Last month brought sweltering heat and the occasional afternoon thunderstorm or just plain rain shower. And when it was just a rain shower, this is what happened with our bunch:
and
I love Facebook and visiting with our friends. I also love that I can get ideas on how our friends do things. Case in point…one of our tehcno friends from high school posted a picture of his daughter in a “freedom center” which was made with zip ties and cheap tension gates. After trying to school with Ginger and Ceili Rain terrorizing (equally mind you) the other kids, I requested one.
I could only find two gates to go with the one we had, so this is the first attempt:
It was small but served it’s purpose until I could purchase another gate. Which I did the next day. The result is a great play area/containment area for when I need to just deal with one toddler (be it canine or human). We attached Ginger’s kennel to it so she can have a little more room. We only use the kennel when we’re out. Now she has room to play or sleep and eat. And, as you can see, the kids like to get in and play with her too.
Ceili Rain loves it too. I have a box of toys that she can get out and play with while in the Freedom Center (and try to keep it specifically for that area). She’ll play for a good bit and then want out. But first, she’ll pick up all her toys and put them back in the box. And, as you can guess…the boys enjoy climbing in and playing with Ceili Rain too. (And yes, I am always around when Ceili Rain is in the center)
Disclosure: We got the name for our Freedom Center from Uncle B & Aunt B who had to build a permanent one (bolted to the floor) when the twins came along! Thanks for the name guys!
We love slip n’ slides! Last year, the kids got a dual slider from Ge & Granddaddy and that was a blast with the cousins and throughout the summer. However, while playing with some friends, it developed a hole. Mark’s in the process of patching it but one hot June day (and believe me we’ve had quite a few), we needed to get the kids wet. A cheap slip n’ slide was purchased and here’s the result…
We have finally discovered the joy of Skype. We are able to talk and see cousins and now friends. I realized a couple of weeks ago that we could Skype with our military friends who deserted moved to a foreign land (okay…it was a different time zone). So, after a week, they were able to get theirs up and running. Even though our webcam is ancient and our microphone keeps turning down, I think the kids enjoyed their first Skyping session with their friends.
I’m so excited we can stay connected with them and others that we love! And it’s free! Best deal yet!!!
Granted the kids spent most of the time making silly faces at the computer screen and didn’t look at the camera much…it was still fun to visit!
We’re literally climbing the walls waiting on Bryant!
Okay, maybe not really…but I just thought this would be a fun picture to start out this post.
I guess, as my work part winds down, I am getting a bit ready to meet our newest guy. Still trying not to jump ahead where we’re all just twiddling our thumbs waiting. However, if he decides to wait until my actual due date or beyond, we should be good as the kids (and me) have surprise visitors arriving that week for a brief visit!
I went to the doctor today and am at a grand total of 1 cm dilated! Doesn’t mean much really. Dr. J saw my tummy as well as nurse D and they both wanted to know if I was itching. I pointed to once spot on my belly and explained that those red marks were not PUPPS but actually a burn from boiling water that I spilled on my shirt. They laughed. It wasn’t funny at the time, rest assured. Anyway, apparently the rest of the my belly looks rather PUPP(ish) because Dr. J was checking to make sure my arms were not covered in the fun and itchy pregnancy rash. However, somebody has been praying because the rash may look bad on my tummy (I can’t tell because I can’t see it) but it’s not bothering me. I’ll have an occasional itch if material rubs up against my belly or if I wear a belly band all day (a band that’s a little tighter on the belly to help keep us low carrying gals from showing off our overly stretched marked bellies). But, it’s never horrible…not like with Josiah. I’m thanking God every day that I don’t have to spend the whole day scratching my belly! Dr. J reiterated that if it gets worse he’ll have to induce. I know that, but for now, we’re good. I can sleep. I don’t need any drugs or herbs to help. Anyway, Dr. J and D were both surprised that it’s not bothering me and that I’m not having to take anything for it.
I’ve noticed a bit of a change with Mr. Bryant in that, well, this is embarrassing but I’m going to be honest…I have to go to the bathroom like ten times in an hour! And he’s resting comfortably low. I wasn’t going to say that he “dropped,” (moved down into birthing position) because I didn’t want to get my hopes up. So, I waited for the professional’s opinion! Dr. J (the professional) said that last week he couldn’t feel Bryant’s head…but he could this time! Woohoo! I told him that was good because it felt like he was sitting in my lap. Dr. J laughed and said that women like me scare him. I think that’s because I’m not moaning begging to let this little one out and complaining…nothing, again to complain about. I’m uncomfortable, but I’ve been through this before so it’s not really that bad. I know it’ll pass soon enough and I’ll hold my little one in my arms and get to sleep comfortably again (every two to three hours but at least it will be comfortable).
Dr. J still contends that when labor does start, it shouldn’t take long because my body’s done this so many times. I think that’s funny because he’s told me that the past few times and those have been the longest labors…but they were also induced ones. Keep praying that this will be different…and that I can go into labor on my own! I’m still willing to wait a few more weeks for this little man to come…
What we have here is our first tomato! Which Zoe promptly washed and ate. Raw. This kid will eat tomatoes like candy. She loves them. And these tomatoes are Sweet 100’s (I think) and they are definitely sweet. After this one we have been getting a ton of little red tomatoes and now the big red ones are coming in.
Sadly, our squash only produced about three or four pieces before Mark accidentally broke off a large stalk and then the 100 plus temperatures took the rest of it.
However, Mark has planted a sweet banana pepper, two potatoes from our Science “experiment,” and an herb plant for me. And, honestly, I have not been out to check how they’re doing. It’s hot people! And I’m well past noticeably pregnant! For now, the gardening is being left to Zoe and Mark. I think they’re doing a fine job by the evidence of what is coming in every few days.
So Josiah turned 3 this week. He was excited about it…well, no he wasn’t, um, maybe he was. I don’t know for sure. He kind of wavered back and forth in his excitement throughout the day. Anytime any of us said, “Happy Birthday!” he’d frown or grunt or hide his face. Finally, after a second phone call (that did not include singing, “Happy Birthday”) he relented and smiled while hiding his face. He insisted all day that we not sing “The Birthday Song” to him and then while at my ultrasound appointment, he starts singing at the top of his lungs, “Happy birfday to you! Happy birfday to you!”
Upon his request, we did not invite anyone to his party. He would have wanted Jack and “Waura” (Laura) there but a nine hour drive to attend a two hour birthday party just didn’t seem feasible right now. So, since he is only three and it is his birthday, we didn’t push it. We did, however, party “where a kid can be a kid.” And, although it was quite noisy, we had a very good time.
This is Josiah’s favorite “game” to play at Chuck E. Cheese’s. He’ll do it over and over and over until we tell him he has to share it with other kids who are waiting to play. We even ate right beside it. Unfortunately, it was out of order. Have no fear…there was a Barney (yuk) train to ride close by and he spent many a token on that thing (and even shared with Ceili Rain).
Bryant continues to grow great. I had an ultrasound done this week and he is around 6 lbs 12 oz. Gaining about a 1/2 pound a week puts him right at 8 1/2 pounds which is average for me (and just fine…any smaller and I’d be afraid I’d drop him). We’re now at a waiting stage. Dr. J gave me the approval to use a couple of herbal supplements to prep my body for before, during, and after labor.
I also have noticed a little bit of itchiness on my belly and a few red spots that won’t go away. It’s not at a point where I’m scratching all the time but it’s enough that I want to try and head it off before it gets worse, so after doing some research I asked Dr. J about trying a couple of herbal supplements to help with that. He trusted my judgment and research and said I could try them. However, if this is hormonal related, then the supplements probably won’t work (as they are work with liver issues…which is another possible PUPPS cause).
I’m actually just now starting to get uncomfortable but mostly when I have a contraction. Dr. J couldn’t believe I didn’t have anything to complain about. I just laughed. It is what it is and the only way to change that is to deliver the baby and the baby needs to “cook” for a little longer. No reason to complain about something that can’t be changed right now. So, we wait and pray. I’ve got enough to do to keep me busy and get ready for Mr. Bryant’s arrival!
So, we’re in the ultrasound and Liam hops up on the chair beside me. He looked concerned and said, “I just want you to be alright mommy.” I reassured him that nothing that was taking place to hurt me and that we were just going to check on Bryant. He seemed reassured and started laughing at the u/s goo. He then spent the whole time leaning over my head so he could get a better view of Bryant. He was so sweet hugging my head and staring at the screen.
As we took Josiah to his “party” for his birthday, Liam asked me if I had more jelly for my belly.
I told him no and asked if he wanted a jelly belly.
“No,” he said “Not until I’m grown up big and have a baby in my belly.”
I believe that escalated into stating that aliens don’t have babies but I’m not sure where that came from.
A long time ago, I came across a website called Lapbook Lessons. It was so long ago, I can’t remember where I found the link. Anyway, they had a cute free lapbook for big brothers and I decided to try out our first lapbook on Liam (and Josiah…but that meant I did most of his book). It was a success.
For those that don’t know, lapbooks or folder books or whatever you have to call them because someone copyrighted lapbooks, are books put together using file folders. We made a double one which meant we used two folders. We included all sorts of pockets, wheels, and other different forms of information regarding what it means to have a new baby in the house. Liam loved it. He also enjoys showing everyone the information.
So, for now, I do believe we’ll be continuing with lapbooks…although they are a bit time consuming, so they won’t be a constant part of our homeschool days!
