Do you notice a pattern here?

This silly monkey smiles AS SOON as she sees you bring the camera out.  

Geez.  What a ham, huh?  but she sure is adorable.  

Whirlwind December..

To sum up some things since my last post: 

We are expecting a bouncing baby BOY! Found out two weeks ago.  His name will be Isaac (middle name pending) which means "laughter."  Certainly what we did when we found out we were expecting him. 

I doula-ed a birth last week for a mom having her 4th.  The super mom did 45 hours of prodromal labor and then 18 hours of active labor before she delivered her precious little girl.  (birth story to follow, seperately). 

I turned 32 years old on the 18th.  Two days later I was in the hospital with a kidney stone.  That is such a long story but suffice it to say that a pitocin induced, unmedicated birth (Eva) was a walk in the park compared to that stone.  That is NO exaggeration.  I came home with them saying I had a 7mm stone and a less than 50% chance it would pass on it's own, but alas, because I am pregnant that treatment was limited and not recommended. Two days later I was in the hospital again.  The reason we went in is because the Loratab did NOTHING for the pain, and while it was not a 10 on the scale as before.. it was an 8, and was not getting better.  This time we found out the stone had apparently broken up into two smaller stone, one in the bottom of my kidney and the other passing through the ureter.  So "this to shall pass" comes to mind.  And i came home Christmas Eve afternoon.  Sooo thankful that I made it out of that hospital in time for Christmas.  And now we just wait for the stone to pass and pray for no more "episodes."  (will keep you posted). 

-My kiddos enjoyed Jesus' birthday celebrations today as well as all the presents they got on His birthday! LOL. I really think we may have gone overboard.. compared to the three gifts they each got last year.  Light sabers, books, six shooters w/holsters, baby dolls, sticker books, leapsters, movies.. to name a few.  whew.. 

I hope everyone is doing well and i am hoping that things start to slow down as we ring in the new year.  Praying, actually.. LOL.  

Buenos Noches.. 

Go ahead and give up on me.. Im a lost cause..

I'll forgive you.  I understand I may not get anyone to read this post either, because sadly I have fallen off the blog grid.  

I just can't juggle it and I seriously am the most uninteresting person right now.  

I have very little desire to post the encouraging "your children aren't as bad as mine" posts because, well, I have enough of those that you can catch up on. 

I'm sure that you would have no desire to hear the mundane "this is what I did today posts" that generally involve cleaning, cooking, dealing with my children and getting my house "ready" to put a sign in the yard (which will supposedly happen tomorrow.. don't hold your breath).  

I would gladly offer you some witty humor stories but oddly, I got none (how's that for grammar).  My life is not very funny right now. Just busy. 

And I'd happily tell you all the wonderful things my kids are saying, doing, and otherwise, but I couldn't remember them after the fact, even if I tried.  And my memory is so bad these days that even if I wrote them down, I'd lose the paper. 

I'm starting to wonder if this fourth child is going to do me in.  I'm not much fun and I'm basically just trying to "hold down the fort."  

On a positive note. . I have births again starting in December and every month after that until my own birth.. so stay tuned for some birth stories.. ;-)

You one single reader.. have a great day.. and I understand if  you don't revisit here ever again.  

Labor support

Great post about continuous support during labor.. (with a video)

http://enjoybirth.wordpress.com/2009/11/12/continuous-support-during-birth-is-golden/

Right out of the gate. . .

I proved this morning that you can, in fact, sin before your feet hit the floor (from your bed).  

You see, I went to bed too late last night.  

Then my boys woke up at 6:03 a.m (that would've been 7:03 if not for the absurd time change). 

Then at 6:04 my boys start bickering over something and then they come pouring into the hall and then my room, all the while yelling "MOMMMMMY!!!" 

Then at 6:05 Eva starts crying because said boys have now woken the sleeping tigress (who has yet to adjust to the time change) and will only cause her to get more upset with each passing minute.  

Of course, this series of events made me boil inside.  I sharply rebuked my boys to get back in their rooms and then did what I knew I shouldn't: go lay back down in my bed.  

Yes boys still fighting... girl still crying.  

Boil. Boil. Boil... 

Then I jump out of my bed, stomp my way into the boys' room (this is more of a warning that mommy is coming.. how scary is that??) and then swing open their door (again, scary).  Jorge jumps into his bed out of fear (sad, yes) yet that does not break my anger.  I get down in Alexs' face and harshly say, "EVA is TRYING to SLEEP!! BE QUIET!! NOW!"  

You have to know Alex.  He puts his thumb in his mouth and his bottom lip is quivering.  He's going to try to be strong and not cry, well honestly, because I just yelled at him to be quiet.  

I stand up fully ready to waltz out of that room and close the door.. but the sight of those two boys, and the power of the Holy Spirit (praise God).. broke me.  

I sat on the floor and grabbed Alex and called Jorge to me as well.. and cried.  

And asked for their forgiveness.  

They were very gracious and kind and forgave me quickly.  

The Lord too. 

Praise God for forgiveness.  

My super boys.

So we don't "do halloween" in our house, but I will do the mess out of 50% off costumes the week afterwards.  As you may know, our little men have a growing collection in their "costume box."  

 

I can rest at ease knowing that Captain America and The Incredible Hulk are tirelessly defending the Garcia casa today.  Im sure I will have fun prying these off of them when it's time to head to my nephew's birthday party later this evening.  

Eva Isabel

Eva on her first birthday (back in August). 

Birth Pet Peeve #42

Okay, while I don't have an official "Pet Peeve" list or anything, I'm sure I could come up with at least 42 items of frustration.  

However, I do have one that has been on my mind not only because I have been hearing it "happening" to other mothers I know, but I have also experienced it first hand.  

First, let me ask you a question?  Would you ever assume that your very well educated and experienced OB would be able to tell you when he/she thought you might conceive?  

Have you ever asked your OB when he/she thought you might become great with child?

Have you ever had an OB tell you, without your asking, when they thought you might conceive?  

I'm going to take a big guess that the answer is NO.  Why would you, right?  It's not like they can predict these things.  

HOWEVER.. fast forward to 39 weeks of pregnancy and all the sudden you and said OB are convinced that if they said, "you are going to have this baby by this weekend, I'm sure of it" that now all the sudden they have supernatural powers that have been hidden up until now.  

You might want to ask them to purchase a lottery ticket for you too, while you're at it.  

Okay, I jest.  But here is my frustration: 

NO ONE, except the LORD HIMSELF, knows when that baby is coming.  Can you guess? Sure that's why its called and ESTIMATED due date (EDD).  That is NOT an eviction day: either the baby comes on that day or else.  

Besides the fact that no doctor is that smart to "know" when baby is coming they also do not "know" how long a labor will last.  

With my third child I walked into my OB appointment at 37 weeks, with no contractions and yet, when my beloved doctor checked me I was a whopping 5 cm's.  He was in complete shock.  Of course he started asking me if I had had any contractions of any intensity (as if I could forget what a contraction feels like) and whether I had any bloody show..etc.  I told him.. "nope. I've just been taking my Evening primrose oil everyday."   Well the next thing out of his mouth was, "Well, Rachel, I think you will have this baby by the end of the weekend."  Of course, I laughed thinking "how silly."  

But what happened next was a surprise , even to me.  I got in my car.. called my hubby, my sister and every other friend I have to tell them "guess what?  I'm 5cm's dilated.. and the doc thinks I'll have the baby by Sunday."  NEVERMIND the fact that I knewI had been taking EPO, this was my third child, I had NOT ONE contraction and dilation can happen even before labor officially "begins."  

Nope. None of that mattered.  My doctor is knowledgeable.  He's seen women in labor for years.  He's delivered countless babies.. surely he knows a labor about to begin when he sees it.  

WRONG.  

I stayed 5 cm's for another week.  In fact, at my next appointment (when I hadn't had that baby by SUNDAY), he came in and what did he say?  "I am so shocked to see you here!"  Why?  Because you now realize that with birth nothing is guaranteed and that you can not predict the future?  I then told him how disappointed I was when Monday morning came and I didn't have that baby and I begged him to never, never, never, never, ever, no matter how much you have the urge to "encourage" a mom, please, please, DO NOT tell her something that you can not, in fact, guarantee. I was dead serious and I believe he actually considered my words.  

Here is the point.  You need to consider every single gestation not in terms of 40 weeks but in terms of 42 weeks.  Even ACOG standards consider postdate to be 42+ weeks.  Meaning, even the "holy grail" of medical standards says you don't need to induce until 42+ weeks, unless there is medical indication.  

Point being:  40 weeks is not the eviction day, its the estimated due date. And when you will begin labor is unknown.  The AVERAGE gestation for first time moms is 41.5 weeks.  Average means some go before, and some go after that.  

And whatever you do.. if your doctor tells you that supposed encouraging info "I think it's going to happen this week (or enter day/time here)" remind them (and yourself) that NO MAN knows the future and that we would call that prophecy, and in the days of  Old Testament Law... if your prophecy didn't come true you were killed.  

Not that I'm saying a hormonal, frustrated, very pregnant woman should consider killing.. even if you want to.  

in case you were wondering..

we are still here.  

boys are doing great.  Eva is becoming miss independent.. which makes me sad. 

The baby is still growing in my belly.  And it apparently has HUGE problems with my favorite guilty pleasure: Taco Bell.  Yes, I ate that "junk."  but about three hours later I threw it up and therefore can guarantee that I will not be eating it again for a very loooooong time.  The same thing happened to another food item when I was preggers with Eva.  

We are going camping next weekend for Reformation weekend.  Annual trip.  Lots of fun.  Last year I had an almost two month old baby.  This year I have an almost three month baby (in the womb).. how's that for irony.  

Getting excited about my own birth since I've been meeting with mommies recently about their own births.  so that's fun.  

well i will stop with the update.  My sister Mishka is on her way to my house and I still need to do some cleaning.. just for the house to be destroyed by six kids 7 yrs old and under.  fun times!! 

Forced post

Just so you know, I am forcing myself to make this post.  Almost in the same way that I have to force myself to eat food these days.. or force myself to do anything productive at all.  

I seem to like Facebook better these days because it takes way less energy to do a status update than to type out a blog post.  Laziness at it's finest, folks. 

I don't want to come across as "that" pregnant lady so I will try to keep it positive in giving the updates going on in our world.. for those that care. 

1. I am 10 weeks preggers and doing better.  But I say that with caution. I still am nauseous but it has gotten a little better.  Now the fatigue has set in and I am so off schedule these days that I just can't dwell on it.  I know it's temporary.

2.  My boys are beating each other up.  I have banned all movies in this house that so much as hint at fighting.  Even if it's against monsters. I am so SICK.AND.TIRED of them not understanding that, while they may wrestle with each other, they may NOT do it to other children.  

3.  On that note, Jorge got tag teamed at Pump it Up yesterday for that very reason.  He kept picking on three boys his same age and size and I kept warning him to leave them alone, or else.  And well.. or else happened.  they all got tired of it.. at the same time.  He was on the bottom of the pile and it made him cry.  What did I do?  the boy had to sit in time out while I explained what just happened and why it happened.  Hopefully, he learned his lesson. 

4.  I am going to be getting pretty busy with births come December.  I have one a month until I birth my baby in May.. well I have possibly (sigh) three in March.  I may have to seriously reconsider that!  Tonight I am meeting with a couple that was referred to me by Greta (a mom who made it all look easy during her own birth).  Thanks Greta.  

5.  I am laughing at how predictable I am as a pregnant woman.  I only truly love the second trimester.  The first is covered in nausea and fatigue and the last trimester is covered in feeling huge and unable to move about easily.  Oh and fatigue.  So I guess I got a three month window where our lives will resemble some sense of order and then its back to blah land.  ;-) Am I the only one like this?  Wait, don't be that mom that tells me how wonderful you feel throughout your ENTIRE pregnancy.  I might throw up. 

6.  Baby girl is adorable.  Just thought I'd throw that in.  She says a few things but I especially love that she calls her baby doll "baba."  And she loves that little doll.  Eva was also in the 5th percentile at her last checkup.. she is such a petite little thing.  

7.  #4 had a heartbeat of 175 at my appt last week.. still too early to determine gender.. but I do remember Eva's being really high  in the beginning.. (sigh) we shall wait and see.  Either way we will be thrilled to pieces.  

Okay that's enough numbers and chit chat.  I must go lay down while it is quiet in the house.  ;-)

Good lil' American citizen

My 4 year old reciting the pledge of allegiance. too cute.

All done crying.

You ever have those moments where all you really need is to just cry?  

That was today.  Sure, I am hormonal, but it was a true need to just acknowledge how I feel about all that is going on.   

Don't get me wrong.. no one is more thrilled to have another "bun" in the oven than me, but it each pregnancy is so different and this one is no exception.  This time I had to mentally adjust my brain to "you are doing it all over again." You see, I had resigned myself to the belief that I would NEVER be pregnant again (those thoughts are normal for someone whose husband has had a vasectomy).   And in our talks about our next child (via adoption) we always talked about adopting a toddler.  So not only was I past pregnancy, I was probably NOT going to be doing a newborn. 

{insert God laughing, here}

So now I am in the throws of nausea, fatigue and for the first time during a first trimester: insulin dependence.  I always had insulin in my pregnancies but NEVER this early.  With Eva I was about 11 weeks along.  So I was just about over being nauseous.  With insulin comes "working out the kinks." Which means I can "crash" if I get too much.  Think Julia Roberts, hair salon scene in "Steel Magnolias."  

It may not have me convulsing, but I get pretty shook up and it takes me about two hours to fully recovered. 

Add to that the normal nausea and absolute fatigue and you got yourself a strong cocktail of a day.  Lather, Rinse, Repeat for the next day. 

I do not want to complain.  Really, I don't.  This baby is a blessing.  this pregnancy too.  It is just a hard time, my first trimester, to juggle cooking, cleaning and child rearing.. oh and let's not forget.. just having fun with my kids. 

So at small group today.. i could hold it in no longer.. I was asking for prayer and then just started to cry.  Those sweet ladies stopped right then and prayed over/for me and reminded me how God is and that He would carry me through.  It was a sweet time and I am so thankful for them.  Not to mention that they all organized bringing me a meal..once a week.  

At least, my husband is guaranteed to have one home cooked meal a week.. I'll work on the other days.. one day at a time.  

and in case you wanted to see that clip of Julia Roberts in Steel Magnolias.. here ya go.. about the four minute mark is the start of her low blood sugar spell.. 

Not much else..

Well after announcing baby #4 is on the way.. 

there really isn't anything left to say.  Im sick. And tired.. LOL.  

What else is new, huh? My first dr's appt is Oct 1st.  So that should be fun. (sigh).  But I do love my doctor.. its the every month thing that drives me nuts.  Im one of those that toward the end when they want you to come in every week I say, "my husband can take my bp at home and I'll call you if I have any concerns."  

Thankfully, my doc gives grace in that area.  He may not see me at all until the due month.  LOL. 

Im such a rebel.  ;-)

READY OR NOT...

I'm PREGNANT!!!

So.. yeah.

 I feel I need to offer some full disclosure here. You may or may not remember this post

I wrote while pregnant with Eva.  We wanted more kids.. but we were concerned about my health (long term) since, with each pregnancy my body gets more and more insulin resistant.  There are so many things that can happen to a body when you do that to it 9 months every year or so.  And with Eva, at 38 weeks I was on over 100 units of insulin a day.  And my gluc. numbers were out of control (low and high), even if I ate a piece of whole wheat bread and some chicken.  

Sooo, 10 months ago Jorge had a vasectomy.  

And today I am preggers!  Praise God for the blessing!  

And I can honestly say, should I get even more sick this time, and end  up on an insulin pump and a kidney transplant, the Lord will  still be glorified!  I will still praise Him for the life that He has placed in my womb (even if we thought we were making a wise decision).

Ready or not: Party of six!  

I couldn't agree more..

Response to NBC's "investigation" on Extreme Birth. 

http://enjoybirth.wordpress.com/

Thumbs down to NBC!!!

I have a sad doula confession..

The sad doula confession:

I haven't always been doula-ish.

Let me explain. A doula could be defined as caring, supportive, knowledgeable and compassionate during a woman's labor process.

There are two people who knew me "way back when" I wasn't a doula at heart. And sadly, I feel that I will never forgive myself for how I "helped them."

The first person that probably didn't benefit from my "help" (pre-doula) is my sister Mishka. With all three of her births she would call me at first contraction. For her that did NOT mean it was really labor. She always had prodromal labor: contractions off and on for several days. But once the pattern stayed, I headed down to Montgomery (an hour away) to help her labor at home before going to the hospital. We would go walking, come home and basically time contractions the entire time. I didn't know how to get her comfortable. In fact, I remember one time with one child, she got "stuck" in her big couch during a contraction and couldn't escape.. she was not happy.. I think I just laughed.. while she was contracting. {sigh}

But the longest fall from grace (lol) was on her last delivery (almost three years ago). To my credit, I did have a three month old when I came down to "help," that I brought with me. But my poor sister, who labors through late at night, decided she wanted to lie down in her bed. NOT A GOOD IDEA FOR SLEEPY SISTER WITH A THREE MONTH OLD. So what happens? My sister is writhing in pain through contractions, by herself, and then gets up and starts hacking in the bathroom all by herself. To which she then come in, HAS TO WAKE ME UP, to tell me it's time to go to the hospital. {bigger sigh}

{shudder} Seriously, this makes me so sad. I occasionally tell her how severely sorry I am and how I wish she would have another baby so that I could redeem myself. LOL. I try to assure her that now I DO NOT resemble anything that I did when I was "helping" her. But I feel it's no use. She may be waiting for that birth story that involves me telling about how a mom had to wake me up to tell me it was time to get to the hospital. {sigh}

The second person that I have huge regrets with is my very good friend, Christina. She never reads my blog, but I am always apologizing to her too. Two years ago she was having her first baby and planning a natural child birth. I was convinced she was crazy, and I had no qualms about telling her exactly that. I said things like, but not limited to:

"Are you saying that you feel more confident that the doctors?"

"Do you feel like you have to prove yourself, or something?"

"Christina, really?? you can find research to prove any point you want to make. That doesn't mean it's right."

"I just think its ridiculous to go through pain when you don't have to."

{sigh}

I wish I could say that was the least of what I did. I was the most skeptical, rude, highly misinformed, ignorant woman you could think of. Not to mention, totally unsupportive and even angry at my friend for even considering doing something so "stupid." {sigh}

To both of these womens' credit, they were very patient with me. They even talk to me to this day. ;-) But i have to say, I have come a long way in the last two years.. since my pregnancy with Eva (who is a year old, btw). I immediately wanted to try a natural child birth.. and to who do I credit? Christina. And who was there at my birth as one of the most supportive, caring, encouraging coaches? my sister, Mishka (and Christina..well and Jen and Laurie and my husband..what can I say.. I am an extrovert).

I even have a "FREE THE MIDWIVES" bumper sticker on my van and am a huge advocate for home birth in Alabama or at least for women to have the option with a legal midwife. And I did get to redeem myself with Christina. Two months ago she gave birth to a baby girl. I was there with her the entire time and was actually able to help, the right way! ;-)

So you could say that I was once a sad case.. but thankfully God opened my eyes to the beauty of His creation and how it works beautifully and I am thankful that He puts very patient people in my life. {sigh}

I need to know your thoughts..

Well, I understand that a good bit of people that were first reading my blog, from when it started, liked the family updates and such..

but now...

I have gone all birth junkie on ya!!

I know there are some of you beginning peeps that aren't all that into the whole natural childbirth "thing" which leads me to wonder..

Should I have a separate blog for birth "stuff?" Or just keep it all on the same thing?  Does it being combined make a difference to you and your desire to read this blog?  Those other birth junkies.. do you just want a place to hear about births (and related "stuff") and not have random family posts mixed in.. and you who don't like NCB, want me to take that talk somewhere else so you can get back to regular reading as usual?? 

If you read this blog.. please leave me your opinion in the comments.. ;-P

My husbands humor..

My husband could spend hours on youtube finding funny phone pranks.. what can I say, he has a young sense of humor. . but tonight he played this one for me.. and it's hilarious.. 

Seriously, now it can begin!

As a follow up to this post here is the final product: 

The table is wonderful.  It makes all the difference in the world and the boys absolutely LOVE it.  As soon as I set it up Alex got out the Spanish vocab flash cards and Jorge got a puzzle and they both sat there working at the table..

I am so thankful for my little schoolroom!   Yay! 

Solo flight..

Tomorrow afternoon I will be headed to my churchs' Womens Retreat.  I am very excited. 

This of course means that my sweet hubby will be with all three of the kiddos, by himself, for 24 hours.  

Which of course means that he will have to do plenty of this: 

and this... 

and this... 

and a lot of this.. 

to get this.. 

but as you can see from these pics.. he'll do just fine.  He's done it plenty of times before.  

Let K4 begin!!

Okay.. well not quite yet.  But we are making progress.. I don't have any before pics (oops) but our office has been transformed into the new schoolroom.  And in case you were wondering, yes, we are homeschooling.  ;-) (descriptions under the photo)

When you first walk into the room you see this (above).  The walls are freshly painted (yellow) although, the baseboards still need to be painted white.  There is also (on its way) a 36" round kindergarten table that will go in the center of the room for all things craft and work related.  ;-)

This wall shows some of our charts (L,R) Books of the Bible, The Ten Commandments chart (for kids), The brother offended checklist and the Go to the ant chart.   As well as some artwork done by Jorge.  Also, the cute curtain I bought to cover the closet door.  

This wall is more true to the color of the walls, a deeper yellow (which I love, btw.  thanks best hubby for painting).  The alphabet chart and the pledge of allegiance chart and our lovely window AC unit since the air doesn't push very well into this room.  And art work done by Alex.  

On the right is my "temporary" shelves until I can upgrade.  but we will keep the cute basket unit on the left, that now houses puzzles, paper, manipulative's., etc.  Also two of my favorite masterpieces: the first time my boys used finger paints (at home) hanging up on the wall.  

This is to show my beautiful bookshelf (I had two but had to get rid of one and store books to make this transition) that my husband built when we were first married.  Obviously, I need to do some organizing since the "transition."  

Overall, I love it.  There are still some details that have to be worked out.  Mainly getting the table will make all the difference.  The boys love it and as soon as they go in there they want to do all the "cool school stuff."  I have to admit, this is really fun.  I know it will get tougher as the kids get older, but I am so excited to be able to be their teacher!  I am thankful to God that He has given me the vision and a wonderfully supportive husband!  You rock babe! 

Birth Story: Mom's version

Greta put up her version of her birth story, check it out here.  

If you haven't already read my perspective (as the doula) of this birth, you can do so here. 

As of late

Been a while since I have uploaded pics.. so here ya go.. proof my kids still exist.  

Riding the carousel at the Galleria.. you know.. this is getting to be too expensive, btw.. 

We dog sat Princess.. Eva LOVED her and wouldn't leave her alone.. 

Finally got enough hair for a bow.. although, there is still more bow than hair.  

New ride.  Garage sale find.  Wonderful!! she loves it and has already figured out how to get in and out all by herself.  

Today we went to Herdmont park with friends.. Alex is my strong man and decided to give me a hand pulling his little sister and older brother.. hey anything to wear the testosterone out!! 

Jorge doing a little "fishin'"  

Radio Flyers work great for the creek.  the little holes on the bottom allow water to come up and into the floor and she gets to splash without getting drenched.. and she is content to just sit.. NICE.. 

We have been quite busy lately.. it's almost the middle of August and I wish I could say that we were already schooling.. but, ummm, not yet.. dear hubby is going to be working on our office to schoolroom transition this weekend.. so hopefully I can post some before and after pics.. and umm.. more importantly.. get my rear in gear.. (not that 4k is anything to shake a stick at)..very easy to do.. once you do it (so I hear.. LOL).. 

adios! 

Please watch this.. you will be changed.

It's an hour long.

It's hard to watch at times (only because it takes you out of your own comfortable world)

It's inspiring.

(click here) video documentary

"A Doula Story documents one African American woman’s fierce commitment to empower pregnant teenagers with the skills and knowledge they need to become confident, nurturing mothers. Produced by The Kindling Group, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization, this powerful film follows Loretha Weisinger back to the same disadvantaged Chicago neighborhood where she once struggled as a teen mom. Loretha uses patience, compassion and humor to teach “her girls” about everything from the importance of breastfeeding and reading to their babies, to communicating effectively with health care professionals."

cant.stop.laughing #2

I really enjoy this movie.. really..



"you have to admit..it's a valid suggestion."

yes, that is a tear in my eye.. from laughing..

Im a social zero.

So I got a great opportunity the other day.  I got to make a real life connection with a web friend. I don't know how many of your Internet acquaintances have turned into real life friends but it truly is a fun experience.  

Lindsay mentioned on Facebook that she was heading to the zoo.. and funny as it was, we had already decided that we were going that morning too.  So I mentioned to her that we might actually get to go and therefore could meet! Fun!  

When we got there it was as if we already "knew" each other because we follow each other on each others' blogs.  It's neat.  But after the fact I felt I had to apologize to her because I was sure I made a horrible "real life" first impression.  Why? 

Because having kids has made me inept in the social interaction department.  Actually, having three very young kids, that is.  My good friends that I see all the time could tell you that I just don't do very many play dates because I just don't get the opportunity to finish a thought, much less a sentence.  

I am okay with this season of my life, mind you, but I know it has to come across and my being rude or, worse, uninterested in others.. But nothing could be further from the truth.  In fact, at this particular event I had "lost" the boys a couple of times.  By that I mean.. they went from the sprinklers to the "playground area" like little CIA undercover operatives (aka.. without my knowing it).  I am sure I seemed like I was the most absent minded parent but the truth is that I can only focus on one thing at a time.. conversation or my children.  I can't do both. 

I know moms understand.. but i just feel better not doing a play date because then I don't have to keep apologizing for the lack of focus on the conversation.  At least, until my youngest child is four.. and at the rate we are going with kiddos that could be a while.  

Moral of the story:  take the opportunity to meet "Internet friends" you will be blessed.  Also, don't volunteer to take my kids to the zoo.  :-P

Child Birth...

well if you count my own births, one of my sisters' three, and two friends' births, then today would total: 8. Eight births that I have been able to be a part of.   but of those births 3 were all natural, and of those three 2 were with pitocin and no epidurals.. but today was different in that I was solo.. in the coaching chair that is. I think the technical term is doula, but since I'm not certified or anything (who knows when I will get to that part... ) the role is still the same:  coach momma through contractions and help parents get the birth they want by dealing with pain management and working with the hospital staff.  

I LOVED it.  First I have to say thank you to Lindsay and JC for allowing me the privilege of being in the room during such a sacred and blessed event.  Wow, I could live off this high for a long time.  Lindsay was induced and stayed on the pit drip up until 7 cm's, which by the way: she went from 1 to 7 in a little over 2 hours.  Then the pit was turned off and shortly thereafter she had her beautiful baby girl.  She did fantastic!  Seriously! 

I know I have sung the praises about natural birth (namely mine), but there is such a different side to be experienced when you are the one coaching someone else, on your own, well not on your own, but without other doulas/coaches there.  I learned a lot today about trusting your gut and what the body is communicating.. Birth is so amazing.  God created our bodies to grow those babies and also to push them out.  And when we allow our bodies to do just that you will be amazed at how you CAN do it.  Your body was made for it.  

You truly can take it "one contraction at a time" until you are pushing that precious little head out and then onto scooping that little baby onto your chest.  Wow.. I am amazed at the gift of God through birth.  Seeing that even in our most painful moment, He is there and is able to give strength to our bodies (and mostly to our mental fortitude) to arrive at the end.  

Anyway.. I just had to share.  I am so thankful to the Lord for what I was able to gain from today.. and I look forward to more opportunities to help momma's get the birth's they want.  

take the time to watch this..

Like little drops of .. EVA

My husband has been known to give his sons little spoonfulls of his coffee.  To which he always says, "mmmm.. like little drops of heaven."  One day Jorgito said, "No daddy, it's like little drops of Eva."  Awwwww.. so now that is what we say when we want to describe something that is just heavenly.  ;-)  Thus these photos.. 

She is a ham for her mommy.. 

It is important to keep your babies hydrated. 

Also important to let them fall asleep on their own.. even if means they do it sitting up.  (don't worry she could breathe just fine.  And after the quick photo shoot, I placed her in a much more comfortable position). 

Again with the hydration, babies will pour water from a cup right into their mouth.. and not know how to swallow it correctly.  Note to self: don't give Eva the cup ever again. 

Now for a cute story in pictures. 

Alex found a new "friend," the rock.  He loved this rock.  He liked to play hide and seek with the rock.. 

First, hide the rock in an undisclosed location.. 

Search, discretely for the rock.. 

Really, now, where is that rock?? 

Should be able to get it now for sure.. 

she likes to move it, move it..

Eva dancing "with" her daddy...I love, love, love her face after he spins with her.. 

a couple of hairs cut

Yea, so it's about two inches shorter than I was thinking of getting it cut.. but hey.. it's hair, it'll grow back.



It definitely takes some getting used to, but I'm getting used to it.  

Ode to Jorge Emanuel...

It's 8:35 on June 1oth and we were about 25 minutes away from meeting little Jorge, just four short years ago.  

Oh the excitement in the room.. is it a boy or a girl?  We had outfits for both.  We had decorations for both.. then at 9 p.m that little body popped out and daddy yelled in such excitement: "Its a BOY!"  He truly was surprised and thrilled.  

Jorge, you are a treasure.  You are a wonderful son: very thoughtful, considerate and smart as a whip.  You are a wonderful big brother: you share, you protect and you get mommy diapers for your siblings (you are even good at getting pj's for Alex).  

You love routines and your chore chart.  You love to do Bible Time and are often having to remind mommy that it is, in fact, time to do Bible Time.  You confess your sin when questioned about it and you are tender toward the Law of God.  I am praying that the Law, as it is your tutor, leads you to a relationship with the giver of that law and thus leading you to a life of Grace in our Lord Jesus Christ.  

You amaze me little man at what a delight you are.  God placed you in our family in a specific role and for a specific purpose.  I am so honored to be your mother.  And besides all your protest one day you will thank me that I tell you that you can not marry your brother, that God wants you to marry a godly girl and that in fact, girls are not dangerous.  (yes, my son says girls are dangerous).  

I love you baby ("mommy, I not a baby.  I spiderman").. and one day when you can understand this ode, I know you will appreciate it. 

a sneak peek...

P90X..

Before..day One


WEEK 8..

To date: 3 inches lost on my waist and 11 lbs shed.. 

three more weeks to go..

if you still exist..

My readers, that is.  I am not sure that anyone follows this blog anymore.  Alas, I still write.  

Life has been wild.  

-VBS last week.  I taught the 4 year olds.  Nuff said. 

-Alex had a 24 hour hunger strike.  He refused a "no thank you" bite (merely, a bite that my children must take of their food before they are allowed to tell me they don't want any of it).  He didn't eat dinner and then that next a.m before he could have his breakfast, he was offered the bite (of chicken).  He refused.  Onto VBS we went.  He was not allowed anything..not so much as an animal cracker unless he ate his "bite."  He refused.  Lunch.  Nope.  Then dinner.  After three times of offering him the bite.. he caved.  What did he say upon eating the "no thank you bite?"  "mmm.. dis good."  Little stinker.  Then he devoured everything in sight.  

-Jorge turns 4 on Wednesday and his party will be Saturday.  Post on that later. after I get pics. 

Other than that I am just dealing with the typical mother issues.  (um.. read here: sin). God is really dealing with me.  Quite overwhelming.  But good.  

On that note, my kitchen, laundry, kids and crazy busy life is calling.. 

the CAT has my tongue..

I know i've past the week mark on my blogging hiatus.  I promise, there are tons of things that I could blog about but have lacked the time.  

Please don't give up on me.. you small band of loyal readers.  All 9 of you.  ;-)

We have started VBS at church this week and so that is consuming, of course.  We are doing construction (namely, my awesome hubby) on the home.  And life just seems to be quite busy at the moment.  

I promise to blog more later.  

Adoption is like a box of chocolates..

Well at least the cashier at Wal-mart thinks so.  

Again,  I was asked if we are "done" having kids.  As soon as I mention that we are praying that it's not the end of kids for us and that in fact, we are hoping to adopt.. she says (with shock) "Why?  I mean, adopting is like reaching your hand in a bag and pulling out.. well you don't know what you're gonna get."  

To which I said, "well when we pop out kids ourselves, we don't know what we are gonna get either.  The truth is that God is bigger than anything that we could or couldn't do for our kids, biological or not."  

She didn't have anything to say to that but then told me that her sister has eight kids.  And the cashier just "ain't about to have eight kids herself."  Then I told her that I don't think it matters how many you have as long as you realize that they are a gift from the Lord and to be happy with the ones you have.  And that not everyone is meant to have a large family.  

I don't know this lady.  I don't know if she is a follower of Jesus Christ, so I can understand how a non-believer doesn't understand the beauty of adoption and how God's heart is to care for the orphans.  But sadly, the shocking responses we've gotten over our decision to adopt (or at the very least, to pray about it), have not all come from non-believers.

A good bit have come from believers.  We should know better.  God adopted us and He knew EXACTLY what he was getting, and YET He still did it.  

What are your reasons for not being "comfortable" with adoption (I've heard a good many): 

1.  Don't know what your going to get?  what issues a child may have.

2.  They look different than the rest of the family.  That may harm them latter in life. 

3.  We have so many needy children here in the states (targeted at those who adopt internationally). 

Lets consider those.  Come, let us reason together.  

1.  Don't know what you are going to get or what issues a child may have.  

I don't know about your god, but the God of the Bible is bigger than anything that can happen in this life.  And He promises not only can He restore what the locusts have eaten, but that His grace is sufficient and His power is perfected in weakness!  If you refuse one of these children on that basis, you are saying in effect that the Gospel can not work for them.  That their issues are bigger than what God can deal with.  Friends do not get me wrong... to say that statement above, you need to search your heart and understand that YOU may not be willing to work with that child, but the Lord Jesus Christ is.  

2.  They look different than the rest of the family and that may harm them later in life. 

oh the joy of knowing that God does not care about our looks (except for modesty, of course).  With all do respect, lets weigh this one.. which would harm a child more:  looking different in his family but being loved and accepted for who He is as an image bearer of the One true God and finding a home and family all his own OR wandering the streets, orphanage or hopping from home to home in our broken foster care system all because someone was uncomfortable that he wouldn't fit in with the way their family looked?  You tell me which one is harder to deal with. 

3. We have so many needy children here in the states (targeted at those who adopt internationally).

Yes, there are so many orphans everywhere that need homes.  But as my friend Megan (mom of three adopted children) said, "well yes there are kids in the states, but they are sitting in a foster home with basic felt needs met.   Children overseas and are very often sitting in their own feces."  No other words needed on that one.  

Friends, please don't misunderstand me, I know that God speaks to each family individually.  But do not be mistaken, God's word says this :

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:27). 

Now how your family decides to "look after" them is a matter of prayer for your family, be it financial support to those wanting to adopt, or ministries that care for orphans, missions trips that visit orphans or adopting an orphan into your family.  The point is this:  It is something that we all should have a part in, especially those that bear the name of Christ: Christ-ones. Christians.   

grace to all of you.. 

A day in the life of me..

Eva pulling up in the window. 

Alex wearing a onesie, a craft apron and his brothers shoes. 

Jorge painting in the kitchen.

This was a good day.  Everyone was happy and enjoying life.  

It's kind of a long video.. but I think its cute. 
 

O happy girl

Baby girl was up from her nap and was happy to be seen.  My favorite thing in the world is when she scrunches her nose and does the heavy breathing thing.  adorable. 

Goings on..

He could seriously do this all day long. . 

His new craft apron.. cutie pie. 

Alex does more water painting than color painting. 

Jorge's apron.  he loves it.. 

Eva's crib time training.  She likes it.  she lasts about 30 minutes at this point.  She's learning. 

Oh this video is so cute.  Eva wants the popsicle, eats the popsicle but acts like she is in pain eating the popsicle.  LOVE IT! 

Before I forget..

Jorge is saying some of the cutest things lately and I knew I had to blog them or else I will forget them. 

Yesterday in the van: 

Jorge: "hey Alex, can I kiss you?"

Alex: "NO." 

Jorge: "Alex I want to hug you and to give you a kiss like daddy kisses mommy."  

(no worries people, its not that kind of kiss). 

Tonight we were at my SIL's house and the older kids were watching Spiderman 3.  As you may be aware, Jorge is obsessed with Spiderman.  So when I told him that he had to come back upstairs because he wasn't allowed to watch that movie, he yelled "OH NO I'm gonna watch this movie,mommy."  Well he got disciplined.  I explained again that he was too young for that movie and that he would be able to watch it when he got older.  I then tell him to go kiss his Vita (grandmom) and tell everyone goodbye.  I round up my other two kiddos and go to find Jorge.  Where is he?  On the stairs hanging over the railing staring at the t.v (with spiderman on it).  I call his name and ask what he is doing.  His response, "oh uh.. I just saying goodbye to 'dem."  Little stinker!!! 

On our way home, I called my hubby (who is out of town) to tell him about the story.  And how Jorge yelled at me and all that jazz.  When I got off the phone this is what Jorgito said" 

"Mommy, I so sorry."  

"for what, baby?"  

"I so sorry that I watched Joshua's movie.  I so sorry I not obey." 

Then during prayers before bed he prayed: 

"And Jesus I so sorry I watch that movie.  It was all my fault. I so sorry I not obey mommy."  

Oh Lord I pray he always be sensitive toward his sin against you.  

NO more band-aids, thank you very much

So my favorite phrase of the day:

(Pediatrician) "Oh yeah, I see it.  Its stuck right on the back of her throat."  

I cried. In relief..  Mommy was right. I knew something was not right. 

FOUR HOURS EARLIER: 

Eva had her vaccine shots today.  You know those little round band-aids that they put on their chubby little legs?  Well, my sweet 8 month old daughter decided to pull one off her leg and eat it, while in her car seat, while on our way to pick up the boys from my friend Christina's house. 

She was crying on the way and I chalked it up to, she's just hungry.  the last time she ate was 8:30 and it was now 11:30.  But when i made it my friends house and tried feeding Eva she kept gagging and then started the screaming.  The kind of screaming that leaves you batty.. You know something isn't right.  I pick her up.  And that's when I see it:  One of the band-aids is missing.  

Christina gets me a flashlight and we attempt to hold a screaming baby down long enough to try to see if we can see the band-aid.  I couldn't see a thing.  Long story short: call the pediatrician and he says if she swallowed it that we will just have to wait for it to pass.  Eva doesn't want to nurse.  Screams non-stop.  I decide to head home and wait for it to pass.  On the way home she starts gagging so badly she throws up.  That I found out as I swerved over on the side of the road and open the door in time to see my gagging child throw up what i had tried to feed her at my friends house.  No band-aid in the throw up.  

She falls asleep from pure exhaustion.  Got home.  Put the boys in the bed and let the sleeping baby sleep.  When she woke up it was nightmare all over again.  Screaming, gagging, crying, not wanting to nurse.  Call the doc and said I'm coming in.  He assures me that if its it there and he can see it, he can get it out.  Otherwise we have to go to the ER.   Although, he does say that "it could just be she is that upset from getting shots." To which I assure him that she is NOT that upset.  The girl hasn't eaten in 8 hours.  That's NOT normal for any upset child and she has cried, nay, screamed for a continual 40 minutes.  

Got to the doctor... and upon examination he says the best thing this mother could ever hear (today): "Oh yea it's there.  Right on the back of her throat."  

I almost wept.  Instead, I scooped her up and snuggled her tight and kept saying "oh baby, mommy knew.  Mommy knew it.  I knew it wasn't right.  We are gonna fix it.  mommy knew."  

10 minutes later it was out.  And baby girl nursed like she had never nursed before.. or like it had been 9 hours since she had last eaten.  No more band-aids, thank you very much.  

My little angel is back to her old self.  Content.  Eating.  Sleeping peacefully. Praise be to God for His gracious deeds!!!