I'm totally lame when it comes to updates. It's pictures you want to see anyway right.
Charlie turned 3 in July.
Sorry for the potty talk but for journal entry sake I just realized I hadn't recorded the most miraculous happening in May. At the beginning of the month I had 3 kids in diapers and I was up to my elbows in poop on a daily basis. Weston has been "potty" trained for well over a year but because of his refusal to poop in the potty he still had to wear diapers whenever we went anywhere and to bed. He always held it in and just constantly oozed. (This is a gross post) I kept him in undies at home and just dealt with the underwear mess so he would continue #1 in the potty. But my sweet little boy constantly smelled terrible and he was very self-conscious about it. I would catch him wearing 6-8 pairs of underwear at a time, until they cut the circulation in his legs. He said he wanted a strong bum. We had tried everything we could think of, positive and negative reinforcements, but we were dealing with fear rather than a behavior and I wasn't sure how to get him past it. Charlie was hit and miss and I knew with her it was just a matter of time but she needed to decide for herself when she was ready. About a month ago Charlie just refused to wear a diaper anymore even to bed. And that was it for her. She has not even wet the bed a single time. When she has an accident during the day (because she waits too long to take care of business) she takes care of the mess herself and changes her clothes. My work here is done. I had a moment of clarity when on a Sunday afternoon I decided enough was enough with this 4 year old boy. I sat him on the toilet (kicking and screaming) and I sat on a stool in front of him, and I told him we weren't going anywhere until he produced something. After about 45 minutes there was still nothing. I told him I was going to go buy a magic bullet that would make him poop if he couldn't do it on his own. Through a sad tear filled face he said that would be ok. So I went and spent $7 on some "magic bullets". Within seconds that stuff took effect and the poor kid unloaded. I don't know how in the world he was holding all that inside his little body. He was scared as it was happening but then exclaimed, "It didn't hurt!" It took another 2 weeks before he would go on his own and we used a few more bullets, but now he's there! He goes on his own without prompts from us and no longer asks for rewards. His big reward has been to go camping with Dad. He will go on his second one tonight. We are officially down to 1 kid in diapers. My life has improved dramatically. And my house smells much better.
Just so you don't leave here without at least one picture. Here is a great shot of the oldest 4 headed across the Hoover Dam bypass bridge.
Sorry...once again...massive amount of pictures.
PJ passed 6 months in April and had her big photo shoot. She continues to be the best baby ever. She is so very happy and my favorite time with her is first thing in the morning. She can barely open her eyes but is smiling from ear to ear and laughing at Brian and I. We love this little girl and she brings a lot of happiness to us. Here she is being cute.
Wes loves Happy Jo and asks to hold her now and then. He also plays with her when she is sitting on the floor and when she smiles and laughs at him he beams and says, "she likes me!"
Easter. Egg hunts and candy. And candy wrappers all over the place. A small egg dyeing session.
Long anticipated trip to California for some much needed family time. Beach camping in Carpinteria with a motor home on the beach Mid april. Ahhhhh
Charlie takes her vacationing seriously and took naps everywhere.
Dead things on the beach...AWESOME!
We celebrated Serra's birthday several times. With extended family, while in CA, and later with friends. She got a new bike this year since she was still riding the one she got at 5 and is a little bit taller now.
We loved our trip to the Santa Barbara Zoo. It's one of our favorite places.
S'mores and hot dogs.
Digging on the beach. Taking the sand castle building seriously.
Happiest Jo.....and making friends at the zoo.
Wes is slightly obsessed with Jaguars....which look a lot like leopards...
Missing the crooked neck giraffe.
Charlie has some good faces.
When turtles attack.
WOW! The whole family in one picture.
Some needed Daddy time.
One gorgeous 10 year old.
Something that we don't have in Vegas. Snails...made me smile seeing them crawling around on sidewalks and fences on a foggy morning.
Random pictures. Charlie loves cones and french fries. Just me. Wes and Rosie...weirdos.
More of the girl.
A teacher friend hatched ducks and invited the kids over to cuddle them. Who knew ducks like to cuddle.
First time in the swing...California's finest treasure.
Took the girls to see Cinderella....More egg decorating.
Interactive play area. Haha...not a park in California .
Sunset on the beach and the kids at breakfast in Carlsbad.
January
Spiderman has to sleep too.
PJ is 3 months and Wes Man turns 4.
Lots of help with the decorating process.
But the licking process is a one man job.
Just washed my hair and can't do a thing with it.
The artists at Costco always spot on with Weston's portrait.
February
Four months and I have found my fingers.
Always a Happy Jo when I wake up...and Mom keeps trying to feed me this slime she calls food.
Red Mango and Julie = fun!
Another thumb sucker? Doing my pilates while I wait for some shots at the docs.
PJ and Vanessa chillin at Grandma's house.
Happy Valentines Day. Dad came through for all his Valentines.
Someone likes the high chair
Mr. Wes needs it dark to sleep.
Charlie dances to the beat of her own drum.
March
Experimenting with angles.
Brian looking dashing in his tux.
B and P at the St.Rose Mardi Gras Gala.
St Patricks Day breakfast of green pancakes with green peanut butter (nasty) and green milk.
The spread.
SOmetimes Mr. Wes can't find anything but his Sunday shoes.
PJ and the cat scratch fever.
Superstar Charlie.
Brian and Mr. Wes at Nascar....yes...Nascar.
Another trip to Red Mango.
Before you all judge...The phone is Brian's old iphone which has no service. We have figured out a way through some free aps that she can call and text mom and dad only. (unless you all have the same apps) She babysits now and then and since we don't have a land line it enables her to keep in contact with us. Win win!
Charlie and Mo konk out together.
And yes...we are at Red Mango again.
"To be a super hero all you need is underwear and a cape." Mr. Wes
More getting ready for the Gala shots. Brian's tux RENTAL cost more than my entire getup. Something is messed up about that.
PJ growing up before our eyes...5 months.
Back in January, three months and checking out the bumbo.
Janunary trip to Arizona for Brian. He went all cowboy on us.
All the bones and veggie leftovers from the holidays made some faboo stock. Another random birthday shot for wes.
December 2011
Christmas before the children come down. My first attempt at Prime Rib...soooooo goooooood!
PJ 2 months of cute
The Mini-Van express. After the kids were in their jammies I sent them to their rooms for bed...on their doors were taped a golden ticket. They were instructed to head down to the van where a bag of popcorn and a hot coco awaited them. The express took them on a tour of some Christmas lights around the valley. Next time we will try to find some better lights...the ones we were directed too via the internet were less than stellar. The kids were more impressed with the lights on the strip than anything else. We also neglected to bring water. We had to stop and get some...we were all dying of thirst after all that popcorn. But it was fun and a tradition we want to continue.
The golden tickets. Charlie inside her Christmas Castle.
Christmas morning...Serra and her new ipod shuffle. Rosie and her new giant art set...Charlie and some new dollies.
Christmas morning breakfast has become a tradition. Egg burritos and OJ while the kids dive into the socks. Wes got a spiffy fire truck from the big guy.
The stockings...good thing Livvy keeps her nose clean. Rosie is soooo happy to be in Logan for a few days.
Nothing like marshmallows for breakfast.
Ally has the right idea.
Nothing compares to building a snowman with your cousins. Wes showing off his new dragon.
Christmas Day dinner. This is what a trip to the grocery store looks like with only 3 kids. It's a new diet plan...no room for the food.
Best baby ever. Wes at the Enchanted forest posing in several places.
The whole family at the Enchanted Forest. Brian had to work one Sunday...me with all the kids at church alone...that was interesting. Charlie longs for summer swim days.
Gramps and PJ
The perfect gift for a guy that has a no beard policy at work and just wants one now and then. Harry Potter-a-thon.
Trying to share the bear. One found from Halloween. A fat ballerina with her lady bug.
Pictures October - November 2011
Rosie and Serra at the Cactus Garden in Late November. Trying to get a shot of all 5 kids. This is obviously going to take some practice.
The kids love to help decorate the Christmas Tree right after Thanksgiving.
It's a fake tree Wes...don't pretend you can smell the pine.
pictures with my kids at the Cactus Garden. Charlie all tuckered out after lots of food on T-Day. Wes loves the Playskool nativity.
Wes has the idea for hauling all the candy. Trick or treating. And off we go!
5 Little pumpkins sitting on the couch...
Tinker Rose. The first of many trick or treat outings.
Rosie is 6.
Presley Jo looking adorable on her blessing day.
Group shots for Christmas Cards. Rosie sporting some fancy socks she got for her birthday.
Rose and her birthday loot. Sweet baby booties from Grandma Arnell. All decked out for some month old shots.
One Month Old...Miss Presley Jo in November.
Thanksgiving...Violet Rose and PJ. Rose, Charlie, and Wes on T-Day at Grandma Andersons
Helping out on Thanksgiving at the Shelter. Yes that's a diaper on Weston's head. Some Halloween loot.
Halloween...PJ skeleton and Lady bug...Serra Renaissance lady...Charlie Mulan...Spidey Wes
Charlie can sleep anywhere. PJ all bundled up on a crisp fall night.
At the cactus garden
More of 6 year old Rose
Dad Arnell with PJ on blessing day. Mom playing hide and seek?
With cousins on PJ's day...The Anderson contingency. Vito, AKA, PiedPiper on T-day
T-day yumminess
Blessing Day shots
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Once again time has really gotten away from me. Since my last post Presley Jo (aka...Baby Happy Jo) is closing in on 6 months old. Rosie turned 6 and Weston turned 4. I feel like I am always one step behind. 5 kids has definitely taken it's toll on my sanity and I have officially reached my limit. It's a good thing we have such good kids.
We blessed PJ in November the weekend after Thanksgiving. My parents, a few of Gary's clan, the Andersons here in Vegas, and Grandpa and Grandma Gee were all in attendance. It was a beautiful day. Some of the highlights of her blessing included: Health, Long life, a spiritual disposition, to follow the direction of the church, happiness and joy in life and from talents, career, education, and spouse, and to look to heritage and find strength in family. It was a beautiful blessing and one I will never forget. Presley is such a happy baby. She brings such joy to our home. Even at 5 months old she adds an element that I would certainly miss if it were taken. She is very smiley from sun up to sun down. Very rarely do we have an unhappy Jo. She rolls to the side and can go from her tummy to her back. She is getting more stable at sitting and I suspect that by 6 months she will be pretty proficient. We have started feeding her cereal and baby foods and she is reluctant but taking it. The best part about her is her sleeping habits. A month ago I moved her into the crib in the master closet. She has been sleeping through the night consistently since she was 5 weeks old. She sleeps even better now that she is in a quiet space all her own. Now if I could just get the other kids to stay down all night long!
Charlie is a full blown terrible two. We just shake our head at this little minx. She is so funny and sweet, yet the independent streak in her is loud and tumultuous. When Weston (especially) pushes the right button (which he delights in doing) the walls shake with her shrieks. She is LOUD! and don't try to talk to her until she gets it out of her system. She plays really well independently and with the other kids most of the time though. She loves to build castles with the blocks and to draw. She especially likes me to draw pictures of her, the kids, and various animals for her to color. She loves to pray and even when it's someone else's turn she just goes ahead and says one right along with them. She also loves to be outside. The weather has been great this winter and she plays in the backyard for long stretches even on her own. She has a bit of a reputation with the crews at Community Ambulance. It's like a badge of honor for someone to get a smile or giggle out of her. Everyone loves Charlie. On the potty training...with the other girls I pushed the issue at 2.5 years. She is ready but there is her independent thing that gets a little in the way. She feels like being a big girl about half the time. I guess I just have to relax a little with it and let her do this on her own terms.
Weston. Oh Weston. We are still struggling with the poop thing but I have high hopes after this morning. He has been promised camping with Dad if he can jump this hurdle. He is so excited about the prospect of sleeping in a tent, fishing, and camping with Dad that he talks about it every day. We forgot to put a diaper on him last night (We both thought the other one did it) and he went to bed in underwear. He got up in the night and took care of business on his own. This is a good sign. We are going to move forward with this and keep focusing on the positive reward for these milestones and hopefully he will overcome his anxiety of sitting on the pot. He is such a sweet boy (not smelling usually though) and my life will improve by leaps and bounds once he gets past this. With both he and Charlie we are finding that we get further with making a big deal about the good things that happen. So here is to only 1 kid in diapers by June! (Dare I have a goal on this matter?)
Rosie is quite amazing. I have read to her often and I knew she was doing well in school but she brought me a book on Sunday and started reading it to me. She was throwing out words like beautiful and princess with very little effort. She is pretty pleased with herself. She also has been learning multiplication and understands the concept which amazes me. She will try to trick us with math questions. As she gets older the tantrums which defined her just a few years ago are fewer and far between. It's a lovely thing. She laments she has to share a room with the little girls but alas it is the lot of being in the middle.
Serra is once again struggling with kids at school. She is so sweet and has no problem with kids at church so we are a little at a loss at what to do about school. She seems to be a target for being mocked and made fun of. She doesn't know how to deal with it on the spot and just takes it I'm afraid. There are a lot of tears and her teacher is clueless. Kids steal her lunch, her school supplies etc., and her teacher tells her not to tattle tale. There are also not enough desks for the kids to sit in so she has to sit on the floor most of the day. I have addressed these things with her teacher and am not getting anywhere. We are just encouraging her to stick it out for the few months remaining and are trying to make things good at home for her. She has commandeered Brian's old iPhone which has no phone service. We have been able to add some apps that allows her to call and text us as long as she has wifi service. She feels pretty cool. She has been great for babysitting. We leave her with the kids (minus the baby) for 1-2 hours at a time and she does a great job. She is able to keep in contact with us with the phone. Brian and I go on short dates for lunch or dinner with the baby now and then and she keeps things peaceful at home and even puts the kids to bed. We reward her with one on one dates with Brian or me to her favorite frozen yogurt place, Red Mango.
I have been able to keep up with Etsy and it has treated me well. I love having the extra cash to spend on the (as my sister Serra puts it) the unessential essentials. Just last week Brian took Wes to Nascar for the afternoon so I took all the girls to the outlet mall and we spent about $100 on trinkets and treats. The clearance section at Claires Boutique is like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Rosie especially is so thrilled with her new trinkets. The girls like to take the money they have earned as well and spend it on something. I remember doing that as a kid and it was really fun.
I have changed my Etsy name to Silk Inspirations to encompass a new endeavor. Silk Purses. I only have one listed and am working on a few more. I don't imagine I will sell a lot of them right away until I find the style and price range that folks like but I really enjoy making them. It's a creative outlet that helps me to keep a little of myself during this time in life when it is so easy to lose track of that.
Last Saturday was the St. Rose annual Mardi Gras Gala. I have spent the past month or so getting ready for it with the dress, purse, shoes, mask, etc. It all came together for less than Brian's tux rental. We are so buying one for him next year. It's lame to rent a tux for $140 every year. I felt very glam and it was fun to get mani/pedied and dressed up for the occasion. The event was pretty awesome this year with great food and entertainment. Kevin Eubanks and the Tonight Show Band played most the evening, a magician, and Frankie Moreno as well. It is definitely a perk of Community Ambulance that we get to go to this. Because it fell on our wedding anniversary weekend we decided we will celebrate #14 next weekend. We have a babysitter planned, dinner, and then the Las Vegas Philharmonic at the new Smith Center downtown. We are getting dressed up again and each have things planned for the other. It should be fun.
I am working on getting pictures together and updated hopefully before another 5 months pass.
Two weeks have passed since Presley Jo (PJ to some) made her grand and swift entrance. Here is her beginning. In the week before, I was dilated to a 3 and having contractions regularly but not consistently enough to warrant a trip to the hospital. If I lay down they would stop. I didn't want to be that pregnant woman that gets sent home from the hospital for failure to progress...been there done that. So we began to plan for October 10th as the day for induction. October 4th after picking Serra up from piano lesson we stopped by Krispy Kreme for some Halloween donuts. Some say that is what induced labor. While driving home I had a few very hard and low contractions which were different from before but again not in a pattern. When I went to bed they stopped and I slept well.
October 5th:
7:30 am - I got out of bed and started helping kids get ready for the day.
7:45 am - I had my first contraction that bent me over and made me stop in my tracks. It was really intense. I mentioned it to Brian.
8:00 am - I started downstairs and was bent over again with a very intense contraction. I started crying and told Brian I thought this might be it. He asked me if he should take the girls to school or if we needed to go. Knowing he would be back in 30 minutes I told him to go ahead and take them and I would lay down and try to get them to lessen in intensity.
8:15 am - Laying down wasn't helping so I headed upstairs to get showered and ready to leave. By now they were about 5 minutes apart.
8:30 am - Brian got back as I finished getting dressed (I put on lipstick but never did get my legs shaved). He helped me throw a few more items in my suitcase and then called his mom and Carol Cost to come over ASAP to take care of the little ones. Carol was closer and able to get here quicker than mom. I laid down on the couch.
8:40 am - My water broke. This was a first for me. I have never had my water break spontaneously. I got off the couch as to minimize the mess....no worries the couch is unscathed.
8:45 am - We get in the car and Carol pulls up.
8:50 am - We pull out of the driveway and Brian asks if we still should go to Mt. View. As I am a planner, I still wanted to go where I had pre-registered and planned on going so we headed North on I-95 toward Mt. View hospital. About 5 minutes later as contractions are coming less than a minute apart Brian asks me if I feel like pushing. I replied that I was already pushing. He veered across 3 lanes of traffic and exited. DIVERT! He made the snap decision to head to Sunrise Hospital instead. (Good thing too...PJ would have been born at the Spaghetti Bowl and 15 minutes from the hospital otherwise!)
Side story: Brian has been working as the Operations Director for Community Ambulance for a little over a year now and also has his basic certification. So he is able to go on calls and does so a few times a month. A few weeks ago he was working and got a call to Lake Mead for a bike rider in a tri-athalon. The rider had serious injuries that required a specialist at Sunrise Hospital. He drove lights and sirens to Sunrise from the 95 and so knew the quickest route. He would not have known otherwise as it is not one of the regular hospitals they transport to.
9:00 am - By this time Brian was going about 65 down Desert Inn, weaving in and out of traffic. Miracles...we hit every green light and only one school zone. He did have his GPS out just to make sure he was on track which freaked me out only slightly as I didn't know he already knew the way. As we turned on to Maryland Parkway which is the street the hospital is on the baby was crowning and I was screaming. Brian was very calm and collected and I only heard a few profanities muttered under his breath. He gets a pass for those. As we pulled into the hospital Emergency there was was a paramedic truck and a few fire trucks going very slowly. Brian laid on the horn a few times but they were blocking the ER entrance...so he pulled into the drive-up walk in entrance. He jumped out and ran inside to find someone and was greeted to crickets. I was wondering what in the world he was doing but then found myself preoccupied as baby's head came out. He says he could hear me through my closed car and 2 sliding glass doors...so I was making a bit of a racket. I was by myself and I was holding myself up by the hand hold and arm rest trying not to sit on the emerging baby. I was screaming like a mad woman. I only saw one person. About 20 feet in front of the car some guy walks by, he looks directly at me, then hurries on, and my thoughts wander for a minute as I'm screaming...I wonder what he's thinking?
Side Story: The paramedic that was blocking the ER entrance is one of Brians employees. He heard me screaming for someone to help me and said he would have come over but he was doing chest compressions on someone. He saw Brian and put 2 and 2 together when he heard the call go to the NICU and later called his wife (Gina) who also works for Community and the news spread quickly.
9:10 am - Brian comes back to the car and after a few fumbling attempts to get the door unlocked stands in the quarterback position ready to catch. He had found a nurse who had called a "code stork" which brings people running from NICU, and labor and delivery in a hurry. He was told to step aside by a few nurses (he later said he was never so happy to see a nurse in all his life) The nurse later told me they were very confused as to why a paramedic (Brian had his uniform on for meetings that day) was bringing in someone in a mini-van. She also told me she freaked out when she saw that the baby's head was already out, HUGE, and covered in meconium. All she knew was the baby was BIG and in distress. They got me in a slightly better position by laying the seat back and they hollered at me to push like crazy. One push and out she came. I got one glimpse at my big little baby as they cut the cord. They tossed her on a waiting gurney and whisked her off to NICU. Brian went with her after they got me headed into labor and delivery...almost a moot point at this juncture but there was still a little left to do.
For the next hour I got my placenta delivered which got a roomful of laughs when I sighed and said..."Ah, that felt so good." Anyone that has delivered naturally knows what a feeling of complete relief it is to finish the process. One of the nurses asked if I had been admitted yet to which she replied, "We don't even know her name yet." About an hour after the baby was taken away they brought her to me briefly. Her blood suger was low at birth and she had already been fed. She had not aspirated any of the meconium which was a big concern. I had not had my rounds of antibiotics for the Strep-B hours before birth which meant she had to be tested and watched closely for the next few days. They took her away to get her bathed and cleaned up better. She weighed in one ounce shy of 10 pounds 9.15, and was 21 inches long.
12:00 pm - I had not had anything to eat yet that day and I was starting to shake. Gina and Brian Rogers came to the rescue with 2 large shakes from Starbucks. One was for Brian but I confess that I may have finished the majority of both.
1:00 pm - Finally my little diva was brought to me.
Later that night the nurse noticed I didn't have a tag that linked me to the baby. She informed me that I couldn't have the baby in my room with me with out one and there was no way to get a replacement. I started to stress out. I told her I had to stay for 2 full days and not having the baby with me was unacceptable and detrimental to my recovery as well as to my baby. I had only had a temporary one to begin with and the nurse before her had cut it off and told me the one I had on my other wrist was sufficient. She took my baby with her and I had no idea what was going to happen...but I was ready to raise a stink when she finally came back and let me know she had been mistaken and new tags had been issued. The head nurse came in the next day and was very apologetic, gave me her card...told me to call her if there was ANYTHING else I needed. She also came back when it was time for me to check out and took care of the paperwork herself...something I was told later that was not something she ever did. She also hooked me up with more formula and diapers that I could carry.
Side story: Watching the news on October 5th we learned that it is the most common birthday of the year...something about New Years being nine months earlier. HAHA!
The next two and a half days I stayed at the hospital while Brian, Diane (grandma), and Carol Cost kept things running at home. My mom wasn't due to arrive until late Saturday. This is the first birth she wasn't present for. I was a bit sad for that. I had a lot of visitors at the hospital and lots of fun things brought in. Balloons, flowers, and an edible bouquet, and a few gift bags.
My folks arrived Saturday and Dad was able to stay til Monday. Mom stayed until the 18th and kept this house running smooth as glass. She cleaned, laundered, and cooked cooked cooked. I felt very taken care of and and am feeling really good. Miss Presley has gotten back to her birth weight in 2 weeks which is slightly more than an ounce of weight gain a day as she was down to 9.7 at week one. She is Soooooo good, rarely fusses, and a burp or poop will usually take care of that. She sleeps like a dream which means I am able to function well during the day and have healed fast.
Although this experience is a good one upper story, and a bit fun to tell, we have no desire to repeat the experience. This is our caboose for sure this time. We are quite pleased with our little brood of 5.
Presley Jo's first moments and the first picture taken...with phone. Thank goodness for camera phones or we wouldn't have anything. And Rosie meets her little sister later that night.
Serra meets PJ...A little bit bruised but looking pretty cute. Brian picked up flowers and donuts for the nurses...the card reads "Thanks a million, your 10/5/11 "code stork"."
First moments with Daddy...while mom was getting taken care of....and finally we are brought back together.
In random order...Wes and Charlie meet their little sister...second time in the car (haha) first time in the car seat...two days old
Labor and Delivery Nurse, Jasmine, who did the catching...Brian enjoying my edible bouquet. Very tasty! Thanks Community Ambulance Owners.
Note that came with the bouquet....haha...day two I think.
Home from the hospital...all my girls...Charlie thinks this baby doll is pretty neat.
Grandpa likes taking snoozes with babies....Rosie wants to hold Princess PJ whenever someone else has her.
Another shot of the first meeting. Weston is so sweet with her.
The first week...
TWO WEEKS ALREADY!
In case you were wondering who she looks like...
Presley Jo at 2 weeks Sophia Rose at 2 weeks
The donuts that may have had something to do with it...Charlie has to put herself down for naps now...
Serra went with her friend Shaina to the Renaissance Fair...they were all decked out.
Everyone is a little exhausted.
Presley Jo's first bath at home.
I haven't updated in so long xanga has made changes and now I am having to figure things out again. So...since June.
We spent most of June in the pools of friends during the day as well as several Dr. appointments for me. On top of my regular baby Dr. visits I had regular visits with the perinatologist as well. I get to do that with my pregnancies because of my "risk factors". With this pregnancy I added a risk factor when the twin vanished...along with that I have a blood clot disorder, a history of miscarriages, and advanced maternal age which is really just a fancy way of saying you are old. I deny all the tests and genetic counseling as I consider it a waste of time and money and so basically we just get some really high tech ultrasounds out of it and it makes my OBGYN feel better about everything. I also had a cyst removed from my leg which the kids thought was pretty cool since I had a wound that required stitches. They would look at it every day and oooh and ahhh over how gross it was.
July came way to quickly and at the last minute Brian decided I should spend the month with the kids in Logan. He also decided to come with us for the first week so he could go to his family reunion at the cabin as well. It was a few days earlier than I had planned on so the laundry and packing began and we were ready to hit the road on July 1st. It was great to have Brian with us for a week with no work to tear him away and with the July 4th weekend it was packed with family, parades, and fireworks. We especially get a kick out of July 4th in Paris, Idaho. It is small town America at it's finest. After that we BBQ'ed with the Arnell contingency at the Matthews in Paris. What a great day! Brian took off later that day from Bear Lake and rode 4 wheelers with Darci and Dallas over the mountains in Logan canyon. You might say I miss out on a few fun things when pregnant. I would love to do that someday.
The following weekend we headed to Park City to the Anderson get together. Lots of cousins and food, saw a few moose, and kids kept the 4 wheelers running non-stop. Great weekend. We were sorry to say goodbye to Brian at this point as he headed back to Vegas and work and we headed back to Logan for the duration of July. July in Utah has become a month of fireworks as the laws have been relaxed. Between July 4th and July 24th and beyond there are fireworks every night somewhere...mostly private shows but we attended several in Hyrum as well.
The last week in July was what I greatly anticipated for months. Mom and the sisters in Cache Valley graciously agreed to take on my brood for a week so I could join Brian in Florida. He had a Leadership Conference for work at a fantastic resort on South Beach. We only had to come up with my plane ticket etc. We had enough points earned on credit cards and only had to pay $10 for my ticket. SCORE. Melinda Arnell graciously picked me up Monday morning at 4am. Whew! and got me to the airport in perfect timing. I spent the day getting across the country. The only part that was hard was switching planes and having to haul my large pregnant self from one end of the airport to the other and make sure I got some food along the way. When I finally got to Florida I was too cheap to take a $40 cab to the hotel so I figured out the bus system and spent $2.30 instead. I got to see some interesting neighborhoods along the way. The bus driver, who I think was at the end of her shift and wanted to high tail it back to the station, made me get off a stop early. I was supposed to get off right in front of my hotel but ended up a few blocks away. Thank goodness for GPS on my phone and Brian meeting me half way. South Beach has a lot of drugged out homeless people that were eager to 'help' me with my luggage. It was so good to see Brian after so many weeks.
We had a great little room. I had enough time to drop stuff off and clean up a bit before we met Brian's bosses and significant others for dinner. They treated us to a very nice dinner. We were able to walk a little which felt good after sitting on a plane all day. Brian was able to spend a few hours a day and every evening with me but was good about attending the classes he was there for. I on the other hand enjoyed myself immensely. The only reason I got out of bed in the morning was because I got hungry. Most mornings I headed downstairs, got a large fresh squeezed OJ, some fruit, and a bagel and headed to the beach which was behind the hotel. I sat under an umbrella on a nicely padded lounge chair and read, slept, stared at the ocean, and relaxed. I have never done that in my life. Especially the past 10 years. Any vacation we have been on we are sight seeing etc...and it's go go go with a schedule and kids. If we went to the beach I was always counting kids and hauling around necessary kid stuff. For this trip...I only carried what I needed, and at lunch time I waved over the guys in white shirts and ordered food, drinks, cold water, and buckets of ice...ahhh!
We were treated to dinner most nights at some of the nicest places on South Beach, spent one day touring the Everglades and surrounding ocean areas and islands, and I had my first Manicure/Pedicure/Facial. That was really nice and I think I could get used to such things. A few nights Brian and I went out into the ocean at night...it was not overly dark with all the hotels lit up and lining the beach. Swimming in the Atlantic and night was pretty cool. That was the only time we went swimming in the pool as well as it was not crowded. The water in the pool and ocean were both like bath water. The last night while swimming we watched as some loser stole our camera. We were too far out to do anything about it. We were glad we had left phones and other valuables in our room. The irritating thing is that the camera is 5 years old and not worth anything except to me. All my pictures from the whole trip were gone. Good thing I had taken a lot with my phone to post for Brian and the kids. Overall, it was a fantastic get away especially knowing it will be the last for a few years at least. I recognize how important it is for Brian and I to have that time together with out all the clutter of life and without the kids for a few days. It was rejuvenating for us both. I know it was a lot of work for my Mom and sisters but I sooooo appreciated it.
I traveled back on Saturday the 30th. Brian was able to get an earlier flight so we were able to go to the airport together and left with in 20 minutes of each other. He headed back to Vegas and I to Salt Lake. I ended up sitting next to a fat guy with no manners at all. He was belching constantly (stinky) and made no effort to keep from spilling himself into my space. I could tell the flight attendants felt bad for me as they kept checking on me and asking me if I was OK. I made it back to Salt Lake around 7pm where Julie and Jared picked me up. I then took Mom's car which was at Julies and headed back to Logan. The kids were already asleep which made for a fun reunion in the morning with gifts and hugs.
We spent a few more days so I could get laundry done and try to gather all our stuff together and then we headed back to the scorching heat of Las Vegas on August 3rd. Some of my favorite things about spending time in Logan included: Lot's of cousin time for the kids, A great outdoor environment for the kids to exhaust themselves in play, fresh raspberries everyday, small town activities in the evenings, irrigation water, breakfast on the deck, cool evenings, Wes calling Ethan and Landon..."my boys".
The Monday before we came back Weston landed wrong on the trampoline and broke his arm. Once again, a broken limb and I am pregnant and can't take my kid in for the x-rays. This time Liesl was there and was a major help in distracting Wes so we could get the x-rays. Poor kid. He had a full arm splint on for the first week and Brian took him in for a cast when we got back. It quickly became his weapon of choice and excuse to get out of anything including saying the blessing at meals. "I can't, not with a broken arm." He had that sucker on for 4 weeks which put a real damper on swim related activities. We still went to a few but he had to sit it out which was a bit of a bummer.
August brought on my birthday (38). I felt like I had already gotten plenty for my birthday in the way of a vacation and pampering in Florida and just asked for dinner out with Brian. Carol came and watched the kids and we ate at one of my favorites, Ventanos, and then Frozen custard after. It doesn't take much to make me happy. The day after we headed to Ceder City for Georgie's baptism and were also treated to A Midsummer Nights Dream at the Shakespeare Festival where she performed this year. That was pretty cool and the kids enjoyed the bonus time with their cousins.
The end of August was the start of a new school year. When the list of needed school items came out I almost passed out. We have the girls at a charter school which gives them a much better education experience in my opinion but we are required to supply so much more out of pocket even though the school falls under the Clark County School district. We don't get the same funding that regular public schools get. The teachers and parents have to supply everything out of pocket or through grants. I knew it was going to take a lot of energy and a lot of stores and dragging the kids all over to find everything. Diane stepped up and volunteered to take care of the lists for me. She saved my neck. She indicated it took her most of the day and many stores to find everything. It really would have wiped me out. I was so thankful for her help. She even got a new outfit for all the kids. I am very blessed with such wonderful family.
August 29th was the first day and Rosie's first day of Kindergarten. I didn't cry like I did with Serra. Maybe that's because Brian took them and before I knew it I was picking her up. Half day Kindergarten doesn't last very long. For this first month she asks me everyday..."what are we doing tomorrow morning?" I tell her school...to which she replies..."AGAIN!" Get used to it kid...it's called the next 13 years. It's been nearly a month now and the kids are settled in to a routine at school and really love it and their teachers. Rosie is amazing and is picking up things very quickly. She is already sounding out words every where we go and telling me what things say. She is doing math and comes home singing me songs she has learned everyday. Serra has been going through the evaluation period mostly with a new teacher and getting into a groove with her various subjects. The great thing about this school is that grades 1-3 are together and get to keep the same teacher for those 3 years...and 4-5 are the same. She will be able to have the same teacher next year and just be able to pick up where she left off. I am starting to dread the teenage years a bit with the drama that she comes home with though. Already in the 4th grade there is way too much of it.
This weekend marks week 37 with this pregnancy. There will be no amnio this time around or scheduled induction at 37 weeks. Much to my doctors dismay...insurance companies and hospitals have cracked down on inductions before 39 weeks. Having a big baby does not qualify as a medical reason. I'm ok with it as I planned on waiting at least until 38 weeks this time around to avoid the amnio and possibly digestion issues which were a bit of an issue with Wes and Charlie. I'm hoping an extra week would allow that system to mature a bit and avoid the acid reflux and projectile vomiting. I am a bit worried about going into labor on my own, however, as it could go really fast. My hospital is 30 minutes away and it will take family at least 45 minutes to get to us to help out with the kids. Community Ambulance has assured me that if I am going fast I can count on an ambulance with lights and sirens to get me to the hospital. Let's hope it doesn't come to that. If baby girl doesn't make an appearance before 39 weeks I have an appointment on October 10th. 8am.
I have a few hours every day with just Wes and Charlie (for the time being) and they are quite the pair. We have a loop downstairs that is perfect for tricycle riding and chasing each other. They are creatures of habit and their morning starts with getting dressed, a coco and cereal, a show, and then bringing every pillow, blanket, and couch cushion in the house to the middle of the living room floor for jumping into and burying each other. Then the chasing and riding the loop begin. They keep each other quite busy. Rosie joins in the mix at 11:30 and then when Serra gets home it's clean up time...Serra loves that.
Weston is doing a little better with potty training and we have scored a few more poops but Charlie is passing him up. She has gone this entire week with all poops in the potty on her own. She also is about 50% on the other end with making it in time. Wes just says..."good job Charlie." I am not ready to throw her in undies just yet as I worry that with the baby coming things will back slide a little. For the time being I will enjoy a few less poopy diapers everyday.
Charlie is talking up a storm and repeats everything she hears and is very understandable in asking for what she wants or telling us things. She can hold her own against all these older kids and lets it be know when she is displeased. She is very independent which will be good when she is no longer the baby. She especially loves her daddy and is soooo happy when he comes home. If she happens to already be in bed when the garage door opens she freaks out because she wants to run downstairs and give a proper greeting.
Wes started stuttering a bit earlier this summer and it was pretty bad through July. It seems to have settled down a bit as we we have gotten settled and into a routine around here. His communication is getting better and I think I will hold off on speech therapy for the time being. I may get him tested in a few months if I don't see more improvement though.
My lady friends threw me a shower/diaper drop a few weeks ago. It was mostly diapers as we really have most everything we need. I think we are set for at least 6 months...a big help for sure. Community Ambulance wanted to do something big and finally got it out of me that I have never had a matching travel system exclusively for a boy or girl. We have always gone generic as we expected to have other kids. Since this is our last they hooked us up with a fantastic single stroller and matching car seat and it is completely girly. hehe... It was something I was not going to get because we have the double stroller but it will really nice to have when we go places as a family that require a bit of walking so the youngest 3 can all ride, and also when we take walks to the park. I won't always want to take the double. I'm feeling a little spoiled.
I ended up with a minor case of pneumonia the past few weeks that knocked me off my feet until I got on anti-biotics. Sometimes there is only so much you can do with prevention and home remedies. My system was already taxed with pregnancy and fatigue and when the kids started school they brought home with them some bugs. I am 95% there and relieved to have kicked this one before the baby gets here. Delivering when sick is a real bummer...been there, done that! I have had great support from family and friends throughout and the kids have been great. While on the preggers subject I must say that although being pregnant with 4 other kids is taxing at times my other issues that usually go along with the gestation have been minimal to non-existent. Typically the last few months I am plagued with debilitating carpel tunnel and end up having to get cortisone shots in my wrists just so I can pick up a fork or even sleep without pain. I have had that with every pregnancy...but not this time. It has been very minor. I have also had nasty heartburn with every one...but not this time. There have been a few nights that I needed to take a Tums but for the most part it has been absent. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm gonna have a bald baby...if the old wives tale holds water. Sleeping in the last trimester has always been difficult as well. We purchased a much needed new bed last year and I am very comfy at night. Even at this late stage as long as I rotate every few hours (potty breaks) I stay pretty comfortable. Sleeping is a different story altogether. I wake for hours at a time some nights. I am at the point now that every time I stand up I have contractions...and if I stay on my feet for too long they are pretty consistent. Needless to say I am getting in a lot of reading since I need to stay down. We have a good carpool set up so I only need to do one run to the school a day and sometimes not even that. Brian does all the grocery shopping and I am able to leave Serra with the kids for short periods while I run errands now and then to avoid taking them all with me. I have been able to do a lot of shopping on line which saves on trips out as well. I was able to score all the kids Halloween costumes for free this year using points on my Disney Visa so we are ready for Halloween. The baby crib and clothes are all ready to go and my bag is packed...I'm ready. I can't wait to meet our caboose.
It's starting to cool down. We had our last day of triple digits a week or so ago and have been in the lower 90 degree range all with week and last. I am REALLY looking forward to fall and winter and the pleasantness it brings to these parts...and lower power bills. Last weekend Brian went on a hike he's been planning for a few months up Mount Charleston. It is one of the most challenging hikes in the country...top 10 I believe. I think they ended up doing 21 miles in one day. He is sporting some nasty blisters and is still sore many days later. Maybe he should have started smaller after not hiking for awhile but he just says...I did it didn't I? Check out his facebook for pictures he took.
That about catches us up until this baby gets here. Don't expect a post until after that! Here are a lot of pictures from our summer.
We start off in Paris at the Parade and BBQ:
My bro David with his baby girl. My youngest munchkins at the parade.
Best view on the street.
Random: In case you haven't seen this shot of the men behind Community Ambulance.
Doug and his newest critter chill in the grass while the little kids explore.
Handsome Wes and his boys hang out on the tractor. Life doesn't get much better for than this for these manly men.
Charlie and "Willy" as she calls her find some friends and a wind chime while Serra Rich and cute baby girls chow down.
Julie and Lillers. Dallas and Melinda and sweet little Samantha.
At Great Grandma's in Bear Lake...scoring some dum dums. Landon has the cutest mouth.
More suckers and Mr. Wes is quite enamored with Charlie the Horse.
Rosie finds a horse shoe and it doesn't make it home...guess we'll have to find it again next time.
Hurray for fireworks, sparklers, popcorn, and cousins!
Charlie takes a break from popcorn to be amazed by fireworks.
How many kids have stood on this...I'm sure it's in the hundreds.
To the cabin in Park City. Wes and Christian play with boy stuff and Wes takes a break to enjoy nature.
Plenty of junk food and crafts for the kids and always a meal in the process of being prepared.
Charlie loves Daddy. Wes shares Daddy's big phone for some cartoon time.
Pick a winner buddy. Maiah, Serra, and Vanessa.
To Logan...Grandma washed her car and the girls made sure the turtle was sparkling clean. AND!...Charlie turns 2! Just ask her!
Matching Dress and Dolly from Grandma Arnell. Back to Park City...(pictures out of order) Lot's of beautiful wild flowers...had to stop and take a shot with my cute kids.
Adventures on the 4 wheelers. Wes fell asleep waiting for a turn and Serra drove one herself...terrified the whole time. But she did it.
Cousins are the best.
Charlie enjoying some snacks or "nacks". We went to Brigham City to watch Moroni get put on top.
No trip to Logan would be complete with out a lake day at Bear lake
A boy, a bucket, and all the sand he could possibly need.
Nice shallow waters.
A jaunt up Logan canyon to hang with Dallas and Dougs camping families for dinner. The kids were FILTHY within minutes.
Pictures of Miss Charlotte on her Birthday. What a cutie!
A cupcake for the birthday girl.
Some more out of place pictures of the dirty day.
We spent most Wednesday afternoons playing in the irrigation water. Notice the skin tone difference between Serra and the Arnell boys...hehe
Wes exhausted every night. And what good is a vacation with out naps.
Brian looking very Mexicano and some more of the cute birthday girl.
Pioneer Day celebration in Providence. Wes thought the horse riding thing was pretty awesome. Grandma took him for a ride.
Wes decided he had enough of the irrigation water. He likes his new lizard shirt. Mmmmmm
More dirty kid pix
FLORIDA! Me on a swamp boat and at Gator park where we met a few live gators. My favorite part of breakfast.
My awesome view most days. My first manicure. Fancy expensive food.
Serra's first horse back ride and not quite sure what the shoe licking was all about.
Giant slip and slide in Wellsville.
Broken arm Wes and the new green cast. Kids hanging out on the trampoline eating ice cream. Right after the incident...pretty sad.
While Mom and Dad are playing in Florida Serra catches a fish with Uncle Dallas. More FLORIDA! Only night we had dinner alone...at a Cuban restaurant. Tasty!
Mr. Wes...My birthday flowers...and Serra and George at the festival after the play.
3D shots of baby girl at 30 weeks. Notice the already chubby cheeks.
Rosie's splendid new Sunday shoes...Kids at the duck pond in Wellsville...and the cast comes off!
First Day of School...Charlie has a love affair with drinking fountains.
At the Shakespeare Festival for an outside performance.
The new girlie stroller.
35 weeks....nice belly button...and 36.5 weeks (today in fact)...belly button as retreated...not sure why. You may notice that even maternity shirts no longer do their job. Mr Wes...not sure what's going on here.
Ran out of swim diapers...and that darn pony tail was an issue that day.
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