My second trimester flew right by. I managed to get lots done and felt pretty good. As long as I stuck to a fairly strict diet, I tended to feel good. The 3rd trimester has hit me in the face like a ton of bricks. More accurately, it feels like I have 30 pounds sitting on my stomach crushing my lungs and kicking my bladder-which I know is impossible since I have only gained 8lbs so far. Ellie gets a weight check in a week to see how she is growing and if all goes well, she should arrive in mid to late January-hoping more like mid January. I feel like telling Adam not to worry that I won't be obese forever because, like most pregnant women feel this far along, I feel like a normal sized person trapped in a fat suit. With all that being said, it is still amazing to be pregnant and feel Ellie move. Growing a human life is a miracle even with the aches and pains. The kids are in awe of feeling her kick and squirm around. They fight over who she will look like and who gets to hold her first.
Weston is doing well. His days are very busy with many therapies. Most recently, his OT and I had a strongly worded conversation about how he needs OT twice a week and if he wasn't in the hospital, they would expect me to take him to OT twice a week so I expect them to come see him twice a week. I feel like Adam and I have done everything imaginable to make sure Weston stays with and ahead of his peers and now, they need to do their part. I know the stronger he is going into surgery, the stronger he will be afterwards. I am kind of hateful when it comes to Weston's care. I want things done correctly and I don't like crappy answers. I feel like, in some ways, we were let down for the almost 2 years that Adam and I begged for answers about why Weston would almost fall over dead 1,2, 10 times a day. Since even these amazing doctors couldn't give us answers and we managed to keep him alive, the least they can do is take good care of him now until his transplant.
The other kids are doing good. Easton usually gets to go see Weston once a week and we try to bring all of the kids up every other week. They were sick last week so they won't get to see him until maybe the weekend. The hospital gave us free tickets to Sesame Place and it is supposed to be really nice on Friday and Saturday. We have never been and know we probably won't ever get the opportunity to have all of the kids up here so we can take them.
Other than that, we are just waiting for the call for Weston. Waiting on something we have no control over is the hardest part.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Easy Cobbler (cheaters version)
I am not a baker and I don't even like making desserts that don't require baking. I am trying to figure out everything I am going to make for Thanksgiving and I thought a cobbler would be something fast that I can transport easily to the hospital. I have made one before with canned fruit and cake mix but I hate canned fruit. It doesn't really taste like the fruit it is supposed to be. So, here is my frozen fruit version. It was SO much better and the fruit all had the best flavors.
1 big bag of frozen peaches (unsweetened)
1 big bag frozen mixed berries-mine had raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and blackberries (unsweetened)
1 white cake mix
1 stick of butter
About a cup of water
Defrost fruit in bowl. Mix defrosted fruit, juice from fruit, melted
butter, and cake mix together. Add enough water to make the cake mix all wet. Pour into greased 9X13 pan and bake at 350 until the center is no longer jiggly. I don't have a set time because my oven here is SO hot that everything bakes really quickly.
After it is done, I let it sit for about 20 minutes to cool and set. The frozen fruit makes such a huge difference. I couldn't believe it.
1 big bag of frozen peaches (unsweetened)
1 big bag frozen mixed berries-mine had raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and blackberries (unsweetened)
1 white cake mix
1 stick of butter
About a cup of water
Defrost fruit in bowl. Mix defrosted fruit, juice from fruit, melted
butter, and cake mix together. Add enough water to make the cake mix all wet. Pour into greased 9X13 pan and bake at 350 until the center is no longer jiggly. I don't have a set time because my oven here is SO hot that everything bakes really quickly.
After it is done, I let it sit for about 20 minutes to cool and set. The frozen fruit makes such a huge difference. I couldn't believe it.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
blogs and happenings
I was reading a post the other day on my friend Jennifer's fb page and there was a lady that had blogged about why she shouldn't have had 8 children. It was a great article about how after her 4th baby she became overwhelmed by her shortcomings. Through prayer and prioritizing, she now has 8 children. She talked about how she would never be the perfect parent but her kids were loved and that was what mattered. My friend Jennifer, coincidentally, also has her hands full (hahaha we joke about it all of the time) and is having baby number 7. I love Jennifer, she is the kind of mother I would love to be. She loves that she has a big family and doesn't care to tell the world. I admire that. I feel like we all have those kinds of days and especially moms have those kinds of feelings of not being enough. Are we doing enough? Are we making good memories? Are our kids turning into good people? The past 5 months have been a rude awakening for Adam and me. We work tirelessly to make sure Weston gets every normal experience that is possible in the hospital while trying to make sure our other 5 get to do all kinds of fun, fall activities. We are exhausted but determined to make it through this strong parents and stronger Christians. If God has showed us nothing else by all of this, he has showed me how Adam and I were really made for each other. There is no one else I would rather go through all of this with. He is my best friend (sappy, I know). We got the nicest compliment the other day though. A man said "for all you all have been through, your kids look so happy". The guy was a faily random stranger (just a guy at the hospital) but he made my week!
Today, we had Christmas card pictures. Thankfully, my friend Sarah wanted to take on the challenge of the Super 6. The kids do look beautiful in pictures. Pictures are one of the few things that I will never regret doing. I am not sure what our nurse thought-perhaps that I was on crack. We had never had her before and here it is Ocotber and I am forcing the kids into their finest Christmas PJ's for pictures that don't look "hospitalish" for our Christmas card. Sarah did a great job and I can't wait to see the previews.
Tomorrow, the kids are coming for the Hospital Halloween Party and Trick or Treating. I can't wait to see them all dressed up. Dressing up is one of their favorite things. They would dress up 24/7 365. The boys are going to be Batman. The girls are going to be Minnie Mouse, Cinderella, and Snow White. I also got them another dress up outfit on clearance for Christmas. They haven't had many dress up outfits here so this will be a great surprise for them.
We are still figuring out the logistics of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Adam's sister and her family are planning to come for Thanksgiving. It is always good to see them and we wished they lived closer (to TN not PA). I will miss being at home during the holidays but I will not miss my sisters and their drama filled holidays.
Today, we had Christmas card pictures. Thankfully, my friend Sarah wanted to take on the challenge of the Super 6. The kids do look beautiful in pictures. Pictures are one of the few things that I will never regret doing. I am not sure what our nurse thought-perhaps that I was on crack. We had never had her before and here it is Ocotber and I am forcing the kids into their finest Christmas PJ's for pictures that don't look "hospitalish" for our Christmas card. Sarah did a great job and I can't wait to see the previews.
Tomorrow, the kids are coming for the Hospital Halloween Party and Trick or Treating. I can't wait to see them all dressed up. Dressing up is one of their favorite things. They would dress up 24/7 365. The boys are going to be Batman. The girls are going to be Minnie Mouse, Cinderella, and Snow White. I also got them another dress up outfit on clearance for Christmas. They haven't had many dress up outfits here so this will be a great surprise for them.
We are still figuring out the logistics of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Adam's sister and her family are planning to come for Thanksgiving. It is always good to see them and we wished they lived closer (to TN not PA). I will miss being at home during the holidays but I will not miss my sisters and their drama filled holidays.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
A quick update
Well, Sept 25 came and went. If Weston had gotten a transplant by that date, we would have had a chance at going home by Christmas. Since that didn't happen, we will be spending the holidays here. We are still figuring out all of the logistics of how the kids can spend the holidays together. My next "goal" holiday is to make it home by the time Ellie is born.
Adam has been busy learning to make cheese. He has always wanted to and it turned out pretty yummy. I supervised and decided that he needs to get a strainer because I wasn't all that thrilled with standing there holding a stinky bowl of cheese curds. I think he is planning to make cheddar when we go home. He just doesn't have room for it here. For now, he can stick with making mozzarella.
I have a new list of recipes to try in the coming weeks. Pinterest has been great for some friends and I to share everything from recipes to maternity picts. I LOVE maternity picts!! They are right up there with tutus, frilly bows, and matching kids.
We got an offer on our house yesterday-yippee! Unfortunately, it is too low so Adam counter offered but I doubt they will take it. I know God will send us the right buyer at the right time. The market is just so bad right now. This selling a house thing has been terrible and I don't ever want to buy or sell or move again.
And, last but not least, we found out number 7 is a girl! YAY! I would have been happy with either but I am excited because we actually had a girls name. Ellie will make her debut in January. The girls are over the moon excited-except Avery. She is busy learning to walk, avoid talking, and get into everything in between. We are still looking for a middle name for Ellie. I can't decide on whether we should name her Ellie or Elizabeth and call her Ellie. If we name her Elizabeth, the middle name choices are endless. If we name her Ellie, the middle names that go are just minimal. And Mae is not going to be her middle name.
We are in such a weird spot in life right now. It is like somewhere between a midlife crisis and traumatic stress. It is definitely not in those cookie cutter parenting books or any sort of book on life. There is no survival guide for how to deal with the unknown of your 5 year old needing a heart lung transplant or how to deal with waiting for the phone to ring every second and wondering if it is finally time. There is no "how to" for how to entertain a 5 year old in intensive care and no guide on how to not let seeing children die around you send you into a spiral of despair. We are learning quickly about the really important things in life and how the rest is just "fluff". No one tells you that you will lose the friends that can't handle everything you are going through but along the way, you will find the real friends you have always known you had. I am blessed with tons of wonderful friends out there who not only pray for us but listen to me vent, send me texts and emails, and through their funny blogs and posts, transport me into a happier place-even if it is just for a minute. For that, I thank you all.
Adam has been busy learning to make cheese. He has always wanted to and it turned out pretty yummy. I supervised and decided that he needs to get a strainer because I wasn't all that thrilled with standing there holding a stinky bowl of cheese curds. I think he is planning to make cheddar when we go home. He just doesn't have room for it here. For now, he can stick with making mozzarella.
I have a new list of recipes to try in the coming weeks. Pinterest has been great for some friends and I to share everything from recipes to maternity picts. I LOVE maternity picts!! They are right up there with tutus, frilly bows, and matching kids.
We got an offer on our house yesterday-yippee! Unfortunately, it is too low so Adam counter offered but I doubt they will take it. I know God will send us the right buyer at the right time. The market is just so bad right now. This selling a house thing has been terrible and I don't ever want to buy or sell or move again.
And, last but not least, we found out number 7 is a girl! YAY! I would have been happy with either but I am excited because we actually had a girls name. Ellie will make her debut in January. The girls are over the moon excited-except Avery. She is busy learning to walk, avoid talking, and get into everything in between. We are still looking for a middle name for Ellie. I can't decide on whether we should name her Ellie or Elizabeth and call her Ellie. If we name her Elizabeth, the middle name choices are endless. If we name her Ellie, the middle names that go are just minimal. And Mae is not going to be her middle name.
We are in such a weird spot in life right now. It is like somewhere between a midlife crisis and traumatic stress. It is definitely not in those cookie cutter parenting books or any sort of book on life. There is no survival guide for how to deal with the unknown of your 5 year old needing a heart lung transplant or how to deal with waiting for the phone to ring every second and wondering if it is finally time. There is no "how to" for how to entertain a 5 year old in intensive care and no guide on how to not let seeing children die around you send you into a spiral of despair. We are learning quickly about the really important things in life and how the rest is just "fluff". No one tells you that you will lose the friends that can't handle everything you are going through but along the way, you will find the real friends you have always known you had. I am blessed with tons of wonderful friends out there who not only pray for us but listen to me vent, send me texts and emails, and through their funny blogs and posts, transport me into a happier place-even if it is just for a minute. For that, I thank you all.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Good potato recipe
I made these potatoes the other night and they were very yummy. I merged 2 similar recipes and these turned out great
A few pounds of the small red or white new potatoes
Olive Oil
Parmesan Cheese
Salt and pepper
Boil the potatoes until cooked through. Then, spray a nonstick cookie sheet with cooking spray. Take each potato and smash it with the back of a glass until it is just squished flat (thanks RR for that tip). Brush tops with Olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. About 20 minutes into it, add the cheese on top. They were a great twist on mashed potatoes and you could even add a little chopped bacon for a potato skin type smashed potato.
A few pounds of the small red or white new potatoes
Olive Oil
Parmesan Cheese
Salt and pepper
Boil the potatoes until cooked through. Then, spray a nonstick cookie sheet with cooking spray. Take each potato and smash it with the back of a glass until it is just squished flat (thanks RR for that tip). Brush tops with Olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. About 20 minutes into it, add the cheese on top. They were a great twist on mashed potatoes and you could even add a little chopped bacon for a potato skin type smashed potato.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
What's your number
Ever since Adam and I had our 4th child, people have thought we lost our minds. Somewhere, between going from 3 kids to 4 something changes. The world views you differently. Also, the only "logical" reason for us to even have a 3rd child was to try for a girl. Apparently, once we got our magical girl, our family was supposed to be complete.
I firmly believe that everyone has a number of children that works for them-whether it is 0 or 27. Personally, it isn't really my business to judge anyone's number-not only because it is rude but I don't walk a day in anyone elses shoes. I don't know what other families deal with and I don't pretend to. When I was younger, I wanted 6 kids. In college, I wanted 4-2 boys followed by 2 girls. I think a lot about what changed after we had Sutton. Suddenly, our number changed. God showed us, by giving us Abby, that he meant for us to have more children. For those who don't know, Abby came to live with us the week after Sutton was born. We went from a family with 4 kids to a family with 5 kids in a week. It was in those moments of frustration that I realized God has a bigger purpose for all of our children.
It is very clear that Easton's personality (nurturing and loving) was made by God so that he could be Weston's number 1 fan. Weston's personality suits his illness. He is a fighter and a spit fire. He doesn't lt the medical staff ever get a moments rest. Emery and Abby are quite the wild pair. It is a total love/hate relationship but, at the end of the day, they are very best friends. Sutton is just a breath of fresh air. He is such a wild guy. He reminds me of how I think Weston would be if he wasn't sick. And, Avery-well she loves Weston and Weston loves her. Other than Easton, Avery is the next requested sibling to get to visit.
When I see how all of the kids help Weston be so strong and give him so much to live for, I cannot help but question the people who are shocked we are having another baby. I think it is odd the people that come out of the woodwork to give me their 2 cents but also the TONS of people that support us. I lost what I thought was a really good friend over having a large family. I don't really know how we offend people-especially those who I haven't seen in years. It isn't like 1 day I am going to drop all of the kids off at your house and say "OK see you later".
In all of my frustration over losing a "friend" and feeling sad, I have found so many people who love large families. We have felt such support and love from most everyone. That has definitely been a blessing.
So, what is your number? I know our number isn't 7-although I keep telling Adam I am not having anymore kids. I think our number is 8. Adam would have as many kids as I am willing but 8 seems like a great number.
I firmly believe that everyone has a number of children that works for them-whether it is 0 or 27. Personally, it isn't really my business to judge anyone's number-not only because it is rude but I don't walk a day in anyone elses shoes. I don't know what other families deal with and I don't pretend to. When I was younger, I wanted 6 kids. In college, I wanted 4-2 boys followed by 2 girls. I think a lot about what changed after we had Sutton. Suddenly, our number changed. God showed us, by giving us Abby, that he meant for us to have more children. For those who don't know, Abby came to live with us the week after Sutton was born. We went from a family with 4 kids to a family with 5 kids in a week. It was in those moments of frustration that I realized God has a bigger purpose for all of our children.
It is very clear that Easton's personality (nurturing and loving) was made by God so that he could be Weston's number 1 fan. Weston's personality suits his illness. He is a fighter and a spit fire. He doesn't lt the medical staff ever get a moments rest. Emery and Abby are quite the wild pair. It is a total love/hate relationship but, at the end of the day, they are very best friends. Sutton is just a breath of fresh air. He is such a wild guy. He reminds me of how I think Weston would be if he wasn't sick. And, Avery-well she loves Weston and Weston loves her. Other than Easton, Avery is the next requested sibling to get to visit.
When I see how all of the kids help Weston be so strong and give him so much to live for, I cannot help but question the people who are shocked we are having another baby. I think it is odd the people that come out of the woodwork to give me their 2 cents but also the TONS of people that support us. I lost what I thought was a really good friend over having a large family. I don't really know how we offend people-especially those who I haven't seen in years. It isn't like 1 day I am going to drop all of the kids off at your house and say "OK see you later".
In all of my frustration over losing a "friend" and feeling sad, I have found so many people who love large families. We have felt such support and love from most everyone. That has definitely been a blessing.
So, what is your number? I know our number isn't 7-although I keep telling Adam I am not having anymore kids. I think our number is 8. Adam would have as many kids as I am willing but 8 seems like a great number.
Monday, September 5, 2011
When life gives you lemons and limes
I am sure you have all heard be complain about the lack of sweet tea here in the north-let me rephrase-they have this bottled stuff that they call sweet tea. It is nothing like southern sweet tea. In fact, after a drink or two, it makes me want to throw up. Little Baby No Name is completely unimpressed.
The other day, we went to this produce warehouse of sorts. It is called Produce Junction and I can't really describe it. There are tons of local and imported fruits and veggies. Well, you can get bags of lemons and limes for a dollar each! That is right, 1 dollar for a giant bag. Well, we bought a bag of each and came home. I found hand squeezing all of those lemons and limes WAY too much work so we got a juicer. Just a cheap, 9.99 special from Target but it is an amazing little gadget.
I looked online for a good lemon/limeade recipe and didn't like any that I found so I came up with this. It is the perfect blend of sweet and tart-a little more on the tart side.
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup fresh lime juice (honestly, I ended up with about 1/4 cup more lemon/lime juice)
2 cups simple syrup (2 cups sugar, 2 cups water, and bring to a boil)
8 cups of water
Mix it all together and enjoy over ice. I might add some white peach puree next time for a peach lemonade mix or pureed strawberries for a strawberry lemonade.
The other day, we went to this produce warehouse of sorts. It is called Produce Junction and I can't really describe it. There are tons of local and imported fruits and veggies. Well, you can get bags of lemons and limes for a dollar each! That is right, 1 dollar for a giant bag. Well, we bought a bag of each and came home. I found hand squeezing all of those lemons and limes WAY too much work so we got a juicer. Just a cheap, 9.99 special from Target but it is an amazing little gadget.
I looked online for a good lemon/limeade recipe and didn't like any that I found so I came up with this. It is the perfect blend of sweet and tart-a little more on the tart side.
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup fresh lime juice (honestly, I ended up with about 1/4 cup more lemon/lime juice)
2 cups simple syrup (2 cups sugar, 2 cups water, and bring to a boil)
8 cups of water
Mix it all together and enjoy over ice. I might add some white peach puree next time for a peach lemonade mix or pureed strawberries for a strawberry lemonade.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)