Party of Six

Circus Night! Ringling Bros. ® Presents DRAGONS

2012-01-13T10:20:00.002-05:00

The boys had a blast!

They all had different favorite parts, but the big cats and motorcycles were big hits!
The show is in town until Sunday! If you would like to go here is a great deal!
Get tickets for just $12 (plus facility and handling fees) by using promo code MOMMY at checkout on ticketmaster.com. This offer is available for all tickets except Circus Celebrity, Front Row and VIP. The offer is valid for the following performances: Friday at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 11:30 am and 7:30 pm; Sunday at 5 pm; and Monday (MLK Day) at 5 pm.

For those looking for something really special, try the VIP Family Four Pack, which includes 4 VIP tickets, 4 small Lemonades, 4 small Popcorn Boxes, and 4 jumbo Lollipops. The package is $170 and is a savings of over $50! To get this package use promo code FAMDEAL at checkout
For more information on the show, visit
www.Ringling.com.
*I would have taken more pics but I had a very overwhelmed baby in my arms!

"In exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine."

Three Months

2011-12-30T10:04:00.000-05:00

I can't believe she is 3 months old already. There still aren't words to explain the joy she has brought into our lives. I love my husband even more watching how he is with her. I am in awe of how much my sons love her.

You would think that adding a 4th child would be more work, but it has turned out to be the opposite. They love helping with her and are so proud of her being their little sister.

At her 3 month check up, she was 14lbs 4oz and 23.5inches long and in the 90% for weight and the 25% for height. Considering she was in the 5% for weight and 20% for height when she was born, she is growing REALLY well. I am still loving breastfeeding. This time around we have gone pretty much full crunchy AP, though we are doing vaccines. Cloth diapering is working out great for us. I can't believe I ever used disposables! Bella is rarely put down. She is normally in someones arms or being worn, as a result she almost never cries (part of that I am sure is pure luck in getting a happy baby). She smiles all the time, until I take out the camera, then she refuses. She is laughing and cooing now too. Everyday brings something new and even though she is our 4th, it never gets old.

Whole

2011-12-30T09:15:00.001-05:00

A little over a year ago I wrote this post about being broken and coming to terms with the fact that I would never have another baby. Little did I know, just days later Arabella would be conceived. On Superbowl Sunday I found out she was on her way, I was terrified and the pregnancy was long and scary. But here I am, writing this post with a sweet sleeping little girl on my chest.

2011 was not an easy year, but it left me infinitely blessed. My family is complete, my heart is full.

Swedish Baked Rice

2011-12-24T09:02:00.000-05:00

I have been meaning to share this for a long time, it is an old family recipe that my father and I have been adapting/perfecting for years. It's hard to describe it. It is not overly sweet or custard like, it's delicious!

Swedish Baked Rice

2 cups rice
4 cups water
2 tbsp butter
2 tsp salt

Put all in pan, bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and cook til done.
Prepare the rice the night before and cool.

In another bowl mix together:

2 cups milk
3 eggs beaten
3 or 4 tbsp sugar (My dad likes is sweeter and leans to the 4-5 tbsps, I like less.)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp nutmeg

Add cooled rice.

This will look a little like rice pudding. Pour into large baking dish. I suggest not too deep or this will take FOREVER to bake, I do a larger shallow one. Bake covered at 350 for 45 mins, uncover and cook an additional 15. This is a temperamental dish and cooking time will vary. Should be set and not soupy all the way through.

Since we are a large family this feeds 6-8 heartily. I normally have to double it for family gatherings.

And the Winner is..................

2011-12-23T23:22:00.000-05:00

Comment number 12!
Barbara P said...
I havent been since I was a kid and my kids have never been!!!

Congrats!

Ringling Bros. ® Presents DRAGONS

2011-12-22T10:12:00.005-05:00

Looking for a holiday gift that is sure to thrill? Ready for something BIG to arrive this January? Don't miss DRAGONS, a once in a millennium event that honors The Year of the Dragon. Circus performers from the farthest reaches of the earth have assembled for Ringling Bros. ® Presents DRAGONS to showcase their astounding acts of bravery and astonishing athleticism. Ringling Bros. Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson presides over this fantastical celebratory tournament of circus champions that brings together mystic dragon lore with authentic circus feats. DRAGONS is a never-before-seen blend of renowned spiritual and real life legends that can be found only at The Greatest Show On Earth! ®. Playing the Amway Center Jan. 12-16.
Here's your chance to win four ticket vouchers good for any performance of DRAGONS! Just comment below about what you are most looking forward to seeing!
Contest ends 12/23 at 11pm, so hurry!

Get tickets for just $12 (plus facility and handling fees) by using promo code MOMMY at checkout on ticketmaster.com. This offer is available for all tickets except Circus Celebrity, Front Row and VIP. The offer is valid for the following performances: Friday at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 11:30 am and 7:30 pm; Sunday at 5 pm; and Monday (MLK Day) at 5 pm.

For those looking for something really special, try the VIP Family Four Pack, which includes 4 VIP tickets, 4 small Lemonades, 4 small Popcorn Boxes, and 4 jumbo Lollipops. The package is $170 and is a savings of over $50! To get this package use promo code FAMDEAL at checkout.

For more information on the show, visit
www.Ringling.com.

We'll see you at the show!

"In exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine."

WTF Happened to Compassion?

2011-12-15T00:04:00.001-05:00

This subject is painful and personal for me, so I am going to get ranty and leap up on a soap box.

I am talking about the Duggars and the insane comments I am reading about their pregnancy loss.I have actually had to unfriend a few people in the last few days over this. The comments are sickening.

If you read my blog, you know I was in the same place she is almost 5 years ago. I lost a baby at the same gestation. For those of you who didnt know Michelle Duggar was almost 20 weeks with what turned out to be a little girl, when she found out her baby passed away. She ended up delivering the baby at home.

Reading comments like the vicious ones aimed at the family takes me back to the pain I went through. You arent just sad, you don't love your other children any less by grieving this loss, your world is shattered.

I had three children when I lost Kai, it didnt make the pain any less. I would imagine having 19 wouldn't make it any less painful either. To comment that this was a warning from God or that her body is telling her no more, is just plain bullshit.

Pregnancy loss (and for the love of God, this was NOT a miscarriage) can happen to any mother, at any time. I went on to have 5 more losses before being blessed with Arabella. Thank God no one else gets a say in my fertility.

Maybe you don't agree with the Duggars' choices, and that is fine, this is a free country. But when a family is grieving the loss of their child, just say "I am sorry" and shut the hell up.

So much...

2011-11-12T18:23:00.000-05:00

has happened in the last few weeks I haven't had a moment to formulate a blog post.

When Arabella was 5 weeks old, right before Halloween she spent an entire day screaming, SO unlike her. That night on a hunch I took her temp, she didn't feel that warm, but low and behold she was 100.8. Ped told us to go to the Children's hospital. It didn't even occur to me we would be admitted. The boys never had a fever that young. It was not fun, she had an iv, blood tests, and a spinal tap. All together we were there 2 1/2 days. She was perfectly fine and only had a small virus. The hospital we stayed in was awesome. They allowed her to cosleep with me and nurse the whole time without interruption. I was so scared, but so thankful that she got great care and is healthy now.

Sweet Bella is now 7 weeks and weighs 10lbs 4oz as of last week and 21in. She is a happy little chunky monkey and we are all even more smitten everyday.

Now for our other drama...

About a three weeks ago I had 2 molars pulled. Afterwards I started feeling like I had something stuck in my throat, I thought it was just trauma from the dental surgery, but it kept going. I didn't think about it while Bella was sick, but when she got home I noticed it was still there. I was worried it was strep so I had it checked. The doc I saw thought it might be anxiety related and seeing how I had been through so much stress and have an anxiety disorder, I thought it was possible. But the same anxiety had me worried it was something more. I went to an urgent care center that is set up like an ER. They did an xray to rule out foreign bodies, it was clear. So they ordered a CT scan, which showed a goiter and diffuse shotty cervical adenopathy (the node issue they reason was from the dental issues). So they ordered a thyroid ultrasound. The ultrasound showed a multinodular goiter, with 2 nodules smaller than 1cm, one of them is on the anterior which is why I can feel it. All of my labs are normal, thyroid levels, cbc, liver, kidney, everything clear. Hell they even tested me for stds. So now I am faced with trying to find someone to examine the nodules with my insurance running out in 2 weeks. In that time frame.

I am hoping to see a surgeon this week. Not sure if I need a biopsy, surgery, hormones, or what.

I am scared. One of my big anxiety triggers is a cancer fear. The odds of it being thyroid cancer are low, but I am struggling with anxiety all the same. The doctor gave me Ativan and said it was safe with nursing, but I feel guilty even thinking about taking it.

Nursing is another issue. Sadly, some of the treatment options for the thyroid would mean I have to wean her. I am worried about that too, since she wont take a bottle at. all. But of course she needs her mommy healthy, so I will do what I have to do.

Please pray I find a way to get the care I need before my insurance runs out and that it is NOT cancer.

One Month Old

2011-10-25T16:57:00.000-04:00

She is wiggling in my arms as I type, I could get drunk from just smelling her little head. I sit snuggled with her most of the day. When I am not holding her, daddy is.
Nursing is going amazingly well. I love her happy gulps followed by her contented sighs. I love that she has gained almost 3lbs in four weeks, purely on what she is getting from me.
Sweet little Bella has brought joy, so so much joy. My heart is so full it could burst, the sky is bluer, the sun warmer, everything is wonderful.
I look back now on all the losses, the pain, the scary pregnancy, and it was all worth it.
I am so very thankful for our little miracle.

Sibling Love

2011-10-19T19:36:00.001-04:00

Following every "congratulations" I get asked if the boys are jealous. The answer is not at all. All three boys love their sister, even at their young age, they have witnessed what we have been through and know what a miracle she is. Jordan and Isaiah tell my they are soooo happy to finally have a sister. She is doted on and kissed gently all the time. It melts my heart, but nothing as much as Noah's absolute adoration of her. It's beyond love. You never know what to expect with autism. He was excited about the pregnancy and was the only one to ask to feel her kicking, so I had hope that he would know how to be gentle and could understand how tiny she would be. Nothing could have prepared me for how he instantly and intensely bonded with her. The look on his face says it all.

2011-10-15T19:29:00.000-04:00

Who has time to blog, when I have this sweet face to snuggle and look at all the time. I can't believe tomorrow she will be 3 weeks old!

First Bath

2011-10-10T10:40:00.000-04:00

In true Arabella fashion, she fussed for about 2 seconds and then relaxed and enjoyed it. I love her so much.

Thankful

2011-10-09T10:40:00.000-04:00

I couldn't bring myself to blog about this while it was happening, but if you follow me on twitter or fb you saw the updates and pleading for prayers.

In the hospital Bella was deemed "perfect" and I could finally breathe after 9 months of wondering if we made the right call skipping the amino. At her first in office check up the doctor noticed that her butt crack looked "off". I had noticed too, but remembered all three boys looking a little weird too, mostly because they were all so skinny they had no butt fat. She pointed out that it could be a sign of spina bifida or tethered cord syndrome, but said not to worry, we would just watch and see...Uh NOT what you want to say to a mother in the throws of postpartum anxiety. We ended up seeing almost all the doctors in our large practice over the course of a week. The consensuses was that there was a very very very small chance it was either of those things, but for peace of mind we would so a spinal ultrasound and xray.

Taking pity on my train wrecked mental site, they got her in very quickly at the hospital with a pediatric radiology dept.

I was crying by the time I got there...

The scan itself was nothing, Bella slept through it. Unlike pregnancy ultrasounds which I can read now, I had no idea what I was looking at. I stared at the screen, gently stroking her cheek with tears rolling down my cheeks. Techs are not supposed to tell you what they see, but this tech was a mother of an infant too and let the word normal slip a few times and even let me know she didn't think xrays were needed.
After consulting with the doctor, they decided to go ahead and do the xray because we were there and it would just back up their findings.

I got the call that afternoon, both tests were NORMAL.

I cried and praised God. I am so thankful. So very.

Since then we have been nailed with news that normally would have sent me into a panic mode (financial), but now? Really? It doesn't matter. I have my 4 healthy children and an awesome husband. The rest will work out.

Arabella Zoe

2011-09-30T20:12:00.001-04:00

It's hard to explain, after 37 weeks, this pregnancy was surreal. Even after hundreds of doctors appointments, too many ultrasounds to count, and listening to her heartbeat every night, part of my brain struggled to comprehend that we were having a baby, a girl no less.

After my 36 week appointment at the high risk, I started to feel off. Contractions picked up and I felt sick and dizzy. I ended up back in l&d, thinking once again, it was nothing and I would be going home in a few hours. Arabella was doing well on the monitors, but me? Not so much. My blood pressure has jumped from 110/74 earlier in the day to 155/116. They thought it had to be a mistake and tried taking it over and over, but it was still high. The contractions were coming every 2-3 mins, but were doing nothing. I was admitted and given magnesium sulfate, hoping it would stop the bp and the contractions...

Once I was diagnosed with preeclamsia, I thought for sure they would do the csection, but no. I spent a LONG week in the hospital, it was hell on my anxiety, but it was totally worth it. My bp spiked again and since I had finally hit 37 weeks, they finally decided it was time.

Arabella Zoe arrived via csection at 9:59 am on 9/25, 5lbs 15oz and 19.5 inches. She is tiny, but strong. She is just about the prettiest baby ever. I am so over the moon in love. We all are. We only put her down to sleep and that is reluctantly. Watching the boys love her is just amazing. I haven't written about her birth until now, because there are just no words that can explain our joy. Not sure there will ever be enough to tell.

36 weeks

2011-09-16T22:39:00.001-04:00

*ignore the awful hair! I went and got it done after this picture.

Wow. I have now officially past when I has Isaiah too. I am starting to think she is in this for the long haul.

Which now isn't so long.

At our appointment on Thursday, we were expecting to see a 6 1/2 lb baby based on the measurements from 32 weeks when she was 4lb 9oz, but she was only 5lb 8 oz. Not a terrible size at all, considering the boys were all small too (well not Jordan so much he was 6lb 6oz at 35 weeks), but her growth dropped from the 55% to the 24%. If you remember I tested for a possible NT defect early on and that test can also be an indicator that the placenta will break down prematurely, that seems to be happening. There is still great blood flow and there isn't calcification so far, but they are not willing to risk pushing the pregnancy past 38 weeks.

I am 10000% inclined to agree.

From what I know right now, still waiting to hear from surgery scheduling, the csection date should be 9/30, unless I go into labor on my own before then. I had my last (THANK GOD) P-17 shot, most say 7-10 days after the last one labor begins. I will be 37 weeks and term then, so BRING IT ON.

Honestly, if my water broke right now I would be very relieved. I am worried about her, as I have been the past 36 weeks. I just want her safely in my arms. Again they told us she has a lot of hair and big lips, I can't wait to see her.

35 weeks

2011-09-11T19:28:00.001-04:00

Weight still about the same, I go up a lb and down a lb. I go for my last p-17 shot on Thursday and after that she is free to come! To say I am grouchy is a minor understatement. So ready for this baby girl to get here, but really want to avoid the NICU so I hope she hangs in for 2 more weeks.

34 weeks ALMOST THERE!

2011-09-04T09:42:00.001-04:00

For a long time 34 weeks has been a mental goal for me, if we could just get there, I was convince we could get to 36 possibly 37 weeks.

Here we are 34 weeks!

She scared me again last week, by failing an NST. Thankfully she aced her biophysical profile and follow up NST. She seems to be growing right on tract still and my drinking horrifying amounts of water has worked because my fluid went from 8, to 12, back to 15 again!

I lost back three of the pounds I gained last week, the doctors are really happy with the fact that I have maintained a level of loss and not gained. I have to admit it's pretty cool to still have my wedding rings on and be able to see the bones in my feet at almost 9 months!

Arabella is head down and working her way lower by the day, my slight waddle has turned into a full blown waddle/shuffle. I SHOULD be off of modified bed rest and pelvic rest next weekend! It's been a long 3 months, TOTALLY worth it, but it will be nice to ehem...resume normal activities.

Her movements are so different now, there are still pokes, kicks, and hiccups, but added in now are feet sticking out, and shift that make my whole body shake! I love every minute of it! Though I can't wait to get her safely into the world and in my arms, I am trying to savor this time, knowing this is MOST DEFINITELY THE LAST TIME I WILL EVER BE PREGNANT.

The boys are getting more excited, they love feeling her move. Noah asks constantly, "What is Arabella doing now?", he also makes sure I feed her plenty so she can grow.

We are about to put her car seat in the van so we aren't caught off guard if she does come early (learned from experience, trying to help hubby lock in a seat 2 days after a csection is PAINFUL and since I am the one who took the installation classes, I have to help!). It's a little mind blowing that if she comes when Jordan did, she would be here is SIX DAYS! Isaiah was only a week after that.

Deep breaths.

33 weeks

2011-08-28T09:22:00.000-04:00

I have been a little behind in updating, I have basically reached the omg is it over point in pregnancy. Don't get me wrong I don't want to have her for 3-4 more weeks. Though if she follows after her brothers, she could be here in less than 2!?!

As you can see in the above picture I am HUGE. At my 32 week appointment she measured 4lbs 9oz, which is just a bit above average. I was shocked! I was hoping she would be 3 3/4 or 4lbs, for perspective, Isaiah was 4lbs 6oz at my 35 week ultrasound and was born the next week at 5lb 4oz. So she is def on track to be bigger than her brothers.

As for my hugeness, the weight loss came to a screeching halt a few weeks ago and we started to climb the other way. I am still 7lbs below my pre-pregnancy weight though. The weight is all in my belly and enormous boobs. I am okay with it though, she is gaining rapidly and looks fantastic.

I have been having issues with my fluid levels, they started falling and dipped to 8 (after being at 15) and we were worried that they would continue to fall. I started pounding water, to the terrifying amount of 6-8 LITERS a day. I have also been soaking in the tub everyday. It worked! Fluid jumped back up to 12.4. So if I can keep this up we are good.

I started classes online, not sure what made me think this was a good idea, because clearly it's not. I can't even formulate a simple blog post. I am taking two computer classes that are VERY similar. I keep confusing them.

And the winners are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-08-27T08:41:00.000-04:00

For the Hair Cuttery $50 gift card the winner as determined by random.org is

teetsels said...

A hair cut and some products for the kiddos.

August 16, 2011 8:17 PM
Congrats Teetsels!

And the winner of the 4 pack of Disney on Ice- Dare to Dream tickets is...

Christina Larsen said...

Kali loves aladin!

Congrats Christina!!

Winners please email me with you information as soon as possible.

For those who didn't win, please remember
I can offer my readers a special $11 ticket price (good for ALL
performances) on opening night, Friday, September 9 at 7:30 pm; Saturday,
September 10 at 3:30 and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, September 11 at 1 and 5 pm.
Simply visit the Amway Center box office or Ticketmaster and use promo
code “MOM11” at check out!!
**Note, this price isn’t good for Front Row or
VIP seats, limit 6 ticket per purchase. For more information on the show,
visit the Disney on Ice site.

Thanks to all who took part!

“I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.”

Win a Disney On Ice Enchanted Experience from Hair Cuttery

2011-08-16T07:11:00.003-04:00

As the momma to be of my first daughter this sounds like SO much fun!

Disney On Ice and Hair Cuttery have teamed up to bring you an enchanting offer. The Disney On Ice Enchanted Experience includes a shampoo, blow dry and princess finish at your local Orlando Hair Cuttery salon, and a special savings on Disney On Ice merchandise ($5 value). Once you’ve purchased your tickets to Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream in Orlando from Disney On Ice , add the Enchanted Experience to your order for just $20!

In order to purchase, look for the Enchanted Experience offer on the Review Page of your online ticket purchase. The enchanted package is also available for purchase at participating Hair Cuttery salons. It can be redeemed at select salons in the Central Florida area.* Visit www.HairCuttery.com for a more information.

I am so excited to be able to offer you a chance to win a $50 gift card to Hair Cuttery. You can use to purchase an Enchanted Experience, the services of your choice, or both at your local Hair Cuttery! To enter simply leave a comment and tell me what you would use the $50 on.

*Appointments not accepted. Please call in advance to determine wait time. Limited to children ages 12 & under.

“I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.”

Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream Giveaway!

2011-08-15T06:00:00.005-04:00

I am sooo excited about this giveaway. As many of you know Noah LOVESSS the Disney Princesses, all of them. He heard a commercial for this show on the radio and lost his mind.

Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream is coming and here is a chance to win four free tickets!

"Get tangled up in the newest thrilling show to hit the ice, Disney On Ice
presents Dare to Dream - the first Disney On Ice show to play the new Amway
Center. Experience Disney’s hilarious hair-raising escapade, Tangled; as
Rapunzel, her unlikely companion, Flynn, and Maximus, embark on an
uproarious journey that takes adventure to new lengths! Boogie to the beat
of the bayou with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from The Princess and the
Frog, in a magical, musical journey that all begins with a fateful kiss.
And fanciful dreams become reality as Cinderella meets her Prince Charming,
with a glass slipper fit for an unforgettable fantasy come true. All your
favorite princesses take to the ice in a spectacular finale at the ultimate
Disney Princess event of a lifetime! Experience the beauty, sparkle, and
spirit when Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream comes to your hometown!"

Now for the fun stuff!

I can offer my readers a special $11 ticket price (good for ALL
performances) on opening night, Friday, September 9 at 7:30 pm; Saturday,
September 10 at 3:30 and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, September 11 at 1 and 5 pm.
Simply visit the Amway Center box office or Ticketmaster and use promo
code “MOM11” at check out!!
**Note, this price isn’t good for Front Row or
VIP seats, limit 6 ticket per purchase. For more information on the show,
visit the Disney on Ice site.

And the best part! I am giving away four free tickets to the show at the all new Amway Arena (we haven't been there yet and are so excited to check it out). To win simply visit Disney on Ice with your children and leave a comment here about which princess they are most looking forward to seeing! The contest will end August 26th at 11:59 pm. One entry per household please.

“I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.”

A Scare

2011-08-14T19:58:00.000-04:00

On Friday Arabella wasn't moving much, none of my normal tricks were working I even tried eating sugar, but she didn't want to move. So I ended up in l&d, not long after she was on the monitors she started wiggling away, so I figured we would be out of there pretty fast.

Sigh.

The nurse on duty didn't think Bella was being reactive enough to the movements, meaning her heart rate was too steady. I later found out it's totally normal not to have those fluctuations until 35 weeks. She sent me down for a biophysical profile, which is a detailed ultrasound that checks for fetal movement (3), tone (2), fluid, and practice breathing (15-30 seconds) in 30 minutes. Bella had been moving up a storm for 2-3 hours and then on the way to the ultrasound, NOTHING. I watched the ultrasound screen and she wasnt moving at all. The tech shook my belly, had me change positions, and still not a wiggle. She did eventually give us 3 little wiggles, but no movements showing tone. She did practice breathing which is awesome. I wasn't that worried because she had been kicking earlier. I did however start to notice there was not much fluid and when it came time to measure it, I saw the numbers and they were NOT good.

Upstairs we waited for the results and when they finally came, they were exactly what I thought, Bella was fairly stable, but there was nearly no fluid. We were going to stay over night to be monitored and redo the ultrasound in the morning. If fluid levels were indeed that low, Bella could be coming MUCH sooner than later.
My mind raced with how we would handle the NICU again and silly enough if I would miss the boys first day of school.

As a side note, sleeping with monitors on is IMPOSSIBLE.

Bella got really active overnight and into the next morning. She did the movement and tone portions of the test within minutes and I noticed WAY more areas of fluid. His measurements were WAY higher than the night before. She didnt practice breathing long enough, but they were not concerned as she had 12 hours earlier and at 31 weeks that is normal. When we got up stairs again, the nurse came in and said the tech called her and said that he had no idea what happened last night, but there was plenty of fluid! They said depending on the babies position, they can shove all the fluid to the back and it is not visible. She had indeed totally changed position overnight.

MAJOR relief.

We went from worrying about delivering soon, to just waiting til my next doc appointment to be seen.

I was so happy to be home in my own bed. The only issue I have going on now and have for several days before all this is severe rib pain on my right side. It feels like they are broken! I am carrying SUPER high, the top of my uterus is touching the middle of my ribs. There is just a ton of pressure upwards and no relief in site since Arabella does not seem remotely interested in going head down or even hanging out anywhere near low.

Four and a half to six more weeks to go. EEK.

30 weeks

2011-08-05T15:00:00.014-04:00

I am in the homestretch, if she comes when Jordan and Isaiah did, she will be here in 5 to 6 weeks (I am hoping for 7 more weeks) THAT IS ALL!

Holy heck!

In someways it feels like minutes away, in others, it feels like forever.

Like any normal hormonal pregnant woman, I am spending my days watching Baby Story, sobbing like a fool. In between sobbing over not having the food I am craving. Right. That. Minute.

I have finally let myself start to think about her birth. Arabella actually BEING here. After all we have been through, it seems so surreal that I will able to hold her in my arms and see her face. I am trying to prepare myself for the overwhelming emotion that will come when she is born. It's all so overwhelming. I am scared and excited. Just praying these last few weeks are smooth sailing and she is born healthy.

29 weeks and summer break is almost over

2011-08-02T16:54:00.000-04:00

I am thanking God for both of these things. Arabella is growing and getting strong! Her kicks shake my whole body and as my ultrasound yesterday she weighs 2lbs 14oz. I am hoping and praying she continues to grow at this pace.

I had a little scare with cramping and contracting that ended me in l&d. There were concerns about her heart rate and fluid, but the ultrasound cleared them up pretty quickly. I am on vistaril for the contractions, which makes me sleepy and semi-drunk and antibiotics for the uti that they think caused all of this to start. I was also diagnosed with an irritable uterus, something I had with Jordan and Isaiah, which contributed to them coming early. The p-17 shots are keeping my cervix long and closed for now and that is a good thing. I am supposed to be taking it easy, something that doesnt exactly happen when 3 boys are home from school.

Speaking of school... THEY GO BACK in less than 2 weeks. YYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!
Ahem.
Not that I don't love having my boys home and spending time with them, but mama is TIRED. Also I can't keep feeding them at the rate I am. Our grocery bill has gone up HUNDREDS a month over this summer. They eat like shipwrecked pirates. All. The. Time. I am not going to lie, so do I. I can't believe how hungry I am this around. I keep going up and down .5 lbs, but basically I am down 21 lbs for pregnancy despite eating 10 meals a day.

Baby Gear

2011-07-28T13:50:00.000-04:00

I am a pretty low maintenance kinda mom. We are not getting a crib set, heck we aren't getting a crib. Arabella will be in the adorable pack and play my sister got us, until she out grows it. We have the usually travel system (also from my sister, she is crazy generous) and clothes (a lot, damn girl stuff is cute!). We are planning on using cloth diapers and I REALLY hope to breastfeed.

You would think with kid number four, I would have all this down, but a lot has changed in the 6 years since I had Isaiah! I am thinking we will need a swing and a bouncy seat, but I am wondering about how these will work around 3 rowdy boys and a 1yo lab.

I think the swing will be fine, but I can't fathom putting her on the ground in a bouncy seat. Milo is the sweetest dog, he would never hurt anyone or anything on purpose, but he is huge and still a puppy and doesn't quite know his own size.

So mommas with dogs, is it worth it to get a bouncy seat?

And since I am rusty let me know your baby gear must haves!