Ramblings

Growing Up

2014-04-04T04:33:00.000-07:00

The other night we finished dinner and chores and all headed outside to enjoy some nice weather. I grabbed my camera and am so thankful I did. The lighting was perfect and I got some great candid shots of our family.

First up is Jack. He was rocking his pjs while we all played outside. Since he is a Winter baby this is his first time to truly get to PLAY outdoors. He is learning to love it!

Next up is Grace. This is classic Grace. She is always moving, running, dancing and flipping.

Then we have Benjamin. I had a hard time getting a shot of him. But I loved this one of him playing with Sissy.

Then we have Kayla. She is my hardest child to photograph but I happened to snag this photo of her. It takes my breath away. I cannot believe this beautiful girl is ours and that she is almost 11!

And lastly, is my husband! His family has the tendency to ALL close their eyes every time a camera is brought out. So we worked for about 10 minutes to get this. LOL!

Happy Friday!

It's been almost a year

2014-03-25T06:40:00.002-07:00

I doubt anyone is even around any more to read this blog. No big surprise! I have not blogged in almost one year. I could list all the reasons but basically they all involve time. Life with 4 kids is fun and busy. Plus I am now the Social Media Manager for Wilton Armetale. PLUS a blogger over at Mudpies and Tiaras.
Anyways, I want to get back into this personal blog. And to start I want to share some stories about Benjamin. He is a joy. He is so unlike any of us! He is a comedian and cute a bug!

Here a few snippets of his life over the past few days.

We got some baby chicks so we can start getting our own organic eggs. He named his chicks....Windmill and Donald Bennett! Donald Bennett??? No one knows where he got it. Ha!

He was singing "The Wheels on the Bus" like this....."The driver on the bus says 'gimme your money, gimme your money, gimme your money'. The driver on the bus says 'gimme your money or I will spank you.' ". Hmmm...bus driver is an blackmailer evidently!

The other night I had beans as part of our dinner. He sat there fussing and saying "I don't like beans. These are gross." We told him he did not have to eat them. He said, "But I want to." So he tries a bite and says, "These are great! I love beans! Beans, beans. beans!"

Finally, he wants to go on a date with Nana and Gampy. Guess what his activity of choice is....pig washing. LOL! He wants to go wash pigs with them! I have no idea how, but my parents are going to try and make it happen.

Quick Catch Up

2013-04-28T19:52:00.000-07:00

Time flies!!! The kids keep me hopping. Life has been very hectic lately and the month of May does not promise any relief. Please enjoy these photos!

This girl LOVES her little brother!

Sigh. The poor Professor. He is one banged up little fellow.

Sisters!

The Professor keeps trying to teach the Linebacker how to play. So cute!

Notice all the toys???? They were delivered courtesy of the Professor. LOL!

Pure Joy

2013-04-15T19:46:00.001-07:00

Raising the Professor is a pure joy. He is a bundle of energy. He loves to entertain us all. He is witty, bold, loves making messes, is cute and just a fun kid. Today he traded in the toddler swing for the big boy swing. I captured this shot as he sailed through the air. A moment of pure, untainted, unrestrained joy. I LOVE this boy.

Be my friend

2013-04-10T08:33:00.000-07:00

Recently we had a funeral at our church. My dad coerced me into providing childcare during the funeral. I really did not mind. It is nice to get to do favors from time to time. Anyways, there ended up being 16 kids. Yeah. 16. Mostly boys. Well the Professor was a bit put out since kids kept taking things from him. Eventually he settled down next to this boy who was "hulk smashing" everything in site. The boy had just settled and was building a train track. The Professor decides to help him. The boy says, "NO! This is mine! Don't touch!" I said, "It's ok. He (the Professor) is just trying to be your friend and build with you." So, our son gets right up in the boys face and says (loudly), "Yeah BOY! You be my friend NOW!"
Days later and I am still laughing!
He may need a different approach later in life...especially when he is ready to ask a girl on a date.

Weekend with the Grandparents

2013-04-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Snuggling with Grandpa.

Flying with Daddy!

Looking adorable for Grandma!

Enjoying the Spring weather with some tennis!

A bottle outside with Grandma!

Coming back in to snuggle with Mommy!

Handsome boy!

All wrapped up with breakfast for dinner.

A date no one knows

2013-04-06T05:02:00.000-07:00

April 6, 2013. Just another day. But not for me. You see, this was the due date for the baby that we lost. Which means today we should have been celebrating a little someone's first birthday. I think it explains why I felt so off yesterday. The hurt of losing our baby is always near the surface. Time does heal all wounds but the wounds are still there. I still think about our baby. I grieve for the child we will not meet til we get to Heaven. But in those same moments I thank God for our Linebacker. Without our loss we would not have him here with us today. For most people today is just another day. Another Saturday. For this mama's heart, today is a day to remember and love the baby we never met and to praise God for the baby we get to hold in our arms today.

The Genius is growing up...

2013-04-06T04:51:00.000-07:00

Just Can't Get Enough

2013-04-01T11:17:00.002-07:00

I love these guys!

Happy Easter 2013!

2013-03-31T06:57:00.001-07:00

A few photos of my family. I love them so much, you just cannot even imagine. My heart is overflowing with love! We are truly blessed. I thank God each day for my amazing husband and our great kids.

The Professor's Turn

2013-03-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

***Warning: Photos of a minor injury***
I am so over going to the doctor and/or hospital right now. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for access to great health care, I am just tired of going. Ha! Yesterday the poor Professor fell onto a vacuum cleaner attachment and cut a small chunk out of his lip.

It was not bleeding a whole lot but there was a creepy flap of skin. Every time he moved it moved. It kinda freaked me out. I called our family doctor and he said to take him to the ER. Again, I loaded up all 4 kids and off we went. I had to nurse the Linebacker in yet ANOTHER hospital. Yuck! Anyways, the doctor there said he did need a few stitches. The Professor was a very, very unhappy camper. One juice box and a chocolate chip cookie later...he was back to Stylin'

Next week...no doctors and no hospitals...please?

RSV. Part 4

2013-03-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

After that amazing half-smile, things slowly improved, but not until after a long, hard night. He still had the feeding tube and cpap machine on. He had not eaten in 40+ hours though. A feeding tube bypasses the stomach so even though he was getting the calories he needed, he had no sensation of being full. Well, I called in a nurse after they removed the Cpap machine and we rearranged all the tubes and cords and made it so I could squash a chair right next to his crib and hold him. That was an amazing, amazing moment. He calmed instantly once he was in my arms. But then, he recognized my smell and feel and started trying to nurse. He was still unable to and it was making him inconsolable so I had to lay him down. That actually calmed him but it broke my heart. Then he realized he was hungry and the crying started. He cried and cried and cried. At my wits end, I called a nurse and said there had to be something we could do for him. As weird as it sounds, they brought my 2 tablespoons of breastmilk and a pacifier. I could dip the paci in the milk and let him suck on it. He was in Heaven. He "drank" about one tablespoon one drop at a time and fell sound asleep. I had to repeat the process with him numerous times throughout the night. The next day he was simply ravenous so the doctor said I could bottle feed him. He started with one ounce. At the moment that was enough. By the end of the same day he was up to 6 ounces at a time! They removed his feeding tube and began to wean him off the high flow oxygen. Unfortunately we moved a bit too fast and he took a step back. They increased the flow for about 12 hours and tried it again. This time, his stats remained steady and he passed his blood gas tests again! Once he sustained that for 12 hours, they put him on regular oxygen and we moved to regular floor. Bye PICU! My husband knew I needed to spend time with the other kids and get some solid sleep so he came to spend a special night with the Linebacker. They hung out and watched HGTV. But that night he polished off all the milk I had pumped. And when my husband tried formula, the Linebacker would have nothing to do with it. So I had to load up the kids and rush back down after only being gone about 12 hours. Thankfully, the Linebacker was to be released that day around 4:30. 5 nights and 6 days in the hospital, one ambulance ride, 2 ER rooms, 3 rooms in the hospital, 3 nights in PICU, 5 IV attempts and over 10/heel pricks later our son was HOME!

RSV. Part 3

2013-03-20T10:41:00.000-07:00

Arriving in the PICU was seriously unnerving for me. I was all alone. My husband and kids were at church one hour away. And there I am, all alone. Our baby boy is hooked up to high flow oxygen, is getting deep suctioned, poked in the heel and hooked up to even more monitors. What happens next is a bit hazy and jumbled. I know he was going downhill. He was no longer even attempting to eat. It took 5 failed attempts to get his IV placed. I know his O2 stats were in the uppers 80's, his bpm ratae was about 60+ and his heart rate was over 180. No one was happy. His monitors were constantly going off and sounding alarms. The only bit of good news was the nursing staff informing me I could get his meals since I was breastfeeding. I had not had anything since Cheetos and Diet Pepsi the night before. I was shaky from both hunger and fear and worried my milk supply would drop off. Eventually my husband and kids arrived and the doctors began talked about a Cpap machine because the High Flow oxygen was just not enough. They told us they would do it soon. My husband and the kids left again because we did not want them to witness how upset the Linebacker would get. And oh did he get upset. But after the Cpap is when it really got scary. They did another heel prick to check his blood gas. Normal is about 40 and his was 72 which meant that he was not expelling the carbon dioxide. They began talking about a ventilator and what would happen with an emergency intubation. And then...it got scarier. The Lineback quit fighting. Nothing scared me or hurt me more than that. They'd prick him and he would just give a small whimper, whereas before it took 2 to hold him down. The doctor told me he was giving him one more hour, max, before a ventilator. Putting him on would require total sedation and no picking him up. I literally just sat next to his crib hitting "refresh" and watching people pray for him via Facebook. Then, I firmly believe a miracle happened. With no real medical reason, ALL his stats started improving. We had been less than 30 minutes away from a ventilator. Now, the Cpap machine was going to be enough! They did end up placing a feeding tube. While I hated that he needed the tube, I was thrilled because my pumped breastmilk was going into him again. Breastmilk is filled with goodness to make him better and give him the nutrition he needs. He was on the Cpap for over 24 hours. During that time I really could not hold him. There were machines on either side of his crib and the cords are short. I did lift him a few times just to let him feel me. I would stroke what skin I could find on his cheek and head. I held his tiny little hand and felt those fingers curl around mine. After about 24 hours he seemed to become alert. He sought me out with his eyes and gave the sweetest, most perfect, most heart wrenching and heart-filling half smile I have ever seen. At that moment, I knew our Linebacker was back.

RSV. Part 2

2013-03-20T05:36:00.000-07:00

The ambulance took off and my nerves were really kicking in. It was my first ambulance ride and to be doing it for our 2 month old baby was scary. During the trip the nurse was constantly monitoring him. At one point he began to turn a bit blue so they created an oxygen tent for him. That was not helping a whole lot and his stats were not looking the best so they gave him another breathing treatment (his third for the day and it was only 10 a.m.). Thankfully we arrived at the Children's Hospital uneventfully. We had to go in through the ER which meant more waiting. We settled into a very small room and the flurry of checking in began. Answering questions, hooking up to monitors, taking vitals etc. I let my husband and kids know we were at the new hospital and they decided to come down to visit. At this point, I was not really even sure they were going to admit us. A clown stopped by to visit and gave the Linebacker and little blankie. The doctor ordered another breathing treatment and some x-rays. Then we just sort of..hung out. My husband and the kids showed up with clothing, my pump and some other items in case we stayed. The doctor came in and said they were admitting us overnight so that the Linebacker could continue what they call "supportive care". That included the deep suctioning they were doing, oxygen and breathing treatments. My husband and kids helped us transfer to the new room. It was an awful room. So tiny and it was a shared room. We had a toilet and a small sink. There were 2 cribs and 2 chairs. The other baby was a 5 week old girl with RSV. At this point I am still thinking I will be home the next day. My husband and kids left and my dad showed up to visit. He left and it got pretty quiet. More deep suctioning (which the Linebacker hater and I could not watch). When they deep suction you, they take catheters and place them way deep in your nose and use high powered suction to get the gunk out. Plus every time he was hungry, I was supposed to call them and have them do that before he ate. Around 9:30 that night I was so thirsty and so hungry. I ran to a vending machine and bought Cheetos and a Diet Pepsi. The Linebacker and I settled in for the night. Around 2 in the morning, I became very concerned about his breathing and lack of nursing. He was just crying non-stop and that is not like him at all. I also thought I was seeing some blue around his lips. I hit the call button and a nurse came in. She said she would have the RT (Respiratory Therapist) come in and give him oxygen. About then the Linebacker fell asleep so I laid him back down. I sat down to wait on the RT and fell asleep. 1 1/2 hours later I woke up. I immediately checked on him and his breathing seemed worse. Frustrated, I called down. The nurse came back and said she had called. I told her to call again. The RT came in and said that he needed oxygen. I was pretty livid at this point. I called the nurse again and said he really had not nursed since 8 p.m. And I had tried to give him a bottle and he drank maybe 1/2 an ounce. She was not overly concerned. Still feeling frustrated, I tried to close my eyes again. Around 5 they came in for more vitals and deep suctioning. Around 6 they did it again. Each time, I was expressing my concern. I felt like he was worsening. When the shift change took place at 7, a new nurse came in. I told her I was worried and she jumped into action. She said none of his stats looked good. The next thing you know our room is a flurry, or tornado, of activity. I am not even sure who all these people were. But there was 8 people hovering over him. I could not even wedge myself in next to him. They were increasing oxygen, suctioning him and who knows what else. The doctor comes over and tries to fill me in on everything but all I hear are the words we don't like the way he looks and intensive care. And so everything was flung onto a cart and we headed up to PICU.

RSV. Part 1.

2013-03-19T12:05:00.000-07:00

What began as a normal week went horribly wrong. At our sons 2 month check up, he had so much green goop the doctor sent us to the ER. He was diagnosed with a virus and we were sent home with a suction thingy and saline solution. Fast forward a few weeks. The drainage was still there and I thought it seemed like it was worsening a bit. So on a Thursday morning I called the doctor and took our son in. The doctor checked him out and when he got to his right ear said, "Uh-oh. We have a bunch of fluid here." We left and got some medicine for an ear infection and went about our day. On Friday, I noticed a loose sounding cough but wrote it off due to the ear infection. Ear Infections are caused by fluid being trapped in the ear. That fluid typically comes from a common cold or virus like our son had. It made sense to me that the medicine was doing it's job and loosening the crud...hence the loose cough. By night time, I felt like his cough was a bit worse and not so loose sounding. Again, I sort of wrote it off figuring that by the morning it would be better because he would have 48 hours of antibiotics in him at that point. I was up and down with him through the night. Around 4 in the morning he was not nursing well and I felt the first niggles of worry and doubt creep in. But, he fell asleep and I went back to bed. I heard him up about 5:30. My husband, knowing we had had a tough night, got up with him to give a bottle (gotta love having a great pump!). About 6, he shook me awake and said, "Something is wrong with the Linebacker. I think you need to take him to ER." And so it began. I came out and saw him breathing really hard. Much, much harder than normal. His head and legs would go up and his belly down and then vise versa. His entire body looked like a see-saw. We could hear a definite rattle when he breathed but it did not sound like a wheeze. But I decided if we were this worried at 6 a.m., we needed to take him in. I pumped, downed a quick bowl of cereal, packed 2 cloth diapers and took off, not knowing I'd be gone for the next 5 nights. Upon arrival I checked him at the ER. No surprisingly we were the only ones in the waiting area. We were called back within 2 minutes. The nurse said, 'Oh he is a congested little guy." Nodding my head, my thought was, "Phew. At least she doesn't think I am a crazy mom." Since it was slow things happened pretty quickly. Vitals, questions and a quick visit from the doctor. The doctor was immediately worried about his breathing and what she heard from the stethoscope. She ordered a nasal swab and a visit from a Respiratory Therapist. They tried one breathing treatment on him with zero change. About that time, they came in and told me he tested positive for RSV. I was not overly shocked or even incredibly worried...yet. Then they said, we need to take him to the Children's Hospital via ambulance. I made the call to my husband and that is when the fear hit. I was choked up and worried. He called into work and told the other kids. He did not know what RSV was and said he was not exactly worried at that moment in time. The ambulance service came in and observed our son and took his vitals. I was then informed we would have a bit of a wait. I had to go get his car seat for the ambulance stretcher and I tried to get him to nurse. The ambulance staff came in and told me they were switching to a higher caliber vehicle "just in case". They were also sending a nurse to ride along with us...."just in case". I was then prepped on treatments that could take place while en route..."just in case". They said that babies as young as our son do fine right up until they are no longer fine. Basically, there is not a real transition, they are fine one minute and then it all goes downhill very quickly. So myself, our 2 month old son, one driver, one nurse and one other person (not sure of their title) loaded up and took off in the ambulance for the Children's Hospital one hour away.

Busy Days, late Nights

2013-03-05T05:35:00.001-08:00

Life is good. Days are full and the nights....well, the nights are getting later and later. This little Linebacker seems to be a night owl. By the time we went to bed last night it was actually this morning. Actually around 12:30, then he is still wanting to get up and nurse. I know in my head that this is a phase and soon I will miss it, since he is our last. But my body is really wanting some rest. The days are so full with school for the girls and keeping the Professor from hurting himself. But, every day I am counting my blessings and enjoying these moments with my husband and our kids. And let's never forget the power of coffee. Ha!
Have a great day!

9 Weeks

2013-02-27T11:07:00.001-08:00

Our Linebacker is 9 weeks old. He is sleeping so much better now. I am functioning mom again. Most nights he goes to bed between 11-11:30. Then he gets up at some point during the night for about 1 1/2 hours. Normally we seem to be up around 3-4:30 or so. Now that I am a rested mom, I enjoy (most) of these night time moments together. Many nights we watch the news. Several times we have heard stories of babies being abused. Last night I looked down at him in my arms.

He is just beyond precious. His long eyelashes across his chubby cheeks. That perfect rest where he is so relaxed, so secure, so loved without even knowing what love is. It literally breaks my heart to think of a baby being hurt. I truly don't understand it.
No real point to this post other than I love this little guy. He is so sweet, so squishy and so loveable. And thinking that this is our last makes me very emotional. I love this innocent baby phase. I love my baby. I love my family and work hard to never, ever forget how blessed I am.

Picture Overload!

2013-02-23T13:18:00.000-08:00

The Professor enjoying a homemade smoothie!

When a Great Day Goes Bad

2013-02-19T18:22:00.000-08:00

Today started off real nice. Our Linebacker is 2 months old now! He went to bed last night and he was a bit...snorty. During the night he a little trouble nursing. I actually had a job interview this morning and was gone for his first feeding. When I got home, my husband left and I went to nurse the baby. He could not latch on and seemed to be breathing awfully hard. I was worried but we already had his two month check up scheduled. I pumped and put it in a bottle to take with us. I dropped the big kids off with my dad, got some gas and then took the Linebacker in for his appointment. The doctor came in and heard the Linebacker. He started listening to his chest and watching his belly. His next words almost stopped my heart. He said, "Do you feel safe driving?" I said, "I think so." He said, "You need to take him to the ER. Now. If you cannot go straight there I need to get him an ambulance." I almost lost it. I heard the words RSV and pneumonia. My brain was on overload. I loaded him up, called my dad, my husband and my mom. We got the ER and ther were expecting us. They heard him breathing but were not quite as concerned as our doctor. My mom was there with us and hearing their lack of concern made me feel a bit better. They did x-rays, tested for RSV and influenza. Everything came back clear and normal. But he still seemed yucky, was spitting up a lot and not eating. They brought in a thing to suck out his nose and they got yellow gunk out. Immediately he settled and was ready to eat. Long story short....he had snot. They said a virus. A virus that presents as RSV but without complications. Now we are home and resting and I am totally drained. To calm myself down.....chocolate and Downton Abbey.

A Moment to Savor

2013-02-12T14:01:00.001-08:00

The Professor and his sisters.

A pic. of all 4 and it is at least a good shot! Not the best, but I will take it!

I LOVE this!! How cool is this shot?

Don't you love the Hippie?

Can you tell the Linebacker is growing up?

I love days like this and capturing these moments. Time is going so fast. I love savoring these moments and beautiful days.

7 Weeks...Look at the Cheeks!

2013-02-07T07:52:00.002-08:00

I cannot get over the Linebacker's cuteness. I am so in love with his chubby little cheeks. He is so squeezable and kissable and lovable!!! Best little Valentine's gift for sure. He is also 7 weeks old now and since he is likely our last, I am trying to soak up these precious moments with him. Holding onto him a little longer, snuggling him, loving the new baby smells and softness. He is a wonderful baby and we are all head over heels in love with this little guy.

We Have a Name!

2013-02-01T06:21:00.001-08:00

Finally. Coming up with blog nicknames is hard. Especially when trying to name them as an infant. Our oldest is the Genuis

Our next child is the Hippie

Our third is the Professor

And now....we have come up with a name for our fourth. Due to so many people comparing him to a football player...specifically a linebacker...he is the Linebacker!

See, he has his game face on!

And look at these feet! He will be running and playing sports before I know it...even if these sleepless nights feel endless.

And this face....guaranteed to take him places in life.

We love you Linebacker!!!!

Winter Fun

2013-01-29T07:38:00.003-08:00

Love these kids!

Brothers

2013-01-28T10:08:00.001-08:00

Our Professor was the baby of the family for 2 1/2 years. He had the bulk of his sisters attention and our attention. He was played with a lot and yes....spoiled. I was really worried how he would react to baby 4. Nothing prepared us for his reaction. Pure love.

He has not shown even one ounce of jealousy. He is protective, caring and will ask to have the baby lay on his mat so they can play and talk. It is the cutest thing. I know there will be a day when they are old enough to fight and bicker....just like the girls do. But for now, I am soaking up their brotherly love.

A Beautiful Sight

2013-01-25T05:32:00.003-08:00