Journey of a Lifetime

Happy Veterans Day

2009-11-11T01:46:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all who have served this great nation. And also to those currently serving.... "Thank you!"

Princess and Ladybug~Day Twenty-three

2009-09-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

My girls chillin', taking it easy this morning.

Serenity Prayer

2009-09-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

God grant me the serenity to accept

the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

taking, as HE did, this sinful world as it is,

not as I would have it;

trusting that HE will make all things

right if I surrender to HIS Will;

that I may be reasonably happy

in this life and supremely happy with HIM

forever in the next.

AMEN

-Reinhold Niebuhr

Hi Daddy

2009-09-19T21:59:00.000-07:00

Day Twenty-Two

2009-09-19T21:54:00.000-07:00

Chubby Dubby

Delana~3 Weeks

2009-09-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

I'm getting the hang of it now but still learning to function on less sleep. We dropped Madison off at school this morning and came home to nap. I woke up after the nap and looked at the clock. Oh no Maddie is going to be late this morning we over slept. A minute later I realized that we had already taken her to school. I'm losing it! I think the lack of sleep is finally catching up with me. I'm looking forward to the up coming break for Maddie because that means I can go back to sleep after feeding Delana instead of getting up and getting Maddie ready for school. It will be nice. Of course I will have to find a way to entertain Maddie. Should be easy enough.

Delana~Day Twenty

2009-09-17T11:07:00.000-07:00

Here's a two for one.

Delana content... this is how she looks most of the time.

and not so happy. I believe she was doing some "work" there which doesn't make her happy.

Delana~Day Nineteen

2009-09-16T23:04:00.000-07:00

I almost forget to do the picture for today... 11:00 pm

NIGHT! NIGHT!

Getting On Track

2009-09-16T20:44:00.000-07:00

I'm so frustrated with myself right now. I keep thinking that I want to start exercising but I just can't do it. I'm freaking out because Delana isn't on a schedule. She does eat around the same time everyday but sometime she sleeps more or wants to eat more. I am freaked out about going for a walk because I'm thinking she might get hungery and scream for the half an hour I'm gone. That would be super stressful for me. Nursing is convient yet also has it's drawbacks like, making it harder for someone to babysit. Right now I'm trying to figure it out but I just don't feel like I'm doing a very good job. I'm doing good with the way things are now but I want to add in time for exercise and cleaning everyday. It's not working! I also want to be able to get a shower in everyday and preferably around the same time everyday. I'm thinking that I might be expecting to much too soon but I swear there are ladies who do it! I'm just not one of them. I am trying, I feel like I can do it but it's just not working. Am I supposed to try harder or wait for it to work out on it's own?

My First Siggy

2009-09-15T22:56:00.000-07:00

Biggest Loser~ Getting on the Ban Wagon

2009-09-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

Madison and I watched the Biggest Loser tonight, we have watched the other seasons together too. I recorded the second hour so we could watch it together on Thursday night or tomorrow after school. I'm excited for this season because I know that I can now begin my own weight loss journey. I'm no longer pregnant so I can lose weight. I'm nursing so I will have to make sure that I'm still eating enough and don't over do it. While I was still pregnant I ran some numbers. If I lose ONLY a pound for the next year I will be at the exact weight I was when I met Paul, which wasn't super skinny but I felt good at that weight. I would be twenty pounds over my ideal weight, the hight side of the ideal weight. My ideal weight according to Weight Watchers is 117 to 146 pounds. Quit honestly I think I might look sick if I weighed 117 pounds, but who knows. If I lost one and a half pounds over the next year I would reach my goal weight according to me and also be in my ideal weight range.

Now the qestion comes....... how will I achieve this goal? Since I am not even three weeks postpartum I don't want to over due it so WALKING! I'm going to start out by just walking Madison to school. Walking her to school is about a mile and a half. I'm also going to do Weight Watchers online. I will add to the workouts a little at a time, working up tothree or four mile walks. I will also throw in some workouts on the ellipitical trainer and strenght trainning. I will test this out and make adjustments as needed. Here I go..... at this time next I will be at my goal!

Maddie' Hair Cut

2009-09-15T15:08:00.000-07:00

Madison's hair is a long and tangled. It has been stressful getting her ready in the mornings since Delana is nursing when we are getting her ready for school. I have been brushing her tangled her with one hand which she has not complained about. Plus she has a few added layers of hair since she decided to cut it herself awhile ago. I decided yesterday morning that we needed to get it trimmed. I told her she could have it the same way it was but it just needed to be cut a little so it wouldn't be so tangled. She said that was fine. I brought her to get her hair cut after school and she said she wanted to get it cut like mine. I will be getting my hair cut again next week. I said that's fine but if you decide you don't like it you can't put the hair back on, alright? Yep! So here is the new do.

Air Dry

Madison's Hair Straightened

Thumb Sucker~Day

2009-09-15T12:11:00.000-07:00

Little Cheeks~Day Seventeen

2009-09-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

All of Daddy's Girls~Day Sixteen

2009-09-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

Delana's first day of church was today. She did great,

slept the whole time but 30 minutes to eat.

Mommy and Lana~Day Fifteen

2009-09-12T12:03:00.000-07:00

Bath Time~Two Weeks

2009-09-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

Delana got her first bath today. Madison was the photographer and also helped with the bath a little too. Delana didn't like the water but liked Madison rubbing the lotion on.

Looking at the Scale

2009-09-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I weighed myself...... I'm at my pre-pregnancy weight............. YAY!

When I had checked into the hospital I was at a twenty pound gain. A few days before I was at a twenty-five pound gain. I was only told to gain fifteen pounds but I am glad that even though i went over everything was fine. ( Seeing I lost twenty pounds in less than two weeks.) I think that I am going to start walking next week, maybe a mile or two day. I don't want to overdo it but I think it will help me feel better to exercise. I am trying for four days a week. I need to work on toning and arms. Carrying the infant carrier is work.... lol. Wish me luck!!

Red Hair... huh?

2009-09-10T11:12:00.000-07:00

I was noticing that Delana's hair has lightened up some and it has an auburn tint. Will she have red hair? Paul's grandma had red hair, as did mine. We will see.

Sister Sister~Day Thirteen

2009-09-10T11:03:00.000-07:00

Chubby Dubby~Day Twelve

2009-09-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

Belly Button~Day Eleven

2009-09-08T10:54:00.000-07:00

Delana's umbilical cord fell off last night, now she has a cute belly buton. This morning I told Madison to look at Delana's belly. "It fell off! Now we get to give her a real bath."

Sleepy Head~Day Ten

2009-09-07T10:52:00.000-07:00

Sent From Heaven~Day Nine

2009-09-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

Precious~Day Eight

2009-09-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

One Week Old

2009-09-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

Tiny Hands~ Day Six

2009-09-03T15:32:00.000-07:00

Pretty Baby Girl~Day Six

2009-09-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

Blowing Bubbles~Day Five

2009-09-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

Sissy Time~Day Four

2009-09-01T10:30:00.000-07:00

Three Days~ Smile

2009-08-31T10:24:00.000-07:00

Delana's Home~Day Two

2009-08-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

Delana is home. It seems strange being at home, something is missing..... the Daddy! I still can't believe she is finally here.

Madison is in love and wants to play with Delana. She went upstairs and got a few of the baby toys and laid a blanket out, put the toys on it. Of course I had to tell herr that she will not be doing much playing for awhile.

Going Home~Day Two

2009-08-30T22:06:00.000-07:00

We are finally on our way home! Delana had to stay extra night since we were waiting for the results of her 48 hr culture to come back. Negitive! Janey (my sil) came and got us. She has been a God send, helping me out with everything.

One Day Old

2009-08-29T23:00:00.000-07:00

Delana with family friends, Wayne and Jayme. Jayme drove me to the hospital, she was only speeding a little. She didn't have to deliver the baby. LOL

I little interesting bit o' news: they babysat Madison when Paul returned from the deployment last year...... Now we have Delana :-)

Delana Day~Birthday

2009-08-28T12:41:00.000-07:00

Big Sister Maddie meeting Delana.

Look at my baby.

Delana Grace

2009-08-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

Delana Grace is here!!! On August 27th, the day before my induction was scheduled I went to bed around 10:00 so that I could get a good night rest since I knew that it would be a long time before I would get a good night sleep since I would have a baby the next night. Or at least be in the hosptial, which still would not be a good night sleep. I had wrote Paul and told him the plan. I said I am being induced tomorrow night this is not going to happen on it's own so I'm going to get one good night of sleep. He was like don't say that it could still happen.

At 10:30 I woke up to pee and had a horrible cramp but I went back to sleep. HOWEVER at 11:00 I woke up with a horrible cramp that wasn't going away. It was a lot of pressure and everytime I felt that pressure I had the urge to number two. I was like this might be it. I went downstair since Maddie was sleeping in my bed and I didn't want to wake her. I also wanted to use a contraction counter that I found online to count contrations. I started counting the contractions a little after 11:00. By 1:30 am the cramps were only about 4 minutes apart and I decided it was a good idea to call my "crew". I called my two friends and sister-in-law, they were all here at the same time. My sister in law took Maddie to her house and we were off to the hospital. We started driving and the contractions were horrible. I was thinking I can't believe that I had prayed for this... to go into labor on my own and be in all this pain. But I was now on way to the hospital. I was giving directions on how to get there... "let's take the toll road, it's faster." We stopped and paid the toll and we were off. Jayme was telling me to breathe. I couldn't breath it hurt too much. I was watching the clock, they were coming three minutes apart from what I could tell. We made it to the hospital and we had to show our IDs (military hospital), then I was like Allison doesn't have an ID so Jayme yelled back to tell them she was with us. We rolled up to the ER and they got a wheel chair. I couldn't get out of the van because I was in so much pain and I was telling them that. Allison was like you are going to have pain so you have to get out. Alright I was out and we were on the way to labor and delievery and the sky walk seem to be a mile long. I yelled at the guy pushing the wheelchair...... "can we go a little faster?" We went a little faster but it still seem like we were moving slow but I remember seeing Jayme walking quickly next to me. We finally made it to L&D. They got me in a room and I was filling out paper work while I was having contrations which was annoying me. They finally checked me and I was 9cm. I thought they said 6cm and was thinking it would never end but 9... wooo whoo. I was so close! They ended up breaking my water. It was time to push. The baby's heart rate had dropped and they said we have to get her out. In six contractions she was out. OUCH! OMG.... I did it! Thank you GOD, I did it! Delana was here and I did it, I got to have the VBAC that I had been praying for six and a half years. My body did it! God was with me and he heard my request...... my baby came into the world the way that I had prayed that she would come. The way God had designed them to come. All the hate I had for my body for letting me down with Madison's birth melted away. I loved my body, myself and was thankful for this experience. My hubby wasn't there but God provided me with people to be with me and support me. As I was getting stiches all of this was running through my mind. I'm truly blessed. I'm so thankful for the ones who have been praying for me and the birth, the ones who were at the birth.

*** A side note. When Paul and I were trying to pick a date to be induced it was today.... September 7th! However I can't image waiting this long for her to be here. Also I will be back dating this entry to the day Delana was born... August 28th. Today she is 10 days old! :)

Induction.... SCHEDULED

2009-08-27T10:43:00.000-07:00

I'm overdue....... GREAT. I went to the doctor on Monday morning, the day before my dute date knowing that I would be scheduling an indcution date. Which I was hoping to advoid but apparently I can't since this kid doesn't want to come out. Even all the praying, walking, swimming and even having my membranes stripped is not making her want to come out! My doctor asked me if I wanted to come in to be induced the next day, my due date. NO.... I really really want this to happen on it's own. I feel like have to give it a little more time to happen. So I scheduled an appointment for September 1st. On August 25th my due date my friend who is a ob nurse at my hospital calls me at 2000 (8:00 pm) to see if I want to come in and be induced at 2100 (9:00 pm) that night! Ah no..... I was actually thinking about it but I would have to call at least three people to arrange this type of thing. If my hubby were home I would have discussed it with him and probably did it because I wouldn't have to call all the other people. So I turned that down and agreed to come in on Friday night. I was super excited until I hung up the phone and then I was a mess. It's not going to happen on it's own.... AGAIN! I'm totally annoyed with my body because it's NOT doing what it should be, which is to get this baby out without me having to be drugged up. Wednesday night I was fine with it. This morning I'm just frustrated! As crazy as it sounds this is part of the reason for waiting 6 years to have another kid, I did not want to have this dissappointment again. I know that a lot of people don't think it's a big deal to be incuded but I DO! It's not what I want. I have always wanted a natural birth and it's not going to happen. It happens for others but not for me. People are like you still end up with a healthy baby in the end be happy. I will be happy...... smiling on the outside and feeling like I failed yet again on the inside.

Tooth Gone

2009-08-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

Appointment Tomorrow

2009-08-23T16:55:00.000-07:00

I have an appointment tomorrow with my ob. I'm looking forward to the appointment to see if anything has changed in the last two weeks. At my last appointment I was told I was 2-3 cm and 25% effaced. Last week I walked a lot and cleaned a lot....... that had to do something, right? I'll find out tomorrow. I still can't believe that I'm going to the appointment tomorrow, I really thought I would have had the baby by now. My plan is to go to the appointment tomorrow and I have already decided that I'm having my membranes stripped. It's not going to hurt anything to try and there a chance it will do nothing. After my appointment I'm thinking I will walk. Of course I if my doctor recommends it since my feet are so swollen right now. Ouchie! Today that look horrible.

I'm questioning the name again. Yet I can't say that I have a name I really like but I don't feel like the name we have choosen is right. I have talked to my hubby around it and he has told me that I can decide what to name her after she is born. Whatever I decide he says will be fine. It seems so weird because I am the one who insisted on picking the name before he left and now I'm the one who is talking about using something new. We will see what happens when this little one finally arrives. I know that she will be here in about fourteen days or less for sure now. I'm ready....... really I am! Maddie asks me everyday if she will come today. I don't know honey, she will be here when she is ready to be... when God's ready. {It's taking a long time.} I am very much looking forward to meeting this little one and more so looking forward to Maddie becoming a big sister. I'm also looking forward to us reuniting with Paul. It will be so nice to have our family together again with our newest member.

Countdown Say Seven Days

2009-08-18T15:40:00.000-07:00

My due date calucaltor says I have seven days until my due date. I'm beginning to think it will never end. My next doctor's appointment is on August 24th and I have decided that I'm going to have my membranes stripped at that appointment. I could have had it done last appointment or a few days later but I really kind of wanted to see if it would work itself out. Appearently not! I'm so exhausted! I'm totally ready to meet my little girl. I'm ready to get back to being me. I'm keep thinking I just want to be able to move comfortably and have more energy. I'm sure I will not have as much energy as I think since I will be sleep deprived but right now I'm getting to the point where I do one little thing I and feel like I need a nap. In a week things could change so much. However it could also end up being more like three weeks. I have also decided to schedule an induction at my next appointment since my doctor told me would were going to discuss it. I asked my husband to pick a day sometime between September 1st and September 8th. Whatever day he picks will be the day that I try to schedule the induction, of course it has to work out with my doctors schedule. Right now I'm just praying that she makes her appearance before the next appointment.... which I'm not thinking will happen. I'm praying that she makes her appearance before the induction at least. Well here's to waiting.

A verse comes to mind:

We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope.

~Romans 5:3-5 NCV

Getting Closer

2009-08-15T22:29:00.000-07:00

I'm getting close to my due date now... only 10 days away. Surprisingly I'm still pretty relaxed. Mainly just waiting to see how this is going to unfold. I keep thinking that I will go into labor in the middle of the night and have to call all the ladies who will be in on the big event. To me that is stressful, I really hate to talk on the phone and two I would be waking people up. I know they are not going to care and will probably be excited but the thought of calling people in the middle of the night still kind of freaks me out. I have been having irregular contractions through out the day. They will come for a little and then go away. I keep thinking that it means nothing, I did have irregular contractions with Madison but never had them regular until I was induced. I'm trying to think of this as an experience of it's own and try not to compare it to my pregnancy with Madison but it's been hard.

My next appointment is on August 24th the day before my due date. I know that I will be given the option to have my membranes stripped that day and the doctor will also be discussing induction that day too. I still haven't completely decided what to do yet. My friend from church who will be going to the hospital when I go into labor keeps reminding that God timing will be perfect, it's in his hands and he has a plan. I believe that and also question that seeing that it didn't happen on it's own with Madison. I'm going to talk with her this week and see what her opinion is, sometimes hearing what other people think make me realize what my opinion clear even when it doesn't match theirs. As of right now I'm thinking I might have my membranes stripped on the August 24th and talk about doing the induction around September 7th or 8th. Yep, that is going into 42 weeks but I'm willing to wait to see if it happens on it's own. I went to 41 weeks with Madison so I could make it one more week. In the end the wait will be worth it when I'm holding my lil girl. When I see my daughter holding her little sissy.... it will be totally worth the wait, no matter how long the wait.

Chatting with My Honey

2009-08-12T11:14:00.000-07:00

Paul was able to get online this morning so we could IM each other. We both had our web cams working too which made it nice even if I couldn't hear him talk it was nice to see him. I asked him if he could take a picture of himself for Madison since she is at school. Two days ago she was crying and really upset, "What does Daddy look like now? What if he doesn't look like Daddy?" I told her he looks the same and that I would see if he could send her a picture. So hopefully she will feel better when she sees this picture of Daddy and he looks like DADDY!

On another note...... this morning I when into Maddie's room to wake her up. I called her name a few times and rubbed her back and she didn't really want to get up. I pulled her blanket down a little and I see a strand of hair..... it kind of looks like Babie hair. (Last night when I was tucking her in she told me she held up one of her dolls and said she wanted to get rid of that doll cause her hair was yucky. I said we will do it in the morning.) Then I start to pull the blanket down more and I fine more hair... and more hair.... and some on the floor. YEP.... this is her hair. I'm then yell at her to wake up, "what is all this hair all over? DID YOU CUT YOUR HAIR LAST NIGHT?" I'm furious and crying...... why did you do that.... why? I put her in the tub and wash her hair since it was a rats nest........ more hair was coming out. And I'm still bawling my eyes out. "Your hair, your beautiful hair........" Since her hair was pretty long it doesn't seem to be really all that noticeable. I ask her again why she cut it and she tells me.. "Because there is a knot in it." Right now I debating about getting it cut shorter to help blend it a little. I still really don't know how bad it looks since it was wet when she left this morning. I will find out soon.

38 Weeks

2009-08-11T07:16:00.000-07:00

Two weeks to go to my due date. That really doesn't seem long but when you add in the fact that you can go over due that sure makes it seem long. It could be as long a four weeks now and that seems like forever. I was really hoping to go into labor yesterday, pretty much everything would have been good. My doctor was on call, my hubby would have been able to call me easily, I was completely ready and relaxed. However this morning things are a different story. I can't believe that I actually thought that I would go into labor on my own before my due date, two weeks before my due date. It's almost funny to think I thought it could happen. At least that is was I was thinking this morning when I woke up. I was ready yesterday, relaxed and completely at peace with the fact my hubby wouldn't be there holding my hand or at least him to be able to call me soon after. Now I see my chances of that happening disappearing.

I have been keeping the house pretty nice lately in case I went into labor I would be able to come home to a clean house. When I woke up this morning I told myself that I will not be doing that everyday all day now. I have time........ at least two weeks I'm guessing. I'm not going to clean the house everyday and try to keep it looking awesome. I'm going to relax... read a book, watch some tv, and pretty much do what I want. When I get closer to my due date I will start trying to keep the house a little nicer but it could still be a few weeks from there.

Full Term~37 Weeks

2009-08-04T07:10:00.000-07:00

Here is the rainbow I have been praying for.

It's going to be a bright bright bright sun shiny day.

I'm now considered full term, meaning that if baby were to arrive this week should be able to thrive. She is gaining weight at about half an ounce per day. Right now probably her weight is probably around six and a half pounds. A half an ounce per day for three more weeks. Hopefully she is here by my due date, I really don't want to go over. I'm thinking that if I go over my odds of having her natural will go down. A little exciting news is that it seems that my plug is starting to come out. I seen a little this morning but that doesn't mean much since I lost it little by little with Maddie starting around 38 weeks. Anyway you look at it... WE ARE ALMOST THERE!

Wonderful Things

2009-08-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track."
~Proverbs 3:5, 6 The Message

Adventure of Motherhood

2009-07-31T16:11:00.000-07:00

It's Friday and the first week of 1st grade is over! It went very good. Maddie likes her teacher at lot. She really hasn't told me what she does in class. I did discover that they still use touch bumps.... anyone else remember those? It's embarassing to admit but I still catch myself using them. Yep it suck with me! The other thing I managed to find out is that they play on the "big top" as Maddie calls it. I believe that it is really called "black top." According to Maddie today was the best day every... she got to ride the bus home. There is a bus stop right down the road from our house so she is going to ride the bus to school and home. Monday will be her first day riding in the morning. Today was her first day riding at night. I actually went to school and showed her what she will be doing on Monday after class. She got on the bus and I drove over to the bus stop. I was waiting there and the bus wasn't there at the time the schedule says they drop off. I was started to freak out a little. I was about to call and make sure I was at the right place. I was praying the bus would come over the hill with my little girl. I looked up and there it was...... ahhh. She got off and was so excited! Oh my gosh my baby is growing up and it's scary (and exciting).

* I had to post a couple more belly pics so I can remember how the belly looked and so Paul can see too.

28 Days

2009-07-28T09:06:00.000-07:00

I'm down to about four weeks to due date. What is kind of funny is that the last trimester has actually been the best part of the whole pregnancy. I feel better now in the last trimester than I did in the first or second. I'm not sick or tired. Surprisingly I have lots of energy and honestly I don't feel pregnant. I know I'm bigger but I feel really good. At the end of the day I sometimes have a harder time get up off the couch but it doesn't compare to the way I was with Maddie. I remember having to have Paul help me up all the time, he tied my shoes the last few months too. I can tie my shoes and paint my toes, I love it. I feel so good... I'm really amazed!

The past few days I have felt kind of yucky... almost like I'm going to start my period. I read that it can be a sign that labor is close. I really don't think I'm super close but closer. I'm thinking that I will go sometime between the 10th and 16th. ( I know you don't like to here that Jane, so I will say 13th to 16th for you.) We will see, the 10th, 11th... on to the 16th might come and go without a baby and I will probably think~"What, where is this baby?" I was really hoping to go over so that the baby would still be as close to newborn as possible so my hubby wouldn't miss out but it's so not going to hope so I just want a baby as soon as possible. I can have the baby and get a routine worked out so it will be easier for us to adjust once he is home. I'm looking forward to homecoming. It's really going to be special, a real teak jerker. Just thinking about it gets me a little teary. Soon it will be time daddy to meet his girl but not yet... soon! We will be together soon but not soon enough..... everyday that passes is one day closer.

1st Grade

2009-07-27T23:29:00.000-07:00

Today was Madison first day of 1st grade. I told her she would probably have her own desk. She went into class this morning and TADA... she had her own desk. She was excited to have her own desk and I love their little name tag/pencil holder things. It was a great day and she can't wait to go back tomorrow. She told me that a least five times today. When I tucked her into tonight she said, "I WISH IT WAS TOMORROW ALREADY!"

Gotta Love It

2009-07-26T15:27:00.000-07:00

Maddie and I were waiting in line to pay for shoes today. We are standing at the counter while the lady is checking us out and I hear, "Oh my god... look at that... she's gorgeous like a little doll." I'm thinking, what?? The lady leans toward Madison, "Oh my gosh you are just the cutest little doll I have ever seen. AND look at those eyes. Do you look like your mom or dad?" Madison says "I look just like my mom but I have my dad's smile!" Then the lady ask me if I'm working on my third or fourth kid. LOL... I was like this is my second, I finally got brave enough to have another one after five years. "It's a little boy, that will be nice." I have been hearing this for a month now..... oh you are having a boy! "Actually it's a little girl, we had four ultrasounds saying it's a girl..... IT'S A GIRL! I would be MAD if it was a boy.... I have a ton of girl clothes and a girly nursery." Not to mention I'm excited about having two little girls :) I have been having everyone commenting that we are having a boy, even people that I told it was a girl keep saying... it's a boy right? Ahhh nope, girl. A few people have actually questioned me like I really don't know, "Are you sure?" I'm actually very sure, four ultrasounds showing girl parts, boy parts are not going to appear magically.

Belly Pic

2009-07-24T15:04:00.001-07:00

I'm posting a new belly pic...

I'm getting so close..... about 4 and a half weeks to go. YAY!!

Countdown is on... 5 Weeks to go

2009-07-20T20:56:00.000-07:00

Five weeks to go, I can hardly believe it. I wonder if I will make it five weeks... will she come early or will she be late. I can tell that she is running out of room, the past few days she has been in my ribs. Ouch. It's been pretty uncomfortable. I'm having a hard time doing things that were easier to do last week. It's uncomfortable to sit up straight because she is in my ribs. The other reason I know she is growing is because I can actually see my belly moving. Yesterday she was moving a lot. I can tell what side she is on because one side of my tummy is larger than the other. I love watching her moving around, I totally remember laying in the bath tub with Maddie watching my belly moving around.

Appointment Update for 34 weeks

2009-07-18T20:52:00.000-07:00

The appointment went well. My op report came back, I had a c-section with a low transverse incision with Madison, so that means I meet all the criteria for a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section). I signed the consent form while I was at the appointment. I said was was going to try to attempt a trail of labor instead of a repeat c-section. I really want to try. I know that it would probably be easier if I had the repeat cesarean vesus being in labor a few hours then having to have a cesarean. I really want to try. I know there is a chance that it will not work but I can at least say I tried. I'm taking a small risk and praying that God will be with me and the baby no matter how it works out.

I was leaking some fluid and the doctor wanted to check it to make sure it wasn't amniotic fluid, it wasn't. She also did an ultrasound to check and see how much fluid I had, "a lot" is what she said so that's good. When she was doing the ultrasound she pointed out all the body parts to Maddie. Delana was head down, yay! I assumed that since I can already feel the pressure of her little head pushing on my cervic. I mentioned that concern to the doctor because I was having a lot of pressure down there and she said it's good. Yep, that's what I was thinking. Then of course on to the really serious stuff. She said that I could have my membrains scrapped at my next appointment to try to get things rolling. That would be Aug 7th. YIKES! I asked how long I could go without having to have anything done... right up to 41-42 weeks. I could be incuded with pitocin which is very scary to me. I was incuded with Maddie at 41 weeks and 1 day and they used pitocin. Ouch! All I can say is if I have to do it again I will get the epi.

I didn't write about the appointment yesterday because I was freaking out a little about the above. I can't discuss any of it will my husband. I did tell him the whole speal and he said he was praying for me. I wish I had someone to discuss all the choices with and decide what is the best course of action. In a sense I do.... God. I'm leaving it all in your hands. There's not much I can do expect pray, so that's what I'll do. It's crazy to think that in three short weeks I could be so close to having my little girl here. (Deep breath.) I'm going to do a little research on scrapping membrains, I know what it is and I'm going to see if it seems to be successful and how long it takes to work if it's going to work. I feel like I need to be educated on things that I might have to do. So soon you will be seeing "Delana has arrived"... probably later rather than sooner.

Belly Pics

2009-07-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

I'm 34 weeks and 2 days, here's a look at the belly.

Tomorrow will be my 34 weeks appointment. I'm looking forward to seeing how Delana is doing. I'm not looking forward to getting weighed because I'm pretty sure I gained about five pounds since my last appointment which I guess isn't too bad since it was four weeks ago. I will post what I find out tomorrow.

Back to School Shopping

2009-07-15T21:49:00.000-07:00

Madison starts school on July 27th I needed to get her some new clothes to update her uniform collection. She grew a lot last year and so we have about four dresses that didn't fit and some skirts that didn't fit. I got her six skirts that are make from sweat pants material, those are the ones she liked wearing the most last year. We also got two skirts that are pleated cotton and a little dressier and three white blouses to go with them. In addition to the clothes we picked up some accessories like pink poka dot leggings to wear under the dresses, tights, and a few hair accessories. So now the uniforms are ready to go, I already have them washed. I just need to go though her uniform drawer and take out the stuff that is too small.

Maddie picked out her back pack and lunch box. Right now she has everything she needs to start school. Anything else we need we will get after she starts school. She has a home work box from last year and we are just adding to it. The only thing we need is school glue. She is ready to go back since she told me "oh I can't wait to go to school, I wish I was starting tomorrow."

34 Week

2009-07-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

In the last week I have really started to show, according to my friends from church. They seen me on Wednesday night and then on Saturday night and they said I looked bigger in just those couple of days. In addition to looking bigger I have also started feeling some pressure down there. A little tingling once in awhile. I really don't remember feeling like that with Maddie. Sometimes am tummy feels a little puky or yucky. I'm really thinking there I'm only going to end up going about 4 to 4 1/2 weeks more. We will see what happens though. Since I have been feeling the tingling and pressure I am getting really excited about my appointment to see if anything is actually going on. It's still a little early but you never know. I was a two for a few weeks with Maddie. So I'm really looking forward to my appointment on Friday.

Delana's skin is on longer reddish but has a pinkish glow to it. Her finger nail are probably quiet long but her toenails are still growing. She is around 5 pounds and total length is around 19.5 inches.

*The picture is one from 29 weeks. I love know what she looks like, it's amazing.
I will try to post a picture of my huge belly this week, maybe from the day I go to the doctor.

Maddie

2009-07-11T18:11:00.000-07:00

Tick Tock...

2009-07-09T23:17:00.000-07:00

I keep thinking about my next doctor's appointment, July 17th. I will be 34 and a half weeks at my appointment and I'm hoping my doctor checks me to see if I'm making any progress. My last appointment was June 17th and it seems like it is taking forever to get to the next appointment. I waiting to hear you are dilated and effaced to..... Of course, I still have to have the ok for a VBAC. At my last appointment they had me fill out the paper work to request my op report for my c-section with Maddie. I have to make sure everything checks out before I'm okayed for a VBAC. If I'm told that I have to have a c-section because of something on the op report I'm going to be disappointed because I have been told this whole time I should be able to have a VBAC and then all of a sudden they realized they never ordered the op report to know for sure I was cleared. That is something I would like to know soon rather than later. Honestly I think that it will show that I'm safe for attempting a VBAC. If not I guess I'm just not supposed to have a VBAC. (Easier to say than think.) Either way I'll get my little girl. So in about a week hopefully I'll know what is going on with Delana and the VBAC.

Seven Weeks and Counting

2009-07-07T10:21:00.000-07:00

Seven weeks to go until I meet my little Delana! (Yep, we are keeping the name.) My countdown tells me I have 49 days until my due date. The end is in sight now... I will be holding my little Laney Bug before I know it. Which makes me start thinging about my mental checklist:

Do I have the phone numbers I will need on my cell (birthing coaches and babysitters) and a list a home? NOPE. I do have to numbers laying here and there. I keep thinking that I NEED to put them on my cell. And keep the cell charged. You know just in case I have to call one of them. It would really suck if I had to call when I'm out and I didn't have their numbers.

Do I have a bag packed or slightly packed to bring to the hospital? NOPE. I did buy a bag to bring to the hospital since the only smaller bag is with Paul. I have a mental list of what I need to pack. I'm thinking that maybe I will do some packing today. (I have the diaper bag packed.)

Do I have what I need at home for when we come home? YES! I actually am prepared in this area.

All baby blankets, burp clothes, towels, and clothes 0-3 months are washed and put away.
I have diapers and wipes. I even have one package of newborn since we didn't buy newborn for Madison because I thought she would be to big for them. Come to find out she needed them so we had to stop at Walmart after we left the hospital.
I'm nursing so I do not need fomula. I do have bottles in case I want to pump and store milk. I also have a Boppy pillow because I found that it was a lifesaver with Madison. Plus it will come in handy when Maddie wants to hold Delana.
I have a cradle in my room. I think that I'm going to be very grateful for that cradle. I also picked up a travel Boppy swing that I'm thinking I will keep in my room. Plus it's little enough I can move it around the house if I need it in another room.

I'm pretty sure that's all I need for once I get home. I have been thinking about home more than the hospital and the labor/delivery. The labor and delivery part is scary to think about. I don't know what will happen and that is as scary as it gets. I was induced at 41 weeks with Madison. I was in labor for about seven hours and then was told the baby's heartrate was dropping and they needed to do a c-section. They said they would do it then or we could wait awhile but then it would be an emergency e-section. We didn't want an emergency section so we opted to do it then. I was so disappointment that I didn't get my natural birth. I was so frustrated that I had to be cut open and now I would have a huge scar and a lot of pain. I had a hard time nursing so that added to my frustration. I was in pain, sleep deprived, frustrated and completely disappointed in myself. The first weeks were completely a blur to me, I just remembered crying so much!

I'm worried that I will get a repeat of that experience. I'm praying that I have a better experience. Especially since I will not have my husband there to take care of the baby when I need at break. And well to take care of me. He was a big motivation for me to keep nursing, I wanted to stop and he kept me going! I'm praying for an easy labor, that Delana will come as close to natural as possible and be healthy. I want to avoid a c-section at all cost but know that it might not be possible.

I'm not going to dwell on what labor and delivery might be like, I know that God has it all worked out. What I'm thinking about is Delana. I often wonder what she is doing and how she looks all squished up in there. Laney probably weighs around 4.5 pounds and is 19 inches long. My weekly email for this weeks tells how fair skin babies are often born with blue eyes though it maybe not be their final eye color. I'm fairly certain that Delana will have blue eyes since I have blue eyes, Paul has blue eyes, and Maddie also has blue eyes. I'm wondering what color her hair will be. My ultrasound showed that she does have hair! I wonder if it will be black hair like Maddie. Maddie was born with a full head of thick black hair that fell out and grow back blonde. Which was really funny to me because I when I thought about what she would look like I thought she would have brown hair and it turned blonde. I'm excited to see what she looks like, soon I will know.

Mommy's Little Helper

2009-07-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

I made some friendship bread last night and was cleaning up the kitchen. I left the kitchen for a couple minutes and came back to this:

Maddie washing the dishes. "What are you doing?" She looked at me and smiled "see I CAN wash the dishes!" Yep I guess you can, so I let her finish the last couple of things. (nothing breakable) Oh it's so exciting that she wants to do the dishes, you know since she will not want to do them in a few years.

32 Weeks

2009-06-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

Eight weeks to go. Wait, is that right? It sure is but it doesn't really seem possible. Eight weeks really doesn't seem like a long time but if you say two months it seems a little longer. Two months seem further away. July is only a day away, which means Maddie will be a first grader in 27 days. My little baby girl is going to be a big first grader. We have been reading books and working on other school related stuff. Not as much as I was planning on but I guess a little is better than nothing.

Getting back to the pregnancy related part of this post.... my little buggy now weighs about four pounds and is about 18.9 inches long (head to heel). We are still discussing the name. As of right now her name is still Delana Grace. The other name we are discussing it Isabella Grace. I find myself thinking.... "I wonder what Isabelle is doing right now?" In my mind I refer to her as Isabelle but Paul and I are still talking and praying that we will know which name to use. I don't know why it's so hard to pick a name. I knew that I loved Madison when I got pregnant with her, I had to talk Paul into it. He hated the name until around four months or so. One day I was going through my list of names (Madison was always on it) except one day. I had listed all my names and then Paul was like "oh I kind of like Madison." Then we were finished. At least with the first name, the name we had was Madison Grace. Later on we changed the middle name to Rose. It was prefect! This time I'm almost 99% sure the middle name will be Grace, it has meaning this time.

Priorities....... why can't I get them straight?

2009-06-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

I keep thinking to myself that I NEED to exercise. I'm really don't want to gain 35 pounds like I did when I was pregnant with Madison. As of right now, 31 weeks I have gained 10 pounds which sounds really good. However I have looked at my chart from when I was pregnant with Madison. At 31 weeks I had only gained 14 pounds. BUT I gained 21 pounds in the last 10 weeks. (Maddie was born at 41 weeks.) I DO NOT, repeat DO NOT want to gain 20 pounds in the next 10 or less weeks. I would like to stick with a 15-20 pound weight gain. I'm trying not to worry about it too much but I am. I need to workout and stick with healthy eating and if I still end up gaining 35 pounds I will be fine. As long as I'm doing what I should be and I still gain more than the 15-20 I was shooting for I will think that is what my body was supposted to gain. Exercising is being added to the top of my priority list. I can do it. I just have to get with the program!!

To Everything There Is A Season

2009-06-24T22:47:00.000-07:00

Ecclesiastes 3
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

The verse that stuck with me after Bible study. When it was brought up in class I was reminded of the clock that was near our house in Michigan. I remember not wanting to really move from Michigan, especially to California. I had never been to California and we were moving out there with no home while for us. I came across this clock and remembered that there is "a time for everything." We were uprooting and it was time to trust in God to lead the way.

I decide to read all of Chapter 3 when I got home:

14 I've also concluded that whatever God does, that's the way it's going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God's done it and that's it. That's so we'll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear. 15 Whatever was, is. Whatever will be, is. That's how it always is with God.

Whatever has happened or will happen God has planned it that way. I'm to worship and give thanks in all circumstances, although it's not always easy.

31 Weeks

2009-06-22T20:22:00.000-07:00

I will be meeting my little one in such a short time. My pregnancy this time has been completely different than when I was pregnant with my first daughter. I was so excited and everything seemed so easy. I have felt like I have been on a roller coaster ride with this baby. I told Paul when I first found out I was pregnant I had a horrible feeling that I would loose the baby. I had horrible morning sickness along with three or four bleeding issues in the first trimesters. I thought I had lost the baby twice, it was so scary. I think that after that I had a hard time connecting with the baby cause I kept thinking something bad would happen. We found out we were having a little girl and I was disappointed. Since we had no names picked out we decided that we needed to talk about girl names. Paul's favorite name was Isabella Grace, which I didn't like because it was too popular. Which is funny since Madison was like number three the year she was born and it was my number one name. Madison's choice was Sophia Annabelle. I really didn't have a name I really liked, if fact nothing stuck out. At one point I talked about Chloe, Paul agreed to it. We didn't announce it but it was proabably because I change my mind only a few hours later. We said we wanted a name by the end of May because of family circumstances. We had a name........ Delana Grace, nickname Laney. I loved Laney and that helped us come up with Delana but now a month later I'm wondering if it's the right name. I have been thinking a lot about names and Isabella has really grown on me. I haven't discussed my name frustration with Maddie at all. However on Father's Day we sat out on the patio having our little picnic and she said "We should name the baby Bella, Isabella. You could have her and when you talk to daddy tell him you named her Isabella." I told her that I can't do that, that is something Daddy and I have to talk about together first. So we are talking of possibly changing the name to Isabella Grace. I guess it is very possible that we will still be talking about names until I'm on my way to the hospital. Possibly while I'm in the hospital. I'm so indecisive and I'm annoying myself.

My little buggy is getting so big, she is probably around 3.5 pounds and is about 11 3/4 inches long crown to rump or full length is about 18 inches long. It almost seems crazy to think that she will be here in only about two months. Time is going by pretty fast. Some days seem to crawl by but then I look back and see that time is going quick fast.

The last couple of weeks I have been having a hard time sleeping. I just can't sleep. In fact it's quarter after two right now. Tired, not really. It's a little annoying but I figure I'll probably be up at this time in a few months and I might as well get used to it. I'm guessing I will not be getting really good sleep for a long time now. Probably not until the baby is at least a few months old or longer if she is like her sister.

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T19:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day!

I had these taken for Paul for part of his Father's Day present, all of his girls.

Doctor's Appointment for 30 weeks

2009-06-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

I went to my doctor's appointment today, alone. It was strange sitting there all by myself, my friends said she would watch Maddie. I'm glad she did because I had to wait like 45 minutes. But other than the long wait it when good. I'm measuring right on and I didn't gain any weight which is good. The other thing I'm concerned about right now is my op record of my c-section with Maddie. They need the record to clear me for a VBAC. It wasn't in my record so I had to fill out a request for them to get it. I'm praying that it isn't lost because I'm guessing if they don't get it they will not clear me for the VBAC. I thought I was already cleared but now this comes up with only about 10 weeks to go. I'm trying to be positive but things don't tend to work out for me. Especially lately. So hopefully they will be able to find it.

30 Weeks

2009-06-16T21:27:00.000-07:00

I'm now 30 weeks along and baby Delana will be here in 10 weeks. How exciting!
Delana is about 15.7 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds. Wow she is really growing.

A Little Girl Time

2009-06-12T21:32:00.000-07:00

Madison and I drove up to La Jolla after the ultrasound to go to Cozymel's for chicken tacos. Since we were already there I figure we might as well drive by the beach.

Looking Into the Womb~ Delana Grace

2009-06-12T19:20:00.001-07:00

Madison and I went to have an ultrasound done with morning. A couple days ago I thought it would be a good idea for Father's Day. I wanted to have the ultrasound and get some good pics for Daddy. Well she gave us some good ones. I'm so happy that she let us see her face. Guess what she looks just like Maddie. I'm going to put a picture of Madison (4 days old). Look at how close they look. OH... Delana also has hair. The ultrasound tech took a pic and pointed it out to me. I'm totally excited to share these pictures. AND can't wait to meet Laney.

Here's Maddie~ 4 days old

Quote

2009-06-11T17:02:00.000-07:00

Some progress is better than no progress.

29 Weeks

2009-06-08T22:08:00.000-07:00

77 Days to go!!! That's pretty much it!! Waiting.... Waiting... and more Waiting.

Baby is probably around 15 inches from head to heel and weighs around 2 and a half pounds!

When God Speaks

2009-06-07T19:53:00.000-07:00

I'm a stay at home mom and I have had my moments when I wonder if this is really what I'm suposed to do. I'm I really being called to be a stay at home mom/wife. Are you sure that God hasn't given me another path to follow. Maybe one where everything I do get reconized, when I can be promoted? I emailed my husband last Saturday night, "honey I don't think God has a plan for me." A stay at home mom, could this really be it. Maybe there is more. I think he might have forgot me. He really has nothing planned for me but for me to wonder and wait. I'm useless and have nothing to give. My hubby wrote me back, "God does have a plan for you and he hasn't forgotten you. The devil wants you think that you have no purpose, think God has forgetten you but HE HASN'T forgotten you." I read that Saturday night and gave little thought to it.

Sunday morning we arrived at church. Pastor Tim's sermon that day was on Direction. "If you are looking for direction in your life you need to pray for God to direct you. Prepare yourself to receive direction from him and once you have received it..... THANK HIM." As soon as he said the topic for today was direction I almost cried. Then as he went on he said "the devil will make you think that God is not working in you, that he doesn't have a plan for you and you should take action." I thought Paul just said that to me last night. I listened as he continued on.... Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.

Jeremiah 29:11 is my favorite verse because I love to remind myself that God has a plan for my life. I do not know what his plans hold for my life but he knows the whole story from beginning to end. He is the author of my life and he holds my life is his hands. I also love it because it reminds me that God's plans for me are plans to prosper and not for harm even though it doesn't always seem that way. I read Jeremiah 29:11, Saturday night but I actually had read though to verse 14 that night. Now here I was sitting in church while Pastor read this verse to me. Knowing that I went to church that day to hear that message. God hears me, he cares for me, and he has my best interest in mind even when I don't know it. The part that keep sticking out to me was, you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.... I will be found by you. I went home and shared with Paul what happened at church. I started to pray everyday asking God to share his plan and reading my Bible.

Wednesday night after I got home from churh I had to checked a message board I have only looked on the day I signed up a few months ago. I was scrolling down and started to read.

1st Timothy 2:15

However, women will be saved by having children, if they continue to have faith, love, and holiness, along with good judgment.
There is nothing holier than conceiving, gestating and giving life...You are surrounded by the love of many, including all these sisters...and you are full of love for your babies and your family...You have demonstrated good judgement through every decision you've made this pregnancy, with all the plans you made in anticipation. ..Now it's time for Faith to kick in...

This is huge for me since I'm due in 12 weeks, I'm attemping a VBAC, and for those of you who know me you know the rest of the story. I have done all I can do and now it is time for me to trust God to work out the details. It also made me think that having children and raising them is a huge purpose in life. That I should be thankful that God gave me these children to raise and also to be with them everyday of their lives. A stay at home mom/wife is a worthy purpose, I'm thankful God choose me to be a mommy and wife. I also realize that being a stay at home mom and wife allows me to be able to be active in my families' lives but it also gives me a chance to reach out to my extend family, friends, and church.

Inspiration for Today

2009-06-04T13:40:00.001-07:00

Inspiration
Originally uploaded by saolmsted2007

28 Weeks

2009-06-02T08:33:00.000-07:00

The end is in sight....... I start my third trimester today. YAY! I only have 12 weeks to go. I'm so excited that I only have 12 weeks left, which really doesn't seem long at all to me because I know that shortly after that I will be welcoming my husband home.

Delana weight about two and a quarter pounds, measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heel. She now has eyelashes and can blink her eyes.

Sail Away

2009-05-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Visiting the Ship

2009-05-26T22:41:00.000-07:00

We dropped Paul off this morning and later he said we could meet him at work to spend a few hours together. The later that night turned into 8:30 at night but we still spend a little time with him on the ship.

27 Weeks

2009-05-26T07:41:00.000-07:00

Delana is almost two pounds (about the weight of a head of cauliflower) and is about 14.5 inches long when legs are extended. She sleeps and wakes at regular intervals maybe even opening and closing her eyes or sucking her thumb. Her lungs are still developing but if she were born now she could breathe with lots of medical help. It is also very common for her to get hiccups but they only last a few minutes

The Last Weekend Home

2009-05-23T16:48:00.000-07:00

It's Bunko night but I didn't know if I was going to go since it was Paul's last weekend home. I had the idea that if I went to Bunko; he and Madison could have a date night. He thought that it sounded like a good idea. So about a week or two ago we decided that I would go to Bunko and they would go out on a date. Maddie has been thinking about how she would like to do with Daddy on their special night. The ideas she had included playing games, swimming, and watching tv. I asked her what they would eat for dinner, at home or go out to eat. She said "can I fit all this in my time?" I told her she might be able to fit it all in.

I mentioned to Paul about bringing her to see Hannah Montana The Movie. He said he would like to take her so they are going to dinner and a movie. We looked up the times the movie was playing and the best time for them left them only 40 minutes to eat dinner. Paul was thinking that he wouldn't be able to do the movie and dinner so I suggested they go to Burger King since it was really close to the movie theatre. Now Daddy had a plan he told Maddie that they were going to go to Burger King for dinner. Maddie was excited and now it was time to leave to drop me off at Bunko. Paul and Maddie went in with me so Maddie could say hi to Ms. Allison. She said she was going on a date with her dad. Everyone asked her where she was going and she excitedly replied "Burger King." After saying hi to everyone they were off on their date. I told everyone they were going to Burger King and The Hannah Montanta Movie.

Bunko was over so I called Paul to come and pick me up. Maddie told me all about her date with Daddy. We went to see Hannah Montana's movie. She told me about the movie all the way home and how they bought a huge bucket of popcorn and a enormous cup of pop, we shared. I was so happy to hear they had a good time.

Appointment Update

2009-05-20T16:41:00.000-07:00

The update from the doctor's appointment this afternoon, my doctor said everything is good. Delana's heart beat was 130. I'm measuring 27 weeks, which isn't bad since that is only a six day difference. I gained four pounds in the last month which is also good, doctor says I'm where I should be. I still don't want to go over the recommended fifteen pounds I was first told I should stay in but the doctor also said it wouldn't be bad if I went over. I just think it would be easier not to gain the weight and turn around to have to lose it again. I'm just trying to be healthy and not worry to much about the weight.

Mini Makeover for Madison's Room

2009-05-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Paul's last day on vacation. Paul brought Maddie to school and then we went to Starbucks for coffee. We sat outside on the patio as we had our coffee and homemade carrot cake (I finally made his favorite cake). After a little time alone it was time to get to work. I had planned on giving Madison's room a makeover while Paul was on leave but I thought we would get to it before the last day of vacation. We went home cleaned up her room, as you can see it was a mess. My idea was to give her a room that she really likes and wants to keep clean. To have an organized space so it will be easier to take care of stuff.

We move her bed in front of the window which stresses me out a little because she didn't have a headboard on her bed. I'm afraid that she would be playing and fall out the window. Yes, I worry too much. So I told Paul that we should look for a heardboard. I really just want a simple white headboard, cottage style would be nice, it would be cool if we could find something for $5 but I don't know if they would be that cheap. Later that day we headed in town to find a headboard. We were going to go to the thrift store I usually go to but I felt like I was being told to go to a different thrift store I never go to. We went to the thrift store and as we pulling in the parking lot there displayed outside was the headboard I thinking about. "Honey, hurry up and park so we can get it. I wonder how much it is?" I said as I was getting ready to jump out of the truck. I had already thought that I would pay as much as $20 for a headboard. He went over and grabbed it, "how much is it" I yelled over to him. He replied, "$5." I was so excited. We went inside and I seen a boppy pillow in almost perfect condition for $4 so I grabbed it even though I already have a My Breast Friend Pillow. (I got it for $7 a few weeks ago. But I'm not sure if I'll like it.) We got we needed there so we were off to Target to get the other stuff we needed to finish the room.

We got home and started dinner. As we were cooking Paul said to me "ah Maddie seen her room, she is up there screaming and saying awesome." We went up stairs to see her, she was laying on the bed. "I feel like I'm in a princess room. Like I'm rolality. I love it, love it." So she really loved it, I knew she would. After dinner Paul put the headboard on and we hung up a map of the world up on the wall. Which surprisingly is actaully her favorite thing about the room, well along with the bed/bedding. I thought it would be a good idea to put a map up so I can show her where Daddy is when he is gone. We are going mark the places he visits and display the postcards he sends us around the map.

26 Weeks

2009-05-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

Oh my, I'm 26 weeks today and there is no denying that I'm pregnant. I definitely feel pregnant since my belly is getting in the way of my being able to do stuff now. I organized the kitchen cabinet the other day and ended up sitting on the floor instead of bending over because it was so uncomfortable. I have also been having horrible back aches. Ouch! Sunday I was not feeling well I think I might have been having braxton-hicks contractions. Which I thought wasn't a huge deal until I was reading about it and I see says you should call your doctor. I figured I would call if I still felt the same way on Monday (I didn't) since I'm going to the doctor on Wed afternoon. I'm getting more excited since it's getting closer to meeting my little Laney. To be exact... 14 weeks! Depending on when she decides to come and if she decides to come on her own. I had a dream around the time I concieved that I would be pregnant and the baby would be born on 8-10, so we will see if she really comes on August 10th. HA HA, not counting on it. I'm actually hoping for a September birthday, of course by August I'd be happy with August. So here is what is going on with our little Laney bug.

Delana's ears are better developed and more sensitive this week, she may be able to hear my voice and also the person am talking with while we carry on a conversation. She is inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amonitic fluid which helps her lungs develop. These are similar to the breathing movements that will occur once she is born, these inhaling and exhaling movement help her to be able to breathe once she is born. She is continueing to gain fat, she now weighs about a pound and two thirds and is about 14 inches long (about the length of an English cucumber.)

Monkey See, Monkey Do..washcloth candies

2009-05-14T17:12:00.000-07:00

I just checked the mail box and recieved at package. YAY it's the "Monkey See, Monkey Do" washcloth candies I won from Sweet CuddleCakes. They are so cute and I will be using them soon enough to give the baby a bath once she comes. Thanks again for the great giveaway.

My Favorite Children's Stories

2009-05-13T21:24:00.000-07:00

Here's a list of my favorite children's books. I have loved these books for years now. I read them to Maddie when I was pregnant. However I discovered a few of the books before I had a kid. The Napping House, Love You Forever, and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom were my favorites from back in jr high and high school when I used to help in the preschool where my mom worked.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-13T09:29:00.000-07:00

25 Weeks~ We have a Name

2009-05-12T14:44:00.000-07:00

Delana Grace

We have a name....YAY. Delana Grace. After 25 weeks we have finally decided on a name. Delana's nickname will be Laney/Lana.

Head to heel baby measures about 13.5 inches and her weight is about a pound and half. She is beginning to change her long lean figure for some baby fat. As she gains fat her wrinkled skin will start to smooth out and she will start to look more like a newborn. She is also starting to grow more hair, if you were able so see her you could tell the color and texture.

My next doctor's appointment is on May 20th. Paul will still be here but he has duty and will not be able to go, although he will see if he can leave for the appointment and then go back to work. My doctor's only at the clinic one day a week and the 20th is the only day she will be there. I can't complain much because I'm glad to be seen by the same doctor the whole time with this pregnancy vs being seen by a different doctor eveytime with Madison and having a different doctor deliver her. I think that it works out better this way and I just hope that my doctor is on call when I go into labor.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T10:45:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day

To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.

The Mother's Day gift Maddie made me at school.

Nursery Painted

2009-05-09T20:19:00.000-07:00

First step:.........paint. Done!

So here is the room with the paint finished. I really like it. It's going to look so nice once we put the crib in with the bedding and hang curtains. Step two: curtains. Step three: furniture (paint or not to paint.) I think I will see what it looks like the way it is now and if see if I really want to paint it. I know that it would look so cute with white furniture. Either way we still need to get the crib out of the attic and put it together. Step four: bedding and accessories. Step five: washing everything I will be using in the first couple of months, storing everything I will not be using right away in an organized way. Tick tock, tick tock. It's getting closer. I probably should wait longer to do a lot of the stuff but I just want it done. I like to be prepared..... ah. I like to think that I'm in control, especially with the stuff that I have some control over.

Alright I waited a little to long to take the picture so I could have a little natural light, now I'm stuck with the one lamp. This is without the flash. (What ever happened to lights in the ceiling?)

With the flash.

Big sister Maddie helping clean up the tape.

Another one with the flash. Verdict: I like the color, it looks good.

Painting Update

2009-05-09T16:24:00.001-07:00

My sister in law offered to watch while we painted, thanks. We discovered that it's a lot faster when you don't have a kid asking for this or that every two minutes. As we were getting ready to bring Maddie over this morning she said "oh good you guys will get to have a romantic time." Paul and I looked at each other and laughed..... both of us thinking yep it should be LOTS of fun. See I have my way of doing things and he has his way. My way is much better at least in my opinion so sometimes we have some discussions. However today things went really well...... probably because he did it my way. LOL

So here is the starting point. One wall orange and one yellow, bright orange and yellow.

Walls primed.... wow look at the difference.

Bye bye yellow wall.

Now for the new color...........

Can you tell the difference between the primer and the new paint?

I think it looks pretty close in this picture but trust me it's not. It's

just the light coming in all the windows. I'll try to take another picture tonight

when the sun isn't shining so much.

Oooow I'm getting excited about getting the room together. YAY!

So I'm debating on painting the dressers and crib white. I personally

would like them to be white I'm just wondering if I really want to do it

and it we have enought time to do it while Paul is home. We'll have to

wait and see. One shabby chic nursery coming up.

Sleepless Night

2009-05-09T03:45:00.000-07:00

It's 3:45 in the morning and I'm still wide awake. I CAN"T SLEEP! It is so annoying. I know that I should be sleeping but I just can't fall asleep so I'm hanging out on the couch surfing the net. My sweet hubby is sleeping on the couch next to me, he didn't want me to be downstair by myself. I really have a great husband, I'm blessed. I just keep thinking about how tired I will be tomorrow and how tired he will be from sleeping on the the couch all night long. We are supposed to paint the nursery tomorrow or today I should say. We cleared most of the stuff out of the room today and taped. All we need to do is paint now. I can't wait to see what it will look like after it's painted.

This is a picture of the room. I took it when we first moved in, THE HAPPY ROOM. I didn't pick the colors for this room.... orange and yellow are not on my color wheel.

Progress pictures to come.

5 Minutes For Mom~ Mother's Day Giveaway

2009-05-09T01:23:00.000-07:00

5 Minutes For Mom is having an awesome Mother's Day Giveaway check it out.

http://www.5minutesformom.com/6032/mothers-day-giveaway-2009/trackback/

24 Weeks

2009-05-05T08:33:00.000-07:00

Since last week the baby has gained about 4 ounces now putting her total weight just over a pound. She length is now about a foot and she is lean, about like an ear of corn.

Her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

2009-05-03T20:45:00.001-07:00

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 large very ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup buttermilk
2 1/2 cups unsifted cake flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 10 inch tube cake pan.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla. Mix in mashed bananas, sour cream and buttermilk. Combine the cake flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Stir flour mixture into sugar/banana mixture. Fold in the chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown and top springs back when touched. Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan. Cool completely before slicing.

Note:
I baked my bread in five mini (3x5 in) pans for 37 minutes.

Need a substitute for buttermilk:

Milk (just under one cup)
1 Tablespoon white vinegar

Add vinegar to milk in mixing cup and let sit for 5 minutes before using.

Breakfast with my Honey

2009-04-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

Paul has been going to a class for work the past week and last night he told me that he didn't have to go in until later in the morning. We brought Madison to school and went out for breakfast. It was nice to have breakfast with him because during the week it doesn't happen and most of the time we grab Starbucks on the way to church. We really don't have breakfast together much, especially just the two of us. I really enjoyed spending this morning with him. We will probably do it again next week since he will be on vacation and Maddie will be in school. Of course we have stuff to work on at home that should get done before the end of May but it can wait a hour or two while we enjoy some couple time.

23 Weeks

2009-04-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

Twenty three weeks, I'm definitely feeling pregnant. I take a three hour nap almost everyday because I'm so exhausted. Also within the last week or so my back have began to hurt. So I guess I'm still in good shape since those are the only two things bothering me. The baby is doing good. We went to labor and delivery last night for my scheduled appointment. The doctor said that everything from the ultrasound looked good, heart beat sounds good, and she answered all my questions. I have to say that as I was within eyes view of the L&D last night I became really nervous. I was only there for an appointment but I remembered my experience from Madison's birth and knew that soon I would be returning there for this little one. I'm hoping for a better birthing experience than I had with Madison. I have asked lots of questions about a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesartan) and my doctor seems to think I will do fine. Right now I'm thinking that I'm just going to have to wait and see what happens. I don't want to be induced and I really don't want another c-section but I know that it's a possiblity.

A Brilliant Idea

2009-04-26T22:22:00.000-07:00

I'm six months pregnant and still no name for our little girl. I thought we had agreed on a name but then I decided that I didn't really like the name as much as I thought I did. We really want to have a name before Paul deploys since it is easier to discuss names in the same house vs through emails. SO I came up with an idea... how about we go and have a 4-d ultrasound done so we can see the baby's face, we can pick a name to go with the face. Great idea, ugh? Here are the pictures of the little one.
Apparently she didn't want anyone to disturb her nap.

Because she didn't move from this position for the whole 15 minutes.

The ultrasound tech had me move to try to get her to move, but she didn't.

The ultrasound tech tried to poke her, but she still didn't want to move.

She kept her hand by her face the WHOLE time.

She finally turned toward us and you can see her finger lifted...... probably saying leave me alone I'm sleeping.

Here her hand is in the way, I think it looks like her thumb could be in her mouth.?

In this picture her head is on the left and her foot is right above her face you can follow the whole leg down. The ultrasound tech said she had long legs. I love this picture cause it's so cute.

Walking

2009-04-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

When I go for a walk I like to know how far I have walked so there are two site I have found that seem to help me figure out how far I have walked and also help me route new walks. My husband told me about US Track & Field a few years ago, it helps you find running routes or you can make your own. The other site I was using it Map My Walk. They have changed the site some since I started using it, they have a new map which is alright. I preferred the old one which I think you can still use but the downfall on this is that there is an ad that is on the map and you have to move it around to map your route or sign up to become a premium member. As a premium member you would have to pay $5 a month. They also offer an imapmyrun app for the iphone for free, which I don't own an iphone but would be cool.

6 Months

2009-04-21T09:16:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it..... 6 months (22 weeks) today. I'm getting so close to meeting my little ladybug. I think about her all the time and wonder what she looks like in there. I wish that I could look in there and see what is going on. What does a 6 month old baby look like growing in it's mother uterus. I looked on you tube to see if I could find anything for 23 weeks or 6 monthspregnant. I found a great video which shows a baby growing inside it's mother right up to 6 month. I'm breathless.......... she looks like a baby. I knew she did but seeing it is another thing... it seems so real like you could hold her. The picture at 5 months almost made me cry....... eyebrows. It's amazing what happens in a short 9 months. Nine months is really a long period of time but not when you consider all that happens in that 9 months. From a tiny egg and a little sprem......... this amazing baby grows and grows. Only God could be credited with the miracle that takes place in the 9 months, every detail accounted for.... there is no other way. I'm truely blesssed.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.

Lazy Lasagna

2009-04-20T21:05:00.000-07:00

Tonight for dinner we had Lazy Lasagna II. I found this recipe online and tried it out. Yummy. My honey loved it and Maddie ate it minus the meat, she picky what can I say. I'll be making it again soon, plus leftovers for tonight.

The Weekend Overview

2009-04-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

Madison learned how to ride her bike about three weeks or so ago but she didn't believe us when we told her that she was riding without help since Daddy was right there with his hand out ready to catch her if she fell. Easter night we brought her out for a little while and she seen that she really was doing it on her own but she was still a little wobbly, she ran into the curb a few times. She rode around the road circling the pool while Daddy ran behind her. She was so proud of herself and so were mom and dad. By the time she did this it was time to go in for the night.
Friday night we were going to go the park and Maddie decided she would rather ride her bike. I told her that she was too fast and I couldn't run behind her while she rode. She said it was fine she still wanted to ride. She rode around, around, around and around the loop at least 30 times before I said it was time to go in since it was getting dark. That kid is unstoppable now. I vacuumed the truck on Saturday and she rode her bike she a small circle the whole time. The truck was not working right so she rode it the whole time our friends were here working on it. Sunday we were not home much, we enjoyed a day at church and the pool.

21 Weeks

2009-04-14T15:31:00.000-07:00

Ladybug is moving around a lot now. Hopefully soon Maddie will be able to feel her moving; daddy says that he can feel her but it isn't strong just really light taps. My next doctor's appointment is April 27th. We going to labor and delivery for the next appointment because my doctor is going to be working L&D for three weeks and I only want to be seen by her. My appointment is at night which is cool because Paul doesn't have to get out of work. plus Maddie can go with us. Hopefully it's not to boring for her.

21 weeks: Baby is just over 7 1/2 inches from crown to rump and 10 inches from head to heel, about the length of a banana. Baby weighs just over 10 1/2 ounces. (she weighs more than that) There is now a slowdown in baby's growth from here but other organs are still developing. By this time the digestive system is able to swallow amniotic fluid; after swallowing, the fetus absorbs much of the water and the rest of the fluid is passed into the large bowel. Researchers believe swallowing amniotic fluid may help in growth and development of the digestive system; it also helps the digestive system to function after birth. Evidence indicates babies at full term may swallow large amounts of fluid as much as 17 oz or 500ml in a 24-hour period. Essential nutrients are passed to the baby from the amniotic fluid.

Refreshed

2009-04-13T10:32:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling refreshed today after getting a three day weekend to spend with my hubby and daughter. It was much needed. Paul was scheduled to work on Easter Sunday which I was unaware of until he told me that we was taking it off. My first reaction was "what you told a whole weekend off for one day." However it turned out to be a go decision on his part. Maddie had been on spring break but he was working so we really didn't do too much for her spring break. Paul's leave time is coming up in May but Maddie will be in school so we still will not have time to do a lot as a family. We took full advantage of this weekend and we were totally relaxed. We are looking forward to having a few more exciting family filled weekends before daddy leaves, the clock is ticking and soon he will be gone again. :-C