More Snow and The Rest of Today

I cannot believe that we are getting another HUGE snowstorm.  This one is called Winter Storm Titan.  That is comforting.  I guess Eden and I will be heading to store today so we can be prepared to be stuck in the house this weekend......AGAIN.  I also have to pick up Nauvoo kids today as my mom will be working in Quincy today.
 I have to give a shout out to my super duper Mom!  She has been so awesome with helping out with the Nauvoo school situation this year.  Every morning she has her car all warmed up and waiting when we get to her house about 7:15ish.  I know it isn't easy for her to get around out in the cold and snow and yuckiness but, she does it anyway because she knows how important it is to us and our kids.  She then takes them into school every morning.  And picks them up almost every single day after school as well!  AND drives them home to us in Carthage!! Does she rock or what!??!  She never even batted an eye when we asked if we could use her address so the kids could go to school there.  I really couldn't ask for a better mom.  Even when she is driving me bonkers, she is still the best!  And Cullen is kind of obsessed with Grandma Trapp's house right now!  She had a huge box of Geo Trax given to her by someone at church and ever since Cullen begs to go to her house on a daily basis....even though we have literally every single Geo Trax that every existed.  lol!  He is funny!

The other day, Jeremy and I went to Target and started a baby registry.  I had gotten a coupon in the mail for a free $20 gift card when starting a registry so we decided to go ahead and do it.  Well as we were going around looking at baby stuff we both we getting excited about certain new gadgets that had come out since the last time we had a baby or a cute outfit and were having a good time just hanging out, getting excited about baby girl's arrival.  Then out of nowhere behind us, a family friend saw us and blurted out "Surely, you don't NEED anything.  This should all be old hat to you now."  Haha, we laughed along politely but, I am about sick and tired of these comments from people.  Like somehow this baby isn't as exciting or somehow she deserves nothing just because she is 7th in line.  I get that some people look at us like we are crazy for having a lot of kids.  Whatever.  To each his own.  But, every single baby I have, it is just as exciting to meet them and prepare for them.  I love them all equally and SO MUCH!  So, I told this woman that we were not planning on having any more kids so I had gotten rid of everything so actually, I DO NEED everything.  And why is it when you have 2 or 3 kids everyone is over the moon ecstatic when you announce your pregnant and go all out but, then when you say you are pregnant with anything over that they are all ho-hum about it!?!?  I was #12 when I was born.  In my baby book there are two full pages of people who threw my mom a shower, tons of gifts, people that stopped by to visit, etc.  Things seemed to have changed over the years in terms of how people view families.  Oh well.  That is the world we live in I suppose.  But, all of us here, Jeremy and I, and the kids are getting SUPER excited!!  Cullen comes to me every morning and every night and rubs my belly.  He tells baby girl that he loves her and will see her tomorrow!! lol!  He is so cute and loving! 

Oh!  The big boys are in a super routine!! Every day after school they come in the door, have a snack, and head straight for their chore chart!! YAY!  Cedric likes to try to wiggle his way out of things but he is getting better.  We added another incentive and turned it into a contest of sorts instead of just getting paid.  They still get paid per number of chores they do but, in addition to that whoever does the most chores each week gets to do something special that week.  The last two weeks, Liam and Asher won a night out to see the Lego movie with Dad!  They were so excited!! Now, they are always checking to see who is in the lead and who will win what!  This week it is a trip to Scottie's in Quincy.   

Passed With Flying Colors!

My test came back with good results!! Thank goodness!!  No gestational diabetes for me, whew!  I did talk to them about my "episodes" and they said it is probably hypoglycemia and to keep an eye on it.  that is much easier to keep tabs on then the whole diabetes thing.  I have to go back in two weeks.  Yay.  I told Dr. Jones that this baby is huge and I couldn't possibly go on and he seemed to think that I could, in fact, go on. *sigh*

 I signed the papers to get my tubal done.  I am on the fence with it because of all the side effects and what not.  Jeremy is seriously considering taking the plunge himself.  After I heard from someone that it was only $750 for a man to get it done, I might have sold him on the idea, lol!  And it is outpatient.  Anyway, for right now my focus is on this baby and getting her here.  I have 80 days left if I go all the way to term.  I am slightly freaking out.  I don't feel at all prepared.  I still need stuff for the baby to function once she gets here.  We have a ton of added expenses right now with the remodel, cars, baby gear, etc.  It is all a bit daunting to process.
I am really excited to see what she will look like.  I am half tempted to go to that ultrasound place again and get a 3D image of her cute little face.  I probably won't though.

Jeremy and I have Mt. Hamill Construction coming in a couple weeks to give us a quote on the house.  We bought a plane ticket for my brother in law, Matt, to fly out from Idaho on April 1st to come give us our second quote.  So, it looks like our remodel will be during the absolute worst part of pregnancy or right after.  Perfect.  Oh well, at least it will be getting done.  l am thankful for that.

Yesterday

Today is one of those "productive" days, lol!  Which is good because with yet more snow in the future, I'm sure I will have more "down" days.  Yesterday, I went bright and early to do my three hour glucose test.  Now, the term 3-Hour Glucose Test is definitely a misnomer.  I had to fast from 9:00pm the night before.  Then when I got to the hospital I had an hour of registry and waiting, THEN started the three hour nonsense.  But, back to the beginning.  I awoke feeling nervous.  I had tossed and turned all night.  The girl who had drawn my blood the day before had kinda sucked at it and my arm was already bruised and achy.  I decided to get the kids off to school and then head over and get the glucose drink in me so I could get the three hours started so I could eat as soon as possible.  That meant no shower or makeup but, I thought I would be able to leave in between and go home and get ready. Nope.  They made me stayed at this test is a controlled test.  Grrr... So, I sent Jeremy home to get my purse, my makeup, and a clean shirt.  Well, he came back with a HUGE bag that made it look like I planned on moving in there, haha!!  Embarrassing on all levels!! Whatever.  I also didn't realize that they take your blood BEFORE you drink the drink, then three more times AFTER you drink the drink.  Gah!  They were very nice though and gave me a special chair for people who pass out!  And then let me hang out in a room so it wasn't as bad.  Jeremy came back to the hospital every hour on the hour to see my get my blood drawn just in case I passed out. I love him.  He is too sweet to me.  Luckily I didn't pass out.  I thought for sure I would.  I did feel sick to my stomach the entire time after I drank the glucose drink.  I finally got to leave the hospital about 12:45.  We came home.  My mom had cleaned the entire first floor of the house!! Sweet!! Except now I can't find anything, lol!  Jeremy ordered me mexican food.  But, before we could get it, I had an episode.  Jeremy is starting to get very accustomed to these episodes and I am starting to wonder if there is something wrong with me.  I got hot, sweaty, dizzy, blurred vision, turned white and fell on the floor.  My mom freaked out.  I hadn't been able to drink anything since 9 the night before either but, had downed some water as soon as  I got home.  My mom got me a cool wet wash cloth.  Jeremy went and got the food.  I got very shaky and couldn't see straight but, the made me eat and drink and I soon came around.  I was weak and tired the rest of the day with a killer headache.  In fact the headache lasted through the night and into this morning.  UGH.  The kids were not very sympathetic when they got home from school.  They just didn't understand I guess.  Today I go to Dr. Jones to get my results.  That test seriously sucked. 

This morning I have a ton to do.  Jeremy said not to over do it because he doesn't want me weak and sick again.I got showered and dressed then started laundry.  When I skip a day it seriously matters.  And I skipped yesterday.  I baked a cake for Liam's Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet.  I realized my arms look like a drug addicts arms and they feel like lead weights, LOL!  I have do lots of the household chores and realized that when I give the kids chores that I normally do it is uber hard to not do them for them when I am in a busy mode and they are at school.  Maybe summer time will help with that.  There is still a ton to do today so off I go.  I will probably blog again after the doc appointment to update. 

We're Going Dairy Free

Food For Thought

Here is one of MANY interesting articles I have been reading........

Got Milk? If So, Dump it!

---Dr. Akilah El, Ph.D., N.D.

Before I begin to discuss the importance of not drinking cow’s milk, I ask that if anyone believes that this article is in anyway false, please fell free to do your own research and challenge this issue. I guarantee that you will not only find information that supports this article, but you will think twice before drinking milk again.

Asked what single change in the American diet would produce the greatest health benefit, Washington DC based pediatrician Russell Bunai, says “Eliminating dairy products out of the diet.”

We were raised to think of cow’s milk as a perfect food. The National Dairy Council advertises that “milk is natural” and If you don’t drink milk, the council will tell you that your bones will become brittle and your strength will fade due to a lack of calcium. Many Americans out of fear make dairy products a staple of their diets. Knowledge is a killer of fear. The more you know the less you fear. Drinking milk will not make you big and strong, nor will it prevent osteoporosis.

Cows do not drink cow’s milk. Calves stop drinking cow’s milk between the ages of six to eight months. Humans are the only species that drink the milk of another animal. You will never see a kitten drink milk from a goat, or a doe drink milk from a bear. However, we have been conditioned to think that we must drink milk from cows. We are told that we must drink milk from cows. We are told that we must drink cow’s milk for the rest of our lives. No adult animal continues to drink milk after they are weaned. We, as humans, drink milk from an adult animal that do not drink their own milk after they reach 7 months of age. Would you drink milk from lactating women? To my surprise when I ask this question, many people frown in disgust. Human milk is made for human consumption for a specific period of time. It has the appropriate nutrients dedicated to building and maintaining our bodies. After 22-24 months, humans no longer need their mother’s milk. So why are we still drinking cow’s milk as adults? Not to mention giving it to our children. Cow’s milk is meant to turn a 200-puound calf in to a 2,000-pound cow. This reason alone is why America is the leading country in the world of obesity.

The Biggest problem with cow’s milk is that the protein in the cow’s milk damages the human immune system. Amino acids, the units that make up proteins, are building blocks for all living cells. When amino acids in our food are properly broken down by the digestive system into protein, it does no harm to the immune system. Protein from milk, however, is absorbed into the blood fully indigested, provoking an immune response. Repeated exposure to these proteins disrupts normal immune functions and may eventually lead to diseases.

Here are some of the disease that milk can cause.

Crohn's Disease

Asthma

Early Sexual Maturation

Early Breast Growth

Diabetes

Breast Cancer

Colon Cancer

Leukemia

ADD or ADHD

Prostate Cancer

Osteoporosis

Arthritis

Sinuses

Autoimmune Disease

Lung Cancer

Childhood Anemia

Diarrhea & Constipation

Every child that has an ear infection drinks some form of cow’s milk. Children who are breast fed only do not have ear infections. Also know that antibiotic does not cure ear infections. The average American drinks milk and eat cheese containing new strains of bacteria, immune to the 52 different antibiotics, which are also, present in milk.  Therefore, no matter how many painful shots you subject your child to…………it’s all in vain because it will not work.

If you or anyone in your family is experiencing health problems of almost any kind and dairy is apart of your diet, it makes sense to completely eliminate the dairy for at least a month and observe the results. You would be surprised at the outcome.

Glucose Shmoocose

UGH! I just failed my dang glucose test.  I have never failed it before.  Now I have to do the three hour test tomorrow.  I won't make it.  I know I will pass out cold.  Drawing my blood three times in three hours with 8 hours of fasting before hand and no drinks.  Nope. Sorry.  Not gonna work out well.  Oh my. 

Lactation Consultant

I am seriously considering becoming a lactation consultant.  It is something I am truly passionate about.  Or maybe like an advocate or something.  I am shocked at the amount of misinformation and lack of information given to new mom's about breast feeding and its benefits for both mom and baby.  I cannot wrap my head around a decision to formula feed.  Everyone has their soap box and this is mine.  This has been on my mind especially lately because one of my dear friends is considering formula feeding her baby before she even knows all the information behind it.  I have been weighing what I should say and how I should say it.  If you do ANY reading at all while pregnant you will find that breastfeeding is the BEST POSSIBLE thing you can do for your baby.  The rates of SIDS, RSV, ear infections, immunities to sickness, menengitis, colic, allergies, asthma, nearly everything are extremely lower in breastfed babies.  Babies who are breast fed even have higher IQ's than those that are bottle fed!! I mean, how do you say...eh, no, my baby will do just fine with the powdered fake crap?!?!?  And it's FREE!!!  Not to mention all the benefits to mom....*sigh*
I know it isn't my decision to make for other people but, I just can't understand.  That is what leads me to the idea to become a lactation consultant.  I could be one of those people that can help moms that struggle in the beginning with breastfeeding.  I think that would be rewarding and satisfying to know that I could help doing that sort of thing that is SO important for a new life. And it wouldn't bore me to death, lol!
 And that isn't to say that my kids have never tasted formula.  When they were old enough, and I would leave them with someone, I would use formula.  But, I always tried to get the best formula on the market to ease my mind a bit.  I was okay with it because I tend to keep my babies with me most of the time the first year for just this reason.  I'm pretty sure that is what formula was created for.  As a supplement.  Not a replacement.  Somewhere we lost touch with our humanity. 
Here is a thought to ponder.....Most formula is made from cow's milk that is made to "resemble" breast milk.  What other species gives their young another species milk!?!?  NONE!  Human babies should drink human milk, it is just natural, how God made it to be.  I have been reading a lot lately on whether we should be drinking cows milk at all.  I have been trying to cut a lot of it out.  We have definitely cut down our gallon of milk a day thing.  And our kids do love almond milk.  Now if we can make the almond milk ourselves.......

Sad Stuff

My brother, Russ, has been missing for one full year as of yesterday.  Many of my family and good friends reposted the flier that was made on Facebook.  Sadly, not enough people do.  (That is when you can tell who really cares and who doesn't give a rats butt.)  I feel like we have a hit a brick wall.  I have been watching the show Disappeared on the ID (Investigation Discovery) channel every day.  I set tivo to record it if I won't be around.  It is truly baffling just how many people just disappear off the face of the earth with little or no leads.  I don't get it.  Very few of the episodes of the show end with happy results.  In fact, so far I have seen only one where they found the person alive.  Usually they find a body or nothing at all.  Heartbreaking.  Is my brother just going to become a statistic!?  I won't ever give up all hope but, it is all disheartening. Russ was just not the type to leave when things get rough.  He did SO much for so many people and NEVER asked for anything in return.  Ever.  He is a fine example of a great man and one I will look up to forever.

CPR Refresher

A week or so ago, Jeremy and I dropped all the kids off at my mom's house for a couple of hours while we went to Pre-K Parent Night.  It was a CPR refresher class.  They also served dinner (pizza).  Kendall (my nephew) taught the class and did a GREAT job!  I did have an EMT certification but, I let it lapse.  Anyway, it was a good refresher especially on the infant portion since I will have a newborn soon.  It was on a Tuesday so we picked all the kids up from my mom and got them home at a decent hour.  It was a good night.  And I think Eden enjoyed staying at my mom's house.  She loved the kitties!! 

Silly Spongebob

This tickled my funny bone right now! LOL!  I have severe anxiety at various times in my life.  And without my prescription of Lorazepam (Ativan) I wouldn't have made it through some situations!! It's like a little miracle pill that makes everything wonderful again!! :)

The Perfect Sign

I LOVE this!  I will need to find someone to make this for me.

The Tornado That Is Eden

I have had about enough of today.  My goodness, Eden can be exhausting and counterproductive.  After getting little sleep, puking, and just feeling yucky since Saturday, I woke up today and wanted to get stuff done.  Eden had other plans.  She is a destructive little force when she wants to be.  I did get a ton of laundry done but, other things I was trying to do went out the window.  I brought in the milk crates that we use for recycling and started putting empty water bottles in the.  She thinks she had to crawl into every box she see and dumped them all over the kitchen.  I pick them up, she dumps them out again.  Then she goes upstairs, climbs on top of her little kitchen, reaches up to the shelf and gets the bucket full of colored rocks.  She brings them downstairs and throws them E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.  She asks for cookies (oreos) and smears them all over her already snot covered face.  She looked really good.  I got another big Amazon box today and yesterday and she has to take every single thing out of it before I can and then climb inside.  I make nice neat stacks of folded clothes, she comes along and knocks them down.  I changed the sheets on her and Cullen's beds.  She decides to remove the mattresses too and jump on the frames, breaking it.  She will not wear diapers anymore, she insists on pullups that she takes off whenever and wherever she pleases.  She also likes to stand IN the toilet.  And flush it.  I just don't understand.  All my plans down the drain.  I have little energy left to go on. It sucks to bend over to pick stuff up. I am just done with today.  It's been one of THOSE days. And this is just a small sample of things she got into today.  And somehow, remarkably, she still made me smile today when she climbs up on my ever shrinking lap for an oreo/snot covered kisses and big fat hugs! 

Introducing Juliana Nicole Clark

 I finally got to go see Miss Juliana Nicole Clark!! It was after a long day of errand running and I looked and felt like garbage but, I had to go see her and we had no kids with us so it was the perfect time!  I couldn't get many good pics because it was nighttime and the lighting in Sarah and Matt's living room was not the best so we got what we got.  I want to get over there soon and get some more shots with my new camera lens and toys and better lighting before she turns into a wiggle worm!  

 She is so tiny and cute!!  I just love her!!  

Oh my goodness, I cannot describe just how cute she is!!

Tiny baby hands.  I NEED more pics. 

Dad's Home!!

When the kids get home from school each day they ALWAYS ask when Dad will be home!  I tell them he's not done with work yet.  He gets a SUPER DUPER reception when he comes in the door each night!  Eden runs for him and jumps in his arms or wraps herself around his leg.  Cullen snuggles too!  Cullen also likes to steal Jeremy's phone to play games.  (We have noticed since getting our kids devices for Christmas, our Amazon bill keeps going up.....stinkers)  The big boys show their affection in other ways, like begging Jeremy to do things on their computers with them. LOL!  We have to remember to soak this time up so that we appreciate it more once they are all grown and gone.  I am glad that we get so much family time together!  Supper is one of my favorites too!! 

Side note*** Tonight is meatloaf, mashed potatoes, noodles, corn, rolls, etc.  Jeremy says that my meatloaf is the "Best in the 'Verse" (Firefly reference) and one of his favorite things to eat!  The kids all enjoy the heck out of it too so I am excited to make it! 

Minecraft Magnets

The kids got these Minecraft magnets for Christmas and they enjoy making their little Minecraft creations with them.  Sometimes they try to explain what they are building but, Jeremy and I are apparently too old to understand the fun behind it all.  Eden likes to take them off and throw them on the kitchen floor.  And I like to pick them up and put them back on the fridge.  See, fun for everyone!! :)

My Kids Rock!

I keep making notes to myself about little things the kids say or do that I need to blog about and then I lose the notes or forget entirely.  *sigh*  Oh well, I am going to try to remember a few right now.

**My kids can be very thoughtful and sweet when they want to be.  (Which is way more often that most might think!) At Christmas time both the Carthage Primary school and the Middle school had a store come for a day where kids could bring money and purchase gifts for family members at a reasonable price.  I think everything was $3.  We had told the kids in the week or two prior to the store coming to the school that they needed to earn the money to spend at the store so some of the kids had more money than others to shop with.  And it was just Tristan, Cedric, and Liam that got to shop because they are my Carthage kids. I told them that they could buy for whoever they wanted to buy for because they didn't have enough to buy something for everyone. 
Anyway, the day they came home from shopping, they all had some wrapped presents and were too excited to put them under the tree and wait for Christmas,they wanted to give them right then! So, I let them.  I cannot remember everything they got and for who but, I will do my best.  Tristan got Eden a cute little teddy bear.  She loved it!  Her and Tristan have a special bond that is a blessing to witness.  Tristan and Cedric each got me an owl necklace but, in different colors, lol!  They didn't know that each other had bought it,haha! Cedric got Jeremy some cologne that Jeremy really likes.  I believe Cedric got Cullen or Asher a car.  Liam got me a super cute Christmas charm bracelet!  I think he picked something for Eden out too.  I really need to ask them so that I remember all this!

And to top it all off, the people who own the Christmas shop thing asked Tristan to help out with it that day and offered to pay him!!  The school allowed him to spend the entire school day helping set up at the primary school and at the middle school.  They treated him to Hardee's for lunch AND gave him $50 at the end of the day!!!!  He was pretty stoked!!

I catch the boys doing the and saying the sweetest things to Eden all the time!! They are super big brothers and I know she loves having them all around. 

Cullen tells Jeremy that Jeremy is "The Strongest Man"!

I will tell Cullen that I love him and he will say I love you more and then I will say no I love you the most and this goes on and on and on!!   I love it because it is one of the best conversations to have ever.  He will also come up to me and ask for a kiss and then kiss me.  He then says:"did that make you happy?"  I will say yes, of course it did!! 

Today's Update

I guess we are going to buy a plane ticket for my brother-in-law, Matt (Ginny's husband), to fly out from Idaho and give us a bid on our home remodel.  She called yesterday and asked if we had found a contractor yet and I said no.  We still have to get another quote but, I really think I would like to go with Matt as I would be way more comfortable with him here in my house and talking to him.  He wouldn't be able to do the actual remodel until the end of March or the beginning of April but that gives us time to get some other things out of the way.  Now, if the dang weather would cooperate. 

We awoke this morning to yet another round of winter weather.  A huge ice storm with snow on the way after that.  Joy.  The kids are already out of school for President's Day so at least it isn't another snow day. 

Saturday Jeremy had arranged for three of the kids to go to my mom's and three of the kids to go to his mom's so we could go out for Valentine's Day.  Turns out I started puking my guts out so we stayed in instead.  It was nice though to actually get a good night's sleep in.  That is always welcome, lol!   I just keep thinking that one day I will miss them crawling into bed with me or waking me up to scream at me about a missing toy.  Right?!?! I will miss that!?!?  That is what people keep telling me, LOL!!  Seriously, I actually do LOVE snuggling with the kids in bed when they are in a snuggling mood.  It's when they want to wake everyone in the house up or scream for no reason or play with toys or jump all over the bed that is annoying. 

I love our lazy Sundays together.  Jeremy went to get the kids early afternoon so we could all hang out together.  I made the kids Pink Cows when they got home.  (Pink cows are just strawberry soda floats.)  It's the little things. 

So True!

Baby Purchase For Today

A wipe warmer.  Yep, never had one.  But, then I tried wiping myself with a wipe once because I wanted to know why Eden hated getting wiped so much.  Well, I will tell you why....they are dang COLD!! I apologize to my first six children that I apparently unknowingly subjected to a mild form of torture, lol!  I ordered on Amazon so it should be here on Monday.  Pretty sure Eden will thank me too!

I had it on my Amazon registry and meant to purchase it off my registry so that I could keep a tally of what I was buying but, then I didn't click on my registry to buy it so, whatever.  I had to go delete it from my registry. 

93 Days

I will be 27 weeks this weekend and today I looked at my pregnancy calendar and it said I had 93 days left! WHAT?!?!?!  When the freak did that happen?!?!  I am freaking out! Okay, I need to get ready already.  She feels rather large to me.  She was definitely bigger than the website said she would be when I went to Peoria for my last ultrasound. I swear there is no more room for her to grow!  I have been having braxton hicks contractions pretty much all the time.  I am excited and scared all at the same time.
 If this snow would quit already then maybe I could get the garage cleaned out and so that we can move our upstairs furniture into it so we can get the carpet and painting done upstairs.  Then we move on to the downstairs project which is gonna be wonderful/hell. 
I bought an Arbonne Fit Kit this week and a new blender to start getting healthy a little bit early.  I'm gonna do my two shakes a day and still eat whatever the heck I want for supper.  That is the way I like to do it so I don't really feel like I am dieting at all and there is nothing to keep track of either.  I'm sure my doc will be fine with it since my diet as of late has not been the healthiest!  This morning I had cookies for breakfast.  A protein shake chocked full of fruits and veggies HAS to be better for me and baby than that!! LOL!  I have to go do my glucose test this week.  Joy.  Also three days of Quincy doc appointments for Eden.  It's getting old real quick. 
Once baby Magoo gets here we probably won't be doing much visiting/driving to family and friends houses unless it is for something BIG!  Because we have to drive two cars everywhere we go now, if we go as a whole family.  Weird. So, people, if you want to see us, you are gonna have to come here, lol!  But, hopefully we will have a beautiful new space to visit in! 
OMG, 93 days.........

Late Night/Early Morning Thoughts

I have been making a registry on Amazon more for myself than anything.  But, I just got a coupon in the mail from Target that gives you a $20 gift card just for making a baby registry there!  Say what?!  So, I think I will make one there too.  I fully do not expect anyone to buy me any baby gifts.  It is not everyone else's fault that I got rid of all my baby stuff.  I am just having fun picking stuff out.  This weekend Jeremy and I shopped for carpet, stuff we needed around the house, and baby stuff.  Got a bunch of good deals on most everything!  We have been looking at new cribs too. 

The new chore chart/ child entitlement project is going well.  I can already see the kids becoming more grateful for the things they have and doing the things to help out around the house.  The book is a good read but, I am not done with it yet as I usually am with books.  Probably because I am in the midst of reading some REALLY good books right now that I can't put down!  One of the kids new rules is that before they turn on any devices(pads, computers, phones, etc.) they have to read for at least 20 minutes.  I will not have children that do not enjoy reading.  It is one of the top indicators of intelligence. 

Our new pediatrician has recommended that we give Eden 2.5 mg of melatonin a night to help her sleep through the night.  Still not working.  She also wants to get to the root cause of her not sleeping. (Tristan was the same way.)  Sometimes when she gets up at night she is very quiet and sometimes she is very loud it just depends.  That is why we are not convinced that she actually does sleep at Grandma Kelley's house but not anywhere else.  I am scared she will wander out of the house during her quiet episodes.  That is why we have monitors and video cameras. Last night was another long night for me and Jeremy and Eden.  Every night is a long night.  I honestly don't think we ever have a decent nights sleep and probably won't until they are all grown.  At least I hope they are sleeping normally by then.  We give the boys melatonin too to sleep.  I really love that Dr. Talbert actually listens and cares about what I say and doesn't just dismiss it. 

I think I am just going to post a whole slew of pictures from all the things I haven't blogged about from 2013 yet.  I just need to do it already.  I am not going to remember everything I wanted to write about anyway. 

Last night I went to Freshman orientation with Tristan at the Charger Center.  Oh my goodness, so much to do and think about!  GAh!  I cannot believe that we will have a child in high school.  So weird.  Just mind blowing.  They have him signed up for Driver's Ed in the second semester and I just feel strange about that too.  They have so many classes and clubs and sports and activities to choose from too!  Way more than I ever had access to as a teenager.  So far he wants to join the International Club.  There are 93 kids in his class. 

While I was awake with Eden last night I got to thinking about naming this baby girl.  Since she was kicking the crap outta me too.  We have been watching Frozen so much that I thought it would be cute to name her Elsa.  Asher wants to name her Eva.  Liam wants to name her Peyton.  And Cedric wants to name her Isabella.  (Cedric has a girlfriend named Izzy).  We still have Vivianne and Haven on the list.  And I think I might like the name Everly.  I just do not know. 

I will be going to Quincy today for Speech with Eden. I hope I can stay awake for the drive.  And I hope she is in a good mood after not sleeping last night as well. 

I want to get out and practice with my new lenses and camera toys that Jeremy got me for Christmas but, the cold stops me dead in my tracks.  I need a snow suit. 

Good Reminder

Baby Clothes

The other day I was typing some emails out and I got to say "the girls" just like I always say "the boys".  It made me all giddy inside!!  How cool is it to have two girls!?!? And really it is cooler for them because they will each have a sister instead of all brothers!  I am really looking forward to meeting this little miss.  Still at a complete loss for a name but, I am sure some will come.  I have a few ideas but, nothing concrete at all.  Yesterday Eden and I went shopping and we passed by some clearance at Walmart and she saw some baby clothes and that is exactly what she said: "Clothes baby, pretty!" She insisted on picking some out and so I let her.  She picked out two cute little summer outfits for her new sister!  Cutest thing ever!  I am so proud of Eden and the advances she is making in her speech.  She is truly like a different little girl now that she is communicating better.  I think that may have been the only "problem".  We shall see.  We still have more doc appointments but, things are going in a good direction! Yay! 

Spinach Stew

I made Zuppa Tuscana Soup yesterday before Super Bowl.  Cedric saw it on the stove as he was getting ready to head to his friend's house and said: "Aww, I'm going to miss Spinach Stew?"  I said:"Yep, looks like you are."  And he asked me to save him some, so I did.  But, what I loved about it was that he called it Spinach Stew!!!  It's what I am going to call it from now on.  And I am so pleased that he likes it too. And that my kids look forward to certain things that I make!  It kinda makes things worth it when you know that someone is appreciating it!! LOVE.

Good Times

I don't see how I can get any bigger. I mean obviously, I can and will but, I feel absolutely huge right now.  I can't breathe and I am constantly having braxton hicks contractions.  Last night during the super bowl half time show she was a dancing all around in there!! Which was awesome since The Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of my top 5 fave bands!  I saw them in concert when I was younger and it was one of the best shows ever!!  They came out onto stage wearing only socks......in one spot.....not on their feet!!! LOL!  Such a fun time though!  We just stayed home and made snacks and yummy food.  Cedric got invited to his friend, Hunter's house, so he was there.  Anyway, back to the huge little girl I am growing.  I am extremely tired because I can't get comfortable to sleep.  And I have to pee every two seconds.  I wish I was one of those stupid people who claim that they love being pregnant.  (I think those people are giant liars!) I do love the end result but, it seems to me that the process could be easier, lol!  

I am going to venture out with Eden to the store today to stock up for the next round of weather torture.  We are getting another big winter storm with anywhere from 6-14 inches!  Yay.  My heart is just oozing with love for this weather. 

New Program helps patients with PTSD - WGEM.com: Quincy News, Weather, Sports, and Radio

New Program helps patients with PTSD - WGEM.com: Quincy News, Weather, Sports, and Radio


I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder when I was 18 or 19.  I went to a therapist in St. Louis that used this technique and at the time I thought she was crazy as a bed bug.  I also think it is weird that they are just now getting this type of therapy around here seeing as I tried it 17 years ago.  Anyway, that isn't the point.  Maybe it really does work for some people and I just didn't give it enough of a chance.  hmmmm.  Whatever.  Still interesting to know it is offered for people with PTSD.


MACOMB, Ill. (WGEM) - McDonough District Hospital is making strides not just when it comes your eyes, but also with your memory.

The new program used by Behavior Health Services at McDonough District Hospital teaches patients to use back-and-forth eye movements and sensory aids to ease physical anxiety when patients remember traumatic events. The goal is to stimulate the left-and right-brain separately so patients can reprocess their traumatic memories.

"They compare it similar to what we do during REM sleep," Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Sheryl Yoder said. "Our eyes are moving and often times we're reprocessing information as we're sleeping and coming to a healthy adaptation about whatever it is that our mind is working on."

She says it allows the patient to get to the root cause of trauma.

"What the event was in their life and they sort of watch it objectively taking place, at the same time the brain is reprocessing that information and eventually we link it with positive memories and positive cognition's about themselves," Yoder said.

McDonough District Hospital says PTSD patients have reported rapid improvements like decreased nightmares and better interaction with others.

The Remodel

Well, the bank told us to get quotes on the house remodel.  We contacted two people and haven't heard anything back from either one of them.  That doesn't give me much confidence that they could get the house done in a timely manner if they can't even call us back in a timely manner.  I think we are going to contact two different people but, we have no idea who to call.  Who is actually good at what they do, reasonably priced, timely, etc. etc.  I just want it all magically done already.  I have furniture, carpet, and accessories all picked out and I am ready to get it done.  I REALLY don't want to be in the middle of a remodel when the baby is born.  *sigh* I can see this is going to try my patience which is already dangerously thin, what with pregnancy hormones and winter blues.  And I hate having the winter blues especially when life is really good, which it is.  (Other than the fact that I am looking whale-like in nature, lol)
*side note*
Last night I full on couldn't breathe.  My sinuses are all wacky and this baby girl is riding high up in my lungs!  I was draped over the back of the couch in an attempt to get some air to my lungs.  I was ready to cry (like I said, emotional basket case) but, didn't want to because that would make my nose stuffier.  Ah, the problems of a pregnant lady.  I digress. 
*end side note*
Does anyone know any magicians or wizards that would like to come work on my house.  I'm sure they could get the job done lickety split.  Where is Dumbledore when you need him!?