hmm...

it's been a while since I've posted anything so I guess I'll just ramble.

Hailee is pushing every button I have. She's trying to see how far I'm willing to budge. And I'm proud to say...I'm not budging!!! She's just going to have to get used to the idea that babies take time, and she still has to have manners and mind! She's wonderful with Braden, and loves to help out with him..but everything else she will challenge me on! Darren took 2 boxes of toys to the attic yesterday because she refused to clean her room up. Any other day she cleans up after herself...I needed her to do it yesterday since we're having company today and she would NOT do it. I made her stay in time out on her bed until she cleaned. That didn't help, so Darren packed up all the stuff on the floor! She helped! Didn't even phase her...she said "I have too many toys anyway". Good grief, 4 years old are fun! lol

Braden is still having breathing trouble, but the zantac the specialist put him on has really helped in reducing his spit up! That's nice, wish I would've had someone put Hailee on that! He sleeps really good at night, most nights, not so good during the day. But I wouldn't switch that around for anything! I was up with him from 4:30 until 6 this morning because he kept waking himself up trying to catch his breath.

well that's my rambling...here's a sneak peek at my latest layout! It can viewed in the gallery at www.scrapbookplayground.com on June 5th!!!

I finally scrapped!

I did my first layout since Braden's been born! It isn't my best, but it felt great to do it! So for those of you who read my blog, you get a sneak peek!!! This is a layout for www.scrapbookplayground.com . It will be uploaded in the gallery on May 20th for our Queen & Co. sponsorship!
So, it's my first layout since having a baby, first layout of the baby, and first layout using the AWESOME Basic Grey Oh Baby Boy papers!!!! Yes, it was FUN!!!

not much left...

not much left for me to eat or drink! This poor little baby can't handle red sauce (spaghetti, pizza, etc.), soda (the carbonation), anything spicy, and yesterday my decaf mocha upset his tummy! AAAAAHHHH!!! SO...nothing with flavor to eat and I'm down to just water to drink! The things I do for my kids! I would be devastated if I couldn't nurse so out goes all the good stuff from my diet! I'll be fine. As he gets a little bigger I can start adding things back in...hopefully not too long from now! I hate water. Really. I can't stand too much of it. So boring, no flavor. Blah.

My Family!

This is my new family. I couldn't be any prouder. Hailee is a fantastic big sister, and a great help. Of course she does get jealous when I'm nursing Braden because I can't focus on her, but I'm sure she'll get over that soon! (oh I do hope so!) Darren is a HUGE help! WOW! I guess it's because this time around he has experience and isn't as intimidated by a baby in the house. He isn't even mad when he gets woken at night! lol With Hailee it got to him when he'd hear me get up with her all night. And she was in her own room! Braden is in our room and I feed him on the bed. Darren either sleeps through it or wakes up and helps when I have to change a diaper or go to the bathroom! I feel like the luckiest mom and wife in the world (but I know all women feel that way!).

How Braden came into the world!

First I just want to say thanks to everyone who has sent me such nice emails and pm’s. You’re sweet thoughts and wishes mean a lot to me!

Okay, so we got to the hospital Sunday night about 5:45 pm. I was on an IV right away but the pitocin didn’t get hooked up until 7:30 pm. I was already dilated to 4cm!!! Wow! I went from 0 – 4 in under a week, what a relief. So I was told I could have my epidural when ever I wanted. That made me smile! The contractions were tolerable, but my back started to hurt real bad so I did get the epidural at 11:00 pm. That was awful. He had to give me so much numbing stuff that I couldn’t feel my boobs or shoulders when he was done! But once he got it right…aaahhh! Then they broke my water at 11:30 pm (they tried earlier but the doc thought he felt the umbilical cord so didn’t want to risk it). The contractions still went unnoticed but around 2:00 am I could really feel the pressure towards my butt and was uncomfortable. I kept pushing my epidural button but it did no good! Lol Around 4:00 am they had me do a test push because my cervix was gone except for what she called a “lip” on one side. So I pushed and it went away, but when I relaxed it came back…and Braden’s heart beat dropped to 96 and the nurse put me on oxygen and had to make me lay in a weird position because that’s what made the hb go back up. Then we tried pushing again at 5:00 am and was successful. So after 1 REALLY good push she said okay this is it. Then I did 2 more pushes and she stopped me, by putting her hand on Braden’s head and telling me to relax. Yeah, whatever! Lol The doc and more nurses came in to help push because I couldn’t reach the handles and my hands kept slipping off during a push. So with Darren on one side, a nurse on the other, they supported my legs and held my hands. One big push and out came his head. Then I had to work the shoulders. OH MY GOD! I’ve never felt pain like that before…I thought I was on fire! His shoulders started to come through but got stuck. I was SCREAMING!!! The epidurals are made now to only relieve contractions and some pain, they want mother’s to be able to push on their own so you don’t get numb down there anymore! Well then WHY did I get the epidural??? Well after 1 nurse and the doc pulled Braden, another nurse on the bed with me pushed my stomach, and Darren and the other nurse with my arms and legs…Braden was born at 5:33 am, Monday, May 1st, 2006. But does it stop there? NO! They cut the cord and rush him to the table (Darren was supposed to cut the cord but they didn’t give him the opportunity). It took them 2 minutes to get Braden to breathe. I flipped out. I kept asking what was wrong because I didn’t hear him, when Darren calmly said they’re getting him ready, I panicked. I just knew something was wrong...I went into hysterics…crying, asking for an answer, I almost hyperventilated. Darren stuck the oxygen back on me to get me to breathe better. Finally, a good cry came from my baby boy. Darren took the oxy mask off me and showed me where to look to see him moving and crying. So then I cry in relief some more. After that they’re working on him and checking all his stats and getting me cleaned up (by the way…no episiotomy, no tearing, NO STITCHES AT ALL!!!) the main nurse called another one in to look at him and they were whispering. So here comes the panic again. Come to find out they thought his shoulder was dislocated from being stuck for so long, but it was fine. Thank God! I didn’t get to hold my son until 6:30 am. What a relief to finally see him. Then of course more tears!

So glad I’m not doing that again.

Okay, so now I have my son and think all is well. Not so. The stuff with his kidneys is fine, no more fluid. Good. But now he has a new problem. His scrotum was real swollen but his testicles aren’t inside. They didn’t come down. Still not down. But they say that it will fix itself within the next couple weeks. I hope so. How awful to have to take my baby to a urologist to get him to find them! And his jaundice is not a major concern, but a concern. I have to take him to the doctor tomorrow at 1:00 pm to be rechecked.

So this sweet, adorable little boy has been causing “problems” since the day I found out about him. But he is oh so worth it! I’m am so blessed and whatever problems he has, will work out and I know I’m going to have a wonderful life with this little stinker!

Hailee is just in awe of him, constantly giving him kisses, rubbing his cheek, and telling him “I love you, Braden”.

so many emotions...

Well there is an end in sight. My doctor appointment wasn't very fun because I found out that even though I'm having strong contractions I'm still not dilated. But Dr. H did tell me that I am going in Sunday evening to be induced! YAY! I'm excited to know it's almost over, but I still have 4 more days to wait. Excited, disappointed, nervous, anxious. *sigh*

Tomorrow is going to be a sad day for this mommy. I have to go in to register Hailee for pre-k. Sad, proud, sad, excited, sad.... I can't believe she's old enough to start school. But she is so ready and that makes me so proud because I know she will love it...school, friends, teachers...it's what she plays when she's at home anyway! Just look at her...so big yet so small. It's going to be much more difficult for me to let her go everyday than for her to leave. At least I can admit that!

So not happy...

here it is 3 days after my due date and my contractions have pretty much stopped. This is getting to really irk me! This, I'm sure, means I still have not dilated. I really wasn't wanting a c-section but at this point I'll do whatever it takes to get this baby OUT! Besides, the doctor said if I have a c-section they'll be able to repair my hernia, too! So, you see, it could be a good thing.

well stink...

today's my due date and still NO baby! All this waiting is making me crazy. I had some good, hard contractions on Tuesday, then they slowed down. THEN yesterday I had some serious pains and was really considering a trip to the hospital, but they weren't contractions so I knew the doctors would just send me home anyway. I feel pretty cruddy today and my mother-in-law said she felt the same way before she went into labor with one of her kids so I'm hoping this crud is worth it!

Today is Darren's 35th birthday. Wow. I remember celebrating his 22nd with him right after we started seeing each other. How time flies. The best part is that I love him more now than I did then!

My two favorite ladies....

Aren't they beautiful? My mom and my daughter! This was taken 2 days ago before we went out for dinner. We did get some photos of me with them but who wants to see a big, fat, pregnant lady? Not me! lol

I'm anxiously awaiting my doctor appointment tomorrow. They are going to do an ultrasound to check Braden's kidneys. If he still has fluid around them then I may get induced. At least that's what they told me at my last check up. Mom is going with me so she'll remember to ask the important questions!

So I guess that's all for now, until I have more news. Cross your fingers for me...I want this little boy out asap, but I also want him healthy.

So much fun!

Well, we are having so much fun with my mom here! She is really helping out so much. It's weird sitting back while she cooks and cleans, but she insists! I do help a little...a girl gets bored you know. I really should be getting lots of scrapping done, but just haven't had the "oomph" to do it! Hard to believe, I know! I've been doing lots of online shopping so I can't say I don't have enough new goodies to play with, because boy I do! Maybe tomorrow. That's my goal. (Don't we all look alike in this photo? Well, except for my ENORMOUS prego face!)

We got out today and got a few more things for Braden. Diapers are pretty important to have ready :) But after walking through Wal-Mart my legs and feet hurt SO bad! I came home, put on my jammies, laid on the couch, and took a nap. AHH! What a nice feeling. I go in for my check up on Monday and plan on BEGGING the doctor to let me have this little guy early! I'm so miserable and it's getting so hard to move around...heck it's getting hard to breathe, he really should induce me and make me happy! right!

Hailee is really excited. She goes through Braden's clothes and shows us what she likes, changes dieapers on her stuffed toys (she's actually pretty good at it!), and tells us (mom, me and Darren) how much fun it will be with a baby in the house..."even if he just sleeps and poops"! lol I just hope all the sleeping doesn't make her bored and then disappointed!

Well, this big lady has had it and am off to bed! Happy weekend to all!

if you're looking for something fun to do check out the online scrap party at www.scrapbookplayground.com. It's going on tonight and tomorrow! Fun challenges already posted and more games to come tomorrow!!!

Time to get serious...

...about this whole take it easy thing! Mom is here, and helping a ton, but it's hard to just sit back and let her do everything. Plus, I'm used to going out and doing things when she visits, and since she hasn't even been here a week, it still feels like one of her fun trips here. But, we went to walmart this morning and now my ankles, feet, and toes are so swollen! They look horrible and feel horrible! But, only a little over 5 weeks left until my due date...3 if I'm lucky :)

I haven't taken a TON of pictures since we're not doing a whole lot, but I do have a few and hope to get a really good one of my mom and Hailee to post on here!

3 more days!!!!!!

And my mom will be here!!! I'm so excited. I know this won't be a normal "fun" visit, but at least she'll be here and that's what matters! There is a movie theater close by so we may take Hailee to see Doogal one day...that's still resting so I'm allowed!

I finally picked up a package of diapers and wipes. Hard to believe I'm due in less than 7 weeks and so not ready! Hailee was born in January and her room was done in November, complete with all the things we needed! Granted I had 2 showers by then so all the things we had were given to us, but still, we were much more prepared! A friend of a friend gave us some clothes and a blanket. The clothes are REALLY small (the baby was a preemie) so won't last long, but it's a start. And my mom is bringing some clothes, too. I did finally order, from Old Navy, an outfit to bring Braden home in and he'll wear it in pictures with Hailee. So, I may not be totally prepared, but I'm getting there. I guess it's different because I didn't have a shower, he isn't getting his own room (he'll sleep in ours but use Hailee's closet) until he's about 2, and all the things we need for him we have to get on our own. But...it'll all start to fall together, I'm sure of it!

ugh!

This whole take it easy thing is going to get old fast! It's not *official* bed rest, but it's still boring, and hard to get used to. I can't even sit at my desk long because my feet and ankles swell so bad. So here I sit on the couch, which isn't easy to get off of, but I suppose that's good since I'm not supposed to be on my feet much. At least my mom will be here next week to help and keep me company. Poor Hailee doesn't get what's going on and I feel horrible!

I did manage to get this layout done....it's for the newsletter, as well as one of my March dt layouts, at www.scrapbookplayground.com. I hate pictures of me so it's not easy to do a layout about myself, but I think I'm happy with how this turned out.

Well, off to web shop!

It was so nice...

...to sit and scrap for myself, and not for one of my design teams. Don't get me wrong, I love doing all my design team work, but it's nice to do a layout just because. Well, this one did qualify for some challenges at www.scrapbookeronline.com, but it was still fun choosing which pictures and which paper to use!

I got a LOT done today! I did 2 projects for www.readysetcreate.com that aren't even due to Jen until May 10th! wow! talk about being ahead of schedule. I'm also caught up on all my March assignments for www.scrapbookplayground.com. I guess I want to stay ahead because I know I'll fall behind once Braden is born.

Wednesday morning I go for my checkup. If they can't tell me what's wrong and fix this stupid, not going away pain in my stomach I think I'll just scream! It's been pestering me since Friday afternoon! It's all I can do to stand in the kitchen and make dinner...that's ridiculous. So if they can't fix it, or find a way to ease it, then I'll go to the ER and they'll take care of it for me! That's part of the reason I'm trying to get a lot done for my design team stuff, too...afraid they'll put me on bedrest...Darren thinks they will, or should. Yeah, like he could handle me being on bedrest! lol It would drive him more nuts than it would me!!!! :)

I survived...

I turned 31 yesterday and survived! Go me!!! lol I had a nice birthday night out. Carrie & OW, Darren and myself dropped all the kids at Playtime and went to dinner. We wanted Texas Roadhouse but there was a 2 hour wait! wow... So we went up the road to Lonestar Steakhouse and waited 45 minutes. Yeah, like that's MUCH better, lol. We had a nice time, adult conversation, and just enjoyed the meal with no kids. We were then supposed to see the movie Firewall, but it started at 7:50 and we finished eating at 8:30pm....so we tried to find another movie. No luck after 3 theaters! We just decided to pick up the kids and go home (by this time it's after 9 pm). Hailee had so much fun at Playtime and that made us happy.

Today, I took Hailee to see Curious George. It was a fun mommy-daughter day...had lunch, ate junk at the movie and came home. Now she's playing outside while daddy works in the garage! I did some much needed housework but now my "spot" on my stomach hurts so bad that I've decided to spend the rest of the day at my scrap desk!

I didn't get a picture of Darren & me yesterday, but I just love this one of Hailee and Darren!

shhh..

{{{whispering}}} Hailee is sleeping (see the photo?) and it's the first time she's taken a nap in a long time! I don't count the other night when I told her to clean her room or lay down...she did lay down and slept for about 30 minutes...because it was late and we had to wake her for dinner. So that doesn't count...it counts today because it's been 45 minutes and I don't have to do ANYTHING...I can enjoy the quiet...so here I am on my blog!

Well, I recently had the chance to do a layout using Sarah P.'s pictures of her totally cute kids! I did it for scrap-a-sista at www.scrapbookeronline.com. It was a lot of fun. It was also the first time I scrapped a 12x12 page in over 6 months! I'd post the picture but if big sis MF saw I might get in trouble! lol I have to stay on her good side since I told her to consider me for one of the guest design team spots.

I've been busy with some other design team work, having lots of fun! I'm so grateful for being part of the wonderful teams I'm on! Three wonderful ladies took their chance with me and for that I'm thankful....and loving it!!!!

I am going through my current issue of Scrapbooks Etc. and found some ideas on birth announcements. Darren and I decided that I better start getting supplies now so I can have them almost finished when the baby gets here...good idea I think! Once Braden is here all I will have to do is add the important info and stick a picture in the envelope! Now I'm excited to get working on those...off to shop I go!

oh boy...

This is what Hailee did to herself last night! lol She knows the rule is to "color on paper only". So I asked her "does your face feel like paper?". I got an odd look and a big duh-mom "NO" response. So then I asked "then why color on your face". Of course her answer was "I don't know". Well, to try to keep her aware of what she did...I didn't wash her face! She came in and woke me up this morning and when I saw her, I laughed! We'll see if she learned her lesson or not! (oh and ignore the bad wall behind her...the house is a constant work-in-progress!)

*ahhhhh*

I got out of the house! Yay! It was just a trip to Wal-Mart, but after 2 days of NOT leaving the house, it was wonderful! The back roads are still very icy, but main roads were fine. lol, we made it an "adventure"! We took back roads on the way there, had lunch at the McDonalds inside, then looked around the toy area for Hailee, car area for Darren, craft area for me (I bought some floss cards and straight pins to fix up my ribbon mess!). We even looked around in books...got something for my step-dad and Darren got an rc magazine. Then we picked up some milk and a few things and came home. It was just nice to get out. Hailee is even in better spirits! It's supposed to be warming up this week so the roads will be okay and I won't get stuck in the house again! I love winter and snow, but ice is the pits!

I'm so BORED!

As happy as I am about the snow we have...I'm bored to death! This is the 2nd day of being stuck in the house. Hailee is driving me BATTY! lol I told Darren no matter what, we're going somewhere tomorrow! I need to pick up a birthday gift for my step dad so maybe I'll do that. When we woke up this morning it was raining...freezing rain...and it hasn't stopped. The road at the end of the drive looks like an ice rink!

I did manage to get a little more done on my Basic Grey Lunch Pail for the "challenge" from Beth at www.scrapbookeronline.com but I can't do the actual layouts until Darren is at work since it's his birthday gift! lol But, I did the tabbed dividers and have the stuff ready for the outside. I have GOT to find some matching ribbon...oh boy, a trip to Michael's is in order, too! :) I'm really hoping to be done by the end of the month but since this is the time of year Darren is home a lot I may not make it...but hey, at least it's started!

Well I better get my stuff ready for the new challenge at www.scrapbookplayground.com. I'm having fun with the weekly challenges but need to make sure it's not too far out there or people won't do them.

I saw a new technique I want to try in the current issue of Scrapbook Answers. After I try it out I may use it for a challenge also...let's hope I don't screw it up too bad...lol

yippee!!!!

We got some snow last night! FINALLY!! We were having such a mild winter it was starting to make me sad :) But...this is what we woke up to this morning! Right now it's just ice, with some snow left in spots....but it's going to snow again tonight, too! We were lucky that it happened on a weekend because if it does this during the week Darren has to go out with all the crazies and clear driveways and parking lots for his customers. I have enjoyed the day...caught up at www.scrapbookeronline.com and www.scrapbookplayground.com, watched Lisa Bearnson on QVC...but fell asleep...how horrible am I? Falling asleep watching yummy scrapbook supplies in action? Don't worry, I did find 3 things I can't live without....and with my birthday just 6 days away I won't have to! :)