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Peter Rabbit Preschool
Jan. 9, 2008
my eyes are open!
Jan. 9, 2008
proud Pappa
Jan. 9, 2008
the first meeting!
Jan. 9, 2008
With mommy.....
Jan. 4, 2008
the "last" blog for awhile, me thinks
I was hoping to have the time to write something really introspective and thoughtful, but I've run out of time...I am scheduled to be at the hospital this evening for "part one" of being induced for this pregnancy. "Part two" will commence Saturday morning, if need be. Lord willing, the baby will arrive safe and sound by tomorrow sometime!
This is totally different than just waiting to see when I'll go into labor, as I'm used to doing. But, under the circumstances, it seems to make sense. We are confident that the baby is a healthy birth-weight, and we want to make sure I get the necessary IV anti-biotic treatment prior to delivery (to treat the Group B Strep).
My sister--in-law L. will be here for the weekend with our children, and I'm thankful they can stay at home in their own environment. My mom hopes to arrive by Sunday and is able to stay for a week. So, maybe with her help, I might be able to get a moment on the computer....we shall see!
Thank-you for your thoughts and prayers.
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Dec. 30, 2007
But it wasn't like this the other times!
I really need to stop comparing this pregnancy to the previous two....but once again, I am catching myself saying "this didn't happen to me the last two times!"
I was up last night for much of the night, keeping track of what turned out to be over three hours of regular contractions, four minutes apart and lasting 10-20 seconds each. Eventually, they just stopped. And, anti-climatically, I'm still pregnant....(I called the mid-wife and we decided to stay put for awhile longer, just to see what would happen.)
I've heard this happens towards "the end" to many pregnant women. However, I didn't experience false contractions like this with the previous two pregnancies. Our second child, our son, was born less than three hours after I first started having regular contractions. So, this type of "false business" is really quite unnerving! I spent most of today sleeping, to catch up from the night of "work" and missed sleep.
Several weeks ago, at a midwife appointment, it was mentioned to my husband and I that having a history of very fast labors can be considered a medical reason for inducement. At the time, I didn't take that option seriously. Then a week later, I found out that I am a Group B Strep carrier (a bacteria that is not harmful to the mother - but to a small percentage of babies who come in contact with it while descending down the birth canal, it can cause very serious complications). The commonly accepted medical treatment for this is to place the mother on intra-venous antibiotics, ideally four hours before delivery. It can't be treated while still pregnant, the treatment needs to occur during labor. In putting "the two" issues together, my husband and I don't feel that we can guarantee that I will be at the place of delivery four hours before birth, given my history of fast labors (things picked up speed very quickly during labor with both our children). We have become concerned about the possibility of a "car-baby". We're not up to emergency child-birth on our own!
At my prenatal appointment this past week, we discussed our concerns with the midwife and presented our interest in requesting inducement at 39 weeks pregnant. Although the midwife does not see that it's imperative or absolutely essential, she said that she sees that a rational person could come to the conclusion we've come to, and that she's willing to support us in it. I won't find out until this coming Wednesday as to when/how something can be scheduled (possibly as early as the end of this week). This of course, totally changes our original birth plan. I won't be birthing in the lovely birth rooms at the Midwife Center...this is now going to be a hospital birth. However, I've been thinking about other benefits of having a hospital birth, and have been able to come up with a convincing list. At the end of the day, I am blessed to have the two good options of where to birth this baby. There are many who don't even have one good option.
We appreciate your prayers as the day of meeting this new baby draws near!
I am thankful for good health in the rest of our family. Our son did have a four day stretch this past week with the stomach virus. However, it was a very mild case and no one else came down with it. It did result in staying away from the extended in-law family on Christmas Day and being home alone with him....but I'm sure next Christmas will be better!
Happy New Year to all!
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Dec. 24, 2007
Merry Christmas! (and viruses banned)
With the baby due date just around the corner (a little over two weeks from now) I didn't have big expectations for this Christmas....just some nice time with my husband's family locally and making it fun for the kids....
As of today, even that might be in question, as our son has come down with the stomach flu yesterday. I am really praying this doesn't spread to the rest of the family! Our daughter has a cold, so between the two viruses floating around, I am a little worried. I really don't want to be close to the time of delivery with compromised health. I have been having small (false) contractions off and on all week. But, that doesn't necessary mean things are imminent.
The coming of Christ, the "Immanuel" is a reminder that God is with us. Thankfully, my husband is home all this week from work, so we can share the parenting responsibilities in whatever comes up. Just taking life one moment at a time, regardless of what may come, and being thankful for the many blessings, is how I want to be!
May you have a blessed time this Christmas!
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Dec. 21, 2007
"The Experiment"
For the past several weeks, I've been "experimenting" with something related to our daughter....
Bear with me, while I explain. For the past couple of years I've been attending a Women's Bible Study at our church, in which child-care is provided. More recently, this past year, with an increasing number of children in our church (a great blessing) the child-care set-up has changed some-what. In a nut-shell, the situation is that there is only one adult to babysit up to 12 children, ranging from young babies to children age eight. The adult baby-sitter stays in the room with the young babies/toddlers, while checking in periodically on the older kids who stay in the adjacent room. Our daughter Sonya is the only "in-between" age, not really fitting in either room, but preferring to be with the older kids. In the past couple of months, there have been some incidents of negative behaviors between the older kids. Sonya has both been the cause of, or receiver of, the negative behavior. Although I know these things can happen between kids, I feel strongly that a greater level of adult supervision would at least reduce this problem to some degree. Also,developmentally, Sonya is at a disadvantage being that much younger than the other "big kids". I have every confidence in the one woman who does the babysitting. However, one person can only be in so many places at once, and she needs to focus her attention on the younger babies/toddlers!
I brought my concerns to some others, and there was a group decision that one babysitter is sufficient (with a rooster of volunteers covering as the second babysitter for the last half hour during our prayer time). However, that still leaves an hour and a half with just one babysitter and up to twelve children. So, my choice has been either to continue to be uncomfortable with the situation, chose to stop attending Bible Study, or find alternative child-care for my daughter during the Bible Study time.
As I feel that I would really like to continue to attending Bible Study , I've looked into alternatives. I really do understand our limitations as a very small church with more children than adults! So, looking into alternatives is just a way to do what I feel I need to do for my daughter. And this is where the experiment comes in. I've chosen a (Catholic) child-care center that has a "Play N' Learn" room where kids can be for any length of time during any week-day (it's essentially a drop-in day-care room that is set up like a preschool classroom) Sonya has now been there three times, for about 2 hours each time, once a week. I've explained that mommy will continue to teach her at home the other four days of the week, and that this is a place to play with other kids the same age. She views it as "school in a building", because she knows a lot of kids who do attend school that way. And in a way, it is like "school in a building" because there are preschool and kindergarten classrooms down the hall from the "Play N' Learn" room. She is with age appropriate kids with a good student to teacher ratio.
So far, she's been some-what ambivalent about her experience being there, although she has not been negative about it. I feel like it's a good, albeit temporary, solution to my Bible Study babysitting concerns. I think that I can continue to give her a positive experience of learning at home with me. My husband and I are still taking life one year at a time in regards to our decision about homeschooling. For this year, at this time, this seems like the right thing to do. If she really dislikes going there at any point, I can always stop bringing her, since there is no commitment either way.
I don't know if this "experiment" disqualifies me from blogging on this site. I don't think so....but I thought I'd ask! Our kids are young enough yet that we really still are in the experimental phase.......
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Dec. 15, 2007
Birthday tales
Our daughter Sonya has been talking about turning age four over the last six months....and tonight was finally the night to celebrate what she has been waiting for! It's late at night here now, and I should head for bed, but there rarely seems time to write anymore, so I am at least posting this (with pictures). Grandma, Uncle B., Uncle D. and aunt L., along with her favorite friend A. and his family were here to celebrate. She loved every minute of it.
Yesterday the lucky girl saw a live performance of "The Nutcracker" ballet with her daddy in downtown Pittsburgh. They both dressed up and I heard that she sat with rapt attention for the entire 2 and half hour show. She's been dancing around the house ever since. The only downs-side of the event is that she now sees fighting mice in every corner of the house! (That's what having a vivid imagination will do.)
We're so thankful for her beautiful personality that is shining forth and for the growth and maturity that she is demonstrating. It's certainly more enjoyable to parent her at this age, than it was a year ago. We can only hope that it will continue to get better (and trust that it will!)
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Dec. 15, 2007
She's four!
Dec. 15, 2007
A date with daddy
Dec. 9, 2007
Seven weird things...
Over a week ago, I was tagged by Christine at FabFive
My assignment has been to list seven weird things about myself.....
I've been distracted this week by a stretch of nights of really not sleeping well, and having some things weighing on my mind. Being just over a month from the baby's due date is always a good reason to claim why I don't get something done, but, that's no excuse to fail to respond to the tag, so here goes!
This is a really random list of things I came up that may or may not be considered "weird"......
1. I might have the dubious distinction of being considered a "chapstick addict". Or even more specifically, a "blistex" addict. I always know where to get a "fix" - I have some blistex stashed in a wide range of places, including the car, on the night-stand next to my bed and in the kitchen. I'm not sure exactly how many times a day I apply it, but it's a lot! I get worried if I don't know where to find some....
2. About ten years ago I discovered that it's really great to use Indian sari's and table clothes for decor - specifically, I like to hang them up on the walls of my house. I originally picked up some sari's from "Little India" in the city of Toronto. I've since moved from that area, but have kept up the tradition. The colors are superb and they cover up so much space! (Indian sari's as from the country of India).
3. I've been told that I flutter my eye-lashes when I'm talking. It can be quite rapid fluttering at times, especially if I'm really apprehensive about something. This is not a flirtatious flutter, it's a flutter that looks a bit funny.....
4. I can't sleep without my earplugs after 5 AM in the morning. Even though our neighborhood is quite quiet, and even though our house is quiet, I've gotten into the habit of popping them in the wee hours of the morning to help ensure I sleep in a bit longer. I really do become panicky if I can't find the plugs!
5. I never know how to answer the questions "do you play the piano" or "how long have you played the piano?" I first took lessons at an early age, practicing on a pump organ only. Then I didn't play for several years. While in high school I took lessons for several years, being able to practice on a real piano. I stopped playing for six years, then took up lessons as an adult for 2 years, practicing on the piano available at my work-site. Again, I stopped playing at all for five years. About four years ago, I picked up playing again for a year until I became pregnant with our first daughter. I now have not played for the past three years....So, am I really able to play? What can I play? Certainly something, but then again, not much....
6. I've never tried to drink coffee. I really like the smell of coffee and I see so many people drinking it and enjoying it......I don't really have a good reason for not trying, other than just deciding at some point way back that I was never going to be a coffee drinker......
7. While growing up, I never really enjoyed being with small children or babies...I just really did not think that playing with them was any fun. I certainly never would imagined that I would someday actually enjoy being at home full-time with little ones! (well, it is harder work than I would have ever thought to be home full-time with children, but it's also so much more rewarding that I could have imagined when at a younger age).
There, I finished an assignment! I hope I don't get too many more..... I was feeling energetic earlier in the week - "nesting" and getting some things done around the house. But, now I'm mainly just trying to get through the days, being as big as I've gotten...
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Dec. 1, 2007
Random bits
I don't have one coherent strain of thought today...other than noticing that it is the month of December as of today! Since there's nothing exceptionally profound about that statement, I'm writing up some completely random notes about life around our house...
- Our daughter Sonya changes her clothes about 4 times a day. So, the question is, at what point does the article of clothing become eligible for the laundry, when it's been worn for about 2 hours a day at various points on different days?
- When the baby in uterus moves, it's gone way beyond the cute little flutter kicks! It's definitely getting crowded in there...now the baby's movements feels more like an ocean liner changing direction in a small tank.
- Our kids have started developing a good habit of playing together in some imaginary world, and forgetting about mommy for awhile! One of their recent imaginative games involves "mommy cat" and "baby cat" in which they take turns role playing (putting each other to sleep etc.)
- Yesterday I unpacked some boxes my mother-in-law gave me last January after Christmas. Inside the boxes were Christmas decorations from the 1950's and 1960's! They are still in good shape. I don't think the "made in China" ones we buy today in the stores will be around in 40 or 50 years!
- Our church has a practice of having the kids recite their memory work in public (before the worship service on Sundays). Sonya was "on strike" this summer for several months, refusing to practice at home or recite. However, in the past 2 months she has learned a new verse or answer to the Westminster Shorter Catechism almost every year. She's also been reciting her memory work. Theo continues to practice at home as well! He knows the answer to the first four questions in the shorter catechism! The fourth question is: "How can you glorify God". Answer: "By loving Him, and doing what He commands". He may have only turned age 2 in August, but his verbal skills are excellent.
- Today my husband spent all day raking leaves. I wish it wasn't such a discouraging task! Not only am I not able to help, we can never keep up with our yard work (one acre yard). I keep saying "when the kids are older, we'll keep up" but I don't think that makes him feel any better right now!
Happy Christmas preparations to all! Since this baby is due just two weeks after Christmas, it feels like the whole country is in "count-down" mode right along with our family as we await this baby....
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Nov. 23, 2007
In Thanksgiving
We had a lovely Thanksgiving meal at my sister-in-laws' place yesterday, which included a time of going around the circle so that everyone had a chance to name some things they are thankful for. I was thinking today that my most recent blog was mainly about anxious thoughts in anticipation of a big baby....and I feel that I need to take a moment to name a whole bunch of things that I am thankful for instead of dwelling on that!
And so, here goes:
- I'm thankful for my husband, who continues (more and more) to "pick up the slack" so that things don't fall behind with house-work. He does all this without a complaint!
- I'm thankful that I am able to be home full-time with the children, while my husband continues to be employed outside the home and is able to provide for all our needs.
- Yesterday, our son Theo announced that he was thankful for "cars, trucks and trains!" He is so funny! He really makes me laugh so many times. Sonya stated that she is thankful for "her house, her mommy and daddy and the newborn baby". She is able to understand a lot of things for her young age.
- My parents were able to visit us this past weekend from Canada. With the help of my mom, we were able to get things organized in preparation for the baby in the bedroom area - it feels wonderful to get things ready and looking more organized! My dad got a good start on raking our "million" leaves out in the yard.....
- Last week we transitioned Theo to a "big boy bed" from the crib. He has not fallen out even once then and is doing fabulously! This is a great timing to have an empty crib ready....
- Last year at this time, we went through a very difficult period with our daughter Sonya (who was then just turning age three). For a period of several months, Sonya had MAJOR tantrums several times a week, that lasted up to an hour each time. Thankfully, one year later, as we approach her fourth birthday, she is doing better with controlling herself and displaying more maturity. She is still a challenging child to parent, but we can see improvement for which I am so thankful.
- I am looking forward to and thankful for all the offers of help from family and friends during the weeks after the birth of the baby. We really have so many who love us and are concerned to make sure that our needs are met.
- Yummy hot drinks from Starbucks, looking forward to a date with my husband tomorrow night & beautiful classical music - these are all things to be thankful for!
- Most importantly, I am thankful for the work of Christ on the cross. His love and mercy shown is completely undeserved.
There, that puts things in better perspective! Sometimes, especially when facing challenges, it's so easy to "go down" in how to view things. May we each have grateful hearts for the many gifts God has given us and the eyes to see those gifts each day.
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Nov. 21, 2007
Some things you can't plan....
I just read an email from my dad, in which he made the comment to me "you are such a planner!" Well, I know that I am, which helps in some areas of life....at least sometimes! Of course, when it comes to the last weeks of a pregnancy, things become totally out of my control, which is a good reminder to "let go, and trust the providence of God".
At the prenatal appointment I had today, the midwife told me that she guessed the weight of the baby to be at about five and a half pounds as of today. (I didn't ask for her opinion on the matter, but now that she's mentioned it, it's all I can think about!) I still have 7 weeks to go before my due date, and here goes my planning mind, concluding that this means the baby will be at least 9 and a half pounds by my due date of January 10. Having a baby at over five pounds when only 33 weeks pregnant means that going past my due date would mean a baby that is closer to or past 10 pounds at birth....Since our first two children were just over 9 pounds at birth, I shouldn't be surprised. However, it is still startling to realize and think about. This is particularly in light of the fact that for this pregnancy, I've had specific problems in the "down there" region that make me a little more anxious about not causing damage. I've been doing some reading about safe positions to labor, in light of the problems I've been having. Yesterday, I finished writing up a birth plan that highlights the safe labor positions. Again, it's matter that I can't totally plan for and something for which I need to trust the Lord! I certainly can't plan when this baby will come, but I can pray that he/she will arrive either a little early, or on time, so that I am not delivering a REALLY big baby.
Happy Thanksgiving to all! I very unfocused on the holiday season this year, but doing my best to get in the spirit!
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Nov. 12, 2007
We finished a "grown-up" book!
For the past couple of weeks, I've been reading to Sonya a chapter a day from the original edition of "Little House on the Prairie" (Laura Ingalls Wilder). I had tried reading to her the book "Charlotte's Web" (E.B.White) earlier this year, but that book did not seem to capture her attention the way that "Little House..." has.
Last week we read the last chapter from "Little House..." and now Sonya is proud to be able to say that she has "read" her first "chapter" book. Although there are some black and white sketches in the book, at least a third of the book is strictly pages with words only. So, it's to her credit that she has displayed the attention span to sit through the entire book at age three (going on age four)! The main reason, I think, is that she has become very interested in the idea that "back then" it really was a different world and they didn't have all the things we do today. In addition, she has been using her lively imagination to re-create that world in our living room. Through-out many days in the past weeks she carries on a consistent conversation with me, imagining that she has become various members of the pioneer Ingalls family. She has "built" several log cabins, gone on multiple wagon rides, "learned" how to sew and even had several encounters with local Indian tribes. In talking about this with my sister S., she encouraged me by saying that not only is Sonya developing a great imagination and a love of reading, but she is learning the concept of past, present and future.
After last week, having some encouragement in the Sonya department has been helpful! We are all back to good health and I hope to be able to spend more time with the children this week than the past one...
Last week was also"Parent Observation Day" at her Creative Dance class...I posted a picture of Sonya below taken then. The girl loves to dance!
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Nov. 12, 2007
prima ballerina in waiting
Nov. 8, 2007
the week that was...
Last week Thursday, our almost 4 year old daughter Sonya hit a 5 year girl in the face, and spit on the face of another 4 year old girl (from our church). As parents, we've had our challenges with Sonya, but this is the first time her fiery temper has directly impacted someone outside our family. Quite honestly, for several days I felt something along the lines of: "I think I'll just climb in bed, pull the covers over my head, and when our daughter is about 18 years old and more mature, you can wake me up!"
I think I've gotten past that emotion, but the stress of what happened last week has probably compromised my immune system. I'm still not able to get rid of a sore throat that has been persisting all week. Today it is finally is turning into a good old-fashioned cold. I'm officially doing bare minimum house-keeping and just trying to keep the peace on the home-front.
I have already been gradually reducing what I can actually at home (due to lifting and other pregnancy related restrictions) This blogging note is a tribute to my husband who is "picking up the slack" more and more on the home-front, while continuing to work full-time on several fronts! He is being absolutely wonderful and I am so thankful for him. He continues to bake home-bread bread every several days, cooks enough on the weekends so that it lasts several days during the week, helps with general pick-up of toys around the house and other house-hold needs. I'm not getting smaller in the tummy, so his job won't get easier in the remaining 9 week count-down to the arrival of baby #3!
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Nov. 1, 2007
Twinges in the Hinges
After learning that the pre-natal aquatics class I wanted to take was canceled due to lack of participants, I decided to try another approach.....I registered for an aquatics class at the YMCA that focuses on people with arthritis. I admit to having in mind a pool full of grey-haired grannies and wasn't at all sure that I would fit in. I went this evening for the first time, and it was a blast! It turns out that younger folk have arthritis too, as most of the 20 women in class are between the ages of 40 and 50. My own "twinges in the hinges" all relate to pregnancy issues, but whatever the reason, it's easier to move in water than out of it.
I'm trying to be patient and figure out ways to deal with ligament/joint problems that I just didn't have with my previous pregnancies. This continues to be a high-maintenance pregnancy that makes me appreciate the very GOOD pregnancies I had before. Well, whatever it takes, I just need to keep moving and stretching a lot, in and out of the water! If I don't, I have a lot of discomfort and pain.
Our family had fun last week, spending a lot of time with extended family visiting from North Dakota. Both my kids really look up to their older cousins. We are blessed to have so many good relations with both our large extended families.
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Nov. 1, 2007
Cousins from North Dakota visiting....
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