Yes, Im still pregnant

As much as I would LOOOOVEEEE to not be pregnant anymore, and have little Owen here with us, I am still pregnant.
Although Im *only* 40 weeks 2 days at this point I am getting very anxious and impatient. My last 2 pregnancies didnt last past 38 weeks and I only went 2 more days (than I am now) with Elisa before being induced. I am trying to trust in the Lords timing.....but am constantly reminding Him that I really am done being pregnant ;)
We walked over 2 miles today. Doesnt seem like much but when youre this pregnant and 50+ lbs heavier than normal you'd think that that much walking would do something. But, as soon as we're done walking any contractions Im having tapper off. UGH!
Please pray for me to endure the rest of this time being pregnant. God is good and I know Owen will come in His perfect timing, I just dont feel I can wait much longer! LOL

Happy Birthday Elisa....the dangers of Pit

Today we're celebrating the birth of our oldest daughter Elisa. It was 8 years ago today that she made her entrance into the world and forever changed Derek and my lives. To look back and see how God has used the birth of that little baby to transform our future is truly amazing. God is good.
As I sit and think about her birth day, other than getting to FINALLY have her here with us, I cant say I recall that great of a day. I was on day 4 (yes you read that right) of a failed induction done much too early when my body obviously wasnt ready. After being prepped with cervidil and pumped with Pitocin all day Friday we were sent home because nothing was happening. We were told to come back on Sunday afternoon July 8th (Dereks bday) and we would start the process all over again. So, the cervidil was inserted again and the pit was started...again. By Monday afternoon (yes the next day) I was showing no signs of progress so they decided to stop the pit and let me eat to regain some energy. By that night I was back on the pit. By early Tuesday morning I still was making very very little progress even with all the uping of the Pit they were doing. So, of course *rolls eyes* the logical thing was to break my water....that should get things rolling. By this time poor little Elisa had had Pitocin contractions off and on for 4 days. When they broke my water it wasnt clear (it had merconium). So, that signaled baby was in distress. The next step was a c-section.
First, let me say this. When someone found out which Dr I was using and the fact I was on Medicaid the comment was made "oh you;'re using him? he loves doing c-sections for Medicaid patients" to which I replied "uh I dont think so. I will not end up with a c/s". Little did I know.
I was so uninformed and uneducated about everything childbirth related that I didnt realize the dangers of being induced. I just trusted this Dr blindly. Ugh.
Well, once it was decided that I would have a c/s I was whisked away to the OR and given a spinal block to which I was NOT told what they were doing. It wasnt until I felt a "bee sting" in my bottom that I jumped and was told to be still, they were putting a spinal block in. Gee..thanks for telling me. I guess thats the treatment you get when you're 18 and giving birth and your husband isnt allowed back there to support you. Derek was finally allowed back there once I was strapped to the table...crying bc I had never envisioned myself getting a c/s. Elisa was eventually pulled out, which of course I couldnt see bc of the sheet hanging, to which everyone in the OR was exclaiming "omgosh look at those feet, looks at those hands, shes huge!" "No wonder she wasnt coming, her head is huge". All Im thinking is WTHeck have I given birth too!? They held her over the sheet and I fell in love with that short, fat little baby girl :) (for the record she was 9lbs 2 oz and 19 1/2 inches long)
After that quick glance she was taken away for her APGAR reading and whatever else they deemed necessary to do to her while I was taken to "recovery". I was in there for a loooong time...shaking and itching the entire time. Finally I was allowed to be taken to a room and eventually (we're talking about a total of 3 hours later) Elisa was brought to the room so we could finally meet. Along with Elisa came an entourage of other people. So, Derek and I never got the opportunity to bond as a family....just the 3 of us, right away like is said to be so important right after birth.
After all of these people being in my room for awhile my mom and I finally decided it was time to give nursing a shot and shooed everyone out of the room. She was a pro! Finally one thing went right that day! I am so blessed to have never had nursing issues with that sweet little baby. Even after our prolonged meeting.
In hindsight I see everything that went wrong and was done wrong over the course of those 4 days. Its a miracle I ever wanted to "give birth" again! But I did and I went on to have Ava and Audrey via re-peat c/s bc of course I was told it was "too dangerous" and my babies were too big to have them vaginally. What a bunch of horse poo!
After my recovery from my 3rd c/s with Audrey being so bad I knew that if we had anymore kids....things would be different. So, I started educating myself on VBACs (Vaginal births after c-sections) and VBA3C (vag birth after 3 c/s) in my case. I found out that the chance of uterin ruputure is only .05-.2%. THATS IT! I also came to the conclusion, through reading birth stories and talking with others, that its very rare that God will create a baby in a women that she cant birth herself. Makes sense, doesnt it?? God doesnt make mistakes!
So, here I am 8 years later...to the day of all that mess but ultimately recieving our first blessing, waiting on our fourth blessing to arrive. He will come into this world in a completely different way. In a way that I have planned and doing things through birth that are my wishes...not just blindly allowing a Dr to make all the calls. And, in the end if everything doesnt go exactly as planned I know that I have given it all to the Lord and whatever happens is all in my best interest.
I thought it was appropriate today to link to a post by Jenn over at Knitted in the Womb. Shes from one of my yahoo VBAC support groups and has shared so much wisdom and info about VBACing and natural childbirth, and has a great blog to help educate others on these things.

HAPPY 8th BIRTHDAY ELISA!!

3 more weeks?

Just thought I should start off clarifying that the pregnancy ticker on the right side of this blog is incorrect. I wish I only had 3 days until my EDD but in actuality I have 7. But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel at this point! The most I have left is 3 weeks from today!! So.now.we.wait.
Since I'm trying for a VBAC3C I can't be induced. It raises the (very very slight) risk of uterin rupture when you pump the artificial hormones (pitocin) in to induce labor. So, we have to let it take place completely naturally. I was getting really discouraged bc while I had mentally prepared this entire time to go to 42 weeks and have a 10 lb baby (and anything less would be great!) everyone around me keeps making the "theres no way you can make it to 40 weeks" remarks. So, I started thinking hey maybe I'll have this baby early. But, so far...no such luck. We even went walking one night last week at 7 pm when it was still 103 degrees outside. Talk about desperation. We walked a 1.25 miles in that heat! Well the girls rode their bikes, Derek and I walked. Anyways, no amount of walking, evening prime rose oil or anything else seems to be kicking me into labor.
I was kinda discouraged the other day after my Drs appt, (I mean c'mon who really wants to be scheduling their 40 week appt?!?) but as Derek and I were talking the Lord suddenly (ha) reminded me of Phillipians 4:6-7.

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I love how the Lord will remind you of the most perfect scripture at the most perfect times! Ive been listening to everyone else and letting the anxiety of when labor will happen creep in. But here the Lord reminds me not to do that. To trust in Him, pray about it and His peace will fill me. I'll take it Lord!!! So, now we wait...patiently. Remembering that we gave this pregnancy to Him in the first place. Knowing that when I got pregnant it would be in HIS perfect timing...so why would I think that this baby wont come in His perfect timing as well?! I guess if that means I'm pregnant for another 3 weeks then so be it. I guess that also means that I trust that if Owen doesnt come in the next 3 weeks and I have to end up with a repeat c-section the Lord is still in control and knows best. He knows that there are man made laws my Dr has to abide by even if he doesnt think theyre right. I think that would officially fall into the "not wanting to trust" category for me though. But, God knows how bad I want to VBA3C, so I'll just trust.....and wait.

Apparently I'm a slacker mom as well....

This is what happens when you're a slacker mom and you're busy blogging. Your 4 yr old asks if she can heat her pizza up in the microwave and you say "yeah sure" not really listening to the question. The next thing you know you smell smoke and turn to see the kitchen filled with smoke pouring out of the microwave.

Label me a slacker blogger

Well apparently its been 2 days shy of month since I last posted on here.
PATHETIC.
Yes, I know.
I guess Ive been busy. Its been quite a month. Ive entered my last month of pregnancy (woohoo!), lost one of the closest relatives in my life and have been trying to let the girls enjoy as much summer activity as possible before Owen makes his appearance.
On June 2nd my closest aunt went to be with Jesus. She had suffered over a year with the return of breast cancer and we were really relieved that she was finally healed and in the presence of the Lord. And shes getting to be with her mom and dad who both died within the past 6 years. But at the same time so sad that we were losing her here on earth. She left behind her hubby of 34 years and my 2 precious cousins, Megan and Mandy, who are 24 and 22. Much too young to lose their mom.
I'm currently 37 weeks pregnant. In the end stretch!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! I cant wait to finally get to meet little Owen!! The big girls are super excited to be getting another baby and baby brother!!!! And Audrey knows that my big tummy has a baby in it. Although, let be honest....shes in for a surprise here in the next few weeks. Poor thing. Fortunately shes fascinated with babies so thats a plus.
My Dr yesterday confirmed what I already figured to be true. Owen will be big. He said he already has a big head and is probably around 7 lbs currently. So, by 40 weeks we're looking around 9 lbs. Which is what we expected. So now Im praying he'll come before the 40 week mark so I have a greater chance of a successful VBA3C. The biggest hindrance in my case is how small my frame is and how big my babies are. So Im just trying to remind myself that the Lord doesn't make mistakes and He wouldn't create a baby in me that I can't birth the way He intended.
Since life will dramatically change in the next few weeks (with a newborn, 20 month old, *almost* 5 yr old and *almost* 8 yr old) Ive been trying to let the girls do as much as possible. I know once Owen gets here I wont be able to get out and about as much by myself with a newborn and busy 20 month old. My big girls are such HUGE helps but I still am thinking it will be difficult. I know in time I'll get the hang of it but probably not before the end of summer, lol. Just thinking realistically here!
So, here are some pics to show what we've been up to in the past month.....

Here is the crib bumper and sheet I made for Owen's crib. I just need to finish the crib skirt and it will be complete!

A few weeks ago we attended a family reunion at a local lake for Dereks side of the family. Here are the girls, in one of the cabins, with their brand new cousin Lane!!! Audrey just kept petting his little head saying baby baby.


Nothing special about this picture except the subject ;)

Some clowns from the Ringling Bros circus made an appearance at our local library to promote the reading program. The girls have to read 5 books and they'll earn free tickets to the circus!


Watching the clowns with their friends Colin (cant see him) and Ellie, next to Ava (who has the clown nose on).



Summer fun swimming at Mimi and Papa's house.


Cousins in town from Thailand. Always special when they're in town!


Cousin Jayla, so cute!


Audrey and Jayla playing in the baby pool. They look the same age but theyre 5 1/2 months apart, lol. Audrey is just still so little. And obviously bald babies run in my side of the family!!


Elisa and the girls friend Katie having fun swimming!

It doesnt get this cheap even at Wal-Mart!

I just had to blog about these great deals I got this weekend!! Carters is one of my favorite places to shop for my kiddos because they have such cute and comfy stuff but also because I always have a coupon and they run such great sales!! I got a coupon in my email last week for 25% off a purchase of at least $40. Usually the coupons they send are 20% off a purchase of $50, so the coupon they sent this week was even better than usual! Plus they were having their Memorial Day sale and everything already clearanced was an additional 30% the clearance price.
I was planning on just picking up some outfits for Audrey since shes FINALLY starting to outgrow her 6-12 month clothes. (Yes, you read that right. My 19 month old is just now outgrowing her 6-12 month clothes...but thats a whole other topic in itself.) So, she needed some summer outfits that fit. I guess I had already sold all of Ava's old 12-18 mo Summer stuff because we just *knew* we weren't going to have any more girls.....hardy har har. Anyways, so there were no hand-me-downs waiting to unload from a bin.
As I was checking out I noticed a boys diaper bag marked down to $7.99!!!! A brand new Carters diaper bag for $7.99! Even if it wasnt exactly what I wanted or envisioned for my first BOY diaper bag...for $8 I was getting it!!! Then, since it was on clearance it was an additional 30% off plus my coupon brought it down another 25% off. After all the discounts I paid $4.47 for a brand new Carters diaper bag!!! Did you read that?!?!

$4.47 for this NEW diaper bag!!
I dont think I could get that great of a deal at a garage sale or at Wal-Mart!

Then, while I'm still looking at the diaper bag Derek and the girls start going through a bin of boys shirts marked down to $3.99 with an aditional 30% off. After seeing those 2 great deals we asked her to suspend our transaction and headed to the boys clearance racks.

This is what we ended up snagging for $26.78!!

3 pairs of pants

5 shirts

3 jackets

The total cost of these pieces from the same "collection": $8.92!!!

This complete outfit total cost: $7.81

I can say I'm mighty proud and excited about these awesome deals!!! I didn't pay more than $4.47 for anything!
I think its pretty cool at how the Lord blessed us with these great deals! If you knew me even 2-3 years ago you would know how OBSESSED with kids clothes I was. Gymboree was my FAVORITE place to shop and actually pretty much the only place I shopped for the girls. I can't really say we could afford it but I would justify it because I only ever bought stuff on sale, always took advantage of Gymbucks and then re-sold the clothes when they outgrew them. There were several seasons that I made MORE money back on their used clothes than I actually spent on them. I got really good at making great looking ebay listings that would make good money. BUT...then the Lord started dealing with my heart on materialism and my literal addiction to Gymboree. So I prayed and prayed he would take away my desire for their clothes. I know that sounds silly but I literally had an awful Gymboree addiction. I would day dream about outfits and wouldn't be settled until I got to buy them for the girls. So, I finally got a job there to recieve the discount and low and behold thats what God used to break my addiction! I got so sick of their clothes and lines that I stopped shopping there almost altogether! I used to not be able to go in there without spending money and now I can walk in there and if its not say under like 10 bucks....I'm not buying it! That is a HUGE change for me! I still think the quality of their clothes far surpasses most brands. And Ava still wears the hand-me-downs from Elisa and they still look brand new. But Ive been delivered from that addiction and learned to be a better steward of the funds that the Lord has entrusted to us.
So now I can get super excited about great deals like I find at Carters and save LOTS of money!

1 Dozen Donuts for only .99 at Krispy Kreme!!!!

When I saw this I was just so excited I had to share with anyone who doesn't read the frugal blogs out there. (Since this was posted on most of them)
Tomorrow, May 23, Krispy Kreme is offering 1 dozen donuts for only .99!!!!!! The closest Krispy Kreme is 45 mins away so we wont be taking advantage of the deal :( But I know lots of my friends live close to one so I really think you should indulge!!!!
ENJOY and eat a few for me! :)