My Dad

Growing up I think my Dad and I had more disagreements than agreements. There was always a "love hate relationship." He stepped in to fill a role that I needed but was not always willing to accept. He may have been my "step" dad but after a bit I realized he was more than that and from then I have just considered him my Dad. I am stubborn and opinionated. He is stubborn too just not as opinionated as I am I don't think or does not display it. It meant for many times of butting heads.

Looking back though it taught me a lot. I may not have always agreed with him but after having my own kids I realize he was just trying to protect me. For that I will always be grateful and will love him. Regardless of the ups and downs we have had even into my adulthood I am so grateful for him. I am grateful he took the time to love me and my sister and my kids even though we are not "blood." He took on a hard role and that makes him a wonderful Father.

My Dad is an amazing machinist. I am so proud of the fact he has been able to open his own business and be sucessful even while losing an eye. He was was in a freak waterski accident and lost one eye due to it. I remember going home and wondering about the uncertainty of all my parents had built in the business after his accident. He has recoverd well and I don't think you would ever know he only sees half of what everybody else sees. He has done a great many things. If there were one thing my dad is amazing it it would be perfection and precision. He measures everything exactly and has taught all of us the art of measuring twice cutting once. Probably my fondest memories were spent at the river wakeboarding, tubing, waterskiing, and enjoying family. We did this almost every weekend. I love my Dad and am so grateful for him!

 

Finally Done

I finally finished Ari's quilt today. I have been busy working on it the past week and keeping the house up. I have needed some time away from pictures, editing, blogging, and the computer really. It has been a nice break. I am glad I finished. I did have one night where my sewing machine broke and I was in tears trying to figure out how I was going to finish it. Thankfully I was able to get it fixed.

It turned out great. I have never used the machine I was using to actually quilt and realized as I started doing it it was not the best for it. Many stitches are bunched and not straight. It is something only I will probably notice or care about. It was also the first quilt I finished without my wonderful grandma's help. I can't wait to wrap Ari in it and snuggle him. I think it will be a blanket we take to the Birth Center.

More updates and pictures to come this weekend.

These Keys..........

Made me a Soccer Mom today. That is right we finally got a van. It was not the one I have been praying about but it is exactly what we need and wanted. This Van came about after looking for a while. The couple actually was not going to sell it as nobody had looked at it a month ago when they were trying to sell it. Then they got the call from us. They are Christians also and decided it was an answer to prayer. Anthony test drove it last night. I was not able to be there. He called me and we both felt really good about it. The couple was completely honest about everything and their attitude is we are keeping it if you don't want it. It was also looked at by a mechanic. It may be 10 years old and have a few spots of wear but it is perfect for us for now. They have 3 young kids so honestly I can relate. I also got leather seats which we thought I would never get. It was something I really wanted though with the kids.

So here is our "new" van.........................

Yes I am really that big and that tired! 36 weeks yesterday and we have that little boy in my stomach to thank for the upgrade in cars. I never wanted to own a mini van but after having all these care seats and young kids I realized it is just easier and economical with gas. It was never my first choice but right now it is about survival and what is easiest on me so I am loving it.

This next picture is how I really felt about the day. It was a long drive to get it plus secretary of state was a long wait and then a long drive home! I am tired! It all happened during normal nap time. The best part of this picture is Eli looking out the window. He never gets to sit in the front seat so he was super excited.

Oh and Eli LOVES the new van. He is at such a funny stage. I remember as a kid seeing radio towers and things like that as I rode in the car. It was always fascninating. I am sure I drove my mom crazy with questions about it too. Well, Eli has begun to discover such things and he gets so excited about them. Today he saw backhoes and loaders and towers and was so excited about it all. He even saw a "boat store" as he put it. All that to say the funniest thing that was said by him today was about the van. We told him this morning what we were going to do for the day. He asked, "Does it have an ABC in it?" Anthony and I just laughed because we knew exactly what he was talking about but wanted him to explain it. He insisted it was an ABC like in Aunt Toni's van. We finally explained it was a DVD player not an ABC player. It was too funny and cute.

I drove it home with no kids and as soon as we got home Eli jumped out of the other car and came over to look for that ABC player. He insisted the back controls in the back came down for a movie.

Needless to say he was a little disappointed but that is ok. We got all 3 car seats in tonight also. That is so weird. It is hard to believe in a month give or take I will have 3 munchkins in the back of my car.

Poor Anthony had to get car seats in with these monkeys bouncing off the wall excited as ever.

All in all it was a great day and the biggest thing is done from our too do list. This weekend hopefully we can finish bunk beds!!! It is the goal!

I leave you with two pictures. My kids have never done this until yesterday!!! I know every kid tries it but it just happened for the first time. They tore it apart and loved every minute of it, but I am glad it was just discovered. I can't say I enjoyed bending down reorganizing with my big stomach!

Feeling Normal

Today I am finally feeling normal. I mean as normal as a 9 month pregnant girl can feel. Today marks 1 month until my due date so I only have 6 weeks at the absolute most. That is if I go over my due date. I feel like the past week and half has been a fog. Finally I am out of it.

This weekend was the beginning of some new things for our family. I began working on Saturday. I have been doing photos but I actually went and worked for somebody. I started at the local cloth diaper store. It will be very part time, but I am excited. It was nice to get out and talk to an adult for a few hours. I also visited a good friend I have not seen in a while. We were able to get dinner and I loved catching up with her.

This entire time I have been functioning in awful pain. It is just the blood pressure medicine. Finally yesterday after having a really bad time even after sleeping and everything I called my midwives. The midwife on call graciously took time out of her Sunday to come over and check my blood pressure to make sure it was not too low, check on Ari, and check my heart etc. I could not receive better care from them and for that I will always be grateful! She also called the OB I see and they cut my medicine dosage in half. She also left me with a blood pressure cuff so I can take my blood pressure here at home to give them a better idea where I am at. So this is where we are now.

Today is the first day on half a dose and I feel so much better. I have been able to function! I can actually enjoy my kids. I have also actually gotten chores done around the house. It is so nice. I also actually took a couple pictures today. This has not happened in a couple weeks. I feel so much better. Hopefully we can continue with this. My blood pressure has also been great all day.

I have been working on diapers. I got them sorted a while back but now I am washing them. I had some issues with Lilliana's diapers and had to spend a ton of time stripping them. Long story short I now am just doing all of them so it is done.

Ari's newborn diapers are ready to be washed next.

There are a few more to add to this pile so I am waiting. They are being made.

I took a comparison picture of newborn diapers to what Lilliana is wearing now! They are sooo tiny!

Slowly but surely we are getting things done. Unfortunately we still have not found a van. I am hoping soon! We just have not found the right one yet. It has been a huge prayer request and I hope we find one soon.

I will put this disclaimer out now. The rest of these pictures are all of Lilliana. Eli has been anti camera again and so they are all of her. I always feel bad doing that but I am not forcing him to take photos.

A couple weeks ago my grandma sent the kids a box. It had a dress in it for Lilliana. She insisted on putting it on and then drug me into her room so she could put a clip in her hair. She didn't want just one though!

Silly girl. She is getting so girly!!

She also loves her dolls now and rocks them it is so cute! Here is a video of her doing that.

She also is talking so much. She now says, "Eli." It is adorable.

She also adores her brother's blocks. Today he was sleeping and she took apart his truck. Thankfully he was not upset when he woke up.

Hopefully the rest of the week goes as well as today has gone. I have several appointments and will be working but I feel so much better. I am hoping I can get some stuff done. I also am working on Ari's quilt so hopefully I will get that done soon too!

INSTAGRAM

35 Weeks-Embracing the Camera

Finally I got some belly pictures. We put the air conditioner in the one window I was using for my usual  pictures so I am going to have to do some rearranging in order to finish those! I did something a little different today. I wish I could clone myself to take photos of myself. Anthony really tries and does a really good job for the most part. I just know what I want in my head. I think its a frustration of any photographer. Anyways, the tripod and remote worked well today.

Over all feeling pretty good. I had feet in my ribs last night before bed. I ended up pushing on Ari for a good half an hour. He finally turned around and got his feet out of my ribs. It felt so much better. His kicks are now harder. He was facing my tailbone then went to facing out and this morning moved back to facing my tailbone. Not sure what that means for delivery. I can't remember. I do know other two did not do that. I was able to feel his complete little foot since he turned around last night. I love that feeling. It is just so cool. I have not felt that much with him due to his position so it was wonderful.

My body is finally accepting my medication thank goodness. I am having less and less dizzy and drowsy spells so I am happy. I feel like I can function more. Here is to 5 more weeks!! Earlier would be nice but a July 4th baby would be wonderful too! Either way when he comes he comes!! Embracing The Camera with Emily at The Anderson Crew today.

My Love for My Patriotic Baby

I don't think anybody can understand the love one feels for a child until one is pregnant or a mother. There is an insane nature to love and protect them even before they are born. We also put up with a lot to just get our little ones into the world to hold. Each pregnancy of mine has been complicated and honestly down right uncomfortable! I wish I was lucky to have easy uneventful pregnancies but it seems I am destined to always have one complication. As it is I feel down right awful. My medicine is kicking my butt. You would think in all of that I would be ready to be done being actually pregnant. The truth is I am not ready. I am not ready to share Ari with the world yet. It may be selfish but I like just having him with me. I am over being uncomfortable, but I am not over being pregnant.

All that to say I have been working on something special for him. As previously mentioned my love for him has had to grow with time. Eli and Lilliana were planned and anticipated and so hoped for. Ari came as a suprise but a welcome one. It has taken a lot to adjust to the idea of another child. Would I change it, absolutely not! I now love him so much and maybe even more so than the other two because I know the joys of another child in the home. So I have been working on a special quilt for him. He gets a lot of used things from the other kids. I wanted him to have something special for just himself. Regardless of when he is born his due date will always make him my little patriotic baby. The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday too. As silly as going completely to my due date sounds I really want him to come on the 4th of July. So all that to say his quilt is patriotic. I just finished sewing it all together today. I am waiting on the back fabric to arrive and then I can begin quilting. As I am sewing it I have been dreaming and anticipating wrapping his tiny little body in it, knowing it will be an heirloom that can be passed on. He will know it was made in love for him.

Where have we been?!?

Honestly, I feel like my head has been in the clouds the past couple of days. This week was a whirlwind that ended not so fun for me.

Last weekend we had a blast and pictures posted will be from it. Tuesday I had an appointment with my midwives. My blood pressure was better than before but still a little borderline. Wednesday marked 34 weeks pregnant and one of these days I will get a picture!

Wednesday I also had my first day at my new job. This will be very part time which is just fine with me. It was so weird going back to work. I have not worked outside of the house for somebody in four years. So crazy!! I am excited for this opportunity and can not say enough wonderful things about the owner of the store I will be working in. The staff she has hired also seems wonderful and I can't wait to get to know them. The store started out as our local cloth diaper store. I have bought a large amount of my diapers from there. She has had a dream for well over a year to exand into an eco friendly store. She finally has done it and I am so excited for her. I was approached to work for her last fall so I am so glad it is all coming together. We have had some family changes since with Ari, but we are managing and it is all working out great. The best thing is, kids get to come to work with me. It is wonderful.

Thursday brought my appointment with Dr. Herta the OB I saw with Lilliana. I was driving to my appointment on the freeway and passing a semi. Low and behold a huge softball size rock comes flying at me. It cracked my windshield really good! I have to say Praise The Lord nobody else was around because I know I swerved. It did not help the blood pressure situation but oh well.

My appointment went well. Dr. Herta laughed that I was back to see her. Her words are, "your back to see me so you can try not to deliver with me?" It is rather ironic but the truth. She actually was pleased with how I am doing this time. She says it is a good sign I didn't start having problems until 34 weeks. She also says it is not that bad only borderline. I did discuss the possibility of more kids as honestly, Anthony and I really do not want to be done for good. We do want to wait a bit. The biggest concern has always been my health. She said she would never

say not to have anymore kids because of this. She said this the pattern that it goes and it might come to a point I never get it. All in all it was a good visit. She put me back on medicine which is where things start to get a little fuzzy.

I had to wait two hours in town for my perscription to be filled. So I did the grocery shopping and got home late. Finally got home and took my medicine. It was also warm on Thursday. I also have had a strong desire to clean non stop. I have been spending a lot of time doing that. So I started doing that and about passed out. It is the side effects of the drug. It is frustrating beyond belief. So needless to say it has continued until right now. Right now being 5 in the morning on Sunday. I have not slept all night. Another side effect. Thankfully no more dizzy spells. My body will regulate this medicine at one point but I have felt awful and been pretty useless. I finally got the pictures saved from last week. I also began working on a quilt for Ari. I can't edit at the computer due to swelling. So I have needed something else to create. I started the quilt and have gotten a lot done. I am excited to get it finished. So our whirlwind of a week has ended in a fog. I have gotten a lot of things done in preperation for him though and slowly but surely Anthony and I are crossing things off our list. I just hope I feel better and can really get things done!!!

Last weeks pictures! Friday night I wanted ice cream!!!! I had been craving it so we headed to town and got ice cream! It was wonderful. We went to the park and enjoyed it there and the kids played.

It was a night I realized my kids were growing up. It is so bittersweet. Especially my little girl. She is not my baby anymore! I feel bad because I have been to big to really let her slide like Eli did at this age at the park. He was a daredevil though and climbing up on the big toys before he was a year old! Anthony was there though and he let her slide.

I grabbed Eli to take a couple nice pictures of him as sometimes it is hard to get him to want to.

I come back and apparantly Anthony's help was not good enough for Lilliana. Nope she wanted to do it by herself!!! She had done it once while we were taking pictures and then said, "again" and away she went!

She loves to keep up with Eli and is not going to be left behind if she has her way. Eli also climbed the rock wall for the first time. He always wants to do it but there is no way I can catch him at this point if he were to fall. Thankfully Anthony was there to help

Saturday Anthony had to work. The kids went with Anthony's mom and I enjoyed a nice quiet peaceful house! I have to say it was pretty amazing.

Sunday was another hot day and we pulled out the pool for the first time that afternoon and played.

Lilliana was not too sure and did not really spend much time playing in it. She was more interested in climbing in and out and bouncing on the side.

Eli on the other hand was a fish. He was jumping and playing and loving every minute!

After nap we were out again. This time it included popscicles. I have been eating them for a month. The kids not so much. Eli normally does not like them. He asked for one and as usual didn't really want it. Lilliana loved hers. In fact she cried very hard after Eli threw his on the ground and Kenya started eating it and we would not let her have it.

It was wonderful to play outside and I am sure we will make it out again today and tomorrow as it is supposed to be another hot one!

I also made finger puppets for Eli this past week. He asked for a snowman and caterpiller. Interesting combination. He has enjoyed playing with them all week. We will probably make more. I just have to find different glue because the foam glue I used takes a long time to dry!!

All in all it has been a busy week! I am glad it is busy because it helps the time go by quicker before I deliver! I will regret not getting any sleep tonight and hope I can stay awake in Church today! Hopefully by the end of this week I am feeling better and my body has adjusted to the medicine! Have a wonderful Memorial Day! I know we will be visiting family and relaxing!