Cousin Sara visits

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.

Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard

My cousin Sara is so good-hearted. And I benefited from that heart of hers. She traveled from her home with her 2 year old daughter, observant Ava, to go help a friend in need and then made sure to drive onward to visit me. We caught up 10 years worth. Almost. She helped bounce the baby, tolerated the selfish tendencies of my kids, and let me talk her ear off til past midnight. She'll have to come back again (I'll have cafine-free, diet mtn dew Sara), or maybe I will have to go see her when her new baby girl comes in December.

(holding Jackson with her cute baby bump & note how Ava is always "watching" in the next pictures- so cute. I hope she did not pick up any bad habits.)





ps- It's a small world. I went to visit Sara in Provo during the college years and stayed in her roomate's room- who was out of town. That roommate and my Ryan dated. Sara knew him before I did. Let's just say she has some dirt on him.

Thanks and Gripes

Thank you Stephanie- oh-gift-giver-of-great-taste. I love the "W" everytime I look at it and think of you. Come on over here girl!

Also, I *think* Jackson got his happy back. Call it Gripe Water. Call it qwack medicine. Call it working. And Ryan said to keep it up every 4. Life is getting better.

Who loves me?

I had two monumenetal items happen today. First, I recieved this Anthropologie treasure in the mail today- in a "W" of course. I could not find a single name attached to the item. I know it's not from the Tooth Fairy. Thank you gift-giver of great taste! I felt loved.




But I did not feel the love when my Friday helper-girl-that-made-me-so-happy, had to quit. She decided to go to school instead. Great choice for certain, not so great for me. I had a 2 week tease of kidless errand running. Anyone interested in a job? You will be certainly loved by me and at least 2 little darlings. I promise.

Pouch Baby

Schools back in for Tanner who started 2nd grade, Emma starts preschool 3 days a week, I have a helper-girl on Fridays (bless HER!)to watch whose at home so I can run errands. Jackson cries, cries, cries- Ryan says it's just plain old colic. He just wants to be in the pouch- anyone feel like taking a turn? I've even seen Landon trying to put the getup on- which made me smile. And brings back the memories.

Emma at 3 months old. And yes, I know I look tired.

And yes, she was a crier too.

Landon also at 3 months old. Crier too.
And I look even more tired here- I will not share that picture.

And now for Jacks. He was a magic baby until 6 weeks. What the heck happened?If I'm lucky I can slide him off my shoulder and lay him down without waking him while he stays in the pouch.

One of these kids better haul me around in my old state. They will have owed my crippled back.

Ryan tried to hang Jackson in the pouch from a doorknob in the late hours of the night. I completely refused and insisted he give him to me. He was saved- let's just hope I stay sane through the colic phase on round 4. Also, I might add:

1. I do let him cry.2. Yes, I swaddle. 3. Yes, I am calmer. 4. Yes, I breastfeed. 5. Yes, colic is a true condition in my book. Come over if you don't believe me.

Kentucky and Corn Hole

Yes, "Corn Hole" sounds vulgar. At least to me. But, it's a game or sport or some sort of fanatical thing that causes my neighbors to raise a serious ruckus through the wee night hours. And when I look back on our Kentucky days, Corn Hole will definitely be something regionally linked to those memories. It's as simple as pin the tail on the donkey, all you have to do is get the bag of corn feed in the hole. It's addictive.




My neighbor, Joe as we call him. He's handy. And he's making sets of regulation size and kid sizes for a great price. Ryan has an order in for one of each set. And they will be hauled all over the country I'm certain through our future moves. And people will probably think Ryan's a redneck or something when he invites them over to play. (You can borrow our set, or just get your own from Joe. I can get you his 411.)

Sisters and babies

Ryan's sister had her baby on May 21st. Tate Donald. I love his name- the middle name is for my father-in-law. It's their 3rd and I have heard only the sweetest things about him and his siblings. Tate's probably going to have all sorts of baseball skills. I know his daddy is hoping so.

My oldest sister, Summer Ann, had her baby not a day too soon (and not soon enough certainly). August 5th he arrived weighing just shy of 9lbs. He is also her 3rd and from what I hear bears a strong resemblance to his father. I wish I was there to love on this sweet baby- Gavin Scott. He and Jacks are exactly 7 weeks apart.

Jacks Blessing

Although we had no family near to help bless him, I knew I could not wait for the time when we did. We have many good friends here that helped- and many more that have been so good to us in the past few weeks since his arrival. Ryan blessed him to "be strong and weather the storms of life." My heart was happy.

(I had Jackson at the doctor the day before. He weighed in at 12.6 and the 90th percentile. I wish he would stay small forever- just 7 short weeks ago he was at 6.6 in the hospital.)

I've said this before,

but my one friend told me a long while ago about this girl named "Heather Bailey" and her crazy craftiness. I saw fabric in a store and liked it and realized that "Heather Bailey" was the creator too. I started reading her blog. Anyhow- my really cute sister-in-law, Jill, starts telling me about this little girl she's watching and I hear about her off and on and that the mom has a "really cute" craftroom. Put two and two together weeks later and she's watching Heather Bailey's little girl. (My SIL didn't realize the awareness status of Heather- is it celebrity status?). Jill was even her visiting teacher. And now Jill is her new apron model:




(too many links here I know- gotta run, Jackson's blessing day.)

Home

aghhhhhh. We made it.

We drove there in one day- creating car madness. And tom-tom/gps took us through some serious backwoods of Alabama places. We found a different route coming home. And, stopped over half-way through. MUCH better. Still 12 hours, but better split up.

Tanner loved: "snorkeling with dad!" (ryan adds, we can't forget the jellyfish incident and how he thought he was "going to die"- Tanner, so calm in the midst of stress). Tanner did save Landon's hand from the elevator door, loved the fighter jets at the Air Force Armament exhibit on base at Fort Walton, and lived in his swimsuit.

Emma did not love the beach, mostly the sand. But she did love to swim in the pool. Landon, not much of a speaker yet, would protest if we went the opposite way of the pools to go get a meal or do something un-water related. I heard Ryan say toward the end of the week- Tanner, should we have just gotten a hotel room closer to home to let you guys swim or what?

We walked on the pier, played at the beach playgrounds, swam at various pools, shopped at the outlets, ate some gelato and fish. Our condo had a full kitchen which was a huge help with kids that preferred not to leave the resort.

I over packed clothes for certain, read both 1&2 of the Twilight series, and kept inside during most the day-Jackson is too little for the sun. What I know- we need a suburban. And, Ryan lost his wedding band. Please return if found.

"I don't like the sand." Emma

Back in a week

Jackson- 4 weeks

( Thank you oh-so-talented Kristi!)

Oh, Emma

I was nursing Jackson and Ryan had the kids (and some additional neighborhood ones) outside in the front playing in the sprinkler. (Aunt Melissa had given Tanner a rocket that shoots in the air with the pressure of the hose last summer and it is still the hit.) In a matter of minutes, Emma stepped on a bee that required removal, got pummeled by the rocket that was accidentally misdirected at her head, and then lastly, got enclosed in the new collapsible chairs purchased for our beach trip. (Ryan came in the house to grab something and when he went back out he heard screaming- from inside the chair.) When Ryan brought her in he was laughing, she wasn't. He said life had been hard on her.

We both laugh when we think of being up at Hubers with her this past week and in the fruit/bread market she ran smack dab into one of the buildings retaining post which caused her to literally be flattened to the floor. I actually heard the ringing of the post before I heard her cry. It was that hard. The kind that makes people gasp.

She has been putting her "notes" of scribbles in the mailbox almost daily (we take them out), told me last night my dinner was "disgusting" (baked potatoes and chicken- nothing exotic) and that I should go make her a new dinner like "grandma makes."

Toilet Seat Sombrero

(this is gross- I know. Dora the Explorer doesn't care.)

"Keeps the sun off your face and the poo off your shorts"- Ryan

Everyone needs a John Deere & a vacation

At Hubers in Indiana. The shaved alpaca and pony ride were additional favorites.

Our next adventure? Florida. By car. To here. This coming week. It looks so serene. Oh, let it be.

4th of July

Just sit still!

Comin' up for air-

I love this baby. In all the chaos and sibling rivalry and flying sippy cups and "mine" tantrums that come up in my home, he has been the most calming, soothing, and tender baby. I have sincerely not minded being up with him for feedings at night. (Every 3 hours like clockwork- with no effort on my part.) I entirely believe him to be one of my most heaven sent blessings- one that I really really hoped and prayed for. Each time. But most desperatly this time. A baby that would not cry and be too complicated. I just could not manage. Maybe, he will change. But, right now, I cannot get enough of him- even though he banged up my tailbone good. (I told Ryan, maybe...another? 2? like him?)

A mom knows-

My mom is still here, but leaves Saturday. I don't know how she "knows" but the last 2 deliveries I had, she comes in 2 days early. I am not induced and always report my latest doctor results and this time with Jackson, she said, "I have a flight." and I responded, "Mom, it's too early!- I could go another week. I am only 37 and....." and she always says, "Lacey, do you think you are going to make it another week at 3 centimeters? I am coming." I always think I will. But I haven't. She always knows.

Also, as I started early labor with Jackson on Monday the 16th, we took the kids for a walk and the contractions were causing me to pause and we brought them home and Ryan did bedtime routine and she went and walked with me some more and then by about 10pm she says, "Lacey, just go to the hospital!" and I can see her giving Ryan the eye and I keep telling her, "Mom, I am not in labor enough yet- in another hour," or "Mom, they won't keep me," or "Let me take a shower and see if this keeps up EVERY 3 minutes like it has been." I did go to the hospital about 11pm . And of all the other moms coming in for labor- I was the only one in definite labor. My mom was right. They did keep me.

My labor was the worst of all the 4- he was the smallest too. I thought maybe they would take him c-section and kept giving Ryan "specific" things to pray about. Like say this... VERBATIM.

My progress was slow, the epidural did not take in the "pocket" around my pelvic region, and finally by about 10:30 in the morning I went from a 5 to complete within minutes. Jackson Edward (the Edward for Ryan's paternal grandpa) was born presenting face up (and my tailbone still feels it.) My mom missed the delivery by about 5 minutes- we should have called her sooner. She would have known.

This past 9 days have been with Jackson under the lights at home for jaundice, he had a work-up by a pediatric cardiologist for 2 small holes in his heart (an ASD and a VSD) which they now know to be minor, I spiked a fever on Monday, day 6, and went to the ER myself and was put on antibiotics, Tanner's still been at sports camp daily, Emma & Landon had follow-up appointments for their strep throat, my 2 boys needed haircuts- I didn't get it done in time and kicked myself, Ryan is interviewing for 2 more jobs in the next couple days (how many "gigs" does he think he needs?), we also had our 9th wedding anniversary and got away for ice cream one night. My mom has ran numerous errands, urgent and non-urgent. She's been the greatest set of extra hands and very supportive of me and especially overlooks any emotional or patientless moments that I have had. When I really think about it too much, I am not sure how in the world I will manage next week. Jackson has been the best baby though so far, and I have every right to brag. I have totally earned this one- my mom tells me he will be good. And she knows.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We Welcomed

Summertime Sum-Up: week 1

Monday- to the library (mentioned in previous post), Walmart, and play in the inflatable pool. In our driveway. We have no shame.

Tuesday- Emma to the doctor- she has strep. Then to Target to get her prescription, then finally home. Tanner said it was an "exhausting day". We missed his "school time", but he did read to me.

Wednesday- Emma's doing better. Paid for Tanner's YMCA sports camps starting next week. I had an OB appointment. A good 3 and the head dropped. She was not too rough and wants me to shoot for 1 more week. I think I am going to make it to 43. The best part of the day? My mom said, " So, I think I will come in town on Saturday!" I think it is a bit early but with her airline ticket it worked out the best. I am so glad she will be here though!

Thursday- I couldn't sleep so ran to the grocer at 4 am or so. Emma had a short play date and the 2 boys and I finished some Father's Day shopping and made it home to play in the pool again. Landon took a long 3 hour nap. I SHOULD have seen strep coming his way. Ryan home after 9pm.

Friday- Landon does have strep, went to Costco, picked up his prescription, visited a girl in the ward that has a brand new baby (my kids weren't there!), it was stormy- no pool. Landon was whiny. Did some more organizing. Ryan home after 9pm.


Overheard: Tanner say that his, "King tooth is loose." (ie- silver tooth I deciphered) and also heard Tanner say, " I love these babies!" to Emma and Landon. He has been a help to have home- minus a few "Tanner moments".

I'm feeling like the beached whale-

Really, I am. Just a bit more to go- hopefully not too much longer. I think I did all the work six weeks ago when I shouldn't have, and now that I should, I have stalled out. But I am off my medicine. I was telling Tanner "I just feel too big to do something or other" and he says to me so kindly. "Mom, you're not that fat... BUT you don't look like Traci." She is my ultra skinny "neighba lady". Also, the impending baby is still nameless- picking a 3rd boy name out is hard!

Tanner started Summer break and I am trying to have something daily planned. Today we went to the library to sign up for the summer reading program and for some reason they had 3 small bug carriers on the table each with a humungo Madagascar coach roach inside. There was reading information about them, but Landon just grabbed the container and before I knew it was shaking the container upside down. Let's just say I did not use my library voice, and the librarian in response to me, did not either. It's not like the lids were taped shut or anything- I think they should do that though. I bet they did after we left.

Mother-Love

"As mothers, we occupy a unique and cherished spot in the hearts of our children.

We must not underestimate the power of our position"- Debbie Bowan.

Completely evident is the seemingly soon impending arrival of our baby and I have found myself really contemplating just how I will manage. I have no intention of sounding as a martyr and I know that some things, like mothering, cause women to rise to the challenge. Maybe not perfectly, but at least with a whole hearted effort. I've thought about myself as the caretaker of these little lovelies in my life and wonder if I yell too much and over worry about the order and cleanliness of our home and are the meals healthy enough and shouldn't I be brushing there teeth much more thoroughly and working with Tanner on his reading and turning the TV off more and... the list goes on. And on. The best advice I read lately shared,

"Many mothers would do well to do things that are beneficial to themselves and therefore beneficial to their children. So consider being kinder to yourself in some way... take a nap when needed, by recognizing that you are a better mother than you sometimes think you are, by giving yourself a break when it comes to getting it all done today."

I don't think most of the things I worry about will be that significant years down the road, but I do seem to hang by them now instead. And I believe I need to try and stop and just remember, that those 3 little kids that are all bunched up on the same cushion under 1 blanket, although we have many cushions and blankets, would always first choose to be loved really well by me. I really believe that. In order for me to love them really well, I need to be kinder and gentler with myself. I will have some major adjustments to face in the next month or so, finding new ways to juggle and adjust and adore each child in the right way. I can't forget to be a loving mother to myself either.

Baby, don't come!

I took the kids to Hubbers Farm last week- I was feeling just a bit off, but who feels really great in the last trimester? Well, by night, I was in labor. Ryan cancelled on a shift, came home to get me and then dropped me off at the hospital because we couldn't get in touch with anyone to come watch the kids. They stopped my every 3 minutes contractions with a shot and hydrated me with an IV. I won't lie, I tried not to have a pity party for myself, amongst being worried about the baby and really awakened to the truth that I have to stop doing much of anything. I was 30.5 weeks, dilating and drugged, and came home and slept through the weekend and have started on an oral medicine to stop contractions that I have to take every 4 hours or more as needed. I'm so grateful for the 2 dads that watched our kids so Ryan could come get me from the hospital and for the kindness' of good neighbors (the yummy meal "neighba lady") and inquiries of concern from visiting teachers, friends and family.

Since I have had to "clear my calendar" a bit- not like it is ever really that full- I have struggled with trying to not feel so worthless. I also realized I had a list of things to do before the baby was to come, much organizing and some landscape work and overall just getting things ready. Ryan has had to help out a lot more- and does so willingly. My, "Hey, can you lift this?" or "You will have to do the grocery shopping." and mostly, "I need to go sit down." are always met with concern and support and without complaint. Thankfully his schedule has not been so rigorous as usual. He has tried to discourage me from feeling worthless and encourages me that "things will be just fine!"Just more reasons why I love my husband.

Ryan

Due to my pre-term labor (previous post), Ryan has been busy. This week he did some landscaping and put in a new mailbox for me. He's worked a bunch in the backyard and still has to keep up on work reading and the rest of his work life. But, he did get a new truck. It makes his life all the sweeter for certain.

He drove up to cincinatti and came home with a '05 Quad-Cab Dodge Dakota. IT is really nice and the AC works, and it has no waterfall leaks, and it was exactly what he wanted. He has offically graduated from the High School car- he got $250 whopping bucks for it- I figure he got a cent per mile that the car had on it. It was a good car while it lasted.

Coinage

This is Landon. With a coin inside.

I was near him as he gulped it. I called Ryan who told me to bring him into the Urgent Care Clinic he was at, Landon was ex-rayed and confirmed of "coinage" and then instructed by "Dr. Williams" to strain the diapers until the coin is found. This took place with all kids bathed and ready for bed... but the coin did pass 2 days later. It's a penny.

Wishes

Emma: Mommy, did your wish come true?
Suprised by the random question, I look at her and she repeats it again. She has the sweetest blue eyes and I love her so.
My response, "Yes Emma, you were my wish!"

Hinckley Challenge Accomplished

It was a commitment for me to read the entire BOM in the 97 days. Ryan thought if I was reading so routinely I should have had a better attitude. He told me that on an occasion or two. With a smile.

I do love this book! Reading it through at such a pace helped me to keep the storyline better organized in my mind and reaffirmed to me that no matter what or where, our Heavenly Father is always, always aware of us. I never want to have Him, "be slow to hear my cries," and hope that I will try harder to show gratitude and love to Him by being a better daughter of his.