Salsa 2010 (finally)

Here is what we started with...all from my garden and my in-laws garden!!! (except we bought 4 jalapenos- we'll add one plant to the garden next year!!)

I wanted this pic posted to show how we did the peppers. Even the mild-er ones have the same burning affect on your hands!!!

I borrowed my friend Meghan's cuisanart...definitely on my christmas list this year!!! Made it so much simpler!!! Thank you Meghan!!!



Here is the salsa put together...all looking yummy!!!

I found on a canning site that you can sub lemon juice for vinegar but not the other way around so the only change I made was lemon juice instead of vinegar. I googled recipes until I found one that looked good and had all the ingredients I wanted to use!! Here is the winning recipe (and I'll definitely use it again next year). I halved the recipe but then made it twice (on 2 days). I got 14 half pints and some fresh (which the fresh is all gone!!). I have even opened one of my jars and eaten all of it!! Salsa is a craving this pregnancy!!!

Unfortunately the canning process took all week because of the sciatic, back and foot pain this pregnancy!!! But we got it done!!! Yay!!!

Waiting.....

Yup. Still waiting on this baby.

I had an appointment yesterday and I'm just 2-3 cm but still very very low (I know, same story different week). But my OB said she could practically break my water with her fingernail- I told her to go ahead....but she didn't.

I had told her that B had really decreased movement so she did a Non Stress Test (NST). Baby was very sleepy but I passed the test (which unfortunately meant no need to get baby out quickly). I was honestly torn during the test....I of course wanted baby to look good- but I'd love to have this baby ASAP!!!

She told me it could be this week (which I told her that she said that last week)....she told me I'd be holding my baby next week. We'll see. I made an appointment for next week (unfortunately I can't get in on monday and have to wait until wednesday)- BUT if no baby, we'll then formulate a plan!!! In the meantime, I'm trying to go for walks, take the steps and keep myself busy!!!

We're trying to use our time waiting wisely. We are enjoying time with Bubby. He's so into books right now and loves looking at them. He also loves watching our neighbors dogs!! He yells when they are outside. It's so cute. We're not dog people....we're in trouble!!!

As I type this I'm timing some contractions. I'm very anxious about going to LD again and leaving without a baby. I'm trying to be very conscientious that they are strong enough, long enough and coming quick enough for a long enough amount of time before we put our plan into action!!!

We'll keep you updated!!!

Updates...no baby yet....

37 weeks, 4 days

Who could of imagined that I would've made it this far? I know I didn't. When Max was born everything happened so fast and early- I never imagined that this pregnancy could make it term. It's something that I struggled with the entire pregnancy!!

We are so excited about this baby getting here!! It's really rough now, just waiting for B to arrive. When I decided to take off work early- it was so we could maybe make it past the 35 week mark Max arrived at. To now be almost 38 weeks is bittersweet!!! And with Max- my water broke and the birth happened so quickly!! Here we are now- I've been having contractions and pre-term labor for almost 6 weeks. Add that to the stress of being off work, an inconsistent work schedule for Jason, Max staying at Granny's a bunch (because I couldn't lift him)...we've been on an emotional strain. I'm on FMLA now (I've run out of my paid time) so any time B wants to arrive is perfect!!!

Jason and I are so eager to start this next chapter of our life.- as a family of 4!! Eek!!! I know that what's ahead will be exhausting and quite possibly difficult. But we have been praying for this so much. We are trusting God with our family, our finances, our time, and our future. He has guided and protected us thus far- so we're continue to trust Him.

That doesn't mean that this trust doesn't come without anxiety. I'm prone to both anxiety and depression. This time off has been so very difficult and I've worried about everything!! I've been clinging to my Bible verses and making them my mantra!!! My simplest right now is Mark 5:36 "don't be afraid, just believe."

We would appreciate your continued prayers. Max seems to know something is up and has been out of sorts. I'm trying to figure out what labor is and Jason is anxious wanting to take care of me but get extra hours at work in order to make up for me not working. And of course we're praying for B. A healthy full term baby is our hearts desire!!!

We'll keep everyone updated as we can!!!

another week...almost full term!!!!

I had an appt yesterday and everything is looking good. My doctor is pleased how things have slowed down (considering this all started at 32 weeks!!!). I'll be 37 weeks tomorrow!!! Praise the Lord!!! I'm so thankful that we decided to have me take off work because it's truly paying off and we'll have a full term baby!!!

I'm still the same - 2cm and the baby is very low. My doc isn't on call this weekend so she told me to take it easy and come back monday!! I think we're about to have this baby!!!

36 weeks!!!!

I've made it to 36 weeks!!! Had some labor scares on thursday night but we're still hanging in there!!!!



Poor 2nd babies...this is my first belly pic!!! Can you believe it? I took so many last time!!!

Check out Max's blog for more pictures!!!

(which also reminds me- I need a new name for Max's blog (and B)...)

Stockpiling.....

Thanks to many other bloggers I'm getting the Drugstore Game down. I can't believe how much money I'm saving combining coupons with store sales. I got diapers for 11 cents and wipes for less than a penny. I've gotten a ton of FREE shampoo and conditioner (yes FREE!!!). We have an area in our lovely basement (which reminds me that I still need to post pictures).

I feel like I'm very prepared for the postpartum time (I have all the supplies for me and diapers for baby). We have been stockpiling free hair products, very cheap deodorant, antacids, etc.

The amount we have saved is astonishing...I'm so thankful for what I've learned!!!

Nesting....

It's tough to "nest" when you're on modified bedrest!!! I've beent trying to get stuff ready in my little energy spurts. This whole process is tough because when I do too much I start contracting. When I lay around too much I get too stiff and uncomfortable.

I'm about done with Wal*greens system of register rewards, Easy saver rebates and coupons. I went to 2 stores and got conflicting info on their coupon policies. It's definitely not a system wide ruling and very very frustrating!!! However, they have Huggies on sale next week and with the sweet coupons I got from coupons.com I'll have to go back!!!!

Yesterday my mom helped me yesterday and I got a few more things stocked in my freezer stash!! We made 4 batches of muffins (each only 6 muffins) from packets I found on super sale. We also fried up a bunch of ground beef- I made 2 quart size bags of regular ground beef and 2 bags of taco meat. We can use those for spaghetti sauce or nachos or pizza toppings. We also had pasta for dinner and I have 4 single servings as leftovers (they may get frozen).

We're working on B's room now. Jason and his dad just moved the changing table and dresser between rooms. Jason's mom is going through some of the "junk" we had in the garage so we can hopefully pull the car back in. We're gonna try to get all the christmas stuff that has been in the garage back downstairs.

At my appt on thursday my doctor definitely could tell that I've been having contractions...I have progressed a little bit. So more taking it easy and trying to rest. It's still looking like maybe the week of St Patricks day....it's so crazy!!! I'm 35 weeks today!!! My OB doesn't think I'll deliver this week (shew) but probably the next week. We'll see. She was on the money with Max.

I have a few more goals before baby gets here. I'd like to make waffles for the freezer. I want to finish Max's big boy room complete with car decals on his walls. I'd like to clean our master bathroom and organize our stockpile. (and organize the diaper stockpile I've been working on!!

We'll see.

Wal*greens and freezer stuff

I had to run an errand with mom yesterday so I took her to Wags with me and tried it out again. Wal*greens is really tricky- much more difficult than C*V*S. You can stack coupons and they have lots of store coupons- but you can't have more coupons than items and sometimes coupons won't work (they don't let you get overage). Anyway- I did ok...just ok. I need to pay more attention at the checkout. I was so nervous about presenting my coupons in the right order that I didn't pay attention at what was ringing up....(you'll see).
Here's the round up:
-4 cadburry chocolate cream eggs 2/$1 (added to up my items purchased)

-2 bags of M&Ms. On sale 2/$5 used : $1/2 MQ and $1/2 Wags Q
(however the Wags coupon didn't go through and when she forced it through she somehow gave it to me for OOP: 2/$3....didn't realize that till I got home)

-Vaseline lotion $2.69 on sale used:$1.50/1 MQ OOP: $1.19
Earned $2 Register Rewards

-Reach Toothbrush $1.79 used $1/1 MQ and $.80/1 Wags Q OOP: free

- Revlon Toenail clippers (this was my mess up). $3.29 (should've been on sale I thought)
used $1/1 MQ and $1/1 Wags Q OOP: 1.29

-Nivea Lip $2.99 used $1/1 MQ and $1/1 Wags Q OOP: $.99

-Carmex lip balm $2.99 OOP: 2.99
Earned $2 Register Rewards

-Blink artificial tears $7.99 used $2/1 MQ OOP: 5.99
Earned $8 Register Reward (money maker!!)

-Colgate Max toothpaste $3.29 used $.75/1 MQ OOP: 2.54
Earned $3.50 Register Rewards (money maker)

So total OOP (with tax) 20.55
Total RR earned 15.50

Not too shabby
I have another Blink coupon so I may do that one again (we go through artificial tears alot working in a hospital) and there is another deal I may try to do.

Then today we went to the grocery and pizza sauce & crust mixes were on sale. So we stocked up and I made 6 full kits (gallon bag with smaller bags containing sauce, pepperoni, and cheese). Once the baby gets here and we get a sense of normal (and no bedrest) I'd like to make my own crusts, but until then $1 store bought mixes aren't too bad. I also got 4 muffin mixes that mom is gonna help me bake up and freeze on friday.

I have an OB appt tomorrow. I'm praying for no additional progress..we'll see!!!

34 weeks and some change....

I'm so glad I didn't work this weekend. I kept getting waves of contractions...none too close together but they do take my breath away.

We did get a couple things accomplished this weekend. I'm hoping to take some pictures of the basement this week and blog about it!!

I did get some good deals at wal*greens yesterday and had to stop at Meijer too. At Wal*greens I got the eye drops (7.99 with a coupon off and $8 in register rewards), a chap stick for 2.99 with $2 rr, and oreos for 1.99 buy 1 get 1 free!!!!

I went to wags with the intent to buy 3 bars of Johnson's buddy soap (I had a coupon that was about to expire!!!). Wags didn't have it so I went to Meijer. Didn't see it there with the baby stuff so decided to check the regular soap before I left!! I found it!! I got 3 bars of soap for like $.75. I wish I would've used this coupon when someone had them on sale for like $.99 but I was just getting started with coupons then. I'm hoping Johnsons renews that coupon because it's a great deal!!!

Jason is at work today and Bubby is at Grandma & Papa's. I'm on strict bedrest per Jason's request. I have been over doing it this weekend-even just a few errands really wipes me out. So I'm hoping to work on our taxes and make my march plan for wags and c*v*s and clip some coupons. We'll see. Mom is coming over after work and they'll bring Max back around then. It's my nephews birthday so I think we're making him a cake tonight to celebrate!!

Ok, think it's time to lay down. B is kicking me all over the place!!

Big blog updates today....

Another week has gone by and oh what a week it has been!!!

I've been very exhausted this week and had my appointment wednesday afternoon with my OB. J's parents were able to come up and watch Max so he could come with me. We had a great talk with her. We now know what we're dealing with now!! I'll be 34 weeks on saturday and my OB really hopes/wants me to get to 36 weeks. She honestly says I may not make it much past 36 and some change....which does put us 1 week past where Bubby was born.

She talked to me about the option of stopping work now. This is a major concern for Jas and me. I don't have much vacation time and any extra time I take off will be FMLA (no pay). However, I'm so afraid of having this baby even earlier than what Bubby was born. We've decided that I need to take the time off and go ahead and start Family Medical Leave/Disability. I'm trying to stay seated as much as possible, nap often, keep my feet up, and take it easy. The contractions are continuing and I can tell when I do too much. I often hit a wall in the evening. It has just stunk!!! I'm so relieved that we made the decision. It's tough to know how strapped for finances we'll be, but it's worth it to keep B inside as long as possible!!

We still have tons to do so I'm trying to accomplish a little bit everyday. My mom and Jason's parents are helping a ton!!! I shouldn't be lifting Max which makes it really really tough for me!!!

Jason is at work today and Max is down at Great Grandma's. Mom gets off at 12 so we're gonna run a few quick errands and come home. Mom is gonna stick around and they'll bring Max back this afternoon. Mom said we'd made meatloaf for dinner and she'll stay till Jason gets home.

It's really stressful but I know it's best for B and me!! I feel so bad for missing work-I know they weren't ready for me to be off.

I've been looking into verses to hold onto during this time. I found this one last weekend at work:

1 Corinthians 10:13 (the Message)
No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.

and this one:
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT)
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

Jason and I have been praying so much about this are comfortable with our decision. We know things will be tough, but it's best for our family. It's crazy knowing that we will have a baby very very very soon!!! We're hoping Max gets over his cough soon and back to happy little self. I think he senses the stress we've been under and can tell mommy can't get down on the floor or carry him. He's gravitated towards daddy (and jason is so good with him!!!). Jason is also so good about taking care of me-forcing me to take it easy and sit whenever possible!!!

We'd appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this time. Even at 36 weeks, B will still be a preemie!!!!

First L&D Visit- 32 weeks

So I spent the day in Labor and Delivery yesterday...wow. It was exhausting and draining!!

I had been having cramping for a few weeks (I had mentioned it). Well overnight Sunday night at work it was getting much worse. I went home Monday morning, took a shower, drank a bunch of water and laid down. After an hour I was still experiencing the cramping- more intense. I called my OB and I got sent to L&D. Jason-bless his heart and his coworkers- was able to come with me. I got immediately hooked up to monitors and I was having some contractions. They weren't constant but I was having them. Each cramping episode I had wasn't necessarily a contraction but I was having them.

They did a urinalysis to make sure I didn't have a UTI (which could cause some of the issues I was having)- but I didn't. I did have ketones in my urine though which meant I was dehydrated. **I have no idea how I'm dehydrated!!! I drink so much water every day- but I have to up it now!!!**

The resident checked me and I'm just a cm dilated. (which is good). The baby is far from my cervix opening and they did a test which predicts my chances of earlier labor (Ffn). It was negative so hopefully that will indicate that baby will stay in for a while longer!!

I got a liter and a half of fluid to hydrate me. The RN blew out 2 veins before another nurse actually got the IV started!!! I also got a dose of terbutaline (which is to relax the uterus to stop contractions...but it makes you jittery and jumpy!!!).

My OB came in to see me. She was pleased the FFN was negative. She told me to take it easy over the next few days and keep an eye on things. My next appt is next wednesday so I'm hoping to do that until then.

On the basement front- there was no electrical inspection because it was a holiday. So hopefully the electrical inspection will be today and they will finish today. The final inspection won't be until tomorrow. Which bugs me a little- we had plans for friends to come over tonight and start to put up the TV & shelves. We've postponed that until tomorrow because we can't do anything to the space until after the final inspection. I just hope it all gets done. WE're ready to start working on the space and can't. Jason has 3 days off this week and we had planned to start filling the space this morning!!! Oh well. It'll all get done soon.

And maybe this is how it's supposed to be. I need to take it easy and we have an extra day (although the pounding and cutting in the basement doesn't make for the most relaxing day). Oh well!!!

It's all good!! Baby is good, Max is good, Jas and I are good and the basement is almost done!!! Yay!!!

Basement update:and other various updates

We are so pleased with the progress so far!!! They aren't finishing on friday but expect to be done by monday (which actually works better because I'll be sleeping in prep for my weekend of work!! It's amazing to see the basement transform!!! I can't wait to set up Max's playroom down there!!!

Standing in front of "tv" looking at half wall/exercise/home office area.

Standing in front of "tv"/sump pump closet looking towards other half wall/towards MK office (which is just storage now)

Standing in craft area looking at TV wall/sump pump closet. (short horizontal piece of wood is what the TV will be mounted on).

Jason standing on new carpet that they've begun laying (1 foot tiles back with rubber to have some give, but super easy to remove for shop vac-ing water or rearranging for wear). You can also see the start of the crown molding and the painted black out ceiling!

Standing at bottom of steps looking towards finished portion. Half wall, sump pump closet, tv wall, Max's play area etc.

I'm 32 weeks today or tomorrow (it changes sometime over the weekend). Each day that goes by I get more excited about getting closer to term (or at least Max's D day!!). I'm still pumping water until I get nauseated and trying to rest.

There are updated pictures on Max's Blog if you'd like to see the big boy!! We're hoping to get lots accomplished over the next two weeks, getting the basesment more set up and livable so we can spend time down there!!! I'm also hoping to stock the freezer of various meals (I'll definitely post that progress when I do it). And of course B's nursery needs done!! Yikes!!!
Thanks for checking in on us!!!

Pregnancy 2.0

I've been meaning to post some things about this pregnancy and totally keep forgetting.

This pregnancy has sucked. Hahaha!! Really-it's been just very different, convincing me that this one is a girl. However I'm not sure at all that that is the case!!! I was sick for almost 17-18 weeks. I've starting cramping (I mentioned it in a previous post) and having braxton hicks often. My sciatica pain started much earlier on and I have had horrible heartburn!!!

However, B kicked earlier (or at least I was aware earlier) and is very very active!!!

Being pregnant in a different season calls for an entirely new wardrobe!! Luckily my Lands End winter jacket Jason bought me after Max was born is loose enough to still fit now which is great! I ended up getting new scrub pants (my mom insisted!!). I found scrubs that are Cherokee brand (non maternity) but have a yoga style top (fold over waste band). They are so cute and really comfy-I can't believe how comfy they are!!! I also have bought many long sleeve t-shirts- both from Old Navy and Gap and I must say- I've been most pleased with the Gap ones. The Old navy ones tend to be shorter (not good for my pregnant belly) and the hems come un done way too easily. The Gap ones are divine!!!

I've also discovered the joy of the secret panel jeans from motherhood maternity!! Oh the joy!!! So very comfy!!!

Since I'm one of the first of my girlfriends to be having #2-I thought I'd post these here for them to find!!!

Basement Renovations Day 4 and various updates

It's going great!!! It looks really neat but I fear pictures wouldn't do it justice.

I wasn't however prepared for the annoyance home renovation would provide. People constantly in and out of the house, the noise, and the smells!!! The workers are completely professional and very nice. We spent the day away yesterday as they were painting the black out ceiling. I still have a headache though. All the products they use though for the walls are metal (metal studs and frames for the walls-no wood). You can imagine how loud it is!!!

I know it will all be worth it in the end!!!

I had my appointment with the OB yesterday and everything looks great!! I'm not progressing (as I was worried I had been). She does want me to call though if the cramping continues and becomes regular at all (even 10 minute intervals)...ack!!! That freaks me out!!!

Little Max is doing great with the renovations too. I was afraid the sounds would freak him out...that kid has no awareness of his surroundings. He has just been playing like nothing is different!!! Maybe he'll be this adaptable when B comes home!!! Let's hope!!!

What's in a name?

Giving B a name has proved to be a difficult difficult task!!! I think when we were picking out names for Max everything just fell into place. We knew we had the family name picked out if it was a boy and somehow we miraculously agreed easily on girl names.
Max Charles is named after Jason's paternal grandfather and my maternal grandfather. I'm so proud to have been able to pass along these two names.
Jason's Grandpa Max was quite the man from what I've heard. While I never had the chance to meet him, I've been told I would have loved him. Max shares his curls and evidently his temper:) (Jason says they sometimes referred to him as "Mad Max"). This family patriarch was snatched from his loved ones way too early. I feel like this family has been able to have a glimpse of Grandpa Max again now that Little Max is in our lives!!!! My Grandpa Charles Harold always went by Harold but I was so excited to use Charles as Max's middle name. He was the only Grandpa I knew and I loved him. He had the greatest sayings and even though he was totally predictable I still laughed every time he said them!! I shared my love of Grandpa's tractors and I'm so excited to actually hang up the collection once the basement renovation gets finished (and share them with Max).

So now on to B. We still feel a match with our previously chosen girl names and so those remain on the list. We do like to go into the delivery room with several names. Murphy's law tells me this is another boy- and B will just be "Baby Boy" until he's 18!!! We still are discussing it and have some time (hopefully 7-10 weeks)!!!!

Its tough to pick a name for a child. I mean, I look at Max- he's definitely a Max. 100%. I hope we hit it the same way this time!!!

On a side note-please keep our health in your prayers. This weekend was somewhat rough. I'm just now 30 weeks and I'm starting to wonder if B has dropped and if I'm progressing!!! Ack!!!! I know how very blessed we are that Max, even though being born at 35 weeks, was absolutely perfect and healthy!!! I am so very afraid that this baby will come even sooner!! I'm praying currently for peace and discernment. I want peace to wash over me to know that God is indeed in control and discernment and clarity to know when to act and how to handle it!! It's a constant prayer and a constant lesson to learn. I do feel God's peace and then I start to panic and I feel His peace slipping away (it's not that He's taking it away, it's that I'm actually pushing Him away!). Learning so much right now...it's amazing!!!

Where does the time go???

Wow-the 20th of January already!!!? We've spent every waking moment in the basement this month (after of course that stomach bug ravaged through our home). I say waking moments because-well, I like to nap.

Max does great in his pack n play while we're working down there and I actually think we're making excellent headway. My mom has helped immensely!!! I think we're almost ready for the renovation to begin in February!!! (I'm going to post before pictures as well as the progress...I can't wait).

I'm 28 weeks 2 days pregnant. Max arrived at 35 weeks. I'm freaking out!!! We do not have alot of time. As soon as the basement renovation starts then we'll start clearing out the guest room as we prepare to Max into his big boy room!!! We have ordered his crib (it'll be just like his old crib and it converts into a toddler bed and full size bed) and it should be ready very soon. It feels like we have a ton of projects but we're in stand still right now until the basement starts...that is our first priority. I'm of course hoping we get Max moved so we can clean the nursery and have it ready for B-but if not, we can use the pack n play for B to sleep in for a bit.

In anticipation of Jason cutting back his hours to stay at home (so we don't need day care or our inlaws) I've been really looking for ideas for budgeting and saving money!! One thing we decided to try today was CVS. I've found many great blogs where these amazing women play the "CVS game". I guess you can use CVS to really help out your grocery budget. Many of the items they have you can purchase with dollars off and get "extra care bucks" back. I'm gonna post tomorrow (hopefully) about our first purchases. You can essentially walk out of there with a bag full of goods for nearly nothing out of pocket!! And it's a way to stockpile toiletries and supplies that we normally buy at Sam's Club (and I'm finding that is not the cheapest place for some items). I really hope we can cut back our grocery budget via the items we normally buy at Sam's. I'm also reorganizing my coupon binder and I hope to post pics of that soon too!! I'm excited because I think I have my friend Erin (Stella's mom) on board with this frugality stuff. I'm eager to see how it works for us!!!

OOOOh- and Max is walking. Yup. All over the place. More than crawling now. He's been taking steps since before Christmas but chose to crawl. Now he's just so stinking proud of himself and walks all over!!

*******

There are some things I want to blog about and I'm gonna put them here for when I have writers block.
Pregancy finds this time around
Freezer cooking
CVS
Coupons
Current reads (blogs and books)

*******

More as time allows....man it feels like we're busy!!

Christmas thoughts....

You can check out Max's blog for updates on the little man and see some excellent quality Christmas pictures!!!

And here is the E family solutions to toddlers and Christmas trees!!! I have a feeling our tree will look like this for the next 4-5 years!!! Haha!!!

We already had 1 Christmas and Grandma and Papa's and we figured out how to keep Max busy and entertained....throw our paper at him**!!! He loved it!!!

**disclaimer: We did keep an eye on him and made sure he didn't actually eat any paper. Don't want you to think I'm a horrible mother!!!

*****

This is such an exciting Christmas for us!!! Max really has no idea what is going on but is much more into it than last year :). It's crazy to have a mobile little guy-he just sat in the bouncer last year while we opened gifts!!!!

We are continuing our tradition of opening new PJs on Christmas Eve. Jas and I even got new ones!!! I tried my hand at holiday baking. I made some fudge....the recipe that is posted below. I'm not sure if it's right....we'll see!!! It's exciting to think of new traditions to incorporate as our family grows. Its also fun to see Max light up as he rips apart wrapping paper (whether its his gift or not:)).

Even neater yet is watching my nephew Jimmy (he'll be 3 in March). This is the first Christmas we're really seeing a reaction from him.....he absolutely lights up when he opens packages. Makes me eager to watch Max grow up even more!!!

And we spent time Monday with Jason's sister Jenny, Mike and Hodge. Hodge is almost a year exactly younger than Max. Max isn't too sure about the baby-but luckily was gentle and not too horribly grabby with him. Oh how Max has no idea how his life will change come spring!!! Haha!!!

I am starting to perk up. These last few days I've actually gotten some sleep (6 consecutive hours on sunday...wow!!!). My lack of sleep, combined with sciatic pain and general body pain has made mommy a real Christmas Grinch!!! This pregnancy has been rough-but everyone I've spoken to says it completely normal. That helps...some. Haha.

The most exciting part is that I'm consistently feeling kicks. Wow. We're having another baby. It's so amazing to be sitting in the chair cuddling with Max and feeling B in my belly kicking away!!!

I must say-each Christmas Jason and I have get better and better. It's amazing!! We are so blessed and thankful for the lives we live.

Celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior,
Merry Christmas!!!
Kristi:)

Baby Bunching....

You may have never have guessed it-but there is an actual term for what Jason and I are doing as to how our family is growing (rapidly)- and no, it's not "crazy" "mind numbing" or just "insane". It's BABY BUNCHING!!!! I'm so pleased to have found this online community of women-fellow "baby bunchers" that have helped me keep my sanity during this pregnancy!!! Seriously-when I got that positive pregnancy test and felt as though the air escaped the room and my life was sucked out of me-a dear internet friend (Florida Kara) introduced me to the Baby Bunching website. We were on our way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to go camping with Jason's family (in Drummond Island actually) and I can say that my blackberry was on the website the entire time. I read the entire website that week-secretly because we weren't telling anyone that we were expecting yet. Each sentence calmed my heart a little bit-showing me that while we may be crazy or insane- this was indeed doable- and quite possibly one of the greatest things we could be doing.
Now I do expect to feel insane and mind numbing as time goes by. I feel like I have a decent view of how hard it is going to be-but I know that in the long run my "twiblings" will likely be the best of friends and life long playmates- and that excites me and Jason to no end!!!

I'm so very excited to have found this community of women and proud that I'll soon be part of it!!! I've also found other women - like myself- maybe not exactly planning to be a buncher-but have well reaped the benefits and have adjusted nicely. I'm addicted to reading blogs and some of my favorites are ones that I've found through the baby bunching site-women who highlight both their good days and bad days!!

As I'm now nearing the halfway point of this pregnancy- I can say that the oxygen has since been pumped back into my room and I can breathe easier. It hasn't been the smoothest transition but right now I can't imagine anything other than what my bunch will be like. Max is gonna be an amazing big brother!!! Just this weekend as Jason and I were letting Max practice walking back and forth between us and teaching him to clap and watching him wave- I was picturing the future- when Max will help teach and encourage B to do these very same things. My heart is warm and overjoyed. It sounds so cliche but it is so very true. No matter how tough this pregnancy is and will be- it will be worth it to see my family a step closer to being complete!!

Thanks Linda and Cara for welcoming me into your fold!!! I'm getting rather comfy here and am enjoying getting to know you- and learning as much as humanly possible in the next 20 weeks!!!!

It's a.....

Baby!!! We had our big U/S today and B looks great!!! Everything is right on track-10 fingers 10 toes, all the right stuff in the right places!!! Woot woot!!! We didn't find out again-it was tougher this time than last time-that's for sure. But Jason didn't even try to cheat this time!!

Poor Max is sick. I think we have a cold/teething combo. Poor little fella!!! Keep him in your prayers if you would!!!

Had my appt!!!

Let me start by saying everything is okay!!! (I had much anxiety about this)
Well- the sweet nurse couldn't find the heartbeat via doppler. Now I'm almost 15 weeks I thought for sure we'd hear it right away (well, I wasn't sure-I was honestly freaked out something was wrong-but if we were to hear it-it would be right away!!) Of course my stomach was rolling due to anxiety and the water I chugged so I could pee and she heard all my stomach sounds-just no heartbeat. So she said she'd get my OB and she'd find it really quick. (yeah, that didn't calm my nerves.)

Knock on the door-thinking it was my OB-nope, it's the nurse asking if I want an U/S. Heck yeah I do!!!!

So we move to the U/S room and she gets the computer all set up. I disrobe because the nurse and I assume it wil be vaginal. My doc comes in and gives me a hug (she knows my anxiety issues). I hadn't seen her yet this pregnancy so she was all chatty and sweet telling me she was sure everything was fine.

She did an abdominal U/S (she said if they couldn't see it we'd do vaginal) and low and behold my baby sweet little heart started quivering on the screen!!!! She turned the volume up so we could hear it and I laid there with tears in my eyes listening to that sweet heartbeat!!! She said baby was laying sideways making it difficult to hear. She was not at all concerned and everything looked great. So my next appt is 11/13 and it's my big U/S...holy crap it's going quick this time!!! We're not finding out the gender but Jason will still go to the appt with me. He hasn't seen this bean yet!!

In other news-Mr. Max got a haircut-you can see the pics here. He is just growing up so fast!! He's taken off eating table food!! It amazes me how well he's done. He's also into EVERYTHING!!! He's so curious (read: nosy!!!)-he's always playing with the remote, dvd player, cable box, curtains, vents, and pretty much everything he can get into!! Not sure why we buy the boy toys!!! And darn it if that smile doesn't get me every time we get his attention to pull him away from whatever he's getting into!!! He's so darn close to walking too-he does his "spiderman" move along the wall to get where he wants to go-sometimes he forgets and lets go for a half second before he falls to his rear!!