Michael turns 3

 My attempt at a train cake.  It turned out better then I thought it would.  Landon even slept the entire time so I could get it done.  He's already so giving, allowing his brother to have a decorated cake.

We celebrated Michael's 3rd Birthday Friday night with a few good friends.

 Michael's favorite thing to do with the tools Grandma Shoemake gave him.

 Birthday breakfast, morning after his party.  He decided he wanted to have candles & be sung to again.  I couldn't say no, after all it was his actual birthday.

Michael is such a sweet boy.  He LOVES his brother Landon & is so sweet to him.  If Landon is crying Michael is right there trying to console him.  Michael loves to dance & must dance to any commercial with music.  He has gotten really good at shaking his booty & expects us to laugh every time, we are happy to oblige.  We love our little helper & so happy he is ours!

Landon's birth story

I have to start off by noting what I said to Joe the night before I went into labor... on Wednesday night I was telling Joe that I was worried for some reason that I wouldn't be able to tell I was in labor.  I also mentioned that I really liked going into labor with Michael in the middle of the night because the contractions woke me up. 

Early Thursday morning I couldn't sleep.  I had gone to bed after 11pm.  I'm not sure what time it was but I was having contractions - yet I was thinking they were braxton hicks.  I couldn't get comfortable, I kept turning from one side to the other.  I sat up at 1:30am and felt my water break.  I was sure that was what it was but I was in denial.  I never expected that to happen.  I first called my mom to make sure she could get on the first flight that morning since she had a two hour drive to the airport.  I waited a bit to wake Joe up because I wanted to be all ready to go before I did.  We arranged for a friend to come pick up Michael and we were off to the hospital around 3:30am.  It was 4am by the time we got to the hospital and I was check in right away.  Everything went so fast once we were at the hospital.  By the time I had a room I was having the worst contractions (insert screaming- which is totally not my personality) and was waiting for my epidural.  The Anesthesiologist did a great job but while I was getting it I was ready to start pushing. So as soon as my epidural was done I was ready to have the baby.  The epidural kicked in just in time and a few pushes later Landon came into this world at 5:33am.  He came out screaming & was cleaned up, Joe held him first then he handed him to me.  It definitely felt more natural to hold him since he was my second born.  I remember with Michael I felt like I didn't know what to do with this baby they just handed me. 

After delivery I was brought breakfast.  I have to say it was the best thing.  It was nice giving birth & then being able to eat right away.  Plus with my Gestational Diabetes no longer an issue I was free to eat what I wanted.  Yay!

We were able to discharge early, staying only one night instead of two nights.  It is impossible to sleep in the hospital.  I was grateful to be home sooner than later.

Here are the results of my attempt of a photo shoot:

Introducing Landon Josiah

Born September 16th, 2010 at 5:33am weighing 6lbs 14oz and 20.5 inches long.  He is healthy and doing great.  I'm recoving quickly & enjoying a new baby in the house.  Enjoy the pictures & video of Michael holding Landon.  Birth story to come.

Landon Josiah

Changes

I've been making some changes gradually to Michael's room that he'll later share with his brother Landon.  I finished the quilt/blanket for Michael a while back & have been meaning to post it.  Michael loves his blanket & I'm so glad he does.  It was a lot of work but I was persistent & got it done.  I repainted Michael's block letters to match the new color scheme.  I painted over some cheap canvases I got at Hobby Lobby with a cute train.  Michael loves them.   I even found a super nice & clean crib bumper that nearly matches my color scheme at a thrift store for only 7 bucks!  Michael will be using the twin bed sometime after my mom's visit & then we'll convert the toddler bed back to the crib.  I also decided I wanted the headboard white since the crib & headboard didn't match in wood color.  I think I'll like it better once it's in Michael's room & after I repaint Michael room.  Yup repaint.  I don't care much for the green anymore.  You'll just have to wait for the final makeover and I do mean wait.  Who knows when it'll get done once this little guy makes his entrance. 

Going going gone!

I am happy to report that Michael no longer uses a pacifier to sleep with!  Yay!  The fuff(sorry not sure how to spell a made up word), as Michael called it, is gone.  The story on how it became called that is when he was first learning to call it a pacifier he'd say puff fuff and it got shortened to fuff.  I decided last Thursday that it was time.  I asked him about giving it to a neighbor's baby and he said yes.  I'm pretty sure he wasn't completely sure what he was agreeing to but I went with it.  I kept repeating to him what we were doing and that at night he wasn't going to have it anymore. Right after we gave it to her I decided I wanted to go get him a toy so he picked out a James train at Target.

That first night it took him close to an hour and a half to fall asleep.  He'd cry a little bit off and on and I'd go in and talk to him telling him he was a big boy. But once he finally fell asleep and stopped asking me what he was hearing outside he didn't wake up 'til morning. The next nights went much better and last night he didn't  ask for it.  The bad thing is he hasn't taken a nap since giving it up.  I hadn't tried to put him down and didn't want to until he was used to not having it at night.  I tried yesterday for the first time to put him down for a nap but he refused so we might be done with naps. Bummer.  It was so nice to get things done or have the opportunity to take a nap myself. But he'll be 3 in a month and has been such a good napper- always more than two hours- usually three and sometimes three and a half. 

I can now cross off one more thing off my "De-Baby Michael" list before the baby comes.  Michael is successfully sleeping in a toddler bed, is nearly completely potty trained, can usually dress himself, goes to nursery at church with no problems saying bye & now he doesn't use a pacifier!  I am so glad I've worked hard to get all these things accomplished before the baby comes next month.  I was really starting to worry about him not getting adjusted to nursery since they were having trouble with finding leaders for a while.  Now they are stable and he absolutely loves it.  I have a big boy now!

Grandma came to visit!

My mom came to visit last Wednesday night to Monday evening.  We enjoyed having her here and had lots of fun.  She helped me and spent some time with Michael by bathing him and putting him to bed.

 

  On Monday we went downtown, so I turned in my membership to the Children's Museum.  We had a great time.  Michael loved it and it was fun to let him run around and try new things.  He really liked this section of the ball area where he could put a ball into the basket controlled by air.

 

  

 After the museum we ate at Rainforest Cafe.  The food was great and we were entertained by a gorilla coming to life every 10-15 minutes. There was also a thunder lightening storm every half hour.  Michael told me at one point that he was scared with tears in his eyes.  I told him it was just pretend and for fun.  He was then able to get over it and enjoy it.

Things to remember: 

• Saw Toy Story 3 at the movie theater- technically Michael's third movie, second was Shrek The Final Chapter.  The first was a movie for Joe and I when he was young.
• Went swimming at the pool on post.
• Bought a few items at Joann's to alter a couple dresses, after I have the baby.
• Attended church.  Mom enjoys our ward & thinks we have some fun women in RS.
• Walked the mall & Mom found a swimsuit cover up & a cute bathing suit top on clearance for Hawaii. 

Have I mentioned my entire family is going to Hawaii?  Two months after I have the baby, in November.  Also Tyler is engaged and is getting married there.  We are staying home.  Bummer.  My idea of going to Hawaii does not include a 2 month old though.  So that's what I get for having another baby in September.  Okay I'm done with my rant now.

We can't wait for my mom to come back when the baby comes.  When dropping my mom off at the airport Michael was sad we weren't going either. I told him we didn't have a ticket to get on the plane with my mom.  He said all teary eyed that he wanted a ticket.    We miss you mom & look forward to your return!

Family Talent

Joe has some pretty talented eyebrows as he can do "The Rock". He can nearly manipulate them in any manner he'd like.

Michael has a fun time trying to manipulate his eyebrows in different ways as his daddy does.  We think it's pretty funny and cute.  This video was made over a month ago. Enjoy.









































As for my eyebrows, they are nearly nonexistent. ;)

A few months back I made an online purchase and fell in love.  I've been meaning to share it with you. 

You may or may not read cjane but she directed me to them.  I am eternally grateful to her.  :)

What could I possibly be referring to? 

Half Tees

They are awesome.  I love not having to wear an entire shirt under my "too low" or "too wide" necked shirt.  I used to wear Downeast Basic's Wonder Tee but I find it to be too wide and not enough of a sleeve. Plus it's an entire shirt under another.  In this heat and on this prego body, less is more!  In Downeast Basic's defense they do sell shirts that are not as wide, but they are not half tees!  Check them out!  Try one! 
Once you go half, you won't go back!  :)

New Attitude

Thank you for all your supportive comments about my last post.  I have now met with everyone I've needed to to get my GD under control.  Thankfully I do not need insulin.  Mainly I just need to pay attention to how many carbohydrates I'm consuming at certain meal times or for a snack.  Everything seems to be going pretty good now that I know what I'm doing and I know that I can handle this.  I am having to check my blood glucose levels 4 times a day.  I've gotten used to the prick- even though I don't enjoy it. 

When I was at my nutrition appointment on Monday the nutritionist was surprised that I had GD.  I told her I completely agreed.  She then told me about another patient of hers that was the same size as me and was a nurse at the hospital.  Apparently she was surprised too but got really mad about it all and was asking to see her levels.  I found this to be hillarious. Of course the nutritionist didn't know I was mad too but had gotten over it by the time I saw her  :)

Denial

Wondering about the title of this post?  I'll explain. 

Last week I completed the routine 1hr glucose test.  The shortly after my doctor called to tell me I had not passed.  So I'm thinking- "not again!"  I didn't pass the 1hr with Michael either but went on to pass the 3hr.  So my doctor put in at the lab for me to do the 3hr.  Joy.  I remember doing this last time and almost passing out a few times.  You must fast for 10-12hr prior to the test.  I wasn't looking forward to it at all.  I went in on Tuesday morning at 7am to take the test- right when the lab opens.  I first had to wait with my number to get to the front desk.  (This is a hospital lab with a "take a number" system).  Since it was a holiday weekend prior and this was a military hospital I was number 43.  Great.  After my initial wait was up (8am) I was given a new number that got me in quick so I could get my fasting blood drawn.  Then I had to wait for the results before getting to drink the orange glucose. 

  

9am- read part of my Harry Potter book but couldn't concentrate with all the noise.

9:10 drank the orange glucose, tastes like orange soda, which is one of my favorite sodas so I don't mind it.  I actually like it. :)

10am- Price is Righ is on TV.  Sweet.  A newlywed couple won a new mustang.  Dang they almost won a second car in the end but under bid after questioning their first higher bid.  Can't believe the other couple won when they were 13K under.

10:10 blood draw- That didn't hurt.

11am- Soap operas are on TV.  Try not to watch so I don't get sucked in.  Break out the Nintendo DS and play me some tetris. 

11:10 blood draw- Ouch- vains why can't you be bigger so they don't have to use a butterfly needle? Those hurt!

12am- local news is on.  Snore.  Wish I could be sleeping right now.  Only 10 minutes left and one blood draw and I can eat!

12:10 blood draw- Yes, please even out the pain for me and use a butterfly needle on my other arm.  Thanks.  Ouch! 

I picked up some lunch on my way home from Panda Express for Joe and I so I could eat ASAP.  Shortly after I put Michael to bed.  Joe left to go to an appoinment.  I started cutting out a quilt I'm making... more details when I get close to actually finishing it.  Later I decided I wanted a nap too.  After my blissful three hour nap- four for Michael.  Crazy I know!  He must have played hard with Joe.  I went downstairs and Joe let me know I had missed a call from my doctor.  So I called her about the results.  She was already gone so I left a message.  Then come to find out Joe accepted an appointment for me to learn about how to handle gestational diabetes. 

What? 

You're kidding right?

NO WAY!!!

Me? Little me?  I have gestational diabetes?

I thought my body was good at being prego.

I called and confirmed with my doctor the following morning (today) and asked a few questions about wether one thing I did or another could have resulted in a false positive.  She said no.  Bummer.  I was really hoping to get out of this- maybe take another 3 hr to prove this isn't happening. 

 I welcome you gestational diabetes with folded arms and a clenched jaw. 

You are not welcome here.

So to answer any questions you may have- I don't have many yet, one of my first appointments is this Friday morning.  I don't know if I'll only be exercising and on a special diet to control my levels or having to do that plus giving myself insulin shots.  Joy.  I do know that I will have to test my blood sugar levels regularly.  

 Here's a pic of me at 29 weeks since I've been terrible about blogging this pregnancy.

Mommy & Me swim lessons

Starting swim lessons with Michael- he was super clingy and would occasionally scream while in the pool.  We stuck it out and two weeks later he's enjoying his time in the pool.  He loves to swim on his own with the help of a few floaties.  He'll only occasionally try to blow bubbles in the pool and still doesn't want to get his face wet.  I'm glad we went & had so much fun.  It was great bonding time together.

Ignore my neon white legs :)

Swim Buddies- Michael & Adrian

Reorganizing

My messy cluttered sewing/crafting table

Started using Michael's changing table for extra storage

The change:

I even got new tupperware bins for my fabric!

Ahh so refreshing.  Space for everything to fit in one space.

 

Well almost everything. 

I even decided to finish a craft project I've wanted to do since last year.  I've needed a summer wreath for our door since I only have a fall and winter one.  I had the flowers forever and it was time to use them.  It's kind of tiny but I got the base for the wreath for a buck at the dollar store.  I only ended up paying about 5 bucks for the whole thing.

Camping

We went camping again this year to the same place we went last year and had tons of fun.  Lots of friends from a few wards got together to go.  This year we came more prepared to have a better night's sleep by bringing our air mattress and a tent fan.  Last year we used whimpy pads to sleep on.  I definitely slept better this year then I did last year. 

There's a great playground for the kids to play on.

Looks like it would be a fast slide but the kids get stuck going down.

Two little monkeys

Beautiful trees providing great shade line the road to the drive up campsites.  Do you see the Rav 4 on the left?  That's ours.  We traded in Joe's truck and got it.  We love it.

Michael's response

Back on April 26th I had baby boy #2's ultrasound done.  I have yet to record Michael's cute response:

So when I told him that he was getting a baby brother he got all excited, smiling & claping.  Then he put his hands over his mouth & said repeatedly "Oh my goodness". 

He cracked me up.  Michael is such a sweet boy & I was very happy for him to be getting a brother. 

April showers bring...

I'm loving the green around our home lately.  We've surprisingly had a cooler spring this year and it has been wonderful. 

 Last year we planted a vine in front of the trellis.  Some how it decided to replant itself several feet away infront of a shrub(on the left)!  Ugh!

I'm loving the RED flowers I've planted in our planter this year.  They really compliment our green house & add an awesome pop of color.  They really are more beautiful in person.

We just got new screens installed to help save energy.  We got an awesome deal thanks to a military discount.  I'm still trying to get used to the look of them.  I can already tell a difference in Michael's room, thankfully.  His room was always so hot in the summer while he napped.  (Michael loves his shades btw, he always has to wear them when he leaves the house).

Happy Mother's Day Friends!

This afternoon my mother's day went something like this: 

Entertain Michael with some homemade Gak.  He threw it on the floor about three times & I was done with that. 

I received an apron as part of my Mother's Day gift so I thought it would be fun for Michael to have one too.  Although I didn't appreciate Michael drawing a "rainbow" on the carpet with crayons while I sewed. 

Even though it wasn't perfect.  I loved every part of it.  I love being a mom & can't wait to have two little mischievous boys to wrangle.

Happy Mother's Day to my mom & my mother in law.  I hope your days were special even though we were not there to pamper you.  We love you & appreciate you so very much~!