Annual Santa Pics...

Here's our 2008 Santa pictures. Daxton did not want to sit on Santa's lap, that's why he's sitting with Xavier, it probably worked out better that way anyway. This is the photo we used for Christmas cards this year.
These are the things the kids told Santa they wanted this year:

Xavier- Power Rangers. Xandria- Hannah Montana barbie. Drake- Jungle Fury Power Rangers. When it came time for Christmas, Santa didn't disappoint.

Of course, since it was Ziana's 1st Christmas she had to have a photo with Santa all by herself. Second year in a row that we have had a new baby at Christmastime, and NO it won't happen next year :)

I plan on posting more pics later, when I can get them uploaded!

Pieces of Ziana's Room...

you can click on picture to see more detail

made by my husband :) I LOVE her room!!! It's has an Alice in Wonderland theme. I LOVE the dark pink and black...it has turned out so nice!

These pictures just show a little peek into her room...I plan to take more photos to hopefully show it all, but these are the two things that Nick built for the room. The wall unit is so beautiful and it has so much storage! I got the idea from Pottery Barn Kids...I saw it in white on their website. The only problem was it was $1,000 (!!) and it was only 5 FOOT TALL!! Holy cow, that was crazy!! I showed it to Nick and of course he says "I can make that" and he did :)

The top halves of the cabinets have two doors that open up with 3 shelves in them. The middle section has one shelf. And the bottom halves have two big drawers (they are hard to see in the picture). Under the window is a seat that opens up for some storage and under that is 3 open spots where I have the containers. I plan on getting some pillows to put on the bench...if I knew how to make some I would. Sometime I will get hardware put on the cabinets, but I want to wait because Daxton would really love to pull them open!

Nick stained all the trim in the room black and the crib also.

The second picture is a dollhouse/bookshelf. Same story...I saw it at Pottery Barn Kids, showed it to Nick and he said "I can make that.", and he did :) The picture isn't the best because I had to use the flash.

He also made a doll bed that I used when I had her newborn photos taken.

Nick really wants to get into making custom cabinet/items, it's something he loves to do. He really amazes me with all that he knows how to do!!

Her room is 98% done. I just have some frames I need to fill (ones in the cabinet) and some I want to buy and there is a vent cover that needs to be put on.

In True Xandria Form

So, a couple days ago Xandria came home from school and was talking about a kid (D.), and she was saying how he doesn't like her and was teasing her about a scratch on her forehead...though I didn't see a scratch anywhere. She said she didn't like him. I told her that sometimes if a boy likes a girl instead of being nice to her, he will be mean to her and pick on her and act as if he doesn't like her, but in truth he just really has the hots for her :) She said no that he just doesn't like her. I told her that she couldn't be too sure of that.
We all know how little boys are.
The next day she came home from school and says to me "mom, you were wrong." Wrong about what? "D. doesn't like me. I asked him and he said he didn't like me."
Leave it to Xandria to actually go ask him.
Then she proceeds to say "He doesn't like me. And I don't like him."
That's her. Not one to hold back anything!

She went to the dentist today for a check up. No cavities!! Afterwards, she was supposed to go to school, but she ended up getting sick. I could tell she hadn't been feeling well the past few days...she wouldn't even eat a cookie the other day! She's pretty much stayed in bed...looking at papers and playing with her tic tac toe that she got from the dentist. She hasn't gotten sick since this morning, so hopefully she will be fine to go to school tomorrow...they have their Chirstmas party and I know she wouldn't want to miss out on that.
Well, I'm off to shower since both babes are sleeping and it's almost 4!

Daxton...

is cute as can be :) Everyone says he looks just like his grandpa (Nick's dad). Now has hazel eyes like Drake.

Figured out a couple months ago how to open the lock on the gates Nick made. He reaches his hand up in there, flips the lock up and slides it over, then opens the gate. Nice. He usually won't go up the stairs anymore after he does it, but wants to make sure you know he did it. That boy figures things out so fast!

Has the cutest, cheesiest grin when he wants to be really silly. I love it!! Now he has his 3rd little bottom tooth popped up to join the other two.

Likes to clap....especially when you say "Yay!"

Eats everything...or at least tries to!!

Will give the baby her pacifier when she's crying...though he can't get it in her mouth. He usually just puts it up to her face :)

This is how he touches her...with his one finger. He does it very gently. He likes to rub her hair the most, but will touch her face or hands or feet. It's so cute to see him do it :)

Loves splashing in the sink. Yes, it's probably time he be in the tub, but I guess I got used to bathing him in the sink because when I was pregnant I couldn't bend over to bathe him in the tub. He does take them more in the tub now though. In this picture there isn't even a plug in the sink...who needs one when your tush can do it ;)

This boy can trash the house like no other!!! He also likes to empty his toy box out and put all the toys in his bed. He still eats alot. He drinks even more than he eats...he LOVES his cup! Pacifier when he goes to sleep. Listens and understands what you're telling him. Loves to try and get in Drake's room. Stands up in his highchair when he knows he's not supposed to. Loves to play with mom's cellphone and sometimes calls daddy with it! Loves to play with the toilet and stick things in it. That's all I've got right now.

One Month

One month ago today our little Ziana popped out. I wanted to use this post to jot down the things I don't want to forget about her in her 1st month.

Your big blue eyes and dark hair

Your hair always sticks up all over when you have just recently had a bath.

You have gotten some chubby little rolls on your legs that mommy loves.

That your eyes go crossed. I think it's funny, Daddy doesn't like it :)

Your little foot is the same length as my middle finger. I told Daddy I wanted just one of your feet to put on my keyring, he said it might be okay, since I only want one ;) Love those little feet and toes!

Your first Thanksgiving. You looked so cute in your turkey dress and turkey headband.

The look on your face when you had your first real bath. You weren't too impressed.

• You have your tongue stuck up almost to the roof of your mouth alot.
• You like to make a little o shape with your mouth sometimes and I think it's funny.
• You have a love/hate relationship with your paci. Usually you love it, but sometimes you will push it out of your mouth only to take it a few seconds later.
• You make a uh uh uh sound when you get your arms and legs moving around.
• Sometimes when your fussy, I will put you up on my shoulder and you will enjoy looking around and quiet down.
• You have started holding your head up...mainly when I put you on my shoulder.
• Your face turns BRIGHT red when you cry...reminds me of how sister was when she was a baby.
• You have started drinking 5oz.
• You wear 0-3 months clothing.
• You like big, warm blankets the best.
• Your eyes get big when someone talks to you, especially Mommy.
• Your usually snoozing when Daddy gives you your 1st nighttime feeding, so it takes you longer to eat.
• Just above your tush, you have a patch of dark hair :)
• You are loved and adored by your siblings and your parents!!
• Your nickname so far is Girlie Girlie...well that's what mommy calls you.
• Your hungry right now so I have to go!

Happenings

Not too much has been happening around here. Well, other than feedings, an endless supply of diaper changes, sleeping, bathing, clothing, pacifying, cleaning, laundry, picking up, Christmas present stressing (I never know what to get anyone!), and some bickering thrown in (Xavier and Xandria), being sick sunday and monday, Drake puking. That pretty much sums it up around here. Oh and a certain relative bitching about Nick putting on her screen door...in the inches of snow, nonetheless!
I think I'm ready to get out of the house today. Yea probably. We are going to go do a little bit of shopping done tonight. I'm ready for the fresh air...even though it's cold out! I'm so lucky that my father in law has been picking the kids up from school for me!!! That is great, because otherwise I would have to bundle up 3 little ones to go out in the freezing cold for ten minutes to pick them up. So glad he has done that for me since the baby came :)
The kids were at my parents this weekend and when Nick brought them home on sunday, Drake came upstairs to see me. He didn't look good. I asked him if he was alright and he said yes. Then he went downstairs and got sick on the floor. Poor boy. He was up a couple times at night and just went into the bathroom to get sick...he was in there crying a little bit and I felt so bad for him :( Monday he still felt bad, but if you would ask him how he felt he would say "good." Tuesday he was finally able to eat supper. He definitely made up for lost time!! I was nervous he would get sick, but he was fine.
Xavier has his first basketball practice afterschool today. He's been looking forward to it...I have been a little bit also...now him and Xandria won't be bickering as soon as they get home from school. Those two have really been driving me crazy with that lately!! They are fine with the other kids and everyone else gets along fine, but not them together! I don't know what it is! We've been working on getting it resolved, but who knows! Anyway, it's his first year playing basketball, so we'll see how it goes. He's really excited though!
Xavier also plays Nick's old trumpet in the 5th grade band. His teacher told him he's doing really well with it and he can play Hot Cross Buns.
Xandria still goes to gymnastics once a week and loves it!
Daxton is 15 months old now! It's funny to see him next to Ziana. He's such a monster next to her! He weighs 30 pounds and is 31 inches tall!!
He's busy, busy, but since the baby came he wants loving and to be held alot more :) Before he would never have time for any of that business! I love it and soak it up!! He hollers "mom" when he wants something or sees me...cracks me up! If I don't put pants on him, he will pull his diaper off and it drives me crazy! The boy still has to put everything he finds into his mouth...cardboard being one of his favorite things to munch on!
Well, I need to hop in the shower while both babies are sleeping!

3 Weeks

Ziana turned 3 weeks on tuesday! Monday Nick took her to the doctor for her first check up since leaving the hospital. She now weighs 10lbs 7oz!! So she's gained pretty much 2lbs since she was born...she had even lost 3oz after she was born! I knew she was getting bigger. She's now 21 inches long...she grew 1/2 an inch. Doctor said she's doing great and not to change a thing...not that we planned on it.
Here some things about her at 3 weeks:

• She eats every 3 hours, but at night often will go at least once to 4 hours.
• She loves to stretch out her legs, and when she does she will stretch out her toes also. Too cute!
• She likes to be in the swing, and will sleep in the Moses basket. Daxton hated the Moses basket and would cry just about everytime he was put in it.
• Her cord finally fell completely off last friday.
• She had her first bath in the tub last sunday. She wasn't too impressed with it, but she loves when her hair is washed under the faucet.
• She always has a collection of lint in her hands...not sure how it gets there!
• When she's awake she likes to be held or talked to. I swear the second I leave the room and she's awake, she's crying or fussing!
• She likes to fall asleep with Daddy.

That's all I've got for now...someone needs a diaper change!

This Boy of Mine...

Kisses for baby sister

Reading to baby sister when she was being fussy.

absolutely melts my heart :) He is the sweetest, most loving little guy EVER!! Since I don't have alot of time I will just do a bullet post of the sweet things I love about him:

• He's been SO excited to have a new baby sister from the moment we told him. He LOVES being a big brother!
• He was SO excited when he saw he for the first time at the hospital and was ALL about her...especially her hair! He had to keep lifting up her hat and rubbing her hair, saying how soft it was.
• He's my right hand man around here...always telling me when the baby is crying, giving her the paci, helping me with everything.
• He's very sensitive. If he gets upset, it takes awhile for him to calm down and will often go in his bed with his blanket until he is better.
• He has the prettiest eyes...they are different shades...with green and have blue around them.
• He's into everything his big brother is...that includes Pokemon, legos, books, Bakugan.
• He likes to sit up in his room at night and look at his books.
• When he knows he supposed to be sleeping he will come down to the living room where I am and say how he forgot to give me something. Usually that's a sticker, kiss, or a hug.
• If I ask him for a kiss he will say he's all out, then he will say he only has this many (whatever number he picks) left, and give me all of them.
• He still likes me to sing Rock A Bye Baby to him at bedtime.
• He says how Ziana is so pretty or so cute.
• He will read books to Daxton or Ziana.
• He's always chasing Daxton around trying to give him a hug or a kiss.
• He was the first one of the kids to feed Ziana a bottle and he loves to hold her.
• He never wants to get in the bath, but once he finally does, he doesn't want to get out.
• When Daxton wakes up he will go in his room and give him toys to play with.
• When you asks him what he wants to be when he grows up he says "a dad" and he told me he wants 16 kids :)

I know there are some other things I want to remember, but right now I can't think of them. I will probably come back and add to this list as I remember them.

Our family is so blessed to have him and his sweet spirit. I tell him all the time I want to keep him in a bottle, so that way he can't get any bigger or become a stinker ;)

One Week New

she likes to suck on her hands.

i love her hair, it's so soft :)

wide awake with her blue eyes. one week new.

sweet little feet.

love how her feet are curled together. she did that herself. 6 days new.

Tuesday Ziana turned one week old. She is such a sweetie little girlie. Here are some things about her now that she's one week old.

• When we came home from the hospital she just started drinking 2oz, now she drinks 4oz!






• She doesn't fit in newborn diapers anymore...size 1






• She doesn't fit in mostly all her newborn sized clothes...good thing I didn't buy too many, and the ones I did I got for cheap.






• She loves to be warm and wrapped up in the bigger blankets, cries when she's cold.






• At night she normally goes back to sleep after her feeding...sometimes fusses a bit. Most of the nights she has gone 4 hours between feedings. 3 hours during the day.






• When she wants to eat, she wants it NOW!






• Her cord fell off yesterday, I don't think it was quite ready to as it's scabbed back over.






• Her skin is starting to crack, especially around her ankle area.






• I noticed that she has a large "stork bite" on the back, middle part of her head under her hair. '






• She loves her pacifier...and sucking on her hands.
• She gets the hiccups quite abit, sometimes before she even eats.

.

The Newest Drama Queen...

ZIANA ANGELINA!!!

She was born on tuesday, November 11. Weighed 8lbs 8oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. She has dark blue eyes and a ton of jet black hair!! We are so happy to have her healthy and at home :) I had to say she was the newest drama queen because after she was born she cried for quite awhile...definitely a girl ;) I hope to update more later, but for now it's just about time for her to eat.

One day old. Wide awake and taking it all in.

She was born with a birthmark on her left leg. It kinda looks like a star. Three of the kids were born with birthmarks, yet each one has a different kind of birthmark.

Look at all that black hair!!

Laying in mom's hospital bed...asleep and peaceful. Hours old.

IT'S AMAZING!!

Went to my doctor visit today. NST first...baby did great and sounded good. No fluid check since it was done on friday and I was already scheduled for induction.
My midwife asked if I've had any contractions. I said "not today, but yesterday I did." She said she had thought about me all weekend and was sending labor vibes to me :)
Had to get undressed from the waist down (I think it's funny when they say that) and she checked me. She had to do a little reaching, but not as much as last time. She said "oh, it's alot better!" I said "it is?" She said she couldn't believe it, but I was DILATED TO 3!!! Whoo hoo!!!
That's GREAT news...it means no cervidal!!
So, I get to go in bright and early...ok, I know it's not going to be close to bright out, but it's going to be EARLY, and start Pitocin. Yay!! No laying in bed for 12+ hours for the cervidal to kick in :)
She said hopefully we can have a baby by noon!! Wow, that would be great!!
So I'm EXCITED and exhausted...must go to bed soon. It works out great that Angela is off of work the next 2 days and can be here with the kids :)
Now I need to finish getting my bag packed.
And if my aunt happens to be reading this tonight...I will call you in the morning after we have gotten settled in and the sun is up ;)
YAY!!

Due Date...

came and went yesterday with no action going on. No surprise there.
Last friday I had my NST/doc visit. Baby's fluid was great (16.), highest it's been since they started keeping track of it. Her heartrate was 141. No contractions or anything on the monitor. The midwife came in to see me and she said she wanted to check me for any progress.
Whoa! That was a little painful!! I was thinking that my cervix must be located at the back of my throat with all the reaching she had to try and do! Nope...just very far back and no progress going on.
Surprise.
So, she called the hospital and made me a reservation.
Very early in the morning, I might add!
But at least there is an end in sight :)
I'm getting ready to go see her in about an hour and a half, and check to see if there's ANY sign of some kind of progress. I only hope!! I had a few contractions yesterday, but that's about it.
Well, gotta run...kids are out of school in 25 minutes and I need to finish getting ready!
I hope to update after my appointment.

Still Here :)

Thought I would just do a quick post saying that I'm still here...pregnant and ready to pop (as people keep telling me).
I had my NST/fluid check on monday. This week is pretty screwed up since I was in the hospital last week.
I was supposed to have my NST/fluid check on fri, but when I got there I was informed that it was canceled. That's nice to know. I do have 4 other kids that need someone to watch them while I'm gone. That really irritated me that no one called or anything.
So it was rescheduled for monday. But that's the day that my midwife isn't there...I normally see her the beginning of the week and then have just the NST/fluid check later in the week. Not this week. Which is a bummer.
Baby had enough fluid (10.something), so that was good to hear. She was sucking on her hand and her knee was almost up to her face...definitely getting cramped in there!!
The NST went well. She did have to be buzzed once and I had one contraction. That's about it.
I go on friday to see the midwife. This week has already seemed so long, since everything is spread out. I'm hoping to stay pregnant throught the weekend and then after that the baby can come ;)
We have been getting alot done in baby's room, but still have some to do. Hopefully get most of it finished tonight. Who knows.

Daxton has been giving me a hard time since the time change. Been tough getting him to last until 3 for his usual naptime!! Plus he's had a bit of a cold, so he hasn't been the happiest camper.
In other news, I'm FINALLY getting his thank you cards and pictures sent out...only a couple months later!! I've been terrible and doing the kind of stuff. I'm ordering Xavier and Xandria's pictures (finally!), so once I get those back, I will send out their thank you cards. I'm glad I've had this extra time since I was in the hospital to get some things (and LOTS and LOTS of laundry) done!!
That's all for now! Oh...and I'm SO ECSTATIC that I made it through yesterday with the baby still inside ;)

Halloween Costumes...

Daxton as a shark. Someone commented "Land Shark!" :)

Drake as the Red Power Ranger. With his numchucks (sp). It was funny that when he first got them, he was so excited to get them out of the package, that he snipped the string that held them together instead of the string that kept them in the box, so Daddy fixed them. :)

Xandria the Monster Bride. She did complain that people weren't going crazy about her costume, like they did with Daxton's. I told her it's because he's a little guy. She's so funny. We had a hard time finding her a costume.

Xavier knew what he wanted right away. Since he's obsessed with Star Wars, it was only obvious he was going to be someone from it. He was Boba Fett.

The group shot. These were taken at the All Hallow's Eve Festival we went to the week before Halloween.

Drake was terrified of a kid there that was wearing a scary clown costume. Of course that kid seemed to be everywhere we were, so Drake would run off and hide behind someone :)

The Day I Came ThisClose To Having Baby...

that would be yesterday. It started with going to my 2pm doc appointment. The place was packed, so I had to wait about 20 minutes.
I was called back...stop at the scale (still 1 pound under my "Daxton delivery weight") then back to the ultrasound room to measure the baby's fluid. Her heartrate was 130 (normal) and she had her arm across her face (of course).
While the tech was measuring the fluid I could tell she wasn't finding a whole lot, and I saw it said 6.6 on the screen. Yea, I knew that was low. She said the baby looked good, and when we finished she said she would be thinking of me and hoping I have the baby soon.
Off to the NST room where I was hooked up to the monitors. Sat there for a few minutes and the lady came back to check on things...said it looked like i had a contraction and did I feel it? Not really. Then she was saying how baby was looking too comfortable in there and would need a buzz to get some movement on the monitor. So, she buzzed the baby in two different spots. It startled baby, but didn't do too much, the lady said we would just wait and see how it went.
Just after she walked out, one of the other NST techs (I don't know what their job title is, so I will just go with that) came in. She didn't realize someone had just been in. She looked over the printout and said the baby was having variables in the heartrate (going down), but she said it was coming right back up. She had me turn on my side so maybe that would help out. She left for a few minutes and came back.
Sh looked at the monitor printout and said it looked like baby needed to be buzzed. I said "Again already?" She said "oh it does say you were already buzzed. Have you eaten anything recently?" I told her I had just had a candy bar before I came. She thought maybe water would help get the baby moving, so while I drank the water, she grabbed my chart to look it over.
She noticed the fluid was down from 14 on fri to 6 now on tuesday. She said that was probably the reason the baby wasn't too active (low fluid). She saw that I was 38weeks and 2days so she tells me that I will probably get sent right over. Umm...right over where??? TO THE HOSPITAL!!
WHAT?! That made me just a bit nervous!! Just a bit!
She unhooked me and sent me to the room to wait for my midwife. I had to get undressed from the waist down so I could be checked for any progress.
I sent Nick a text saying "today might be baby day."
Finally, my midwife comes in. She asked if I had been leaking any fluid. I told her that I was pretty sure I wasn't. She said she would test to make sure I wasn't. It was negative for fluid. She also checked my cervix for any progress. There was none. Still long and closed.
She told me that since my fluid level was quite low I was most likely going to the hospital. She had to talk with the on-call doc to get his opinion.
She came back in to tell me that he had STRONGLY suggested (about 4 times) that I go to the hospital, be given an IV and cervadil (sp) placed on my cervix to get it ripe for labor!
Yes, that meant I was going to be induced!!
WHOA!! I was not ready for all that on what I thought was a typical doctor visit!! She told me I was to go right over to Labor and Delivery.
Well, I didn't go RIGHT there...I stopped to get the older 2 from school daycare and fill them in on what was going on. Thank God Angela was at my house with the younger 2 and didn't have to work that night!!
So, I got to the hospital about 4:25. Of course you have to sign a bunch of papers and answer questions. The lady came in with the IV and all I could think was Nick better be here before she does that (I hate the IV!!). Luckily, he arrived just in time!
The cervidal was put in at 5:55pm. I couldn't get up to go to the bathroom for an hour. It's supposed to stay in for 12 hours.
The time was going by pretty fast...my aunt stopped by for a couple hours, so that made it go by faster. Plus I wasn't in pain, so I could talk. Nick and I went to sleep about midnight. Well, at least he did. I tried...and tried. Of course that's when contractions started. They weren't "grip the bed, I can't take it" contractions though. But they were coming 2-3 minutes apart.
The nurse came in and checked on me and was surprised to see them so consistent and said that maybe one dose of cervidal was all I would need.
I could NOT sleep, so just after 2am, she gave me a sleeping pill and I was out after that.
She came in around 6am and took out the cervidal and checked my cervix. She said it was at 1. She told me the midwife on call would come in about 7 or so and we would see what step would be taken next.
She came in just before 8.
She told me that since I wasn't active in labor, we would go have a fluid check to see if the fluid had gone up any. If it was still low, we would continue with the induction. If it was up, then I could probably go home, since I was still 2 weeks away from 40 weeks and there would really be no reason to continue the induction, since the problem would be solved.
Also, being that I was still 2 weeks away from being 40 weeks, induction time would probably take longer.
So, off to ultrasound. The fluid was now up to 10. And baby had been looking great all night on the monitors.
She told me the decision would be mine, but she recommended going home and waiting for nature to kick in or til I'm farther along to induce.
I called Nick (he had taken kids to school) and told him what was up and our choices.
We both decided that I would go home. It was somewhat a letdown, since I had accepted that I was having this baby, but at the same time...I had things to get done still!! And as long as the baby is doing well...which she is...we can wait for her arrival.
The kids were pretty bummed out (especially because Xandria was going to be spending the night at Angela's tonight, lol), but the baby will be here soon enough!!

Wow, that was alot of typing! But I wanted to have it all down :)

A Halloween Baby...

probably isn't going to happen. Unless, it happens on it's own. Tuesday was my 37 week appointment and we discussed induction dates and I was saying how I would love to have a Halloween baby. She was all for it, but had to check and see how far along I would be (have to be 39 weeks), of course I was 2 days short of 39 weeks. Oh well. I don't think I would be ready by then anyway...will I ever be ;)
I had my fluid check and NST before I saw the midwife. All was good :) No contractions. Measuring right on. Baby girl did have to be buzzed awake...twice! I know it's because she kept me up when I was trying to go to sleep the night before!! I don't know what it is with her and monday nights!! My lab results were back and there was no Group B Strep so that's good news! After we talked about Halloween, she looked on the calendar as to when she will be on call and said "what about Nov. 4?" WHAT?! NO!!! I told her that was the ONE day I absolutely was not going to have this baby!! It's my sister's birthday. And it can stay just that. She mentioned the 7th, but we didn't decide on anything. We'll see what happens. I just can't believe it's SO CLOSE!!!
And there's so much to still get done first! I got all the clothes washed last night, so I feel a little better about that.
Here are some pics that I took at the apple orchard by our house sunday. Daxton studying his apple. About the one and only time he actually sat still! Sigh...he's ALL about getting around and doing his own thing now :(

He LOVES the red apples the best!!

Helping Daddy pluck the apples off the tree. He managed to get this one pulled off.

I don't think I'm ever going to get a decent group shot of the kids again. This was the best I got and I had to crop it because someone's underpants was showing, lol.

I had my NST/fluid check today. Baby has enough fluid and was practicing her breathing again. That's so cool to see. Couldn't see her face really...just mainly the top back of her head, which the tech commented on "wow, she has alot of hair!" She did great on the NST...didn't need to be buzzed.

Munching on some of Daddy's apple.

Drake ate so many apples, I lost track. Of course he didn't completely finish each one. He would eat a strip or two around the whole apple, then toss it. He always had two apples in his hand at a time :)Xavier was on the hunt for the different kinds of apples and making us try them. Toots in the apple tree.

Doctor Visit and other happenings...

from last week. Tuesday was the growth ultrasound/NST/doctor visit. Gained 2 pounds, putting me at the weight I was when I delivered Daxton. Baby girl, still head down and had her arms across her face. The girl must be camera shy! She was looking good there...had her little legs crossed at the ankles :)
After the tech had all the measurements, she was able to figure out her weight. It was 6lbs 9oz. They say give or take 1/2 lb to 1lb. Baby's supposed to gain half a pound a week, so that would put her at roughly 8lbs 9oz if she came full term! If that was the case, she would be the biggest one yet...Drake's been the biggest so far, weighing 8lbs 80z at birth.
My fluid level was 10.2, so not too bad at all.
The results of my Group B Strep came back negative! But, that also happened last time...it wasn't until my urine was tested that it showed up in that, so she said to go to the lab at my next appt to have the urine tested.
The NST went fine. Baby was moving like crazy! I had some small contractions, but that was about it.

I had to go back friday for the NST/fluid check. Funny, that I was down 3 pounds, though I hadn't really eaten much yet. I'm sure it will be back up when I go back! Baby looked good on the screen and was pretty much positioned the same as last time. This time during the NST she had to be buzzed awake. It was funny, right went the buzzer went on she jumped! I was just telling Nick on tuesday at the NST that the baby has never had to be buzzed awake...this time she did! I know it was because she had kept me up the night before and was probably tired.
Thursday night was HORRIBLE!! She was moving like CRAZY when I was trying to go to sleep, which doesn't usually happen...plus the top of my uterus has been really bothering me lately. Feels like it's being stretched and pulled. Not very comfortable!!
On top of it, I've been SO EXHAUSTED lately and have had to take little naps when I get the chance. I told Nick last week, that it already felt like I had a newborn with the little sleep I was getting and being so exhausted. He had to let me know that's nature's way of getting me prepared.
Sorry, but I don't want to get prepared in that department!!

Yesterday we went to the apple orchard. It's about 20 or so minutes away. We were all excited to go apple picking! Yea. Well. We pulled up and the place was as busy as can be, BUT we noticed the lines for the tractors to take you picking weren't that busy. That was a good thing!

Or so we thought. We got parked and walked over...then noticed the sign saying that there was only pumpkin picking, NOT apple picking!!
The apples were done, except for some that picking starting on the 31st. Ugh. That sucked. Bad!

We did manage to get into the big barn, before the line was too big and get some apples, warm donuts and fudge, so it wasn't a complete waste ;)

There is a smaller apple orchard down the road from our house, so we drove back and went there. It was nice because there wasn't many people there, but their apples are more expensive and not quite as good. We ate LOTS of apples and had alot of fun. We came home with a bag full from there as well!

Nick and Drake really like the yellow apples best. I gave Daxton a small one of those. He didn't really get much of it in his mouth...just some teeth marks. Nick let him have some of his since the skin was already broken. He ate some...but once we gave him a red apple he went to town!!! He had the juice running all over him and Nick! He ate that whole thing COMPLETELY!! So, he obviously prefers the red apples!!

Well, that's all I have time for now...and my back is KILLING me!! I'm off to the doctor's again tomorrow. Twice a week from now on. Only 3 weeks left!!!

I have to get pictures posted SOON...don't let me forget ;)

Lots Going On

Wow, the past week has been a BUSY one!! I guess I can start with last week's doctor visit/NST. Tuesday was my appointment. Stepped on scale and was happy to see that no weight was gained :) Headed off to ultrasound to check fluid. Baby still head down...smashed up to the placenta. She was moving, moving! Her heartrate was 157. Only got one picture, not a very good one, but she's yawning in it. She must be a tired girl because that's the second photo I've gotten of her yawning :) She was also practicing her breathing.
After ultrasound, it was off to sit in the chair for the Non Stress Test for 20 minutes. This time I was checked on frequently and not forgotten about! No contractions and baby sounded good.
Time to go in the room and wait for the midwife. She came in and told me that everything looked good with the NST, but the baby's fluid was a little on the low end (9.7), but it wasn't bad.

The pants had to come off so I could be swabbed for Group B Strep. I have tested negative with the first 3 babies, but with Daxton the results were positive, so I was given antibiotics prior to his birth. It's not harmful at all to moms (and they don't know how you get it), but it can be harmful to babies if they pass through the birth canal and their mom's haven't been treated.
I could test negative this time, but was told that it will probably be positive.

The midwife also checked my cervix to see if anything was going on. Nope...still tightly closed. Just how I would like to keep it for a few weeks!! We talked about a "birth plan". Which basically consists of EPIDURAL, EPIDURAL, EPIDURAL :) Seriously though, that's about the only time I dilate. I can have painful contractions forever and not have any progress, until I get the epidural. Then I go QUICKLY!! That's when my body can finally relax and do what it's supposed to. I'm the one who gets in the way of it happening apparently.

She said we could probably plan an induction date. Which would be A-Ok with me. Makes things easier in general. Especially with the other kids. She said I would have to be 39 weeks and my cervix would have to be favorable. I can handle that! I'm not a fan of Pitocin, but I just think: EPIDURAL, EPIDURAL, EPIDURAL! With my other pregnancies I have been induced due to different reasons and the one time my water did break (with Xandria at 3am), I ended up having to have Pitocin later because labor had slowed down after a period of time.

So, we will see how it goes and if happens on it's own than GREAT, if not that will be fine too. I'm getting more nervous and excited as each day goes by!!

I'm off to the doctor again tomorrow. I will have the NST and also a growth ultrasound. We will see how the baby is growing and all that, so it's not just a fluid check. I'm excited to get to see her again.

Other things that went on this past week...real quick, cuz I need some peace and quiet before I'm headed off to bed...it's been a long, tiring day!

• Last sunday we had X and X's birthday party at the skating rink. It turned out to be alot of fun and everyone had a great time :)
• Thursday was a nice day with the kids, they didn't have school. We went out to eat at Beef A Roo and talked and everyone behaved so well :) Then we stopped at Target to get some things. Drake and Toots killing each other over opening the car door when we left :(
• Friday afternoon I took X and X to meet up with Heather for their birthday pictures. The kids actually had fun doing it and we got ice cream afterwards. The youngest two were with Angela, so that was helpful! I can't wait to see how their photos turned out!!
• Friday night we had a surprise birthday party for Nick! He turned 30 today! He didn't have the slightest idea and was definitely surprised...even though there was a couple things that I thought might have tipped him off!! His face was priceless and I'm so glad we did that for him!! His dad, Theresa and Christina are the ones who put it all together for me. :)
• Saturday we got to have an alone day!! The older kids were with my parents and my aunt stayed with Daxton (thank you!). My aunt even got some of my laundry done, which was a GREAT surprise!! Nick and I went to Spring Hill Mall and picked up a couple things...went to the gambling boat in Elgin to eat at the buffet and do a lil gambling...came back to Rockford and the two of us went and played pool. I was nervous about going to play pool...I never have and I have social anxiety in new places, but it was SO NICE and I'm SO GLAD we did!! We had a GREAT day and it was DEFINITELY needed!!!!
• Sunday (yesterday) we took the kids to Midway Village for the annual Scarecrow Festival. You go and make scarecrows. It was fun, though it was like 80 degrees out. Then we headed to Red Robin to eat and sit in the much needed air conditioning!!
• Today the kids and I went with Angela to Lockwood Park for Pumpkin Patch Day. Since kids were out of school due to Columbus Day, they had activities and games set up for them to play and do. It was nice, but there was so many damn bees!! I swear there was 3-4 on or around the stroller at all times!! Luckily, none of us got stung. Since today is Nick's actual birthday we got him a cookie cake and went to Happy Joe's to eat supper.

Well, that's all I have for now. WOW, that was sure ALOT! I plan on posting pictures of things I listed soon. Also, our little Daxton is officially toddling around. Just in the past week, week and a half, he's REALLY taken off with his walking! I think that is now his main mode of transport! He looks so cute doing it :)

If You Drink ALOT of Water...

your baby will have more amniotic fluid!! Had my doctor/nst appointment on wednesday. Gained 1 1/2 pounds. The ultrasound was first. The tech did all the measurements...I didn't get to see the baby for very long because there was someone else out in the waiting room having a fit because they were told to come in with a full bladder, and I guess she just couldn't wait...though the tech told me it was still 10 minutes before her appointment time. Grr. Oh well, I will get to see the baby again next week.
After the ultrasound, I was hooked up to the Non Stress Test machine. It was supposed to be for 20 minutes, but I was definitely forgotten about! I was in there for about 40 minutes before the midwife came in. It was nice to have some peace and quiet and read, but by then I REALLY had to go to the bathroom!!
The midwife said that drinking so much water helped the baby out tremendously as my fluid was at 10! Yay!! She asked if I felt any contractions and I said "No." Then she showed me on the paper that I had had some. I was shocked!! Didn't feel them. I was telling her that I definitely wasn't ready for the baby to come anytime soon and she asked if I was ever really ready for it and of course I never am :) I told her 40 weeks would be just fine for me, and she said that you never know, especially since it was just last year that I had a baby. EEK! I haven't planned for anything earlier than 40 weeks...I hope baby can hold out.
So, I will continue to go every week and have the fluid check and NST until the baby does come.

In other news...we have no heat. So that makes the house between 63-64 degrees. Fun. I noticed on wednesday that it wasn't working. The heating guy came and when he went to open up the heater (whatever it's called) water came pouring out. Yea, not a good thing!! So we have had to let it dry out. Not sure when he's supposed to be back again...hopefully soon!

Tomorrow we are having Xavier and Xandria's birthday party. It's going to be at the skating rink. Too bad I won't be able to roller skate! I love skating! Funny that last time we had their party there...4 years ago, I was pregnant then and couldn't skate either! Xavier is now 11 and Xandria is now 7. Really, WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?!
I hope to do a post on them soon...for now I need to go get ready. I'm having my maternity pictures taken today. I really hate having my pictures taken, but I figured I might as well get them done...I wish I would of had them done with the others...even though my face is fat and my butt is huge ;)

34 Week Baby Update

Last friday was my 34 week doctor appointment. Getting close!! Anyway, shortly before the appointment I was walking down the stairs and slipped on Xandria's doll shoes that I of course couldn't see due to the belly! I slipped down a few steps on my butt (those extra pounds in that area helped me out!), but caught myself. I didn't have any pain...just my left side felt a little achy. I sent Nick a message about it and he said at least I was going to the doctor, so I would let her know.
So, I went to my appointment...got weighed...gained 3 pounds...did the urine and waited for my midwife to come in. She comes in and asks how I was doing. I said "good, but I did slip down a few stairs before coming here, but I feel okay." Right away she's says "well we have to do testing" and leaves the room. Wow, ok. So, I was off for a Non Stress Test. It's where they put straps around your belly to measure the baby's heartrate and movement and also to see if you are having any contractions. I had to be on it for 20 minutes. The baby was active the whole time :) She had been moving before I went to the doctor also, so that was good! After the NST, I had a quick ultrasound to check on everything. Baby was still head down...and had her arms crossed over her face. Heartrate was 157, so that was good. The tech told me that baby has alot of hair (see pic below). Yay!! I was excited to hear that :) Now I will be able to put the hair bows to good use! She finished up the ultrasound by checking the kidneys and fluid level.
I went back to the room and waited for my midwife to come in. She came and told me everything looked good...except the amniotic fluid level. It was low, 7.7. Oh. She asked if I've had any leaking and I said "no." Asked if I was drinking enough water and I told her I had been drinking alot more of it lately...I even had a bottle with me that was almost gone. She said that I will need to drink as much water as possible and if the fluid was low again I would have to go to the hospital and be hooked up to an IV. That's obviously not what I want to do, so I have been drinking water more and more and hoping that the fluid level will be up!! I have to have it checked every week now. When she did the measurement with the tape measure on my belly, baby was right on with the growth :) Tomorrow I go to the doctor and on friday I go for another NST/ultrasound to see where it's at. Praying that it goes up and we can keep this baby in until 40 weeks. I know full term is 37 weeks, but hey, I need all the time I can get to prepare!!

32 Week Appointment

Last tuesday I had my 32 week ultrasound/midwife appointment. I was so excited to have another ultrasound! Unfortunately, I wasn't very excited when I saw who would be doing my ultrasound. She has a very thick accent (making it hard to understand her) and she's not very talkative or interested in making it fun. We brought Drake with, so he could get a better idea of his baby sister inside me...but with her, it was a bummer. I had to try and describe everything on the screen to him.
Anyways...the baby looked great (yay!) and she is in the head down position. The baby is still a she...which is good news considering the clothes and things I have bought!! She weighed 4lbs and we were told she will be in the low 8 pound area...no surprise there!
We were trying to get a good face shot, but her face was lying right next to the placenta, so not much luck. I wanted to know if she had alot of hair, but we couldn't see that either thanks to her snuggling with the placenta. Oh well. All that matters is her health and that she's growing properly.
Of course just before the ultrasound was over, my midwife got called to a delivery. I had to wait to see the other midwife...which ended up being an hour! That sucked, but I could understand.
She told me everything was looking good and asked if I was having any problems. Just back pain. Not much you can do about that though. I was excited that I had only gained 2lbs in 2 weeks :) I REALLY don't need to gain anymore weight, though I know it's going to happen.
Well, gotta get the kids and things together and we are off to Xandria's gymnastics class!

More From the Renaissance Fair...

Can you imagine wearing all this in the sweltering heat?? I tried to get a picture of the kids standing by him, but oddly enough, no one wanted to. I wonder why?
We stopped this guy perched on top of a little house.
The kids tried archery and weren't too bad at it.

At first Drake didn't want to ride the camel, but sister bribed him with the promise of a dollar...and the black car she has from the Cars movie. She paid him the dollar right when we got home, but must of forgotten about the car. He didn't. A couple days ago he came to me and showed me the black car saying he found it in her drawer :) He wasn't going to forget!