3 mo

I told you I wouldn't be writing much...... wanted to share Ickys 3mo picture picture though. Also included is Sue Bees 4yr picture. Maybe after the holidays I will be able to catch the blog up on our crazy life!!!

2 months

Lets see the Dr said he's a little over the curve. Even his head is a little big. Big C started out a pound bigger at birth but Icky is now a pound bigger than he was at 2mo..... So he is growing well to say the least! He was 15lbs 6oz 23 1/2 in and drum roll please 41 1/2 head circ Head is big to hold extra knowledge....the rest of him is big to survive in this family!! ;) I'll try to get Halloween pics loaded before the end of the week....hopefully :)

OK Lets See...

Icky- has finally decided to smile at us....BUT only if we whistle and then its smile and babble but thats few and far between! Funny that our other baby that held out on smiling is little social butterfly! This boy is thick and full of rolls very curious what he'll weigh at 2mo!!










K Baby- is definitely turning into a little person. She is talking VERY well. Scorpion was todays word very clearly. Unfortunately she repeats daddys words VERY clearly too! She is one hard headed little girl too but yet so sweet. She is quick to apologize and use her manners (without being told)
Sue Bee- Is getting a little onery! Probably would benefit from preschool right now but just didn't want that this year!! She is gearing up for her birthday month!! Poor girl has everyone elses back to back that hers always seems so far away! She tells everyone she's going to be 5 because she is looking forward to being 5 and going to school w/ the big kids!! I can claim a mini me on this one! 1:7 see why I don't gamble!! (God knew what he was doing the world can't handle too many of us!)




Bear- Is Bear!! A MODEL student and a PITA at home!! ;) He likes to put on a show and joke and pull pranks! He says he wants to be a comedian when he grows up!! Well on his way!! We meet w/ his teacher next week but like I said he's perfect at school and smart as a whip! He is playing soccer for the first year AND has eveyone laughing at the games (falls on purpose, stands backward as goalie, trys bunting w/his head, just a goof!) I'm a little scared what he may pull on us as he gets older!

Squeaks- Is having a great year! Got into SC, choir, grades are good, trying out for UIL!! She is still our reserved quiet one but I guess being between a social butterfly and a goof she doesn't have much option!! Plus she has a lot of her daddys genes in her!! She is gearing up for hunting season wanting to get herself a deer! (she's the only child quiet enough to hunt!)

Little Red- Got elected Pres this week!! There were about 20 kids running so I was scared she might not win!! She was SO excited!! She is doing good in school. They put her in 7th grade Math (her weakest subject) but I refuse to take her out because I want her to learn that sometimes you have to work really hard to succeed! AND she's having to work really hard and she is doing good!! Just cutting into her social life a little!!

Big C- Started golf back up this month w/ a new coach. She pulled me aside and told me he had one of the best swings out there! He seems to be enjoying it a lot. He is also playing Soccer again!! Of course there are his school activities too! He will be going on a trip to DC this Summer too. Know that will be a great trip for him!!




Of course with all that we are BUSY BUSY BUSY!! Those are the fun easy things to do! It's the house cleaning, lawn mowing ect that seems to just never fit in!! I know everyone says let that stuff slide and enjoy your kids BUT we just can't do that! So we enjoy our kids and sacrifice sleep ;) Life is wonderful though and we love getting to spend time as a family! Last weekend we went to the corn maze, and this weekend we have a fall festival in town. We are limiting our events to OPEN air right now and Icky stays INSIDE his pouch! Poor boy is going to be a year old before people know he has a head!! I am quite impressed that people seem more respectful to not trying to touch or peek at him! (maybe they think I'm sick with my mask on!) I'M KIDDING!! (but the thought has crossed my mind and hand sanitizer hangs from my sling) :) I'm including some pics from last weekend! And I will try to upload pics every week or so BUT don't expect much more the next 2 months it looks like I'll have about 2 sessions a week between now and mid Dec! Not complaining but hours are not being added to my day!!












SO Happy Halloween-Happy Thanksgiving-Merry Christmas- and Happy New Year!!! :)

What A Great Big Sis

Sorry I haven't written an update lately but had to share this!! I'll try to update next week!! (maybe)

Icky 6weeks

And if I respond that would make ME RUDE?!?!?

It's amazing to me how people just don't bat an eye at the unsolicited comments they make! 9 out of 10 times we bite our toungue and respond with a fake little laugh or grin or on good days even respond with a joke. But there is one family in town that I just want to give a piece of my mind. The mother (my moms age they are/were friends when I was a child) first made a rude comment to me when she found out I was preg with #3. It was something like this will be it right?? Instead of saying don't you have 3 kids *&^@*& I just grinned! Funny to see a few years later her daughter have her third. Well comments have continued through the years. This Summer the mother saw my mom and someone else in the area knew I was on bedrest and asked how I was when she over heard this she proceeded to make negative comments to my mother which my mother (gotta love her) responded to the lady with I am so blessed to have 8 grandchildren (one is my niece) and we see every child as a blessing! If now yesterday I didn't get a &^%^&)y comment from the daughter. As tempted as I was to make a blunt comment back I refrained!! But WHY?? Why do I stay polite I would never vocalize my judgement on others lifestyles. As much as I'd love to respond to the mother with so how did you handle things when you were busted sleeping with another married man by his SON??? Or so has your daughter gone back to her husband or is she still messing around with the black guy?? But yes I just had my seventh child with my husband whom I've been with and faithful to for 15 years!!
We always get random comments and we are fine with that and most are followed by support or a positive comment! Example as I walk up with Icky in the sling another of my mothers friends sees us and says "how many is that?" 7 "SEVEN oh my gosh well good for you we need more population like yours" But I just seriously don't get it. Why is our family size anyones business? I can not think of one thing that my kids don't have or won't have that they would if we had just two kids. We aren't having children and then leaving them with grandparents every weekend so we can go have "our" time or leaving them with a sitter for "me" time! We 9 out of 10 times if you see us you see all of us together! Not my kids with their grandparents or ponned off to others. Gov't is not buying our kids meals. They may eat store brand cereal and off brand bread but guess what I was raised on that too and I only have one sibling! Our kids are well behaved straight A students that contribute in a positive way to society. So again WTH is it anyones business and definately WTH is it acceptable for people to make non supportive comments about it? But I can promise you if I answered the question "don't you know what causes that" with a birds and bees response I'd be seen as rude. But I guess only people with fewer then 4 kids are permitted to make rude comments and get away with it!! And sadly its not just friends family does it to.....and we all know how perfect all our family members are so of course they are permitted to throw those stones ::: insert EYE ROLL :::
So off my soap box but soon very very soon that family is going to catch me at the wrong moment and get an ear full!! (oh and this would be a well to do family in town) :)

2wk check up

Well to quote the doc... "he's a good lookin kid!" Guess that means he passed inspection! He weighed 8lbs 14oz and was 21 1/2in that translates to he's a good eater! Doc wasn't worried about his stuffy nose; he got his PKU done and didn't even cry through out like most babies- he would cry then wimper then look at me so sad- He forgave us quickly though!

2 weeks already!!

Icky is here!!!

Its A Boy!!
Aug. 29th 10:55am
7lbs 5oz 21in

He at first looked to have RED hair its looking a little more golden now so who knows!! He is absolutely wonderful!!

First Day Of School

OK pictures will have to follow later....I've tried uploading them to here for 3 days and its just not working :(

Big C started the 8th grade this year! Hard to think he'll be in high school in just another year!! He is excited about the year talking non stop everyday so far about it all. He is taking the toughest academic classes offered to him but still is able to squeeze in like 4 electives. But for the most they too will either help guide him onto the right track for high school or at the least look great on applications in coming years. He is thinking much further ahead in life than most of us could imagine! Last week he was applying for the Airforce Academy...yes seriously you can apply at his age! And he did that on his own!!

Little Red started the 6th grade! She has not acted "excited" but not "upset" either! She has been very quiet each afternoon which is very unlike her. She too is in the toughest classes offered and I think that has her a little worried. She needs the challenge though and to have this year as a confidence builder.I think I may be saying "Can't Never Could" a lot to her! We discussed how much attitude played a role in things too. She of course is a little more focused on the social aspect of school! No clue where she got THAT from!

Squeaks started the 4th grade! What a HUGE difference this year has been starting out! Last year she had cried each day begging to be home schooled! This year she seems SO EXCITED. I think it helps she got the teacher she wanted! I hope she is able to come out of her shell a little more this year finding activities she enjoys! For the first time ever she is the "oldest" of the family at school so she isn't always so and so's little sister!!

And then Cani Bear....God bless his teacher!! He does behave usually at school and does VERY well. But this year he has some wild classmates that just may put that poor teacher over the edge!! This is the same 1st grade teacher Red had and we're friends with her and adore her! He will actually have 2 teachers the other is young fresh out of school so she has a lot of energy and ideas! He will also start being pulled out for GT next week. This will be a new adventure for him and hopefully give him the extra challenge he needs to stay on track behavior wise! My only issue right now is getting his school supplies to stay in HIS box so he is not chewing on the same pencil the kid next to him just had in his mouth and sent home daily (and yes I may end up cleaning them too ;) ) !! This is ALWAYS a peeve of mine but a risk I can not and will not take this year with Icky being a newborn! Seems like all schools would be thinking ahead trying to keep kids well but obviously not so!! :( We'll see what is in the backpack today!! Otherwise the teacher is going to have a phone call in the morning!! And yes I talked to her once already but I know she can't monitor 22 kids all day so alot is just training C Bear!!

For having 4 kids in school we are very fortunate!! Not very often you get all good teachers and all the kids are excited for the year!! Lets hope it stays on track and they all end the year on the same note!! We are truly blessed to have such great kids!!

Last Day Of Summer

Well Friday we celebrated our last day of Summer break!! In the past we've always had "water day" last year we added a shaving cream fight and the kids had so much fun we had to bring it back this year!!

I can see the light!!

Well went back to the Dr this AM!! No change and I will see him again on Thursday! The good news is... if Icky is not here by Aug 29th then he will induce!! As done as I am that day would really work out great. First my Dr is on call so he will deliver-the kids will not miss school-we'll have a week of school behind us- I will have help with the older kids- It will hit right for P's paychecks and he'll get to be home for 2 weeks- and a bonus it will be prior to Sept 1st so we will get to decide when Icky starts Kinder not the state! We still just pray if I go into labor before that it does not go TOO quick and P is able to be here and I make it to the hospital. But we REALLY do not want Icky to arrive this weekend it would be very difficult on us all! Only one bad thing about the 29th....Icky will share Michael Jacksons birthday :) I guess we can get past some issues! It is nice to think though we will be holding Icky in just 8 short days!!

Update...35 + weeks

Just got back from the Dr. Good news bad news. He wants me to stay on my meds for one more week...obviously they are keeping contractions less frequent and intense since I found out the hard way (stopped my meds) that they quickly resume fast and furious. I'm just DONE with the side effects they are really not enjoyable AT ALL but part of it!! The good news is I can resume normal activities probably not the best thing for him to tell me but you'd think after knowing me as long as he has he does know I only function in 2 speeds....stop and full speed ahead. :) SO we will be cleaning this weekend steaming couches,floors,and getting everything ready for Icky and next week we will try to hit the pool and enjoy the final week of Summer!! I'm sure Icky will make his/her appearance the WORST time possible....first day of school! I would seriously be crushed if I wasn't here to see my kids off and do our first day of school rituals :( Not to mention the one in charge of my kids during labor is a TEACHER. Unfortunately P and I are very much type A personalities with a bit of OCD so us not being able to make plans and do just doesn't work well for us. P had his mind made up that he was starting maternity leave on Monday thinking I'd go off the meds and as strong and frequent as they've been this time around he really didn't want to be 45 min away and I really wasn't wanting to be home with 6 kids alone and deliver! BUT its looking like he will work another week or 2 for sure. At this point 2 would be good so the kids can finish the first week of school and P can hit his pay days right (sadly he looses $$ when he takes off)Doc and I have the same prediction....we'll discuss induction next visit! As he laughed and said isn't that how this usually ends?? I tried getting him to set it up today but no luck!! So he ended the visit EXACTLY as I told one of the kids... "See you in a week if not sooner!" But this baby will come into the world when he/she is ready!!

Aug already....

Well once Aug hits so does all the Back To School musts!! Of course it's a little hard to register 4 kids from bed! So P and my mom got to tackle that one. Of course there was a ton of paperwork that only a parent could fill out and info that P had no clue about!! But with a couple phone calls and a second trip to drop off paperwork all 4 kids are registered for another school year. The first day is the 24th so only 2 more weeks!
I have found one perk to bedrest...can't shop so mom also got the chore of finding school supplies. Some things I just know my husband would go crazy doing and I'm avoiding that at all costs right now!! So thank goodness for NaMaw! They are all bought labeled and in backpacks ready to go!! Now just to get the point across to the teachers that we WILL NOT be sharing school supplies this year. Thats always my wish but this year it will be my DEMAND. You know how many germs are on all those crayons and scissors. YUCK!!
Thank goodness I am a little bit of a type A personality and got clothes shopping for school done the beginning of July. That would have been a nightmare. But everyone has new clothes and school supplies so they are good to go now!! But lets pray Icky does NOT choose to make a debut on the first day of school that would be a little crazy for ALL involved! Even the weekend before would not be ideal SO you KNOW when it will happen ;) Hopefully we will have that last week of Summer to hit the pool and work in a couple last summer fun activities!! -
As for Icky...we went back to the Dr Thursday. My other half was a bit nervous Wed night with me having contractions every 4 minutes for a couple hours. He said he was fine delivering a 38 week baby at home but NOT a 34 weeker :) Luckily no change so we were just to stick with our same treatment. Then Thurs night was a crazy night for me with side effects from the meds. It's a crazy med on a normal dose but he has me completely maxed out and it has some crazy side effects some that I think I may be discovering. For 2 weeks my left ear has been numb causing a very weird hearing sensation. Dr checked it out and there was nothing in the ear like fluid to cause the problem but he had never had anyone complain of that before. Then that night the entire room was spinning and I could not lift my head off the pillow. The next morning I had a nose bleed which makes us think it was high B/P. So I decided the heck with this I'm stopping the meds. Friday was a great day contractions weren't much worse so I figured well the meds weren't doing anything anyway. AND my ear got better through the day. Then this morning I still wasn't taking my meds and contractions hit a little too crazy so it was back on the drugs I went...I will just live with the side effects for 5 more days and pray the Dr takes me off them Friday. The only thing is that means contractions would more than likely return like they did today within a day or so. Not really a "bad" thing because I'd be far enough along to deliver BUT that makes me really nervous because I wouldn't go running to the hospital with them like that because that is my normal BUT they go from my normal to baby in a matter of half an hour or less. SO the Dr and I will have to get more of a game plan laid out. Something along the lines of I'm calling him as I get in the car and he can wait for me a mile down the road and follow me to the hosp or deliver on the side of the road!! ;) Quick deliveries are great but this is the down side of them! But I guess that's just one of the risks of having a baby. I'm sure all will go smoothly and as I've told P we will do this until 38 weeks when the Dr induces me just like the past 4 times!!
The new OB opening has been pushed back too! It is now "set in stone for the 18th". We'll see if we make it!! And for all those misinformed or catty people I would love to have this baby in the new wing because it is BEAUTIFUL top notch technology and something as an employee of the hospital I have been part of watching from the ground up. Something that has been talked about honestly since I was hired there 17 years ago. So my "goal" is not to have the first baby born in the new unit as was so rudely stated to me today but I would be a bit ticked to be the last to deliver in the old one. BUT that is usually how our luck goes! But I'd guess when the time comes I really won't care what wing I'm in as long as I am at the hospital and not the side of the road or home alone with 6 kids!! Can you tell what I'm most nervous about?? :)

Happy 2nd Birthday K Baby!!

One thing that ABSOLUTELY drives me NUTS is someone calling a child over a year a baby!! But it seems her nickname is just going to stick and she may be 20 and still be our K Baby! Even at VBS the other parents laughed because all our kids called her this!! I guess its a good thing Icky is already Icky there won't be any conflict in nicknames!! :)


I think that 2nd year is one of my favorite times in my childrens lives!! They learn and change so much in that year. They go from a baby to a little person full of personality!!
So what kind of personality
has shown through on K baby? Very good question :) First off she is a singer she can honestly carry a tune even though she may not know the words!! She is a silly little girl that likes to be in the middle of it all! She has no problem holding her own in this family thats for sure!! She has each of her older siblings wrapped around a different finger making her quite spoiled!! When one is not around she just moves on to the next "playmate" but with no question she and Sue Bee by far have the sweetest relationship!! Yesterday at nap time K Babay laid down and patted her sisters back to sleep!! They usually get along so well and show so much affection towards each other!! It is so sweet! I just hope they stay like that and don't start having WW 3 in years to come! She seems to be pretty prepared for Icky to arrive. Again she will lay next to me just rubbing my belly and lovin on it. She thought it was pretty funny when Icky kicked her right in the face this week but didn't move an inch waiting for it to happen again!! But if I had to sum her up in a shorter phrase it would have to be DADDY'S GIRL!! She loves the days her daddy is home from work and her face lights up when she hears him arrive home!! She is another precious little additive to our family mix!!

No News Is Good News!!!!

Well back to the Dr yesterday for my regular appt!!! He is still on vacation so I saw his Nurse Practitioner (the same one that busted me touring the new OB) ;) She said Icky was growing and looked good!! All my vital signs looked good so she said keep doing what I'm doing.... STAY IN BED and take my meds. I was hoping to see the Dr next week instead of going 2 weeks but she said 2 more weeks but to come back sooner if anything changes! She wants this baby in until 36 weeks!! Thats 19 more days...... I just don't know if that is the same thing Icky has in mind...he/she seems to think we are leaving em out of something!! So I go back and see the Dr on the 14th at that point I'd guess he'll tell me to stop my meds and let nature take its course!! He usually doesn't keep me on my meds past 34/35 weeks!! I made my appt in the AM just in case he wanted to tell me you need to go to the hosp so we can have a baby!!! SO basically 2 more weeks on meds and in bed!!! I know people think "I wish a Dr would tell me that" trust me it is not fun AT ALL. Especially for someone who is use to going 90 to nothing day in and day out. I have made it known to Patrick to shoot me if I ever become bedridden because I NEVER want to live like that!! Because I know it would be just plum painful!! I think I might should worry that he was so quick to agree!

Update

Well we are just taking things day by day minute by minute at this point. Things can go from looking great to a little worried in a matter of a few contractions. Thursday my contractions started breaking through the medication. Unfortunately I am maxed out on that so there is not much that can be done from home. SO when I woke up Friday AM and they were pretty steady at 5 min apart I decided to go see my doc before he headed out of town!! WELL he left THURSDAY :0 so with talking to his NP she told me to go straight to L&D. When I got there the Dr on call was already seeing pts (not my 2nd choice) and knew I was coming in so he saw me. Great Dr just approaches things different from mine. But he came in checked me and said things had not changed. But he wanted to keep me for awhile. I would have hoped he would have tried to stop the contractions but he didn't feel they were a threat. After a while of contracting though and nothing showing up a nurse discovered the monitor wasn't on good enough (doesn't help Icky moves and kicks it like crazy) once she adjusted it contractions were definitely around 5 min apart. The Dr came back in and decided he wanted to get a dose of steroids in me just in case. This just helps the babys lungs get a boost on developing. So I got a shot then- then he came back still no change so he felt comfortable sending me home. I was to return Sat for a second shot. As we talked I asked "when do you advice me to come in for contractions" he said if there is any change from these today. Again not my Dr so I laughed and said I go from contractions like this to baby in less than an hour. (He just thought I was being a smartass) luckily a nurse who's seen it stood up for me! :) SO I was sent home to spend time with what he said is to be my "bestfriend" for a couple weeks (my bed). Saturday I did go back for the second shot. I then saw MY second choice doc in passing and gave him a heads up!! He felt good having the steroids in me and really didn't feel at this point he would transfer me to SA. And he will care for Icky so that made us feel good that he was confident to keep us here! I picked his brain on things and he told me to just come see him if things start up again. But here lies our problem now HE leaves for vacation on Wed and is gone till Sun. and the Dr I really don't want will be the only Dr around! I guess the only good thing is I really don't care if I tick that one off so I will INSIST on what I want tried or not tried and not just let Dr call the shots!!! (sad but the initials don't always make them good at what they do and honestly there are many nurses that I'd trust to deliver my baby before this Dr) BUT we are praying that nothing happens in the next week and that won't be an issue! I see the NP at my docs office on Thursday so hopefully she will give me an idea of when I'll see my Dr and what her opinion on things are. I know she will keep me on bedrest another week but hoping I'll see my Dr the next week instead of having to wait for 2!! But I'm thinking I won't go back to the Dr until the 13th and at that point I'd guess he'll stop my meds and let nature take its course!! (And might as well set up my induction too cause I'm willing to bet thats how this will end!!) But as for now we are just taking everything minute by minute and confident God is watching over Icky and I both!! Keep us all in your prayers please. No this isn't easy or fun on me but it is also a huge stress on P too. Poor guy is working over 50 hours a week and then having to come home and pick up the slack here on top of all his manly outside duties. For a family who just wants a clean organized house to bring a new baby home to so we have nothing to do for 2 weeks but love our kid.... why these last 2 babys have we been thrown such a curve ball!! BUT always seeing the glass half full....our house has flooring and no mud being swept out of it this time. So a little clutter won't kill us. (irritate us but not kill us...maybe)

How quickly things can change....

Well after VBS Friday we came home and I laid the little girls down for a nap. This is my time to catch up on emails/work and just have some time to sit. About 4 o'clock contractions hit me like a freight train!! Luckily I had meds from last pregnancy and was able to start them and got them to taper off in a couple hours. Of course it had to happen on a Friday. So I just stayed on my meds until the Dr got in the office on Monday. (yes I could have gone to the hospital but I use MY Dr because MY Dr knows me it would be like rewinding 10 years to see another Dr) Once he saw me he said "your older kids are old enough to be helping you out" "I want you off your feet" obviously still a male Dr. :) But our short term goal is to get to AT LEAST 34 weeks anything before that will be reason for a trip to "the big house" as he said. That would be to SA and that is the LAST thing we want for oh so many reasons!! Ideally we would still like to make it to 38 weeks but at this point every day and week count! I would foresee him taking me off my meds and letting nature take its course right before the 35 week point if not then then it would be the following week. My doc is very much a take it as it comes type of guy! He is just the right balance. But I know him well enough to know if he says get off my feet that's what I have to do. He hadn't told me that the last 3 pregnancies so I know he had his reasons!! Of course he leaves on vacation this weekend and won't be back till the 3rd.... but the Dr on call for me (like the way I say that and this is why we love Seguin) My 2nd choice doc is going to cover my care if my Dr isn't around instead of just having the random on call doc cover. Dr number 2 knows my history-knows me-treats our family- and has probably the most caring heart and best bedside manner around. So I know he will treat me just as my OB would and I trust him 100% and that's what I have to go into a situation with and that is a huge reason to not want anything to do with the SA Drs. I go from being a PERSON/FRIEND who is being cared by people who care about the outcome to being #682 don't know you from Joe the game is on and I'm having to be here! :( I'm a pretty relaxed in control patient but I would NOT be emotionally stable if I got removed from my comfort zone!! And then the care of my newborn to just whoever :0 the thought makes me sick at my stomach!! I would seriously be a nut case!! So I sit and rest and we say our prayers to prevent any threat to this unborn baby and to keep all my nuts in a row!! Into day 3 of things and the kids are doing very well considering. Of course they get a little more wild because they have a little longer leash and are stuck at home. But hopefully this will be for only a couple more weeks and we'll have time to fit in a couple more "fun" things before Icky arrives!! So to all who read this please keep us in your prayers!!! Yes Icky would probably have minimal issues at birth but at 32/33 weeks a lifetime of issues could follow and those are things no parent wants to think about for their child.

32 weeks!!

Wow the baking time of Icky is in its final weeks! Always a little bit of an eye opener when you think "if I went into labor in another 2-3 weeks they wouldn't stop this baby from coming!!" Guess maybe I should get my butt in gear!! The only real must is to wash a load of Icky clothes/sheets/bouncer covers! Maybe we'll get the swing out this week?! But it sure would be nice to catch up on a little more!

We got Back To School shopping done a week or so ago so that is a huge weight off my back! Can't believe we only have a couple more weeks of Summer! We'll register the kids in like 2 weeks. Big C will have 2 training camps to go to for special activities he'll be in this year...then it will be back to the real world before we know it! If I continue to hate the school year this much I just might start homeschooling....OK not really but I really hate the school year schedule! (so much so I'm sitting awake at 2am blogging about it) ;)

I saw my Dr on Thursday and was a little disappointed he didn't set an induction date but we at least talked about it and he knows I'm very nervous about going past 38 weeks as fast as my labor goes! So he agrees we need to induce around then but still waiting to get a little closer to time before getting it scheduled! Our brand spankin new OB unit is to open on Aug 1st so Icky should be born there!! We hope to go to the ribbon cutting and look at the new facility next week!! We won't be the only ones to benefit from it...there will be a nice new waiting room on the floor for those sitting waiting for a baby to be born! So no more in and out peering in the nursery window wondering if that music playing is for us or not! I'm sure the kids will be standing gaurd to see when the Dr walks in the door! I can see them all now following him with their ears pressed up against the door waiting to hear if its a boy or a girl! They all seem very excited! Even K baby seems to understand it all.

On another note I survived a week of VBS!! Makes me very thankful for the well behaved kids we have. I just don't understand how parents can just simply allow their kids to run wild. Outside is a place to run and release energy. The church parish hall is NOT!! And sure don't understand how a kid can not follow simple directions (like sit down don't run) I certainly stepped out of my box this week and got out of my safe zone! But I also am very happy in my safe-OCD world and will be fine with not stepping out of it again anytime soon!! :) I think it was a great week for the kids. They all seemed to have a fun time and that is what is important!

This weekend we are celebrating Big C's birthday...THIRTEEN yes I know that means I'm the mother of an official teenager!! How that happened I don't know. But I'm guessing its a sure sign I'm not 20 anymore! What the weekend will hold...who knows but hopefully it will be fun for him!!

Finally...

Red 11 going on 21





Sisterly Love!




Squeaks is 9

She's B-a-c-k......

Well I just returned from picking Red up from camp...a day early :( I got a call yesterday evening that they were having to close camp down due to an outbreak of Influenza. Now we have to sit and wait to see what the next 72 hours has in store! Pray we stay in the clear though it has a short course with an 8 member houshold no illness is short lived. Not to mention that isn't exactly what we need while getting things ready for a new baby!!

She does seem to have had a great time though! It seems like some of the best cabin mates shes had. Some were a year older but hopefully she will stay in touch with them! Her favorite part was getting sunscreen in her eye and being given a frozen water balloon to put on it....pretty clever! They pretty much squeezed in all the activities they had planned in a couple less hours!!So needless to say we have a very tired camper home now!!

This week I will be preparing everything for our churches VBS! Why in the world did I say "oh I'll get it all organized but I can't promise I'll be able to be there that week" (knowing I was preg but the cat wasn't out of the bag yet) Little did I know at that time I'd have the flu for almost a month followed by how many bouts of the stomach bug, Swine Flu break, and everything else that kept me from getting everything done ahead of time! So here I am a week to go and a whole lot to do! Some may be real diappointed cause I'm just not one of those moms that has to go "all out" so people ewwwww and ahhhh over it all! Have a teaching-sing some songs-do some crafts and games and call it a day!! Do kids really care if you turn the parish hall into a jungle?? Do we realy have to have TWO days to decorate?? I don't but others want to so as usual I do as others would like....But hope they don't expect me to be painting some darn zebra!! I have a whole house of stuffed animals make a scene with them and call it a day!! Hopefully all goes well and the kids have fun!! That really is all that matters!! But for the record....I WILL NOT be in charge of VBS possibly EVER again!! OK I shouldn't say NEVER but not while preg with 6 young kids and running a business...... But as my quote to the side says "If God brought me to it he'll get me through it....right!"

Oh those pictures of the big girls did get taken but sadly my kids pictures bring in no profit so they get put on the back burner! Soon very very soon but don't hold me to it!! :)

Sum Sum Summertime!!

Well we are still in the full swing of Summer! Tuesday after the Dr. appt I took Little Red up to camp! This is her 3rd year and she always enjoys herself! By the looks of the pictures that holds true this year too! I pick her up Monday so it will be fun to hear about her week!

As for those still at home we hit the pool a couple days this week!Sue Bee decided on Wed she was ready to swim! She took swimming lessons (which got her use to the water but can't say they did her a whole lot of good...) But all of a sudden Wed she put her face in the water and was walking on the platform. I encouraged her to hold the railing and kick while she put her head in....she didn't like that so I held her while she did that once then.....she was off. The first day she wouldn't get off the platform but was swimming in a small area. The next day she was from platform to me to daddy to platform to the side to another platform. Just about that fast too! She WOULD NOT take a break!! Tomorrow maybe daddy will catch her off the diving board. (thats usually my role but not real great at treading water right now while swimming w/ a 3yr old on my back) :) It is so funny though how with kids something just clicks and they never look back!!

No big plans for the 4th!! Go and Do errands early maybe BBQ for the fam here at the house, see if we can see the city fireworks through the trees and go to bed early praying none of the neighbors shoot fireworks that may burn our house down..... Typical holiday for us!! ;)

Icky status!!

We got to take a look at Icky yesterday!! He/She looked great! The reason It appears this kid is all right under my belly button is because this kid is curled up in a tight little ball. We first saw feet and in the same frame saw the head and more feet....I had to ask several times "how many feet does this kid have?" I swear we saw feet from every direction! There was a toe BEHIND the head at one point! He/She was awake No surprise to me cause this kid NEVER stays still! But we were entertained by legs, she/he tried to give Kayle 5, and appeared to be yawning and sticking the tongue out at us. Sounds like this child will fit into the family just perfect!! The only "problem" was the size of this childs head!! The tech remeasured from 3 different angles about 3 different times but kept getting 32wks and 3/4 days. That would be great but I am only 29wks and 3 days and that was EXACTLY what the abdomen measured. So it appears we will be having a bobble head!! And while in this little ball the legs were perfectly crossed! Again the tech avoided hiney area and turned the screen to get the leg and cord measurements. She said she didn't even catch a glimpse between the legs so we will go into labor with only one person knowing if this child is a boy or a girl!! If you had asked me a week ago I'd of said a girl but after seeing a big head and a big baby I'd say boy today!! So I'll go ahead and predict its a 50% chance its a boy!! And for anyone who thinks we are keeping the name choices from you....NOPE we've got nothing!! I've about decided Icky will end up on the birth certificate!!!
The realization that I could have a new baby in 4 or 5 weeks set in lastnight. I'm ready for baby thats the easy part but somewhere in there I have a house to get some things tended to. Two birthdays. In charge of a week of VBS, and still have photo sessions lined up for work!! And some how in there I need to go school shopping for 4kids!! It is not advised to go school shopping with 6 kids but when hubby works 2 jobs I'm guessing there will be no other option!! If only I had a crystal ball to know exactly how long I had before the big day!! I know those things will work themselves out and thank heavens for on line shopping but you all know I'm a planner and have to have everything ready to go!! What is important is that Icky is healthy-I am healthy and with a head that size we may have a little Einstein coming into the world!! :) God is good!!

And she's off!

We dropped Squeaks off at camp Sunday!! She seemed as excited as Squeaks gets about anything! :) I got her there early so she could be toward the front of the line to get pick of the bunks....as most first time campers-she picked the top! Not top of 2 but top of 3! I wonder if 2 days into she understands what we meant by hot air rises?? But you know what if she wants the top bunk so be it!! But I'd bet next year we get there early so she can get a bottom one! :)
We have seen several pictures of her. She got to go to the river toobing yesterday-played capture the flag last night- and looked like a hike this AM for teaching. We saw a non action shot today with she and a group of friends and a great big "fun" smile so I take it she is enjoying herself!
The pictures here are from when we dropped her off! Sue Bee already is excited about when she gets to go to camp in 5 years!!

Do you ever wonder......

Do you ever sit back and wonder what people think of the life they see once they are dead and gone?? I sit and have to laugh at how gullible people in life are. And get quite disgusted by all the "church going christians" who go to church every Sunday Bible studies in between shouting to the world what a wonderful christian they are. But sometimes I have to question are these people maybe the ones who need to be reevaluated the most. They like the public to see them one way and to fit that I'm the perfect parent/friend/citizen mold. But then as life continues and the ghosts surface you find out that man in the second row serving his church and Lord is molesting his daughter the 6 days in between. Or the father who sits in church with his wife and kids only to commit adultery but go take communion every week and continue in his ways. Then you have those who blow smoke up peoples butts praising themselves and spreading lies and rumors stirring the pot any chance they get just to make the impression of themselves better-yet living a life of lies while others get hurt by the actions. So do you ever wonder when the family of these people die and look back on their lives and see what BS they believed their entire lives and how it impacted the people around them - do they regret their behavior? Are they saddened that they were so stupid going through life? Or do they still turn the other way only wanting to believe this oh so wonderful church going christian? Yes I am christian and therefore I live each and everyday knowing I am an honest person. Maybe that doesn't benefit me in my day to day life because wouldn't everybody love me if I was that person who lived a fake life just to fit the expectations of those around me at the time? A christian on Sundays, healthy when my doctor asks, the perfect wife, the perfect mother...... Nope I don't guess I fall into any of those categories BUT man it feels great to go to bed every night knowing I don't have a lie to defend or remember. And though I don't fit that "perfect" mold I find comfort in knowing that when those around me die they can see that in their life I may not have been in church every Sunday, I may not have been the perfect mother but as they look down they will see that I was the honest one always telling those around me the truth while others lives were built on lies. And how stupid are they going to feel when they see their maker and have to justify their actions toward the honest one??? So life may not be great everyday but god does it feel good to live an honest life and get to think about how stupid some people are going to feel when their day comes! And when my day comes and all my friends and family have to describe me I hope the first word that will come to mind is HONEST. And if I do not leave but one impressionable characteristic on each and everyone of my children I hope they will carry with them through their own lives the simple quality of living each and everyday of their life honestly even if it doesn't get you the furthest in life and the highest in life. Those are really not important when you stand at the fathers right hand.....

Last Day Of School

We finished up another school year yesterday. We now have a first grader, a 4th grader, a 6th grader and an 8th grader in the house! We had a busy week with many activities and award ceremonies. I don't know which was harder seeing our little Cani Bear graduate from Kindergarten or Little Red graduating from Elem school. It DOES NOT feel like 6 years since she started school. To think that Cani Bear was a newborn when she started....now look at life!
Patrick and I aren't the bragging type. Always proud but don't discuss it often with other people. But it's kind of hard NOT to recognize how awesome they all ended the year on. Cani Bear got Top Reader of Kindergarten reading 80 words a minute. When I talked with the reading specialist she said to let him read on a second grade level over the Summer that he could have easily read beyond what he did but she only tested to a certain level. He got accepted into GT so he will be in GT level classes for the rest of his time in school! The reading specialist also laughed (knowing me since before I was married) remembering when Cani Bear was born and she said the little bull in a china cabinet sure is different at school he has done really well! Lets just hope he continues down that same path and doesn't start getting comfortable and/or bored and show his true personality! Squeaks finished up the year with all A's and was the only one in her class to ace the math portion of her TAKS test (even scored better than the top kid in the grade) For starting the school year in tears skipping class asking to be homeschooled she came a long way and had a great year. She has never and will never like change and she is just much more shy so adjusting to things takes her a while. But this was a year that really helped build her confidence and she proved a lot to herself! Red got several awards at her awards ceremony including presidential award for exceptional grades. Her teacher could not talk more about what a wonderful leader she is. Next year will be a whole new adventure for her and probably a bit of a reality check when she gets to meet ALL the 6th graders in town. I know though with her personality she will easily hold her own in life. :) Big C continues to do wonderful! He was choosen as outstanding 7th grade boy, voted class most intellectual (did I spell that right) :) got accepted into the PALS program, voted class vice president AND made all A's all year except for one 89. He will be in mainly 9th grade classes next year even getting high school credit for some. The more he gets out of the way leaves more doors open for college credit while he's in high school. That would be FREE college credit. :) Of course we are always proud of our kids accomplishments but I think above and beyond what they acheive is the teachers and other parents comments as we pick them up. People in the general public (ok and some family) are quick to judge our family when they have to put the car in neutral to let us cross the street and we take all the stupid comments that come as we walk through the store. Because when those who know us and have watched our children grow come up compliment them and get excited to see we are expecting another one because as they say "we'd like a whole classroom of kids like these" one comment like that from an aquaintence trumps a dozen stupid large family comments anyday!! So we end the chapter on another school year. With full expectations of having a summer of just plum FUN! I know it won't happen but with as little hussle and bussle as possible so I can recharge to survive the Fall with 7 active kiddos!!

End Of School Fun

Today the little girls and I are trying to enjoy what could be the last school day just the 3 of us!! Ready to have all the kids home for Summer but have to admit we'll miss our "little girl" time. The little ones play so well together and we have had a lot of fun this school year. They have been at such fun ages and it is so fun watching them together. This morning we went to Wal Mart and bought new bubbles and came home and had some Wilbur and bubble time outside. Then we came in and made a cake. We will decorate it after nap and then go get Sue Bee's favorite afternoon treat a slush (so awesome that a 50 cent slush can make her so happy!) Next week will start our Summer time fun with frequent trips to the pool. After looking at our schedule the other day our Summer is going to fly by because it is already so jammed pack. Always a good kind of hectic!