew by fast. With finishing school, helping my sis with my niece, soccer, family gatherings, graduation, oh yeah the race, and trying to get things back together to start the new school year. Well here we are at 30 weeks and looking at the possibility of meeting our little guy in 7-10 weeks!
I have been sick during this pregnancy, not just at the beginning but as of this morning I still get sick. There are triggers but sometimes it is something I wouldn't expect. Until the last week most still didn't know I was expecting, just looked like I was gaining weight. Maybe next post I'll do an updated pic but right now I am very comfortable in my spot ;)
So far all is well and healthy, I still manage to get my Refit class in on Monday nights, run occasionally but right now most of my free time is devoted to house projects.
Now that the classroom is ready for school again we can concentrate on getting baby's room together, the hospital back, oh and probably should get a car seat. Like I said life has helped time pass that my husband forgot to tell some at his work that we are expecting. They found out when he was talking about being gone for a month. Now for that nap :)
In the beginning it was an adjustment. Believe me we wanted another just after 4 years of trying we thought that it probably was not going to happen and we were ok with it. Then came the positive test and rush of realization. In ways it was the disbelief and then the thought of such a big gap between the boys and this baby, and I'm not going to lie it is still there but I also know I'll have 2 big helpers.
 |
| 13 Weeks |
 |
| 15 Weeks |
We found out we were having a boy at 20 weeks. It took some time for one of the older boys to be okay with it but once he was now we all are excited for him to arrive.
 |
| 28 Weeks |
So far all is well and healthy, I still manage to get my Refit class in on Monday nights, run occasionally but right now most of my free time is devoted to house projects.
Now that the classroom is ready for school again we can concentrate on getting baby's room together, the hospital back, oh and probably should get a car seat. Like I said life has helped time pass that my husband forgot to tell some at his work that we are expecting. They found out when he was talking about being gone for a month. Now for that nap :)
Friday, June 30, 2017
13.1 Miles
In January I signed up for the Go Girl Half Marathon...before I knew I was pregnant. There were four of us who had planned to run together but in the end only 2 of us were able to make it. Total respect for the other 2 knowing when to call it instead of pushing and hurting themselves...possibly something I should have done but I am stubborn.
The race was June 3 and had planned to train all along but morning sickness and exhaustion gave me the excuse not to be diligent until about 10 weeks out and even then I didn't always make my long runs. I tried to follow the same plan that I did 3 years ago when I ran 2 halves...the best part of training was running with my friend Rachel, who I ran with 3 years ago, although she didn't do the race.
During my training I was still going to my CoMo Refit class to help get in other types of cardio and running an average of 6-12 miles a week besides my long runs on Friday/Saturdays. Did I feel ready for the race...NO...did I know I could finish it...YES! I knew that no matter what, even if I had to walk it my plan was to finish and believe me the last 3 miles I struggled to stay in it.
I didn't get to train with my friend Somaly but she was a constant encourager and we were able to run the first 1/2 mile together. Here is a picture before the start.
At the beginning I was pushing myself harder than I should be so I slowed down but kept pushing myself. That morning I knew I wasn't feeling great so I wanted to make sure to take it somewhat easy, which was a good thing. I was never willing to put baby and myself in danger.
My family is the best pit crew! They were willing to get up early on their Saturday and drive around cheering me on!
Giving me things I may have forgotten, like my sunglasses.
And having water on hand. They had plenty of water stations throughout the race but sometimes you need it at points that they don't and while I had a water belt with my tummy I couldn't wear it comfortably. It gave the boys an important job though.
Especially since I don't think they really knew how much it helped me keep pushing. I was terrified of needing to use the bathroom during the race, but I knew it probably would end up happening considering baby had decided around this time that my bladder was a great trampoline. Within the first 6 miles we had already been up some of the steepest hills with very few downhill runs. I knew it was coming up but my stomach was really bothering me by this time. So I handed back my sunglasses, they were fogging up, and my water bottle until the next time I would see my guys, sucked it up and waited in line for the bathroom.
Finally a good downhill stretch before the last 5 which would be pretty flat and my hardest section by far. It was good to see other friends along the way too. It was here that my family realized that they were here cheering on their mom too.
I pushed through and new I had about 2 miles left when I just couldn't run any more. I did not let myself think I was a failure even though it tried to creep in.
At this point I realized how fast I had been going even with bathroom stops if I could push myself into a run I could be done around 2 hours and 15 minutes but I was in pain.
I had passed my last water station, but there were my guys ready to help. A couple running, not apart of the race gave them a thumbs up for being there when I needed them and making sure not to get in the way of other runners.
I walked up until maybe the last quarter mile when I saw the pacer holding the 2:45 sign right behind me...I really thought I was on pace for closer to 3 hours so I mustered up the energy to at least make it look like I had been running through the finish line!
Not only was my family there but Somaly, who placed in her age group, and other friends were there. Vicki has some great pictures of my boys with my medal on her Facebook page.
I was in pain and took a while before I could stand up to take this picture with Somaly.
She also took this picture of me while waiting for the awards ceremony to start.
This run would not have happened without the support of my husband and boys. Kind of hard to think that I completed 13.1 miles at 22 weeks pregnant in 2 hours and 45 minutes!
Monday after the race I went in for my check-up, it was a great feeling leaving there and having the nurses and doctors come up and saying how impressed they were.
I always thought I did awesome running up until 2 weeks before I gave birth to my youngest boy but didn't do more than a couple miles...now I have to say those women out there that do any running or exercising are incredible...Keep it up!
The race was June 3 and had planned to train all along but morning sickness and exhaustion gave me the excuse not to be diligent until about 10 weeks out and even then I didn't always make my long runs. I tried to follow the same plan that I did 3 years ago when I ran 2 halves...the best part of training was running with my friend Rachel, who I ran with 3 years ago, although she didn't do the race.
During my training I was still going to my CoMo Refit class to help get in other types of cardio and running an average of 6-12 miles a week besides my long runs on Friday/Saturdays. Did I feel ready for the race...NO...did I know I could finish it...YES! I knew that no matter what, even if I had to walk it my plan was to finish and believe me the last 3 miles I struggled to stay in it.
I didn't get to train with my friend Somaly but she was a constant encourager and we were able to run the first 1/2 mile together. Here is a picture before the start.
At the beginning I was pushing myself harder than I should be so I slowed down but kept pushing myself. That morning I knew I wasn't feeling great so I wanted to make sure to take it somewhat easy, which was a good thing. I was never willing to put baby and myself in danger.
My family is the best pit crew! They were willing to get up early on their Saturday and drive around cheering me on!
Giving me things I may have forgotten, like my sunglasses.
And having water on hand. They had plenty of water stations throughout the race but sometimes you need it at points that they don't and while I had a water belt with my tummy I couldn't wear it comfortably. It gave the boys an important job though.
Especially since I don't think they really knew how much it helped me keep pushing. I was terrified of needing to use the bathroom during the race, but I knew it probably would end up happening considering baby had decided around this time that my bladder was a great trampoline. Within the first 6 miles we had already been up some of the steepest hills with very few downhill runs. I knew it was coming up but my stomach was really bothering me by this time. So I handed back my sunglasses, they were fogging up, and my water bottle until the next time I would see my guys, sucked it up and waited in line for the bathroom.
Finally a good downhill stretch before the last 5 which would be pretty flat and my hardest section by far. It was good to see other friends along the way too. It was here that my family realized that they were here cheering on their mom too.
I pushed through and new I had about 2 miles left when I just couldn't run any more. I did not let myself think I was a failure even though it tried to creep in.
At this point I realized how fast I had been going even with bathroom stops if I could push myself into a run I could be done around 2 hours and 15 minutes but I was in pain.
I had passed my last water station, but there were my guys ready to help. A couple running, not apart of the race gave them a thumbs up for being there when I needed them and making sure not to get in the way of other runners.
I walked up until maybe the last quarter mile when I saw the pacer holding the 2:45 sign right behind me...I really thought I was on pace for closer to 3 hours so I mustered up the energy to at least make it look like I had been running through the finish line!
Not only was my family there but Somaly, who placed in her age group, and other friends were there. Vicki has some great pictures of my boys with my medal on her Facebook page.
I was in pain and took a while before I could stand up to take this picture with Somaly.
She also took this picture of me while waiting for the awards ceremony to start.
Monday after the race I went in for my check-up, it was a great feeling leaving there and having the nurses and doctors come up and saying how impressed they were.
I always thought I did awesome running up until 2 weeks before I gave birth to my youngest boy but didn't do more than a couple miles...now I have to say those women out there that do any running or exercising are incredible...Keep it up!
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