Oh, I forgot!

Celeste and Eli, Models
Karyn, Alli, & Celeste
The group all together
A little fun...

Yes, being in the hospital during Celeste's Prom made me forget to post some pictures. It was April 19th. Here they are, better late than never! (She went to a Prom with a local Christian school that invites homeschoolers.) Celeste's "date" is a friend of hers from church, Eli.

Friends

Besties!!!
My gorgeous friend, Valerie

Yesterday, my best friend, Valerie, came up and had lunch with me (and the kids). We enjoyed visiting with each other. I hadn't seen her in 11 months!!! (We talk every day, though.) She has been a sister to me (one I don't have) for the past 8 years. I love ya, Val! Valerie has 5 children ages 11, 9, 9, 7, and 23 months. Our little girls are 5 weeks apart--Eden and Samantha. She was present for the birth of Max and Tommy. That's a very close friend, don't you know?!?

Oh, and Joshua slept through the night last night. He woke up at 7 this morning. I got 7 hours! Woot!

Tuesday

Up early this morning...try 2:15 to feed Joshua. Well, I had a full night's sleep the night before, so I'll try not to be bitter! Dan, Max, and Tommy are attending VBS at Family Church this week so they are having fun right now. I'm learning to work around a toddler and baby in the mornings. It sure is quiet!! That was a surprise. This afternoon we're going to have a picnic lunch with my friends Charity, LaDawn, and their kids. Then we're off to the Natural History Museum to see the butterflies, the cave, and the discovery room. It's going to be a fun day!

Doings

Little Joshua is smilie at 12 weeks old!

I posted my favorite cornbread recipe. We had it tonight and my hubby said is was better than ever. I used 1 cup of home ground white wheat berries instead of regular white flour. It was delicious!

Milestones, of late

**Tommy is finally potty trained, WOOT!
(Today, a special trip to super wally world to get new underwear)
**Joshua turned 3 months old on the 17th (still not sleeping thru night...grr)
**Eden has enough hair to put up and she doesn't pull it out anymore.
**Max's front teeth are loose.
**Max is reading little chapter books--I thought this would never happen!!!
**Dan is much more helpful since he is the oldest at home right now.

**All 3 boys got hair cuts today.

Back here again...

Oh Lord, I'm here again. I SO don't know what to do... I just have to try to get through
each minute, each hour.

Teaching Textbooks Math 5

I am soooo excited!! This Math program is the one we are going to be using this year (for Dan, my 4th grader) and it SO rocks! You can try the demo at the Teaching Textbooks website. If you have a child that's self-motivated and enjoys using the computer, then this curriculum is for you. It is my opinion that TT blows Saxon away. I have used the upper level math--Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. My daughter passed into college level math as a junior in high school after taking TT Algebra II.

**Update: This recently arrived in the mail. Dan loves it so much he has done 3 lessons in the past day. It makes math fun and does the grading for you! It's looking good so far!**

Homeschool copywork

We were going over some things recently and I realized that one of my children needs some more practice with cursive writing. Copy work can be a great way to accomplish this and learn bible verses at the same time. I found a website that has some free copy work, so I though I'd post it here. Visit here to use this resource.

We are getting geared up for next school year and I'm in the middle of selling some curriculum in order to buy more. We're doing school about 2 days a week right now because it's too hot to play outside (we have no trees--none that offer shade anyway). Hope everyone is having a great summer! I miss my teenagers! They are visiting their father until early August.

Happy 4th of July!!

Celeste gets ready for her party.
Eden sleeping--my camera was finally charged at about midnight.

I haven't posted in a looong time. Sorry! It's busy here. Celeste left a couple days ago and Jamie has been gone for 3 weeks. They return in early August. So here I am with 5 children--3 of them 3 and under. The trip to the grocery yesterday with all of the kids was, shall I say, "fun."

We're having some friends over to BBQ today. (There will be 12 kids from 3 families!) Also, I got my new Nikon camera finally. So exciting. I've been taking tons of pics! I'll try to post more often. We have no plans for the summer. My goal is just to survive. Joshua is not quite sleeping through the night yet, so I'm praying for that soon.

Joshua 2 months old

Joshua Ezekiel is 2 months old now. He weighs 12 pounds, 8 ounces (75%) and is 24.5 inches long (85%). He is quite a big boy! Our Ped said that he acts like an older baby. He is a very sweet, good-natured little boy. He smiles a lot, coos, and is even laughing a little now. We are so happy he is part of our family.

My 40th Birthday Beach Trip

Mima shades Joshua

Josh poolside
Max shows off his shell
My Dad (Pipa) and Eden at Siesta Key Beach

Jamie and Mom
Buffet says "hi" to the kids
The fam at the beach
Eden hangs out with Celeste in the pool
Jamie 14, Jamie 37, Nancy 40!!

I had a wonderful 40th birthday. I will post a link to more pictures soon! My kids gave me an iPod Shuffle. It is SO much fun! I'm listening now! (I should be sleeping...) I went shopping with my Mom and had a GREAT birthday dinner with my family and birthday buddy, my brother, Jamie. It's hard work, but I am enjoying my 7 week old birthday present, too. God is good!

Jamie turns 14

Clifford James "Jamie"

June 2nd, 1994

9 pounds, 2 ounces

Interests: guitar, skateboarding, paintball...14 yo boy stuff!

They had fun out to dinner at Macaroni Grill. We got a sitter for Tommy & Eden. Jamie has really grown since the new year and is now taller than Celeste and I. It will be interesting to see how much he changes while he's gone for summer. He leaves in a week. I will miss you SO much~I love you, Jamie!

Cindy Lou Who says "CHEESE" for the camera!

Momma wears Joshua in her new sling...shhh...

A little something new

This is my new hair cut. I always do something different after having a baby. I'm excited about my new doo. Hope ya like it!

Today...

~The power went off for an hour this morning. It was very quiet... Tommy kept saying things were broken. It was cute!

~We all had cereal for breakfast.

~I am thankful for a surprise dinner last night with Stu. My friend, LaDawn, kept ALL the kids.

~I'm still in my pajamas. (Which happen to include the skirt I wore yesterday...)

~I am hoping to start Joshua's scrapbook soon...and work more on Eden's.

~I hope to get a nap today. I had 4 hours sleep last night in 2 installments.

~June is...Jamie's 14th birthday on the 2nd and my 40th on the 10th!!!

~I am getting a hair cut tomorrow and can't wait.

~Currently I'm home with 5 children ages 9, 7, 3.75, 20 months, and 5 weeks...eek!

Joshua's 1 month

Joshua in his swing--1 month old

Eden has little piggies. Notice the booboo on her head.

She fell off the couch and crashed into the baseboard.

Eden, Karyn, Celeste, & Allie at AGCC Homeschool Grad Ceremony

Joshua had his 1 month check up (a week ago!). He weighed 10 pounds (50%) and was 22 inches long (60%) and his head was 37cm (50%). We are very busy at home with kids in school and lots of other activities. We are going to the beach in Sarasota in early June--all the kids are very excited about that. If I could be rested, I would be, too!

BPA Free bottles

With all of the concern about chemicals in bottles and other infant feeding things I thought I would post a link to a site that has a nice set of lists and information on BPA free feeding products. We're switching because every small step for our child's health is important. Go here to see this list.

Also, I found The Soft Landing to have a large selection of healthy products, feeding included, for baby.

Joshua slept 5 hours last night (from 2-7 a.m.)...in his swing. I haven't had that much sleep in 4 weeks. He's 4 weeks today! Unfortunately, I awoke with a terrible migraine. It hung on all day, but has now subsided. Joshua is now napping and if there's one thing I've learned, it's go catch one myself. Sorry I haven't been on much, but I'm certainly overwhelmed right now (just being honest). Hopefully, I will see you in dreamland...zzzzzzz. (Also, still nursing, but he gets about half from me and half from formula.)

More pictures

Joshie is sleeping...zzzzz...

Eden loves to touch and kiss his toes.

Joshua is gaining, although it's probably from his bottles, not nursing. We went to see the lactation consultant today and he weighed 8 pounds, 6.8 ounces. Really close to his birth weight, yay! After nursing for 35 minutes he had gained 1 ounce. Not the best, but better than last time. I'm going to keep trying for another week or so and see what happens.

Celeste starts summer A next week and is taking 2 classes. Celeste rec'd an A in ENC1101, YAY!We're trying to finish up the school year with the other kids. The baby is crying...time to feed him again!

Baby Update

Here is Joshua 2 weeks old with the sweet blanket made by Mom's friend, Teri.

A little update on things here: I got an infection of some sort around my incision site, so I'm on antibiotics. This started last Sunday evening. We started out taking meds and had to double them on Wednesday because things weren't getting better. So recovery is slow going here. 2000 mg of Keflex is kicking my butt right now. Joshua is still very slow to gain weight and nursing isn't going the best. I am taking fenugreek--3 capsules, 3 times per day and that boosted my supply a little. Joshua is still sleepy and doesn't remove milk very well. He looks good and weighs 8 pounds today. All the other children are doing quite well with the new baby. Eden likes to poke him... Dan and Max are at their last baseball game right now (most likely). They have had a winning season this year 6-4. In playoffs they lost the 1st game, won the 2nd, and if they lose tonight then they're out of the tournament. We'll see! God is good! I'm still praying I don't get too discouraged about nursing. I'm seeing my lactation consultant on Monday again. Just keep praying for success and healing for the momma. Thanks!

Joshua

Baby Joshua 5 days old

Hi all! I know I have been absent this week! It's been a busy week and I'm doing rather well, but still having pain and I am tired. I have a prayer request for Joshua. He is a very lazy nurser and, subsequently, he isn't gaining weight. Yesterday (Friday) I went to see the lactation specialist and he was at his discharge weight of 7 lbs., 10 oz. A pound down (still) from birth weight. Please pray that he would wake up and nurse better. Also, that I don't lose my supply. I am pumping some and we are supplementing him after nursing, but all we can do is our best! I am trying not to be discouraged.

He's Here!

Joshua Ezekiel

April 17th, 2008 via C-Section

12:39 p.m.

8 pounds, 10.4 ounces

20 1/4 inches long

Momma and baby are doing quite well.

(Dad expected to recover, too!)

Tomorrow...

Well, tomorrow is the big day! I will be having a C Section at noon. Please pray for me as I am quite nervous and scared about it. The pain afterwards was horrific last time. I can't wait to meet this little guy. Also, please pray that nursing would be successful for me. Celeste will be posting a picture at one point, I'm sure, so look for that.

Also, Dan's 9th birthday was last week and I wanted to post a picture of him. He was hoping the baby would be born on his birthday. At least, they get to share the same month!

A link...

to some recent photos around here!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=33877&l=86668&id=637396851

Baby Watch

I am now 38+ weeks pregnant. I went in yesterday and had an ultrasound. The weight was estimated at 8 pounds, 8 ounces. They've been a pound low and a pound high before with me, so I don't know what to think! I haven't changed any...still 2 cm, etc. AND baby is floating with his head in my right hip/groin area. This doesn't bode well for a VBAC. I am scheduled for a C Section next Thursday. I am praying he moves and I go into labor or something before then. I have a check up the day before. Plus, my sugars have been high, so pray for me that whatever happens I can handle it. I'm very stressed about providing people to care for my family while I'm in the hospital. It's not all covered...

In Memory of Trigger...

Today my brother, Jamie, lost his best friend, Trigger. He was affectionately known as the "Trig Man." Trigger was hit by a car near his home. Trigger was the best Jack Russell Terrier that ever lived. We will all miss him. We loved him so much. Please pray for Jamie as he will really miss his buddy. Our hearts go out to you, Jamie! Remember, Jesus is right there for you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13)

A few of my favorite things:

~seeing Max get his first hit at baseball and running his big brother in

~a hot bath for an achy 9+ month pregnant momma

~Reese's peanut butter cups (thanks, Stu!)

~very cute questions and chatter from my 3 1/2 year old

~a good nap on the green couch in my room

~when the babe in my womb gets the hiccups

A busy day

I haven't posted much because I've been so busy. I went to pick up Celeste today at college and it turned out there had been a bomb threat, so her friend brought her to meet me. She was a little unsettled by it, but is okay. Jamie helped me set up some books for a used curriculum fair at our church. After that, I took him to guitar. He has a recital this Monday. (We look forward to that...) Then I dropped him off for an overnight, ran to the grocery for more insulin syringes (I'll be glad when I don't have to take that anymore!), and home. An hour later I went to a baseball game starring Dan and Max. They won 10-3! Max got his first hit during a game and Dan ran home from 2ND when Max hit that ball. It was cool! Did I mention I took Tommy and Eden to the game without any teen help?!? Stu got pizza from a really yummy local place. There are only 5 eating establishments here, so we're limited. Well, I'm about ready to pass out now. We're getting everyone bathed and uniforms washed because they have another game at 9 AM. I have to be at the curriculum sale by 9, too! Being this busy should make the time go quickly before I have my baby--I can't wait!

Baby 7 Update

I'm getting close. Last week I was already 1cm and 50 % effaced AND the baby has dropped. I'm having a hard time getting around and I have a cold, so I am really ready to get this over with. I have another appt. on Wednesday. I will be 37 weeks then. I'm hoping it's in the next 7-10 days.

Tuesday

Woo hoo, I just looked at my baby ticker up there. Getting close, I am. I'm thinking about 2 1/2 more weeks (hoping less). I still have a very small belly button, so there's a little more room.

Tonight the boys are at baseball practice. Stu is an Asst. Coach for their league this year. Dan and Max are on the same team--thank goodness. They have 2 practices and 2 games this week. Busy! I'll probably make only 1 game. They have a 7:00 game on Friday and I just don't feel the greatest by the end of the day. I'll have to go on Saturday to their game!

Anyway, just checking in. Celeste is overnight at her best friend's house. She's working on a research paper for ENC1101. She's doing very well in the class, yay! Jamie has guitar tomorrow. They have a recital in April. There is so much in April that my mind in swimming...AND I'm having a baby. Aaahhh!

Stuart Turns 40 Today!

Happy 40th Bday, Stu!

Click under the picture to watch the little video we made!11

Here are a few Easter pictures of us. Just click on the link!

35 week check

We went in for our 35 week check up today. I had a Non-Stress Test today where they hook me up to the baby monitors and watch contractions, baby heart rate, and I push I button every time he moves. All looked great! I lost 2.5 pounds this week, but now I'm measuring 43 (fundus) and I'm 35 weeks, 1 day. I'm supposed to take it easy because I'm so big I'm in danger of preterm labor. Guess what that is (center, left) in the ultrasound photo above. My OB thought he was SO funny! Hint: It's a package with two parts. I am thinking his name will be Joshua Ezekiel. Joshua means--Christ is my salvation. Ezekiel means--whom the Lord makes strong.

The kids had their homeschool evaluations this week. Of course, all did great! We need to work on some more phonics with Max in the area of special sounds and Celeste needs to brush up on some of her computation skills. Dan (who is a 3rd grader) tested on a 6th grade math level. We'll probably use a 5th grade curriculum next year. All in all, I was told I am doing an excellent job and am very organized. Big sigh of relief here! It's been a year!

34 week baby update

Here is another ultrasound picture of our sweet little boy. (I don't get tired of them!) He had really fat little cheeks. My amniotic fluid levels are down into the normal range. The baby is in the 80th percentile with an estimated weight of 5 pounds, 14 ounces. That's a big baby, at this point. Of course, we know they can be off on that! I am measuring 41 weeks (fundal height), but am 34 weeks, 1 day. Please pray for a safe, regular birth for this big guy. I'm very worried about a lot of things right now...

**Update: We discovered Eden has Roseola, so at least we know what virus she has!**

I have been dealing with some illness (and other weirdness) around here the past few days. Eden ran a fever from Sunday afternoon until early this morning. No other symptoms, but it did get over 103. Just a virus. On Monday, I took Tommy in to our pediatrician because his left ear was swollen 3 times normal size and purple. (The picture above is after a dose of benadryl and it looked a lot better!) We are guessing he got a bug bite of some sort and just used allergy medicine and cream on it. I have had a headache for the past 3 days. I suppose it's pregnancy hormones, but it's not fun. Both the littles are better today and my headache is slightly better right now.

My brother is moving to Dallas tomorrow. My 13 yo nephew broke his arm yesterday and my 10 yo nephew gets his cast off today from a broken arm. Whew! Please pray for safe travel for them.

Eden came into the kitchen yesterday morning wearing this...

Baby 7 Update

I went to the OB today. I am now 32 weeks and only measuring 5 weeks ahead, which is good. This means my amniotic fluid levels are down a little. I am taking insulin twice a day and it appears to have helped with that. My blood pressure was a bit high (for me) when I arrived, but by the time I left it had come down. I am still hoping for a VBAC this time, but that remains to be seen. Next visit is in two weeks with an ultrasound to check on fluid level and baby size.

The Past Few Days

The past few days have found me busy...as usual! On Friday, we attended my brother's (Ed) retirement party from the local police department. My younger brother, Jamie, showed up and we had a great time. We had a wonderful dinner at a local restaurant; just our immediate family which included myself, Stu, my Jamie, Celeste, my Dad, Lainie, Ed, Tanya, JT, Justin, and Jamie. We NEVER get to do that. Ed is leaving in less than a month. That will be a sad time for us.

Also, Friday night we had a severe thunderstorm that woke up the entire house around 2 AM. Well, Eden never woke up, thank the Lord! We had 3 little boys on the floor in our room and even had a visit from both of the teens. It was quite windy with 60 mph winds and lots of thunder and lightning. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep. Tommy kept kicking me in the back until I made Stu move him out of our bed and onto the couch in our room. I am very fortunate. My kids never come into our room at night and wake us up. This was a very rare occurrence. We were all quite tired on Saturday!

I have another OB appointment this week. We'll see just how big I am now. (I say with trembling.) I feel almost full term and am getting very slow. I am taking insulin twice a day now. The good news is that I have needed less over the past few days than was originally prescribed, so I'm excited about that. I'm finally able to stomach the Juice Plus and I think that has made a world of difference! I'll update you on baby when I have more info.

I have some cute little girl's dresses for sale. Look at them here.

My family's favorite dinner here.

Baby 7 Update

Last OB check-up (2 weeks ago) I was measuring 6 weeks ahead, so we scheduled an ultrasound to check on things. I had that today. Baby Boy is quite average coming in around the 57%. But I am carrying lots of extra amniotic fluid. I'm at 95%. This is probably due to my blood sugars being above normal, so now I'm on an oral anti-diabetic drug once per day. We'll try that before doing insulin this time. Today I measured 36 weeks and I am only 29 weeks, 1 day. Dr. M's concern is premature labor because my body will think I'm further along. Hopefully, this will even out a bit of the next few weeks. Baby looked good today! Please pray for mom and the amniotic fluid (I feel like a balloon).

One of my favorites

After dinner, Celeste wanted to have me listen to a song to see if she could purchase it for her iPod. We got involved in listening to old Christian songs on YouTube from Petra, Amy Grant, and Michael W. Smith. I have a 20th Anniversary concert video of Smitty. I wanted to share one of my all-time favorites with you. This is the Gospel. The most important message anyone will ever share or receive. Be blessed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BRUsSztA44

I'm Still Here

Yes, I'm still around...literally, ha! We actually had a pretty packed weekend. It started with Max's 7th birthday (on Friday, February 1st!), then we had dinner at my brother's yesterday, and we went to church today for service and a Superbowl/fellowship night. Tonight I dropped off my truck for new brakes--gotta have those! I'm hoping it will be done quickly and I can get it back by early tomorrow afternoon.

We're doing school tomorrow, of course. I'm adding a writing program for Jamie. We decided on Jensen's Format Writing. Check out the link for more info and a review. Also, Celeste is doing American Government from A Beka. We'll see how we like that. It's a senior course, but we'll start it now and maybe finish it early next year. It's only a semester, but we're getting a late start. In addition, we'll do an Economics course next year.

Dan and Max start baseball very soon. This was a very busy time for us last year. I'm hoping the season is over before baby comes. Max didn't play last year, but his Daddy wanted him to this year. They wil be on the same team together with a wonderful coach we know. I think it will be lots of fun! I enjoy watching the games and all the practices are close to home.

We're still really working with Tommy on potty training. He is wearing pull-ups. He is now 3 1/2 and I am quite frustrated with his lack of interest. All of my other boys were trained by now and wearing big boy underwear. I'll keep on it, though. I don't relish the thought of 3 in diapers! Eden is growing by leaps and bounds. She is such a cutie. Her newest word is "Guys!" She yells it at the boys sometimes from her crib. I must say it a lot. She got a new stroller and rolls it around the house constantly with her dolly in it.

Read about the failure of the chicken pox vaccine at my vaccine awareness blog.

My beautiful daughter

Here is a picture of my gorgeous daughter, Celeste. Her friend, Angela, is taking a photography course at college and took this for an assignment. WOW! I just had to post it.

I go in for another baby check-up tomorrow. After that I go to every two weeks. I'm glad to finally be in that territory. I'm not feeling the greatest and am hoping my hip and tailbone pain will ease up some soon. A visit to the chiropractor helped a lot this week, but it's not all gone. The weather is dreary here today, but not cold. Homeschooling is going pretty well and Celeste is enjoying her college classes. She has a test in math and a paper to finish on Friday. We'll check her progress next week. We are very proud of her!

26 weeks belly shot

Okay, here it is. Yes, this is me at the end of a long day. Not the spiffiest picture, but I'll post it anyway. I am feeling huge! I hope this baby slows down in the growth department. I would prefer to deliver a baby that is less than 10 pounds. I'm already having a bit of a time getting around for laundry, cleaning, and baths, etc. Looks like Stu, Celeste, and Jamie will be called into more action. Please pray for Tommy. He is almost 3 1/2 and we're having a terrible time with potty training. I really need it to be done before this baby comes. I don't relish the thought of 3 in diapers. I can't believe I'll have 3 children aged 3 and under. From what I understand, it's a special "club." Be afraid...be very afraid!

Friday Inspiration

All I need is a 15 month old in her onesie to inspire me to greatness... But remember that truly only God can do anything. He is the Greatest of All! I shall praise Him for encouraging me in small ways. Have a super weekend!

Okay, sorry for my absence! I have been busy. Celeste started college this week as a dual-enrolled high school student. She's taking college classes and getting college credit. She has ENC 1101 and Intermediate College Algebra. She'll take 1-2 classes this summer A. We'll do more in the fall, maybe 3 classes fall and spring. The kids came back Saturday night and we've been non-stop since. I've been busy with Mary Kay and homeschooling. I haven't been feeling the greatest, either. Being almost 40 and pregnant with my 7th child, I'm really feeling it. I need more sleep than I usually do now.

Please pray for Stu's business. We need ALL the prayers we can get. It's dead, dead, dead. Can't feed 8 people on air...

IN THE PINK

I have just signed up to be a new Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant!! (I have previous experience.) I love, love, love the new products!! Mary Kay just came out with a new mineral powder make-up (like Sheer Cover, etc., but better, in my opinion!) and new lipsticks. They're switching over to black packaging, too!

Check it out at my website HERE!

I'm offering free shipping on purchases of $25 or more for the month of January. Also, spend $40 and get a free gift. Go take a look, now!