Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Esther is smiling!!
It's adorable and someday I'll get a photo of it. She's also still going about 6 hours at night between feedings which is wonderful! She'll go 3-4 hours during the day for the most part. IF she goes 4 hours too often then she does wake up at night so we're trying to keep those times shorter... it's just not always worth waking a sleeping baby!
Tyler's therapy came to an end yesterday and he's very much improved. We'll continue the home therapy until his followup appt in February and hopefully after that we can just continue it and end all discussions of surgery. I was playing doctor with Grace the other day and realized she has all sorts of new teeth! Especially molars. I guess making her eat those carrot sticks has been helping push them through!
I can't believe Christmas is a week away!! We have given up the idea of cookies. I made some Christmas nachos with the kids the other day. I had some corn tortillas that we were just not going to use so I decided to let the kids use the cookie cutters to cut them and then i baked them. It was fun and I just made triangles with some since the cutting wasn't easy! We've also been making Christmas shape pancakes pretty often this month. We go to Alliance to see the lights at Silver Park as often as we can. We also go to a house in a neighborhood near us that does lights to music. They have a transmitter so you can tune in your radio to hear it and watch. It's great. They have 6 songs I think we counted. We have SO much shopping to do still and not much time to do it! We hope to travel to do Christmas with my family next week Tuesday thru Thursday. Then we have Christmas at home, then on the weekend with the Bush's and Kandrays! Grandparents are such a blessing! I do love that Christmas lasts for several days, but it sure can be stressful!
Our news this week is that we made an offer on a house last night! What are we thinking!?!? We've been "casually" looking for months, years really- since we've moved here. We upped the search recently considering buying while we owned the Mansfield house, or paying it off and then buying. I never took it too seriously because we were years from paying the Mansfield house off anyways. Then the Mansfield house sold and I think Gary shifted from "casual" to "search" mode and I was busy in "labor" mode and then "survival" mode and missed his shift! THEN Saturday came and we saw two houses in the same price range, one a foreclosure and one a century home. The foreclosure needed lots of cosmetic work and teh century home was in excellent condition completely updated, and we fell in love with it. After much discussion, many emotional and fearful tears on my part, and even more prayer we made an offer on it last night. We can't afford the listing price and made an offer a little below what we can afford. If they counter we only have our final price to respond at so we're praying that they are willing to take less than asking price. It's worth the asking price I'm sure due to the condition of it and the location, but we absolutely will not pay more than what we can. We know what we're willing to pay per month for mortgage/insurance/taxes/utilities and we won't go above that. We know if they don't take it, then God has something better for us!
I've learned in this process how absolutely wonderful Gary is. He's so patient and so willing to work with me and make our marriage and decisions a partnership. He was fully on board with moving forward before I was but he's accepted the process I need to go through (endless discussion) and accepted the emotional process I have to go through too. He was willing to wait until I was fully on board. He's willing to pray through it with me and answer the same questions a million times! For the man I think it comes down to does this house fit us, is it where we want to be, and can we afford it, and some of does is feel right. For the woman I think it's a lot more about can we afford it, and does it FEEL right. Just because you walk into a house and feel at home and love it doesn't mean it's best to actually BUY it!
I'm also grateful that Gary's willing to look at our finances and make decisions that are conservative and comfortable so that nothing has to change to make it possible. We could over extend ourselves and count on certain monies each year like tax returns, but he's careful to plan only on what we know. It's easy when emotions are involved to talk yourself into more than what you can do and I'm so thankful Gary's so disciplined in this area. We're not so disciplined in other areas but we're working on it!
The offer is being presented this morning so we should know soon!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Correction!!
It has come to my attention that we are in the month of DECEMBER, not November... and so I missed our 12 year!! AHH!!!! It was November 13th, 1997 that Gary and I became a couple and so we've been together 12 years and a month! :)
Tyler's Therapy is continuing well. We are also still enjoying preschool and enjoying Esther! Her vaccines last Friday got her all out of whack so we're trying to patiently wait through it but it's so discouraging when she slept through the night and was nursing so well, and on such a good routine, to now have her eating randomly and sleeping randomly. Thankfully she's still sleeping 4-6 hours at night, eating (some) and then going right back to bed. So we'll take the fussy afternoons and fussy late evenings if it means she'll still sleep at night Unfortunately with the pain and fevers that come with the vaccines, we've been giving her Tylenol so my gut tells me that's the ONLY reason she's sleeping at night! Maybe it'll get her into a good habit and when we stop the Tylenol (hopefully tonight, pending another screaming fit) we'll get lucky. ;)
We got to go into Alliance twice this weekend to see the lights and I finally got to attend a church service again! I think I'd only been to one or two since Esther was born. We were still in the hospital the first Sunday, had a couple where I stayed home because one or more of us were not feeling well, one where I spent most of it in nursery nursing (ha ha) and two in nursery serving. So If my math is correct it was my second week to actually hear the sermon! It was wonderful and it was good to be back, even if I did have to drive on some slushy roads to get there. Gary was kind enough to take Tyler with him since he had to go early for worship team (and to feed the Bush's dog- they were out of town). Thus I only had myself and the girls to get ready... I got there in time for the first song so not too bad!! Those and some successful (though stressful) shopping trips were the highlights of the weekend. I'm also currently winning this week's Gridiron challenge so that's always fun! As long as my dad's wide receiver does not get 25 or more points, and Gary's tight end does not get more than 14 points, I'll win for the week!!
Esther is not crying, and the dishes are done so i really ought to consider bathing the kids... and putting away some laundry is always a good choice....
Friday, December 11, 2009
Growing Like Weeds!
These kids are growing up WAY too fast! Today we had well child visits for Esther and Tyler. Tyler's on his FIVE YEAR checkup! wow! He's 45 inches tall and 46 pounds. That puts him still around the 90th percentile for height and the 80th for weight. He really enjoyed this visit learning more about what the doctor does and getting to see everything on a more personal level than just watching myself or his sisters. He especially liked getting his blood pressure checked. I think our Dr. play around here will be slightly more accurate after this morning's trip. Esther is growing too! She weighed in at 11 pounds 1 oz which means that in the past 7 days she's gained 17 ounces. Sheesh! I certainly did not have to defend my choice to breastfeed! She's also 22 1/2 inches long which means she's grown 3 inches from birth. No wonder she's already growing out of not just her Newborn clothes, but also her 0-3 month clothes! I'm so sad to already be packing clothes away. We got so many beautiful sleepers and outfits and already had TONS from the other two kids... she truly is only wearing things once or twice before they don't fit! I hope she slows down a little so we get a better return for our 3-6 month clothing investments. Her other big news is that last night she slept through the night! She ate at 11, going to bed around 11:45 and she slept until 6! I went to bed around 12:30 so I got more than 5 hours straight sleep which felt amazing. I was in a panic when I awoke but she was sleeping peacefully. Even with her congestion she's doing amazing. She's such a good baby and I love that I finally have a cuddly baby! She loves to be held and I love holding her. I have regular mountains of laundry and dishes that pile up but I don't care. She's awesome and I don't know what we did before she came!
Today is also a major day in family history because last night the Browns beat the Steelers. This is the first time that has happened in the lifetimes of any of our kids! Haha! It was fun to watch and I'm glad Esther's first Browns/Steelers game was a good one and one worth staying up for! I was wearing the Browns hair crunchy Jen made me so I think she must have put some magic into it! How sad it is that this is likely the highlight not only of the season but of the past (and probably future) several years. Oh well... that's sports in Cleveland! If you grow up in it like we did you know what you are getting into because you've watched your father, grandfather and great-grandfathers suffer through year after year. I think we're more well rounded people because we grow up knowing what disappointment is! ;) And if you are lucky you grow up learning how to properly vent your anger at refs, coaches, and players- all while getting in a good workout.
This week Tyler continued his therapy for his muscles and tendon. He's doing well and we're being pretty consistant working at home as well. Some days are better than others of course. We are seeing improvement and are thankful... it's going to be a matter of self dicipline for Tyler which will be a good challenge and character building for him. The therapy will help him get to where he is able to stand and walk flat footed, and then it'll be up to him to train himself to do it and make a new, better habit.
We are also still enjoying our homescooling. The kids often want me to read further than the "lesson plans" say we should so we do. It's been a great motivator for me to force me to sit down with them while Esther naps or daddy has her and read to them and talk to them. This curriculum helps us make that more of a priority which I needed.
Our crazy treadmill purchase is also being enjoyed. It's a bit boring right now because I don't have an iPod or even a working CD player but in a month it'll be in front of the TV. :) I'm cleared to excersise and my OB appointment Monday went well. I am very thankful to be so healthy and able to recover so quickly from labor. It wasn't so easy the first time around which makes me appreciate it even more.
Last weekend we had a wonderful visit from the Kelloggs. We stayed up WAY too late Friday night but having fellowship with another couple sans kids was just awesome. I loved every moment of it and wish we could do it more. I needed that so badly. It has made me more tired this week, but again, very worth it. It was also fun to see the kids get to play with Faith. They love her so much and always are talking about her, it's nice that they do actualy get along when they are together!
Christmas is coming, ready or not, so this weekend will be busy with shopping and hopefully energy will allow some cookie making. I always love weekends when we can all just be together, even if we are busy. The rest of the month will fly by so I fully intend to enjoy this weekend relaxing with the love of my life and our three beautiful babies. We chose to journey through life together 12 years ago Sunday. That was one of the best decisions I ever made!
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Happy Thursday again! I actually put on my chore list to update the blog on Thursday's in hopes of getting on here more regularly. Last week was CRAZY!
Wednesday of last week Josh and Lia were both in town so we got up and did some housework and then headed over to the Bush's house. They gave Tyler his birthday presents and got something for Grace too so the kids had a blast with new stuff. I love to watch them play together. Of course after a couple hours Tyler was dressing the princess and Grace was driving the monster truck. *sigh* They only switched for awhile but it was funny still. I got to be in on some wedding conversation which was so fun. I love weddings. That evening my mom came down and stayed the night. It was great to get the extra time with her to visit. Thanksgiving morning we tried to watch the parade but I really had to wash all the dishes i'd left and I also had to get us ready and do usual morning stuff so it was a bit chaotic. The kids and Gary enjoyed the parade which was ironic since it was my mom and I who actually wanted to see it. I caught the cheerleaders and a few balloons and the kids enjoyed what they watched too. We got to the Bush's around noon for Thanksgiving with them and Josh (Lia went to Pittsburgh). It's so exciting to think about them being married next year!! My mom left to not have to drive home in too much darkness but we stayed. Uncle Dan, Aunt Tami and their kids came in the early evening so we got to visit with them as well.
Friday we got up and loaded up the van for a day up North. We made good time to my dad's house. I'm sure all the black Friday shoppers were back in bed by the time we hit the road. :) WE had lunch with my dad and he took the kids down to the lake for a little bit. It was absolutely FREEZING! The kids nap/rested there and then we got into our Christmas outfits and headed off to the Cline's for Christmas! Michaela and Bonni couldn't come because Michaela could not travel. I think her knee was still bothering her. It was such a bummer not to have the whole family there but it was great to get to see Uncle Steward and Lauren. I'm glad they got to meet Esther when she's still a baby. We had dinner and then presents. Like everyone else in the world we get stressed about the traveling and the planning and the disturbance to the kids routine, but in the end we're so thankful to the Lord that he's provided us with family and allowed our family members to enjoy long healthy lives. Grandpa will be going to the Cleveland Clinic next week for his back pain so they are not headed to Florida quite yet. If they don't go I think we'll get to see them around actual Christmas which would be the first time in several years. Either way I pray they can do something for my Grandpa's pain. We got home pretty late that night and slept in Saturday.
Esther did really well for the week but she took all her naps those three days in someone's arms so getting home and trying to get her to sleep in her bed during the day did not go over well. SHe was pretty fussy at night that week and all weekend and was having a hard time nursing. Monday Tyler had his first therapy appointment for his legs/feet. Our pediatrician is practically across the street and Gary was off work that day so we decided I would take Esther to the Dr. and he would take the older two to therapy. Esther checked out just fine. It's taken some work but we seem to have gotten her back to eating better. She's certainly not malnourished because she weighed in Monday at 10 pounds even! She was not even 7 lbs at 2 weeks and now at 5 weeks 3 days she'd gained 3 pounds! It helped my anxiety to know she was fine and her ears were fine and I'm sure my being relaxed helped her settle back into real life. I hope being a few weeks older helps when Christmas comes. I remember being insanely stressed about Tyler eating and sleeping over Christmas and I almost quit nursing him because it got so difficult. I think having done it before i'll be better prepared to have an infant for the holiday madness! :)
Tyler's therapy went well. He went Monday and Wednesday and we have to do exercises regularly here at home. he'll go for 3 weeks and we'll continue to work at home and hopefully things will be improved when we see the Dr. again in February.
Today is Gary's Pap's surgery on his carotid artery. He did qualify for the stint after all which was a huge praise. Stephanie went with him this morning and they had to be there super early. I've been praying things will go perfectly! What a comfort to have the Lord to go to in times of stress and worry over our loved ones.
Our Preschool curriculum came last Friday so we waited until Saturday to open it and we've enjoyed it daily ever since. It's truly just reading aloud to the kids but we're enjoying it and i'm enjoying that I can make the discussion about our reading as long or short as I want based on my knowledge and the kids' interest. I do wish it had questions to ask and a little more guidance ... but i also like the freedom to ask what I want. :)
Wednesday after Therapy we finally made it out the Neely homestead so Jenn could meet Esther. I wish we could have made it on an evening so Aubrey could meet her too but hopefully soon. Jen made us the most adorable little onsie dress and crib sheet! I so admire her sewing talent... but not enough to invest in a sewing machine and learn. :) It's so great to have friends to visit (and great that our kids get along so well!) and I'm glad we went even if the kids were insanely crabby when we got home. :) They would stay there all day and night if I let them. Yesterday was also the first day of Sue's last chemo treatment. November was a good month for her and I truly hope December will be too... i pray the Lord will choose to heal her.
SO that brings us to today! The Christmas stuff is finally up which means I can go back to tackling organization, routine cleaning and the mass of laundry I've let accumulate... why do I do this to myself?!?! Tomorrow hopefully we'll be having friends to visit!!!!
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