Status to Date

The year is 1/3 over and it seems it has only just begun. My youngest son is already 18 months old and becoming quite the little man. He is still breastfeeding, although I would honestly be happy to give that up as soon as he is ready. Walking, talking, blowing kisses and well in to the terrible 2's already.

My middle son is 7 and still a pleaser in life. He wants everyone to be happy all the time and is eager to jump in and be my little helper at any minute. He is such a kind soul with a great heart. :-)

My daughter is 11 going and starting Jr. High in the fall. It's hard to believe. She possesses the narcissus of a child, but the sense of humor and love of life of someone well outside her years. She loves her family and is becoming a beautiful young lady. Her laughter echos in my mind throughout the day and keeps me smiling.

The relationship between my husband and I is amazing. Soul mates feels right. Our life is filled with love, laughter, food and just enough challenge to keep us moving forward and motivated to be our best. We have that zing that makes you thankful for life every day.

My life long desire to change the world hasn't faded. While I am perfectly content with my contribution to the world in the form of happy, healthy and loving kids that I know will make the world a better place, I want to do more. I want to urge the world to recycle. To come back to nature. To embrace what their bodies are telling them, to recycle and to be kind to animals. It's silly. I know. But, the feeling exists and I need to find my way.

Do I want to reach the milestones in my education I hoped to long ago by obtained a med degree and apply to med school? Focus on nutrition and psychology? Anthropology and somehow travel the world bringing cultures together for the greater good? I'm getting too old to not know anymore!

Don't get me wrong, I have a really great and successful career. I enjoy my job, I make enough to provide the things we need and save enough to travel and explore within reason for a family of five. I'm fulfilled in so many ways. I just want to do more.

Thankful

My (big) baby sister, Alexis received the best "Sweet 16" Birthday present yesterday. She got to go home! She will now start post-acute brain injury rehab in an outpatient setting. We know Alexis has a long road ahead of her, but the doctors anticipate a strong recovery. Alexis (and our family) has been blessed in so many ways since this began. We are so thankful for everyone that has offered prayers and support.

Alexis is an amazing, strong and beautiful young lady. Through everything, she never lost her sense of humor and keeps us laughing every day. She has inspired us all and managed to renew our strong family bonds. This Christmas season, we all remain humbled and thankful for such a generous and loving God. Money, gifts and material things will never equal family, health and happiness. Merry Christmas everyone & may God bless you!

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Our Family

Ugh! I'm sick and drippy...

It's so hard to stay motivated in the office today when all I want to do is go home and lay down! My head is killing me and my poor nose is sore from all the tissues. Who knows how many trees I have killed today just blowing me nose and washing my hands. I just want to go home and hold my babies!

Natural/Green Parenting

Everyone knows I am an avid supporter of breastfeeding. After breastfeeding 3 children, I have been through a lot and consider myself a breastfeeding guru of sorts and I do my best to support others in the process. I could go on FOREVER about the benefits of nursing your baby, so I will just stop right there. In addition to breastfeeding, co-sleeping and what they now call attachment parenting, I was able to take it a step further and Go Green!

Honestly, it was scary when I started researching  the chlorine, chemicals & bleaches used to make disposable diapers, not to mention the waste it creates. But, when Sawyer reach 2 1/2 months old I found out that the awesome caregivers at Daycare would support cloth diapers! Since then, we transitioned fully to cloth (using 1 occasional disposable for overnight use). I'll admit, you lose q lot in convenience, but you gain so much in other areas. The benefits really are outstanding! I am happy to say that Sawyer has never had a rash, UTI, infection or any other side effect typically associated with diapering. Not to mention the long term financial saving after your initial investment. I would highly recommend it!

I have also been fortunate enough to find my 3 kid parenting groove, finally! I have a pretty set schedule for each day of the week and have set Wednesdays and Sundays for baby food preparation days. This allows me to ensure Sawyer receives only healthy, natural, organic, homemade baby food. I am able to introduce so many superfoods that I wouldn't be able to give him otherwise. I have always been interested in nutrition, but after all the research I did on pesticides, preservatives, contamination and packaging I have been inspired and have a new found love of the subject. So much so that I have decided to pursue a degree in Nutrition. Eventually, I plan to write a book that include many awesome baby food recipes! I have many that I have read that I can certainly recommend.

Well, my lunch break is about over so I better get back to work. Have an awesome day cyber world!

1 Year Later...

Well, here we are, a beautiful, happy and oh so grateful family of 5. Our newest addition, Sawyer Harrison, is officially 7 months old and already more than 19lbs. He is a tall, hefty, healthy and extremely happy boy that completely lights up our life! Miranda & Ryder absolutely adore having a baby brother and can't get through their day without a kiss from their baby brother when they head off to school. Robert has slowly adjusted to parenthood, but still sometimes has the "Oh snap!, I'm a Daddy" moments once in a while. We constantly catch each other staring at him and commenting on how big and handsome he is. We truly enjoy every moment we are together. I can't express how thankful we are for each other!

18 Weeks = My greased piglet

My baby now has a mixture of fatty secretions that cover his entire body to protect his skin. Fortunately for me that will apparently help him slip out like a greased piglet during delivery. Puts a nice southern charm on it, does'nt it? :)

Last Week's Status Update

Huffbaby this week: The most dramatic development this week is reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response! LOVE IT! 

Your Little Bambino...

Yesterday, I had my first visit with my new physician, Dr. Jeoffery Kline. Everything was fine and I had a quick ultrasound, routine blood work and we cheduled a translucent (spelling?) ultrasound to detect possible genetic abnormalities. I go back Thursday and the doc says if I twist the Ultrasound Tech's arm she might be willing to tell me if it’s a boy or girl!! Woo Hoo!

It was when I got home that things got interesting.... Robert was unable to go to the doctors appt. with me so I enlisted my big sister, Erin to accompany me and document the event via her iPhone for Robert. She sent him a great pic of our little babe and titled it "Your Little Bambino". I went back to work after and continued my day slightly surprised that I never got a response from Robert. When I got home he was in an interesting mood. He hugged me as he typically does and told me how much he loved me. Then again, and again.... I was loving the sudden interest and affection and went on preparing dinner without much thought. My son, Ryder (5) then asks me, "Mommy, what if the baby isn’t a boy?" I respond and say, "then it will be a little girl, honey". He says very stern, " No Mommy, what will Robert do if he doesn’t get a boy? He doesn't have any boys in his family"! I was wondering where the questions suddenly came from, but my response was again short and simple, "Ryder, if it’s a girl, Robert and his family will just accept it and love the baby anyway". Suddenly,  Robert looks up with a look of pure confusion and says, "but it’s a boy... .right?" Huh? I responded as if I was still talking to Ryder, "well Hunny, we hope so but we will have to wait for the ultrasound to know for sure, wont we?"

He gets all animated and looks at me like I just knocked his ice cream cone in the dirt and says, "but your sister texted me and said your little BAMBINO and that is Italian for Baby BOY! I already told everyone at work and even your brother in law when I got home that we are having a BOY!"

(Seriously, he hasn't even told anyone we're expecting now he tells 10 people in 25 minutes?!)

I felt terrible! I told him I was sorry but we won't find out until possibly Thursday, but that it could be another 4 weeks until me next appt if we don’t find out then. He sank into the couch and lumped over like I just kncocked the wind out of him. He looks at me and says "thank god I didn’t tell my family yet. I was planning on taking a bath and smoking a cigar to celebrate". Ahhh! My poor guy was so disappointed!

Please God, let us have a boy....

10 weeks today

Slowest pregnancy ever!! Can't I just skip on over to 26 weeks? I would feel a bit less impatient if I could at least find out the babies gender. Many of my friends were able to find out at 12, 13, 14 & 15 weeks, but my "by the book", no fun doctor is forcing me to wait until 18-20.  :(  I wonder how much it costs to go to one of those 3-D places and pay out of pocket to find out at like 14 weeks..? Hmmm....

Fingerprints? Modern Science is Amazing!!

Each week your uterus grows larger with the baby growing inside it. You may begin to see your waistline growing thicker by this time (Ahh Ha! Baby bump explained...). A pelvic exam will detect that your uterus has grown from its normal, size of your fist, to a little bigger than a grapefruit.  (Hmm.. No wonder I have to pee so much).

Your unborn baby is now called a fetus. Though the fetus is constantly moving, you will not be able to actually feel fetal movement for several more weeks. All of the organs, muscles, and nerves are in place and beginning to function. As the hands and feet develop fingers and toes, they have lost their paddle like look. The touch pads on the fingers form and already have fingerprints.

During this week of pregnancy the crown to rump length of the fetus is 0.9 inch to 1.2 inches. They are now on the way to forming their testicles or ovaries, getting ready for the next generation. Until the ninth week of fetus development, the fetal reproductive apparatus is the same one for the both sexes. The head is still large and curves into chest.

8 weeks & 4 Days

I'm sooo sleepy! With a 9 year old and 5 year old at home it is impossible to get any rest and I feel guilty if I even try. I can't remember when this tired, nauseated feeling goes away (if ever), but I am hoping it will fade when I enter my 3rd trimester. 

Okay, I know I sound crazy because our baby is only an inch long, but I totally feel like my belly is already bigger... Prior to knowing about the preganancy, I was at the gym everyday so I easily notice the change in my pelvic area. I can still comfortably lay on my stomach without feeling weird and I certainly don't intend to jump in to maternity clothes (until I am forced), but I am totally sporting a little baby bump!

Intro to our life:

Just when I thought the clicking of the tracks had stopped and all of those ups and downs on this crazy  roller coaster of life were behind me….(Sigh). I had reached the final peek and I was so ready to put my arms up and coast blissfully into  a life of normalcy when without warning, like a mischievous child looking for entertainment, Life came in and switched the track.  Suddenly, I find myself peering through one eye into the distance wondering what's around the next turn,  trying to keep my head on straight and wishing I had stopped to pee at the last exit. Fortunately, it's been an amazing ride with plenty of surprises and we have a lot to be thankful for. Not to mention, our roller coaster is a one of a kind, personalized and hand painted Mommy machine with cup holders, wet naps, plenty of love and a place for the Great Dane in the back.