tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133126152024-03-23T13:23:51.440-05:00PRINCESS RUBYProverbs 31:10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Striving to become the woman God designed me to be.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.comBlogger1596125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-21555705276224089142012-11-28T09:15:00.003-06:002012-11-28T09:15:27.662-06:00Good Morning Girls & Contest GiveawayCheck this out- I SO need this in my life! I'm run down in my homeschooling and mothering! Think I have a chance of winning? I hope so! <a href="http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/2012/11/giveaway-one-momheart-conference-ticket/">http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/2012/11/giveaway-one-momheart-conference-ticket/</a>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-82742953193366617572012-07-26T22:32:00.001-05:002012-07-26T22:32:45.693-05:00Where have I been?Wow, I haven't blogged in FOREVER! I doubt anyone will even see this or read it, it's been THAT long. And to think I used to blog all the time. I don't even know where to begin...<br />
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<ul><li>Hannah turned TWELVE in March. Hard to believe that next year she will be a teenager. She's supposed to get four teeth pulled here soon and then get braces. She loves all things French & Paris.</li>
<li>Josiah turned double digits in May- 10. Where has that time gone? I hug him and he seems so tall and grown to me now. </li>
<li>Also in May we found out we got orders and were going to PCS to Colorado- Buckley AFB in Aurora! We were super excited, although I was also a bit sad because I LOVE Iowa. We had to put our house up for sale and now we're doing a short sale on it. Really hoping it all goes through soon...just waiting on the bank. Always a waiting game with them.</li>
<li>June found us saying good-byes and packing up and leaving. It was difficult. It still is difficult. We arrived in Colorado the last day of the month. It was breathtakingly beautiful to see the mountains! We found a nice rental just 2 miles from the base. The house is huge. Neighborhood is nothing like what our old one was though, and I miss our neighbors. Still shopping for a church, I miss our church. I miss my friends. I miss Iowa.</li>
<li>July found Naomi turning ONE. Where did that year go??? It found my father-in-law showing up for a visit a wee bit earlier than anticipated and helping us get this house (a rental) up to par. It found Naomi braving step after step after step and walking all over the house. It found us exploring our new state, meeting family & new friends. It's been a VERY tough move and I haven't exactly been the best sport about everything...Jesus forgive me.</li>
</ul><div>I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for us here. I remember a couple of years ago being given a desire to move to Colorado. I had never been here before, yet the desire became stronger and stronger. The Lord totally opened the door and a job was open for Zach to apply for and God totally moved and sent us here. I said all along I believe He has something "big" in store for us here in regards to serving Him. Lo and behold, the Movie Massacre shooting happened just 5 miles down the road from us only 3 weeks after moving here. Really shakes you to the core and gets you thinking about what He wants you to do to work for Him and His kingdom.</div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-88762320739540603262012-03-14T16:55:00.001-05:002012-03-14T16:55:53.215-05:00Things you just can't say on facebookDo you ever just wanna put it out there but can't? Ugh! All I can say right now is that I am SO TIRED of pretending everything is fine. Fact is, it's really not. And I'm tired of being treated the way I am. Just tired of it all.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-2403289590132233392012-02-22T21:20:00.000-06:002012-02-22T21:20:19.775-06:00The Abster<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Boy, does Abby crack me up these days. She just talks so much. She seems so grown up for her days, probably because of her older siblings! She sure can carry on a conversation and while others may not understand her I sure can. She says youth group like "boops poop" and it cracks me up every single time. Then she just has the cutest little smile and giggles. I've just been enjoying her these past couple of days. That's saying a lot because lately I've had a difficult time enjoying my kids and I've prayed about this, that I'd begin enjoying them again. Even if it is one by one! I don't always enjoy her, of course...with her fits and fits. She sure knows how to throw a fit like the best of them...from watching her sibs. I can see when she stomps off how she's so much like one of her brothers. Or how she says certain things how she sounds like one or the other too. I guess she learns from the "best of them" right? Haha. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So tonight on the way home from Bible study I sat in the back with Abby & Naomi because Naomi wasn't feeling well. Abby must have loved it and she talked my ear off...guess it pays to have her older sister at "boops poop" so she doesn't monopolize the conversation! Abby sure took advantage of that time to talk! I can't remember everything we talked about but it was fun and I sure enjoyed it. When I began to say something to her about her birthday and how it's in August she got really excited. You see, her friend from church has a baby sister named August. She was quite confused. I told her Gabe & I also have birthdays in August. But she sure didn't understand it. She was pumping her fists in the air and saying, "Yay! I like August!" lol Earlier today I was going over the books of the Bible with the kids and she was saying them right along with us. So cute. When we go over Bible verses she has to be right there with us saying verses also. I love that! Hannah asked her what Ava and her talk about and she says, "Mmm, dresses and people." Then she hesitated and said, "And Jesus." Crack. Me. Up.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She always wants to do her school too...which is hard because I seldom do. I should. When I give the kids a spelling test she gets her pad of paper and pencil and says, "Now what?" So I shout out letters or numbers for her to write and she scribbles something on her paper! My girl is growing up way too fast. Why oh why do they have to grow so fast?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh and fast fact- she LOVES to wear dresses. Thankfully there are times when mostly Hannah (never myself) can talk her into wearing pants. Oh and she also really loves to stick her hands down her pants. Gross, gross, gross. I feel like her hands always stink, even when we wash them! And the other day Hannah told me there was POOP on the wall by Abby's bed...from digging in her pants that she pooped in. Ugh! Three year olds are SO cute as they grow and learn but they can also be so nasty!</span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-79656831007370397282012-02-13T19:40:00.000-06:002012-02-13T19:40:45.333-06:00Why do babies grow so fast?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSBTreV4AMhBJBi__AtdjRd_c2vNCqOjRqBkZ5g11zosskXOrJs7A0ovFY4SKDazAlDVq1NpaqMgGgWBpv6qdXl3Op0PtQm_6xkhXkzH9ubmK9V3p24fyyaMTTs4jNZbf4FX8VQ/s1600/DSC01355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSBTreV4AMhBJBi__AtdjRd_c2vNCqOjRqBkZ5g11zosskXOrJs7A0ovFY4SKDazAlDVq1NpaqMgGgWBpv6qdXl3Op0PtQm_6xkhXkzH9ubmK9V3p24fyyaMTTs4jNZbf4FX8VQ/s320/DSC01355.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So as I was browsing through my blog I realized I have NO pictures of baby N on here! That is just unreal. I feel like a failure or something. Just shows how much Facebook has really taken over...I barely blog at all. But still...she is 7 months old and this is the first picture? I'm praying I just missed one somewhere in there! She is such a sweet baby. I've been trying to feed her baby food now and she loves to help hold the spoon. She really likes squash and tonight was eating some and would say, "Num." It was so sweet. She still barely rolls over and prefers to sit up. She'll probably never crawl! Oh well, I am honestly content letting her not do that stuff...they're only little so long, ya know? The past 7 months has already flown by. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did I really just blog TWO days in a row? What's up with that!?!? Go me!</div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-66073651483325699522012-02-12T14:45:00.000-06:002012-02-12T14:45:53.623-06:00TornI'm so torn about moving. In a sense I really look forward to being at a base again (hopefully) and I actually look forward to living in base housing. Call me weird. I just am tired of us owning our own home and don't really want to buy again until we can settle down somewhere. I see all these neat ideas on Pinterest and I think, "Boy when we move I want to do that." I could do it in this house, I suppose, but it just makes more sense to wait to do some things until we move. I am just ready for some changes in decor and stuff, ya know? It gets tiring having the same old things! <br />
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In another sense I dread moving. I LOVE being somewhere where I run to the store and I see someone I know. I remember first moving here (or anywhere for that matter) and you are at the store or wherever and you see nobody you know...you feel so alone, so new! Pretty much everywhere I go nowadays I see somebody I know. I run to Target and I ALWAYS see somebody I know. The cashiers at Fareway are familiar to me (and oh so friendly). I swear the people at that store are the friendliest I've ever met at a store, although Hy-Vee ranks up there too, I just don't go there as often. At the Valentine's party with our homeschool group the other day it was so nice to keep hearing, "Hi Jamie!" I was reminiscing on the way home from the party about my first meeting with that group back when we first moved here. I knew one person- the "president" of the group. I remember feeling so alone and unwelcome, not knowing a soul. I came home SO discouraged, really not sure I wanted to join that group. Here I am three and a half years later and even though we don't do a whole lot with the group I have made some great friends through it. I have finally found a "real" salon with an awesome stylist. She is super sweet and I'm so thankful to have somebody take the time to make my hair what I want it and not just give me a cut. I love walking into the gas station and having the cashier recognize me and chat away. More importantly we are meeting more and more people at church. After almost 3 years I finally feel at home there. Do I really want to "throw" that away? I know how hard it is to find a Bible believing/preaching church. Then it takes awhile (for us) to jump in and feel like we're part of the "family"...am I ready to move on? Of course it's not my decision, is it? It's all up to God, of course. <br />
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Zach applied to a job at Buckley AFB near Denver. I would LOVE to move there. For a couple of years now I keep saying how much I want to go to Colorado. I have no idea why I have this desire. I've never been there. Part of me is praying he gets it. Another part of me wants to be "stuck" in Iowa because that would be a good thing too. Although, being in Iowa for a longer period of time also has some downfalls...our house is "too small" for us and way far from Zach's work. I wouldn't want to move out of our current town because it is home and I love it, its close to our center of friends, church, etc. Then again, if we moved to the north end of town he'd be that much closer to work...but we'd have to rent cuz this girl doesn't wanna buy again for about 7 years!<br />
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So much to think about. I am SO thankful for how the Lord has blessed us here in Iowa. It hasn't all been peachy, of course. Lots of trials. But I choose to look beyond those and see the blessings here. I'm so thankful for each of those blessings.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-2375406403772435612012-01-01T14:57:00.000-06:002012-01-01T14:57:38.641-06:00Happy New Year<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's hard to believe another year has come and gone! I cannot believe how little I blog anymore. I always intend to, but life doesn't afford me a lot of time to blog these days, what with 5 kiddos and all. How do I sum up 2011? A growing experience for sure. I had to grow out of my comfort zone to learn to ask for and accept help. I learned I *can* parent on my own, with my spouse deployed (although I know I'm never really on my "own"). I am so thankful, beyond words, for the people who stepped in to bless our family this year in so many countless ways. And just when I thought it couldn't get any better we were blessed with many Christmas gifts unexpectedly. What a huge blessing. God is so good to us. He blessed us with a precious baby girl. He brought my husband home safely. We're healthy. We have food, a warm home and clothes. God is good. I really cannot complain, can I? Who am I to be ungrateful? Speaking of baby girl, how is it she's already almost 6 months old? About 3 days ago she finally rolled from her back to her belly. She's been rolling from belly to back for probably 2 months now. She has her two bottom front teeth. She sits up pretty well, though I wouldn't leave her unassisted yet. She's a mama's girl for sure. She certainly doesn't sleep well at night like she did back in the beginning. But, can I complain? No. I am blessed with the chance to be her mommy! I have so many friends who'd give anything to have a baby so I really can't and shouldn't complain. I wonder what 2012 has in store for us. Will we get orders? As much as I do love it here, I think I am honestly ready to move. I want to live on base again. I am tired of owning our home, a home that we outgrew the minute we moved in! But, I am thankful we have a home, a roof over our heads, nonetheless. So, to sum up 2011, it wasn't always easy, what with Zach gone for 7 months of the year, having a baby with him gone, not just any baby but baby number 5, and all the other obstacles, I am thankful for it all because each experience makes me and shapes me into who I am and I pray that I will grow from it and attempt to be who God wants me to be.</span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-16286884044958958942011-11-24T17:18:00.000-06:002011-11-24T17:18:11.710-06:00Happy Thanksgiving 2011<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a great day! It sure has been busy, being in the kitchen all day to prepare a feast for my family, but I do love it! I am so thankful I have a family, I have a kitchen and I have food in abundance to prepare for the ones God has blessed me with. I'm so thankful for all that He's given me this year. I reflect on where I was last year and my heart was still a bit heavy after losing Nathaniel (even though I was newly pregnant with Naomi). What a good year it has been! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we sat to eat I asked the kids some things they're thankful for. I really want to get them to think outside the box! We've been writing in thankful journals every day when we do our Bible time. I didn't want their standard answers, so I asked them to think about this past year and what we can be thankful for, what God has done in their lives. They still couldn't really come up with much of an answer so I told them how I am thankful that Zach is here with us, explaining that many boys and girls have daddy's who aren't home with them but in Iraq or Afghanistan. I then got really teary thinking how thankful I am that my family is all together. It was so precious because then Gabe got teary eyed also. He tried to blame his tears on something else, but I could tell he was really touched. It still makes me tear up to think about that! I also explained how I'm thankful we have Naomi. I also said how thankful I am for the many friends who've blessed and helped us during the time that Zach was in Iraq. I am truly blessed!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know not all of my friends or family are having the same kind of day. Maybe your year is a difficult one, as mine was last year. Loss, changes, hurts may bombard your thoughts this day and you may struggle with having a thankful spirit. Hold on to Jesus. If nothing else you can be thankful for His giving spirit, His work on the cross. And that is the ultimate blessing, the greatest gift we can grab hold of. So truly, we have lots to be thankful for in that one act of His, no matter what circumstances may surround us at this time.</span><br />
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</span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-14209677331637251972011-11-24T17:05:00.000-06:002011-11-24T17:05:14.435-06:00Something I totally forgot to post last month....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><i>Here are some random thoughts I've had on our trip so far. We left Sunday night, drove just south of the Twin Cities and stayed the night and finished our trip to the Northern Shore of Minnesota yesterday. </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><i>- You know you're close to Canada when you use an ATM and it asks you what language you'd like to proceed in and the first language listed is French.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><i>- You know you're in a small town cafe' when everyone seems to know everyone else in there!</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><i>- Small town cafe' has awesome prices and I thought the food was good. However, once we got back to the cabin I had a full-blown headache (I had one before but thought it may have been due to hunger) and my stomach hurt horribly. It still hurts a bit today, I've eaten but only a little here and there, and the baby seems to be ailing a bit too as she's been cranky and pooping a lot.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><i>- Why does it seem like someone has to get sick every vacation?</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><i>- I grew up playing on the beaches of Lake Superior and yet didn't seem to enjoy it then like I do now, as an adult. I do enjoy the beauty around me when I go 'home' and this trip is no different. It is fun to explore somewhere new on the shores of such a grand lake. I really realize how blessed I was to grow up where I did. Boy, did I take it for advantage!</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><i>- What is it about this place that makes it seem so much more relaxing than being at home?</i></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-87356644720116331472011-09-29T14:53:00.001-05:002011-09-29T14:53:19.660-05:00Numbers<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>ONE~ There is only one of me to go around though I feel like I'm yanked in a thousand different directions.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>TWO~ The number of hands I have to accomplish all that needs to be accomplished in a day.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>THREE~ The number of years we've been in Iowa.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>FOUR~ The number of children I had the first half of this year and first half of this deployment.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>FIVE~ The number of children I have the second half of this deployment. A number that is difficult to adjust to, especially being I am only ONE.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>SIX~ The number of months that Zach has been gone and the number of people currently residing in our home.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>SEVEN~ Seven is a great number and is the number that will complete our family in less than a month when Zach finally returns home.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>EIGHT~ Eight total blessings God has given to Zach and I- FIVE here with us and THREE in heaven.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>NINE~ The number of months until we "could" move from Iowa, if the Air Force, and ultimately God, moves us.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>TEN~ The number of "important" things Zach has missed the past SIX months- Hannah's birthday, Josiah's birthday, our anniversary, Nathaniel's "birthday", the 4th of July, Naomi's birth, "Grace's" "birthday", Gabriel's birthday, Abigail's birthday, my birthday.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>It has been a LONG SIX MONTHS being just ONE me. I'm so thankful that I serve the ONE true GOD and that HE has given me STRENGTH to get through this time. I cannot wait for the next....well...LESS than a MONTH, when our family is complete again when my husband returns. It cannot come fast enough! Some days I've wondered how that rope has been long enough to sustain me. Especially these last couple/few weeks that are d.r.a.g.g.i.n.g. o.n. b.y.</em></span> <br />
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<br />Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-23006489384572110422011-09-13T20:31:00.001-05:002011-09-13T20:31:12.262-05:00Where have I been?<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wow this new blogger layout is weird. I'm not sure I like it or not! I have been meaning to post for some time but it must not be quite a priority these days. We've had a busy time of birthdays, we went to Kansas City to visit some friend and have began school (officially). We're just trying to keep busy now as we're nearing the end of this deployment. Hopefully less than 30 days to go! Unreal. I can't believe we did it (almost). What an accomplishment. There were so many times I was at the end of my rope. I thought I was going to lose it and couldn't continue on another day on my own. But GOD sustained me. He gave me strength. It is only through Him that I have gotten through every single day, every single good and bad moment. From delivering a baby without my husband to something as simple as putting the kids to bed every night. I know Zach can attest to the same- he couldn't have done this without the Lord's strength either. Whew. All that saying, I've had some trying days lately. Lots of tragedy for those I love lately and it's almost been too much to bear sometimes. I know the enemy is trying to get me down, to cause me to stumble and to discourage me these last days until my husband returns. I will not let him!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyway, this is our second full week of school and it's going pretty well. I have an AWESOME Bible book we all do together in the morning. Really is thought provoking and eye-opening and I hope will cause the kids to ponder God and grow in Him. Each of them has really surprised me already this year and taken off in their work. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">As I said, we went to Kansas City to see some friends. They live in the country on a 'farm' (they pretty much just moved there so are a small farm but one day will grow)! It was wonderful being there with them. So peaceful out there. That's the first time ever I've seen the advantage of living out of town! I think because as my boys grow I see their need to be outside- and they were always outside over there! Our yard is 'boring' to them :) We don't have trees to climb and land to explore (nor animals to chase). You'd think, having only met these friends ONE time in real life it would've been weird going to stay with them, but nope. I wasn't even nervous about it. I've known Amy for years via the internet and we have a special bond. I think losing a baby really bonds people together. It was a blessed time for our family and I hope not too much time goes by before we can see them again! We did discover that Gabe is allergic to cats, though, much to his dismay! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyway, that's a bit of what's been going on here. Time for me to get back to my to-do list! I'm not even sure who comes around the blog here anymore, so let me know if you read still (please)!</span> Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-68506154286035422882011-09-05T20:41:00.000-05:002011-09-05T20:41:25.327-05:00Done<span style="color: #073763;">Have you ever been so bone weary in every conceivable way? That's how I feel with this deployment. I know we "only" have a little over a month left, but at the same time that seems like eternity right now. I am just so tired of parenting alone. So tired of no breaks. Even now my kids have been in bed for almost an hour and the only one sleeping is Naomi (who is down here with me). Seriously? They see my tears, they see how weary I am and they still persist to disobey, to be flat out brats. I'm tired. So tired of it. Right now I have two girls hollering for me. I think I am going to snap. This deployment needs to end now. I'm so over it. I'm sorry but I'm just not used to FIVE kids and to do it ALL alone is just that much more difficult.</span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-11878195286734367942011-08-24T21:37:00.000-05:002011-08-24T21:37:40.287-05:00Birthday Boy<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Another birthday in our house today. Gabe is now 7. That is so hard to believe! I swear that boy was JUST born! How can 7 years have gone by? I used to look at him and he was always my 'little Gabe', just my small, little guy. Now he is 7!?!? Why must kids grow so fast? I asked him tonight as I put him to bed if he felt older and he said no, but then piped up that he thought he was bigger and stood and said "See!" Indeed, son! He had a really fun birthday and tonight during prayers even thanked God for his good birthday. A party at the park with friends, getting wet in the splash pad, cake and pizza, building his many Lego's he received, shooting his Nerf gun all over the house until I yelled at him, coloring, dinner at Applebee's where he got free ice cream. I'd say that's a pretty good birthday for a 7 year old! Only thing missing was daddy! I hate when they seat us at a table and there's always so visibly an empty chair where dad should be. Bums me out. But, less than 60 days to go! Anyway, we're so blessed by Gabe being in our family. What a silly little guy with such a tender heart! Happy birthday Gabriel John!</span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-88269638986520869562011-08-13T21:31:00.000-05:002011-08-13T21:31:41.570-05:00Good & Bad<span style="color: #674ea7;">Well today was a rough day. I had to say good-bye to my mom today. She was here for 59 days!!! I don't think either of us expected it to be that long, but what do you do when a baby comes late!?!? I cannot put into words how GRATEFUL I am that she was here. What a blessing, and I can only pray that God blesses her in return. It was wonderful having her help, her companionship and most especially her presence at Naomi's birth. She typed something to me tonight that said something like "it was so nice spending so much time with you as we haven't had that since you've been an adult and moved away." I never thought of that, but how true! We've had week-long visits but never month long like this! It was so fun to share in this time with her- even in little things like going to the park or getting together and visiting with friends. How awesome that she could share in that with me!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">I have been crying off and on all day when it hits me. I think today is the most I've cried in a long time (I never even had "baby blues" or cried much after Naomi was born, although there were a few times). It stinks that I am alone again. As I pondered it, I was used to life with 4 kids and though the end of my pregnancy was so hard with the pain I had, I had a groove. Now I have a new baby and need to figure out a new groove, and its all just new to me! And it scares me! To be alone with 5 kids! YIKES! They SO outnumber me. At the same time I KNOW GOD is here and my strength. I also was very teary thinking of how the reason she came is FOR the birth (and to help afterward). Well, now it's over and she's gone and (Lord willing) she'll see Naomi in a couple of months again. But, she was here for such a special time and now it has to end. And she'll miss seeing Naomi grow up. It just breaks my heart and brings tears to my eyes again. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">But I did it. I got through today. One day at a time. And Zach will be home in two months (Lord willing). Hannah was supposed to have book club today but it was cancelled. After we brought my mom to the airport we ran to Barnes & Noble to get the kids' free books for their summer reading program. We grabbed some fast food to eat on the way home, came home and relaxed (and Abby napped). Then we ran some errands (picked up Mary Kay, mailed CPI forms (for homeschooling) at Hy-vee, dropped off gift for doula, went through car wash, picked up Daisy from groomers). And I got through all of that alone with 5! And it wasn't that bad! Well, I panicked a little as we had JUST gotten into the car wash and Abby said she had to go to the bathroom. Great! Well, she held it through the car wash (I had forgotten all about it) and through our walk in Petsmart and reminded me when we got back to the car. Good thing I had her potty chair in the back. I can only wonder what the people in the car that passed thought! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">We had dinner when we came home and then I did another Bible lesson with them. We have the best Bible book we're going through and you can even purchase a workbook and it's a lot of fun to do with them. Then I let them each pick a praise song so we sang together and then prayed. I didn't want our time to end so I even took them for a walk! And something dawned on me after I got them into bed. They didn't fight as much or get into as much trouble when I was SPENDING TIME WITH THEM. WOW! And I enjoyed it! I was even monkeying around with them on our walk and we had some good laughs :) How thankful I am for such a good ending to our day! I only pray that our other days go as well!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">Speaking of thankful, I am reading such a good book that everyone needs to get their hands on. I only pray I can keep applying what I am learning, but boy it can be HARD to be thankful (even for the bad, yucky things in our day). It is called One Thousand Gifts. Get it! That's an order! OK, I am off to bed now. The house is enjoyably quiet but I do need my rest now that I am the lone adult!</span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-48786088615271090032011-07-29T09:27:00.000-05:002011-07-29T09:27:43.682-05:00Life with 5<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">My mom and I were talking last night. It's a lot more work with one more child! The only reason being that Abby is still so little and needs help with things (especially since she's potty training). When I had Abby the older kids were just that- older. They could go potty themselves and such. Now its almost like having just two again- a toddler and baby! Remember those days??? I do have the other kids to help out though, but I think they think that because Nanny is here they don't have to do as much. They'll be in for a rude awakening when she leaves in two weeks (I will be too). I'm nervous about that. Not so much the staying home with 5 kids part, but the going out part. How will I do it? I am not going to drag 5 kids into a bathroom when Abby has to pee but I'm also not going to leave them alone! I may seriously be homebound until October when Zach returns! Grocery shopping? I will definitely have to get a sitter to do that. It was stressful enough being pregnant with 4. Now I have a newly potty trained girl and a new baby. My blood pressure goes up just thinking about it! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Otherwise, I am enjoying life with a baby in the house again! She's such a sweet little girl. I have been a bit sad lately because I see how she is already growing. She starting to get chubby cheeks and a bit more meat on her legs and arms. I want her to stay little so her daddy sees her that way (granted she'll still be little at 3 months but not as little as now). I feel like we're just used to "hanging out" with each other now! She is such a cuddly little thing. I need to work on laying her down more or I will really have it hard when my mom is gone, but on the other hand I just want to hold and enjoy her because I know how fast they grow (and honestly I'm not sure I want a number 6, at least at this point). Everybody has adjusted well with her around. Abby has been super. More often than not she'll be telling my mom to put the baby in her bed or give her to me so she can have my mom, rather than telling me that! I'm sure it will change when my mom is gone! </span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-24324671728365003672011-07-21T19:47:00.000-05:002011-07-21T19:47:50.050-05:00Outings and Firsts<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Naomi had her first outing two days ago. First we ran to the Air Guard base to see about getting her enrolled in DEERS. No such luck with that. I know before we could use just the crib card to enroll baby. Now they say you need the birth certificate AND social security card. So let's pray those come in before she's 60 days old! Geesh, they sure make things difficult! Then we went to eat at Legends. Naomi slept through the whole experience and the kids got to watch Spongebob on the TV at our table- they sure thought that was neat. Afterwards I had to go to a hotel where the Bob Jones people were to order some schoolbooks for the kids. My mom came in with the kids after awhile and as soon as I took Naomi she blew the loudest poop- the whole room had to have heard! Too funny! We then ventured to the mall, which was a miserable experience because it was so darn hot. It was hot outside, but you'd think they'd have their AC cranked up. No beans. I was carrying Naomi in the Ergo and thought maybe it was just me, but my mom was super hot too. So I just got what I needed and we left. It was long enough anyway, when you have 5 kids! I have to say that I got myself a few cute shirts from Old Navy! I was appalled to see Christmas ornaments out at Hallmark. Man oh man, ridiculous!</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Abby has been potty training and doing such a great job. She didn't even have any accidents when we were out that day! I wasn't sure how she'd do having to go on a big potty, but she did GREAT! SO proud of her! She is such a big girl. She was so afraid to poop- she hadn't gone in days and wouldn't go because she was so afraid. Finally that evening she sat on her potty and pooped the biggest poop. I was so proud of her! Isn't it funny the things us moms are proud of!?! But a first poop on the potty is a big deal! So far she hasn't gone again. She is doing great peeing though and does not like when she wets her pants. It just makes her seem that much bigger- this whole potty thing. She seems big enough since Naomi was born!</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>It has been so weird, but I think I really had my first visitors today. My doula came to visit last week and my friend/neighbor came by with her daughter so she could see (my friend had visited in the hospital), but that was it. Today I had a few visitors so that was nice! It was just weird that I hadn't had many. Maybe people are busy with it being summer or maybe once you have your 5th it's different. Then I had a few people come to bring meals, mind you people I don't really know, and it was weird but they didn't even say anything about the baby. Maybe it's just me thinking it's weird though (well, and my mom). I'd be oohing and aahing over a baby! But again, maybe that's just me.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Abby talks SO much and copies so many things she hears. It cracks me up and sometimes she sounds so grown up saying things like "what, I don't know, oh my gosh." Her newest thing is to say, "I think so." It caught me off guard the first time I heard her say it. When I asked her where she got that from she responded with, "Garage sale." I busted out laughing. Normally if you ask her where she got her clothes from (or anything of hers really) she will say a garage sale. She must assume mom only shops at garage sales! I just love the things that come out of their mouths!</em></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-12128047774106756122011-07-18T14:21:00.002-05:002011-07-18T16:17:57.751-05:00The Birth Story<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warning, this is VERY long!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sure hope I can remember it all. I went in Wednesday morning, the 6th, and was still only dilated to a 2. She did rupture my membranes though, so that gave me hope. She wanted me to make an appointment for Friday to see if anything was progressing, since I was 40 weeks to the day. That day I had some Braxton Hicks off and on but nothing really serious or steady. I thought for sure maybe that night I'd go into labor, but no such luck. The stripping membrane thing didn't do much for me!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thursday was pretty uneventful. That evening I went upstairs in my room and just had a good cry. I missed my husband and was thinking how much it sucked that he couldn't be here for the birth of OUR baby. I was crying because I was so sore and so tired of being so sore and just wanted to meet our little girl. Then it dawned on me that I couldn't remember the last time I felt her move. I knew it was sometime in the morning but I couldn't remember much of it throughout the day. So I laid there, poking on my belly trying to get a kick. I drank a ton of water. I panicked. So, I called the doctors and told them and they said to just go in to get checked out. When I was on hold with them I thought I felt a little kick but I couldn't be sure. So, my friend came over to sit with the kids and my mom and I headed to the hospital (I didn't tell the kids what was going on, just that maybe it was time for the baby to come. I didn't want to worry them). As soon as they hooked me to the monitor there was a loud, clear, strong heartbeat! PHEW, what a relief that was! While there the doctor wanted to talk to me (on the phone, mind you...a little impersonal if you ask me). I'd never seen this doctor before and she was talking about how she was looking at my records and how she saw that Dr. Drake (the perinatologist) didn't want me to go past 40 weeks and here it was past 40. I told her how the previous week at my appt. Dr. Drake said she'd let me go to 41 as long as I had NST's during that week and they checked growth and fluid levels, but she said they never got those notes. She began telling me how I needed to have a plan, enforcing how I should go ahead and get a c-section. She said that when I went to my appointment the next day to have a plan in place, that I should think about my baby and that the goal should be to have my baby in my arms that day. I was SO discouraged!!! I didn't know or want to make a plan! Especially if it regarded a c-section. I'd come this far already, why cave into one now! That night I talked to my doula and my friend and went to bed, sleeping somewhat fitfully, with my mind made up. I was just going to go in and tell them to break my water that day (the doctor I saw on Wed. mentioned that maybe they would put me into the hospital on Friday and do this). So, that was "my plan."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday I dropped the kids off at my friend's house, planning to not see them until I had a baby in my arms. I even cried saying good-bye to them, figuring things would be quite different when I saw them next. We went to my appointment and sat. And sat. And sat. We waited for a good hour or more to get into a room. That was such a LONG hour, knowing I had to face the doctor and not knowing what he'd say. It was a doctor I'd seen before, though hadn't seen in awhile, and I really liked him. He was one that was really allowing me to make my own decision regarding the VBAC, not pushing one way or another. Anyway, finally he came in and right away began talking about due dates and how really it is 'safe' to go to 42 weeks. I told him about my last appt. with Dr. Drake. He told me I am smart and educated and that I could make a wise decision and that I know what I'm facing either way. He talked about breaking the water and risks involved in that and also talked about a c-section and the risks. He said how often doctors won't use Pitocin in a woman with a prior c-section, but that research on that isn't completely conclusive and that sometimes he could see using it. I was so shocked at all that he was saying! I didn't know he was SO pro-VBAC. At the same time he was talking about not breaking my water that day and that really disappointed me. I was ready with "my plan" and ready to meet our little girl. When he checked me I hadn't changed at all since last time (bummer). So, he left the room to call Dr. Drake to talk about the 41 week factor. He was gone for quite awhile. He came back saying they could induce me by breaking my water Monday morning. MAN! I'd have to go through the WHOLE weekend STILL pregnant!?! He said to just wait and see if anything happened on its own through the weekend. I think he must've tried to rupture my membranes more too because he was doing SOMETHING that HURT! So, I left there crying. I was so bummed. I knew deep down this was the best thing to do, knowing that if they broke my water and my body wasn't ready it could lead to a c-section. But, how did I face my kiddos with no baby yet! They were ready and eager to meet their sister too! Just disappointment all around.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That day and evening I did have quite a few Braxton Hicks, but they never got stronger or worth timing. I awoke real early Saturday morning with more Braxton Hicks, but they fizzled into nothing. I really wanted to stay busy on the weekend, not just sitting around WAITING for baby! But I was so tired on Saturday that I just sat around and took quite a few cat naps. I have to tell you that even though I didn't want to wait until Monday, I felt more peace about it all. There was an end in sight at last and I felt like I could just relax about it all. Looking back, I just chuckle to myself about it all now. We went out to dinner that night (Sat.) at Olive Garden and I was having some really weird pains. Not contractions, but like the baby was moving real weird- it hurt! Josiah drank his chocolate milk so fast that he didn't feel good so after eating out we just came home (I was a bit bummed as I wanted to do SOMETHING). Well, as soon as we got home it seemed those Braxton Hicks picked back up again. They started to seem more steady so I thought I'd better begin timing them. I even walked up and down the street a few times, but then it didn't seem like I was having any so I didn't give it much thought. Once we got the kids into bed I could time them more. My mom would time how long they were and I'd time how long between each one. They never seemed completely steady though...some were 8 minutes apart, some 12-15. And they were only lasting about 30 seconds. I was in contact with Zach, my friend Angie (who was going to drive down from Minneapolis), my friend who was "on call" to watch the kids and my doula. Eventually it seemed the contractions started to get worse and more painful. They also were no longer the Braxton Hicks, these were the real thing. Amazing how you always wonder if you'll know when its the real thing...but you know! I began sometimes moaning through them. My mom thought I should go in but I wasn't sure, being that they didn't follow the 5-1-1 'rule'. I talked to my doula and she gave me three options- I could either walk up and down the street to see if that did anything more, have her come over and 'work' with me or call the doctor and see what he had to say. After talking with my mom I decided to call the doctor.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was a bit nervous about the whole doctor phone call, knowing one of the Dr's who was on call. I'd seen him two or three times at the end of the pregnancy and he was always just real abrupt- come in, check me, check heartbeat and that's it. No "How are you doing?" or anything. So I really didn't care for the guy. The other Dr. on call was the one who did my c-section with Abby and I really loved him. I hadn't seen him at all with this pregnancy because he doesn't go to the office I mostly went to, but I did see him with my pregnancy with Nathaniel last year. Anyway, Dr. N called me back...the not-so-friendly one. It was the weirdest conversation and went something like this:</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: Hello?</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Him: This is Dr. N</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: Yes, this is Jamie M.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Him; Mmm Hmm....pause...</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: Well, I think I'm in labor and wondered if I should come in.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Him: What number pregnancy is this?</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: Eight.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Him: Wow.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We then went on to talk about what were c-sections and what were 'miscarriages'. He didn't ask me how far apart contractions were or anything, just said, "OK, you better come on in and get checked." I was a little surprised. Maybe he thought because I'd had so many pregnancies I needed to go in. I just thought his abruptness was so 'off' and then how he didn't even ask about contractions or anything. Just strange. So then I got nervous. I thought, "Is this really it?" A little bit of fear set in. Do I really have to go through with this? Of course, no turning back now ;-) So, I contacted my friend down the street who came to stay with the kiddos until my other friend who lived further away could get here to stay with the kids. At this point it was probably about 11:30 pm if not a little later. I emailed Zach letting him know I was going in, texted my friend in the Twin Cities and my doula and we were off. I have to admit that when I stepped outside I began to cry a little, knowing that when I came back home life would be so different- we'd have our little girl here with us at last!!!! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully my mom drove a lot faster to the hospital this night than she did Thursday night when I went in to get checked out! Go figure there were a few cops out, but we got there in a fairly decent amount of time! I had a few contractions on the way there and I remember standing at the counter, as they were going to lead me to triage, having another one. When they checked me I was 3 cm and 70 or 80% effaced. I didn't really care for the nurse (at first). She just seemed so down to business as she took my information and all. I was having contractions throughout that whole time. My doula showed up and she'd massage my back and all when I'd have a contraction. That sure felt good! It took f-o-r-e-v-e-r for them to get me into a real room. I was having flashbacks of when I was in labor with Gabe. It was at Keesler AFB and I had to labor the whole time in the tiny 'closet' triage room because the other rooms were full. Thankfully they had separate delivery rooms so I actually did deliver in a 'real' room! I was hoping that wouldn't be the case here! Apparently they were so full that it took awhile to figure out where to put me! Wouldn't you know that my room was at the very end of the hall. Boy, that walk did me in, I had a contraction or two on the way down!!! When they checked me when I got there I was already 5 cm (this was a good hour to hour and a half after I arrived at the hospital). When I was told I was a 5 I was like, "OK, I will take the epidural now." If I went from 3-5 that fast there was no telling what would happen!!! And thankfully I said it then because I had to wait for an hour for the fluids in the IV. When the doctor came in to check me I was thinking, "Oh great, not him." But he was totally different than what he'd been in the office. Even when we talked to him about skyping and video taping he was totally cool with all of it! What a huge answer to prayer!!!</span><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, they thought they'd get me on the toilet while I could, to empty my bladder and to just sit in that position for awhile. Wow, I had some strong contractions sitting there! Zach had even called during at least one of them and I just had to put the phone down and couldn't even talk to him afterward! My mom had trouble trying to connect to the internet so we couldn't get skype up and running and Zach was wondering what on earth was going on! Once I'd gotten my epidural and could sit back a bit more comfortably I was able to connect to the web and get a connection with my hubby. </span><br />
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</span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me mention that it never fails that every time I'm in labor I puke! This time was no exception. Not only did I puke but I was peeing all over myself at the same time :/ NOT fun! They thought maybe it was my water that had broken, but nope. The doctor did, however, come in and break my water. That was done either right before or right after they finally gave me the epidural. Once the epidural took effect I decided to lay back and rest for awhile. I think I dozed off and on for a bit. Then I woke and decided I didn't want to just wait for things to happen, but I wanted to try to help them progress. With my other two VBACs I'd just gotten the epidural, laid back and done nothing to help labor move along. This time I feel I was more educated and I also had the help of my doula and I feel like I was more in control of how the labor went. So, I sat up in bed in hte 'butterfly position' and that sitting up really must have moved baby down because at that point I started to have some pressure that I hadn't had before! The doula was telling me other positions I could try and the nurse came in and offered a suggestion, a position called the Texas Roll or something like that. I laid back on my left side. They took that bedside table where the height adjusts and put some pillows on it and put that between my legs. So one leg was on the bed and the other on the pillows and table, raised in the air. Seriously the minute I went into that position I had such pressure! I know I had the epidural, but after awhile I could sometimes tell when I was having a contraction, having some pain in my left side. I'm so thankful I could tell I had that pressure because the nurse checked me and exclaimed, "You're complete! You can start pushing!" Well, I'm thankful now...I wasn't so thankful then! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Relief and fear coursed through me. I think it may have been at that point that I began holding onto the rail of the bed saying I didn't want to feel the pain anymore and didn't want to do this. I think they also gave me another low dosage of meds to help me get through it! It's so weird that they have you pushing before the doctor is even in the room! I kept thinking, "Oh man, the nurse is going to deliver our little girl." Meanwhile, Zach was on the computer able to watch it all, though I think it was blurry. By this point everything is kind of a blur to me. I remember them bringing all sorts of stuff and people in (lights, I think). Gosh, who knows how many people were in there while I was pushing! I was too busy trying to work through the pain to care, but looking back I remember the room was bustling! It took less than 20 minutes for me to push her out! I could feel pressure and almost a stinging down there as I was pushing. I know without the epidural it would've been MUCH worse! Kudos to all those who birth naturally! I love my epidurals! I remember just wanting to NOT push anymore. I didn't want to feel that pain anymore. Then I thought how I needed to hurry and push to just get this whole thing over with, so I began just pushing. My mom says I did awesome at pushing, she was pretty proud of me and didn't think I'd do so well! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The doctor laid the baby on me right away and I kissed her and marveled that she was finally here! Then I realized she wasn't crying and I panicked and asked, "Why isn't she crying?" Then they took her and she did cry a bit but then they had to put her on oxygen for awhile. She had a hard time transitioning and thankfully wasn't on for quite a full hour or they would've had to take her to the NICU but it was really close to an hour. Apparently she'd pooped ALL over the table they had her on! LOL I guess it was everywhere. They were going to put an IV in to give her some saline (I think that's what it was) but when they tried she perked right up! Let me tell you, even though I knew in my heart of hearts she was OK I was concerned and worried and broke down crying at one point. We would try to move the computer over by her once in awhile so Zach could see her. I can't imagine how he felt, being so far away.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While they were working on her the doctor was working on me. It took forever for the placenta to come out and he told me he'd give it another minute and if it didn't come out he'd have to reach up and get it out. I prayed then and wouldn't you know it came out on it's own, thankfully! Another thing, they gave Pitocin after the birth (probably to help with the placenta), but how weird that they give it at all when they're so weird about it with VBAC patients. I could then see the placenta across the room and started joking with Zach asking if he wanted to see it. I knew he'd be grossed out, lol. Then the doctor started joking with Zach, saying we could send it to him and that he heard the food out there is gross and he could eat the placenta! I was shocked at how great he was! He was trying to make conversation with Zach through the computer and even was talking to my mom and asking her questions.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the time was up and Naomi was fine they weighed her- 7 lb. 9 oz. and 19.5 inches long. Zach thought she'd be huge and I thought she'd be at least 8 lbs. Then I could hold her at last!!! Such relief flooded through me! I just held on to her and wept. I felt pure joy and thankfulness for such a blessing! It was so amazing to hold her at last! The specialist from the NICU wanted me to be the only one to hold her throughout the day and to have lots of skin-to-skin contact with her after her ordeal after birth. But by afternoon she was fine and hte nurse said it was OK for her to be held briefly by others and to even have her bath. They just didn't want her overstimulated. So everyone was able to hold her for a little while. She was such a trooper- pretty much latched right on, like she'd been a nursing pro!!! Come to find out, she must have been a thumb sucker in the womb because she'd found both thumbs within the next hour or two! She has tried to get at them since then but usually isn't successful in getting them in her mouth! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really enjoyed our hospital stay. I know some people don't like hospitals but it was like a little 'vacation'. It was so quiet without the kids there, I wished I could've stayed longer! They (the kids) sure loved coming and meeting their new sister though. I have enjoyed every single minute of her life. I can't believe she is now 8 days old. I feel like time is already going by too fast and it stinks. I just want her to stay little longer, knowing how fast time really does go. I don't mind her dirty diapers or middle of the night feedings. I just love her so much. I'm so thankful for her. It's also quite a bummer that Zach isn't here and hasn't met her yet. I lay in bed at night and just get sad about it all. It's so cute seeing all the kids interact with her. Gabe just smiles down at her with his cute little smile as he holds her. Abby is a huge helper, always wanting to bring me her diapers and wipes, and saying in a sweet little voice, "Hi dede (baby) Woe-E (Naomi)." Hannah loves to hold and kiss her. Josiah loves to hold her and talk to her sweetly. It's so cute to see them all love on her! And the noise doesn't even phase her. You could have yelling and crying and she doesn't even budge. She especially likes the sounds of Abby, I think! It's amazing how they get used to all that noise in the womb!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting to add. Mommy brain, you know? I'm so thankful for such a great, successful birth. It was by far the best one. I totally recommend everyone having a doula. Even though I got an epidural (and she knew I'd probably get one), she was still super helpful and helped me to take more control of the birth I wanted to have, if that makes sense. It was nice to have a doula who was supportive either way- being supportive whatever I wanted. I'm so glad my friend, Angie, could drive all the way down to be here for such a special time. What a blessing her presence was, even if she did arrive 10 minutes after the birth! She took awesome pictures too. I'm thankful for my friend, Sadie, for being such a great support throughout my pregnancy and for watching my kiddos when I was finally in labor! I knew I need not worry about them and it was such a relief to me! And I'm so thankful for my mom. She's been here for a little over a month helping out now and it's such a blessing to have her help. I am so glad she could be there to see Naomi come into this world, to share in that time with me, especially when Zach couldn't be here in person. God is so good and has totally blessed us! And I see now His hand in it all. When I was so ready to be done, wondering if I should've just had a c-section so I didn't have to endure any more pain, when I just wanted her out I'm so thankful she came when she did and not any sooner. I look back now and see God's hand in it all, even in the timing. It's amazing it was on the weekend, when it worked best for all those involved. God knew. I look back now and wish I hadn't rushed the end so bad...if only I hadn't had so much pain! I know time will fly and she'll grow so fast, but I'll cherish each moment. I am blessed. I am blessed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-81273885929251841292011-07-17T19:20:00.000-05:002011-07-17T19:20:58.559-05:00Change<span style="color: #4c1130;"><em>I'm working on typing up my birth story, but in the mean time I have something else to blog about. Our family has obviously had quite a few changes this year. Daddy's been gone for almost 4 months now. Nanny's been here for just over a month. We just had a new baby. As you can imagine this all affects each of us. Some of us handle it in different ways than others. I'm not sure if it's all of the above plus other things that are getting to Hannah, who is 11. I know she's in those pre-teen years as well. When I first came home from the hospital it seemed that she was the one having the hardest time with everything and was just really 'clingy' (mostly clingy with my mom). Now though I wonder if its not just a whole variety of how life is lately. Throw in that her friends don't seem too friendly anymore and I really hurt for her. It seems some of the neighbor girls always play together and Hannah sees that and I know it's got to hurt, even though she doesn't talk about it, even when I try to talk to her about it without putting words in her mouth so to speak. It hurts ME for her. Friday she was able to go on a playdate with a friend and tomorrow she has another one. It's so hard to get together with friends who don't live around us though- we all have multiple children and it just makes get-togethers hard sometimes! I really pray that the next place we move has GOOD friends from GOOD Christian families in our neighborhood. Don't get me wrong, our neighborhood now is great. But it's lacking a bit in the friend department for the kiddos.</em></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-29826378789787309372011-07-03T17:40:00.000-05:002011-07-03T17:40:24.797-05:00Seriously?!?!<span style="color: lime; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My 8th pregnancy, 5th full term pregnancy and the longest one yet! I'm 39 weeks 4 days. I'm so miserable. If I didn't have this pain in the side of my ribs (my right side) it wouldn't be so bad. I have this jarring pain that is pretty constant. It's ridiculous, annoying and I'm so over it. I know all the things like I need to be grateful I made it this far, that I have a baby and all that (especially when I have SO many friends wanting babies) but it doesn't make it any easier when you have pain like that. I just want to enjoy the end of the pregnancy but its pretty difficult to do. If only I could be induced or something! On Thursday I was still dilated to a 1, but he may have said something about being effaced, I just can't remember because I was so stuck on that number 1. Last night I had a few stronger braxton hicks but whoopee do, it didn't do a thing. I know I can't be pregnant forever, but this seems like forever. They will now let me go to 41 weeks as long as Dr. Drake monitors me twice in that week, which I'm OK with, but seriously I'm praying she comes before I even hit 40 weeks. I mean how much pain can one take?!? Abby was throwing a fit earlier as I reprimanded her and she was just all over me and I got so frustrated. I am so sore! I just started to cry...I'm tired of it! I feel like I can barely walk- I feel so huge. I should say that at this point I feel like I can barely even waddle! I look forward to the day where I can just spring out of bed again. Normally I LOVE being pregnant- and of course there are perks- I love the little movements and all, but pain, pain, pain. With Abby it was constant pain with kidney stones and a stint and now this! Just ridiculous. And let's not forget I am so eager to meet our little girl- to hold her, hug her, nurse her, kiss her, stare at her, etc. I am READY. What's she waiting for? Is she scared to enter into this family, this madhouse!?!? To those who read who desire a baby...I'm sorry for my complaining. I know you'd love to be in my shoes...please know I am SO thankful to have this baby growing within- I'm just ready for it to be DONE! Anyway, that's my gripe for today...wonder if I'll shed more tears. I've been holding it together pretty well...but I'm just so exhausted on so many levels.</span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-53372711641453861382011-06-23T08:49:00.000-05:002011-06-23T08:49:10.914-05:00The Waiting Game<span style="color: #674ea7;">I know considering where I was a year ago at this time I shouldn't complain, but boy oh boy can the baby make her appearance yet!?! I'm so tired of being so sore! I already have sleepless nights. I just want my back/side/ribs to feel normal again. I want to meet this little girl. I want to get labor over with. There are so many unknowns that I just want it done! (Who will end up watching the kids? How long will it take? Will it start in the middle of the night? What about the kids? How much pain will I be in? Will it happen before my doula goes on vacation? The kids?). Ugh! I just want it behind me. I want to hold my little girl in my arms, kiss her and love her. And please know I'm THRILLED and THANKFUL to have carried a baby to term! I know so many of my friends who are just aching for that right now. At the same time, if you've ever gotten to the end of a pregnancy you know just how I feel. I can't even move without grunting! People are starting to get on my nerves with comments like, "You look great", "You look five months pregnant", "When are you due?", "Any day now" and on and on. Maybe I look great to YOU but I feel huge. I've never weighed this much in my life!!! Sure my stomach isn't that big but have you checked out my thighs or butt!?! Ugh! Disgusting! Any day now my butt...I've been telling myself this for weeks now. Now the days are just dragging so slowly it's like a big joke. Every night I go to bed I think, "Maybe this is the night." I hate waking up in the morning being the same! Well, not exactly the same for it seems like every day I have more and more pressure down there. So, that's where I'm at today. Waiting, waiting, waiting. And I've never been very good at that! I know she'll be here soon and I won't be able to imagine what life was like without her, but in the meantime...</span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-34202294331887059002011-06-12T19:47:00.000-05:002011-06-12T19:47:51.198-05:00I hate this!!!<span style="color: #990000;"><em>I hate this whole thing. Who'd ever think they'd be pregnant with their 5th (living) child and their husband is across the world in a combat zone!?!? As I approach my due date (I am SO ready) I can't help but get emotional knowing my husband is not here to take part in such a special day. I mean, who misses the birth of their baby!?! I know it happens, but it sure stinks that it is happening to me! So, I've been a bit of a mess over it all the past couple of days.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><em>This morning I woke up totally in a nesting mood. I got rid of the dresser in the boy's room and put their clothes in some Rubbermaid bins under their beds and bought some collapsible type bins for under their table. Much more room in there and I can hope that their room won't accumulate so much junk. You should've seen the garbage I took out of there! And it hasn't been that long since I cleaned it! Ugh!!! Sure feels good to have it clean, but I'm guessing it won't last long. </em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><em>I wish these braxton hicks would DO something! I'm so ready for this baby! If nothing else it will give me a break from the little ones under my roof. My mom will be here in a few days so it'll be nice to have an extra pair of hands to help me out. </em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><em>I put the kids to bed early tonight. I'm just too tired of dealing with their behavior. I am down here typing this and crying. I'm just tired. Exhausted. On so many levels. And here our day started out good...going to church, eating lunch out and buying the new things for the boy's room. Why, why, WHY does it have to end on such a crappy note?</em></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-51435072975717984342011-06-09T14:15:00.000-05:002011-06-09T14:15:02.083-05:00Mean Mom<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe I'm meanie. But seriously, it's <u><strong>math</strong></u> and my kids have<strong> GOT</strong> to finish it. It's critical information they're learning, ya know? So, about 4 times a week they have to do two math pages. Hannah only has tests left. Gabe has 2 or 3 chapters. They both can finish their work easily in an hour or less. I know every child is different, but why does Josiah have to be <strong>so</strong> different? It takes him ALL day to do his work (2 pages) and he still has about 6 chapters left. <strong>I </strong>want them to be done with math as I<strong> hate</strong> math...I don't want to be dealing with this all summer long. <strong>All</strong> day Josiah works on his 2 math pages (and mind you sometimes there are only 10 problems on a page). Really. I cannot sit by him all day when I have three other children, laundry and housework. As it is I'm so tired and feel like I don't keep up with things like I used to (hmmm, maybe because I'm doing this whole thing alone and 9 months pregnant). The other day when I was able to sit by him he did 1 page and worked quickly and efficiently, getting the problems right. But I can't continually do that. He needs to learn to work, ya know? I'm at a loss what to do. This is the one child, I hate to say, that I just do not enjoy homeschooling. I feel so bad saying that. I feel so mean. But it is so true. As I sit typing his brother and sister just came up from the basement and he's extremely distracted. When they were in the basement he was busy looking out the window at the sky. How do I keep him from being distracted!?! I can't constantly keep the noise/chaos/kids away from him! I am so frustrated! And sure, maybe I just could say "Forget it" but he really needs to get this math down! Last year he started this years math late because he had to finish the previous year's math. I don't want to do that again and be doing math next year until July!!!</span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-558781104940862622011-05-31T10:51:00.000-05:002011-05-31T10:51:30.628-05:00SmartnessLast night I was skyping with my mom. She noticed Abby's pajamas and said something about them. When I asked Abby to tell Nanny who was on her pj's she said, "Cinderella" and started to sing. I had only told her one time who was on her pajamas and she totally remembered! My mom says, "Oh, those are nice pajamas, Abby. Where did you get them from?" Abby's response, "Garage sale." And sure enough that's exactly where they came from! She is so smart and just growing so fast. When I call for her she'll say, "Ok, coming!" She will let the dog in and out when I ask if someone can do that! She just amazes me!Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-2245376797473890302011-05-25T10:52:00.000-05:002011-05-25T10:52:12.117-05:00ComplaintsI know so many people who have bigger problems than I do right now, but that doesn't mean I can't complain does it!?! I am so tired of this whole deployment thing. It really stinks. It is so tiring. I'm tired of always trying to put on a happy face and "look on the bright side." It's really hard to find a bright side when you're in my shoes. I'm just so sick of it all- every single part of it. I'm so glad we're done with school (aside from math) so today I can just stay home, be a bum and fester over it all. Although I do need to run out to the store at some point- I could've sworn I had another bottle of baby aspirin but when I went to take it last night I couldn't find any! First time since Sept. or Oct. that I missed a day! I only have 2 more weeks to go of taking it anyway, so I'm not worried. Thanks for listening to me complain...if only I could provide some details!Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13312615.post-45950508963184986232011-05-09T21:32:00.000-05:002011-05-09T21:32:23.221-05:00A funnyOK, I just finished reading my friend Sadie's blog. I love how she posts funny things about her kids. My friend Jamie also cracks me up. Anyway, I need to get back to posting funnies about my kids! So here's one for you:<br />
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Abby pretty much always says, "My butt hurts." I don't think it always hurts, I just think she likes to say it, although she usually says it about the time she's going to poop or has pooped. Anyway, yesterday we were sitting outside and she was hanging all over me and she said, "Butt hurts" again. I either asked her if her butt hurt or said my butt hurts too (sometimes I will reply that mine hurts too to see what she says, and let's face it- I am pregnant and sometimes it DOES hurt)! She proceeded to pry herself off of me and was lifting up my shirt in back. I was a bit confused until she tried to move my pants away from my body to look down them- to see if my butt really did hurt!!! I still laugh pretty hard about it! Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700075162888413264noreply@blogger.com1