Heeeellllloooooooo....

[skeettafic]

Just wondering how everyone is doing?

[moogie]

Goood, now that i got rid of those hideous spammers.   such pollution.  I was about to post an update for myself.

I just finished my quarterly accounting and it was sooo horrible.  I'm about to do another massive reshuffle of the lounge room again.

On the kids front, things are improving with C.  She is still with her grandparents but as she is developing well in terms of mental development we can see that she will get back here eventually.  I no longer stress about it.

C is talking up a storm and has to know great details of how life works.  She is still fascinated by dinosaurs and knows many of their names.  She also loves Bindi Irwin, who is a great rolemodel for her which is fine by me.  Can't believe she'll be 3 in a couple of months.  C has had virus after virus, pretty nasty things but its has been a bad winter in Oz for getting sick.

Asha is crazy, still very patient.  She was a major boobaholic but she has started to cuddle to sleep at night.  This is a HUGE thing since she was still waking 5 times a night to feed and is now down to 2.  I'm still trying to night wean but i'm not pushing it with her.  She is super fast at running.  She is only saying a few things.  Like Car, Cat , Kang(Kangaroo, learnt that one 2 days ago when we saw them at uni), Ball, shou(shower),dad(of course), mum,  she understands everything really well though even if she doesn't say things. 

So we got our new car, and i've had one lesson so far.  hmmmm, i may be doing singing lessons soon, eek  

Would love to hear how everyone is.

[kokonutmama]

I'm OK... Half happy mama, half stressed out business lady.  K is an effing riot. 

[jnezmama02]

We're all doing pretty good, but really busy. I've got the girls in activities Tue-Fri (and might be adding a Sat), so I'm not home much anymore.  I've basically built up a preschool curriculum using classes offered to their age group in the community. They go to story time at the library every week, several classes thru our parks & rec dept. (color/crafts class, a time/seasons/numbers class, and an alphabet class), and a music class thru the kindermusik program.  Also, we go to the children's museum once a week and we visit the school that Jessie is supposed to go to next year (they have a story time and play time twice a month), which is getting her comfortable w/ the school environment.  I may put them in a dance class that starts in a few weeks...but haven't decided yet.  We were doing a free spanish class offered at the library, but the girls didn't seem as interested in that b/c it was immersion and they don't know more than the colors, numbers, and a few greetings.  Unfortunately, I don't know more than that either. 

Ok, here's our updates:

Jessie is doing better with her social skills. We decided that what she needed was a lot more exposure to other people. So, she's the main reason why we have so many activities going (plus she gets bored at home).  She's able to talk to the teachers and other kids and let the teachers help her w/ projects. In the past, when we had to do activities like this, I've had to sit right by her and be the one to help.  Now, we just walk in the room, she and Emily go one way and I'm able to go sit across the room w/ the baby.  This is a BIG improvement. She still freaks out if I have to leave the room to change Zach's diaper and she's not w/ me (learned that last week). So, that's our next big hump to get over. Luckily, Emily is w/ her for everything and that helps her feel "safe" and less scared.  In the mean time, she's learning a lot in all of her classes...which is all good prep for Kindergarten.  Oh, the other big thing w/ her is that she is starting to be VERY girly.  No more jeans and t-shirts for her. She HAS to wear skirts, dresses, or girly looking pants (aka: pink) and she HAS to have her nails painted. It's very cute, but kind of a headache at the same time, especially when I'm not that girly.  I had her some cute dark tan/olive cargo pants paired w/ a white t-shirt w/ the disney princesses on it...she refused to wear it b/c it didn't look "girly".  UGGH!! She ended up wearing light pink pants and a dark pink shirt w/ the princesses on it that day. Oy!

Emily is doing great.  She is pretty much fully potty-trained, even at night. So, we've stopped putting pull-ups on her at night.  She has had a few big accidents, like last week we were at the children's museum and she wet all over b/c she didn't make it to the potty in time. But, I guess we can expect a few of these type of accidents to happen every once in a while.  99% of the time, she makes it to the potty in time. She's doing great in the classes, learning some. Obviously, she's not going to get as much out of them as Jessie does...but I'm ok w/ that. She likes learning and being a "big kid" like Jessie.  She's starting to get a stubborn streak in her lately.  Getting her to get dressed is a pain b/c she'll just refuse to do it sometimes. But, I know this is just a phase. Oh, up until now she's been co-sleeping w/ me...kind of rolling between my bed and Jessie's. Well, her new "big girl bed" is arriving tomorrow.  We're going to take out the crib...since the baby never uses it (he sleeps on the other side of me). So, right now, we have wall-to-wall bed...crib, king size, Jessie's bed.  After tomorrow, we'll have king size, Emily's bed, Jessie's bed, lol.  Once Emily is super comfortable sleeping in her own bed, we'll work on getting the girls moved to their own room, but we're not in a super big rush...since this is working for now.

Zachary is getting big.  He'll be 6mos on Friday. He's still nursing every 2-3hrs, but also loves baby food. I started him earlier than I had planned on baby food b/c he was just so interested in it and was showing all the readiness signs.  He's rolling all over the place.  He doesn't sit up for very long by himself, but he does like for us to hold his hands while he stands.  He also is the only one of my kids who didn't love the Ergo carrier.  I had him in a pouch sling for the first 2mos and then he didn't like that anymore. So, I just held him a lot from 2-4.5mos. At 4.5mos, I tried to use the Ergo w/ him and he didn't like it. I've tried a few more times here and there and he just doesn't like it. OTOH, he LOVES the stroller. I can't believe I have one of "those" babies, lol.  I've just started getting him used to sitting in the cart seat while shopping. He likes that for about half our shopping trip and then I just hold him the other half. When we're out, people always comment on how attentive to everything he is for his age. He's happiest when he can watch people being busy. We took all the kids to the zoo on Monday and Zach was SO interested in everything, that DH took him out of the stroller and carried him around all day showing him all the animals.  It was very cute and some great daddy-baby bonding time.  Let's see, other than, he's just teething a lot, but no teeth actually have come out yet. Luckily, he's usually not too fussy of a baby....some weeks are better than others, though, lol.

I am keeping busy w/ all these activities for the kids. I still have about 20lbs of baby weight to lose and 10lbs after that to get to my "ideal" weight.  Unfortunately, I can't seem to lose it. Every time I try to diet, I start losing my milk and also get very dizzy. So, I just eat a normal amount of calories and just know I won't be able to diet until the baby is around 1yr old, which is when I was able to diet to lose after Jessie and Emily were born.  DH and I really want to get a second car now that we have all these activities for the kids. It's really hard on everyone to only have one car, but we just can't seem to figure out how to get enough money in our budget to afford it. Sigh!

Well, that's about all from here. Sorry this was so long.

[moogie]

Wow Hope, you sure do a lot with the kids.  Sounds like they really enjoy it.

[jnezmama02]

Yea, it's a bit insane, actually. We usually have something in the morning and something in the afternoon Tue-Fri.  In the past I was really worried about "over-scheduling" the kids. But, this year, I decided to bite the bullet and really get them out there to help Jessie and it's working!! 

[Karen + Greta]

Hope, that is great news about Jessie!  Im so happy to hear she's getting better.

Well, right at this very moment Greta is great.....I was washing off her nuks and purposely clinked them together, and G heard the sound and came running in, saying she wanted to take them up to her bed.    How am I going to break the habit when it makes her SLEEP?

Personally, I was having a hard day yesterday.  It was my due date for the baby I lost, and I wasnt expecting it to upset me.  It wasnt till later that I realized maybe it was getting to me.  We are going down to Jefferson to get a second opinion on the twins (at my Peri's request, I just think he wants some of his other colleauges to see the cool case he has!) and it was stressing me out doing the scheduling.  DH has been acting like he doesnt think it's a good idea for me to go for inpatient monitoring, but he really hasnt let himself accept how necessary that will be.  He has lots of time to figure it out on his own.

So, as I was thinking about the baby that didnt make it, I was feeling like I am now in this scary situation with the twins, and feeling a little bitter about the whole chain of events.....DH wouldnt talk about a second baby, I tricked him into getting me pg again because of that....I lost that baby, and then when we decide to try on purpose, I end up with this crazy high risk situation.  I was just feeling a little "Why cant I just get a normal pregnancy?"   But honestly, getting TWO more babies will be so worth it. Im just scared!!

[moogie]

Karen,    It may be a high risk pregnancy but i'm sure it will all be worth it in the end.  Pregnancy in general is a risky thing whether you're determined high risk or not.  we just pretend it isn't i guess.  It'll all be ok.

[Lily84]

We are doing really well here in Arizona, we have made loads of new friends and Shane is getting better and better at socializing every day. We are in classes at The Little gym which is the cutest thing ever, once a week we go. They teach basic gymnastics and all kinds of fun stuff, Shane loves it. Other than that we are in 4 different moms groups so we usually have some event or playdate almost everyday. It keeps us really busy and Shane is getting to know that other people are okay too, not just Mom and Dad, which has been nice. He isn't saying too many words but he understands everything. The other kids are great and I feel very lucky to have found a group of such sweet woman and well mannored children.

I have recovered very well from my miscarriage of the twins and the d&c. Mentally, I am doing great, I think. I am at peace and feel very optimistic for our future. We are planning on starting ttc in about one month and I'm so excited I can barely wait. Physically, I am doing much better, have put on close to 20 pounds (healthy not junky) and feel so much healthier than i have since before i was pregnant with shane and i am so ready for a new baby (or 2!!)

my marriage has been a little rocky, and it has been a big stress. my dh can't differentiate between work stress and home stress and everything gets intensified when he's stressed and it gets taken out on me. my hormones have been out of whack since the end of teh pregnancy which isnt helping! finances have been horrid although we are improving finally after his raise so thats good i guess. we live 20 miles from his job and our one and only car engine blew up and there is no public transportation available near here. we had to blow an entire paycheck to buy a motorcycle for  him to get to and from work. then of course that broke down after a few days. he has it running again at least but it needs a lot of work. i bought a car from my dad but he has to ship it to me and it will take a few weeks to get here. timing on joining my moms groups worked out so well because i can carpool everywhere and my new friends will help me to run errands and grocery shop etc. until we get the new car. we are making it though. it has been tough but in the end we will be stronger, closer, and better off for it... its depressing and hard to be optimistic that things will improve when we've been doing this and being more than broke for 3 years straight. i feel like its a bad of really bad luck. i just hope it ends soon. everytime we say things are starting to get better something happens. today i relaized our washing machine is leaking water ( a lot of water) into shane's closet, so that should be fun to try and fix. but if that is the worst of our problems i will be more than happy to deal with a leak. when it rains it pours. the one thing i find hope in is that, no matter how bad we fight, no matter how little money we have, no matter if we have a car or not, and losing the babies we wanted so badly,  if we can make it through the past 3 yrs of this garbage, we can make it through anything and  that is what matters most to me.

[jnezmama02]

  to Karen and Liz. It sounds like you've both had some rough times.

Karen, the "due date" was a really tough date for me after my m/c. But, actually, I found the anniversary of the m/c to be even harder. So, don't be surprised if that comes up on you too (or, maybe that's just me and my weirdness).  I'm sure everything will be fine w/ you and your babies, but I know how worrisome everything can be w/ a pg and a twin pg is even more so.

Jessica, how are you doing? how about any update from you...

[kokonutmama]

Yes, Jessica, I was wondering, too!

[skeettafic]

Well, thanks for asking, guys!

Things have just been so busy.  By the time I get done working, get Jocelyn home, dinner, etc its time to get her ready for bed and get stuff together for the next day.  I get online to read stuff but thats about it. 

I was doing really well with eating and working out but the last couple of weeks that's fallen by the wayside.  I'm really making an effort to get back on track this week. 

DH and I have done a major financial overhaul and are seriously working on getting rid of our debt.  We used to be so conscientous but once we moved and both had good incomes we started becoming a little too free with our spending; we've just been spendign excessively and we're working on getting that back under control - lots less eating out and no more random shopping.  If we stick to our plan we could be really ahead of all this by next summer. 

Jocelyn is doing great.  She continues to amaze me with the things she says and how she interacts with others.  I really have to remind myself sometimes that she is still only 2.  She's also turned in to a girly girl who wants to wear dresses all the time, loves pink "Mommy, its my favorite!!!", and has an obsession for My Little Pony.  Potty training is going nowhere so I've vowed not to even mention it for at least a month.  She knows all her letters and the sounds.  The other morning she woke me up by bringing in her My Little Pony cards and asking me if we could talk about all the letters on the cards.  Why not?  What else would I want to do at 6:30 in the morning? 

She's also huge!  Wearing a 4T, size 10 shoes - 39" tall and 36lbs.  I'm debating on whether or not to cut her hair.  I really don't want to but her hair is always in her face and she rarely lets us pull it back.  I really really really don't want to do it though!

Ummmm, and we're TTC #2!  Yea!     We actually started last month and at one point I really thought I was pg but it was a no go.  I actually think that implantation started and then didn't stick for some reason.  Hopefully it won't take too long.  DH is still apprehensive but is much more relaxed now.  I actually think that if it takes a couple of minths and he sees some success in our financial matters he'll feel even more ready.

Well, I guess that's all for us.  I know we aren't all here often anymore but I think about you guys a lot!   

Jessica

[ShannonandDel]

I have started to post a few times but my computer keeps freezing when I try to add a belly pic so you guys will have to just use your imagination. Just picture a haggard brunette with a huge stomach
Besides really wanting to have this baby things have been going pretty well. Scott finally got a job. Nothing he likes but it pays decent and has a chance of making more money so it will have to do for now. The plan is for him to finish his masters and go back to teaching. Our bag business is doing pretty well and we are getting more comfortable with it thanks to Adrienne’s tutelage (thanks Adrienne!)
Delaney is doing great. She loves having four grown-ups at her beck and call. I have to admit it makes me nervous to think that we are going to be moving to the middle of nowhere after I have this baby and will be the only adult around. Yikes! Not that I don’t think I can do it. Just that it will be such a big change for her!
We have her in a movement and music class once a week and she has been going to Sunday School which she loves.  We are looking into Suzuki violin lessens too. They start them at three. I think she would really enjoy it.
Hopefully I can tell you guys that our family has grown by one soon. It is good to see how everyone is doing!

[jnezmama02]

Jessica, sounds like things are going well and that's awesome your ttc now!

Shannon, I can't believe you're already that far along.  Time sure flies.  Anyone want to make bets on a Halloween baby?

[moogie]

Shannon i'm guessing Nov 1 or 2.   

Liz, sounds lke you've had a really hard time.  miscarrying is tough.  It was most tough for me right after it happened though.  My dh and i have had our tough times, but when you get through it you're both a lot stronger.  not that you need stresses to be strong together though.  I hate it when people think my relationship with dh is flawed somehow because we don't have enough passion to fight.  anyone get those comments?  dumb, anyway.  Well Karen is pregnant to identicals maybe you could get some pointers from her about concieving them. lol. 

We're hoping to get Charlie home soon.  I am so seriously sick of people not getting the situation and jumping to conclusions.  No, MIL is not 'keeping' her against our wishes.  Yes, We do care about her and haven't just palmed her off.  No she wont get screwed up because she is living with her grandparents, we're doing this so that she doesn't get screwed up.  MIL wants her back here, We want her back here, Charlie is not ready to be back here.  People just don't get it an i'm sick of people thinking we don't want her.  We want her badly but its important to put Charlie first.  ok vent over.

Jessica, how cool you're TTC.  Keep us updated.  Jocelyn sure is big.  Charlie is about 36 inches. and 33 pound, and i consider her big too.