December hightlights

Noah and dog Jasper relaxing to some Christmas tunes!

My hubby, Fr. Jerry (our favorite priest) and myself after Mass!

Nick had his soccer party and was next to last to receive his trophy....

I was the first to discover that it had 2009 on it....it is 2011!!!!

The coach got them through a mail order company!

Olivia enjoying her Christmas search book!

Jackie and Jacob in front of the Wienermobile!

All beef hot dog, chips and pop for $1.00!!!!

Oh and the kiddos got a free Oscar Mayer whistle!

I have not seen the Wienermobile since I was a kid!

This was the highlight of my day!

This picture was taken the same day as the ones above.

Jackie did not want the bun to her hot dog so we fed the crows in the parking lot!

Our days here in the Pacific Northwest have been cold,damp, gray and foggy!

It looked like it was 5pm but it was only 1pm!

This picture makes me smile!

Jackie lost another tooth.....she reminds me of the girl Ellie from the cartoon movie UP!

Tap the link to see a cute clip from the movie!
http://youtu.be/VR8hlvLghrs

Ellie from the UP movie!

I hope to be back to this space in a few days with a Christmas cookie recipe that Olivia and I made....

it will more than likely be AFTER Christmas. (sorry)

I need rally my troop and get this house clean for our Christmas dinner that I host every year.

Its just us eight plus my sister Beth and her hubby Mike and his mom Judy!

We do our BIG dinner, gift exchange then all go to Mass on Christmas eve.

Peace and love as we rejoice the news of the baby king!

Going On A Tree Hunt {2011}

Well as tradition will have it, we got our Christmas tree on the 2nd weekend of Dec.

My hubby's rule is we must be on our hunt for at least 45 min-1hour!

We always have a good time running around in the forest of groomed pines.

We found a few neat treasures on our trek.....a lady bug on a stump and a empty bird nest in a tree!

Noah really enjoyed giving Olivia a piggy ride though the trees.....being careful not to trip on stumps!

I had to play detective while we were out.....

We voted on our tree....the guys chopped it down.

Jacob and Nick carried our prized tree to front of the farm to pay.

After we hiked to the front of the farm I discovered Olivia did not have her cute hat on!

So off Jackie, Noah and I ran to find it.

I used my camera to help up out. Looking to see when she last had the hat on, so we could narrow our search! We found it in 5 minutes!

Baby Belly Pic. 13w 2d

While we were getting our tree and heading back to pay, my mind drifted to thoughts of last years tree trek! I think Christian was trying to implant that day last year. I was feeling cramp and just 2 weeks later I found out we were pregnant! I was mentioning this to hubby and trying not to cry.

We decided we would drive into the near by town for lunch. Not know of any good place I decided to ask the folks working the Kettle Corn booth.

The gal asked if my name was Georgiann. I said yes. She then told me who she was.

She was the doula I used for Olivia's birth.

So we talked for a few minutes and I got her phone # again.

S. said she'd love to be my doula again!

S. then shared a sad story with me.........

She had 3 boys when I had her as my doula 4 yrs ago.

She then got pregnant with her 1st girl Lily.

Lily heart stopped beating 2 weeks before she was due.......it happened the day of her baby shower.

She now has another girl whom is now 16 months.

It was such blessing to run into her again.

God is good!

Peace+

Georgiann

PS

My hair is looking terrible!

I need to color my hair as my light/gray roots are in the front 8 inches of my hair and the way I wear my hair it looks like I have red/orange fake hair attached to the back.

I am thinking of just chopping it all OFF!

What do you all think?

Hubby wants me to keep it long but its so thick and bushy!

Pregnancy update {11w 5d}

I was so nervous about my OB visit today.......

I had a few teary moments over the last weekend.......my mind filled with what ifs?

I was and am really missing Christian lately.....he was lost to miscarriage due to low hormones back in January of this year. :(   I was due August 28 2011 and found out I was pregnant with him Dec.25 at 12:30am Christmas morning!

So full of emotions lately my mind was not to kind.......

 What if my baby does not have a heartbeat? What if I loose this baby.....my baby!
I was beginning to think I did not FEEL pregnant anymore. I was once feeling huge and sick most of the time but seem to be feeling a bit better lately and not so bloated.

Baby #8 nicknamed My Little Apple!

My OB visit went wonderful........

Dr. E was very kind during this visit........but here is a quick back story......

I was very upset at the treatment I had received from Dr. E and especially his nurse L. after my miscarriage back in January of this year.

I did not ever want to go back there again.

I scouted out a few new Dr's just in case we were to get pregnant again.

The OB's I did a meet and greet with did not feel right. We did not hit it off.

I also needed to shop around for a new regular Dr. within the office I was going as my old one moved away. I found a great Gal Dr. she and I hit it off and she is much like a midwife in her style. She also delivers babies so I was really going to use her for this pregnancy.

There was a few things that made think other wise though....

I have a clotting disorder while pregnant that needs managed by a hematologist and the other thing is that   she is only at the office by my house on Monday and Tuesdays.

What if I need to see her during the time she is at her other office?

So after praying and praying about what to do......I even asked God to give me a sign.

When I was first pregnant and getting my progesterone prescription filled there was a stack of business cards on the counter......they were Dr. E's.

Believe me I grumbled and told myself I was NOT going to go to Dr. E again!

But a few days later after praying again and listening to what God had to say, it was decided.

I would go to Dr.E because God told me that is were I needed to be.

Dr. E knows me and my history.

And God knows whats around the corner.......I do not.

Today was my 2nd visit with Dr. E since my miscarriage.....my hubby went with me Nov.1  I was 7weeks and Dr.E gave me my first ultrasound!

Today......

When Dr. E came in the room he smiled and said, well lets get a look at this baby!

Hop on the table and let see if baby is big enough to see with a regular ultrasound otherwise we will do a vaginal.

I was so excited!

I was told by the front staff that at this visit I would not be given a ultrasound because I already had one last time and we knew my due date.

So the hear Dr.E say ultrasound, I was beaming from ear to ear......I was going to see my baby again!

Dr. E started up the machine and my baby popped up on the screen......it was not moving!

Dr. E did some measuring and said, WOW baby looks big for the dates! I think you are farther along than we thought! And it looks like your baby is sleeping.

He showed NO alarm!

He tryed to wake him/her up with a few pokes, well presses of the scanner thing.....but there was no movement.

I did not "see" a heartbeat just what seemed like a lifeless baby.

I sat there petrified! I was holding back the tears!

Dr.E showed no look of bad news?

Next thing I knew my untrasound was over and Dr. E said, with a smile,

every thing looks great and your new due date id June 14 as he handed me a few pictures of my baby!

I quickly said, what about the heartbeat I did not hear one. He said, you did not see the flutter on the screen? I said NO! as I tryed not to cry.

He said, well lets see if we can hear baby with the dopler.

Releif.........thump thump thump! I started to cry!

I heard a heartbeat......sweet joy to my momma ears!

I was given another ultrasound and a new due date!

I went from a due date of  June 18th to June 14th. yippee!

When Dr.E asked if I wanted a amnio or any of the other blood work screens

to check for birth defects...I

said NO!

I told him that I did not need added worry and I was in LOVE with this baby.

If my baby had a defect I would love him or her regardless and would like to find out at birth when I could look in his or her beautiful eyes and just be in LOVE!

Dr. E then gave me the best compliment.....

He said, that as a routine he has to offer such test but is happy to report that he LOVES his patients because almost all of them say NO! He had a sparkle in his eye.

He said, he was honored to serve his patients and be a part of God miracles!

I thanked him for the ultrasound....I was told that he would most likely not be giving me another until 20 weeks.

So things are back to awesome with my Dr. and it feels great!

I'm glad I listened to the Lord and TRUSTED Him!

My progesterone levels as of Nov.21 are 22.5 (zone 2)

I went over and scheduled my Hematologist appointment with Dr.M today for Dec.20!

My next OB appointment is Dec. 22.

I went to my Dr.s lab today for the pregnancy blood draws! (4 or 5 viles) I could not watch!

Well I'm off to go change the due date on my blog tickers! :)

Peace+

Georgiann

::Today

Today.........
Monday after a 4 day weekend in a house of 8 + many friends over = mess!

:: I will make my coffee (decaf) and eat a bowl of cereal for breakfast.

:: I will check on my 2 sick kiddos...fevers,chills,headaches and sore thoats.

:: I will dawn my cleaning gloves and wipe down my house with bleach.

:: I will do 4 loads of laundry.

:: Do 2 loads of dishes.

:: Clean 3 bathrooms.

:: Make a few important calls....I have an OB appointment tomorrow and I'm not sure I will be able to go  with sick kiddos needing to be home.

:: I will vacumn the living room and tidy up.

:: I will finish making the turkey soup for dinner.

:: I will clear off our dining table and set up the advent wreath Jackie, Noah and I made last week at church!

:: I will also try to catch a nap!

Well my coffee is ready so off I go to start my day......

What will you be doing today?


Peace and Blessings,
Georgiann

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual over at Soule Mama's.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, go over to Soule Mama's leave a link to your 'moment' in her comments for all to find and see.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace and Blessings+

Georgiann

New Cloth Diaper Stash! and link up!

I bought these ECONOBUM's from Kelly's Closet

They were BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!

So for $9.95 I got 2! I was pleasantly surprised that they each came with a unbleached Indian pre-fold in it!

What a deal so they were basically $2.50 for each piece!

Oh and the best part is they are one size and grow with baby, just let out the snaps!

I also bought 12 Mother Ease wipes for $2.00 each

They are double thick terricloth!

These are Dream EZE All In Ones in

Blackberry and Mandarin size small (6#-15#)

The inserts are sewn in...and there are 2!

I plan to use these at night....hence the name Dream EZE!

I ordered some of my stash from Punkernoodle but most of the stuff I ordered was OUT OF STOCK!

It took almost 3 weeks to get my stuff! The owner did send me a FREE Dream EZE thats why I have 2 in Blackberry! She has not updated her website or called me back!

I wanted to know if it was safe to order more things from her website!

So beware!

I got these HUGGABUNS one size pocket diapers at

Maine Cloth Diaper CO. for $5.50 each on sale (I bought 5)

Normal price was listed as $14.50.

The flannel in this diaper is very thin but priced at $5.00 it is a good deal!

I plan to stuff my pockets with unbleached Indian pre-folds I have had for years!

($24.00 per dozen.....I have 2 dozen!)

I also got 

1 White Bummis Original Whisper Wrap (small) $9.00

Sugar Peas organic wool snap in diaper (small) $6.00

(I want to get a red wool wrap for my Sugar Pea to snap into but it is $29.00)

 For now the spending is on hold but when I do get one I will get a Med!

Knickernappies 2G Pocket Diaper in Melon (small) $8.00

Bumkins one size Stuff it Cloth Diaper - Butterfly print $14.95

Happy Hieny's Hemp Stuffins (med.) $9.50

 It came with a smaller insert as well, but I thought I was going to get a pack of 6 but there was just 1!

I also got another ECONOBUM one size wrap from Thanks Mama but it did not come with a Indian per-fold and it cost me $8.95! So watch out! The BOGO is the best deal doing now!

I also bought some Imse Vimse Organic Wipes 12pk in Rose for $11.85

I'm still waiting on my order from Nicki's Diapers!

3 Bummis one size pocket diapers

4 Happy Heinys one size pocket diapers some with snaps some velcro

10pk flannel wipes!

Fun prints! I can't wait to share them with you when they get here!

I also have some other stuff from my past years of cloth diapering I will share at a later time!

What's in your stash?

Leave a link in my comments so myself and others can see your what you got!

Happy Diapering!

I have to wait 7 more months to try mine out!

Peace+

Georgiann

Pregnancy update {9 weeks}

Doc says there is only one in there!

For 9 weeks I know I look huge but after 7 other pregnancies my body  just relaxes and goes to work!

My last 3 babies were all over 10# so my belly is a bit stretched.

I had my first ultrasound at 7 weeks all looked great!

I have been taking 200mg of progesterone once a day @ bedtime.

I get my progesterone levels checked every 2 weeks.

The first check I was at zone 3 (3 or 4 is best)

For the second check a few weeks later they had me NOT take my progesterone the night before the test.

I dropped to a zone 2 after missing just one dose!

I go in Monday for another blood test. My veins are sore after all the pokes over the past few months!

For my last blood test the gal took the blood from upper arm in stead of in my bend.

It did not even hurt. I hate when the hit my scar tissue! OUCH!

Other vitamins I take.........

Pre-natals

Folic Acid

DHA

Vitamin C,D,B6,B12

Calcium,Zinc,Magnesium

And as of late.......

I have been taking Cranberry pills

and Acidophilus pills

I got a bladder infection last week and I'm in my final days of antibiotics!

I have only gained 4# so far.

My next pre-natal visit is Nov. 29th.

My nausea has been really bad this pregnancy, it last most of the day, but I'm not complaining!

Sometimes I feel hungry and full at the same time?!

I will crave a food, but only once.....I feel nauseous after eating it and never want that food again!

At Costco last week I tryed a sample if herb stuffing and had to spit it out....and I almost barfed!

Some of my favorite snacks have been:

Hot canned green beans with a bit is butter

Pumpkin bagels with cream cheese

oh and 1/2 of the pregnancy sandwich (I gave it that name) it's made with:

Dave's Good Seed bread

cheddar cheese

ham and roast beef

Dijon mustard and mayo

And a generous pile of mixed greens!

On another note:

Tonight is our churches annual Turkey Bingo so I will taking the boys.

We have been going to this event for over 10yrs!

Tomorrow Jackie's school is having a BIG Thanksgiving feast for the first graders.

I have volunteered to help set up then eat with Jackie!

Are any of you going something fun for Thanksgiving?

Have a fun tradition you want to share?

I'd love to hear from you.

Peace and Love,

Georgiann

10 things I love about fall!

1. Sipping cider
2. Foggy mornings
3. The anticipation of Thanksgiving Day
4. The bright red leaves on the ground
5. Seeing the yard all winterized (shrubs all trimmed back etc..)
6. Seeing the little birds in the mornings looking for food!
7. The smell of my decaf coffee brewing and cinnamon raisin bread toasting in the toaster in the morning.
8. The smell of bread in the bread maker and hot soup in the crock pot!
9. The taste of all the pumpkin treats!
10. An afternoon walk and a chilly but sunny day!

What do you love about fall?

I'm also loving all the peppermint scented stuff that has been in stores. I guess most stores wait til November 1 to put Christmas stuff out.  Bath and Body Works has their Moisturizing Twisted Peppermint hand soap in stock now! It has been great at knocking back my nausea. I also love all their Christmas smelling candles!

{my little apple}

Well on Tuesday I went in for my first ultrasound to get my first peak at my Little Apple!With each pregnancy I give my baby a nickname....I think its fun!

Do any of you do the same????? What nicknames have you giving your little baby being knit???

Many of you have emailed me privately wanting to know how my OB visit went. I emailed a few of you back but here is the post I promised, sorry to keep you all waiting!

Hubby met me at the OB for the appointment Tuesday in the late afternoon.
We got to see the heartbeat (flutter with no sound) It was wonderful! Such a relief!
Baby was measuring a June 18 due date, not June 17. So I was one day off. I guess the swimmers took a day to get their target. (I think it will be a girl :)????) At 7 weeks its to early to tell the gender and we love surprises! There will be no peaking here! I get though drug free labor not knowing the gender the gift! I love finding out in the delivery room!

My OB and I discussed being induced.....I know its a bit early..... OK way early for that, but I told
Dr. E I did not want to deliver a BIG baby. The last 3 were all almost 11#. My Dr. E said, he will only induce no more than one week before my due date. He said, June 11 would be the earliest. That's Noah's b-day, my fourth born and he always get the short end of the stick. I don't want him to have to share a birthday. My oldest son graduates high school June 14 and my other kids have their last day of school. So if I do go in June 11 that only leaves 3 days to be ready to go to a graduation. My last baby, Olivia was induced 4 days early and was 10# 11oz.  I'm sure God know the plan, so for now I won't worry about it! I can't wait to see how it all works out!

Well I feel a nap coming on so I'm off for now!
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers, it means a lot to me!

Peace and Love,
Georgiann

Getting Ready {before and afters}

So far my pregnancy is going well......and tomorrow at 7w 2d I will get a sneak peak of my tiny baby growing within. I am quite nervous....my mind says "what if my baby is not growing, what if there is no heart beat?" I told myself I was not going to do the whay if thing, but find myself  doing it!!!!!!  I hope that hubby can slip away from work to come to my first ultrasound! (Hubby works 2 blocks away)

Yesterday.........

I spend the day cleaning my room and moving the crib/toddler bed from the girls room into my room, as well as a dresser that will be for baby.  I have misplaced the side rail for the crib (I do have 7 months to find it). lol  For now Jackie will sleep in it as a toddler bed in our room and Olivia will sleep with us in our bed. (they were both with us for the past 4yrs) The California king is a bit crowded and with my belly growing.....we all needed another arrangement! The girls will be getting bunk beds for their room over Christmas.

Here are a few before and afters of the space in my room set up for baby. (I know its early to be setting stuff up for baby, but I have a busy schedule over the next few months and needed to clear out the girls room making room for bunk beds!)


                                                                       Before

This is the mess in my room on my side of the bed!

I have a clothes/book case!

Afters

Little Miss Jackie asleep in the toddler bed/crib!

I still need to vacuum and tidy a few more things...

I am trying to hang my clothes in my closet so the black bookcase can be for baby things!

The box next to the crib is trash. (like I said I still have some tidying to do)

In that spot I will get some plastic drawers to keep my cloth diapers.

(just ordered some in a small size...I can't wait till they get here)

Oh and I want to get a new throw rug for next to my bed!

Above the black book case will be a wooden shelf with hooks.

(I still need to paint it....not sure what color I will use)

The shelf will be for toys and the hooks for hanging baby's clothes!

Keep me in your prayer as I am a bit nervous about my ultrasound appointment tomorrow!

Peace and Love.

Georgiann

Happy to be nauseous! and recipe for a yummy treat!

Most folks think I'm crazy to want to be nauseous, but feeling sick means that things are going well.

For the past few weeks I have been retiring early to bed to sip Pregnancy tea and read books from my many stacks of Maternity books.

The butterfly mug in the picture was one I bought from the pharmacy 2 weeks ago when getting my progesterone picked up. Butterflies remind me of Christian.

I also made a few batches of watermelon freezer pops over the past week...

great for combating nausea!

                                                                 Recipe 

Watermelon seedless 3cups
Plain Greek Yogurt   1/2 cup
Honey 2 table spoons
Lemon  juice from whole lemon

Blend up in blender and pour in freezer pop holders.
Let freeze over night and then enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well I'm off to get ready for my blood draw and pick up a few things at the store before the kiddos get home. The younger 2 have 1/2 days this week.

Peace,
Georgiann

Big News {wink wink***} and Funny Story~

This is the family picture from Olivia's birthday on Oct.4th

The baby is now 4yrs old!

We hope and pray to add a new baby to our family in Mid-June.

I had gone to MOPS the morning of Olivia's birthday and was feeling queasy and so I decided to take a pregnancy test upon arriving home......even though I used afternoon pee the test came back + positive!!!!! :)

I took about 6 other tests using 3 different brands over the next week....Why do us girls do that????

I have since had my pregnancy confirmed with 2 blood tests....

My hCG levels were 245 and then 48hours later 394.

So its on the low end of normal and I am pregnant.

DR.O ordered me to take 200mg of progesterone once a day at bedtime starting on day 14.

I have another blood test on Oct 24.

I called DR.O on Oct.5 and he sent my blood order and prescription for my compounded meds.

The mail (my paperwork) arrived at the wrong address and it was hand delivered by the people (1/2 mile up the road) 3 days after it came to their house! I was over due for my blood work!!!! I had called my DR's office (4 hours away) because I did not have my papers and my DR was out of town for 2 weeks on a family emergency!! I was beginning to really stress when the doorbell rang and this guy was holding my mail! He said my dad told my to bring this down.....he thought it looked important!

 Praise God he brought it! My baby's life is at stake!

It all worked out!

On Oct.5th I told Olivia the good news.....my sweet daughter had been wishing on dandelions seeds all summer long for a new baby.....she lights candles at church and prays.....she even used her birthday wish on wanting a new brother or sister....OK

the wish was really for 2 sisters and a brother.....hee hee!

I told Olivia to keep the news a secret.

My daughter.......was so excited but she told NO ONE!

But called me on it when I shared the news with a church friend at daily Mass!

Now here is the funny story I promised....

On Friday Oct.7 I called the whole family together and had Olivia give Hubby the red box with the pregnancy test that said PREGNANT!!!!

There was also a wash cloth in the box to serve as tissue paper.

Hubby takes the lid off, holds the test stick up and says

"What is this?"

Jackie yells, "Its a wash cloth, its a wash cloth!!!"

as she's standing in a chair trying to get a look inside the box!

Hubby takes the pregnancy stick and walks into the kitchen for more light then said, I need my glasses as he squints to read the word PREGNANCY!!!!

The kids were in the living room yelling and all excited. Hubby was in shock.

Not sure why, but that is how he always acts in the first few moments!

I have told a several people the good news and a few have said,

shouldn't you wait to tell people until you are at least 3 months along???

My answer to them is

"This is the day the Lord has made rejoice and be glad in it !!"

This baby is precious from the moment of conception whether I get to hold this baby in 9mo or in heaven like Christian. This baby needs prayers and love!

I know there are no guarantees....not even after the 3mo mark!

Life is precious!

Peace and Love,

Georgiann