This weekend

We have company coming.  My dad is coming Sunday morning and leaving that evening.  My mother, her parents and my 2 sisters are coming Sunday right after church and staying until Monday.  They have been warned that the house may be picked up and rearranged, but it will not be “clean” (when I clean it’s like a crazy woman, so I don’t do it too often).  Today we worked on the yard, our birch tree is loosing leaves like its October and I had no idea we were so low on bags.  We now have a pile sitting on the sidewalk until I hit Wal-Mart tomorrow.

In preparation I have done a lot of rearranging and I am by no means finished.  They are bringing a few pieces of furniture including another twin bed.  The major room rearranging is to accommodate a dresser, video cabinet and the bed.  We may be done by the time they arrive Sunday, but I make no promises.

My right arm hurts after all of the yard work today.  After 2 ibuprofen and 2 glasses of wine I would think it would hurt less, but so far no luck.  I hope it hurts less tomorrow.  

All is well and I’ve been told I need to post new photos of the boys, I will soon, I just need time to rotate the photos so they aren’t sideways.

Have a great holiday weekend.

The Emmy's

I don’t watch TV much and I didn’t watch the Emmy’s, but congratulations to 24, the only TV show I rent on DVD and Congrats to Kiefer Sutherland.

I really do enjoy that show.  I have listened to a lot of people who love it and a lot of women who love Kiefer and find him sexy and irresistible.  Though I enjoy the show and I think Kiefer plays his role well, I just see him and I think of his father and the crazy pot head he played in Kelly’s Heroes.  I just can’t quite find the sexy/irresistible thing when I think of him as looking like his dad.

Fraud

This is amazing and infuriating.  This is one of the reasons I don’t watch much news or read many newspapers, I even take my Internet news with a grain of salt.  The Mark Twain quote in this video says it all.

Unfortunately the news outlets that committed this fraud rarely admit it.

The world of, "What if...?"

I received a surprising call yesterday evening.  

It was one of those calls where you know something isn’t normal.  You get the prompt of, “Can you go someplace where you won’t be interrupted?”  You have the quick run through in your mind of what the call could be about.  Then the person gives the news.  You may be surprised, but not shocked and you give your congratulations or condolences on the situation.

Last night was a condolence situation, no one died, but the situation just wasn’t what the person wanted or planned for his or her life.

This of course sent my mind to land of “What if…?”  My “What if…?” turned into many about this situation, and then just about my life in general.  Don’t get me wrong here I’m happy about my life and I haven’t tried to answer my “What if…?” questions.  I just started throwing out ones that would have really changed my life.

You’ve been there I know, we all have.

-What if I hadn’t gone to OSU?  (I’m not an OSU fan, so it’s a surprise I went there in the first place)

-What if I hadn’t married Jonathan?

-What if Jonathan had gotten the job in Palmdale, CA?

-What if we didn’t have kids, or had timed them differently?

-What if my parents hadn’t separated when I was 7?

-What if I had graduated from college?

-What if…?

-What if…?

-What if…?

There are so many directions our lives could have gone.  There are so many directions our lives can still take.  The adventure and unknown continue for us all.  The good, the bad and the indifferent.

What a gift!

Wow.  I am currently listening to a fantastic sound, the sound of thunder.  It has been quite a while since it’s rained here.  It’s currently 77 degrees; it hasn’t made it below 90 before 9pm all week.  I’m going to go and sit on our front porch with a glass of wine and enjoy this moment made for relaxation.

I made the prediction that it would rain this week though.  It always rains the week surrounding my birthday.  Hey, I’m not complaining, with Oklahoma heat I’ll take rain to cool things down a bit in August anytime.

YOU POOR THING! (Revised)

Seriously, just because I had twins and already have 2 children, that doesn’t make me a “poor thing”. I wish people would quit saying it. It’s not just one person; there have been several.

Why the hell do people think my life is so, rough, awful and bad? If I stated that life was like this, then maybe I'd seem like a "poor thing", but I don't.

Ya, so Alex pooped all over my bed yesterday, I changed the sheets.

Ya, so Jackson hit me in the head with a toy sword, I disciplined him.

Ya, so Owen spit up all over the couch, and me, it wiped right up.

Ya, so Victoria asks every question 100 times, I deal with it.

Ya, so my house is ugly, we’re working on it.

Ya, so I have bills due, I have the money.

I call it life!

The funny thing is these things that aren't much fun aren't things I discuss with people. When people call it's, "Hold on Jackson's doing something he shouldn't", or "Victoria just a minute I'm on the phone", or "Can you hold on a minute I need to check the babies." I've explained their monitors when the questions come up and to some degree I use them as an excuse to not take them out and to not have people over that I don't want. My explanations to the questions are very matter of fact. This is what they are for, this is what they do and I don't like packing them around.

On the other side of life…

…Jackson wanted to cuddle mom, not dad last night (he’s so soft and cuddly for being so big and tough). He is also learning to clean up and put together puzzles he dumps very well.

…Owen grinned so big at me and was awesome at the doctor today.

…Alex was so relaxed on my chest after being burped and he too was good at the doctor today.

...Heck the twins have slept between 5-7 hours the last three nights and I've had 2 naps in 3 days. That is totally cool.

…Victoria is the sweetest helper and has made my job so much easier when I’m nursing. She is also attempting to read more (she still memorizes the books when we read them and recites it when she can).

…Jonathan is a huge help and works so hard for our family at work and at home (he’s even going to potty train Jackson for me-he offered).

…We sold the house in OKC and money isn’t so tight.

“Poor Thing” I think not. Lucky that my life is the way it is? Definitely. I'm totally blessed.

Dismissed

Have you heard? If you live in Oklahoma or if you follow college football I bet you have.

Our quarterback is apparently gone, who the other player is I’m not sure.  Here’s what I can’t figure, after the days of Barry Switzer, there is proof that no one is above the rules.  Why did these 2 morons, who knew they were doing something wrong, do it?

Bomar was a pretty good quarterback, but he certainly wasn’t the best, what is he going to do now?  Obviously he’s lost his scholarship and won’t be able to play for another school until next year and it’s too late to attempt going pro.  Will he go play for the OKC Yard Dawgs?  Without the scholarship I bet he’ll drop out of school.  Honestly you think these people could look at the endgame of their decisions.  

I hope Halzle is a decent QB since he seems like the most likely option to take Bomar’s place.  Thankfully two players aren’t the whole team; hopefully recovery will be quick.

I’m not sure where to put Big Red Sports and Imports in the mix.  I know they are the business responsible, I also know they just changed ownership.  Which side was in the wrong, the previous owners or the new one?  I still wouldn’t buy anything from them after the lousy service my sister has received on her Isuzu Rodeo, but I am interested in which set of ownership is to blame.

The Puzzle

The previous post is about the Rubik’s Magic Rings Master Edition, circa 1987.  This is the second challenge and has 12 flat panels.  The first challenge from 1986 has only 3 rings and has a black background and only 8 panels.  The picture is of one of the solutions the other kind of zigzags and looks like unlinked Olympic rings.  You fold and unfold to get to the solutions.

I received one of these for Christmas when I was around 8 years old.  My cousin broke it and I have wanted another ever since.

I'm a Winner!

It’s about stinkin’ time. I finally won on ebay and at a price I’m not disgusted at paying. I blogged about this stupid thing months ago. Now I can blog about it making me nutty, not trying to find it.


I will now have one more thing to frustrate me other then my children.

Video Blogging Question

Does anyone know how to put video on the blog?  

4th of July we did a great display using Mentos and Diet Coke, that I would love to share with you all.  It was amazing.

Web Nursery

Here are the boy’s web nursery photos.  Can someone tell me, do they make the babies suck lemons before their pictures?

Here’s Owen

And

Here’s Alex.

Driving Quiz

You are driving in a car at a constant speed.

On your left side is a valley and on your right side is a fire engine traveling at the same speed as you.

In front of you is a galloping pig, which is the same size as your car, and you cannot overtake it.

Behind you is a helicopter flying at ground level.

Both the giant pig and the helicopter are also traveling at the same speed as you.

What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation?






Answer:

Get off the children's "Merry-Go-Round". You're drunk.

*Thanks for sending this to me Michelle!

Recovery

Maybe NICU wasn’t a totally bad thing.  Would I go through it again by choice?  Not a snowballs chance in hell.

The reason I’m thinking this is that so far it hasn’t been too bad having all of the kids and being home by myself.  I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that I had 2 ½ weeks of recovery time before having to take on 2 more.  I really wouldn’t wish it on anyone, just for the emotional roller coaster, but physically I’m not totally wiped out (just close).

I will also say that I am so glad at my hospital choice, my experience over all couldn’t have been better.  The staff and the facilities at Norman Regional helped a lot in the long run.  My only complaint was the long trip to the bathroom from the NICU, that’s not half bad.  

Yes!

To answer Jeremy's question, the boys are identical. The specialist had been able to tell us this at our first ultrsound with him, I was amazed he could tell us that and I even hoped he might be wrong. Now, that they are here and I see that they are it's kindof exciting. If their monitors didn't have their names on them we would have to mark them. If they are right next to each other and facing up you can tell which is which, because Alex weighs a little more and right now a little goes a long way. When they weigh more and the monitors are gone we will be in trouble.

A quick rundown

Here I am moments after loading the car and moments before exiting for the hospital. I swear that beach ball was going to pop. Here I am 5-7 days after having the boys. Now that it's been 2 1/2 weeks my belly is almost gone. I just can't wait for my hips to return to normal and to loose the last half of the weight (if that ever really happens).
This is Owen under and oxygen hood in his isolete. It was tough not being able to really touch him. The little doors in the sided just weren't enough to satisfy me.

Alex was under an oxygen hood to, but he wasn't completely enclosed. He was easier to love on. The isolete didn't stop Victoria from getting up close, holding hands, saying prayers, singing songs and reading books to Owen. She did the same things for Alex too.
Jackson loves the boys, but he'd still rather play. He was only allowed into the NICU in short bursts, because he would yell at the babies to "Get UP!" He refers to them as "My Baby" or "My Babies".
Alex's little foot. With the flash off this picture looks like the light in ET's finger is in his foot.
After they removed the Umbilical Arterial Catheter (UAC) I was allowed to hold Alex. We weren't allowed to hold Owen until the next day when his was removed. On this day they removed Owen from a private room in the NICU to the room where most of the babies were, and to the station next to Alex.
Here is Jonathan holding them both together for the first time. At this point they were hooked up to normal IV's so this was a close as we could get them without disconnecting something. You can't see it, but they each have a NG tube in their nose to eat through. Who thought up the idea of eating through your nose? I always hate it when things come out my nose in laughter. Naturally the boys had to have theirs reinserted at least once a day, because they ripped them out.
Owen is screaming (he doesn't cry he shrieks), I guess it's time to change his pants or feed him. I'll go wake Alex too.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Thanks again to everyone for your words of encouragement and your prayers. This may be hard, but my frame of mind is better and this is getting easier, because of that. You all brighten my day. Normal blogging (and topics other then pregnancy and babies) will resume soon, as I am now better capable of streaming my news and infomation on the internet (and I'm not transfixed by cartoons on cable).

Wow, it’s amazing how nice it is to return to my own bed. The spare bed at moms house is newer, and after sleeping on it for 2 months I wondered what it would be like to home and in my own bed. It was great, and I don’t particularly think my bed is comfy. I am gearing myself up for tomorrow, when I am left alone with all 4 kids. I have successfully feed the twins at the same time (nursed, bottle feed, burped and diaper change) in about and hour. That takes a lot of the scare out. When we were feeding separately, with Jonathan bottle-feeding them it was taking an hour. Now that I can nurse at the same time the time is getting better.

Without further ado, here they are Owen Banks (on the left) and Alexander “Alex” Sloan (on the right). This was taken on Sunday, July 9th, right after they were put in the same bed together.

Antici…pation

As of about 12:30 PM today we officially have our children. We roomed in last night and came to moms this afternoon. We will be leaving for B’ville Saturday morning. Per instructions given to us at the hospital we will be limiting the kids outings and visitors, until instructed otherwise by our physician. I’m not complaining about his, because I have to feed every 3 hours by their orders as well (this takes one hour if Jonathan and I are tag team breast feeding and bottle feeding, it’s 2 hours if it’s just me). With the monitors for their “brady’s” we also are packed like we are going for a long trip, just to the next room. I’m on my own this next week and then my mom is coming to visit the week after.

Thank you all for your thoughts, kind words and prayers. I can’t wait to get home and post pictures. This adventure is a strain, but it’s pretty fun ( and tiny) too.

Breakdown

I finally broke down. We were told yesterday, that we were going to get to room in with Owen and that we were going to bring him home today. I was about to load the car for the hospital and Jonathan called and said our rooming in had been cancelled. He had an episode of bradycardia (heart rate drop); this was the same reason Alex wasn’t being released. They have both been put on medication for reflux. We are going to request heart monitors for them when we do go home, we’ll talk to the doctor about that today.

I cried when I was released from the hospital a week and a half ago, and I’ve held the tears back pretty well this far. Watching mom’s be released with their babies, while I’m walking in with milk for my babies has been tough too. Yesterday I worked on getting our laundry done and getting us packed all afternoon. I wouldn’t have done that and I would have been at the hospital with my babies if I had known I wouldn’t be with them last night. I know this is for the best, but it’s getting hard. The kids are so ready to go home too. Wednesday we will be here 2 months. The kids have at least seen home. I have only seen it in pictures.

Last nights nurse went up to the Women and Children’s center and got a full sized crib for the boys to share. They were even wrapped in the same blanket. That is making this a bit more bearable. They just belong together.

Owen and Alex

Owen Banks was born at 12:31PM, and weighed 4lbs 10oz and was 17 inches long and Alexander Sloan was bor at 12:32PM, and weighed 5lbs and was 18 inches long on Tuesday, June 27th.

The babies where put in NICU, because their lungs were immature and they were experiencing respiratory problems. It's was and is tough to see them hooked up to so much stuff, but in the last 2 days a ton of stuff has been removed. The are no longer under oxygen hoods, they have had their UAC's removed (Umbilical Arterial Catheter, used for blood draws and to check gas levels in the blood), their IV's are now in their wrists instead of their navel. Owen had a blood transfusion yesterday for anemia and the boys are now "eating" expressed milk through a tube in their nose. Alex may be showing some signs of apnea, but it's unconfirmed. We have now held both of them, I held Alex yesterday and today we held both of them today. They are doing really well. After we left Friday night was when the big improvements came. I guess it's along the lines of a watched pot never boils, I didn't sleep much in the hospital. We always had nurses or techs in, and then I kept running back and forth to the NICU.

I know it sounds bad, but it's not as bad living this as it sounds. The hardest parts for me have been Tuesday when I wasn't allowed out of my room to see them until 8PM and the first time I saw them after surgery they were just shy of untouchable, and Friday when I signed the papers for the blood transfusion and realized I was leaving that night. We are doing well dealing with all of this and we appreciate all of the prayers you have lifted up on our behalf. They are working and we are really at peace with everything going on. We haven't heard, but we are hoping to get them out Tuesday or Wednesday.

I have to go, we are off to the hosital again.

PS Owen had been in a room by himslef and they moved him to the main NICU room, right next to Alex, so they are as close to together as they've been since Tuesday (Jonathan did hold them at the same time today).

In other news...

I’ve gotten a lot of news in the last 2 days. I have congratulations and a prayer request.

First up, I received an e-mail from the minister at my church in B’ville this morning. I haven’t been since coming to Norman, and I am apparently totally out of the loop, since I haven’t had a church paper or anything. Our minister had a seizure on June 7th, and had a brain tumor removed on June 14th. He was allowed to return home on the 18th and will be going in for 6 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week. Please pray for David, his family, the doctors and our congregation.

My buddy Kara had a baby yesterday morning. She was due last week and was set for an induction Tuesday if her little girl didn’t come on her own. Viviane Adele was born at 8:17am, at 9lbs 3oz., and 23 inches long. She has a head full of brown hair. Kara is doing well. The funny thing was that she called to tell us she had had her and we were at the hospital too. Jonathan and I were just in for my last NST and my pre-op, but it just seemed funny.

As I am not sure if I can get my laptop working well enough to dial in from the hospital blogging with info may be light or none at all for the next week (our desktop is fried at home, so we may just have nothing for a bit). We’ll see. I’ll update about the boys when I can.

The end and the begining

Part of the adventure is about to come to an end; then again the real adventure begins then.

I went in for my pre-op today and my c-section is scheduled for noon on Tuesday and I am supposed to be at the hospital at 10:30 for surgery prep.

I am not allowed to eat or drink after midnight. I understand why, but telling a pregnant woman she isn’t allowed to eat or drink is mean, especially when she’s been drinking 10 glasses of water a day, 3 Boost Shakes and eating all day for months.

I’m glad we are almost done; the babies are trying to push out through the front of my stomach. I’m definitely more uncomfortable then my last 2 pregnancies and I am very ready for Tuesday.

My brother

Jackson has a language and understanding that is all his own. Of course he’s almost 2 ½, so I can’t expect much more.

Here are some totally Jackson references:

My brother-this is what he calls himself, he will not say Jackson (any picture he sees he refers to himself as My Brother).
Sis-He refuses to say Victoria, she is Sis
Auda-My mother’s name is Audra and Victoria refers to her as Grandma Audra, until this last week ALL grandmothers were “Auda”. He is now referring to the others as Grandma (or Gamma), but mom is still Auda.
Cuck-He combines car and truck and refers to all vehicles as cucks.
Cacker-This is what he call a tractor.
My Shell-He calls my sister Michelle My Shell, now many of the names of family members have had My added to the front. My Auda, My Annie (Ann Dee), My Sis, My Brother.
Hi Seek-He is 2, I am having 2 babies, he is really good at the number 2. He likes to play Hi Seek (Hide and Seek). When he counts he gets to 3, then you say 4, he says Fi-Sic (5,6) and then all other numbers are 2. 2. 2. 2. 2.

Jacksonisms are fun. I wish I had a list of some of Victoria’s. My main memory of a Victoriaism was the word “Prenda”. She was almost 2 and she made up the word and she used it with her hands on her hips as a little kid cuss word (or insult we weren’t sure), it was very snotty and you knew when she said it, it wasn’t good.

It’s always something with the kids.

On the baby front we are officially in the last week of pregnancy, if I go into labor okay and if I don’t I am scheduled for Tuesday. With as well as the anti-contraction med is working, I should be able to wait (it’s stalled me for 4 weeks, why not 5). I ordered the stroller today and it should come while I’m in the hospital. Since the seats will recline all the way back I should be able to lay the little guys down in it, until they can sit up a bit. I should be able to take a few walks when we get home.

How evil are you?

I was on Scott’s blog and he had a link to this guiz.

You Are 44% Evil

You are evil, but you haven't yet mastered the dark side. Fear not though - you are on your way to world domination.

How Evil Are You?

I’m not as evil as I’m guessing I once was. I found the question, “Have you ever shot a gun and liked it?” funny. I don’t just like shooting guns I love it.

What's going on.

What a wild day yesterday was. My baby girl is 6. That sounds so old. I’ll post pics here and in the album when we get home, since my software isn’t playing well with mom’s computer. She had a good day. I didn’t get to see her awake until around noon. I had another NST, which then led to another ultrasound and then a hair cut and color (which I desperately needed). When I got home we gave her, her BIG present. We bought her a set of drums at Toys R Us. Yes, I know we have babies coming and drums in the house may seem like a bad idea, but honestly as long as she is drumming and not just crashing the cymbals, I’m okay and she is very understanding of not playing when people are sleeping, or on the phone, or just when you say not now. She’s pretty good and so is Jackson. We ate at Hideaway Pizza (her choice) and came back and had cake and let her open the rest of her gifts. Her cake was very cool. My mom has a bear cake pan (the bear is sitting upright), so Victoria had a sitting Panda Bear cake. She was so thrilled and she got to play with the icing while mom was icing the cake.

Today I did something different. I got to be in pictures for someone’s photography portfolio for maternity shots. It was a neat experience, and not something I had thought of doing. I tried to be a total team player and told her I was game for anything and some of the shots she took were really cool. I was really glad I was able to help, and I can’t wait to see what she took.

Victoria is off again this next week. She is going to stay with her Aunt Sarah in Tahlequah. Sarah is brave (and so is her husband); she is taking all of the nieces and nephews for 3 days and 2 nights. Well, she isn’t taking all of them, I am keeping Jackson, if he was a year older and potty trained, I think I’d send him. Currently he is just too much of a 2 year old and all of the kids are older (except her youngest), I think she’d spend more time putting out his fires then getting to play and hang out with the rest of the kids. I hope they have a blast.

Father's Day

Okay, so Father’s Day is Saturday, and of course it has been all along. I never forget Father’s Day, because it’s always the Sunday after or the Sunday of Victoria’s birthday.

I’m letting Jonathan be more involved in his gift selection this year and he hasn’t made a decision. We have discussed a nice new weight bench (we both want/need this), a recliner; I’ve debated the standards like cologne, or work clothes (a new suit) and casual clothes. He hasn’t decided what he wants and I haven’t come up with any great ideas. The recliner would have won out, but now he’s debating whether he wants theater seat recliners and to turn our living room into a theater or just a recliner. Even then he wants to have some idea of future living room furniture ideas. He’s not huge on the whole decorating thing, but he wants good colors on the walls and furniture that goes with those colors and together.

He was nice enough to let me pick my Mother’s Day gift (I received 2 fake diamond ring since my wedding ring won’t fit), and I consider my Expedition another part of my gift. I want to do something nice, but nothing is striking either one of us.

Any suggestions?

The countdown

14 days to go.

My C-Section has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 27th. That is exactly 36 weeks. I am to remain on the anti-contraction medicine. If I go into labor early they won't stop me, but this should help me get 2 more weeks. NICU probably won't be necessary at that point. One ironic thing happened, my friend Kara is scheduled for her induction on the 27th if she doesn't have her baby girl before. She's having hers in Stillwater; otherwise we could keep each other company in the hospital (between naps, feeding, etc.).

My bassinet playpen came today. It's up and I'm working on getting Jackson to not throw things in it. He's doing very well; he even went and got a doll to put in it.

I went to the chiropractor yesterday and my hip is a lot better. I have another appointment tomorrow. I've never been to one before, but it was well worth it.

The chair I am recovering is looking great. I would post pictures, but we are having computer issues with the camera.

Reprogramming

It’s Monday. Boy is it Monday. It’s not a bad day, I just feel a bit behind, nothing major. The kids have been back since Thursday, at about bedtime. Today is a day for attitude adjustment and a bit of training. Jackson is cutting teeth, has a head/chest cold and he’s throwing fits, I don’t feel like listening to it. Victoria is a know it all (since birth) and has been a bit on the bossy, whinny side. Both just need some adjustment. Today’s focus is on them being back with me, and since I am the hard-nosed disciplinarian, getting my control back. My friend Kara is going through the same thing. It doesn’t matter where you send them and if it’s for one night or several, it’s crazy how quickly they forget what they can, can’t, should and shouldn’t do.

My ultrasound Friday has Alex at 4lbs 3ozs and Owen at 3lbs 13ozs (that is 8lbs of baby). My doctor is back from vacation today and I have my first appointment with her back tomorrow morning. The specialist told me Friday at this point he wouldn’t do anything to stop labor; I may be off the anti-contraction medicine soon. Tomorrow I am officially 34 weeks and he still doesn’t want me to go past 36 weeks. We’ll see what my doctor says tomorrow.

Back to it feeling like Monday, the DSL isn’t working correctly, I called and it should be back up by 2, so I’ll post this then. Also at about 1-3am Saturday night/Sunday morning my hip decided it wanted to dislocate. I am waiting on a call to see if I am allowed to go to the chiropractor and have it put back in place. I’ve never been to a chiropractor before, but Mom’s chiropractor said he could make the adjustment even tough I’m very pregnant; we’ll see what my OB says. I just personally don’t like feeling like someone is stabbing me in the hip with an ice pick anymore.

Day 3

Is it really Wednesday already? Jonathan and the kids will be back tomorrow night. I’m keeping busy, watching movies you can’t watch with the kids around (Underworld, b/c Underworld Evolution came out on DVD yesterday), reading, going to the doctor, hospital and lab, and working on that stupid chair I started to recover in the fall (pictures of the chair before and stripped are in the photo album to the right). Pictures will follow when it is finished.

The chair has exploded in mom’s living room, I will say upholstery is much easier with 2 people, one of us pulls the fabric while the other staples; it works very well. It is also much easier with the kids gone, b/c they can’t get into the staples, pins, hammers or sewing stuff. The little we’ve done looks good.

Here is a quick update on baby watch 2006. I have another ultrasound on Friday, and I am still at a 2 and 50% (if you don’t know what this is don’t worry about it, I’m not going to explain it, so my description is vague), 2 ½ weeks after they put me on the anti-contraction meds. The contractions have started coming occasionally regardless of the meds since Sunday, but not enough to do too much. The current goal is to make it until at least Tuesday, June 13th that is 34 weeks. I was given steroid shots last week on Tuesday and Wednesday to boost their lung development, just in case they came. I have officially hit my limit; I lost 3 lbs in the last week. Apparently at 155lbs, my body decided it couldn’t take anymore and the kids began sucking the life out of me.

Staci and Rich...

...sitting in a tree...

This post has been stewing in my head for a few weeks.

I have a huge congratulation to send out to my friend Staci. Cinco de Mayo she got engaged to a very nice guy, Rich. I’ve known Staci since 9th grade. We’ve seen each other go through high school and teen angst, we lost touch in college and we reconnected about 2 years ago. Staci is strong, fun, smart and beautiful (her Halloween Party picture is in the October or November archives). It’s been interesting watching their relationship grow (okay, listening to it over the phone, I live 3 hours away). There is one thing I have noticed; instead of nervousness, apprehension and the game playing we have all been through in the dating realm at one time or another, they just fit. The growth of their relationship has been relaxed and natural for the most part. I am truly excited for them; it’s great to find your partner for life in a person others can see is not just your love, but your friend as well.

Congratulations Staci and Rich!

PS Thanks for asking me to be in the wedding, I feel totally honored and excited.

On my own...kind of.

I'm still being babysat.

I apologize for the lack of posts. I haven’t been paying much attention to the news or anything else for that matter.

This week is going to be interesting. Jonathan took the kids. They will be staying with his parents during the day and they will all stay at our house each night, so Jonathan can see them each evening. I cried at the initial thought, I’m getting better with it now. My kids drive me nuts, but then again I think I may go nuts without them (isn’t it funny how that works). The more I think about this the more the kids and I need it. I love them and I already miss them so much.

To make it easier on me, I let Victoria make the decision. It was hard on her after she decided what to do. She cried quite a bit, and Jonathan let her have the cell phone and she called me every 5 minutes when they left. She’s with her Dad, Uncle David and their parents right now and she sounded giddy and happy. At least the kids won’t be as cooped up for the next few days.

Victoria is close to being a master bike rider. I’ll have to post a pic of her and her bike when she gets back. My compact flash card (which is only 32 MB) is about full and I don’t want to dump it to my obsolete laptop. I have a 1GB compact flash card that should arrive before Wednesday, and then I will have plenty of space to hold pictures until I get home.

Have a great week. I’ll try too.

Get Shorty (UPDATED)

Honestly, what kind of crap is this?

Probation for child molestation, because he's "too short" to survive in prison, because he's 5'1" tall. That is just stupid. If you commit a crime you go to jail.

Call me cruel, but if you steal the innocence of children I have very little sympathy for how you fair in jail.

UPDATE

I'm not the only person who thought this was stupid. I am amazed that short people are defending the decision. I'm short (I'm even the tallest woman in my family), I'm only 5'2" tall, I don't find that to be an excuse. You suck it up and toughen up and deal with what life and God gave you. It isn't a handicap, let the man have his fate as a prison toy.

6lbs. 12oz. Total

I should probably e-mail this to people, but I’m lazy and I’m just going to post it here.

I had another ultrasound yesterday. Combined right now the boy’s total weight is the same as Jackson’s birth weight. They weigh 6lb 12oz together. Alex is taking more then his share still, he weighs 3lbs 11oz and Owen is 3lbs 1oz. I can’t imagine having a baby half the size of Jackson at birth that would be really little. Alex was 2lbs 8oz and Owen was 2lbs 3oz two and a half weeks ago. They are certainly packing it on quick now.

Even if I hold out the specialist doesn’t think they will let me go past 36 weeks. I have another ultrasound June 9th. If my next non-stress test goes like Monday’s I’ll have more. My NST wasn’t coming out with good readings (it’s hard to monitor 3 heart rates and contractions with out the heart rates trying to cross over) so I had a very brief ultrasound Monday also.

My back is starting to really hurt, but is anyone really surprised at that. I haven’t had any caffeine is a few days I’m going to go have a little caffeine therapy and see how that makes me feel (anything to make the Tylenol work better). Have a lovely day and if you are somewhere like here that is a bit warm, stay cool.

I want my 2 dollars. (UPDATED)

UPDATE
We got our money! Let the happy dance begin.
UPDATE ENDED

Okay, so maybe I want more then 2 dollars, I want my ***** dollars. We pre-signed Friday (to close the sale of our OKC house), Jonathan works 2 hours away he couldn’t be expected to come back, plus I wouldn’t have had a babysitter to get me there.

The closing was to happen Friday, then Monday, then it happened yesterday at around 5 o’clock. It was too late for all of the money to be in, so now I sit and wait for my mortgage on that house, my bridge loan (we used the equity for a down payment on our current house) to be paid off and our profit to be electronically deposited (I trust that more then them mailing me my check).

What makes me mad about this whole deal is the lack of information I have received. I’ve been told, “I’ve been calling you all day.” from the office manager at our realtors more then once since we listed with them. Bull, our house, our cell, Jonathan’s office line all have caller ID and answering machines or voice mail. We would know if an attempt was made to reach us. I got a call saying the closing was going to happen at 1pm from the realtors office and that if anything changed they’d let me know (this was at 10:30 yesterday morning). Just to make sure I called the title company and that information was wrong and the realtor’s office never called me back with the change. The escrow closer contacted me with progress for the rest of the day. Now that is good service.

Thank you Marsha, you did a great job. As for our realtor, and his office manger, you don’t deserve you commission; you did a fair job at best on the sale of our house start to finish.

I'm just shy of bedrest. (UPDATED)

I am still progressing and Jonathan is currently picking up medication to stop contractions. The doctor wants me to go at least 2 more weeks (which would set me at 32 1/2 weeks for delivery), but she thinks I can go 4 (which would be 34 1/2 weeks at delivery). I am only allowed out every 2-3 days for no more then 1 1/2 hours and not by myself (I'm 27 and have to have a babysitter).

I have another ultrasound Tuesday, and Monday I begin non-stress tests twice a week (Monday and Thursday) at the hospital. My regular OB visits are now weekly, with progress checks.

I am upset, I am having trouble dealing with the thought of the babies in NICU and me being discharged, which is what my OB thinks will happen. I am thankful for the decision to have the babies in Norman. It's hard for me to accept help even from my family, but I can't do this alone.

UPDATE

Jonathan did let me go to Wal-Mart this afternoon to buy Victoria a new bike. It appears the babies if they make it 4 weeks will arrive near her 6th birthday. Unfortunately he made me ride the little motor cart. I guess it's a vanity thing, but it was very degrading

Ducktales (UPDATED)

We bought a 3 DVD set of the episodes 1-27 of the great cartoon Ducktales! Jonathan and I have enjoyed it as much as the kids. Ducktales are so much fun! Victoria totally digs it and Jackson may not enjoy it as much as Scooby, but he does like it.

UPDATE

Yes, Kelly it is really fun watching them as an adult, you do get more of the subtle humor-kind of like old Looney Toons. Jonathan and I laugh at several things that we just didn't get as kids.

Jeremy-Life is like a hurricane, here in Duckburg. Race cars, lasers, airplanes; it's a duck blur. Might solve a mystery or rewrite history. Ducktales. Oh. Oh....

I'll let you try to finish it from there.

For $30 it's about a buck an episode and well worth it. I can't wait until volume 2 comes out. We found these at Hastings on a fluke one night. We didn't see anything we wanted to rent, we debated the purchase, left and went back and bought it. I'm glad we did.

Countdown to closing

Friday is the end. We are set to close our house in Oklahoma City. We are having the termite treatment tomorrow and we have a storm window in for repair that will be replaced after the close. As of Friday we are done (no more payments or bills). There are moments I miss that house. We did so much work and a ton of it was done to our style and taste. The burled oak wood floors we worked very hard to refinish and they were and are gorgeous (3 coats of HIGH gloss polyurethane).

One set of neighbors we liked and miss. During the brief stint we spent there Saturday doing the few repairs that needed to be done I remembered how much of the neighborhood I didn’t care for. The yard needed mowed and when that was finished all I could think was how good our house and yard looked, especially compared to the rest of the neighborhood. I can’t wait until next year when I will be in better condition to work on our new yard (plus the twins shouldn’t be able to walk just yet and I can).

The kitchen

Over all our transition hasn’t been bad. The kids need to go to bed earlier and mom does have cable, so I’m letting them watch more TV.

My mom now lives in a different house then the 2 I grew up in. It’s a good house with a good floor plan and I don’t feel totally out of place here…except in the kitchen. Today I have a goal; I’m gong to explore her kitchen (and ALL of the new stuff she has, WOW). I’ve made breakfast (not just cereal or frozen waffles), I intend to do leftovers or corn dogs for lunch and then I am going to take a nap and really COOK dinner here. I think that is one reason I feel a bit out of sorts. Being a stay at home mom cooking is an important part of my day and I think once I adjust to that here things will be really good. Right now I just want to leave and waste money on take out. MMMMM Take out.

I do need to pay more attention to the kid’s behavior, they are a bit wild, but they could be soooo much worse. I’ve been on them a bit more this morning and they are already doing better. I may have to buy a refrigerator lock though, Jackson can open the fridge here and he can’t at home. He brought me a jar of olives (he really loves those) and he rolled a stick of butter in lint.

Goodbye and Good Luck

My mom watches KFOR news out of OKC and around noon today Brad Edwards a newscaster with that channel passed away after a week in a coma. He’s been with the station longer then I’ve been alive (so I’ve always seen him on the news). He was in his late 50’s. Brad thanks for being in our corner.

We survived the first night at moms without Jonathan. It may be best that we aren’t home so he can work late without feeling bad. He’s busy again this week. He has tomorrow and Wednesday working in Wichita (he’s the lead engineer on a program for Learjet), today he is working on the presentation, which he wasn’t supposed to do.

A Testament to Inefficiency

Okay, so Oklahoma City is not a place I want to live again, but I must admit they did one thing really well. That one thing was BIG TRASH DAY. Once a month you could put out big trash (less chemicals, compressors, tires, the usual). This was great for home renovation projects. They had one guy in a BIG truck with a huge, claw machine type claw, and seat on the back. He would pull up to the curb, get out and climb to the other seat and pick up your stuff, climb back in the truck and drive on. It was quick and efficient. Also, if you had anything someone else wanted your stuff usually walked off (including filthy carpet).

Where we live know they haven’t done a large trash pick up since 2003 (even then it was 1-2 times a year). I found out why today. The city workers blocked the street with a city truck, they had 4 dump trucks, a front loader and a backhoe, plus 6 guys (who mainly stood there to pick up loose twigs and small debris). I can understand why the cost of “Spring Spruce Up” is so high. Granted the landfill costs are not anything to sneeze at, but the man-hours have to be big. I wonder if the city knows about the big trash trucks with the claws. Renting one for a couple of weeks would probably be cheaper.

The move

Tomorrow I return to my hometown with the kids until the twins come. I must admit it seems to be a win/loose situation. I miss Norman and I miss my family, but then again once you’ve left home and established your own it’s hard to move in with your parent again. I’m very grateful that my mom is willing to let us do this and I love her and we get along well, but it’s still hard. I’m really going to miss Jonathan (he totally rocks) and I know that Daddy not being around is going to be tough on the kids (I'm glad he get 3 day weekends evey week).

The hospital situation and the fear of bed rest or pre-term labor make this move make sense, but it’s still hard. I’m not ready for the twins to come, let alone up and make a short term move.

Blogging will continue from Norman.

Survey

73% of Americans say that immigration is a serious problem.The other 27% said, 'No habla Ingles'.

Thanks for another funny Dad.

Preggo Pics

Here are 2 gratuitous pregnant photos (and 1 just, because Victoria looked so cute). My friend Staci keeps asking me when she’s either going to see me or a picture and vanity has kept me from it (okay so I want to try and look cute). Last night Jonathan had a business dinner and I got all dressed up (I skipped on maternity close and wore my sisters old suit unzipped under the coat). If you’ve never seen me pregnant before, I have surpassed my size at delivery for the last 2 kids just barely, so I look term for one for me. I’m not sure how much bigger I’m going to get, but my body really does think it’s time to let them out, at least the contractions let up yesterday. I enjoyed myself last night and Jonathan thought it was funny to hand me his wine glass to hold every once in a while.



I seriously need a hair cut. The middle of my back will never happen. Any thoughts?

Rain, Rain Go AWAY!

No, really I do love rain, it’s just getting a bit old and I left my raincoat at my ultrasound Thursday, so I’ve been soggy when I go out.  

We skipped the Steam & Gas Engine Show, because of the rain and did the usual rainy Saturday kind of stuff.  We went to Hastings, Wal-Mart (Jackson screamed and fell asleep in the cart, 35 minutes in the store total); we ate at Taco Bell and picked up some stuff for projects at Lowe’s.  

Hastings now buys back books, I totally like that.  We have TONS of books; we have boxes in the attic, because we don’t have enough shelf space in the office, our room, or the kid’s rooms.  This past week I sorted what we had out and pulled about 8 books (mostly mine) that I never finished or honestly will not read again.  They offered me $22 in cash or $44 in store credit.  I took the store credit.  This is way better then I would get having a garage sale.

I honestly think Jonathan didn’t want me at the Steam and Gas Engine Show (walking around), he’s been beyond nice and really doesn’t want me to do anything.  He doesn’t want me to run (more accurately I waddle), he even put on and took my shoes off for me yesterday, so I wouldn’t have to (this was offered and not requested), plus he keeps giving me back rubs.  It’s very nice.

On the homeschool front here’s a quick rundown of our curriculum choices for next year:

My Father’s World 1st Grade (basic set)
A Beka Writing with Phonics 1st grade (this is to teach cursive)
Singapore Math 1A and 1B
Nest Family Hero Series Videos and Workbooks (These we are going to buy as we go)

Progress

We’ve made some progress in the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately that means that the kids and I are moving in with my mom next Friday. The specialist isn’t ready to put me on bed rest, but he wants me to take it very easy and my regular OB wants me close by.

Owen (baby b) is now 5 oz less then Alex (baby a). At this point it is becoming less of an issue (since they weigh more the difference is less percentage wise).

We went to the homeschool convention today, we skipped the workshops and stuck to the exhibits and made good progress on curriculum selection. I was too tired to do much more. Jonathan and I had lunch and finalized our plans and we will be going to his parents shortly.

The Steam and Gas Engine Show is probably going to have rain tomorrow, so we will probably only be there for a little bit.

I will send out an update e-mail with contact information, if you don’t get it (and want it), post a comment and I will insure you get it.

Off we go!

Our weekend of adventure begins today.  My in-laws have our other car still, so I took Jonathan to work.  I have since bought snacks for the road, had the oil changed, filled up the gas tank ($65 ouch), finished most of the packing (except what’s in the dryer) and I’ve checked my e-mail.  It’s only 9:45am.  I think the rain has slowed down enough to load the car.  I’m very glad I mowed Tuesday.

I have an ultrasound at 1:30 and a regular OB visit at about 4.  Tomorrow we have the Oklahoma Homeschool Convention.  Saturday we are skipping the rest of the convention and going to the Steam and Gas Engine Show.  It’s going to be a full weekend, but life is about to get more full so we are out to enjoy what we can.

I must go over feed the dog (that way the neighbor only has to put him in at night and let him out in the morning), and load the car.  Have a great weekend!

NO soda for you!

I’m not a soda drinker.  I drink 64 oz. of water a day (80 oz when pregnant) and cranberry juice.  For me it’s just a matter of knowing and doing what’s best for me.  As a kid I didn’t care, Dr. Pepper was my friend.

This new measure being taken to eliminate pop in schools I find silly.  Do they honestly think that if a kid wants a soft drink he won’t bring one in for the day from home or a convenience store?  That’s like saying not supplying alcohol to minors in my high school meant they didn’t bring it in (I never did, but I know several teens who were never caught).

This is a noble effort, but honestly knowing the mentality of children, they will do what they can to get around there not being any in the vending machines.  As long as it isn’t band from school grounds I primarily see decreased sales, not less pop.

The bath

Jonathan and I have 1 role in our marriage crossed.  He likes taking a bath and I don’t.  I personally don’t like stewing in my own filth; I always require a shower after a bath.

Today for some reason seems like a bath day.  I can honestly say I don’t think I have had a bath since my birthday last August.  I’m not sure why, but today just seems like that kind of day.

Did you know?

Fun fact, did you know that ALL flu is bird flu? Every strain of the flu virus is a bird flu.

This is so bad.

I just got this in an e-mail from my Dad. Yes, it’s a bit of a groaner, but then again I laughed, I do so like my lame jokes.

Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York.

This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But as we know, the great ship did not make it to NewYork. The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost.

The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day.

The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as Sinko de Mayo.

Insert GROAN here.

The lawn. (Updated)

Wow, what a week/weekend we’ve had here. I’m not talking standard events I’m talking rain! At the beginning of last week we had had about 1.5 inches of rain for April. As of April 30th we had 5.74 inches. Granted, my children have been a bit stir crazy (as have I) being cooped up in the house, but I am so thankful for the rain.

I may have to make Jonathan look bad though. The yard needs mowed. This isn’t hard, but people look at us like he’s evil since I’m pregnant. We are expecting rain again for the next couple of days and we won’t be home Thursday, Friday or Saturday. He has to work late today to make up for the funeral Monday and the doctor’s visits Thursday afternoon. Jackson should go to sleep soon and I can get to work. My yard may be high and I may need a serious dose of broadleaf killer, but things are green. I love that. Have I mentioned I love the smell of freshly mowed grass?

UPDATE

Ya, I mowed the yard at 2pm this afternoon, it was only about 80 degrees. As I said above someone did come over and ask me if I was trying to have the babies tonight. The specialist I've seen informed me that his wife (while pregnant with twins) mowed until her 35th week. He told me if you feel okay, it's fine, just don't over do it. I didn't over do it.

I’m a heathen.

This is week 3 that we haven’t made it to church.  I really miss going to church when we don’t go.  The week just doesn’t seem complete, regardless of personal study time.  This is a wild week and it has just poured over to today.  I don’t mind the wild weeks; sometimes I need them for motivation.  I just wish I could remove some of the burden from Jonathan.

This is a busy week at work for him (he has a deadline Monday and Wednesday).  Monday’s is out of the question, because his Uncle Jerry’s funeral is Monday in Tulsa with a burial at Ft. Gibson.  We are debating going to the burial so he can get some more work done that afternoon.  Thursday I have my next ultrasound, and the only one he has missed was the one we got really freaked out about.  He refuses to miss it.  Then we have the Oklahoma Homeschool Convention in OKC Friday and Saturday.  We also have the Pawnee Steam and Gas Engine Show (which runs Friday thru Sunday), Jonathan has missed that, maybe 3 times in his life.  

I know he is feeling a lot of pressure, I just wish I could take some of this away.  I know the Steam and Gas Engine Show may seem like something he can skip, but after the week he is going to have he deserves a chance to do something just for fun Sunday afternoon.

Prayer Request (updated)

My dad just called. Dick Dawes is about to go in for surgery to remove his big and little toe on his foot (he has already had his other leg amputated just below the knee), and they will be trying to open up veins to improve circulation (he is diabetic).

Dick is the father of Koni, my dad’s wife. Please pray for a successful surgery and their family, especially his wife Bonnie, as she is his primary care giver.

UPDATE

This isn't an update on Dick. Jonathan just called about 20 minutes ago and his Uncle Jerry passed away. He was leaving work to go to his Aunt and Uncle's house. He spent a few hours there after work last night in hopes of getting to see Jerry, but he only saw him asleep. Jerry's son Alan is a Chaplin in the military stationed in Japan, as far as I know his flight home wasn't to arrive until 5 this evening. Please pray for the Snyder family at this time. Jerry we believe was in his late 50’s, at least he isn’t in pain anymore.

Morning People (Updated)

This article has an interesting concept of how to become a morning person (it also links to this). I’m not a morning person and after having kids I’m not a night owl either (I am on occasion, but not like I used to be). After I go put the kids to bed, I am wiped out and ready for bed whether I’m really sleepy or not. My kids sleep a pretty normal (for their age) 10-12 hours. I just stay asleep with them. I need to learn how to get up. I can accomplish soooo much before they wake up. I may try this, this weekend and next week. If it works for me maybe it will work for Jonathan (he is KING of the snooze button).

Do you abuse the snooze button? Do you have tips on being a morning person?

UPDATE

Jonathan has expressed interest in this sleep technique in the past (he read somewhere Thomas Edison used it). The gist is you sleep in 20-30 minute increments every 4 hours. You are rested like sleeping through the night, but you only sleep 2-3 hours a day. It’s the power nap on steroids. With such a good plan maybe we should give it a try. This may be all we get after having the twins anyway.

Uncle Jerry

Please keep Jonathan and his family in your prayers.  His Uncle is literally on his deathbed (cancer-fast spreading-less then 2 years since diagnosis); Jonathan is paying probably his last visit with him tonight.

My children are channeling some type of demon, so I’m going to put them to bed now at 7:45.  I am just totally finished with their attitudes today and Jonathan isn’t home.  Even if he were I doubt he’d want to put up with their insane behavior.  

Bad mood

I’m not in a great mood today.  I’m not sure why (hormones, cold/wet weather, etc.) and over all it isn’t a big deal.  I would just like to know why on days when I’m feeling foul do my kids push me?  Some days they are so compliant and well behaved and some days they are just so defiant and question (or correct, when they are wrong) everything I say.  Today fits into the latter category.  

Victoria has had the gall to say that she didn’t want to do what I said and ask what her punishment would be, and starts listing what I might do.  Needless to say with that kind of attitude, she got in far worse trouble.  Maybe I over reacted, but why when you know you’re on thin ice would you ask to get in bigger trouble by being a punk?  I even warned her and told her to stop before she got in bigger trouble, which she didn’t do.

I just wish on my bad mood days the kids would channel an “angelic” day to make mine better.  Sadly the world just doesn’t work that way.

The funny thing is regardless of kids, these days just happen.  For some it’s lack of productivity at work, bad customers or just “Murphy” making our day hard.  Oh, well tomorrow is another day, and I will do what I can to make this one and the next better.  Maybe I just need a nap.

The gene pool…

…just got a little shallower.

Time to Kill

I’m still on the look out for one of these, at preferably not an insane price.  I wish I were frivolous enough to buy the “buy it now” for over $60 on ebay last week.  I would have had one by now, except a lot of these auctions end in the middle of the night.  Most are in the UK, what’s up with that?  I’m sleeping and not willing to get up and sneak in a bid at the end.  I keep thinking this could be a great tool for my hospital stay after the twins, that and episodes of 24 (I’ve only seen season 1).  I’ve read a book each time with the last 2 kids (I have insomnia for the first 2-3 days after having a baby).  Does anyone have time killing suggestions?  We’re planning a c-section with the twins, so I’m in for 4 days instead of 2.  That’s a lot of time to kill and there’s very little on TV and I don’t feel like taking my cross-stitch stuff.  I still have between (the good Lord willing) 10 and 13 weeks to go, I’m just planning early.  

Viticulture (growing grapes)

I just happened to run across a great article on an improved viticulture course offering at Redlands Community College in El Reno, OK (that is if the vines they planted are there after yesterday’s storm).  Granted this is not a nearby school, but the article discusses online and distance education courses.  I am still scouring their catalogue and course schedule for these classes they have held in the past and I am having no luck.  I really dislike reading a PDF file of this size online (it’s just not as easy as flipping real pages in my opinion).

We spent a fair share of the weekend mulching the blackberries.  Some watering was done and if what I saw was correct on the Doppler they were watered well by the rain yesterday (I just hope it didn’t wash too much of the mulch off).  

Back to the article, if you read nothing but the last paragraph of it, that is where my interest perked up.  This is a financial stat we haven’t seen yet.  Granted the amount of money must be divided as you have to pay workers (and partners) and it is sales as opposed to profits, but it looks nice.  This was the kind of thing Jonathan and I needed to see as we are just frustrated by the start up of planting blackberries.  Next year we plan to start on the vines (that’s going to be even worse).

Recap

I was a bit preoccupied by family events, that is until I read Kelly’s comment. I forgot I hadn’t updated about my doctors appointments and the twins.

Here is the baby run down.

I am already having contractions, but right now it’s no big deal (emphasis on right now). I am only 27 weeks along which means we really would like for me to go at least another 10 weeks. Don’t worry too much. I was walking around in labor for 6 weeks before I had Jackson and 4 weeks before I had Victoria. I’m not really progressing right now, so I’m just taking it easy.

Alex (baby a) is still bigger then Owen (baby b). The weight gap is getting larger, but percentage wise it’s about the same (20% difference in weight). Alex is currently 2 lbs 2 oz and Owen is 1 lb 11 oz. The doctors seem less concerned as we go (I’m taking that as a good sign). They just keep saying the range is okay and that we just have to keep watching this. I have another ultrasound in 2 weeks.

We saw a different fetal/maternal specialist (in the same office) this week then we have before, maybe it was his personality, but I do feel a lot more at ease about my little guys. My current guess is that we will be moving to be close to the hospital around mid May.

Reflections

No one knows how thankful I am for Jonathan. Seriously, I mean that. I know that we (at least many of us) are thankful for our spouses. I read my friend Jeremy and his wildly, talented wife Tiffany’s blog and I know they truly appreciate and love one another, but I have no idea how much. From their blogs I have read about Scott and Kelly, the same experience occurs; I can’t fathom the love they have. I know from reading Cam’s blog that he really loves and appreciates his wife as well.

The funny thing is I don’t know Cam, Tiffany, Kelly or Scott outside the blog realm, but there words express their appreciation for the one they love.

I am reminded of how lucky I am and I am grateful today. Unfortunately the reminder comes from hearing of the demise of a marriage and the lose of a child, in Jonathan’s family. It’s amazing how sadness and joy often times bring about the same reflections in our lives.

Thank you Jonathan for being mine, and thank you for our 2(4) kids. Life wouldn’t be the same without all of you. You are amazing.

-If you ever wonder why Jonathan never comments, it’s because he calls and responds instead of typing something up. I think he’s nervous of who might be “watching” at work and when he’s home he just tells me his thoughts. If he ever does post a comment I will be surprised.

Leaving

We’re leaving in the morning for Norman and another doctor’s appointment and ultrasound.  We will spend Saturday tending the blackberries, so we will be out of commission.  Have a great weekend.

Where were you...(updated)

…11 years ago today? Do you remember? I was in 10th grade biology outside doing some random experiment. Why do I remember? The next class period I was sent to pick something up for my teacher and I heard before the rest of my school (from a friend who was an office aid I ran into in the hall) that the Murrah Federal Building in OKC had been bombed. My sister had been working on her masters project just down the street that same day (every week) for weeks (she wasn’t there that day), my dad used to live in the apartment complex down the street that was damaged by the blast and my other sister had also been employed near by the year before (she had since changed jobs and locations). I know people who lost parents in the blast. I consider it a day of innocence lost.

I don’t have cable, so I’ve seen no news today, but it seems that Oklahoma is the only one remembering today. Msn.com has nothing; the yahoo home page has nothing. I’ve only seen information of this tragedy on the Daily Oklahoman site.

No, I don’t want to dwell on it; I would just like to see a little bit of acknowledgment. We can’t forget events of the past (this or 9/11); otherwise we set ourselves up for additional heartache in the future. It’s amazing to think it’s been 11 years (how things have changed from 16 to 27). I will always remember.

UPDATE
Correction the OKC bombing is on the msn.com web page. It's at the very bottom right under suggested searches. Still no info unless you choose to search it and minimal acknowledgment.

2 things

1.  The media is making a HUGE deal about the “White House Shake Up”.  Guess what?  Every administration goes through cabinet and staff changes.  Regardless of who the President is or what their party affiliation is, jobs surrounding that office are very high stress.  Heck, look at how old they look after 4 years.  It’s tough; it’s normal, big deal.

2.  Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes daughter Suri’s name doesn’t mean princess in Hebrew.  Sarah or Sara is Hebrew for princess.  Abraham’s wife’s name was changed from Sarai to Sarah; believe me I should know.  You don’t get much more Hebrew then something found in the book of Genesis in the Bible.

Monty's Birthday (updated)

Check out the entry for the “How Monty and I celebrated her birthday” contest (I'm talking about the one submitted by Zero on the 17th). It was very funny and worth the read. My computer locked up and I had to restart it to finish it and I got a good giggle.

Awesome A/C

It’s 94 degree outside and I turned on the A/C for the first time today.

The funny thing is until about the last hour the temperature has remained between 75-78 degrees without the A/C. My A/C is set at 80. How “cool” is that, I turn on my A/C and I still haven’t used it?

My son...

…is a nasty booger making factory.

That is all.

WINO

I haven’t written much about what’s going on with my husband's latest greatest scheme. Here is just an idea of what is going on here on our end.

Jonathan has a brother in California who is interested in coming home to Oklahoma, to run a winery. Jonathan would also love to do this, so the process is in the beginning stages. We are beginning with blackberries. Yes, that is correct. Blackberries yield a full crop 1 year after planting. Grapes yield a half crop 3 years after planting and a full crop at 5 years. As fruit wines are increasing in popularity we think it’s a good place to start and we know that blackberries thrive around here with a lot less water then grapes. We have not quite and acre and a ½ of blackberries planted right now. Weekends have been spent where they are planted on my in-laws property an hour and a half away.

We are spending a lot of time reading and studying wine recipes, viticulture; winery business plans, discussing locations and the purchase of additional land (closer to where we are). We are in the very beginning stages. We know for now we will have to buy our grapes from a supplier to start our recipe experiments. I’m most interested in sparkling wine production (very long involved process, but totally interesting).

If you have a favorite brand, type of wine or something you would like us to try (okay so I’m not really trying anything right now), let us know. We are checking out information about Oklahoma wineries and their web sites (some of their wines are very, very good). We are also examining a lot of stuff from the Oklahoma Grape Growers and Wine Makers Association (OGGWMA). It’s an amazing process; it appeals to the part of me that liked chemistry (I only enjoyed the lab).

Just as a fun fact Oklahoma currently has 34 working wineries and 6 in the application process. Many of these have been started since 2000. It’s amazing how things change.

MR. PRESIDENT, I'M HEADED TO MEXICO

My husband just sent me this in an e-mail. I thought it was a good perspective. Turn the tables and see if things would work out the same. I also thought this was very funny.


MR. PRESIDENT, I'M HEADED TO MEXICO

David M. Bresnahan

April 1, 2006

NewsWithViews.com

Dear President Bush:

I'm about to plan a little trip with my family and extended family, and I would like to ask you to assist me. I'm going to walk across the border from the U.S. into Mexico, and I need to make a few arrangements. I know you can help with this. I plan to skip all the legal stuff like visas, passports, immigration quotas and laws. I'm sure they handle those things the same way you do here. So, would you mind telling your buddy, President Vicente Fox, that I'm on my way over?

Please let him know that I will be expecting the following:
1. Free medical care for my entire family.
2. English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might need, whether I use them or not.
3. All government forms need to be printed in English.
4. I want my kids to be taught by English-speaking teachers.
5. Schools need to include classes on American culture and history.
6. I want my kids to see the American flag flying on the top of the flag pole at their school with the Mexican flag flying lower down.
7. Please plan to feed my kids at school for both breakfast and lunch.
8. I will need a local Mexican driver's license so I can get easy access to government services.
9. I do not plan to have any car insurance, and I won't make any effort to learn local traffic laws.
10. In case one of the Mexican police officers does not get the memo from Pres. Fox to leave me alone, please be sure that all police officers speak English.
11. I plan to fly the U.S. flag from my house top, put flag decals on my car, and have a gigantic celebration on July 4th. I do not want any complaints or negative comments from the locals.
12. I would also like to have a nice job without paying any taxes, and don't enforce any labor laws or tax laws.
13. Please tell all the people in the country to be extremely nice and never say a critical word about me, or about the strain I might place on the economy.

I know this is an easy request because you already do all these things for all the people who come to the U.S. from Mexico. I am sure that Pres. Fox won't mind returning the favor if you ask him nicely.

However, if he gives you any trouble, just invite him to go quail hunting with your V.P. Thank you so much for your kind help.

Sincerely,
David M. Bresnahan

Aliens

I know I haven’t been too political lately, so for those of you who miss that sort of thing, here is my rant for today.

My Great-Great Grandparents came to this country legally. They did things by the book; I think everyone else should have to do the same.

Are they illegal immigrants or illegal aliens? Does the changing of the last word bring about more sympathy? I think so. Is it sad that some illegals have kids and grandkids here? Yes. Should our government do something about this? Yes. Will they? Not a snowballs chance in Hell.

I have a story about an illegal alien for you. This is a first hand personal experience. The date is December 2, 2004 its 2am. I wake to the sound of my car getting hit head on in front of my house where I am LEGALLY parked. The vehicle occupants upon not being able to start their car run off down the street on foot. The occupants are one Hispanic male, one female and a baby (not in a car seat), and a 6 pack of beer. I had an eyewitness down the street who watched them run. My car is wrecked, bad. Is it fixable? Yes. Is it currently drivable? No. When the report is sent to the Hit and Run Department they find out who owns the car and where they live. They also find out that they are illegal and have no license or insurance (DUH!). Do I have any recourse? No. I can’t prosecute them and no one will hunt them down and deport them. These people have just stolen from me. Yes, I still have the car, but I can’t afford to fix it (still). Would I be in jail had I done the same thing? You bet. I know life isn’t fair, but this is just another case.

If I have to follow the law so should they. Also I’d really like for them to have the courtesy to learn English. My German family did.

The next post is from today also, please don’t miss it.

(OFF TOPIC)

As usual it is the week before Easter and my voice will be completely gone any minute. This is a yearly occurance I could live with out. Thankfully I don't have to sing a special Sunday (I've had to change to men's songs in years past).

That is all.

Name Game (the final round?)

Owen and Alex have been our preliminary choices for the boys. Last night I came up with middle names Jonathan approved of. He even has labeled A and B by name now.

Your thoughts:

Baby A: “Alex” Alexander Sloan Ritchie (ASR)

Baby B: Owen Banks Ritchie (OBR)

Alexander is the only name that isn’t family related in some way.

Meanings/Origins-
Alexander-Greek-Helper and Defender of Mankind
Sloan-Celtic-Warrior
Owen-Celtic-Young Warrior
Banks-None found

By meanings we sound like a battling bunch.

I’m not able to find a way to make fun of these yet, but then again children are better at that then I am.

UPDATED

Banks as a surname means, someone who lives by a riverbank (go figure), or Irish for corpulent (well is guess you can make fun of that). Can't you see the conversation- "So what does Banks mean?" "Slightly overweight." Charming, I think I'll stick with the riverbank meaning.

Aaaaaugh!

We just got a call from the Realtor; they have received the signed acceptance of the contract on our OKC house from the second buyer! The information has been sent to the first buyer, to either remove their contingency or drop their bid.

Hallelujah!

How are you?

We don’t have TTTS!  We still have a problem, but this isn’t it!  Baby B is now only 3 oz behind baby A instead of 4 oz, but he still has visibly less fluid in his sack (this has a name, but I’ve forgotten it).  This is now more pronounced, as he has gotten bigger.  This is a concern, but I’m not in the hospital and I don’t have to go back next week, so YIPEE!  I have now been bumped up to OB and specialist/ultrasounds every 2 weeks.  This makes for long Friday’s.

On the HOME sale front, we are in contract on our OKC house.  The buyer has a contingency in the contract regarding the sale of their home in Norman.  On the way into OKC last night our Realtor called and said we have another offer.  We have countered and are waiting for a reply.  If we can agree on a contract, with the new buyer, we have a walk out clause in the first one, where they drop the contingency or drop their offer.  This house has been on the market with us paying bills and the mortgage for 9 months now.  Hopefully we will be done with all of that next month!  We did stop by the house yesterday and I must say I miss my pretty hardwood floors.  Our wood floors here are ugly and too thin to refinish.

We mowed for the first time of the year today.  It’s such a love hate relationship.  I love the smell of fresh mowed grass; I just don’t care for doing it in the heat of summer.  Jonathan was funny, he kept telling me I shouldn’t mow if I couldn’t get it started, but being the beast I am it started right up.  Like I said in my first pregnancy, I’m pregnant, not dead!  Ha!  Ha!

How are you?

This Week

The elders at church anointed me Monday night and prayed over the babies and me.  

I’m tired, pregnancy or time change I’m not really sure.  If we could just get to bed on time, and up, I think it would help.  It’s going to take some time and doing.

I’ve been working on the routines in our house; we are defiantly going to need them soon.  I’ve been working on my “control journal” (think household command center) from www.flylady.net.  It definitely helps.  The housework may not be done, but at least I’m slowly walking through it (baby steps).  Victoria is a huge help; she can almost make her bed by herself.  Jackson can strip his and is learning to put his dishes in the dishwasher.

I have a blood glucose test Friday first thing (standard preg test), a regular OB appointment, and another ultrasound with the specialist in OKC.  As usual our trip to Norman will be one full day Friday.  The only problem with the new car was a potential alignment problem, which I’m also going to take in and have checked Friday.    

We hope to finish de-uglying Jackson’s room this weekend.  I’ll post some pictures soon of the progress.  It amazes me the amount of junk they put on the walls in this room.  My strange thought right now is that I may paint his walls brown.  Jonathan is even okay with it.  I think brown, navy and cream with his bedding and things will look very nice and will work well know while he’s a grubby little boy on until he’s a grubby teenager.

Have a good week.