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Monday, December 2, 2013

To Elf on the Shelf or Not?

That is the question for this year. Last year we did pull out the Elf on the Shelf my sister had gotten for us. I struggled though with part of the idea behind it being a naughty elf and getting into trouble. With RC having been 18 months last year at Christmas and that we had started battling with him and the naughty things he was doing, I felt having our elf do anything naughty was wrong.

This year, I really struggled with whether or not I even wanted to bring our elf back out. We want to focus on the reason we celebrate Christmas. We want to celebrate Jesus. We don't want RC and Tank to think it's just about the presents. This year I decided to search around and see how we might be able to make it work. After all, RC did enough having Qwerty around last year and this year can understand it even more.

Last night Qwerty came back with a letter from Santa. Even though we aren't going to push Santa, we still will get pictures with him and have some fun. We'll let the boys make up their mind as they get older.


The letter from Santa was a request to have Qwerty spend the Christmas season with us so that he might learn about Jesus from RC. He needs to learn how to pray to Jesus and learn that Christmas isn't about presents!

Tonight during our bedtime routine, Qwerty joined us to listen to our Bible story and to pray. Oh and if you haven't maybe figured out, Qwerty the Elf is allowed to be played with. He must stay on the mantle during the night to watch over us all.

RC - "Jeus"
A goal of having Qwerty around is to help RC with things like praying as well. We'll see how all this works out this year. Along with trying to teach Qwerty about Jesus and how to pray, we'll be trying some nightly activities with scriptures and crafts!


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

I worried, but he pratically had no idea we were gone

Sunday, my hubby and I went to a church retreat. I'll write more on the retreat later. This post is simply about having to leave my baby boy behind for the firs time. RC is 2.5 years old now and spent his first nights away from home and away from family for 2 nights while we took Tank (aka Little Critter) to a church retreat for staff and staff in training.

I was very nervous. We wanted to bring RC home from church and take him to his friends house. They were taking him to lunch after church instead so we had to say goodbye at church. RC just gave us a look like "okay you can leave now. You've said goodbye like a million times." I wanted to just cry.

I knew he was in good hands and with one of his older friends he just loves to hang out with (and sadly will be moving halfway across the WORLD soon!), but I still just couldn't help but worry how he would do come bedtime.

Well he did fantastic. In fact, my friend said he went with no paci for both nights! He did get a little sad when my friend walked to our place to bring our milk inside for us. He got to our apartment and said "mommy's back" and then got sad when he was told we weren't back.

He perked up fairly fast though. The bonus of being 2.5 years old!

Upon our return, he was happy to see us. Get gave me a big hug, got his shoes on and went out to "find da" as he says. He got to play with another friend when we got home.

Then it was bedtime. Oh how he did not want to go to bed without his paci. We kept it away at first and let him cry for a little bit. Then we went back in as he wasn't settling down. He wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with me. It broke my heart. He usually wants to "nuggle" at bedtime and read stories with me. He wanted none of it before his complete breakdown or after.

He finally fell asleep with no paci to wake not 30 minutes later crying again. He was practically still asleep during this fit. Travis decided to let him have the paci...and what does he do. Immediately stop crying and fully pass out.

Oh how I wish he would ditch that paci. I am so thankfully he did great for his first time away from home, but tomorrow I pray he wants nuggles from mommy again!!!

Friday, October 18, 2013

Finally a new nickname

I have finally decided on a new nickname for Little Critter. He just isn't "little." After all at 4.5 months he is weighing in at 17.5 pounds and 27 inches! Not exactly little at 18 weeks.

So Little Critter will now be known as "Tank!" I think it fits him better. He even smiles wen you call him that!

Above is Tank at 18 weeks. He is wearing an 18 month onesie! Yes I didn't miss type...that's 18 months! He is moving into 12-18 month clothing depending on what it is. Some pants are too long but 6-9 are kinda too short and a little tight. So instead, Tank will be sporting some awesome leggings from Babylegs. They are way cuter than pants anyway and make for much easier diaper changes!

Friday, September 27, 2013

My Carrier

The other morning my quiet time was on Isaiah 40:11. I am working through a Quiet Times for New Moms book...yes I am 3.5 months behind in getting started with it, but hey, at least I am getting started and back to doing my quiet times.

Anyhow, back to Isaiah 40:11. 
"He tends his flock like a shepherd: 
he gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young." (NIV)

As I read this and the additional notes in my quiet time book, I pictured God carrying me. But not just carrying wearing me like I wear Little Critter or RC. I couldn't help the thought. I love babywearing and how close my guys are to me but yet I can have my hands free and doing other things as well. I picture God wearing me so I could feel secure while we goes about his other business.






We all need to be carried. Our carrier is God. Through Him he will pick us up when we fall. Through Him we can get through anything. How are you carried?

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Potty Training Adventures

It's that time...the time that your baby isn't a baby anymore...potty training time! That's right RC is taking us on the potty training adventure. Back in July when we went to see my family, he saw his cousins, "Big Guy and Little Guy," using the potty and decided he wanted to do the same.

He would walk around pulling his shirt up and if you let him, walk up to the toilet like he was going to stand there and go. When we returned home, we decided to let him try going whenever he wanted to. I felt at that point, he really wasn't ready. He had no clue when he was wet which I knew would make potty training difficult.

It has been a not even a month of letting him try occasionally and wearing some cloth trainers that he now understands when he is wet. We invested in cheapy cloth trainers that are basically worthless and just like underwear and we invested in a couple really good trainers. So far the Blueberry trainers we got from Abby's Lane (my favorite cloth diaper store) have been the best. They actually hold an accident...unless of course it's a really huge accident which only a diaper would actually contain.

I'm hoping to fix the cheapy cloth trainers to be similar to the absorbency of the Blueberry trainers if I can manage to get some extra sewing time in!

Today to help with sitting on the potty, we invested in a potty seat. He hasn't liked sitting on the potty backwards. He was very excited to get the new seat.

Upon getting home, he wanted to try it out immediately. He even showed it off for a picture with the biggest "cheese" ever!


As we head down this road, I plan to just listen to him. If he doesn't want to wear underwear or trainers...he doesn't have to. If he doesn't want to try peeing in the potty...he doesn't have to. Right now, that isn't often that that happens.

I'm sure we will have many accidents along the way. Hopefully he when he is fully ready, it won't take him long.

So far my favorite thing he has said while trying to go to the bathroom...
"oh noooo....it's broke!" as he stands there not able to pee in the toilet! LOL

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Newborn Cloth Diapers - The Good, The Bad, The Not Worth It

We began cloth diapering with RC around two months old. We had to wait because RC wasn't big enough to fit the BumGenius 4.0 one size diapers we had bought for him. We had opted to skip newborn cloth diapers due to the cost at the time and from the original research on cloth diapers I had done, I had found that he should have been able to fit the one size diapers. Well he would have had he been more of an 8-9 pound baby. Instead he was 6 pounds 15 ounces and super skinny!
Well then it was time for baby #2. We still have a great stash of one size diapers, but again no newborn cloth. We decided to invest in some newborn cloth to get us through the first month - two months. Yes I hate disposables that much that I opted for newborn cloth that would only be used a short time.
Tiny Tush Mini Elite
GroVia Newborn AIO
Thirsties Duo Wrap - size 1
Planet Wise Cover - size 1
Bummis Tiny Bots

Prowrap - newborn size
 For the fun of it and so it maybe helps someone else, I decided to post the pros/cons I saw for each of the newborn diaper we used.
My favorites were the Newborn Blueberry Basix & the Bummis Tiny Bots. The covers were great in the first few weeks, but now that he is about 2 months old, we are having major leaking/wicking issues in less than an hour. That means I get one use and then have to move onto a new diaper. The nice thing about covers is being able to reuse them and right now that isn't happening.

I also loved the fit of the GroVia's but those were quickly outgrown, especially in the rise. My Little Critter was in the 90th percentile for height at birth. Needless to say we may have many rise issues with him!

Overall I was happy with all the diapers I picked for the first several months. I think it was worth the money spent as well since he went through so many diapers in the beginning. Since Little Critter is gaining weight like crazy he has outgrown all but a few covers. Those probably won't last much longer either!
Now we are onto the one size diapers that big brother RC has used for the past two years. I did, however, just recently purchase a few new brands to try out with Little Critter.
*These are my own thoughts. No one paid me or provided any of the diapers. I purchased my diapers from Abby's Lane (not a referral link).


Brand/Type
Size/Weight
Price
Pros
Cons
Newborn Blueberry Basix
Fits 6-16 lbs
$17.95
Umbilical cord notch
Prints & Solids
Easy to stuff
Fits longer
Snap only
Slightly bulky
Long air dry time
Thirsties Duo All In One
Size 1: 6-18 lbs
$15
Snap or Aplix
Prints & Solids
No stuffing
Fits longer
Slightly bulky
Leaks/wicks quickly with a heavy wetter
Long air dry time
Bummis Tini Fit by Tots Bots-New!
Fits 5-14 lbs
$18.95
Trim Fit
Good absorbency
Fits longer
Aplix only
Solid colors only
Difficult to stuff
Long air dry time
GroVia Newborn All In One
Fits 5-12 lbs
$14.95
Trim Fit
Prints & Solids
Snap only
Low Rise
Leaks/wicks quickly with heavy wetters
Quickly outgrow (especially rise if long baby)
Long air dry time
Tiny Tush Elite Mini Pockets
Fits 4-15 lbs
$18.95
Snap or Aplix
Prints & Solids
4 rise adjustment for better fit
Easy to stuff
Fits longer
Air dries quickly
Slightly bulky
Leaks/wicks quickly with heavy wetter
Thirsties Duo Diapers
Size 1: 6-18 lbs
$17.50
Double Gusset
Prints & Solids
for better fit
Easy to stuff
Fits longer
Air dries quickly
Slightly bulky
Leaks/wicks quickly with a heavy wetter

Thirsties Duo Wraps
Size 1: 6-18 lbs
$12.25
Double Gusset
Snap or Aplix
Prints & Solids
Use with favorite insert
for better fit
Fits longer
Air dries quickly
Leaks/wicks on the outside with heavy wetter
Planet Wise Diaper Cover
Size 1: 6-18 lbs
$17.95
Double Gusset
Use with favorite insert
Double row of snaps for better fit
Fits longer
Air dries quickly
Snap only
Prints only
Wicks on the outside with heavy wetter
Bummis Super Brite Cover
Small 8-16 lbs
$12.65
Double Gusset
Use with favorite insert
Fits longer
Air dries quickly
Aplix only
Prints only
Leaks/wicks quickly with heavy wetter
May not fit for a couple weeks
Prorap Classic Cover
Newborn 6-10 lbs
$8.50
Double Gusset
Inexpensive
Use with favorite insert
Air dries quickly
Aplix only
White only
Leaks/wicks quickly outside with heavy wetter
Quickly outgrow NB size

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

My Big One Month Old

It's hard to believe it's already been one month since Little Critter was born...actually almost 5 weeks already! Little Critter isn't too little though! He might need a new nickname already. At his 2 week check up he had gone from 8 pounds 4 ounces (at 4 days old) to 9 pounds 7 ounces! Then he jumped to 11 pounds one day before turning 1 month old! He doesn't seem big though. I'm not sure where he is putting it all! He is definitely a big eater. We will be in trouble come teenage years between RC and Little Critter for sure.

So far Little Critter just eats, sleeps and poops...just like all babies! LOL He is starting to "wake up" and he is starting tell stories too. He loves to give squishes like his big brother RC.


I've had a blast cloth diapering him so far as well. One of these days I will write a blog post on which diapers have been my favorites, which have not been and why.


 

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Postpartum Update

Well it's been 5 days since Little Critter was born. I came home from the hospital on Sunday. So far recovery this time around seems so much easier. I'm not sure why exactly. Yesterday we went out for the morning for Little Critter's first doctor appointment and then went and ran a couple of errands before heading home. We were gone for about 4 hours, I wore Little Critter for most of it, and walked quite a bit. By the time we got home I was tired, but it was more I just needed to lay down and rest for just a bit. With RC, I would get pretty tired after just walking for 15 minutes or so and then need a nap for a couple of hours it seemed!

Today I actually sent my hubby to work! A friend came over for a bit to hang out and have lunch. For the most part I have been by myself all day. It hasn't been too bad. RC has only had a few listening and obeying issues we had to deal with this morning, but for the most part it has been a successful day on my own.

I also decided to try going without any Motrin today and have been feeling great! I am finally getting tired, but I think that's also because I have been sitting typing this and browsing the internet! LOL

Hopefully recovery continues to go quickly and we will be able to be out and about soon; I hate just sitting home.
 

Friday, June 14, 2013

Pregnancy Update: He's Here!!!

Thursday we get a call bright and early asking us to arrive at 9am rather than 7am for my scheduled induction. I figured sweet...more sleep! Little did I know I would then get a call from the doctor asking if I could switch hospitals because the one I was scheduled to be at ended up full. I agreed as my parents had driven clear from Missouri just to be here for Little Critter's birth!

My induction actually began on Wednesday with a foley bulb. That took me from 1 cm to 3 cm dilated overnight. Yesterday after checking in at the hospital, the doctor came in about 9:45 am and explained she was going to check my progress, break my water and insert an internal monitor. I knew then we were committing to having a baby by the next day at the latest.

Pitocin was started very slowly starting at 2 and increasing to 20 in increments of 2. This was to ensure contractions were not too hard or too fast together as that could cause a uterine rupture due to the previous c-section with RC. So we started off very slow and learning what contractions even felt like! It took me a couple of hours before I really even really felt the contractions. It was pretty easy so far.

At one point I was rechecked and finally had progressed to a 4. I was pretty happy with that even though it seemed to take awhile to get there because the pitocin was started off very slow. Then it became stuck at 4...stuck at 4...stuck at 4 while my contractions were about 2 minutes apart and consistent. They weren't hard, but at a point where I was starting to get bad back pain.

Around 9ish pm I asked my nurse if it was typical to be stuck so long. She said it isn't a good sign but because I wanted to try for labor after c-section my doctor was staying pretty hands off to let me try. In fact she thought it was so important to me she was going to let me labor all through the night. While it was nice that they were really letting me try labor and see how it went, the time came to decide if it was really worth continuing to labor or get a repeat c-section. After discussing all the options and pros/cons of each a repeat c-section was decided upon.

Once I told my nurse my decision, she went to call my doctor and within about 30 minutes everyone needed was called back to the hospital! We were having a baby! Several things I am extremely thankful for with having decided on a c-section.

1. Little Critter turned out that he had to be vacuumed out even for the c-secrion. Had we gone "naturally" he most likely would have gotten stuck and an emergency c-section needed. In fact the nurse from the nursery said based on his size, length, and head size, there was no way he would have been delivered naturally.

2. The doctor found a small tumor on my ovary/fallopian tube during the surgery. She had this removed and it is being sent off for biopsy. Prayerfully it will come back benign as she said 99% of them are. Had it been left, even if benign my doctor said they can grow fairly large and cause issues. I would have had to have another surgery down the road had she not removed it.

3. Recovery. My recovery surprisingly has been better than the first time around. Possibly because I knew what to expect this time around. Had I labored all night though, the recovery process would probably be  pretty miserable. Currently, I am not having to take any hard drugs to manage pain, which means I should be up and driving in no time!

For now I am just waiting to take my first shower and fully clean up. I still feel and look far better than I did with RC's birth but I know that can all turn quickly if I push it too hard!

Later I'll update with all the stats and some pictures of Little Critter!

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Yes My Son Is Still Rear-Facing...

and will remain so for some time. Today my hubby asks me when RC can be forward facing. My response: when he outgrows the seat in rear facing. My hubby didn't exactly like that answer. He is a very specific kind of guy. So I started rattling off the specs of RC's car seat.

We have the MyRide 65 for him. This seat rear faces to 40 pounds. RC is about 26ish pounds. Height in rear facing is 1" below the top of the seat. That should mean RC needs to be about 39ish" I believe before he outgrows the height requirement.

All in all my final answer was between age 3 and 4. I then went on a bit later to explain that the AAP recommends now that children rear face until 2 years old AND until the reach the max requirements for their seat in rear facing mode. Today's seats are getting better and better to keep kids rear facing longer.

Little Critter's seat is the Graco Size4Me 70. It too rear faces to 40 pounds so he too will be rear facing for some time! This household is definitely pro extended rear-facing...even if hubby doesn't quite get it.

After all, if they don't know the difference, why switch them and chance a serious injury when all the statistics support extended rear-facing?

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Pregnancy Update: 39 weeks

Today was my 39 week check up (one day shy technically)! The doctor and I discussed what I was going to do if I reached 40 weeks and still hadn't started labor yet. She said there really seems to be nothing that indicates that I won't labor well, so she convinced me to be induced rather than schedule a repeat c-section. She said I will be induced slowly so that should help allow me and baby to endure labor better.

Today when she checked me I am still just 1 cm dilated. She decided to go ahead and attempt to scrap my membranes which she did, but she didn't sound hopeful that that will help get labor started. We'll see what happens over the next few days. Hopefully it works and things get started so I don't have to be induced.

If not though, she let me pick when I wanted to be induced! So naturally I chose my due date since she said there was no reason to wait until I was 41 weeks to do it. So next Wednesday I will go into my 40 week check to get a foley catheter put into place and an NST to make sure Little Critter handles it well. Then Thursday morning (not sure of time yet) we'll head to the hospital for induction if the foley catheter doesn't work!

Hopefully things get started naturally and if they do, I predict this to happen this weekend when Travis and I are due to be in a preaching course all weekend at church!

No matter what we should be holding Little Critter by next Thursday (or maybe Friday if I labor long)!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Pregnancy Update - 37 weeks & 1 day

Officially full-term! Little Critter is welcome to come at any time now! Yesterday was my 37 week check. Things are still looking good. No additional dilation...still barely a 1. Currently just trying to get any last minute things done and keep up with things like the cloth diapers, house work, etc. all so that when he decides to come, there isn't 3 days worth of diapers to wash for RC and none for him to wear!

Next week at my 38 week check I will be having an ultrasound to check his estimated weight. Their purpose for this they say is for me to then decide if I still want to try for labor after c-section or just have another c-section. So far I don't think they will be able to sway me into another c-section unless they can come to me with medical proof why it is necessary. We'll see how it all goes.

I can't wait to meet Little Critter. Hopefully it won't be too much longer!

Pregnancy Update: Hospital Trial Run!

Oh a trial run was not what we were wanting Sunday...at least not at 10pm!

It all started on Saturday night after I was in bed. I rolled over and ouch was it painful. I could tell it wasn't a contraction it was just pain. It went away as soon as I got settled into a position. I'd roll and it would hurt again.

By Sunday morning, I was in excruciating pain. It didn't help that I ended up sitting on a hard floor at church with Richard for a while either. That day, I could barely walk. The pain was horrible. Once I got walking, it felt a little better. It was still there, but at least was a stabbing pain. I'd stop, sit down or lay down and as soon as I got up...stabbing pain. Once it almost sent me to the floor.

I called the doctor's after hour number, left a message to be called and took a nap. No call. Later I tried again. Still no return call. Finally I called back a third time and they physically called the person versus paging them. Verdict...go be checked out at labor and delivery since the pain had been constant all day. Though by this point with the research I had done, I was pretty sure it was all normal and I just had to deal with it. Oh the joys of pregnancy!

My poor hubby was exhausted and here I was having to go say..."no you're not going to bed, we're going to the hospital to be checked after all!" So here we were grabbing my bags just in case, telling one of our exchange students that was due to be driven to the airport at 7am the next day that we had to leave and be checked out. I told him, all should be okay and we should be back soon, but for some reason if we are not...we'll make sure someone is here by 7am to get you to the airport. At first, he thought I was joking with him!

At the hospital I get hooked up to be monitored and checked. It was very hard to describe the pain properly. It was constant yet by constant I mean it would be sharp pain all day if I moved...except if I walked for a really long time. LOL The nurse definitely looked confused.

All in all after Little Critter was stubborn with being on the monitor, she finally got enough reading to call the doctor. It was decided that it was just round ligament stretching and for me to go home, take Tylenol and perhaps a warm bath. Just as I figured...pretty much a waste of time to go up; however, I did get to realize I need to go buy some additional contact cases because apparently, I only have one! LOL

So here I am two days later, round ligament pain mostly gone and back to back pain! I suppose I'll take the back pains over the round ligament pains any day at least if it's as bad as it was Sunday. I think I much rather would have preferred being in labor!

I still am not 100% sure how I'll proceed with my delivery options of Little Critter. I want to try for labor after c-section, but I am thinking if Little Critter doesn't decide to come on his own and they were to need to induce me, that I would rather have a c-section instead.

What would you do if your first was emergency c-section due to cord around foot and no signs of labor started...second time around would you opt for c-section automatically or trying for labor?

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Toy Storage...What To Do?

As we get closer to Little Critter's arrival and our exchange students we are hosting heading home, I have been thinking more and more about how to redo RC's room. In just a few weeks he will be going from toddler bed to twin bed (with 3 drawers on the bed frame).

That storage will help but I am thinking using it for linen storage to start with. My main problem with his toys is he is having trouble with the concept of not dumping every bucket of toys. We are working on this, but so far it is a slow progress.

We also don't have the ability to just store most his toys in an unaccessible closet leaving only a few out. So does anyone have any suggestions for toy storage of things like, cars (specifically little wheelies), little people accessories, blocks, etc.

We have been using mostly a rack that holds removable bins but that just isn't working it seem. Thoughts to help this momma better control the mess of his room? 

It is the main place he plays as we just don't have room in our living room for all his toys. We also are not able to anchor furniture in the room so it can't be anything too tall and easy to tip over.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Veggie Tales Birthday - RC turns 2!

This year for RC's birthday I decided to go with his favorite thing..."uh uh" or rather Veggie Tales! RC LOVES Veggie Tales. Probably because it's the only show he actually gets to watch right now. How can one not like the biblical based veggies stories?

After searching the web for ideas, I found a few to put together his party. First I scored a costume from Lifeway for him to wear...but of course, he wouldn't wear it for the party. So instead he wore his Veggie Tales t-shirt. Which still worked out, but doesn't my little God's Super Hero look so cute?


The food I kept pretty simple. Mostly veggies and fruit and then some pizza. Only some of the food was themed toward the show like:

Pa Grape
Madame Blueberry
Laura Carrot
Cheese Curls (which thankfully did not come alive and try to eat us like in the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything show!)

The rest of the food were not from the shows, but were still yummy: strawberries, broccoli, pizza and of course cake!


The cake. My favorite part of getting ready for a birthday! I decided to be crazy and try another "mad hatter" cake. If you don't remember the fiasco I had back in October this style cake literally drove me mad! This time, I used a Groupon to score actually cake pans meant for this type of cake! So it came out much better.

Instead of making the Veggie Tale characters I decided to use some of the action figures RC would be getting as a present. They were perfect for the cake and made it much cheaper and less time consuming as well!


The decorations I kept pretty simple. For the table just plain colors to match bob the tomato and other characters from the show. I cut out larry the cucumber shaped pieces from green construction paper and spread them on the table. I used some of RC's Veggie Tale toys on the table too.

The rest were just prints I made on the computer, cut them out and glued to construction paper then hung on the window. For my two year old, it was enough. He was impressed and kept saying "cool" as he pointed to them.


It's hard to see in this picture but the bottom right is a big red poster board with Bob the Tomato drawn on it for pin the nose on Bob!


Bob and Larry balloon for the birthday boy's chair of honor for cake eating!


King George's Ducky Punch! Yummy!


Happy Family...sorta. Birthday boy wanted his cake already! LOL


Yummy! This year, he dug right into his cake. He even used his fork!


Pin the nose on Bob. RC actually nailed the nose in the right spot, but the prize went to one of his friends instead!


Coloring Veggie Tale sheets I downloaded from Veggie Tales website.

 
Present time. This year RC got the whole idea and tore into his gifts.

All in all it was a very successful 2nd birthday for RC. He had a lot of fun with his friends.







Baby Shower from Church Friends

My friends at church threw me a baby shower recently. It was amazing. It was a great time of fellowship, eating yummy food, playing fun games, and celebrating my Little Critter.

The girls did an great job with everything. It really made me feel so loved with the effort that went into the shower and all those that came to show their support.



 The game they did was pretty funny. Since we cloth diaper, they were going to get scraps of cloth to have teams make a diaper out of. Instead toilet paper had to be used and the goal was to create a cloth diaper and I had to pick the winning team. Let's just say I couldn't stop laughing!

Here are 3rd and 4th place. We have on the left a cloth diaper with suspenders and "sumo" baby cloth diaper with a bonnet included. LOL
 

The top two where tough to decide between. The runner up included a tool belt with their cloth diaper. It holds things like paci's, bottles, etc.

The number one really had me laughing so hard I thought I was going to need to pause and use the restroom!

The whole "outfit" included a cloth bib that once the top was wet through, you could simply remove and the next available bib would be ready. The hat was an all weather hat. It had removable ear flaps for when it was too hot outside! The best part was the cloth diaper...it was a cloth diaper meant for newborn through toddler years and even had access for potty training! Genius idea!


 As I opened all my gifts, someone at the party creates a hat from parts of the wrapping paper and tissue. Here's mine...complete with curly bangs!


 The cup cakes were delicious and had homemade chocolate toppings on them!


Here's a shot of everyone at the party. It's hard to imagine that with RC, I had no one here and now I have all these lovely ladies in my life!

Pregnancy Update 34 Weeks

Wow it seems like forever since I updated last. Okay, in pregnancy life...4 weeks is forever! LOL

So far Little Critter is doing well. He is currently measuring slightly small; at least my belly is measuring slightly small. At 38 weeks the doctor said I will have an ultrasound to measure his weight to better determine if I still want to try for labor after c-section (TFLAC). That answer right now is not changing from YES!

My next appointment is at 36 weeks and then will be weekly from there. Next time I get to have all the "fun" stuff done. The strep test gets done and they are going to start checking for dilation, etc.

I gained another 3 pounds. Oops...I was a bit naughty with the whole carbs to protein ratio. Must do better at that! I don't want to blow my chance for a TFLAC after all! Over all weight gain though is still only about 10 pounds from where I started at my first OB appointment, so I am happy with that. We won't count the weight I lost and then gained back plus the 10! ;) LOL

I am also starting to have possible Braxton Hick's contractions. At least from what I described to the doctor she thinks that I am. Which is perfectly normal at this stage but also is pushing me to get my bag packed, instructions for washing diapers for Travis, and a bag for Richard together for when he needs to go with a friend! This time I really want to be ready and currently....I am NOT!

We did finally get a big chair out of our room and a small space started for Little Critter. He will be in our room for a week or more depending on when he comes until his room is available. Our last exchange student leaves around June 20th, so it won't be until then that Little Critter gets his own room. We are not co-sleepers here nor are we sharers of our bedroom.

 For now I am trying to get as much sleep as I can. Nights are starting to already get adjusted to up every few hours. It really is amazing how much one has to pee during pregnancy even when you don't drink anything! I guess it's the body's way of preparing for all those late night feedings!

Now it's time to get all the little details taken care of so we are prepared!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Pregnancy Update 30 Weeks

Finally getting to the home stretch. 30 weeks and counting! Today's doctor appointment was quick. Usually is when you don't have questions. This time I did have one and that was when would they determine if I had to have a repeat c-section.

The answer: it all depends...on whether or not I begin to progress naturally, whether I start to progress and stall, and whether baby or I are showing signs of not enduring labor.

So with that as an answer it still doesn't tell too much, but the doctor did tell me since my pregnancy with RC didn't even get to labor that his emergency c-section won't necessarily be a factor this time around.

She did tell me that they highly recommend those that are trying for labor after c-section have an epidural as early as possible because if an emergency c-section is needed they would have to knock me out instead which could effect the baby. If I already have the epidural then they can just go in and I can remain awake! All good information to know.

Travis probably still thinks I should just tell them to just schedule a c-section but I just don't want that unless it's medically needed. We'll see what happens!

I know am entering biweekly appointments so it won't be long now. While it's still about 10 weeks away...that 10 weeks is gonna fly by fast!

If only I could start setting Litter Critter's room up! Oh well...it will give me something to do later I suppose! I do need to get rid of a chair and make room in our room for the pack and play until his bedroom is available!

I also have my baby shower to look forward to. With RC, I had no friends out here in VA. This time around it will be nice to celebrate with my friends. Now if only some of my family could be here too! I guess I can't have everything! LOL

Monday, March 25, 2013

Happy Birthday RC!

Two years ago, RC came into our life. Our lives have been an adventure since. It's been amazing to see my little man grow and develop every day. It is hard to believe he is two sometimes with how he acts...then again there are those other days...you know the terrible two days to remind me!

RC's language has been exploding lately. He says a few simple sentences. His favorites are "I shee," I doo," and "Wuz dat?" My favorite thing he does is when he thinking he will go "hmm shee" while rubbing his chin. It is the cutest thing ever.

He runs...non stop...okay well when Veggie Tales is on he pretty much doesn't move...or blink. He loves animals...particularly birds. Not long ago we went out to feed the birds for the first time. He ran around the backyard holding a cracker calling the seagulls by saying "ha ha." It was adorable. Sadly (and thankfully) the seagulls wouldn't come eat from his hand!

Veggie Tales is his favorite show. We don't really let him watch other shows, but when he does watch a different show at a friends house, he has no interest in it. His only interest is for "uh uh" as he calls it.

Cheerios is by far his favorite snack. Especially right before bedtime. The boy is a bottomless pit already!

Ball and cars (riding style) are his favorite to play with but he also enjoys sitting down and looking at his books. That is usually what I find all over his floor in his room.

RC loves to change diapers on his stuffed animals. He loves helping with laundry, dishes, and sweeping. Come time for brother (SD) to be born, he will be a fantastic helper!
 
My little man really is just that...he isn't a baby anymore he really is a little man. When exactly that happened, I'm not sure. It's like he went from baby to little man over night!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Pregnancy Update Week 26 & 6 days

Today I had the glucose testing done. Now I just have to wait and see if they call with any dreaded news. I pray that they don't call. The lab tech said if I fail it, I'll have to be sent elsewhere with more lab techs because I am such a difficult blood giver. Maybe my body is just saying it doesn't have enough to spare! Okay so it really is that my veins are tiny and hard to find!

So far all seems to be going well. Little Critter #2 should be close to 2 pounds now. I did have a pretty significant weight gain since my last appointment 4 weeks ago, but the midwife said she isn't concerned unless I make another jump in weight! Officially I have gain just 2 pounds! Thank goodness for losing close to 10 in the 1st trimester!

We haven't completely settled on a name yet. At least I'm not 100% sure we have. We might have and just not fully realized it yet. Anyhow, when we do, I'll announce it in a fun way! Most likely just through my Facebook though.

For now I am just trying to keep weight off, praying I pass the glucose test, and prepping for the upcoming weeks to fly by before Little Critter #2 is here!

My Latest Projects

So at some point a few months back I got it in my head to learn to sew and do a few projects. It first started with wanting to make "unpaper" towels to replace all our paper towels with. I'm not the greenest person, but have really begun to realize how much waste we have. Paper towels was a HUGE one. I could have either just bought some or gotten plain towels to use, but I wanted to make them.

As I gathered everything I needed, even getting a small crafting machine for cheap, I kept looking around for even more things to make. That's when I fell across Veggie Tale material to make cloth books! RC LOVES Veggie Tales so much and is really getting into looking at books that I really wanted to make them for him. So I bought 3 without having a clue how to make them or even if my little machine could handle the project. Crazy...I know, but that's usually what happens with me and projects. I find something I want to do, get the stuff needed for it and figure out how to do it later! There's plenty of tutorials out there after all!

So my start of my sewing projects was the unpaper towels! Thankfully I was able to find someone to teach me how to make them. I went over to her house for a lesson and came home ready to make them. I completed a few, washed them and found out the stitching wasn't going to hold. Back to the drawing board...err rather Karen's house for help. This time around, I got to use her serger and that did the job! All the unpaper towels are finished now and are great! No more paper towels here...except maybe for certain occasions like cake decorating!

My next project...the cloth books. I literally stared at the instructions on the fabric sheet and was clueless how to begin. Back to Karen's again! Karen is an awesome teacher by the way!!! In a couple of hours I had my first completed cloth book! Woo hoo...one down...two to go!

Now I sit at home with my borrowed sewing machine from another friend trying to complete the books. So far the projects are going pretty well. I haven't messed up much and finally have the machine working well...so long as I keep the speed on the slower end. It doesn't like to go fast! That's okay though because...slow means I probably will do a better job anyway!

After I complete these books it's time to get a very special book made for RC. I decided to try my hand at making a quiet time book for his big brother gift. Yes, I'm nuts, but that's how I do things. I could probably pay Karen to make the quiet time book, but I really want to make this very special Veggie Tale themed quiet time book for RC myself.












Thursday, February 28, 2013

Spring Church Campaign

This month our church is doing what we call a campaign month. The fall campaign was reading through the New Testament and living out each day as a New Testament Christian in 40 days. For the spring, we are concentrating on prayer. Each day there are things like assigned readings or other tasks.

To kick off the campaign we are to think of something to give up for the month and replace it with prayer or sharing. I have been giving this thought all day and came up with soda. Soda has definitely been something I have been drinking too much of...especially as of late! So far right now...no more soda!

Tomorrow, March 1st, kicks off with a day of fasting and prayer. Due to being pregnant, my fasting will be a bit different. I'm still thinking about it, but I think it is going to be no Facebook for the day. I think that's doable...right? ;)

The rest of the month will be filled with prayer challenges, praying for friends and family, and really just putting my mind to be with God more throughout the day!

If you'd like to take this challenge too let me know and I'll send you a copy of our campaign calendar!

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us." James 5:13-18

Check out our church at www.hamptonroadschurch.org

Friday, February 22, 2013

A Lesson in Love

Today for my quiet time I was doing another lesson in my Deep Convictions workbook. Today's lesson had to do with family and new relationships...specifically talking about Love. Through the various scriptures: Ephesians 5:1-2, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Colossians 3:14, Galatians 5:6,13,14, 1 Peter 4:8-9, and 1 John 3:16 that love isn't just about the mushy stuff. It's about serving your brothers and sisters. It's about action and what you do to show your love. It's about laying your life down for others just as Jesus did for you and me.

Well...
A few weeks before Valentine's Day I found a giant package in our front hall closet. At first I though I had found my gift from my hubby even though he said he wasn't going to be buying me anything. I quickly closed the door and waited. Then Valentine's came and no gift. Hmm...okay maybe anniversary gift?

Well my curiosity got to me but I also was needing to get to some of my business supplies that the package just happened to be sitting on top of. I decided to email my hubby to question if the package was for me, could I move it when I needed my supplies. His response surprised me. He said he had no idea what I was even talking about and to email him a picture of it. 


I did, and he said he didn't know anything about it, but to open it and see what it was. So I did! And what did I find...the new car seat I wanted for Little Critter #2! I sent hubby a picture of it and after more emails back and forth he promises he did not do it and knew nothing about it. I contacted a couple of my friends and they denied having to do anything about it.
So why did I share this story today? It's about love...the love of one or more individuals that would do something so nice and to do so without expecting a thank you. No one has come forward to say...."hey I did it" to get a thank you or credit. They simply did it because they love me. I am absolutely certain that it definitely wasn't my hubby and it really is amazing to know there are others out there that care so much for me to do something so kind!
So while they may not want to step forward and claim the credit...a huge thank you to my Car Seat Fairy(ies) for such an amazing gift. And not just the gift of a car seat but for helping to remind me of Christ's love and that I too, need to show my love for others like Christ did for us!