Well, I have hit the magical number of 35 weeks today where the girls lungs are about fully developed! They can come now with (hopefully) no visits to the NICU. I am dilated to a 4, my contractions have seemed to slow down, and now that I am ready to meet these girls they are taking their time. Don't they know that I AM THE DIVA!! I wait on no one...people wait on me!! They are already trying to steal my spot! I have a Dr. appt on the 8th and if they are still breech, then we will go in bright and early on the 9th where they will attempt to move Baby A so that she is head down. From what I hear that is pretty painful and if it doen't get these girls moving, I don't know what will. Exciting... What isn't exciting is how huge I am! Every night when I go to bed I think, "well at least I can't get any bigger!" And then I wake the next morning to find that I CAN and DID!
Joseph finished his first week of general surgery last week and we all survived! He begins a long stretch of work today (13 days in a row) but we ae all feeling confident that we will get through it. God continues to be faithful to us, in so many ways, during this difficult season. Joseph is interested in surgery, but not the long hours away from his family!
The "pink eye brothers" have finally gotten over their pink eye and their colds are getting much better. There were many nights last week that they were up in the night with sore throats and coughs. The bad news is now Daddy has it. It was a hard week last week with all of the illness that kept us indoors. For our family to be cooped up indoors is hard! It looks like this week we will be able to get back to normal. Whatever that is for us these days!
Well, Caleb needs to get on the laptop to google snapping turtles so this is all for now...
Monday, April 30, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Mysteries of Motherhood
Mysteries of Motherhood
by
Reb Bradley
Mother's hearing
She does not hear the car alarm, the neighbor's music, or the noise of playing children,
But from the other end of the house, in the middle of the night, she will hear a child's slightest whimper
Mother's mind
She may not comprehend how to use the VCR or the computer,
But she understands a child's heart whenever it hurts.
Mother's strength
She may be too weak and exhausted to carry groceries in from the car,
But she is strong enough to intimidate any who threaten her children.
Mother's memory
She may not remember where she put her keys or the reason she walked into a room,
But she never forgets the wonderful things her children do and say.
Mother's clothes
Her clothes aren't so perfect – they're stained by baby's burps and last month's lasagna,
But each stain is a badge of love and service equal to any won by a soldier.
Mother's hands
All she sees are the lines and wrinkles in her hands, and longs for their youthful appearance,
But she forgets their wear speaks of love, devotion, and sacrifice.
Mother's shape
She sighs and moans when she cannot fit into the clothes of her youth,
But her shape and stretch marks are like battle scars which say, "Kids, you were worth it!"
Mother's eyes
The mirror tells her that her eyes lack sparkle,
But the bags and fatigue betray love that burns bright all night long.
Mother's career
She is haunted sometimes by what she could have been,
But she equips generations and shapes the world's future.
Mother's trust
She doesn't trust enough to let you near the strange dog or to climb to the tip top branch,
But she believes in you when you are discouraged and full of self doubt.
Mother's significance
She regrets her failures, mourns her anger, and dreads she is warping her children's psyches,
But she so tightly bonds her children to her heart that they will grow up, but not away.
Mother's hearing
She does not hear the car alarm, the neighbor's music, or the noise of playing children,
But from the other end of the house, in the middle of the night, she will hear a child's slightest whimper
Mother's mind
She may not comprehend how to use the VCR or the computer,
But she understands a child's heart whenever it hurts.
Mother's strength
She may be too weak and exhausted to carry groceries in from the car,
But she is strong enough to intimidate any who threaten her children.
Mother's memory
She may not remember where she put her keys or the reason she walked into a room,
But she never forgets the wonderful things her children do and say.
Mother's clothes
Her clothes aren't so perfect – they're stained by baby's burps and last month's lasagna,
But each stain is a badge of love and service equal to any won by a soldier.
Mother's hands
All she sees are the lines and wrinkles in her hands, and longs for their youthful appearance,
But she forgets their wear speaks of love, devotion, and sacrifice.
Mother's shape
She sighs and moans when she cannot fit into the clothes of her youth,
But her shape and stretch marks are like battle scars which say, "Kids, you were worth it!"
Mother's eyes
The mirror tells her that her eyes lack sparkle,
But the bags and fatigue betray love that burns bright all night long.
Mother's career
She is haunted sometimes by what she could have been,
But she equips generations and shapes the world's future.
Mother's trust
She doesn't trust enough to let you near the strange dog or to climb to the tip top branch,
But she believes in you when you are discouraged and full of self doubt.
Mother's significance
She regrets her failures, mourns her anger, and dreads she is warping her children's psyches,
But she so tightly bonds her children to her heart that they will grow up, but not away.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Hot Date!
Last Friday night Joseph and I went on a date!! We figured it may be the last one for a while. I had contractions every 3 minutes the entire drive to restaurant and was hoping that we would be able to finish our date before I went into labor. Luckily they stopped shortly after we got to there. We ended up going to Salt Grass Steakhouse and had a really good time with some really good food! After our date we were having a hard time figuring out what to do next…a movie would have been difficult because I’m uncomfortable sitting for long periods of time and a romantic walk on the Riverwalk is out of the question since it is exhausting for me to walk or stand for longer than 3 min. (NO exaggeration!) SO, I convinced Joseph to go with me to…drum roll please…BABIES R US!!!
I walk pretty slow these days, for obvious reasons, and was holding my chivalrous hubby’s arm when he romantically says, “I think I just saw a sloth pass us.” I knew that this was going to be a long walk around the store and was thrilled when we walked into the store and saw they had WHEELCHAIRS!!! I was so excited and asked Joseph if he would be willing to push me around. Once again my chivalrous husband says, “I would have to be half dead and then would crawl before I would ride around in a wheelchair.” (I will tuck that info. away for when he’s an old man) I think though after the long walk into Babies R Us he decided that this may be the only way to get out of the store before he graduates med school. It really wasn’t as great as I thought that it would be. We definitely moved much faster, but that was the problem. Being at the mercy of someone who rates shopping right up there with riding in wheelchairs he went so fast I couldn’t browse. Then he would leave me in the middle of the aisle and “accidentally” run me into things. Motorized wheelchairs WILL be in my future when I’m old and can’t walk!
So that sums up our big last date. We really are boring!
On another note, Joseph started his general surgery rotation today and this is going to be the beast of all rotations. Of course things are always crazy on call nights and the first day of rotations. Today is no exception. Both boys have pink eye, Luke has diarrhea, Caleb has a bad cold, it’s been rainy out and Titan Dog MUDdry tracked mud through the house and Luke got blue paint on the bottom of his socks and danced all over the living room! When I was a kid I never understood the commercial slogan, “Calgon, take me away!” Well, now I do.
I walk pretty slow these days, for obvious reasons, and was holding my chivalrous hubby’s arm when he romantically says, “I think I just saw a sloth pass us.” I knew that this was going to be a long walk around the store and was thrilled when we walked into the store and saw they had WHEELCHAIRS!!! I was so excited and asked Joseph if he would be willing to push me around. Once again my chivalrous husband says, “I would have to be half dead and then would crawl before I would ride around in a wheelchair.” (I will tuck that info. away for when he’s an old man) I think though after the long walk into Babies R Us he decided that this may be the only way to get out of the store before he graduates med school. It really wasn’t as great as I thought that it would be. We definitely moved much faster, but that was the problem. Being at the mercy of someone who rates shopping right up there with riding in wheelchairs he went so fast I couldn’t browse. Then he would leave me in the middle of the aisle and “accidentally” run me into things. Motorized wheelchairs WILL be in my future when I’m old and can’t walk!
So that sums up our big last date. We really are boring!
On another note, Joseph started his general surgery rotation today and this is going to be the beast of all rotations. Of course things are always crazy on call nights and the first day of rotations. Today is no exception. Both boys have pink eye, Luke has diarrhea, Caleb has a bad cold, it’s been rainy out and Titan Dog MUDdry tracked mud through the house and Luke got blue paint on the bottom of his socks and danced all over the living room! When I was a kid I never understood the commercial slogan, “Calgon, take me away!” Well, now I do.
Monday, April 16, 2007
I was painting some things for the girls room and the boys decided that they wanted to "help". I decided that I would much rather them paint some pictures for the girls room, instead of my wooden shelves. Here they are painting their masterpieces! Luke didn't intentionally paint himself! When he was reaching for a different color he would accidentally
lay on top of his painting. Painting with a 2 year old is definitely messy!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Playtime at the Maddry's
I love this picture of teamwork between my boys. Lukie (with no shirt and helmet) was helping big brother carry the basketball hoop (hoop removed) to the top of the swing set where they would launch it off and watch it fall. They would howl with laughter at their destruction!
As they get older it is so much fun to watch them play together. They seem to have their own little language and way to communicate. My boys really do enjoy playing together and it is such a blessing that they are so close in age and have such love for each other!
Caleb has been working around the house for money and loves to spend it at the dollar store. It works out great for me because he is always looking for extra chores to do and there are plenty around my house!! The bow and arrows were one of his dollar store finds. He wanted me to get a picture of his "mean face"!
And of course little brother has to get in the action as well. He didn't need a bow since he could just launch the arrows at you! And as with all weapons this one had a noise too. You can see his little lips making the noise.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
32 weeks and 3 days, but who's counting?!?!
Well, I'm 32 weeks this week, I measure at 40 weeks and I feel like I've been pregnant my entire life! I could go through a list of woe's that I am having currently, but why depress myself. Instead let's focus on the good stuff. I had an ultrasound on Monday and the girls look great! They are measuring at 4.5 pds and 4.7 pds, both breech and facing each other. Actually, they did a 3D ultrasound and they were face to face looking like they were sharing some secrets. I think they were plotting different ways to keep me up at night and make me more uncomfortable. I guess it takes very stratigic planning to time kicking me in my bladder so that I'm up every hour. Anyway, my girls looked super cute in their 3D portrait. (I would share that picture with you, but we can't get the scanner to work at this moment.) I'm concerned about the breech situation and don't want a c-section, but was given some hope by my doc's that they have a fairly high success rate at turning twins. I've watched a single baby's attempt at being turned on a Baby Story and can say in all honesty that it doesn't look pretty and looks quite painful. Okay, so let's not think about that anymore!
On to my favorite subject the girls room! It is coming along at a much slower pace than I would prefer. That is actually my fault since I need to get a few things at the store, paint and a few other things that I have NO energy for! I told Joseph recently that the 3 things I want most these days are a wheelchair (preferably motorized), a shower chair and a bed pan. I didn't get the feeling that he would be running out to the store to purchase any of the above mentioned! Back to the room, as soon as it is complete I will be posting pictures!!
Above are some pictures of my current state. I crave veggies, green salad and rainbow sherbert. Joseph and I have a tendency to use my stomach as a table. That had been working out quite well until recently. Baby B has decided to stick her head out, so I have this awkward & painful bump portruding out of my otherwise round stomach.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The Hunt is ON!
At first Luke would find an egg and then want to immediately open it. Probably why he didn't have as many eggs as everyone else!
Here are Caleb and some of his friends looking for eggs.
We had a wonderful Easter weekend! We had lots of time together as a family, got the boys room redecorated (had to after Luke ripped all the border from his walls!) and worked a little on the girls room. We decorated eggs as a family and had friends over for an easter dinner/egg hunt!
He is risen!
Easter Morning Pictures
Caleb wanted to take a picture and this picture was done on his first try! Pretty good!
And then he wanted his baby to get in the picture. He definitely had focus on one of us...
We were telling Luke to kiss Mommy's belly and he wasn't quite sure of that. I think it's because he has seen it move and both of my boys think it's a little weird.
Take the picture quick...this is the only kiss we're getting!
Caleb wanted to give the girls (all 3 of us!) a hug!
He is a beautiful child!
Easter Baskets
When Caleb and Luke woke up we let them open their easter baskets.
And of course, the mama of boys puts what every boy needs in his easter basket - A GUN!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Annual Easter Egg Dying!
This is the first year that Caleb has been able to do his eggs by himself, which was a good thing because Luke needed LOTS of help!
Caleb was very slow and meticulous about his dying process. He took his time deciding on the colors and watched each egg carefully.
Luke on the other hand was dropping eggs in faster than Daddy could keep up with him. He was into dropping the egg, letting the dye splash everywhere and then cracking the eggs. Daddy is much more like Caleb and wanted it to be done a certain way. Luke won!
LOTS of colors to choose from!
Luke loves stickers!! Besides the splash and the breaking of eggs, this was his favorite part!
This year we made Resurrection Eggs out of things around our house and read a scripture verse that went along with each item. It was an AWESOME visual for Caleb to remember the story. I wasn't sure that he "got it" until our Nanny, Miss Angela, told us that he told her the story using the eggs.
Caleb proudly displaying his work.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Easter Parties at School
This is Caleb's closed mouth smile that he does these days.
These are the outfits that they wore for their spring pictures at school. Their pictures actually came out really good this time!
Here they are ready for their big Easter egg hunt at school. Both of their easter baskets are fitting for their personalitites.
Let It Rise
Today was a school day. Actually it is 12:56AM on Friday morning (I can't sleep - very tired, but more uncomfortable AND the girls are somehow still finding room to swim laps inside my VERY crowded belly!) so yesterday was a school day. Anyway, we were running late as usual and the kids were having an Easter egg hunt at school so they were very excited to have their baskets and were having too much fun trying to open the eggs, dropping the eggs everywhere, and way too distracted to listen to me, so it was taking us even longer than normal to get in the car. Once we got in the car I was slightly frustrated and irritated and Caleb was asking me 100 questions about the sky without listening to any of the answers I was providing, so I decided to turn the radio on in hopes of getting a reprieve to collect my thoughts. The song Let It Rise by Big Daddy Weave had just started playing and both my boys started singing along with the song. Almost at once it struck me that 1. they knew all the words & melody to the song & 2. how amazing the sound of those 2 little boys singing praises to God must sound to our Father! It would have been hard to continue with my irritated/frustrated attitude and not join in song with my babies. I can only pray - with every ounce of my soul - that one day my babies will be with me, in front of Father, singing praises to him!!
Let It Rise by Big Daddy Weave
Let the glory of the Lord rise among us
Let the glory of the Lord rise among us
Let the praises of the King rise among us
Let it rise
Let the songs of the Lord rise among us
Let the songs of the Lord rise among us
Let the joy of the King rise among us
Let it rise
Oh, Oh, Oh
Let it rise
Let the glory of the Lord rise among us
Let the glory of the Lord rise among us
Let the praises of the King rise among us
Let it rise
Let the songs of the Lord rise among us
Let the songs of the Lord rise among us
Let the joy of the King rise among us
Let it rise
(2x’s)
Oh, Oh, Oh
Let it rise
Let it rise
Let the glory of the Lord rise among us
Let the glory of the Lord rise among us
Let the praises of the King rise among us
Let it rise
Let the songs of the Lord rise among us
Let the songs of the Lord rise among us
Let the joy of the King rise among us
Let it rise
(3x’s)
Oh, Oh, Oh
Let it rise
(10x’s)
Let it rise
ps. we listen to KLOVE www.klove.com and love it! the kids love it and have picked up on so many of the songs.
Let It Rise by Big Daddy Weave
Let the glory of the Lord rise among us
Let the glory of the Lord rise among us
Let the praises of the King rise among us
Let it rise
Let the songs of the Lord rise among us
Let the songs of the Lord rise among us
Let the joy of the King rise among us
Let it rise
Oh, Oh, Oh
Let it rise
Let the glory of the Lord rise among us
Let the glory of the Lord rise among us
Let the praises of the King rise among us
Let it rise
Let the songs of the Lord rise among us
Let the songs of the Lord rise among us
Let the joy of the King rise among us
Let it rise
(2x’s)
Oh, Oh, Oh
Let it rise
Let it rise
Let the glory of the Lord rise among us
Let the glory of the Lord rise among us
Let the praises of the King rise among us
Let it rise
Let the songs of the Lord rise among us
Let the songs of the Lord rise among us
Let the joy of the King rise among us
Let it rise
(3x’s)
Oh, Oh, Oh
Let it rise
(10x’s)
Let it rise
ps. we listen to KLOVE www.klove.com and love it! the kids love it and have picked up on so many of the songs.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Top 7 things Sabrina hears on a daily basis!
1. “Wow, you’re huge!” WHY WOULD YOU EVER SAY THIS TO A PREGNANT WOMAN???
2. “You sure look miserable.” No comment.
3. “You’re gonna have your hands full!” Translation: the 2 kids you have are running wild…are you sure you need to have more kids?
4. “2 boys & 2 girls…now you can stop.” Thanks for the permission.
5. “Were you on fertility drugs?” ARE YOU ON DRUGS?
6. “2 babies, does that mean you’re having twins?” Something like that.
7. “At least you will have 2 little helpers.” I don’t know that I would exactly call help from a 2 & 4 year olds helpful.
I am so grouchy today. Joseph got the day off yesterday, but had to work today. It's always hard around here when he has to work on the weekends. Plus I'm uncomfortable, tired, having contractions, hot, irritable, and hormonal! Not a good combo!
Let's concentrate on some good things here... My kids are healthy and gorgeous! My hubby will come home sometime tonight. I'm 31 weeks and the twins are still doing good. I won't be pregnant forever. You know, Joseph is on the burn unit at the hospital and it's so sad to think of the agony those poor people are going through. Praise be to God that I really don't have anything to complain about. Life is good! Hard, but good!
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