I can't believe it has been so long!

When I said a while back I was going to work hard on my blog, I really did mean it. However, I didn't realize at the time that having two kids would keep me so busy. Plus, I love Facebook and I have been using it more than anything else to keep in touch with my friends.

We have been super busy this summer getting ready for Megan's wedding-which is in two weeks. Every week there is something to shop for. In fact, I just remembered I need to go pick up my bridesmaids dress from the tailor. Other than that we have tried to be at the pool as much as possible and basically trying to stay out of the house. I love being at home with my kiddos right now but that doesn't mean I want to be "at home".

Cash had two firsts this summer. A few weeks ago Megan and I took Cash to the movies to see Ice Age. We went to the early show because I knew Cash would be at his best. He loved it! He sat so still and didn't get restless until the last 10 minutes. The show we went to was not the 3D version, but that might have been better because I was afraid it would be too overwhelming. Then, last week we went to the circus. It was amazing! Not only was Cash in awe but so were Eddie and I. I know I went to the circus when I was little but I don't have many memories of it. Ringling Brothers definitely earns the title of The Greatest Show on Earth.

School starts in about a month, for me. The kids have a little longer. I'm getting ready to go back. The boys will still be with my grandmother most of the week and at MDO two days a week. I love my friends at work so it is an enjoyable place to be even with 800 teenagers.

The last thing I want to add is for everyone to maybe say a little prayer for me and an idea I have brewing in my head. I am thinking about creating a side job for myself. Nothing big and yes it is legal! I'm hoping I'm right in thinking I can do this with very little money of my own and hopefully earn some extra money. I don't want to say what it is yet because I want to work out some details first. As soon as I can I will let you know what I have up my sleeve.

We had a great weekend...

hanging out with friends and family. Saturday was Emma's birthday party and the kids had a great time playing on her swing set and in her toy room. I don't really know if Amy intended on them being in the house, but that's where they ended up. When you get older you don't really have time to hang out with everyone like you used to, so our kids' birthday parties are a time for us as well.


Sunday morning we decided to go to church in Crosby at the Baptist church where Eddie grew up. The decision of where to go to church has always been a dilemma of ours. Growing up Methodist, I was baptized as a child and then went through confirmation when I was a teenager. In order for me to join the Baptist church I will need to be re baptized, or that is how I look at it. To some people this might not seem like a big deal because what's wrong with giving yourself to the Lord again. There's nothing wrong with it but for some reason when I was approached with the idea when Eddie and I got married I got very emotional. So, three years ago we decided to have Cash baptized in the Methodist church and Eddie joined the church as well. We have been going to church there ever since but are now having a change of heart. The feelings come from the fact that most of our friends attend the Baptist church, Cash goes to MDO out there, and we live in Crosby and want to be a bigger part of the community. The sermon on Sunday was wonderful and I really walked away with a lot. Even Eddie said he felt like it pertained a lot to what has been going on with us over the past year. We have let certain situations really bother us and I especially have lost sleep worrying about if and when things would work themselves out. I pray all the time for God to put good people in my life and to guide me down the right path. On Sunday I learned to be tough and to "not let evil put manure in my driveway." I also learned to put up a guard-to be careful with what goes in my heart and out my of my mouth.

Sunday afternoon we were at Heath's house for Megan's birthday. Cash got to go out in the boat and run around the yard while Eddie sprayed him with a super soaker. Colt spent most of the night in either my mom or grandmother's arms.

Tomorrow I have to go to my post partum doctor appt. I can't believe it has only been 6 weeks; it feels like 6 months!!

Since nobody will see me...

I am going to put on my swimsuit and go to my grandmother's pool. Cash is fishing with my dad and Eddie so as long as Colt will take a nap I can get some sun and exercise. I have lost 5 lbs so far but I need to make sure I keep them off and hopefully lose a few more before I have to weigh in next Thursday. It really is a big incentive knowing you have to get on a scale every two weeks and you can't lie about what it says because the doctor is right there. Right now I am obviously losing water weight but anything that makes the number on the scale go down is fine with me.

Cash is doing really well at swimming lessons. As long as we can get him to keep his mouth closed and not panic he will be fine. Right now I am not going to sign him up for another week. We will be at my grandmother's pool a lot and I really think between all of us we can get him swimming.

It looks like I am going to work next Thursday and Friday. I really need to go because there is so much to do to finish the year. Grades are due that Friday and I will meet with my principal to find out what I am teaching next year. I'm sure it is the same but you never know. The last day of school is a half day so I should be able to survive the day.

The weatherman said it is going to be a beautiful weekend...

Cash started swim lessons today...

He took them last year also but I think he was a little too young to really catch on. He has been "swimming" in my grandmother's pool for few weeks now and he has become more comfortable with going under water and he loves to kick around using one of those really big pool noodles. If nothing else I want him to be able to get out of the pool, or at least get to the side, if he were to fall in. That is my biggest concern right now. His two cousins and one of his friends from MDO are also taking lessons with him. Hopefully they will be able to pay attention long enough to learn something.

Colt is growing like a weed and weighs about 12 lbs. Of course we started at 9 1/2 lbs so that might be about average. I have stopped nursing because I couldn't keep up with him. He is always hungry and with a three year old around I needed some help. I have to admit it has really been nice. Eddie can help at night and someone else can feed him if I want to play with Cash or go run an errand. You also don't have to excuse yourself and go feed the baby when you have company over. He is holding his head up really well and starting to smile and "talk". He loved the attention he got on Sunday at Aunt Julie's house and really put on a show a couple of times. He is sleeping more like 3 to 3 1/2 hours at a time. Before we were lucky to get 2 hours in before he was wanting to eat again. Nap time has also been an issue but today I finally found somewhere he seems to really be comfortable...on our bed. I have him propped up on our bed facing the window and he just loves it. He laid there for the longest time looking outside or at the ceiling fan before he fell asleep. Whatever works is fine with me!

Yesterday our friends Andy and Amanda came over. We got to meet their daughter Addie for the first time and they got to meet Cash and Colt for the first time. We love and miss all of our Tarleton friends so much so we are thrilled to have Andy and Amanda so close now. You always know who your true friends are when you can pick up right where you left off no matter how long it has been since you last talked. We promised each other yesterday to really try to see each other once a month. I hope we can follow through with it. Our wedding anniversaries are also only two weeks apart. Maybe we can start a tradition and get together to celebrate our anniversaries each year...

My Blog Commitment

Cash likes our bed a little too much... I think this is Cash's way of taking claim of "his" Nana
Colt's first day at the pool

Cash and "his" Nana

Everyday I get on the computer to see if my friends have updated their blogs. I love this means of communication. I have really been inspried by people like Buffy and Viviana who do such a wonderful job with their blogs. So, my goal is to start utilizing my blog more to let everyone know what is going on with me personally and also the family. For example, I did officially start my diet today. As my friend Kannan said, "This baby weight has to go!" I went to the store early this morning while Eddie stayed with the boys and bought tons of fruit, chicken, and vegetables. I will admit, I am on a doctor supervised and aided diet. I have been on this program before and was really successful. However, over the past two years I have had two pregnancies that have taken a toll on my body. One caused my body to go through complete chaos and the other resulted in ANOTHER 9 1/2 pound baby, enough said. I'm sure I won't be able to add new posts everyday, but I am going to shoot for every other day.

HOPEFULLY I will get back on here today and post some pictures...

He is here!

I can't believe I have not posted any pictures of Colt before now. I try to get on the computer whenever I can just to have a minute to myself but I have not been very good with updating our blog. Colt was born April 23rd, thanks to me begging my doctor to induce me early, weighed 9lbs 8 oz and was 20 3/4 inches long. He weighed 8 lbs 14 oz when we left the hospital but in two weeks he has gained over a pound and is sleeping well. It is an adjustment having two kids but we are making it.

Today

Eddie and I just got back from lunch at ChimiChurris (spelling ?) and Grimm's Boutique. There was a Brighton ring I wanted to get. Cash has about an hour left at Mother's Day Out and then we will make our daily trip to Sonic. I have been up since 4:30 and I am starting to get tired, but there is no sense in taking a nap now. My parents and Eddie's parents are coming over tonight to eat dinner for my birthday and then Cash is going home with my parents. He is staying with my grandmother tonight so we don't have to worry about getting him up early in the morning. We need to be at the hospital at 5:00 am. I am so restless. I need to have something to do every minute berween now and then.

Colt Matthew

Will be here on Thursday!

Easter 2009

Cash before church Easter morning. We were still working on shoes because he had about 3 blisters on each foot.










































Coloring Easter eggs with his cousins.
















Easter Egg Hunt at Nina and Pawpaw's

Baby Update

I went to the doctor yesterday and we decided to wait and see what happens over this next week. I haven't made any progress since Thursday. She said if he is not here by Monday we will pick a date. So more than likely I will spend my birthday in the hospital but that's ok. He will be a good birthday present.

Zoo Trip

I am so paranoid

I am not a good pregnant person because I am always so paranoid. This morning I thought I had some type of "leaking" issue. After another trip to my doctor this afternoon I found out my water didn't break and it wasn't amniotic fluid. However, I did find out another reason why I have not felt good this week. Since Monday I have dilated 3 centimeters and my cervix is almost 50% effaced. She said with so much changing over a 4 day period its no wonder I didn't feel good. She also said if I would've been 4 cm they would have sent me over to labor and delivery. I really do hate to rush this little guy but I am completely misreable and ready for him to be here. Maybe things will progress a little more before my appt on Monday and we can talk baby. Thank goodness I am finished with work for at least 7 weeks or so. I might go back the last week depending on how things are going. It will be nice to focus on the boys, Eddie included, and be home with them.

Yesterday

So, I did make it to work yesterday but left around 9:30. My back hurt so bad it literally felt like the bottom was going to fall out. The secretary here made me call my doctor. Of course they sent me to labor and delivery. I didn't want to go because I knew I wasn't in labor, but it was starting to hurt so bad I went on in. Turns out I have another UTI. On top of that there is a 7.5 lbs child sitting on my bladder. He was so active yesterday and everytime he moved it hurt. I was having mild contractions but nothing strong enough to consider me in labor. They gave me a shot for the infection and my doctor prescribed me a sleeping pill to take so I could go home and rest. I was crying by the time I left the hospital because I was so tired. I'm at work today but tomorrow is my last day. My doctor didn't want me to come today but I told her I really needed to finish this week and then I would stay home. It will be nice to enjoy the Easter weekend and not have to worry about work the next week. My next dr. appt is on Monday and I am still hoping we will plan to induce next weekend.

Dr. Appt.

I went to the doctor yesterday. We discussed the ultrasound and everything looks good. He is in the 80th percentile so he is definitely a big boy. My doctor told me to do a lot of walking to see if something will happen in the next week. Well, I didn't walk last night because we had hurricane force winds here on the prairie, but I have been up all night with labor pains. Yesterday afternoon I kind of blew them off because I figured it was from the exam I just had but they never really went away. I have been awake since about 2:00 and at 4:15 finally decided to take a shower. So, I have eaten breakfast and I'm just killing time now. A part of me would still like to stop working at the end of this week but another part of me feels like it is unnecessary if he isn't going to be here for two more weeks. At least this week and next are both 4 day weeks for me. If nothing else April 17th will for sure be my last day. Well I better finish getting dressed so I can go hang out with my little darlings at school. Today is TAKS for the 8th graders and my 7th graders are taking a practice test. Some peace and quiet will be nice.

Pictures-Baby Shower, Birthday Party, Kemah

Colt's dresser

Sign from Colt's shower that Stephanie made

Baby Shower

Cash at birthday party

Cash at Kemah

Waiting patiently for our table

Losing his patience!

Looking at the ducks

He's a big one!

The ultrasound went well but not exactly as I hoped. He was lying on his back with his feet in his face curled up in a little ball. We couldn't see his face or anything. I was so depressed. We did get to hear his heartbeat, which was 130, and saw his heart and stomach. I think she measured a few bones and I am pretty sure she measured his head. I saw her make a circle on the screen so I'm assuming that's what it was. I had to roll back and forth on the table to see if he would move but he wouldn't. I hope he is not stuck in that position and I really hope he is not plannning on coming out in that position! I now think a C-section might be in my future. Before we left she did say she feels confident he weighs about 7lbs. I'm supposed to have a month left. If I wait four more weeks to deliver he will be HUGE! So, this is what I decided yesterday. I am going to work through next Thursday, have a four day weekend for Easter, and then deliver sometime that next week. I go back to my doctor on Monday so we will see what she says about it. I guess it is partly up to her :).
After we left the doctor's office we went to Target. I usually prefer to NOT shop with my husband but he did ok yesterday. I had a few things to return and some things I needed to get. We have been so blessed with the baby gifts we have received, so what I needed was small. I wanted to get one more package of gowns and ended up with long sleeve onesies, so I have to return those. I also got him socks, a few more bottles, and new sheets for the cradle and pack n' play. We also bought a few more diapers, size 1 because I do not think he will need the newborn size. At the time buying a 157 diapers seemed like a lot, but once you think about it that might last 3 weeks-MIGHT!
To make a long story short I am ready for him to get here. I think I am physically and mentally drained. I am getting no sleep and I feel huge. For those of you who know my medical history, I have spent a good part of my twenties either pregnant or recovering from a miscarriage. So, I think it is time to have this second child and then move on to a new chapter in our lives. We wanted to have kids early and we still accomplished our goal even with a few setbacks.

36 Week Ultrasound

Today is my 36 week ultrasound and I am very excited and nervous about it. I have not had an ultrasound in over two months so I can not wait to see how big he is. I can not imagine being pregnant for 4 more weeks, so I am hoping he is a good size and can come a little early. According to http://www.babycenter.com/ he should be about the size of a crenshaw melon. Not knowing what a crenshaw melon looks like, I looked it up:

If this is true he should weigh about 6 lbs. I am expecting him to weigh a little more, but we will see. Here is my prediction. Even though my due date is not until April 30th, I think he will be here anywhere between the 17th and 24th.

Really, it's Thursday

(I can't ever get pictures to post where I want them to).

Spring Break is flying by and I don't like it. I told Eddie this morning that he has to to take time off tomorrow so we can take Cash to do something. Cash has had a blast in the rain and mud and he got to see his cousins in Lumberton yesterday, so maybe it is more me that wants to do something. I want to go to either Kemah and let Cash play all of the games or go to Moody Gardens. Our original plan was to take Cash to do something the Monday after Easter and have a day just for the three of us, but a part of me feels like I want be able to walk by then. I feel fine right now because it is early morning and I haven't been moving around a whole lot, but I am exhausted and so sore by the end of the day. Luckily I go to the doctor on Monday and then every week after that. My next ultrasound is in a week and we will see how big he is and try to make a decision on when to deliver. At first I thought he might be smaller than Cash but that has all changed this week. I think he will be just as big if not bigger. The nursery is finished for the most part so at least I am not worried about that anymore.

The three year old thief

has run off with my camera again. I am pretty sure I got it back from him and hid it but apparently I hid it from myself as well. I have been working so hard in the nursery today that I have made a huge mess in our house. I am tempted to tell Eddie to rent a dumpster because there is so much in this house that needs to be thrown away. Anything that can be sent to CUIC is going on Monday and everything else I guess will go in the attic. Colt has a bed to sleep in now and plenty of clothes to wear. I had registered for a few onesies and stuff and I just took them off the registry. I am so glad I kept all of Cash's clothes but it is going to take me forever to get everything washed and separated. If I come across my camera I will post pictures of my progress.

I just love these...

Take Time To Laugh

Take Your Medicine
Today's Scripture

"A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22, AMP).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria:

So many people today live with sickness, headaches, digestive problems, lack of energy and so much more because they don't have the joy they should. They aren't sleeping well at night and are living under so much stress and pressure. But the Bible tells us that when we are happy and joyful, it's like medicine to our bodies. One of the greatest stress relievers God has given us is the gift of laughter. It not only makes you feel better, but it actually releases healing throughout your system. In fact, medical science tells us that when people laugh, it boosts their immune system. It reduces blood pressure. People who laugh regularly are 40% less likely to have a heart attack than people that don't laugh regularly. Laughter triggers the right side of the brain, which helps release creativity so we can make better decisions. Laughter activates the body's natural tranquilizers that not only help us calm down, but it helps us sleep better.If you need to rejuvenate your mind and body, it's time to take your medicine! Make time to laugh every single day. Don't take yourself so seriously. When you approach life with a happy, light-hearted attitude, you'll begin to rise higher and higher into the life of health and blessing the Lord has in store for you.

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of laughter. Help me to see the joy in all circumstances so I can receive Your inner healing. Show me ways to help those around me so together we can live in Your joy and strength. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Update

I can so relate to these cartoons!

Even though my due date is 9 weeks away we are looking more at 8 weeks before we decide to induce. My doctor still doesn't think she is going let him go all the way to 40 weeks. Which is good news because I feel huge, my hair won't do anything, I'm tired, I'm running out of things to wear, etc. I did nail down my last day of work which will be April 17th. That is the end of this grading period so that will be a good time for the sub to start. Plus I go to the doctor that following Monday (21st) and we will probably make a decision then. Plus, Plus my 29th birthday is the 22nd and who wants to work on their birthday? We did manage to get the baby bed out of the attic and get two pictures framed. Since I am planning on handing down most if not all of Cash's clothes he has out grown, I have a lot of washing to do.

I know emails are going around but I thought I would add something about the problems we have had in our area lately. I guess it is really only two incidences, but to me that is two too many. First, a lady my mother-in law works with was almost high jacked with her son in the car by a man in The Woodlands. She was there at the intersection of 242 and 45 at the Exxon Station. Second, I got an email this morning about a lady who was robbed in the parking lot of the Atascocita Wal-mart. Luckily both of the ladies got away unharmed. I was telling Eddie about it and he made a good point. You can't live your life in fear but you do have to be careful. I know I am not going anywhere by myself if I can avoid it. If I do have to go by myself hopefully someone can watch Cash for me. I think it is just down right scary!

Back at work

Once again I don't have any pictures to post, but I did finally get over my illness, after missing almost a week of work, and was able to enjoy the weekend. We spent most of the day Saturday running errands. Eddie got to use his Academy gift cards and I was able to drop them off and have a peaceful trip to the grocery store. It was weird to not have an agenda that day. Our weekends have been so packed lately that I felt like we had somewhere to be. I did laundry and Eddie and Cash worked outside. I think Cash had to change clothes 3 times that day because him and the dogs found every mud puddle in our yard. Later that night Eddie cooked steaks and shrimp for Valentine's Day. It was so good but I couldn't eat much of it. By that night I wasn't feeling very well...again. Sunday we managed to make it to the 8:15 service and then went to Lumberton to see Eddie's sister and her family. This was our first time to see their new house. They have a great house with a big back yard and a pool. It did not take long at all to get there so I'm sure the boys and I will go quite often to visit them this summer. I had the day off yesterday so we went to the bridal store and then took Cash to Build-A-Bear. We made a bear for him and one for Colt. Cash picked out a black bear for him that we named "Trout" (he has on a fishing outfit) and Colt's bear's name is "Shoop." For some reason if you ask Cash what his baby brother's name is he says, "Shoop," so we thought it was appropriate.


I didn't get a lot accomplished in the nursery but Becky did take this one picture off my hands so that is one less thing to work around. I think I solved my painting problem. I am 99% sure the color that is on the walls now is the same color as the living room. If that is the case I am going to just touch up a few places and be done with it. I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and bought two frames and some mat board to frame these two posters I have for his room and my mom bought an iron star. I also got a sign for their bathroom that says, "Cowboys don't take baths, they dust off." This is pretty much Cash's philosphy anyway. I have 10 weeks and 2 days left until my due date so I'm starting to feel the pressure to get stuff done.

I'm sick!!

For some reason I really thought I would not catch whatever has been floating around the school, but I was wrong!! I had a doctor's appt yesterday and everytime I got in and out of my car after that appt I felt worse and worse. By the time I got home last night I was practically in tears. Luckily Cash was worn out from Mother's Day Out and playing on the farm that we were both asleep by 8:00 if not earlier. Eddie had a meeting last night so I needed Cash to crash. I slept on the couch until 11:00 and then went to bed. I think about 3:30 I moved to the recliner. Maybe my mom was the only one who would say this, but I remember when I was younger and wanted to stay home from school my mom would tell me to just get in the shower and I would start to feel better. I would get so mad because all I wanted to do was stay home. I used to blame it on the fact that I was a teacher's kid and she didn't want me to miss school. Now that I am older I find myself saying the same thing. I actually woke up in the middle of the night dreaming of a hot shower. It's funny how things change. Still, if I could have stayed home today I would!

My doctor's appt went well. Colt is so far of "average" size but I'm not convinced he is not going to come out the size of a 2 month old like Cash did. The ultrasound I had on the 6th of January showed he was in the 60% in weight. My doctor pulled up all of Cash's ultrasounds and at that same time he was in the 73%. So we will see. I don't mind going all the way to my due date if he is not going to be a huge baby. The other good news is I get to start going every two weeks and they went ahead and scheduled every appt up to my due date. I think my last appt is on April 27th.

Nesting

I really am starting to get the "nesting" instinct but by the time I get home in the afternoon I am so tired that I lose all motivation. For some reason getting things done for the second baby is not as easy. I guess it is because you already have a little one at home to focus on and take care of. However, Eddie has committed to helping me this weekend and next weekend with setting the baby furniture up and helping me paint. Unfortunately, I have a workshop in Alvin from 8 to 4 Saturday so that will probably take every ounce of energy out of me. I know I still have a while to get everything ready but I'm tired of looking at an empty room. Hopefully in the next week or so I can start posting pictures of our progress.

Cash's 3rd Birthday

Playing Hungry Hippo with Daddy Blowing out his candles

The Glover grandkids-quite a group!

Hayden and Trish

Stephanie and Haylee

Emma

Mickey Mouse Cake

The Birthday Boy

Cash and Haylee

Haylee

He couldn't wait for the party to start.