Our weekend

Rebekah was supposed to have her birthday party with her friends on Saturday, but we ran into a roadblock. Friday evening my parents came to the house to give Rebekah her gift. It was already getting late for dinner, and neither of the kids were eager to eat. They finally did eat, but not much. Rebekah looked rather peaked by the time my parents left. I figured she was just really tired from all the birthday celebrations and adrenaline from the past couple of days.

The next morning Rebekah acted really tired. She laid down on the couch to watch cartoons with Joshua and ended up falling asleep. Wow! She must be really tired! Not long after she started vomiting. We spent that morning getting Rebekah and everything around her cleaned up, taking care of her, calling the location of the party for reschedule, and calling parents of our guests.

Rebekah felt much better by the afternoon, but we opted to keep her home on Sunday morning from church as well even though she never had a fever. My mom offered to keep Rebekah for us so Darrin and I could attend church together. When Joshua woke up he was acting rather abnormal, unlike himself. He was more testy than usual, and he just didn't seem right. Since my mom was already keeping Rebekah we decided to let Joshua stay home as well. After church my mom informed us that he had diarrhea, and when Darrin check his temperature he discovered Joshua had a low-grade fever. We were so thankful we had kept him home!

Rebekah was tired most of Sunday, but by the time she got a fair amount of food on her stomach she was feeling back to normal. We decided to let her attend Cubbies while my mom kept Joshua again that night. Rebekah attended preschool yesterday while Joshua stayed home with me. He was still sick with a low-grade fever and not eating as much as normal. However, he wasn't thrilled about missing preschool after I dropped Rebekah off through the car line, but he calmed down quickly on the way home.

As of last night, Joshua still had a low-grade fever. If he is still sick this morning I will call the doctor. I'm thinking it is probably just a little bug he has, but today will make it day 3, so I want to be pre-cautious as well.

Good news, however!!! Today at nearly 17 weeks we are going to see the OB and should find out if the kids are having a little brother or a little sister! Be watching for the big announcement! I had accidentally scheduled for last Monday when the kids were in preschool and then remembered I wanted them to go with us and find out when we do, especially Rebekah. When I was pregnant with Joshua Rebekah went with us to see the ultrasound and see that we were having a baby, so I wanted Joshua to have this experience as well, but since he's been sick he won't be going with us this time. However, I'm really glad that Rebekah will go with us to find out what her little sibling will be.

So, what do you think? Do you think it will be a boy or a girl? I really don't have an inkling this time other than that Rebekah had prayed for a baby sister before we even got pregnant. I will be happy with either another daughter or another son. I love having both a girl and a boy, and they each have their special advantages. So, I leave you guessing until next time.

Preschool Party and Family Party

In celebration of Rebekah's birthday I took cupcakes for her preschool class on Wednesday. Since they were recognizing Fire Safety week and exploring a fire truck before snack I decided to join the class early to participate with Rebekah. Of course, this gave me a great photo op since I normally would not get to be part of this event.

Rebekah did not like the alarms and sirens as you can see her on the front row holding her hands over her ears.


Listening to a fireman talk about fire safety and learning from Sparky the (electronic) dog.



Rebekah's class with Sparky


Rebekah and Sparky


Touring the front of the fire truck



Rebekah's class poses by the fire truck


We then went back to the classroom for snack. Rebekah was the snack helper for the day, and she handed out the cupcakes to her classmates.


She felt pretty special when her friends sang "Happy Birthday" to her. She even made a big deal about it that night over dinner.





This evening we celebrated Rebekah's birthday as a family. She had been itching to open her gifts from Aunt Donise and Uncle Mark. She actually wanted to open them early, but I told her she could open them on her birthday. So this morning she was ready to tear into the box first thing this morning. Knowing me, I have to get pictures of these special events, and I wanted the rest of our family to take part, so I encouraged her to wait. Well, I finally started to give in by late this afternoon, but she managed to get distracted and did wait until we had our intimate family celebration.

When Darrin arrived home from work he entered the house with a bouquet of fresh cut flowers. Rebekah's face lit up when she saw them, and she was so proud that I put them in a vase and in her room. It made her feel grown up.

Rebekah had asked for tacos for her birthday dinner, and afterwards we sang "Happy Birthday" and ate leftover cupcakes from her preschool party.



Joshua's taco face :-)





Rebekah then opened her presents. Joshua gave her a tutu and matching head band.


Darrin and I gave her Monopoly Jr. and an orange shimmery leotard. Her main gift from us will be her birthday party on Saturday. She is so excited!

Rebekah and I played Monopoly Jr. while Joshua took his bath. This is such a great game for this age! Rebekah can do simple math, but this takes it to a new level since they learn how to form different dollar amounts with what they have or to make change. It was just the right length of time for a game at this age. It kept Rebekah's attention, so it wasn't too long, and the game is simple enough and fun too. I loved that they made it in the theme of an amusement park to relate to children as well. There is some light reading, but I just read what was too difficult for her, which is fine since she will only be playing this with me and/or Darrin anyway.



Rebekah got a Madeline set from Aunt Donise and Uncle Mark. I'm not familiar with this character, but she looks really cute. Rebekah got a book, DVD, and matching doll. Donise had also introduced us to Angelina Ballerina about a year ago, and now she's pretty popular in our house, so I'm sure Madeline will soon become a favorite as well.


After her bath Rebekah was excited to try on her leotard, tutu and head band. The leotard doesn't match the tutu set, but Rebekah didn't care. She had a blast dancing away!

Happy 5th Birthday, Rebekah

Five years ago on October 1, 2004 our lives were changed forever. God gave us the most precious gift we could ever receive when He gave us our precious daughter Rebekah. Before, Darrin and I lived in our own world as a young married couple of three years having no idea how much our family dynamics would change with the birth of a child. Middle-of-the-night wakings and feedings, diaper changes, figuring out our little one's cries, but on the other side of that was enormous love for someone we could not explain. Rebekah had her Daddy wrapped around her little finger from the day she was born, and she still does.

Now Rebekah is five years old and is growing up so fast. It's hard to believe that our little girl is now not so much a little girl anymore. She's a big girl in her own way. We can see how she is maturing. She's really handling her little brother better and not getting as upset with him as much, although they still have their quarrels. She is more helpful, more empathetic, and she is even taking on responsibility more because she wants to be more grown up. Her latest thing is making her own sandwiches (with help as needed) for lunch.

Rebekah is also maturing spiritually. She is learning about God and His Word, and she asks lots of questions about God, Jesus, and Heaven. She has not yet given her life to the Lord, but she will claim that Jesus is her Savior. There is still very important details about salvation that she does not quite understand yet, but she is learning and is very inquisitive.

Five years old sounds so grown up to me. I never realized it until my firstborn was fast approaching this day. Four years is still a little girl - a preschooler - and although Rebekah is still in preschool it seems like she's not so little now that she is five. It feels like a milestone from leaving little girl behind to entering the bigger girl stage. I don't want to say "big girl" because I feel that is left to older girls who are in upper elementary, but it definitely feels like Rebekah has hit a new stage.



Happy 5th Birthday my dear, sweet Rebekah! Your Daddy and I love your more than you'll ever know. And your brother looks up to you a whole lot. We are so proud of you and the daughter that you are.

Date with Mommy

Last Saturday I spent the entire afternoon and evening with Rebekah. My mom took us to see "Cinderella" the musical for the matinee then I took Rebekah to The Little Gym for a birthday party for one of her friends at preschool.

The three of us before we left


Rebekah poses in front of the pumpkin in the lobby of the theater


We were prohibited from taking any photography at all, but we got some shots with some of the characters after the performance. Here Rebekah stands with one of the chorus members. Lara goes to our church and works with the Cubbies class of children that are a few months younger than Rebekah. Her mother made her dress!


We finally got to see Cinderella make her entrance with the prince.


And Rebekah got to meet Cinderella


Both the characters who played Cinderella and the prince signed Rebekah's program, and when we got to the end of the line we met the stepsisters. Rebekah gave them this look that was so hilarious, but it is hard for me to explain. She just glared at them and pulled her body away from them. They tried to be silly and show her they are nice in real life, but she was convinced they were really mean.

Following a bite to eat and a change of clothes we headed to the birthday party. Rebekah had an absolute blast!









Rebekah with the birthday girl Briana


After we left the party Rebekah asked if we could go back and see "Cinderella" again. Oh, my! I think she enjoyed her big date out with Mommy.

Baby Bump

Well, it's been forever since I've posted...again! Life has just been busy, and I've not taken the time to post lately. I used to post in the evening, but now I get so tired by the time the kids are in bed that I get ready for bed and am in bed when Darrin goes to bed. (OK, how many times did I say 'bed' in that sentence?) He's enjoying the fact that I'm going to bed with him, though.

So, I have so much I want to blog about, but I've just not taken the time. I finally downloaded a bunch of pics last night that were from lots of family fun last week. I'm telling you, I've got lots to share! But for now I'll post a couple of pregnancy pics. My belly has finally popped a bit, and I am officially in pregnancy pants. Here I am one day shy of 14 weeks.

First Trimester Ends

At 11 weeks 5 days on Monday we went to the doctor to see my baby via ultrasound and for a regular check-up. When we arrived I noticed Dr. B's sign-in sheet was not on the counter. He had left to deliver a baby, so I would be seeing one of the other two OB's in the office.

I had always heard good things about Dr. H from a friend who switched to him with her second child. He is a Christian, and he prays with his patients at delivery. Dr. B is a wonderful doctor. I've been very pleased with him. I know him well because he has delivered my other two children, and he understands my thyroid history as well. He is passionate about his job and grows to love each and every family and baby. I also love Dr. B's nurse. She is a precious woman, is comforting and encouraging to the patients, and she goes out of her way to help. She is really wonderful.

Since I had heard good things about Dr. H I hoped to see him that day, and it turned out I did. After being weighed I joined Darrin in a small waiting room where a painting was displayed on the wall. It depicted a surgery that was taking place, and Jesus was standing with the doctor overseeing the surgery. Scripture was found on the walls as well.

We finally got to see Dr. H. He has a very good bedside manner and did an ultrasound to see the baby. We could see him/her laying on his/her back with the legs tucked some and the arms out in front, then the baby turned to look toward us (or rather toward the tool used to take the picture).


The baby measured exactly 12 weeks (2 days ahead) and had a good, strong heartbeat.

One of the things that Dr. H discussed with us is a possible VBAC. He believes I am a prime candidate since I have only had one C-section, and the circumstances surrounding it make it promising for a vaginal birth this time around. He told me the chances of having the scar on my uterus open are 1-2% and the chances of a uterine rupture are 1-2% of the scar opening, so it's extremely small. Dr. B will not do a VBAC at all. He lost a baby once, and it devastated him. He just can't go through that again. I respect him for his decision, although if I could stay with Dr. B and have a VBAC I would. I had never considered a VBAC before because I knew Dr. B didn't perform them, but also because I was under the impression they were rather risky.

Now I have the decision whether to stay with Dr. B, who I absolutely love, and have another C-section or switch to Dr. H and opt for a VBAC. I had such a wonderful vaginal delivery with Rebekah while my C-section delivery with Joshua was not good. I dealt with the baby blues after Joshua's birth due to the emotional stress. The recovery from a C-section is also longer and harder. It's much more difficult when a toddler is in the mix who wants to topple on Mommy and doesn't understand there is an incision healing there. Another thing was that since Joshua's delivery (although not an emergency C-section) was hurried I had no time to pray with Darrin prior to my surgery. I felt that was sort of stripped from me. I know Dr. H would be quick to pray first and foremost before any action was taken. However, I was in great hands with Dr. B, and I'm sure I would be with Dr. H as well. I think one hard part is that I know Dr. B so much better too, and he took great care of me with my issues surrounding Joshua's birth.

I have not discussed any of this with Dr. B or his nurse yet. I am praying for wisdom and will talk to Dr. B at my next visit to discuss my situation. When you think of it would you lift me up in prayer as well? This may seem like such a minor decision, but I'm really struggling about what to do. I surely don't want to go with a VBAC just for my own personal experience or for selfish reasons, but for the healthiest thing for the baby and myself.

If you have any experience with this or know someone who has I would also love to hear stories - success or not. Ultimately, I need wisdom from the Lord and to know what is the best decision surrounding this pregnancy.

In addition, I have found that I cannot take Reglan for nausea during the day like I could when I was pregnant with Rebekah and Joshua. It makes me sleep! I cannot function during the day when I take it. So, I talked to Dr. H about taking something else. He prescribed Zofran. Let me tell you, even though our insurance will only cover 21 pills each month (even the generic is expensive!) that drug is wonderful!!! I took my first dose yesterday morning and felt great! It's crazy that if I fill it at a drug store that it costs $22 per pill, but if I pay cash at a local hospital's pharmacy I can get it for $1 per pill! A friend of mine said that is the kind of healthcare reform we need, and I agree! So for now I'll try to get by on the 21 pills per month. Thankfully I am not very sick every day, and hopefully it will be enough to get me through the rest of my pregnancy. I wish I had gotten this drug when I was pregnant with Rebekah and Joshua! It's great!