Week 12!

Now that we've made it to the second trimester, I guess it's OK to move onto maternity clothes. I'm really not sure how I was getting by without them to begin with! We did the race for the cure on Saturday in Columbus. It is always so touching and such a great thing to be a part of. Apparantly, we also made the news. My sister-in-law, Emily called to say she saw us. We also had the girls' recital this weekend. They did such a good job. It was a little crazy, but we made it through the weekend. The girls got a perfect attendance award at the recital. We have been so busy, I didn't even know they hadn't missed a class. I guess we just kept plugging along! At their football/cheering this weekend, they really got into the cheers, but, as you'll notice in the picture, so did Dax! Many people think Dax will be the great athlete in the family. He is really aggressive, and has no fear. He loves to get right into the sports, but he also loves to cheer right along with his sisters. So, at this point, it really could go either way. (Sigh) Oh well, I guess if it gets him a scholarship, we can live with our "athlete" being the top of the pyramid! Besides, "he don't mess around, he don't mess around, he don't mess around, he just gets down-Huh-uh!" (He really likes that cheer!)

Week 11!

FIRST REAL APPOINTMENT

On Thursday, I had my first real doctor's appointment. Shawn decided that since this is our last (the doctor just laughed and said, "I think I've heard that before"), he would take the day off and go with me. When I got up to the window to pay my copay, I noticed a note on my chart that said, "Weekly ultrasounds starting now". Needless to say, this threw me. When the nurse brought me back she explained that my bloodwork didn't come back the way they would like it to. I need to go back to explain. Around Valentine's Day, I got very sick. I just woke up in the middle of the night with a really high fever one night.   The fever just kept getting worse, until reaching 104degrees about 4 days later.  I really didn't have any other symptoms.  I just felt horrible with chills and aches from the fever.  I finally decided to go to the doctor and he sent me immediately for bloodwork.  My white bloodcount came back at a 1.  The doctor really thought I might have lymphoma.  The next day, I woke up with this really odd rash all over my arms and legs and my joints were all swollen.  Then, they started thinking I might have Lupus.  It was a very scary few days for my family.  Finally, they decided that I just had an odd virus and my blood levels started to go back to normal.  Anyway, about a week later, I get a call from the school nurse.  Apparantly, Drew broke out in an odd rash at school.  I took him to the doctor and she said it was "Fifth's Disease".  I realized then that it is exactly what I had.  She said that sometimes children don't get the fever, but adults can be really affected by it.  So.... back to my appointment.  When I got my initial bloodwork, I mentioned the Fifth's Disease to the doctor.  He decided to test me for it.  It seems that when I got the bloodwork done (about 6 weeks into the pregnancy) I still had the Fifth's Disease in my system.  This can cause anemia in the baby.  I have to get weekly ultrasounds for the next ten weeks to see if they baby is anemic.  If it turns out the baby is anemic, then he/she will need a blood transfusion in utero.  Apparently, there are only 10 doctors in the world who do this surgery.  The good news is, the doctor does not think it will come to this and feels we are just taking the necessary precautions.  We are trying to stay positive and just thinking that we get to see the baby a lot.  On a brighter note, when he did the ultrasound, the baby has grown arms and really long legs and was moving all around.  I don't care if it is your first, fifth, or fiftieth, you never get over the entire miracle of the whole thing!

MOTHER'S DAY
Yesterday was Mother's Day. It was the first time that Drew and Dawsyn really got into it without a lot of prodding from Daddy. Drew "interviewed" me so he could write about my life. It was so cute. He asked me to sit down at the kitchen table and answer some questions. He wtrote the numbers 1-31 on a piece of paper. He then, very seriously asked me, "OK--what is your favorite memory from when you were one?" This went on for all of the years. When we got to year 23, he said, "Mom, I gotta tell ya, I'm a little surprised that you haven't mentioned me yet!" I just laughed and explained that he was born when I was 23, so he is my best memory from my 23rd year. I could tell he felt much better then. Shawn and the kids got me a gift card to Old Navy so I can get some maternity clothes, which I am needing very badly! Dawsyn made me a beautiful bracelet, using the "J" letter magnet that hangs on our Fridge and an old hair ribbon. Of course, just like every proud mom, I wore it to church for all to see! :) Dax brought me breakfast in bed, ok--he really just carried up a tray and a spoon, but it's the thought, right??? Delaney was very proud of signing her own name to the card--in lower case letters, I might add! We went to church (only a slight mishap when we were pulling out of the driveway and suddenly Daxton's head pops up between Shawn and I in the front seat and he yells, "Hey--don't drive yet!" because we hadn't hooked him in yet. (Poor kid is raising himself!). We went to church--Father Steve called up all pregnant ladies to get a blessing at the end of mass. We hadn't told people in church that I was pregnant yet and the looks on people's faces when I walked to the front was priceless! The young people shook their heads, thinking we have obviously lost it and the older people smiled sweetly because we are "such good Catholics".
After church we had a cookout at mom and dad's. Cassie, Josh, CJ, Carl and Judy were all there and the kids were so excited that their good friends, Kaylor and Isabella got to come see thier bunnies. This should be our last crazy week of activities and then things should slow down--hopefully then we'll remember to buckle Dax in his seat. Hey--at least we had all four kids in the car, right????

Week 10!

DASH, THUMPER, KYLIE, and CARAMEL

We decided to add four more members to the family. Luckily, these get to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house. On Sunday, mom and dad took the kids and let them each pick out a bunny. Mom mentioned to my dad a few weeks ago that she would like to get bunnies for the kids. Well, you only have to mention things once with my dad! If their is a project to be done, he will do it. I don't know how he will ever retire! And.. he doesn't do anything small. He got a huge rabbit hutch, totally resided it (if there is ever a tornado, we are all going to run out and hold onto the rabbit hutch), painted it and he even built a rabbit run so the kids can play freely with the bunnies. They are loving it. The only problem is they want to be there all the time (thinking this might have been part of mom's plan). The other problem is that our intense one (aka Dawsyn) cries every night when she has to leave them!!!! She says she wants a zoo in her house--little does she know how very close we are!

DON'T BLINK

Dawsyn had her Daddy/Daughter dance on Friday. I took her to get her hair done, then we went to Godmother Angie's house to get dressed. When she was all ready, she came walking down the stairs and Shawn was waiting for her at the bottom with a corsage and charm for her charm bracelet. It was all very moving. I thought to myself, I am going to blink and she will be going to her first prom. I could tell she felt like she was in a fairy-tale and was just floating on air. She was Cinderella and Shawn was her prince charming. Anyone ever notice that the mother of the princess is either dead, evil, or asleep in those fairy tales??? Do you want to know why??? It's because while Prince charming (AKA Daddy) and the Princess are at the ball, the mother is in the parking lot of the soccer field with a screaming two year old, hungry four year old, and struggling to push soccer cleats onto her seven year old's feet. She then maneuvers the soccer equipment bag over one shoulder, the two year old on the other hip with his leg positioned over the much-too-big-for-this-far-along pregnant belly, grabs the four year old by the hand, hopes she has taught the seven year old enough to dodge through the parking lot on his own, just to get to the field, uload everything she is carrying, except the much-too pregnant belly of course, and gets ready to fill in as coach for Prince Charming. At this point she is hoping that "kick the ball towards that net" constitutes coaching a soccer game since she has never played and those who know her well, know that back when she was the Princess, she used to strike out at T-ball!!! She takes a deep breath, tries to gather herself together, when the tornado sirens go off. People start blowing whistles and yelling, "Get off the field!". Not a problem--up goes the equipment bag, the two year old, grab four year old hand and try to talk the seven year old down from the edge because he knows what a tornado is and is totally freaking out the whole way home! You know you are officially a mom when, instead of getting in the car and driving home as quickly as you can, you drive towards the storm because now that soccer got cancelled, you can get some pictures of Prince Charming and the Princess at the dance! In the middle of a tornado, putting the other children at risk , but hey--a small price to pay for an awesome scrapbook page, right? I think those fairy-tale queens got a bad rap!

Week 9!

MORE MUSIC!
Last night was Drew's first grade music program. There are about 250 first graders in Drew's school. They were all crammed on the stage, it was standing room only in the cafeteria and it was a little over an hour long. But, at the end, they had all the students get back on stage and face their parents and the Principal announced the "Canal Winchester Class of 2020". I fell apart! 2020???? I don't know why but that just really got to me! So, then I started thinking...Dawsyn will be 2021, Delaney-2023, Dax- 2025, and this one will 2028. I was born in 1978. Now, my mind is running much slower these days, but by my quick calculations, I will be 50 when this one graduates from high school (see how the pregnant mind can quickly spiral downward into a depressive funk???). I think that is why I truly try to enjoy every moment and not miss a thing. I know I will blink and next thing I know, I will be sitting here and it will be 2020 and I will be planning a graduation party and I will think back to that little curly-haired boy standing on stage with his little clip-on tie (which he put up so much of a fuss about I'm not sure we'll ever graduate to actual ties) and his crooked-tooth smile singing "Oh Mr. Sun, please shine down on me!" and I will cry all over again.

THE WEEKENDS ARE ROUGH
It seems that when I get back to work on Monday, I am totally wiped out! This weekend I went to our annual Women of Faith Conference at Nationwide Arena. It was wonderful, as usual. I felt like the speakers were talking right to me. They even did a skit about body image and struggling with being pregnant and gaining weight! It was amazing. I must say, Shawn is a trooper! While I was at WOF, Shawn had to take all four kids to Drama class, piano rehearsal, football/cheerleading where he helps coach, and get their other usual daily activities done. He was pretty worn out as well! :)
Yesterday, Drew had his first piano recital. We sat through an hour and a half of young children playing their instruments in a hot church, just to hear his 30 second rendition of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" on the piano. I couldn't have been prouder if he was Beethoven. He is so much like his father, though. We sat there waiting for it to start for about a half hour and literally two minutes before it started, Drew looks at me and says, "oh no" and I see that his nose is bleeding. Shawn, was sweet and volunteered to take Drew to the bathroom, although he really should be the one to deal with these issues since it is one of his "genes" that got passed down to Drew. Apparantly, the two of them will get nose bleeds for emotion! Most people just cry at movies, not my guys! :) Anyway, he didn't come back until the girl before him was half-way through her song. I was a little nervous at this point, but he did great!!!! Then we all went to Pizza Hut for dinner. So, a great, busy weekend. When I had to drag myself out of bed this morning, I reminded myself that there are only 6 weeks of school left! I am really looking forward to Summer Break! Time with the kids, fun activities, vacation, rest (maybe???), but honestly, I am just quickly running out of clothing that fits and can't wait to spend the summer in a bathingsuit (however unnatractive that will be) and flip-flops!!!

Week 8!

NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD TO DO THIS
Yesterday, Drew took in the ultrasound picture to show his classmates. The teacher said he stood up very somberly, headed to the front of the room, ultrasound in hand, faced his classmates, held the picture up, and then very seriously looked over at the teacher and said, "It's not the first time I've had to do this!" When the teacher relayed the story to me, I thought about how many times a day that quote fits my life. Every load of laundry, every dinner cooked, every dusting, sweeping, reading, shoe-tying, diaper-changing, question-answering, conflict resolving, moment. Yet each new baby is a whole new experience. How can every day be so similiar yet so different at the same time. I am convinced that only happens when you have children running around. The other day I was in the store and someone made the usual comments (I am going to by a shirt that says- "Yes they're all mine, and Yes, I know what caused it!), but I was particularly bothered because he said, "boy, you have your hands full". My kids were all walking nicely beside the cart and we were having a great conversation. I've decided that my new response will be--"if you think my hands are full, you should see my heart!"


HEARTBEAT!
Houston, we have a heartbeat!!! I decided not to wait it out and found a place nearby that does ultrasounds. I paid $75.00 for some peace of mind and it was well worth it! The tech was great and really thorough. She checked all over for two--but only baby for us! The heartbeat was 167 and the baby measured a little ahead--back to where I originally thought I was. So, I am officially in week 8! This put the due date at November 29th! We even got a dvd of the ultrasound. The kids were so excited when I came home and told them I had a movie of the baby. I put it in and then just watched their faces as they contorted their smiles, turned their heads sideways and squinted their eyes. Finally, Drew said, "uh, mom--I think you're having a jellybean!". Dawsyn got very emotional and wanted to know what was wrong with our baby and why it didn't have arms, Delaney thought it was cute and went skipping along her merry way and Dax just kept pulling up my shirt and looking from my belly to the tv with a confused look on his face. Ahhhh, signs of things to come. I can't wait to see what they think of the whole birthing experience! Shawn's response was classic-Shawn. He smiled, gave my belly a little rub, left for the kids' music class and came home with a pack of newborn diapers. His little way of saying, "I'm ready for this."

Week 7!

PREGNANCY IS A LITTLE LIKE BEING ON AN ACID TRIP

OK, so I have never been on an acid trip, I've never even been drunk, honestly, not so much as a buzz, unless you count the time Father Steve put a little less water in the wine at church on Sunday, but even then, I can't say it really counted. As my brother would say, I am an old stick in the mud, but I have to imagine that had I ever been on an acid trip, it would be something like the crazy thoughts that go through your mind when you're pregnant! For instance, I was folding some laundry today and Dax came up to me and wanted to help. I looked down at his sweet, innocent little face and the only thought that came into my mind was, "My God, you look just like a "Kewpie" doll!!!" I couldn't get this thought out of my mind, so I found a picture of a kewpie doll and, excepting the lack of clothing (although Dax would willing be "nakey" if we let him), they are twins! Had I not been pregnant, my next thought would probably have been to think it was cute and continue with the laundry. However, hormones are a monster and the next thing I know, tears are stinging my eyes and I am holding my squirming 2 year old saying, "I'm so sorry you look like a kewpie doll". At this point I am certain that he has a future of starring in some reality TV show that is only on cable at 2 in the morning. Shawn quickly tries to remedy the situation by pointing out that I am being irrational and that Dax is adorable and just needs his hair trimmed. My quick response is that he is finally getting hair and there is no way I am going to cut it now! This does the job, I am officially off the "kewpie doll" kick and now frantically thinking, "yeah--why doesn't he have more hair by the way?" and "why is he so small"? Is he talking enough? He only knows 4 of his colors and he can't write his name!!!!! How is he ever supposed to pass the SAT at this rate?????? I have obviously failed as a mother. When I finish with my tirade there are 5 sets of eyes staring blankly at me. Delaney finally breaks the silence with "is a Kewpie doll candy?" See? I think the creators of Alice in Wonderland, Willy Wonka, and Jesus Christ Superstar weren't really on acid trips--they were probably pregnant or working close proximity with someone who was. At least I am able to look back and realize that it is the hormones that caused me to go from Kewpie look-a-like to failing his SAT's in a matter of 10 minutes. I am much better now, much more relaxed--until the next thing catches my attention. But, seriously, is it just me? He really does look like Kewpie!!

MORE ABOUT TIREDNESS!!!

The fact that I am already a day behind in writing this is probably going to sum up week 7. I am TIRED!!! Yesterday, I laid on the couch in the evening and watched TV. I NEVER do this, which was obvious by the kids' reactions. They were flipping out. They kept asking if I was o.k. or if I was going to be alright. They certainly aren't used to seeing Mommy sit, let alone lie, on the couch. Now, would everyone take a minute to remember that this is #5. I think of my stomach as a deflated balloon. After Drew's birth, it was like a little water balloon that had shrunken back down after use. After Dawsyn's birth it was more like a large party balloon, by number 5, I am thinking it is like a large punching bag that certainly knows the routine!!! Not to mention that little fact that I once weighed 250 pounds!!! So, consequently, my stomach is huge. I pulled out our pictures from Daxton's pregnancy. My stomach is about the same size at 7 weeks that it was at about 12 weeks with him! Thus, the "twin" talk has begun. Yes, my mom is a fraternal twin, yes I am over 30 this time, yes this is my fifth pregnancy, yes my HcG numbers are off the chart, yes I am definitely more sick and tired this time than last. Regardless, I am POSITIVE there is only one in there. At the first ultrasound they weren't even sure they could see one, so I'm sure there isn't two. If one more person makes the twin joke, I might use my pregnancy hormones as an excuse and punch them!!!!
If I am fortunate enough to make it to my first ultrasound, which is scheduled for May 14th (isn't that your birthday, Julie?) I also just realized that is the day I found out I was pregnant for Dax, I will come back with pictures to show everyone that it isn't twins--I am just fat! YAY!
Also this week, the kids are having fun with the name game--so far our suggestions from our four angels consist of: Darth or Dooku (that would be our Star Wars Fan-Drew), Dacey, David, Dana, Loofa, Jumpala and http://www.richard.com/ (that was from Delaney--yeah, we don't know either, I caution you if you actually choose to click on the link, as I have no idea where it may take you!)

Week 6!

EASTER--Let the exhaustion begin!
Because Easter was so late this year, we had our Spring Break the week before Easter. So I am back to work today and sooo tired! On the plus side, we had a great Easter. Court-a-ney (as Delaney affectionately calls her) came for the weekend. The kids were so excited to see that the Easter Bunny brought her a basket too! On Friday we had friends over and colored 10 dozen Easter Eggs! Dax and his buddy Lance looked like they were going for their auditions for "Blueman group". They were covered. It was chaotic, loud, messy, and absolutely wonderful! :) On Saturday, we went to the Easter Vigil at church. When we got there and Drew realized that this was the service where we light candles and hold them, he quickly checked all the fire exits and then proceeded to inform the family which way to get out in case someone "wasn't too careful with their candle!" Easter Vigil at our church is a 3 hour service that doesn't start until 9:00 PM. All four kids were asleep half-way through the first reading. Luckily, Courtney was there. Between Mom, Cassie, Josh, Courtney, and Shawn, I was able to stay only in charge of "tie-breaker" which is good, because I was very nauseous throughout the entire service. After the service, they have a reception for all those who became Catholic. Since Mom and Dad are both very involved with the RCIA at our church (Dad even sponsored someone this year), we decided to go to the reception for a little while, much to the dismay of Drew and Dawsyn who were convinced that the Easter Bunny would come while we gone and we would interrupt him when we got home and he would leave and take all of his goodies with him. These are the moments when, only for a moment, the thought crosses my mind that I am really screwing with my kids' heads with all of this holiday stuff, but then I quickly think, Oh well, it's fun!
The kids were up and ready to go by 7:00 AM. Delaney just kept saying that Easter is so much better than Christmas because of all of the candy! So, today I head back to work with the house covered in candy wrappers, and enough Easter grass to reseed our yard (by the way add Easter grass to my list of male inventions!), but we had a great time and I really felt that this Lent was the first time that Drew and Dawsyn are starting to "get it". When we did our Bible readings, and kept track our "kind acts" (the paper chain we wrote them on now wraps around our kitchen!), I could tell they were understanding the concept of what Jesus did for us. Delaney is at least to the point where she knows what she is supposed to say, and Dax even got in on the action when I was reading them a book on Good Friday and he saw a picture of Jesus with the crown of thorns, and yelled, "Hey--I like that guy!". Yeah, Dax--me too! :)
It's a Man's World
I should officially be at week 6 today. I still haven't heard from the doctor. When I called today, the nurse acted like she had no clue what I was talking about and tried to tell me that my blood work wasn't back yet. Which really means she didn't feel like looking for it. I am still waiting to hear back from her.
It has also become quite apparent to me that men have historically run the world--and, even more obvious that they don't have a clue as to what they're doing! For instance, men must have invented panty-hose, eyebrow waxing, and those little annoying square, powder packages that come in shoes that all I know about them in 31 years is that you aren't supposed to eat them! On top of these things, I can tell you that a man must have coined the term, "morning sickness". There is no morning about it--at least not this time! Maybe it is because it is number 5, maybe it is because I am now over 30, or maybe it is God's way of saying, "Alright, little lady--this is absolutely it"! Whatever the reason, I am absolutely nauseous all day long this time. It really started on Sunday and hasn't ended yet, except for when I am sleeping.
To this point, I must also add, that men, who at their worst have to do what? Turn their head and cough???? PUHLEASE!!!! And these are the humans we call the stonger sex??? If men didn't run the world, I am positive we would have come up with something better than a pap smear! I mean look at the world and the advancements we have made--people regularly travel into space, I can get on the internet and get a live feed of any spot on earth, not to mention, that amazing "shamwow" thingy--I mean really, it can absorb anything!!! Add to that the advances in medicine we have made--they can transplant just about any organ in the body, they are saving people from horrible accidents and diseases every day! Yet, no one can think of something better than a giant plastic speculum???? Seriously, at my last pelvic exam it literally fell apart half way through and the doctor had to screw it back together. Not to be too graphic, but you really don't want to hear the doctor say, "Wait a minute, I need to screw this" in the middle of your pelvic exam!!!! Then, once everything was back together, he says to the nurse, you have to raise the table up for me, this is hurting my back. At which point, I could no longer contain myself and piped in saying, "Well, by all means, please do--we wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable at a moment like this!" Poor guy, what a rough day for him--Hopefully he doesn't have to turn his head and cough for awhile!!!!