Happy Birthday Emma.

Emma is now 6 and just growing so fast. She's a huge help around the house, and that is a life saver for me. She loves anything pink and girly. She tries very hard to excel in school. She gets all her homework done for the week early so that she doesn't have to worry about it anymore. She's a straight A student so far. She's a great reader, and loves math. Emma always volunteers to serve others. She is a great daughter and I'm lucky to have her. She is very spiritually minded. She wants to do what's right at all times. I love you Emma.

Look at what I made!

Emma wants a ballerina outfit for her birthday tomorrow. I found a tutorial online and decided to make the tutu part. It was really easy and fun. Yay me.

Can I still call you baby?

Now that Miriam is here I see Benjamin as a big boy now. He's just so much bigger than Miriam and it's hard to see him as a baby. But he is a baby still, and I'm not ready to have him move to big boy status. When I got pregnant with Miriam my main worry was Benjamin and how he would be affected by having a baby that required lots of mommies time. Now that she is here he has had a hard time with the care it takes for a newborn. He was the baby, and he loved it. So guess what I have two babies and it's hard work, but I love it. One is just a lot heavier than the other, and gets into a lot more stuff than the other. I can't wait to see how good of friends they will be as they grow. I love being a mother of 5.

Babies, Babies, Babies.

Here are the 3 cousins that are practically triplets. Miriam (on the left) was born first and she was due last. 2 days later Spencer (on the right) was born and he was due first. Craig (middle) was due second and born last was born 3 days after Spencer. Miriam was 5 lbs 14 ozs. Spencer was 9 lbs 1 oz. Craig was 9 lbs 5 ozs. You can sure see the difference in a almost 6 lb baby compared to 9 lb babies. You can sure feel it as well. It's fun having these 3 so close together.

Updates...........

Well it happened I turned 30. It's got to happen at one point in your life. As my birthday got closer and closer I was dreading it. But once the day came I was ok with it. I had a great 10 years in my twenties. I got married to my best friend. He is the perfect man for me and I couldn't be happier. I had 5 beautiful children. I kept wondering if the 5th would come before my birthday. I have learned so many great things in my twenties, and now I have so much to learn, do, and experience in my thirties and so forth. I'm excited about moving forward in my life and enjoy raising my children and loving my husband even more.

Here are some pictures of my little girl. She still seems so tiny to me. She's drowning in her car seat. After my 2 SIL's had their babies. Which were 9+ lbs she seems really small.

Miriam is a really easy going baby thus far. She rarely cries at all. She'll just lay around looking at things. I love it that she is really quiet just like when she was inside me. She's a great sleeper as well. I think she'll be sleeping through the night in no time.

Miriam is here!!!!

Miriam Belle is here and I couldn't be happier. She is a wonderful baby that only cries when she is hungry or getting changed. I have to say that even though the pregnancy was hard it was soooo worth it. I got a beautiful little girl out of it.

Here is her birth story:

Last Saturday I decided that I was done being pregnant, and started to clean the entire house and mow the back lawn. I was getting light contractions throughout the day anyway so I thought if anything was going to come from them might as well stay busy. By 7 that night the contractions were getting pretty painful and I wasn't in the best of moods. We had family night because it was pushed back because of Jonathan's work. So during that time I was not really there as I was trying to get through each painful contraction. Jonathan decided that it was time to get to the hospital at about 9. I really didn't want to go but I was in a lot of pain. We got the kids clothes together and off we went. We dropped the boys off at Maria's house and the girls off at Larry and Margarets house. When we got to the hospital it took them a half hour to come in and check me. It seemed as if it was an eternity because I was really nervous that there would be no change and I would be sent home. Well that wasn't it I was 5 cm and getting admitted to labor and delivery. The next thing I asked for was the epidural. They got me too my room and about a half hour after that I got my epidural. Oh that is a story all in it's self. The epidural lady had the hardest time getting it in. She tried 3 different spots and it was painful. Jonathan was watching the whole time and he said she would put the huge needle in my back and dig around in there. He could here the needle grinding on my bones. I was holding on his hand so tight during it I'm surprised I didn't hurt him. By the end of the second attempt at the epidural he said that he wasn't feeling so good. The nurse told him that his lips were going white and that he better sit down. Jonathan said he was just about to faint. So he sat down and epidural lady tried on last time and I couldn't feel it at all because she had put some of the medicine in earlier. After that ordeal I was comfortable and ready to sleep. But I can't sleep when I'm waiting for something so exciting. I had to wait until 4 am to have the dr come in and break my water. So about 4:30 am he broke my water and hooked me up to some medicine to get my contractions stronger. At 7:15 I told the nurse that I was ready to push and I was. It took about 30 mins for her to come out and during that time the Dr. guessed that she would be about 7 1/2 pounds until she came out and said nope she's your smallest one. Jonathan cut the cord and then they gave her to me. I was so amazed at how small she was. Finally they weighed her and she was 5 lbs 14 ozs. Just a tiny little girl. She is so sweet and alert. She was awake from the time she was born until after lunch time. I was amazed that she was that alert for being early. Well I had my baby and I am enjoying every minute of her and the rest of my family. I have to say that going from 4 to 5 kids is not that bad. There is no change really just more to love.

Pregnancy Journal Week 36

Wow I made it this far..... last week I didn't think I would. Since coming home from the hospital I've had regular contractions both Sunday and Monday night. Poor Jonathan was anticipating a middle of the night hospital visit. He is sooooo excited for this baby to come. I had an appt yesterday expecting to have dilated more. But guess what nothing. I had all those pains for hours for nothing. Ugh, I guess I need an experience of a lifetime for my last pregnancy. I told my Dr. about my contractions and he said it just doesn't make sense for me to have such regular contractions and have no change in my cervix. Then he said you must be miserable and of course when you are having labor pains yeah your miserable. Well at least me. He said that if this is going on all this next week we might talk about getting an amnio done to check the babies lungs. If they are mature he might deliver me. If you don't have a medical reason there are a lot of politics you have to go through. I'm just getting contractions that a normal woman would go to the hospital for and come home with a baby. Since they are mimicking real labor pains and nothing is resulting from them except a sleepless night and pain it feels as if I'm going through the labor process night after night. I'm hoping that I'll be able to get induced but I'm not really counting on it. Lily came at 37 weeks and did great. I'm glad that I've been documenting this whole pregnancy even though it will be hard I know that the end result will be very much worth it. Oh I kind of got a taste of what it will be like for the kids to have a baby around. My next door neighbor had a baby a little over 2 weeks ago. We went over there for the kids to hold him. Lily loved it and wanted to do it several times. Emma had her turn and liked it but wanted to play more. Peter would come up to the baby and say "Hi baby." I would ask him if he wanted to hold the baby and he exclaimed very forcefully "NO". Benjamin didn't care less which most likely will be different when it's mommy holding and caring for the baby all the time. I don't know if Peter will just be friendly with the baby and not hold her or if he will want to. We will see. Hopefully soon.

Hospital Experience.

I think it's time to document my experience at the hospital. It all started August 13th a Thursday night. I took my blood thinner and bam not 1 minute later I started to get small contractions. It kind of concerned me because it takes 24 hours for the blood thinner to leave your body. So as a couple hours had passed and the contractions started to come on stronger and closer together Jonathan and I thought it would be best to go to the hospital to stop the contractions. Jonathan's mom came to our house and we went. When we got there the Dr. had already left orders for me to get trabutalene and I got my first shot. It started to work but quickly wore off, so I got another shot. It did the same thing and by now my heart was beating out of my chest (that's one of the side effects). So they gave me another shot which made me feel even worse but this time it gave me the major shivers. It didn't work either by the way. So my Dr. called me up and told me that we would need to admit me and give me Magnesium Sulfate which is a very nasty drug and worse than the trabutalene. I was really upset as my Brother in laws wedding was the next morning and I didn't want to miss it. But that is what was going to happen. Then I got settled in a room and started on an IV of this stuff. I didn't think it was that bad. It made my face really hot, I couldn't see to clearly, and since it is a muscle relaxant I was really weak. But the important part is that it stopped the contractions. The plan was to keep me in the Hospital until I was 35 weeks and I was 34 weeks at the time. At 35 weeks they would test the lungs for maturity. But during that week I was there I started to break through the medication and have contractions that would stop on their own. On Tuesday morning I started to have small contractions that throughout the day got worse and worse. I was still on the Magnesium and it wasn't stopping. I was really feeling like I was in labor so I called Jonathan to come to the Hospital to be with me. The nurse checked me and said I was at 2 cm which I was completely closed just a couple of days before so the contractions were doing something. I was also getting this really bad pain at the top of my stomach that came with the contractions. Eventually I was moved to L&D thinking we were going to have the baby that night. I was told that I wouldn't be taken off the Magnesium until I was 3 to 4 cm. Soon after I went to L&D guess what happens my labor starts to slow down. I would think that would happen considering I was still on the Magnesium. My Dr. comes in and thinks I was having a gallbladder attach. It's decided that I got back to the antipartum unit and get a ultrasound in the morning on my gallbladder and if that is alright I get to go home Wednesday night given that I don't contract the next day. Wednesday morning I get the ultrasound and everything checks out just fine. As I waited all day for the Dr. to come in he finally comes in and is stumped as why I was having such a bad pain in my stomach. It could have been the Magnesium that caused it. He tells me that I could go home and that I would have to be seen twice a week for monitoring as I'm off the blood thinner because it is too risky and if there is a problem with the baby it would be gradual and we would spot it before it became a really big problem. So that is where I'm at right now. I'm like a ticking time bomb. Every twinge I feel or look of pain I have on my face Jonathan is ready to go to the Hospital. He's so excited for the baby to come. Personally I'm really leery about when the time comes and I'm having major contractions. I've experienced this and my body loves to start labor and then stop. But with the blood thinners I was more cautious, and didn't want to risk anything. But now that I'm not on them I will really have to be in a lot of pain for me to go in. So that is my Hospital Experience and it was really hard to be away from my kids. But I'm glad that the baby has had more time in me to grow so it was good that I was in there for so long, but not something I ever want to repeat.

Pregnancy Journal Week 35

Ahhhhhhh!!!! I'm home and so glad to be here. This last week has been HARD. Being in the hospital with no baby to show for it is not what I wanted. I didn't want the baby to come early either. But now that I was away from my precious children for 6 days I have come to love them even more (if that is even possible). I would often cry myself to sleep just thinking about how I wouldn't be able to bring my girls to school in the morning and get Benjamin his bottle first thing in the morning when I was barely awake. I missed cuddling Peter during the day. I missed having Jonathan there with me every night. I had so much help it was incredible and I'm so grateful for that. I'm glad that we have modern medicine to keep my baby in me to grow and develop more. Right now I'm no hurry to have this baby. I want as big as a break from the hospital as I can. I need to establish some stability in my home for my children. I know it's been really hard on them. They were taken care of so beautifully while I was gone but they need their mommy. Right now I'm sore and stiff from not walking for 6 days. So I'm going to take it easy the next couple of days. Oh I'm not on bed rest any more which is good. If I go into labor I go into labor. But I'm not going to in courage it at all. I'm just so glad to be home and with my family.

Still in the hospital.

Here I sit/lay in a hospital bed trying not to give birth to my baby that isn't due for 5 1/2 weeks. On Thrusday seconds after I gave myself a blood thinner shot my contractions came. It worried me a little but not much. Fastforward a couple hours and they are 2 to 4 min apart and even a baath won't slow them down. Jonathan had to convience me go to the hospital. We waited for Jonathan's mom to come and be with the kids. (btw this was the last night that this needed to happen. James my brother in law was getting married in the morning) We get to get asessed and see what was casuing the contractions. They tried to give me a turbutaline shot and it started to work but soon it stopped working so I was givin 2 more shots of that stuff and little relief and nothing. So then the bug decisison is here. Dr. Seal decieded to admitt me to the hospital and put me in the antipartum unit of the hospital. (that's where premie ladies are) They have me hooked up to magnesium solfate to stop my contraction, and it's done a pretty good job until last night when I was getting pretty regular and pain full contractions. I was given a sleeping pill last night that helped with the contractions, and gave me sleep. Now I'm awaiting the offical word if I'm going to be in here until my baby is born. I might be here awhile.

Pregnancy Journal Week 34

Crazy week 34............... So Sunday morning I started with the contractions and I think nothing of them. They start getting worse so with lots of prodding from Jonathan we went to the hospital again. There I was given a shot to stop the contractions. It helped but it made me feel awful. My Dr. put me on bed rest and I saw him today to see if I still had too. So here comes to today. Guess what BED REST ugh. Until further notice. I can't really do bed rest with 4 children at home. I know I can do my best and take it easy. Also at my appt. the Dr. put my name down for an induction for this Sunday. It really freaked me out the whole time I waited for him to talk to me. He came in and said I'm not inducing you, you are not ready. So they had to call the hospital to change the name. I think my Dr. is getting a little old, or just over worked. So I got a little excitement for today........ not that I need it....... sheesh. So as far as I know I'm going to 38 weeks if my body allows. But nothing is for sure........ and that is for sure.

Pregnancy Journal Week 33

I'm so confused.............. last week my Dr. told me that I would be getting a certain test to predict if I would go into labor within 2 weeks. Well I had my appt. today and I asked about it and they said that I'm too far along and that the results would be inaccurate. HUH? Why did you get me all worked up about them for the last week. (I have to admit that my Dr. is getting up there in age and a little forgetful. He asked me if the baby was active 3 times within 5 mins. during my appt, haha). I don't want to have this baby in 2 weeks. I would rather 4 to 5 weeks, so making me think that the possibility was there worried me. It's not an accurate test anyway but....... why get me worked up. With my infection I still have the increased risk of going into preterm labor. I'm just flying blind here. I thought that if I got an negative result on the test I could rest easy for 2 more weeks but........ nope I guess not. Oh well I'm really not that worried about having her early. I have 4 weeks to go to be considered full term. I just have to discipline myself to not do too much. I'm measuring a week behind but that could be the baby is in a certain position. I'm still dilated 1 cm and effaced the same. He's not too worried about me because I didn't dilate more over the last week. As too what is the outcome of this pregnancy your guess is as good as mine. I know she's going to be healthy, and that things will turn out ok. But I just don't know what is going to happen leading up to the big day and when. I guess that is what pregnancy is....... unpredictable.

Let The Drama Continue!!!!

Soooooo I spoke too soon. I went to the Dr. today due to my issue I stated in yesterdays post. Also I had contractions all night last nigh. Ok back to my appt. Ugggghhh I was checked for a UTI and nope not that. I have a different kind of infection. It's a kind that causes preterm labor and your water breaking prematurely. My Dr. also checked me for dilation. I'm already dilated to 1 cm and 50% effaced. Not very good when your are still 8 weeks from your due date. That's about where I was when I went into labor with Benjamin. So I'm to take a antibiotic (it doesn't mean it will help me not going into labor early either) and next week Dr. is going to do a test to see if I'll go into labor within the next 2 weeks. Fun fun stuff huh! So I need lots of prayers that this little baby will stay put for at least 5 more weeks.

Pregnancy Journal Week 32

This week has been good. No troubling contractions...... until last night. They are gone now so that's good. I may have a UTI (tmi I know) So I get to go the Dr. tomorrow. Yeah for me (insert sarcasm here). Having a UTI is bad during pregnancy as it can cause preterm labor and I don't need that. I still have at least 6 weeks to go and I don't want anymore hospital visits. All will be well though. It was funny the other night Jonathan called me and told me we have to start getting ready for baby. I haven't been in too much of a rush. Isn't the other way around? He says how very excited he is for the baby to come. I'm excited too but I'm a little overwhelmed. It's going to be interesting having 5 kids. I'm very excited that I get to have a baby room. This is the first time I've been able to have a baby room. We were renting when Lily came and she shared with the office. Then it was the kids always sharing rooms after that. But now since we put up a wall in the loft and made an extra bedroom I get to just have fun and make a girly baby room. I'm not in too much of a hurry as she won't even be in it for a while. Well we are in the home stretch and I'm so ready to be at the finish line.

side note: I'm stopping the monday memories for a little while. I'll start it back up when I'm not so overwhelmed with back to school stuff.

Pregnancy Journal Week 31

Baby sucking her thumb

Baby face shot

I've had a calm week this week, and I'm grateful. I had an appt. today and it went well. It was a uneventful appt. I asked again when I would be induced, and if I had to be. He said that I have to be and it would be the week of 9/9/09. So I'm going to have the baby around 2 weeks early. Yeah I only have 7 weeks to go instead of 9. I mostly can't wait until I'm off of this blood thinner. He was thinking of inducing me at 39 weeks but since I have gone early in the past he doesn't want to go past 38 weeks. I'm happy because I don't want to have this baby to close to Emma's birthday which is the 19th. Also mine is the 7th but it's ok if I go close to my birthday. Lots of birthdays in Sept. Ohhhh so busy. I have another appt in 2 weeks and then I have to visit the vampires again. I probably have to go get blood work 2 more times and then I'm done. I know this has been a challenging pregnancy but as long as the outcome is a healthy baby I wouldn't change it. Everything happens for a reason, and I'll take what comes to me and trust it's for the best.

Monday Memory #21

Emma's 2 months old in this picture. I loved this picture, and still do. She was such a pretty baby and now a very pretty girl. It's funny how she still gives us this look all the time. I love Emma she is such a sweet helpful little girl that has such honest desires.

Pregnancy Journal Week 30

I only have at the most 10 weeks left. I can count them on 2 hands. After last weeks scare I've been trying to take it easy. I don't want anymore of that. I'm just glad to have this little baby baking for many more weeks. I asked when I would be able to go off of the blood thinners and he said that I go off of them 1-2 day before I deliver. When would that be. It's kinda scary to think that if I don't get off of them before I go into labor there could be major bleeding issues. I'm just paranoid I know. I think everything is going to be ok. Other than contractions and some nights of no sleep (like tonight..... seriously I have yet to fall asleep and it's 5:18 in the morning) everything is going well. Baby is moving around just great. I haven't been using my doppler because I just feel her move. I'm still going to the Dr. every 2 weeks and getting blood work every 4. Pretty soon I'll be going weekly. I'm sure I'll miss certain parts of pregnancy once I'm done. I'll miss feeling a baby inside of me. I'll miss the excitement Jonathan and I get when we talk about the new little person that we have the pleasure of raising. How she will get along in the family. I wonder how Peter is going to react. How Benjamin is going to cope with having to share mommy with yet another sibling. What the look on Emma and Lily's faces will be when they first see the little sister they are so excited to meet. Knowing that this is my last pregnancy. That this era of my life is coming to a close, and I'm able to concentrate on a new era. I'm ready..... I'm ready to be a mother of growing children and not growing children in me. I've been so blessed to have so many of them. But after all the complications I've had, it's time... and I'm at peace with it all.

Monday Memory #20

Emma's blessing was wonderful. It was November 2, 2003 and we had lots of family there. It's always nice to have so many priesthood holders in the family to participate in such a special ordinance. It's so weird to see us as only a family of 4.

L&D

On Wednesday day/night I was getting some pretty intense pressure in my pelvis, and some contractions. I didn't think much of the contractions, because it's a regular occurrence for me. The pelvic pressure wasn't. It was something I would only feel right before I would give birth to my children. So it concerned me some but I didn't want to jump the gun just in case it was nothing. After it kept me up the entire night, and didn't go away that morning I decided to call my Dr. after some advice that I should. I left a message with the nurse and tried to lay down the best that I could with 4 kids needing to be looked after. I was still feeling this constant pressure, and starting to get uncomfortable contractions. The nurse called back a couple of hours later and told me that I needed to go get monitored at labor and delivery. UGHHHHH not this again. Seems like a repeat of Emma. I went in so much with her. I don't think my body likes to be pregnant in the summer. So after dropping off my kids at my sister in laws house my mother in law drove me to the hospital and Jonathan met me there. They hooked me up to the monitors and tried to find out what the problem was. They said I didn't have any contractions the whole time I was there, but I did. I think they had the contraction sensor up too high on my belly. It's ok, if it showed they would have given me this drug to stop them and that stuff is horrible. They stopped on their own anyway. They did an ultrasound and I got some great pictures. (I'll post them later) Miriam is weighing 2lbs 14oz at the moment. After a while they said they couldn't figure why I was having this pressure and sent me home to go to my dr. so he could do another ultrasound to see if he could solve the mystery. The next day I go to the Dr. and he does an ultrasound and sees that the babies head is laying right on my cervix and the last time I went in which was a week ago she was laying across my belly. So the pressure was most likely from her moving to head down position and putting pressure on my cervix. I have to be more careful and not stand for long periods of time, stay out of the heat, and not carry Benjamin too much. It's going to be hard because I just want to get things done right now. But a baby born 10 + weeks too early is not a good thing. So the drama of this pregnancy continues and tune in next week to see what happens. Hopefully nothing.

Pregnancy Journal Week 29

Wow I only have at the very most 11 weeks left. I remember when I hit 11 weeks. I'm so glad that it's coming to an end. It will be weird to stop getting shots daily. Don't worry I'm not going to miss it at all. This week has been pretty much the same. I'm still feeling a little off from the blood sugar issues. Pregnancy hormones haven't been to kind to me (or Jonathan). I'm nice to Jonathan but I got a major craving for ice cream tonight and demanded that he get me some sugar free kind. So that is where he is right now being a understanding husband that wants to have a happy hormonal wife. This is the first time I have been taken over by the craving monster, and I hope the last. I have an appt. next wends. and I hope that it is very uneventful. I still get contractions every other day. Last night they hurt a lot. Maybe I'm just a wimp, and oh I know I am a wimp. I have very little pain tolerance. I still don't understand how I gave birth to Peter completely natural. The thought of if just gives me nightmares. I just know that epidurals are my best friends. Other than the aches and pains of pregnancy I'm really enjoying feeling the movements of my baby and imagining what she's going to look like. I'm excited to doll her up. I've missed having a pretty little baby girl. My older pretty little girls are so fun, but just the thought of a baby girl is exciting for me.

Monday Memory #19

This is Emma's first bath. I have never yet had a baby that screamed so loud and for so long as Emma did. It sounded like we were torturing this poor baby. She hated it something fierce. She loves baths now.
Oh and Emma can be somewhat dramatic as well.

Pregnancy Journal Week 28

OHHHHH the drama this week has been. I'm just glad that I'm still alive and kicking......... I know I know drama. Really it's been a hard week. So starting Saturday while at the Temple I was having pretty intense contractions, and the poor lady next to me was like "are you ok? Do you need to leave." I assured her that this was a normal occurrence for me and I would be fine. I was fine and had a wonderful time there and enjoyed going to the Temple. Then throughout the weekend and into Monday I was feeling really sick. I would get really dizzy and feel as if I could pass out any second. On Tuesday I went to get my 3 hour glucose test done and during the 2nd hour draw I started to get really dizzy I told the nurse I wasn't feeling well and she helped me up to go lay down and the next thing I know I was kneeling by the bed saying I'm ok I'm ok. She said no you're not and helped me up to lay on the bed. So apparently I fainted. There is a first time for everything. I felt awful the rest of the day and Jonathan practically waited on my the rest of the day. I have a wonderful husband just so you know. Then comes to today..... I find out at my Drs. office that I have hypoglycemia. I have to eat every 3 hours, and stay away from sugar. The sugar part is no big deal for me, but the eating so often is going to be very tough for me. I'm just glad that I have an answer as to why I have felt so awful this pregnancy. I didn't want to make a big deal of it. I know why I have been so weak, and dizzy all the time. I'm just so glad my Dr. is watching out for me. He says I'm just so complicated, and I agree. Oh baby is moving around just great. I'm measuring right on time. Just 12 weeks to go at the most and I'm counting down.

WAHHHHHH!!!!!! (again)

No they didn't get my labs wrong......... Boy I wish they had. I failed the gestational diabetes test. Now I have to go into and take the 3 hour test. I have to go in and get my blood drawn four times. My aunt suggested that there is a vampire there that really likes my blood because they are draining me of it. If I fail this one I have gestational diabetes. UGHHHH what next. I have everything under the sun this pregnancy. I feel as if Heavenly Father is saying you are done...... count your blessings and be done. So I'll update as soon as I find out what my fate shall be. You know it's ok to be alittle dramatic when you are pregnant. It comes with the territory.

Monday Memory #18

Lily loves her new baby sister. It was so sweet seeing Lily finally warming up to Emma. At first Lily didn't want anything to do with me or Emma. She got over that and they have been best friends ever since.

WAHHHHHHH!!!!!

The lab didn't get enough of my blood yesterday so I have to go in again. Why do they mess up with me all the time. I told them I was on blood thinners and that's the test they didn't get the blood for. This is the second time they have done this. Maybe I should go to another location next time.

Pregnancy Journal Week 27

This week has been a good week. I haven't had very many contractions............ until tonight. It seems when I do alot I get them. I had my gestational diabetes test today. It wasn't so bad. I didn't get as sick as I thought I would be. But I'm scared I got a message after I got home from the lab I got the test taken at today. They were already closed so I couldn't call. I'm so scared they did the test wrong and I have to redo it. It's happened before at this lab. I so hope not. Good news is that with our new insurance my blood thinners are 35 dollars a month compared to 135 dollars we were paying. YEEESSSSSS. That was pretty expensive. I'm feeling the baby move more. Just watch I'm updating that she doesn't move very much next week. It seems as if she is very sporadic in the frequency of her movements. I'll get a ultrasound in 3 weeks if my Dr. doesn't change it again. I can say that I'm in my 3rd trimester. I'm so excited that the time is coming to an end. I just want this baby out and I can be sane again. Hormones are rough aren't they. I love that I'm able to be pregnant with all my problems, but I'm just ready to be done. Also babies are so much funner out rather than in.

Monday Memory #17

When I was pregnant with Emma it was quite the experience. At 32 weeks I started to feel contractions 10 mins. apart. I was getting scared so I went into the hospital to see what was going on. When they hooked me up I was contracting 5 min apart. They gave me fluids and a drug that would stop my contractions. It worked and I was sent home. I was so glad that she didn't come at that time. Fast forward 2 weeks I again started to contract every 5 min. So I went in again to have the same protocol performed. Then ditto to the next week and then I had a week break and went in again at 37 weeks on my birthday. I was having contractions and they just stopped so I was sent home. I went in to have a Non stress test at 38 weeks and they said I was 4 cm dilated and was hoping the dr. would let me stay, but he didn't. At 39 weeks I got really bad contractions about 9 pm and went in AGAIN, but this time I was 5 cm dilated. Dr's don't send you home after 5 cms. I got my epidural soon after I got there and guess what happened I stalled. So I laid there for a very long time until they gave me pitocin to start my labor back up. My Dr. came in at 8:30 in the morning to break my water. 1 and 1/2 hour later my nurse came in and said Emma's heart rate was going down and I was ready to push. I pushed for 30 min and Emma came out with the cord wrapped around her neck so tight that the Dr. couldn't cut it, take it off her head, and he had to pull it down her body as she came out. She was pretty purple when she came out. She was so bright eyed and quiet. She was laying on the warmer so quiet I thought she wasn't breathing. But she was just observing everything and that is how she is.

Oh I love epidurals........ You don't smile while in labor doing it natural.

Lily meeting her new sister. Now they get along so well.

Mommy and Emma.

Daddy and his little clone. Emma is just like Jonathan. She walks like him, stands like him, and the same exact personality as Jonathan. I sure love my little girl. She has such a sweet spirit that blessed our family.

Peter the GOOF.

Peter loves to be a GOOF. He's always trying new things to make me laugh. He runs up to me with his shirt on weird or something wacky on his head declaring "Mommy I'm a GOOF". I just laugh and say yes you are. Here I give you the clown of the family. Just to mention the picture above was all Peter's idea.

His new toy.

Benjamin's new favorite thing to do is play with cups. If there is ever a cup laying around he will have it in his mouth carrying it around.

But then he runs into things and it bumps his nose.

But it's still all smiles.

How can you get so much joy from a cup?

His loves to do a trick. Look no hands Mom!!!!

Pregnancy Journal Week 26

The end is steadily approaching us, and I'm so glad. I can't wait until I don't have to have Jonathan give me shots anymore. Only 10 more weeks of them. Wait I haven't even been on them for 10 weeks. UGHHHH I was thinking I was more than half way done. Oh well whatever to keep my baby healthy and alive. It seems as if she's a quiet little thing. She's not as active as my 4 others were. Good thing I still use my Doppler and if I ever worry I use it and am relieved. Pregnancy can be so stressful. It's amazing how protective you get over someone you have never met. My insomnia is in full swing now. I'm getting like 3 hours of sleep at night. it's just not fun, but I know that once the baby comes I'll have the ability to sleep. Yes I'll be up in the night feeding but it's just different. Jonathan and I were talking the other night and he said in 3 months we are going to have another little baby in the house and how exciting it was. I told him that I know I'm pregnant but I can't wrap my head around the fact that the baby is going to come out. I better mentally prepare myself soon huh. Jonathan has been so excited about this pregnancy from the beginning. He was hoping that I would get pregnant on accident. He would want 10 kids if it were possible. But he's so glad that we got the kids we do have as someone with my problem usually doesn't have as many and as easily. It really is a blessing from our Heavenly Father. We also couldn't be happier with the line up of kids we did have. 2 girls 2 boys and then to end it off with another girl. We are just pleased. I really feel as if our family is going to be complete. I'm also glad that my baby making days are coming to the end because pregnancy isn't too kind to me. I wish I could say that I felt great during pregnancy, but I don't. I love the fact that I've had the opportunity so many times, but I'm glad it only lasts 9 months. I wouldn't do good if humans had a gestation of a Elephant.

Monday Memory #16

Here is when Lily was old enough to swing on a regular swing (with the help of daddy).

It was so fun to see them bond together.

My Little Dolls.

It's so fun having girls. When ever I have the time I doll them up for church or whatever.

I just love how cute they are in curls.

Pregnancy Journal Week 25

This week has been kinda boring. I had an appt. today. I am at my pre pregnancy weight now and I hope that it doesn't go up much more. Baby is moving around alot and it's fun feeling the kicks and punches. I have to get my blood sugars checked for gestational diabetes in a couple of weeks. I only have to be on my blood thinners for 12 more weeks. Yeah, I am so excited. I also have a ultrasound in 5 weeks. I'll be able to see the baby better at this ultrasound since she will have more fat on her face and bigger. We get the 3d kind by the way. Other than that things here are slowing down which is great. I don't want much more excitement for alittle while. I'm going for boring here. We will see........

They are not twins.

One the exact same day Lily and Emma both lost the same exact tooth. WEIRD!!!! They are 20 months apart........ Lily has lost 8 teeth and Emma has lost 7. AND by this picture you can see that Emma has gotten even taller than Lily. Crazy stuff I tell you.

Monday Memory #15

If you can see it in this picture..... this is what I found when Lily had been alittle too quiet. I saw that she let out the entire 5 gallon of water on the floor. Needless to say we fixed it so that there was a safety thing on the spout. I'm just so glad that we have RO because Benjamin would be WAY worse.

Pregnancy Journal Week 24.

I finally got my appetite back. I don't know if that is a good thing or not. I'm still down 4 pounds pre pregnancy, but that was as of 2 weeks ago. So I'm not sure what it is right now. I wouldn't be surprised if I'm at -2 lbs. I'm hoping to only gain 15 lbs. Then it's just baby weight and I'll be at my pre pregnancy weight right after birth. Considering I only have 14 weeks to go I can see that as a possibility. Baby moves a little more but not all that much. I'm glad that I have my doppler to check on her because she is so quiet in there. I was up at 2:30 am one night and that is when she started moving up a storm. So I think she is awake when I'm supposed to be sleeping. This last week has been crazy, and I forget I'm pregnant some days. Jonathan just made a huge change. He got a new job........ we have been going through this process for several weeks and it's been a roller coaster ride. Jonathan worked for a water treatment company as a technical service specialist, and he has been working toward being a salesman for this company. It didn't look like they were going to move him a sales position for quite some time. So he contacted a recruiter and he was lead to this new company. He had a couple phone interviews, and then a face to face meeting. After that he had to go to Minnesota for another face to face with the owners of the company. Then we had to wait for the offer to come to our email. Finally almost a week later we got the offer for Jonathan to be a salesman for this new company. He's wanted to get into sales since he was 16 years old. He's in the same industry just the competition from his other job that he was at for 6 years. He has lots of knowledge and I think he's going to do fantastically. It's a big move for us but the future is very very bright. We are not going to have any lapse in coverage for our medical which is very good. It's a better plan as well. With all the medical costs with my pregnancy I was really worried about how we were going to pay for it. So the day after I found out that we had to pay 135 dollars a month just for my blood thinners, extra Dr. appts., and ultrasounds. I prayed that we would some how find the money to pay for the rising debt of medical costs. That day was the day Jonathan got the call that he had an opportunity for this job. The raise in pay is going to make it possible for us to pay all our medical bills and help with affording a family of 7. I feel that even through a recession we are being very blessed. 

Monday Memory #14

We wanted to potty train Lily before Emma came and I don't think she really knew what pull ups were for. Long story short she wasn't potty trained in time. So I had 2 in diapers. 

Lily I LOVE your hat. 

Pregnancy Journal Week 23

Here I am up at 2 AM writing my post. It's just getting old, but it's worth it in the end. I can happily report I've stayed sick free for the longest time this pregnancy thus far. I really don't have much energy though. But I'm trying to get my house organized. I've never had everything in it's own place before. I feel that once the baby comes it's just going to be hard to do anything. Now that the girls are out of school I have time to focus. It's amazing how much time you don't have when your kids are in school. I haven't been to far from my house at all the last 5.5 months. It's scary enough to take 4 kids anywhere but taking them whilst sick and tired. I don't know how anyone one with tons of kids do it, and stay sane. I know that once the baby comes I'm going to be very close to home for a long time as well. Well on to other things.... My legs haven't been bothering me as much. My Dr. told me to take more calcium in order to control the wiggly legs. It works most of the time but not tonight. I'm going to go to the lab to get my monthly blood draw today. I have another appt. in one week and in 5 weeks I have another ultrasound. This has been my most eventful pregnancy so far. It makes for lots to write about.

Monday Memory #13

This post is a little late but oh well. 

When it was just 3 of us Jonathan and Lily would take Saturday afternoon naps together. It was a bonding time for them. Plus it's just too cute. 

(I made that outfit Lily is wearing too)

Ultrasound Picture

I forgot to put up a picture from my last ultrasound..... so here it is. It looks like she is sucking on her bottom lip. So very cute. At my next ultrasound we will be able to see even more detail as she will have some fat on her. I'll get an ultrasound in about 6 weeks. 

Pregnancy Journal Week 22.

So it's 2:20 am and I'm writing my post for week 22. I'm sitting here wiggling my legs because if I don't I'm going to go crazy. I get restless leg syndrome really bad when I'm pregnant. I HATE it. Ahhhhhh. It woke me from a good sleep. Anyways I'm not sick yet and I'm hoping to stay that way. The only thing is that I'm starting to have an side effect from the blood thinners. I'm so very tired all the time. If anyone knows me when I'm into my second and third trimesters I'm very active. I painted my whole house when I was pregnant with Benjamin. But NOPE not this time I'm too tired to do anything. Ok I'm going to stop complaining. I had a ultrasound on Monday to see if the blood flow was doing better since being on the blood thinners, and if baby is growing still. Blood flow is doing much better. I could actually hear a difference. Before I would hear a little blip in the sound of the blood when they listened to it on the ultrasound, and this time the blip was gone. I'm so glad. If it was still bad I would have to increase my dosage of the blood thinners. Baby is also growing right on track. They estimate her weight as 15 ozs. So she's almost a pound. She's still a she. I have an appt. later on today so I'll update this post later with what happens there.

Update:
I went in for my appt. and I was told that the plans were as is:
Every 2 weeks appt with Dr.
Every 4 weeks I visit the vampires to check my blood to make sure I'm not getting in trouble with the blood thinners.
In 6 weeks I go in for another Ultrasound.
Other than that my Dr. is very proud of himself that he has "saved this baby". I'm very grateful as well.

Jonathan's Graduation Day.

On May 9th was Jonathan's Graduation. It was so nice to finalize the whole going to school thing. He didn't have to go, but he worked so hard and he WAS going to walk. It was a nice ceremony with bag pipes and tons of names to be read. It was 3 hours long and the kids were troopers. I had tons of help as Jonathan's family came. It was long awaited and I'm so glad it's over with. I'm so very proud of Jonathan. It takes lots of hard work to go to school while having a growing family.

Jonathan on the big screen. This was the only way to get a close up shot.

Jonathan and I in the flood of people outside the cardinals stadium.

The whole Fam.

Monday Memory #12

When Lily was just over a year old I let her feed herself. She got more on her chin than her mouth.

Lily LOVED feeding herself. Problem was that she had to do it herself from that point forward.

My Cute Kids.

I've been so bad...... I haven't posted anything on my kids lately. But yes I do take pictures of them and love them dearly. I took some pictures of Jonathan's cousin's reception last week and had all the kids with me. They were all spiffed up so I took the opportunity to get some cute shots of them

Emma in a new dress we got for her. She just growing too fast and her old dress no longer fit her.

Benjamin is just the cutest baby ever. I'm biased though but come on what a face.

Peter giving me that I'm trying to give you a smile, but all I want to do right now is play.

Lily loves to pose when I take her picture. She really is a funny girl. Oh and she's growing up too fast as well. I can't believe she will be eight in January

Pregnancy Journal Week 21

On to another week. This week has been chalk full of needle pricks. I tried injecting myself and pretty much traumatized myself. I hated doing it. It didn't really hurt that much but I have to watch as the needle goes in. So Jonathan is doing it for me. I have bruises all over my stomach. I don't have any side effects from the medication. I have another ultrasound next Monday and an appt. on Wednesday. I'll see more what is going on then. But I've doing doing really good. I'm not sick anymore (knock on wood). I have energy again. Baby is starting to feel the baby move more. I can feel her move from the outside and see my stomach move along with her. It's fun to have the kids feel her move around. They love it. I'm really confident that things are going to be running smoothly as long as I'm doing exactly what the Dr. says. I plan on putting up a belly shot later on today. I've really slacked at doing that. I just don't see much difference in the size of my belly that much lately.

Baja Fresh Fundraiser

Monday Memory #11

Lily's first birthday............ Well she got presents and got to destroy her cake. She didn't do that..... She daintily touched it and was done........... until daddy made her go at it. At that point she started to LOVE cake.

Ewwww sticky.

I also found out that I was pregnant with Emma just days before the party. What is up with finding out I'm pregnant near or on Lily's birthday parties.

Pregnancy Journal Week 20.

WOW!!! I'm half way done. YESSSSSSSSSSS. Well I have another cold. Come on........ I hoped for a sick free week and I jinxed myself. I'm hoping it's going to get over it soon. I had an appt. today and I learned what the game plan is for the rest of the pregnancy. First of all I have to start taking my blood thinner Thursday. I am taking a shot once a day instead two as I was originally told. I'm going to have lots of Dr. appointments, ultrasounds, and blood tests. My next ultrasound on May 18th. Then every 4 weeks. I asked what the likely hood of the baby coming early. He told me that he wouldn't let me go past 38 weeks. I'm so glad that I have an idea about the time I'll have the baby. With blood thinners you need to stop them before you deliver so it's important to induce labor. I'm down 8 lbs so far. I don't really know how that happened. Other than that things are pretty normal around here.

Monday Memory #10

On to another milestone of Lily's. Lily started to walk 3 days after she turned 1. I, as most new mothers was very anxious for this day.


I just love the look on her face. She was so very cute.

I love it when babies have their arms out to the sides when they start walking.