Project List

I have a bunch of projects/tasks that I want to get done before New Year's this year, so I thought I would list them here, to remind me, to keep track and for accountability.

1. Sort Lil's "artwork drawer" and pick save pieces and chuck rest.
2. Purge file cabinet
3. Scan contents of wallets and important documents again
4. Sell Bjorn on craigslist
5. Sell Avent bottles on craigslist
6. Catch up on reading magazines
7. Decide on party themes for both girls 2012
8. Decide 2012 living plan
9. Plan 2012 travel
10. Put more towards retirement
11. Lose baby weight...from Lil
12. Order Bible curriculum
13. Do homeschool program with Lil at least 3 days a week
14. Continue photo a day for at least 1 year.
15. Print Ellison's newborn photos
16. Re-do frames in house
17. Do silhouettes of both girls (possibly on silhouette machine?)
18. Figure out handprint project for this year
19. MORE videos of the girls
20. Start MOPS
21. Plan a STINKIN AWESOME vacation for 2013
22. Open Ellie's bank acct






And some longer term ones (by December 2012)
1. Learn photoshop
2. Learn how to use my silhouette machine
3. Teach Lil to tie her shoes
4. Lillian: know all letter sounds, write all letters on command
5. Have all stacey's old pics scanned into computer
6. Decide on school plan for Lillian
7. Ellison-no plug
8. Ellison-in real bed (possibly)
9. Lil in one extra curricular

Clothes for the Girls

Anyone who is wanting to get the girls stuff just for fun or who are already thinking about Christmas, there are lots of outfits that are on sale right now that we would like for them:

http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524445999853&FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306231106&ASSORTMENT<>ast_id=1408474395917465&bmUID=1313434924         In 5T for Lil and 18-24m for Ellie.

http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524445999848&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302775613&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395917465&bmUID=1313434505567&productSizeSelected=0&fit_type=  In 5T for Lil and 12-18m for Ellie

http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446000573&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302775613&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395917465&bmUID=1313434478140&productSizeSelected=0&fit_type=  In 4T for Lil and 6-12 for Ellie    (if this is not until Christmas they will need bigger sizes, ask me)

http://www.crazy8.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524445992120&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302774893&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395917465&bmUID=1313435229658&productSizeSelected=0&fit_type=   In 4T for Lil and 12-18m for Ellie.

http://www.crazy8.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524445991500&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302774893&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395917465&bmUID=1313435229665&productSizeSelected=0&fit_type= In 4T for Lil and 6-12 months for Ellie (if this is not until Christmas they will need bigger sizes, ask me)

http://www.carters.com/null/3-Tiered-Skort/702371423258,default,pd.html?cgid=oshkosh-baby-girl-sale
5T for Lil, 18m for Ellie.

http://www.carters.com/null/Ruffle-Neck-Tunic/702371423852,default,pd.html?cgid=oshkosh-baby-girl-sale
5T for Lil, 18m for Ellie

http://www.carters.com/carters/Long-Sleeve-Graphic-Tee/V_253A039,default,pd.html?cgid=carters-toddler-girl-fall-sale for Lillian in 5t and http://www.carters.com/carters/Long-Sleeve-Graphic-Tee/V_235A112,default,pd.html?cgid=carters-baby-girl-fall-sale for Ellie in 18m

http://www.carters.com/null/Long-Sleeve-Tunic/714442068558,default,pd.html?cgid=carters-toddler-girl-fall-sale for Lil in 5t, none for Ellie

I haven't written in forever.  Because my hands have been numb forever.  The cyst on my right wrist plus pregnancy carpal tunnel plus swelling equals not being able to do much of anything.

Thankfully, mom comes tomorrow.  Then, R's family comes, then my aunt comes.  So...hopefully by that time this little thing will be OUT and I'll be back to semi-normal.

But I wanted to write this week-Monday actually, but that didn't happen. So here I am.  I'm not going to go into all the details because I don't wanna type it all, but here's the gyst.

Thew new OB's office, who answered all my questions at the begining "correctly" is now changing their story and driving me insane in about a million different ways.

I have a broken pelvis.  Its supposed to be 2-4mm apart, and can get up to 10-11mm apart in pregnancy.  Mine was 2.5 cm when they first discovered it and it was 4.5cm a week and a half ago. 
The orthopedic surgeon said if I don't have Baby by Saturday I will be guaranteed to have to have pelvic reconstruction surgery this summer (while R's gone, with a 10-12 week recovery period.)

OB says they don't care, they're not scheduling anything til May 9 (39+weeks).

I have been "in labor" for two weeks now, with contractions 4 mins apart, and starting to dialate.  We have gone to the hospital for pain/contractions, not feeling her move for hours at a time and leaking fluid. Each time the OB has sent us home.  Sometimes to the dismay of the nurse who is actually in the room with us.

I have started the HORRID swelling (many people say its the worst they've ever seen), headaches, blurry vision, nausea, dizzyness, etc that is indicative of Pre-Eclampsia (also called PIH or Toxemia).

My blood pressure is much higher than my normal, but not in the overall "danger high" category so the OBs say they will not deliver me before 39 weeks. But also that they "wont's stop labor" after 36 weeks.

I fell at home this morning, just because I was so dizzy and my elephant legs and broken pelvis couldn't move fast enough to sit down before I fell.  I fell on my hip.  The OB's office said they didn't want to see me unless she wasn't moving.  She was/is.  The orthopedic surgeon said he wanted to see me right away, and said miraculously, although very painful and still potentially harmful, I actually kind of "hammered" my pelvis back together some, as it was between 4.5-5cm apart and is now between 2.5-3cm apart.  He does not know if this will impact the need for surgery or not, as we just have to wait and see how it heals/doesn't heal after surgery.

I turn 36 weeks on Saturday.  Mom will be here to babysit.  R will have the day off.  So...if I make it that long without anything else happening, our plan is to eat "magic cupcakes", walk, eat pineapple and spicy food, and head into the hospital and make a royal pain of ourselves, with the intent not to leave without a baby. 

Please pray that they would be able to take her out safely and quickly on Saturday and that she will be healthy.  I'm praying htey take her out before I have a stroke from Pre-E, have any more falls/issues, and before I need pelvic reconstructive surgery. 

Please pray.

This has been a rough week.  I ask for your prayers on behalf of two friends. 

The family I babysat for (Kylie's parents) had a little boy in late November, Micah.  Micah went into the hospital here last week with Pneumonia.  He was put in ICU almost immediately and pretty quickly had to be medically paralyzed.  On Sunday they found out that he has Cardiomyopathy.  They life flighted him to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Tuesday morning to meet with the best pediatric cardiologists in the nation.  They all arrived safely yesterday and he is to undergo a heart cath today to try to get some more answers and more direction, but as of right now he is on the heart transplant waiting list.  As a big blessing, Micah is covered under Tricare Prime, which means they should not have ANY hospital expenses throughout this whole thing, a huge praise.  BUT they are unsure yet if they are able to get into the Ronald McDonald house, have already had gas and airfare expenses and of course will have food expenses.  They are expecting to be there at least a couple months.

Additionally, there is a family, the Rider's, who I met online because they had a little boy, Lincoln, the same month as Lillian.  We started our pregnancies on the same mom's board and have continued until today.  Unfortunately, God needed little Lincoln and he only lived for two and a half months, before dying because of a still mysterious illness.  Two weeks ago Summer (the mom) had a little girl, Claire.  They had some blood tests come back abnormal and had to go to the Children's Hospital for follow up.  They were hesitant to even do that, since they hadn't been to Children's since Lincoln died there.  They had the tests yesterday and got the results last night.  They are heartbroken to learn that Sweet Claire has cystic fibrosis.

Please keep these two families in your thoughts and prayers over the next weeks, months and years as they battle these two diseases.  And go hug your healthy family and be so thankful.

New phone

I have a new phone and now I can post a new blog entry from it :-)

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

praying for: me to naturally go into labor in april, before the 22nd, avoiding the 5 days before that R will be gone

wearing: shirt and yoga pants that don't match

working on: the checkbook

eating: graham crackers and frosting

dreaming of: visitors

realizing: the next two years are going to be looooooooooong

impatiently waiting: for 5pm tomorrow

anticipating: holding our sweet little baby, outside my stomach

loving: the sunshine

stalking: our bank account, waiting for our tax return to show up

feeling: blessed, lonely, and a bit bored

Tupperware

I am having a Tupperware party.  Its March 10.  But if you're not local and still want to order, you can.  I have been seeing some of their new stuff, and wanting some of the older stuff that my mom and grandma have, and decided to just have a party.  If you want to look at their stuff, and maybe order, send me your email address and I'll send you the link. 

What a week, medically

We've had a rough week physically here.  Monday I found out that I have a fractured pelvis because this little baby is riding so low that she created a stress fracture.  There is nothing they can do about it, other than manage pain-with big, bad Tylenol, until she arrives.  The good news is that usually, it doesn't require any further surgery after delivery, because it generally starts healing itself. 

On Tuesday night my right ear started hurting.  By Wednesday morning, my left ear started hurting also and I called the doctor.  I went in and she said I have an ear infection in each ear and gave me Ammoxicillin.  Wednesday night, after we went to bed, I was having excruciating pain and we had to go to the hospital.  I had an "on fire" eardrum they were very concerned about and said my right ear was now also an outer ear infection.  And the pain was starting to cause contractions.  So...they told me to continue the Ammox. as well as antibiotic ear drops and Tylenol for pain.  I'm gonna buy stock in Tylenol.  It has started to get better.  Not good by any means, but not the horrible pain at least.  They are going to refer me to an ENT.

Tuesday morning, Richard broke a tooth and got a temporary sealant.  They were able to get him in on Thursday and get the final fix done, as well as fill a cavity he had.

Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we noticed fluid in Lillian's left ear.  We took her to the doctor yesterday and she also has an ear infection in both ears, and an outer ear infection in her left ear.  Thankfully, she seems (and says) she is in no pain, no fever, and has no hearing loss...I'm jealous.  We go back for a checkup in two weeks, and will probably get another referral to the ENT at that time.

Whew....now, hoping that we all stay at least as healthy as we are now, we are off for a weekend of fun.  This will be our last time for a "getaway" before the baby comes and before Richard starts deploying.  Lillian is staying with a great friend of ours and they have a whole weekend of fun planned. Richard and I are going to Williamsburg for the weekend and have plans to do an evening "ghost tour" (we're unsure, but its been highly recommended) and we are also going to go to the Yankee Candle Flagship store, which apparently has Santa and snow every day. 

Pray we stay healthy.  And that just AS SOON AS this little girl is ready and fully healthy, she comes out so that my silly pelvis can start healing.

We're only four weeks away from my "comfort zone" which is good...considering this little girl wants out. 

This has been an eventful week.  I found out I was not imagining the horrible pain I was in, I truly have a broken pelvis.  And its "one of the worst [he's] seen"...in true form for our family.  Today I also went in, and now have a double ear infection and possibly strep. 

I'm taking Lillian in tomorrow, for a possible ear infection.

YAY!!

In other news, I've been getting bugged to update our baby wishlist.  I have updated that one as well as mine and Lil's (after her birthday presents).  All the links at the top of this page should take you directly to an Amazon wishlist now.  If it doesn't, please let me know.  Also, if you have trouble figuring out the Amazon wishlist, please let me know.

25 week contractions

I've been having pretty strong contractions every 10 minutes since about 4am.  They have said that as long as they don't get any stronger or closer together, no need to go to Labor and Delivery.  So far they have not gone away but they are not advancing. 

Lillian's 3 year "well child" checkup

Lillian was 37 inches and 31 pounds at her well child checkup.

She also has a RAGING case of MRSA.  Her worst yet.  We're changing a bunch of medicines and habits but if we can't kick this in a week, we will be referred to a dermatologist.  Its especially important that this gets taken care of ASAP because I, being pregnant, cannot get it or they will take the baby out asap.  Which, at 25 weeks is NO good.

I saw my OB yesterday.  Bad news.  The hospital he does surgery at has just THIS WEEK changed their policy to state that no way, no how, no sir can you get a 2nd time c-section scheduled for any earlier than 39 weeks.  This is especially problematic for us since my 39 week mark is a Saturday, and of course they don't schedule c-sections for Saturdays or Sundays, AND on Monday, Richard is gone-for 10 days.  SO...we were hoping for the Thursday before-when I would be 38w5d.  The hospital will make no exception. 

All it would take is my doctor moving up my due date by two days.  But no go.  Grumpy old man.  Refuses to have a heart and work with me.

Two freakin days people.  We're not even talking half a week.

And, its not like anyone thinks I will go that long anyways, but if by chance I do, I'm not having Richard miss it by TWO DAYS.

So....I'm now on the hunt for a new OB, that practices at a different hospital.  This hospital, I'm told, by a Labor & Delivery nurse has a policy that "elective c-sections" cannot be scheduled for any earlier than 39 weeks, BUT if you have any medical issue, it can be scheduled earlier than that.  She said I should have no problem getting an OB to schedule me for 38w5d there. 

However, I have had problems finding OBs who are a) taking new patients, b) taking new patients who are farther than 20 weeks along or c) taking new patients who are "high risk".  UGHHHHH

But, I do have an appointment with one, who MIGHT take me, but not until February 7th, which seems like ages away.

I do still have two on my list to try calling on Monday as I couldn't get ahold of them today.

So..................ya'll could be praying about that if ya would.

And as long as we're being specific, if baby comes early, April 19th would be the ideal date.  Not A DAY earlier, not 5 days later.  Or April 5-12.  But thats even a little early for my wishing comfort.

Merry Christmas!!!!  We celebrated Christmas Eve with Richard's parents here.  Richard had duty so he was gone all day and will come home this morning (Christmas day) at 8am.  At this rate, I'll still be up...we're up waiting for a furnace repair man (1am and counting).  At about 11 we noticed the furnace wasn't working.  Did I mention it was a duty day?  Gotta love these d-day adventures.  And I thought I would escape the fate this time because I had company here.

This morning we went to Waffle House for breakfast and then went to Sam's and Wal-Mart and they filled our freezer and pantry!!!  Then we made a....um....lovely....gingerbread house, got dinner and watched Santa Clause and Miracle on 34th Street. 

Merry Christmas to all!!

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:10

We are horridly sick over here.  Richard has been okay so far, but all day today he had duty, so we'll see tomorrow night when he gets home if he's still feeling okay.  Lillian has had a fever of 102-103 with alternating Tylenol and Motrin for three days now.  She saw the pedi Saturday morning and has an Upper Respiratory Infection and an Ear Infection.  She is on Ammoxicilian and cough syrup.  I am sure I also have the URI as I feel horrible also for two-three days now, today has been the worse day, so hopefully it will get better from here.  I of course, can't take anything.  I did start a fever today, so now we're both at 102. 

A shameless plea

Okay, if someone wants to be my best friend for life, I really, really, REALLY REALLY want this Twin sized Duvet Cover from Pottery Barn for the baby.  I had seen it for Lil and Grandma Shipp got me the crib sheet that I asked for.  When she moved into her big bed, I WANTED the Duvet Cover but Pottery Barn didn't carry that line anymore, I stalked it on ebay and Dad Brill helped me get it over the phone one night while I was out. 

We are going to have the girls in the same room as soon as possible, and I already have the crib sheet that matches Lil's bedding, but I looked today and Pottery Barn IS CURRENTLY CARRYING the set again!!!  They have the matching Twin Duvet Cover!!! Which is great, because I first looked at ebay and they don't. 

Anywho, its stupid expensive, and I understand that (hence why its not on its way to me right this second), but with Lil we just got that Duvet cover and added our own blankets, pillows and sheets (from walmart/target :-) to help make the whole ensemble more affordable. 

Pretty please??!?!

We already have the name picked out so I can't offer to name her after you, but you'll be my best friend for life...and maybe be in a blog post later...........THANKS GRANDMA SHIPP for the Crib sheet that I still LOVE so much, and THANKS DAD BRILL for helping me stalk and purchase the Twin Duvet. 

See, isn't it still gorgeous?

PS-And would someone tell R to decide already if he wants another one after this or not, so I know if we should just go ahead and get two more instead of one? :-D 

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/garden-party-duvet-cover/?pkey=dgirls-duvet-covers

(I have also added it to baby's wishlist here, for easy ordering, or incase 12 people want to rush and order one today :-D, you can see that one has already been ordered.)

We got an official (although secret) schedule for Richard for the next two years.  In the next year he will be gone 236 days/overnights, in addition to regular working hours on the times he is here.  This does not include any deployment time, that will come after this. 

As of right now, he is scheduled to miss:
His birthday
The birth of the baby- Yeah, AWESOME right?
Our anniversary
Lil's birthday
My birthday
His birthday
Baby's first birthday....possibly
Our next anniversary
Thanksgiving
Possibly Christmas

Whee!!!!!

I'm now taking reservations for guests/child help/insanity prventers.  Seriously..... Lets say, I need at least one visitor a month from April 2011 to December 2012. 

Please????????????

15 week 4 day Ultrasound

Just a little wave to say hello world.

Head on left side, facing you, with left hand touching his head.

Arms crossed on chest, lower legs next to each other.


Baby GIRL weighs a whopping 4 ounces now.

SISTERS!!!

We are beyond thrilled that Lillian is going to have a sister!  We have been busily going through our tubs and totes of stuff we had saved from Lil.  Thankfully, we have more than enough of most things and I am even able to share a few trash bags full of stuff with friends and family!!

We have come up with just a short list of about 5-6 clothing items we need to purchase as well as some things that are just better new...a couple new blankets, bibs, pacifiers, etc.

Several people have asked about a registry.  We have decided not to "register" this time, as there really isn't a lot we need.  However, there are a couple things we've noticed we need as well as some things that it would just be nice to have "new" for a new baby.  So, in lieu of registering, we are just making a "wishlist" at Amazon.

Amazon's wishlist is "universal"; this means that you will be able to go there, and see anything from Amazon that we want as well as anything from any other site.  And you will be able to mark on there that you have purchased it, so others do not.  The wishlist is located here: http://amzn.com/w/33G6CTJUIAEK0 .    

Richard had duty today so Lil and I spent the day here, going through the stuff for the new baby.  We've hung up super tiny dresses and sweaters, sorted and put away microscopic headbands, socks, hats and shoes.  We've filled her dresser with onesies, pj's, pants and shirts.  All the baby toys, bottles, towels, etc are all set.  Lillian was so excited to go through the stuff and was trying to be a big helper.  She is ready for the baby TOMORROW.  As am I...if she was fully cooked.

Until then, we are going to have a full house at Christmas.  Richard's parents are coming Christmas Eve and his sister, her boys and his brother are all coming a couple days later.  We wanted to get all the baby stuff sorted and put away since the guest room is also the baby's room and I didn't think they'd want to sleep on top of tubs.  Thankfully, we were able to clean out closets a couple weeks ago and came up with a totally empty dresser and changing table so we had lots of room to put the stuff away tonight.

Tomorrow, when Richard gets home, we are going to put up our Christmas decorations.  And he has even said we can put up the hanging glass globes from our wedding.  I am so excited!  They haven't been out of the box since our wedding, for fear of breakage and not a good place to put them. 



I am in need of the tiny dress hangers that also hang the diaper cover.  I had a bunch with Lil, just from buying stuff but they apparently all got trashed.

I have miraculously found the illusive white purse.  She is in love with it.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We found out on Wednesday that Lillian is going to have a little sister!!