Mighty Nice Grocery App

While we wait on Malachi to come, I thought I’d share at least one app that I’ve put on my phone that I’m totally excited about.  This may be a regular thing, but I doubt it.  I just don’t have a ton of apps and the ones I do have are more for the kids.

Anyway, before I “got smart” with my phone, we used Our Groceries to create lists on occasion, but, for the most part, I still wrote out our bi-monthly shopping lists and we’d go to the store with paper, coupons, and kids in hand. 

When we got our new phones, I spent several days researching the different grocery apps and landed upon two I wanted to try.  One was “Out of Milk” and the other was “Mighty Grocery.”  I decided I’d start with Mighty Grocery first since it seemed to have everything I wanted.  So, I downloaded the “lite” version (aka free) and played around with it for a few days to see if I would like it. 

When I mentioned to Mark that I thought it was a nice app and I thought I might buy it (it’s like under $5), he remembered that he had gotten it from Amazon as their free app of the day!  He checked and did his finger magic and got it up on my phone.  The full version.  Free.  I love free!

But, I think this app is totally great.  For starters, you can create you list in different stores or move it around from store to store.  You can input prices, coupons (percentage and money amounts off) and make notes that show up in your lists.  And it has aisles.  It’s so organized that it takes no time to find what you need.  You can even personalize the aisles by numbers…however, remember, stores like to frequently change their aisles!

And, it syncs with other users/accounts.  Oh yeah.

So, here was the test.  Last night, we decided to get our first of the month Wal-Mart groceries.  I had my phone, Mark had his.  And we criss crossed the food aisles and could see, in real time, where each other was and what each other had gotten.  We were in and out of there in less than hour.  Now, keep in mind, our monthly Wal-Mart trip almost always lasts two hours.  But, we did it in one!  We cut our time in half.  That totally made me even more excited about the list.

All that to say, I’m totally sold on this app!

(Disclosure:  Mighty Grocery did not give me this app to review for free…but we were able to snag it on Amazon’s App of the day!  A must check out if you own a smartphone!)

Facebooktwittermail

Directionally Challenged

It seems Malachi is taking after Ge’s side of the family and does not quite know which way is out.  I went in for a 39 week check and Dr. J could not even tell I was dilated, Malachi was up so high.  He attributed it to my experienced uterus being stretched out (I’m told that guys don’t like the word uterus but it’s part of being a girl so you guys can skip this part) and possibly to a lot of fluid. 

I haven’t progressed but, of course, I’m still dilated…it’s just Malachi was so high he couldn’t tell.

Despite Malachi forgetting which way is down, he is very healthy and, it seems, content to stay in side.  So, you still have until the 9th to guess when he’ll come!  You can do that by leaving a comment here.

Next appointment, we’ll be past due and have an ultrasound.

To say I’m disappointed is putting it mildly.  At least last week, we had a glimmer of hope that I would go on my own.  Now, not so much.  Still praying it will still happen though.

It’s not that I’m uncomfortable or want him to come because I’m sick of being pregnant, it’s just that I want to go on my own without pitocin and well, we’re all quite in love with this little guy and would love to meet him!

Facebooktwittermail

Josiah’s Birth Story

Josiah was my first non-epidural birth.  For that matter, I didn’t have any iv narcotics with him either.  I think I did after I delivered but I really don’t remember.  And he also was the first birth story to be published on our blog.

Anyway, he graced this world with his presence before his due date for several reasons that I talk about in the post.  And he was all healthy too!

Here’s Josiah’s Birth Story!

Enjoy!

Facebooktwittermail

Guess time

Since it looks like Malachi will probably wait until next week or later to come, I’ll go ahead and start a baby pool.  When do you think Malachi will come?

To be certain, it will be before March 9th which is a week after my due date and when Mark and I are looking at an induction.

So, here’s our guesses:
Mark:  March 9th (he has such high hopes)
Me:  March 5th
Zoe:  March 2nd
Ace: March 4th…because we could say, “March forth Malachi!”
Liam:  February 28th
Josiah: February 29th (but he told me he hopes not…for birthday party planning, me too)

And Ceili Rain and Bryant have no clue what we’re talking about so they don’t care to guess.

And, if you’re feeling fiesty, go ahead and guess weight and length.  Here’s some tidbit helps for that.

I’ve only had one baby under 8 lbs and that was 7 lbs 4 oz. 
The rest were over 8 lbs and have gone all the way up to 9 lbs. 6 oz.
I do not have gestational diabetes…just big babies.
None of my babies are below 20 inches long.  None.  They’re mostly 21 inches.

I’ll get Josiah’s birth story up tomorrow so look for that!

For now, happy guessing and, of course, we’ll update if there’s anything to update!

Facebooktwittermail

Baby Update

I figured I  had better update for today or everybody would think we were having a baby or something.  I had contractions throughout the night and did wake up with some of them.  However, they were not close enough or strong enough for me to stay awake so I was able to get some rest.  I’m noticing very little this morning so they are either fizzling out or getting ready for the big ones.  I’d love to think the latter, but for now, we’ll just wait, pray and see.

On another note.  My aunt fell out of her attic yesterday and has some head injuries.  I’m still not sure of the extent but prayers for her, her daughter and her husband are most appreciated.

And trust me, I will alert all my facebook peeps and blogger peeps when it’s time for us to head to the hospital.  Okay, probably after they confirm my labor and we’re set to stay.

Facebooktwittermail

The Destructo Duo at their Cutest

A couple of weekends ago, I braided Zoe’s hair in small braids so that when she woke up on Sunday and took them out she had wavy hair. She loves that! Ceili Rain saw it and asked for braids too. Braiding a two year old’s hair in tiny braids…um, yeah, she doesn’t stay still…wasn’t happening. So, I curled it in sponge rollers instead. And while she fussed at night, she didn’t take them down. And this was the result. Too precious!And it stayed curly for two days.

 We’re big Awana buffs…since Mark is now the sole Commander of our club!  Bryant’s ready to be a Cubbie if he can figure out how to get the vest on.

Wednesday’s trash day.  It doesn’t matter where Ceili Rain and Bryant are, when the trash truck comes through they come running to our school room and sit at the window.  And sometimes, they get along and do this!  Josiah’s pretty excited to watch too but not as much as the Destructo Duo is!

Facebooktwittermail

Waiting and Praying…end of 38 weeks update

This morning I woke up and got ready and had lots of pressure and I noticed my contractions were a bit stronger.  I couldn’t really time them because, well, because there were six people under my feet asking for food, diaper changes, teeth brushes and more.  Once the morning routine settled in, I offered for us to go for a walk…since it was well over 70 degrees out and the contractions seemed pretty strong.

I also contacted my dear best friend who is an l&d nurse to see if I should go ahead and pack my bags.  She heartily said yes!

So, off we all went.  They ran ahead, I pushed Bryant as fast as I could go and slowed down for the contractions and then picked it back up.  We walked about 2 miles before the sun was too hot and I knew we needed to get school done.

Somehow, I managed to get a time in on my contractions.  Twenty minutes apart.  I dismissed them then and started on lunch and school and what not.  By the time naps rolled around and I fought with Bryant to get him to rest, I was able to time them about 10 minutes apart.

Mark came home around 3 and I headed out the door to my scheduled doctor’s appointment.  All the while praying both that the contractions were doing something and that they weren’t doing enough so I could get my pedicure with my other dear best friend after the appointment.

On the road, I noticed the contractions were getting closer.  Like to five minutes.  Huh.  Oh well, I knew I was going to see the doctor soon.  I  kept up with them staying at five minutes the whole time I was in the office.

I got called back right at the peak of a contraction.  Not easy to go from sitting to standing in the middle of a contraction, but I made it up and rounded the corner.  Dr. J was in the hallway and waved.

When he came in the room, he commented about how I bounced down the hallway and how well I looked.  I corrected him that what I did was not anywhere close to a bounce because a contraction was just ending.  He was a bit shocked.

Anyway, he checked me and I am at 2 1/2 to 3 cm dilated.  I’m supposed to go in when they get more intense and I feel more pressure.  Hm.

So, I got my pedicure.  And my feet feel heavenly and look beautiful.  And all the while my contractions are coming about every 5 to 10 minutes.  It’s amazing what you can do so you don’t have ugly feet for labor.

We are praying that he comes tomorrow.  Not that I’m going to hurry it along via medical things…okay, I was really tempted and I knew I just had to say the word and Dr. J would have admitted me…but we’re really trying here to wait on God and Malachi!

However, I do know these contractions are some strong little puppies and doing this for two more weeks doesn’t seem so pleasant.  So, we are praying that they will get stronger or just stop all together.  Either one would be fine.  Just don’t want to jump the gun and go in early and either have to come home or have them try to stick me on pitocin…again.

Stay tuned!  I’m sure we’ll update when we know more.

Facebooktwittermail

Beatrice meet Sunny

Beatrice and Sunny, as predicted, can get along fairly well.  When we let the rabbit out of the cage, Sunny follows her.  Everywhere.  Now, Beatrice the Bunny and Ginger the crazy mutt cattle dog…not so much.  Ginger would just as soon eat her.  Which we won’t let happen.

And that’s your rabbit update for the month.

Facebooktwittermail

Push Gift?

Back in the day, you know, nine years ago, we called it a New Mommy gift.

Apparently these youth and their new-fangled words call it a Push Gift.  Excuse me while I go color my hair and slip my reading glasses on (just kidding about the reading glasses part).

If you have no clue what I’m talking about, I’m about to share so you can be enligthened too!

A Push Gift or New Mommy Gift is a gift that the husband gives to his wife for going through nine months of morning sickness, leg cramps, and multiple nighttime trips to the bathroom and then laboring and pushing to bring this new life into the world.  It’s mostly a piece of jewelry.  The rich families go for the diamonds.  We go for the meaningful jewelry that I love dearly.

This time though, what I’m claiming is my Push Gift, takes the cake.  I got it last month and I now claim it as awesome beyond description!

It’s this:

Yep, a smartphone.  And it’s got a pink case too.  Just a little nice touch so that I when I drop it for the millionth time it won’t break even then.

As I said, it’s pretty awesome.  Of course, some of you may remember our introduction to smartphones nineteen months ago prior to Bryant’s birth.  I didn’t get one then.  But Mark did.  And he was able to keep everyone up to speed on the labor process.

But now.  It’s my turn.  Get ready ya’ll.   When labor day arrives, Mark, my essentials, and this dear Push Gift will be making it’s way to the hospital and you’ll be able to read all about it live…well, possibly.  Okay, maybe.  Let’s just see how the labor goes shall we?  You know eventually it’ll be Mark that updates everyone as my dear enemy “transition” sneaks up on me.  But, oh, will I ever be able to share afterwards…once I figure out how to.

Facebooktwittermail

What a Weekend!

We started the weekend off like we normally do…cleaning the house.  I know.  That’s really exciting.

However, Saturday afternoon, the women at our church (and my dear “little sister”) helped us celebrate Malachi’s coming arrival with a prayer shower.  It is such a blessing to gather with women and know that they are there to pray for our sweet baby and to celebrate  how God has already blessed us with him!  So much fun!

 How adorable is that???
 And, if you must know it was a chocolate cake thankyouverymuch!
 The spread!  We girls like to eat 🙂
We ate, we prayed and we played games…then some very gracious ladies gave Malachi some sweet gifts!  Ceili Rain was my on again off again helper.  
Okay, I don’t care who you are…baby clothes with little appliques on the back are just too cute!
And, of course, my weakness for homemade gifts…and he got quite a few…I was giddy!  One of them, that I didn’t include was a hat Tracy made.  I purposefully didn’t include it because I know she’ll work her camera magic on Malachi and the hat and I can’t wait to share those pictures.

Right before Zoe, Ceili Rain and I left on Saturday, Mark got a call from work.  He texted me to let me know he was on alert but didn’t have to go in.  Now, it’s very, very rare that he actually has to go in, but it can happen.

I was very thankful he did not have to go in at all on Saturday.  Because…when we got home from the shower, I was showing Mark all the sweet gifts when Ceili Rain and Bryant apparently took off with the baby bath soap…you know where this is going right?

I’m taking tags off and sorting and showing and we hear this blood curdling scream from Bryant.  The Destructo Duo had struck again.  They had gotten the top off of one of the soaps and was in the bathtub where, Ceili Rain felt it was her responsibility to bathe her brother.  With his clothes on.  She dumped about half a bottle of baby bath soap on his head.  Which trickled down.  Into his eyes and on his face.  She even got some on herself as well.  They got their baths early and praise God…yet again…no one was seriously hurt.  And Ceili Rain now understands that it is not her job to bathe her baby brother.  I’m not entirely sure that Bryant didn’t help her out a bit on the whole opening and dumping thing.  I apologize that we didn’t get pictures…it was a bit of a crisis moment, but I wouldn’t be a good blogger if I didn’t think throughout the crisis that this was going to make for a good post.

Then Sunday rolled around…Mark got a call before church that the same problem was going on.  Again, we praise God that he didn’t have any problems during church that would cause him to go in but he as soon as church was over…well, he got he call.  And he had to go in.  We even had to turn down a pizza invite from a visiting family and everything. (who really turns down pizza???)

The other problem came in that I had a pass to attend a pre-sale for a “friend shop” at a semi-annual children’s consignment sale for Sunday.  Now, I could have just gone with the crowds on Monday but noooo, stubborn me wanted to get it over with today.  We had a gracious friend who willingly went with me.  And all six kids.  We divided and conquered…and found some cute cheap outfits to boot!

And we shopped…for three hours (including standing in line to check out).  And the kids were awesome.  Well, as awesome as they can be when they were plum tired and hungry.

When we all got home (Even Mark was able to get home at a decent hour), we cooked up hot dogs and settled in to watch a movie.  Now, I’m not saying that Mars Needs Moms is a bad movie…just that I’m wondering, as I type this on Sunday, how many of the kids are going to come in to our room tonight to check and see if I’ve been beamed up to another planet.

And we capped off our busy weekend with Zoe (the one who doesn’t get sick) feeling congested and a bit feverish…hmmm.

I’m very grateful to have busy weekends to pass the time before Malachi comes…wonder what we’ll do next weekend?!

Facebooktwittermail