My boy

I feel it isn't fair to blog after a few months and only complain. Most of you have already seen this picture on facebook, but look at my adorable kid. No one told him to pose like this. He did it all on his own. Love him!

My soapbox

I have some things I want to get off my chest. Here goes: When you are buying a house, be respectful of the people whose houses you are looking at. Do not spend an hour at their house doing who knows what. My house is not your playplace. Pick up after your child when you leave. It may be called a playroom but that does not mean it doesn't need to be clean. It is my house, I have things to do there. If you and your realtor need to talk, do it at his office. NOT MY HOUSE.
I am guilty of this one, but when you schedule an appointment to see a house, realize what you are asking of these people. Many have children and 15 minutes of your day to look at their house costs them at least 2 hours of stress and/or preparation. Do not go to look at a house just cuz you can. Be serious about it. And be on time if you can. If you can't, text or call. Yes, we are glad that you are interested in your house, but that doesn't mean you should be a jerk about it.

On a second note, you may have guesssed from the above post, but our house is for sale. We have a starter home and are not the first in the neighborhood to sell recently. All of the others were successful for sale by owner within a month. So we went that route. 7 weeks later, we decided to go with a realtor. Can I tell you when people come to look at my house and can't even say anything nice about it, it hurts? Our house is fairly plain. We don't have the right color paint or carpet or fancy furniture. For a while there we didn't have the money to do those things. Now that we do, there are so many other things that I would like to spend my money on. My house works just fine the way it is. And most days I don't get too depressed when I see how cute my neighbors' houses are. But when I have 8 people come to the house and not one of them likes it enough to even talk to us about buying it (or want to buy it, but change everything about it) it hurts my feelings. It just does. What is so wrong with my house that no one wants it? I've never been the most fashionable or put together person and most days it is not a big deal. But, when for 7 weeks I have people come and they won't even consider buying my house, it wears on me. Yes, that probably means I have low self esteem. But this is my house and it is where my children are safe and happy and loved, and it's sad that no one likes it. So that's what we've been up to lately and I HATE HATE HATE having to nag my kids 24/7 for 8 weeks to keep the house clean. I'm so done. Somebody remind me that this is for my good and this too shall pass......

Life since baby

I gotta tell you, 4 has been my hardest. It's not that she's a bad baby or that my kids have become awful kids. There's just not enough time in the day to do all the things I need to do to be a good mom. I just have oodles of mommy guilt. The guilt then leads to stress, which leads to me being not as nice as I should be, which leads to more guilt. It's a vicious cycle. That being said, oh is she a joy. She is so happy. I always get comments about how smiley she is. Ok, baby up so just gonna post!

Ok, so I might be a bit behind on my blogging. Ben had a birthday. In January. He is now 4. My how I love this kid. He is the sweetest boy. He is so kind to the baby and just gives her loves and makes her laugh and will run as fast as he can to find her pacifier. He is very emotional and gets the most excited for anything we do. He also loves candy so he's really easy to make happy. For his birthday he got a spiderman cupcake cake. Can I tell you that's the way to go? It's more frosting and less cake, just the way my family likes it. Sadly, my family isn't so fond of many things I like to bake. And not cuz they're gross (I hope) but cuz they're like my husband and they don't like flaky pastries or cakes or muffins. Anyway, the more frosting the better. For his birthday they went to the local jumphouse.




My husband has been quite the champ since Genevieve was born. Having a winter baby has its' perks and drawbacks. Being stuck at home for four months is one of the latter.

On a side note, I am having a hard time typing on something other than my phone. Blogger doesn't automatically capitalize for me, or add periods at the end of sentences or add in apostrophes as needed. I have become spoiled!

The birth story

I was supposed to be induced on Friday but I changed my mind and moved the induction day back, hoping that somehow I'd go into labor on my own. But after my appt on Thursday and being told I'd only progressed not even a full centimeter in two weeks, I started to freak out that my baby would be born too close to Christmas. I tried to move the induction date to the 21st, but they were full. The nurse was very kind and gave me ideas on how to induce labor on your own. Then she called back and said the midwife would be willing to strip my membranes if I came in right then. I rushed right in, only to wait at the office for 45 minutes. When she checked me I was 4+. The stripping didn't hurt at all and the cramping started soon thereafter. I laid down to rest with Anna, and the cramps weren't doing much. By three, they were coming every 3 minutes, but not at all painful. Doug got pulled away from seeing the movie he was so excited for at the last minute. We headed down to the hospital where I was sure we were going to get turned away and sent home because they contractions were no longer 3 minutes apart. When she checked me around 4:30 I was at a 5+. Can I tell you how much I hate the + they have decided to add to my measurements all the time? They started me on the antibiotics. Then, when they were done Doug and I started walking the halls. The contractions were very manageable which would have been great if I hadn't been expecting another Anna labor. When they checked me around 6:30, I was 6cm. Which I had been hours ago. I started to get impatient...But as long as I walked during the contractions and didn't have anyone talking to me, the contractions almost didn't even hurt. The midwife came back and talked me into breaking my waters after the second dose of antibiotics. Well, actually, she said she'd do it 15 minutes before but she lied. She told me that to try and get me to keep going. By that time I'd been walking the halls for 4 hours and I almost asked for an epidural because I was tired of walking. But if I sat down the contractions were worse. Anyway, I got the second dose of antibiotics and she checked me. I was at an 8. At 9pm she broke my water.Two contractions later I was feeling pushy and found to be 9 1/2 cm with an anterior lip. So I pushed through the lip and I think I pushed 6 times and she was there. She was as big as we were expecting. She was mad for a while, though I can't imagine being out was very nice. The kids love her and my MIL has helped me be able to spend some wonderful one on one time with her. I love her sleeping with the eyes open that all my kids have done. I love their hands, how they have no control over them and seem to be amazed when they move. I love the noises that they make when they realize they're finally getting food. I love how they smell and I love how small she is.

Genevieve

Born December 17th at 9:17 pm weighing 8lbs 5 oz, 20 1/2 inches.

Sick

Two of my kids have come down with the stomach flu so turns out it's a good thing I'm not getting induced tomorrow

Progress, well sorta

I had an appointment today after two weeks without one. I was expecting change. Last time I was 3cm, 80% and -1 station. Today she said 3+, 90% effaced and still -1 station. So, I effaced 10% more. I mean, really? That hardly even counts. I asked her what 3+ means and she says that most times when you tell a patient they're 4 cm dilated they freak out and think they have to be admitted to the hospital right away cuz they're in labor. So I guess I'm really 4 cm, but the 3+ sounds better. I don't know. I have another appt on Monday, which seems kinda silly to have one 4 days from now. Maybe I'll move my induction to Tuesday. My induction is now schedule for Wed the 22nd. Don't ask me why I changed it, I'm hormonal. Doug had a test he needed to take on Tuesday and that's a day after my due date. But the pediatrician would not let me leave until Christmas Eve, which seems to ruin some plans. Anyway, I don't know what I'm doing but I thought I'd update.

Most pregnant I've ever been

I am now officially more pregnant than I've ever been. Somehow it's not that great of a milestone to reach. Still feel it's going to be a little while

Beat ya sucker

That's the text Doug got from his coworker. His wife is due ten days after me and is in labor right now. I came down the stairs tonight Doug turned to me and said, "You're not gonna like this."

On a happier note, our super neighbors brought this over today.

It was so unexpected and totally made my day.

Scheduled

So I found out this last week that I am Group B strep positive, which means I have to get antibiotics during labor. They want the antibiotics given twice in four hours. The only problem is my labors are not usually that long. I'm not due til the 21st, but really, who wants their birthday on the 21st of December? They'd get the whole, oh "here's your birthday and Christmas present" deal all their life. Everyone I've talked to who has their birthday around that times says that's what happens. I know that getting the antibiotics is best for the baby and I only want what's best. So I've scheduled an induction for the 15th of December. Time to be determined the day before. This way I can guarantee all the antibiotics. But I really wanted to go into labor on my own this time. I was so excited for it, the whole when would labor start? At that point I'll be 39w1d, the most pregnant I've ever been. My water broke with Charlotte at 37 weeks. With Ben I was also GBS + and they induced me at 38w2d. With Anna I made it to 38w5d and went into labor on my own. Anyway, I'm having a hard time with this. Deep down I know I won't go into labor on my own before that. My pregnancy has been so different this time around that I know I won't have an early labor like I have with the others. Also, my MIL is coming down to stay on the 14th to help out. The 15th would be perfect and safest and best for my baby. When I called to schedule the induction the nurse was like, "You do know this is an elective induction right?" Almost started crying right then. It makes me feel so guilty. I know that having a date scheduled makes everything easier. Babysitters for the kids, Doug has work off scheduled, etc. But I just feel like I'm admitting defeat doing it this way. Ok, had to get this all off my chest. Thanks Ok, just found out that Charlotte has a school Christmas presentation on the 16th so we're moving it to the 17th. I figure if I'm going to have the luxury of scheduling it I'd like not to miss important things like my daughter's Christmas singing!

The snow!

At least the kids love the snow! It's the Christmas season

Fall

Charlotte was asked to create a monster for school. I am not creative. When I saw that assignment I cringed. I'm very lucky to have a husband who likes those sorts of things. He and Charlotte sat down and created this. She was so proud! Thank goodness one of us is creative. We tell the kids stories every night before bed and I dread that part every night. I have to come up with a brand new story every day. Doug, on the other hand, makes it look so easy. I love him!




We had crazy hair day at school and this is what we came up with! I love how much she wants to participate in these activities.


Doug had his birthday last month and instead of a cake he wanted popcorn balls. It was fantastic. And it all got eaten! Normally cakes sit at our house for a few days before I finally throw them away. He got to go to a Jazz game for his birthday. Sometimes I actually am a good wife.




For Halloween Charlotte couldn't decide between being Tinkerbell or Belle. When I got this Belle costume for free I decided for her! So she wears it to school but then decides she wants to be a witch when we actually go out trick or treating. As you might have guessed, a girl she likes at school dressed up as a witch and so being a witch was way cooler. Luckily we had one downstairs in the hobbit room. It was raining that night and our costumes got a little obscured. But the kids had a blast. We drove the car and would heat up in the car in between houses. It was freezing and I couldn't believe how long the kids lasted. I'm sure I didn't help though. I just don't understand how you give up free candy. Doug was the one encouraging us to head home and I kept saying, "How about this house?"




My sister in law made Doug this awesome costume, though with the rain and whatnot he never really got to wear it. Doesn't he look great?



Anna would not wear any costume. I tried 3 different ones and she sobbed every time. So she went trick or treating like this:

Crazy makeup lady. Yeah, it was the best we could come up with. After a few houses she was just too cold and didn't want to come out to the doors. I knew though that she would be so upset if Charlotte and Ben had Halloween candy and she didn't so I went to the door and asked for candy for her. I'm sure people thought I was just getting it for myself. You'd be surprised how much restraint I've shown this year though. I've hardly had any of her candy.

It's started

I got my cerclage out last week and since then people seem to respond to my phone calls quicker. My mother in law starts out phone conversation with, "Is she in labor?" Even Doug is more antsy. I'm sure this baby won't come for a few more weeks, but it's funny to notice the change. Until my SIL was pregnant I never realized the excitement of wondering when a woman will go into labor. It's crazy fun wondering if they'll go into labor that day and I love that I get to be involved! So as annoying as it all is, I get it. Also, no matter how much your sister loves you, don't walk into a room and tell her "Oh my gosh you're huge!" I don't know what it is, but these last few weeks I have felt enormous. It doesn't help when other people agree with you. I've been measuring 2 weeks ahead for a month now. I want to think that means the baby will come sooner, but I know it doesn't work that way. At least though that helps me feel better about being huge. We've got the crib set up, the bags packed and the carseat all ready. Now it's just the waiting game. We still don't know what we're having. We've got a girl and boy take home outfit in the bag. Doug has not decided on a name yet, though he promises he'll decide before we leave the hospital. Anyway, that's the update.

Daddy date

For their date night with Doug last weekend the kids got a fun surprise. Doug borrowed the projector from work and set up the tent along with a screen for the projector. They got to eat popcorn and watch a movie on the back of the house. Then, they got to sleep outside in the tent. Granted, it was only the backyard, but the kids still loved it.

in 20 seconds

I got Anna out of the bath and got her dressed. The other two wanted out so I ran to the other bathroom to get them towels. When I got back I found this.

Bowling

We got free bowling passes from the parades this summer and finally took the kids. For the first 2 frames they were very excited. Then they found the arcade and it was all over. We didn't even let them play the games. They just watched the demos and thought they were actually steering and were very entertained. Doug ended up bowling most of their frames.

September

Here is Charlotte after her virtual preschool graduation. She will not smile with her teeth anymore. I'm not sure why, but this is what we get every time. I loved this preschool program. It was just 20 minutes a day, in my home, and it taught her her sounds and basic concepts of reading. It actually taught Ben all the sounds of all the letters. I questioned him on a few sounds of letters and was flabbergasted that he knew them. Charlotte informed me it was from all the time he spent watching her play her computer game. The best part about it was that it was free. Now if I could only get Ben on the list again.




We have tried to make good use of our Zoo passes. I just love their faces in these pictures. We finally caught the bird show at the zoo when we went and I loved it. So much so that I actually started crying because it was so great. It's at those moments I remember I really do have excess hormones running around cuz really, who cries at a bird show?





Charlotte is in kindergarten now. I can't believe it! If it were up to me I'd just keep her home. I have to keep reminding myself that this is for her own good. I was really nervous about how she was going to do because she was going through the phase where she needed to know where I was every second of every day and would cry if she couldn't find me (heaven forbid I go to the bathroom). Anyway, she did great. She has 5 kids from the neighborhood in her class and doesn't hate it. I'm sure she'd still rather be home, but that's ok. The kids in her class already have ex-boyfriends and girlfriends and I swear we weren't that bad when I was in kindergarten.







Our neighbor gave us passes up to a ski resort for their tram/chair lift rides. The kids had a great time! It wasn't until we were loading onto the tram and I looked down that I realized I'm actually rather afraid of heights. I guess not heights in general, but being on a car that could plummet to the ground at about 100 feet. I didn't look down the entire time.







Ben started preschool too. He loves being able to go and be like Charlotte. He gets so excited. I love his enthusiasm. When we took the pictures Anna just had to have a backpack too. She really thinks that she's just as big as them.