Dizzy!

You can be sure that God will take care of everything that you need. PHILIPPIANS 4:19

I have been putting off posting a new blog because I really just don't know where to start. The past month has been insane! My head is still spinning with everything that has happened.

To start: I took Maelynn in for her physical four weeks ago . I pondered even taking her because I was just so tired that day and I was still in the process of researching more about the MMR vaccine which she was due to get. Still, I just pushed myself to go to the appointment and the entire time I had a little voice screaming at me to leave. I ignored that and my instinct. The Doctor gave me a wonderfully prepared speal on the pros of the MMR after I asked if he could separate the vaccines and get them Thimerosal-free (mercury-free). He said he could not. I held my baby as she got poked and then was told to give her Tylenol. I went home feeling terrible. Three days later Maelynn broke out into a horrendous rash covering her entire body. She was extremely irritable, cried constantly and just wanted to be held. She has always been a wonderful sleeper but she started waking a few times in the night in a panick screaming. She didn't even want to eat. I took her back to the Doctor and told him I know it was a reaction to the MMR. After arguing with him, he finally agreed it was probably the measles portion of the MMR but she would be fine. Then he proceeded to fill out some lengthy paperwork which I presume was to report a vaccine reaction to the CDC. To this day we are still battling her reaction. I took her to my Chiropractor who was able to adjust her a few times and it has helped immensely with getting her immune system back in order. She is also on quite a few different vitamins and supplements to flush her system out. It was awful to watch our normally very happy baby turn into a clingy, constantly crying, unhappy little girl all day long for three weeks. After speaking with a few friends of mine I found out through one that her son had the same reaction and it turned out to be a form of measles he contracted. I also found out the Doctor should have warned me not to let her in the sunlight because having a measles outbreak and being in direct sunlight (which she was) can cause blindness! You see, Doctors assume all vaccines are 100% effective when the reality is they are actually giving children unnatural forms of the disease that the doctors don't recognize, or treat as something else.

We are continuously praying this does not have any lasting effects on her. We are still having some trouble with her sleeping patterns and she still has some rashy spots but she is back to eating us out of house and home and she is much happier. She barely has any meltdowns and is content playing on her own again.

Madisyn is in her second week of camp. The first week was okay. Unfortunately the camp members forgot to apply sunscreen to the kids and poor little fair Madisyn got a pretty awful sunburn. I was not a very happy Mommy and she of course wasn't feeling all that great. They did apologize which I wish I could say helped a little but it didn't. I'm very protective with the kids when it comes to the sun, especially with them being so fair skinned. But, Madisyn healed well and found it extremely funny to gross me out with her peeling skin. YACK!

Derek is being blessed with lots of work. I can tell he is so grateful for having work but I see the stress in his eyes. I'm trying my best to help out but the last two weeks I can barely muster up the strength to shower. So Derek has had to pick up after my slack lately. Derek and I finally decided we needed to find some extra help. We hired our friends oldest daughter Adrianna to come over three times a week to help bathe, feed and put the kids to bed. That way Derek has time to go to the gym for a little downtime and come home and make dinner. Yes, Derek is the chef in our house. I burn jello. Hiring Adrianna has worked out very well and especially today since I crashed out at 3pm and there was no getting me out of bed. My body is desperately trying to give up and I'm fighting it just to keep the house together and chores done. My Mom's group at church has started bringing us meals and will for a few weeks. This has all been such a blessing and I can't even express how thankful we are for eveyone's help.

Two weeks ago the family was driving around with Derek while he ran some work errands. We wanted to spend some time with him so we figured since he was driving all over San Diego we would hang out with him and just enjoy the nice day. We happened to be in Encinitas near the office of Dr. Biter. He is the wonderful angel that delivered Maelynn. He had not seen Maelynn since she was 6 weeks old so Derek and I agreed it would be cool for the family to drop by and surprise him. Unfortunately he was at the hospital delivering a baby. I was in the process of leaving him a note when I starting talking about Maelynn's birth and how bummed I was that Dr. Biter couldn't deliver this baby because he doesn't take our current insurance. The receptionist was like, "Wait! You are a pre-existing patient right? We take your insurance for pre-existing!" I instantly started bawling my eyes out. I was so overwhelmed and was able to set up an appointment right away. So at 37 weeks I transferred to Dr. Biter. Just like I did with Maelynn at 37 weeks. To top it off I was put in the same room we first met and the first time there was police action going on outside the window. This time.....there was police action going on outside the window. It was hilarious how ironic it all was. I'm so very excited that Dr. Biter will be with us again and that we will be delivering at Scripps Encinitas. We really love that hospital and the nurses are fabulous! Maybe we will be even more lucky and have Nurse Jillian again.

Madilynn is doing well. She is head down and in perfect position. She is also big. I was kinda hoping for a smaller baby this time so I know I could deliver her well but it looks like we have another 8+ pounder. I'm mostly belly this time and I have only gained 37 pounds. That's a huge difference from Madisyn's pregnancy at 60 pounds and close to Maelynn's at 40 pounds. I don't have much of an appetite this pregnancy. Unless you count Starburst and ice a food group.
I have been seeing the Chiropractor three times a week which has been a God send. My pelvis is trying to separate a lot and it is extraordinarily painful to walk and well just move in general. So Dr. Marggie has been working very hard to stabilize my pelvis and bring me some relief from the back pain. I'm a bit anemic as well so I'm taking some extra supplements. There really isn't much else to report on the pregnancy. Madilynn is just way too comfy and doesn't seem to want to join us yet. It feels like I'm going to be pregnant forever. This pregnancy has gone by super fast but it has also been the hardest by far. I've been told it's because the last two are so close together and I totally believe that.

Well, I better log off. Madisyn is laughing hysterically trying to yank out her loose tooth at this very moment and I think I need to hide in the closet before I up-chuck my dinner. I hope this find everyone well.

Lots of love from Amy, Derek, Madisyn, Maelynn & Madilynn

Milestones

Last Wednesday was full of milestones. Both girls blessed us with a special day.

Madisyn received an Award of Excellence and a No Tardies award at the last assembly of the year. She was so proud to have her name called and to be able to stand next to the Principle. I couldn't stop smiling and even Maelynn was blowing her sissy kisses and clapping along with the audience. Derek and I are so very proud of her.



Maelynn took her first nap ever in her new toddler bed. I have been a bit nervous about beginning this new routine because she is still so young, but with the new baby coming, both Derek and I think it is best to get her used to napping in her big girl bed before the baby arrives. That means we have about 5 weeks to instill this new routine. Then once Madilynn arrives we will have about 14 weeks to get Maelynn used to sleeping in her toddler bed through the whole night so that Madilynn can take the crib. This whole week she has gone down for a nap in her big girl bed and she has done fabulous! It does take her a few more minutes to get relaxed but so far so good. I really want to take some pictures to share with everyone how cozy she looks but I'm afraid to wake my little light sleeper. She is like her Mommy and wakes really easy. I think in a few weeks when she is used to her bed I can sneak in a few pictures without disturbing her. Anyhow, she looks so peaceful and so tiny laying there, thumb in the mouth and snuggling her favorite baby that my Aunt Pam and Uncle Jim got for her. Such a beautiful sight.

I was finally able to put together the hospital bag and Derek and I have the infant seat installed in the van. We are all ready to go! I'm 35 weeks this Wednesday. Madisyn has decided she does want to be there again for her littlest sister's birth and we are really happy that she is excited about it. It was so wonderful to have her there when Maelynn was born. She was so helpful and to feel her little hand on my leg or arm was comforting during those intense contractions. We have been extremely blessed to have labor support this time also. Terry is a very qualified Nurse and Doula. She has graciously taken us on and will be able to provide labor support at home as well as in the hospital. As crazy as it must seem, yes I do intend to go drug-free. Even though Maelynn's labor is still so fresh, I'm determined to go all natural. I have one more try at it so we shall see what happens.

This whole week Madisyn has Summer Camp. She will be busy all day with activities, swimming, crafts and free play. She was starting to show some "Summer Blues" signs so this will be good for her to meet new friends and have fun fun fun! We officially have our first day of home school on August 17th. I will keep everyone posted on how it goes.

I hope this finds everyone well and in good spirits. We are sending our love your way.

God bless

A new direction

You know those times in life where everything seems to fit in place? Where things seem to go so well it's almost mundane? There are those who like the mundane, routine, and predictability life can offer. They find comfort in it. Then there are those who get agitated or uncomfortable when things are going too well for too long. They are constantly on guard for something bad to happen and they often live in constant chaos in which they feel secure. I for one have always been quite content to have predictability in my life. I've never been one for change, it frankly irritates me and leaves me uneasy. I'm absolutely fine when things are going really well and......for a really long time.

Since having our wonderful children I have learned to lighten up a bit, and even more so in the past 8 months, I have learned that life is full of unpredictable and life changing surprises. Before children I would have hidden out in my room curled up in a ball feeling like the world was going to end when change came my way. After children: I now hold my breath for a few seconds, say "Please Lord give me strength." and buckle up for the new ride. Some rides have been so scary I can't wait to get off and some have been quite fun. Regardless, each new adventure has made me stronger and less scared that I'm not in control. Being closer to God has also made this possible and I am completely content to let Him direct me to where He wants me to be, even if it is not necessarily where I want to be.

I especially know this has been the the case since our recent decision to home-school Madisyn. I went from having a "not possible, don't have the patience, not strong enough" attitude to embracing the idea after much prayer. Though I am a little nervous about the new changes this will bring, I am excited at what God has in store for us and I pray he works miracles through me to have the energy, patience and knowledge to be able to teach Madisyn, Maelynn and Madilynn God's love and all the wonderful things they need/want to learn.

The Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever. PSALM 37:28

8 months pregnant with Madilynn Marie

While Derek and Madisyn were having some good bonding time traveling to Colorado, I booked an appointment to get some maternity shots done with Maelynn in case I go into labor early. Maelynn hammed it up as usual when the camera came out but most of all she enjoyed poking my protruding belly-button (or baby-timer is what I like to call it). I just hope she doesn't find it as humorous to poke Madilynn when she is born.

I hope to get another set of pictures done with the whole family a bit closer to the due date so stay tuned.

XOXO

"God, Who comforts and encourages and refreshes and cheers the depressed and the sinking, comforted and encouraged and refreshed and cheered us." 2 CORINTHIANS 7:6

Father God,

There is so much in my life today that makes me want to give up. I have no energy to do even the basic things such as getting dressed or taking a shower. Nothing seems right. Food no longer appeals to me. My family and friends want to help me, but the thought of being with anyone is so exhausting.

I just want to be left alone. Why must I feel this way? How could I wake up one day with such despair in my heart? It's not that I haven't struggled to shake off this gloomy cloud. I truly have, but nothing has helped. And then I remember how You died on that cross for me and how alone and abandoned You must have felt.

Thank You for showering me with Your life-giving comfort and the reassurance of knowing that You truly understand my suffering. Lord, I turn to You now in hope and faith because even if everyone else in my life gives up on me, I know You'll hold tight to me with a love that won't let go. Thank You for always being my Anchor.

Amen

"When you come to the bottom, you find God." Neville Talbot