lots and lots of awesome pics- by Chera

She doesn't really "do" maternity, but as a special favor, she snapped a few for me...

here's what happens when the photographer thinks she's funny...;-)
I was talking to the kids. But I actually think it is cute (and so does Chera, obviously, or she wouldn't have sent it! lol)
oh and FYI these were taken 2 weeks ago- so it's a 32ish week belly.


LOVE this
and this


these next 2 are my favorite belly pics ever!

(interesting factoid: if you noticed that my belly is quite bigger on the left side; or maybe you thought my belly button was off center, lol- it's not your imagination. Sam really prefers the left side, and spends 90% of his time camped out over there)


My beautiful boy









My gorgeous girl









and a few more of the 3 of us


Jacob almost looks like he's in pain here, lol

fun with frames

This is absolutely the most adorable idea. My kids LOVED this!

News from the infirmary

The surgery was a success.
His injury wasn't quite what they expected, from what I gather- the muscle was actually separated from the cartilidge. The surgeon said "It raised right up like a flap, and it's not supposed to do that." So they attached it back down, and also shaved off a couple of "rough spots" that were damaged.
He is very uncomfortable, to put it mildly- but doing just fine.
It's going to be a long road. At least 4-6 weeks before he can use his arm somewhat normally. At least 3 months to full recovery.
He should be able to go back to light duty in 2-3 weeks, but will have to wear his sling.

The kids are still feeling horrible. Jacob's eyes look much better, though. His nose is still awful and green. Lucy's is the same.
They are taking their eye drops pretty well, so that's good.
I think after tomorrow we will officially be "not contagious," which is always nice.

I'm exhausted, but that's about it. Long, looooong day.

34 week update!

34 WEEKS!!!

Okay- everyone is in bed asleep. I've had my ice cream, and some time to calm down.
I can be chipper again (or as chipper as little old ME can be...)

So I saw Cori today for the 34 week appt.
I measured 35.5, which is fine. My BP, sugar, weight, blah blah blah all looked great. I'm still working on the iron- but I am not feeling as anemic lately, so that's good.
She looked over my diet diary, and said it wasn't horrible. I need more green veggies and less sugar. Lol. Imagine that.

Baby Sam is head down, and hasn't flipped in 2 or 3 days.
He is reactive, his heart sounds perfect, and just from squishing him- she's guessing we're headed for a 9lber. I won't hold her to that, and I made her guess, but it was interesting.

I am now "allowed" to have him in exactly 2 weeks.
36 weeks is the magic number when I can safely, and happily, deliver at home! Woohoo! I can do 2 weeks, right? (or longer- but hitting that *safe* mark will feel sooo good!)

I am just such a gosh darn boring, run-of-the-mill pregnant woman.
Yes, I am extremely uncomfortable, and grumpy. But my body is cooperating beautifully!

I have strict orders to "take it easy" (HAHAHAHAHA!!! Did she hear about the sick kids and the surgery?), and to handle myself and my stress. I don't need to do anything strenuous, physically or emotionally. I am supposed to chill and keep my cervix closed until Valentine's Day. Lol.
And I'm actually aiming for the 16th, because I don't want to miss bunko on the 15th. :-P A girl's gotta have priorities!

My awesome friends are throwing me a girls' night out/celebration/baby shower next weekend! Yay!
And Jamie MADE me register, which I went and did tonight at Target (before the whole Rx fiasco).
I'm really not sure about 3rd baby etiquette, BUT it has been 4 yrs since I've done this baby thing, and most of my friends haven't been around for 4 yrs, and she pointed out that people will really want to know what we need. And just because I registered doesn't mean they HAVE to buy off of that list. If they WANT to buy a gift- they can get whatever they want. And I will be ecstatic!
I can't wait to have a great time with so many of my friends in one place! I am SO excited!

I've been working on his sweet little laundry.
All of his newborn clothes are clean, and his blankets, and sheets. The covers for the swing and bouncy chair and stuff are ready to go in next.
And good lord, the kids has WAY TOO MANY clothes! Enough for 3 babies, I think!
Oh well. That just means I won't have to wash them as often. Heehee.

I am long overdue for another belly pic. As I was laying next to Cotton earlier- I realized my belly button is starting to stick out. Haha! Now that is pregnant!
I'll get that done soon- I promise. I know you are all dying to see just how big I can actually get, aren't you?

Okay, last night's Nip/Tuck is waiting. Good night!

Now that she's outed herself

I can gush!
I am going to be an auntie. AGAIN! YAY!
My middle sister, Geri, is expecting her first baby!

She, of course, is over the moon! She is grade A mommy material, if you ask me. Which no one did, but still... lol.
She hasn't found a doctor, so we're not sure exactly when she's due- maybe September? Maybe a little sooner?

I'm going to have to piss Brian off a little, lol, and call this one a GIRL!
I really feel the need to buy some tiny and cute, pink, frilly stuff. Bows and frillies... shopping for girls is so much fun! Especially when it's purely in "spoil my niece" mode!
Of course a boy would be awesome- and she would never ever have to buy him clothes. Lol. He would get more than he'd ever need from Sam, and if he were to get Christian's stuff as well... boy howdy.
Lucky girl really won't have to buy much baby stuff AT ALL. Her kiddo will be just the right amt younger to get everything right as Sam outgrows it... lol.

Isn't it cool that all 3 of them will be so close in age? Both of my other kiddos have a best friend/cousin that they formed an amazing bond with. Lucky Sam could have that X2!

Big big congrats to Geri and Brian! It is so exciting for you guys to be starting your little family, and I am honored that you are sharing your excitement with me and Cotton!

Muah!

When it rains, it pours

The kids have been sick for a couple of days now. When they started complaining of ear pain, we decided we'd better go see the doctor.

$50 in copays, and over an hour of waiting later- 3 infected ears (2 for Jacob, 1 for Lucy), and 4 infected eyes.

I drop everyone off at home and go to the pharmacy about 4 hours later.
"The Rx aren't ready, come back in 30 minutes."
I come back in 30 mins. Lucy's are ready. They have nothing for Jacob.
I tell them to give me hers, and I'll call the dr tomorrow about his.
"Do you not have insurance?"
Yes, I have insurance. We fill several Rx here a month. We filled one for Lucy 2 months ago. And used our insurance.
"Do you have the card?" I dig in my purse for 20 minutes. No card. Well, I have a dental card.
So we go through the lengthy process of verifying insurance.
Then the great news- with insurance applied- they antibx are only $10, and they eye drops are "Down to $50."
$50!?!?!?!?!?!?! (and bear in mind, this is only for 1 of the 2 children!)
Have I mentioned lately that we are struggling a bit? (a nice way of saying BROKE!!!) With my husband not working and all...?
So I pay my $60.
Then I stand around, woozy exhausted and crampy, waiting another 15 minutes for them to mix the damned antibx. Because no one could do that during the last 2 hours that I've been trying to pick them up.

And then I come home.
I remember, as it is taking both myself and Cotton to hold Lucy down for eyedrops, that my daughter is an absolute WILDCAT. OMG she is freaking STRONG!
And we have to do this 3 times a day for the next week.
But wait... Cotton has surgery in the morning. He can't fight Lucy anymore. I'll have to do it alone. Fun fun fun. Kill me now.

And by the way, our pediatrician is fired.
There is no excuse for leaving us sitting in the exam room for over an hour, with 2 small and sick children. Unacceptable.
And I didn't ask for his opinion on my homebirth, or whether he thinks I need and emergency back up plan. I only asked him to examine my big kids, thanks.

And I don't agree with scare tactics- such as telling me my baby will hemorrhage to death without a vitamin K injection, or that he will go blind without silver nitrate drops.
In fact, I should thank him for showing me that I don't want him to see my baby at all! I can only imagine his stance on delaying and selecting vaccinations!
We've decided to take Baby Sam to our GP, who we happen to adore. And who answered my vax questions with "Well, I prefer X. But it is YOUR BABY, and if Y is your choice- we will work together."

It's a good thing I came home with a pint of brownie overload ice cream. I really need it tonight.

Wish us luck tomorrow. Cotton goes in at 10:30. I'll have both kids with me because, well... they are sick and contagious. They need their mom, and no one else needs their germs.
I am nervous about sending my love into surgery. I hate it. But the sooner he goes, the sooner he heals, right?

I'll update ASAP on Cotton...
And I'll give you the 34 weeks details later, when I am more capable of thinking happy thoughts.

It's creeping up on me...

I think there are like 16 days to go...
I need to go buy my official birthday box of tissues! (and a Barbie Mariposa doll, because that is what she won't shut up about lately! haha!)

regarding my PSA

Yes, everything is good.
But if people don't communicate- it might not always end up that way!
Sorry to worry anyone!

My PSA for today

Talk to your friends, people.
Don't let something stupid, or even a big fat NOTHING, ruin one of the best relationships you've ever had in your life.
If you wonder, ask. If you're hurt, go ahead and say "you hurt me, you bitch."

That's all. So simple, so obviously. Yet some of the smartest people I know (myself included) can't manage it.

Definitely surgery

Cotton met with the doctor today.
As long as workers' comp doesn't fight us- he'll have it done next Thursday.
This is actually GREAT news, because obviously, the sooner the better. I'll "only" be 34.5ish weeks along at the end of next week- so I'm not really concerned about popping out the kiddo while he's under general anesthesia. Lol.

Now- the bad, bad, terrible, bad news is that he will need 3 MONTHS to recover. Hopefully he can go back to work on light/desk duty after just a few weeks. (and somehow we need to have the baby in those few weeks, too)
If he hits that magical *12 weeks off work* mark, we get to "enjoy" yet another drastic drop in income. And friends- we would go belly up for sure.
Please, if you have any healthy or healing juju to spare- send it Cotton's way.

And now for some happy news- we managed to get the crib together today!
It's so odd to see it sitting there in the bedroom- just waiting, expecting... it shines a little more reality on the whole baby situation. He really is coming... ready or not... (maybe I should get ready!)

I think tomorrow I will pull out the old Singer and start a few projects. I have 3 Valentine's dresses to make, and I have at least half a dozen baby blankets and stuff planned. Why sit on my butt, bored and depressed, when I could be making my little Samuel a snuggly blanket or some changing table pads? :-P

Since Cotton is having some much deserved guy-time tonight, my plans for a 33 week belly pic didn't happen. Stay tuned tomorrow... this belly has gotten cartoon-huge on me. Literally amusing in size. I need to document it.

I had a TON of pressure in my pelvis today. Really low- I was limping around and whining like crazy. There is NO way I am going to carry this kid another 7 weeks. I can't imagine it, and I don't know if I could stand it. (of course I could be wrong, easily, but I don't think so) I feel like I'm about to pop (literally burst open) at any given moment!
I really do wonder what is going on up in there. Lol.

To Sammy Beau: 3 or 4 more weeks, baby. Just hang in there a little longer! If I can do it- so can you! It will be SO much nicer to be born here than to hang out in that old hospital for days, or even weeks!

I'm off to wrestle Jacob into bed.
I'm so tired, and Cotton is gone... hmmm... maybe I'll just pile everyone in with me tonight and crash super early.... that sounds like an excellent plan!

It looks like surgery

For Cotton's shoulder. Just what we need right now.
We see the doctor tomorrow to make a final decision- and if he needs surgery he will get it ASAP. But how soon is possible when we have to wait on worker's comp to approve it?

I want to cry today. Maybe a good cry would be therapeutic.
I just have SO MUCH crap on my plate. So much to stress about.

I have a lot to look forward to. Things to be excited about, and I am trying to focus on that.
But damn.

Lucy's birthday is coming up in 3 weeks.
The baby could be here anywhere in between the next 3-7 weeks (or more if I go late- which I will NOT!).

We are all feeling stir crazy, cooped up in this house.
Cotton is in a lot of pain. I'm not in the best shape ever, either.
And since we've just had a drastic and quite large drop in income- where the hell are we gonna go anyway?
And the weather SUCKS- so we can't even take the kids outside to play. :-S

It could be worse. It could be SO MUCH worse. I am thankful to be as blessed as we are.
To have a wreck of a house to call my own, and a banged up husband to kiss goodnight.
And my 2 amazing children that manage to keep me laughing through my tears, and my wiggly belly that promises me thousands more smiles just around the corner...

I still love my life. And I still think I need a good cry.

a big secret!

Lucy just ran up to me, and very urgently exclaimed "I can't tell you, momma. Okay? I can't tell you. Because... (dramatic pause)... it's a secret."

Then she ran off to tell, or not tell, Jacob.

I'm guessing she and her Daddy are up to something in the kitchen. ;-)

Update: she just ran in here in tears. "Jacob thinks it's pizza!" I said "Are you making pizza?" and she cries "YES! But Jacob can't tell it!" :sob:
Oh the drama...

Call me a dork

But this cracks my ass right up!

Proud Momma

Cotton went up to the school today to give Jacob's teachers some soccer fliers.
Little did we know that the kiddos were having assessments done today. When Cotton got there, Jacob was smack in the middle of his own test: sight words, in Spanish.

Now, last night we practiced sight words (those being words that he just memorizes and recognizes immediately). In English. And I had to call Cotton in the room because Jacob was blowing thru a stack of like 50 flashcards, and the few words he didn't know- he sounded out and read to me! I had to show someone!

So when Jacob finished his test today, his Spanish teacher called Cotton in to watch him do this set of words. And wouldn't you know, the little stinker got 100% of them!
Cotton was amazed- he was all gushing "on the ones he didn't know, he sounded them out and READ them. In SPANISH! he is reading in Spanish!!"

Now, we talked last night about this very subject. About how other people's kindergarten kids are reading (well, and some of these people we don't believe, lol, but many kids I know in K really are reading).
We didn't consider Jacob to be actually reading yet. Learning to read, absolutely. But he doesn't sit down and read an entire book yet. Okay, he reads little books with 3 words per page... but you know what I mean. He isn't a 100% independently reading person.
And a lot of people have asked me "aren't you worried that he will fall behind regular kindergarten, because of the Spanish thing?"

Let me tell you- I am THRILLED!
He has been in school for 4.5 months, and is quite obviously learning to read. He can sound out any word you put in front of him.
But what I really love is that he is learning to read in 2 languages, side by side. Reading in Spanish will come just as naturally as reading in English. And frankly- that kicks butt.
Say he is a teensy weensy bit behind "regular kindergarten" in some skills- like reading. He knows more Spanish than any of the adults in our family.
His teachers both told Cotton he is doing wonderfully, picking things up quickly, and also that he is very sweet... awww...

of course, I have always known he was sweet, and bright, and also ridiculously beautiful to boot. But it really is very nice to hear it from the school.

So. All of that to say that I think my little man is quite the keeper. And his momma is so very proud of him!

What is WRONG with me?

I'm 32.5 weeks pregnant. That's what.

My belly HURTS. Not contractions. Just pain.
I feel stretched to the absolute max. Full. And I feel as if the whole thing is just going to fall right off. And heaven forbid I get out and walk around, or even ride in the car for long. Ouch.
I am not huge. I am measuring pretty much right on schedule.
My belly sticks out a good half mile, though, so maybe it is position and not size that is causing problems here.
I don't remember ever feeling like this before, and I've been as far along as 38.5 weeks. I just feel humongous and miserable!

Then we have my lower back. It's either spasms, or just plain cramped up, all of the time. I couldn't even get out of bed this morning. I felt like my back was frozen. Jacob was almost late to school, because Mommy physically could not roll her big ass out of the bed! Lol!
This is familiar territory- but not a lot of fun.

My plans of bunko, and hanging out with some friends after, were dashed tonight- which just has me GRUMPY.
Not that I'm not grumpy anyway these days- but I really wanted some grown-up girl time. :-(

Instead, Cotton has (finally) gone to get his MRI. At 8 o'clock on a Friday night. And, well... he needs his MRI, so we didn't argue the time slot much.

So the good news is- there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Creeping ever closer.
I am allowed to have this baby on or after Valentine's Day.
Everyone cross everything and hope for Cupid to bring me something sweet and pink- about 8lbs worth would be nice. ;-)

Visiting Christian

He's 2 whole days old, home, and ready for visitors!

I dare say he's gotten even cuter than he was in the hospital! Now that he's not so swollen- you can see less "puffy newborn" and more of his own look...
Pretty brown eyes- just like his momma (...and his aunt- but I'll give Tish the credit for this one, lol)
Gazing at his mommy. Already so trusting.
I just love the "burp face" heehee


Sweet baby fingers! Can I have a nibble, too?

And the kids learned that yes, there really was a real baby in Aunt Tish. And he really did come out!

First we tried lying him next to Jacob

But of course- he was dying to hold the baby!
The 2 most beautiful boys I've seen!Jacob is so ready for one of these!
"Ummm... something's wrong with it..."
"Oh, that's better." Aren't they a sweet pair?
Cotton meets his nephew for the first time

So now my entire household is smitten with the little guy.
And we are all even MORE anxious for a baby of our very own!
Cotton kept asking Tish if we could keep Christian- but she didn't seem to like the idea. Even when we offered her $20! Sheesh!