CHRISTmas pictures!

So with 4 boys it's not easy to get them all smiling and looking at the camera at the same time. The first one is too blurry...

Jonah refused to smile...

Another one of Jonah NOT smiling...

Chris likes this one but I wanted them to all be looking at the camera...

Once again Jonah was holding back his smile. And you can see Jaron's tonsils!

Silly boys....

We got the flu for Christmas!

Monday night Justus started running a fever of 101 so I rushed him to the ER and they admitted him. Not knowing what he had and because he is so tiny the standard procedure is the test for everything. He had blood work, urine test and even a spinal tap. He was very dehydrated when we got there so after 5 sticks in his hands for an IV with no luck, they decided to call NICU to do his IV in his head. It was not fun watching all this happen to my little baby. He was so lathargic and seemed almost lifeless.



His eyes were crusted over so they started using some eye ointment while we were there too.
So the biggest concern was he might have menegitis. They have to check for everything in a baby his age. So we had to wait 48 hrs for the cultures from the blood, urine and spinal fluid. They watch it in the lab to make sure no bacteria grows for 48 hrs. They kept his fever down with tylenol and gave him 2 broad spectrum antibiotics for those 48 hrs to cover anything just incase.

They also decided to test for the flu and RSV and he was positive for the flu but he's too little to take meds for it. We still had to wait on cultures to rule out everything.

So we spent 3 nights there and they finally let us go home today. They said the cultures all came back negative and he has not had a fever since yesterday morning.

Even though he was on IV fluids and sick with the flu he was nursing very good the whole time we were there.

Oh forgot to mention Jaron came home Friday with strep throat and Jacob also got the flu. I think I have it too but no time to get to the doctor so they just called me in some meds anyway. Jonah and Chris are the only ones without any symptoms so far....MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Jesus loves me

His quick arrival...

Well as you know Justus was laying sideways in utero and I was very worried about having c-section. So we went to the hospital on Tues Nov. 30th to get a version. The doctor came in and pressed on my belly and turned the baby head down @ 1:27pm. It wasn't too painful but SO worth it. He suggested I go home and wait for natural labor to start. I said no I'd rather be induced because I knew he was big and I was afraid he might flip over again.

So we started the induction with cervidil @ 4:30pm to thin out my cervix.
They removed the cervidil @ 11pm
started pitocin @ 12am
midwife came in @ 7:30am and broke my water and I was dilated to 3 cm.
I got my epidural @ 8:30am
I was dilated to 5 cm @ 10:20am
By 11:30am I had already dialted to 9 1/2 cm
I started pushing at 12 noon on Dec. 1st and he was born at 12:12pm

Once again (like Jonah's birth) my epidural didn't work on one side of my body. I was in a lot of pain and wanted to give up. Thank God he came out fast! In the words of my midwife "he came barrelling out!" Thank God I didn't have to have a c-section!!!

Jonah is more comfortable with holding him now that he is off the bili lights.

He told me to slow down the other day in Walmart because baby Justus was going to fall out of the buggy.

Justus had jaundice for longer than any of my other children. He had to be on the billi lights at home for 7 days. He got his heels pricked 7 times to check the bilirubin levels in his blood. As my milk came in his levels went down and he finally flushed it all out of his system. Oh those lights...dragging it from room to room trying to keep him on it between feeding and diaper changing. It was a huge pain in the neck.

Finally FREE from the lights and we caught a smile!

The boys just LOVE him.

They showered him with "soft toys"

Jaron wants to hold him all the time. Even when I'm nursing....he wants me to stop nursing so he can hold him immediately.

More Pictures!

He's here!

Justus Andrew arrived December 1st @ 12:12pm. He weighed 8lbs. 8oz. And is 21 inches long. The doctors were able to turn him inutero so I had him naturally and was able to avoid the dreaded c-section. He is nursing great and we are home with our family. Thank God for all our boys!

I am thankful for...

...God's mercy and grace.
...Jesus dying on the cross for me and you.
...the Bible.
...my husband and his dedication to the Lord and our family.
...a nice house to live in.
...a dependable van to drive.
...food to eat.
...clothes to wear.
...3 (almost 4) handsome little boys.
...my parents and my in-laws.
...God supplying all our needs.
...my health.

I wanted to post this on Thanksgiving day but it just didn't work out. I guess I ate too much! :-D

Little Minds~Big Thoughts

The other day Jonah (2) asked me...."What color is God?"

Jacob said "I know why God made men marry women...because they can do different things"

I asked Jaron what he is thankful for and he said "Jesus"

Our boys are so smart and come up with some of the funniest, silliest, deepest thoughts.

Jonah told me when Justus comes out "No stroller mommy...I hold him"

Jacob sees me struggling to walk around and said "I feel sorry for your belly"

Jaron has been more interested in using the computer lately and he likes educational games that always teach something. He is so smart I just wish he could control his energy. We filled out the questions for ADD (his teacher and I) and she faxed them to the pediatrician. I got a call today that the doctor wants to see me to talk about the results. They wanted me to come in Dec. 1st. I said UH...can't I'll be in the hospital having a baby. So I had to make it for Dec. 14th.

I am so curious what they think. I also got a call from the pshycologist about meeting for the possible PICA. (Craving metal) Before making an appointment I have been sure to give Jaron plenty of vitamins daily even though he can't chew the gummy ones. He sucks on them until they are gone. It might be helping too. I haven't seen him putting any cars in his mouth here at home lately. They are out of school this week, but I am anxious to see how he does in school with staples, paper clips and scissors everywhere.

ADD & PICA

Jaron has always loved metal things in his mouth. I mean since he was born. After surgeries and post op recovery he loved to suck on our watches, keys or anything he could get in his mouth. As he got older he discovered match box cars are metal and he also sneaks coins out of my purse. Now that he has started kindergarten it has become a serious problem. His teacher sends home notes daily. He puts paperclips, thumb tacks, safety pins & scissors in his mouth at school. We are so nervous we're going to get a call one day saying he's poked a hole in his palate or something. So I started researching "craving metal objects" and learned about PICA. It's common in pregnant women and children. They symptoms are craving non food items or non nutritious items. Jaron could possibly be deficiant in something causing him to crave metal or it could just be from trauma to his mouth as a baby. It might just be a bad habit he's formed and we have to teach him to break it. We are making sure he gets plenty of vitamins now that I am aware that could be the reason and hoping this will help him stop.

He is also at the top of his kindergarten class in reading. He taught himself how to read when he was 4. He's also very smart in math, but he's not doing good with fine motor skills like writing and cutting. He has a very hard time staying focused and gets in trouble a lot at school for not listening, playing, talking, wrestling, etc. We think he may have ADD. I am not sure that I want to give him any type of prescription for this. I think they supress the appetite and he cannot afford that. He's already TINY! So his teacher and I filled out the forms from the doctor to deteremine if he has ADD and I'm waiting to hear back. In the mean time I am researching herbal rememdies and supplements for ADD that would be a safer option.

If you know anything about either one of these topics and have any suggestions or advice please comments. I'm getting desperate for answers.

BIG CHUNKY BABY!

I went back to the doctor today for another ultrasound. Justus is approx. 7lb. 6oz. He is head down today~but there is still a chance he could turn again. My blood pressure is good, placenta looks healthy, and there's plenty of fluid around the baby. Thank God for all that!

Jonah Dancing

The boys wanted to listen to some music in the house. We don't have a cd player so we just put cd's in the tv. We have lots of kids music we listen to in the van so I sent Jacob out to get them out of the van. They all love music and Jonah wanted to show off.

To Each His Own...

Well after having 3 children in the hospital I have learned what I like and what I don't. I must say that having your whole family and your church family all come to the hospital is very over whelming for me.

After a woman delivers a child her hormone levels are all over the place. She is trying to recover and very uncomfortable with her post pregnant body. Nothing fits right. We all want to get right back into our regular clothes but you can't. Maternity clothes are the only thing that fit. It's depressing.

So smiling for the cameras and friends is the last thing I'm in the mood for. I love that bonding time with my baby for nursing and getting to know him. I don't like the constant interuptions from visitors. I know some might find this rude or not normal. But you should know by now I am not normal. I usually do things my way and most of the time I don't really care how everyone else does it.

When I am ready to show my baby to the world and comfortable in my own skin again I will bring him to church. Of course I don't mean our parents visiting. I am very modest and don't feel comfortable laying there in my night gown for all to see me in that condition. It just feels like a very private family moment.

I hope you all understand and even if you don't...I hope you will respect my wishes anyway.

Oh and all you mothers out there please feel free to comment and let me know how you feel about visitors after childbirth.

Babysitting

This is the little girl I babysat for 1 year. We love her and she is a very easy child to take care of. I am not sure if I will start babysitting again after the baby is born. It depends how I feel. I am taking the whole month of December off to get comfortable breastfeeding Justus and I might start back in January. MAYBE....

I can see you....

I know I have several readers. Blogger shows me who visits my blog and where you are. I wish more people would comment. But even if you don't just wanted you to know that I can see you. Just thought you might want to know. You can't stalk me in secret. :-D

Too Much Water?

Well I went to the doctor today for another check up. I am measure BIG! She felt around my belly a lot and said it feels like I have a lot of fluid in there so plenty of room for him to swim around. He was hiccuping last night way down low and kicking up high. But today his head was on my side. Then again tonight he got the hiccups way down low. So I guess he really is just swimming around in there...like I tell the boys.

I do drink TONS of water like most people drink coffee or tea. I LOVE COLD WATER! I think I am addicted to it. Can't get enough and that contributes to how much fluid is around the baby.

So we are looking at getting induced Nov. 29th still. If he is still breech then they will try to turn him by pushing on my belly if I want them to try. I hear that it is very painful and it also has risks. Or we can just go ahead with a c-seciton. I've never had one and don't want one so I am still praying that he moves into position and stays that way.

So here it is...the one and only picture I will post of me pregnant. The boys all love to touch my belly and talk to their baby brother inside. They love to feel him move and we are counting down the days until he arrives!

Almost there....

I am counting down the days LITERALLY! He's still not in the right position but we are still praying. Are you?

Our boys are so ready to see him. Chris can't wait to see what he looks like. I can't wait to see if he has any hair. The other boys were all pretty much bald until they were one.

I have dropped 2 of the kids I was babysitting and now I am down to one little girl and next week will be her last week. I just can't do it anymore. I am HUGE! I know some may want to see a picture of me so I might get brave and take one soon. MAYBE....

We got a rocking chair for free from someone. I finally found the perfect dresser to use for Justus' clothes and his changing table on top of it. I have the room all ready. His clothes are all washed and folded neatly in the drawers. The swing, carseat & bouncy seat covers have all been washed. I found a baby bath at a yard sale for just $4. The baby bag is packed for the hospital and I made my list of things I need for myself but just haven't packed it yet.

Chris worries about me every time I go to Walmart for groceries. I never take longer than one hour but he thinks I will go into labor. I am not worried because I never have early labor. I am just very uncomfortable right now so I use the handicapped motorized scooters in walmart. I know it's hilarous but at this point I don't really care what anyone thinks. I can't walk that whole store and besides, Jonah loves to "help me drive".

All the boys winter clothes are out of the attic and summer clothes put away. I have bagged up all my maternity clothes that I can no longer wear. I am cleaning more and more trying to get things done so I won't have to do it after he arrives. Chris is always doing the laundry and emptying the dishwasher for me. He's so great at taking over when he sees I can't do it. I usually want to take over and do everything myself but right now that is impossible. I have to let him help me. I just feel bad because he works so I feel like the house work is my job.

Of course there is more I would like to do before the baby comes like paint the boys room and maybe our room but I doubt it will happen. We did manage to repaint the bathroom and put up wall border & paint Jonah's and Justus' room since I have been pregnant.

I have developed carpal tunnel from the swelling in my hands. It's pregnancy induced and should go away after he's born. If you don't know what it's like I'll tell you. My hands are numb right now from typing too much. They go numb during the night and I can't bend my fingers when I wake up. It's not fun but I can do this....it's only 24 more days....right. :-/

I think I can....I hope I can....I know I can.....I guess I can......

Dress-Up

Well if you didn't already know. We do not celebrate Halloween. We are christians and we believe in being set apart from the world. We want people to see something different about us. We don't think we are better than anyone else we are just trying to live according to the Bible and do what is pleasing to the Lord. Halloween originated from some very evil things and we don't see any reason to take part in it. There is nothing christ-like about it so we don't feel like, as christians, we should participate. Everyone has there own beliefs and some may be offended by this post but that's why it's my blog and not yours.

So usually after halloween is over I go buy costumes on clearance for our boys to play with and dress up year round just for fun. They love their costumes we found.

still sideways...

Well I am pretty sure I can still feel this baby's head on my right side. He's very big and is running out of space to rotate downward. I am a little worried....or should I say A LOT! I've never had this problem before and I don't want to have a c-section. Please pray for him to move down SOON! I am ready to see him and anxious to be on my feet again and doing my part around here. Chris basically does everything. He works and feeds the kids and bathes them and does homework with them. Everytime I get up my stomach tightens up and I have to go back to the recliner. Sometimes I feel like he's going to kick his feet right out of me. I know anything is possible and he could turn at the last minute so please pray that he does. I cannot be laid up for 6 weeks recovering from a c-section.

Silly Glasses

We bought some pipe cleaners for a science project Jacob has to do and the boys had fun with some glasses I made for them.

Another Big Boy!

I went to the doctor today for my ultrasounnd and she said Justus is in the 83% and his body is measuring about 35-36 weeks but I'm only 34 weeks pregnant so that means he could be 9 pounds! OUCH!

(Just a reminder my first two were 8 lbs even and the third was 8 lbs. 13 oz one week early)

So my blood pressure is fine and everything is on track, except Justus is laying sideways in my uterus. His head is on my right side and we need him to turn down SOON. The space in there is limited and he'll need to rotate soon or we might be looking at a c-section. I've never had one and I don't want one.

They don't want me to go to my due date so they said I could definately get induced a week early so we are looking at Nov. 29th for a possible birthday. WOO HOO!!! Only 34 more days! (I think I can...I think I can....I think I can)

I had to have her double check~still a boy...and no cleft lip!!! PRAISE the LORD!!!

Going to bed now...or should I say going to recliner.