Medicine Frustrations and Curious George

I have to say at this point in my life I very much hope I never develop a high blood pressure condition that is permanent. This is the second day in a row my medicine is causing me problems. It took my body a good 3 weeks to adjust to it but I am back to having the "adjusting" symptoms. It is very frustrating. Yesterday I could not even get out of the shower with out almost passing out. Thank goodness Anthony was home. Its frustrating because we are trying to get ready for church and then can't go because I have to lay down and sleep it off and Anthony stays to keep an eye on me. Many days my medicine or high blood pressure messes up plans. Today I planned to take Eli out and just get some fresh air and enjoy the warm weather. I doubt it is going to happen. I am already suffering from the medicine and have to take it easy so I don't get to a place of passing out since it is just me home. The good news is I only have a few more weeks of this hopefully!

I have finally decided on a theme for Eli's birthday. He LOVES Curious George so I think we are going to do that. I have a monkey cake picked out and Anthony wants a big yellow hat to wear. I won't be going all out but it will still be fun. Even if I just did monkeys he would think it was Curious George as every monkey's name is George. I think he will enjoy it. I can't believe he will be 2!! Hopefully this baby does not arrive on his birthday or they will sharing a birthday. I don't think it will but who knows.

Cleaning, Starting a Tradition, and Underware

We usually go grocery shopping on Sat or Sunday afternoon but decided to do it last night. I wanted to get out and do some walking and it was a good idea. So today we spent the day lounging, playing with Eli, and doing some cleaning. I guess my nesting hormones are transferring toAnthony because he was in a cleaning mood this morning. I slept in because I was up all night with inconsistant contractions. Anyways, Anthony got out the shop vac and cleaned vents and all sorts of stuff. It was nice to have it done!! I started doing the cob webs and Eli loves doing them but I just can't lift him around to help anymore so Anthony helped him do them. I took these pictures of them doing it because I thought it was cute that Anthony was willing to help him do it.

I have been seeing commercials for crescent roll pizzas for about a month now and always want to make them. So yesterday I decided to get the stuff to make them and thought I would let Eli help. I made my own sauce and then we added pepperoni and mozzerrella cheese to them. As a kid we use to make homemade pizza often. It was always a fun night and something we loved doing. I was lazy and did it the easy way this time! Eli had a blast helping here are some photos of that.

And then he started eating the cheese! Silly boy loves his cheese!

They turned out great and were a hit with Eli. He has not been eating very well lately and ate 2 all by himself and was excited to eat. I think him being involved in making them made it more fun to eat.

I decided I am going to make this a once a month tradition. As the kids get older they can pick their insides and help make them. We will probably add a fun activity to this such as a board game night or movie night. It brought back a lot of fun childhood memories and Eli had fun doing it.

As I was getting ready to sit down to write this Eli needed to go to the bathroom so I took him in to go. Then I gave him his underware and sent him to the living room to put them on. As I come back in this is what I see.....

Apparantly putting them on meant on his head and sitting in his new rocking chair that Aunt Toni and Trista let him use until he is too big for it (he won't stay out of the baby swing so this was the solution we came up with). It got better from there. Needless to say I was laughing my head off the entire time while taking these photos. He is such a goon and there is never a dull moment around this house that is for sure!!

All in all it was fun relaxing day! Maybe tomorrow we will have another addition to the family:) A girl can hope!! If not its just not time and this baby needs to cook a little longer.

Long Week!!

My goal this week was to survive! I did it. Anthony was out of town all week so it was just me at almost 38 weeks pregnant and Eli. That seems easy in theory but honestly I was so worn out. I also have been having contractions on and off. Nothing consistent but enough that I have to sometimes stop and just breath. I was ever so glad to see Anthony when he got home. Eli missed him a lot and he was so excited.

Tuesday I got all the stuff from my friend Meghan for the baby to arrive. That made everything more real. We have decided on names I think but will not be telling anybody until the birth so hang in there and wait for the surprise of gender and name:)

The remodel has been a huge source of stress for both Anthony and I. We just do not seem to have the time or should I say Anthony does not have the time. SOOO we finally realized we have another room that is perfectly ok to use. We just use it for storage. It will eventually be Eli's room so it is getting painted new carpet and we are moving into it. Our room now is going to be Eli's room and Eli's room will be the baby's. It will all work and I now we can focus on that.

This week I have been amazed with the amount of stuff Eli is saying his vocabulary is just taking off. He is really starting to use sentences more. He told Anthony yesterday when they were taking a shower that, "the water in my eye hurts." I can't believe he is going to be 2!!! My baby is not a baby anymore. Before I know it will be time for school. I need to get going on planning a birthday for him. We will be having it later as my mom and sister will be here at the end of March and I know they probably will not make it for most birthdays so we choice to do it when they could be here. I need to come up with a theme so if anybody has any good ideas please let me know.

Busy Weekend

This weekend was so busy but very enjoyable! Friday was spent doing my maternity photos. Which turned out great! I had a lot of fun doing them and I can't wait to get my prints.

 I was able to have some girl time with a good friend. She is having her first baby in March so we went and got pedicures and went to Olive Garden for lunch. Now my toes are nice and pretty for labor. Anthony had a good time with Eli and I know he enjoyed just playing with him.

Sunday was a different story. I still did not have my bags packed or any baby stuff organized. It was just washed and thrown in a pile. Well Eli was still sick with a nasty cold and was miserable so we decided to get some groceries real quick and just rest at home. While in the grocery store I began having contractions and just not feeling right like I was in early labor. I was induced with Eli so I had no idea what they feel like at first but after talking to a good friend and then my midwife we decided they were really strong BH or early labor. So yesterday I went into full swing of getting everything done. I accompolished a lot and am very happy. I know it sounds weird but I want another week before I have this baby so I was very grateful when last night at about 11 they stopped. I am sure it will be soon but maybe it won't. Either way the baby has to arrive sometime and D day is coming!!

The goals for this week are to survive and not lose my patience with Eli. I have little patience as everything it seems takes a lot of energy. Today he and I did some crafts so that was fun. I also am hoping to make and freeze some food. We will see how that goes.

God is Good

A little back ground for those that do not know it. I had severe preeclampsia with Eli. For those that do not know what it is here is a link that you can learn more. http://www.preeclampsia.org/signs-and-symptoms It is very serious and because of this I was not able to have the birth I dreamed and hoped for with Eli. It is rare to get it again but it does happen.

This pregnancy I began showing signs of it with high blood pressure at 26 weeks and was honestly crushed. I do not want another hospital birth or C Section. Thankfully there is an OB that works with my midwives and will take patients and do tandum care. Normally I do not trust OBs. They are trained in surgery and not birth. Midwives are trained in birth. This OB is different though. She has had 6 children her fifth she delivered at home because she came too fast and her 6th baby she just delivered at the birth center with the midwives. The birth center being away from a hospital no Drs. or all sorts of medicine etc. She agreed to take me as a patient and has done tandum care. In the beginning she really thought I was developing preeclampsia and thought I would end up delivering with her. As time went on and with medication it has just been pregnancy induced hypertension or high blood pressure due to pregnancy and is actually very common. It can be controlled with medication. We have been doing just that. Today I had an appointment with her and she said she does not need to see me anymore as she thinks I will be just fine!! God is good and it is a huge answer to prayer. She told me I do not want to see you again and hope I do not have to:) She said I want you to get your dream birth like I had with my child. This is so refreshing to hear from an Ob since most are opposed to home births or anything outside of the hospital. I am so happy about it. I honestly have been planning to deliver in the hospital just to not get my hopes up and so this is just a huge blessing. Hopefully in the next few weeks I will be able to share this baby's birth story that will be so much out of the ordinary as there are no epidurals, pitocin, stirrups, or any other medicine offered with my midwives. I do hope to deliver in a bath tub though.

I was able to get a lot of things done as far as baby. The car seat is installed. I have washed all the gender neutral clothes and blankets. I have the swing and everything out. I just need to put together and organize things. That hopefully will happen tomorrow! It was fun seeing all the newborn stuff again. I forget how small they are. Eli is fascinated with everything and did even help me today. He is going to be such a good big brother!

Eli went to daycare again to play. He had a blast. He was so good today and he and I spent some quiet time this after noon just cuddling and having fun. Then Anthony's other Aunt called to have him come visit for a few hours. He was sooo excited to go. I am so grateful for all the extra help. He sure missed is Daddy today. He would not stop talking about him. When he got home they played as usual and had fun. He is sick with a runny nose and cough though so I am hoping that goes away soon. It never slows him down though. Tomorrow are my maternity pictures. I can't wait to have them done.

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

As anticipated we got a lot of snow! We have never lived on the main street when we get this much snow until this year. It was interesting to see what all goes on with the plows and snow removal. They piled a huge pile right in front of my mailbox and if you know me NOBODY interferes with my mail until it comes for the day. I have even asked little elderly ladies to move their cars for parades until the mail comes so I do not miss getting it. Yes I love getting mail. They did say they were going to load it up and move it which they did. In the mean time Eli played on it while he and Anthony shoveled. It was fun to watch. He adores his daddy and loves to copy whatever Anthony does.

I miss not living in Idaho because of  missing my family but Anthony's family is such a blessing. They are always so willing to take Eli whenever we need a break. Eli goes to Aunt Toni's to play with the daycare kids. Everybody loves having him there and will always take him in a heartbeat. He enjoys going too which is very nice. Many days I don't think my sanity would survive without Aunt Toni and her willingness to take him whenever I need.  All of Anthony's family is willing to take him whenever they can she just has him more because of her daycare and it is such a blessing. All that being said Eli went there today and that let Anthony and I get some things done without getting interrupted which was soo nice!! I am feeling better about things. I was able to get the majority of my list done and will spend tomorrow working on baby things:) Anthony also worked on the house and did our taxes. It was very nice.

Eli came home and wanted to use markers. He has never used them before. This was the end result.

The second picture he got in trouble for biting the marker and I captured this scream. I thought it was funny he did not. I am so mean since I always have the camera out I know but one day his children will appreciate it:)

The all time funniest thing that happened today was a moment at dinner. I looked down realizing my belly is huge and about ready to pop it seems. So I said oh my belly is taking over. Eli then proceeds to pat his stomach and told us it was his belly. Then he pointed to me and says, "Mommy's belly is big!!" HAHA Anthony thought he was saying there was a baby in my belly and I said no he said its BIG!! LOL Gotta love kids. It was a nice enjoyable productive day and the snow was beautiful to see.

What a Day

Anthony came home yesterday and the first words out of his mouth were, "Wow you have dropped." I am not sure if it really is the case because I just can't tell. I can breath better and have no more feet in my ribs so I guess its possible. I just hate to get my hopes up before it really does happen. Then this morning I woke up in a panic about getting stuff done. I have none of the baby things brought downstairs. I need to wash some stuff and just get organized and none of it is done. I also have no bags packed to go and I feel like my house is needing cleaned top to bottom. I had a goal to get all of this done today. HA! Somebody forgot to remind me I have an almost 2 year old. I also had to get to Meijer to get my prescription filled since it was out and we are getting a ton of snow!!

So went to Meijer got my prescription and some last minute items I know I needed to pack my bag. I was feeling good that I made it that far. I get home and I am exhausted no surprise so I get lunch and Eli down ofr a nap. What do you know he decides today NOT to take a nap. He was falling asleep on the way home but now does not want to so the battles begin. By this point I am in tears almost. I am exhausted. I have this crazy urge to get things done and I wanted to sleep then get up while he took a nap to do some of this. Needless to say I was not a happy mom.

Finally he sleeps and I sleep and then its time to get up and fix dinner so none of the things I felt I "needed" to get done got done!!! All of this and I can't get a hold of Anthony to figure out when he will be home or if he is coming home but staying the night in Detroit. Poor Anthony got a phone call of tears and frustration. Needless to say he came home and had me write my list of stuff I want done and has promised to help tomorrow. He even helped tonight with some of it. My house is cleaned up its just weird random things I want done. Because of all the snow he has tomorrow off but that means Friday he won't be there for the maternity pictures. Oh well!! I can't have everything and I am ok with that.

Tonight we spent a lot of time with Eli. Sometimes I feel like a terrible mom because I have no patience for him lately and I just can't give him the attention I use to so I made sure we spent some fun time together. He was being silly and even wanted me to get the camera out to take pictures which never happens. Then when I was taking them he would tell me NOOOO. It was cute. I love him and I really hope I get my energy back after this baby. All that to say I will do my birth topic tomorrow or sometime this week. Tonight I just needed to vent. I am very thankful for my family and wonderful husband. My wonderful grandma reminded me today that God gave me the ability to have children and one day I will be begging for the time I had even when they are naughty. It really brought things into perspective. She is so right and Eli is such a blessing. It is not his fault I don't feel the greatest and I know there are a lot of new things so I need to have some patience with him! As hard as it may be it is what is best for him. If you have read this far sorry for the vent but sometimes I need to just get it out there! You can enjoy looking at my cute boy though:) He found a hat in his drawer that fit him when he was six months old and insisted on wearing it tonight while playing around. It is a Boise State One. It did not fit and he looked like a little Jewish boy but it was so cute and made me realize how much I do love him!!