Updates :)

So it has been while. Life has been wonderfully busy. I thought it was time for a few updates:

Earlier this week, the first real snowfall!! 14 inches of white fluffy stuff. The kids were fascinated and excited. Hubby, who had to shovel all 14 inches, was not quite as thrilled. Hopefully Hubby will be able to take them all (minus the baby) out sledding next weekend.

Today, I am 14 weeks 5 days pregnant! This pregnancy is going by very quickly. I was supposed to have an appointment today but it had to be rescheduled due to the doctor calling in sick. Now it is next week instead. Phooey.

Right now, I am supervising two little boys while they pick raisins out of the carpet. Why are there raisins in the carpet, you ask? Good question. Here's how it happened.

For lunch I served leftover chicken dumpling soup. The boys were not happy and decided not to eat. They are allowed to say no but they are not allowed to have any other food to eat until they eat the 'offensive' food. They went off to play, hungry, while I did some laundry. While I was distracted from doing the laundry, a certain little boy (I can guess who it was *coughBcough* but I don't know for sure) pulled the step stool to the counter and found the 2 pound bag of raisins that I had opened that morning. I had not put it back in the pantry yet but it was sealed and ready to go. He then snuck it to the living room where the two boys ate some and then shared with their sister. Now, by sharing I mean they gave her the whole bag. She, being a normal 14 month old child, proceeded to dump and fling the entire bag of raisins around the living room. She was dumping it out and dancing in the mess when I came across the scene. I was not happy, to say the least. And so, two little boys spent (they just finished as I am typing this) the better part of an hour cleaning up a 2 pound bag of raisins. Ah, fun times. At least they didn't squish the raisins in or anything. Although, I am not sure how good the raisins will be after this. There is fuzzy stuff sticking to the raisins. Yuck. I'll figure something out I'm sure!! Not going to let an entire 2 pound bag go to waste!

My August Challenge Update

I used the dryer for the 4th and last time this month - whoohoo!! It was a bit tricky some days but I did it! Now I have to come up with a new challenge for September. Any suggestions? I am thinking about learning how to make my own soap...

Lullabies Diaper Review UPDATE

I did an update review

HERE

I recently bought a package of size 3 Lullabies diapers from Aldi. I do mostly cloth diapers but do use disposables for certain situations (camping, in this case) and at night when my babies are older. My go-to diaper thus far has been Parent's Choice from Walmart. PC are the cheapest I have been able to find and the diapers typically work well. I try to buy the cheapest disposables because I figure, why waste a ton of money when I am just going to throw it away? No point in paying $0.35 a diaper when I can get one that works for much less.

While we were camping I was in a quandary because there is not a Walmart any where near Waupaca and I know from previous experience that the diapers at Kmart are ridiculously expensive. Then I realized that Aldi had diapers, super cheap ones to boot, and decided to give them a try. I am so glad I did! Not only do the diapers keep poop in better than the PC brand, they are cheaper! Only $0.13 per diaper - for those of you who don't have a child in diapers or solely use cloth this is a very good price. The diapers fit nicely and appear to be comfortable as well. A has a sensitive little bum and cannot wear all generic brands. She has not had a single problem with Lullabies!

The only down side to these diapers is that they do not come in bulk sizes, just the smaller packages. Aldi also does not appear to carry smaller diaper sizes. I think size 2 or 3 is the smallest size they carry. However, I can live with these small problems for the amount of money that I will be saving!

From now on, I will be buying Lullabies.

Vacation 2012 - Ohio, Part 1

I love vacation, always have. I love it even more now that I have children! This year we took the three darlings further by car than they have ever gone - Ohio. The trip was long and stressful but worth it! With two barely potty trained children and one baby who gets hungry every 2-3 hours, we had to make several stops along the way. Here the kids are playing on a playground at a rest stop with their daddy. (I have come to love rest stops that provide more than just a toilet and maybe a vending machine).

Our first stop was Cincinnati. Great city with not nearly as much traffic as some of the larger cities *cough-Chicago-cough*. Speaking of Chicago, B threw up in stop and go traffic. Fun times.

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Our first 'vacation-y' thing was to go to the Cincinnati Zoo with my parents, my brother, sister and her hubby. We had such a great time! It was so hot but still a lot of fun. W actually petted a goat, which is amazing for him. 

Out front, waiting for the zoo to open.

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Our lovely triple stroller. Comes in handy!

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My sis, her hubby, and Miss A in the carrier. You can just see my 'little' brother here too.

Grandaddy donated several pennies so the boys could watch them!

It was a very hot day. B is taking advantage of Grandmama's water.

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A is sleeping on Grandaddy :)

W loved the tiger!

Cincinnati Children's Museum

I think Children's Museums are great! I had no idea what one was before becoming a parent but now I would not consider a vacation complete without visiting at least one. The kids love it and learn so much every time they go! We went to this one with friends with their children. Since I didn't ask if I could post pictures of them, I just have my own children pictured :)

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The boys got soaked! Good thing I had extra clothes packed for them.

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B climbed through the maze all the way to the top. I think that was rather impressive for a two year old. He did get stuck coming back down and Hubby almost had to go in to fish him out. Which would have been problematic since it was made for very small, very thin children, not adults.

My little pearl! It is a bit fuzzy but she has such a great look on her face that I had to include it! That is a large oyster shell she is sitting in, thus the pearl :)

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My Challenge for August 2012

I have decided to try to challenge myself each month with something, well, challenging. Obviously life with three children ages 10 months to 4 years is not challenging enough. Haha.

Anyway, my challenge for this month is, dun dun dah! Only using the dryer once a week. I hate hanging socks on the line, thus the only once per week part. Should be fun! I have an outside line and an inside line already so I can dry my laundry, rain or shine.

Anyone want to join me? Or do you think I am just nuts? Either way, I am excited! I do so love a good challenge!

The Fight of the Fishies

My boys are silly little creatures. They love to run around naked, love playing in the toilet, enjoy lengthy discussing bodily functions (especially at inappropriate moments), and they love creating new games to play.  The game of the day was one that they called Fight of the Fishes.

THE FISH: About two years ago I found a stuffed clown fish at a garage sale. I think it was supposed to be Marlin from Finding Nemo. Then last summer I found Nemo at a garage sale. So each boy has a huge stuffed fish to call their own. These fish are almost as big as they are and they love to play with them. These fish have suffered hours of rough housing and several patches. They are well loved.

THE GAME: Each boy holds a fish and stands at one end of the living room. When it is time to start (no idea how designate that, they just seem to know). they run at each other as fast as they can and crash the fish, and themselves, together. They fall to the floor, giggling. Then they get up and repeat it. It is great fun...until one gets hurt. The injured child then runs over to me, tears gushing, lip quivering, and tells me between sobs that his brother 'hit' him. Once the proper amount of comfort has been obtained and the tears have subsided, he rushes off happily to start the game all over again. And once again it is great fun...until the other one get hurt. Yes, my boys are funny little beings alright!

What Makes A Dad

  What Makes A Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... "DAD!"

...Author Unknown

Birth Story of Miss A. P. Turnage

September 23^rd, 2011

I was rudely awakened at 3AM with a very strong contraction. I knew immediately that I was in labor because I felt it in my back and it hurt! Tyler was sleeping and I didn’t want to wake him up right away so he wouldn’t be tired. It was going to be a long day!

The contractions started out 7-9 minutes apart, so it was actually quite nice. My other labors started out much closer together. The contractions stayed around 7 minutes apart for a few hours. About 7:00AM they started getting a little closer together, every 4-5 minutes or so. They were not always consistent. Some would come closer together and then they would spread out again. I still didn’t time them often because I knew I was in labor so I didn’t feel the need.

8:00AM – the contractions started to get more intense and closer together. They were still about 3 minutes apart but lasting over 90 seconds each. My boys were starting to get anxious watching me and my 19 month old (B) wanted to sit on my lap during contractions so we decided to head out to the birth center. We called my midwife and told her we were getting ready to leave. By the time we were ready (it took us about an hour to get ready because I had to stop during every contraction) and had said good-by to the boys the contractions were really close together. So close that Tyler was afraid that if we didn’t leave soon he would have to deliver a baby in the car!

Once in the car the contractions spread out again. I think I had about 5 in the 30 minute drive.  We arrived at the birth center just before 9:30AM. My midwife and her assistant were there already, preparing the birthing suite for delivery. The contractions started getting close together again once I was at the birth center. My midwife took my vitals, checked baby’s heartbeat and asked if I wanted to get into the tub. I of course said yes!! So she started running the water. A few contractions later the tub was full and ready for me. Just before I got in I had my hardest and most painful contraction.

The tub was amazing. There are no words to describe just how amazing and relaxing it was to soak in that tub! I could still feel the contractions but they were not nearly as intense. A couple contractions and about 10 minutes later (the contractions had spread out again) I felt like I had to push. So I did. My midwife and her assistant came into the room then (they had left us alone).  I pushed when I felt like it, which wasn’t every contraction at first. It started getting more intense and I changed positions. I had been reclining on my back but that was getting uncomfortable so I switched to be on my hands and knees.

I do not know how long I pushed. There were no clocks in the room and neither Tyler nor I had a watch. I just pushed. I remember getting to the point where I knew her head was almost out but I didn’t want to push anymore because it was very painful. I asked my midwife if I could quit. She told me that I was almost done and that my baby was almost born. I then decided to get it over and done with and push with all my might. I think it took two pushes and her head was out completely. My water never broke so she was still in the caul.

 I pushed again and expected the rest of her body to be born but nothing happened. It took me a little bit to realize that something was wrong – she was stuck. It hit me just as my midwife turned to her assistant and told her that she was stuck and that I had to get out of the tub. Oddly enough I wasn’t scared. I was very calm and so was my midwife. She helped me out of the tub – not an easy feat with a baby’s head sticking out – and onto the floor. Tyler helped hold me up as I tried to get onto my side on the floor. This again was extremely difficult but I somehow managed to do it. My midwife had been holding my baby’s head stable (I think it was her – it could have been her assistant) while I got into position. Thankfully the movement of swinging my legs to get out of the tub dislodged her and I was able to push her out the very next push. I remember pushing as hard as I possibly could, knowing that my daughter needed to get out immediately. She came out easily then and cried right away. I was so relieved! I was able to hold her immediately. She was the most beautiful little girl I had ever seen!

Her cord was extremely short so I was unable to hold her to my chest right away. She only came up to my bellybutton so I had to hold her to my tummy while I walked to the bed. I chuckle now (8 months later) at the image of me walking to another room holding a baby to my belly! I had wanted to delay cord clamping but I was bleeding too much so my midwife and I discussed it and decided that the best thing to do was to cut her cord immediately so I could breastfeed her. I cut her cord and she latched right away. I did hemorrhage but my midwife was able to stop the bleeding without any medication by having me breastfeed and uterine massage. Lots and lots of uterine massage!! That was VERY painful. More painful than my labor had been! The word ‘massage’ there is very deceiving. I was grateful that she was able to avoid using Pitocin so I gladly put up with the so called ‘massage’.

Everything went well after that. She nursed well and her vitals were great, which was awesome since she got stuck. Miss A. P. Turnage weighed 10lbs 5oz and was 21.5in long. Big girl! With no tearing at all for me, yay! We were able to go home when Missy was 4 hours old. Her brothers were so excited to see a baby in the house!

Missy is now 8 months and such a happy little baby. Her brothers love tackling her and she loves it. She can hardly wait to walk so she can join in their antics. She is such a joy!