Today I am Thankful For...

It has been a really long time since I did a "thankful" post. After yesterday's grumpiness, I think I need it.

Today, I am thankful for...

...my sweet kids! Even though, I was exhausted from little sleep, they were great. They (mostly) behaved themselves and didn't expect too much from me. They even found muffins from breakfast to eat for lunch. (though, I shouldn't admit that) They played and were so understanding that I was just not in a good mood, nor did I have the energy to do very much.

...my sweet husband! When he got home, he took the kids to his parents' house and let me sleep for a little while. He even brought home dinner so that I didn't have to make anything! He has been so amazing through my hormonal craziness, sleepiness and all of the rest. I love him so much! He is such an amazing husband and father!

...being pregnant! We have been wanting another child for a while and after miscarriages and all of the inconveniences of being pregnant, I am really excited for this baby girl! I am willing to wait, at this point, and at least I know that this time next week, if not sooner, I'll be holding her.

...my extended family! My MIL came out in the middle of the night to sleep with the kids. She is wonderful. She even did my dishes. I was embarrassed that she even saw them, but she figured we wouldn't want to come home to a sink of dishes. It was really nice to not have to do them! She is on call for when we go in for real, to the hospital! My mom is coming in about three weeks, too. It will be nice to have her here to help and play with the kids! It's been a while, so I am excited to see her, too!

...being able to look out the window and see the mountains. I love the view! We need to remove a few overgrown shrubs so the view is better. Not having grown up with mountains, I love to see them! They are so beautiful!

I hope you are able to see the good and beauty around you, today!

Another Pregnancy Update (I'm really not trying to run a Pregnancy Blog, here!)

So, I had my doctor's appointment today at 4:30. There was no change from the development at the hospital. He stripped my membranes and so far it seems to be working!! He said it had a 30% success rate, but hey, maybe I got lucky. It probably helps that things seem to be almost ready anyway. From what I've read, that seems to be the trick!

But, if this peters out, I am scheduled to be induced a week from Wednesday (July 16th)! So, I will be holding my baby on my due date instead of being frustrated because she is late!

Side note: I found a neat website to keep track of your contractions for you! It's called Contraction Master! All you have to do is hit the space bar at the beginning and end of each contraction and it will tell you the times, duration and frequency of contractions. How cool is that? We never keep track of the duration and right now, my husband is sleeping, so I can keep track all by myself with out it being a pain. (Well, except these actually hurt, so...) You can leave the website during a contraction and do whatever you like...say blog for instance!

I found another site, today. It's called BabyNames.com. They have list that are really easy to search and you just have to hover over the names to get a meaning and origin. It is my favorite baby name site, yet! We still aren't sure what to name this little gal, so I love to look, especially at the meanings.

So, wish me luck!

Update: Surprise, surprise--no more contractions and no baby, yet! I am starting to get really frustrated with this!

Contractions

Long story short, and because I don't want this to be a big whine fest, I had contractions for about 12 & 1/2 hours, yesterday-we went to the hospital-now I am at home and still pregnant with NO contractions!

I am really annoyed. We went when we were told, and there was no progress, so we were told we could stay and wait 2 or 3 hours on my doctor to come and check, but there was no real point in that. I was so uncomfortable in that bed, that I just wanted to be home.

I am hoping that it is a good sign that I'll go into labor on my own in the next few days!

Happy Fourth of July!!!

I just wanted to say Happy 4th of July, to you all!

We are planning a outside workday (well, Mister and the kids anyway. I'll be inside in the air-conditioned house!)


Then we have a BBQ with the extended family, games and all of that. Then, of course fireworks. I learned of a good spot to go where we can see them really well and not hear them. I'm thinking that Princess will just fall asleep anyway, but you never know.


So, it sounds pretty low stress. That is what I am all about right now!


P.S. I got these awesome shots from wikimedia! I haven't perfected the art of fireworks photography. I'll try again, this year, though!

Quiet Breakfast

I better write this fast or the title will be a lie!

The kids are still sleeping. For after seven, that is amazing. I am sitting here enjoying an omelet and the quiet. So many times, I have to feel bad telling them that, "No, I can't listen to that right now, I'm reading something." I usually only read and write blog posts in the morning, so I don't feel neglectful or anything, I just like the few minutes of peace.

Back to breakfast. Does anyone else get caught in the "Waffles or pancakes?" rut that is breakfast? Breakfast gets so boring around here. I have several great recipes, but they usually take a lot of time or have ingredients I don't keep on hand. (So if you've got any great, filling, relatively healthy recipes for breakfast, send them my way! I beg you!!)

But, today, I am eating a yummy omelet. Egg, turkey sausage, cheese and a little milk. MMMMmmmmmm!!!!! I'm loving it!

It's also nice that my kids aren't saying how gross it looks and can they have something different!

Explanations

I keep seeing my profile and since I just did a list of random things describing me, it might be fun to explain them. When you don't have anything to talk about (other than pregnancy and whining about my weeds) why not talk about myself. You know you are just dying to know!

Tirzah--This is my real name, only spelled more "correctly". My mom wasn't sure how to spell it, so she didn't spell it this way. Too bad the internet wasn't around then. Now, you can look up names and get alternate spellings as well as sound files of pronunciations. She found it on Ben Hur. I still have goals to first watch the whole movie from beginning to end (thanks Netflix) and second to actually read the book someday. Tirzah was Judah Ben-Hur's sister.

Daughter of God --It is so important for each of us to know where we came from and if we know that we are each truly children of God, then we should have a better understanding of what life is all about.

Wife--I love being married. I've been married to my best friend for a little over eight years and they have been wonderful years! We really work well together and are still very much in love!

Mother--I am mother to two, almost three wonderful kids! They make me smile and I hope I am doing a good job of helping them along in this life!

Sister--I have 3 siblings, two brothers and one sister. We are so different from each other. I don't get to talk to my brothers very often, but I talk to my sister at least weekly online!

Friend--I hope I am a good friend. I've never been very good at having close friends that I can hang out with. I'm more of a talk your ear off on the phone kind of friend and wish I could find that "bosom friend". I usually have tons of great acquaintances that I love but not someone I can just "be" with. (Other than My Man!)

Singer--I love to sing! In school and church, I have always been involved in choir. (Except when there wasn't one.) I love to belt it out to 30s and 40s jazz! I haven't been as good at performing at church and things lately, but I love music and I plan to do better with sharing my talent!

Grower--I love to watch things grow. Plants and children are my favorites. It is so fun to watch the changes and developments as things start small and grow into fully developed things/creatures.

Book-a-holic--I love to read! I usually have some kind of book in my hand (or on my night stand). This pregnancy has fried my brain, though and it has been harder for me to sit down with books that require much thought!

Lover of SPRING--Having grown up in Florida, there really is only one season--summer. There is full-on summer and mild summer, but there really isn't a winter to be mentioned. I love the change of seasons, especially when the spring comes and the world comes back to life!

Horticulturist--I didn't know what to go to school for until my husband pointed out that I loved plants and should try to study that. I thought it was a great idea, so I went and got a bachelor's degree in horticulture. I loved it and I still do!

Crochet-a-holic--I am addicted to crochet. If I need something, I usually try to find a way to make it by crocheting. So many things can be done with crochet. I just love it! I've been doing it since I was 12 or 13 and I hope I never have to stop! Carpal tunnel syndrome has halted me a bit, but I have been able to do it, again!!

Mormon--I was raised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love it and I have a testimony of it's truthfulness. It is the Truth and it is a wonderful way to live. There are so many things trying to pull us away from God and from our families in this world. The Mormon Church is a way to strengthen myself and my family and bring us closer to God!

Dog owner--I didn't have a dog until about two years ago. We got one for my graduation present. I think I'm still not used to her....

Thinker--I crave thinking things through all the way. I'm sure it drives people crazy, too because the way I do it is by talking. I have to talk the situation out for a while before I figure out a good solution. Sometimes I'll talk something out with someone and then have to go back later and talk more to give the real solution!

Doer--I like to get things done. I'm still a procrastinator, but when things need to be done, I'll get them done...It may just take me a while to get to it! ;)

Floridian by birth--I was born in Orlando, Florida and lived there until I was 21. I always hated the climate and told my mom that I wanted to live somewhere else. She thought I'd fall in love with another Floridian, but she was wrong...

Utahan by love--I met my husband online and we fell in love fairly quickly. We met and got engaged. Now we've been married for 8 years and it is strange to think that that is how we met! I love the weather in Utah. I love cold better than hot weather, so this suits me fine! And the heat here isn't so bad because it's drier than Florida by far!

List maker--I love lists. They make me feel in control. I have to know that everything is taken care of and done! Lately, most of my lists are in my Palm Pilot and help me keep myself and family taken care of!

Purse collector--I love purses. I should have probably written bags, since I really don't like to have to carry a purse. I'd rather have a little wallet or very small purse. I also love totes and other bags. I have several. I like to be able to switch from a large bag to a small one depending on what I am doing or on my mood.

Play-doh sniffer--I love the smell of Play-doh. I don't know what it is. It has a mild and comforting smell. It reminds me of children and childhood. (This is one of the big reasons I wanted to explain my list-it kind of makes me sound like some kind of weird addict!)

Shoe hater--I actually love shoes, but they rarely fit my huge feet, so I guess I have a love/hate relationship with shoes. I love to see cute shoes on other people and wish I could wear them, so I hate them! I especially hate shopping for shoes!

Crafter--I. Love. To. Make. Things. It doesn't matter if it is food, clothing, toys, blankets. It doesn't matter what the medium is. I love to learn new things. I love to crochet, knit, sew, cook, make hair bows, I want to learn to quilt, the list goes on. I just like to be making things.

Morning person--I don't do well after about 9 pm and I love to get things done before noon. I like to be up early and think of all the things I've done when it is only 8 am!

Political Moderate--I grew up in a very, VERY Republican home, but now I am a lot more moderate. I tend to lean towards the left in a lot of ways, but I still like a lot of the Republican views as well. There is rarely a candidate that really suits me. I think both "sides" have good things going for them and it shouldn't be (and really isn't) just one way or the other.

Well, that's it. I hope you enjoyed this little installment of the mind of Tirzah!

Name Change Note

I just wanted to help stop confusion, since I was going to change fake names for my family. The kids wanted it and I wanted the names to fit each other and the new baby's name. So, I've decided what to call her on my blog, but not in real life. Go figure! I guess it's easier to give a fake name that a real one. My husband will be "Mister", Luke will change to "Link" and Belle will change to "Princess". I also added pictures on the side with names!

"Man Skills"

When you get to church activity and see the parking lot marked off with caution tape and several of these around the edges, you know you are in for a great time!


Our new ward (congregation) has what they call "Man Skills" for the men. They thought that since the women learn things that they want to, the men should have the same opportunity. So, every month, they have an activity to learn or have fun. This month it was more fun than learning. They were each given a wedge of pine, some wheels, hubs (and whatever else you need to make a car roll) and brief instructions. They didn't have any limits other than if they added extra holes for the explosives, they'd have to bring their own.


We didn't have a lot of time, last week, so My Man just put the wheels on with epoxy and covered the thing with duct tape! It was cool! It actually did quite well, even compared to the ones that had been done up quite fancily!


It was a fun activity, but Belle didn't like it at all. For a while, she wasn't paying attention, and so I picked her up and had her watch one of the races. She was startled by the sound and then, the next one made her cry. It was all over by then, I had to take her to the van (wisely parked on the other side of the building!) so she wouldn't be scared.



This picture was actually taken before the event! She looked pretty concerned. I guess she had reason to be. A few of the cars even flew!

Here is a video of ours racing. You can't tell very well, but in the end it rolls. It was pretty cool!

Weekly Park Trips

In my new neighborhood, the moms get together every week at a different park and let the kids play and eat while we all sit around and talk. So far, each adventure lasts for about 3 hours. It's great! I get to sit around while the kids are occupied and talk to other adults! I'm getting to know the women here and it is really nice. I spend a lot of time inside enjoying my air conditioning, so it is good for me (and the kids) to get out of the house. I hope to be a better mom after I'm not so pregnant and useless!

I love that the kids get to be outside with other kids and I don't have to feel bad about sitting and talking for 3 hours. I'm not ignoring them, but I also get to be an adult and enjoy other adults!

This week, I walked to the park (it only took about 20 minutes) but when I walked home after sitting in the heat, I started to get dizzy. I was so grateful that my husband called and was on his way home from work. He was able to pick me up, so that I didn't pass out on the way home!

I keep forgetting my camera on these excursions. I'm sure I could get some great shots of the kids. Luke has made a couple of friends his age and Belle just goes from group to group. Sometimes she hangs out with the girls, sometimes the boys and other times she just does her own thing. Sometimes I love her independence. I just wish it didn't exhibit itself against me so often!

I don't want to Induce this time

I had an OB appointment yesterday. The baby is head down and things are moving along.

We talked about inducing as well as striping the membranes. I really don't want to induce this time, but my doc is worried that I'll have a ten-pound baby (since my others were 9.5 and 9 lbs) and all of the problems that go with that. With my other two deliveries, I had to have Pitocin when they were late. I hate all of the sitting in the hospital and being tied to an IV. I'd love to spend the first several hours at home and then go in when the baby is ready. I've also heard it is more painful that way and that there are risks.

At the same time, if I am going to hit my due date (on a Friday) and then induce on the next Monday, why not just induce earlier and not have to be pregnant any long than is needed!

I am wondering what any of you did at home to help things along. I have read about a lot of home inducing remedies, but I am wondering if you tried anything that actually worked! (Also, how horrible is having your membranes stripped? It sounds awful to me!)

Thanks!

Another Use for your Sports Bra

I just had to blog about this article! Who would think to take off their sports bra and use it as a signal flag? I guess I would, now.

Randomness

Do you know those times when you should really get off of the computer because you've done all of the useful things and a lot more useless things? Yesterday, I just hit random keys and the search that came up from my mess was www.asdfjklsemicolon.com. It's a really interesting site where they don't tell you anything, don't try to sell you anything, they just want you to leave a message. You can say whatever you want. You can leave contact information or not. They receive tons of emails from this and respond if you leave your email address.

I just thought it was random and cool!.

Random Semi-related Memory: When I was in seventh or eighth grade, I took a typing class. (Yes, typing, as in on a typewriter! Wow, I must be getting old!) One of the first things we learned was where to put our fingers. To reinforce this, she walked around the room singing, "ASDF-JKLsem". The tune was like one that you hear drill sergeants use while running with soldiers. She'd chant the letters and we'd type them in time with her as if we were repeating them out loud.

Potty Training, Again

This morning, Belle looked into the toilet and said that pee was gross. We told her that she sits in pee all day and that she should put hers in the toilet, too. She agreed and sat on the toilet right away! She had an accident with the first pair of panties, but right after announced that she needed to go to the bathroom. She keeps committing to use the toilet, so I am hoping that this time she does better.

She has been saying for weeks that she doesn't want to wear diapers, so maybe this is it!

It's really good timing if she is really ready because we are almost out of diapers anyway. Luke potty trained right after we bought a huge package of diapers. Those lasted several years--Belle's still not in that size but sometimes we'd use them if we were low on hers.

I know things change when a new baby comes, so we'll see how this really goes!

This cracked me up!

I don't know about you, but the first thing I'm going to do after this baby is born is put on a bikini and show of my flabby abs!!

I was looking around Amazon.com at baby stuff and I don't know where this book came from. It looks hilarious!

Games, hobbies, dances, self-defense--All with your postpartum belly! They even say that this book may convince you that you won't want to lose the flab at all!

Big

Today, I officially feel big! I went shopping for a new maternity shirt. I have had a lot of trouble finding clothes, so I was really lacking in something cute and a little dressier to wear. I found a few I liked and they fit way differently than my knit shirts (that are cute and oh, so comfy!). My belly looks a lot bigger in them, but I kind of like that. At the same time, it made me realize that my belly is bigger than I've been thinking it was. This also made me feel big. I found a cute shirt, but I also feel very round, today!

It is amazing what your brain can do. The thing I don't understand is that I thought I looked really cute in the shirts, but then I am ending the day feeling very pregnant. I guess that is fitting since I only have 5 weeks left!

In My Pretty Garden...

...I wish more flowers were nodding! I went out to take some pictures of the plants that we bought with this yard. In the front, the irises are mostly done blooming, but are gorgeous. The roses are especially beautiful and this one smells wonderful.

Hubby loves roses and fire and ice is one of his favorites!


There is also a Japanese Snowball bush. It is waning, so here is one of the last pretty blooms. I love this one already. It spreads beautiful, white blossoms all over! It looks really neat. It's huge, though, so we are not sure what to do about it. It hasn't been cared for, so we aren't sure if we can get it back under control and out of the power lines without killing it. (There are also lots of lilac bushes, but they are done blooming and aren't very photogenic at the moment!



Oh, and just so you aren't deceived into thinking we got a beautiful ready-to-go garden, I thought I'd share this picture! It is a huge garden plot in the back of the yard, with a water turn. The problem, as you can see is that it has been neglected for a while and needs a lot of love! My goal was to weed and plant some melons, but with how late it is and only 5 weeks until the baby comes, my new goal is to get it under control enough to maybe plant some new fruit trees (do you like my dead ones there in the right of the pic?) and have less to do next spring.



One more thing. Here is an almost casualty of moving. I put my houseplants in the window sills and a few of them have been knocked down. I thought that this one was kind of funny hanging on for dear life!

Pregnancy Update!

I'll be 35 weeks along, tomorrow. The last two months have been so consumed with packing, showing, selling, buying and then packing more, cleaning and moving that this pregnancy is going by pretty quickly. I don't mind that at all. It also makes for very little nesting. I have already been doing those things and they are mostly out of my system.

I feel a lot healthier this pregnancy, too. I haven't gained nearly as much weight as I did with the other two. I gained between 50 and 60 pounds with them and this time I have only gained around 20. I hope I can keep it under 30, since this is a time when the baby gains a lot of weight. I have been more active and we are in a lot better eating habits, now. Wii Fit and moving have been really good on my weight gain as well!!

I've had more contractions with this pregnancy, so even though I don't like the pain, I am hopeful that I won't have to be induced this time around. My doc doesn't want to let me go overdue because I have big babies, but, I am hoping that induction isn't necessary!

Sleep Book Review

I've been reading Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth, M.D. It is an amazing book. I borrowed it from a friend when I was pregnant with Belle and I was able to do a lot better with her sleep, so when I got the chance I checked it out at the library to see if there was more that I could learn. There was so much more! I haven't been able to read as much of it as I would like before I take it back to the library, but I am definitely going to add this one to our library!

The first part talks all about how children sleep, why it is so important and problems that may develop. Part 2 is about what parents can do to achieve good sleep habits with their children. It goes through the various ages and stages to help you understand what your baby/child needs. He talks about birth through adolescence. The last section talks about other disturbances and concerns.

It is a great book. I have learned so much and I hope that I can do an even better job of getting this baby into good sleep habits! I have already learned how important the afternoon nap and an early bedtime are for children. These two can actually help your child sleep through the night. I also learned that lost sleep is cumulative and makes a child act worse and worse over time.

I highly recommend this book if you are having trouble with your child's sleep or if you are starting fresh with a new baby. Dr. Weissbluth knows what he is writing about as well. He not only has had a pediatric practice for several years, but he is also a father. He has also done extensive research about sleep.

We Have Keys!!

...and a house to go with them! I'll have to get pictures when it isn't raining!

We are trying to move in over the next few days, I am hoping that we can get some lapses in the rain for moving! I guess there are always tarps and at least we only have to take it across town at this point! I just want to sleep in my own bed tonight, even if it is just my mattress on the floor for now!

If it would dry up, I could also put my two little slaves to work weeding the garden so we can grow a few melons and such. I want to do more, but this late in the season and with all that we need to do before the baby comes, it will have to wait until next year.

Pray for sun for me!! :)

Moving Limbo

We are out of our townhouse. We got it all cleaned and cleared out this weekend after finding out (on Thursday) that we had to be out today. We didn't renegotiate the possession date, so the girl buying our home set up installers and who knows what else to be in there tomorrow. I am frustrated with her, but at the same time, she is a really sweet girl who is excited to be in her first home. I have to keep reminding myself of that.

We were thinking we could move right into the other place, but we have had to store all of our stuff and stay with my in-laws for 3 or 4 nights. We are hoping to get the keys today. They said they were willing to give us the keys as soon as we signed the closing contract, instead of waiting until it funds and records. If they do make us wait that long, we should get the keys tomorrow. I just want to sleep on my own bed, well at least the mattress, tonight.

So, we have had an insane weekend and we'll have a busy week moving in.

(So, Blogger seems to be having trouble in general and with spell check, so I hope I didn't spell anything wrong... :) )