It seems like Spring is finally here! And my husbands birthday is only a few days away (for those of you who don't follow his count down on facebook). That means that April is almost over :) In May we open the pool and get out the summer clothing and in June we prepare for Hannah and in July... I hopefully will have a successful home birth. About three years ago I would have considered myself crazy to consider a home birth. We live about 1/2 an hour from ....everywhere. I was afraid that something might go wrong, but after having three children I realized that I was tougher then I thought.
I also realized that the medical system regarding labor and delivery has largely failed women in my opinion. In my experience all my births were normal (with the exception of a fast heart beat from my oldest), but it seemed that the medical staff had rules for "normal". I hated being in the hospital and was always glad to get home to my own bed. I was GBS positive for all three pregnancies and I'm assuming I am for this one as well. The staff always wanted me to stay for 24 hours of observation even though the risk for the baby getting anything was less then 1% (much less). Mark and I had read all the information and research and were confident that we could handle anything that came up (likely nothing will). It seemed to us that esp. with the last birth they were trying to scare us by telling us that the "danger" was not over yet (after we went for the next morning check up) and the nurse telling me that Abby might be dehydrated after she peed all over her. It was smile and nod time. It was irritating to drive back to the hospital (three times the last time) for the blood work. I'm really looking forward to having the baby at home , relaxing in a warm herbal bath after the birth (with Hannah) and going to bed in my own bed :). No more early morning drives, uncomfortable lectures and all this foot poking for the baby. The midwife will come here for the checkups and Mark will be home to take care of things.
I totally intended on finishing this post but my whole family got sick (except for Mark) - as I write this I have one crying at me :( . I will post what I have written and hopefully I can catch up on myself later this week.
Tuesday 30 April 2013
Tuesday 16 April 2013
Cloudy days and rain
I think that sometimes my mood seems connected with the weather. Last week was full of clouds and rain. I am looking forward to the warmer days that are coming when I can at least take the kids outside in the back yard. It seems like such a simple thing - but getting them dressed for outside and then carrying around Abby (to cold/wet to let her crawl around) is exhausting. When the warm weather finally comes they can run around on bare feet and if the clothes come off it really does not matter :). Maybe because I'm looking forward to this I feel more depressed when it rains or turns cold again. I also notice that when it does rain or is cloudy my hips seem to hurt more and it gets painful walking around.
The week seemed to go by in a fog. I think the only time I got out of the house was when we went for our normal Costco trip. I'm not looking forward to when Hannah is here regarding getting out of the house - often the only time I do get out of the house (unless it is for appointments) is the Costco trip. Currently we need two carts for our trip- for kids and food. When Hannah comes there will be a lot less room for food... which means I will have to stay home with her and probably one other sibling :(
On a lighter note, Abby is almost walking :). I think the only reason she crawls now is because for her at this time it is often quicker. Today (Monday) was sunny and very warm. My mom came over for a few hours and we played outside in the back yard (finally!). I put green food coloring in the tub for the kids when they took a bath - they were very impressed. Nathan requested a host of different colors of course "Now blue?, Now yellow?...." . He stole the baby shampoo , convinced that the orange colour would turn the water orange. Sarah now describes everything she does in first person " I dip, I poke, I laugh!, I jump, I fall...." . She amazes me with all the words she comes up with.
This morning (Tuesday) it was raining again. I decided to bake muffins. That in it self is a crazy decision for me. Of course they all wanted to "help". I put Abby in the sink striped down to her diaper and filled up the other half of the sink with soap and water so she would have something to do. Nathan decided that he wanted a sink bath and jumped in the sink naked. Sarah and I mixed up some batter and they all ate chocolate chips. Nathan decided not to listen and got kicked out of the sink - Sarah took his place and "tickled" Abby with the dish scrubby. Poor Abby had her entire head white with soap while her sister laughed her head off. Nathan was not done getting into trouble and got himself kicked off the chair not listening again and spooning sugar into the water of my coffee maker. He also peed on the chair he was standing on - I think I got him to the bathroom on time to finish. Nathan put the little potty lid on the toilet and stated he had to poop. I have no idea if he did or not - I just know he was done when I caught him twice splashing his foot in the toilet (don't worry- he flushes as many times as he can while trying to go to the bathroom). Sarah who was also naked after getting herself kicked out of the sink (kept on trying to turn the water on) peed on the same chair. I got her on the potty but she didn't do anything more. I got the last batch of muffins in the oven and then made some lunch as fast as I could (Abby was screaming at me) , Sarah who I hadn't got a chance to diaper yet peed on the same chair AGAIN while picking at her lunch (it was Mark's chair ... don't tell?) . I was a little encouraged because Sarah had run to the bathroom before lunch feeling like she had to go - she just had the timing off. I finally got the girls in bed , mostly cleaned up the kitchen mess and ate some lunch myself when Abby woke up :( I took her down and she napped on top of me while Nathan bounced around the couch like a crazy person. Now I'm trying to muster some energy to walk them to the library - hopefully Nathan will release some of his energy. My apologies to the library staff in advance. My kids often leave a pile of books on the floor and I don't have time to clean it up before they are making another mess somewhere else ...
I think I've redefined the definition of "super-mom" for myself. I always thought of a super mom as a mom who does it all and her kids are clean , well behaved and not crazy. Now I think of a super mom as a mom who survives days like this and is not insane or crying.
The week seemed to go by in a fog. I think the only time I got out of the house was when we went for our normal Costco trip. I'm not looking forward to when Hannah is here regarding getting out of the house - often the only time I do get out of the house (unless it is for appointments) is the Costco trip. Currently we need two carts for our trip- for kids and food. When Hannah comes there will be a lot less room for food... which means I will have to stay home with her and probably one other sibling :(
On a lighter note, Abby is almost walking :). I think the only reason she crawls now is because for her at this time it is often quicker. Today (Monday) was sunny and very warm. My mom came over for a few hours and we played outside in the back yard (finally!). I put green food coloring in the tub for the kids when they took a bath - they were very impressed. Nathan requested a host of different colors of course "Now blue?, Now yellow?...." . He stole the baby shampoo , convinced that the orange colour would turn the water orange. Sarah now describes everything she does in first person " I dip, I poke, I laugh!, I jump, I fall...." . She amazes me with all the words she comes up with.
This morning (Tuesday) it was raining again. I decided to bake muffins. That in it self is a crazy decision for me. Of course they all wanted to "help". I put Abby in the sink striped down to her diaper and filled up the other half of the sink with soap and water so she would have something to do. Nathan decided that he wanted a sink bath and jumped in the sink naked. Sarah and I mixed up some batter and they all ate chocolate chips. Nathan decided not to listen and got kicked out of the sink - Sarah took his place and "tickled" Abby with the dish scrubby. Poor Abby had her entire head white with soap while her sister laughed her head off. Nathan was not done getting into trouble and got himself kicked off the chair not listening again and spooning sugar into the water of my coffee maker. He also peed on the chair he was standing on - I think I got him to the bathroom on time to finish. Nathan put the little potty lid on the toilet and stated he had to poop. I have no idea if he did or not - I just know he was done when I caught him twice splashing his foot in the toilet (don't worry- he flushes as many times as he can while trying to go to the bathroom). Sarah who was also naked after getting herself kicked out of the sink (kept on trying to turn the water on) peed on the same chair. I got her on the potty but she didn't do anything more. I got the last batch of muffins in the oven and then made some lunch as fast as I could (Abby was screaming at me) , Sarah who I hadn't got a chance to diaper yet peed on the same chair AGAIN while picking at her lunch (it was Mark's chair ... don't tell?) . I was a little encouraged because Sarah had run to the bathroom before lunch feeling like she had to go - she just had the timing off. I finally got the girls in bed , mostly cleaned up the kitchen mess and ate some lunch myself when Abby woke up :( I took her down and she napped on top of me while Nathan bounced around the couch like a crazy person. Now I'm trying to muster some energy to walk them to the library - hopefully Nathan will release some of his energy. My apologies to the library staff in advance. My kids often leave a pile of books on the floor and I don't have time to clean it up before they are making another mess somewhere else ...
I think I've redefined the definition of "super-mom" for myself. I always thought of a super mom as a mom who does it all and her kids are clean , well behaved and not crazy. Now I think of a super mom as a mom who survives days like this and is not insane or crying.
Sunday 7 April 2013
A long week
When I think of the past week I remember how long it seemed. Usually when Mark has a Monday off the week feels short because the weekend comes sooner. I think it had something to do with Abby deciding not to sleep on Tuesday night (or was it Monday night? its all fuzzy). I think she was teething ... I'm still not sure . I believe Mark said he got about 2 hours of sleep - I'm still not sure how much I got. The next few days after that were very tiring but at least all three children slept :)
On Friday we went out for dinner with my mom who recently celebrated a birthday at the beginning of the week. We took the kids and my mom to a restaurant called "Jacks" in Kingsville. Again they were remarkably well behaved. We had three high chairs so there was no running or attempted escapes. We let them choose their drinks (except Abby of course) and meals. They started banging their forks and knives together and chanting "chicken!" (they had ordered fish) , but my mom entertained them with a Dutch children's song that she knew from when she was small. I remember bright smiles and bright eyes with lots of laughter. Just as I commented on how well behaved they were the cups started falling on the floor with water everywhere, but that wasn't that big of a deal... it was only water. I know my mom had a good time and I think we were entertainment for the other dinners that eventually came.
After dinner we went to the part for a little while (it was cool by the lake). Nathan has soooo much energy - it amazes me sometimes. Mark was climbing on a wall (he still likes to play as well). Nathan attempted to follow him a few times then stated "No , I do not climb" and ran away. I love that kid. I was mostly watching them play when Nathan with his cheeks red, his nose running, his eyes bright said with a big smile "Common mommy - its your turn! Here - this ladder is for you!". Who could resist that? It still makes me smile to think that my energetic son loves me and wanted to share his joy of being outside and running on the playground equipment with me.
On Saturday we visited a good friend who was waiting for a baby to come. She looked exhausted. That along with the returning Braxton Hicks reminded me that I have officially entered my third trimester. I remember waiting and labor pain and sleepless nights, but most of what I remember is the warm healthy body of the newborn put on my chest for the very first time. I don't think there is much that compares with that special joy and I am looking forward to experiencing it again.
On Friday we went out for dinner with my mom who recently celebrated a birthday at the beginning of the week. We took the kids and my mom to a restaurant called "Jacks" in Kingsville. Again they were remarkably well behaved. We had three high chairs so there was no running or attempted escapes. We let them choose their drinks (except Abby of course) and meals. They started banging their forks and knives together and chanting "chicken!" (they had ordered fish) , but my mom entertained them with a Dutch children's song that she knew from when she was small. I remember bright smiles and bright eyes with lots of laughter. Just as I commented on how well behaved they were the cups started falling on the floor with water everywhere, but that wasn't that big of a deal... it was only water. I know my mom had a good time and I think we were entertainment for the other dinners that eventually came.
After dinner we went to the part for a little while (it was cool by the lake). Nathan has soooo much energy - it amazes me sometimes. Mark was climbing on a wall (he still likes to play as well). Nathan attempted to follow him a few times then stated "No , I do not climb" and ran away. I love that kid. I was mostly watching them play when Nathan with his cheeks red, his nose running, his eyes bright said with a big smile "Common mommy - its your turn! Here - this ladder is for you!". Who could resist that? It still makes me smile to think that my energetic son loves me and wanted to share his joy of being outside and running on the playground equipment with me.
On Saturday we visited a good friend who was waiting for a baby to come. She looked exhausted. That along with the returning Braxton Hicks reminded me that I have officially entered my third trimester. I remember waiting and labor pain and sleepless nights, but most of what I remember is the warm healthy body of the newborn put on my chest for the very first time. I don't think there is much that compares with that special joy and I am looking forward to experiencing it again.
Monday 1 April 2013
Easter weekend
I can't say I thought much about the Easter holiday until I realized that I did not have to make Mark's lunch for the next day because he would be home :)
The weather has been beautiful. I think spring fever has taken over our son Nathan. He has sporadic bursts of energy where he suddenly gets up and runs around yelling in his little high pitched voice.
On Friday we took our kids as well as a friends kids (the parents needed a rest) to the park. It felt so good to get outside after being cooped up inside all winter. Nathan and Sarah unlike last year both enjoyed the equipment and were able to climb and not look like they were about to fall to their death. Abby mostly enjoyed eating the small rocks that cushion the area- or trying to - she would eventually spit them out. They all ended up tired and dirty - just as I like them :)
Saturday was still beautiful so we decided to head to Pt. Pelee. Mark and I always have a great time when going there. We daydream about all the different things we can do when our kids get older (biking/hiking trails, canoe trips, swimming ...). Mark , Sarah and Nathan climbed "the castle" (the look-out platform) several times and we walked the marsh board walk. We only felt nervous a few times as our children called to the fish (some of the board walk does not have a rail) and tried to get them to come out. After a few hours of walking we went to Pizza Hut for supper (it is impossible to go anywhere in the afternoon without running into supper issues). The last time we were at Pizza Hut it felt like we were trying to feed and contain two squirrels. Abby was still in the infant carrier so she was not to much trouble - the other two however spilled ice water all over the table , put face/hand prints allover the window, repeatedly attempted to climb out of the booth we had hedged them in and were very (loudly) impatient with the wait for the food. I remember seeing a large Mennonite family sitting near us with some of their children around the same age as ours. They were so quiet and sitting still .... and obedient ... I think that we had more fun ;). This time Pizza Hut was a much better experience. Nathan was still attempting to leave the table , Sarah dumped Parmesan cheese (all of it ) over her pizza. Abby was more interested in staring at people and standing up in her high chair then eating ...actually I think Mark and I did most of the eating , but all in all it was a good experience. I think we will attempt to take out my mom for dinner with the kids for her 60th birthday. Mark and I were the tired and dirty ones from that day - the kids were still going strong at bedtime - I really wish I could have some of their energy sometimes.
Sunday we went to church - the kids were good but not as good as last time. I have to admit that most of the teaching that day kind of flowed around me not really sinking in at all. The only thing I remember was that the pastor played the hallelujah piece by Handel at the end of his teaching. I felt goose bumps and it was not even that great of a recording :) I love large choirs singing with a full orchestra, it to me is very powerful and emotional. When hearing that kind of music I often remember passages in the bible talking about how all the nations of the world will sing and praise God together - and how much more beautiful , powerful and emotional will that be?
Here are some pictures of the Point Pelee trip/ Pizza Hut
The weather has been beautiful. I think spring fever has taken over our son Nathan. He has sporadic bursts of energy where he suddenly gets up and runs around yelling in his little high pitched voice.
On Friday we took our kids as well as a friends kids (the parents needed a rest) to the park. It felt so good to get outside after being cooped up inside all winter. Nathan and Sarah unlike last year both enjoyed the equipment and were able to climb and not look like they were about to fall to their death. Abby mostly enjoyed eating the small rocks that cushion the area- or trying to - she would eventually spit them out. They all ended up tired and dirty - just as I like them :)
Saturday was still beautiful so we decided to head to Pt. Pelee. Mark and I always have a great time when going there. We daydream about all the different things we can do when our kids get older (biking/hiking trails, canoe trips, swimming ...). Mark , Sarah and Nathan climbed "the castle" (the look-out platform) several times and we walked the marsh board walk. We only felt nervous a few times as our children called to the fish (some of the board walk does not have a rail) and tried to get them to come out. After a few hours of walking we went to Pizza Hut for supper (it is impossible to go anywhere in the afternoon without running into supper issues). The last time we were at Pizza Hut it felt like we were trying to feed and contain two squirrels. Abby was still in the infant carrier so she was not to much trouble - the other two however spilled ice water all over the table , put face/hand prints allover the window, repeatedly attempted to climb out of the booth we had hedged them in and were very (loudly) impatient with the wait for the food. I remember seeing a large Mennonite family sitting near us with some of their children around the same age as ours. They were so quiet and sitting still .... and obedient ... I think that we had more fun ;). This time Pizza Hut was a much better experience. Nathan was still attempting to leave the table , Sarah dumped Parmesan cheese (all of it ) over her pizza. Abby was more interested in staring at people and standing up in her high chair then eating ...actually I think Mark and I did most of the eating , but all in all it was a good experience. I think we will attempt to take out my mom for dinner with the kids for her 60th birthday. Mark and I were the tired and dirty ones from that day - the kids were still going strong at bedtime - I really wish I could have some of their energy sometimes.
Sunday we went to church - the kids were good but not as good as last time. I have to admit that most of the teaching that day kind of flowed around me not really sinking in at all. The only thing I remember was that the pastor played the hallelujah piece by Handel at the end of his teaching. I felt goose bumps and it was not even that great of a recording :) I love large choirs singing with a full orchestra, it to me is very powerful and emotional. When hearing that kind of music I often remember passages in the bible talking about how all the nations of the world will sing and praise God together - and how much more beautiful , powerful and emotional will that be?
Here are some pictures of the Point Pelee trip/ Pizza Hut
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