Monday, November 17, 2008

Things are slowing down finally...I think!!

A few people know about some court issues we have been dealing with. Until things were over, I didn't want to comment too much online, afraid to jinx it and all.

Our final hearing was on the 12th, where we were awarded sole custody and placement of my fiance's two year old. Her mom has shown less than stellar decision making skills when it comes to taking care of her. This has come after a year long battle of being terrified every time she went back to her mother. Terrified that she would be left to her own devices and not get the proper care a child her age needs. Terrified that she would move yet again and this time not tell us where.

For anyone reading this that is going through a similar situation, documentation is key. Keep track of EVERYTHING!!! This will work in your favor. Also, make sure you follow court orders. We did, she didn't...and needless to say, the courts don't like to be lied to.

Now that court is done, we can start looking to the future, knowing she will be taken care of and loved.

One thing off a list of many....on to the next task!!!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

New babies and Gas...not a fun time!!

My intentions have been good, honest. Abby has decided that the only person in the house that she really wants when she's uncomfortable is me. She is on gas drops and just this week the doctor is trying soy formula, thinking she might have an issue with the milk protein in regular formula.

If that doesn't work, it's formula without the extra iron. Both her dad and older sister have issues with having too much iron in their system.

Needless to say, I've had one very cranky and unhappy baby. She's been screaming her head off for a minimum of 3 hours a day. On top of that, dealing with the other kids and trying to stay caught up on household stuff has left little time to do anything internet related. Hence why there are over 200 emails in my inbox that still need to be looked at. That's AFTER I've deleted all the spam I get daily.

Hopefully her gas issue will start fixing itself. We just switched to the soy formula yesterday, and already I'm seeing less inconsolable crying from her, so hopefully that will be the fix. I can handle crying, but seeing her in pain, with not being able to do anything for her and not being able to do anything but hold her while she screams gets too be too much.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Busy, Busy, Busy!!

So the little one stuck it out until the 8th. She was born exactly on her due date. Thank God I can finally bend again!!

At 7 pounds, 3 ounces she was the biggest of my children. It was weird getting so many compliments from the nurses about how well I was breathing through the contractions. Isn't that what you are supposed to do? Don't think it would have worked well to hold my breath, I was already in enough pain. Contractions started at 5 in the morning and Miss Abigail wasn't born until after 9pm. Talk about a LONGGGGG day. I think I would have done much better if I had eaten something before we went to the hospital, but with my last labor being so short, we figured this one would be too. It probably would have been if her contractions had been regular. We jumped from every 4 minutes to every 6 minutes, and then back again.

At any rate, now she's here!!! The boys are ecstatic, having their baby sister. I'm happy, and thankful she sleeps for about 3 hours a night minimum.

Now if I can figure out how to get things done when all she wants is to be held by momma!

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Aversions to sitting...

For some strange reason, every time I sit down, whether it be at the computer, on the couch, or even in the kitchen to eat, this child goes crazy. She starts kicking and the fake contractions start.

Maybe it's the lack of room, but if she'd just LISTEN to me and everyone around here and get OUT, instead of sticking around until her due date on the 8th, we'd all be better off.

At any rate, I haven't gotten onto this blog anywhere as much as I'd have liked to for the last few weeks, and for that I apologize to my few loyal readers. I do expect to post more when I can actually bend without her kicking me.

Only 4 days and counting....lets hope she isn't fashionably late!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Can't believe it's been this long

I really didn't mean to neglect the blog for the last few weeks. We were nesting like crazy around here, which meant cleaning EVERYTHING!! And moving furniture, putting away things from the baby shower, and just getting things ready so that when she finally makes her appearance, I won't be busting butt to clean on top of taking care of her at least for the first few days.

As of tomorrow, I have 2 weeks left. If I go full to the end of the 2 weeks I think my fiance might end up moving out until I have her. Talk about cranky. I can't get comfy no matter how hard I try, she's moving all the time, and for the last week almost I've had those lovely Braxton-Hicks contractions every night after dinner for anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes.

On a good note, I do believe that she is working her way to not being breech. Either that or she's still doing summersalts. Which would explain a lot since it feels like there's just no room in there for her.

Side note: Bribing a baby in utero doesn't work. She just kicks me to tell me that while she heard, she doesn't care whether or not I can bend or get out of the car.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Who knew??

That just walking would take so much out of me that I'd need a nap after walking from the couch to the kitchen.

Who knew that just getting up off the couch is damn near an Olympic event??

I'm tired. All the time. Cramps, allergies, and heartburn keep me up all night. Or at least until about 2 am. But now that the older ones are back in school(i.e. more work for me), I'm getting up at 5:20. Three hours of decent sleep when you feel about 100 weeks pregnant just doesn't cut it.

And yesterday, which was their first day of school...HOTTEST day here all summer!!! I was in tears in the car waiting to pick them up just because I was so uncomfortable. Can't breathe cuz my nose is screwed from my allergies, can't breathe cuz the air outside was so hot, and my clothes looked like I had gone swimming in them.

Man I can't wait for this pregnancy to be over so I can get back to doing more on this blog than the venting that seems to be all that comes right now.

On a good note(see, there was one) we saw the doc yesterday and she said everything looks good. Going to her office for the NST twice a week, and seeing her every Monday. Only5 appointments to go!!!!

Friday, August 22, 2008

And it's official....

I can no longer fit into my shorts.

Only 6 and a half weeks to go.

What's been going on

I know I still haven't gotten the 3D ultrasound pic up yet, but it's coming. Probably getting it into the right room so I can scan it tonight. It's been crazy around here.

We had the baby shower on Sunday, and got some really great stuff, but there's still so much to get and do. So when payday rolled around on Monday, we did some much needed shopping to be a little more ready for the little one when she appears.

I'm now going to the doc once a week and doing the lovely non-stress tests twice a week. After yesterday's, I don't know how I'm going to get through the rest of them. She kicked me so hard the nurses were coming in to find out why I was swearing so much. At least they could only hear cuz they had a little window into the room.

So the last few days have been filled with school for the man, appointments with court officials, putting together pack n plays and diaper genies, and lots of itty bitty laundry so that when she comes we will be ready.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Crazy week

The man came back on Tuesday, and it's been drama, drama, drama since then. Getting him and the boys ready for school(he's going back to be a paramedic). Dealing with the demon 20 month old. At least she was better with Daddy back, and I didn't have to be the one watching her all the time, which sure takes some stress off me!

Today is the baby shower!!! I get to leave the house for something other than carting others around!! Woo Hoo!!!

Sorry it's been longer than I thought it would be between posts, but with everything going on, as soon as I sit down at night I'm out cold.

Stay tuned for later today or sometime tomorrow for a 3D ultrasound pic of my little metronome. I say that cuz she'll kick every 3 seconds for like a half hour at a time. Weird!

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Apologizing in advance...Hormonal man bashing to follow

So I've been home with the kids while the fiance is off working since the 27th. And while that's not really all that long, it's the longest we've been apart since we moved in together over a year ago.

Add onto that the fact that I can't call him(our cell phones are roaming there), and the only communication I get is when he signs into messenger on the laptop that he brought with him.

Add dealing with his daughter(21 months) every week during what is his normal scheduled visitation. I love her to death, but this week after picking her up on Wednesday, she has had explosive butt syndrome, refused to eat unless she's shoving it in her mouth and choking herself, had screaming fits in the middle of the night, and general just regressing to how she was about 6 months ago. Not sure what's going on at her mom's, but that's a whole 'nuther post.

Add dealing with being just shy of 2 months from my due date and sleeping crappy and not being able to get off my butt to even pee without feeling like I'm carrying all 3 kids strapped to me.

Add taking care of the rest of the house completely by myself when all I want to do is sleep.

And then when I need to vent, the ****** checks his myspace but doesn't bother to contact me. This isn't the first night this has happened. And I realize he's working 13-14 hour days and is exhausted. But to get on the computer, check myspace, then not bother any contact, and then the next day it will be..."sorry I got back and crashed, I was so tired."

Not too tired to load the slow ass laptop to check email and myspace. Just too tired to make sure your daughter is still in one piece and that I haven't completely lost it here.

I'm tired. I'm sad. I need a break.

Where'd all the energy go?

The boys have been gone since Wednesday afternoon. The grandparents took them to the fair and a Trucker's Jamboree up in Dodge county.

You'd think with only one here, even if she's the youngest and requires the most attention, I'd be less tired. Only looking after one, not having to yell at the boys to stop touching each other (trust me, that always ends badly), and getting to enjoy the quiet when she naps, I should have more energy. But I'm tired.

Maybe it's the fact that I'm now due in less than 2 months(WOO HOO!). Maybe it's cuz I sit and think about all that's left to do before the newest family member arrives. Could it have ANYTHING to do with the fact that she kicks me all night and I have to wake up to roll over whenever I become uncomfortable when I'm sleeping. Gee..that migh have some weight!

At any rate, there's lots around here that needs to get done. I'm making a list. The man comes back on Tuesday. If he's lucky he might get a day off before I start him on the stuff I can't do.

Until till then, we'll see if I can manage to get one thing crossed off a day. Even if it's just vacuuming, or the dishes.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Like I needed MORE to distract me

I've gone ahead and started to Stumble. Come join the fun. I need some friends on there, I'm all lonely.

Today was orientation day for the 7 year old, as well as picture day. It's nice that the school does this early, instead of taking pictures after a long day of playing and sweating at school. Make-up day is during the school day, but I think his picture turned out well, even if he complained the entire time about his shirt.

Tomorrow we are off to pick up the little one from her mom, and pick up some clothes I found on craigslist for the bump in the belly. Two months and 3 days and counting!!! I will be SO happy when I can sit and be able to slouch again, or not have someone kicking me ALL. DAY. LONG. People ask me all the time if I'm anxious. Not about the delivery, I've been through it twice, and even though she's been a completely different pregnancy than the boys, it should go fairly smoothly. I'm more worried about affording all the stuff she'll need and still being able to pay the bills.

Another thing to look forward to, the fiance will be back in a week. He's been gone since the 27th of July working security for the PGA tour. Of course, him coming home means I have to give up sleeping in the middle of the bed, but it also means I fork the garbage duties back on him! Wooo Hooo!! I hate taking out the garbage!

More later I'm sure...I'm off to StumbleUpon some more sites!!

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Out of the mouths of babes

Watching the news while I was making dinner, they did a segment on rising gas prices again. Newscaster didn't know WHY the prices were rising since the price-per-barrel according to him, was about the same. Needless to say, gas here has jumped $.30 in just 2 days.

So while cooking, I checked the gas trackers for our area online, and found it at $3.73. Which was about $.16 cheaper than what all the others were going for.

After dinner, the 7 year old and I jumped into the car(as much as a 7 1/2 month preggo chick can jump) and went to the gas station that was reported as having such low gas prices.

YEAH right. It was $3.99/gallon. So we drove about another 3 miles where I usually can find it the cheapest. Still ended up paying $3.85/gallon, but if it goes up more, at least I shouldn't need gas again this week.

The entire time were are driving around, my lovely 7 year old that questions EVERYTHING states...

"I wish someone that knew what they were doing was running the government."

This was after I tried to explain to him how gas ends up being so high, which is no easy task when half the time you don't understand it yourself. He's only starting 2nd grade, so telling him, well because of this and this and this, our gas prices are so high we can't afford to leave the house half the time.

It was easier to tell him that the people in the government ultimately control what we end up paying for gas. One way or another, it's a pretty accurate statement, and involved the least amount of follow-up questions.

But still...

"I wish someone that knew what they were doing was running the government."

Me too honey, me too.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Never had this with my other two...

So lately when the little one starts kicking, I can actually hear a snapping sound. Not all the time, just seems to be when her feet are low. I wonder if she's kicking my pelvic bone or something.

Very strange though. NEVER with my boys did they kick where I actually HEARD it! Ditsy, pregnancy-brained me forgot to mention it to the doctor yesterday, but I think I'll ask the nurse when I call for my Nexium refill. Gotta love those little purple pills, they have been a godsend!! Before they were prescribed, ANY sweets gave me horrible acid-reflux and heartburn. And the doctor wondered why I was LOSING weight!! Give me my sweets!!

Now I still can't have cheese, my insides repel all pizza unless it's frozen, but at least I can enjoy chocolate again!

Many new things are coming to this blog in the next week or so, I was going to make a schedule today, but the day got away with me, what with all the kicking I was fielding in my stomach. I figure, I'm sure not going anywhere this weekend, with all the clothing options I have needing a bra(which I CANNOT tolerate as it feels like it's cutting into my ribs), so I should be able to get things set up so I'm not constantly thinking...hmmm what should I write today? !

Hope everyone has a great and safe weekend!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

A day of talking to myself...

Ever had one of those days where it feels like the ENTIRE time you talk to your kids, you think all they hear is Klingon? Or some other language they have absolutely NO comprehension of?

That was my day.

We were up early, the fiance is gone for two and a half weeks working security for the PGA tour. So it was 5am wake up calls to get the kids ready before we had to drop him off for the trip. You would think being pregnant and not sleeping for crap lately, getting to bed after midnight, and then getting up at 5ish would be the WORST part of the day. YEAH RIGHT!

No matter what I said, it seemed like it went in one ear and out the other for both my boys. Keep in mind they are 10 and 7, well old enough to know by now that there's no wrestling or running in our house, there's just no way for them to do either without something getting broken.

All I wanted to do was pee. Not that I don't do that 50 million times a day with this little one kicking at my bladder, but still. I'm in the bathroom for 2 seconds and I start hearing the floor shake. I come out to them BOTH whining about some argument revolving around Pokemon.

It's official...I HATE POKEMON!!!

I have heard about almost nothing else since we bought them their Gameboys for Christmas last year.

So even though I KNOW this is gonna come back to bite me in the ass, I took the Gameboys and computer away the next weekend that I have both of them. Which means unless I kick them outside and stick earplugs in my ears, I'm going to hear TONS of whining about being bored and that there's nothing to do.

When I was their ages, I read, played with friends....the few that were around, and generally found something for myself to do. Never did I expect my parents to entertain me, and being an only child, there were times when I couldn't think of anything else to fill the days.

Maybe with some time away from things that we didn't get to grow up with, the boys will see how good they have it??

Off to go hunt down some earplugs and Tylenol....

Monday, July 21, 2008

What's been kicking the crap outta me for the last 4 months

She's adorable...got to watch her sticking her tongue out at the ultrasound tech last week. WAY better than the first ultrasound, were we got to watch her try to pick her nose.

I guess we should be thankful she can tell there's a nose there.

So here's whats been kicking me since she learned that her legs move...



Look at those little toes..aren't they cute????

Now try having them kick you pretty much the ENTIRE time your awake. I told the tech that I feel her feet all day everyday, no more feet pictures!!

Sunday, July 20, 2008

More about the 11,999 doctor visits

Don't want you all to think I'm dying of some mysterious disease or something. The doctor visits have been due to the latest monkey child (that's what she seems like...all limbs) growing inside me. As well as my lovely thyroid, that loves to over-produce when I'm pregnant.

Not only do I get to see my OB every 2 weeks (only 12 weeks left!!), but I get to see the lab techs every month to draw SEVEN vials of blood(YUCK!), a Maternal Fetal Monitoring office every month to check on the baby because the pills I have to take for my thyroid aren't supposed to be taken in pregnancy so they watch her like a hawk, my regular physician for the thyroid check-up, AND an endocrinologist just to even things out and make sure my general physician knows what she's doing with regards to my whacked out thyroid!

This might not have been so bad, had I not had to switch OB/GYN's in the MIDDLE of my pregnancy! I walk into my appointment in the middle of June and am told that my doctor is moving at the end of July, and that I will need to see the doc that's taking over her patients or choose another doctor. Not TOO big of a deal, as I wasn't really overly fond of my doctor. But when I called to make my appointment with the new doctor, receptionists told me she was QUADRUPLE booked for the next 2 months due to the influx of patients.

WHAT??!! The quack that was leaving told me I had to be seen in 2 weeks and the earliest they had available was sometime in August. I don't THINK so! After much haggling and me informing them that I would see her at any of her locations, we finally got a date that was only 2 days after the 2 week mark. Not too bad.

Until I get a call from her office the afternoon before my appointment. They don't have my chart, and if my chart is not in their office by the time of my appointment, I can't be seen.

WTF?!?

Then the LOVELY receptionist tells me that since she's too stupid or lazy to call their other office to see if my chart has been even requested, I'm supposed to do this and then figure out how to get an appointment somewhere if they don't get my chart. Mind you, this is at 4:35pm on the day before my appointment. I call the office I was originally being seen in, thank God they were open until 6, to see if they had forwarded my chart to the doctor I was told I HAD to go see.

The very nice receptionist there informed me she's never heard of a patient having to request the file being sent, the doctor should have filled out the form right after my last visit. The chart was still there, and lo and behold, it takes at LEAST 24 hours for their carrier to get it to the new place.

Needless to say, I did not have my appointment the next day. I did however have an appointment the following week with a lovely doctor in a COMPLETELY different medical group. Dealing with that fiasco turned me off to dealing with that group of clinics altogether.

The fact that we are STILL waiting after 3 weeks for my records to be sent from the other clinic is a post for another day...

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Time to get this thing rolling again

It seems like every time I sit down to write in here, or have a blog post pulling at me to get going, something ALWAYS comes up. Whether it's kids, procrastination, or the twelve thousand doctor's appointments lately (OK, maybe not 12,000....how about 11,999?), it seems that even when I'm motivated to sit down and write, something always pushes me away from the keyboard.

So, here's my just-past-mid year's resolution...whether I feel like crap, have more errands than gas to take me to them, or kids hanging from the tree outside our living room...I'm GOING to start posting here regularly again. STARTING NOW! Whooo Hoo!!! Can you feel the motivation? LOL

I'm also going to be updating my blogroll on the side and adding some great blogs I've come across while effectively avoiding this one.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

It's been too long

So much has happened since I last wrote. We went to the funeral of our dear friend killed in Iraq. Found out about a month later that I was pregnant. So we are having a baby!! Excited, but trying to figure out how we are going to move and buy a much needed mini-van now that we will have 2 kids in car seats, one in a booster seat, and my oldest. Somehow I don't think they will all fit in the back of our Dodge Spirit!

Went to the dietitian today because my weight hasn't gone up in the last 2 months. It's actually dropped by 5 pounds. Can't figure out why, and the baby is at the right height and weight for what she's supposed to be at. We're due October 8th. And it's a GIRL!!!!

What am I supposed to do with a girl? I have two boys. Well I also take care of my fiance's 19 month old daughter. But she was almost a year old when he and I got together.

It ought to be interesting.....stay tuned.

Monday, January 7, 2008

It's still sinking in, confirmation it wasn't just a dream.

FORT LEWIS, Wash. (AP) - A Stryker infantryman from this Army base has been reported killed in Iraq, the first Fort Lewis death there in nearly seven weeks.

The Department of Defense says 30-year-old Pfc. Jason F. Lemke, of West Allis, Wis., was killed Saturday when his vehicle was struck by a bomb.

Lemke died in Ibrahim Al Adham in Diyala province northeast of Baghdad. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

He was the 34th soldier from his brigade to be killed since it left Fort Lewis for a 15-month deployment in April, and the first since Nov. 18, when three died in a bomb attack.

Lemke was on his first deployment. A Fort Lewis news release says he joined the Army in Milwaukee in December 2004.


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Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you: 1. Jesus Christ. 2. The American G.I. One died for your soul, the other for your Freedom.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

The curse of the new year

For the second year in a row, we've lost a dear friend within the month of January.

Jason Lemke was killed in a roadside bombing sometime Thursday or Friday (details are sketchy at this point) in Iraq. Jason was in his 30's, leaving behind his parents, sisters, and 2 young daughters. As well as countless friends.

He is missed.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Here comes 2008!

Do you ever sit at the computer, with all sorts of stories or things you want to say, and just can't get them out??

That's what had happened every time I've thought about blogging for the past few months.

I could blame the holidays, but it started WAYYYY before then.

I could blame being too busy, but after I get my 7 year old off to school in the morning I'm doing my own thing till I pick my oldest up at 2pm.

I could blame my boyfriend's daughter when she's here, but well, she's just too cute. And I can't blame a 14 month old, she needs attention, she's a baby!

I could blame being stressed about money since we are going for permanent placement of my boyfriend's daughter do to some not so stellar choices from her mama.

And I KNOW that part of it is the stress. I'm worried that we are going to be continually strapped and end up not having what we need to take care of all the court and lawyer fees if his ex doesn't agree in mediation. We have lots of family support from my family that should keep us afloat, but with a lawyer that charges $150 an hour, and the courthouse being almost an hour from her office, the fees pile up fast!

On top of that, we have his income, which is great, but I need to come up with a budget to make sure everything gets taken care of in a timely manner. We want to buy a house within the next year or so, and well, while his credit is good, he doesn't have much, so any late payments hit it harder.

Here's the first of what I hope to be many posts here in the future. Sorry I left you all for so long....but I'm back and raring to get 2008 off to a positive note.