Christmas Wish List

With a growing family, my extended family often feels lost as to what to send as gifts. My children are at an age where shareable gifts are a mainstay. We have toys, we have to go through and eliminate some on a semi-regular basis to keep sanity in the house. They love books and videos, and could always use some really special item of clothing. Things that I've come up with thus far that could be easy to order over the internet (note: I may update this list, or make a new one in the future):

Wooden ABC Sign language puzzle

ASL Phrase Book


Signing Time Videos (preferably VHS [have 1 & 13 on VHS], but DVD is fine - I'll let TJ put the videos in, but the DVD is still parent-operated)
They also carry these at amazon: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and Practice #s

Video Camera (Ben's getting this on sale)

Putty on the Globe?

What a fun idea!! Around the World With Mr. Putty is absolutely inspired! I think this could be such fun, and I may even have some sticky tack in the MoTH stuff..

As I was cleaning up last night, I came across the CHEA newsletter. I set it aside to look through, and today I found an ad for a piano teacher! I was so excited. I haven't found anyone to recommend lessons in this area yet, so hopefully this will work out! We scheduled the initial trial lesson for Monday, and because it's a bit of a drive for him, he said he'd be willing to come to give 2 lessons. So, I'll finally begin learning to play! Yippee & Eek! I guess I should ask TJ to show me how to use the piano over the weekend... lol!

2004 - Third Birth

In 2003, we had come back to the States and stayed with my parents while Ben was figuring out where we'd live when we moved closer to his business partner. That autumn, he sent us off to his parents to visit while he went on to his partner's area to look for living arrangements. While at the in-laws, I had occasional mild bouts of nausea that I contributed to my allergies. My MIL asked if I was pregnant and I told her that I didn't think so. Ben had trouble finding a place and wound up renting a room from some friends (husband -D- and wife -S- with 4 children). The morning we flew, I took a pregnancy test. The first words out of my mouth when I saw my husband were, "Hi, I'm pregnant."

The pregnancy went well. I went to our friend's OB and Ben went with me to every appointment. I told him at the first or second appointment that my second baby had been a homebirth and asked him what he thought of midwives. He looked scared and appalled and informed me that it was dangerous and so many things could go wrong and "what about shoulder dysplacia??" (I think he must have meant shoulder dystocia because it's much more common and can be life-threatening in a birthing situation). I just looked at him and researched it when I went home. My answer now is: Change Positions!
I also asked him about what position I could birth in. He seemed nervous and laid the responsibility elsewhere -we would have to ask the hospital, if their policy allowed otherwise maybe I could be in something other than supine. But, he'd always delivered babies the one way and wasn't to be responsible for changing that.

We continued prenatal care with him with no intent of using his services for the actual birth. He was terrified at the idea of malpractice issues (he mentioned that), and scared into thinking that birth was a medical trauma waiting to unfold and that he was the mighty Deliverer that saves women from this unfortunate dilemma!

My friend -S- attended a Bunco game with her church group one Friday a month and invited me along. The first game that I went to was that first month we were there. My due date was on the Monday following the game in the summer and I declared at one game that I wasn't going to make it that night because I'd be in labor.

Sure enough, Bunco night rolled around.. I'd had a cold that week and when I was in the restroom around 6PM I sneezed and *pop* my water broke. There was just a trickle, so I put a pad on. Dinner was ready and we had to leave for the game in an hour. Ben was working late that night, too.

I sat down to dinner with our friends and children and enjoyed the pasta. When I stood up, the baby's head had moved and I gushed a bit! I laughed and asked their second oldest for a towel (he was closest to the kitchen). -S- asked me what I'd spilled (I wasn't holding a cup) and I calmly reported that my water broke. She and her husband looked at each other! -D- asked if I wanted to call Ben, and -S- asked if I was staying home or going to the game. I told them that contractions hadn't started and that I would, indeed, call Ben. I also called my sister, Sue.

Ben arrived in no time! It was about 7PM by then and the contractions started, intense and regular -about 6 minutes apart. -S- went to the Bunco game with strict instructions to call her if the birth seemed imminant. Ben cleaned the tub and ran me a bath.

I got in the tub. I asked Ben for the trashcan and filled it with my dinner, after that I had no further sickness. A.J. came in and out of the room. She splashed the water, but Ben wouldn't let her in with me. -D- put the older 5 children to bed (his 4 and T.J.) and sat with A.J. watching T.V. (her bed was in our room). Sue arrived and we chatted between contractions. Ben rubbed my lower back and that was wonderful.

Labor became intense! The contractions were forceful, literally forcing me to bend forward with my chest almost on my knees. When they changed to pushing contractions, Ben asked me to get out of the tub. We had a shower curtain and towels on the bathroom floor, so I got out and faced the door. My sister sat on the bed and Ben was behind to catch the baby.

I pushed and felt the traction as she slid down. "Ow," I said quietly to Ben. I'd been almost silent in my first labor, so I made sure to verbalize that this was different, like an Indian burn on the arm, "Ow." I pushed her head out and asked if there was any cord around her neck. He said it was clear and I pushed again. Her shoulders were easier than her head and it only took one or two pushes to finish releasing her.

It was 8:44PM and I sat up on the pile of towels and held our new baby. Her head was pointy! This was the first of my babies that had needed to mold its head to get out; no wonder labor was intense! We snuggled her and Sue let -D- know that B.L. was here. He brought A.J. in so they could see her sister. Then he went out to call his wife.

The placenta took about 35 minutes. Sue was squeamish at first, then Ben said it looks like a purple jellyfish. With her interest in Marine Biology, Sue peeked over and agreed -no longer grossed out by the thing itself, just the thought of what it really was.

One of the Bunco ladies is a nurse. She was highly concerned about the homebirth and wanted to come check on me. After the game, she came over and glanced at the baby and asked to feel my belly. She was relieved when she felt the tightened uterus and then enjoyed visiting the new baby real quick before heading home.

Monday, we called the pediatrician to check the baby. He sent us to the hospital for the PKU after checking her over. That day, she measured in at 8 pounds 14 ounces, 22 inches long, so I'm pretty sure she was at least nine pounds at birth. The OB was at the hospital and was peeved at us for having a homebirth and not calling him. Our excuse was she came quick, and then we didn't think of it (which is true).

2002 - Second Birth

It had been quite a year. Ben's adoption of T.J. was finalized in February. On our 18 month anniversary, Ben and I had a wedding -to celebrate not just our marriage, but our official statis as a family. A week after that we'd had a quick visit with family and flew off to live in the U.K. I was expecting in the autumn, too!

Just by living there, we learned so much about birth that isn't in the 'norm' in the U.S. In the U.K., pregnancy care is usually handled by a combination of doctor and midwife. A woman may see the doctor once at the beginning and then the midwife the rest of the way or go back and forth. The doctor is generally reserved for 'high risk' patients. If they weigh you, they go by stones (so I had no idea what I weighed). A homebirth is a perfectly acceptable option for a typical pregnancy. They don't check you 'down there' unless there's a serious medical reason.. Even when I was in the hospital with signs of early labor at 29 weeks, they didn't check.. But, I'm getting ahead of myself.

I had been seeing an OB in the States before moving. When we arrived in the U.K., we lived temporarily in London in the company flat and had to look for a new home. I didn't see a reason to run off and get a new OB when I'd be moving so quick. When we finally settled in to our new home, the local OB was on the 'high street' (main street) in the town. We didn't have a car, but by cab it was one mile to the train station, which is on the street just past the high street.

I really enjoyed living there. The people were friendly and I enjoyed the walk to town. T.J. made several friends and started going to school there.

Around 29 weeks, I slid down the stairs in our home (we lived on the second floor, the stairs were just inside our door). I was careful to try to keep from bouncing on the way down and rested over the weekend. I realize that I wasn't drinking much water, too, and that combination gave me problems. Come Monday morning, I started bleeding. The neighbor agreed to pick T.J. up from school and I went to the hospital by train. Ben was out at a meeting and wouldn't be reachable until around 5PM.

At the hospital, they hooked an I.V. into my wrist. The nurse was so funny. They'd changed brands and on the last ones, you hook the thing into the vein and then attach it. This one was supposed to be attached and then inserted into the vein.. My blood started spewing on the floor and she was apologizing left and right! She got it hooked up right finally and cleaned the mess. They put me on antibiotics because the number one cause of early labor is infection. I had to basically stay in bed until the bleeding and contractions stopped.

Ben received my message and, after stopping by to make sure T.J. was alright, came straight to the hospital. He arrived in time for the ultrasound scan. In that area, they have a blanket policy that they won't tell the gender of the baby -apparently because there's a high percentage of immigrants from areas that prize one gender over another, so it's supposed to be for the baby's protection. It was so funny, though, because we're both watching to see if they go by 'that area' and I thought I saw girl and he thought he saw boy.. Walking down to the scan had given me more contractions, so I was kept on bedrest. But, all looked well on the scan!

I stayed in the hospital's labor ward till Thursday. Each morning the doctor would ask whether I'd had bleeding or tightenings and I had to have gone 24 hours without before they would release me. On Wednesday night, my milk came in! I sat in the media room with icepacks on, chatting with the longterm lady. She stayed down the hall and had to be there until she gave birth and she'd been there a month or so already and wasn't due for another five weeks. The gal across from me was from South Africa, and she was fun to chat with. Her baby came Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

It's a strange feeling to go from living in the hospital with the only care being to keep the pregnancy to riding in a car with a little person who only needs you to care for him. I could only stare at T.J. for the longest time -could one forget how to parent in just 4 days?

I kept mainly on bedrest and worked up to light housework. When school started, I would walk him in, and walk to pick him up, but that was about it. School was only about 4 blocks away.

I'd never had a problem with my first pregnancy of wanting it to be over. I was patient, my mother normally carried for ten months and I expected as much. I'd been pleasantly surprised to go a few days before my due date. This time, though, I'd already been in labor once during the pregnancy and I got antsy at the end! I picked up some Red Raspberry Leaf Tea and had several cups a few days before my due date. I think that was on Friday, then on Saturday I had niggling contractions all day. I had one cup of the tea that day and another on Sunday.

Around 9:30PM Sunday night, we lay down in bed. I felt/heard a *pop* and I sprang back up and ran to the bathroom. My water had broken. I ran a bath and sat in there to let the contractions ease in. I would walk to the toilet and then go back to the tub. When I started being sick, I went in to wake up Ben. He muttered something in his sleep and I ran to the toilet.. I don't know how much time passed, but I started to be more restricted to the toilet. I called out, "BEN!" and he appeared so quick, groggy and naked, staring at me.

We'd made arrangements with our downstairs neighbor to watch T.J. whilst we were in the hospital. So, Ben went knocking to let her know I was in labor. He came and called the ambulance service and we waited. Anne came up and made herself at home in the kitchen. The first ambulance arrived, but there was only one medic. He informed us that he had been closest, so he came to check on me and do any treatment while we waited for another ambulance. He came in and started writing his readings on his glove and asked me what I needed. "Drugs!" I said. He had 'gas and air' in his ambulance and brought that up. It only took maybe two 'hits' on the stuff during the next contractions and the nausea subsided. After that I was able to deal with the contractions without illness or further medication.

The second ambulance came and they asked me to move.. I slowly went from the restroom across the living room (I think I slumped on the floor by the chair, then sat in the chair by the table and had to be convinced to head to the stairs). The contractions were strong and I paused with one on each step. It took so long to get down! I heard Anne say, "I don't think she's going to make it." Then a medic asked me, "How are you doing?" My response was, "Fine, but the baby's crowning," because I felt so open and like the head was right there.

I had just made it to the bottom. I could see the ambulance. He told me that he didn't think I would make it to the ambulance at this rate and we should go back upstairs. "I'm comfortable here," I moaned. He said it would be too cold there for the baby. I headed upstairs, made it halfway before the next contraction! Then I made it to the top and had another. I got back to the chair in the livingroom and leaned on the table for the next one.

Suddenly, I had to empty my bowels. I ran to the toilet! I passed what was in there and felt the baby begin to emerge. I heard Ben in the other room, "Where's Jenn?" I called to him and he came into the restroom. I whispered, "The baby's coming," and hushed him because I was trying to finish on the toilet. He tried to reason with me that the medic would know sooner or later. The medic came in and helped Ben get me back to the living room. They had laid out some towels and the green quilt Mom had made me. Pillows were stacked up and they told me to get in position. I got down on hands and knees and leaned my head and chest against the pillows.

My body was pushing out the baby. I pushed once along with the contractions and the head came out. I waited as they checked for cord and heard the medic say, "Look at that." I knew it wasn't the cord and that I'd have to push. Ready for a long pushing phase, I worked with the next contraction and she slid right out! The medic's concern was that her hand had been on her shoulder, but as it turns out she has slender shoulders.

A.J. was born at 1:23AM in our home, measuring 7 pounds 14 ounces and 22.5 inches. Ben and I held our new baby. Someone took pictures. The midwife arrived 17 minutes after the birth and clamped the cord.

After she nursed, Ben took her and they slept soundly till morning while I called family in the States. "Your neice/granddaughter was born tomorrow." T.J. slept the night peacefully and woke to a new sister.

1997 - First Birth

Tuesday night was our second to last birth class. About 8:30PM, I left for a moment to use the restroom and found my "show." I had some niggling aches throughout, but nothing bothersome. Towards the end of class, I let the nurse know that I would see her tomorrow because I was beginning labor. She looked at me like I didn't know what I was talking about and let me know that these things don't usually happen so quick the first time. The other classmembers asked that we bring in the baby for the last class the following week.

I was too excited to sleep that night. Who could? I'd not had any 'braxton hicks' contractions that made me think I was in labor during this pregnancy. Sure, I'd had some niggling backaches that reminded me of minor menstrual cramps, and my belly had grown tight sometimes. But, none of these indicated the craziness you see on T.V. or in movies about horrible pain that sends you running to the hospital. I knew also that sickness would send me for help before pain did because I was always ill with my monthly period.

My husband-at-the-time put in a movie and fell asleep on the couch. Around 11PM, the contractions began. I let him sleep as I paced around the room. I thought of going for a walk around the block, but the hour kept me home. I know now that I should have drank more and had a light snack at least, but I didn't know that then. Around 3AM, the nausea started. I woke my husband and called my mother -someone had to care for the cat while I was in the hospital! When he was ready and I had boxed the cat, we stopped by Mom's house. I remember having a contraction as we were chatting and she said it looked like it was time alright. We said goodbye -she'd finish her night's rest and see us later at the hospital -Dad had been transferred out of town and Mom was staying to sell the house while he was househunting.

When we arrived at the hospital, the nurse told me I should go home as I was only dilated 2 or 3. Thankfully, I hadn't puked yet, but I asked her where a restroom was and quickly ran off and began my vigil by the toilet. She looked in on me and said something about being allowed to stay. The next time I saw her she had a big needle of some kind of anti-nausea drug. It didn't work.

I was hooked up to the monitoring equipment and given an I.V. I found the contraction printout fascinating and checked it frequently.

My family started filtering through the L&D (labor and delivery) room. Everyone seemed to have a camera and we were all chatty. My brothers sat with me for a little while and my older brother later told me that during contractions I reminded him of the Exorcist movie: the little girl's head spins around and she spews pea soup everywhere. It's a good thing for him that I had a little puke bucket to aim for!

Once the nausea medicine had "worn off," or at least worked it's way out of my system, they were able to give me something stronger. I wasn't planning on using narcotics, but apparently Demerol relaxes the system to halt extreme puking. That was around 8AM (four hours after the first med).

They wouldn't let me get up after that. I was made to stay in bed to labor as it's not safe to walk around while drugged half out of your mind. I remember some particularly difficult contractions and my Mom reminding me to breathe, and on another she told me to focus. Focus? "On what?" I said, "The flowers are moving around on the walls!"

The Demerol numbed my sense of time. I was aware of the T.V. being on. The McCaughey septuplets were being born in Iowa while I was laboring in California. People came in and out. My sister, Sarah, stopped by with her boyfriend and a girl friend, they said hello and snapped a few pictures. The husband went to nap in the waiting room. My sister, Sue, came in and out of the room -the doctor offered her the giant crochet hook to let her break my waters (Sue thought that was gross, "Isn't that your job?"). Mom and her friend, Mary, were there at the end.

Between 10 and 10:30AM, I was told by the nurse that I had a 'lip' and needed to roll onto my right side. I'd been on my left or sitting up most of labor. I rolled and immediately the intensity increased and I screamed out that I felt like pushing. The nurse hollered back, "Don't!" and that she would get the doctor. I lay there slamming my fist into the side of the bed. Mom says that my husband was in the room then and that as I pounded the bed his eyes got round and he stepped back.

The doctor came and they got me "in position." That is, semi-reclining on my back at the edge of the bed with my feet on stirrups. The doctor told me that I could push when I was ready. I followed the contractions and squeezed when my body did. As the head crowned, I again called out, this time in real pain, "It hurts! It hurts! At the top, it hurts!" (Why had no one ever mentioned the 'ring of fire' phenomenon? Perhaps then I would have tried to pause and let the head slide more slowly? This burning tearing sensation was a complete surprise! A change of positions may also have relieved it somewhat!) I remember seeing the concern as I indicated what area and then there was a swoop of scissors. I was somewhat numbed at the general idea of what had happened and finished pushing the baby out. It didn't take long, maybe one or two more pushes for the head, a pause to check the neck was clear, and another push or two for the body.

I don't remember holding him right off, I may have. I know the first time I looked at his face, he looked up at me and smiled. They took him to clean and measure and put gook on his eyes. They handed him to Mary while the doctor stitched me up -oh, did that tickle! She looked at me like I was crazy because I was giggling.. I was numb where she was working, but I'm rather ticklish! Mom held him, then went to announce the birth to the waiting room (full of my and my husband's families).

T.J. was born at 11:02AM; 7 pounds 5 ounces and 22 inches long. His nose was crooked, but his head was perfectly round. He was a touch jaundiced from how dehydrated I'd gotten, but nothing serious.

They brought me lunch soon after, what a blessing that was! I was so hungry! After a nice hot meal, they moved me to the recovery room. There were 2 or 3 other mothers in there and we chatted on and off.

Sue was taking photography classes at the community college. She and Mom came by and she took lots of black and white photos.
The nurse from our birthing classes also stopped by and congratulated me.

I had a little problem with sore nipples after a day or so. The nurse gave me vitamin-E capsules and a safety pin with instructions to rub some on after feeding to keep them from cracking.

They offered to let me stay one last night and I agreed. It was pleasantly quiet at the hospital. The next day, we started our new 'normal.'

Just for fun

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The West Your accent is the lowest common denominator of American speech. Unless you're a SoCal surfer, no one thinks you have an accent. And really, you may not even be from the West at all, you could easily be from Florida or one of those big Southern cities like Dallas or Atlanta.
The Midland
Boston
North Central
Philadelphia
The Northeast
The South
The Inland North
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

Twist Top Dress

Last night, BB and I copied a t-shirt dress pattern so that I could make Rowena's Twist Top. Today, I talked myself into serging it up instead of playing WoW with the boys.. Rowena, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Because, thanks to you, I have a fabulous nursing dress that I can wear with this next baby and -hey!- it stretches over the bump even now!



I need to fix my pattern piece. Now that I've made the dress, I see that the curve should have been more rounded under the bust. The seam cuts right across my bust points and I was thinking that this would be worn with or without supportive garments (it's a nightgown till I get ahold of some dye). edited to note: the underlayer protects, so the seam rubbing isn't an issue!

The only issue I've got is that I don't like the massive folds above my bust. I know that some are because of the twist design, but I'm pretty sure that gals with rounder busts don't have that big of wrinkles/folds with this design. So, I may have to do a not-so-full bust adjustment -but just the type that takes out a pinch of unnecessary room above the bust points without taking out the room for the bust itself!

Wanna see my cute belly? I'm almost 30 weeks along!


My husband says I don't look 7 months pregnant. I told him it's because I refuse to wear tents and oversize sacks! This dress will probably be able to handle being stretched through the end of the pregnancy, but I'm really looking to make some postpartem items -hence I didn't add the maternity room. If I get a nice wardrobe together, then perhaps I'll shift to making a couple things for pregnancy.

I do have to make one maternity dress, though, for the Christmas party at Ben's work. Maybe I'll just find some nice velour or stretch velvet and make one of these!!

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Frenchrope

Today, I pulled out my copy of Hair by Anne Akers Johnson and tried out the frenchrope:

I think her instructions are great for working on someone else, but to do this to my own hair I worked somewhat differently. I started with a small portion on top -just like a frenchbraid- and crossed left strand over middle, then right strand over middle.
Then, I changed to frenchrope by:
1) adding some hair from the left side to the left strand and twisting it towards the right without crossing
2) adding some hair from the right side to the right strand and twisting towards the right and crossing over both the other strands (so it becomes the left strand), then adding some more from the left side to this same strand and twisting a little more. (note: always twist in the same direction!)

To continue, I repeated step 2 till I ran out of hair to add. The rope below is done without adding any hair, just twisting the right strand as it passes over the other 2.

Personally, I found it easiest to do just a little twist with the right hand and do most of the twist with the left hand because I'm right handed and the right was holding the hair more firmly than the left could.

Have fun and let me know if you try it out!

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Hair Care

Funny topic for a stitching blog? Natalija mentioned it on her sewing blog last week and I went a little obsessive over the weekend. I finally bought some jojoba oil (generally pronounced ho-ho-buh) and started with that on Friday. My hair can go up to a week between washings -boy did that take years to get to! It was greasy after a day when I worked! (4.5 years ago)- so I put off washing it over the weekend at first and have gradually increased as worked in my 'schedule.'

On the long hair boards, they have classifications for hair; mine's about 1b/c (straight, but has body and in humidity can have waves) M/C (strands are medium to coarse, hinting at my caucasian/American Indian heritage) iii (thick - my low pony tail measures 5 1/4" around- I washed it a few hours before measuring and allowed to air dry, so that may be volumized a little.. but generally I have an enormously thick tail/braid down my back -note: measured at end of day and the low pony was 5" thick, slid my hand down to the ends and measured just above my hand at 4.5"). They like to measure from the forehead hairline to the tips (28") and I checked to see what that is from the neck hairline down (14").

So, what does one do with this much hair? Not much right now! That's part of why I'm posting, to remind myself to care for it better. If I leave my hair down, it tangles. That's not good for it. There's too much for a bun, it's heavy and pulls, and the ends stick out in all directions! I wore it in a ponytail, the underside started breaking off at the band (perhaps overuse of the one spot). I switched to a single braid recently to protect it more, but now after reading on the boards I'm concerned that's not enough. My Mom's hair was thigh length when I was little. She used to wear 2 braids. When I worked, I'd do the classic french braid (classic means there's a braid on each side -like mirror images); I could do that and bun the ends.. I'm thinking of starting trying different up-do's for a while -only problem is that the weight makes it uncomfortable after half a day. But, half a day up is better than all day continuously rubbing in the same location!! Some do's I've found that I'd like to try:
Retro Twist would keep the tail from sticking out, but I'd probably have to split it into 2-3 curls because of the thickness.
Classic Retro Updo would probably spread out some of the weight.
This Padme-inspired loose bun would allow the hair to be back still (where I'm currently used to it), but still 'thin' out the bun to maybe work with fun hair things... maybe..
I'll have to practice my Dutch Braid! Because with that I can make a "Crown Braid" which I think is gorgeous! I could do it with the French Braid, but the Dutch version is so much prettier.. Won't look like I've got an armadillo wrapped around my head... (which was an issue when I first taught myself to French braid and was why I chose to go the 'classic' route).
The Double Pony could be a good base for a bun for me. Then it's not all one thickness trying to wrap itself. I could bun the top tail then wrap the lower hair around to make one bun. I kind of did a variation on this in high school: separate the hair ear to ear and French braid up the back portion, join the two in a pony and bun it. That could help protect all the shorter 'under' hairs whilst they grow.
The Double Bun may work out (looks like her hair is almost as thick as mine), just not on a driving day :) Having all that hair between me and the seat pushes me into poor posture!
The Mrs. El Knot looks interesting, but I'm not sure it'll work on my hair - will have to give it a go sometime.
This Y-Braided Chignon is just a slightly loose classic French tucked under. This could be so simple to make!
ooh... and here's the Figure 8 Bun!(scroll down) This is advertised as helping spread the weight of the hair!
And, the Celtic Knot Bun
Can a French Comb work in my hair?

Must style hair...

Hurrah!!!

My friend Becky called me yesterday - and they're expecting!!! Yippee!! They're due in July with baby #4 (it only took me 2 years of uber-cute BB cuddling to her.. and her children have been begging lately for another sibling). Dilemma: Becky gets uber-sick for about the first 5 months.. So, any day now she's terrified of being couch-ridden until the spring! So, she's looking into trying her hand at the Brewer's diet for pregnancy to see if it will reduce or maybe eliminate her sickness. I wish I'd done more this time to see if it would have helped me, but being mildly allergic and majorly intolerant to lactose didn't help me much - especially since I'd just moved and hadn't found a new raw milk source yet. I'm so glad that the sickness is over and done with for me this pregnancy and will be super happy for her if the Brewer's diet works for her! Maybe I'll be able to work up to a more 'healthy' eating style by the time I'm next expecting! lol!

28 Weeks Today

A month ago I was hardly showing and headed to CO/OK. It was so funny in OK, the pastor's wife at our old church said that when I walked in she couldn't tell that I was pregnant and was trying to come up with something comforting to say about my loss (sweet soul!). She was very happy when I turned and she could see the mini-bump and heard me talking due dates. Suddenly over the 2 weeks I was there, I gained 5 pounds and the bump popped way out.

I'm in the last trimester. Only 12 weeks left till my due date. For some reason, I've got Jan 28 in my head (due on the 30th), but that's got to do more with the fact that all 3 of my children have been a couple/few days before the due date. Won't it be strange if I actually have to wait for this one?

Ben and I banter about what we'll be having this time. We opted out of the ultrasound scan and are just waiting it out. TJ wants a brother. AJ wants a sister. BB doesn't want the bother. Ben said last night, "I'll keep calling it a boy until she's born." Names aren't an issue -already have them picked. I just don't know what color baby'll wear -mostly blue it seems, as I've had 2 nieces in the past year and given clothes away somewhere, *and* others have given me boy baby clothes (perhaps hinting to the wee hidden one what s/he should appear as).

This week I get to run off to the midwife to get a shot of Rhogam -I don't feel I need this during pregnancy any more, but am not sure how many children we'll be blessed with; also, my grandmother had 6 children without Rhesus issues developing before this shot was being administered. Ah well, better jabbed with thorns than sorry later, right?

Lest I Forget

Me? Forget? Often.

Tonight I was moved by Denise's hats and decided that I will use my Magic Stripes leftovers from socks to make some of those hats! I do admit that mine will not be near so pretty this way, but I'm on a tight budget and personally like a lighter fabric with tighter stitches to a thick one with larger holes. If I get through my Magic Stripes, then I may see what other washable yarns I have to give either weight pattern a go. I've made 3 so far. The pattern is *here*.

Also, we had picked up some "Lion Wool" (2.75oz per skein, one skein per child) for mittens whilst visiting in OK, but I hadn't looked for a pattern yet. I remembered afghans for Afgans (which I have yet to do anything for.. I may this year!) and using their links found a mitten pattern for the children. I used the preschooler size (which has it's own page) to start a pair for BB. The first mitten is crocheted and the second is started. I'm thinking that the children's 5-7 will be AJ's size (she has Looooong fingers) and the 8-12 size for TJ. These mittens stitch up so quick!! I'm thinking of fulling them slightly for fun and to see if that closes some of the holes crochet has. I'm sure that they don't really need it, but they'll full up with use anyway, right? And, perhaps I can get a Preschooler size out of what's left that I can send off to A4A?

Jetlag or Sugar Craving?

I'm crabby. BB decided to sleep in my bed last night and I ended up squashed in the middle between her highness and his hotness. Maybe I should have waited to turn on the heater! I woke a couple times, most notably at 4am for a drink and pee (something about being 6 months PG sends me to the bathroom at night). I should have gone to the couch, but crawled back in my bed. She woke at 6am and wanted "mill."

After a short while, I gave up and got up. I started breakfast around 6:30am. Turned on the light in my bedroom for his hotness to wake and opened the blinds in the children's rooms to begin waking them. I'm thinking of getting some blackout fabric for curtains to keep the streetlight and moonlight out of their rooms so that her highness sleeps better. I'd also like some drapes as the profusion of large windows lets in the chill.

I fed his hotness and her highness and woke the other 2 around 7am. Eggs, bacon and toast: mmm! Fed them and myself and took care of BB again.

Ben hopped in the shower, the children were happily busy, I plopped into bed again. Apparently, I was such a thorn this morning that Ben didn't want to 'risk' waking me to snuggle or say goodbye. I arose around 9am and he was gone.

I had such a good time back 'home' in OK. I've missed my friends and the children have missed theirs!
Becky has a new calf, the naughty dog has a new home so the chickens are once more safe, and they're working toward child #4!
Stacy's husband is considering a new job- so they may move- and they're expecting #5 in early summer.
Nancy's so much happier with having her DD at home for school! And, she started quilting and got me into it! (I made a quilt in a week, it's in line at my MIL's quilter and will probably come out here with the Christmas gifts in Dec.)
I didn't get to see Renee, she's begun working again and her boys are in school -most of our free time was during the week.

We ate out entirely too much. MIL has a scale at her house and I weighed myself for fun - I gained 5 pounds in the 2 weeks I was there! It may all have gone to my middle, too, because suddenly I look pregnant! My last baby was 9 pounds, at 5'4" and normally 120 pounds, that's *huge* -last weight at MIL's house I was at 131 pounds.
(note: I do normally gain most of my pregnancy weight in the last trimester, I just know I need to take walks daily and I usually don't get them!).

We flew home on Tuesday. What a blessing to be able to avoid most of the influences of that day! The children were tired by day's end. Next time, I think I'll take a hotel room to avoid the afternoon/evening flights! BB screamed because she had to have the belt on for landing, but both girls were asleep by the time we arrived home.

Home... (sigh) wasn't as it was left. I had hoped that Ben would be able to do the basics of housework and get to his games when done. I know he checked the garden and weeded it a bit on weekends...
But, the squirrels ate it. I'd noticed before we left that they were getting into it. I thought a cage-type thing maybe on hinges at the back with a simple lock on the front would work, but it wasn't attempted. The only things left are the snowpeas (which is badly mangled) and most of the broccoli plant. If he'd been able to make the covers, then maybe we'd be enjoying fresh salad of mixed salad greens and radishes now. Ah well, such is life.

The cupboards were practically bare. Yesterday, we had oatmeal for breakfast (still have one more variety pack, then it's on to the old-fashioned type), sandwiches for lunch and pasta for dinner. Today, we polished off the eggs, bacon and bread and had to walk over to the store. I'm hoping that Ben made it to the DMV, but I don't know when he plans that. The little stroller fell backwards in the store as I was putting bags on it. Thankfully, it's a short trip - TJ and AJ each had to carry a bag. BB fell asleep in the stroller on the way and is still napping. I need to nap, but think I'll just postpone sleep indefinitely. After all, who wants to wake up crabby?