Emotional pregnancy hormones.... (probably part 1 of many more to come)

I can't believe the roller coaster ride I'm constantly on right now. These darn emotions are almost kicking my tush.

It's crazy how the slightest little thing will make me tear up and start crying. I really don't know why this happens to pregnant women. Or at least I hope it happens to more then just me. But this go around seems to be hardcore with the emotional roller coaster.

I'll hear a phrase, and BAM! I see a picture ... BAM! I am faced with being told that something I thought was right isn't ...Bam!! (Okay I don't like being told I'm not right when I'm not pregnant ... but in a grocery store at 8:30 in the morning..doesn't bode well to help me believe the rest of the day will be okay)

And HELLO, taking a trip to the grocery store doesn't normally bring on the urge to cry. But this morning it did!! Now, I don't want to say "they were right, I was wrong, or the opposite" because seriously, I'm still trying to find out if I really was misinformed. But seriously, these feelings that bring on the tears really are getting me this pregnancy. I've never been this bad before, (Not that it's bad, but it happens so often).

I'm starting to feel the first little flutters over the last few weeks, and now I'm feeling more excited now that we are having another baby. BUT --- I'm still terrified at the same time. I know ...a lot of you are probably saying "what's one more when you already have 5!" That's just it, I have to start over with all the parenting stuff on another child. Maybe there is hope with this little one that I'll actually get it down, and this will be my "perfect child". haha...

So it's nice to hope for! But I know there will still be rough moments, and the moments where I'm at my utter worst and feel like ... crud! But I'm realizing that's okay, I'll do what I can, and the stuff I have no control over, I'm not going to fret about.

But there is so much to do to get ready for this baby --- it's almost overwhelming. But if I can just get through this yearbook project, and then get into May, I think life will start looking a little more hopeful that those "baby tasks" will be able to be done before the baby comes.

I'm getting excited to that the ultrasound is set for the 27th of April so just under three weeks till we can find out what this little one's gender is! It's a special day too, because Kaylee, our oldest, is turning 12 that day!!

Crazy month of APRIL!!

My testimony and a little announcement.

Well the cat is out of the bag now!! I've been dying not being able to let it out so publicly.  But these are the way in which we let our parents know.   Now there won't be any holding me back talking about this pregnancy on here from now until the baby comes.  The due date I was given according to an early ultrasound was Sept 14th, but I don't think that's really accurate.  I'm thinking the due date is more like the 6th of Sept.  So I guess I'll just have to wait and see what the next few months bring.  I have had morning sickness or rather the "pregnancy sickness" pretty bad the last 6 weeks, but I think it's finally staring to taper off.  I've been extremely fatigued as well.  But what else can I do, I already have 5 other kids I am already a mother too.... good thing they are a bit older and can help take care of themselves on the days I feel really nasty.  And the poor kids eat a lot of cold cereal for dinner when I'm trying to be really lazy and not put forth much energy.  Oh well, hopefully I'll start getting more energy back, because I have a lot of WORK/STUFF to do before baby comes.  And some major purging of junk to make room for this new little one.  I'll post the story of how we found out another day, but just know things are relatively okay for now.

It's a little lesson in accepting the Lord's plan for us along with his timing, and not just thinking our plan is all that matters.  I'm grateful that I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and that I know families can be together forever through the priesthood authority that was restored to earth through the prophet Joseph Smith.  As frustrated and as stressed as I may get sometimes or days, my family really is my greatest blessing and joy.  I'm excited that I can be with them after this life as long as I live the way my Heavenly Father wishes me to live, by obeying the commandments and reading my scriptures, by praying and serving those around me.  I believe the Book of Mormon is a correct and true book. For the spirit that I feel while I'm reading the passages within it can not be duplicated any other way. 

I know there is a true prophet called of God on the Earth today, and I support him and his counselors and my other church leaders in their callings and in their service. 


This is part of my testimony and I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

A sneak peek ...

I can't resist... but I wanted to share a picture or two of the little darling girl that I took pictures of today.

I'm having so much fun!!! So this is what I've been busy doing lately. Be sure and swing by Cream of the Crop Photography and Design and take a look at some of the other stuff. If you like what you see, let me know. And if you have suggestions... I'll accept that too.

Baby Lana and Baby Logan

When we went to Idaho almost 2 weeks ago, we stopped in at Chris's cousins house. We stopped to see Phillip and Rebekah and their new little daughter Lana (said like Lonna). She is such a cute little baby. It makes me think of my kids when they were little
Family Picture with

Phillip and Rebekah and their new baby.

Here is a picture that was emailed to me by the new Grandma to both of these babies and happens to be Chris's Aunt.















This is Tabi and Juston's baby -- Tabi and Chris are cousins -- His name is Logan ---- I got these pictures from an email that was sent to me. I sure like babies when they are little and lately I'm beginning to think I really like them when I know that they aren't coming home with me, and I don't have to be the one to get up with them durning the night

FIRST FEEDING ........

Today we gave my son Ethan his first bites of real food!! We decided to do it today because he constantly grabs at my plate while we are eating and eyes the food as we put it into our mouths. I wasn't prepared to do this today, as far as having the high chair out of the cellar and cleaned up for the little guy to sit in while trying his first bites of food. The kids just kept saying how "HE doesn't like it MOMMY!!"
I had to reassure them that this is how all babies react to it the first time they try real food. Because they are so used to either breastmilk from nursing or formula that when they actually have something more than liquid in their mouths they don't know what to do with it.

So here is yet another milestone that means my little guy is getting older everyday and starting to learn how to use his body. He doesn't roll over a lot yet, but occasionally he does.

So I'm just wondering for those who remember feeding their babies for the first few times, how it made you feel? And if you thought or knew it was your last child how did that change your perception of the "baby"?

Whew!! It's not a ....

Okay so my baby, has been driving me crazy for about two weeks now. I'm absolutely drained of any energy that I have -- I finally took the little creature into the doctors office this morning. Which I think at this point in time the appointment was more for my sanity than for the actual illness or ailment of my child.

The doctor checked him out -- he weighs in now at 18 pounds and is only 5 and half months old. WOW!!

He doesn't have any ear infections like I was thinking he could have had. But the doctor did say his throat was a little red, so a mild sore throat and teething pain!!

I had intuition telling me it could have been teething pain or it could have been an ear infection since he was always grabbing at his ears!!

So yeah for me that he really doesn't have an ear infection, but sad for baby that he is in so much pain.

That's one of the difficulties you face as being a mom, that you don't know exactly what ails your child everytime they start acting funny. So you have to use your best judgement -- or to keep your sanity with an unconsolable child, take him/her to the doctor and let them reassure you that you are doing a great job!!

Because lets face it -- it isn't as glamourous as being a "movie star", and the pay isn't anywhere close --but the joy's you recieve, and the happiness your child gives you is all worth the time and sacrifice you give.

I'm A Breastfeeding Mom and Proud of It!!

As a child I never understood or really knew what "breastfeeding" meant or what it
was. Not until I had my first child did I even consider that I would breastfeed my children.
My husband was very supportive of breastfeeding and therefore he encouraged me to do so. So I attempted it.

With my first few kids I was always too nervous to feed my baby anywhere in public,
-- covered or not! But as the years have gone by and more kids have been added to my brood, I now feel comfortable breastfeeding in any situation. I always cover up and keep "modest" per se, but I can't help but wonder what others around me might be thinking.

Of course, keeping covered is ideal, but I know that sometimes you get stuck in public
without the "cover" and need to feed an ever demanding, screaming little child, what does a woman do? Yes I know some stores provide a few chairs in the "Bathroom" to nurse their babies, but come on and get real!! Who really wants to eat dinner in the bathroom?

I know with my own experience that nursing my son in public can be quite intimidating, because I try to make sure I stay covered but those little "guys and gals" get to the point of squirming right out of the cover and accidental exposure happens. I don't know if anyone actually sees, but boy if they did I would feel so embarassed. But only because of the ideal that breastfeeding in public is "GROSS" and shouldn't be done. I don't know why anyone would object to a mom feeding her child and a "boob" accidentally gets exposed, but they won't get upset about a half naked woman walking down the street or in the store and showing more of her bosoms, than a nursing mom who is actually providing nourishment for her child.

The half naked lady is trying to be "sexy" I guess, and seeing the "boobs" in that instance are perfectly fine. But somehow a warped opinion has been developed about a mom nursing in public. Besides if you were in a third world country somewhere, clothes aren't the norm. I support all nursing moms, and if a person wants to complain about a breastfeeding mom FEEDING in public than the same should be done with a mom who gives her baby a bottle in public and should cover up just to FEED her baby.

A little ridiculous I know!! So you wouldn't ask that mom who is feeding her baby with a bottle to cover up, so why should you tell a mother who is breastfeeding her baby, to do so, behind a closed door for simply feeding her baby as well.

Here's are a few links for those that want additional information :

http://www.parenthood.com/articles.html?article_id=4751

http://www.007b.com/breast_versus_bottle.php

Whether breastfeeding or bottlefeeding the mother should not be judged. Support her in whatever way she chooses to feed her baby. To all moms of "babies" YOU GO GIRL!!

Are you offended by moms, covered or not, that breastfeed their babies in public?

The Start of many firsts !!!

This was Ethan when he was two months old. June 2007
Pictures taken at TARGET PORTRAIT STUDIO




My four month old Ethan -- okay so he's nearly five months on the 10th of September, he rolled over finally at my mother in laws house just this evening. He rolled over twice. From his back to his tummy, and then I placed him on his back again and a few minutes later he rolled to his tummy again, although -- he kept getting his arm stuck under his tummy and couldn't get it out. So he's getting closer to being the mobile child who can turn into a holy terror right before my eyes if I don't watch him carefully. So when he rolled over I got all excited and clapped and said, " Yeah Ethan !! " in the high pitched baby talk voice. Mind you I hate doing baby talk but this was an exciting moment for me!! All you first moms out there who witness this stuff first hand and watch your babies grow -- it's almost like a milestone for us too!! He's just growing way too fast !! I took him in for his four month checkup the beginning of August and he weighed 16 pounds and 13 ounces and grew 2.2 inches from his two month check up -- HOLY COW!!! I mostly nurse him -- but occasionally he gets formula -- Enfamil or Similac because I have lots of samples in my house right now. We haven't started him on solids yet and like to wait as long as we can -- closer to 6 months if we can. He eyeballs my hand and watches the food go into my mouth and then he tries and smacks his lips together as if to chew. So pretty soon we'll venture onto solids!!

It's so totally amazing to me how babies grow up way to fast!!!
The time it takes for them to get here always seems to crawl for the expecting parents or at least that's how I feel, and then BAM!! One day they are born and in a few blinks they are 8 years old and about to start 3rd grade!! Enjoy your babies while they are young.

Here's a poem that I've seen in many Doctors Offices -- its so cute and I think really lets us as well those around us that while they are little -- don't expect perfection with the cleaning but to enjoy the baby while he's a baby -- because pretty soon he won't be but the cleaning will never end.

Babies Don't Keep

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow...
For babies grow up we've learned to our sorrow...
So quiet down cobwebs-dust go to sleep...
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep!!

unknown

Caught without a burpcloth

Okay so why haven't I learned yet to carry like five (5) burp cloths around with me??

I was standing in line tonight at the picnic mentioned in the last entry and my husband was with my older kids letting them play on the playground. So he had the four older kids and I was by myself with my 4 month old. I left my diaper bag by our blanket which wasn't close by at all. I tend to hold my son in my left arm his tummy facing away from me. My arm started to feel wet and slimy. I looked over his shoulder and he had spit up down the front of his clothes and then all over my left hand and then onto my right arm. YUCK!!! I didn't have a burp cloth or a rag no blanket, no tissues, napkins or anything on me to wipe up this mess. Not wanting to lose my place in line, and not having any of my other family members close by, I'll be somewhat resourceful -- I reached down and wiped the spit off my hand and arm using the grass I was standing on. Even being a brand new mother of a fifth child and having what I would call some experience with babies you would think that by now I might be a pro at this and never forget to bring anything for the baby, that he might need.