Mac Family

What I have learned...

On Friday, I got my hair done...at 10:00 a.m., which I thought was going to be rough on me, since I am still sick most mornings...until the middle of the afternoons, actually. However, I think getting fluids on Wednesday evening really helped. I made it through the hair appointment (my roots were so, so dark!), and then I took the girls to Michigan City.

On the way there, we stopped at one of my friend's houses in Union Pier, MI. I had not seen her in so long! We had a great visit, and then the girls and I headed to the outlets in Michigan City. Not such a grand idea in the 9th month of pregnancy, but I planned on only visiting a few stores. I was hoping to find some good deals for the girls, as I finally shopped for some school clothes. 

Not the greatest idea!

First, everything is last year's line of clothing. Second, it was hardly a deal. In fact, I think I would not spend too much more money just to visit the regular Gap, etc. and pay full price for this year's line of clothing. I felt that the outlet stores were a marketing scam.

Shopping was a challenge. I was having some contractions, and I even sat down while going through items. The girls were pretty good, but they were running around. The shopping trip ended up being a bit too much for me.

The only *deal* I found that I thought was a great one was 10 really cute onesies at Carter's for $24.00. We also found some other items at Carter's for the baby, but I still haven't shopped for the necessities: diapers, bottles (I refuse to re-use Addie's--gross--they've been thrown out, anyway), baby wipes, pacifiers, etc. And we only have 19 more days, at the most, to get it together! I really need some help shopping. Dave might have to be trusted to pick out some school clothes for the girls. It seems they never have the sizes I need. It is so frustrating!
THAT is why I HATE shopping! It takes up too much time! I could be spending quality bonding time with my kids instead. Shopping is DUMB.

This is the last week to shop before Reilly starts kindergarten. This week, I also plan on taking her kindergarten photos. Yes, there will be bribery involved. I have saved so much money by rarely shopping this summer, so that is good.

So what I have learned is that a trip all the way to Michigan City to the outlets to try to save money is unnecessary. It was fun to see my friend, though, so that part was worth it. I think I'll trying shopping one more time this week, and then I am done.

I must survive 4 work days this week, and then I am officially on leave until November 30. The best news from the past week is that we finally found and hired a professional photographer to do my birth photography! I never thought I could do this with a C-Section, but I can. We are very excited for quality photos of the birth experience...and for the pressure that will be taken off of us to record all of the details. I will be sharing the slideshow with everybody on my new blog after the birth. I cannot wait to see Reilly and Addie's reactions to their new baby sister!

As much as I hoped for labor and an early delivery, I now want to make it until September 18 so that everything goes smoothly with the birth photography experience. It is nice that it can be so planned out for everybody.

19 more days!

Might be in labor...

I am heading to the hospital... I was just there 48 hours ago for fluids, and these past couple of days have been a challenge! I still cannot keep liquids down. I think I got almost 20 ounces of fluids in me today, and for me, that is good.

Cramping started tonight around 7:00, and it has been inconsistently consistent! I feel sick. The doctor says I may be dehydrated and that I may have a virus. There is definitely something going around, and both of my kids have been sick this week.

I am going to get more fluids since I have been sick all night. I am waiting for the sickness to let up a bit before I leave the house.

I'll update later...

ETA: I just had one of the *bigger symptoms*. I am off to get it all checked out! It is 1:00 a.m. Friday night! We're a little bit nervous!

Saturday afternoon: Blood pressure was 89/41 at the hospital. I actually had some bigger contractions for once! I got to watch them on the screen...and feel them! I thought, "This is it! The time has come!" No such luck! The (female) doctor on duty said the contractions are normal for somebody who is 36 weeks. I ended up being diagnosed with a virus that made me sick for about 8-10 hours and dehydration resulting from the virus.

Got fluids. I have the worst heartburn, and they did not give me anything for that. That did not make me happy! I don't understand why they won't help me out in that area. It is bad every day, and nothing is working!

This has been the worst pregnancy...by far! I feel like I am suffering all of the time. 20 more days of this is too long!

It's been almost a 300-day journey!

Never again!

Proud Mommy Moment

I think we all just want our children to do well in life...and to really enjoy what they do. One of the most exciting parts of being a parent, for me, has been introducing my children to a variety of activities and helping them discover their own unique talents.

Each child is different and unique in his/her own way.

It has been neat to watch Reilly and Addie grow, especially in the past year or so. It really gets to be fun once children get old enough to be in activities and even make choices about which activities they believe they will enjoy.

Tonight was Addie's last gymnastics class for the summer. She completed 12 weeks of classes this summer, and she absolutely LOVES gymnastics...or, as she calls it, "MASTICS!" She has done such a great job, too!

It comes very naturally to her. Tonight her teacher told me how easily this is all coming to Addie. I let her know that we have registered her in the 3 year-old class for next school year, which starts next week at the same time...and with the same teacher!

The teacher told me that she wants Addie to start in the 3 year-old class during the fall, but that she wants to move her up to the 4 year-old class within those first few months. Addie is not 3 1/2 yet. She will not be 4 until the very end of the school year, but her teacher said she believes we should move her up to the 4 year-old class when she is still 3 1/2.

We are very excited! I love that Addie loves gymnastics. I love that it comes easily to her. And I love that she also has that drive to do well and to do her best!

She is a passionate kid!

We are also putting her in ballet. She wants to be in dance so she can be like her big sister, Reilly. I think it is going to be a fun (and busy) year with both of my older girls in activities (4 activities between the two of them)...and a new baby!

It is so fun to watch my children grow and learn. Each stage/age just becomes better than the last one. I am looking forward to all Reilly and Addie will experience during this next school year. There will be many photos to share!

***The new blog is almost ready to "go live"!

Win some, lose some!

I had to get fluids again tonight. I had a long morning of throwing up. I had to get up much earlier than usual to work a 1/2 day at the school. I really tried my hardest to do well this morning, but once I started getting ready, the throwing up began.

What the heck?

I never threw up in the 9th month of pregnancy with Reilly or Addie. That was the only month I did not throw up. With this pregnancy, the sickness has come back and kicked my butt during these past few weeks. This has been my hardest pregnancy, by far.

It has been hard not only on me physically, but also on my family. Dave has had to do so much, and I feel like I have missed out on many things this summer with Reilly and Addie, although Dave and my friends reassure me that I have spent a lot of time with my kids and done lots of different things with them--just not lately. I feel like a horrible mother at times.

I just want this to end. It still feels like the day will never come. 22 more days... It has been a real downer how many things on my "to-do" list that I was not able to accomplish this summer because of this pregnancy. I am usually a very productive person, so this has been very frustrating for me. I wish I had a nanny to help me!

I made it through the time at work today, even though I felt very queasy and even shaky. I tried to rest at home tonight, but I knew I was dehydrated from throwing up all morning...and my inability to drink liquids without throwing up more. It is such a struggle!

I went to the hospital, and they said that yes, I was dehydrated (based on the bloodwork), so I got two bags of fluids. This usually means that I will now have a couple of good days! The bloodwork also showed that I had low potassium and low calcium levels.

I must make it through 4 teacher work days next week (Monday - Thursday), and then I can rest at home before the baby arrives.

I do not know anybody who gets as sick as I do during pregnancy, although I know there must be several women out there who do. It has been so hard. I cannot wait to have the baby not only so I can at last meet her and hold her, but also so I can feel good again! I feel like life has been put on hold for almost an entire year. I just want to complete our family.

This illness has affected our lives way too much to the point where everyday life is a challenge. I long for the fall, the arrival of the baby, the time off from work, and the busy school/activities schedule of our kids. I also look forward to time out with friends again, the motivation to take more photos, and just the simple pleasures of daily family life.

3 more weeks!

Little Miss "Keep us up all night!"

Addie woke up in the middle of the night last night, which is common for her...ever since I can remember. This time, though, she woke up with an elevated temperature. I always worry so much about my kids every time they are the least bit sick!

We let her rest on the couch with a cool washcloth on her head (she liked that!), a sippy cup of water, and her favorite Brown Bear tucked under her arm. No blanket. She was warm! I took a few pictures of her with my new point and shoot (I'm lovin' it!), and my sweet little girl immediately started smiling when she saw the camera...despite not feeling well!

By morning, she seemed much better, but now Reilly is warm and resting on the couch with a cool washcloth on her head.

Sometimes my kids seem to get just a touch of what I think will turn into the flu...for just a few hours,..and then they are fine.

I hope they are both fine in a little while. Addie is still resting, too, although she tells me that she feels just fine.

Here is a quick snap of Addie from this summer. I think we found her dress for about $5 at Carter's. I might go on Etsy to see what I can find for her (and the baby) later. They have lots of cute, homemade, unique items on Etsy! Shhh...! Don't tell Dave!

End of summer...

So sad, so sad...but so exciting, too! Baby will be here soon (although it doesn't feel like soon enough to me!), and I will be off work during one of my favorite seasons for photos! I will have lots of time to take the most photos ever! MI is so beautiful in the fall, and there is so much to do!

Reilly will start kindergarten, and Addie will begin preschool for the very first time. Addie is so excited! I asked her the other day if she wanted to go to school...or stay home with Mommy. She replied, "Go to school...and then come back to Mommy."

She is going to love school! I hope she behaves herself! She really is a good little girl, but she is our lively child, so who knows?

This next week, I am taking Reilly shopping for some school clothes. I have bought her just a few items from The Gap, but I think we might head to MI City to the outlet stores. Yeah, we'll see how much energy I have for THAT in the 9th month of pregnancy!

My new blog is almost done. I hired somebody this summer to help me with it...to save time...and to help me through all of the technical parts that would have frustrated me! I think it was a small fee to pay for some great assistance! By the end of August, it will be completely finished and up and running! We just have a few more things to finish/edit.

This morning sickness has come back in full force these past couple of weeks. I am sick every day for at least half of the day. I am not too happy about that!

26 more days until the C-Section! I asked my doctor (again) if we could do the C-Section any earlier (I beg him at every appointment), and he said they only do that when there is some type of issue, a serious issue. I asked him, "What about too much weight gain?" but he (1) didn't think that was a good enough reason and (2) didn't think I had gained too much weight.

RIGHT.

This week, I will finally shop for the baby items we will need...still haven't done that! Every day, I hope for labor, but it never comes.

I am also hoping for (at least) a few more evenings on the beach! We haven't been there in over a week, and it feels like FOREVER!

Here is just one photo from the beach. It is of THE GIRLS: Tara, Reilly, and Kensey. Right as the sun was setting. This was on August 2.

Reilly's cousins! They had a blast that night. I hope we can go back one more time and let the kids enjoy playing in the water again! Before the long, cold winter months hit us again!

What every mom should know...

The most recent edition of Parents magazine ran an article called "39 Things Every Mom Should Know." Now, I have only been a mom for the past 5 years, but some of the items on the list made me chuckle. I will share my favorite "Top Ten" from the list.

1. Don't make birthday parties a big deal. I totally agree! I have seen parents go completely overboard when it comes to their child's birthday parties, throwing them elaborate, celebrity children style birthday bashes! No kidding! I always think, wow, if the child is getting all of that when they are turning just 5 years-old, what will they expect when they are 16? Dave and I have talked about keeping birthday parties pretty simple around here. I love to desposit money into one of their accounts for the future, and I really do not want to raise spoiled brats!

I lived with a family for a year and a half while I was a beginning teacher, and I have to say that they were really the model family. I loved how they just got to the heart of the matter with everything they did. When it was a child's birthday, the rest of the children (there were 6 children in the family) made homemade cards and a banner for the birthday boy/girl.

The child was told they could choose a place to eat out (a favorite restaurant), or he/she could have his/her mom prepare his/her favorite home-cooked meal (and a cake). 99% of the time, the child chose the meal at home made by his/her mom. They really made each birthday day special for each child and spent quality time with that child on his/her birthday. I just loved that. We have taken the same approach with Reilly these past couple of years.

2. Just throw away the poopy underwear. Ha, ha! How many of you moms have done just that or something similar? It has been rare, but Addie has peed her pants while we have been out and about, and I have thrown out her underwear! Lately, I have been packing an extra outfit complete with clean "undies" for her when we go away for the day...just in case. They have lots of underwear; we can spare a pair here or there!

3. Don't beat yourself up if you have to use a bribe. Are you kidding me? I use bribes all of the time, especially while taking photos of them! How do you think I get any photos of them? Works like a charm these days...

4. Buy cheap shoes when kids are little. Feet grow faster than you think. I don't think I've ever spent more than $15 for a pair of children's shoes...not yet, anyway. It is true. Their little feet grow very quickly. Addie has really big feet. She wears a size 10 in toddler shoes, while Reilly is still wearing a size 12 in toddler shoes. They will get nicer shoes when they don't grow as much in a given year...and also when they officially start playing sports!

5. Know this: That stain won't come out. And it's okay. (The sooner you accept this, the better). Okay, so this one is really hard for me. I hate how anytime I buy the girls a new outfit, it seems to get stained after one wearing. Drives.me.nuts! At least now, with photography, I know I can Photoshop it out of a photo. That makes me feel a little bit better.

6. Don't administer a punishment that hurts you more than it does them. Every parent learns this one pretty quickly, I think. For example, grounding Reilly from Grandma's house means we don't get a break! We learned that one...

7. Always pack wipes. If your kids go somewhere without you, send along wipes. It's like having a mom with them. You'd think I would have learned by now. Why do I still forget the wipes? They should be in my purse...right now, but they are not. I always forget the wipes, and I always need them! Dave remembers them. I need to work on this one. Heck, even the adults need wipes from time to time! I must pack the wipes!

8. Dress your little girls like, well, little girls. I think I'm pretty good at this one! Dave, on the other hand... He needs a little help! I love to shop for little girl clothing. I have been really good in the past year or so about cutting back on cute little girl clothing, but I love, love, LOVE cute clothes for little girls! And now I will have a new little girl to dress...

9. If the school year, new babysitter, or karate class gets off to a rocky start, don't totally stress out about it. Instead, think of the improvement that can be made by the end of the year. As a former athlete, I admit I kind-of stressed about Reilly when she was in gymnastics. It just didn't come naturally to her. I love sports, and I wanted her to do well at them! I did observe improvement in her skills, however, by the end of that year.

For Addie, gymnastics has come much more naturally! She is doing a great job and really stands out in her class. When she participated in art class this summer, however, with Reilly, it was interesting to see the difference in the two girls. Addie scribbled and made messes; Reilly drew and painted detailed, creative pictures/projects. Also concerning to me as the parent was that Addie insisted that all of her work be black! She just could not get enough black in her art work! Black is what attracted her when it came to art. Funny how two kids can be so different. Addie did improve a little bit during the 6 weeks of art class. I love to watch my kids grow!

10. Independence is a wonderful thing. For everyone. So is together time. Make sure you have a healthy dose of both. I agree. We still need to strike a balance here. We are with our kids (at least one of us is with them) 24/7. We rarely get a break. I believe everybody needs a break! We have tried our hardest the past two summers to find somebody to watch them once a week so we could work on our house and own personal interests. Why this is so difficult, I have no idea, but we have not had a real break all summer. It is time for a big date night once this baby is born! I haven't felt like going out to eat in a restaurant this summer due to being pregnant, but shortly after the baby is born, we are going out for sushi and a night alone!

In the midst of chores...

I told myself that today I must clean 2 out of my 3 bathrooms and do at least 3 loads of laundry, on top of keeping all of the other already clean rooms clean in my house!

My 2 bathrooms are super clean, and I am on the second load of laundry. I have lots of client editing and projects to finish! Plus, I am currently making a photo album from just the beach photos I have taken of the girls this summer. Everything must be completed in the next week. It is helping to pass the time, too, and I am all about passing the time right about now!

Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment, and I have been thinking... I think I will refuse to be weighed this time around. "No, thanks. I'll pass." That is what I'll tell the nurse. They cannot force me to be weighed. My weight is not a problem in the pregnancy. It is just a reminder to me how huge I have become...thus far. And is not over yet!

After the doctor's appointment, the girls and I are heading to my parents' house for dinner and a little Slip 'n Slide and sprinkler fun!

Here are a couple of random photos from the summer. The first one shows a little bit of sisterly love between my two girls.

You'll have to click on it to see the full view. This was the night they were little rebels and tried to go wade out over their heads!

 

The next one is the view of the back of our house taken at night time. We were out back roasting marshmallows with the girls. I liked how the house looked all lit up. I think I need to work on my non-human photos!

One month from tomorrow is the C-Section! Okay, the third load of laundry has been started. I must get back to work!

My girls!

Love.the.beach.

33 more days...

Physically, it has been demanding. We are getting excited, though. It is getting tougher to sleep; it is hard to get comfortable. I am doing better with sleep than I did while I was pregnant with Addie, though. With 6 weeks left in that pregnancy, I averaged 4 hours of sleep a night, at best, because I could not get comfortable. Every time I tried to sleep, I could not breathe, and of course, I could not sleep sitting up. It was miserable.

This time, with some extra pillows, I am a little more comfortable, and I am so tired most of the time that I feel like I could sleep forever...

The only problem is I still struggle to get comfortable to the point of falling asleep until far into the a.m. hours. Thus, my sleep schedule is a little crazy.

I have been reading a lot every night--for hours. Many nights, I do not fall asleep until between 2:00 a.m. - 4:00 a.m. Then I finally get comfortable and sleep in late. Dave has been great about spending mornings with the girls. I have been much better about spending time with them in the evenings and trying to go out and do fun things with them.

This schedule needs to change!

We are all trying to go to bed earlier, in preparation for the school year. I am still struggling with nausea every day until the middle of the afternoon. I am starting to see that the end is near, though, and I am really looking forward to not being pregnant anymore. It really takes so much out of me, and this time, it has really taken so much out of me!

These days, I keep trying to picture meeting and enjoying this little one. We hope and pray for a safe delivery and a healthy baby. The first week after delivery will also be spent recovering from a C-Section. I am starting to dread that, although last time I had very minimal pain after Addie was born. This all still feels so unreal to me.

Having a baby is such a miracle. I still find it hard to believe that we are having another child. The girls talk about the baby all of the time. Every time I leave the house (without them), they come running to give both Mommy and Baby a hug and kiss! Addie tells me almost every day how much she loves the baby. She has also been rounding up items she finds around the house "for her baby." They are both so excited, and it has been so neat to watch.

There are many things we did not finish this summer, but we are putting them on hold. We tried hard to find daycare for the girls one day a week so we could get more work done around here, but it just did not work out in the end.

The baby will stay in our bedroom, anyway, for quite a while, so we will wait until after the baby is born to move the girls out of their room and make it Baby's room. I may have more time in the fall to get all of that together. Now has not been the time.

Plus, Reilly slept in her swing for the first 8 months of her life, and Addie never did sleep in the crib, so we do not feel putting up the crib is at the top of the list right now, anyway. I will have more energy to make a whole new room for the two older girls once I am no longer pregnant. For now, we are just trying to keep things simple.

The pack-n-play with the bassinet is already set up in our bedroom. It is hard to believe that in just a month a new baby will be waking up every 2-3 hours to be fed! My sleep schedule now is already inconsistent, so adjusting to the feeding schedule of a newborn should not be too difficult for me. I think we all just want to hold her!

I am dizzy and light-headed much of the time. I experienced these feelings with both of my other children, too, at the end (the last trimester) of the pregnancies. I feel like I am going to pass out a lot. I will be glad when this symptom passes.

In a way, 33 days feels like it will be here before we know it, but it also feels like a long time. I know that physically, there will be more challenges in the final month. I am not looking forward to that part, but we are getting more excited about Delivery Day!

Sept. 18 is the day. The C-Section is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. We have to be there at 6:30 a.m. Having the baby on a Friday will be nice since our visitors can come see us on the weekend. Now, if I can just make it through the next month...