Jackson Monroe !

I'm a little late posting this but the little guy has arrived! My last day at work was Friday May 3rd. All week I tried to walk and move around as much as I could, although I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable and sore. Just getting up from a sitting position was painful, especially getting out of bed! I was doing squats too hoping that it would get things going. I was supposed to have my 40 week check up on Thursday, May 9th (my original due date) but early that morning my dr's office called to cancel because she had to deliver a baby! I'll have to admit I was a little jealous it wasn't me lol! They asked how I was feeling and if I'd been having any contractions, which I hadn't other than the Braxton-Hicks teaser ones. They rescheduled my appointment for the next day. I woke up early Friday morning, around 5am. I had trouble sleeping especially those last couple months of my pregnancy. I don't know that I neccessarily felt like I was having contractions, just more pressure under my belly and it just felt heavy. I also kinda felt like I needed to go to the bathroom off and on but never really could (sorry if TMI!) After a little while of me walking around wondering if labor was starting, Danny had woke up and was asking me how I felt. I just kept saying I wasn't sure. It was getting to the point that it was starting to get uncomfortable and the only way I would feel a little better was squatting down as low as I could get. In between the light contractions I started grabbing a few things for my hospital bag. Then Danny could tell I wasn't messing around lol. We got the kids up and ready to take over to my sister-in-laws by around 6:15 am. They were so excited to hear that the baby was coming. We made our way to the hosital which was about a 25 minute drive. I was feeling contractions but they weren't unbearable yet. I was doing pretty well with them. We arrived at the hosital probably around 7 am and headed up to the OB department. I got all situated in the room and the nurse checked to see how much I was dialated. By that time, I was dialated to 6cm. I knew if this labor was like my other 2, it was going to happen fast! The contractions were beginning to get stronger so I did ask for an epidural. They had to hook up my IV first to get fluids going. The nurse had a really hard time trying to put in the IV which wasn't helping the pain I was feeling from the contractions. She said my veins were rolling. After several attempts they finally had a different nurse come and try it. They checked me again after they finally got the IV in and I was dialated to 8cm! I still wanted my epidural because the contractions were strong and I didn't want to feel the pain from pushing the baby out! Since my water hadn't broken yet my doctor said that she could break my water for me right then and she knew after that it wouldn't be long after that and I would be ready to push. But I still didn't have my epidural yet and told them I did want something for the pain. They ended up doing a spinal instead of the epidural because they only last about 4 hours and they knew that delivery would go pretty fast. At that point I didn't really care what they gave me, just so that I would feel better, lol. Once the spinal was in, my legs started to go numb. I could still feel the contractions quite a bit though. I think the spinal work mostly from my waist down. I reached 10cm within a few minutes and was able to start pushing. By then, I couldn't really feel the pressure as to when I was supposed to push so. I also couldn't really feel myself push. The spinal ended up working great because I couldn't feel a thing even when he came out. At 8:20 am, Jackson arrived and it was such a joy to finally have him in my arms. He weighed in at 7lbs 11 oz and was 20.5 inches long. Surprisingly, he was my smallest child at birth! One thing we did a litte differently during labor was to have just Danny and I in the room. Family did arrive during labor but we told the nurses that we just wanted it to be Danny and I. I felt bad but it just gets too hectic to have all the family around. So, they were excited when they were finally able to come in the room and meet the little man. The only downfall with the spinal was that since it lasts 4 hours, we weren't able to go to my recovery room until almost 1pm. It took forever to get feeling back in my legs and for me to be able to stand up. It was so nice to finally get settled in my room and be able to hold and cuddle my little guy! He was so precious! Everyone kept saying how he looked so much like his big brother! We were released from the hospital on Sunday which also happened to be Mother's Day, so that worked out nice! He's been nothing but a joy ever since, even on those sleepless nights lol!

39 Weeks!!

Well, I've made it 39 weeks!  One more week to go, more or less.  Yesterday was my check-up.  I was dilated to a "good 2 cm"  she said and about 50% thinned out.  I was hoping for a little more progress from last week but oh well.  They say all that doesn't really mean much any way.  Some women are dilated to 3 or 4 for weeks before labor and some go into labor at 0 cm so who knows.  I just hate not knowing lol!!  Its a waiting game from here on out.  Every time I get crampy I start to think is it time?  Could this be it?  But, no, the cramps stop and nothing more happens.  At least I know the end is near because I am 39 weeks.

His head is still down and low because she could feel it when she checked me.  She felt around on my stomach and said he is really crammed in there.  His heartbeat was only about 120-ish compared to his usual 140 range, which she said is fine it just means he's getting bigger and running out of room to move.  Goodness I hope he's not like 10 pounds!!  I've been so worried I'm not going to be able to push him out and I'll need an emergency c-section, but thats probably a fear most moms have.  As long as he's healthy, it doesn't matter he comes out.

I have another appointment next week but it will be past my due date so hopefully I won't need it.  Either way, I'll keep ya updated with any exciting news!!

38 weeks!

Just wanted to update on my 38 week check-up last week.  Doctor did a cervical exam and said I was dialated to about 1-2 cm which she thought was a good sign that things seem like they are starting before 40 weeks, and my cervix was beginning to thin out a little bit but she didn't give me a percentage.  I was hoping to be dialated a little bit more but since he's only been head down a couple of weeks I'm not surprised.  At least things are starting, hopefully!  I'm anxious to see how things have progressed at my next appointment on Thursday. 

I went on about a 20 minute walk last night, which for me right now is a lot, lol.  I felt pretty good, just lots of pressure under belly, which I have that all the time anyways.  When I went to bed last night, I did feel somewhat crampy but of course it ended up going away.  Its supposed to be nice for the next couple of days so I will be going on more walks hopefully. 

Next appointment is Thursday....I'll keep ya updated!!

37 weeks

Yesterday was my 37 week check-up.  I didn't update after my 36 week check-up last week since nothing too eventful happened, other than my group B strep test, which I found out yesterday came back negative.  At my appointment yesterday, my doctor did say that he was head down-finally!! Hopefully he stays that way!  Next week, she said she can start the cervical checks to see if I am dialated at all.  Its so weird, even though my due date is only a little over 2 weeks away, I feel like he's never going to come and I will be pregnant forever.  All of us are getting so anxious to finally meet him!  My Braxton Hicks have been teasing me a little bit.  The other night I woke up in the middle of the night with lower back pain, along with the Braxton Hicks contractions and it started to make me wonder if this was it.  But, I got up and drank some water and they ended up going away. 

Not much else going on.  I'm really getting frustrated with this weather.  We will have a beautiful day in the 70's then the next day be back down in the 40's and rainy.  Ugh :(  Today, it even started snowing a little bit.  This is not the kind of weather I like in April!  Oh well, hopefully soon the nice weather will come and stay for a while!  I'm looking forward to having this baby and being able to play outside with the kids and going on walks.  I'm hoping the weather is nice when I'm off for maternity leave. 

Well, thats all for now.  I'll keep y'all updated.

34 week update

I had my 34 week check-up last Thursday.  My appointments are usually pretty quick and uneventful lol.  They check my blood pressure, which is always good.  I've gained 1 pound since my previous appointment 2 weeks prior, bringing me to a total of 20 pounds.  We listened to his heartbeat, which has been running about 140-ish.  He is not head-down yet though and my doctor says she thinks he was transverse (sideways).  I'm really hoping he turns head-down soon.  She told me that if he still isn't down by 37-38 weeks, they will probably schedule an ultrasound to see exactly what position he's in and go from there.  It could lead to a c-section but she said he still has plenty of time to turn.  I hope so!  I've been trying to tell how he is laying from his movements but I'm so bad about telling whats what.  I can't tell his butt from his head or arms from legs lol!

I'm just so ready for him to get here!  We are so excited to meet him and to be able to hold him in our arms!  Its getting tough sleeping at night, mostly due to being uncomfortable and I get really sore in my hip/pelvic area.  It hurts really bad when I roll from one side to the other.  I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions for quite a while, probably since around 20-22 weeks.  They are usually painless but sometimes can get uncomfortable.  My appetite has been ridiculous lately lol.  I feel like I could be eating constantly.  It doesn't help that the kids have a bunch of Easter candy laying around lol.  Actually, I have been craving ice.  I could sit and eat ice all day long.  Sometimes, I buy a fountain drink just so I can eat the ice after the drink is gone! 

I had a great baby shower March 24th thanks to my sister and sister-in-law.  We got some much needed supplies and baby gear.  I feel so much more prepared now!  Now we just need him to get here :)

My next appointment is next week (36 weeks) so I'll try to update with any exciting news.

tuesday tid-bits

I am so over winter.  I was ready for it back around Christmas time but now it can go away....far, far, away.  I want summer here now!  Times like this I really miss living in Houston.  I miss the weather and the overall environment being so close to the water.  Oh well, once summer finally gets here, I think I will enjoy it more lol! :)

I've been wanting to plan a vacation/mini-vacation for late this summer/ early fall.  Who knows if it will happen but I want to go do something fun.  Danny and I think Pigeon Forge TN would be nice.  I think maybe I'm getting cabin fever from sitting in the house all winter!

Probably one of my worst pregnancy symptoms so far has been heartburn.  Oh my goodness it gets so bad at night before bed and some nights, Ok, most nights, its been waking me up.  I eat Tums like candy and if it helps at all, its only for a few minutes.  I think I might need to take something stronger like Pepcid or something?

I can't wait to buy new clothes after I have this baby!

If anyone else tells me I look like I'm due anyday now, I might just scream!  Yes, I know I'm getting bigger but isn't that normal when you are pregnant?  Maybe I'm just hormonal? ;)


Well, those are just some of the random thoughts in my head right now.  Better go for now :)

Happy birthday Aydan!!

Today my baby turns 6 years old!  I knew he was growing up but 6...really?!  Makes me sad! 

Here's some random tid-bits about big Aydan:

• He loves all superheroes right now.  Batman, Superman, Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, you name it, but his favorite is Spiderman.
• He is learning to read.  This seems so crazy to me!  He started off kindergarten knowing his ABC's but not sure what sounds all the letters made.  Now he can sit down and read me a book from school.
• He's a pretty good little dancer.  Sometimes when I have music playing in the house, he will bust out some moves and he does pretty good, lol ;)
• He loves playing on my and Danny's phones and he's pretty quick to figure them out.
• He is only about 1 shoe size behind his big sissy (who is 5 years older!)
• His favorite foods are tortellini, pizza, fruit, PB & J's, and cereal.
• His favorite color seems to change alot but he usually says red, blue, or green. :)
• When he grows up he wants to be a Race Car Driver/ Monster Truck Driver.  Although, the other night we were watching some cooking show on Food Network where they were judging the chef's desserts.  Aydan said he wanted to be 'that guy' (the judge) when he grew up so he could try all the different desserts, lol!

We love you Aydan!!!

It's a......

BOY!

We had our sonogram on December 20th and we did find out that our little baby is a boy!  I will say I am not surprised.  I kind of had a feeling that he was gonna be a little boy.  We are all so excited and can't wait for him to arrive.

This week, I am 26 weeks, which means I have about 14 weeks left to go.  9 months is a long time to be pregnant lol!  I feel so big already; I can't believe I still have more growing to do!  As of my last appointment almost 2 weeks ago (I was 24 weeks along), I have gained a total of 15 pounds, which I really don't think is too bad.  I usually gain 30-35 pounds total so I feel like that part is pretty much on track.  Its just all in my belly. I am getting sick of all my clothes and I feel like even my maternity clothes are getting too small. I get comments all the time from people who say I look further along than I am and one lady even asked me if I was having twins.  Really...thanks!  Oh well, he will be here soon enough!

Other than that, things have been going pretty smoothly.  Just your typical pregnancy aches and pains now and then but overall I feel pretty good.  Sleeping at night has been a little difficult.  I feel like I toss from one side to the other all night.

My next appointment is Feb 14, Valentines Day.  I have my glucose test then as well.  Wish me luck! :)

Big News!

 

Yes, much to our surprise, we are expecting baby #3 in May 2013!  We are very excited, especially Kenzie!  I know she is going to be my biggest helper!  I have another sonogram on December 20th so hopefully we will find out whether we will have another boy or another girl.  Of course Kenzie wants a girl and Aydan wants a boy.  I have been starting to feel the baby move a lot more and the other night Kenzie put her hand on my belly and she was able to feel the movements too.  She thought it was the coolest thing :)

 

I will try to update after my next appointment and sonogram :)

 

 

 

 

Phone photo dump

I thought I'd share a few more random pics from my phone.  Hey, I'm bored ok  ;)

Aydan walking with Hunter down the pier behind our apartment.  I adjusted the color of this pic to make it look kinda antique-ish.

Kids playing out back, enjoying the weather.  

Aydan smiling for the camera.  Handsome man!

Our first cook-out of the year, lol!  Fun times!  Mmmm, I could go for a s'more right about now!

First time in the pool this year.  Water was still to cold for me to get in but the kids got used to it.

Aydan's so excited, he can touch in the 3 ft area now...barely.

KENZIE TURNED 10 ON APRIL 30TH!! 

She really really really wanted a lizard, so that's what she got. Its hard to see him in the picture but he's standing on the stick.  She named him Leo. Either we buy her one or she was going to keep trying to catch one outside.

Hanging out at Kemah Boardwalk.

Trying to look through the telescope.....you have to put money in it for it to work, sorry Kenzie, lol!

Just a view down part of Kemah Boardwalk.  We went there for a car show that day so we didn't get a chance to ride any rides, but hopefully soon we can go back and spend more time doing things there...before it gets too hot!

Random wedding pics

Howdy!! So I finally uploaded the pictures I had on my phone.  Here are a few of the ones I took at my brother's wedding in April.  Sorry they aren't the greatest quality...there are just cell phone pics :)

Here's my kiddos all dressed up!  Aydan was the ring bearer so he had a handsome little tux.  Kenzie helped with the guest book so we got her a dress that was somewhat the color of the wedding (fushia).  The both looked so darn cute :)  Can you believe how tall Aydan (age 5) is compared to Kenzie (age 10)!  Its crazy!  She is short for her age and he seems tall for his age.  

My parents with the groom...aka..my brother...how weird! LOL!!  To me, he's still my 12 year old brother...but I guess we are all getting older these days!

Me and my sissy were both bridesmaids :)

The groomsmen....my hubby is on the far right and Aydan is front and center.  He was so tired of posing for pictures by the end of the day.  Poor guy!  

The newly weds....Jarrad and Ashleigh Miller

My sister Erin and my nieces, Melanie and Kendall.  Pretty ladies :)

Kenzie at the reception doing the dollar dance with her uncle Jarrad.

So anyway, these are just a few of the pics on my phone I thought I'd share.  We had such a great time!!

This n' that

Hey everyone!!  Hope everyone had a nice Easter!  We enjoyed ours.  We didn't do anything special really.  The kids opened their baskets bright and early Sunday morning (I was up way earlier than I would have liked, lol!!)  We dyed some eggs, then later in the day made them into deviled eggs.  The night before we grilled some hotdogs outside and roasted marshmallows.  It was a fun time!! It had been a while since we had done that.  It was nice to spend some time outside.  The weather has been gorgeous lately!  There isn't much variety to the weather here.  Its pretty much the same everyday, which I like if its nice.  Its been sunny and low 80's so I'm not complaining.  I know hotter weather will be here shortly.


We will be heading to IL for my brother's wedding this weekend! We are excited to see everyone!  Its been almost 2 years since we've been back to visit!  Time sure does fly by!!  Unfortunately, it will be a quick trip.  We are driving so we are leaving Thursday morning and will arrive sometime very very early Friday morning.  Then we have to turn around and head back down on Sunday to be back at work on Tuesday :(  BOOOO!  Danny and I don't have any vacation days at work yet for the year so we can't take much time off.  Speaking of work, I finally found a full time job doing what I was doing before :)  Its been going really well!  I like it a lot.  There seems to be a lot of opportunity to move up as well, which is good.


I'm really not to happy about gas being almost $4 a gallon, especially since we are driving up to IL in Danny's truck!!  Gonna cost a fortune but still much cheaper than 4-round trip plane tickets I guess.  I can't wait to see Danny and Aydan in their tuxes!  I haven't seen Danny in a tux since our wedding almost 10 years ago!! Aydan is the ring bearer.  I've talked to him a little bit about what he's going to have to do in the ceremony and I think he's a little nervous about it.  Hopefully he does fine and doesn't freak out, lol! Kenzie is helping with the guest book, so she's excited about that.  We bought her dress a couple weeks ago; its so pretty!  I should have a bunch of pictures of everyone to post afterwards!


Well, I think that's all for now!   :)

Shocking, I know!

Yes, I am still alive!!! Can't believe its been so long since my last post!  So just to catch up, Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!!!!  At least I made it before Valentines Day!  Wow, were do I start?  Really not much new going on here. I don't know why I haven't posted more often.  Sometimes, I just kinda forget about this poor little blog.


We had a great holiday season.  Danny's dad and girlfriend came to visit us from Illinois over Christmas.  It was his first visit here so we were so happy he was able to make it.  We had a great time with them, even though it decided to rain everyday they were here.  And, no lie, not even an hour after they leave, the sun comes out and it stops raining.  Go figure!


This has seriously been the warmest winter I have ever seen!! Down here its been averaging 65-75 everyday!  And it sounds like its been above average everywhere and IL has hardly seen any snow!?  CrAzY!!  Oh well, I'm sure not complaining!


I'm still working part time at the same job.  Its going fine but I've been looking around for full time stuff.  I do like spending all day at home with Aydan (and Kenzie when she's not in school).
Aydan turned 5 on January 29th!!  We didn't have a big party, just cake and stuff at home for him.  He's growing up so fast!  He's getting so tall and loosing a lot of his "baby fat" so he looks more like a big boy.  This August, he will start Kindergarten.

This is him playing outside on his birthday :)


Kenzie is doing really well too.  She's been really into reading (mostly scary stories) and writing her own stories.  She so good at it! She has such an imagination!

This was taken on Thanksgiving at my Uncle Jerry's house.  I just love this picture of her :)

This is a random picture I found but I love it!  Danny was working on a neighbors car and the neighbor is a photographer and he snapped a picture of these 2 working.  Its so cute!  You can really tell a difference between my phone pictures and his nice camera pictures, lol!


Well, I really don't have much else to report, and Aydan's bugging me to play with him, so I guess thats my cue to finish up here.  I will definately try to update more often, I just lead a boring life ;)


Take care!  Have a good week!

A few of my favorite Halloween movies.....

Halloween is right around the corner.  I love Halloween time!  The weather, the decorations, the scents, all of it.  Its also one of the best times of years for scary movies!  Below I have a list of just a few of my favorite movies for this time of year.  Yes most of them are from my childhood and they aren't very scary but I love that I can watch them with my kids and they won't have nightmares :)

 First one up is "Casper."  I loved this movie as a kid.  Its funny and kind of creepy at the same time.  I love movies that have old haunted houses too.

 Next, "Halloween" the story of Michael Myers.  This one isn't so family-friendly but I'll admit, my kids have seen it.  Michael Myers is just scary looking, and the fact that he never moves faster than a snails pace but somehow he always catches up to everyone (and he never dies) is pretty scary.

"Sleepy Hallow" is the story of the Headless Horseman and stars Johnny Depp.  I love the setting of this movie.  Its not about Halloween but for some reason it just feels like Halloween time when you watch it.

"Hocus Pocus" was definately my favorite Halloween movie as a kid.  I just loved it, and I still do :) 

There are more movies that I like to watch but they are mostly just scary movies, not necessarilly Halloween-ish.

So what's your favorite movie to watch this time of year?

Cutest 4th Grader Ever!

School started Monday for Kenzie.  Yes, she started 4th grade!!  It doesn't seem like she should be that old!!  We got to her classroom and she was sooo excited that she got a lot of her friends from last year in her class this year, so that's good for her.  Her teacher seemed very nice, and after school when Kenzie got home, she raved about her teacher!  She really loves her, so thats good too!!  So far, we are off to a great year!  We've all been waking up on time, if not early, and getting out the door in time too! Yay!!

I'm crossing my fingers that these good habits continue, but I know how it goes as the year goes on.  Oh well, I will enjoy it while it lasts! :)

Pool Time!!

Kenzie and her friend Rachel, from after-school daycare.

Yay!!! We've finally been able to go swimming!!!  Today marks the 24th day in a row (everyday in August so far) of 100 degrees or higher here in Houston!!  We are so ready for this heat to go away!! To be in the 90's would be welcoming, lol!! According to the forecast, it doesn't look like its going away anytime soon..... :(  But, at least we are still able to go swimming this late in the summer, and probably into fall.

Kenzie used to be a little nervous in the water, especially getting her head wet or going under water.  This summer she has really made a lot of progress with swimming.  She got some new goggles and now she's swimming under water like a little fish.  We are very proud of her!! Aydan just needs his floaty and he's good to go.  He loves just lounging around, floating in the pool.  He's not real into going under or anything yet, which is fine.

hello August....

Howdy ya'll!!

Well its definately feeling like August down here in ol' Texas!  Everyday this month has been 100 degrees or over and even in July, most days were near 100 or higher.  Plus, factor in our major drought we are having, we haven't had a break from the heat!  And to think we still have a couple months of this to go....ugh!  One good thing is that the renovation at our apartment's pool is complete finally and they should be opening the pool tomorrow...fingers crossed!  It has been closed all spring/summer due to the renovation of the entire complex and pool area.  I will say it looks awesome and I can't wait to take the kids swimming...soon!! They can't wait either!

Here's a picture of the new paint job on our building.  I don't have a pic of the pool area yet, but hopefully I'll get one soon...

Not a whole lot new going on with us.  Unfortunately, we've kind of been hibernating in the house because of the heat.  Sometimes on the weekends, we'll go to the movie theaters or do something thats indoors. 

I'm really getting excited for the fall months to come.  It is my favorite season, although we don't get much of the fall weather or the changing colors of the leaves down here.  Its usually pretty nice Oct-December though so I'm still excited about it.

Hopefully, this weekend I can get Kenzie's school shopping done.  We still need to get most of her supplies (which surprisingly, she doesn't need that much this year) and I want to get her a few new outfits and new shoes.  Her first day of school is August 22nd.  I still can't get over the fact that she'll be in 4th grade!!!!  And, she's 9 years old---thats halfway to 18 people!! Yikes!!  Um, I had her when I was 18 years old.  Now thats scary to think about, lol!!

No school for Aydan this year.  He will be 5 in January so he'll start kindergarten in Fall, 2012.  His daycare is pretty much like Pre-K so he learns a lot of things there, which should prepare him a little for kindergarten. 

Here's a few random pictures that were on my phone....

All of these, except for the one of the dog, were taken near Kemah.  We had gone somewhere to eat and stopped along the water on our way home. 

 My crazy little boy...

 My phone didn't get the best picture of this but you can kind of see the sailboats out in the water.  Its so pretty.  I could literally sit and stare out into the water all day!

 Both of my silly kiddos!

 Beautiful Kenzie

 This one really could have been pretty if I had a fancy camera to take it with lol! 

And, last but not least, the dog Hunter.  He's such a good boy!  We love him so much!

Well, thats all I got for now...

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

Mexican food, Margaritas, & Live Music!!

Knee deep in the water somewhere....

Ahhhh!! We finally made it to the beach on Saturday.  I ended up taking the kids by myself; Danny didn't feel like being out in the heat, which was fine.  We still had a good time.  It was so packed!! I drove around for like 20-30 minutes before I found a decent place to park! 

 The umbrellas were lined up all along the beach. 

 Heading out to the water (after I lathered them up with sunscreen!)

 Kenzie sitting in the waves as they came in.

 Aydan's favorite thing was riding the waves on his sissy's princess floaty....

 And playing in the sand with his monster truck.

 Only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair.....