Jul. 8, 2008 - We are home with baby....
i hope the pix show up, they were copied and pasted.........i will get more, but right now just taking it easy.
Anna Joy was born July 3 at 2:19pm via c/section. Weighed in at 7.5lbs and 19.5in. She is doing well, nursing well. Though she seems to cluster nurse then sleep for a while. My dr mentioned during c/section that it was a good thing I had c/section because I had partial separation of the utuerus (uterine deshiscence??sp??). Anyway, this c/section was much better than my other one 6 years ago........better pain meds for post op:-)
Right now, i have my month of rest. We don't do everything Chinese style, but I am staying home a month (not bad in 95F degree weather), and laying down when I want and eating what I want and when I want. Dh is away at youth camp this week, but will be home at nights. Today our soon to be 4yr old wanted to stay home with mommy and baby, that is ok. He is pretty good when by himself. Dh has instructed me that HE will bath the baby and I was not to try it. Chinese mom's usually don't bathe the baby for the first month, someone else does, so her back won't be injured.
Anyway, here is one pix...........Anna is about 48hours old. We do have lots more, but they are on the other computer.
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Jun. 27, 2008 - nothing new....
went to the dr's today to humor my husband........he had bag in the car and all.........all it did was depress me cause I knew nothing was going to happen. BUT dr did say no matter what, he would induce on Monday. So, we'll see.
We got PART of our homeschooling books for next term here today. A mission team is bringing the big box of stuff. I hope they don't like split it up among people and things get lost........that would not be good considering how much we had to pay for it. Of course, ds3 had to do some workbook stuff:-) I think he feels grown up now cause he has SCHOOL BOOKS!! I bought RS preschool stuff for him. He was so excited. We then straightened up our classroom, which was pathetic looking, like a typhoon went through it or something!! anyway, there was happiness, yet hesitation on the new stuff.....mainly ds1, our 4th grader..........he realizes this means work!!LOL!!
we won't begin til sometime in August anyway, maybe. We'll see how things are with a baby around the house!
There will be no more updates til after we are home with Anna Joy!!
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Jun. 26, 2008 - just to say....
I am still here and still pregnant!!! my last one was 5 days late, so why should this one be any different right? my dr said today that we COULD induce on Friday, but didn't suggest it..............of course he has been saying that every 2 days for the past 1.5weeks.......... I think to keep me going.......though in reality it is moving him higher and higher on my "to murder" list. Between him and my husband......... poor dh, for his sanity sake baby better come soon. He leaves the inducing decision up to me, yet turns around and says "this is taking forever" (like I don't feel that dear!)......or....."are you sure you aren't in pain?" (trust me sweetie, YOU WILL KNOW WHEN I AM IN PAIN!!).....we went Monday evening for another non stress test as dr had asked us to come and maybe i'd be admitted.............i only went to humor my husband as my false labor pains had stopped and I knew baby wasn't coming. At the correct time, there was dh standing at the door with my bag in hand...........................ok.............i know i should be thankful............ he is a great guy, has been patient, and cooking and lets me just lay around as I am tired and being up causes swelling of the feet!!...............but, he is making nervous!!!
anyway............due date was the 25th.................... so we'll see...............sooner or later she has to come right?
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Jun. 23, 2008 - Noah is feeling better....
so I wanted to let everyone know. He was a little warm this afternoon, but then rested in my arms, and was fine afterwards. He is fussing with his brothers so you know he is doing better.
BUT tonight I got to give out doses of Benadryl (dad, if you are reading this....I might need some more Benadryl for kids)..........ds1 came to me after bed "Mom, my back itches and there are bumps on it." WOW!! he had hives all down his back and moving to his chest. He was so paranoid......he rarely gets sick or anything so he is like "will I live?!" ds3 had broken out before with something down his back, so honestly, he was already itching, but as a precaution, he got it too. Ds2 seems just fine.
We ate mango ice during our DVD night tonight. It wasn't our normal place we get it from and it was more soury than usual. So I am 99% sure ds1 had an allergic reaction to that.
on another note, i had some major braxton hicks tonight for about an hour.....then they stopped...bummer....but hopefully that will start something!!! hopefully I can post soon of Anna Joy getting here finally (preferrably after 6am!)...my boys are excited cause they know they'll be spending time at their friends house then--LOL!
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Jun. 22, 2008 - Brag alert
well, i didn't get a video of it or anything since I was home from church.... my oldest, who will be 10yr old in Sept.......played the piano for church today. Granted we only have about 12 people who are in church, but he played two hymns today. He practiced on Wed. during prayer meeting, and wow!!! kinda put us adults to shame:-p
So, now we have another piano player at church. I reminded him of some other pastors/missionaries we know, men, who play the piano. I think it is great that guys play the piano. DS1 wants to play the violin. A used one here will cost towards 3,000US!!! we can get one for each kid and send them here for less than half that. I have a trumpet, that ds had thought about playing, but he is so into playing the violin. I am hoping to exchange violin lessons for English lessons.......so his violin teacher can get English lessons from me. That is done alot here in Taiwan.
Oh, ds1 played the offeratory music too............so guess who took his place as usher (we don't have many males in our church!!LOL!)...... ds2,my 6yr old (I didn't put pix up of his birthday yet!!)......yup, our 9yr old plays the piano for church, 6yr old is the usher for offering and dh preaches.........talk about serving as a family!!!!
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Jun. 22, 2008 - Ok, no baby yet!!!
i am afraid to say how I am feeling as it gets my hopes up..........Wed is the official due date, so needless to say, we are all anxious and impatient.
i am home from church today with a feverish soon to be 4yr old. Ds3 started complaining of a headache last night and before bed started getting warm. DH had him sleep in our bed. This AM he has vomited a few times and is complaining of a headache again. But his fever seems down some.
just what we don't need right now!!!we are closing watching for symptoms of the virus going around that has claimed 10 lives of children under 5yr (and mostly boys!). Taiwan Center for Disease Control has made many public places close off playgrounds (mainly indoor types) or be fined. With over 200 cases in less than a month, it is now an epidemic. Alot of elementary schools had to close down because if 2 people in class have the virus, the class has to take 3 days off. Then again, I don't think they should have students helping in disinfecting either, but hey..........MY KIDS ARE HOMESCHOOLED!!
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Jun. 16, 2008 - No baby yet...
technically I have 10 days left...........durn those are going to be long 10 days...........
we have some adjustments to make: K our 15yr old foster daughter who has been with us for 3 years went home on Saturday. Some issues with her got cleared up and the last week was nice. She seemed to think we "only pick on her"........ we reminded her that she is at school and our boys are at home and so she didn't see all the time they got in trouble.............. which isn't true cause they get in trouble when she is home. She is just very egocentric.
She gets home (2.5hours late thanks to her dad) and a few hours later calls us to complain how awful it was and her dad was in a mood and such. DH told her, it will take time to get used to it.
So many times we've seen this, and it hurts. Foster kids who have been in a normal (well, I guess we are normal!!LOL!) loving home where they don't have to worry or fend for themselves everyday, they still have this dream that they will go home, everyone will be happy and live happily ever after. WRONG!!!! most bio parents here have never had to get themselves straightened up, never had to show they wanted to improve conditions and don't even have to have a steady job for that matter!! So I know her dream has been broken rather quickly. She made the decision to go home though. She could've stayed til end of June, she even could've stayed til through high school, we give every foster kid those options of staying on even after they finish foster care. NOPE! she made her decision and now dealing with the consequences.
We have to adjust after 7 years of foster parenting. We've always had a teenager in our house (or 2 or 3). Our boys have always had a big sister around. Now, it's just us, just our family. Weird and empty feeling!
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Jun. 12, 2008 - no baby....
dr. said baby had floated up.........GREAT!!..........he thinks at least a week, so, really it could happen anytime, but still...........I am hot, getting dry heaves, everyone is anxious for baby to get here, i want to clean but then I am dripping wet in sweat.................I don't want to cook cause it's too durn hot and humid, so then no one knows what to eat................. yes, I am complaining............... this currently is not making for a happy ending, I am so ready to get on with the next phase in life, with a baby, that I am not being able to enjoy this end part of pregnancy!!!
ok, back to your regularly scheduled programming!!:-)
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Jun. 12, 2008 - Just to let you know.....
NO, there is no baby girl yet........... but please do pray as we go in tomorrow to see about being induced. Today I was throwing up and dizzy and sleeping alot (very unusual)............... so if all is ok, my dr will induce, if he doesn't think it's a good time, my dr will not do it, he'll say "come back in 5 days." So, honestly, please pray that we can induce and hold our little girl in our arms:-).... we'll let you all know...... oh, daddy went all out and bought a new stroller with pink on it for Anna Joy............this child isn't born yet and daddy is wrapped around her fingers...............
We are all finished with IOWA tests and now awaiting baby. In July or August, we'll get ds1 to finish some Chinese lessons to keep up. YES, I know we don't HAVE to keep up with the Chinese schools, but it helps. Hopefully sometime this summer all of our books will arrive and we can do somethings end of August I guess. But for now, break time!!
Oh, read this in the English news here: (there was confirmation of a 14yr old with this virus as well today.....it is now an epidemic!! and just read the Chinese news, fatal case #6 happened today!)
The fifth fatal case involving the deadly disease prompted the DOH to formally activate an enterovirus epidemic command center headed by DOH chief Lin Fang-yue to contain the further spread of the disease.
Enterovirus is a virus that enters the body through the gastrointestinal tract and thrives there. The virus is the most common cause of aseptic meningitis and can cause serious illness, especially in infants, children under the age of five, and the immune compromised.
Taiwan could experience a major enterovirus outbreak once every 10 years and 2008 could be part of that cycle.
In 1998, there were 405 serious EV71 cases recorded throughout Taiwan, 78 of which were fatal.
The number of serious cases has since declined. In 2000, only a few cases were documented and there have been no serious enterovirus outbreaks reported since 2005.
Chou said the infected toddler was brought to the hospital on June 3 after noticing symptoms. But he became the first fatal case in Taichung County of central Taiwan on Monday.
This case indicated that the disease has been gradually spreading from the southern parts of the island to the north.
The country's fourth enterovirus-related fatality was reported recently in late May.
There have been 176 confirmed enterovirus cases so far this year and eight children, mostly under 5, are presently still in intensive care units at several different hospitals.
The victims, mostly under age 5, were infected mainly with the same enterovirus strain -- EV71.
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Jun. 7, 2008 -
Watch what you do....your kids do!!
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Jun. 6, 2008 - LOVE this song......
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Jun. 5, 2008 - It's Thursday...
Josiah is finished with his IOWA tests, but Joshua isn't.......I am getting lazy and not wanting to get him to do it, but we need to get it done this week. He is over halfway there though..............
It has been raining ALL WEEK and will until the 6th. I am serious, it only stops a few hours a day. Thankfully there no flooding in our town, but their might be some dead kids if they have to keep all that energy in the house!! just kidding. They did well keeping themselves occupied. I am "nesting" and stripped all the beds and washed everything up. Well, the boys took their mattresses and somehow made a ramp out of it. Then had hot wheels flying around the room. Thankfully there were only a few cries of pain......um, accidents!
Anna Joy has still not made her appearance, but we are more than ready for her. I even packed my bag (does that mean I am close!?) I hope it's not before the 7th though (though since I don't want that to happen, she'll come!!!). I have a final to take and seminar to attend in order to get credits. Isn't that awful!!??? but hey, this will put me 1/3 of the way through my masters!
Oh, I have another blog, but it is mainly my unwed mother's/adoption ministry blog. it is at www.panfamtaiwan.blogspot.com come an look.
Oh, please pray for our health and safety. The news has mentioned today that up north a few schools are closed due to an outbreak of meningitis. THEN there are some kindergartens and elementary schools with bad outbreaks of chicken pox. Unfortunately, the chicken pox vaccine is in shortage here. THEN there is the 2 year all time high for the what can be fatal, enterovirus (sp?) 71. Over 138 cases reported with about 5 deaths. It affects mainly 5yr and under. Just what we don't need with a newborn coming. But we do be careful, though not live our life in fear of these, we are careful, probably more so than others. Oh, Japan has an outbreak of whooping cough. So, you know, prayers for health are greatly appreciated at this time.
Ok, dh is cooking. We just had a social worker come over about our 15yr old and her situation. I think it went well, though me, the meanie, when the social worker started out wanting to write down 3 things that made us mad or happy, just really ridiculous in my book, I simply said, "this is not a family therapy session or a psych evaluation. We are talking about these issues....." and it got everyone talking anyway. Though I think I burst social worker's big bubble (she is fairly new, no kids, a newlywed and well, inexperienced!!!).....but we all did well and everyone is happy for now!!!
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May. 31, 2008 - Saturday
ok, well, daddy is home. the boys were vying for attention last night and it was like a circus!!but they were happy to have him home, and so was I.....I slept better last night:-)
I don't have pix of this, though I probably should've, but you know what kept my youngest busy last week? the boys made airplanes, simple ones. They cut up some wood and nailed stuff together (with only one bleeding accident......dh can't figure out why I let the almost 6yr old use the saw.....hey, it wasn't electric!!!) anyway, ds3, soon to be 4yr old, took his outside and put 5 or 6 snails on it. Then he was flying them around with all the sound affects and all......................then he got two plans...."Snail War" he said......hey, he humored himself for quite some time.......gotta love that part.
Yesterday we got our vitamins in the mail. We ordered Supermom, Superdad and Superkids vitamins from www.beeyoutiful.com . My boys, even the 9yr old, like it (hey, that is saying something with my oldest!!) anyway, this is too funny!! Ds3, takes his spoonful, the has his hands in the "up up and away" superman form............. then he looks really disappointed........."hey, I did't turn into superkid!!" I guess he thought it was medicine to make him a super hero or something...... he was totally serious about it too...............KIDS!!
Well, not much going on here. I got my final grade for my first class, 80%.....but I won't tell you all what I got on my final exam...........oh.my.word. I have NEVER gotten such a bad score in my entire life!!!!but, it was my first test in how many years? I am pregnant, and have lots of other stuff going on. I should be taking my 2nd test next week I hope and pray. But really, I don't like tests!! I have a report to finish as well. I am trying to get a total of 12 credits done and over with before baby comes, then take the summer off.
OH, we had a baby born.....not mine!! one of the babies for adoption. He is a cutie. I get to hold him on Monday when he gets discharged. His bio mom though wants to take care of him for a month. She goes back to jail in two months, so she will be giving him up for adoption. A choice she made months ago. Please do pray for that.
Oh, one more thing. I discovered yesterday that the neighbor diagonal across the street, her 4yr old son (3months older than our ds3) has the entervirus 71 that has decided to plague our county. So, please do pray that the next few months, we all stay healthy. This virus, an intestinal virus, is very contagious and can be lethal to children 6 and under. We are taking precautions and not going to parks and such, but please pray. It is very common here for families with kids who are sick to still go out and play or go to the store or what not. Just what a family with young kids and a pregnant woman do NOT need. Last week was the highest number of cases in Taiwan ever recorded. So, please do pray. It comes on as a cold/flu and then within 3 days could kill if not taken care of. This is in relation to the Hand/Foot disease that is also going around.
Thanks
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May. 30, 2008 - We are going to try Brotherly Love today.....
i have had it with the fussin'!!!! so, even though it was only 9:30am, we started brotherly lovin'!
what is that? the two parties involved apologize for their actions and ask forgiveness, BOTH parties mind you (it is never the fault of just one I have found) and then they have to hug and make up. not just a small hug, but it has to meet my approval:-)..........this is killin' my 9yr old and my almost 6yr old thinks it is funny.
Now, if I catch the beginning of a fuss, like you know what is going to happen next thing, I just say "sounds like some brotherly lovin' is needed" and my, it stops pretty quick!!
We are also going over AGAIN!! the if you are joking, then both should be laughing, not one (the joker) laughing and the other (butt of the joke or other end) crying..................that is not called joking, that in my book is bullying................
let's see, so far, 1hug.........I'll let you know the statistics at the end of the day:-)
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May. 29, 2008 - Daddy's almost home!!
the boys have been counting down the days, and frankly, so has mom!! Less than 24hours!!! I'll give an update this weekend about his trip!
we have been having some "I love you, but don't like you right now" moments. From ds1 asking "can I play the piano?" and ds3 jumping into to "play" the piano.................sigh........ I know alot is due to daddy being gone. Ds1, who is almost 10yr old, is taking this "man of the house" thing a tad too far. He is thinking he knows better than me. I feel like I have just been nagging and lecturing all week. Of course the heat hasn't helped a bit.
I explained to ds1 today that he will have to be doing Chinese lessons thru the summer to catch up. These are lessons that he has been told many times he can do without help. It is alot of reading and writing, well, not alot, but more than 2 characters is alot to him!!LOL!! anyway, he was ever not so pleased and made it well known in expressions. Anyway, he won't get his way and he is going to learn to have to deal with it!!
Did I mention that he may start the trumpet in the fall? We are checking at the local (ok....ONLY) college in the music department for teachers or 3rd/4th year students to give him lessons. The great thing is: I will exchange one hour a week of trumpet lessons for Joshua with one hour a week English lessons for the teacher!! talk about a deal. He wants to play the violin too...................we have a trumpet, and a violin would be SO EXPENSIVE to buy here. Do you think we should let him do trumpet for 6months and then do the violin as well? Oh, he can do it. I have discovered that our boys are musically inclined, really a gift from God. Ds1 has started playing hymns and choruses (old time choruses) and we may have him convinced to play one song on Sundays.
I am thinking of teaching the boys some great songs. I have a WILDS camp song book, thought never been there. This song is a good one to start with. A great message to be an example!!!
Be An Example by Joe Zichterman
(v1)
Many now are watching the footsteps that we take;
Many soon will follow in the choices that we make.
So let us then be faithful to be what we should be,
And leave a good example that they can clearly see.
(v2)
Let us then be watching the weary day by day,
Looking to encourage and to lead them in the way;
To run the race with patience;
On Jesus fix their eyes,
And challenge them with excellence,
That they might with the prize.
(chorus)
Be an example of the believers in word and in conduct;
Be steadfast in love, in faith, in purity of life.
For those behind us, let us stand within the gap and make a difference in their lives;
Be an example to follow Christ.
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May. 29, 2008 - VOTE FOR HOMESCHOOLING!!
granted the way they phrase it is kinda weird.............is homeschooling good for your kids? (or something like that)........the "no" people are winning and well, we just can't have that................go ahead VOTE..... I dare you:-)
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May. 27, 2008 - kids....
On Sunday, my 5yr old was sitting next to met during service. I realized he was staring at me. He reached over and says "mommy, you have a white hair, do you want me to pull it?" then he says "never mind, there are alot more." GEE THANKS!!!! the ladies in front of me started laughing.
ok, we are dealing with Jr. High issues at our house. THANKFULLY not from my own kids,but foster daughter..............it's like a soap opera!!!
never a dull moment!!
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May. 27, 2008 - just a few notes...
it is hot and humid now, true Taiwan almost June weather.........figures.......just as we approach the due date the weather turns normal!!
oh, last night I was in dire pain, well most of the afternoon. So, I decided to go to the dr, just safe than sorry...............guess what............Miss Anna Joy has turned (sorry mom and dad, she won't be born on the 12th, unless she comes early!)...........that explains why there was so much pressure down there................now to keep her down there!
there were a few other things, but my preggo foggy brain has taken over and well................i forget............or it could be that is is 7:15am here and I've been up for almost an hour.........why?............the sun now shines in our room bright and early..........we have got to put something dark over that window........i just can't sleep!!!!
oh, my books SHOULD be here in June, please pray they get here safe and sound!thanks!
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May. 25, 2008 - ok, another pix I found....
ok, I was looking at that blog about Taiwan and couldn't resist.........this pix is the exact replica of the toilet at a great restaurant here in our city!!!! these are the famous "squat pots"..............and I just can't use them preggo!! well, this time around........I have before (ok, probably way too much info there!!) in case you are wondering, that "box" on the wall...........it is an aquarium.........YES!!! there are fish in there!!! I guess it is supposed to be relaxing or something, makes things "flow" alot better--LOL!!!!! and the little silver pedal thing on the side, that's the "flush" lever.......you flush with your foot.............actually, many times I find these more sanitary than regular sit down toilets..........messes are incredible!!
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May. 25, 2008 - dessert!!!
ok, there is shaved ice in Taiwan. It is NOT American shaved ice....I found someone brave enough to take pix..........me, I don't take all those pix because I feel it draws too much attention to me as there aren't tons of foreigners in my town........
here are fruit shaved ice bowls (chwa bing)......
the first is strawberry/bannana , then the next one is mango........oh, it is now mango season and I LOVE MANGO!!(ps--my oldest just walked in and saw these pictures and says...."your killin' me mom!!! I am droolin' now!!".........these are really really really good!!!
This one is a more traditional bing one of my friends enjoyed--it is topped with green beans, herbal jelly, and peanuts:
a self serve chwa bing store:-)...... You fill up the bowl, they weigh it, and then top it with ice and the brown sugar water
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