You might be a redneck if..........

you go see the Monster Trucks every year and call it family tradition.

The first year I went I was pregnant with Madisyn and I fell in love! Grave Digger was the star of the show and I couldn't wait till the next year to see them in action again. We have gone every year since and the trucks never fail to impress. I have seen all kinds of crashes and blown tire fires. Madisyn also shares my enthusiasm for the fun and has gone since she was two years old. Last year was the first time Maelynn went (in my belly of course) and it was also the first time Madisyn stayed awake the entire show. We were especially excited this year because Maximum Destruction was making his first appearance in San Diego and we were following tradition by taking the newest baby for the first time. Maelynn is too young yet to go so we decided to take Madisyn out for special Mom and Dad alone time. Madisyn jabbered out of excitement the entire 45 minute drive.

Needless to say, the show was AWESOME! Maximum Destruction blew a tire and snapped an axel in the first round and we were all sure he was out for the show. Grave Digger showed off and of course won first place (every year) which I think is rigged but it's all good. Then as people started filing out of the stadium (folks, never leave until the show is COMPLETELY over because inevitably you will miss something crazy) we heard a rumble of a truck and Max D entered the stadium and proceeded to tear apart the entire arena including his truck. Just when you thought his truck could not handle anymore on three tires he surprised us all and continued to flip his truck until it could no longer possibly run. He should have taken the prize by far. If his driving wasn't crazy enough, he jumped out of his truck and ran up the stadium slamming his helmet into whatever he could with a mad man look on his face. Then finds one very lucky little boy holding a Maximum Destruction sign and hands over his helmet.

AWESOME!!

(pictures are clickable for larger view)




Some favorite moves!



Demolition Derby time!


El Toro Loco goes crazy!


Grave Digger eats it hard!


Max D lives up to his name!

3 month belly shot.

Yeah, so you can see my dark circles and blotchy face. I know I look exhausted. Why? Because I am and I don't remember anyone telling me that pregnancy the third time around was supposed to be glamorous. As much as it pains me to see how horribly old and tired I look in my pictures, I know deep down that I'm doing my best and working my hardest with raising the kiddos. The proof is written on my face. The upside, I will have all the time in the world for Botox when the kids are gone and grown. Hell, maybe I'll even throw in a tummy tuck and breast lift. LOL.

Today's appointments

Today I had two appointments scheduled. Originally it was only one at 11am for my first trimester ultrasound screening but since I spent the majority of my Thursday in the ER, I had to follow up with my OB so they scheduled me for 9am. At my OB's office they did my Glucose tolerance test and drew two vials of blood. Then they checked the baby's heartbeat. Last night I tossed and turned and got maybe three hours total of sleep, much of it broken up. I was having trouble sleeping because of my worries about today's appointments. I was worried something would happen to the baby. Today when it took the Midwife five minutes to locate the baby's heartbeat, normally one minute, I could see Derek out of the corner of my eye bow his head. Just as I saw him do that we heard the familiar swoosh. Blood pressure 109/62, weight 119 1/2.

Then it was off to my ultrasound. This was Derek's first time seeing the baby. We were both excited but I was still nervous. The ultrasound took about 45 minutes which seemed longer with my very full bladder necessary for the testing. But so worth it as we watched the little one do somersaults and at one point rub it's hands together. And, just like his/hers big sisters, hands by the face. Another thumb sucker perhaps? The baby looks great and though the clot is still there, the specialist didn't seem to concerned with it. I am still bleeding but just taking it easy when I can. The doctors assure me that having a heartbeat and being twelve weeks now are a good sign that this pregnancy is going to stay. That is what we pray for.
After the ultrasound I had to give another five vials of blood. By that time I was feeling pretty woozy and so we quickly headed to, ashamed to say, Wendy's for a spicy chicken sandwich. Ironically I just got done telling my Midwife I try to eat healthy. What can you do?!

My appointments today took six hours total and I was exhausted! A very wonderful lady from church, Lori, was so willing to take Monkey last minute for us so that Derek could come with me to these appointments. It was such a blessing and Monkey had a wonderful time. I was anxious to cuddle her (longest time away from her) and she gave us the biggest smile when we arrived to pick her up. Then she proceeded to gnaw on my shoulder. Kisses, I'm sure. LOL. I love that little one! She is at such a fun age.

Once I got home It was time to lay down. Monkey went down for a nap and I laid the ultrasound pictures on the table for Madisyn to see when she got home from school. When I got up from my rest she gave me a kiss on the belly and said, "Squishy!"
Yes.......Derek and Madisyn have now nicknamed the new baby Squishy despite all my complaining. They wont stop and go around the house saying, "I will call you Squishy and you will be my Squishy." Oh boy it is going to be a long six weeks until we find out the gender, yes you heard right! We are finding out the gender if he/she cooperates. Once we know the gender then we will release the baby's name and nickname. I can assure you it will NOT be Squishy forever.

Body (hands by face)

Thursday's saga

On a small trip out to a deli for lunch, I went to the restroom as Derek ordered our meal and was shocked to see red. Lots of red. After making sure I didn't pass out I quickly grabbed Derek and told him we needed to go. After consulting with my Midwife it was apparent I needed to head to the hospital's Emergency Room ASAP. So I spent 8 hours in the ER listening to two men barf their brains out.

An ultrasound showed a single baby with a good heartbeat. I also noticed something strange as I strained to look at the monitor. Technically the ultrasound Tecs are not allowed to show patients the screen when they come through the ER in case the baby is without a heartbeat. But I was able to get a glimpse of something that was not quite right. A small black area next to my uterus.

My blood work came back good with levels showing the baby is well. Finally after an internal exam I was allowed to go home with the strict warning to see my OB as soon as possible.

The diagnosis: Subchorionic hemorrhage. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/404971-overview

At the moment I'm trying to take it easy. I did try to do some light housework today but my body started to show signs that I was doing to much so I abandoned the work and found someone to come in and help. My bathrooms/floors really needed a good scrub. I feel bummed that I am not able to do these things myself but keeping this baby safe is now my priority.

I'm scheduled to see my OB on Monday as well as get my first trimester ultrasound screening to see if the baby has signs of Down Syndrome or Spina Bifida. I pray the ultrasound shows a healthy baby and that the clot has dissolved some as well. We are trying to stay positive despite the statistics and all we can do is put this in God's hands and ask to be prepared for whatever outcome is in store for us.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.
God Bless.

Time for catch-up

So I put blogging on hold for the past six weeks or so. Mainly due to the morning sickness that was more....well, all day sickness. I figured it would be good to just try to relax knowing I would soon be back to my blogging obsession before we know it. Well, I'm back and happy to say feeling MUCH better! The past two days have been nice to me and I have a little more energy. I had my first prenatal appointment today and Derek, Maelynn and I were able to hear the new little one's heartbeat. Confirmation that YES, we did it again! Up until today it was just a few lines on a home test. I'm scheduled for my first ultrasound on Monday and really looking forward to seeing who is in there. This Wednesday I will be eleven weeks however I'm measuring more like fourteen weeks. There could be a few reasons behind that: My uterus didn't get all the way back pre-pregnancy size, I'm further along than expected, or there are multiples. YIKES! We are excited either way. I will be sure to post how my ultrasound appointment goes.

So, the holidays were wonderful! We really enjoyed spending time with family and those extra special moments will stay with us forever. We captured some of them to share with you. Because we did a lot of traveling for Christmas we kept things very low key for New Years. In fact the kiddos were in bed by 7:30pm and Derek and I just quickly ran outside to see a few minutes of the fireworks display and steal a little kiss for 2009. Then we crashed out for the night. We haven't been geeting much sleep lately since Maelynn started cutting her teeth. She started waking at night wanting a bottle for comfort and we made the mistake of giving in to that, so now we are up in the middle of the night trying to break that habit. She seems to be taking it well but still needs her back rubbed a few minutes before she settles for the rest of the night. The times she wakes are less and less each night so we think it is working. Unfourtunetly she has also decided it is time to stop nursing. I was warned things will change due to the pregnancy and she now lets me know she no longer likes the taste of the milk and pulls away. It was a gradual process so I'm not suffering physically, just a bit bummed emotionally. She isn't distressed about it though which does make it a little easier.

Madisyn had her first day back to school today and she came home looking happy. She said she had a good time playing with her friends again and I'm happy to get back on a schedule. Things run so much better when we keep to our schedule. Madisyn is also about to loose her second top tooth. It is hanging by a thread really (UGH so gross!) and I hope it falls out at school so the nurse can handle it. My stomach is too weak for teeth issues. Poor Derek, will have to deal with three mouths losing teeth. I'll be happy to deliver the toothfairy's treats though.

Well, that is about it for now. Stay tuned for the ultrasound appointment. Maybe I will get a few pictures I can share with you. We hope this new year brings everyone peace and joy. HAPPY 2009!

Candy Cane Lane: A little walk-through a local neighborhood known for their beautiful display of Christmas lights.


Christmas morning.



Maelynn's first taste of a candy cane. She wasn't quite sure what to make of it.


Cooking with O'mere: Bug had a go at making her first quiche with Mum. Let me be the first to say....IT WAS DELICIOUS!


Monkey has a cuddle with Uncle Adam.


YouTube fun with Auntie Hannah: Madisyn and Hannah surprised us all on Boxing day with an hilarous video they made. They had us rolling and I'm so proud of how talented and creative Hannah is. I hope you enjoy this as much as we did.


Getting around: Little Monkey is now cruising and at times will even stand alone for a few seconds. We give it another two months and she will be off!