So...close call with baby being transverse. I had my OB appointment on Monday and baby is back to the head down position like a good little boy or girl. Thanks for all of the good thoughts and prayers. I am dilated to a 2 1/2 and 50% effaced. 38 week pic to come on Thursday...if I remember!
Have I told ya'll that this little one is going to have 3 other cousins born shortly following this ones debut? That's right! Ben's sister is expecting twin girls that should arrive within a few weeks after...if they behave. Those girls are already givin' their mom trouble! Then, Ben's brother is expecting a little boy in November. This little one will have plenty of cousins his or her age...pretty lucky, no blessed if you ask me! So will our little one even up the Altop 2011 boy/girl ratio? What do you think?
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Love Where I Work
Not only do I love where I work and what I do, but I love who I work with. It is mostly a happy place to be. When it isn't a happy outcome...it is heartbreaking and this can be hard. But, I feel privileged to work where I do and with who I do...ya'll are great! I'm so excited to have people I love and trust be the people who take care of me because I know that they will go above and beyond for me...I will admit that it might be just slightly wierd. However we've all done and seen it all in our department so I really need to get over it!
So one downfall, if I can even call it that, is to know what you know and work where I work when I'm in the condition I'm in. It's hard not to think about all of the many things that can go wrong. Aside from not feeling as well as I have with other pregnancies, things have really gone text book for this pregnancy. Wait, I think that the "discomforts" that I'm referring to are text book. I think that my other four pregnancies and not feeling these discomforts means they might have been abnormal! Anyways, the past several visits baby's head has been down and in a good position. So good that at my last appointment when checking baby's position the doc stated, "Oh yeah, that baby's head isn't going anywhere at this stage in the game." This baby has been a good little baby. The movement for this baby has been CRAZY, but one thing that's been different is that I have always felt the movement in the same areas since I started feeling movement...back when it was so small that it didn't really matter what position this baby was in. Basically it's always been in the right position or close to.
One of those discomforts that I was talking about that I'm feeling this time around is the inability to bend over. But, on Friday I was just not having it. I was bound and determined. I have a routine to keep my house clean and running smoothly and not getting behind and because of how I have felt it was very much behind. I was done with being behind. I was going to get caught up and keep it up. I have to, I'm about to add a newborn to my already overflowing plate. So, on Friday I got the kids to school, came home and got to work. There just isn't getting around having to bend over to clean up in this house with all the little toys. I tried to avoid it when I could, but I couldn't completely. I picked things up off the floor, I made beds, I pulled things in and out of the washer and dryer. Things that my husband and kids have been doing for me because of the discomfort this time. Ben came home from work that morning. I was about an hour and a half in to my plan and when he got home I filled him in. He responded, "You know I'm not going to let you do this. So, you just be the director and I'll take orders." (I know, he's A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!) I let him know he wasn't going to stop me, but I did put him to work on the bathtub! (That one is definitely not going to happen for me right now) While he was workin' I was too and we were gettin' a lot done. After about a total of two and a half to three hours of this, I was done. I was achey, my back hurt and I was worried that if I continued I for sure wouldn't be able to function the next day at work. So I reluctantly listened and laid down hoping I could get through one more shift at work. I did NOT feel so well the rest of the day.
Within minutes of me laying down, something kinda startled me. I felt some baby movement in an area of my belly that I have not felt it the entire pregnancy and I was having an easier time breathing than what I had been. GREAT! I shared my fears with Ben that all of that bending over was also making baby uncomfortable so baby moved. Ben tried calming my fears with, "Everything's going to be fine! Doc said that baby isn't going to move now." I rested most of the rest of the day on Friday and I woke up feeling just okay on Saturday and went to work. It worked out well because it was an abnormally slow day. So abnormally slow that we all decided it was a good time for one of our new RN's to get some practice with me. They ran a strip on baby. I had some decent contractions for her and everything. (I've been contracting A LOT for awhile now...just nothing regular yet.) They all knew that I was worried that baby wasn't head down anymore so we decided to let our new RN get some practice checking baby position first by palpating. Then we pulled out the ultrasound machine to confirm and sure enough, baby is transverse!!! NO!!!
Needless to say, I'm very upset with myself! But, what am I to do now? Of course I'm trying everything, but there's not a whole lot of room now. Babies have been known to still turn, I just know that it is getting kinda late. I see doc tomorrow. In the mean time I'm hoping and praying that baby will still work his or her head down. Any prayers offered towards this cause are much appreciated. Who knows? Maybe baby will have already gotten back in position by my appointment tomorrow.
So one downfall, if I can even call it that, is to know what you know and work where I work when I'm in the condition I'm in. It's hard not to think about all of the many things that can go wrong. Aside from not feeling as well as I have with other pregnancies, things have really gone text book for this pregnancy. Wait, I think that the "discomforts" that I'm referring to are text book. I think that my other four pregnancies and not feeling these discomforts means they might have been abnormal! Anyways, the past several visits baby's head has been down and in a good position. So good that at my last appointment when checking baby's position the doc stated, "Oh yeah, that baby's head isn't going anywhere at this stage in the game." This baby has been a good little baby. The movement for this baby has been CRAZY, but one thing that's been different is that I have always felt the movement in the same areas since I started feeling movement...back when it was so small that it didn't really matter what position this baby was in. Basically it's always been in the right position or close to.
One of those discomforts that I was talking about that I'm feeling this time around is the inability to bend over. But, on Friday I was just not having it. I was bound and determined. I have a routine to keep my house clean and running smoothly and not getting behind and because of how I have felt it was very much behind. I was done with being behind. I was going to get caught up and keep it up. I have to, I'm about to add a newborn to my already overflowing plate. So, on Friday I got the kids to school, came home and got to work. There just isn't getting around having to bend over to clean up in this house with all the little toys. I tried to avoid it when I could, but I couldn't completely. I picked things up off the floor, I made beds, I pulled things in and out of the washer and dryer. Things that my husband and kids have been doing for me because of the discomfort this time. Ben came home from work that morning. I was about an hour and a half in to my plan and when he got home I filled him in. He responded, "You know I'm not going to let you do this. So, you just be the director and I'll take orders." (I know, he's A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!) I let him know he wasn't going to stop me, but I did put him to work on the bathtub! (That one is definitely not going to happen for me right now) While he was workin' I was too and we were gettin' a lot done. After about a total of two and a half to three hours of this, I was done. I was achey, my back hurt and I was worried that if I continued I for sure wouldn't be able to function the next day at work. So I reluctantly listened and laid down hoping I could get through one more shift at work. I did NOT feel so well the rest of the day.
Within minutes of me laying down, something kinda startled me. I felt some baby movement in an area of my belly that I have not felt it the entire pregnancy and I was having an easier time breathing than what I had been. GREAT! I shared my fears with Ben that all of that bending over was also making baby uncomfortable so baby moved. Ben tried calming my fears with, "Everything's going to be fine! Doc said that baby isn't going to move now." I rested most of the rest of the day on Friday and I woke up feeling just okay on Saturday and went to work. It worked out well because it was an abnormally slow day. So abnormally slow that we all decided it was a good time for one of our new RN's to get some practice with me. They ran a strip on baby. I had some decent contractions for her and everything. (I've been contracting A LOT for awhile now...just nothing regular yet.) They all knew that I was worried that baby wasn't head down anymore so we decided to let our new RN get some practice checking baby position first by palpating. Then we pulled out the ultrasound machine to confirm and sure enough, baby is transverse!!! NO!!!
Needless to say, I'm very upset with myself! But, what am I to do now? Of course I'm trying everything, but there's not a whole lot of room now. Babies have been known to still turn, I just know that it is getting kinda late. I see doc tomorrow. In the mean time I'm hoping and praying that baby will still work his or her head down. Any prayers offered towards this cause are much appreciated. Who knows? Maybe baby will have already gotten back in position by my appointment tomorrow.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Back to school and a need to take on Pollyanna's challenge to play the Glad Game
Updates first:
The first day of school was on Wednesday, August 10th. I have 2 1/2 in school. I say 1/2 because my 3rd is in Kindergarten which is half day. So Noelle is in 3rd grade, Ethan is in 2nd and Jacob is in Kindergarten. Have I mentioned how much I love...I mean LOVE having my kids so close together in age. On one hand it has been hard to have them leave off to school one after another so quickly. On the other hand, Ethan was so good with his little brother making sure he knew where to put his back pack and when and where to line up. Ethan had friends coming to him inviting him to play with them and he would let them know that he was going to play with his brother or that he needed to help his little brother. This came totally unprompted ...completely his choice. This is so great to see because honestly he acts like he could care less about his little brother at home. As sad as I am that they are at school more than they are at home, the positives are that we got the teachers that we wanted for all of them, we are back into a routine and they all seem to be adjusting well. Here are some pics of each of them on their first day of school. Noelle was complaining that the sun was in her eyes. Sadie starts preschool the first week in September so pictures of her first day will come later.
Ben has been busy on his off days doing things for me that when I do them leaves me not able to function the next day. He's also currently training for the Tour of the White Mountains that is coming up in October. He's so good about it too. He tries to make sure it doesn't interfere with my day by waking up super early to train.
I am now 36 weeks and 1 day...officially in my 9th month! Yeah!! My doctor asked me how anxious I was to have the baby. I let him know that I actually wasn't that anxious. He was a little confused until I explained to him that the baby is so much easier to take care of inside, but that I knew I would be more comfortable with it out! He replied, "Ah, a realist." That's me, just keepin' it real. Anyways, I am really just trying to enjoy this. Trying to savor every movement. I really do love being pregnant, this one just hasn't been as smooth sailing. I still love it though. I'm amazed that my body can grow a baby. I said in an earlier post that I didn't want to get too anxious about baby coming because I didn't want to wish the summer away because I wanted to enjoy my kids being at home with me. Well, they are back to school and there is nothing I can do about that. So now I am anxious to meet you little one. I'm anxious to hold you, see what you look like and for you to be here. So, here's a pic of me from yesterday at exactly 36 weeks. This is one of the least flattering pictures of me ever, but we've gotta document the journey.
So I say that I am a simple girl and then this morning I was eating a piece of chocolate cake. (Yes, in the morning. I'm allowed, I'm pregnant. But, this is something I would do even if I wasn't. Anyone who knows me, knows this about me.) But what is strange about this is I don't care for chocolate cake (yes, you read that correctly.) Who doesn't like chocolate cake? Me. The reason is that chocolate cake rarely tastes chocolatey to me. Occasionally I will find a chocolate cake that enough chocolate has been added to it that it actually tastes like chocolate and I enjoy it. The reason I was enjoying the chocolate cake this morning is because it had been drowned in caramel and had Skor bar crushed on the top. Anyways, as I was eating this chocolate cake thinking about how I don't normally care for chocolate cake I thought to myself, "Who doesn't like chocolate cake?" I quickly thought of my step-mom. She and I share the same feelings on this topic. But, aside from her, most people want to indulge in a thick slice of chocolate cake and I started thinking that maybe I'm not as simple as I think I am...but, even if I'm not, I'm still not hard to please.
(Okay, big girl talking) What is the Lord trying to tell me? I seriously have so much in my life. Why in the world am I complaining? Despite my feelings right now, here's what I know, here's what REALLY matters:
The first day of school was on Wednesday, August 10th. I have 2 1/2 in school. I say 1/2 because my 3rd is in Kindergarten which is half day. So Noelle is in 3rd grade, Ethan is in 2nd and Jacob is in Kindergarten. Have I mentioned how much I love...I mean LOVE having my kids so close together in age. On one hand it has been hard to have them leave off to school one after another so quickly. On the other hand, Ethan was so good with his little brother making sure he knew where to put his back pack and when and where to line up. Ethan had friends coming to him inviting him to play with them and he would let them know that he was going to play with his brother or that he needed to help his little brother. This came totally unprompted ...completely his choice. This is so great to see because honestly he acts like he could care less about his little brother at home. As sad as I am that they are at school more than they are at home, the positives are that we got the teachers that we wanted for all of them, we are back into a routine and they all seem to be adjusting well. Here are some pics of each of them on their first day of school. Noelle was complaining that the sun was in her eyes. Sadie starts preschool the first week in September so pictures of her first day will come later.
Ben has been busy on his off days doing things for me that when I do them leaves me not able to function the next day. He's also currently training for the Tour of the White Mountains that is coming up in October. He's so good about it too. He tries to make sure it doesn't interfere with my day by waking up super early to train.
I am now 36 weeks and 1 day...officially in my 9th month! Yeah!! My doctor asked me how anxious I was to have the baby. I let him know that I actually wasn't that anxious. He was a little confused until I explained to him that the baby is so much easier to take care of inside, but that I knew I would be more comfortable with it out! He replied, "Ah, a realist." That's me, just keepin' it real. Anyways, I am really just trying to enjoy this. Trying to savor every movement. I really do love being pregnant, this one just hasn't been as smooth sailing. I still love it though. I'm amazed that my body can grow a baby. I said in an earlier post that I didn't want to get too anxious about baby coming because I didn't want to wish the summer away because I wanted to enjoy my kids being at home with me. Well, they are back to school and there is nothing I can do about that. So now I am anxious to meet you little one. I'm anxious to hold you, see what you look like and for you to be here. So, here's a pic of me from yesterday at exactly 36 weeks. This is one of the least flattering pictures of me ever, but we've gotta document the journey.
On to other things. Can I pout like a 2 year old for a minute? NOTHING is going my way right now! It feels like nothing has been going my way for several months now. NOTHING...personal stuff, stuff with Ben's work, etc. There are some pretty major things that I really wanted to go my way and because they didn't it feels like a really BIG deal when even the little things aren't going my way right now. I know that gestational hormones may be playing a role in how I've been feeling, but seriously I'm starting to feel invisible. Is no one hearing what I'm saying?! Is no one seeing what I'm seeing? I know, I know...it all sounds selfish. I'll be off my rant in a sec. I have literally been praying for a little boost...anything to give me a boost because the things that I think need to happen aren't happening or going to happen. There are so many things surrounding this pregnancy that I can't control and even the things that I think I can, I am not being allowed to. I'm a pretty simple girl and rarely have a request and when I do, they are not huge requests. Apparently they are though because nothing is going my way and I want to fold my arms, stomp to my room, slam the door and cry (gestational hormones talking) until something does. Don't I deserve it?! I have some major things going on and I would like one of my requests to be acknowledged by someone...someone...anyone...Bueller? (2 year old self talking) I'm starting to lose sleep over some of these things and I really can't afford that right now! Things have so not been going my way that I have really just tried not to even talk about it because I thought that I was just bringing this all on to myself. I really am a very positive, upbeat person and so I thought that maybe one negative thing and the way that I would feel was bringing the next negative thing. I hate that I'm opening myself up enough to even let anyone see this negative and don't want anyone to feel yucky reading this...the post gets better though.
So I say that I am a simple girl and then this morning I was eating a piece of chocolate cake. (Yes, in the morning. I'm allowed, I'm pregnant. But, this is something I would do even if I wasn't. Anyone who knows me, knows this about me.) But what is strange about this is I don't care for chocolate cake (yes, you read that correctly.) Who doesn't like chocolate cake? Me. The reason is that chocolate cake rarely tastes chocolatey to me. Occasionally I will find a chocolate cake that enough chocolate has been added to it that it actually tastes like chocolate and I enjoy it. The reason I was enjoying the chocolate cake this morning is because it had been drowned in caramel and had Skor bar crushed on the top. Anyways, as I was eating this chocolate cake thinking about how I don't normally care for chocolate cake I thought to myself, "Who doesn't like chocolate cake?" I quickly thought of my step-mom. She and I share the same feelings on this topic. But, aside from her, most people want to indulge in a thick slice of chocolate cake and I started thinking that maybe I'm not as simple as I think I am...but, even if I'm not, I'm still not hard to please.
(Okay, big girl talking) What is the Lord trying to tell me? I seriously have so much in my life. Why in the world am I complaining? Despite my feelings right now, here's what I know, here's what REALLY matters:
- I may long to have family close by, but atleast I have my supportive husband. I think that we have now been without family support for so long that now we just do what we have to no matter what and pull together. As much as I wish it could be different, maybe this makes our family stronger. Maybe we are setting some sort of example for our kids.
- My husband cares. The truth is that if people really knew my husband, there would be a lot of jealous women out there. Especially when they realize he puts up with ME!
- I have 4 beautiful, healthy children...and 1 on the way.
- We have our jobs and we are able to set up my schedule around his so our kids don't even have to go to day care.
- I have a home, food, water, AC when it's hot, and heat when it is cold.
- I don't just have the previously mentioned necessities, the Lord has blessed us with EXTRAS!
- My kids have the sweetest little hands that I love to feel holding mine, or when they put them on my cheeks and tell me that they love me.
- I have the gospel. I have Christ in my life.
Seriously Alison...just stop your pouting! Although I would really like to see some things go differently, there are just so many things I can't control. Even though there are things that I would like to see go differently, I know that I would not trade some of the challenges that I have with others. So, I hope that anyone reading this who's heart is aching right now will not judge me for mine. That is one of the reasons that I did not specifically mention my current complaints. I know that things could be worse and that my complaints are just that. I am NOT suffering the way some of you have. My heart has ached for so many of you who are reading this right now when you have truly suffered. I feel guilty for even complaining, but I blog for my family. So that when my kids and grandkids read one day, they will learn from me. The above list is actually quite a bit longer and even in all of this self pity that I am drowning in right now I can see that I am not even deserving of a fraction of these things. I mean really my husband puts up with me. He does more than puts up with me...he even pretends that he likes it. If he's not pretending, please don't tell him how much better he can do. The truth is, I don't need anything more and at this point would feel bad about anything being done any differently now because I would feel like it had something to do with the fit I just threw! ;) I want for things to go the way the Lord would have them go because in all reality it's probably better than any way that I would have them go. Have you every heard the song Unanswered Prayers? I have faith that things will turn out better. Okay, I'm sorry for the complaining and I'm done! The above list continues to get longer and better each day and for that I am crazy thankful!! (I stole the term crazy thankful from my amazingly beautiful cousin, Michelle)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Freak Show
I only work on an as needed basis and didn't have any shifts this week so Ben took the week off too. It's been great having him home. He worked 2 48 hour shifts last week so having him home has been very needed, appreciated & definitely wanted. He usually works 24 hour shifts which is very long...48 is too long.
We went to Out of Africa last Wednesday. Fun experience...We probably should have done it a little sooner in the pregnancy or after baby comes. It's definitely better than a zoo experience, but I'm not sure that it's so much better that they should charge what they are charging, even if we did use their $7 off per ticket promo. Still worth going to and experiencing atleast once. Here are some pics from our day.
We decided to go home through Flagstaff since I miss luxuries such as Target here in Show Low. After the shopping, we went to dinner at Oregano's. This was some good eats!! I highly recommend it and they do a good job entertaining the kiddos. They pass out little balls of uncooked pizza dough to the kids while you wait for your food. My kids loved it.
So why am I titling this blog "Freak Show?" Whilst eating, a young couple came in the restaurant and was seated right next to our table of 6 + 1 on the way. They didn't say anything to us directly, but they may as well have. We could feel the judgements. I am so used to the comments...
"Wow, you have your hands full!"
"Are they all yours?"
"Are any of them twins?"
"You don't look old enough to have this many kids." (I'm sure that my size has something to do with this. I always assure people that I am plenty old and that I was almost 25 when I had my first.)
"You know what causes that?"...(one of my personal faves!)
There are others, but these are the ones I/we get most frequently. Most of the time the comments and looks are made in good taste or out of genuine curiosity. Occasionally, I would get a look and/or comment that seems a little disgusted. Those kinds of people usually make me laugh. So this young couple sitting next to us was so cute. The boyfriend had a clear view of our table, while the girlfriends back was to our table. I saw the boyfriend notice our family. He continued talking to his date. Of course it was an assumption, but it appeared and felt like the conversation was about our clan...still not sure. So I casually mentioned to Ben that our family had been "noticed" when the girl casually looked to the side and then out of the corner of her eye at our table and did the visual count of the kids. It was too obvious now. Ben and I were laughing. Looks and comments obviously continued and Ben and I just laughed at these amateur people watchers. See, Ben and I are pro people watchers. This was a regular date for us when we were newlyweds. We would go to the mall, get a pretzel and an Orange Julius and sit and people watch...good times. When there was a particularly good people watching night, we would call it the "Freak Show."
Our family finished our lovely dinner and yummy dessert and we figured we better all go potty before the 2 1/2 hour trip home. We had a couple of the kids go potty and Ben told me that I could go and then take the two that had gone to the car and he would get the other two and follow shortly behind me. As I started to gather our things and started scooting towards the edge of our booth to get up, the "discreet" glances from the young couples table started again! What in the world?! Then it dawned on me!...I told Ben, "They are realizing that I'm pregnant too!" In the past I always thought that these looks were funny, but for some reason I was not wanting to get up! I was feeling self conscious. I sat there wondering, "Why am I feeling like this now? I haven't ever cared in the past." I looked at Ben and said, "I'm part of the Freak Show!" We couldn't help but laugh and when I got up the couple would not look at me. I think that they had realized that we caught on to their conversation or maybe their conversation had moved on to a much more worthwhile topic. When we all got settled in the car I talked to Ben about the possibility that it was all in my head, but we both agreed that it was all much too obvious. Ben and I came up with a lot of things that would have been so much fun to say to the couple that would have made them laugh too, but we refrained! I thought about sharing some of them with this post, but would not want anyone to take something the wrong way. (Remember my last post? I'm working on not saying something the wrong way or saying too much.) So go ahead and give Ben and I some more chuckles and tell us...What would you have said or wanted to say? Just to get you started, Ben wants me to add his favorite that he came up with: "If you had me, you wouldn't be able to control yourself either!"
We went to Out of Africa last Wednesday. Fun experience...We probably should have done it a little sooner in the pregnancy or after baby comes. It's definitely better than a zoo experience, but I'm not sure that it's so much better that they should charge what they are charging, even if we did use their $7 off per ticket promo. Still worth going to and experiencing atleast once. Here are some pics from our day.
We decided to go home through Flagstaff since I miss luxuries such as Target here in Show Low. After the shopping, we went to dinner at Oregano's. This was some good eats!! I highly recommend it and they do a good job entertaining the kiddos. They pass out little balls of uncooked pizza dough to the kids while you wait for your food. My kids loved it.So why am I titling this blog "Freak Show?" Whilst eating, a young couple came in the restaurant and was seated right next to our table of 6 + 1 on the way. They didn't say anything to us directly, but they may as well have. We could feel the judgements. I am so used to the comments...
There are others, but these are the ones I/we get most frequently. Most of the time the comments and looks are made in good taste or out of genuine curiosity. Occasionally, I would get a look and/or comment that seems a little disgusted. Those kinds of people usually make me laugh. So this young couple sitting next to us was so cute. The boyfriend had a clear view of our table, while the girlfriends back was to our table. I saw the boyfriend notice our family. He continued talking to his date. Of course it was an assumption, but it appeared and felt like the conversation was about our clan...still not sure. So I casually mentioned to Ben that our family had been "noticed" when the girl casually looked to the side and then out of the corner of her eye at our table and did the visual count of the kids. It was too obvious now. Ben and I were laughing. Looks and comments obviously continued and Ben and I just laughed at these amateur people watchers. See, Ben and I are pro people watchers. This was a regular date for us when we were newlyweds. We would go to the mall, get a pretzel and an Orange Julius and sit and people watch...good times. When there was a particularly good people watching night, we would call it the "Freak Show."
Our family finished our lovely dinner and yummy dessert and we figured we better all go potty before the 2 1/2 hour trip home. We had a couple of the kids go potty and Ben told me that I could go and then take the two that had gone to the car and he would get the other two and follow shortly behind me. As I started to gather our things and started scooting towards the edge of our booth to get up, the "discreet" glances from the young couples table started again! What in the world?! Then it dawned on me!...I told Ben, "They are realizing that I'm pregnant too!" In the past I always thought that these looks were funny, but for some reason I was not wanting to get up! I was feeling self conscious. I sat there wondering, "Why am I feeling like this now? I haven't ever cared in the past." I looked at Ben and said, "I'm part of the Freak Show!" We couldn't help but laugh and when I got up the couple would not look at me. I think that they had realized that we caught on to their conversation or maybe their conversation had moved on to a much more worthwhile topic. When we all got settled in the car I talked to Ben about the possibility that it was all in my head, but we both agreed that it was all much too obvious. Ben and I came up with a lot of things that would have been so much fun to say to the couple that would have made them laugh too, but we refrained! I thought about sharing some of them with this post, but would not want anyone to take something the wrong way. (Remember my last post? I'm working on not saying something the wrong way or saying too much.) So go ahead and give Ben and I some more chuckles and tell us...What would you have said or wanted to say? Just to get you started, Ben wants me to add his favorite that he came up with: "If you had me, you wouldn't be able to control yourself either!"
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Foot in Mouth
Sometimes, I think that I need to practice this art of putting my foot in my mouth and stop while I am ahead. Nothing has happened recently, but I sometimes think back on certain conversations with people I have come in contact with and think, "I shouldn't have said that," or "That came out wrong." I hope I haven't hindered friendships or offended someone. If I have, I did not intend to. Anywho, I know that sometimes I say too much or say the wrong thing. I am working on it!
On another note, Sadie told me last night as I was putting her to bed and giving my sweet baby loves, she looked at me and rather sweetly said, "Mom, I don't think that you're the right mom for us." I wanted to crumble! I wanted to cry! I wanted to overreact!...I didn't. I want her to be able to talk open to me this way, right? I'm not so sure that I wanted to hear that, but atleast she's comfortable enough to tell me...right? So, I just looked at her and said, "Well, why would I not be the right mom for you?" I wasn't sure that I wanted to hear the response. Was she going to tell me that she would rather have one of her friends moms or one of her aunts as a mom? She responded, "Because you're mean and you put us on time out." Okay, I can handle that. I explained to her the reasons that she had been given time outs recently and explained to her that she knows that these choices were not good choices and that it's up to her if she wants to make inappropriate choices than she will have time outs. I went on to explain that I would not be a good mom if I allowed her to continue hitting, calling names, etc. without a time out. I asked her if she would expect Jacob to have a timeout if he hit her and, of course, she said yes. Who knows if she understands in her 4 year old mind what I was trying to explain, but she did still tell me that she loves me and graced me with a bed time hug and kiss. Much needed after that statement!
I can't believe that I am posting this for others to see, but this is a journal for our family and it needs to be documented!
On another note, Sadie told me last night as I was putting her to bed and giving my sweet baby loves, she looked at me and rather sweetly said, "Mom, I don't think that you're the right mom for us." I wanted to crumble! I wanted to cry! I wanted to overreact!...I didn't. I want her to be able to talk open to me this way, right? I'm not so sure that I wanted to hear that, but atleast she's comfortable enough to tell me...right? So, I just looked at her and said, "Well, why would I not be the right mom for you?" I wasn't sure that I wanted to hear the response. Was she going to tell me that she would rather have one of her friends moms or one of her aunts as a mom? She responded, "Because you're mean and you put us on time out." Okay, I can handle that. I explained to her the reasons that she had been given time outs recently and explained to her that she knows that these choices were not good choices and that it's up to her if she wants to make inappropriate choices than she will have time outs. I went on to explain that I would not be a good mom if I allowed her to continue hitting, calling names, etc. without a time out. I asked her if she would expect Jacob to have a timeout if he hit her and, of course, she said yes. Who knows if she understands in her 4 year old mind what I was trying to explain, but she did still tell me that she loves me and graced me with a bed time hug and kiss. Much needed after that statement!
I can't believe that I am posting this for others to see, but this is a journal for our family and it needs to be documented!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
With Much Emotion...
Well, we finally did it! We cut Noelle's hair. This isn't the first major cut she has had, however this is the shortest she has ever gone and it was hard...for me anyways. She wanted it this way and it is her hair. I love having the option to braid and curl and do all of the fun girly things with it. This girl has got some great hair, but her short do has turned out quite cute if I don't say so myself! She has so much hair, it was best to divide it into 2 pony tails for the cut. So Ellie ended up getting 14 inches cut off and she donated it to Locks of Love. Here are some pics from the event...
Of course, Sadie wanted to get her hair cut like big sister, Ellie's, after she saw hers getting done. I still need the option of being able to pull Sadie's hair out of her face and don't want to do bangs so we went shorter, but not as short as Ellie's. Sadie is still very happy with the end result. I was playing with Noelle's new do so I missed getting some before photos when Sadie got up in the chair. But, if you want to see what Sadie's hair was like before, you can look at my previous post which has a picture of Sadie on her birthday in May. Sadie ended up getting 5 inches cut off...not enough to donate to Locks of Love, but she had a great time at the salon. Check her out chillin' in the salon chair! For all of you who don't remember, Sadie is obsessed with Rapunzel right now. The moment we walked out of the salon Sadie asked me if her hair turned brown?! Here are Sadie's pics...
Thanks Anne Marie for super cute hair cuts on both of my girls! You never fail us!!
Here's the pregnancy update. I am 31 weeks today...officially in the single digit week count down! Woo hoo!! Even though I am bigger than what I have been in past pregnancies at this time, I'm measuring right on now. The baby has been measuring right on, but my belly has been measuring small. My belly usually measures small and doesn't usually catch up until after 36 weeks. So I am definitely bigger this time around and feeling it. I don't know where I have put the baby in the past, but I am feeling it this time around. Things that haven't usually been difficult for me during pregnancy have been more difficult this time around...harder to work, harder to sleep, harder to bend over, harder to breathe. I know that these are all normal pregnancy things...it's just too early for me and I wasn't expecting it yet. I am still just trying to enjoy every moment of the pregnancy though. I know that these are not things I should complain about. We're getting excited to meet this little one. I am feeling anxious but I don't want to get too anxious because I don't want to miss out on this summer vacation with my kids. This baby is due just one month after my kids go back to school. So I feel like if I get too anxious about the baby coming that I'm also getting anxious about my kids going back to school and I'm not. I feel that I've already missed out on this summer vacation with my kids as I have not done so many of the things that I usually do with them during summer break because I'm tired. Nonetheless, I am still enjoying having them all home and letting them relax from the routine and just letting them run and play. I can't believe there is only one more month of summer vacation!! So this picture is of me a week ago. I meant to get this right on my 30 week mark, but forgot and got it at 30 weeks and 1 day.
Of course, Sadie wanted to get her hair cut like big sister, Ellie's, after she saw hers getting done. I still need the option of being able to pull Sadie's hair out of her face and don't want to do bangs so we went shorter, but not as short as Ellie's. Sadie is still very happy with the end result. I was playing with Noelle's new do so I missed getting some before photos when Sadie got up in the chair. But, if you want to see what Sadie's hair was like before, you can look at my previous post which has a picture of Sadie on her birthday in May. Sadie ended up getting 5 inches cut off...not enough to donate to Locks of Love, but she had a great time at the salon. Check her out chillin' in the salon chair! For all of you who don't remember, Sadie is obsessed with Rapunzel right now. The moment we walked out of the salon Sadie asked me if her hair turned brown?! Here are Sadie's pics...
Thanks Anne Marie for super cute hair cuts on both of my girls! You never fail us!!Here's the pregnancy update. I am 31 weeks today...officially in the single digit week count down! Woo hoo!! Even though I am bigger than what I have been in past pregnancies at this time, I'm measuring right on now. The baby has been measuring right on, but my belly has been measuring small. My belly usually measures small and doesn't usually catch up until after 36 weeks. So I am definitely bigger this time around and feeling it. I don't know where I have put the baby in the past, but I am feeling it this time around. Things that haven't usually been difficult for me during pregnancy have been more difficult this time around...harder to work, harder to sleep, harder to bend over, harder to breathe. I know that these are all normal pregnancy things...it's just too early for me and I wasn't expecting it yet. I am still just trying to enjoy every moment of the pregnancy though. I know that these are not things I should complain about. We're getting excited to meet this little one. I am feeling anxious but I don't want to get too anxious because I don't want to miss out on this summer vacation with my kids. This baby is due just one month after my kids go back to school. So I feel like if I get too anxious about the baby coming that I'm also getting anxious about my kids going back to school and I'm not. I feel that I've already missed out on this summer vacation with my kids as I have not done so many of the things that I usually do with them during summer break because I'm tired. Nonetheless, I am still enjoying having them all home and letting them relax from the routine and just letting them run and play. I can't believe there is only one more month of summer vacation!! So this picture is of me a week ago. I meant to get this right on my 30 week mark, but forgot and got it at 30 weeks and 1 day.
Other things that we've been doing lately...
*We got to go camping with Ben's parents, Grandma & Grandpa Altop. It was a very strange camping trip because we couldn't have a camp fire due to the many large wildland fires all over the state and dry conditions! This is the first time that I have ever been camping without a camp fire and I have decided that it is like Christmas without a Christmas tree. Oh, and my pregnant state of mind forgot the camera to document the event, so no pics. I think that Grandma got some though. While Grandma & Grandpa were here we got to go to the Family Fun Park and ride the go-carts...well, everyone except for me. I was asked not to ride because of my condition. I thought about lying to the young lad who asked me if I was pregnant. Could you imagine his horror if I had told him that I didn't know what he was talking about and denied it?! I was both honest and cooperative and it gave Grandpa Altop another opportunity to ride since the kiddos weren't tall enough to drive these particular go-carts by themselves. We let the kids drive the kiddie go-carts later.
*This years annual 4th of July tradition with our family was interrupted by an injury. It has been tradition since our second year living up here that Ben's sister and family all come up for the 4th of July festivities. We go to the rodeo, we play games, we bbq, we go to the parade and fireworks and party it up all weekend. This year Ben's sister, Kathleen had a back injury and some other events that prevented her from coming. On the 3rd her husband and kids decided to still come up and we had a blast, but it wasn't the same without her. We weren't able to cram all of the festivities into the short time that they were here, but were so glad that they came. Here are some pics of us while waiting for the parade to start. By the way Kathleen, even though your husband and children made it up here for one night, we still think that the Burley family owes us a weekend!
*While I was at work yesterday, Ben took the kids to the Petrified Forest. They had a great time! Ben really is a rockstar Dad!! He is ALWAYS willing to give the kids a good time with or without my help!...And they are a handful since we had the 4 of them all in 4 1/2 years...a handful of JOY!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Kinda funny that I thought this time would be different
When I was pregnant with Noelle, Ben was gone for 6 months of the pregnancy. He had gone off to basic training and tech school and managed to make it in just enough time for her delivery.
When I was pregnant with Ethan, Ben was gone for 3 months of the pregnancy. He was deployed to Afghanistan.
When I was pregnant with Jacob, Ben was gone for 3 weeks. He had a military training in Texas.
When I was pregnant with Sadie, Ben was gone for 4 1/2 months of the pregnancy. We had intermittent visits. He was in the White Mountains with his new job with the Pinetop Fire Department, hunting for a new home for us to move into.
Now I'm pregnant with #5 and he's gone for 2 weeks. It is only 2 weeks. I know that it is not long. He's on the Horseshoe 2 wildland fire in southern AZ. It's just kinda funny that because we're not in the military anymore and settled in our home that I thought this time would be different. I was thinking that for once he would be here for an entire pregnancy. I wonder if my belly will look bigger to him after only 2 weeks.
I miss him. The kids miss him.
I sure am not complaining though! I've got plenty of friends who are still in the military and I know firsthand the sacrifices that are made and it's nothing compared to this two weeks. Not only are they going without their loved ones for a longer period of time, but the psychological aspect of deployments is more distressing too. Thanks to all of you military families for all that you sacrifice each and every day.
When I was pregnant with Ethan, Ben was gone for 3 months of the pregnancy. He was deployed to Afghanistan.
When I was pregnant with Jacob, Ben was gone for 3 weeks. He had a military training in Texas.
When I was pregnant with Sadie, Ben was gone for 4 1/2 months of the pregnancy. We had intermittent visits. He was in the White Mountains with his new job with the Pinetop Fire Department, hunting for a new home for us to move into.
Now I'm pregnant with #5 and he's gone for 2 weeks. It is only 2 weeks. I know that it is not long. He's on the Horseshoe 2 wildland fire in southern AZ. It's just kinda funny that because we're not in the military anymore and settled in our home that I thought this time would be different. I was thinking that for once he would be here for an entire pregnancy. I wonder if my belly will look bigger to him after only 2 weeks.
I miss him. The kids miss him.
I sure am not complaining though! I've got plenty of friends who are still in the military and I know firsthand the sacrifices that are made and it's nothing compared to this two weeks. Not only are they going without their loved ones for a longer period of time, but the psychological aspect of deployments is more distressing too. Thanks to all of you military families for all that you sacrifice each and every day.
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