I hope everyone will have a very Happy and memorable Thanksgiving. I am having a small family meal with a few family members at my house. My mom is on her way up as I write this. In a little bit, I will be headed over to the kid's school to help out with the Zennek's Thanksgiving Feast that all the kindergartners will be involved in. It's not much, just a small meal while the kids will be dressed up as pilgrims and native Americans. I will be taking my camera.
As for other things that are happening around the house, we are all trying to feel the spirit of the holidays that are upon us. Chris and I are having an especially difficult time, but we are together and will be with family. In case you haven't heard, we lost our baby boy. His name was William. So far, we haven't heard any news on his autopsy. The doctors we are now dealing with are high risk pregnancy doctors and they plan to do testing on Chris and I as well. We will start this testing in the next couple of weeks and they will add the autopsy results to the pot to find a cause. Hopefully they will find something so we don't have to go through this again; three times has been more than enough.
Aside from that, Hannah has won second place in an essay contest. She was in the K-2 group open to a couple of schools. I am so proud of her! She is only in 1st and is such a good writer. Her essay was on her favorite Christmas tradition. Her favorite tradition was cooking breakfast with mom. I'll post a copy once we get her essay back on December fifth. She is also testing at almost a fourth grade reading level.
Well, I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Things are looking up...
Well, things are looking up. Lat week I went in for my CVS test (not a very fun test) and had a miserable day that day due to illness and other pains, but fully recovered. This week, we have good news so far. I received a call from the doctor yesterday that said our second Chromosome test came back 100% normal. This is very good because it rules out all the really bad medical issues. There is still a chance for things such as heart problems, dwarfism, or a whole in the abdoman but all of these are very manageable. We are relieved.
Now, we wait again. The doctors are going to keep a close eye on things through ultrasound over the next few months. I am currently 14 1/2 weeks aong. I go in for a routine OB appointment next week. The following week I have another ultrasound. At this appointment they are going to measure the length of the baby blueberry's bones. This should be able to detect dwarfism. After that, at around 20 weeks they are doing a fetal EKG to check the heart they have to wait this long for that test for blueberry's heart to be large enough to see.
Aside from all that we are all doing well around here. We have had a lot of stress lately, but we are all working together to go through each day, one at a time. We are no longer worrying about the things that could be, but dwelling on the things we know it is not and having relief for these things. The kids have now all gotten used to the idea of another boy in the house. The girls were not too happy to begin with, but they have come around and are now excited. We are focusing on finding a name for our angel. It's funny how difficult this task really is.
Hannah and Zennek are both doing really well in school. In fact, they are both on the readers of the month board at school that is posted in the main hallway. Zennek has also been given the math acheivement award for doing so well. I am so proud of my babies. I guess I can't really call them that anymore, babies, they are growing so fast. Jade cannot wait to get into school. She constatnly tells me that she wants to be 5 because she can go to school when she's 5. I try to help by doing workbooks and other fun things with her, but I think it's more the act of going to school that she feels she is missing out on. Soon enough, I say.
That's about all that is happening here. It is plenty, and I'll gladly take the calm. It's nice to have a time to relax and take a deep breathe before something else comes along. I'm going to take a piece of advice fom my Aunt Amy, and just live in today, don't dwell on the past or worry of the future. Today is all that matters. I hope everyone has a wonderful today.
Now, we wait again. The doctors are going to keep a close eye on things through ultrasound over the next few months. I am currently 14 1/2 weeks aong. I go in for a routine OB appointment next week. The following week I have another ultrasound. At this appointment they are going to measure the length of the baby blueberry's bones. This should be able to detect dwarfism. After that, at around 20 weeks they are doing a fetal EKG to check the heart they have to wait this long for that test for blueberry's heart to be large enough to see.
Aside from all that we are all doing well around here. We have had a lot of stress lately, but we are all working together to go through each day, one at a time. We are no longer worrying about the things that could be, but dwelling on the things we know it is not and having relief for these things. The kids have now all gotten used to the idea of another boy in the house. The girls were not too happy to begin with, but they have come around and are now excited. We are focusing on finding a name for our angel. It's funny how difficult this task really is.
Hannah and Zennek are both doing really well in school. In fact, they are both on the readers of the month board at school that is posted in the main hallway. Zennek has also been given the math acheivement award for doing so well. I am so proud of my babies. I guess I can't really call them that anymore, babies, they are growing so fast. Jade cannot wait to get into school. She constatnly tells me that she wants to be 5 because she can go to school when she's 5. I try to help by doing workbooks and other fun things with her, but I think it's more the act of going to school that she feels she is missing out on. Soon enough, I say.
That's about all that is happening here. It is plenty, and I'll gladly take the calm. It's nice to have a time to relax and take a deep breathe before something else comes along. I'm going to take a piece of advice fom my Aunt Amy, and just live in today, don't dwell on the past or worry of the future. Today is all that matters. I hope everyone has a wonderful today.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Keeping Strong
I am trying hard to keep strong right now, which isn't easy under the circumstances. Two days ago, I went to the doctor for an ultrasound to detect any genetic problems with the baby. I had no intention of doing this other than going in for an additional ultrasound because of the loss of the previous two babies; in fact, I have always declined this test in the past. I was a little nervous going into the appointment because my morning sickness is finally starting to fade and I haven't yet feel the baby (Blueberry, as Jade likes to call it) move.
So, once I was in the room and the ultrasound showed a great heartbeat and lots of movement, even a wave hello, my heart felt much better. After the ultrasound, the tech. had us wait in the waiting room to fill out paperwork we needed to go to the lab for bloodwork. When she came back we were led to a room where a doctor talked to us that had reviewed the ultrasound. She said that our "Blueberry" had 9mm of fluid behind it's neck, where as a normal amount is 3-4mm. This is cause for concern and I have an additional test on Monday called CVS, to detect what is wrong. Once I know more, I will post again. They tell me it will take about a week for the results. I am nervous to say the least, but I am managing. We have to drive up to UW up in Seattle for my test which is in the early morning.
Chris and I have had time to talk about things and we are both in agreeance, that no matter what, we are planning to keep the baby and handle whatever comes up. The doctors are thinking there is a chromosomal problem. Again, after the CVS test (they are going to take a sample of the placenta) we will have more answers and I'll be able to research whatever it is and we will have plenty of time to prepare for whatever we are given. All I know is that I am nervous about the unknown, but I'm happy to know that I can handle anything. I think I was given the appropriate name, it means strong. Wish me luck and hope for the best possible news. I'll keep everyone posted.
So, once I was in the room and the ultrasound showed a great heartbeat and lots of movement, even a wave hello, my heart felt much better. After the ultrasound, the tech. had us wait in the waiting room to fill out paperwork we needed to go to the lab for bloodwork. When she came back we were led to a room where a doctor talked to us that had reviewed the ultrasound. She said that our "Blueberry" had 9mm of fluid behind it's neck, where as a normal amount is 3-4mm. This is cause for concern and I have an additional test on Monday called CVS, to detect what is wrong. Once I know more, I will post again. They tell me it will take about a week for the results. I am nervous to say the least, but I am managing. We have to drive up to UW up in Seattle for my test which is in the early morning.
Chris and I have had time to talk about things and we are both in agreeance, that no matter what, we are planning to keep the baby and handle whatever comes up. The doctors are thinking there is a chromosomal problem. Again, after the CVS test (they are going to take a sample of the placenta) we will have more answers and I'll be able to research whatever it is and we will have plenty of time to prepare for whatever we are given. All I know is that I am nervous about the unknown, but I'm happy to know that I can handle anything. I think I was given the appropriate name, it means strong. Wish me luck and hope for the best possible news. I'll keep everyone posted.
Friday, September 25, 2009
It's been a while....
It's been a while since last I posted. I haven't been busy per say, yet I have been in a way. I have been pregnant! I am officially 10 weeks tomorrow. I have been holding off on letting out the news because of the last two that I lost, I was a bit hesitant. I went to the doctor yesterday and things are going smoothly. To ease the minds of those concerned, I am not on blood thinners as originally planned, I simply take a baby aspirin everyday. The doctor did another ultrasound and baby is growing at the right pace and it's heart is fluttering as it should also. In fact, the baby is now large enough that they are able to do an external ultrasound now. We were very nervous before the appointment yesterday, because this appointment is the one where we have heard the sad news in the past two pregnancies, but those nerves were calmed when we finally got some good news. My due date is April 24, 2010. We are all very excited especially now that we are past the most critical part. My new set of nerves now comes from not having a baby around for a few years now, and we have practically no baby stuff anymore. At least we have a few months to work on that.
I can't believe my birthday is already here once again. Monday to be exact. It just makes me think of how fast the years go by when you least expect them to. Not to say that I am getting old, I'll only be 27, but some days it sure feels like I am. I'm not really planning to do anything, but get another year older. My big night is happening next weekend.
Chris is in th MP (military police) unit and because of this, he and I are going to the MP Ball on October 3rd. I am very excited. Chris' stepmom took me to get a dress and we found an absolutely georgous one. (I'm sure there will be pictures posted when the night comes.) Since I don't dress up too often, I don't have any shoes to go with it so I am hunting around for a pair, and am hoping to find some before then. It's been quite a while since Chris and I have had a night out alone, so I am looking forward to it.
The kids are doing well in school and Jade is adjusting to being home alone with me during the day. Today is Grandparent's Day at their school, but since none are available today, I am standing in; afterall, I will be a grandparent in the future(by spontaneous conception of course). The kids are very excited that I get to go eat lunch with them. Jade is just excited because she gets to act like a big kid and go to the school. She can't wait to grow up and be in school herself. I am ding my best to give her a "school atmosphere" around the house while the other tow are away.
That is what has been going on around here. I hope everything is going well with everyone else.
I can't believe my birthday is already here once again. Monday to be exact. It just makes me think of how fast the years go by when you least expect them to. Not to say that I am getting old, I'll only be 27, but some days it sure feels like I am. I'm not really planning to do anything, but get another year older. My big night is happening next weekend.
Chris is in th MP (military police) unit and because of this, he and I are going to the MP Ball on October 3rd. I am very excited. Chris' stepmom took me to get a dress and we found an absolutely georgous one. (I'm sure there will be pictures posted when the night comes.) Since I don't dress up too often, I don't have any shoes to go with it so I am hunting around for a pair, and am hoping to find some before then. It's been quite a while since Chris and I have had a night out alone, so I am looking forward to it.
The kids are doing well in school and Jade is adjusting to being home alone with me during the day. Today is Grandparent's Day at their school, but since none are available today, I am standing in; afterall, I will be a grandparent in the future(by spontaneous conception of course). The kids are very excited that I get to go eat lunch with them. Jade is just excited because she gets to act like a big kid and go to the school. She can't wait to grow up and be in school herself. I am ding my best to give her a "school atmosphere" around the house while the other tow are away.
That is what has been going on around here. I hope everything is going well with everyone else.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Things Never Stop Around Here
Things have been really busy around here. Chris has been doing Staff Duty (overnight work) every 3 days, since he got back from leave . Needless to say, the sleep cycle for both of us has been a bit off. Not sleeping well sure makes getting a lot done somewhat harder than usual, but I am trying to keep up with things.
My meager garden has finally produced something to harvest! We had a really nice squash the other night for dinner and have quite a few tomatoes that are just short of ripe. I am so excited! Our pumpkin plant is getting much larger, but has yet to fruit. The basil was looking small for the longest time, but all of a sudden branched out and has nearly doubled in size in the last two weeks.
Zennek and I went to his Kindergarten Roundup a few nights ago to see what to expect for the coming year. They also tested his abilities to see which classroom he would be best suited for. He has been trying very hard to practice all sorts of things and he surprised even me with his skills. He is working very diligently to learn to tie his shoes. He has about half of it down, and is still struggling with the rest, but we work on it a lot so it won't be long before he has it mastered.
Hannah has asked me nearly everyday of summer when school starts again; she can't wait to go back. I am hoping this stays the case throughout school. She has so much fun and loves it even when it's challenging.
Jade tells everyone that she gets to have "special time with Mommy" at every available chance. It's really cute and I am getting excited for it as well. It is always nice to be able to have one on one time with each of the kids. I am also looking forward to being able to run errands much faster and smoother with only having to travel around with only one in tow.
Earlier today we recieved a call from Chris' boss telling us that he will be leaving on Saturday for Funeral Detail up in Canada for approximatly a week. I'm still unsure when he will be coming home, but it could be up to 10 days. This is always a difficult job for him to do because of the lifting of the heavy casckets. He almost always gets a really sore back and has arthritis that acts up whenever he does a lot of lifting. I have already packed his medication and ibuprofren to help prevent as much of the inflamation as possible.
I'm glad to hear that everyone is healing well around me. My grandfather is home from the hospital and eating better now since the bowel obstruction surgery. Paul is recovering quickly from his surgery as well. My Grandmother's leg is also healing too. Everyone in my house is happy and healthy. I'm hoping that everyone else is in good health and good spirits. Goodnight everyone!
My meager garden has finally produced something to harvest! We had a really nice squash the other night for dinner and have quite a few tomatoes that are just short of ripe. I am so excited! Our pumpkin plant is getting much larger, but has yet to fruit. The basil was looking small for the longest time, but all of a sudden branched out and has nearly doubled in size in the last two weeks.
Zennek and I went to his Kindergarten Roundup a few nights ago to see what to expect for the coming year. They also tested his abilities to see which classroom he would be best suited for. He has been trying very hard to practice all sorts of things and he surprised even me with his skills. He is working very diligently to learn to tie his shoes. He has about half of it down, and is still struggling with the rest, but we work on it a lot so it won't be long before he has it mastered.
Hannah has asked me nearly everyday of summer when school starts again; she can't wait to go back. I am hoping this stays the case throughout school. She has so much fun and loves it even when it's challenging.
Jade tells everyone that she gets to have "special time with Mommy" at every available chance. It's really cute and I am getting excited for it as well. It is always nice to be able to have one on one time with each of the kids. I am also looking forward to being able to run errands much faster and smoother with only having to travel around with only one in tow.
Earlier today we recieved a call from Chris' boss telling us that he will be leaving on Saturday for Funeral Detail up in Canada for approximatly a week. I'm still unsure when he will be coming home, but it could be up to 10 days. This is always a difficult job for him to do because of the lifting of the heavy casckets. He almost always gets a really sore back and has arthritis that acts up whenever he does a lot of lifting. I have already packed his medication and ibuprofren to help prevent as much of the inflamation as possible.
I'm glad to hear that everyone is healing well around me. My grandfather is home from the hospital and eating better now since the bowel obstruction surgery. Paul is recovering quickly from his surgery as well. My Grandmother's leg is also healing too. Everyone in my house is happy and healthy. I'm hoping that everyone else is in good health and good spirits. Goodnight everyone!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Time Flies...
Time sure flies when, well nearly always. Chris has been on vacation for 2 weeks and signs back into for regular duty tomorrow evening. It seeems like his time off started just yesterday. It was nice to have him home though.
We are also preparing for things to change again. The day after Labor Day, two of the kids are going to school. This will be Zennek's first year and Hannah's second. As with any other change in life, this will take some adjusting to. Jade is very excited to have the one on one time with me during the day when they are gone.
I am also hoping to take a few classes. I am waiting on my financial aid application to be processed. I have been told this can take up to 12 weeks. I am still checking on it daily online to see if it has gone through or not. The sooner I find out the better. If and when I am approved, I can sign up for my classes. Since I plan on taking online classes for the time being, I can start them as soon as the day I register for each one of them. I have finally decided on getting an AA in Social Services/Mental Health. I will eventually take some in person classes, but for the time being, online classes seem to be the best option since daycare is so expensive.
It's so nice to finally have some kind of direction in my life. I have been searching and searching for a long time for just the thing that I have wanted to do with my life and I believe I have finally found it. That is a great feeling to have. I have always had this field in my list of options, and I have always kept coming back to it, so I guess it's what I was meant to do. I love helping people and that's what I intend to do.
I'm off to finish up making my family's dinner. I hope that things are looking up for everyone.
We are also preparing for things to change again. The day after Labor Day, two of the kids are going to school. This will be Zennek's first year and Hannah's second. As with any other change in life, this will take some adjusting to. Jade is very excited to have the one on one time with me during the day when they are gone.
I am also hoping to take a few classes. I am waiting on my financial aid application to be processed. I have been told this can take up to 12 weeks. I am still checking on it daily online to see if it has gone through or not. The sooner I find out the better. If and when I am approved, I can sign up for my classes. Since I plan on taking online classes for the time being, I can start them as soon as the day I register for each one of them. I have finally decided on getting an AA in Social Services/Mental Health. I will eventually take some in person classes, but for the time being, online classes seem to be the best option since daycare is so expensive.
It's so nice to finally have some kind of direction in my life. I have been searching and searching for a long time for just the thing that I have wanted to do with my life and I believe I have finally found it. That is a great feeling to have. I have always had this field in my list of options, and I have always kept coming back to it, so I guess it's what I was meant to do. I love helping people and that's what I intend to do.
I'm off to finish up making my family's dinner. I hope that things are looking up for everyone.
Monday, August 10, 2009
What a Weekend...
Oh me, oh my, what a weekend went by! Our weekend seemed like it was over a week long. My Grandmother said it best when she said that "this past weeks events are the making of a novel." The only thing that wouldn't be believeable in a novel is the quantity of events that occured in such a short time.
Our weekend began on Thursday when Chris was scheduled for staff duty. He had such a difficult time sleeping in that he ended up waking at 8 am. (Yes, this is normally very late to be waking up, but because he wasn't supposed to sleep until 24 hours later, he tried to get extra rest.) Anyway, work called him in sooner than he was scheduled shortly after he woke up.
On Friday, we found out that the duty Chris was scheduled for was rescheduled for two weeks down the road, so we huridly packed our bags and headed for Corvallis since we were then able to since our weekend was then free. As soon as our bags were ready, we hit the road. Not a really long trip, but a long enough with antsy children.
Ten minutes from my grandparent's house we were pulled over for not having our license plate mounted on the front bumper (a requirement in the state live in.) Because of other circumstances it ended with an outrageous ticket.
Once we arrived at my grandparent's house, I literally jumped out of my car and into my grandmother's to go and visit my grandfather in the hospital, who was admitted earlier in the week for and obstructed bowel and hernia problem that was corrected by surgery. On the trip to the hospital I was filled in on the things that were going on with the other people that had come down to work on the "great cleanup".
My Uncle Rick had injured his back on the coast and his son Preston got an ear infection. My grandmother still has her broken leg, but was given the okay to finally put some weight on it after the past three months of being restricted to a wheelchair.
During the "great cleanup", my there were a few small injuries. There was such a huge amount of work accomplished in just the one Saturday. Everyone that was there worked so hard. We were all so amazed at how beautiful the outcome was. Unfortuneatly, my grandfather is still in the hospital and has yet to see the incredible difference that was made. I really wish I was able to help out more, but I at least was able to put together lunch for the bunch.
Early this morning, I was awoken by a kick to the kneecap. I hope I didn't wake the whole household when I yelled nearly at the top of my lungs because my kneecap was dislocated. Luckily, after putting it back in place, there was nearly no pain, just a very odd feeling for the rest of the day.
We hit the road around 11:00 am, and stopped in at Chris' job to sign him out officially for leave. There was a HUGE misunderstanding that caused us to sit there for 2 hours, and has Chris going in for a few minutes tomorrow morning. After that, his "vacation" can begin and we plan to achieve a lot of housework and family time.
Like I said before, it was a VERY long weekend. I am hoping that the next week and a half is both rewarding and lots of fun. Thanks so much to the "Dream Team" that helped out with the project at my grandparent's house. I'm still shocked that, that much work got done. I hope everyone is taking a day to realx, you all more than deserve it. I am off to start my vacation...later everyone!
Our weekend began on Thursday when Chris was scheduled for staff duty. He had such a difficult time sleeping in that he ended up waking at 8 am. (Yes, this is normally very late to be waking up, but because he wasn't supposed to sleep until 24 hours later, he tried to get extra rest.) Anyway, work called him in sooner than he was scheduled shortly after he woke up.
On Friday, we found out that the duty Chris was scheduled for was rescheduled for two weeks down the road, so we huridly packed our bags and headed for Corvallis since we were then able to since our weekend was then free. As soon as our bags were ready, we hit the road. Not a really long trip, but a long enough with antsy children.
Ten minutes from my grandparent's house we were pulled over for not having our license plate mounted on the front bumper (a requirement in the state live in.) Because of other circumstances it ended with an outrageous ticket.
Once we arrived at my grandparent's house, I literally jumped out of my car and into my grandmother's to go and visit my grandfather in the hospital, who was admitted earlier in the week for and obstructed bowel and hernia problem that was corrected by surgery. On the trip to the hospital I was filled in on the things that were going on with the other people that had come down to work on the "great cleanup".
My Uncle Rick had injured his back on the coast and his son Preston got an ear infection. My grandmother still has her broken leg, but was given the okay to finally put some weight on it after the past three months of being restricted to a wheelchair.
During the "great cleanup", my there were a few small injuries. There was such a huge amount of work accomplished in just the one Saturday. Everyone that was there worked so hard. We were all so amazed at how beautiful the outcome was. Unfortuneatly, my grandfather is still in the hospital and has yet to see the incredible difference that was made. I really wish I was able to help out more, but I at least was able to put together lunch for the bunch.
Early this morning, I was awoken by a kick to the kneecap. I hope I didn't wake the whole household when I yelled nearly at the top of my lungs because my kneecap was dislocated. Luckily, after putting it back in place, there was nearly no pain, just a very odd feeling for the rest of the day.
We hit the road around 11:00 am, and stopped in at Chris' job to sign him out officially for leave. There was a HUGE misunderstanding that caused us to sit there for 2 hours, and has Chris going in for a few minutes tomorrow morning. After that, his "vacation" can begin and we plan to achieve a lot of housework and family time.
Like I said before, it was a VERY long weekend. I am hoping that the next week and a half is both rewarding and lots of fun. Thanks so much to the "Dream Team" that helped out with the project at my grandparent's house. I'm still shocked that, that much work got done. I hope everyone is taking a day to realx, you all more than deserve it. I am off to start my vacation...later everyone!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)