Here are some links to videos of Jasmyn's Preschool class End of the year concert.
Jasmyn is in the second row. Blond hair. Pink & White polka dot dress. Enthusiastic with the hand gestures! LOL!
First song is called "Dinosaurs in a car"
Second Song called "I like Me"
Third Song called "Bear Hunt"
And last song is a combination of "Chicken Dance", "Itsy Bitsy Spider", and "Head shoulders".
It was a very fun concert! Just thought you might want to see my baby girl at her concert! Enjoy!
June 5, 2009
Ultrasound ~ Pregnancy Update #6
Today we went for our 22 week ultrasound. Tim and I took Kaleb with us as he was WWWAAAAYYYYYY excited to find out what we are having. He is fascinated with our early ultrasound and wanted to come with us and see first hand what an ultrasound was like. He was so well behaved and just *loved* every minute of looking at his sibling.
When the tech came in I told him we wanted to know what we were having. He said we would try to see. He puts the wand on my tummy and Bam! There is was! A clear shot between the baby's legs! I saw a little turtle head peeking out! There was NO mistaking it! Our baby has a PENIS!!!!!! I said, "oh wow! That's a boy!" Even the tech was surprised that we found the parts so quickly and easily! Our little munchkin really wanted us to know what he was!!!!! I suspect he was just tired of Jasmyn & I calling HIM a her! LOL!
So then he looked at all the parts. 3 vessel cord, 4 chamber heart, perfect cord insertion, both kidneys functioning, stomach, bladder and heart all looked great! Baby's brain is perfect and measuring perfect for my gestational age! Baby showed no markers for any abnormalities. He is PERFECT!!!!!! He was sucking on his hand and playing with his toes. He has a perfect shaped little face, even though they kinda look like aliens at this stage of the game!
The best part is that my placenta is in a perfect position! It is anterior and has moved up and away from my cervix. There is at least a few centimeters between my cervix and the placenta! WOOT! Everything seems to be in order for me to continue with my plans for a vaginal birth at home. My cervix is long and thick like it should be at this point!
Now is where I come clean about the anxiety I have been carrying around for the past few months. I am a member of several online communities as well as a follower of a few blogs. On these communities and blogs some of the women have NOT had perfect U/S or healthy babies. So knowing that it can happen to them make it a more real possibility that it could happen to me. I have been praying hard for these past few months that everything is OK with our baby. I was barley able to sleep last night as I anticipated our U/S today. And when I did sleep I had dreams about babies born with T18, T21 or T13. Or babies born with serious neural tube defects. I know that I will love our baby unconditionally, no matter what condition he arrived in, I am just so relieved and feel so blessed to have been given a healthy baby. I will continue to pray that our baby stays healthy and perfect and that my body continues to nourish and grow him to his fullest potential.
But I will also pray for the Moms out there that did not get a *perfect* report from the U/S. I will continue to pray for the Moms out there faced with unthinkable decisions and situations. I will pray that the babies don't suffer and that the people touched by their lives will cherish every moment. I will also send a special prayer for the moms that had to say good bye to their babies way too soon. May their hearts find comfort and peace.
And I will continue to rejoice that my baby boy is healthy and happy and measuring just a bit ahead of schedule. Maybe I will end up with a big boy (9 pounds) like I did with Kaleb?!?!?! Who knows. But I will take whatever I am given with a happy heart!
When the tech came in I told him we wanted to know what we were having. He said we would try to see. He puts the wand on my tummy and Bam! There is was! A clear shot between the baby's legs! I saw a little turtle head peeking out! There was NO mistaking it! Our baby has a PENIS!!!!!! I said, "oh wow! That's a boy!" Even the tech was surprised that we found the parts so quickly and easily! Our little munchkin really wanted us to know what he was!!!!! I suspect he was just tired of Jasmyn & I calling HIM a her! LOL!
So then he looked at all the parts. 3 vessel cord, 4 chamber heart, perfect cord insertion, both kidneys functioning, stomach, bladder and heart all looked great! Baby's brain is perfect and measuring perfect for my gestational age! Baby showed no markers for any abnormalities. He is PERFECT!!!!!! He was sucking on his hand and playing with his toes. He has a perfect shaped little face, even though they kinda look like aliens at this stage of the game!
The best part is that my placenta is in a perfect position! It is anterior and has moved up and away from my cervix. There is at least a few centimeters between my cervix and the placenta! WOOT! Everything seems to be in order for me to continue with my plans for a vaginal birth at home. My cervix is long and thick like it should be at this point!
Now is where I come clean about the anxiety I have been carrying around for the past few months. I am a member of several online communities as well as a follower of a few blogs. On these communities and blogs some of the women have NOT had perfect U/S or healthy babies. So knowing that it can happen to them make it a more real possibility that it could happen to me. I have been praying hard for these past few months that everything is OK with our baby. I was barley able to sleep last night as I anticipated our U/S today. And when I did sleep I had dreams about babies born with T18, T21 or T13. Or babies born with serious neural tube defects. I know that I will love our baby unconditionally, no matter what condition he arrived in, I am just so relieved and feel so blessed to have been given a healthy baby. I will continue to pray that our baby stays healthy and perfect and that my body continues to nourish and grow him to his fullest potential.
But I will also pray for the Moms out there that did not get a *perfect* report from the U/S. I will continue to pray for the Moms out there faced with unthinkable decisions and situations. I will pray that the babies don't suffer and that the people touched by their lives will cherish every moment. I will also send a special prayer for the moms that had to say good bye to their babies way too soon. May their hearts find comfort and peace.
And I will continue to rejoice that my baby boy is healthy and happy and measuring just a bit ahead of schedule. Maybe I will end up with a big boy (9 pounds) like I did with Kaleb?!?!?! Who knows. But I will take whatever I am given with a happy heart!
TL or Big V?????
Yes we are D-O-N-E after our little bundle of joy is born. I was sitting here this morning watching a program on TLC called "A Baby Story". It showed this family that already had 5 children and she unexpectedly got pregnant at the age of 42 with their 6th child. It sent shivers down my spine. I think if that happened to us Tim would totally panic and need a jump start to get his heart going again! LOL! So it kinda jump started my thought process on what we are gonna do to prevent future baby Brays.
So why would we choose something so *permanent*? Well because the other options are just not all that great. Bear with me as I go over the options as much for myself as for your reading enjoyment(LOL)!!!
Hormonal birth control. This includes birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, as well as hormonal IUDs. I do not do well on these options. My blood pressure gets out of control and I get bad migraines. These symptoms are what made me go off the pill back in December of 2000. Oh not to mention I have mood swings from *HELL* on hormonal birth control. Heaven help us all!!!!
IUDs. Well to make a long story short I have a moral objection to how IUDs prevent implantation of the baby and thus preventing pregnancy. So the egg and sperm can still meet (and thus create a life) but the IUD prevents implantation. I have a moral objection to this method of birth control.
Barrier methods, sponges, film, etc... Do I even need to go here? I mean who really like taking a shower with a raincoat on? Not to mention there is a breakage factor.
Lastly is the Fertility Awareness Method. This method is what we have used since I went off Birth control pills in December of 2000. I of course love this method for myself during my childbearing years. But now that I am wanting to move beyond those years.....I want a more *for sure* method. Tim & I were always OK with the possibility of getting pregnant unexpectedly (in theory anyway LOL!) during the years between Kaleb and baby #4. But now...I am so NOT OK with that possibility! LOL! Which brings us to......
TL (tubal ligation) or Big V (vasectomy)!
Of course I would rather have Tim do the Big V since the procedure itself is easier on him that the TL for me. And hey let's face it..... I have birthed 3 going on 4 babies while his only complaint was sore feet and legs from standing on the hard hospital floor! LOL! So yeah.... I have taken 3 going on 4 hits for the team, it seems fair that he takes at LEAST 1! LOL!
Which leads us to the final issue...... Money and time to recuperate. For me to have a TL it would be covered more completely by Insurance. Not to mention I am already gonna be recovering from my birth. Tim on the other hand to have the Big V done would cost us more money out of pocket (he had different Ins than me) and it would also require him to be off work during his recovery. Tim is our "bread winner". We need him to work so we can do things like .... eat, pay our mortgage, buy gas, etc..... So the idea of him taking a week or more off to recover is just not very appealing! And we want him to use any available vacation time to spend with us as I recover after our birth.
So which leads me to seriously consider a TL. My Mom got a TL when I was about 2 or 3 (I think) and had NO problems. But since my mom (and maybe one of my aunts) pretty much the rest of our family has opted for the men to get the big V rather than the women to get a TL.
So this morning I schedule a consult with a OB that does TL and is covered by my Insurance. The consult is not until July, but I guess I will go to my consultation and see what our options are. And we will also go to a consult on getting Tim a big V.
Wish us luck!!!!
So why would we choose something so *permanent*? Well because the other options are just not all that great. Bear with me as I go over the options as much for myself as for your reading enjoyment(LOL)!!!
Hormonal birth control. This includes birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, as well as hormonal IUDs. I do not do well on these options. My blood pressure gets out of control and I get bad migraines. These symptoms are what made me go off the pill back in December of 2000. Oh not to mention I have mood swings from *HELL* on hormonal birth control. Heaven help us all!!!!
IUDs. Well to make a long story short I have a moral objection to how IUDs prevent implantation of the baby and thus preventing pregnancy. So the egg and sperm can still meet (and thus create a life) but the IUD prevents implantation. I have a moral objection to this method of birth control.
Barrier methods, sponges, film, etc... Do I even need to go here? I mean who really like taking a shower with a raincoat on? Not to mention there is a breakage factor.
Lastly is the Fertility Awareness Method. This method is what we have used since I went off Birth control pills in December of 2000. I of course love this method for myself during my childbearing years. But now that I am wanting to move beyond those years.....I want a more *for sure* method. Tim & I were always OK with the possibility of getting pregnant unexpectedly (in theory anyway LOL!) during the years between Kaleb and baby #4. But now...I am so NOT OK with that possibility! LOL! Which brings us to......
TL (tubal ligation) or Big V (vasectomy)!
Of course I would rather have Tim do the Big V since the procedure itself is easier on him that the TL for me. And hey let's face it..... I have birthed 3 going on 4 babies while his only complaint was sore feet and legs from standing on the hard hospital floor! LOL! So yeah.... I have taken 3 going on 4 hits for the team, it seems fair that he takes at LEAST 1! LOL!
Which leads us to the final issue...... Money and time to recuperate. For me to have a TL it would be covered more completely by Insurance. Not to mention I am already gonna be recovering from my birth. Tim on the other hand to have the Big V done would cost us more money out of pocket (he had different Ins than me) and it would also require him to be off work during his recovery. Tim is our "bread winner". We need him to work so we can do things like .... eat, pay our mortgage, buy gas, etc..... So the idea of him taking a week or more off to recover is just not very appealing! And we want him to use any available vacation time to spend with us as I recover after our birth.
So which leads me to seriously consider a TL. My Mom got a TL when I was about 2 or 3 (I think) and had NO problems. But since my mom (and maybe one of my aunts) pretty much the rest of our family has opted for the men to get the big V rather than the women to get a TL.
So this morning I schedule a consult with a OB that does TL and is covered by my Insurance. The consult is not until July, but I guess I will go to my consultation and see what our options are. And we will also go to a consult on getting Tim a big V.
Wish us luck!!!!
June 2, 2009
22wk bellies compared
Thought it would be fun to post my belly pictures at 22weeks during each one of my pregnancies. My belly looks about the same but my butt and breasts looks different! LOL!
Here I am 22wks Pregnant with Kaleb
22 weeks Pregnant with Jasmyn
22 weeks pregnant with Mason
22weeks Pregnant with baby #4
Enjoy!!!
22 week belly pics
So this past weekend I went out with some friends to listen to a band. I took the opportunity to dress up a bit and actually do my hair! I figured this was the best time to take my 22 week belly picture. I wanted to record my hair and makeup since it is likely to only happen a few times during this pregnancy! LOL!
22 week belly shot
Here is the close up of the belly:
22 week belly shot
Full body shot!
May 24, 2009
Round Lake State Park, Sagle Idaho
I remember going to Round Lake State Park as a child and teen ager. I *think* we even went there on a field trip for grade school once. But I could be mistaken as it has been quite a while ago! Anyway, I decided that we should spend Saturday going on an adventure, since it was the only day of this long weekend that the kids and Tim had the day off from school and work. After googling Round Lake State Park to find out if the trails were open and if they were booked for the weekend. They were booked for camping spots, but still had plenty of day use availability. So we packed a picnic and headed up to check it out.
It was smaller than I remember. LOL! The beach area seemed smaller and the trails seemed shorter. Part of that is because the trails on the east end of the lake are still underwater and impassible. So we didn't make the whole loop around the lake, but what we did see was very beautiful and fun. We saw all sorts of different wild flowers, bugs, grasses, lily pads, fish, birds, etc. The kids loved throwing rocks into the lake and river. We also enjoyed going over the foot bridge that crosses Cocollala river. Jasmyn was a bit scared because the bridge sways slightly when you walk on it.
The hilight for me was just reliving my childhood memories and sharing them with my kids. I think that Tim's favorite part was when we saw the blue heron/Crane (we are still arguing over what it was actually). Tim got some very col pictures of the bird standing on a log with its reflection on the water and one of the bird flying past us. The kids loved playing at the beach. It is still very murky/muddy on the bottom, just like I remembered it. And the mud at the shoreline smells gross, but the kids did not care at all. They gathered rocks to bring home as a "reminder of their adventure".
If you ever get the chance, this park is a pretty cool place to take a nice hike and spend some time creating memories with your family. My only recommendation is to bring bug spray. The mosquitoes were brutal!
I posted a few pictures of our trip on my facebook page, but you can view them from the link below.
Round Lake pictures
It was smaller than I remember. LOL! The beach area seemed smaller and the trails seemed shorter. Part of that is because the trails on the east end of the lake are still underwater and impassible. So we didn't make the whole loop around the lake, but what we did see was very beautiful and fun. We saw all sorts of different wild flowers, bugs, grasses, lily pads, fish, birds, etc. The kids loved throwing rocks into the lake and river. We also enjoyed going over the foot bridge that crosses Cocollala river. Jasmyn was a bit scared because the bridge sways slightly when you walk on it.
The hilight for me was just reliving my childhood memories and sharing them with my kids. I think that Tim's favorite part was when we saw the blue heron/Crane (we are still arguing over what it was actually). Tim got some very col pictures of the bird standing on a log with its reflection on the water and one of the bird flying past us. The kids loved playing at the beach. It is still very murky/muddy on the bottom, just like I remembered it. And the mud at the shoreline smells gross, but the kids did not care at all. They gathered rocks to bring home as a "reminder of their adventure".
If you ever get the chance, this park is a pretty cool place to take a nice hike and spend some time creating memories with your family. My only recommendation is to bring bug spray. The mosquitoes were brutal!
I posted a few pictures of our trip on my facebook page, but you can view them from the link below.
Round Lake pictures
May 20, 2009
Pregnancy update 5
I had my midwife appointment today! I am 20w3d pregnant as of today! I have lost 5 pounds since my last appointment. That puts me at 7 pounds of weight lost since the beginning of my pregnancy. My blood pressure was good at 120/70. My urine was negative for protein and glucose! We listened to the baby's heart beat and it was in the 150's beats per minute. She measured where the top of my fundus is and it is right at my belly button. This is exactly on track for growth at 20 weeks. At the next appointment she will actually start measuring my fundus from the top of my pelvic bone to the top of my fundus with a measuring tape to gauge baby's growth.
I have been feeling the baby move fairly regularly for the past few weeks. I think I started to feel small movements around 16 weeks but still could not confirm movements of baby compared to regular stomach movements like gas! LOL! But now in retrospect I am sure that all those little movements where the baby!
We also drew some blood for a thyroid panel. I should have the results in a few days. If needed my Endocrinologist will adjust my thyroid medications within the next few days as well once he reviews the blood test results.
My ultrasound is scheduled for June 5th. At that point we will find out about the placenta and if it has moved away from my cervix.
I will update more as soon as I know! Love to all and thanks for taking an interest and reading about our growing baby!
I have been feeling the baby move fairly regularly for the past few weeks. I think I started to feel small movements around 16 weeks but still could not confirm movements of baby compared to regular stomach movements like gas! LOL! But now in retrospect I am sure that all those little movements where the baby!
We also drew some blood for a thyroid panel. I should have the results in a few days. If needed my Endocrinologist will adjust my thyroid medications within the next few days as well once he reviews the blood test results.
My ultrasound is scheduled for June 5th. At that point we will find out about the placenta and if it has moved away from my cervix.
I will update more as soon as I know! Love to all and thanks for taking an interest and reading about our growing baby!
May 19, 2009
20 week Belly pics
Yup 20 weeks. Seems to be when I POP! I have looked back at my previous pregnancy belly pictures and it seems that once I hit 20 weeks my belly just POPS out and there is no denying that I am "with child"! LOL!As you may have noticed over on the right side bar ------> there are belly pictures starting at 14 weeks going through 20 weeks (well every other week). These will stay there so you can compare as my pregnancy progresses!
Tomorrow is my next midwife appointment. I will update with all the information after my appointment!
Life is good for us here! We are so excited to be getting closer to summer. Only a few more weeks of school! Also for the summer it is looking like I will be doing daycare for my nephew Future. Our summer should be fun filled and super busy! We are already planning some camping trips, a garage sale, trips to Silverwood Theme Park, Swimming at Grandma's pool, and plenty of backyard fun in the sun! Now if I -in my pregnant state- can just keep up with the kids we should be good!
May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's day!
I have to admit I started out this weekend in a bad mood. Tim is still out of town for work. He got stuck in Portland for another week. I was really looking forward to him being home and pampering me. Especially after I just spent the past week being a single Mom while Mason was sick, I had a few time pressing commitments to honor as well as a field trip for Jasmyn that was planned with VERY short notice. So when Tim called me on Thursday and told me he was gonna stay this next week I was BEYOND bummed. I really need(ed) a break. I really wanted to be pampered and loved on like only Tim knows how to do. He usually makes sure I don't have to cook, clean, change a diaper, get up with the kids, or anything for the WHOLE WEEKEND! (Don't worry I reciprocate on Father's Day!) I get to sleep in, do crafty stuff that I want to do, get a pedicure (sometimes given by Tim). Wow! Reading all of that and I really realize how much I am spoiled. (sssshhhhh don't tell Tim!)
So this morning I woke up to my little son Kaleb giving me a hug and saying" Happy Mother's day Mommy". (smile). Then as I am laying there waking up slowly I hear him in the living room talking to Mason. He asks Mason if Mason made me a card. No Mason hadn't. Then I hear Kaleb getting into the art cabinet. He is talking to Mason and helping him make me a card. (smile). Jasmyn gets up. Kaleb asks her if she wants to make a card for me. She does. So I hear them make another trip to the art cabinet for more supplies. I just lay there listening to them talk about the cards and Mother's day. After a few minutes I get up and get dressed.
When I walk into the kitchen and on the table is 2 gifts (the kids made at school) and 3 cards. Kaleb takes me by the hand and ushers me to my chair. He hands me the cards and the presents. How sweet! I open the gifts. Kaleb made a plaster hand impression at school. It is very sweet. Jasmyn made me a photo frame with her picture. It is a magnet with a clothes pin attached to hang a grocery list on. She has decorated it with a whole bunch of jewels! So cute. Then I look at the cards. Kaleb had written little messages on each one from him, Jasmyn & Mason. Then he drew a picture of each of the kids. They have the letter of their first name on their shirt. Mason's says : Frum Masan to MoM. On the inside it says: Frum Masam two Morm. The the picture of Mason with the M on his shirt with enormous ears and only 3 fingers! So adorable. Jasmyn's says: Frum Jasmyn Two MoM. I Love Yoow Mom. Her picture has pierced ears, and only 3 fingers in each hand, with a J on her shirt! Kaleb's says: Frum Kaleb Two MoM I love yoow Momme. His picture has long hair and a K on his shirt! So sweet.
Then Kaleb decides we should have something "easy" for breakfast so "Mommy doesn't have to cook". He decides on zucchini muffins (we made last night), banana and juice. He even helped pass out plates, silverware and juice. After wards he helped clean up the table and load the dishwasher.
No I did not get a free pass from diapers, a pedicure, or get to sleep in, but what I got was so much more meaningful. Kaleb fully understood what Mother's day was about. He in his own way honored me in ways that are BEYOND his years. He wrangled his siblings and made them understand the importance of the day as much as they could. I am so proud to be Mother! I am proud that Tim and I have instilled compassion, respect, love and appreciation in his person. He really showed me that all the examples and lessons we have tried to teach is really REACHING him. He is so sweet. I am so thankful that I get to be around such an awesome little boy!
Happy Mother's Day to all your Moms out there. I hope your day turned out as wonderful as mine!
So this morning I woke up to my little son Kaleb giving me a hug and saying" Happy Mother's day Mommy". (smile). Then as I am laying there waking up slowly I hear him in the living room talking to Mason. He asks Mason if Mason made me a card. No Mason hadn't. Then I hear Kaleb getting into the art cabinet. He is talking to Mason and helping him make me a card. (smile). Jasmyn gets up. Kaleb asks her if she wants to make a card for me. She does. So I hear them make another trip to the art cabinet for more supplies. I just lay there listening to them talk about the cards and Mother's day. After a few minutes I get up and get dressed.
When I walk into the kitchen and on the table is 2 gifts (the kids made at school) and 3 cards. Kaleb takes me by the hand and ushers me to my chair. He hands me the cards and the presents. How sweet! I open the gifts. Kaleb made a plaster hand impression at school. It is very sweet. Jasmyn made me a photo frame with her picture. It is a magnet with a clothes pin attached to hang a grocery list on. She has decorated it with a whole bunch of jewels! So cute. Then I look at the cards. Kaleb had written little messages on each one from him, Jasmyn & Mason. Then he drew a picture of each of the kids. They have the letter of their first name on their shirt. Mason's says : Frum Masan to MoM. On the inside it says: Frum Masam two Morm. The the picture of Mason with the M on his shirt with enormous ears and only 3 fingers! So adorable. Jasmyn's says: Frum Jasmyn Two MoM. I Love Yoow Mom. Her picture has pierced ears, and only 3 fingers in each hand, with a J on her shirt! Kaleb's says: Frum Kaleb Two MoM I love yoow Momme. His picture has long hair and a K on his shirt! So sweet.
Then Kaleb decides we should have something "easy" for breakfast so "Mommy doesn't have to cook". He decides on zucchini muffins (we made last night), banana and juice. He even helped pass out plates, silverware and juice. After wards he helped clean up the table and load the dishwasher.
No I did not get a free pass from diapers, a pedicure, or get to sleep in, but what I got was so much more meaningful. Kaleb fully understood what Mother's day was about. He in his own way honored me in ways that are BEYOND his years. He wrangled his siblings and made them understand the importance of the day as much as they could. I am so proud to be Mother! I am proud that Tim and I have instilled compassion, respect, love and appreciation in his person. He really showed me that all the examples and lessons we have tried to teach is really REACHING him. He is so sweet. I am so thankful that I get to be around such an awesome little boy!
Happy Mother's Day to all your Moms out there. I hope your day turned out as wonderful as mine!
May 5, 2009
Pregnancy update 4 Belly Pics
I figured I should start posting my belly pictures. I have been taking them for a while but just recently began to feel like there is a difference to what I looked like before I got pregnant! So here is my belly pictures starting at 12weeks going forward to 18 weeks.
14 weeks pregnant
16weeks pregnant 
18 weeks pregnant 
12 weeks pregnant
14 weeks pregnant
16weeks pregnant 
18 weeks pregnant 
Maybe not a huge change but enough that my jean don't fit anymore and my shirts seem to be a bit short. So I did have to dig out my maternity clothes to find something that fits and looks better. Ugh. I H-A-T-E Maternity clothes. But when you can't breath anymore in your regular jeans.... somethings gotta change! Anyway, I hope you enjoy seeing how my pregnant belly is growing! Stay tuned... pretty soon I will need my own zip code! LOL!
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