Friday's Facts: Summer is almost over

It's been forever since I have blogged!!

Joshua, our sweet baby boy, is six weeks old already! I promise I will blog his birth story here soon!

Summer is almost over.  It's been fun and eventful.

Let's see...

We started the summer off with a trip to North Dakota to see Grandma Marie.  That was fun! Then the kids had swimming lessons and went to vacation Bible school. 

 We had a big fourth of July party and TONS of fireworks and the very next day our wonderful Joshua Mark came into this world!

My seven wonderful kids!

Then Gary and Cathy came for a visit to help out with the baby and during that time we celebrated Matthew's 4th Birthday!

At the end of the week, they left and brought Katie, Danielle and Johanna with them to CO.  They were gone two weeks.  I missed them sooo much!!!!
We went and picked them up when Joshua was only 3 1/2 weeks old and spent a few days in CO.  It was wonderful seeing my Mom, Adrielle, Ezra, Asa and Dean.  Also I got some time with my seester Amber and got to see her kids, Poppy, Zeke, Fiona and Vivian.  We also briefly saw Kayla and Cayden.  He's getting so big! 

Here are all the Grandkids on my Mom's side. :)

The girls got to go swimming, a lot, while visiting Grandma and Grandpa, and fishing with Daddy and Grandpa.  Fun times. :) Here are Katie and Danielle in the lake on their fishing trip!

After we got home, Katie, Danielle and Juliette ran a little vacation Bible school for the little kids at our church.  It was so great watching them teach! Danielle was in charge of the 2, 3 and 4 year olds with the help of Claire, Ada, and Jesse White.  She did such a great job.  She was so responsible.

Katie and Juliette taught the 5 and 7 year olds.  Katie taught them Jesus Loves Me in sign language.  What a great teacher she is!!!  I was so proud of them, to see what servant's hearts they had.  They put so much work into this and it turned out very successful!

This last week we've been just running errands and selling coupon books mostly.  We have beat our record for previous years.  I think we are at like 39 books sold now.  So, if we win again we'll be getting a $50 gift card to anywhere we choose in the book.

Today I took the kids to Runza.  There is an outside playground there that I never really noticed before.  It was perfect weather-wise and the kids were able to burn off some energy.

I feel we've grown a lot this summer.  As a family and as individuals.  I am sad it's almost over.  The school year opens a new chapter in our lives.  I will be at the school 3 mornings a week teaching the primary students.  I will have 6 girls between 2nd and 5th grade.  I am the primary teacher for Science, but I will also be helping with Bible, spelling, handwriting, and in the kindergarten classroom where Alaina will be! :)

Words on Wednesday:39wks

39 wks tomorrow that is.
Tomorrow is the BIG day.  I will be induced if Joshua does not make his appearance before then!
So, in other news... my last two OB appts were eventful! First, last Friday I went in and asked to be checked.  Dr Stearnes couldn't find my cervix... then said baby's head was to the side.  That freaked me out a bit because a tranverse baby could mean a C-section. I then asked if having a full bladder mattered... and it does! LOL! So I went pee... got a quick u/s and yep, baby is head down.  Thank goodness.  Then Dr checked me.  He said I was a "good" 3cm but I asked him to stretch me if possible.  He wouldn't sweep (or strip) my membranes.   He did stretch me to a tight 4cm though. :) I also found out at this appt that I am GBS+ so I'll need antibiotics during labor.  Most likely I really don't, but in the slight chance that I have the "bad form" of GBS they like to play it safe.  Err...

Then I went in again on Tuesday (yesterday).  I was a "good" 4cm and I asked again if he'd sweep the membranes since I'd be getting induced in less than 48 hours. He did agree to it... it hurt a little but wasnt' awful by any means. I really don't want pitocin, but Dr insists that it's best because of my hbp spikes. I asked if he'd just break my water, but he doesn't think that will be enough to jump start things.  He did agree to only give me the lowest dose of pit and not increase it until after my water is broken if I am not progressing, which I doubt will happen.  They call it a "whiff" of pitocin.  Let's hope that works.  I am TRYING to do things as natural as I can.
While he was checking me and sweeiping my membranes he realized that baby has a limb (probably a hand) right up there by his head.  He said that it COULD be dangerous and increase the risk of cord prolapse (which is an automatic C-section) because the head being there prevents the head from totally plugging the space where my cervix is opening leaving a small space for the cord to squeeze though.  So he is going to try and manipulate things to get baby to move before he breaks my water.  Otherwise I"ll be giving birth to a head AND a limb at the same time and that really makes me want an epidural! I was thinking about maybe not getting one if I go into labor on my own.  If I am induced I probably will. 
Today is the 4th of July and Steven has a HUGE party planned for the people at the church.  It's going to be a great time, but I could have the baby instead! Poor Steven.  Although it would make for great memories.  A 4th of July baby.  Time will tell!

Take on Tuesday: 37w5d "acupuncture"

Today I went to the chiropractor and got acupuncture, the kind designed to help induce labor.  Of course it's not going to do anything if my body and baby are not ready... but here's to hoping, right?! Yesterday I had my 37wk check.  I was 3cm dilated.  A tight 3 he said.  I go in again on Friday and I've asked him to check me again that day, hoping something will happen and I'll have baby Joshua by Saturday June 30. 

My blood pressure has been fluctuating quite a bit.  With a range of  like 120's over 70's and 150's over 90's.  Usually it just sits in the 130 over 80 ish range though... so a safe number.  It's crazy when it spikes though.  Not sure if it's just our blood pressure machine we have at home because it's always been super good at the Dr office.  Who knows!  I got a few more things done on my list too.  My goal is to finish all those things by Friday - just in case! :) Hoping still! Then if i don't have baby I'll have a whole new list of things to get done before July 6th.... which is the day Dr Stearnes wants to induce if I haven't had baby yet.  He's worried about my medical history, the pre-eclampsia, hypertenstion and hypothyroidism.  Wow, I am a hot mess.  lol.   I think it would be fine to wait it out assuming my bp doesn't spike by then, but he doesn't.  I think it's more for convenience really.. but I really don't want to fight it.  I feel I got what I wanted with having the cord not clamped and cut for 3 minutes (a whole other story) and honestly... thinking I'll be holding Joshua in my arms in 10 days is soooooooo wonderful right now I can't even imagine arguing.  One day I might kick myself though.  Anyway here's the new and improved list.

1) Buy him a carseat
2) Clean out the bassinette and decide if I can use it still - I can!! :)
3) Put newborn and up to 3mos clothes in his dresser
4) Before that I need to completely empty it out, some of Elise's things are still in there
5) Make "BOY" curtains
6) find a pattern and make a red bumper for the crib
7) maybe even make a wall hanging with remaining fabric ((tomorrow!!))
8) Clean carpets, even if with just water
9) organize medicine cabinet
10) Clean out fridge
11) Make more hats and diaper covers ((on going))
12) Organize Matthew's closet
12) organize Johanna and Alaina's closet
13) wipe down walls and baseboards
14) windex windows
16) organize laundry room
17) hang pictures in basement
18) get all kids newest pics done
a. Katie b. Danielle c. Johanna d. Alaina e. Matthew f. Elise
19) get maternity pictures done
20) pack hospital bag
21) organize garage the best I can
22) organize my craft and clothes closet
23) clean out van
24) buy newborn diapers and pads
25) organize pantry
26) install carseats, including infant
27) pre-register at hospital
28) get all the kids pics in envelopes and addressed to the people they need to go to ((on going))
29) organize top of fridge
30) Vaccuum stairs
31) clean out couch and wash couch cushions
32) give kids haircuts or trims

Thursday's Thoughts: updated list

1) Buy him a carseat
2) Clean out the bassinette and decide if I can use it still - I can!! :)
3) Put newborn and up to 3mos clothes in his dresser
4) Before that I need to completely empty it out, some of Elise's things are still in there
5) Make "BOY" curtains
6) find a pattern and make a red bumper for the crib
7) maybe even make a wall hanging with remaining fabric
8) Clean carpets, even if with just water
9) organize medicine cabinet
10) Clean out fridge
11) Make more hats and diaper covers ((on going))
12) Organize Matthew's closet
12) organize Johanna and Alaina's closet
13) wipe down walls and baseboards
14) windex windows
16) organize laundry room
17) hang pictures in basement
18) get all kids newest pics done ((on going))
a. Katie b. Danielle c. Johanna d. Alaina e. Matthew f. Elise
19) get maternity pictures done
20) pack hospital bag
21) organize garage the best I can
22) organize my craft and clothes closet
23) clean out van
24) buy newborn diapers and pads
25) organize pantry
26) install carseats, including infant
27) pre-register at hospital
28) get all the kids pics in envelopes and addressed to the people they need to go to ((on going))
29) organize top of fridge
30) Vaccuum stairs
31) clean out couch and wash couch cushions
32) give kids haircuts or trims

Words on Wednesday: 37wks

So close, yet so far away still! :)
I had an appt yesterday and I was only 2cm (barely) dilated and 50% effaced. At 36 1/2 wks, that's about right for me I guess, but I thought FOR SURE that things would be a little further along! I have had more contractions with more discomfort than previous pregnancies at this point.  At least as far as I can remember.  I even had one contraction wake me up because it was on the verge of being a painful one.  That has NEVER happened before.
Oh well....
Other signs would be, more pressure on my tailbone, especially during contractions.  Also the need to go to the bathroom constantly, lol.... I am still hoping for a June 30 baby, but the way things look it probably won't happen.  For one, the earliest I have ever gone into labor on my own was 39wks and 2 days.  I have had two pregnancies make it to almost 41 weeks (one of those was induced so who knows how long I would have been pregnant) and 2 pregnancies that were induced at 39ish weeks (so I know I didn't have them early, obviously... and 1 pregnancy induced at 38wks and 2 days... I am sure I would have gone at least another week with her as well.... so my hopes are shattered of a natural delivery on that day.  I'd be 38wks and 2 days. 
As far as an induction, I am not hoping for something to go wrong, but the only thing that probably would, would be my blood pressure and that's been surprisingly low (normal for me when I am not pregnant) lately.  So... IDK! Time will tell! Meanwhile, I might just try and bounce on the trampoline in the evenings (after dark, lol) to help things along.  Hopefully next Tues I have better news! I'll be almost 38 wks at that point so I better be more dilated!!!
In the meantime... just keep checking things off the list!

1) Buy him a carseat
2) Clean out the bassinette and decide if I can use it still - I can!! :)
3) Put newborn and up to 3mos clothes in his dresser
4) Before that I need to completely empty it out, some of Elise's things are still in there
5) Make "BOY" curtains
6) find a pattern and make a red bumper for the crib
7) maybe even make a wall hanging with remaining fabric
8) Clean carpets, even if with just water
9) organize medicine cabinet
10) Clean out fridge
11) Make more hats and diaper covers
12) Organize Matthew's closet
12) organize Johanna and Alaina's closet
13) wipe down walls and baseboards
14) windex windows
16) organize laundry room
17) hang pictures in basement
18) get all kids newest pics done
      a. Katie b. Danielle c. Johanna d. Alaina e. Matthew f. Elise
19) get maternity pictures done
20) pack hospital bag
21) organize garage the best I can
22) organize my craft and clothes closet
23) clean out van
24) buy newborn diapers and nursing pads
25) organize pantry
26) install carseats, including infant
27) preregister at hospital
28) get all the kids pics in envelopes and addressed to the people they need to go to
(when baby is born, all I have to do is add his in there and send them off!)
29) organize top of fridge
30) Vaccuum stairs
31) clean out couch and wash couch cushions
32) give kids haircuts or trims
a. Katie b. Danielle c. Johanna d. Alaina e. Matthew

Mundane Monday: Curtains

Well, another thing checked off my list.  Well, almost.  I made the valances for Matthew and Joshua's room... well one of them is done, the second is half done.  I will have no problem finishing it today though because it's SO MUCH FUN to do!!! :)
I feel like everytime I check something off, I add a couple more things though... I guess that's part of life with 6 kids... organizing just never ends!
Here's my list now.....

1) Buy him a carseat
2) Clean out the bassinette and decide if I can use it still - I can!! :)
3) Put newborn and up to 3mos clothes in his dresser
4) Before that I need to completely empty it out, some of Elise's things are still in there
5) Make "BOY" curtains
6) find a pattern and make a red bumper for the crib
7) maybe even make a wall hanging with remaining fabric
8) Clean carpets, even if with just water
9) organize medicine cabinet
10) Clean out fridge
11) Make more hats and diaper covers
12) Organize Matthew's closet
12) organize Johanna and Alaina's closet
13) wipe down walls and baseboards
14) windex windows
16) organize laundry room
17) hang pictures in basement
18) get all kids newest pics done
a. Katie
b. Danielle
c. Johanna
d. Alaina
e. Matthew
f. Elise
19) get maternity pictures done
20) pack hospital bag
21) organize garage the best I can
22) organize my craft and clothes closet
23) clean out van
24) buy newborn diapers and nursing pads
25) organize pantry
26) install carseats, including infant
27) preregister at hospital
28) get all the kids pics in envelopes and addressed to the people they need to go to
(when baby is born, all I have to do is add his in there and send them off!)
29) organize top of fridge
30) Vaccuum stairs
31) clean out couch and wash couch cushions
32) give kids haircuts
     a. Katie
     b. Danielle
     c. Johanna
     d. Alaina
     e. Matthew

Simply Saturday: Pictures today!

We went to JCPenney's and got "maternity" pics done and I also got Johanna and Alaina's pics done while were there! The kids were SUPER good... we got ALL the pics done, picked out, ordered and outta there in less than an hour! :)
I also ordered baby Joshua's carseat! It's gray, like pretty much all of the other carseats (and the interior of the van) and has blue trim.  Super cute.
A few more things to check off my list! YAY! :) (a few more to add as well)

1) Buy him a carseat
2) Clean out the bassinette and decide if I can use it still - I can!! :)
3) Put newborn and up to 3mos clothes in his dresser
4) Before that I need to completely empty it out, some of Elise's things are still in there
5) Make "BOY" curtains
6) find a pattern and make a red bumper for the crib
7) maybe even make a wall hanging with remaining fabric
8) Clean carpets, even if with just water
9) organize medicine cabinet
10) Clean out fridge
11) Make more hats and diaper covers
12) Organize Matthew's closet
12) organize Johanna and Alaina's closet
13) wipe down walls and baseboards
14) windex windows
16) organize laundry room
17) hang pictures in basement
18) get all kids newest pics done
a. Katie
b. Danielle
c. Johanna
d. Alaina
e. Matthew
f. Elise
19) get maternity pictures done
20) pack hospital bag
21) organize garage the best I can
22) organize my craft and clothes closet
23) clean out van
24) buy newborn diapers and nursing pads
25) organize pantry
26) install carseats, including infant
27) preregister at hospital
28) get all the kids pics in envelopes and addressed to the people they need to go to
     (when baby is born, all I have to do is add his in there and send them off!)
29) organize top of fridge
30) Vaccuum stairs