My favorite pictures

Wow- I waited too long to empty the camera!
It's so hard to narrow these down and pick a few to share!
I'll put my absolute favorites up for now, and see how far we get!

Mr Sam on Thursday

Jacob's idea of heaven...
I think this basically sums up how Lucy felt at first. Poor princess!Hey! It's me!

My alert little guy! 2 days old!Lucy feeling a bit more comfy yesterday



I don't even know what to say- this is just so cute!

Our guardian angel, Cori. Did I mention that we love her?

VISITORS
I didn't get pictures of everyone, but I tried!

Look out for this bunch...
I only claim 3 of them. Lol. Okay- maybe the little girls, too... ;-)Uncle BJ has been so excited to meet this kiddo!Sam and Christian
Somewhere I have an identical picture of Jacob with Madison, and a close one of Lucy with Abby. We love our cousins!
Tell me my nephew isn't adorable! 8 weeks old now...



I didn't get a shot of Aunt Tish holding Sam, so this'll have to do...

Aunt G. She's smiling like that for a reason. Lol.
Shelbie glaring at Cotton
Micha! Poor thing- I remember being extremely pregnant!
Payton, looking very ready for her baby brother to arrive
Buddies!
The Carino crew (sorry Shannon, lol)
He wasn't actually crying, just making an awful face
Okay, Sammy needs Mommy!
Later!

quick update

Coming to you straight from cloud nine...

I'll add new pics tomorrow, I know that is what everyone wants! But I thought I'd check in and let the world know that we're all doing great!

Sam is perfect. Perfectly perfect.
He's kind of a lazy baby. I have to strip him down to make him wake up and nurse, and he has a little trouble latching on... good thing I'm a veteran at this and not some first time mom trying to learn the ropes myself!
His weight is great, though. He hasn't lost anywhere near the "limit."
He is also incredibly sweet, and quite the cuddler. And he reminds me SO MUCH of a tiny Jacob.
The resemblance, so far, is amazing. I can't wait to see how he looks as the swelling continues to go down.
Little man could do a heck of a lot worse than looking like Jacob. That is for sure!
Everyone keeps saying he looks like Cotton, and I fully agree, but then- Jacob looks a lot like Cotton, too. So... once again, I get no credit for the kid. Haha.

My milk came in today, so I think he'll maintain his bodyweight just fine from here on out. ;-)
He goes to the doctor for the first time on Monday. Basically, just to get his name on a chart. Cori does all of his newborn care, and she has pronounced him PERFECT.

We signed the birth certificate paperwork tonight.
One last battle over Beau vs Bo.
Since I am the one that pushed out a 10lb 2ozer... (hahaha...) I won. Beau it is. Officially.
I really think Cotton just gave in because Cori had all the paperwork done already, and he didn't want to make her drive back out here AGAIN. She's seen enough of our faces this week!

I am FINALLY cleared of all blood pressure concerns.
Boy, it was hairy for a couple of days. Poor Cori. I know I have worn her out.
She has been my angel and my protector. One of these days I will be able to thank her for all she's done. I just can't think of any gesture that is grand enough.
I think we both wanted to get up and dance tonight when I was a perfect 120/80ish, even after lots of activity.
She gets to go on her mini-vaca and not worry about me. And she has certainly earned it!

I have lost 20lbs in 2 days. Yeeehaw! Break out the bikini! Hahahaha!

Jacob is completely infatuated with Sam. The child has never been happier in his life. Lucy seems to be doing better, but she is a bit overwhelmed. We are making sure she gets plenty of attention, some breaks from the baby, and plenty of recognition for being the best big sister ever!

We have had so many visitors, and I have so many pictures to share. Little Sam is blessed to have a LOT of people that love him. And I've tried to get a picture with everyone that comes.

But gosh- for some reason I am a little tired... I can't imagine why I would be.
Tired but giddy, thrilled, and over the moon.
My beautiful baby is here!!!!

drum roll please...

Samuel Beau has finally arrived!
March 12, 2008, 9:57PM
10lbs, 2oz
21.5 inches long
perfect in every possible way...

born at home,
fast and furious labor.

Thank you to Kandi for these beautiful images!
I'll write more later... I'm babymooning!

one book down...

and I think my blood pressure is down, too. My feet certainly look good!

I have absolutely NOTHING to report.

I like the sound of March 12th, though. It just seems like a good day to be born.

...staying in my calm place...

But I am slightly less happy.
My BP has decided to stop cooperating, and I'm officially on bedrest.

I'll keep everyone updated, of course, but not nearly as often.
I need to teach Cotton how to blog, don't I? ;-)
Although he may be too busy shopping, cooking, cleaning, and waiting on me. (I am secretly thrilled at the notion, heehee!)

The baby looks fantastic, and all those annoying contractions have definitely been doing some good.
My cervix is showing plenty of progress. When he does come, we're hoping for quick and easy. Haha. Maybe even painless...? I can always HOPE, right?

Okay- I'm off the computer and headed back to the couch.
At least I'll have some time to catch up on reading!

Phew!

that was a LOT of work!

I think I have all of my links updated, added, weeded out, and organized.
Please know that they are NOT in order of how much I love you all. Lol. If I had a little more energy I would alphabetize them, but not tonight.
Pregnancy insomnia only takes you so far, friends...

Now, as always, if you are linked and don't want to be- speak up.
If you are not linked and would like to be- speak up. Even if I don't know you that well, I am a blog-aholic, and would love to read what you have to say!

Next on my list of projects- clean up and add to my playlist! But not tonight.

Go check out my friends, people! They are awesome!

coming to you from a calm and happy place

I'm not sure if it's just coming from within, or the wise words of other mamas who have been in my shoes, or maybe it's the bottle of wine I drank (KIDDING)...
but I am feeling very peaceful today.
I've napped, I've eaten, I've blogged, and I've laughed.
I am not sitting around worrying about when Sam will come. I'm just feeling very... zen. lol.
Of course he will come. And he will come SOON!
If Cotton has gone back to work before then we'll just deal with it. If I have to spend another week on my pillsbury-dough-feet, I'll live. Waking up to pee 30 times a night sucks, but it isn't forever! Soon I'll be awake most of the night anyway, staring at a tiny, precious face. Sleep is overrated.

Tonight I am sitting here inspired. Thinking of just how amazing my babies are, and full of CALM anticipation for the next one to arrive.

My daughter. I sure am glad I have her.
The child tests me, she exhausts me, and she argues with me endlessly.
She has always been a challenge, from the time we brought her home from the hospital.
And of course, my beautiful cherub has always been a great joy... a source of hundreds of smiles a day.

Yesterday, as we were out walking AGAIN, trying to get my labor going... she really took care of me. She, the child, truly took care of her mother. My hearts is swelling with pride!

We went to Bass Pro Shops, and the boys were running around, rushing about, looking at this and that. Trying to hurry here and run there...
I was waddling slowly behind, trying to keep up. The stairs were the hardest part. :-P
Lucy would get a little ahead of me, but then always turn around within moments, come back, and take my hand. She would look me right in the face and ask "Are you okay, momma?" "Are you getting tired, momma?"
She would take things out of my hands and say "Let me carry that for you," and say "It's okay, momma, I'll walk slow with you."
What an angel. What a compassionate little soul at the tender age of 4.

She has ALWAYS been a "feeler." She has always picked up on the emotions of others very, very easily. Actually, that is the cause of most of our "problems" with her. You can't get irritated with the kid- she senses it and goes into meltdown mode. :-(
She can really tell that her momma is not very strong right now. Her entire attitude has been different lately, and her interaction with me. She senses the weariness and the weakness I am feeling- and she is doing her little best to help me!

Jacob, my sensitive boy. So full of love and selflessness that I actually worry about him.
The child cries, real tears, when he thinks he may have hurt one of us. Cotton carried him into the room sobbing the other day, because Jacob had been sitting and dwelling on an incident- days ago- where he thought he'd hurt Daddy's feelings. He sat and dwelled on it, and worked himself into a frenzy. :-(
He is so passive, such a "pleaser," that I fear him becoming a doormat! I tell him daily "Do what makes YOU happy, honey. Mommy is happy if YOU are happy!"

I am so blessed to have the children I have. The family I have. The family I made.
While I don't think that their big hearts are anything I can take credit for- I am SO PROUD that my children love and feel and think of others the way they do.
They are truly kind, sensitive, just amazing kids.
Jacob can't walk past the room I'm in these days without giving me a kiss and a belly rub. Lucy tells me "I lubb you momma" about 4 thousand times a day, and then adds "and I lubb Daddy, and Jacob, and Baby Sam, and Emmitt too!"
And of course, Cotton... despite what he tells people- I married him for his heart and his smile. ;-)
If I get any credit for these amazing human beings, he gets just as much.

I like to think that it comes partly from them being loved so much. That the children mirror what they know. The only thing they've ever known.
It has been a hard job, these past 6 years, to keep only positivity in my children's lives.
Of course they see things that are not perfect. Of course they get into trouble and are corrected. But I have never tolerated anyone treating them as second class citizens, or talking down to them, or being ugly to them because they are "just" kids. And they see us treat each other well, too. I think that is a major part of learning to have healthy relationships...

They are always treated with respect and love. I talk to them as I would want to be spoken to. I praise them freely, and try not to ever make them feel bad about themselves. And it is a JOB. But if it isn't the best, most rewarding job on Earth, I don't know what is.
It is sometimes hard to keep myself in check- at the end of a long, weary, trying day. I sometimes want to yell "shut up! Leave me alone! What is wrong with you?" But I DON'T!
My lack of patience is never their fault. They are children, and GOOD children. Why should my tiredness, my ugly emotion, make them feel like total crap? And I slip sometimes, and then I feel horrible, and I apologize to my kids. Because they deserve better.

I am raising truly HAPPY, loving, upbeat human beings.
I know I have faults as a parent, but my kids will NEVER wonder how I feel about them. They will NEVER look at me and think "wow. I wish she cared." They will never think back to being truly HURT as a child (or adult), and find ME as the source of it.
This is my solemn, lifelong vow.

I want to always be a soft place to land, a pair of arms to run to, a shoulder to cry on, and a truly supportive voice in their ear. When they want someone to gush to, bitch to, laugh with, or even someone who will just sit and listen to them babble without being bored... well that is me. ME! What an awesome thing to be, their mom. What a gift I've been given.

And soon, within a few short days... I'll be holding a soft, pink, sweet smelling little angel.
Someone who's only ambition in life is to lie in my arms, nurse from my breast, and stare into my eyes. Is there anything more heavenly than that?
Less than a year ago I thought I was done having babies. And now, at literally any minute, another one will be placed into my arms. And then into the anxious arms of his brother and sister- and that is the moment I truly cannot wait for.
Their love for me and Cotton melts my heart. Their love for each other is our lifelong gift to them. If we can nurture those bonds- they will ALWAYS be okay.

Roots and wings, as Julia says. That is what I must give them: Roots and wings.
These roots will run deep. It's the wings I may have trouble with!

If you aren't on DAM

There is a new baby poll.
Cast your votes!

BABY POLL

day 6, and nothing

I don't have much to add today.
But I do want to say:

I LOVE YOU CHANTEL!
Seriously!
A lot of people are really grating on my nerves right now. A handful of people are really being supportive and pulling me through- and you fall into the second category.
I get my little notifications of your comments and I can't wait to read them. You just get me, and you get how I'm feeling, and you know what is going on in the 2 or 3 brain cells I've got left. I need that!
Don't leave me now, okay? I need you a little longer!
I'll bring you a big old cake of your choice once this baby is out (and obviously mama can bake, right? I'll try not to burn it...), and I will go buy your twins the cutest matching outfits EVER! Lol! You are such a rock to me, and you don't even know it!

I am so thankful to have the friends that say "Hey- we love you. Do what you gotta do, and just have that baby at some point so we can play with him." Lol. And the ones who ask me how I am REALLY feeling, and listen to me cry and bitch. You know who you are!
Or my favorite comment to date "Keep him in there and come have margaritas with us this weekend!" Hahaha! I need one (or 4)!

I know I am scarce these days. I just want to be a hermit. I want to hide in bed until the baby is here, and then I want to hide in bed with him for a week... and then maybe old Krysta will return!
It's really a tough spot to be in, feeling like I feel... so please forgive my anti-social tendencies, okay?
I promise to blog. Talking at everyone is easier than answering the phone at the moment! And I know all you REALLY want to know is if the baby is here yet. Lol.

Okay, so:
No, I am not defective. My body was made to give birth.
Yes, he will come out when he is ready.
I know this. I am the one who chose this route, after all. I have done the whole over-medical, "induced when the dr was ready" birth. TWICE!
As tempting as an induction looks at this point, it is NOT what I want for myself or Sammy!
We have a perfect, beautiful birth planned. If it remains within my power to have that dream come true... I've just got to keep my eyes on the prize!

But if you've never been in these shoes- well... it is really hard to sympathize. It is really hard to know what to say.
Many of the things people say to me, with the intent of sounding supportive (I guess) really come across as know-it-all and condescending. Such as "He'll come when he's ready." Ya think? Or "Had that baby yet?" Umm... NO! "When is that baby coming? (even worse if they act frustrated)" OMG do I look like I freaking KNOW? Trust me, I am a HELL of a lot more ready than anyone else out there!

Let me give you a few options, guaranteed NOT to get you slapped:
"I'm sorry that you are so miserable."
"I know you can't wait to meet your baby!"
"You look fantastic."
"Can I get you some ice cream/chocolate/chinese food?"
"You are very brave/strong/determined/smart/sexy for hanging in there (lol- okay, maybe not sexy)."
"Everything WILL be okay, soon."
"You are dong a great job. I'm proud of you."
Any of the above should be acceptable to a woman who is anywhere from 38 to 42 weeks pregnant! ;-)

And for God's sake- if my husband tells you "Please don't say that to her," PLEASE listen to him! He has been spending 24 hrs a day with me- he knows what I DO NOT want to hear!
Getting your say in is really NOT as important as keeping me as happy as possible right now. Really. And what you have to say is not all that original anyway. I've heard it.


Oh, and yes. The baby is perfectly safe in there. If it came down to his safety, I would do what I had to do to get him out IMMEDIATELY. So would Cotton, so would Cori. He is closely monitored. He moves all of the time. She listens to his heart thoroughly and gives him a good massage every week.
If he's in there getting nice and fat, I'm okay with it. I am not scared of a 10lb baby.
But the thing is, MOST babies in America today are taken from the womb before they are ready. They are MEANT to cook longer. It is a GOOD thing.
I am not endangering my baby, or myself, by allowing him to gestate. It's kind of, ummm... what fetuses do. Lol.

Okay, well... that ran long for someone who has nothing new to say.
I guess I needed to give myself a little pep talk.
I WILL take some pictures today. Would you care to see my cankles while I'm at it? they are quite impressive!

And maybe... just maybe... March 9th sounds like a lovely day to be born, doesn't it?

still infanticipating

Yes, I was being sarcastic in the last post. Of course I am pregnant, more pregnant than many people ever get the "JOY" of experiencing.
I'm too tired for sarcasm and wit today- so I'll just quickly say it.
No baby yet. I am miserable, and I am feeling mean. Just ask Emmitt.

If you call and I don't answer my phone, well... get over it. Lol.
I am 40 weeks and 4 days pregnant, and my sinuses hurt. My ankles look like tree trunks. My left ear is hurting. Oh, and I'm exhausted.
Would YOU feel like talking?

The skin on my belly is actually starting to sag. WTF? I can only guess that little guy has moved inward and/or downward, and now I have loose flappy skin. Very weird.

Shaun gently reminded me that I haven't been been posting belly pics. Since I got sick, I haven't felt much like taking any... and that has been weeks ago.
But of course she is right. I need some new ones. So I promise to work on that today. Sagging skin and all. Even though my belly is now smaller and oddly shaped- it is my incredibly pregnant bump. At some point in the FAR away future, I'll look back and miss it. Right?

Ugh... I am SO freaking ready to have this little boy in my arms. And to have some semblance of my self back. Physically, mentally, emotionally- I am ready to be a functioning human again, instead of just a vessel for a huge and stubborn baby.
Every scrap of fun that pregnancy had to offer is looong gone. I am SO over it. Let's get on with the next phase already!

Hahahaha! Gotcha!

I've been wondering just how long I could pull of this little scam. But I guess it's time to come forward with the truth.
I'm not really pregnant! I never was!
I was just jealous of everyone else getting pregnant over the summer, so I threw my news out there, too!
I'll admit- it has not been easy to fake it these past 9 months... but I pulled it off!
The growing belly was quite a challenge, but I did it! Kandi did a really great job faking those portraits, didn't she? Maybe she should look into special effects photography!

Finding a baby to tout around as my new son is presenting problems, though. That's why I have to come clean...

So you can stop calling. Stop asking. No, I have not "Had that baby yet?"
All I have in there are about 5 dozen Krispy Kremes, lots of Taco Bueno, and 8000 pints of Blue Bell. I mean, obviously.
If there were REALLY a baby in there- he would come out, right? At some point, the child would emerge from the womb. And apparently that just ain't happening...

My little soccer cutie

He wasn't feeling 100%, but he wanted to play. Yay!
And he ALMOST got a goal. Maybe next week. While he needs to #1 get healthy, and #2 get some good practice in- I was impressed that the kiddo really rememebered his basics. He kept the ball in bounds, knew which goal to go towards... you could tell he's done this before. :-)


But most importantly of all- he looked DARN CUTE out there, and he had FUN!
He actually watched the entire time that he wasn't on the field, cheered for his teammates, and you can tell he is getting the concept of TEAM!

GOOOO Super Soccers!

Hmmm... isn't it MARCH?

As in, warming up? Spring time? Easter? A new Baby (hahaha?)
Well, apparently this year, March means a nice old Texas snowstorm!

Last night it just started coming down, hard and fast!





And today Cotton, Lucy, Emmitt and I had a grand old time playing in it!
Poor, poor Jacob had to go to school. :-(




The cutest snowman I've ever seen! She named him PaPa...

Here's me in all my "1 day past the due date" glory. hahaha

Goodbye, Brett Farrrrrrvvvv-ruh

What a sad day for this little football fan. For all of us football fans.
He's earned it. He's had a long and amazing career! But damn I will miss watching him play!


Hall of Fame, get a spot ready!

So there it went...

my due date.
That was fun, I guess. Lol.

Little momma's boy isn't quite ready to part with me, it seems. Of course that can and will change. But when...?

I saw Cori yesterday.
Sam and I both look just great. All ready for the big day.
She is carrying around her "birth kit," just waiting on my call.
Kandi called me last night- she's got all her child care bases covered, and is also just waiting on my call.
Everyone is ready. Everyone, it seems... but Sam.

I'm not even having contractions today!
I'm more tired than usual, though. Maybe resting up a bit for the big job ahead?
I dunno... we'll see!

If you need a laugh

as bad as I do, go visit the funniest blog in the world, and see this entry.
I laughed so hard at this post that I peed in my chair. Or maybe I had already peed... I do that quite a lot these days.

Vanity Plates

And still no baby here, in case you were wondering.

I need to update!

My links, that is...

I see lots of new links to me on my visitor path, and I need to return the favor... and some of you that I am linked to right now haven't blogged in months! For shame!

Oh, and no baby yet.
I will go ahead and confess that I've been having sporadic contractions, and lots of them, since about 9:30 on Thursday night. Pretty uncomfortable, but not quite painful. I really thought that we were going to have a leapling. But... no such luck. :-(
I've been cleaning house and walking, and doing my best to get things moving.

I've also taken down my baby tickers.
I don't care what the ultrasound said anymore. He is due Monday, March 3. Exactly 2 days from now.
I'm tired of contradicting myself- so we are going to stick with my gut from now on!

Based on the HUGE increase in the number of daily visits- I suspect many of you are on the Sammy watch now. Lol. I promise that as soon as I have news- it will be posted!
I need to teach Cotton to upload pics, just in case I'm too tired to get to it quickly...

more later. Get off the computer and enjoy your weekend! ;-)

I forgot to share

the magazine cover that my sister Geri and I posed for...


Obviously this was a many months ago, as we are both largely pregnant at the moment- but I am positive we will get back to bikini ready soon!

6 years of wedded bliss...

Due to present circumstances- I don't have any cute pictures from today, and we don't have any special plans. Hell, I can't even kiss him on the mouth...

But as of 3:00 this afternoon I have been married to the love of my life, my best friend, and the most awesome person I've ever known for 6 wonderful years!

I never thought, even on our 5th anniversary, that we would be spending this day waiting on our new son! But we've always been "fly by the seat of our pants" kinda kids, lol.

I love you, honey!
Hopefully we can celebrate really soon!

38/39 week update

I'm measuring 40 weeks. For those that might not know it, that is all the way. Lol.
I've actually lost a lb or 3, which Cori says is very normal right before delivery.
My BP is a little high, and I am swelling a little bit. Yuck.
But my IRON is 10.2!!!! WOOHOOO!!!!
Sam is still in the perfect position to make his exit. We just have to wait for him to decide to come out. His heart sounds great and he is a lovely baby from what anyone can tell. ;-)

Flu update:
Jacob is doing really great. Back at school.
Lucy is showing a big improvement as of today. Still coughing and clingy, but no fever.
...and as for ME... I am going round 2 with this crap. I have fever, chills, every inch of my body hurts. I've gone through more tissues than one human should use in a year.
As long as I keep my fever under control, there is no danger to the baby or the delivery. But damn if it isn't going to suck giving birth if I feel this awful... :-(
Cotton is scared to death. He doesn't cope well with me being sick. He's trying to call my doctor for some help or at least reassurance. And I'm fine with that. I don't enjoy feeling like death warmed over- so if there is anything we can do, I'm all over it.

Weird

My left shoulder hurts like crazy!
Cotton is calling it sympathy pain. :-P Like I need any sympathy pain for him! Jeez! I've got my own problems, here!

I lied about Jacob being better. He was awesome all morning, so Cotton took him out to do some stuff. They ate ate Hooters, and when finished, Jacob promptly threw up everywhere. :-(
Now if you know Jacob, you know how horrifying that was. The kid does NOT do vomit.
So back home he came, and back into the bed.
Damn the flu! WHEN WILL IT END!?!?!?!?!!?

Oh. And no baby yet. In case you were wondering.
All of my incoming emails and phone calls are now starting with "Had that baby yet?" As if we would keep it a secret. Lol.
But it honestly doesn't bother me a bit. Everyone else is just saying what I feel.
The world is ready to meet this little guy, and he is keeping a lot of people waiting!

another one bites the dust

Well, it happened. Lucy fell victim to the flu. :-(

She is SO DARNED miserable.
Poor baby has been downright burning up. She woke up several times during the night, just glossy eyed and bewildered, and HOT. Crying and confused, not knowing why the hell she felt so bad.
It really breaks my heart to see my babies in pain. It's the worst kind of helpless feeling ever.

So she's on the tamiflu. And she is on very regular doses of motrin and tylenol. And I spoon fed her some jello for breakfast. Cotton went and got her a nice sprite from Sonic- so she is sipping on that and watching Spongebob. What a sweetie!

Jacob is back to 100% (and literally climbing the walls) but since he slept ALL DAY yesterday, he was up really late last night. We kept him home for one last day, and he and his daddy have gone out for lunch and haircuts and more supplies for the sickie girl.
I'm glad- they both needed that. Cotton is going to be in agony from driving, but what can you do?
Hopefully little man won't miss any more school for a while, unless the baby decides to come during those school hours. Then there will be a mad rush to get big brother home before he misses anything!

I am laying around on my big old butt today.
Yes, there are things to be done. But I don't wanna.
I want to play on the computer while I CAN, lol, and watch TV and rub Lucy's back.
And that is just what I am going to do right now.

Forget it.

I've changed my mind. Do you hear me, Samuel?
I want you to stay in there FOR.EV.ER.
I mean it, baby. Do not decide to exit the womb. I know you are warm and cozy, and I just don't blame you. Stay in there as long as you like.

(does reverse psychology work on a fetus?)

Don't worry about how sore I am. Please. Let my belly stretch until the entire thing is black and blue. Exhaust me. Let my back ache until it breaks in half. Really...

I know he isn't due for a couple more weeks. (either 19 or 10 days, exactly) But I am getting to be a little too bummed out, a little too emotional. A little too PREGNANT! Is 10 days early too much t ask for? When I've given him the last 37+ weeks with little complaint?
Jeez... what a selfish baby.
I do remember why I didn't want to be induced. I had and have very valid reasons. Well researched reasons.
But honestly, at this point, it is a very good thing that I made it where I don't have that option! If someone were to tell me "Show up on Monday and we'll get that baby out of you...." Yea... I can tell you where I would be.

lost another one!

Daddy and Nana decided to yank it out Friday night while I was at bunko. Apparently the poor kid couldn't eat his dinner because it was wiggling and in the way.
Only $5 for this one, and since he asked so nicely- the fairy let him keep his tooth. :-)


And some random cuteness!

Birthday pics, at long last

Here she is in her all-pink, fancy birthday outfit. Hair already a mess, lol. And holding Barbie Mariposa.
A couple of family shots. Lucy is filthy by this point, and honestly- I don't think I care. The kid enjoyed the heck out of her dinner! Lol!

Since it was her birthday- I guess she was exempt from looking at the camera or smiling for pictures. :-P That's okay... we all know she is beautiful and happy. She can pretend not to be if she wants to!


This would be the point in the evening when I am all teary eyed...I don't know what she wished for- but I sure hope she gets it!

A few baby shower pics

Those are the 2 sweeties that put the whole shindig together for me! :kisses: I love you girls!

Bwahahahahaha! and here you have the highlight of my evening!

One of these days I will get the rest of these all fixed up and share them. Maybe when I go back and scrapbook them, lol.
Besides, I don't even have the ones Michelle took- so really can't fairly present them as a full set. Yea... that's my excuse. Being a year and a half pregnant, with a gimpy husband and 2 sick children certainly isn't reason enough, is it?

another Tuesday has passed

and I'm still pregnant!
Even with a full moon- no dice.
Next Tuesday is my anniversary. On the bright side, if the baby isn't here yet, maybe we can go out. Lol.
But I think both of us would much rather stay in and snuggle our new little boy!

37 weeks

The baby and I are quite a boring pair. Nothing new or exciting to report.
He is growing, has a great heart beat, and is very reactive. Head down, but not engaged.
I'm grumpy and swollen. And huge. But after my big weight gain last week, absolutely not an ounce gained since then.
Sam could come tonight, he could come in 3 weeks, he could come in 5 weeks (except that I would probably jump off a bridge first... lol).
I've been prescribed iron and protein and lots of water, and S-E-X to get the ball rolling. Lol. Cotton loves Cori quite a lot after today!

I am feeling better with my nasty old head cold, but my poor little man has the FLU! :-(
He feels just awful, his glazed little eyes break my heart. I feel so sad and helpless when my babies are sick- and he is very very sick. Just miserable.
Looks like he'll miss the rest of this week from school.
And of course, we are sitting around waiting for Lucy to get a matching case. It's pretty inevitable, I'm sure.

Cotton starts physical therapy in 2 weeks.
He's still in pain, lots and lots of pain. Ugh. He's been trying to do some stuff, and to drive a little, and has come to the conclusion that he just isn't ready. Poor guy.

We're just plugging right along over here.
I promise to be more upbeat and entertaining soon. Give me a couple more days to get over being sick- and maybe to get over being very very pregnant. ;-)

:sob: I'm alive. Barely.

Sick sick sick. That's what I am.
I am completely miserable.

I went to bed Friday with a tickly throat, and woke up with a full blown, nasty cold. Complete with a near-migraine-strength sinus headache.
Today my face is all swollen, and so are my hands. Coincidence? Maybe...

We went and had my BP checked, and it was maybe a hair higher than normal. Nothing to be concerned about at this point. Like 124/80. Just ever so slightly higher than mine normally is.

Cotton is sitting around waiting for my water to break. Lol. He is convinced that the baby is coming very very soon.
Oh how I wish. I am so ready to meet him!

I did go get everything we need for the birth. We are all ready!
Well- the new big & fluffy towels I wanted are in the washer, but other than that- we are good to go!

That's all I've got the energy for tonight, friends.
Send me some get-well and *come out baby* vibes! I'll take all I can get of either or both!

36 weeks! and TGIF.

It's been a hell of a week!
We made it through, so here's the short version...

Baby update-
We are TERM! Baby Sam is officially cleared and safe to make his appearance.
Now I have to get READY!!!
I hope to get all of my birth supplies bought and ready this weekend. I've already got a few things, and just have a few more to go.
I gained 5lbs in the last 2 weeks! Eeek! Cori didn't care in the least, but it was still kind of a shocking number to see! I'm now back at my pre-pregnancy weight. It only took me 8.5 months to get here! lol. Now I can officially start "gaining." :-P
I gained 19 with Jacob, and 11 with Lucy. I think Sam will be the big winner (or loser?) in the weight gained contest. I am still just a girl with a humongous belly. It is starting to look like that thing could explode at any moment! It's still very high, but the shape is changing... pics to come later.
I've got heartburn from hell. It literally takes my breath away, and makes me cough. Ouch. If the heartburn=hair theory is true at all, I am carrying the next Chewbacca! Seriously.
Samuel is still head down. Not moving out of his little spot.
His heart rate is good, and he is reactive to being touched.
I am looking great, other than the fact that my IRON is crazy low. I have to double up on my supplements- that is how bad it is. It was like 7.2 or 7.6.
The only explanation we could come up with was stress. Stress depletes the iron stores in your body, and boy have I got stress. More stress right now than anyone should ever have- but especially someone who is trying to properly grow a person in her womb. Things are starting to calm down, though. And if I've made it this far- I've got one toe on the finish line. I'll make it, we'll all make it, and in a few weeks- life will return to NORMAL for this little family. Normal + a new little person to love.
Doesn't that sound like heaven?

Lucy:
Her birthday went really well!
Sat night we went to order a cake, and couldn't get the one she wanted. She was incredibly upset. To cheer her up, I offered to let her pick a new dress to wear for her little dinner out.
Sooo.... we bought a pink dress. Duh. Then she asked for a pink purse. Okay, we can do that. While looking at purses, she found a pink "pearl" necklace and bracelets set. And then a sparkly pink bracelet. Oh, and a pink headband. Well, what's an outfit without accessories?
Then she needed shoes. She didn't have any shoes to match her dress. Pink sequined mary janes were the only option, of course.
I nearly had a heart attack paying for the outfit- but you only turn 4 once, right? And gosh was she ever happy!
She kept kissing me and kissing my hand and telling me "I'm SOOO happy. I LOVE my birthday." Awww....
The child has been lavished with gifts, including only about 3,679 barbies. And there are still a few presents floating around out there to be collected.
And now she's 4. Wow.

Jacob:
Doing fabulous, of course. Nothing to report with him.
His first game is tomorrow, but the weather report looks like it will be rained out.
I went to his V-day party at his school yesterday. It was nice to spend a short time just focusing on him. I think that he gets lost in the shuffle around here. He's so quiet, easygoing, low maintenance. Easy to ignore when there are so many wheels squeaking LOUDLY for my attention!
The little sweetie talked his Nana into taking him to buy me a rose for Valentines Day. One for Lucy, too, in fact. I love that kid!

Cotton:
Well that is a long story that I won't put here.
He has had a serious roller coaster ride with this injury.
Things are looking much better, but he's probably been overusing his arm since he FEELS better, and has been in more pain over the past day or so.
He's going stir crazy and is ready to get out of this house, but he really can't drive... :-(
He goes back to the doctor next Tuesday. Hopefully we'll get some great news.

I've got birthday pictures, baby shower pictures, and other random pictures to post.
At some point. But not right now. Right now I am tired...

Get your tissues ready!

Heaven knows I need mine.
Tomorrow will mark 4 years of having the most amazing girl in the world in my life.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

And though I loved her with every fiber of my being 4 years ago, somehow I love her even more today. Every day.
As she grows, so does my heart. As she becomes her own person, I find new reasons to adore her, respect her, and cherish her.

I'll be a basket case tomorrow. Their birthdays are so wonderful, and yet so hard.
A friend told me today, as we talked about her brand new son "I forgot where I put those time-freezing tablets."
I told her to PLEASE find them, and send me half. I've gone and let 2 of my babies turn into children (or in Lucy's case, a "grown up," lol).
This next one is just going to have to stay little. He has no choice. He is going to have to just be the baby for the rest of his life!
Last time I had a baby, I ordered her to stay little. And she did. For a while. But now she's turning 4, and changing SO much, and becoming a big sister...

and I love her SO much. She is just the most beautiful person, inside and out. I think I'll go snuggle in next to her and smell the vanilla sweetness of that mop of curls.
I hope she doesn't mind just a few little tears... I am extremely pregnant after all...

THE baby shower

was AWESOME!
I am still floating on cloud 9, over 24 hrs after getting home!

The friends, the hugs, the belly rubs...
the gifts came in last place- and they were AMAZING!

A HUGE thank you to Shannon and Jamie. You girls are wonderful, and I love you both. I am so blessed to have friends that know me so well, and put so much thought into my happiness.

And to the rest of my amazing, funny, supportive, loving friends... I don't even have the words to tell you what your friendship means to me. I am so lucky. I don't know what I would do without you girls. :tearing up:

I didn't take a single picture. I was too busy soaking it all in!
But other people did- so I'll get them soon.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ALL!!!!
From me, Baby Sam, and from Cotton as well!

Just a few more maternity shots

Hmmm...

Lil' mama just walked in here and told me "Baby Sam is coming out on Tuesday."

Wednesday would be 36 weeks on the dot (according to the later EDD, of course, which I'm still not buying- just playing nicely along with). I'm "allowed" to have him Wednesday.
Maybe I can cross my legs until midnight so that he isn't considered preterm. ;-)

I have no self control

I keep telling myself that I will wait until I have the whole set to post these...
But I can't! I love them toooo much!

Jacob's little hand


The jeans that were SO very far from being buttoned, lol

And just me.
Words cannot describe how much I love Kandice Ray right now. I'm as big as a whale, and she made me feel more beautiful than I ever have!
I'll look back on these and forget how fatigued, and miserable, and huge I feel- and just see the beauty of the life growing inside me!



It should be at least 2 days until I have the rest. She put the disc in the mail today. So you can rest your eyes for a while before the final set. ;-)

Maternity portrait- sneak peek!

belly, belly, belly


and my sweet little man.

I can't wait to see the rest of them!
Kandi rocks my socks. Awesome photographer. Awesome, uplifting, beautiful friend!

Ambition

Yesterday at lunch we were discussing the President. And explaining to little man exactly what a President is and what he does.
I asked Jacob "Would you like to try to be the President when you grow up?"
He agreed that it sounded like an excellent plan.

So then I ask Lucy "What about you? What do you want to be when you grow up?"

She answers "When I grow up, I'm gonna go outside by myself."

That's right, baby. Aim high. Reach for those stars. Lmao.
At least we aren't setting the girl up for disappointment!

Monday, Monday

We survived the weekend.

Cotton, while still in a lot of pain, is doing better than either of us expected! He's up and walking around all day, to the point that he was going stir crazy yesterday and we had to get out of the house for a while!
I think the hardest thing right now is that he can't get comfortable to sleep. :-(

Jacob is back at school, after missing 5 days!!! I don't know if I ever missed 5 days of school- but he was a pretty sick little guy. Both kiddos were.
This morning everyone looks okay. No red or goopy eyes, no green noses.

I'm pretty sore and tired. It's been a pretty demanding long weekend for me. When I finally hit the bed at night- I CRASH. Waking up at 6:30 was no picnic today, either. I would have come right home and crawled back into bed, but noooo... baby girl decided to wake up with the sunrise.
Yesterday we went to lunch, and then I ran into Albertson's for about 15 minutes.
Just that little outing WORE ME OUT!!! I was cranky and sore and didn't want to drive home. Then I had back spasms all evening, and THEN I decided to clean out the top of the linen closet. Nesting much? Lol.
Welcome to the home stretch.

On a whim I bought diapers yesterday.
I am SURE I'll get a pack or 2 as gifts- but I figured, you just never know. And we certainly can't have too many diapers now, can we?
I also got the list of home birth supplies from Cori, and I am really anxious to get started on it!
I feel like it's a race against time now- although technically we've got 5 weeks, depending on how long Sam wants to stay in there. 5 weeks really isn't much time AT ALL!

I got some awesome maternity portraits done this weekend. I don't have them back yet- but she was sweet enough to send me a couple of samples. You'll see them very very soon (unless you're my friend on myspace- in which case you probably HAVE seen them!).
Looking at them is kind of crazy. I know my belly is huge, but I didn't realize it was THAT huge.
And Jacob got in a couple of shots- and he looks so sweet and itty bitty. It's just nuts.

Oh, and I really hate the Giants.
I don't like the Patriots. But I HATE the Giants. Gag me. Thank goodness football season is OVER!