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!

New Year's A-Comin'

Happy New Year's Eve! I trust 2008 will be an exciting year. I don't do resolutions, but I do like to look ahead and think about my goals for the year. This year, well, it's anyone's guess. It will be interesting with a new baby in the house and all the goings on!

Today Eden went for a 15 month check-up. She's having trouble switching to milk--runny stools and bad diaper rash. We've got her up to 1/2 milk and 1/2 formula. That's really the only reason I went in. I think well check-ups are just a money grab and are for administering vaccines (which we don't get). We weigh her at home. I'll probably skip the 18 month check unless I can't figure something out... Anyway, our pediatrician (who I love) suggested lactaid milk. We'll try it. I am thinking it's probably less costly than formula. Eden weighed 21 pounds (30%) and was 31 inches tall (75%!). She's tall and skinny. She still looks like a peanut! Tommy and Eden got a play kitchen for Christmas. The picture above is them having fun with it!

I posted an article on the dangers of the new HPV vaccine being marketed to girls. Please make sure you read it here.

We're having a lazy Saturday. I just finished up lunch with the kids and we'll probably go out and run a couple errands this afternoon. Celeste and Jamie come home in a week. I am missing them. It sure is cold up there! The past 2 days it has been in the 80's here. Not winter weather if you ask me!

I don't do resolutions, but I am thinking about goal setting for the year just so I have an idea what I want to accomplish in 2008. With a new baby coming, I will try to be kind and grace filled in my aspirations. Have a super weekend!

Baby Boy Palmer 23 weeks

Baby Boy Palmer 23 weeks
Originally uploaded by N Palmer

Today we had another ultrasound to look at the baby's heart. Praise the Lord everything looks fine! He is SO cute with his little hand up to his mouth. Also, that sweet little nose looks just like Tommy's. I can't wait to meet him in April!

My Favorite Math Curriculum

Three years ago I was at the end of my rope. My daughter had tried 3 different Algebra 1 texts with lots of confusion and frustration. Finally, I asked the MOMYS what curriculum they would recommend. Many kind ladies highly recommended Teaching Textbooks. This has been a lifesaver for us. We have used Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry texts from this company. The fabulous thing: you don't have to remember how to teach upper level math, this program does it for you! Each level consists of a lesson book, answer key with test booklet, CD's that include course lectures on each topic and solutions for practice, homework, and test questions. This curriculum is designed for the independent learner, and so, functions like a tutor for your student. Each lesson includes previous material so that the student is reviewing previously learned concepts. This increases concept retention.

In format and method, Teaching Textbooks is very similar to Saxon Math. I believe it explains this upper level material more clearly than Saxon. Your children will enjoy the funny illustrations and word problems. Also, Teaching Textbooks is geared toward homeschoolers and Saxon is not. We have only found one weakness in Teaching Textbooks. If you are a Saxon user, you are familiar with each homework question having a lesson number in parenthesis out to the side which refers you back to the lesson where the problem was taught. TT does not have this and it would helpful if it did. What do the kids like best? My 13 year old, when asked, says he prefers Teaching Textbooks. Both of my teens have a B+ or better math average. Also, Celeste passed into college level math and begins this January. This is enough testimony for me!

FYI, we use A Beka workbooks for grades Kindergarten thru 2nd grade, Saxon for the middle years, and Teaching Textbooks for the upper grades. TT has just come out with lower level math texts and we may be looking into switching over to those, too! It is an investment, but I figure that I have so many children coming up from behind that these books will pay for themselves. Also, resale is almost full price when in good condition. I hope this review was helpful to you! Happy New Year coming up!

Merry Christmas Eve!

I am home sick with a stomach virus and very sad to be missing a family Christmas dinner. (Yes, if you hear weeping and knashing of teeth, it's me.) I hope to be better by tomorrow as I've been sick 3 days now.

Here's a link to a fun party we had the other day when I was feeling okay!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=23909&l=7c077&id=637396851

Homeschooling

I think you will be interested in this topic even if you don't home educate your children. Do you believe the government has the right to tell you how to educate your children? There are so many choices out there today: public school, private school (Christian or otherwise), charter schools, online education, and home schooling. I am a member of a group called MOMYS (Mothers of Many Young Siblings). In the past through this group, I have personally been in contact with a nice mother and fellow homeschooler, Denise Mafi. Please read this article defining her plight as a home schooling parent in Utah. Note that she thought she was in compliance with Utah's laws regarding homeschool documentation.

I belong to Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). If you look at this map, you will see how the regulations differ from state to state regarding homeschooling. FL is considered a moderate regulation state. If you home educate I encourage you to join HSLDA. For a reasonable fee, they will represent you should you encounter problems relating to your choice to homeschool your children. I feel very strongly about not educating my children in the public schools. This is mostly for religious reasons, but I feel strongly about the state's agenda in the public schools as well. For the most part, it is a liberal environment that is hostile to Christians. Not for me and not for my kids! Unfortunately, when my children hit the college level they will be attending state schools. At the point that they do, I believe their Christian beliefs are solid and they will be able to refute any liberal bias that is thrown at them. And I will pray, pray, and pray some more.

As always, my advice is to be informed. Arm yourself with information and make your own decisions. Don't let the government do it for you.

I needed a laugh. It's the first day I'm without my big kids (Celeste and Jamie). Go to this link to see a very funny video...

http://www.doublesharpevideo.com/HomeSchool2/Homeschool2.html