Spencer's Birthday #3

My baby boy turned three. For his birthday breakfast, he had his favorite things--donuts, juice boxes and yogurt.

Later that day we celebrated his special day and Canadian Thanksgiving.



Mark's mom was even able to be there. Spence had his friends come down from the Woodlands and he got lots of great gifts.

My Boys

These two are inseperable. Spencer loves his daddy so much and wants to be just like him. I love these guys.

Avery's Birthday--7years old!

This year we were lucky to have my sister and her kids here for Avery's birthday. We had a great time. Everyone went to Chuck e cheese to play. Then, we had a pizza for lunch. My sister and I made Avery's cake this year. It was chocolate with a cheesecake filling (so good!)


Avery cracked me up this year with her birthday wish list--She was dying for a Captain Jack Sparrow doll.



Weird kid!

Some catching up

I'm going to be spending the next few posts catching up. Speaking of catching up--Look how big Kate is getting! 10 lbs 10 oz (30th percentile)

Excuse me

I know I'm stating the obvious but getting used to having another kids is HARD WORK!! So I haven't posted nearly as much as I should.

Kate is two months old today! I can't believe how quickly time is passing. She is a little fussy but I don't mind because we are so blessed to have her in our lives. She is getting so chubby almost 9 pounds a few weeks ago when we had her weighed. Her cheeks are fat and kissable. She's not smiling yet but it won't be too much longer.

Avery, Sarah and Spencer just love her! They want to hold her hand and kiss her all the time. A few times I have walked in on Avery and Sarah sneaking and picking her up. That scares me!

Starving

What is it about nursing? Why am I always starving? Honestly, If I ever thought being pregnant was the hungriest time ever, I was wrong. It's like the baby is sucking all the nourishment out of you and you have to CONSTANTLY replace it. I like to fill the void with cookies, bagels and cream cheese, candy, and anything filled with fat and carbs!! I am out of control! Am I alone in this?

Top 5 Most Annoying Things This Week

1. At Katie's doctor appointment, the doctor told me I had to continue mostly bottle feeding her until she was 4 MONTHS OLD (we have to fortify her milk with a preemie supplement)!! What? How is she ever going to get good at breastfeeding?!! Oh, and I hate pumping!

2. The severe lack of sleep I have had this week. It's a really good thing that Kate is so cute.

3. The sound of someone mowing their lawn on Sunday!! Really? Could you do that some other day when I am not trying to make up for all the sleep I've lost.

4. The tremendous amount of homework Avery has had to do this week. First of all, she is only in the second grade and second, it takes up a lot more of MY time working with her and checking it every day.

5. The freaking wasp I stepped on on Wednesday. MY TOE ITCHES LIKE CRAZY!

Welcome Home Katie Baby!

I was at the hospital yesterday when the nurse informed me that I would be able to take Katie home today. I was so excited, I came straight home and bleached and washed everything. Thank goodness my mom was here to help. We worked until bedtime last night then worked some more this morning. After we watched the CPR video and Kate passed her carseat test, we were on our way home with our baby girl.

We ooohed and aaahed and gushed over her cuteness. Then Mark and I fell straight to sleep with the baby between us. Once she woke up to eat. Spencer woke up and held her. The girls came home and held her. That's when I started feeling overwhelmed, happy, and scared all at the same time. I can't believe I have 4 kids and I have no idea how to take care of them all. It was hard trying to manage my time spent in the NICU and my time spent with my other children but at least the nurses were there to take care of Kate when I had to leave. I don't have any nurses now though.

So, what do I do? I will tell you what I do. Take it one day at a time and try to enjoy every minute of my children's innocence and youth. It will be over too fast.

Avery is so cute and thoughtful. She made this sign for our front door.

Happy 1 Week Birthday!

I cannot believe Katie was born one week ago. She has made so much progress and is doing so well. I hope it won't be too much longer until she is able to be home with us.

Memories from August 26th

Baby Kate is FIVE days old. We finally decided on a name for her. She no longer needs the lights and I get the opportunity to feed her a bottle. Her IV fluids are being decreased as her feedings are being increased. The NICU doctor informs me that Katie is way ahead of schedule. Fingers crossed she will be home sooner than three weeks.

Memories from August 25th

Baby Katie is taking a bottle! She can suck, swallow and breathe. It is so funny how you take all of these things for granted when your baby is full term. She had to spend the day under the lights because her jaundice levels were increasing.

Memories from August 24th

This was my last day in the hospital. I miss having access to my baby all the time like I did when I was there with her. She had another great day except that she started looking a little yellow with the jaundice. We got to hold her again.

Memories from August 23rd

In case the picture from the 22nd scared you, the amazing progress she made in less than 24 hours should put you at ease. The CPAP was removed and the feeding tube was put into her nose. She no longer needed assistance breathing at all. The warmer was turned off because she was able to hold her body temperature. We were all impressed with her progress. Mark and I were able to hold her for the first time since she was admitted to the NICU.

Memories from August 22nd

Katherine was taken to the NICU shortly after birth. She was immediately put on the CPAP machine to help her with her breathing. IVs were placed through her cord for fluids and monitoring. She got a feeding tube put down her mouth and into her stomach. The poor little girl was poked and proded for quite a while. Once I was moved out of Labor and delivery, I was able to see my little girl. I couldn't hold her but I was very happy to see that she was healthy and sleeping soundly.

Katherine Grace Rhodes

So our sweet little girl arrived on Monday at 10:39am. She was premature but incredibly healthy. Right now her home is the NICU but she is making such good progress that we hope she'll be able to come home to us soon. So here's the story...

On the morning of August 12th, I was up and about doing the same old stuff I do every morning. Suddenly, my water broke. It wasn't just a small break either. Mark drove me to the hospital and fortunately I did not go into labor. The hospital admitted me and I was told I would be on bedrest until I was 34 weeks pregnant. I was given lots of antibiotics just in case of infections. I was given the steriod shots to help the baby's lungs develop. I was told to drink lots of water and stay in bed. So I stayed in bed for 10 days in the hospital away from my family. It was really challenging being able to do so little.

Monday August 22nd, I woke up at 3am with contractions I couldn't sleep through. I tossed and turned and finally ended up in the bathtub. The contractions weren't stopping and I knew I was starting to dialate. I told the nurse and after she consulted with the doctor, they decided they weren't going to stop my labor. I was moved out of ante partum into Labor and deliver at about 8am. They finally checked to see how far dialated I was at about 9am and I was at a 6! I hurried and called my midwife and Mark and told them to hurry up.

The nurses were very respectful of my wish to labor drug free. I wasn't even offered a drug. By 9:45 I would have taken any drug I could get my hands on. I was dialated to an 8 and transitioning fast. You could probably hear me screaming in the next state I was in so much pain. My midwife helped me stay as calm as possible though and breath through the final contractions. When it was time to push, the doctor had barely gotten ready before the baby was out. I probably pushed three times.

The neonatalagist was already there and all the stuff was set up to receive a premature baby. She scored an 8 on the apgar and I even got to hold her for a minute before they took her away. So Katherine Grace Rhodes was 5 lbs 6 oz and 18 inches long. This is huge for a 32 weeks old baby.

My recovery has been extraordinarily fast and I was released from the hospital on Wednesday August 24th--12 days after being admitted. I was happy to be out but sad to leave baby Kate behind.

Goodbye Sugar!

So this week is the dreaded glucose testing appointment. Fortunately, I have managed to squeak by on the one hour test with all of my children so far. I am absolutely a sugaraholic--it's what I love and what I crave!!! So, as always, I have to cut out the sugar days in advance to avoid "the three hour glucose test". So wish me luck and we'll all have a big chocolate chip cookie on Friday.

7 years then FREEDOM!

Freedom from diapers that is.


No changing. No wiping. No stinky garbage cans.

I can't believe this is the first time in seven years I have been diaper free. I better live it up because I only have 2 1/2 more months of this wonderful freedom.

3rd Annual Cow Appreciation Day

I really resisted participating in the Chick fil A festivities this year. I was tired and didn't really want to leave the house. But the sound of free food was calling and I was Huuuuuungrrrry!!! The girls were a big help this year in getting their costumes put together. So, I really only had to worry about myself and Spencer. We ended up having a great time as usual. Free food really does taste better doesn't it?

Spencer said, "I lub duh cow!"

Piemaker--Part 2

I decided to try a new pie recipe and what better than some fresh strawberry pie for the summer. It turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.

Day 9--What I learned.

I wish I could say I was completely done potty training but I can't yet. It has been so much easier though. Spencer has even started pooping in the potty--that was huge. We still have "having too much fun to stop" accidents. Occasionally, I will look over at the boy and he is running around completely naked from the waist down--he can take off his pants, but he can't put them on by himself yet.

A few things I have learned this time around:

1. Boys ARE harder than girls to train and they take longer. Because I heard that so much before I started, I was expecting it and I did not stress myself out on days we were struggling.

2. Boys DO NOT need to go to the bathroom as much as girls. When I was making Spencer sit on the toilet every 30 minutes, he was getting frustrated because he just couldn't go. Once I started waiting an hour to an hour and a half between reminders, we started to get results.

3. Don't give up. I have heard that one big potty training "no no" is starting and stopping. I was and still am determined to stick with this even though I was ready to give up a dozen times.

Getting Closer!

Spencer is taking himself to the potty now. The only trouble we are still having is the poop. He hasn't quite figured out that it needs to go in the potty too. Let's hope he gets the hang of it soon.

Day 3- Frustration

I'm not really experiencing frustration with Spencer's potty training but I think Spencer is. The poor guy really feels a need to perform--even when he doesn't have to go. I have started waiting longer between reminders to relieve some of this stress. Anyway, he told me yesterday that he "HATES POTTY TRAINING!" Poor kid! He had a great day yesterday despite his frustration.

Day 2-Can I quit now?

I just finished washing FIVE, yes five, pair of soiled underpants! I don't know why I thought today might be easier than yesterday--probably just to convince myself to keep going. We did have some success, however. Spencer finally knows how to pee on demand! So I don't have to sit by the toilet for longer than about 5 minutes. So, I will pat myself on the back and call it a good day. Tomorrow will be easier right?

Potty Training Day 1

Oh boy! Here we go. I'm starting now so Spencer will be out of diapers by the time this new baby arrives. We started today and I am pretty happy with the results. We had 1/2 accident, 5 pees, and 1/2 poo. I just hope he starts recognizing the feeling soon. I had that boy on the potty every 20 minutes today and I am exhausted!

Ahhhh Peaceful Heaven!

I am truly at peace at this moment. After spending the last few weeks visiting family, I am finally in the comfort of my own home. Avery had the opportunity to go to Bible School with her cousin this week so I am down to two kids left at home. Right now they are being absolutely magical (this is very rare!). Sarah is keeping Spencer super busy upstairs playing school or tea party or "family". I have the freedom to browse the internet and get some of my work done in peace and quiet. Don't you just love moments like this?

Locks of Love

Every since Avery cut her hair a while back, we have been letting it grow. Well, it grew and grew and grew. Every day I would brush and brush and brush her hair and listen to the screams from all the tangles. She was looking a bit like this...

Now, we had purpose in growing her hair so ridiculously long. We had every intention to donate the hair. So, finally, we had enough hair. Look at this monstrosity!!!

So we got her hair cut yesterday and she seemed to be fine with it. This morning she woke up crying. I had to sit her down and show her all the little girls she would be helping with her hair. I also had to promise her I would pick her up from school early and we would celebrate with some ice cream. She felt much better.

# 4

We are very excited to announce that we are expecting another baby in October. The actual due date is October 14th. I tend to come a little early but I am hoping I will not deliver on Spencer's birthday. So we went for our ultrasound last night and the little baby was sound asleep. Finally, we got some movement and the sonographer quickly snapped a picture and said....




When we got home and got the kids to bed Mark and I were talking and he says that he thinks the sonographer could be wrong. So now the seed of doubt has been planted and I'll prepare for a girl but have a backup plan for a boy.

Graduation 2011

So my little Bean finally graduated from preschool. It was absolutely the best experience for her. She learned so much and made so many friends. Her buddy this year was Ms. Julietta. She woke up crying for Ms. Julietta a few days ago. My kids are growing up WAY TOO FAST!

Girl Scouts

The best decision we made this year was to put Avery in Girl Scouts. She was in a Daisy troop and had a total of five girls in her troop. We had a blast doing service projects, going to Girl Scout camp, spending the night at the children's museum, and having all the parties. Most recently, Avery attended her end of the year Daisy party at "Sweet and Sassy."
She got her hair done,




Her nails painted,



Did some dancing,



And had lots of fun with her friends.



Last week she bridged from a Daisy to a Brownie. We are excited because she'll have a lot more fun next year and she'll still be with all her same friends.