Mexican Labor!

This is my sweet man replacing the starter in my van.  Yes I can say "Mexican Labor" because he's mexican, oh and I asked him if I could title my post that way.  He came home from work, put his grubby shirt on and started work on the car.  He is so talented.  When I started taking pictures he asked me why?  I said, "to brag about you on my blog."  To which he replied, "Don't brag yet.. Im not done yet."  LOL. 

His trusty tools.  And of course the ever needed Haynes Manual.  

Contemplating the proverbial, "Now, why is there an extra fitting (screw)?"

Making sure he's doing as the manual says.  Yep.. of course he is!

He knew it all along.  He is so good!  And of course it cranked right up!  Whatta man!

He does oil changes and brakes too.  Although he says he will never do rear brakes!  He'll pay someone to do that!  Apparently you need special tools for that.. and special patience.  Ha!

Seriously my man is a handy man.  I love having him around.  He's good for other stuff too.. obviously!  Ha!

BRING IT ON! I don't care.....

gimmie your best shot.. because at the end of the day (well actually tomorrow) Im headed to the beach. 

Well, I didn't want to say it out loud until I had actually booked the trip, which happened last night.  We are leaving tomorrow evening and coming back on Monday night.  Its short but it will be oh so sweet!  I have been trying to get to the beach all summer and it just wasn't happening.  My great friend Christina W., who doesn't read my blog btw (what's up with that?) is throwing a baby shower for me tomorrow at her house.  I am so excited I can hardly contain my excitement.  For the first time I have a shower that is color specific (PINK) and its for a GIRL!  How fun.  My day will only get better as we will head off for the beach after the shower.  

What fun.  But you know, there has to be some build up to having such a fantastical day.  I mean, your kids need to keep you frazzled, or at least attempt it.  Its Murphy's law, right?   Well, Jorgito started the process today.  I went into the boys room this morning and its spelled like pee.  Alex had a "big" diaper so I changed it and thought all was well...that is until I stepped in front of the dresser.  My feet stepped into a nice puddle of urine that Jorge deposited.  Of course I cleaned it up, disciplined my child and went about my day.  It wasn't until I asked Jorge to get dressed by picking out some shorts and a shirt, that I got more info on the earlier pee extravaganza.  He brought out a pair of shorts and said, "mommy I not wear these.. they got pee on dem."  Of course I asked how his shorts out of his drawer could get pee on them and grabbed them only to see that they didn't just have pee on them.. I could have wrung the shorts in a cup and won a prize, they were drenched.  

Ever have a light bulb moment?   One where you walked into a room, everything looked normal, but then something happens and you remember seeing something in the room that looked out of place but didn't know until later at that exact moment.  Well that was what happened.  I ran back to Jorge's room and noticed the shorts/pants drawer of his dresser (second from the bottom) was pulled out slightly.  As soon as my hand touched the clothes my skin turned red and steam started to shoot from my ears.  Jorge had, earlier, when I thought he just peed on the floor, actually stood in his dresser drawer and peed on his clothes AND on the floor.  For all those concerned, this is why every piece of furniture in our house is bolted to the wall.  Anyway, my son got his just "reward" for that, again.  And now I have another load of laundry for today.   

But that's okay.. im going to be opening lots of pretty gifts tomorrow and eating crab legs by Sunday!  I hope my kids can come... if they make it to then!  lol. 

Whew!  

Second...boys room and Gymnastics!

Okay I only have two picture to show you of the boys room.  Sorry just two. I don't have the verse up but Big Jorge did get the letters on the wall and I hung up the pictures.  (priorities, right?)  Im still hatching out a plan for how to get that verse on the wall.  I promise to get more pics when the room is all put together.. which will probably be never. 

Then there are pictures of us at my little sister's (Rachel Terry) gym.  She is a headed to UA next week to start school and is also going to be doing gymnastics for Alabama.  Very exciting.  She is, quite obviously, incredible.  She recently had her 18th birthday and had a belated party for her close friends (and us bc she knew our boys would love it) at her gym here in the Ham.  

Jorge jumping in the "cube pit."  Thats Rachel to the right of him. 
All my men in the pit. 
Alex and his Nana jumping on one of the trampolines. 
Proof picture that I actually attempted the pit.  I eventually had to be pulled out since that thing is VERY difficult to get out of.  
Jorge and daddy jumping in together. 
Alex on the bars.  I love the look on his face.  And yes he does have swim trunks on.. long story. 
Jorge didn't really grasp the concept of the rolling donut.  but he still thought it was cool. 
Alex contemplating how to get out of the pit. 
We had a great time.  I wish this place (JFJ Elite) would open its door for birthday parties but I know its a huge liability.  At any rate Im sure it would be fun to sign them up for gymnastics.  There are so many cool things to "play" on and with.  ;-)

First up.. Naomi Hope!

So those of you who know Shelley Walls will be thrilled to know that she has another little girl: Naomi Hope.  I headed down to Columbus on Monday of this week to go and hold her.  She is too cute.  Of course Jim and Shelley's other two bambinos have blonde hair but Naomi Hope has brown hair.  Its such a contrast from the other two that I joke that she must be half hispanic. HA!  She is so sweet and adorable.  She isn't loved at all by anyone in that house (haha).  Here are some cute pictures of her.  

Mommy and daughter (#2)

looks like a smile....


This is Thatcher.  He is too funny.. the first thing he said when he woke up from his nap (he ran into the living room and said...) "Say..Harley.. Daaavidsooon!"  it was priceless. 
Ella Grace. Genious child.  At the rate Shelley is going (teaching her) she is going to HAVE to homeschool!  lol
Us and her beautiful Kiddos. 

Shelley, I am so proud of you.  you did a great job getting that little girl here and I can't wait for her and Eva to grow up together.  You are a great mommy and I know you got a great man there with you too!  Besides what husband gives up his SUV for a Volvo??? lol. 

Haven't we done this before?

I am not sure if you read this post back in May, but it seems we were doomed to repeat history. 

My thursday morning was off to a great start with both boys playing happily in their rooms while I took a shower.  I always give Alex some toys in his crib, turn some music on for him, give him a sippy cup of milk and he's good for at least the 30-45 minutes it takes for me to take a shower and start breakfast.  Most of the time he only stays about 25 minutes in his crib and then I let him run around the house.  

Anyhoo. . I had big plans for the morning of running several errands and had even contacted a friend to let her know that I would probably show up somewhere around 10 a.m to pick up some things she had for me.   

Well, then I went into Alex's room to get him out.  He happily handed me his toys and I happily put them back in the toy box.  He handed me his sippy cup and I set it on the dresser.  Then I looked at my sweet angel and said, "Alex, you want up?  Okay honey, say 'up'."  To which he responded with "No."  But its a no that is raised in pitch as it reaches the "o" sound.  

Time: 7:45 a.m.  

I tell him, "okay, little guy, then you can stay in here.  I'll check on you in a little bit."  I go in and out every 10 minutes or so and I get the same response.  He refuses to say "up."  

Time 9:00 a.m.  Its been an hour and 15 mintues.  And this is his little self in the bed.

I'm sure you can't tell without the "mother of this child's" eye, but he is giving me a look that reaks of "I ain't budging lady."  And he didn't. I had to call my friend and tell her not to expect us anytime soon.  and I had to come to terms  with the fact that we may not be going ANYWHERE that morning.  At one point right before the THREE hour mark, I went in and said, "Alex, just say up."  And folks, I kid you not, he mouthed the word three times but would not say it.  I actually told him, "honey, mommy can't hear you say it loud for me." Then he said, "Uuuuu" the beginning sound of up, about two times before I said, "fine. see you in a little bit."  

Well at 10:50 a.m I noticed that it had gotten really quiet.  Now he never really cried during the time he was in there.  In fact I would hear him laughing and playfully kicking the walls.  But when it got quiet I went in to check and this is what I found: 

That little booger WENT TO SLEEP and slept for TWO HOURS.  Well as you can imagine, I was quite shocked. Everyone kept asking me if he said up when he woke up.  Let's just say I compromised.  When I went in there I said, "Alex, do you want to get up?" and he said "Yeah." So I took that.  Now let me say, it is not the standard that he is supposed to say "up" before I get him out of the bed.  I just simply thought that morning, "hey, lets test the obedience of my toddler."  Well, boy did I get a test.  

clothes conscious toddler

I wanted to document a new phase that Jorge is going through.  His clothes are now at the bottom of the dresser (since he and Alex are now in the same room, same dresser).  Which means he can reach them with ease.  This also means that he changes clothes, often.  It was cute at first, you know, "let him dress himself."  But now he will change clothes 10 times in a day and its not funny anymore.  Nor cute.  Especially when I've instructed him to go put "real" clothes on (not pj's) and if we don't leave within 10 minutes he will go back to his room and put his pj's back on, only it will be a different set of pj's.  

Anyway.. Here is the timeline with photos.. all before 10 a.m. After that I forgot to take pictures.  

7:45 a.m  this is his favorite "pj." An oversized Cars shirt. 

8:07 a.m.  Another favorite, although I must say he normally just prefers "in the buff." 

9:05 a.m.  His "hoase" shirt.  Thrift store purchase and he loves it.  Why?  I don't know. 

9:26 a.m  I should note that he picks everything out himself.  that part is not that bad. 

After this outfit I just forgot to keep up with pics.  Oh well. I am determined to get an actual full day's worth of changes on camera.  At least the camera helped me to keep a sense of humor. I am okay with him changing clothes as long as he picks up the clothes and puts them back in the dresser.  And I also have to be okay that the clothes are not "nice and neatly" folded like they are when I put them in the drawer.  Oh well.. you choose your battles.  

Boys Room.

The boys are going to be combined in the same room starting this weekend.  I still have some finishing touches to do before I can do a big reveal. Besides I forgot to take a before picture...oh well.  I stink at details.  Anyhoo.. their verse for the room is Psalm 133:1-  "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity." 

So I have copied some pics in black and white that I am planning on hanging up under their verse. Take a peek: 

Heavy heart.

Recovery time for Jorge until the diabetes went away: 3 weeks. 

Recovery time for Alex until the diabetes went away: 6 weeks.  

"Rachel, after one of these pregnancies your going to end up keeping this illness.  And there is a high chance it will be insulin dependent too.  Not to mention what it is doing to your body, that we don't know about yet, while pregnant." -quote from my endocrinologist. 

Then there is research like this that shows that:

"The 8-year postpartum diabetes risk was 52.7% (130 diabetic cases of 302)" and sadly, " Risk was increased in women with autoantibodies to GAD and/or insulinoma antigen-2 (adjusted hazard ratio 4.1; P < style="font-weight:bold;">women who required insulin during pregnancy (4.7; P <>30 kg/m2 (1.5; P = 0.04), and women with more than two prior pregnancies (2.5; P = 0.02). Women without these risk factors had a postpartum diabetes risk of 14% by 8 years, and risk rose incrementally to 96% by 8 years in autoantibody-positive women."

So that pretty much sums up..me!  The risk is great.  So whats the big deal about having diabetes with insulin dependence for the rest of your adult life?  Well, there are lot's of risks to having diabetes : such as blindness, heart disease, nerve disease and kidney disease.  

My point in all this is to say that I want to be here for my children.  I want to be healthy and alive for as long as possible.  And with each pregnancy I take the risk of increasing my chances of keeping diabetes.  Not only that, but I can not take the risk of keeping the diabetes and then getting pregnant again.  There are more risks associated with that decision than would be worth the risk to my body.  

All this has led Jorge and I to decide that Eva will be our last "natural" child.  Through lots of prayer we have decided that I am going to get a tubal ligation.  Well, actually Jorge feels that he would rather get "tied" because he isn't so sure about the hormonal risks associated with a tubal.  Im convinced that I would rather be the one to get the surgery.  Anyway, this is a painful decision for me to make.  But not one that I feel guilty about.  I know what it's like to grow up without a mom because of medical issues that took her to early (she too was told not to have anymore children..then got preggers with me.  11 years later she died).  And I do not want to even travel remotely close to that road.  I know the Lord is in control of the number of days I have.  I just want to make the best decision for ME and for the circumstances.  

Who knows why I am sharing this on the world wide web.  I guess because I just wanted to vent.  Its a sad thought.  No more birth.  But I can't wait, should the Lord allow, for us to bless another little baby into our family that would otherwise not have one (through adoption).  Just because I may not birth them doesn't mean I can't still get our soccer team!  lol. 

So I would ask for you to pray specifically that God would see fit to keep me from postpartum diabetes.  That my numbers would return to normal quicker than they had with the boys.  God's will be done for sure, but if possible that that cup would pass from me.  

 

Doctor, still sick and new baby!

New look for the blog.  I hope you like it and its easy on the eyes.  I found out about the site that offers the free templets from Rachel C.  And she also helped me walk through how to change alot of the things I was clueless about.  So thanks again girl.  

I had yet another dr's appt today for Eva.  She's still doing great.  Lower heartrate today (120's) but still normal.  I talked to Dr. Ross about my numbers and trying to deliver at 38 weeks and he said that sounded like it was a good idea, based on all the diabetes "stuff."  He is good with my "natural" approach to inducing the labor before we go to pitocin.  So that's GREAT!  So people.. August 25th is the day I turn 38 weeks and that is the day that I am pulling all the stops to see what herb, wives tale, you name it.. will work getting my uterus going.  So feel free to leave a wives tale you have heard (that's worked before on you or someone you know) and I will consider it.. I'd do a contest to see which one worked but if I'm trying a bunch on the same day then there isn't a way to see which one worked. 

Jorgito threw up again at 1 a.m this morning.  And has already had diarrhea twice.  I really covet your prayers for him.  The doc called in a reflux med to see that will help with the throwing up in the middle of the night.  So we'll try that tonight.  God is giving me strength to function with three hours of sleep or six (combined) for the last two nights.  No complaints there. I just hate to see my little man continue to deal with this "thing" whatever it is.  

Also, for those of you who know Jim and Shelley Walls.. they just called and they delivered a beautiful baby girl about two hours ago: Naomi "Hope."  I will put up a pic as soon as i get one.  Its on my phone but I can't transfer it on my computer.  Yeah!! Jim and Shelley!  

Life looks different...

my world looks a little different thinking that I may have a baby in four weeks.  Yes, I will only be 38 weeks, but all the diabetes signs point to an early delivery.  Granted, I will try to avoid pitocin by doing some more "natural" things to get things going on that joyous week.  My friend Lori sent me an email with some fun things to do, that she says, work like a charm.  They include: 

-Black Cohosh.  Don't even ask me.  I still have to ask what Im supposed to do with that! 

-Clary sage oil. Im supposed to rub this on my belly and it will stimulate the uterus to contract. 

-primrose oil (which I can do now, the other stuff has to wait until week 38) it works as a cervix ripener.  cool. 

-eat eggplant, pinapple

-sex (hehe)

-walk stairs

She said the key to starting the labor is doing them all at once (well in the same day rather, lol).  Im excited to try.  I will have a dr's appt tomorrow so i will talk to dr. R about all of it and see if he is on board.  I know he is about delivery at 38 weeks and stripping my membranes.. but i have to make sure he's okay with black cohosh and clary sage oil too.  ;-)

But wild to think I could only have four more weeks before meeting this precious little girl.  fun times.  makes the hot days not seem as difficult with that perspective!