Home again...now the waiting game!!!

After 12 hours of Cervidil and 12 hours of Pitocin we came home. Her status never changed; she was admitted at a dilation of 1 with about 50% effacement and she was discharged at the same status. The nurses couldn't get over what Chandra and I did to pass the time. On top of the racing around and our nurse serving as a pit crew to realign the wireless monitors that kept slipping, we had someone from Chandra's unit send us a pack of SkipBo (we played 3 games), watched TV, surfed the web, read the newspaper, and kicked the exercise ball around the room. Because the wireless monitors had so many issues we became grounded by the 40th lap; and we still had 460 to go. Cabin fever was running rampant and we began kicking the ball back and forth out of boredom; we wanted to be up and let gravity work with us, but we couldn't leave the 10-foot radius allowed by the tubes and wires. Anyway, they enjoyed watching us kick the ball so much they even mentioned it to the physician as part of their report.

membership has its privileges

I am in the hospital room on one of the computers the staff uses. Since I have my passwords as a fellow employee I am posting because I can. Chandra is doing well, but wishes the nurses would increase the pitocin drip rate so we can get this show on the road. She is tired of running her "Nascar laps" around the unit with me pushing her IV pump/pole. Life is alright so far. Her mom informed us this morning that Chandra almost burned up the coffee maker. She dusted it off yesterday so her mom and dad would have some solice while here helping with the kids. She plugged it in, but didn't know the power switch was on. We even commented on the pleasant smell of the coffee beans yesterday not knowing that they were roasting. They roasted overnight and almost burned through the ziplock bag holding the grounds. The filters were crispy. Once all was said and done though, the report was that the coffee tasted wonderful....so the grounds were roasted to perfection, the maker didn't burn up, our house still stands. Anyway, some other trauma for the grandparents first morning on the job...Ethan had a bloody nose and Lexi wet the tent they were sharing during the night. They cleaned Ethan up and took him to preschool. There is more laundry to do today (after Chandra did 3 loads yesterday).
So far it has been the most eventful day without the main event.

Baby Hunter soon to arrive!!!

Our due date is Saturday, May 16th. After my 4 night shifts and 3 hours of sleep, I'm ready to go crazy today with chores, walking up and down stairs, shopping, Ethan's kindergarten orientation and young women's tonight, with a pitstop to Walmart. I'm also going to try and make Lazagna so we can eat off that for a few days!...do you think I can get it all done....perhaps with a little snooze in the middle!!!! :) I'm gonna try!!!
My mom is coming tomorrow to help recover our family from the baby and get us back on our feet! Thanks Mom....we COULDN'T do it without her....Mom's are the best, aren't they?!
So, we are going into the hospital tomorrow night to be induced/begin the labor thing! I'm dialated to only a 1 but have been having lovely contractions on and off for the last few days...hoping to stay busy so I don't think about it! At the MD's office this morning, my blood pressure was 139/92- WAY high for me. She took it again before I left....110/60- that's more like it! Anywho....we'll post again soon!

Happy Mother's Day

And if the day comes when we are the only women on earth who find nobility and divinity in motherhood, so be it. For mother is the word that will define a righteous woman made perfect in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, a woman who has qualified for eternal increase in posterity, wisdom, joy, and influence.” ~Sherri Dew

"Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels." ~The First Presidency

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mother's out there...Hope your day is an enjoyable, relaxing and memorable one....I know mine was!!!

Substitute teacher report

Chandra put me in charge of this as she works one of her last shifts before the baby comes. I guess she could always edit whatever I write, but she doesn't realize the position she put me in...should I represent her point of view? of course not.
I guess we should first report on Ethan's 5th birthday party. He had cousins, neighborhood buddies, and friends from school and church at his party. It happened at the park. We had cake and ice cream first followed by presents, games, and a pinata. Among the presents Ethan received were a remote control Corvette, glow in the dark 100-piece puzzle, slip-n-slide water slide, a new bike, a Leap Frog version of a Gameboy, and some other things I should remember but don't. I could post all the pictures I took, but will refrain.


For the games we did some traditional mixed with variations. The 3-legged race was a hit. After binding the partners Chandra and I demonstrated how to arrange the walking pattern. I wish someone could have gotten a picture of us doing that. Anyway, Ethan and his cousin, Haley, followed the instructions and came in first with the second place team halfway behind them. I was impressed. After cutting the strings we had them climb in their own garbage bags and do a sack race. Pretty fun. We mixed partners and had them stand back-to-back. We put a balloon between them and they had to walk without using their arms to hold onto the balloon. One team made it to the end of the race while the other teams popped their balloons on the grass. It seems as if I am forgetting another game. Oh well. Before cracking open the pinata...I mean pulling the string that unraveled the bottom of it, we had them practice popping a little hand held streamer popper (instead of silly string). Inside the pinata everyone had enough to pop off 3-5 each and so they chased each other around like the poppers were water guns.









The weather was wonderful. The breeze was almost too much at times, but it kept the mid-70s temperature from becoming a burden. While Chandra, her mother, and her sister hung out at the pavilion cleaning up and chatting with the other moms, I was on playground duty as well as merry-go-round and swing duty. I discovered a new injury that can happen from spinning the oversized top too hard...I broke a blood vessel in my palm from gripping to slow down. Hold your tears though, a little ice and some extra cake made it all better.

Some funny things have been popping up around the house. Lexi has a tendency to change words to songs or characters she is familiar with and applying them to her. She loves to listen to a story on tape about Captain Dependable and how he always does what he says. She told her version to her stuffed pet kitties: "Don't worry. I'm Lexi Dependable and I am going to take care of you." She has also taken over Ethan's old bike and loves to race Ethan and try to keep up with him. It is red and has a rocket on the frame. She calls it her "Spaceship Bike" and says it helps her go fast. She has fallen off a few times. When she does she searches for reassurance and climbs back on before her tears have stopped.
Ethan is a good brother. He helps Lexi with a lot of things around the house and waits for her to catch up with whatever he has planned out. He doesn't mind her tagging along too much and has accepted the fact that she usually wants to be around him...even on top of him sometimes. It is very heart-warming to see.
Other than that things are progressing well. There aren't enough spaces on the couches for all of us as it is and in 1 week or less we will have to make one more spot in the van, at the table, on our Queen mattress, and on the couch. Our hearts have already made a spot for baby Hunter.

A Much Needed Update!!!

Well...it has been quite awhile since the last post....thanks to all the many things we have been doing...plus working! But, I have been really working with both Ethan and Lexi on their writing! I try and do at least 1 writing page and one fun page each day...sometimes it doesn't happen, but when it does, Lexi will usually squeal in delight b/c she loves to play school and Ethan will say, "After this...can we ride bikes?" That usually does it for him and he'll quickly finish to go outside! I would post the pics but it has our address, his name...you know....sad to say but stuff I don't want to be out there for the wrong person to see....isn't that sad!

So, Chris' Birthday came and went...it was a crazy week and I picked up some extra...but we were able to go out to dinner and ice cream....everyone loved that part! He's now the big 3-0 and still going strong! Happy Birthday, hunny!!! He got some nice gifts and some needed rest from his night shifts plus school during the day that week!

We decided to put Ethan in T-Ball this year! He loves it....one of the boys in his preschool class is on his team and he likes going to hit the ball. We are still working on the outfield...keep your eye on the ball....he can throw pretty well and really likes to go and be outside. Here are some pics from some of his games....





I was also able to go for a few days to visit my parents and sister for a weekend. Of course the kids and I loved getting outta town for a few days...it is always so nice to be with family. I miss them. My sister's family is growing with her oldest 2 already 8 and 7 years old and her baby is already 9 months!!! He's just such a sweet boy and is very photogenic! Smiles whenever you look at him. It was really nice for me to watch Ethan and Lexi with little David and see how kind and gentle they are with him! Lexi is especially sweet talking to him and stroking his hair or back telling him..."Hi, little David" in her baby voice! It's very touching! Mam-ah and Pap-pap of course spoiled them! Here are some pics....


THANKS UNCLE DAVE for giving the kids this helicopter that flies and lands on a base with 2 controls...it flies really really fast with new batteries in it...the kids are still playing with it for hours.....









Ethan participated in a Trike-A-Thon to raise money for St. Jude's Hospital....Ethan kept telling people....It's for a good cause, don't worry! He's hilarious sometimes! Anyway, he really enjoyed riding the course with the trikes....even though he kept telling me how he would be able to ride faster with his new bike! Here are some pics....













Ethan's birthday is coming up....he'll be 5!!!! Oh, where has the time gone? He is so tall and weighs 53lbs now....and this past week, he got 4 shots...2 in each leg...he took it like a champ, so brave! I just can't believe he is growing up so fast!
Baby is doing well....a few more weeks till he's here....I am very excited and nervous....and uncomfortable most of the time now...the last few weeks are always rough. Chris' work gave us a baby shower...a diaper shower! We were so touched...all those diapers! People are very very sweet to have given so freely. My work is giving us a shower also...this next Monday! It will be fun, I have no idea what they are planning but they are all really crazy, fun girls....I can't wait!

April Fools....NOT!

So, I was planning to write some funny story about how I was able to play a joke on someone...or something...but today was quite a day of firsts...for not just me...and no jokes here today! I registered Ethan for Kindergarten today....and I cried. I know public school is fine...my parents placed my sister and I in private school and I that's what I know. We were pushed and challenged at every corner! I know it's such a benefit to at least give them 2 years if possible to get that jump start on learning and reading and everything else that goes along with school, but around us now...private school for kindergarten is about $7,000.00!!! UUUMMMM, we can't afford it...end of story! So, not being an option, but trying to give our kids the best we can, I work with them at home...and I know Ethan and Lexi both are very smart kids and will do well, but it still pulls at the heart strings so much to send him out into the world such a young, innocent little kids! I am just so grateful for the gospel and that Chris and I can teach him right from wrong and allow him to see how choices effect people's lives! Anyway, public school it is...and all will be fine, I know...and I wrote that I wanted him to be challenged. The registration lady told me not to worry and that he would be challenged if that's what we wanted! So, I was reassured although I was such mixed emotions!
Then this afternoon, when Chris came home, I was telling him that we needed to raise Ethan's training wheels and begin the process of riding a bike. I was so tired so I took a nap with Lexi. I woke up to "Hey mom, I did it...Watch me!" So, outside I went onto the driveway, and here is Ethan....only 4 still (5 on the 25th of this month), riding a bike!!!! I was so happy...I cried again! Ethan was so proud of himself and had on his knee pads just in case he fell. Chris took him down to the tennis courts in our development to practice and said that he fell only a few times....before he got the hang of it! He was so proud of himself! I was so proud of him! He kept telling me his process of getting on...it was so hilarious to listen to his thinking and reasoning behind getting balanced and pedalling! I loved listening to him!
Tonight was young womens....and Ethan was telling some girls...
E: Hey Valerie, you wanna know what I did today?
V: sure!
E: I was a little nervous and sweaty but I put on my helmet and knee pads and my dad helped me the first few times and then I rode my bike all by myself. Then he told her all about having one foot down to balance and the pedal up with the other foot up and how he balanced with the down foot and pushed with the up foot and up pedal...and then he was off! It was so cute to listen to him put it in his own words!!! What a big boy he is getting to be!
Alexis has now been dry 4 out of 5 nights and naps....hopefully this is going somewhere...I really hope so...She can...she's just lazy about getting up and going to the bathroom. She'll tell me..."Mom, I already went potty last night...I don't need to do it again!" What a girl!!!
What a day for all of us!