It's been a while

I know that I have been MIA because of the new baby craziness.  There have been plenty of times that I have thought "gee, I need to blog."
Charlie has been a new kind of hard for me.  The honeymoon period ended around two weeks and the next 3 and a half have been hard.  I am talking tear evoking, sleep deprived, earnest prayers to God, hard!  Charlie has taken food sensitivity to a different level.  Food has been a thing I feared over the last couple weeks.  Through searching online, trial and error, and many suggestions I have finally figured out what I can and cannot eat.  In doing so, our nights have gotten better.  My diet is limited but Charlie no longer cries in pain for an hour at a time and if I do eat something wrong I can suppliment with goat's milk.  If any of you come across a kid that is sensitive to everything I have two suggestions.  One, take them to the chiropractor.  That was a huge help getting his digestive system right.  Instead of constipation woes and a sour tummy he poops regularly which is a blessing.  Two, try to suppliment with goat's milk.  It is the most like mother's milk and it works wonders for the little angel that can't handle certain foods you eat.  I know this phase will not last forever.  I know that things will get better and they are starting to do so.  Here are some pictures that I never got to share.

I love doing newborn pictures in black and white.  I don't really know why but it speaks simplicity to me and that is what babies are.  Sweet and uncomplicated... when they are sleeping:)  

  

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Charlie is here

Yes, he came.  July 8th at 2:08 am little Charlie came into the world and has made our lives complete.  Aside from the usual baby stuff (sleeping 3-4 hours at a time at night) he is an easy baby.  He can put himself to sleep and loves to be held.  The boys are smitten with him and love to help me all the time.  My delivery was good.  I had to be induced because they measured my water and it was 1.5 liters lower than average.  The baby was in no distress at the time and they wanted to keep it that way so to my delight they suggested induction.  What?  I get to have my baby three days before my due date?  Woo-hoo!  We decided to induce nice and slow so I could labor as natural as possible but I won't go into the details too much.. gross.  I received an epidural about 7 hours in and they broke my water.  After about two more hours they started pitocin and within another hour and a half I told the nurse I felt the need to push.  In less than ten pushes Charlie came out loud and proud.  Jesse, as always, was a great coach.  Our nurse mid-wife was fantastic too.   Here are some pictures to commemorate Charlie's birth.

Me at 11 hours.  I know I look amazing... haha!  I believe this was taken as a contraction was coming on.

Charlie's first picture.  Not too happy about the flash!

Our nurse mid-wife, Mimi

After camping out on Mt boobious for about a half an hour.

Proud Dad

Super excited brothers!  Look at my handsome sons:)

Frank's first time holding Charlie.  He is still trying to keep count of how many times he has held him.

Oliver's first time holding Charlie.  Ollie calls himself the medium brother

My handsome guy at about a week old.

We are all doing well and adjusting to having our new family member.  Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

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Typical Summer Day

So I woke up this morning determine to fill this day with things to do.  Lately, with baby on the way, I have kept our schedule open in hopes he will arrive and change my life in the crazy ways that babies do.  Today was going to be different!  I decided to ignore my aching hips and non-productive contractions and have a good day with the kids.
             We started with going to the library in the morning around 9:45.  The library at Lindo Lake has a new craft for the kids to make every week.  Today we made Chinese fans.  After coloring and folding and gluing the fans the boys and I went to work picking out books for us to read this week.  We are part of the San Diego County Library Summer Reading Club.  We keep a log of when and what the kids read and after 300 minutes they earn something.  I don't know what yet.
  I also found some easy readers for Frank to master for his at home reading chart.  Every time he can read me a book without any help he gets a sticker on his chart.  After three stickers he gets to pick from my prize bag.  Once he gets really good we will have to extend the amount of stickers but you get the idea.  Frank really does love to read BUT he will make up words or insert words so he can keep going instead of sounding things out and really looking at what he is reading.  So, using the chart, we are working on his concentration.
We happened to be at the library during Toddler Story Time too.  The boys had fun reading, singing, and being silly with the lady in charge and there was quite a group of kids too.  Once we were done at the library we went by the 99 cent store for some shopping.  I found some great shade flowers called impatience to plant.  Once we got home and grabbed a small snack I looked at my watch.  11:50?  Seriously???  I felt like we had done so much.
The boys and I headed out into the heat to plant my flowers in the shade and transplant my basil and pepper plants from pots to the full sun flower bed.  We worked the soil to make it hospitable for the new plants.  Ollie and Frank were my water carriers since our hose is on the opposite side of the house.  Together we sweat, planted, and watered and FINALLY finished.  As I walked back into the house I figured we should make lunch.  After lunch I looked at the clock again, 1:15?  Holy hanna!  What else is there to do?  The POOL!
We changed into our suits.  Ollie and Frankie dutifully held out their arms as I sprayed them down with sunscreen.  The boys rode their bikes and I walked down to our community pool where we swam until three.  Our pool is heated to roughly 87 degrees so after about 15 minutes it doesn't feel that refreshing to me but getting the weight off of my back is heaven.  Once we were home again I decided we needed to make a healthy snack of frozen bananas dipped in chocolate.  Oh so good!  If you haven't tried this activity with your children it is so fun.  Get the packet at the store that is by the bananas and just do it.  You will thank me.  Bananas and chocolate consumed the boys decided they wanted to play outside again.  So, here I sit.  Looking at the clock and still not believeing it is not five or later.  The boys are playing nicely outside without me refereeing for the first time today and my belly is contracting once again.
We were busy and productive.  I feel accomplished knowing my TV has stayed off for the majority of the day.  Tomorrow....... we'll see.

Update- while writing this the boys decided to take it upon themselves to wash Jesse's truck.  Would have been a good idea except we had floor boards that are going to go around the whole inside of our house under neath the truck.  I just spent the last 10 minutes getting twelve 25ft pieces off of the wet cement and laying them as flat as possible across the truck bed and various trash cans.  So, when you come home dad, act surprised about the "clean" truck NOT the possibly warpped pieces of wood.

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A joke worth sharing...

Read this and laugh out loud:)

The Haircut                 

A teenage boy had just passed his driving test and inquired of his father as to when they could discuss his use of the car.   His father said he'd make a deal with his son: 'You bring your grades up from a C to a B average, study your Scriptures, and get your hair cut.  Then we'll talk about the car.'   After about six weeks his father said, 'Son, you've brought your grades up and I've observed that you have been studying your Scriptures, but I'm disappointed you haven't had your hair cut.  The boy said, 'You know, Dad , I've been thinking about that, and I've noticed in my studies of the Bible that Samson had long hair, John the Baptist had long hair, Moses had long hair ~ ~ ~ and there's even strong  evidence that Jesus had long hair.'    

You're going to love the Dad's reply: 

'Did you also notice that they all walked everywhere they went?'

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And so it begins...

The baby's room has been a major stopping point for me lately.  I just can't seem to get my nest on!  Well not any more!  As some of you know we had mold growing in that room.  I was super upset and demanded the invader be neutralized immediately!  After cutting out the affected area, fixing the leak, drying it out, sterilizing it, mudding, taping, texturing, and priming we had a new wall and could start putting the baby's room together.  After all of Jesse's hard work I got to pick out the paint and get going.  So I picked out the paint, got the rollers, taped the trim and.... just couldn't get started.  I have been discouraged about my house lately.  I haven't been able to do any projects because we have been so busy with everything else.  HOW am I suppose to get anything done?
Yesterday that all changed.  Jesse had started painting the higher parts of the room about a week ago and yesterday I entered Charlie's barren domain and knocked out the whole thing.  I got the base color done and now get to tape stripes so we can diversify his room with a complimentary color.  I also got little jungle animal wall stickers to put around his room.  Next I raided craigslist and found some shelves that are just the right hight for $10.  We picked those up today.  Ollie has been so good about letting me work!  Tomorrow I tape the stripes and paint the dresser if I have time.  Don't worry, pictures will be posted once the project is complete:)  

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Eye Q Giveaway

I rarely blog about other people's giveaways but this is an amazing one.  A phonics reading program designed for early readers that is usually $200.00 is being GIVEN AWAY for free!  Click here to learn more and show Amy some love.  Let her know I sent you so I can get extra entries :)

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Life is all about making choices

This morning I woke up with a cloud over my head and tears in my eyes.  The third trimester hormone roller coaster is not my favorite ride and this morning I hit a low.  Thanks to a super busy weekend plus Monday with NO regular exercise I was in bed ignoring my children and trying not to cry.
I assessed the day and realized that something had to give.  I belong to a wonderful group of professional photographers that go out and shoot for fun once a month.  It's great doing what I love for a living but I find myself avoiding my camera when I am busy with jobs.  I don't go out to shoot just because as much.  That is what this group is for:)  An outlet of creativity.  We were suppose to be doing a shoot today up in Elfin Forest.  I decided my mental state and my children's happiness were more important than shooting. I texted my apologies, from my bed, and attempted to start the day.  After getting upset about Frank not getting dress and Ollie punching Frank where the sun don't shine I found myself standing in the middle of the kitchen with both boys on time out.  From there I had to make another choice.  Do I forge through till tonight when I have to teach water aerobics to get my endorphine boost and shake off the day or do I go to the gym this morning and shake off the day before it begins??  I finally got the boys settled down to breakfast and Ollie asks me for his Slurpee.  What?  You mean the one that you finished 95% of so I tossed  the rest?  Yup, that would be the one.  As my son fought back unconsolable tears about his loss I decided I needed to get the heck out of dodge as soon as possible.  Jesse came home from work and took over with the boys.  I took off.  I drove down the road listening to yet more coverage of the Osama Bin Laden killing/burial/conspiracy(really?) on NPR.  I laughed as the interviewer asked "so what do you think people feel over the death of Obama?"  Whoops!  Guess we knew what was on her mind.  I got to the gym, retrieved my googles and cap and shoved my stuff into a locker that I never lock.  I must still have some faith in the general public.  Heading for the pool, I just prayed I wouldn't have to share a lane this morning.  I wanted to be selfish for a half an hour.  I wasn't in the mood for slow people or breathing in others wake!  Whew, one open.  I pulled on my cap, adjusted my goggles and started.  The workout was nothing to shout about but it was finally me time.  The noise blocking water with little to no thoughts running through my head was awesome.  After about a half an hour I had to call it quits.  I know my body's limits and teaching tonight meant I had to take it easy this morning.  As I showered and got ready I realized how lucky I was to have had the opportunity to "do over" the day.  I feel better and know that my day will not be what it could have been.  Am I still emotional?  Yes.  Am I in control?  I am now.    

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