God is so Good

Today, we went to our new church for the first time.  It's amazing how things fall into place some times.

Yesterday, my husband asked me if we were going to church tomorrow.  I said that I'd like to.  He looked it up on the internet and saw they have a 9 o'clock and 11 o'clock service.  I picked the 9 o'clock one.  Thankfully we planned to leave 30 minutes before service started.  We had a few issues arise, but all was good.

We walked our son to his class.  I was at complete peace leaving him there.  Then I decided to check where our daughter would go if I left her some where.  To my surprise, again I was at complete peace leaving her in her class.  This was her first day in Sunday school.  Then my husband and I went to service just as praise and worship started.

My back started hurting shortly after service started.  I had thought that I would have gone down for prayer if they opened it up which is weird because I don't like asking for "help".  In any case, at the end of praise and worship, we were asked to come forward for prayer for anything.  I was about to argue and fight about going up there but decided just to do it.

At the front, two ladies, Linda and Jane, prayed for me.  As they prayed I got chills up and down my arms, the good kind.  Linda kept hearing one word, "intercessor".  She asked me a few questions and started speaking into my life and my family.  They said that people are drawn to me because of Christ in me.  They also mentioned my family and how God will be using us.  For those skeptics out there, yes it could be coincidence.  But for what they prayed, the happenings around it, timing, and such, it could only be God.

As the preaching was about to begin, I was called into the nursery to feed my baby girl.  There I learned more about the church and started getting so much more excited about our new venture :)

God is good!

P90X - It's ON!

Two years ago my wonderful husband bought me P90X after I told him I wanted to do that workout. Well, it turned out I couldn't do it due to my back. I was unable to workout for about three years. Now after having my second child, my back is almost 100%. I just had to get motivated. (Those of you that know me, know I am a planner.) So last night I added an event into my phone calendar to do P90X. Well, I did it, and it kicked my butt!

I started out with Core Synergistics.  I was appalled by how much I used to be able to do and now can't do :(  I couldn't keep up with those on the dvd, but I kept moving.  It felt good to sweat and feel some muscle soreness.  Tomorrow is Cardio.  We'll see how well my heart holds up.  I do need a better bra especially for cardio.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know :)

I hope this will be the motivation I need to start eating better.  I really need to get rid of my belly fat.  A combination of eating right and working out should do the trick.  Then I need to stick with it even through pregnancy.

Ten Today

1.  It's a lot more difficult getting on here than it used to be.

2.  JT's 2 year doc appt: 37 in. tall = 97%, 31.4 lbs = 86%

3.  RAE's 2 mo doc appt: 25 in. tall = 99%, 14.4 lbs = 97%

4.  We're looking at renting out our house.


5.  We're also looking at moving to the east side of the valley.


6.  RAE is sleeping better than ever :)  She goes to bed between 7-8pm and sleeps until 2-3am, then wakes again around 6 or 7am.  She's again sleeping well during the day too :)


7.  My son is growing so fast both in body and mind.  He sings his ABCs, Jesus Loves Me, and a few other songs with almost perfect accuracy.  He also surprised me today when we were counting blocks.  There were more than ten so I continued counting saying, "Eleven."  He then beat me to twelve.  My son knew twelve came after eleven.  He just turned two last week.  I'm afraid my son is growing up too fast.  Before I know it he's going to be telling me about a girl he has a crush on :(

8.  I made homemade chicken soup yesterday.  It was my first time doing so.  I took a spoonful just to try it.  OH!!!  It was disgusting!!!  It was all grease.  I was not aware that I needed to let it sit in the fridge overnight and then dispense of the grease.  I won't make that mistake again :)


9.  JT had a great time at his birthday party.  It was his first time hitting a pinata.  We had a great breakfast spread thanks to all those who brought something :)

10.  I sing a song to my little girl often.  It goes like this, "You're momma's little angel, momma's little lamb, momma's little lady, and big brother's momma's little man."  It usually always gets a smile out of her.  

Ten Today

1.  Rachael Ann is smiling and grabbing things :)

2.  RAE & Joseph Jr were both dedicated Sunday.

3.  Easter is quickly approaching.  I want to start a yearly tradition with my son.  I figure he's old enough to understand the basics of what Christ did for us.  I'm just not sure what to do.

4.  RAE is growing fast.  She's 13 lbs and has been in 3-6 months clothes for a while now.

5.  The doctor ok'd me to exercise and such now :)  I'm looking forward to starting P90X soon :)  Now I just have to do it.

6.  RAE Loves her swing :)  Joseph Jr did not.  So I truly know what a blessing it is to have a baby love sitting in something.

7.  Joseph Jr is growing fast as well.  He's in size 3 clothes.

8.  He's super smart too.  He recently started counting things.  I never would have guessed that my son would have started school already :)

9.  My husband is the best.  Our marriage just keeps on getting better :)

10.  James 1:19  I have been working on this for a long time and working on it even harder now.  It's amazing how your children are mirrors of you.

February Journal

Wednesday, February 2

Joseph Jr woke every hour last night. He began by peeing every hour. It wasn't until the 4th time that I decided to put a diaper on him. I told him it was extra padding. He still woke every hour but went back to sleep after I would say, "It's ok, Joseph. It's still night night time."
Then at 6:15am he stayed awake but stayed quiet until I told him he could get up. What a sweet boy. After that night, I figured he would be having tons of accidents today. Nope! Not a one :) He even went poo in the potty for the second time :) I think the wind stirred up some allergies. He has a stuffy/runny nose.
He's definitely ready. He does great during the day. It's just when he's sleeping that he has difficulties. We'll probably be using "extra padding" during nap and night times for a while longer. But during the day he will stay in his underpants. Very excited about NO accidents today :)
Well, he goes pee 2-3 times a night around 12am, 3am, and 6am. So having him stop drinking 1-2 hours before he normally stops would probably just change the times he pees at night. So I guess I will continue with diapers at night for now. He slept through the night until 6am when he woke with a wet diaper that leaked to his pjs. He's just one of those kids with really good kidneys :)


Joseph Jr had a partial accident today. He started in his pants but finished in the potty only because he told me :) I am too excited!!!! It seems like so long ago when we started potty-training and I was beside myself. I'm so glad I didn't give up and glad he didn't either :)


Thursday, February 3


I had oj for the first time in weeks and no heart burn :) YEAH!!!


Sunday, February 6


Never thought I'd be watching the super bowl with my husband. He said he wanted to watch it. I asked him about it. He said that he wanted to see the commercials :)


My little man coughed but no one said anything about it. So he turns around, looks right at me, and says, "Bless you." I respond, "Bless you." He then is happy :)


Monday, February 7


I have the best husband :) While I was at a dr's appt this morning, he took care of a lot of the dishes in the kitchen. What a great guy! Yes, ladies. He's married, and there is no way I'm letting him go :)


Went to get an ultra sound this morning to find out how big my baby is. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to see a baby at this "age". Back to the topic. The baby measured 7lbs 12oz or 77th percentile. They said the baby's weight is normal. Babies aren't considered big until the 90th percentile.  I also found out that babies gain about 1/2 a pound every week at this stage. So if my baby stays till the due date, he'll be right around my son's birth weight. Yes, I said he. I think I might have seen something on the ultra sound. I could be totally wrong. The tech may not have even shown that part knowing I wanted to wait to find out, but then again...
Honestly, I couldn't be happier either way :) I figure a boy would be great, so Joseph and he would grow up together. If a girl, that would make me just as happy but for different reasons :)


Wednesday, February 9


I had a dream last night that I delivered a very chunky baby boy :)  I figure if this one's a boy, the next pregnancy will be twin girls :)


Thursday, February 10


I went to my ob appointment today. I lost a pound. I think it's because I'm less swollen today than last week. Babies heart rate was 146. I guess I was wrong about the baby dropping. The doc is concerned about my baby not dropping since I'm planning on having a vbac.
Lord, please align everything in my body properly so the baby drops at the proper time. I also ask that my cervix opens to ten and I am completely effaced at the appropriate time for this baby to be born naturally and healthy. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


Saturday, February 12


We had some family and friends over last night, so my son stayed up until 9:15pm playing with the kids. He fell fast asleep but still woke at 6am. At least he woke in a good mood :)


My son was being ornery for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours before people came over. During that time he peed his pants about three times. I think he did it on purpose especially since once the kids were here he didn't have one accident. When he had to go pee, he told his dad and then used the toilet.
Here we go again. Last night his orneriness was due to having to pick up his toys. This morning there were a few toys that needed to be picked up before he watches a show. Instead of picking up, he chose to make an even bigger mess. Last night I got upset with him for being disobedient and my husband says our son knew it got to me that's why he did it. So I'm just staying calm now and and not letting our son's actions goad me to irritability. He'll learn soon enough that what mommy says she means.


I got an early Valentine's Day present :) It's the Shark 2 in 1 Vac and Steam :) Best Valentine's Day present ever thus far :)


Sunday, February 13


Alpha kissing Beta :)

Alpha loves reading :)

Monday, February 14


My son just tripped over his own feet, I think. He fell right into the corner of our wall. He now has a cut on the inside of his lip and his lip is huge. My poor little man :(

It's Valentine Week!! Change your Profile Picture to you and your spouse/significant other. Make sure to tell how long you've been together! Then copy/paste this as your status so others can play along! We have been together 6 years :)

Friday, February 18


My son is at his Grandma and Pop Pops house for two days, yesterday and today. This is to allow me to clean the house, wash all the clothes and such, pack, etc. Yes, I could do that with my son here; however, it would take way more than two days.
Yesterday afternoon, I was unable to do much on my feet due to my lower back hurting badly. But after my husband gave me a massage and I slept, my back feels much better. So today I am going to take a nap even if it just means resting. I can't have my lower back hurting like it did yesterday. Well, I'm off :)
As of yesterday morning I was completely closed. Baby was far from dropping. So I'm not sure when the newbie's arrival will be. I'm hoping between Monday afternoon and Thursday morning :)


Taking a break for lunch. I got a good amount done but still have a lot more to go. Not sure if I'll be taking that nap. My back's doing fine right now, so we'll see if that changes.


I took Karen's advice and took a nap. Now I'm awake and ready to work. I think :)


Saturday, February 19


I woke this morning at 3:50 to contractions. They were happening ever 10-15 min, so I finally got up at 5am. They continued that way until just before 10am. Since then they've come sporadically a few times. Becky might be right. hmmm...


I'm praying that I and others involved with my delivery will have a restful night sleep, that I will wake tomorrow morning with the energy and desire to do a few prep things for the baby, and then deliver the baby late morning or early evening. Please pray that with me :) Thank you.


Monday, February 21


Rachael Ann Elizabeth was born Sunday, February 20th at 10:01am weighing 9lbs 8oz measuring 22.5in via C-section. Mom and baby are doing fine.
Rachael Ann is her first name :)


Wednesday, February 23


Daddy Loves Me - released from the hospital today :)

..................................................................................................................................................................


labor and delivery details


I woke around 3:30 Saturday morning with contractions 10 min apart lasting until about 10am.  Then they were sporadic until 10:30 that night.  At that time they started coming every hour until 1:20am.  Then they began coming every 10 minutes for a while, then 5 min, then 2-3 min.  I finally called the hospital around 3:30am.  My contractions had been strong for over an hour and close together, so they strongly recommended I come in.  I knew my baby wasn't ready to come out but I woke my husband and my son to get ready to go.  They were both great about it :)  I told my son that Beta wanted to come out and see him.


We went to the hospital, and I was checked.  My baby had not dropped and I was completely closed :(  They said I was a little bit dehydrated, so they gave me an IV of fluids.  The nurse kept mentioning a c-section since my doctor was out of town.  It turns out the other doctors would not be willing to let me labor.  I said I'd rather leave and come back when the baby was ready to come out.  She mentioned some other drugs to help take the edge off and hopefully reduce my contractions.  They said I was having false contractions. The IV didn't work nor did the other drugs.  


At 9am the doctors switched.  The nurses mentioned again about a c-section.  When they left I spoke to my husband about a possible c-section.  I said I didn't want one but if I was to have one, I wanted my doctor to do it.  My husband said that he'd rather me get a c-section.  The new doctor came in and said that I was not in false labor but active labor.  Due to that and my previous c-section it was dangerous for me to continue laboring.  My uterus could rupture the longer my contractions continued.  The crazy thing was that I was still sleepy from the drugs they gave me, my eyes were shut when he came in and started talking, and I thought he sounded like my doctor.  I looked at him twice to see if he was my doctor.  He wasn't, but it did calm me a bit.  Funny thing is... he looks like the Jewish doctor on House.

bottom left is the doctor that did the c-section, bottom middle is my doctor

Ten Today

1.  My husband gave me an early Valentine's Day present :)  It's a Shark 2 in 1 Vac then Steam.  My steam mop broke a while ago.  I've been in dire need of a new one.  The other mop I've been using is back wrenching and doesn't do a good enough job.  I'm so excited!!!

2.  I'm due in just over a week.  Part of me wants the baby to come tomorrow afternoon and the other part wants the baby to come the following Monday afternoon.  But I really want the baby to come during February!  I recently found out that there are no February birthdays on my mom's side of the family.

3.  I found out yesterday that my grandma, my dad's mom, is not doing well :(  Today I saw a post on Facebook that makes me believe that she is now in the hospital :(  I'd really like all of my children to know their great grandma.  That means she has to stick around for at least a few more years.  We're not done having babies :)  I pray that her health returns and she doesn't have another health issue the rest of her long life.  If you've read this, please agree with me in that prayer.  Thank you.

4.  My son is growing up so fast!  He's a smart little one.  Sometimes I think he's too smart for his own good :)  He's going to be a great big helper when Beta arrives :)

5.  I love organizing and uncluttering things.  But I also HATE to get rid of things.  It's a difficult thing to be pulled in two directions.  We're doing it, slowly but surely.  Most of the house is pretty organized now, just a little bit to go :)

6.  My husband's car broke down in the middle of December.  My mom's husband has been working on it most of that time.  The transmission was shot.  He switched the transmission out and got it up and running.  He's fixing a few other issues he found.  He's been having a blast working on it.  We are so blessed!  We were going to have to pay about $1500.  The parts were significantly less than that.

7.  My son is still potty training, but I'm a lot more relaxed now than when we first started.  And he's a lot better at going potty in the potty :)  But we still have our accidents.

8.  I finished reading Supernatural Childbirth by Terri and Jackie Mize a few weeks ago.  I recommend that book to anyone who even thinks they'll want to have a child, especially those who have tried and have yet to succeed or are having miscarriages.  I think it would be a good book to read for anyone who has the possibility of being sick.

9.  I am now reading Infant Potty Training by Laurie Boucke.  I'm very excited about using this method with the rest of my children.  I know some of you who read this will think it's a crazy thing to do, but I ask that you don't make any negative comments about it.  However, those that have questions about it or encouraging words are welcome to comment :)  Thank you :)

10.  I looked on line and found information that my son should know before kindergarten.  So I am working on creating various flashcards for him and the rest of my children.  I'm not sure how much they'll be used as he already knows so much information.  But it'll be nice to have at least as a reference :)

Ten Today

1.  I'm in search of a Nursing Nest Pillow.  If you could help me find one and get it, I would be forever grateful :)
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=330756

2.  I just caught up on over 2 months of journaling :)

3.  Potty-Training seems to have taken a turn for the better.  Five things he enjoys:  peeing on a tree, peeing in a jar, peeing in the toilet, antioxidants or chocolate covered blueberries, and chocolate covered M&Ms that come out of a gum ball machine after he puts a coin in it.

4.  The yard sale last Saturday went good.  It was nice being able to hang out with the girls :)

5.  The house is for the most part organized.  Praise God!  And boy does it feel good :)

6.  I have recently finished reading, "Supernatural Childbirth".  I strongly recommend it :)

7.  I am now working on the book, "Infant Potty Training".  I am really excited about this endeavor :)

8.  One of my favorite baby shower "games" is guessing when the baby will be born and such.  Since I'll be having a Welcome Home Baby Ivy open house after the baby is born, I won't be able to play my favorite game.  So I figured I'd play it with all of my FB friends.

Number your responses with the appropriate question :)  

1.  What is the baby's gender?

2.  What date will the baby be born?

3.  What time will the baby be born?

4.  What will the baby's weight at birth be? (this question was added late)

5.  What will the baby's length be?

The following is for those that would like a little more information:

The baby is due February, 23.  My son came two days early via c-section due to complications.  Both of these pregnancies have been very different.  I am planning on having a Vbac.  I am not allowed to be induced since I had a previous c-section.  My son weighed 8lbs 11 oz and was 21 1/2 in. long.  If you have any further questions, please ask :)

Thanks for playing!

My GUESSES...

‎1. girl
2. February 23
3. 10:23 am

4. 7lbs 11 oz
5. 20 in.

9.  Wednesday, I will be 9 months pregnant.  Only four more weeks to go then.

10.  I love my son's curly hair.  I definitely prefer it this length :)