Christmas 2010

It started off with the kids up at 1:30am noticing Santa had already come. Then very little sleep from then to 4am. Jesse and I woke up at 7:30 to every gift under the tree rearranged. Shortly after we finished gifts my Mom called and I told her that every time she called my stomach jumped into my throat. My Dad went down hill on the 17th. So I let her go because the kids were being so loud and then I heard my cell phone ringing. It was Mom again and then she asked to talk to Jesse. She's thinking about getting a computer so I didn't think anything of it. I asked him what she wanted and he said something like "it was about something for you" and I cleaned up a little and went on facebook. That's when I saw a post from my brother that our Dad died that morning. My Mom told Jesse to use discretion telling me and he was going to wait until the kids were upstairs. So that was our Christmas. I'm glad I book our Disney trip over next Christmas. I told Jesse on the 21st it had to be booked and that we HAVE to give the kids a better Christmas next year. I knew he was going to go on Christmas, I just knew.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve

Where did 2010 go?? All the gifts are wrapped, Santa's cookies are made, and you can feel the excitement in the air. One of my Christmas gifts was the ability to book our 2011 Disney vacation. The orginal idea was leave on the 23rd of December, but once it came time to book, those dates were no longer available. So we'll be leaving the day before my and Ayden's birthday on December 17th and returning on December 27th. Birthday and Christmas in Disney is completely awesome for ME! lol We are booked at Fort Wilderness and now we need is our travel trailer. We'll be making that purchase after we pay off my ring, current camper, and couch. Then we'll be debt-free again (not including house and cars). Jesse's profit sharing check come in January and after our tax returns will be making the purchase, maybe earlier if Jesse can get a good deal. What sucks, right now they are offering 2500.00 off the model we want, but we can't do it right now.

This is a larger travel trailer that we were looking at when we owned the Pilot. Since it couldn't tow the smaller model we had to buy a new tow vehicle. Now with the Suburban, we can tow this monster!

December 18th was mine and Ayden's birthday. Ayden had his party on the 11th, so Jesse and I tried to go out to dinner. Tried because Carabba's had a 50 minute wait, so we decided to try another place. Once on our way I started feeling sick to my stomach and wasn't hungry any more. So we went to Costco which had closed shortly before we got there, I called my girlfriend to see where Sandy was doing henna. So we went to the coffee shop and I got henna on my hand. I took some Excedrine and had a latte and started feeling better. By the time we were done chatting with Sandy and Courtenay it was 9:30, we headed towards home and picked up some taco's and ate them at home. It was fun though.

On the 17th my Mom called me to let me know they were giving Dad a few days to live and his health is going down hill fast. He was having seizures and/or a stroke on the 11th which further impaired his left side and is now bed ridden. He was seeing people in his room that weren't there and isn't eating. He was taking to a hospice home this afternoon and we don't expect him to recover. Another reason why booking Disney for next Christmas was important, after this Christmas, I want the kids to have a fun Christmas. I haven't told Ayden how bad Grandpa is yet, I think he'll take it really hard. The girls know it's really bad.

So that's about it for now. Jesse's Mom is already giving me attitude about being in Disney for our birthday and Christmas next year. I told her after the rollercoaster of this Christmas, we'll need to get away.

If I don't post again until after Christmas, Merry Christmas!!!

Sorry for typo's, I'm tired.

Riley is 1!

On the 8th Riley turned 1. His party is tomorrow, the 11th. He and Ayden are having a birthday party together. I figured it was just easier this year. Although I'm not sure if I'll be able to have the party. Dylan is sick, Ashlyn stayed home yesterday from school because of a sore throat and fever. Last night Riley woke up with a fever and slept with us for a little while. So I'll see what today's like and make the call this evening.

Well, December is here.

Saturday, December 4th, Jen and I went out to dinner and to Great Lakes Crossing just as we did a year ago on my due date. We had a lot of fun since we really having gone out since then.

Wednesday is Riley's 1st birthday - I can not believe it. It went by way too fast. He's finally starting to make vocal noises and we're working on signing milk and more. I'm happy to say he's intact, breastfed, and hasn't been vaccinated. Jesse isn't happy about the last one, but I just don't see the point. Ayden, Ashlyn, and Dylan have all had reaction to vaccines, though with Ayden, I just thought it was normal. He's almost 1 and he's never been a patient at a hospital or poked, other than lanced for his newborn screening.

On the 1st, Dylan and Kailey crashed into each other in the living room. Dylan went flying head first into the corner of the wall resulting in a gash requiring 2 staples. They will be coming out tonight.

I started Christmas shopping the weekend before Thanksgiving and finished shopping on Saturday. Next year, we just going to Disney on Christmas day after we open whatever Santa brings. It will be a surprise to the kids, so I'll have to pack everything up and load the camper probably before the kids are out of school for break. I'm very excited for NEXT Christmas! LOL

Crappy Mood

I didn't sleep well last night, keeping having dreams about ghosts and weird vibes. Today the kids have not been behaving. I'm trying to get ready for hibernation - aka WINTER! Yesterday Jesse and I decided to finish the laundry room (the 3/4 of it that can be finished) to make into a 6th bedroom. Ashlyn says it will be here room since Ayden and Kailey turned it down. So I'm going through everything in here and purging to Salvation Army or trash. We have so much junk!

Dylan's Birthday Party

Did you know?

OB's consider blood loss of 500cc to be a hemorrhage? Did you know that when you give blood, the American Red Cross take 500cc's of blood? Interesting . . .

Hockey at The Joe! Home of the Detroit Red Wings!!

October 21st Ayden played a hockey game at Joe Louis Arena against another team in the area. It was the coolest thing EVER! Later that night we went to the Wings game and watch them STOMP Calgery!

Pictures from the AAMI Skillslab

I'm so behind!

So Jesse and I found a Suburban for 32000.00 with 31000.00 miles on it and we bought it. It's an LTZ, leather, and all the bells and whistles including REMOTE START!! I love it and we had them throw in 4 headrest DVD players and the kids are so quiet in the car now! lol Now we just need to save some money up for the travel trailer. Hopefully we'll be able to get the new one next fall or next spring...I'm hoping for sooner though!

My Riley

He's 11 months old and 1 day. Why does the time have to fly by? Just makes me nuts! Last week I ordered his 1st birthday shirt, I can't wait for it to get here!! I'm getting ready to order his birthday party invitions and figure all that stuff out. This year has flown by!

My AMAZING Weekend!

Wednesday night I left for Walkerville, MI for the AAMI Midwifery Skills Lab. There was a wonderful group of ladies in attendence and I learned so much!

Things I've learned or tried again:

Palpation

Fetal Heart Tones

Vaginal Exam

Urine Catheterization (on a model)

Blood pressure

Blood draw

IV (on a dummy hand)

Gave a shot

Sutured a turkey drum - need MORE work!

Shown how to do a PAP

Gauge blood loss - DEFINITELY need more work!

I'm sure I'm missing some things. AND for once I wasn't the freak with 5 kids! There were people there with 18 brothers and sisters, 8 or 9? kids and 12 kids and another one with 10 or 11 brothers and sisters! I felt at home!! I'll post some pictures when I get a minutes. Dylan was searching through the cabinet for something.

Welcome to the world Sabrina Rose!

Erica, Alden, and Liam welcomed Sabrina into the world on October 6, 2010. She is adorable!! Congratulations!!

Fly by posting...

Riley cut tooth number 7 on Thursday September 30 and number 8 on Saturday October 2!! I can't believe how he's growing and changing.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Dylan!

Wow, 3 years already. Where has the time gone? Last night we took him and the kids to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate. He had so much fun and loved blowing out his candles on his cake.

Didn't get the scholarship

But that's okay. I was a little worried about working the MMA booth. I'd still like to go, but not sure if we can afford it. And due to money, I decided not to take any fall classes.

Cleveland 2011 3 Day for the Cure

Yes, I just signed up for Cleveland next year. I can't wait to do it all over again!!! If anyone would like to join me, Team Page click on Register, Join Team, and follow prompts.

In other breaking news . . .

Jesse and I started travel trailer shopping 2 weeks ago. We found one we really like, but our Pilot won't really be able to tow it. So now we're looking at getting a new tow vehicle, an Explorer or Expedition. Those can tow A LOT, so now we're looking at the larger models that are similar to the one we like. My lease is up in November and our buyout is 16127.90 which is LESS than the trade in value!! yahoo!!! This gives us so many more options, we could buy it out then trade it in, or the Ford dealership said they could trade it in and give us the Honda to Ford promotion/rebates, or they could do an inventory purchase. My aunt may be able to get us A plan and also knows a good dealer/salesman. So we're pretty excited. The camper purchase probably won't be until just before our almost planned April Disney vacation.

The 3 Day - Day 3

I slept MUCH better Saturday night. I woke up to lots of movement around 4:30. I headed to the porta potty and the moon was beautiful! It's was a sliver of a crescent and you could see a thin portion of the other side of the moon, it was beautiful! I got back to my tent and started packing up. We had to have our luggage to the trucks and tent packed up and on the bus at 7:45. When finished I went to see the medic because my ankle that I sprained months ago was sore and my arch hurt pretty bad. The medic wrapped it up and I headed to breakfast then the bus. We were bused to a school closer to the city since we were pretty far north of Chicago.
About a mile in I felt like I was getting a blister from the tape she used on my arch. So I stopped and took it off and it was red, so I put some blister stuff on it and unwrapped my ankle which felt really tight. Someone else told me that a bunch of people were taking their tape off at the school we were dropped at. Once it was off, it felt much better!
At the last pit stop before lunch it started raining, so I decided to take the bus to lunch and skip 2 miles because I really wanted to walk the city and walk into Soldier Field. I really didn't think I'd be able to walk it all that day. So I skipped a majority of the rain as well being on the bus.
I inhaled my lunch to get going again. The wind had picked up pretty good and the rain was coming down sideways. Around a corner we went and then there was the beautiful city sky line! The end WAS in sight but still roughly 10 miles away! LOL I kept trucking on thinking of Tina, my friend who was diagnosed on July 19th with stage 2 breast cancer. It took everything I had to keep walking, my legs were so tired and sore, my feet were killing me but I was so close!
At our last pit stop with 2 miles remaining, I actually for the first time that day (except for the bus ride) sat down. I ate some chips and checked my feet for any signs of blisters and changed my socks. I could literally see the end, but still had 2 miles. And at this point the sky's cleared the sun came out and it got HOT!
Before I knew it I was just outside the Field Museum, then the Shedd Aquarium, then the play structure my kids wanted to play on when I took them to Chicago, then around the corner I saw the end, then entrance to Soldier Field and then it was hard to fight the tears. Everyone was cheering us on and I had to hug a lady for just being there and I thanked her through my tears and thanked me through hers. Once in the stadium you could see the huge field and everyone was stopping to get pictures. The we were led through the mezzanine, down a ramp where crew, walkers and medics were screaming and welcoming the walkers in. It was a fabulous feeling! I was done and I DID IT! The best part, I was minutes away from seeing Jesse and Riley.
We were giving a pink rose and a white victory shirt and survivors were given a pink shirt. When it was time for the closing ceremony, the crew/medics went out first and we cheered them on for all their great work keeping everything going smooth. Then the walkers lined up and we walked out and were cheered on by crew, family, and staff. Then the hard part, the survivors came out and we all took off a shoe to show our support and cheer them on. It was incredible. The Chicago walkers and crew raise 4.2 MILLION dollars for cancer research.
Then I found Riley and couldn't stop hugging him and nursed him for the first time since Thursday morning. And Jesse couldn't believe how far I actually walked. Not bad for only 8 miles of training 2 weeks ago! And I only had 3 small, and I mean small, smaller than a pencil eraser head, from the tongue of my shoe rubbing wrong on Saturday.
It was an amazing journey that I will be taking again. I think I'm going to crew next year for the Michigan 3 Day - maybe I'll walk. At this point, I never want to see sneakers or porta potty's! lol

The 3 Day - Day 2

Saturday came fast, especially since I didn't sleep well, felt like I cat napped all night long. Surprisingly I felt really good all around. Feet were sore, but not bad! I got up at breakfast and off we went. This time we walked in a big circle around more towns/cities, and neighborhoods. The police were fantastic and the crew guys were awesome. We had "Walker Stalkers" that would be cheering us on, and people driving by honking, and everyone telling us how great we were doing and how far we had to go until the next pit station or grab and go. The joke was "what are we going to do on Monday when no one is telling us how awesome we are?" lol The police were in their pink shirts and the cheering stations were amazing! One cheering station was 2 blocks long. People were handing out water, candy, and had bowls filled with ice for us to wet our bandanas or soak our hands for swelling. It was a great feeling to walk into camp that day!

I walked 13.3 miles out of 19.3.

The 3 Day - Day 1

3:30am came fast! We got all of our stuff ready and heading to the Opening Ceremony. The ceremony was very emotional and comical because everyone was dressed in their pink - guys in tutus and bras, women wearing bras outside of their shirts and LOTS of energy!
After all the tears it was time to walk! We walked about a mile when we were all stopped for credential scanning. That's how they keep track of all of us. When we left camp to walk, they were scanned and when we arrived to camp they were scanned. So after that we walked through the botanical gardens, through neighborhoods, cities, towns, and then to camp. First day was 22.1 miles, I walked 16.8 that day. Once back to camp I ate and saw the chiropractor and got my neck muscles worked on and my feet adjusted.
Camp was very cool, we slept in 6x6 tents that were pink and had semi truck trailers with showers in them. Porta potty's for bathrooms but very clean and they were cleaned daily so they didn't stink and all gross. We had the Shop 3 Day store, Energizer was a charging station for cell phones, and had portable battery chargers which were very cool. We had chair/foot massagers, a big screen TV to watch some TV.

I'm back from Chicago!

I'm going to break this up so it isn't so long and easier to read.

Arriving in Chicago:

I left Thursday afternoon for my 2:20 flight. We didn't board until after 2:30 and didn't leave Metro until 2:45. Like all my other flights to/from Chicago, it was bumpy and made me a bit nervous. We landed at 3:30/2:30 at Midway where I met Kristin and Erin. From there we faught Chicago rush hour traffic to our hotel and met up with Jen and Jenni. Kristin and I followed Jen to her house to drop off Kristin's car and saw them filming Transformers 2. VERY COOL! When we got back to the hotel we all got our showers done and headed to bed.

Midwifery Picnic

So Sunday was the midwifery picnic for Kate and Stacia. It was fun! I meet a lot of awesome moms and was introduced as a new doula in the area. Stacia and Kate encouraged me to apply for the MMA scholarship to go to the MANA conference in Nashville in October. They are offering neonatal resuscitation at the pre-conference so I'll take it there or at The Farm - which is AWESOME! So I applied, getting my books for the neonatal resuscitation and just waiting to hear back from MMA.

Cleaning House and other random-ness.

So yesterday I started cleaning the house and I mean really cleaning the house. I have about 5 trash bags in from of various room, a large pile of Salvation Army stuff and moving furniture around to make more space. The end goal: to love my house again. We can't move yet, though Jesse says we'll know by the end of year if we're going to buy a new house, or if he's offered any positions out of state.

It's one week until I leave for Chicago. I'm super excited and getting my stuff packed up. I just have a couple things to pick up. I walked 8.25 miles with Jackie last Saturday and it hurt, but then I walked some more Sunday and Monday and started feeling much better. I didn't get to walk Tuesday and Wednesday though because I haven't been feeling well. Tonight I'll start walking again with the goal of walking 16 miles on Saturday.

Dylan has his dentist appointment on Monday and his tooth looks fine, just to keep an eye on it for any changes.

Friday we had some excitement!

Dylan was suppose to be taking a nap, instead he played in his room. So a couple hours later of playing and not sleeping I had Ashlyn open his door for him. He comes out and has blood on his nose and lip. I finally have to pin him down to see what's bleeding. It looked like a gash in his upper lip and his tooth definitely didn't look good, blood and slightly discolored. I called Jesse home and called my mom so I could get him to the urgent care asap. He has a torn frenulum and the doctor said his tooth looked "iffy". So tomorrow I need to call our dentist to get him in to be seen.

Chicago here I come!

Friday I made it to my fundraising goal!!! And a correction: 8.25 miles around Kensington - not 18! LOL

This week...

Wowzers!! It's been a rough one. A friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, the kids have no behaved and are definitely ready for school to start. I'm getting my stuff ready for the 3 Day. My flight is booked and I have almost all my gear. Tomorrow Jackie and I are walking 18 miles at Kensington. I started school shopping, see I'm ready for them to go back. Monique and I are getting details sorted for the 10-11 PTO year. And I registered for Life Science and Ethics.

Eclipse

It was pretty good and I can't wait to see what they do with Breaking Dawn. Also saw the trailers to Narnia and Harry Potter. Both look fantastic!

I need some help!

www.the3day.org/togo/kpmurray If you're able to donate, please do. I still need 900+ in order to walk! Thanks!!

My Riley is 7 Months old.

Where is the time going? You wouldn't know he's 7 months though. He wears a size 1 diaper, 0-6 month clothes, still in his infant car seat, not crawling yet - but soon I think. He started sitting up by himself on Kailey's birthday. He loves sweet potatoes and finally likes to eat solids! It's time to start thinking 1st birthday idea's. *blech*

We're Home - AGAIN!

Saturday we headed up to Mackinaw for our 4th of July camping...it was HOT! Sunday we went to the Soo Locks but only saw one freighter roll through. While we were there Mikey called me to see what we were doing and he decided to come up for the night. He got there around 2:00 and he surprised the kids. He came over the campground to go swimming and then we headed to Mackinaw City's fire works. The bugs were bad! I got bit by a horse fly on my ankle and it's still swollen four days later.

Monday we all went to the Mackinac Island and we took a carriage ride around the island. That was pretty cool since that's something I've never done. Been to the island many, many times and never did that. It was raining and Jesse didn't know what else to do, so we went on the carriage. Saw many parts of the island I'd never seen before. Once back at the campground we watched movies and vegged out.

Tuesday we headed north to Munising to see the Pictured Rocks . I had been there before but Jesse hadn't. So it rained and was hot. The rocks are still really cool and we even dipped our feet in Lake Superior. It was cold! Wowzers, how did I used to spend the day in that lake? It was freezing!!

Wednesday Jesse and the kids went to the park and the pool and got sunburned. Then we walked around Mackinaw City and I got my fudge. Yummy!! Once back at the campground, Jesse checked the weather and storms were rolling in with lots of rain forecasted for Thursday. We decided to pack it up (9:00pm) and head home so we didn't have to breakdown camp in the rain and get home and have to pop everything up to dry. So we got home at 2am this morning. Now we sitting the couch in the air conditioning.

We're home

Nothing eventfull to talk about really. I hate DC traffic, I loved being close to my Virginia family. Had fun at the toLabor workshop, learned a lot, palpated a baby, listened (or atleast tried!) to heart tones, and did a vaginal exam. Very informated. Kailey had a blast being spoiled by Aunt Bonnie, Aunt Trish and Erica. She told me when she got home that she didn't want to leave. I would move to DC in a heartbeat to be closer to them!

It's finally here!

Tomorrow we leave for Virginia and Friday is the start of the toLabor workshop!! I'm so excited and a bit nervous. I'm going to pick up a blood pressure cuff so Caitlyn can show me how to take a BP reading. I'm ready to officially become a doula, then all have have to do is the required reading, attend some childbirth classes and then BIRTHS!!

So Bittersweet...

I just went through the girls' baby clothes that I saved for sentimental reasons to give them to Erica. So I baby oxicleaned the stains, washed them, and reminisced. I can't believe Kailey is going to be 7 and Ashlyn is 5. I remember them wearing this clothes and where they were wearing them. I did keep one outfit that both girls wore to their first doctors appointment at just a couple days old. Anyway, the stains came out and they look brand new. I hope Erica likes them. In addition to the hand me downs, I've been going a nuts in the clearance sections of the baby departments. =) I really, really, really would have liked another girl.

Power Outage, Birthday Party, Oh My!

Friday night we had some wicked storms roll through. The winds were 70 miles an hour and with the second gust, the power was out! I ran to Meijer for a generator so our basement didn't flood. Saturday morning the power was still out and the bowling alley Kailey's birthday party was going to be held at also didn't have power. So last minute change of location, we ended up at school and had her party on the playground! It was much cheaper than bowling and the kids had a lot of fun. Her party started at 2pm and at 2pm the power came on, it was so typical for us. Thanks Murphy.

Ashlyn's 5th Birthday!!

Ashlyn's birthday was on the 11th. She requested to go camping, so we went to Portage Lake. The weather man called for rain and thunderstorms all weekend. So we brough the computer monitor and laptop and movies for the kids when the rain came. Friday night she opened her presents and had cake while we ordered pizza for dinner. LOL It was so hot and Jesse nor I wanted to cook.

Saturday was a fun filled day. We went swimming, the kids went to the playground while Grandpa took Ayden fishing. The kids also made friends with the kids the camp site next to us. Around 10-10:30 it rained for about 20 minutes and that was it. Sunday we packed it up and headed home.

That whole weekend she kept saying "this is the best birthday, ever!"

Riley's 6 Months and Ashlyn's 5 (almost!)

And he had his 6 months appointment. He weighs 14lbs 11oz and 26". He's my little peanut and he's doing very well.

Ashlyn had her Kindergarten and 5 year appointment. She is ready for Kindergarten, but got 3 shots.

Dylan also got 2 shots and the doctor said to give him 6-8 weeks to see how his bahavior goes.

Breathing deep

Okay, today is mildly better. I think my body being all out of whack and in pain isn't helping my attitude or ability to cope with Dylan's behavior, tantrums, and screaming. Riley is only waking to nurse once a night and is now in his own bed for the majority of the night. But I feel like I slept more comfortable before when he was in our bed all night. Since he's moved into his room, my back and neck hurt! Maybe it's just stress, I don't know. On top of that I sprained my ankle a few months ago. I got it adjusted last Friday and on Tuesday my achilles on that foot started to hurt. I got that adjusted on Tuesday and it's still really bothering me. I didn't do anything to it over the weekend.

Jesse thinks I'm doing too much for everyone but I feel bored out of my mind! I was on OCC's website last night just looking for something to take over the summer. I'm freaking bored! I have my PTO stuff, but that's coming to an end for the summer and even that's hard to do with Dylan's tantrums. He's like a time bomb and I'm just waiting for him to go off. It makes me so sad because he wasn't like this a year ago. I feel like I go in circles with Jesse about enrolling now in AAMI. Once you enroll you have a time period to complete which is about 3 1/2 years. When I asked him about it again last night he said what he always says "I though you were doing your doula stuff first..." I AM doing the doula stuff now, I have my workshop in a couple weeks then it's reading, reading, reading and I should start taking clients. I am signed up for AAMI midwifery skills lab in October and would like to enroll after that since I'll get a small discount because I took the lab.

At least I can report that Jesse now realizes how frustrated I am with Dylan and he's going to find a therapist (not really, but someone who can help) with his behavior or help me help him and learn how to calm him. Jesse wants to know more about the naturopath, but I don't have any answers for him. I just hope she can help.

Nope, today is not better

I can't handle Dylan and even texted Jesse that I was packing up and leaving tonight. So yes, I'm teatering on the breaking point. I can't even believe I'm sharing this here. Yep, just give me the Worse Mother of the Year award now, please.

Stethoscope

I did buy my stethoscope yesterday. It was 100.00 with tax and I haven't even told Jesse about it yet because I'm sure he'll bit my head off. Oh well, I have my Quickutz Shilouette on ebay right now. Hopefully it sells.

Missing my Lexapro today.

I haven't been on my meds for about a year now and I've been doing pretty well. But today I think I'm going to snap. It's not been a good day, I want to get away without the kids. I want a date with my husband without a child in tow. I want to start midwifery school, take doula clients, and go to school without worrying about who is going to watch my kids and Jesse getting pissed because someone watching the kids is expensive. I want some part of me back. I'm sick of Dylan's tantrums, I sick of him not talking, banging on the door when it's time for a nap, and I'm just at my witts end with him. I need my husband to stop telling me it's normal...something IS NOT RIGHT!

I do not want to be home with the kids this summer. It's horrible to say, but even this morning, Ayden was crying like a baby because I told him he couldn't play on the Xbox before school. He was hitting Kailey or Ashlyn, can't remember for sure who it was now, Ashlyn was hitting Kailey, and I swear I feel like I'm going to snap on them. I'm dreading this summer.

I'm even sick of my husband for not helping me more or letting enroll in AAMI now, and not really supporting me...or at least that's how I feel. Dylan's going to a naturopath on the 16th and Jesse's asking me how much it's going to cost. I honestly don't know but I've heard it's expensive. So he told me to find out and he'll probably tell me he doesn't want Dylan going. If he does let me go, I know that a few appts are needed to treat any allergies. I feel so completely alone, ignored, and everything else.

Memorial Day

Yesterday was Memorial Day. We started the day with curling Kailey's hair for the Walled Lake Parade. We got her there with only a few minutes to spare and found a place to park and sit to enjoy the parade. Kailey was mad because she had a ride the float this year because I didn't know she needed a different shirt to walk it. It was the hottest Memorial Day in my memory, so it's good she rode the float, it was too hot to be walking! I even got to give Tink a little love. Tink is Marqui's new doggie, ya know the 5lb dogs, a Yorkie maybe? Too cute!

Then we headed home to get ready for Chris, Jen, and the girls to come over. Josh and Melissa were going to come, but Kieran was sick. But we still had a great time though it rained some. We let the kids play in the rain and puddles until it lightening. They loved it!! Even had a bon fire in the rain. We moved the canopy closer to the fire pit and enjoyed sitting fire side for a few hours. It was a lot of fun!

A Gift From Grandma

I just received a 500.00 savings bond from Grandma. I started crying when I opened it - because it makes it final. If I could send it back to redo our history together, I would. I don't think we connected until Ayden was born, and I regret that so much. When I decided to homebirth and everyone thought I was crazy, she thought it was great! She was born at home and always said hospitals were for sick people. So I'm going to save this money and buy my midwifery supplies with it, I think she would like that.

Midwifery

I took my first couple of steps towards midwifery this week. Saturday I attended the Michigan Midwives Association spring conference and had a great day learning about herbs. Jim McDonald is so knowledgable!!!

Yesterday I signed up for the AAMI Midwife Skills Lab that will be hosted in Michigan in October. I'm really looking forward to all the birth junkie stuff I have going on.

Last Night

Grandma passed away.

I don't know what to title this

My Dad is in the hospital for a possible brain infection. He's also having seizers and strokes. It appears his left side if being effected.

My Grandma (his Mom) is having congestive heart failure and Aunt Barbara is looking into hospice. She's 97 1/2.

My Aunt Ellen (his sister) had a tumor removed a couple weeks ago and has been diagnosed with brain cancer and has 6-12 months to life.

Jen (practically my little sister growing up) told me today that she has HPV cervical cancer. She just found out last week. Her Nana (practically my grandmother) died of cancer in 1993ish.

The La Leche League

What a great weekend we had! Very informative and just fun! Friday night I got me some henna - which I'm addicted to! Friday night Riley didn't sleep well and I couldn't get the heat to go up in the room. It was cold, so I was up making sure Riley was warm enough. Saturday morning came way too fast and I made it for the last part of the first session. With out lack of sleep, I was dragging my butt by 2 o'clock. The sessions were over by 6, so we went back to the motel and I got a wicked migraine and forgot I had Excedrin Migraine in my bad and I suffered for 3 hours until I went down to the office to see if the owner had some asprin. Luckily for me he did and without a half hour I was able to fall asleep. At 3am we were both wide awake! LOL So we played for a little bit, watched some TV, Ron Paul was on! The next morning we wrapped up the LLL conference and off to home we went.

Riley is 4 months old

Where in the world has the time gone?! It's going by way too fast! He's rolling from front to back and back to front. He's trying to sit up, and loves his his Jumperoo. Unfortunately he's sick. Coughing, congested, stuffy nose...my poor baby. It also puts a kink in my LLL plans for the weekend. I need to find out what I can give him.

Busy!

Yesterday was Easter, the kids had a blast and it was a beautiful day. We did work around the house and the kids played outside.

I've been pretty busy getting my little business and education underway. Instead of Cincinnatti, I'll be going to the NoVo toLabor conference. I'll be staying with Aunt Bonnie and Aunt Trish. I'm looking forward to seeing them, although very little of them. :-(

This weekend I hope to be going to the La Leche League conference up north. I'm being sponsored by Courtenay to become a leader, so I'll be going as an applicant. I may be able to apply this to my IBCLC hours. Not sure yet though, but my work with the LLL will be. I also have to talk a couple more OCC classes that is needed for the IBCLC.

In 3 weeks I'll be going to the Michigan Midwives Association spring conference in Lansing. They are focusing it around Jim McDonald and herbs in the childbearing year. I'm looking forward to this, but worried I'll feel out of place. Though this is for midwives, apprentices, or anyone else interested.

My Doula Website

is up and running.

www.tomorrowshappiness.com

Holy moly! Me= SLACKER!

Okay, life has been a whirl wind since Riley's arrival. That and hockey, dance, skating, and everything inbetween. Riley is rolling over from front to back and scooting. So NOT cool! LOL Ashlyn's Kindergarten meeting is coming up in a couple of weeks. She's doing much better since we moved her to her new school. We got a new kitchen table over the weekend, seats 8. Camper is popped up and it looks like Spring has sprung here in Michigan...early!

It's Cleaning Day!

Or so I keep telling myself! lol I'm in the laundry room reorganizing and I found my scrap table. I need to make thank you notes for my walk. I'm also trying to find the kids immunization record cards that I have no idea where I put, Dylan has a doctors appointment on Wednesday. He first since his 18 month appointment, so he'll need to get a vaccine. He's so behind since I don't want to give him a million shots at once.

It's done

Jesse had his vasectomy yesterday. I feel relieved, but I'm sure it hasn't hit me yet. He is such a baby! And I'm pissed because he actually gets to lay around all weekend. I had Riley on 12/8 at 1:49am, by 11am he was gone and I was home with Riley (Erica was watching Ashlyn and Dylan), but I couldn't just lay around and do nothing. Then the following Thursday he was at work again and Riley SCREAMED the entire day! When do I get mine?!?!

toLabor

That's where I'll be doing my training to become a doula. I started getting my books over the weekend, printed out sample contracts, etc. for when I'm able to start taking clients, I even came up with a name and website address last night. Jesse registered the address for me, now I just need to get the training going, then pay someone to make the website for me. So excited!!! I think it's almost time to be able to register for classes for the summer semester too. I think I'm going to redo pyschology and take life science.

The Willow Tree Collection

I was at the Salvation Army today. A wooden figurine caught my eye, it was 1.99.

Now I want more!!!

Is it summer yet?

I can't believe I'm going to type this, but I'm ready for the kids to be out of school - well, atleast Ashlyn. I can't stand her teacher or most of the parents. I'm ready for her to be back at our school. She can't wait to be in Kindergarten! And I'm sick of the freezing cold and my house never being clean.

I'm having a conflict.

The other day, a blog I follow had a story of a woman who was in nursing school. During her training she had to attend a newborn circumcision. I never thought about this aspect of becoming a labor and delivery nurse. I can not sit through that and watch a screaming baby go though a surgery without anestesia. Also last night on facebook Diana posted about her doctor appointment today they were going to decide whether she would have a c-section or not due to size and possible shoulder dystocia. Apparently if the baby is bigger than 8lbs 14oz they are going to get things going...somehow. I think it's completely ridiculous! Ultrasounds are not accurate in size determination late in pregnancy and come on! Shoulder dystocia!? It is always a possibility for this to happen no matter the size of the mothers pelvis or baby!

So since I'm at this cross road of whether I should or should not go to nursing school, I'm looking into my doula training. Also, after Riley's birth Kate offered me an apprenticeship to train with her when I'm ready.

Riley on the 17th

I can't believe how big he's getting already. He's 6 weeks and 2 days old.

I bought a ring sling!!

Courtenay is making it for me and the fabric is so pretty!!! I can't wait until it's done. She'll be coming over Friday as well to redo Riley's newborn screening. The sample wasn't good enough for the health department. Kate is in Portland because her father isn't doing so well and his cancer is back. :( She found out about that the night Riley was born. I also got an Uttercover from uttercover.com for only the cost of shipping - just under 10.00. If you're interested just type Christmas as the promo code.

Day #2 in Cloth

So far so good!! Loving the Bum Genius AIO's right now.

Calgon, take me to the Bahama's!

Today has been INSANE! Anywho- tomorrow we get our funiture which we are all excited about since we'll all be able to sit on it at the same time! LOL Yesterday I got my 1st smile out of Riley. Saturday I picked up my beautiful "blingtastic" as my chiropractor, Dr. Becky put it. ;) I love it, I can't stop looking at it. Lots of stuff coming up next week - that will require another post and now I must go defuse whatever the girls are fighting about and get Riley who's crying.

Our new furniture

It comes with everything in the picture, lamps, table, TV, and XBox. The TV and Xbox are going in our room. It arrives next week!

It's snowing!!

It's our 1st large snow fall, which compared to last year is small. But I'm still excited about it. Kailey has dance tonight and I'm not sure if she's going yet. I'm sure Jesse will want her to go, and normally I wouldn't mind taking her, but I have a headache and I'm tired, and that makes me not want to deal with all the stupids. I do love driving in the snow though.

Boo Hoo...

I'm not feeling the cloth diapering love yet. So he's still in sposies...

Instead of FML, FMH - the "H" is for HOUSE!

My house, we can't seem to keep anything fixed! The plumbing in the bathroom is leaking into the downstairs ceiling - we knew this and Jesse is procrastinating. So today I was cleaning the girls room and moved their bed and the floor is sopping wet! So looks like our furniture is yet again, on hold. FMH!

Happy New Year!

I rang in the New Year in bed nursing Riley! lol I'm not crazy about New Year's, yes, I have an issue with getting old.