Up-Date!!

Its sure been a while since I have been on here, but I have honestly not had the time.  There are many times in a day where the kids say something funny or we have a big event and I think to myself "I need to blog about that" and it just doesn't happen.  I'm tired, but all for good reason, but I'm still tired.  I'm not trying to complain because I know how truly blessed I am.  Joshua is an amazing baby who sleeps well, smiles all the time and is a great eater... what more could I ask for?  Between the sports (now 5 days a week) and school, and daily chores, birthdays, holidays and oh yeah, I've been working out 4-5 days a week, there just isn't time for much else right now.  If I'm lucky enough to get a lull in events, it is usually used to prep and organize for what's coming up next... but we are enjoying it, and I'm so very very thankful to have such a well behaved and easy going little one :)

I'm starting to think about my garden again... wondering how {grand} its going to be this year.  I always take a lot of pride in my garden and the bounty that it provides for our family, but I think that its just going to be basic this year.  I don't think that I am going to try anything new, just stick to what I know works well, but I am anxious to get that started.

Healthy eating has been a top priority and so has being active.  With all the nasty sickness that has gone through our house, I will admit that we have been watching more tv and playing more games on our tablets then I would like.  The weather has been nicer (not this week) but last week was nice, and we have been playing outside a lot more, and I strap Josh in my Ergo and Luke and I walk to pick up Blake from school.  Since we live about 1/2 a mile away, its a pretty quick walk :)  I look forward to the nicer weather.  I love the natural sunlight and I love how it makes me feel.  Ahhhh sun... please come back!

There have been many sweet moments that I have witnessed with my boys.  Blake and Luke tend to argue and pester each other, but when they are around josh, they love to talk to him in sweet and soft voices and they love to hold him.  Especially Blake.  He picks him up and will bring him to me... yes he is good at it, and he knows that he cant pick him up without asking me first.  lol  Its just really fulfilling to see their sweet side with him. 

Im going to {try} to make time for more blog posts, but I am not going to lie, I think that they are going to be few and far between for a while, but I do know how important it is to me since this is essentially my memory bank...my dear diary...my place for reflection. 

He is so stinkin cute!

 

He borrows my phone so he can listen to music... his new favorite song is Wake Me Up by Avicii

2 out of the 3 don't like to wear pants

Blake's first school concert

"mom, take my picture with Josh"

Hes getting so big!

Mr. Intense

Little hockey stud!

Dear Parents Of Sickly Children,

At this point, I do not care who I offend, I do not care because I am tired, I am sick and tired, literally.  My kids are sick again because of the stomach flu that Blake contracted at school, and brought home and has shared it with Luke.  Those boys sure like to share everything! 

So, I am a parent.  I had my children knowing that either Kyle or myself would always be there to take care of them.  When we chose to have children, we knew there would be sacrifice and hard times.  We have had to make sacrifices with our jobs, our personal lives and sometimes with each other in order to fully be there for our kids.  Which is how it should be... they rely on us... they need us... and we are always going to be here to make the best decisions for them.  with that being said...

I have a little message for all of you who send your kids to school with the flu, croup, fever, bronchitis, streap throat, and so many other sicknesses...

What the HELL are you thinking.  first of all, I do believe that schools should have stricter guidelines about what ailments should keep kids at home, but lets use some common sense people.  If your kid has green snot running down his face, he probably shouldn't go to school... hello!  If your kid is grabbing his stomach in pain and crapping his pants, he should probably stay home.  Have you thought about the consequences of this?  Obviously not... because if you had other small children, and lets just say, maybe an INFANT, you wouldn't want you child to bring home theses nasty bugs. Maybe you live with an elderly person, or someone with health issues, Im sure you would be upset of your child went to school everyday just so they could bring home something to share with everyone. 

I'm just wondering if you have ever seen a 6 week old baby cough and sneeze, and have to have his nose sucked out every hour or have to sleep propped up in his parents arms because laying flat makes him gage.  Have you seen a 6 year old boy sit on the toilet all day because he doesn't have control of his bowels, and puke in a bowl at the same time?  Have you ever seen a 3 year old cry and puke, and shake with exhaustion?  Maybe if you saw all three of these things going on at the same time, you would, because that's what my house looks like.   I know that its hard for some parents to take time off work. to keep their kids home, but like I said, having kids is about making sacrifices.  I've herd the argument "well, they need to be in school to learn"  Let me ask you, how much do you think they are learning when their noses are so stuffed up, that its draining out their eyes, or they cough so much that they cant even hear the teacher.  Your kids aren't learning anything if you send them to school sick, they are miserable, and just extending the sickness cycle. 

I'm not naive, I know that kids get sick, I know that you sometimes don't know your kids are sick until its too late, but sending you child to school, knowing that he or she is sick is simply irresponsible and disappointing.  And, let me just say, for the record, we do EVERYTHING possible in this house to stop the spread of germs and to stay healthy.  My kids eat well balanced meals, wash their hands, they do not share drinks, but unfortunately, they do share a room.  I bleach - Lysol - sanitize everything, but none of that matters when they go to school and play in petri dishes!  This is the first year that both the older boys have been in school, so its hit us really hard this year.  Kyle  and I have only caught their nastiness a couple times, thank goodness.  But my poor baby has been sick for the last 2 weeks.  We have been to the Dr, and he is being monitored, but I am beyond exhausted.  I haven't slept for more then an hour straight in weeks... if its not one kid, its another, and Kyle is up too because sometimes it takes more then just one of us, and then he is off to work at 4:30am.  Im angry, exhausted, irritated, disappointed, and simply just over it... over it all.

Josh Is 1 Month Old!!

Its been one month since our precious little Joshua was born, and I still cant believe that I am a mama to 3 boys.  I...have 3 boys, and its been wonderful.  Still battling the colds and flus of the season, and so far, Josh and I have stayed healthy, but the rest of the family hasn't been so lucky. Is it spring yet???

I was at the grocery store with all three kids the other day and I had a nice older lady ohhing and awwwing over our littlest guy and then she realized that I had 3... and ohh my gosh, there all boys!!  She looked at me all wide eyed and said " well, you have 3 kids, and their all boys... you've got your work cut out for you!!"  I just smiled and said " They have an amazing dad, and boys are always good to their mothers, Im not worried"  She smiled and walked on... HAHA

Adjusting to life with 3 has had its ups and downs... I have learned so much about myself and my kids this last month, and believe me, we have all adjusted much better then I expected.  Blake and Luke absolutely LOVE their little brother... Blake cant wait to hold him and he knows how to carry him too... only when Mom or Dad are around though ;) and Luke loves to find any reason to give Josh a big kiss.  I am adjusting to the serious lack of sleep, which has been the hardest part this last month, and this is the first time that I have exclusively breastfed one of my kids.  I couldn't with
Blake because he was in the hospital for 2 weeks and then we had to measure out his milk, so I pumped for 8 months with him.  So, when we had Luke, my goal was to nurse him, but it hurt, and it was hard, and I was tired, so I just gave up after about a week.  I ended up pumping with him until he was about 8 months too, and I had enough in the freezer to get me through his first birthday, so this time, I was really hoping that I was be able to cut out the pumping, and I did a lot of research before Josh was born, and this time around, everything has been great!  He latches well, and eats a TON, but I produce a lot, so were staying in rhythm,YAY!!

 

 

I have always said, with each baby, that they are going to sleep in their own room, and were going to have a really strict feeding schedule... well I know its a little early for schedules, but he has not spent one night in his room, he usually sleeps with us, or in his bassinette, and I feed on demand... lifes too short right?  HAHA Josh will usually sleep from around 9PM to 1AM and then he's up every 2 1/2 hours for feedings after that, but at least he is giving me a good first stretch, and I have learned to go to bed as soon as he does!  We haven't had a problem with that!!

We love Josh so much, and he is a complete joy to have in our family.  His big blue eyes are staying open longer and hes starting to really look around and follow noises.  He's grabbing my hair and sweatshirt strings, so its now time for the exclusive ponytail, and he's growing!  He weighs 10Lbs 4oz as of Friday and that was also the day of his circumcision... Lucky him...and is now grown out of the newborn clothing.  It was sad to see those cute footie outfits go, there so small, and some of my favorite things. 

We are so lucky, and even with the sickness that invades our home, we still manage to smile and find some joy between the dr visits, coughs, fevers, snotty noses, and irritable kiddos.  We just keep reminding ourselves that they wont be little forever, so in some weird and twisted way, part of me enjoys them needing us so much right now, but I'm not going to lie... being cooped up with sick kids sure gives you cabin fever!  I cant wait for healthy kids again so we can enjoy these cool and crisp days, but for now, its movies and popsicles... and Tylenol :)

Joshua's Story

I was 40 weeks and 4 days and I thought I would never ever go into labor.  I was overly anxious to meet our little guy and I was starting to over think labor and *trying* to remember the pain (just for the record, you should never do that), and I had done everything to naturally induce labor.  I got to the point where I just threw my hands in the air and gave it up to nature... and a very skilled midwife :)  On Wednesday, December 9th at 11:00 am, I had a dr. apt, and my normal ob was on vacation (perfect timing, right?) so I was under the watch of the midwife in the office, and I didn't think that it would have been a big deal because I didn't even think that I was going to be pregnant that long, but I just went with it, and it turned out to be just what I needed.  anyways, I had my membranes stripped for the 4th time, and I was sent home... and around 4:00, I started to feel some contractions!  I wasn't going to get my hopes up, but they started to go from 15 minutes to 10 minutes to 5, and then we made the call to Grandma Tammy to come get the boys.

It took us an hour to get from our house to Tacoma General in rush hour traffic, and it was the longest hour in my life since my contractions were every 2 min... we were both starting to worry that our baby was going to be born on the side of the HWY!  We got to TG, and up to labor and delivery and I was dilated to a 5... but by the time they got me from the triage room to the birthing room, I was at a 7... oh Jesus!! Tammy and Ryan brought the kids up, Monty made it from work and my mom got there with about an hour to spare.  My dad was in some crazy I5 traffic and made it just as our little guy was born. 

The midwife kicked everyone out around 8:30 to check me, and I was at 9.5... but baby was stuck behind my pelvis since he kind of came down at an angle... so she asked me to push to see if I could get him past it, and there he came... 4 pushes, no epidural, and an amazing husband supporting me all the way!  (ill give the epidural story later... the plan was to have one, but I did enjoy the Fentanyl ) my only request was that I wanted to do was reach down and pull him out, and after she got his head and shoulders out, I reached down and grabbed him under his arms and pulled him out of my body and to my chest... it was the absolutely the most magical thing I have ever experienced, and he was perfect.  I held him on my chest as they cleaned him up, and we kissed him and spent about an hour with him before everyone else came to meet him.  I had him nursing within 15 minutes and we have had complete success with nursing so far, so I am very thankful for that!  My fill in midwife never left my side.  She was very involved the entire time, and wasn't like a dr that just showed up at the end when its time to push.  She was absolutely amazing and my experience was great... I don't know if I would ever choose a midwife over a obgyn because I like the whole "medical school" thing, but it worked out for me this time, and I'm glad to have had the experience :)


Joshua Kyle Rogers Born on December 9th at 8:55PM Weighing 8Lbs 9oz and 21in long

 

 

Yes, the nurse had teal hair! lol

Kyle went and got the boys and they came in to see him... all I could do was cry.  I was so proud of my family of 5... and they were so excited to meet him!  Then the rest of our families came in and it was so much fun to see everyone's excitement over him. 

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed the night with him... I barely slept... I just couldn't stop looking at him.  I forgot what it felt like to fall in love with your baby after he's born... I forgot what newborns smelt like and how sweet their flakey wrinkly skin is... I forgot what it felt like to see your husband holding his son with so much pride.  It was amazing to see and feel how much love multiplies with the birth of a child.  We were able to go home on Thursday around 7pm, and we stopped at Monty and Tammy's house to grab the boys, and we went home with a full car load :)  It was perfect, and my family is just as it should be :)

40 Weeks And Counting

Well, this is it... he is almost here, and we couldn't be more excited/anxious/prepared/giddy/ to meet him.  It feels like I have been pregnant FOREVER, but I know its only been 9 months, and I feel really overdue.  My Doc said that everything looked like it was ready before Thanksgiving and predicted a baby over the holiday (a week and a half early) well, that didn't happen... she jinxed me!  Then she went on Vacation so I have been seeing other doctors in her practice.  I completely feel like I am in good hands, but I just don't like jumping around and meeting new docs and then getting an up-close look at my anatomy at our first meeting, but its been okay, not ideal, but okay.

I have had my membrane separated 3 times now, and last Friday, at my last apt, I was dilated to a 3.  We went home, and I started having some really intense contractions and I totally thought that it was time and that we were going to get to meet sweet babe!  Went in to the hospital, the contractions started to become irregular, and they said that I could stay and walk for a few hours or go home and get some rest because I would have been more comfortable getting a good nights sleep, and they thought my contractions would figure themselves out.  Well, we went home, and when I woke up in the morning, there was nothing.  Maybe a light one every few hours but nothing to get excited about, and now, I haven't had one since Sunday morning.  Believe me, I have done everything, and I am just tired of trying to "make" him come out at this point.  He is just not ready, and who am I to evict him before his time, and its so disappointing when things don't work, so I am not going to do it anymore.  I have an apt on Wednesday, and if he hasn't come out by then, we will schedule an induction date, but I really do not want that.  I hated being induced with Blake, it was a horrible experience, so I hope he decides to make an entrance into this crazy world before then.

I've been walking a lot, on the treadmill and also in stores :)  I swear, I have blown my budget for the next 6 months already by frequenting Target, Costco and Walmart WAY too often.  But right now, there isn't a lot for me to do since I am physically unable and I also don't like to go too far from home.   Especially if I don't have Kyle with me.  We did go up to the mountains to let the kids play in the snow, and I went and got a pedicure the other day.  Blake had hockey on Sunday and we went and watched the football game with Kyles family, so life is going on as usual, but I always have this sweet babes arrival in the back of my mind!  The kids spent Friday and Saturday night with Monty and Tammy because I have been so uncomfortable and I am so glad that the boys have had some distraction lately to keep them happy, but I am still really trying to stay busy to keep the days from dragging out.  I've purchased most of the Christmas gifts and as of today, they are all wrapped and under the tree.  Laundry is done, beds are washed, were all packed, bathrooms are clean and I just scrubbed the floors today (for like that 10th time).  I do still want to clean the carpets in the babies room and our room, but I don't really care one way or another if it gets done.  So, were just waiting on our little guy.  Realizing that I cannot do anything to speed up the process, I am just going to relax and be patient.  Easier said then done most days, but I'm trying.  I know that he will be here eventually :) But for now, I am still here... waiting... eating... getting bigger... more tired... and more excited every second!  Come on sweet boy, we all cant wait to love on you!!!

The kids cant wait to go back to the snow!!

Blake

I will always remember this year as the year that Blake really came into his own.  This year, his 6th year, is the year that I have really started to understand all the little parts and pieces that truly make him stand out.  He has a certain way that he likes to brush his teeth (top first from left to right, then bottom for right to left) and if you try to tell him otherwise, you better be ready for a really long debate, and by the end, you will lose.  I can now trust him to get himself ready in the morning.  He can tastefully pick out his clothing, brush his teeth and wash his face and get his shoes on for school without me really having to worry about it.  I just have to tell him when to start getting ready, and he will check his backpack before we leave to make sure that he has his folder, lunchbox and water bottle all ready to go. 

He is so adventurious with his food now, and it makes my life so much easier when I know that he will pretty much eat anything.  He loves all seafood and especially crab!  He will eat all veggies and most fruits, but he still prefers me to peel his apples :) 

 

Blake loves his sports... he will play hockey out in the garage for hours after school and on weekends, and if its not nasty out, he will kick the soccer ball around the back yard.  He always wants Luke to play with him, but Blake is pretty aggressive, and when Luke has enough of Blake stealing the ball and taking the puck, Luke looses interest pretty quickly.  We have explained over and over again that if he wants his little brother to play with him, then he needs to take it easy on him, but something inside him can only hold back for so long, and then it all goes down the drain.  Playing hockey means that he has a lot of gear, but he knows all the parts and pieces that go into his bag.  I don't think that I could remember to pack all that, and also have the skills that he does.  He definitely gets that from his daddy :)

His independence has really come through.  I am excited that he now has an opinion about things, and he knows what he likes.  He can be a Mr. know it all, and loves to tell me that I am driving the wrong way or that I forgot something, and he really likes to worry... too much sometimes.  He is thoughtful, helpful, loving, affectionate and sweet, and sure likes a good debate. Although the boy turns into a monster on the sports field, we are teaching him how to have good sportsmanship and also to be encouraging to other players.  As parents, we all wonder if we are doing it right... I wonder all the time if I am screwing him up :)  I know that we are hard on him, and we do expect a lot of him, but he is sure a fine young boy, and we are proud of him!

 

Its Almost BABY TIME!!

Isn't it ironic that when you do everything that you possibly can to prevent something, it inevitably happens and the universe once again sends you a message that you are not in control?  I have once again been sent the message that its better to just roll with the punches...blow with the wind...go with the flow... because I cant control anything!  HAHA

Blake's sinuses have finally stopped dripping out his eyes and his boogers are gone thanks to some hefty antibiotics, Luke is doing well too... his boogers are gone too and ears aren't hurting anymore.  Not to mention that he had a little scare at soccer the other night where he got hit in the face with the ball, fell back and hit his head on the goal post, and after some tears, we thought he was fine... well we got home, had dinner, got in the tub, and he screamed that his head hurt and then puked everywhere... off to Mary Bridge we went. Grandma Tammy came with me and Kyle and Blake stayed home since I didn't want Blake exposed to anymore germs and Kyle had to work the next day.  Grandma provided some much needed comfort to Luke and I really appreciated not being alone there, were pretty lucky!!  But after what felt like FOREVER... we were sent home and he was fine... but better safe then sorry when it comes to the head!

This baby can come any time now, I cant wait to hold him... my last appointment showed that my body is doing all the right things and getting ready.  Little guy is super low, cervix is soft and 50% effaced.  I have another apt on Friday, and we will see if any progress has been made, and then Dr will help my body along too, so it shouldn't be long!  We cant wait to meet this little guy, and I am ready to have him out!  I think that I am going to go get a pedicure tomorrow while Luke is in preschool... got to have pretty toes in the hospital!!  Were wrestling with a couple names still... I guess we will just have to wait and see him.  Joshua and Greyson are in the top running, and we just can make up our minds. 

The boys are SUPER EXCITED to be big brothers.  I've made them special backpacks for the hospital full of games and coloring things to keep them busy, and their over night bags are ready... ours, on the other hand has not been packed.  I think ill look into that today.  AND... Super irritated that I cant find my camera charger.  I have looked everywhere... the whole house, the cars, the trailer, the camera bag... nowhere to be seen.  I looked them up on Amazon and there like 50 bucks, so i''m going to think about it for another day or too, and if I cant find it, then I bet I can get one at Best Buy so I don't have to wait for it to be shipped.  But, other then that, I think that were ready.  I am super obsessed about getting laundry done daily (even if its not a full load) because I don't want to deal with piles of laundry after the baby is born... bathrooms are clean, the boys stay clean for like 2 seconds, but at least its pretty deep cleaned, and the babies stuff is all washed, put away, and I have my closets, refrigerators, freezers, drawers cars and everything else all cleaned and organized.  Just need to take a trip to Costco... maybe after my dr apt on Friday?  Ill get it figured out soon :)  Haha, but were ready, so bring on this baby!

Funny thing Luke said... he asked me if when the baby comes out, my tummy wont be so big and hard.  HAHA I told him that it would go down after the baby is born, but it takes a little while to get back to normal.  He said that he wants it smaller so its more cozy to lay on.  LOL obviously, my kids appreciate the fact that I do not have rock hard abs :)

Gosh, we make pretty babies!

Blake on his first day home and first day wire and tube free

Luke right after he was born