Family · Uncategorized

Christmas Tree

We decided on a fake tree this year. We went on our first outing as a family of 5 to Lowe’s and bought a 9 foot tree. I really love having a real tree but I am pretty sure it would not last very long with Camron around. He is such a SPUNKY little boy. He has the best personality and he is so very cute. He could take the place of about 5 boys 🙂 We have the tree up and we put lights on today so hopefully I’ll finish decorating tomorrow.

We went out for a drive today to pick up our maternity/family/newborn pictures from Natalie. We decided to take the boys to Chick fil A to eat and play. It was a good trip but I don’t think I could handle taking all three out on my own for a while.

Family · Uncategorized

Calen’s birth

Charles was born on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 8:21 am. I had been feeling crampy for a couple of days and had a few random contractions but nothing major. My due date from the OB was November 13th and my midwife had my due date as the 14th. I woke up around 4:15 am with a contraction and just laid in bed for a few minutes because I thought I was dreaming until I had another one. I got up and started timing them at 4:30 am. They were really consistent at 2-3 minutes apart. This is exactly how it was when I went into labor with Camron.

Around 5 am Camron woke up and I had to get Brandon to go get in the bed with him because I couldn’t. At 5:30 am I asked B to get up with me and we decided to call my midwife, Donna to give her a heads up. At that point I was handling the contractions well. I was talking through them and thinking I had a little while. She wanted to see them getting a little stronger and lasting a little longer so the plan was to call her back in an hour. By 6 am they were pretty strong and I was having to hold rice packs on my stomach and really concentrate. I decided to call her back at 6:20 and she said she was heading out and told me to call Layla, her assistant. I called Layla and she said she would be on her way.

I remember telling B that I thought he needed to get the pool set up now. He said that it was already blown up and it wouldn’t take that long to fill. I emphasized again that I thought we needed to get things set up now so B got the boys ready and took them over to my Aunt Lisa’s house. My Dad was having a block done for his back and they were at the hospital. It’s only 3 houses over so B came back and quickly started setting up the birth pool and getting all of our supplies laid out for the midwives. As soon as the pool was filled I got in. I’m not sure the times exactly but I was feeling lot’s of pressure and got out of the pool to go use the bathroom a few times. I knew things were going fast because my body just started bearing down and I couldn’t control it. I got back in the tub and continued to push with my contractions but they were so close that I wasn’t getting much rest and relief in between.

Layla showed up at 7:45 and she listened to the baby with a contraction and then checked me. I was complete with a bulging bag. She started setting up her supplies. I pushed a few more times and my water broke. I remember her saying there was some meconium but I couldn’t tell. Donna arrived at 8:05 and Calen was born at 8:21. We waited for about 20-30 minutes for the cord to stop pulsing and to deliver the placenta. They kept commenting on how great the cord and placenta were 🙂 Brandon and I joked about it being all those twix bars I had been consuming.

After I delivered the placenta, I got out of the pool and took a quick shower then got into bed. The midwives assessed me and again I had no tearing or anything. They started their assessment on Calen. He weighed 10#3oz and was 20.5 in long. His head was 14.5 and his chest was 14 inches. He latched on right away and is now a great nurser.

My mom and my grandmother brought the boys over around lunchtime. Carson and Camron crawled up in the bed with us and kissed on their baby brother. It’s really amazing how easy the transition from 2 to 3 has been so far. The boys are doing great with their brother and we are all settling into a good routine.

Family · Uncategorized

Day 3 and Day 4

I forgot to post yesterday so here it is

Day 3: I am thankful for a strong, supportive and loving husband

Today: I am thankful for a God who loves little ole me more than I could possibly imagine.

I am loving this 30 days of Thankfulness 🙂 My 4 year old is going to have a hard time but I’m excited about the opportunities for teaching it will bring.

Family · Uncategorized

30 Days of Thanks

I’ve seen people posting about this so I decided to look it up. I think it’s really easy to get caught up in “life” sometimes and I have been trying to step away from that. I asked B to do it with me and I’m going to try and get Carson to join in. He will probably name a different toy each day 🙂 silly boy. I hope it will at least give us an opportunity for some great conversations and get him thinking about thankfulness. I have so many things to be thankful for but today I’ll start with this:

I am thankful for the life inside of me, God is so good.

Speaking of the life inside of me 🙂 I am 38 weeks pregnant and due very soon. We are so ready for this little one to get here.

Animals · Family · Uncategorized

Animal adventures

I admit it! I’m a BAD blogger. I always have good intentions but for some reason I can’t keep up. I want to keep up because I have such a bad memory and I want to remember the little things in our life. Here is what we have been up to over the last several months 🙂

Building this

for

and this

for

We’ve been really busy 🙂

The boys are doing great! Carson is taking Taekwondo and just tested for his green stripe belt this week. Here is is getting his award and new belt

He is 4 and he amazes me. He speaks really well and he is so bright for his age. He has a very “spunky” personality and certainly keeps me on my toes.

Camron is now 20 months and he could be the poster child for “all boy.” This child never slows down. He also speaks very well for his age and is curious about everything. There is nothing he won’t climb and jump off of.

We found out that #3 is also a boy 🙂 I predict a lot of loud, wrestling matches later on in this house.

I love my boys! I feel like a referee some days with all the brotherly quarrels. Each day also has those moments were I catch Carson kissing Cam and telling him “I love you” or putting a band aid on his “boo boo.” I hope they always have a close bond and look out for each other.

Family · Uncategorized

Where to begin?

I have this problem of being overwhelmed and not knowing where to start so I just don’t start. As a parent, I struggle with protecting my children from the harsh ways of our world or showing them, so that they are aware. There is so much suffering in this world. My heart aches for so many of God’s children. I have a strong desire to help orphans, to rescue those in war torn countries, those who do not have clean water to drink or food to eat, those who are abused. I want to share the gospel with those who have never heard it. I have felt so hopeless over the last several months. So much hurt and suffering and I am just one person. How do I make a difference? The truth is we can ALL make a difference. I’m so glad that God has laid these things on my heart. I’m so glad to be a part of a church family that is helping me be able to make a difference and encouraging me in things I am doing.

I think because I had turned away from God for so long that now I feel like I’m dehydrated and I can’t get enough of him, of his word, of really living for him. I pray every day that my husband will share that same passion with me. I want to be able to live by example for my children and not just “talk the talk.” I get so mad at myself sometimes when I look back and wonder “What was I thinking?” Seriously, “Why would I ever think my way is better than his way?” It’s taking a lot of praying to really let go of some guilt and frustration that I had over things I have done in my life. Thank God he is so forgiving and loving!