~~ Cricket's Corner ~~

Last Day of School

2009-05-22T08:49:00.001-05:00

Today is the last day of school. In the fall Jenna will be a sophomore JP will be an 8th grader Jacob will be a 1st grader and Jonathan will be in his final year of pre-k but will be in a half day program rather than a full day program as the school has eliminated full day in order to enroll more children by making it 2 half day sessions.

Work is going great. I really enjoy my job and it really doesn't feel like a job.. It is very physical and consists of constant running but I just love it so much! I have been there just over a month now and am amazed that I know all the residents names and what rooms they are in. When I first started that was the biggest worry for me... Seems it shouldn't have been such a worry :)

Jack has tubes in both ears now due to recurring ear infections and constant fluid begins his ear drums that would never drain. He did really well for it all and only had about 45 minutes of crying with coming out of anesthesia.

Jacob and Jonathan will be heading to Wisconsin in a few weeks to visit their Grandparents for a little while. The boys are really looking forward to it!

I have scrubs to wash for work so I better get busy! I am working 6 nights in a row... Tonight is night 2. I am covering for 2 co workers.. This was my weekend off but one had a wedding to go to and the other had a church retreat in TN she wanted to attend.... So I said I would cover for them :) Today is payday and also a mandatory meeting.

2009-05-18T06:49:00.000-05:00

)
~Alison~

For MJ

2009-04-19T08:03:00.001-05:00

See it works lol I just love Facebook so much that I don't twitter or blog anymore :)

Test

2009-03-06T08:48:00.000-06:00

Trying to set up my phone for mobile blogging again. Could blog more often if I get it set up again!

Go Me!

2009-03-06T08:25:00.002-06:00

I had Lab last night... our Lecture instructor passed our midterm sheet with our midterm exam grade on it to our lab instructor to give us last night. I was pleased to see I got a 99 on my exam :)

2 more lectures, 2 more labs, then spring break, then final exam, and then clinicals start! April 2nd will be the first clinical.

I am supposed to go get my scrubs, shoes, watch, stethoscope and blood pressure cuff on the 19th.

I need to go get my nursing assistant student ID badge from the college before clinicals also.

I have another paper to write, it is about Alzheimers and it is on a movie we watched called Iris. I also have to study for the last quiz we have coming up this Tuesday and I need to prepare for final exam.

I did my CPR certification the other night. I did it here in town at the fire station. I want to get certified for first aid also.

I am just busy busy! Looking forward to the point when I can actually WORK!

Good Morning StarShine

2009-02-27T09:33:00.007-06:00

The Earth Says Hello!!

Where have I been?

well.... busy with school, kids, photography, keeping house, helping friends, etc...

School is going great! Midterm exams are coming up on Tuesday so I will be busy studying this weekend. And of course finding time to clean house and shoot some pictures!

The kids are all doing really well in school.

Jenna is in Drivers Ed and will get her learners permit in April. She has already asked if she can drive when we go to Wisconsin... boy will I be a bundle of nerves!!!

Jacob is rockin the whole reading thing! One of the teachers stopped me after school yesterday to tell me what a great reader he is. I have also been stopped by teachers telling me what a great artist he is and just to let me know what a great kid he is. He sure does make a good impression at school lol. He reads his homework books to us every night but last night he went ahead and read Hop on Pop to me after he was done with his homework. I was so proud of him! Such a smart kid! And have I mentioned how he rocks the video games? He beat Call of Duty 5 in 2 days! He beat it before Nick could LOL he has also beat Halo 3.... in 1 day... which made JP made since it was his game... Oops LOL He has beat too many games to count! He is currently working on Mario Galaxy... that should be more of a challenge for him.

Jonathan is doing great in Pre-k. He wants to learn to read so badly! He is just starting to get into video games.. .He likes Star Wars Legos, Indiana Jones Legos, and Star Wars the Clone Wars (Wii version with the light sabers.

JP is going to be playing baseball this year. He is also doing very well in school. He is also playing electric guitar and loves skateboarding. Oh and he is also doing track.

Jack is still a very sweet and funny little guy! He cracks us up everyday!

OK... how about some pictures?

Gas in Central Illinois

2008-11-15T16:23:00.000-06:00

I need to set the table

2008-10-22T17:07:00.001-05:00

I moved our dining room table again. It is now in what was the sitting room... though no one ever sat in there! I guess I better go get the table set for supper!

I have a fire going

2008-10-22T17:04:00.001-05:00

I was actually able to get one going! Usually I have to wait until Nick gets home from work so he can start the fire for me. Go me!

a few house photos

2008-10-22T17:00:00.000-05:00

The kitchen... obviously lol. This is half of it. It isnt finished yet, eventually we want to get new cabinets, counter tops, floor, appliances...

Fall

2008-10-07T19:25:00.001-05:00

Finally cool enough to feel like fall. Jonathan is always mesmerized by the fire. I love the look and the smell of a fire burning in the fireplace

battle wounds

2008-09-22T15:33:00.001-05:00

My nice bruise the nurse gave me at the hospital yesterday when she blew it trying to get an iv line in! I will just say it hurts! At least it isnt as puffy as it was and is no longer as hard as a rock. My other arm looks much better.

Also? I love blogging from my phone! I dont have much computer time these days so I rely heavily on communicating from my cellphone

A Bat

2008-09-22T08:14:00.000-05:00

This was what we saw on the way to school this morning. It was in the church, they had caught it and had it outside on the grass. Boy it had some sharp teeth! It was making a sort of clicking sound too. The boys thought it was neat. I thought it was sort of freaky!

The Goodness

2008-09-16T21:26:00.003-05:00

I have been sick, and still am... but I am doing better than I was.

Tonight Justin showed up at the house with Felicia wanting to know if Nick could change the oil in his car for him.

They showed up around 5:00, as I was fixing dessert ( supper was already cooked)Nick doesn't get home till 5:45 so they played with the boys and hung out.

Jenna asked them if they were eating with us as she set the table, they said they would so she grabbed extra plates and we put the leaf in the table.

Nick got home and we all sat down to eat. Jonathan said the prayer.

It was nice to have a full table... all 9 of us including Felicia.

Not a lot of food to go around as I wasn't expecting company but there was enough for everyone to eat.

It is a good feeling to be surrounded by your family. The conversation at dinner is always good, catching up on the days happenings, and hearing about *tomorrows* plans..

Now to plan for another day... clothes to lay out, meals to be planned...

The Best Baths

2008-09-13T20:58:00.000-05:00

are the ones in the kitchen

Into everything

2008-09-02T17:14:00.000-05:00

He has gotten so good with cruising around, he can get to a standing position up against anything now.

And it's Gone!

2008-09-01T15:01:00.003-05:00

He was frustrated that it hurt to eat ( the boy loves to eat! ) so he worked on that tooth all day and finally got it out! The tooth fairy will have to check her wallet... she may have to leave an IOU

Beef & Noodles?

2008-09-01T10:47:00.000-05:00

Anyone have a good beef and noodles recipe? I am wanting to cook it for supper one day this week but havent found a good recipe for making it. I want those big, fat, wide noodles... do you know what I am talking about? If you have a great to die for recipe for beef and noodles PLEASE let me know! Also what do YOU serve along side beef and noodles?...

Wiggly

2008-09-01T07:27:00.001-05:00

Jacob just informed us (that is how he woke us up this morning) that he has a loose tooth... I did my own inspection and yes indeed he does! It is one of the bottom teeth. He is very excited about it! I don't know that I am ready to lose his last bit of *baby*

Stinky Friggin Socks!

2008-08-30T20:03:00.001-05:00

You see those socks? that is the 2nd stink pair I have dealt with today! Both times they were Nicks! Why does he feel the need to strew his stinky socks across the livingroom floor! The first pair? I picked up and put in the dirty laundry...(I should add one was draped across one of Jack's TEETHING toys) this pair? is going to find a home in his pillow case tonight!

Heading Home

2008-08-29T08:31:00.001-05:00

The kids are at school all safely in their classrooms and Jack and I are walking back home, through the park

And yes, I have my old, tired, foot aching shoes on.

Last night was Jenna's Highschool open house. I got to go through each of her classes and meet her teachers. Many of the teachers I already knew since Justin had them also. Her spanish teacher seems like a really fun lady. Her English Comp teacher was also very nice.

Justin is getting his very own place! He will be putting his deposit on it Sunday and the lease will be signed. I am amazed at how much he has changed over the last few months. From a kid who we didn't think was going to graduate to a young man who gets up 7 days a week and goes to work at 5am to support himself and get his own place!

The Whole Picture

2008-08-28T17:19:00.000-05:00

And here is the full view with all the kids hand prints :)

sent via cell phone! Watch for much more blogging now that I have even more access!

Tiny Hands

2008-08-28T17:16:00.001-05:00

This is hanging in the school hallway near the Pre-K classroom. It has all he childrens hand prints on it with their names. I just thought it was so incredibly cute!

sent via cellphone

Jack's Shadow

2008-08-28T12:05:00.005-05:00

This is Simon, he is from Wisconsin. He is a very awesome cat. He is about 7 or 8 months old

Simon adores Jack! If Jack is crawling around Simon follows him everywhere! He doesn't do that to any of the other kids oddly enough.

He is extremely gentle and never scratches or bites. Jack, in Simon's eyes, can do no wrong (even if he gets a fist full of fur/skin, or his ears/tail)

This is Simon & Jack this morning.

Energy...

2008-08-28T10:06:00.003-05:00

I need some! Do you have some you can send my way?

I am getting hooked on diet pop again... not good I know but I don't like *real* pop, and I really really need the caffeine. Coffee is too hot...

What am I to do?

I seriously have no energy at all, and I don't like it!

I had all these plans as to what I was going to do with just Jack and I at home. And most of that isn't happening!

Don't get me wrong, the house is cleaned, supper is made, the kids are taken care of... but all those extra things I want to get done just aren't getting done.

So, if you have energy, what is your secret?

These Shoes...

2008-08-27T09:03:00.003-05:00

Were NOT made for walking! I live in these shoes! But 3 walks a day in them? not going over too well with my feet!

By night time my feet feel swollen, by morning when I wake up my feet hurt and so do my legs.

I think I need to see if I can dig up my sneakers... but then that means trying to keep track of socks.

I have to do something... aching feet arent fun!

Just Jack

2008-08-26T09:41:00.003-05:00

Well, first off I have to apologize for the bad pictures!

Photographer Mom here.... left her camera at home on the desk! I had to resort to using the camera that is built into my cell phone... thank goodness I at least had that!!!

Yesterday, August 26th, was Jonathan's first day of Pre-K! He went from 8:10 to 12:00on his first day.

Today he will be in school from 8:10 to 3:00!

As we walked to school this morning he asked me if I was going to leave him there again. I said yes, so you can play and make new friends, learn, have lunch, etc... and then I will be back to pick you up again to go home. He said OK.

When he enters his class he puts his backpack in his cubby, then gets his name card and a dry erase marker and sits down to trace his name

This is Jack yesterday, patiently waiting, and watching all the kids,

So now it is just Jack and I .... at home, all day... it is so incredibly quiet!

Right now he is asleep on my lap, while I try to bring my poorly mistreated blog back to life!!

How will we fill our days!

A Week of School

2008-08-26T09:18:00.002-05:00

School here, for 3 of the kids (Jenna, JP & Jacob) started last week on Tuesday August 19th.

Jenna is now a freshman in High School! Yikes! She will be in drivers Ed. this year which will give her one full year with a learners permit before she gets her actual drivers license. She is also taking Spanish, Biology, Algebra, and so on so forth....

JP...he is a 7th grader this year... same old routine for him!

Jacob came home on day one exclaiming that he LOVES kindergarten LOL it was so cute as we hadn't even left the school yet :)

And me? I am LOVING not being a school bus driver! I am LOVING walking the kids to and from school each day! We get up, I get them dressed, I fix them breakfast (usually eggs), we brush hair, teeth, wash faces, get the book bags ready, Jacob gets the stroller from the garage and brings it around front, I buckle Jack in and off we go....

down the street
through the park
over the railroad tracks
down the sidewalk
and then we are at school.

Only takes 10 minutes

And it is nice and cool, and it is timed just right that as we walk through the park, under the canopy of trees, the church bells play... and it makes you smile and be thankful.

Trying not to blink!

2008-08-02T17:47:00.002-05:00

Jack...

He is 7 months old, has 7 teeth, sits unassisted, crawls, crawls from a sitting position, sits from a crawling position, sticks his butt up in the air with only his hands and feet on the ground.

Today, he pulled himself up to a standing position when he saw something he wanted on the hope chest... he just reached up, grabbed on, pulled himself up, and grabbed what it was he was after.

I, am trying not to blink.... if I do he will already be grown, I am sure of it!

Boy! Summer Lost Me!

2008-07-29T13:02:00.005-05:00

I didn't realize it had been so long since I blogged! Wow!

OK... so I am going to College soon... How about that!!! I am going to take the CNA course!

The kids are all doing great, they have had school physicals, dental exams, taken trips to Wisconsin, gone to 4-H camp, etc, etc...

Nick is busy working hard to support us all!

I tend to update my photo album more than my blog so if you want to keep track of the kids and such more frequently I have monthly albums I update at
http://www.pbase.com/akrab

Here are some Pics...

Oh Goodness! The Storms...

2008-06-05T09:38:00.003-05:00

We have been hit daily, our basement has flooded, and then flooded again (2 feet of water!). We lost the kids trampoline... how sad they are! It ended up in the tree, but not before it took out the neighbors friends car who was there seeking refuge in the basement!It is now a mangled mess! We lost power for 8 hours ( we lost power more than once but that was the longest stretch! It looked as though we shared a lake with our neighbors! The yards and roads were so flooded! Trees were down all over the place... blocking roadways even... ambulances had to turn around on some of the roads, like the one next to us, to find an alternate route to get to their house call.

Here are some pictures from around us... all within 2 to 4 blocks of our house. The last picture is of the nursing home... just around the corner from us... they had nothing better to do than to look out at the flooded parking lot :(

The Graduate

2008-05-31T09:01:00.003-05:00

He did it! Justin graduated!! I do have to give a big thanks to my sister Mari jane for giving him that big kick in the rear towards the end of it all! I dont know if he would have stuck it out if she hadnt!!

Class Of 2008

Suckers!!!

2008-05-27T19:38:00.003-05:00

I shot the baby...

2008-05-22T08:50:00.003-05:00

Jacob and Jonathan are in Wisconsin visiting their Grandparents so it is just Jack and I at home during the day. I took advantage of the quiet time and snapped some shots the other day. Jack is 5 months old now!

Funny Face

2008-05-10T12:11:00.001-05:00

Snapped a few pictures of Jack yesterday also.... He is quite funny now.

From The Garden

2008-05-10T12:07:00.002-05:00

Picked some flowers from around the house yesterday the decided to shoot them :)

Rock On Man!

2008-03-29T17:12:00.003-05:00

Had fun with the Boyz today... are they awesome dudes or what! :)

Little Man

2008-03-19T10:42:00.000-05:00

Jonathan is one spunky little 3 year old LOL he cracks me up!

Holiday

2008-03-19T10:38:00.001-05:00

We are headed to Wisconsin tomorrow with the kids to spend Easter with the in-laws. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Here is a pic of our little bunny... fat Jack :) 16lbs at 13 weeks old.

Not a Loser

2008-03-08T08:48:00.003-06:00

So, yea, .....

I ROCK on my Weight Watchers diet all week.... even got some walking in.

I drank water, I ate no junk... I was sooooooooo good! I totally ditched Diet Pepsi, got off caffeine, etc...

And I was so confident going in there on Thursday and getting on that scale.

And........

I GAINED 2 OUNCES!

LOL yea, only me!

It may have something to do with breastfeeding.... and if that is the case my pudge can wait until the Jackster is older :) I will conitue to eat well, go to Weight Watchers and exercise more... Onto next week.....

This little piggie

2008-03-08T08:44:00.002-06:00

I took Jack in for his 2 month check-up and to get his first round of painfully horrible shots

Gosh I hate those things!

He is 15lbs and 24 1/4 inches long.

He is doing really well... still just perfect as can be :)

My Finds

2008-03-03T10:15:00.002-06:00

I was in an old shop yesterday, it is only open 1 weekend a month, always the first weekend. They were having a sale in there, there were oodles of beautiful old antique furniture.. when I win the lottery I will go back and get some pieces! There was a gorgeous old rocking chair but it was $100... so it stayed there :) I was looking around on the jewelry table and the lady said it was all marked down to $1 for the day! I grabbed these 3 rings and went home and cleaned them up.... 2 are 18k gold and one is 14k gold.... not bad for $3 huh?

I did it

2008-02-29T09:16:00.002-06:00

I tried to get out of it.... going to Weight Watchers that is.... but since Donna wanted to go I went.

My weight was right were I thought it would be.... Donna was not happy that hers was higher than what she thought hers was... we stayed for the meeting and left determined to follow this through.

I ended up having to run to the store last night for Jenna... so I picked up some things to get me started on the right track today until I can go do some real grocery shopping. So far today I am right on track :)

I guess I need to go dust off that exercise machine..... *sigh*

and I cant do a post without a picture so here.... I took this a few days ago when it was snowing out....

The Buzz...

2008-02-28T09:22:00.001-06:00

It didnt go over so well as you can see.... but he is OK with it now :) I dont know who was more heart broken... him.... or me!

This Sucks!

2008-02-26T09:23:00.002-06:00

that wasnt my original title! but when I went to add a picture of Jack I had to click to allow pop ups and it WIPED OUT MY ENTIRE POST!!!!

so you get a quick short version now.... sorry!

I am driving school bus... Jenna tends to Jack in the am while I drive... Barbs daughter tends to Jack & Jonathan in the afternoon while I drive for about 20-30 minutes until Jenna gets home... it is working out well so far...

Justin is 18 now

Jenna got her braces off

Jonathan has a buzzed head ( a result of Mommy NOT being a hairdresser!)

JP is finished with basketball

Nick now works Mon-Fri 7-5

Jacob ROCKS on guitar and drums on Rockband!

Jack smiles and coos a lot and is more aware of his surroundings

I am supposed to start Weight Watchers with a friend this Thursday.

And here is Jack yesterday on his 10 week day!

YeeHaaaaaaaaaaw

2008-01-19T22:52:00.000-06:00

Jacob having some fun posing for the camera...

He is good at making faces :)

Mr.Pouty

Mr.Inquisitive

The Oldest

2008-01-19T22:45:00.000-06:00

I don't get to photograph Justin much... but he requested new photo's for his my space page..

He will be 18 next month! And he will be graduating May 30th!

The typical teen posture *sigh* the ol slouch!

Having some fun!!!

Mr.Macho LOL

Three Of Da Boyz

2008-01-19T22:36:00.000-06:00

Well I had some time to snap a few pics of the 3 younger boys tonight... the older 3 kids werent home so I couldnt get all 6...
Jack is now one month old and still a very pleasant, content baby :)
Oh, and if you cant tell by looking at his cheeks... he eats very well LOL he is 12lbs now!

Jacob had his 5 year check up last night... he is 48 lbs and got all 3 of his required shots to enter Kindergarten this fall... the kid giggled with each shot and said it tickled!! Very odd kid!!!

Jonathan had his 3 year check up last night and is 32lbs... he was put on allergy medicine... boy what a difference it has made already!!

Baby Moon.....

2007-12-27T16:11:00.000-06:00

I have been away from the computer..... enjoying my new little one :)

Everything is going well, he is a very content baby.

We went to Wisconsin for Christmas and I finally got the camera out and took some pictures on Christmas day....

December 25,2007

Big Yawn.....

Jack Christopher Rab

2007-12-19T10:10:00.000-06:00

He made his arrival Monday Dec 17th at 8:21pm weighing 9lbs 1oz and measuring 21 inches long.

Everything went smoothly and fairly quickly, I was blessed with an uneventful natural birth with no IV's or other yucky things being poked at me. Nick and Jenna were both present for the birth, Jenna got to cut the cord :)

We came home last night in less than 24 hours... we were released at about 5pm last night.
The kids are all thrilled with Jack but I think Jonathan is the most in love with his new baby brother ... he adores him :) Jacob is pretty darned thrilled also so it is a pretty close tie :)

No time for any real picture yet but here is a picture that was taken after we got home last night...

Jonathan loving on Jack... he said he likes his hair and he rubs it a lot lol

and this morning Jacob asked me to take a picture of him with Jack so he could take it to school and show his teachers and friends his new baby brother.. he thinks Jack is pretty fantastic :)

Still Here...

2007-12-14T10:56:00.000-06:00

Sorry, had a bout of the sickies go through the house and then went into cleaning mode around here... though you'd never know it now as I really need to go through cleaning mode again!!!

I didn't mean to go so long without posting... and hadn't realized it had been that long until my sister called yesterday to check in on me...

So here is a post.... I am still around :)

Jack is still baking in my belly.... it is nice and warm in there... though he must be quite cramped in there by now!

As for baby progress stats the Midwife doesn't know what Jack is waiting for... I am a loose 3cm dilated and his head is right down there waiting to pop out!

I go back to see her on the 17th... which is also my due date... and if I make it to that appointment I think she is going to start doing some things to help motivate him to come out... like sweeping the membranes... boy that sounds like fun huh?!

I am comfortable actually... not getting much sleep at night but hey I just have that to look forward to once he is here anyway so no biggy on that part.... just getting my practice in!

Not really a whole lot going on in the contraction department... I occasionally get them but nothing major...

So other than heartburn... which I manage with Tums.... I feel great!

* Gobble Gobble *

2007-11-22T14:59:00.000-06:00

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

From our home to yours, Happy Turkey Day!!

~ J4 is FIVE ~

2007-11-21T09:17:00.000-06:00

The Life of Jacob :) Birth to Five!

as a newborn

on his first birthday

age 2

age 3

age 4

and age 5

Happy Birthday Bean!!

~ Winter Dreams ~

2007-11-19T22:54:00.000-06:00

One last photo before I get back on track with the Florida pictures I am supposed to be getting done for my family *blush* I get distracted way too easily!

Jenna was kind enough to model for me so that I could get this image out of my head and through the lens :)

A few more holiday shots...

2007-11-19T11:48:00.001-06:00

I just couldn't help myself.. I had to get more photo's for the holidays :)

Ready for Christmas???

2007-11-16T15:45:00.000-06:00

My little Elf Jonathan is :)

Now to get some good ones of Jacob :)

Miss Jenna

2007-11-15T08:21:00.000-06:00

Proof that they grow up too quickly! Hard to believe she will be 14 in just a few months! She will be entering high school!

And just so you know... she does not wear make up LOL she was at a friends last night and they were having fun doing things girls like to do... play with hair, make up and talk about boys! So when she got home I took advantage of it and played with hair, make up and talked about boys LOL and then took a few photo's... so here you go... a break from the little guys I always post pictures of :)

and the boy she likes? well she doesn't want him to know she likes him... Why?... because she is afraid he doesn't like her like *that*.... silly , silly girl... he would be crazy to pass her up :) I think she would be surprised to find out the boys that like her :)

Bits & Pieces of 3

2007-11-14T16:55:00.000-06:00

they dont stay little very long... so I must capture the bits and pieces and freeze them in time...

Dust & Puppies...

2007-11-13T11:52:00.001-06:00

trying to catch dust floating in the sunlight..

He may have actually caught some of that dust!

Pulling the ears helps them listen better!

And then he was THREE

2007-11-13T11:14:00.000-06:00

I got a few pics of the boys the other day,.,. this is JOnathan, officially three... and Jacob before he turns FIVE.... I can't believe how quickly they are growing up!

And the hats? yea, ok my kids had messy hair so I cheated and threw hats on their heads LOL

click pics for larger view... and more pictures will be coming up very soon :)

GoodBye Two.....

2007-11-08T22:31:00.000-06:00

In just a little over an hour my *baby* will no longer be a 2 year old... he will leap right into being a three year old... my how the time flies! Here are some last images that I took today of the wee two year old....

as always click each image if you want a larger view....

Jacks' Goodies

2007-10-15T17:21:00.000-05:00

Here is Jack's 2 sided blanket with his hat... now that I have it done I have decided to make him matching booties to go with it :)

Sewing...

2007-10-14T16:39:00.000-05:00

so since it is getting close to baby time here certain things are kicking in.... like sewing. I made the most soft and adorable blanket for Jack... and then I couldnt resist and had to make one for Jonathan... and then I thought it would be a neat idea to make a matching hat to go with the blanket... so I made jonathans first since I could put his on him and see how it turned out... only he wouldnt model for me to take pictures LOL so I got Jacob to model for me... now I need to make one for jack to match his blanket since Jonathans turned out so well.

here is Jacob modeling jonathans hat and two sided blanket...

Mom, will you make me one too?

WoW Mom can sew!!!

Go Ahead...

2007-10-11T17:54:00.000-05:00

Make My day!!!

LOL I thought he had that Clint Eastwood look...

Oh... baby stuff...

2007-10-10T19:45:00.000-05:00

I was asked if I did a baby registry.... and I hadn't.... so I went and did one on line at Wal-Mart... so in case anyone else was wondering about it I do have one... please do not feel I am expecting anything by posting the info... I am just answering a request :)

so you have to put in my first and last name I believe to see the registry.... I wont post that on here just because it makes me nervous to give TOO much info... but if you don't have the info just email or leave a comment.... and again this is NOT a request for gifts :)

Jack at 30 weeks!

2007-10-10T19:29:00.000-05:00

I had another Ultrasound yesterday at 30 weeks pregnant.... everything looks good, Jack is 3lbs 8oz right now so they say they think he will be smaller than 9lbs... I will believe it when I see it as I was told for sure that Jacob and Jonathan would both be around 7-7 1/2lbs.... yeah, well those were wrong as they were 9lbs 7oz and 9lbs 14oz.... I am starting to think they guess this all by MY weight gain ( or lack of it) because I was slow to gain with both boys and in the end had gained about 21-23lbs total.... so far with Jack I have gained about 14lbs now in 30 weeks.... gained nothing in the past 2 weeks, my midwife asked me if I was eating... my blood pressure was 100/62...

The ultrasound was really neat... he is head down now but turned sideways so it was hard to see all of his face at once... the one shot the tech did of his face we could see his eye moving underneath the eye lid.... that was kind of creepy! but the neat shot was when you could see his mouth moving in a sucking motion :) also he had his arm and hand up by his head and he had his feet crossed...

Here are 2 of the pictures they gave me out of 4...

his face (2 eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks... you can see a little bit of his fingers above the left side of his head)

his hand and arm...

Sunday's Fun...

2007-10-07T22:01:00.001-05:00

How we spent our day...

If the stores can start to display Christmas stuff before Halloween then so can I right?!?

And what is more fun than taking a nice bike ride on a Sunday!?

And a sly grin from Jacob

And a witch following us as we walked the pumpkin patch..

Jack In The Belly

2007-10-07T09:48:00.000-05:00

29 weeks... I took a series of pictures of myself and "Jack" but this is the one that came out the best.... I think... so here we are...

Oh and I took it upon myself to cut my hair last night... so I will get some new pictures taken... Why is it that during pregnancy you get that urge to just lop the hair off? maybe to keep it out of the baby's face? maybe to keep it form being yanked on? anyway.. it happens every pregnancy with me, I say I wont do it the next time and every time I find myself chopping it off :)

Trying Something new

2007-09-26T10:53:00.000-05:00

That's My Buddy...

I Love My Bear...

Nothing But Time...

Smokin Da Pipe....

2007-09-22T19:56:00.000-05:00

Meet My Buddy....

2007-09-22T19:53:00.000-05:00

~~ Twelve Today ~~

2007-09-19T08:26:00.000-05:00

JP is Twelve Today! I would actually be in labor right now.... he was born at Eleven a.m on September 19th 1995. I can picture it all in my mind as if it was yesterday! I did not have a steak dinner last night... like I did 12 years ago... I had leftovers last night LOL though I would have much prefered the steak!!

Here are a couple recent photo's of the one year shy of being a teenager birthday boy! I will have to get some more tonight :)

End Of Summer

2007-09-18T08:22:00.000-05:00

Ho Hum.............

Jacob the Dino

2007-09-16T20:37:00.000-05:00

His expression just cracks me up!

Gearing Up For Fall

2007-09-16T13:58:00.000-05:00

Jonathan in his skeleton costume

Jacob with his pumpkin

Jonathan the skeleton with the pumpkin

The Younguns...

2007-09-15T19:29:00.001-05:00

Mr.GQ

Sweet Brothers

The Little Princess

2007-09-10T22:39:00.000-05:00

ok.... I have pictures of the other kids too... I want to get that said right away LOL I am not playing favorites in any way! Alexa is just too cute! Here are 2 of the MANY shots I got while in Florida recently ( yeah, I havent even blogged about THAT yet lol)

more soon, and more about Florida soon also :) I am busy processing a LOT of pictures from my trip and doing some computer repair for others ( 1 laptop and 3 desktops) that I have to get done before I can comfortably sit around and type up a blog :)

Self Portrait..

2007-08-30T09:44:00.001-05:00

I did a couple Self Maternity Portraits this week. I am 24 weeks pregnant...

Love Button....

Waiting Patiently.....

Masked in Black..

2007-08-16T00:06:00.000-05:00

In The Navy...

2007-08-11T19:58:00.000-05:00

The boy's dressed up in their Grandfathers Navy outfit... even the bag they are leaning on is his Navy bag...

Home Sick...

Navy Imp....

Hocus Pocus

2007-08-11T19:56:00.001-05:00

Boys with tricks up their sleeves...

Boy's Dress Up

2007-08-10T14:49:00.000-05:00

Who say's they can't? :)

I should get to bed...

2007-08-10T01:07:00.000-05:00

but before I do ...

Jenna let me take 2 pictures of her... ahhhh they are so generous when they are teens LOL

this is one of the 2 photo's from our less than 5 minute photo shoot today....

Not Much Doin...

2007-08-09T21:57:00.000-05:00

same ol same ol here... all I have to post are pictures LOL

Middle Names....

2007-08-01T14:23:00.000-05:00

here are some ideas so far...

Jack Ryan
Jack Elliot
Jack Luke
Jack Edward
Jack Landon
Jack Nicholas
Jack Allister
Jack Aiden
Jack Xavier
Jack Kuse
Jack Gabriel
Jack Christopher
Jack Hudson
Jack Immanuel
Jack Isaiah
Jack Rainier
Jack Xander

It's Officially a BOY!!!!!! :)

2007-07-30T19:25:00.000-05:00

So Jack it is .... just need to come up with a good middle name..... one I am tossing around is Dawson.... Jack Dawson..... I am open to cool name suggestions :) And I let Nick go ahead and snap 2 pictures of me tonight after we got home from the ultrasound... so here ya go, this is me, at 20 weeks pregnant!

He is 13 ounces right now, his heart beat was 146 and everything looks great! The placenta has also moved away from the cervix so we are all clear with that :)

Oh and yes I am VERY happy to be having another boy I just don't like having my picture taken and that is why I am giving a *look*

Kids and Flowers....

2007-07-30T11:39:00.000-05:00

I actually got Jacob to crack a little smile yesterday for a picture... of course this was only because I told him he could use the camera to take pictures when I was done... the kid LOVES taking pictures and he does a really good job at it! I will have to post some of HIS photo's! I need to find him a cheap yet decent camera!

We had some rain a few days ago... I wanted to get out IN the rain to take photo's but couldnt do that or else the kids would have folowed me ( Nick was at work) so instead I went out after the rain... this is one of a few flowers we had in the yard ( before Jenna picked them all)

And then because I am a bad mom and let my kids have ice cream after they eat breakfast I get the fun of taking photo's of happy goofy kids afterwards :)

How could it not...

2007-07-26T12:43:00.000-05:00

make you smile? He is such a goofy kid :)

Sorry I'm Late!

2007-07-25T10:06:00.000-05:00

So I went to see the midwife yesterday and the office was really backed up! There was even a woman in labor in the waiting area!
I had to wait a long time....
First it was supposed to be, go to ultrasound and then to see the midwife, but since they were so backed up ultrasound got confused and thought I was to see the midwife first... so I sat for half an hour waiting... finally they decided to take me back to the midwife. Cathy did an exam and said the polyp on my cervix was pink and did not show signs of bleeding but said she was able to just touch my cervix with the q-tip and get blood so she thought it was just an overly sensitive cervix and opted to have me wait until my scheduled ultrasound on the 30th. (Monday July 30th) She did listen to the baby's heartbeat and said it is nice and strong and said my fundus height is right on target. I was told to just continue to take it easy until my ultrasound and midwife visit on Monday.
So that is all the news I have for now :)

Pregnancy Update

2007-07-24T12:53:00.000-05:00

I had to call the Midwife this morning to report my bleeding episode from last night to her. She wants me to come in at 2:45 for an ultrasound so they can take a look and see how the placenta is doing. If everything looks fine there then she will do a speculum exam and see if it is possibly the polyp causing all the trouble. If it is the polyp she is considering having it removed.... but she is undecided on that since the cervix during pregnancy bleeds very easy so it could be a tricky thing to have done.
I will update when I have more information.
But I have not had anymore bleeding since last night.

I just wanted to clean!

2007-07-23T20:15:00.000-05:00

I know I am supposed to be taking it easy... and I have been, and the kids have been helping out a lot, even Jenna's friend Megan has been helping.

There is only so much I can expect everyone to do. We have a 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom home... add into that a living room, dining room, foyer, kitchen, sitting room and hallway to keep clean! Plus laundry for 7 people and dishes ( we do not have a dishwasher). And keep track of 2 little ones on top of keeping the house from becoming a disgusting mess...

I didn't think it was unreasonable for me to try and clean the downstairs bathroom... or pick up the sitting room... I scrubbed the toilet, wiped down the wall, cleaned the sink, emptied off the over the toilet shelf and dusted it, swept and mopped the floor ( it is a small bathroom) but didn't get to wiping down the cabinet counter, or cleaning the shower... I kept it *light*

so imagine my surprise after 8 days of no signs of bleeding, going to the bathroom and discovering that I am, again, bleeding :(

I am so bummed!

Good news is the baby is kicking me... bad news is I have to work in the morning and call my midwife ( no I am not calling her at almost 8:30 at night) and she had told me if I had another bleeding episode I would have to go in and get checked again :( so I imagine I will be headed to the Dr's office at some point tomorrow...

Same ol Same ol

2007-07-22T20:39:00.000-05:00

Not much going on really... one more week until my 20 week ultrasound. No more bleeding luckily, I have been trying to take it easy as much as possible... either that is helping or hopefully it means the placenta has moved up and out of the way!
Still no weight gain... still no appetite...
I do feel the baby kick and pike around on a daily basis... I don't feel huge yet which is nice, but I do think I look pregnant... oddly enough I can, and do (at times) sleep on my belly ( with the aide of a pillow).
Sleeping is getting better... I don't have a lot of insomnia now which has been nice. I actually needed to lay down and take a 2 hour nap today... I really was not feeling well at all and felt so tired.
Even though the ultrasound tech told me she *thought* possibly I was carrying another boy, I can't help but feel I am carrying a girl... this pregnancy has just been so different from the boys pregnancies. And have no fear, if it is indeed a boy I am VERY happy! though Jenna would be very disappointed as she is really hoping I am having a girl this time... I would be very happy to give her a little sister, but am looking forward to having another boy :)

Some Color

2007-07-22T20:34:00.000-05:00

JP had the most fun of all of them.....

Mr. Serious as always!

This is the best I could get of the little stinker today! He refused to sit still or cooperate for any photo's!

Grumpy Cowboy

2007-07-19T14:31:00.000-05:00

He Made It!!!

2007-07-18T19:41:00.000-05:00

Jacob made it onto the Jones Soda label!!!! I hope all of you who look at this blog will try and see if you can find him inthe store! We already checked our local store and he wasnt in there... yet... I am really hopign we can find him!

He is on the M.F. Grape flavor!

How to Spend A Birthday!

2007-07-16T13:42:00.000-05:00

(for me anyway)

Is to spend it with my kid's :)

Team Work...

A Little Thirsty

Taste's Better When You Share

Having Fun!

Now, if I can just get all five kids together at one time to get a group photo... that will top off my day!

Sitting doesnt cut it

2007-07-15T08:40:00.000-05:00

I did a lot of lounging last night, relaxing, taking it easy... you know... and then I got up for about 15 minutes because the kids were outside blowing bubbles and I thought it would be a great opportunity to snap a few pictures.... they just love blowing bubbles! They could do it all day long! I love to see the excitement and hear all the giggles and laughter... who wouldnt!?!?!

and I have a couple pictures to share... because these kiddos are just too cute not to share!

and when I went to bed I was still bleeding.... but after being in bed all night the bleeding is gone... so I am guessing that sitting around doesnt cut it... which makes sense.... as that still puts pressure in the placenta DOH! but the good news is so far the bleeding is gone :)

Feet are up....

2007-07-14T19:21:00.000-05:00

I had to run into town ( about 30 miles away) to get a heater hose for the van... then decided to stop at WalMart to get some cleaner for the upstairs toilet as it is really in need of a good scrubbing! All was fine and well.... my stomach had been bothering me a little bit... I didnt worry about it too much because I knew I was heading home and would relax once I got there. I stopped at the restroom on the way out because I knew I wouldnt make it back home without needing to go... an that is when I saw I was bleeding again :(
I am now home, sitting with my feet up... trying to take it easy... and hoping the pregnancy wont be like this the next 22 weeks.....

He's Happy...

2007-07-13T18:19:00.000-05:00

to have his sister home... can you tell??? :)

Motherhood

2007-07-13T10:32:00.001-05:00

Nothing quite jump starts your day like your 2 1/2 year old pooping in the tub during his morning bath....

~*~ Cricket's Corner ~*~