Happy New Year!

WOW! A new year already. I am anxious about the coming year. This year is certain to change so much in our family that I am nervous and excited. To start off, we are all beginning 2012 in good health. All year long will be full of new things watching Lilly grow and reach many milestones. I will be turning 30 this year. I'm really unsure how I feel about it. I don't dislike the idea, but I know that turning a milestone age really makes you look at life and rethink what you want out of it. I know I will be doing a lot of that this whole year long.

We will be looking for employment for Chris and/or me. Unfortunately, Chris will be leaving the Army in September, much to his disappointment. He has to leave because of formalities. This is going to change so much of our life and I have so many mixed emotions it's hard to know where to start. We are already looking for possible job opportunities and a less expensive place to live.

A new year also means growing children. Hannah decided to measure herself and we found that she is amazingly 4'5" tall! She is working on learning to sew and cook. She will be 10 years old in November. She is quickly becoming a young lady. Zennek is going to be 8 in July and is very unique. He loves to wear button-up shirts and slacks with the occasional tie thrown in. He is quite the cutie if you ask me. Jade is still the social butterfly. She just had a holiday performance. We were very proud of her that we could hear her sing over and above all the other kinders. I love that she isn't shy. She loves to sing all day long especially when she is playing Barbies. Jade will be 6 in May. Then there is Lillian, she is very reserved and quiet. She loves one on one attention and has an infectious smile. I am looking forward to all her milestones this coming year. She coos a lot trying to tell us what she thinks of the world and I can't wait to hear her speaking voice. The older kids are very good at helping me out with her.

We have already begun our start of 2012 and no matter what happens I know that I will have great family and friends to spend it with. I hope everyone has a great year full of good health, friends, and laughter. Happy 2012!

A Busy Mom

Lillian is excited for Christmas!

It's officially the holiday season. I haven't been home in a while. I haven't really slowed down since October when miss Lillian was born. She was born on the 11th and came home on the 13th. My mom came up to help out with the other kids. The kids were very excited to meet their new sister. In fact, they were so excited that a few days before the induction they made T-shirts to wear when they came to the hospital. Hannah's said "Big Sister, Again". Jade's said "I'm a Big Sister". Zennek's said "Another Sister!" They were very cute.

About a week or so after being home I developed mastitis, waking up with a fever of 102 and an inability to stand up. Luckily I had a phone nearby to call Chris and have hime take me in to the doctor. I was given antibiotics and sent home. I felt a lot better within 3 days, but it took two weeks to fully clear up. During that time Hannah turned 9. We took her and the other kids to go see Puss in Boots. It was a cute movie that everyone enjoyed. It's hard to believe that she is nine, but I guess they grow up whether you are ready for it or not.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving with my inlaws and some friends. It was nice that everyone made a little bit and no one had a lot to do. The Christmas season kicked off that evening with a short Black Friday trip to pick up a birthday present for my stepson Bryon. He turned 11 on the 15th. (Again, wow, how did that happen?!) We have been to three Christmas parties already and it's only the 11th of December. I have also been to one birthday party and have another one this afternoon. We had Jade's first school performance the other night as well. It was adorable! I loved that we could hear her sing louder than any other child on stage.

I am excited for the next few weeks when my grandparents come to visit. I haven't seen them since I moved up here to Washington. My brother Chris is going to join them on the train when it comes through Oregon and have Christmas with us as well. I have a lot to do to prepare for the visit since we haven't been home a lot lately.

Today, Lilly is two months old and I have her checkup and shots tomorrow.She is growing so fast and has gained over 4 pounds already. She smiles all the time and is such a calm baby. Chris has jury duty this week. I'm hoping if he is selected that it will allow him to be home. I have a few appointments to go to during the week but mostly I'll be at home preparing for Christmas. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and a very Happy New Year if I don't get on here again before that time.

Almost there...

Today is September 23rd, 2011. My little belly dancer is growing very fast and is almost ready to make her debut to the world. This last few weeks have been really difficult, but we are getting through it. The three older kids are closing out their 3rd week of school and seem to be in the swing of things. Chris is doing so-so. He has had some back problems that have been affecting his arms, legs and mobility. We have found out that he has 2 double herniated discs in his lumbar and has bone spurs in his neck. We aren't sure what is going to be done yet, but that is what is causing his arm to go numb and slow him down quite a bit.

My due date is officially October 17th, but my doctor is inducing me no later than October 11th to keep me from having to change blood thinner medications. I'm not exactly comfortable because the baby has dropped and is sitting on my sciatic nerve causing a lot of pain in my leg and occasional numbness making my leg to feel asleep while standing up. October 11th is only 2 weeks and  4 days away though, so I am getting very excited. We are all ready to meet this little girl.

Aside from that, things seem to be very busy lately. The Pledge Group that Hannah is in is working hard to collect items to put in care packages for soldiers that we are sending out for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The girls seem to be very excited about it. They are also selling things at a bazaar on October 29th to raise money to buy items for these packages and for postage to mail them.

Zennek has had a great start in school and is getting many care tickets which are recognition for being a student that Cooperates, Acts safely, Respects others and Excels. I am very proud of him. Jade and Hannah are both doing well with school too. This is Jade's first year and she is having a lot of fun. She is transitioning into the routine of school life better than I ever could have expected. She loves art and has great handwriting already. I am one proud mom of all of my children!

I'm hoping that this next few weeks goes smoothly and I will post pictures of this little lady once she arrives.

28 Weeks and counting...

I am officially 28 weeks along in my pregnancy this morning. I am very excited about this! I'm taking it as a fresh start this morning. This last week has been a thorn in my side and I am thoroughly happy that it is over with. I was having one bad day after the next and couldn't get out of the blah.

My week ended with Jade being very sick for two days and I had to take her in to the doctor yesterday to get IV fluids due to dehydration. She has a followup this afternoon and is feeling much better. I am very sleepy this morning, but I am going to chalk it up to being pregnant and move along as best I can and be ok with it.

Today I have J's followup, some dishes, laundry and maybe some baking on my to-do list. Strangely, I don't know when the last time I was so thrilled for it to be Monday! So, despite being a bit out of it I am in a go-getter mood this morning. I'm off to get a nice refreshing shower and get this day going! May all of your days be fulfilling!

Happy Birthday Z!

Today, July 19th, is my little man's birthday. I can't believe that this kid can be 7 already! I have been told over the years that time flies, but as a teenager I never believed it; as an adult before kids I never believed it; now as a mom I totally understand.

Once children are in the picture you wonder how in the world there are enough hours in a day to accomplish everything you need to get done. I still haven't gotten over that JJ is 5 and starting school in just a few short weeks. H is just months away from being 9! Yes, I said 9! And now, Z is 7. How is this all possible?!

I'm almost at a loss for words since to me my children are all so little and so grown up at the same time. I am very proud of each one of them in different ways. H is a great artist and a wonderful big sister. Z is gluten free and is almost never in a foul mood that he can't have the same things as everyone else. I think I have a harder time with it than he does. He also can't wait to be a big brother again and has no problem with being the only boy in the house aside from Chris. J has the biggest imagination I've ever seen. She comes up with stories all the time and always has answers for any questions you might have about them. Her other standout quality is that she loves to sing and dance and will put on a show for anyone who will watch.

I love all my munchkins and no matter how much I dislike that they are growing faster than weeds, I am very proud of them in every way and wouldn't change them at all. I enjoy every minute of watching them grow, even if it is before my very eyes.

Our little girl is growing too, I don't remember my belly ever being so big with the others. I am not fully prepared for her arrival but I am getting there. I am 27 weeks as of yesterday. I can already tell this is one very active little girl. I go back to the doctor again next week for another ultrasound. I am always excited to see how different she looks every time. It really is something to see.

Well, I'm off to go play cars with my birthday boy. He loves Matchbox and Hot Wheels. He is setting up and putting them in a traffic jam and making all the sounds of screeching tires and horns honking since my car is supposed to be broken down and holding everyone up...I guess I better go find a tow truck! Later everyone!

Time is Flying by...

WOW! Time sure is flying by. I only have 16 weeks left (or there about anyway) before our little girl makes her grand entrance! That doesn't seem like all that long, but I think we can manage to get things done and ready by that time. I have a wonderful friend that is throwing me a baby shower too. I am very excited since this will be my first baby shower ever. This is the first time I have ever lived near any family or friends while pregnant.

I have looked all over the place for the things I am going to need or would like to have online, and have found that baby stuff has changed so much in the last 5 years since Jade was a baby. (side note: It's hard to believe that Jade is old enough to start school this fall!) Just for fun I have made baby registries at Walmart, Target and Amazon.com. It really is fun to look at stuff and plan for our baby girl.

I have no intentions of requesting anyone to get anything from any of these lists, they are simply there because I was asked by a couple of my friends to post them. So, here they are:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/baby/34MCMOKCJCBDN for Amazon.com
 Target Registry ID#: 014399701837044 (this code can be used in the store as well as online)
Walmart Registry ID#: 80511381119 (this code can be used in the store as well as online)

 I'm not sure when the baby shower will be but I would like to invite my family and friends to attend to make it special. I will (unless there are any objections) be allowing my friend access to my address/phone book to invite you and pass along the details. I am really looking forward to this special day to celebrate our little miracle. Having so many complications over the last few years, this pregnancy means a great deal to me and it would me the world to have as many of you at the shower as I can.

Thank you all for the support you have given to Chris and I throughout all of our struggles. We love and appreciate all of you!

New Beginings...

Today is the official start of summer, but you wouldn't know it from our weather. I will have to say we are lucky compared to the rest of the country. Our high today is 74 degrees and it's supposed to be sunny and breezy. I am definitely looking forward to it.

The kids got out of school yesterday and are thrilled to be on summer vacation. Jade starts school this coming year. It is really hard to believe that she is going to that old. Time sure flies! Also coming this Fall, will be our little girl that is due on October 17th! It is going to be a very exciting time of year for us.

It really is amazing how much stuff it takes to prepare for a baby. I had forgotten how much it is since we haven't had a baby in the house for five years. It is a slow process but we are getting there. It is great to see the progress as it comes along in both the baby prepping and the baby growing. I am 23 weeks and counting and it is unmistakeable that I'm expecting now.

We didn't get the house that we had an offer on because the siding had some issues and the bank that owned it didn't want to repair it. So, we are now on the hunt for OUR house again. Hopefully we will find just the right one before I am too far along in this pregnancy so we don't have to move too close to the due date or school starting. I'm optimistic at this point that the right one will come our way at the right time.

That is what is going on in our neck of the woods. I hope everyone is doing great! Happy First Day of Summer-enjoy it!