May 27, 2011

Nothing has changed today for JM, her cervix is still shortened but her contractions are not as regular...which is a great thing. For every day the baby is inside JM that's about a weeks worth of development if the baby were in the NICU. So I told JM to cross her legs or to hang upside down.

I didn't have class today but was busy, busy, busy. I had an appointment with the counselor we are seeing as a family. I didn't have a sitter for KK so I brought him with me and the counselor's spouse watched KK...they read a book for 45 min! KK LOVES books! After the appointment, I felt very defeated mind you, I took KK to the store so that we could buy JEM some gifts. KK picked out a dolly and 2 outfits for JEM, flowers for JM, and a box of candy for Papa. We got some lunch and went to the hospital. I had shove the food down my throat and take off, leaving KK with my mom. I was on my way to meet Mr H. at G's school to discuss the possibility of having him repeat 8th grade. The meeting started at 3pm and didn't end until 4:15pm. A lot was said, but it couldn't be decided at that time because the school is waiting for some test scores and the evaluation from the Ellis Institute. So we're not sure if he will be repeating or not. But after that I went home to grab shampoo/conditioner and a brush and headed back to the hospital.

At the hospital Lupe was there with my mom. Lupe is basically a very close family friend...she started babysitting us when I was 2, she lived with us for a while in Michigan, and she's kind of like an older sister to me. KK had a great time and played nicely. But mom needed to get home because A was having her graduation party this weekend. So mom took KK and I stayed with JM until Z could get to the hospital. I braided JM's hair back, which hadn't been brushed since Wednesday. She was very out of it so I just pulled out my computer to start working on homework. JW stopped by with his &iquest girlfriend? Now I question the title of this girl because I am not sure. But JM was a little upset because she really hasn't been introduced to her and thought it was a little weird. JM just wants family visiting, because she's still on MgSO4 and still dizzy and feeling yucky she didn't want to entertain anyone or feel like she needed to. Once Z arrived I started doing homework and JW and his girlfriend left. I stayed for a little longer but once JM started feeling tired again, I left.


I called my mom to pick up KK but KK was having way too much fun with Lupe's boys so I just went home and let KK spend the night. I was feeling very sick because for lunch I had a small salad and it was about 9pm now and my sugar had dropped. I felt like throwing up. I needed food but nothing sounded good. G went to bed and Mr H. took me to steak n shake. I felt better after I ate but still felt bad so I just went to bed.

May 26, 2011

Today wasn't as crazy as yesterday...but it was still busy. I worked from 7am to 11:30am, came home, cleaned, waited for the internet installer guy, he finally shows up at the time I have to leave for class. So Mr H. rescues me and comes home to supervise the guy installing. As I leave the condo I see this yellow finch hopping around...KK starts to chase it and it doesn't fly away. I told KK to leave it alone and we left. In the car I called Mr H. and told him about the bird, that it must have gotten hurt in the storm, and to not let Zero outside.

Since JM was in the hospital I have no babysitter and 2 weeks left of school. My parents want to make sure that JM is not alone in the hospital so they, along with Z, have been taking shifts watching her. I called and found out my dad was at home so I could go to class. On the way to class mom called and said JM was dilated to a 4 and 100% effaced. I wanted turn around and go home but I couldn't because I had a group presentation to do.

Because of all the events happening recently I did not have the opportunity to practice my part of the group presentation for class. I was nervous and didn't want my lack of readiness to hinder my groups grade. I said a silent prayer that I would relax. I felt better but still just wanting to get it over with. I told my teacher what was going on and that I needed to leave after my presentation...she was very understanding.

I got up and did my part of the presentation and I was thankful when I was done. I packed up my stuff and before I left the class one classmate motioned me over to her and she told me that I did a really well on my part and that while I was up there she said she could envision that I would make a great nurse, that I was poised, and spoke clearly and understandably. It made my day...I was so nervous and with Heavenly Father's help I was able to present my material in a manner in which people understood what I was talking about.

On my way home I called my mom and asked what was going on and she told me that they gave JM another shot of steroids for JEM's lungs. And after returning home with KK I wanted to change out of my good clothes and into something more comfortable. I closed the door and started changing and I heard this ripping noise behind me...startled, I look around and nothing is there. I begin undressing and again I hear the noise...I know I wasn't hearing things, but when I look around nothing is there. I slowly start walking towards the noise and this is what I found:

Mr H. actually caught the finch and brought it INTO THE HOUSE! He wants to nurse it back to health by catching worms and feeding it to him/her. In my head I'm thinking, "Are you freaking kidding me? We are not keeping a freaking bird in our freaking house!" But I know that I cannot actually say that because I don't want to hurt his feelings [but he reads this blog and now he knows...I love you MrH...lol!]. So I suggest letting it catch its own worms and eat bugs outside, that way its not so scared and we don't have to worry about it or clean up after it. I think Mr H. got the point that I did not want the bird in the house because he agreed to keep it outside. THANK GOODNESS...lol!

May 25, 2011

Today started off as a normal day. I got ready for school, dropped KK off with my RR, went to school, tried to pick up KK (who was with JM), didn't want to wait until they came back, went home, started laundry, and got a call from my mom. "C, we are heading to the hospital, KK is with RP, JM is in labor!" Wait WHAT!? Now let me pause for a second. JM is 29 weeks and 5 days, she had a routine check-up yesterday which raised a little concern and they decided to get her in today for an ultrasound. JM brought KK with her to the ultrasound (that's why he wasn't at the house when I got there after school). At the ultrasound the doctor told her to get to the hospital, JM called Mom and viola...that's how we get to the part where JM is in labor! I talk to RP and ask if he can watch KK for a couple of hours while I go to the hospital to see what's going on. At the hospital I find out that since she had been spotting and has been having sporadic contractions the physician wanted to get her into the hospital for monitoring. After the monitors were placed on her and ultrasounds were done I find out that JM's cervix is too short. For a pregnant woman her cervix should be over 2.5 cm, JM's was 3 mm, which is WAY too short. The physician thought that a bedrest for 48 hours and some medicine to try and help stop preterm labor might do the trick but once she checked JM and realized that she was 95% effaced and dilated to 3 she decided a different approach...Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4).

MgSO4 has some pretty neat qualities, such as it is the component that absorbs sound in the seawater. It's anhydrous, meaning that it is a drying agent. MgSO4 is used in bath salts. MgSO4 is used as a tocolytic medicine, which means that it is used to stop or slow down the uterine contractions for a day or two. JM was given MgSO4 because she was also given a steroid shot to help the baby's lungs to mature. MgSO4 is thought to work with as a calcium channel blocker...there needs to be calcium for the uterus to contract. One good thing about the MgSO4 is that it can help reduce the risks of cerebral palsy which is a risk when delivering a preterm baby. Another preterm risk is cerebral hemorrhage.

After JM was put on the MgSO4 she started to feel very woosy and sick, which is normal. But what was not normal was the weather. There was severe weather...it was so so severe in fact that the hospital staff had to move all of the Labor and Delivery (L/D) patients into the triage area. There were women who were IN labor and having their baby's and the only thing separating us was a thin curtain. JM was a priority though because she needed constant monitoring. After the storm JM was put in her room again and I took off to pick up KK, knowing that I would be back soon. I was also hoping and praying that the baby stayed inside JM.

I did not know how bad the storm was until Mr H. described to me what the streets looked like with pitted grounds from hail and trees uprooted. He told me that there was hail the size of baseballs at my parents and that cars were damaged. I was grateful that my car, JM's car, and my parent's truck were at the hospital and untouched by the storm. RR wasn't so lucky; she was at work and her car was hit badly by the hail. It requires over $4,600 worth of work.



When I drove home it was later in the night and I was not able to see all of the damage along the streets I drove, and when I got home and parked in our garage I could see most of the damage left by the hail. But the next morning it was apparent it was worse than was once thought the previous night.




I was so exhausted from the days events that I just totally fell asleep the moment I walked in the door.

There are 2 kinds of people in this world; those who count & those who don't!

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."~Mother Theresa

As many of you know, my sister JM, is pregnant with her first child. This child was conceived and will be born out of wedlock. One of the biggest obstacles that she has had to go through is facing what people have thought or said to her as a result of her action. Now, I know that no one is perfect and there will ALWAYS be people judging but I would at least expect that people at church would be a little more understanding. I want to share this conversation to you because sometimes we think before we speak and by doing that, it can really hurt others feelings.

A couple Sundays ago JM had gone to our family ward (not the singles) and most people knew her situation and gave comfort and support which I am grateful for. But there was one woman in particular who thought she was being supportive by asking JM what she was going to do with the baby and when JM asked her what she meant the woman said, "You should look into LDS social services." JM explained that she was keeping the baby. Then the woman retorted by saying, "Well, there are a lot of deserving parents out there who could love your baby and give her what she needs and who could be blessed because of your mistake!" JM's jaw dropped. It's frustrating for me to see my sister go through this. But this the choice she made. I cannot judge her or anyone else because of the choices they have made. I regretfully say that I have judged before and have been very prideful in thinking, "thank goodness that's not me!" But the more I've grown the more I've realized that we tend to judge others from their behavior and we tend to judge ourselves from our intentions. I meant to do this...If I had more time I would...I intended to... I just hope that I can continually strive to become nonjudgmental and/or prideful.

Nature Walk

KK and I had a great day yesterday. I started off the day by trying to tame KK's room by going through his toys. He has 2 overflowing bins FULL of toys and then there are always lots of toys scattered around the house. I told KK that we had a big job to do and we were going to make 3 piles: Garbage, Keep, and Garage Sale. I told him that at the Garage sale other kids would take his toys then give us money...with that money we can buy new toys. He was really excited. I thought we were going to have a total meltdown. But he was really excited and helped a lot until we uncovered some toys he hasn't seen or played with in a while and he just played. But after going through 1 bin I needed a break and get away from the mess.

To get away, KK and I decided to go on a walk behind our house. It was such a beautiful day. There is a nature walk behind us and a park and we do not use it as much as we should. KK and I had such a fun time.

Chasing the Geegles and trying to catch one


We were so close the parents started hissing at us


Posing under a tree


Found some rocks he wanted to bring home


I'm in LOVE!


After our walk we returned to the toy mess and I ended up throwing away 2 garbage bags full of toys, 3 garbages bags full of toys for the garage sale, and we're still left with 2 bins full of toys! I feel that my efforts did nothing. But I am so glad that KK and I had our special mom and son time. I hope that KK always knows how much love I have for him. Sometimes, recently, I've been feeling so guilty because I'm trying to do my best to juggle work, school, being a wife, and trying to blend a family as seamless as possible. I have the best son in the whole world. I know it's hard for him to be at my parents sometimes while I'm at school. I know he's doing the best he can and I think I need to be a little bit more understanding. I've been very short tempered because there's a lot that has been going on and my stress level is very high. But I really love KK and I love the special things we do together. He is the best thing that has happened to me!

Free Date Night

Since I cannot seem to go to sleep, one of my friends offered a few questions for me to start blogging about. So here I go:

A couple weeks ago on facebook I asked my friends to give me some ideas about having a date night with Mr H. where we didn't spend any money and my friends delivered. They gave me a bunch of ideas. Such as:

»Going to The Dayton Art Institute
»Going to The Air Force Museum
»Going to the mall and pick out funny outfits for each other to try on and take pictures to post on facebook
»Swing at the park
»Play in the Sprinkler
»Go to Barnes and Noble, grab 2 nice chairs and relax while reading
»Go play in the mud
»Mud volleyball
»Mud wrestling
»Slip n Slide
»Play dress up and put make-up on Tom
»Test drive cars
»Play card games
»Go to Cox Arboretum and take a picnic lunch
»Play in the fountain at The Greene
»Play truth of dare at Wal-Mart
»TP my parents house
»Go through our closet and pull out clothes we don't ware anymore and "make" a new outfit out of them. It could be an outfit for one person, both, or a future child
»Roast marshmallows in a fireplace and sing campfire songs
»Dress crazy and go to Wal-Mart and take pictures to submit here
»Picnic in the park and star gaze
»Go for a bike ride
»Talk about each other and what you love the most about each other. No talking about the kids, bills, work, or school. You can talk about God and how much he loves you both
»Do facials on each other
»Soak each other's feet and massage

I think that all of these ideas were great and I want to thank everyone who contributed. Mr H. and I decided to walk around the mall and check out the puppies for sale in one of the shops. It was a lot of fun and we played with a little Shih-tzu, she was only 9 weeks old and was so cute. Now, most of you know, I'm not a huge animal fan, but I think I loved "looking" because I knew we would NEVER be able to get one and I also liked that I could hand the dog back after we were done playing with it.

Trying to come up with ideas for a free date night was interesting and also very hard. It's nice to know that Mr H. and I can enjoy each other's company without worrying about breaking the bank. We've spent numerous nights just staying up and talking and I love those moments. I love my husband and I love the special time we have together.

Blogging Ideas!

So I have had a hard time thinking of things to blog about. I feel like I NEED to blog, to keep this as a journal of my family's life. So I was going to enlist your help...tell me what you want me to blog about. Ask me a question ANY question (most embarrassing moment, my OCD moments, etc.) and I will answer your questions. I really value your comments and I'm asking you, please help me with this...I would really appreciate it.

No More Car Payment

# 59 ✔ March 2011


✔ 59 Complete &hearts

Remember this? Well, in March I paid off my car. I bought it in March 2006, on the assumption that, at the time, I didn't have a whole lot of other debt and could kind of splurge a little. Then a couple weeks after I bought it I found out that I was pregnant...so much for splurging!

I love my car though, I've never had a problem with it and it's nice looking with leather seats and a moon roof.

Easter Sunday

Get ready for lots of pictures with little words! I'm trying to get caught up with blogging. I feel like there isn't very much going on worth blogging about but I also feel like I am behind when it comes to blogging...so we'll see how it goes.

KK trying to find his Easter basket at our house.


Found it!


Zero's Easter present


KK showing how he will dunk the eggs. See how upset G looks!? Yeah, that's because he didn't get his way


JM's BIG surprise!


Z was so nervous


I KNEW it was coming!


Look how happy the couple looks!?


She said yes!


Congrats to the couple. I am very excited for them...they have a lot to handle right now. But Z is a great guy and JM is very lucky to have him in her life. He is not the father of her baby but he loves the baby and wants to raise JEM as his own child. He loves JM and he is a very warm-hearted and funny guy. I love that he wrestles with KK, which is KK's favorite thing to do, and makes KK warn out and sleep better. The only thing I don't like...is that he taught KK how to make spit balls :( But that's ok, I have some things up my sleeves to teach JEM. All-in-all Easter was good.

Mother's Day Eve

Yesterday KK's grandmother, L, from Virginia came to visit for a couple of days. KK was so excited to see her, he hasn't seen her since his birthday. She spoils him so much and takes him to do lots of fun stuff. He wanted to make a list of everything they were to do while she was here some of the items include: Going to the Movies, Air Force Museum, Bounce U, Bowling, Golfing, and some other things. I called L last night to ask how KK was doing and to say goodnight and she said she couldn't help it, but she spent a ton of money on him at Wal-Mart. I laughed...KK was so busy playing with his new toys that he was too preoccupied to say goodnight.

Today was kind of a laid back day. I was able to sleep in, make breakfast for everyone, and watch a little bit of ER. Mr H's mom sent me a mother's day card that was very very sweet. I love his family. His sisters, who are both pregnant, are both great to talk to. I just feel bad that I didn't send them a card for mother's day. It was seriously not at the forefront of my mind...we've had too many things going on. But I will call them tomorrow and wish them a Happy Mother's Day.

I also worked today. Nannie is doing well, she is in Congestive Heart Failure though and she has a sore on her heel. She loves it when I eat with her...even if I'm not hungry, she just likes it when I sit with her. She's sad and wants to go back home to West Virginia but she can't survive on her own. I felt bad when she was on the verge of tears saying, "I want to go home. I just want go home." Soon after, Mr H. and G stopped by and dropped off a fountain drink for me. I fed them some of the chicken that was made. I had been craving donuts all day. I LOVE pastries, donuts, cakes, etc. And so when Mr H. and G left I thought they were going home but they actually went to Bill's donuts and brought them back to me and we all ate a donut. Nannie was too full to eat one but she enjoyed talking to the boys.

Once I was home from work I started making my mother's day gifts. They were all homemade. I would love to give more detail but I have to wait until everyone receives them.

All-in-all, today was a good day we weren't tried as hard as other days...at least with anything new. We're just trying to make sense and piece together everything else which had been going on previously. I'm hoping that the days continue to get better, little by little..."By small and simple things are great things brought to pass" Alma 37:6

Isn't he the cutest thing ever!?

Signing off, Goodnight!

The Attitude of Gratitude

I had written a huge and long post about some of the things that were going on here at home...some of the trials we are facing, but I decided that I should save it for my own personal journal. But all I want to say about it is that I know everyone has trials going on in their life which are hard to deal with and some of these trials seem like they will never end, some of them will make any sane person want to scream or cry, and some, well, some are just plain unexplainable.

Our family has been hit hard with some pretty unexplainable trials -- one right after the other -- with no break. I seriously feel like my head is almost completely under the water and I can't breathe...I am drowning. I'm really hoping that things start lightening up a bit. So in the mean time I would like to mention a few things that are positives, things that I am grateful for. These positives do not outweigh the bad but...you gotta start somewhere, right!?

Zero:
I am grateful that she is so gentle and loves the boys. She seriously has anxiety when the boys are not here at our house. She is such a funny dog. I am grateful when she stays out of my way (which isn't very much). She is a good doggy.

KK:
Where to start? I am so grateful for KK he is the light in my darkness. He makes me laugh so hard. Just the other day I said something to him and he managed to throw himself into a fit of giggles for about a minute. I don't even remember what I said but it was funny to him. KK is always the first person to remind us to say prayers before eating. He also has the most sweetest spirit about him. I was holding him like a baby yesterday and I kissed him and he asked me to kiss him again and then he told me that he loves cuddling with me. I am very grateful that KK decided to chose me as his mother.

G:
Where to start!? No, really, I don't know where to start. Today he folded a load and a half of laundry and cleaned the counters. G really loves band and theater, he really likes to act! I am grateful for the times that he does play nicely with KK and the times that he is behaving.

Mr H.:
My husband is my best friend. He is my support and my rock. I feel so much support from him. I am grateful that he is the type of guy who likes to talk and can talk to me about anything...especially planes, guns, and the law...which make my ears tired. I love how excited he gets about things that interest him. I am grateful that we met and chose to share our lives together.

Let's hope that spending time thinking about the positives will help me stay grounded and focus on what matters the most.

Let's Jam!

So Wal-Mart had a sale on Strawberries at $0.75/lb and I decided to buy 20 pounds. I knew I wanted to make jam but I had never made it before. I have always watched my mom make it growing up but I never took the time to actually learn. Now I can read the recipe...but having my mom teach me her tricks just made me feel more comfortable. So I asked me mommy-dearest to help. We had a great prodigious time. I LOVE my mom, she is the greatest person I know. I never appreciated her when I was younger as much as I do now. Making jam together was a wonderful bonding experience. The work load was a little easier with two people and it was a wonderful bonding experience.

KK is a great helper...washing the strawberries

KK trying to act cute because he wanted to eat the strawberries

I thought he was cute enough to eat one

REALLY wanted to eat this one

All cleaned, stemed, and cut. Ready to start jammin'

KK showing me how he would crush the strawberries

Me crushing them and IDK what KK's doing

Starting to look good!

Helping to stir

46 Jars total


Now this is just for me to help me remember what my mom told me and the techniques she used:

Start big pot of water boiling

Add 4 cups crushed strawberries and 7 cups sugar

some lemon juice (fresher looking)and a tiny bit of butter (to help with the foam)

rolling boil

add Certo (pectin)

rolling boil for 1 min

skim off foam

laddle even amounts of fruit into the warmed jars then pour

wipe of lip of jar

place hot lids on screw them on

place in hot water bath for 10 min

place on rack to cool

flip over after a half hour (X3) to get the fruit evenly throughout the cans

I really hope that I will be able to can more items. I would love to bulk up my food storage, plus canning will save money in the long run. And who loves to save money!? I DO