Five Special Moments with my Children

Time seems to fly when you have small children, doesn't it? In the midst of changing diapers, doing laundry, cooking, working, planning, etc, it's easy to overlook the special moments that we have with our kids on a daily basis. Today, we want to stop and take a minute to remember and appreciate some of these moments. So, this week's question is:
Describe in detail 5 of the most special moments you have shared with your children.

• Well, the first of my five is relevant to all of my children. It consists of my pregnancy. Pregnancy is so special to a mother. It's our first chance to bond with our children. Nobody can come between those 40 weeks (normally 40). Talking to the baby(ies), feeling them kick, rubbing the belly and getting a response. Plus, ultrasounds - seeing your baby and then being able to see the likeness after they're born.
• Of course, their birth days. With Crystina, my first (and biggest!), I was proud of myself for actually just giving birth. Her birth was my first experience and although it could've been worse, I question why I went on to have 5 (almost 6) more kids! Carolyn's I did alone. The twins part 1 were a natural, vaginal birth. I was really proud of myself for that one. The twins part 2 were my first experience as a c-section birth. But, just hearing them cry for the first time was absolutely music to my ears.
• When Crystina was an only child. We had all the time in the world to spend, just the two of us. She didn't have to share me with any sisters and we would just cuddle up together and watch TV or read. Of course, at 11 years old now, she feels too old to do that with me even if she were an only child.
• Late nights and early mornings now. Cheyenne is a complete cuddling, mama's baby. She has to sleep with me in order to fall asleep. Normally she crawls in bed with me at night and just before she falls asleep she crawls down and lays on her pallet on the floor beside my bed. In the mornings, especially if she wakes up while Chris is getting ready, she crawls back in bed with me. Love the cuddle time.
• Anytime one of the kids does something "just because". For instance, Courtney heard me say I was thirsty earlier and she went straight to the fridge and got me a single serve bottle of OJ. She was so proud of herself and I just didn't have the heart to tell her that I meant a soda and not a juice.

It's hard to pick just 5 moments when you have 6 kids! Another type of moment I love when it comes to my kids is when I get compliments on their behavior. Now, don't get me wrong, they are total h*llions 60+% of the time at home, but they are perfect little angels when we are out. I am always getting compliments on how well they behave. I had one woman stop me in a restaurant and ask me to come home with her and teach her grandchildren how to behave! Another asked me to please write a book explaining how my children can be so well behaved. Book’s on hold because I have no idea how they act so wonderful in public and so "evil" at home.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

My nephew, Aidyn! He turns 2 today!

He looks almost identical to how my brother looked as a baby.

Here is a picture of him the last time I saw him in early 2008. I hate that I do not have any contact with him.

Mommy Moments -- Chore Time

This week's theme for Mommy Moments is Chore time. In all honesty, I wish I could get my kids to do chores these days! They feel they are "royalty" and therefore exempt from work. Mmmmhmmmm!

Below are some pictures of my second daughter, Carolyn, back in 2005. These were around her 3rd birthday. I was pregnant with Twins part 1 and was on bedrest. I was folding laundry, the one chore I could still do, and Carolyn decided that she wanted to do laundry too. So, she went and got her doll baby clothes and spent HOURS folding, unfolding, and refolding.







I once had a picture of Carolyn when she was about 2 pushing her toy vacuum. She loved that toy! Of course now, getting them to do chores is next to impossible! The kids like to play with my vacuum now, but scream if I ask them to turn it on and vacuum!

Click here to visit Mommy Moments at The Mommy Journey. You can also read about others' Mommy Moments!

Don't forget about the Cans for Comments Blogathon! For every new comment I receive between November 27 until December 2, I will donate a canned food to my local food bank! See here.

Aloha Friday #2

For Aloha Friday, I ask a question. I will leave my answer; you leave your answer as a comment. If you wish to participate on your blog for Aloha Friday, go here. So, here's my question for this week:

How did you celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday?

Our Thanksgiving holiday was spent together and alone; just the 8 of us. We ate late lunch/early dinner at Ryan's (buffet). This is the second year that we have spent this holiday as just the 8 of us!

Whatever you did, I hope it was relaxing, warm and that you got to spend it with the ones you love the most!

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Don't forget about the Comments for Cans Blogathon! Click here to read about it. Remember EVERY comment counts!

Join me in the Comments For Cans Blogathon!

I am participating in a Cans for Comments Blogathon with the Multiples and More Website.

For every comment I receive from November 27 until December 2, I will donate 1 (one) canned good item to my local food bank!

So, leave me comments and let's help needy families!

Thursday 13 -- 13 Holiday Foods I LOVE!

I was going to go the Thanksgiving route and write about 13 things I am thankful for. However, I just did "What I am Thankful For" for my 10 on Tuesday post (you can see that here). So, I am keeping the Thanksgiving theme but going in another direction.

13 Holiday Foods that I LOVE!

(This picture is not mine. I got it from the WWW. It does look absolutely delicious, though!)

1) Turkey - The main piece of any holiday dinner. I will only eat the breast meat though. And it has to be warm.

2) Mashed potatoes - Oh, I will fight you over my potatoes. I will stab your hand if you come near them. I love homemade mashed taters, made with milk and butter and a bit of sour cream. Sometimes I like the skin on, sometimes I prefer skin off. I'm just a potato type of gal.

3) Stuffing - I will not eat homemade stuffing. I will only eat Stove Top Stuffing. Hey, I never said I was normal. I'm an individual when it comes to my food.

4) Gravy - I prefer homemade, thank you. And it gets poured all over my turkey, potatoes and stuffing. So yummy!

5) Ham - No salt cured (which is what my maternal grandmother always had) and served warm.

6) Butterbeans - Prefer homegrown. Cooked with a ham hock..... (My mouth is watering)

7) Corn - Again, homegrown from the garden is preferred. Mixed in with my butterbeans.

8) Green Beans - Ok, I was raised in a farming family. My grandparents have always had a garden where we got our vegetables and froze/canned them for the year. I love green beans cooked with lots of black pepper and a ham hock.

9) Black Olives - Ok, maybe not a holiday food to everyone, but we have always had them on holidays. I love them! I usually ate them all waiting for the food to finish cooking. So, extra was always bought.

10) Apple Pie - Apple pie is like my favorite pie, well after Key Lime Pie. I love it when it's still warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

11) Carrot Cake - Oh, gosh. I love this all the time.

12) Pumpkin Pie - Who doesn't love pumpkin pie (my mother also did a pumpkin roll, pictured below. Click here for the recipe).

13) Rolls - Doesn't matter the brand/type. Just gimme some rolls to soak the gravy up with!

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Irony! Ask And You Shall Receive!

This is one of those odd posts. You know, the ones where you have something to say, but it's a really odd subject. First, the important thing to know is that I conceived Connor on June 16th. A few days later, me and Chris got into a huge tiff and it pretty much got to the point that we wouldn't even speak to each other. Well, on the 23rd, he sent me and email apologizing for all he had ever done and promising me that things would change between us. But, one part that stands out is, "I would love to try and have a boy with you one day!!!! Even though I have said no more my heart wants a boy if you know what i mean."

After we had Crystina, we said "That's it. She's gonna be an only child - no more." Then 4 years later, we had Carolyn. And once again, said she was the last. Three years later, Twins Part 1 were going to be the last. And again 2 years later after Twins Part 2 we said we were done. We decided 6 was enough and that we would remain content with our 6 girls and live our life. However, I have always had the nagging feeling that I wouldn't be complete without a son. A few times I had voiced my opinion to Chris but he remained firm - no more kids. So, I was absolutely floored when I read this email. I had just voiced my opinion a couple months prior. If we only knew -- that boy was already baking and neither of us knew.

That early, there was no way to know. But, looking back now, the signs were all there. We just didn't see them. Two days after I conceived, no lie!, I turned down shrimp! Now, anyone who knows me knows that I can pack away 5 lbs of these crustaceans alone. Chris bought a cooler full of shrimp, brought them home, cleaned and shelled them and then grilled them for me. I immediately turned them down; they absolutely repulsed me. I instead wanted an Italian BMT sub with extra meat and cheese and jalapeno peppers. Odd for me. Beginning 4 days after "conception", I immediately began wanting Raising Cane's food every day. Sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. Admittedly, it is awesome food, but isn't that an overkill? Ummmm...... A week or so later, I tried to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and got sick to my stomach. I was always moody and emotional. I didn't understand it. I just thought I was getting ready to go through a bout of depression. I finally put 2 and 2 together 10 days after my missed period. I think at that point I really didn't want to believe it. It was in all honesty the worst possible time for a pregnancy. Chris and I were working through our marital problems, he had just been laid off, we were in an area where our family and friends were 1000 miles away. Luckily, our marital and financial situations are just fine now.

I still pick on him about it. I just think it's so ironic that he sends me an email talking about having a boy, and at that time I was already pregnant with our son -- we just didn't realize it!

10 on Tuesday -- 10 Things I Am Thankful For

10 Things I Am Thankful For

1) My husband, Chris - He loves me despite my faults. He accepts me, quirks and all. We have our problems, but in the end we always work it out. Thirteen years and still going strong. We had people telling us we wouldn't last a week!

2) My 6 daughters: Crystina, Carolyn, Caitlyn, Charlotte, Cheyenne and Courtney - Though they drive me crazy and I complain on days, I love my baby girls like no other. I would be lost without them.

3) My unborn son, Connor - He's the one I've been waiting for, for the last 10 years. We always said when we got out boy, we were done.

4) My nephews: Clifton, Christian and Aidyn - Clifton is 18 years old and the son of my oldest sister. I spent alot of time with him when he was a baby. Christian is my brother's 2 year old. He'll always be my other "baby boy." Aidyn is my brother's other 2 year old son. I never get to see him or hear about him.

5) My friends - The ones who see me through hard times.

6) My freedom - The freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, the freedom to have a choice.

7) The internet - To keep in touch with my friends all over the world.

8) On line classes - Because if I had to sit through Greek Mythology 3 times a week, I would be certifiable!

9) Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo TV Dinners - Have you ever been pregnant? Then you know where I am going with this. These are what I crave. And my Wal-mart actually ran out the other day. The nerve!

10) Louisiana ABC Laws and living in a "wet" parish - Well, I'm really thankful for this when I'm not pregnant, but thankful none-the-less. If you don't know what this means, then here's the breakdown: drive thru daiquiri shops, can buy beer/liquor 24/7, and Wal-marts, gas stations, drug stores, etc even sell liquor. Nothing like a 3 am beer/liquor run. LOL

If you want to participate in this meme, then go here.

Mama's Holiday Wish List Meme

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?

• A new laptop with lots and lots of storage

• An accounting tutor who doesn't mind me calling at 3 am if I need help




• A day of peace and quiet where all my kids listen and do as they are told (I am seriously laughing out loud as I type that)




• All new wardrobes for all of us, including Baby Connor for when he arrives




• All the stuff I need for Baby Connor (I thought the 2007 twins were my last kids. Hahahaha!)

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

• Anything made by my kids

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

• pillow and blanket sets for everyone. I'd have to start years in advance just to keep the attention span long enough to make them all. I have made a set for my granddaddy and grandmother in the past.

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

• Polaroid camera when I was 6. I thought I was cool!

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?

• Crystina - Wii, Wii games, Nintendo DS lite, games, new MP3 player, Saints and LSU jersey
• Carolyn - Wii and games, Nintendo DS and games, Saints jersey
• Caitlyn - WWE wrestling ring and wrestlers, John Cena (don't think I can arrange that!)
• Charlotte - all things princess
• Cheyenne - anything
• Courtney - anything

6. What is your favorite holiday food?

• I love the holidays only because of the food. I love turkey and mashed potatoes and stuffing all drowned in gravy, corn, butterbeans, apple pie, pumpkin pie. And I always eat 3 plates full! (Then complain I'm getting fat for the next 3 months!)

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?

• Nothing, I am afraid.

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas

9. Favorite holiday song?

• I like the good old song, Silver Bells. I'm not too much on holiday music.

10. Favorite holiday pastime?

• Driving around looking at the holiday lights displays. I still do it as an adult.

Feel free to play along. The amazing prizes up for grabs can be found here. Thanks to TodaysMama for all of the fun. You have until December 13 to join in.

Missing: SANITY

MISSING:

Sanity

If found, please return promptly! Owner is not functioning properly without it!

I love my kids dearly. I would do anything in the world for them. But some days I feel like they wake up with the intentions of putting me in the looney bin. Maybe they dream at night about all the things they can do throughout the day to just irritate me. Here's the phrases that I honestly get sick of hearing every single day:

• Mama, I don't want to!
• Mama, (insert name of a sister here) is (insert an action).
• Mama, Tina won't let me (insert an action here).
• I wanna watch cartoons!!!!
• Buuuttttt, I donnnn't wannnnnt toooooooo! (Carly is in a whining stage)
• AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! (see above)
• WAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
• MY MAMA!!!!!!!! (Cheyenne is overly possessive)
• Leave that alone!
• Leave me alone!
• Get away!

By the end, I am the one doing "AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Some days, I swear they fight and argue from the time they open their eyes until they shut them at night. Whatever happened to "love your sibling". I used to fight all the time with my brother, or so I thought. It's nothing like these 6!

One day, I'll regain my sanity -- I guess in 18 years after Connor is all grown up and out the house too!

Daddy's Girls

I wanted to do today's post about the love of my life, my husband - Chris, and our six daughters. In about 13 weeks, he will finally have a son and not be as outnumbered as he has been for the last 11 years. But, ironically, I cannot find a single photo on any of my online photo albums of him and our oldest daughter together. I know that I have some, somewhere. Well, I kinda found one of them together. It was taken at a distance, so you can't hardly see them, but they're together none-the-less!

Daddy and Crystina

This picture was taken on May 14, 2004 -- Her 6th Birthday. They were flying a kite together..... kind of!

Daddy and Carolyn

2005

Daddy holding Caitlyn and Charlotte

2005 -- They were about an hour old

He's always nervous about holding one newborn, so imagine how he felt holding 2 at once!

Daddy and Cheyenne

2007

Daddy and Courtney

2009

A Dirty Word: Procrastinate

pro⋅cras⋅ti⋅nate [proh-kras-tuh-neyt]

–verb (used without object)
1. to defer action; delay: to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.
–verb (used with object)
2. to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.

This has totally been me lately when it comes to schoolwork! I am so behind, it is really not even funny. I chose to take online classes because let's face it -- I am way too busy to have to go sit in a class at a set time. I have 4 kids under the age of 5. Plus 2 of school age that I home school. I always end up doing my schoolwork late at night after the hubby and kids have gone to sleep. And just like the previous 2 semesters, I have allowed myself to get behind. I always do it. I start out great, everything done each week and always on schedule. That usually lasts a couple of weeks, then I start slipping. In the classes where there is an absolute deadline, as in the professor pulls the quiz off line and refuses make ups, I am usually found doing it within hours of that deadline. And in the other classes where they give you a suggested timeline but all you have to do is make sure you have all assignments done by the last day of class, I am usually working 10 hours a day the last week to get them done. So, this semester is no different. I am once again behind in almost every class.

How far behind, you ask? Let's put it this way: I am currently taking 6 classes totalling 18 credits. Here is how far behind I am in them:

1) Accounting for the Small Business - I can say that I am not behind in this class. All I have left is my final project due 12/8.

2) Computerized Accounting - Again, I am not behind. I have to complete Chapters 13 and 14 and email 2 reports by midnight EST on 11/22. After that, I have my final test due by 11/29 and my Final Project due by 12/6/

3) Interpersonal Communication - Hahahaha!!!! Ready for this? I have to complete 5 online discussion questions and 2 papers just to be caught up. I still have 3 online discussions plus a final discussion, 3 quizzes and a final exam that are due by 12/14. Wonderful. This class wasn't even a requirement. I just thought it would be a good subject for someone who wants to work with the public. WRONG! I learned that I was a doormat and my parents set me up for failure as a child. Oh, and I'm prone to health issues due to my communication skills. This class was such a self-esteem booster, I tell ya!

4) Principles of Accounting II - This is one of those classes where the professor is strict and you will not ever be behind! I have to complete 2 chapters of homework and 1 quiz by 11/29. I have my (optional) Final Exam and a computer problem due by 12/6. I will be taking the optional exam. It replaces my lowest test grade and heaven knows I need a better grade.

5) Survey of Economics - Just to be caught up I have to complete 1 quiz in chapter 3 and 3 quizzes in each of these chapters: 4-15. And complete 3 tests. Then, I still have 3 quizzes in Chapter 17 due by 12/4 and one test due by 12/7.

6) Greek Mythology - Oh, just shoot me now!!! I totally hate this class. I had to take a Humanities course for my degree. Yeah, well, this is what you get when you let your husband choose a class for you. I love Mythology, but this class is ridiculous! I have to email my professor because a) I haven't done an assignment in 2 weeks, b) I've missed 2 tests and I know she allows makeups, but I need those 2 tests plus the last one mailed to library in Louisiana so I can have them proctored there and c) For extra credit I am reading Homer's Odyssey and saw another book I want to see if its acceptable and what I need to do for the credit. Blah.....

And, did I mention that I have registered for my classes in the spring. And again I have probably bitten off more than I can chew: Intermediate Accounting I, Cost Accounting I, Auditing I, Principles of Supervision I, and Principles of Macroeconomics.

Right now, the dirtiest word in my vocabulary is procrastinate. Does anyone know if there is a support group for people like me???

Aloha Friday!

For Aloha Friday, I ask a question. I will leave my answer; you leave your answer as a comment. If you wish to participate on your blog for Aloha Friday, go here. So, here's my question for this week:

What movies are on your "Must See" list right now?

(I'm including a synopsis along with the movie poster)

1) New Moon

The second installment of Stephenie Meyers phenomenally successful Twilight series, the romance between mortal and vampire soars to a new level as Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) delves deeper into the mysteries of the supernatural world she yearns to become part of only to find herself in greater peril than ever before.

Following Bellas ill-fated 18th birthday party, Edward Cullen(Robert Pattinson) and his family abandon the town of Forks, Washington, in an effort to protect her from the dangers inherent in their world. As the heartbroken Bella sleepwalks through her senior year of high school, numb and alone, she discovers Edwards image comes to her whenever she puts herself in jeopardy. Her desire to be with him at any cost leads her to take greater and greater risks.

With the help of her childhood friend Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), Bella refurbishes an old motorbike to carry her on her adventures. Bellas frozen heart is gradually thawed by her budding relationship with Jacob, a member of the mysterious Quileute tribe, who has a supernatural secret of his own.

When a chance encounter brings Bella face to face with a former nemesis, only the intervention of a pack of supernaturally large wolves saves her from a grisly fate, and the encounter makes it frighteningly clear that Bella is still in grave danger. In a race against the clock, Bella learns the secret of the Quileutes and Edwards true motivation for leaving her. She also faces the prospect of a potentially deadly reunion with her beloved that is a far cry from the one she'd hoped for. With more of the passion, action and suspense that made TWILIGHT a worldwide phenomenon, The Twilight Saga: New Moon is a spellbinding follow-up to the box office hit.

[Official synopsis by Summit Entertainment]

2) The Blind Side

"The Blind Side" depicts the remarkable true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher's presence in the Touhys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle. In the latest chapter of his inspiring story, Oher was a First Round draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, selected by the Baltimore Ravens. The Touhys were there to share the moment with him.

Written by Anonymous

3) Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

Pop sensations Alvin, Simon and Theodore end up in the care of Dave Seville's twenty-something nephew Toby (Levi). The boys must put aside music superstardom to return to school, and are tasked with saving the school's music program by winning the $25,000 prize in a battle of the bands. But the Chipmunks unexpectedly meet their match in three singing chipmunks known as The Chipettes -– Brittany, Eleanor and Jeanette. Romantic and musical sparks are ignited when the Chipmunks and Chipettes square off.

Written by 20th Century Fox

So, what are your "must see" movies?

Thursday 13 --Thirteen Places I Have Been

13 Places I Have Been To

In no particular order, except for how the pictures were in my photobucket account.

1) Albuquerque, New Mexico - I went here in April 2008. It was for the Nationals for bowling. Chris and a few friends were bowling in the tournament. I would not recommend Albuquerque to anyone. But, that's just me. I was bored senseless. There was some pretty architecture but that's about it. The photo is of the Rio Grande. Not really impressive. It's brown, like pretty much the rest of the city. I did see a road runner and part of Route 66.

2) Alexandria Bay, New York - I went here when I was 9, I believe. My maternal grandmother was born and raised in New York and still has family there. I went with her twice to visit. Now, this place has changed it's name since I was there. It was called the 1000 Islands. Now, it's Alexandria Bay (St Lawrence River). Anyways, we went on the 1000 Island tour which includes islands in both New York and Canada. This picture is of my favorite - Boldt Castle on Heart Island.

3) Corpus Christi, Texas - We went here in April of 2006. It was also for the bowling Nationals. I absolutely LOVE Corpus Christi. This picture was the view from our hotel. $60 a night for a view of Corpus Christi Bay. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

4) Fredericksburg, Virginia - Woohoo.... a whole 2 hours from where I was born and raised. We took the kids there this past summer to show them some history. This was the building where Stonewall Jackson died. The kids got to hear about how he was wounded, transported and died.

5) OBX, North Carolina (Outer Banks: Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, etc) - I grew up about 3 hours from here. At one time, my family owned a cottage there and we went every summer. After they sold the cottage, we went periodically for vacation. I went twice with a friend in middle school. Chris used to drive me there for day trips just because. This photo, though, was taken on July 4, 2008 when we went with some friends.

6) North Charleston, South Carolina - Chris was working on the Ashley River Bridge, so we went to see him. I like Charleston. It's not too bad. This is my favorite hotel there, the Comfort Suites. I so miss my made to order omelets every morning!

7) Virginia Beach, Virginia - I grew up an hour away from Virginia Beach. I went there all the time, just not necessarily for the beach. This photo is of my favorite sculpture on the boardwalk. I have always liked Neptune (or Poseidon, depending on which mythology you study).

8) Hershey, Pennsylvania - I went to Hershey when I was real little. I was maybe 6 or 8. I can't really remember. I don't remember much about the trip at all. But, I remember my souvenirs! LOL

9) Mt. Airy, North Carolina - Chris worked here for 2 or 3 weeks. I went there for a few days. I didn't get to see much. I know it's Andy Griffith's hometown. It was also the town he modeled Mayberry after. There is one part of the town set up to look like Main Street, Mayberry. I wanted to see that but never did.

10) New Orleans, Louisiana - I love New Orleans. The first time I saw it was in 2006. It was still in ruins from Hurricane Katrina then. I don't go there that often, but try to every couple weeks. I go to Metairie more than the actual city of New Orleans. This picture was taken from the ferry at the Mississippi River. We had to cross the river from where we parked to get to the aquarium. The French Quarter starts the next street over from where we got off the Ferry. This is kinda like "New Orleans at Night".

11) Washington, DC - I have been to the Nation's capital numerous times. It's about a 3-4 hour drive from where I grew up. I went there in elementary, middle and high school. Chris also worked on a bridge there in November 2008. I actually spent Thanksgiving there. I would love to go back there again, especially when the kids are older.

12) Watertown, New York - This is a part of New York that my grandmother has family in. I have no idea where this pic is from. I went there when I was 6 and 9. I want to go back there one day as well. And I have never been there in the snow; only in the summer time.

13) White Lake, North Carolina - My mom once dated a guy who was from the White Lake area. Actually, the town he was from was 6 minutes away. I used to love to go there. I was the only one who ever liked to go. Oh, well....

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24 Weeks -- Baby Connor's Progress

I am officially 24 weeks today. Little Connor is a very active baby. More late at night than during the day. I think I am measuring on the big side for a single pregnancy, but maybe he's just going to be a big boy.

I will update with a belly picture as soon as I can.

Here's some info I found on this week of pregnancy:
Mother:
Your fundus (top of the uterus) reaches just above your navel! You are now aware of your baby's movements and may even be able to tell the sleep/wake cycles of your little one. It is important to recognize the signs of premature labor. Premature labor is actually more common in the summer months, thought to be caused by dehydration in some women, so continue drinking lots of water!
**My note: I cannot stay hydrated for anything!**

Baby:
Your baby is almost completely formed, and is beginning to deposit brown fat on his or her body. The purpose of the brown fat is to retain body heat. Newborns are bad at regulating body temperature at first.
Babies born at this point have some chances of survival with very special care. They will be in the Intensive Care Unit, probably for many months. A major problem with premature babies is lung development.
He weighs in at 1 lb 5 ounces (595 grams) and 30 cms or 11.8 inches total length!
**My note: Connor weighed about 1 lb, 1 oz at 22 weeks.**

Dad:
Mom is now visibly pregnant for most everyone to notice. You may feel a swell of pride when talking about her and the new baby. This is a normal feeling, though some men say it really surprised them.


**Updated: Thursday, November 19, 2009**
I had my 24 week appointment. Everything was good. Connor's heartbeat was 140. I go back in 2 weeks for my 26 wee appointment and my GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test).

10 on Tuesday -- 10 Things I Wish I Knew How to Do

10 Things I Wish I Knew How to Do

1) Play the drums.

2) Sing.

3) Dance.

4) Pass an Accounting test.

5) Not listen to the drama of my hometown.

6) Stop procrastinating.

7) Read Homer's work without being bored after the first sentence.

8) Cook rice.

9) Get my kids to listen.

10) Fly an airplane.

** Join 10 on Tuesday here **

5 Small Successes (or maybe large ones?)

Here is the Question of the Week from Multiples and More.

Name 5 small successes in your life from the past week. (and yes, laundry counts!)

1) Finished 3 chapters of homework, 1 quiz and a test in Principles of Accounting. The success has nothing to do with the grades because they were not successes at all. Just the point that I got them done and before the deadline, was a success. It only took me 9 hours!

2) Finished my final chapter of Accounting for the Small Business. This included a quiz, short answer questions and hands-on work using the Quickbooks Program. Easy. I will brag about my grade on this one. As my professor wrote "Everything was perfect."

3) Finished a chapter of homework for Computerized Accounting. This one involved using the Peachtree program. Again another 100. I can use any accounting program you give me, but quiz me on the principles and I blank out. Hmmmmmm........

4) Bought Connor's coming home outfit. It involves a New Orleans Saints onsie and booties and a pair of jeans. I can't wait to shop more for my little man. After shopping for 6 girls, I am so excited to shop for a boy. Sure, I've bought things for my nephew and my bestest's son, but buying for my own is so much more exciting.

5) Bought a Swiffer mop, sponges, rubbing alcohol and a small vacuum. Well, I guess the Swiffer mop is self-explanatory. The small vacuum is for when my children decide that instead of eating they would much rather crumble their food up on the floor. Too much work to use a big vacuum for a little mess. And the alcohol and sponges are to rid the walls of the creative artwork my 4 youngest have created. Nothing else works, but alcohol. Who knew? If you did, you surely forgot to tell me! Oh, and I also bought bathroom cleaner, febreeze, and carpet powder.

Looking Back -- October 10, 2007

Courtney and Cheyenne on October 14, 2007 when they were 4 days old.

I missed posting about the baby twins' 2nd birthday so I am sharing their birth story now. These were baby numbers 5 and 6 for us.

I had been having contractions since I was about 30 weeks. I began begging at 35 weeks to be induced and they kept refusing. I had a couple ultrasounds at maternal-fetal medicine and there was a difference in sizes, but not enough of one to warrant immediate induction. At 36.5 weeks, I finally convinced my doctor to induce me the following Wednesday. That put me at 37.5 weeks. I had made my preparations to go into the hospital that Wednesday morning -- packed my stuff, arranged for the sitter, etc. The Tuesday before, I was in the kitchen helping Tina finish up her science project when I felt a small trickle. I thought nothing of it because my water had to be broken with my last 2 pregnancies. I took a shower, got dressed and went to the bowling alley to watch Chris bowl. I had a trickle feeling all evening, but still kept quiet. As we were leaving the bowling alley, my water completely gushed out. I told Chris we needed to hurry and get my brother (the sitter) and get to the hospital. So, we picked him up, dropped him off with the other kids, and started going to the hospital. About halfway to the hospital, we got a flat tire. Luckily, we had some friends from the bowling alley that lived that way and they picked us up and carried us to the hospital. Once, upstairs they hooked me up to the machines and asked me if I wanted any pain medicine. I said no. They went and called the doctor and he said to wait and see where I progressed to alone. Prior to this, I had been dilated to 3 cm. I still was. So they monitored me overnight. On Wednesday morning, they went ahead and began inducement at my scheduled time since I had progressed no further. Later on in the morning, I asked for some pain medicine but no epidural. I slept off and on. Around 3 pm, the doctor came in and said since I had not progressed at all even with maximum inducement, that a c-section was the only option. I had been in full labor for 24 hours with no progression. Even though I didn't want a c-section, I really had no choice at this point. So, we agreed. They went ahead and prepped me and got me the epidural or whatever it is. I then went into the maternity OR for the c-section.

Cheyenne Elyzabeth was born at 4:06 pm weighing 7 lbs, 9 oz and was 20.2" long. Courtney Michelle was born at 4:07 pm weighing 5 lbs, 8 oz and was 19" long.

I had a rough time healing from the c-section. We went home when the twins were 4 days old. They had both dropped weight (Courtney even went below 5 lbs) and both were a tad jaundiced. By a week, they were back to birth weight or higher and the jaundice was gone.

Yes, Cheyenne was a chunky baby and she is still the biggest. In fact, she wears size 2T-3T while Courtney barely wears 12 months. They are still too loose on her waist, but she needs the length! LOL

The twins in 2008.


The twins in 2009.


A couple of pics that I fell in love with when they were little. They were about 4 months old in both of them.

Courtney and Cheyenne


Cheyenne and Courtney


Cheyenne with the cake:


Courtney with the cake (excuse the fact she doesn't have pants on. She won't keep them on!):