34 weeks 2 days

G3 wanted to join Mommy:




(This shirt(s) that I'm wearing tends to "hide" the pregnancy more than any other shirt I own.)

Yesterday I was 34 weeks 2 days which happens to be my first milestone. That is at the gestation that the girls were born. I am happy to announce that I am still pregnant. :-)
Thank you for taking my belly shots MarciaAnne!

Last night Matt and I had planned on going to see some racing going on, but it got canceled. But our children still were shipped out to other people. Rick and Ginny had G1 for the night. Jacob and Marcia had the girls for the night. Thank you to all of you for keeping them for us. It was nice to have one last night without the children (well the ones that are out of the womb already at least). Since the races got canceled Matt and I ended up going to dinner and a movie. The movie we went to see was Baby Mama. It was pretty funny. We had a really nice time. But I sure did miss my babies a lot.

On May 5th I will be going to Peoria to see the perinatologist again. I saw him at the beginning of this pregnancy just to be sure things were going okay. I will be seeing him again just to make sure things are still good. Marcia will be going with me (as well as the children and possibly Mom if she has laundry done--they will just be getting back from out east and may not have a chance to get things done before I have to go). Other than going to Peoria for that I have decided that going for long drives (longer than just the 10-15 minutes to get to Mom's) are too much for me and I will not be doing anymore traveling before this baby comes. Except I do hope to take the train down to see Marcia (and Jacob and Jessie and Aiden) before the baby comes. The Gs would love it and I think it will be easier to do before G4 arrives.

Anyway, that's it for now.

34 week appointment

We got to see the baby today. We took G1 with us and he was all excited to go and see his baby. But we had to wait for awhile (I think they had a new patient today) so by the time we started the u/s he was ready to leave. Oh well he is excited to have new pictures of the baby though (he even showed them off to the receptionist ).

The only measurements that we could really get today were of *her* legs; which are measuring 3-4 weeks ahead. So *she* is either going to be big or just really leggy. We got to see *her* face really well and *she's* so cute! lol That really helped me get excited again because I've been feeling so stressed out. *Her* heartbeat was 160-ish. My blood pressure is staying perfect (this is about the time it started to go up when I was pregnant with G1).

I have gained a total of about 15 pounds (I'm actually down a pound from 2 weeks ago). My cervix is high and long (I believe that's how he put it); amniotic fluid and placenta look great. Baby is still head down. YAY!! VBAC here we come.

So really nothing new or exciting (except getting to see *her* again--it's been 3 months).

I will be posting some belly pictures on Friday (possibly later if I don't get to it right away). Friday is my first milestone; I will be 34 weeks 2 days and that is when I had the girls.

8 things about Gavyn

Gavyn has been tagged. I will try my best to do him justice in listing 8 things about him.

1. Gavyn is full of love. Gavyn loves everyone and everything. He is the most caring and loving boy I have ever known. If he thinks anyone is upset or hurt he does his best to make it better (even when he's the cause). He has "nursed" me through (well almost through) 2 pregnancy when I thought morning sickness would get the best of me. Sweet little boy would sit by my side at the toilet and rub my back and tell me "It be okay Mommy." He is so passionate about everything.

2. Gavyn is a helper. He loves helping everyone. He loves to help Daddy work on the house, cars, anything. He loves to help Mommy with whatever she needs (except maybe cleaning) and he is always (well almost always) there if the girls need assistance (not always a good thing).

3. Gavyn loves to learn. He is so full of question (which I will admit does annoy me at times). He wants to know what everything is and what everything does. He loves to know the inner-workings of things. I don't think there is anything that does not capture his interest. He would love to be going to school.

4. Gavyn is a teacher also. He loves to teach his sisters about life.

5. Gavyn can do anything. I sincerely mean that. Once he sees something once he can do it. He is so stinkin' smart.

6. Gavyn is goofy. He always knows how to make someone laugh. He does some of the most off the wall things and cracks me up. Right now he is standing on his head on the chair in the living room.

7. Gavyn's favorite television character is Diego. He could watch Diego all day every day (and we have believe me!). He really doesn't care too much about t.v. though.

8. Gavyn is a trooper. When he came into this world I was scared he wouldn't make it. But he made sure to tell the world that he was here for the long haul. He has endured more in his life than I think any 33 month old should go through. But he takes it all in with a big grin on his face and keeps fighting. I really believe he will do really great things and be a "hero" to many.

Gavyn, I love you and want you to know how happy I am that you are my child. I could never imagine life without you in it. You brighten my days (even when you are getting on my last nerve). There is never anything you can do that would make me not love you. Never let the world change you because you have the best personality just being you!


We are tagging: Nuala, Bran, Noah and Skyler

"Let's Go Fly A Kite"

Today the weather was perfect. Hopefully it will decide to stay this way. Matt and I decided it was a good day to go to the park and fly kites (actually just the one for today) and hang out. So after breakfast we got us all ready and headed out the door. This was the first time for all 3 Gs to fly a kite and it was a blast. The park that we went to had a lot of room for them to just run around and enjoy themselves. I can't wait to do this again. Here are a bunch of pictures from our day (I think there is like 21 pictures) and then a couple videos from today also.

GMF x3 ready to head out the door

G1--getting to be so big

G3 trying to run from me

G3- "Are you coming Mom?"

Daddy getting the kite in the air

G1's first time flying a kite

G2 watching brother

G3 flying the kite

G3 still flying the kite (and G2 looking cute)

G2's turn to fly the kite

G2 found an easier way to fly the kite

G3 trying to get G2 to walk with her

G1 running with the kite

G3

G2

G2

G2

G3 and Daddy

G3 and Daddy

G2 chasing the kite after she let it go

3Gs on the Merry-Go-Round after we were done with the kite for the day.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This next video is the sweetest thing ever (if I do say so myself :-) ).

Update on life

This post will not have pictures today. My computer is being stupid and keeps freezing up on me so I'm not going to risk pictures or videos. Also, Jessie G1's post will be coming shortly--that is the post that keeps making my computer act up, so I'm taking a break from that one and will try again in a day or so.

Let's start with Matt:
Matt is working as much as he can--which hasn't been as much as he would like lately. But he has been working hard around the house. He has been helping out a lot more with "my" duties (cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.) and I am very thankful for that. The Jeep died on him one night so he drove the van for a few days. We then got one of his grandpa's old Mercedes from his dad and he has been driving that now. There was one night though that it wouldn't start up for him (it was too cold) and he ended up having to walk home. Poor guy, it was freezing out and he had to walk a few miles (not exactly sure how many) at 11 PM. Other than the sinus crud that everyone seems to have he is doing pretty well. Exhausted and sore from all the house stuff he's been doing but that seems to be about the worst of it.

Ronda:
I am getting bigger every day it seems. If it weren't for being pregnant I would be completely depressed by that statement. I am getting exhausted pretty quickly now. After being on my feet for even 10-20 minutes I've been needing to sit and rest. It's not much fun. I've never been this exhausted before. My legs ache all the time and my back hurts all the time. I'm just getting plain miserable. But I'm "keeping an eye" on myself. I really would like to have this baby as close to my due date if possible. Heck, despite being so miserable I really wouldn't mind if I go over-due if it means I get to have a "normal" labor and delivery experience and then get to bring baby home when I come home.
I was sick this week, I'm feeling a little better today; still not great but better. Thursday I woke and could barely move. I laid on the couch for pretty much the whole morning and then took a shower and nap when the kids were napping. Then I spent most of the evening on the couch. I took my temperature around 7 PM or so and it was 101.4 degrees (F). I called Mom and she came up to help with the kids. After forever I talked to my doctor and he told me I should go to the ER. I called Matt and he ended up getting off early and taking me. Mom stayed with the kids (who were in bed by this point). It was a waste of time going to the ER. They didn't run any tests. They listened to the baby's heartbeat and listened to my lungs. That's about it. Since my lungs sounded clear the doctor said I have a sinus infection, prescribed some meds and sent me on my way. Well, I'm not taking the meds. I took one pill when we got home but after reading the paper on it I learned that since I have a penicillin allergy I probably shouldn't take it. I couldn't get ahold of my OB yesterday to find out what to do. So, I'm just taking Tylenol. I feel better though. I am at least up and about today. Anyway, that was our excitement for the week (well, that and the earthquake).

G1:
He seems to be doing a lot better. He is done with his anti-biotic (as of last night). His breathing is almost normal. He is not coughing nearly as bad. Pretty much G1 is back to his old self. There's nothing really new with him.

G2:
G2 is learning what seems to be a new word everyday. She is just as helpful as ever. I don't think she ever crawls anymore. She is up to 8 teeth (2 being molars) and working on another molar. She has become a big "Daddy's girl" which makes me sad because she doesn't kiss on me like she used to.

G3:
G3 is also learning lots of new words. She barely crawls now. She still knows she is faster when crawling so if she is trying to get to something before someone else she will crawl; but that is about the only times. She doesn't just observe all the time now either. She gets in there and gets "dirty" with everyone else. G3 has become my cuddle buddy now. She also has 8 teeth (only 1 of which is a molar).

G4:
We have an ultrasound next Wednesday (34 weeks) to see how G4 is doing. But according to me *she* is doing great. She is moving all over the place making sure I don't forget *she's* there. *Her* heartbeat sounded wonderful the other day. I can tell *she* is growing well. I really hope *she* decides to stay put for at least another 5-6 weeks but I am so anxious to meet *her* at the same time.

The house:
We have carpet in the girls' room and Matt & I's bedroom. The hallway is halfway painted and will be carpeted sometime. We are all in the bedrooms we belong in. HOORAY!! As soon as the hallway is finished and we have the rooms arranged the way they are supposed to be I will take you on the "virtual tour." Are you excited? You should be. The girls' room looks pretty cool--especially now with the carpet in.

That's our update, I can't remember if I was going to say anything else or not. Sorry there are no pictures this time. I can assure you that I will more than make up for it another time.

33 weeks

*Pictures were taken Wednesday. Notice my gross belly hanging out? BLECH! lol
I am measuring about 45.5" around now.

Update on G1

He is still wheezing a little bit. He also has a bad cough still; enough that it makes him vomit. He now has an ear infection in his left ear too. So we have his breathing treatment, an antibiotic and a cough medicine to give him. Poor boy--when he gets sick he gets it all. :-( Good thing is he (and his sisters) are rarely sick. We go back in a few weeks to follow-up about the ear infection. That's about it...

My little bugger

G1 spent Tuesday night (4/8) in the hospital. Nothing serious; he was out the first thing Wednesday morning. He was in because of his breathing issues--which coincidentally he was in the hospital last year for the same thing during the same time (4/7-4/9). The good thing about this year as opposed to last year is he didn't have to have an IV and he was in for less than 24 hours (so I guess that's two things).

When we noticed he was having issues with breathing Tuesday morning Matt called the doctor to try to get him in. With this being a new doctor he had never seen him before. Matt was told that since the doctor hadn't seen him yet that we needed to take him to the ER and then the doctor would do a follow-up after. We weren't very pleased with this but there was nothing else we could do. Since Matt was going to take him to the ER rather than the doctor I figured it would be best if I went too. So, Mom came up and stayed with the girls.

We got there and they did a breathing treatment right away as well as Influenza and RSV tests. Then we did a lot of sitting around waiting for the tests. By the time they came back to tell us the results (which were negative) my bug was breathing hard again. The doctor order a CBC and x-ray. He told us at that point that they would probably keep G1 overnight. UGH! I called Mom to tell her what was going on and then called Marcia to see if she would be able to come up that evening and stay the night (she was already planning to come up Wednesday morning to help out). X-ray and blood work all looked good but after the ER doctor talked with Dr. Peppers (our pediatrician) they did decide to keep him for observation.

G1 thought the idea of having a guys' night with Daddy in the hospital sounded like fun. I'm glad he wasn't as upset about it as I was. Right before being taken up to his room they gave him his first dose of steroids. Boy oh boy is this bugger wild on steroids! Dr. Peppers came in shortly before I left the hospital and told me that as long as G1 didn't have any problems through the night then he should be okay to go home first thing in the morning. (That was good because I had an OB appointment mid-morning.)

As I was leaving for the hospital Wednesday morning Matt called me to let me know Dr. Peppers had just been in and they had to draw up the papers and we could go home. We didn't end up leaving the hospital for another 2 hours!! When I got to the hospital G1 told me he wasn't going to go home with me; he wanted to stay in the hospital. Silly boy!! He did however ask me a few times where his sisters were and told me that he missed them. I guess he does love them...

It was fun to have a girls' night at home with Marcia. The girls went to bed shortly after Marcia and I got home Tuesday night so it was just us older gals hanging out. It was nice to be able to just chat with her. I miss my sister all the time... I know we "chat" on the computer all the time but in person is so much better!

Anyway, G1 is still not 100% but he is certainly a lot better today than he was then. We go see Dr. Peppers in the morning for a follow-up. Hopefully this doctor can help us figure out a way to get this all under control so we don't end up in the hospital again.

Here is a video of a tame G1 on steroids. The longer they are in his system the less he can hold still. This video was taken probably less than an hour after his 1st dose. He tried to hold still and just couldn't. The only reason I have the song I do on is because he likes it and I was trying to cover up Rachael Ray's voice. lol

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Picnic

We had a picnic in the park on Wednesday. This was the girls' first picnic and I think they had fun. My mom also joined us. If it weren't for the wind it would have been perfect weather. Here are just some pictures from the day. I also have a couple videos that I was going to upload but I don't want to take the time right now. I will have to post them later.

I think the picnic is what made G3 decide that it's time to start walking, because it was later that evening that she took off. I think watching G1 and G2 run around made her a little jealous and now she wants to join them.

G2

G1

G2

G1

G3

G3

G2

G1

G2

G3

Fun day

On Tuesday (April Fool's Day) Marcia and Jacob came up to visit and go to the zoo with us. They also brought us yummy homemade donuts for breakfast. :-) After we ate breakfast and got dinner into the crock-pot we loaded everyone and everything up and headed to the zoo.

Here are the kiddos eating breakfast:

G1

G2

G3

The drive is a lot shorter than I had thought it would be. Anyway, we got there and it was still really chilly outside. But we made the most of it (admission was free so we were going to go no matter what!). G1 didn't seem to mind the chilly weather once he saw animals. He was ready to see it all. G2 seemed to really enjoy herself the whole time. G3 didn't really give much reaction until we got to the giraffe and then she got excited.

I think the highlight of the zoo for G1 was going on the train. That's all he will still talk about (well, that and Jacob and Marcia being with us). We didn't take a whole lot of pictures at the zoo. It was just too chilly to worry about it. (We will take more this summer when we go, I promise.)

G1 and Marcia feeding a goat

Matt and Jacob (I think they were watching and animal get fed)

Me and G3

A giraffe

G3 (not really pointing at anything, just pointing because I kept pointing things out to her)

G1 and Marcia checking out some birds (Marcia had just had her hand up to so that's why there is that blurry spot right in front of her)

G2 wanting out

A lion

A lioness

G3 on the train

G1 on the train

G2 on the train

After the zoo we decided to go somewhere to get food. Since we didn't get to spend a lot of time at the zoo I thought it would be fun to go to Chuck E. Cheese's. GMF x3 loved that. We spent (what was it Marcia?) like 3+ hours there. Here are some of the pictures we got from some of the machines/games the kids did. The pictures aren't the best because I had to use my digital camera to take the picture of the picture (I don't have the scanner hooked up right now).

G2

G3 (she would look away every time it took the picture)

G1

Daddy and G3

Mommy and G3

Daddy and G2

Mommy and G2

Daddy and G1

Mommy and G1

Marcia, G1 and Jacob

These are cool little cards they got: they go in order--G1, G2, G3

On the way home we were all pretty exhausted.

G3

Matt driving (I promise he wasn't really asleep)

G1

G2 was content to stay awake and play....

For awhile

When we got home Mom met us there and stayed the rest of the evening until it was time for Jacob and Marcia to get back on the train. Oh, for dinner we had Slow Cooker Pepper Steak which Matt did do a lot of the work for. As far as I know noone has gotten sick from it yet, so he must have done a good job. :-)

We are glad we got to spend the day with you guys, Marcia and Jacob, and the evening with you Mom. We wish we all lived closer so we could spend more time together. But I guess living apart makes these days more of a treat for us all. :-)