Just Another Manic monday

I've been up since about 6:45. Lane needed a bottle and was wide awake and then Scarlett was up a few minutes after that. We've already done breakfast, diaper changes and playtime.

Since Rassie is home I am really hoping to get some thing accomplished today, inside and out. Dishes, laundry, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, hopefully steam vaccing, bathrooms, bedrooms, garage, car and yard!

I have a long list! But my house is in much need of a deep cleaning! And when I clean out the garage and the storage room in the garage I will have plenty of "stuff" for a yard sale! Maybe I should have one next weekend to earn a little extra cash. Not that it would be like hitting the lottery or anything but these days every little bit helps!

On another note, Scarlett has been feeling better. No fever since last Thursday. Her nose is a little stuffy and boogery but no more snot pouring out. She's been asking everyday to go to the splash pad. I've taken her to the park twice instead. She really enjoyed it and I think I will try to squeeze that and a walk into our day too. I really want to make a few more trips to the splash pad with her though. Being that September starts tomorrow its only a matter of time before the splash pad shuts down for fall and winter.

Lane is doing good. Growing like a little weed. I need to step on the scale and weigh him. I'm sure he's passed the 10 lb mark! What a big baby I have. *smile* He seems to be more needy than Scarlett was. He really enjoys being held, almost too much! And every night he goes through a fussy period that I am starting to think is a slight touch of colic. BUT, the past 2 nights have been much better and not so fussy.

An update on my shoes post! I did find a pair of tennis / walking shoes. They feel great on my foot, except for the fact that they rub blisters on my heels! My mom said there is something called a heel shield. I'm going to check into that. I also think If I wear the shoes a little more they won't rub. I am really hoping so because they made my aching foot feel soooooo much better!

Well everyone, have a good Monday!

Fly, Fly Precious One

Balloons for Harley

Saturday we released balloons for Harley. We released 4 balloons, 1 from each of us.

They posted in backwards order and I apologize.

Rest in Peace Harley.

Going Non-Stop

I feel like this week has been non-stop. Scarlett waking up with fever on Monday. By Tuesday it was worse and we made a trip to the pedi's office. Wednesday wasn't much better but her nose had started clearing up and then her temperature dropped below normal! Thursday she still had her puny spells on and off and Friday she was almost back to her normal self. Her nose is just a little congested but we don't have waterfalls of snot pouring out anymore!

On top of that, Lane has been a little stinker! He really is a good baby but he's been waking up at 5:30 in the morning to eat and he wants to stay awake until about 8 and by that time Scarlett is up. Makes for a long day! I also think he has just a touch of colic. Every night at bedtime he goes through a fussy period. He is not inconsolable but is quite irratable. You have to hold him just right and rock him until he finally hits that deep sleep or else he starts his crying and screaming. I'm telling you, he's a stinker!

My house is a disaster zone. Everyday I work on the dishes and the laundry and thats as far as I get. Between one baby being sick and neither wanting to nap at the same time I've had my hands too full to do much else. We did manage to make it to the store to pick up a few necessities and dog food. And last night we got out of the house and went for a walk. The weather was actually really nice and I didn't break a sweat walking out the front door! Lane slept the entire walk and Scarlett was passed out before we made it back home. BUT, she decided that was only a cat nap or maybe I should say power nap, because then she didn't go to bed until 10 when bedtime is at 8.

Today I have a baby shower I was invited to. I sent my gift with a friend. I didn't want to take Scarlett since she has been sick and I didn't want to just leave her anywhere for the same reason. I also have the balloon release at 1. R.I.P. Harley Carson . Then I have to pick up Lane's birth announcements that I forgot yesterday. After that I think we will go spend some of the afternoon at grandma's. I think some fresh air in the country will do Scarlett some good and I could use a day out of the house. We may also go and hand deliver a few of the announcements. Depends on how the kiddos are feeling and if they're in a good mood or not.

I will post later with some pictures from our balloon release. Gotta go get the tags printed out and pick up the balloons still.

I hope all of you have a good weekend. Spend some time with your family and hug your kids a little tighter. Love, hugs and kisses. ~ Amber

Baby Girl is Sick

Scarlett woke up with a fever Monday morning. I got it down but it never went away completely. She went about her day eating, drinking and playing. I put her in bed last night only to get up by 11:40 to her running a fever of 103.8. I managed to get it down, get her hydrated and back to sleep. Later in the night she ended up with a 104.5 fever. It took me a bit to get it down but I managed. Her nose has been running like crazy but stuffy at the same time.

I called in to get her an appointment this morning, basically to be told they didn't need to see her for flu like symptoms. I was a little upset considering her fever had spiked so high and I have a 3 week old at home. I gave it some time and around lunch she was fussing every time she took a bite, like her throat was hurting. I called in again and said I think she might be coming down with strep and that was all it took. They made an appointment.

At Scarlett's appointment they listened to her heart, checked her ears and throat and said it was just a respiratory infection. She has lots of phlegm and drainage but it has not gone into her ears, chest or caused strep throat yet so all we are to do is treat the fever and keep her hydrated. Tonight she's come down with a tummy ache and diarrhea. She's sleeping for now but I will be watching her closely and waking her to alternate Tylenol and Motrin throughout the night. I do not want another round of 104 temps to spike tonight! I also have a decongestant that is supposed to clear everything up that was prescribed before and is still good. I was told I could give it to her to help with her breathing so she can sleep and to help clear things up before the drainage ends up where it should not be and causes an infection or worse.

It has been quite the night/day to be a mommy all alone taking care of a sick toddler and a newborn. Thankfully, Daddy will be home tomorrow and I'm sure he will help give our babies all the love they need. Keep Scarlett in your thoughts that this passes quick, I know we all hate when our babies are sick. No matter how big or small.

Other than that, all is good with the new family of 4!

Balloons For Harley

Who knew that a social networking group for moms could bring so many people together. Scarlett is 19 months and I am a member of a January 2008 Babies group on Cafemom. In this group I have met some amazing women and watched their children grow up in pictures and through blogs / posts that they make. It is a truely amazing thing. In the beginning, I never knew how attached I could become to some of the other Mother's out there. Over these past 19 months I have learned just how easy it is to give your heart to a mother and a child that you have never actually met. In our group we have had some great times and some very sad times.

Today my heart aches for one sweet little girl, Harley Carson. Harley was a 19 month old baby girl who was diagnosed with Alper's Syndrom and has now left her life here on earth to spend her days with Jesus. Her story has touched many hearts and my thoughts and prayers go out to her parents, family and friends. If you would like to know more about Harley please visit her blog at http://helpharley.blogspot.com/ or her Caring Bridge page at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/harley/journal .

In Rememberance of Harley Carson, a Balloon Release and Moment of Silence will be held on Saturday, August 29th at 1pm. We are asking that you please take part and release a purple balloon or two. When doing so please take photos and email them back to me at amartin52006@hotmail with a subject title of "balloon release". These photos are going to be used to create something special for Harley's family.

I posted a photo at the top. It is a 2x3 printable tag that you can printout and attach to your balloons so that Harley's story can be spread to even more people. A friend of mine, Emily, created this tag and should receive any and all credit for it. Please feel free to share the tag and Harley's story but do not pass it off as your own.

I want to thank everyone who participates. I am sure it will mean a great deal to Katie and Cameron.

Sentimental Sundays

I had a really good Sunday. My sweet girl slept in until 7:45 and Lane followed suit. We got up, dressed, fed, photo shoot and off to Grandma's by 11. We spent a good part of the day there. Scarlett played with the boys while Lane slept. He did wake up for a feeding and a diaper change. We took the kids outside to see the horses and play on the tire swing. Two of Scarlett's favorite things to do at Grandma's but what's not to love about being there? Then we set her in a chair and sang the ABC's while Grandma attempted to trim her bangs. Scarlett did a good job. No screaming and crying this time. Just a little fussy but the ABC's kept her entertained. It was too hot outside so back in the house for cold drinks, a snack and to let Lane me his 3 month old cousin, whom he about the same size as!

We made it home around 3 and I fed Scarlett an early supper of spaghetti-O's and franks around 4. Then around 5 she munched on my rice and beef burritos. The weather was nice and cooled down a little because surrounding areas were actually getting hit and miss rain. So I sat outside with the kids. Scarlett played with chalk on the sidewalk and Lane slept while I rocked him. Yep, he's still quite the sleeper. After all the mess of spaghetti-O's hair and chalk all over I gave Scarlett a shower/bath. Afterwards I wrapped her in a towl, cut a popsicle in half, put each half in a hand and finished the trim on her bangs (b/c Grandma missed a couple of spots) and trimmed the back so it will grow out a little faster. We cuddled on the couch and by 8 o'clock Scar was in bed and out like a light! I can't say the same for Lane. He's fussier around bedtime because that is the time of day he wants to be held to sleep instead of laid in the bassinet. I need to get his times straightened out!

I all that was missing from my perfect Sunday was Rassie! But, I am so thankful for the new job and I know he will be home soon enough. Hope everyone else enjoyed their weekend as well!

Lane's Baby Picture

Scarlett's Baby Picture

Lane 3 weeks old (his onsie is a little baggy) & his cousin 3 months old

Scarlett on the Tire Swing

Scarlett with the Horses

New Shoes For Mom

So, I need a new pair of walking / tennis shoes. They are not a want, but a NEED! The ones I have, I have had for at least 3-4 years. They still look like they are in great but used condition. However, after having Scarlett I started walking alot. I would take her for daily walks every morning and then hop on the treadmill everynight. I ruined my shoes! Or I should say the treadmill did. For some reason walking on the treadmill reshaped the sole of my left shoe. Probably because I walk differently on a treamill then I would on regular ground. After a while it started killing my foot. I couldn't wear any shoes at all. I had to get some flat unsoft flip flops or go barefoot. Some nights I would get up out of bed to go to the bathroom and feel like I couldn't even step on my left foot. That's how bad it hurt. I finally got it feeling better! I went shoe shopping last summer and finally found a pair of K-Swiss that I fell in love with. But after walking in them one time I took them back to the store. Why? Because I have 2 scars on my left ankle from surgery and the shoes just rubbed it the wrong way, irritating it. So I never got new shoes and just continued walking outside in my flip flops and gave up on the treadmill.

Well, Lane is now 3 weeks old. I have started taking him and Scarlett for walks in the evenings and I've been wearing those old tennis shoes that were calling out to me in the closet. Big Mistake! My foot is starting to kill me again. I really need a new pair of shoes! I would just go to Wal-Mart buy me a cheap pair of walking shoes and be happy but I am extremely picky when it comes to tennis shoe shopping. Mostly because of my scars. I don't know how many times in the past I have bought shoes only to take them back 2 days later and buy another pair that ended up being returned too! The only shoes I have found that didn't bother my scars are Nike but they just dont feel comfortable to me any more. And with the budget we've been on they're a bit pricey! Any suggestions on what shoes worked for you? I've tried out New Balance, Fila, K-Swiss, Nike, and a few others including whatever Wal-Marts brand is and a pair from Target! I just don't know what to do! Momma needs a new pair of shoes.

3 weeks Already!

Lane is 3 weeks old today. Man how time does fly. He has grown so much already. His birth measurements were 8 lbs 11 oz 20 in. and his measurements yesterday at the pedi were 9 lbs 15 oz 21.5 in . He is such a handsome little fellow. I have only caught a few gassy smiles but I know his smiles are coming soon and will be so beautiful! He likes to sleep alot but is starting to stay awake for longer periods of time. He's also becoming more alert. Scarlett is so in love with her baby brother. She will sit in her Tinkerbell chair. Hold out her arms and say "hold em". So mommy helps her hold him. She will give him kisses and rub his hands. She's so proud!

Lane did have his 2 week follow up yesterday even though he is 3 weeks. I am not very fond of his pedi but with Rassie's new job we should be able to switch him to the same pedi as Scarlett. This pedi is constantly questioning me on where Lane sleeps. Telling me if he keeps gaining weight like he is that he will need to go on a diet. His umbilical cord had not come completely off and he told me I kept it too clean but it was actually off already I just didn't want to pull it I thought it was still attached but it wasn't. He just isn't as friendly as Scar's pedi.

We had to do newborn screening lab work. Lane decided to poop during the middle of it and the dr hadn't put the diaper back on good so I ended up with poop all down my shirt. It wiped off easily so at least I didn't have to walk out with bright yellow all over my pink shirt..lol

I love my babies SOOOOO much. Scarlett & Lane are my life. I could not imagine my life without them. And Rassie is such a wonderful husband and Loving father. What more could a girl ask for?

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

After 7 months of searching and patients we finally had a break through. Rassie has been calling an oil field company every Tuesday and Thursday for months! He finally got a phone interview, they called his references and then called him in for a face to face interview. They have been great. They called last Wednesday and wanted him to be there on Thursday. He was still in California so he couldn't make it. They told him they would hold his interview for Monday morning! He went in, they told him he had awesome references and that they wanted him to go for a physcial. After passing the phsyical he would come back to the office and do paperwork then be put straight to work! They scheduled his physical for yesterday (Thursday) so that he would have time to take the truck back to Houston and let his current employer know he would be leaving them. Rassie had the phsyical yesterday morning. Passed with flying colors and did all the paperwork. He will be working 14 days on and 14 days off. 2 weeks is a long time to work but its also a great amount of time to have off! So excited about that. The insurance they are offering is wonderful and affordable. I am so happy! With Rassie getting 2 weeks off at a time I am going to try to get back into substitute teaching so that we can get some extra cash, catch up on bills, save up for the holidays and put some back into savings.

Good things do come to those who wait. I feel so Blessed that God has watched over and taken care of my family for so long and continues to do so.

Rain Showers for Scarlett

(This Happened the Morning of August 7th)

I was literally crying from laughing so hard.. but my hormones are still a little crazy too! It WAS funny!
I was changing Lane's poop diaper. Got him all cleaned off and turned to grab the vaseline when I hear Scarlett saying "wooooo" and laughing. I turn to see a fountain of pee bouncing off of her head. Lane was peeing on her and of course she thought it was water... ha ha! I had covered him with a wipe but he wiggled free from it and anything and everything was fair game.
I put a diaper on him and stood her in the shower while I hosed her down..
The joys of being a mommy! I would not change it for ANYTHING else in the world... I love my babies!

I Love Being a Mommy!

Baby Boy is Here!

(a little late but trying to get back in the swing of this thing)

Rassie "Lane" arrived on Friday, July 31st at 5:07 pm. He was 8lbs 11 oz and 20 in long. He is just the cutest thing EVER. I will update a little later with pictures and the labor story! My usb cord is still packed in the car.
I got to the hospital Thrusday night at 11 to get all checked in. We went over paperwork, signed all the consent forms, changed, and hooked up to all the monitors. Got my IV in, the nurse did an awful job and depending on how I turned my hand the IV would actaully drip. It did get better though. They drew blood for labs and at midnight they gave me a pill by mouth to help ripen the cervix. The nurse almost didn't give me the pill because I was already contracting when I checked in. They were painless and irregular so I figured they were just braxton hicks, but nope! They were real. I tried to get some sleep but between the baby's heartbeat pounding away on the monitor and Rassie snoring I didn't get much. At 4 am they came in and started pitocin, at 5:30 they upped it but not much at all. I wasn't hurting but she went ahead and gave me some meds to help me sleep. I wasn't really progressing, just at 1. woo hoo..lol. At about 8:20 on Friday morning I was on the phone with my mom. I felt what I thought was the baby kicking and all of a sudden I peed myself, not really! It was my water breaking. I felt like it would never stop. Everytime I moved or contracted another gush came out. I sat there laughing to my mom on the phone because I felt a little embarassed..ha ha..
The contractions started getting painful now. They were still irregular though. I would have 3, go 5 minutes, have 1.. go 5 minutes have 3 more contractions and sometime I would go almost 10 minutes!!!! I asked for some pain meds by IV and they worked wonders. Knocked me right out and I was actually able to sleep THROUGH the contractions. When it would start to wear off I would get up and go to the bathroom. The walking and relieving my bladder really helped with the pressure and the pain. The anestesiologist came in and tried to coax me into an epi. Because of the scar tissue on my cervix I was progressing extremely SLOW! My OB didn't want to pressure me but she knew it would move things along. I kept turning him down, I was hanging in there so far. He came in my room SIX times to offer the epi!!!! Then around 4 they checked me and I was at 4 cm. They were about to cut me off on the IV meds and that really scared me because that was the only thing that kept me going through all the pain. I was sitting on the toilet crying to Rassie begging for him to call my mom, telling him how I wanted the epidural but was way too scared! Yeah, talk about entertaining.
So I gave in, they gave me a mini dose of IV meds to help knock me out some and calm me down so they could do the epi. It didn't hurt at all. I think what made me panic is feeling something move around in my back while he put it in. So they got the epi in around 4. Rassie left to grab a bite to eat. The doctor came back and checked me. I was at a 7. She rubbed some of the scar tissue lose and I made it to an 8. She said to call Rassie and tell him to come back and we would start pushing. So she and the nurses set me up all up, Rassie made it back and it was definitely time to go! I pushed for 3 contractions and he was out. I was a little worried at first because he didn't cry right away. But finally he did and I got to hold him while Rassie cut the cord. Come to find out the cord was around his neck but really lose so that's why it took him a little to cry. She had to get him untangled and suctioned out. He made his grand entrance at 5:07 pm and was just perfect! I still can't believe I gave into an epidural. That was a really big deal for me, but looking back, he probably would have been here sooner!
Scarlett is loving her baby brother! He was slightly jaundice on Sunday morning but nothing they were too worried about so we finally got to come home. He's not the greatest eater yet and we're using formula. My colustrum still has not even come in, my breast are not sore, tender or leaking! But because of the jaundice he needs to be eating something. I didn't produce with Scarlett either. I'm going to talk to a lactation consultant on Wed. but we'll see how that goes and how my breasts are by then.