THREE!

It's been a while, what can I say, being the mother of three is a lot busier than I ever imagined.  Well three that are stepping stones and all under 4, because in some way or another they all still need the momma.  The one and only momma and no one else will do.

Let me describe three....so you can get the mental picture....

Three is standing at the back door trying to put the smallest in the car seat to get ready to get donuts, trying to answer the questions being spit out by the other two about can we leave now?  when are we going?  where are we going?  are we getting chocolate milk?  can I get sprinkles?  is the sky blue?  can  we get a pet dinosaur? can we take a trip to the moon?  all while consoling the crying.....scratch that....now screaming infant, who doesn't' really want to get in the car seat and go to get donuts.  Nope that infant would rather just be held all day at home, because she can't even eat the dam donuts.  So you finally console her and are about to buckle her, but at this point your 2 year old has grown so impatient he has unlocked the lock and deadbolt that you have constantly told him never to do and it is at that exact second that you remember that you forgot to turn off the alarm... the alarm whose speaker for the siren is located on the wall of the mud room that you are currently standing in with all three kids, approixamately 4 feet above you, in a room that is 6ft by 4ft and it is at that split second that you hear the door open and that tiny mudroom is instantly filled with the most awful, loudest, screeching noise you have ever heard.  The only thing louder is the wails from the infant who has projectile spit up all over you and your hair in fear, and is now using her tiny palms and fingers to grab on to you for dear life....screw that car seat.  The other two have now wrapped their entire little bodies around your two legs and aren't sure if they should cry or not....but surely they are beyond terrified and I am pretty sure the 2 year old has now shit in his diaper.  And you are frozen, because you are covered in spit up, and can't move due to the two kiddos who have firmly attached themselves to you and make it increasingly difficult to walk.  The alarm pad is 2 feet away....you are pretty sure you ear drums have blown and you now have a migraine from the noise at 7:30am....and you are thinking that at any moment someone is gonna throw you a break and scoop in and make it all better..... and then you realize you are the momma..... now the momma of three....and life is always going to be some sort of alarm just blaring in your ear waiting for you to fix it.....because the momma fixes everything....no breaks coming your way.

In the end we got the alarm turned off  and told the alarm company we didn't need any rescue vehicles, I explained to the tikes, who never realized we had such a cool feature before, what it was for.  I didn't use the whole it is to make sure intruders never enter the house speech....I went with the....it is to make sure that you guys never open a door to go outside without me knowing speech.  I'm a mom...of course I gave the latter explanation.  I then got the infant and myself cleaned....the infant who also had the shit scared out of her literally and it was all up her back....and then I reloaded everyone back into the car seats and headed to get doughnuts...eventually we were all sitting at the table enjoying our sprinkles and chocolate milk, it just took a hell of a lot longer than it would have taken with one tike or even two...but that's my life now....THREE!  Welcome to my new journey.  I promise I'm back...I think I've been missed, based on the various emails to please post on this blog again...well I've missed you too internets!

Margot Stelljes

Margot Stelljes was born Tuesday, July 13th 2010 at 9:20am.  She is truly a blessing and one of the truest loves of my life.  After 15 pokes with a spinal needle and  a good 30 minutes, my c-section began.  After a few minutes that felt like a lifetime I heard her little cries.  Good cries, from great healthy lungs, but not quite as loud as her brother and sister's.  Hers were definitely more lady like.  Its amazing the things you remember from the birth of your children.  Their very distinct cries and hearing them for the first time is one of the things I will never forget.  Margot is truly perfect, she had the best coloring and Apgar scores of 9 and 10.  I am so blessed and in love.

Her c-section was pretty scary compared to her brother's and probably on par with Meredith's.  Not that at any time anything was seriously wrong, I just had my blood pressure drop very low twice and it made me feel very sick.  At one point I felt like my chest was caving in.  The first time it happened Josh was there to hold my hand, which didn't make it any less scary.  The second time it happened after they had taken my sweet Margot to the nursery with her daddy, so I was even more scared since I was alone.  Thankfully my anesthesiologist, who was the best, held my hand while closely monitoring my vitals for the rest of the procedure. 

This picture was taken as soon as I met her in recovery.  Our first photo.

I spent a lot longer in the recovery room than anticipated.  I had bleeding that needed to be stopped and a uterus that did not want to contract back down.  After about 4 hours, two bags of pitocin, a shot of something and lots of manual massaging and pain beyond reason, I was finally able to head to my room, where the two oldest tikes met the newest member of our family.  They patiently waited for over 3 hours to meet their baby sister.  That's a lot for a 4 and 2 year old in a hospital with little entertainment.  Thankfully their Nanny, Aunt J, Aunt Lindz and Carrie were there to watch over them, because I wanted my husband and momma with me.

Just like when I saw her for the first time.....it was love at first sight for them too!

The new family photo, which has grown by 2 more feet!  Tears from Meredith bercause she isn't next to her sister, noah is mad because he is not in the bed, Margot is oblivious, Josh is trying to diffuse the situation and I thanking the heavens for my pain pump, pumping pain meds straight into my bloodstream!

After all the chaos company went home that night, Margot took a much needed nap....isn't she gorgeous!

After a few days in the hospital where Margot experienced bouts of chaos and then of peace and quiet, we headed home, where chaos was her new norm!  "Welcome home baby Mar-doe, I am your big bwudda...and you my wittle bwudda!"

That night as we got ready for bed, Meredith was thrilled to be wearing matching pjs with her baby sister!  Thanks to her nanny and Margot's aunt Lei-lei.....it made bedtime a lot easier that night!

The new routine....three tikes...the blog needs a new name....help me!

Margot with her new favorite thing....her paci.  My first baby who may not take a nuk pacifier.  And who knows maybe she won't take one at all, because every time her sister sees it in her mouth she pulls it out, because she knows Margot will fall asleep with it and she wants Margot awake to play! 

Excuse the quality of these photos because they are all from my phone, because my camera card is at the local photography store so we could print the 100s of pictures taken this week.  I'll post more and funny stories this week!

The big day

Well tomorrow is the big day, I will officially have three tikes!  And the caboose will make her appearance.  I'll update when I can....send us good thoughts, wishes and prayers....life is about to change a whole hell of a lot!

It's a bird....It's a plane....It's super-suits!

Our new movie of choice in the homestead is The Incredibles.  Meredith absolutely loves it, and although it isn't Thomas or Cars, Noah likes it too.  We have owned it now about 2 weeks and watched it no less than 25 times.  A few weekends ago Josh took the kids to a superhero birthday party they were invited to.  I didn't realize that some of the kids were in superhero costumes, but my 4 year old let me know immediately that she was one of the kids who was not outfitted in her super gear.  She then asked if we thought her and Noah could get a super suit like the Incredibles in case they had another super hero party to go to, and for Halloween or just for everyday .  You never know when you may need to fight crime out in the country.  So I told her I would talk to the lady in the movie and see what she could do about two extra super suits.  Luckily she had some spare time and was able to whip up two extra suits and drop them off Friday night.  They were all laid out in the living room when the kids awoke Saturday morning.  They were thrilled.  We put Meredith's on immediately.  We had to convince Noah that if he put his on  he would be fast, but the robot from the movie would not show up at his house.  After a little convincing he put his on too.  They haven't taken them off since.

The super-tikes!  Violet and Dash.

Ready to fight crime.

Planning their next attack!  Eyes need to be closed for this!

After a day of fighting crime, all supers need a break with their blankies. 

Meredith chooses to watch herself on tv...

while Noah gets a little Thomas in...

Meredith wanted to know where mine and Josh's super suits were.  I told her they didn't make them for pregnant mommas and that I would have to wait until Margot arrives to get my own.  Come October if they are still in theirs I guess Josh and I will get some too for Halloween and see about a baby suit for Margot! 

Today is day 2 of super suits and after they awoke and ate breakfast, the super suits are back on!

A 4th of July photo-shoot....38 weeks pregnant....1 week to go!

As I looked as these I realized everyone lied....it is in my face....I am so swollen and ready.  I only  have 5 days left until the c-section....thank the Lord.  Happy Belated 4th of July.  It was a great one!

Meredith was ready to leave to see her friends...pictures were not on her agenda.  Noah was all smiles as usual.

After the threat of "Meredith smile or we aren't going", she started shedding tears....those empty threats never work here.  Noah still smiling.

One of me holding baby Margot...and Meredith showing off her baby in her belly....girl baby Tate!  This brought a smile to her face.

38 weeks preggers

Noah deciding if I was going to hold Margot I needed to hold him too.  I have a feeling this may be a rough transition.  Finally a smile from my big girl...I told her this was the last one.

Happy July everyone!

Only Noah

Noah has a love affair with black and white cookies.  Do you know what they are?  Oreos.  Double Stuffed are the best, but any kind will do.  The only way he will eat the entire cookie is with a glass of milk and really can you blame him.  If not he is a big fan of just removing the middle. 

I seriously have to limit the boy's consumption of black and white cookies.  It is nothing to find him in the pantry helping himself.  Or he can come down in the wee hours of the early morning and help himself before he comes to my bedroom to let me know he is awake and wants to play at a very indecent hour. 

Needless to say we always have a pack of black and white cookies in the pantry for a snack or an after dinner treat.  And while we are on the topic of snacking I will say I have a system that works pretty well for us....or at least did.  The kids get two snacks a day.  One in the morning and one in the afternoon.  While one snack must be a healthy snack, the other is a "junk" snack.  By junk snack I mean a few oreos, fudge round, cookies, fruit snacks, gold fish or some other pretty unhealthy processed food that is very appealing in the grocery.  The healthy snack will consist of cheese, fresh fruit, or yogurt. 

And true to my children's personalities, I see where it even affects their snacking habits.  While Meredith, who is my typical type A, first born child, will think this through and really decide at what point she wants the healthy snack and the "junk" snack and over think this decision until she is too worried about it to eat a snack at all, my other typical second child who  has the "I don't give a shit" attitude, doesn't think about it he just eats and when he has already consumed his "junk" snack he goes behind my back and helps himself to anything in the pantry.

I long suspected this and even caught him red-handed a few times.  It's hard to hide all that chocolate on your face when you are two.  But yesterday my suspicions were confirmed and made me realize this happens way more than I think it does.  It was time for the afternoon snack and it was deemed the "junk" snack.  So while Meredith still chose a go-gurt, Noah decided to have a few black and white cookies.  After fetching them from the pantry I opened them to find this....a bunch of  "bwoke" cookies.

So he started digging through the bag and pulling out halves of oreos with the white cream licked off and piling them onto his napkin....

After examining all the cookies and licking the cream off of the one or two he did find still intact, he deemed that they were "bwoke" and he needed new "back and white cookies momma!"

I think I may just have to find a lock for that pantry or place the snacks on the very top shelf....although I am not sure either of those things will stop the cookie monster!

what he says....dreams

Every morning we like to talk about dreams.  Most mornings Meredith reports on her scary dreams and Noah sits pretty quietly.  Last night Meredith and her little friend Grace had a sleepover at Mimi's.  Then bright and early this morning I dropped Noah off at Mimi's to go sit with my friend while my goddaughter got tubes.

When the girls awoke at Mimi's they were telling Mimi about their dreams.  Then Noah piped up.

"Wast night I dweam I fall out my geen bed and bwoke my head.  Den Dokka Hammett fix it!"

Now there is a mighty fine dream!

There is a reason she was last and not first

Thursday night was rather eventful here.  At 1am, we made the infamous call to my mom to please rush over to stay with the tikes so I could head to labor and delivery.  Why?  Not because of contractions or because my water broke, no, not that at all.  That would have been a blessing.  No, we headed to labor and delivery because I was most positive I was suffering from yet another kidney stone. 

You know, now that I think about it, I don't even think I mentioned that at 16 weeks pregnant with the caboose I passed and caught a kidney stone WITHOUT pain medication.   Oh yes I did internets, and I will tell you it was some kind of painful!  I awoke that morning thinking I had the worse UTI known to man, so I headed to my ob's office where I did a urine analysis.  Upon receiving those results my ob told me that he didn't think it was a UTI, but there was so much blood in my urine he was convinced it was another kidney stone and that I needed to head to my urologist and dear friend's husband's office.  So on my way there I stopped in the restroom in my ob's office where I cried in pain as I passed a few fragments of a stone.  I tried calling my husband and when I couldn't get him, I called my friend whose husband is my urologist and told her where I was and that I was dying and to call 911 to let them know that there was a pregnant lady in the waiting room bathroom who was going to die trying to get to the urology department.  I can be very dramatic.  She hung up with me to get help and thankfully my husband called back and came and got me otherwise I am sure I would have sent many a woman into early labor as they saw my corpse laying on the bathroom floor.  When I got to urology, they gave me a cup to give another urine analysis and believe it or not, I caught the little fucker in the cup.  I did, I swear.  Do you know how hard it is to catch a kidney stone...or how very hard it is to pass them with pain meds.  I'm not sure why I didn't tell you this story, but it happened.  And for the record I'm telling it now, so that there will be no "Mom you are so making this up!" when Margot is 16 and giving me some sob story, it is now officially on record.

Anyway back to Thursday night, I had the right back-sided pain that normally accompanies a kidney stone, trouble using the potty and then just lots of pain.  Of course the trouble using the potty came first, and with previous stones, it is normally in reverse.  Back pain, then trouble with the potty, then the crying, kicking and screaming.  But even though they weren't in the usual order, I still had all the symptoms.  I knew there wasn't much anyone was going to do for me over the phone without a urine analysis, so after trying to wait it out, the pain became so intense and then contractions started, that I had Josh call labor and delivery and they instructed us to come on in. 

We got there at 1:30am and the first thing I did was pee in a cup.  They then came in and gave me an iv for fluid and iv pain meds.  Thankfully those little meds worked immediately and like a charm.  Every three to four hours they came back to give me a few more.  I was delirious from pain and from the medicine so my memory is pretty fuzzy.

At 6:30am the ob on call from the night came in to ask if I was still in pain, which I was and to let me know that urology would be in to see me soon.  Josh had heard somewhere around 5am that my urine was clear, he then texted our friend, my urologist, to let him know he would be consulted that morning and what was going on.   At 7:30, my urologist came in to give me some of the best and worst news of the day.  I'll start with the best, my urine was clear, no blood, which meant in all likelihood it was not a kidney stone.  I was elated, because if there was no stone, that meant that the little sucker would not have to work itself out.  The only way to know for sure was a CT scan which isn't very good for the caboose so I opted not to do one, he along with Josh agreed with that decision.  The bad news was it was most likely the caboose's positioning that was causing the pain. 

She is so low and sitting on my bladder, blocking me from being able to potty which in turn in causing my kidney lots and lots of discomfort.  Yes, my caboose is now my very own kidney stone.  Like I said, there is  a reason she is my last born and not my first, because she would very well be my only.

Around 8:30am, the new ob taking over came in and she asked how I was doing.  I filled her in on my urologist's theory of the pain.  She then checked me and said without even getting to my cervix, she felt the baby's head, she was that low.  She also agreed with his theory or diagnosis of the pain.  The very bad part is there is absolutely nothing anyone can do for me, except prescribe me pain meds.  Because, pain due to her positioning is not a reason to take a baby early by c-section.  The on call ob wanted to keep me another night to monitor my pain, make sure I didn't go into early labor and also make sure no other kidney stone symptoms did appear, since we weren't a 100% sure.  I agreed reluctantly, when I found out they wouldn't just get the caboose out of me and off my bladder I just wanted my bed and a good cry.

Josh then called my ob who was at home with the day off, after talking to him, and the fact that I had learned they were putting me on a clear liquid diet, I decided going home was the much better option.  So at 11am, we headed home.  Friday was touch and go, I took my pain meds every 4-6 hours as recommended and when I decided to wait until 7 hours it was miserable.  That night was also rough, I awoke at 2:30am with that severe right sided back pain and could not get any urine out.  The pain was unbearable and indescribable.  I woke up my husband who gave me my pain meds, rubbed my back and comforted me and all  my delusional thoughts.  At 3am, I decided it was best to break down and cry about how I was failing the caboose as a mother before she was even here, because I couldn't withstand the pain.  I was taking drugs, that although were deemed safe for her, I wasn't convinced was entirely true.  I mean medication affects us all differently.  Yes, I had a mini mental breakdown, but my husband was once again my rock and talked me off that ugly ledge I was standing on and made it all better. 

Saturday I took it easy all day.  Josh was Mr. Mom, he took the kids to a birthday party that morning, then swimming at my mom's that afternoon, he and my mom served them lunch and dinner while I lounged around.  Then after dinner he decided to wear himself and the kids thoroughly out and took them for another swim.  That night we all came home and tuckered right out.  I got through the night with no pain and no breakdowns and I am proud to say I didn't take any pain meds today.  Thankfully my little stone has eased off of my bladder some and though I am not completely comfortable, I am much better and able to make it without pain medication.

So yes, little caboose, there is a reason you are my last baby.  Your pregnancy has  been a whirlwind adventure.  Between the morning sickness, they placental cysts, the kidney stone, the possible broken ankle, the fall that went with that ankle, the uti, the headaches, the pain at my previous c-sections scar and now the constant feeling of a  bladder infection and kidney stone, I am counting my blessings that I only have 2 weeks and 1 day left of being pregnant with you.  And by all means if you decide to go ahead and break my water and come a little early I WILL NOT hold that against you, but I'm betting you will stay in until July 13th even though you are physically trying to push yourself out now.  I mean if you drop any lower without me going into labor or my water breaking, I will be walking around with your head hanging out and that would be just gross.

Love you my caboose....Oh how I love you!

what she says....hooking up

Yesterday Meredith unintentionally said the most hysterical thing.  It sent Josh and I into a fit of giggles and poor baby, bless her heart, had no idea why.  Josh immediately corrected her, because she is getting to the age where her peers may also laugh at her mis-use of words.  I know this is best, but a big part of me is going to miss all those made up words.  Like ambulancer or fosa(sofa). 

So yesterday my baby girl had a bad case of the hiccups.  I had heard them off and on all day, her dad just getting in didn't hear them to know what she meant right away.

After a big hiiii-cuuup she said...
"Man I got these hook ups real bad!"

Josh stared at her wide eyed having no clue what she was talking about and a little afraid since his 4 year old was talking about hooking up, until we heard hiiii-cuuuup.  Then we giggled silently as she walked out, because she hates it when you laugh at her!

My grandfather....their great-grandpa

My grandmother was one of my most favorite people in the world and she died 7 years ago, the weekend before I went on my first date with my husband.  It pains me that he never got to meet such a special woman, because he woud have loved her as much as I did.  I know she often looks down from heaven and is very pleased with the man I decided to marry and is in the love with the family we created.  That being said I take the precious time that my grandpa has left on this earth and I make sure to take advantage of it, I make sure he knows my children and my husband.

My grandfather is also very special to me.  Growing up I was dubbed the apple of his eye and I have to say I love that man dearly.  Unfortunately we live 2 hours away from one another and with 2 tikes and a husband who works a lot, we don't get to visit as often as we like.  And him being 92 traveling here to south Mississippi is not always easy for him either.  However we do try to visit at least once a month, because it is a blessing he is still here at his age and I want to take every bit of advantage of that blessing and have my children know him and he know my children, because what in life is more important than family?  And this is the man who created my wonderful family and has made me feel so blessed to be a part of it my entire life!

Noah and his great grandfather.  It warms my heart that at the tender age of 2, Noah knows who he is and doesn't shy away from him.

Oh grandpa you are so funny!

You just crack me up grandpa!

But boy does he love him!

My big girl was too busy swimming like a fish for a photo-op so we snapped a few quick ones when she got out the pool.

And one of just her and him.

From guppies to goldfish!

The first two weeks of June the kids took swimming lessons.  They had 8 half hour sessions scheduled and due to the rain we made 7 of those 8 sessions.  The kids cried the first three sessions and reluctantly did what they were told and swam.  Then on the fourth session something changed and they both got in and swam without tears.  And they actually SWAM.  As in kicking their feet, moving their arms and gracefully in Meredith's case glided back and forth across the pool.

This is monumental for us.  Last year it was a fight to get Meredith into the pool with floaties.  Noah was a baby at 18 months, but he still took lessons and was indifferent.  This year though my guppies turned into little fish!  The can both swim.  Meredith can jump off and swim across the pool.  I have no fear of her  not being able to make it to the side and get herself out, of course that doesn't mean I won't be hyper vigilant with her in a pool. 

Noah has absolutely no fear, tons of confidence, but his swimming skills are still not so that he could get himself out of a drowning situation.  I've had to jump in after him twice.  Both times he came up smiling and proudly announced "I'm wimming momma....I'm wimming!"  I cannot take my eyes off of him for a millisecond, because he will find his way to the deep end and be "wimming by me-self".  I have to say this new talent from my two tikes makes me very proud and swimming a whole lot more fun.  Of course their bravery also makes me a tad nervous that they may actually wander outside of their mimi's house alone and decide to go for a swim alone as well.....well let me be honest, I don't fear Meredith would do that, but I have no doubt that given the opportunity Noah would.

My bathing beauty, waiting for her lesson to begin.  She will only wear teeny bikinis at the age of 4!

My big girl swimming across the pool.

And my baby boy showing off his mad skills too!

By me-self momma....wimming by me-self, I swear he looks just like a little fish!

A letter to the caboose about her dad

Dear Caboose,

In less than 4 weeks (3 weeks and 4 days to be exact) you will make your arrival via c-section.  I cannot wait, but am terrified and not ready at the same time!  I mean who really wants to be 9 months pregnant in June....the heat index yesterday 114.  I kid you not....feel the love my child!  Anyway as much as I am over being pregnant with the multiple middle of the night bathroom trips, the swollen feet and ankles, the fact that shirts are now riding up over my belly and nothing fits, the toting of the extra 30 pounds and my newest complaint the burning and severe lower abdominal pain around my previous c-sections scars and constant feeling that at any second you are going to fall right out...I love being pregnant with you.  Although I'm no fool.... taking care of you in my belly is a  hell of a lot easier than taking care of you outside, and I do get more sleep with you inside. But yes, even though you are easier to take care of inside, I am ready for you to come on out and meet the rest of the family.

Here are some things I want you to know....You are my baby, you are the one that I had to talk your dad into....although he gives in to most things I want pretty easily, so it wasn't hard at all.  In fact I think the conversation went like this...."I think I want a third baby."  "Well I'm pretty happy with two, but if you want three okay."   See, he's super easy, I'm sure you will figure out the tricks one day to get what you want too.  And I think it was so easy because deep down, he really secretly wanted a third baby too.  I'll be honest when we were dating I told him I definitely wanted three and possibly even 4.  He told me he would think about 1, but was definitely not doing 4.  Well look where we are now....I'm so glad that he loves me so damn much.  Although I asked about the possibility of you getting a little brother or sister one day and he said absolutely not.  That's the other thing with your dad....he has limits, don't push him past them.....and you will know what those limits are.  Three kids is his limit.

But you caboose, along with Meredith and Noah, are damn lucky.  You have been blessed with one of the greatest dads in the world.  He occasionally works very long hours and lots of late nights and weekends when he is on call, but when he's not he tries to be home in time for dinner and to spend some time with you all.  He leaves earlier to start earlier to get home earlier.  And when he comes home he hangs up one hat to put on another and do that job even better than the first.  He walks in and the first thing he does is kiss me and the tikes hello, gushes about how much he missed us and then he asks about you.  He asks what he can help with around the house like dinner and then if there isn't grass to be cut, trash to be taken out, a fire to put out in the kitchen, a dishwasher to be unloaded, he will get right down on the ground and start playing.

After playtime he helps your sister and brother set the table and when we are finished eating he clears the table and does the dishes while I sit with my swelling feet up.  We then play some more or talk about our days and before you know it, it is bath and bed time.  We used to rotate bath nights, but because you have made it increasingly difficult to lean over the tub to bathe the tikes, he has now taken over that duty as well.  Once everyone is tucked tight into bed, I climb into mine.  He then retires to his office to finish up office work he left undone to get home earlier, but he also picks up the house, sometimes does a little laundry, folds laundry I didn't get to and multiple other things I take for granted.  Not to mention refill my water glass a million times a night so I don't have to.  I'm spoiled.

Before he comes to bed he lets the dog out once more, checks on the tikes to make sure they are snuggled in for the night and then crawls into bed feeling like his day is not long enough and he hardly got anything accomplished.  If he only knew how accomplished a man and father he is.  There isn't anyway he could be a more hands on father or a better father.  He has worries and work and deadlines, but we always see his happy face as Meredith would say.  He hardly ever raises his voice and has more patience than anyone I have ever met.   Now I'm not saying he won't get mad at you or correct you....because he will....I'm just saying you are lucky because he normally has a more rational and productive ways of handling things than your very dramatic mother.

So Margot, even though you won't be able to coo and look into your daddy's eyes this weekend, I just wanted you to know how special he is on your first father's day with him.  He is a hell of a guy and you are so blessed along with Meredith and Noah to have his as your daddy.  And I am even more blessed to have him as my husband and  partner through this journey in parenthood and life.

"Happy Father's day Joshua! From me and the tikes!"

Love,
mandi

Getting ready for Margot!

As hard as it is for me to believe, the caboose will be here in exactly five weeks tomorrow!  I am 34 weeks here.  Besides this picture below there is no way to prove by photographic evidence that I was ever pregnant with her.  So enjoy, because I promise no others!  I have gained approximately 25lbs at this point.  Which is way less than I did with the other two.  Perhaps it is due to the fact that I am still going to the gym regularly or eating a little bit healthier.....no not really....it must be the gym.  And I am eating less than I did with the others....not healthier....just less.  And I am also chasing two tikes around this time.  So enjoy this belly picture, like I said it will probably be the only one you see.

Margot's room is also finished.  I promise to take some pics and post them soon.  I have her car seat, still in the box, but I have it.  I also have a few gowns to bring with me along to the hospital and a going home outfit.  Other than that, not to much is done.  But hey, it's a third child I figured we would wing it.  Although buying some diapers to have at home when we bring her home may be nice.  And we may need to pick up a few other things for her to wear, since I cannot find any of Meredith's clothing she wore the first year of her life.  I have no clue, we have combed through the attic and came up with nothing. 

This weekend though I got a bug up my butt to cook some meals to freeze for after she arrived.  Round here in Southern Mississippi, your church normally brings you food for months, but we aren't baptist or Presbyterian....we are Catholic....and in true Catholic fashion they only bring you over a 6 pack to celebrate the birth of your child.  I'm kidding, but catholics aren't big on the meal thing. 

I'm not saying that no one will bring us food....my friends and mom are great and have already told us they will keep us from dying of starvation.  So these meals are for after those are gone and I am too tired and have one of those days that I can't locate my head much less plan and cook a meal.  These are some frozen chicken casseroles that I can pull out the freezer, whip in the oven and voila'!  Dinner is served. 

I have to admit my fabulous husband helped me out and without him I probably couldn't have done it.  We tagged team cooking and taking care of the kids and then he did all of the packaging and clean up!  God I love that man!

So here is my day of cooking...I'm more of a chef than a photographer so use your vivid imagination.  Here are most of the ingredients for my 6 chicken casseroles!

And here is 6lbs of chicken, cleaned and cubed and ready for cooking.  I'm really picky about chicken, I cut out all the veins and other funky stuff so this is really a product of blood, sweat and tears...and it's probably only 4lbs of chicken now.

And here is the mess I had going on over on my stove.  Okay so they are empty....remember we talked about using your imagination....now is the time.  I couldn't really cook and take pictures.

But I did get a little braver as the cooking continued....and here is one of the actually food being prepared.

And then to prove the world's greatest husband helped....here he is cooking.

And here is another picture of the work in progress.  The children are occupied at the table with donuts.

And because I didn't take one of the finished product with my good camera...I was just way too tired at that point....here is the final product with the phone camera!

6 chicken dishes...2 chicken/broccoli casseroles, 2 poppy seed chicken casseroles, and 2 chicken tetrazzinis.

Rainy summer days

It has rained everyday this summer....I kid you not.  Which just proves how hot it is....even the sky knows it needs to cool this summer down.  The rain has not put a damper on our summer though.  We have made the best of it.  Hell, let's be honest, the kids missed swimming lessons Friday due to the rain and they were thrilled.  BEST NEWS OF THE DAY!  Meredith was proud to announce once she knew they were cancelled that, that was going to be the day she didn't cry. 

So with all the rain and lightening and thundering that has been around lately, we decided to make the best of it.  What do you do after a powerful storm....you play in puddles.  Unfortunately we only have a little puddle in front of our house, so we are forced to drive the jeeps around the corner to  hang out in the best puddle in the neighborhood.

We run really fast through it.

And jump really high in them!  The bigger the splash the better.

We then make delicious mud pies!

Which we try very hard to get our momma to taste!  Sorry guys baby Margot refuses to eat mud pies!

We then clean up our muddy hands!

And then repeat the process all over again! Run, jump, muddy hands...then clean up!

This never gets old....and makes for two happy smiling faces!

Smiley, little dirty faces that is!

But it's summer and if you can't get a little wet and dirty on those hot summer days when can ya!

Only Noah -- what he says

Deep Thoughts

"momma I a boy and ta-ta a girl and you a girl....no you not a girl...you a momma...and tata not a girl....she's a mere-dif.....and I'm a boy and a no-wah"

****

With his Poppa in the driveway riding his jeep

"Hey Noah where you heading"

while pointing to his head "Is wight here poppa"

****

Talking about giving away his pacifier (uh-oh) with his sister

"Noah if you give your uh-oh away like ta-ta did we can go to disney world....you wanna give your uh-oh away?"

"NO Ta-ta I no yike Disney World!"

****

Ice cream sundaes after swimming lessons - my fav

"Hey guys you wanna go get an ice cream"

"YAY YAY ME WANNA ICE CEAM"

"Okay let momma run in and change and we will go"

after getting back in the car

"Okay let's go get a sundae"

"NO MOMMA ice ceam today....not to-ma-ROW....NOT SUNDAY....TOOO-DAY!"

What he says....my new favorite saying

On Monday the kids and I headed back to the ENT to see Dr. H.  We love Dr. H as I mentioned below.  He is "a funny guy" as Meredith would put it.  Anyway when it came to Noah's turn to get in the big chair to have his ears checked out, he jumped right in and sat as still as can be, which is saying a lot for my Noah man who constantly has ants in his pants.  When he was done he told Noah "You can hop down, but you and momma have to come back in, in two weeks to let me see those ears again, okey dokey?"

And Noah looked right up at him with his biggest grin and said "OKIE OKIE!"

To which Dr. H said "Sounds good okey dokey!"

And Noah giggled and again said "OKIE OKIE!"

It's now his new favorite saying and I have to admit, mine too!

When did she get so dang big?

Today my big girl was scheduled for surgery.  She was having tubes put in and her adenoids removed....can we say scary?  At least that is what I thought.  And that was before I realized that not only would they be putting my baby to sleep, but they would also be putting a breathing tube down her throat.  It's probably a very good thing I found out five minutes before her surgery started, otherwise I wouldn't have made it. 

My game plan for this surgery was to tell Meredith as little as possible about it, until the morning of.  I knew we were doing this 2 weeks ago.  Meredith knew a little bit, like she was now going to get some hot pink ear plugs to wear like Noah does.  And that now when we go to visit the crazy Dr. H, he would be checking her ears out too.  That part she loved.  She also kind of clued in when her little friend Sam brought her balloons and a pink puppy dog.  Yes, Sam as in Sam a boy.  I know....she's only 4 years old and already has a boy bringing her balloons and stuffed animals.  I have to say though, Sam is a cutie!

Back to surgery....we arrived bright and early, signed in, where whisked away to the back, checked in by several nurses and then greeted by Dr. H.  And speaking of Dr. H, can I just say he is my hero.  Seriously he is.  He has a way of making my kids feel at home and secure and their momma too.  Meredith didn't even shed a tear when the came to get her and take her back to the OR.  She gave us a kiss and was wheeled away with a loopy smile on her face.  Loopy due to the drugs they gave her to relax, but still no tears.  Dr. H then came out to tell us, that she was happily blowing up the balloon, a tactic they were using to get her to sleep.  He's a fabulous doctor and I am so happy to have a wonderful ENT in our lives, especially with the rampant ear infections we have experienced lately. 

Anyway bright and early this morning I learned the 5-7 minute procedure that I was expecting like when Noah got his tubes was not going to happen.  Apparently it is alot more involved when you remove someones adenoids and that takes 25-30 minutes.  Yes, that is a huge deal.  And for those that think it isn't.....when it is your baby, it totally is.  Anytime it is anything having to do with one of your babies it is a VERY BIG FREAKING DEAL.  Can you tell I have been harboring some feelings on people trying to blow off my concerns and worries about the surgery? 

All in all the procedure was great.  Meredith came out of recovery fast asleep and slept really well for the next hour.  She then woke up and looked at Josh and I and told us "you woked me up too early!"  Then we offered her some sprite or a Popsicle and she took a sip and dozed right back off. 

We headed home about an hour and half after the procedure where she napped some more and then watched movies for the rest of the day.  She didn't shed a tear all day, until the lady pulled the tape off her arm to remove her "princess glove" or IV and then again when we were home and she was told to share her balloon with her brother.  Other than that not a single tear all day! 

She was a much better patient than I ever would have been.  Even Dr. H commented on what a brave girl I had.  She totally does not get that from me, I guess that is more of Josh in her.  Although I will be the first to admit my girl is 98% her momma and 2% her daddy.  I'm glad she got some of his courage when it comes to medical procedures.  Maybe she will grow up to be a doctor like she wants.

I have no idea when she got so big and brave?  When she decided she could face some of the world on her own...she's growing up and although it pains me that it is happening too fast, I love the little girl she is growing up to be.

My brave big girl getting ready for her tubes.

And although she was such a big girl going back with the nurse and CRNA.  I was happy she came back looking more like my baby and sleeping soundly.

Thanks to all of you for the prayers and well wishes!  She did fabulous and has made almost a complete recovery by tonight.  I am so thankful for that.  I was expecting the worst and she really made it look like a piece of cake!