It's Not Spring Break Until We Visit the Zoo!

Pregnancy Update

This is my day.  4 times a day I get to poke my finger, and watch the countdown with a little pit in my stomach.  6 times a day (sometimes more) I am eating.  Not just anything I would like to eat, but a specific, measured and controlled diet.  Diabetes diet (for those of you who aren't sure what that means, it is low carb).  As of right now, I have to shoot my leg at least once a day with insulin.  At 14 weeks, this is early for my gestational diabetes to start up, but after having it the last 2 pregnancies (as well as many other issues), I knew I would have to deal with it soon.  And, as the nurse told me today, things are going to get worse as it gets later in the pregnancy. (bless her dear little heart, she made me cry and felt dreadful after saying it.  I knew what she meant, but sheesh.) 

It's really hard this time.  Emotionally, it's really tough.  I knew it was going to be something God would challenge me with, but when I think about far away October is, it really gets me down.  I feel so alone, so helpless.  Why does my body react this way?  I feel like it's rebelling, and coming from this control freak rule follower, it drives me bonkers.  Why is it so difficult to find food that I enjoy, and why do I have to think about it all day long?  I have 4 kids. All pulling me in different directions, all needing attention.  I feel so selfish, and yet I can't be, and I am.  Oh, how I am.

I have done more research about GD and I am still so shocked by the results of what could happen if this all goes untreated, or unmonitored. Not really sure how I missed all the doom and gloom the first 2 times, but it has made things way more IN YOUR FACE and REAL. 

I realize compared to many other things mommas face during their pregnancies that this is nothing, and I am just feeling sorry for myself.  I went to confession to a dear priest and poured out all my frustrations and anxiety (crying, humbled, embarrassed).  He looked at me and said, "There is the ugliness of the cross that you can see, that is all you see right now.  And there is the beauty of the cross.  You have to look at your life, at your wonderful children and see all the beauty."  (can you guess what my penance was?)  Wow. and yes, exactly what I needed to hear.

So, well, that is what is going on.  I am doing a bit of melancholic wallowing, and trying to get through one day at a time, and looking forward to finding out whether we will be getting some pink in this house, or I need to start washing my blue.  On the positive side, my nausea is gone!  Thank goodness for small things, right?  I must look at the positive.  And on another note, I get to purchase some new maternity clothes this time around.  Only because when you have #5, your belly "shows" much sooner (no bump shots yet, maybe at 20 weeks), and when you start out fat bigger than you were before, you get new clothes that fit! 

Thanks for all the prayers and patience with my blog.

Egg Hunting

Early Mass on Easter gives us time for a hunt at our home.  Daddy was armed with his coffee and Mommy had the camera to catch it all.

 

 

Later, we had a hunt at my Mom's house.  My oldest nephew, Joseph, was sweet enough to hunt with James.

 The hunt was on for the "golden egg" for the win.

 And guess who the big winner was??

 The passing of the "Golden Jacket" from the past champion.

And he will get his name on the coveted Golden Box.  Be sure and see who has a Three-peat win on there.  He's not only handsome!

Alleluia! He is Risen!!

Happy Easter from our little nuthouse to yours. 

 And my adorable kids.  Does it look like we are missing one yet?  Sometimes I look at pictures and see that the Lord is making room. 

 And keeping our sense of humor along with it. (and yes, if you look closely, there is a bump)

 And, teaching how to use the self-timer on our new rockin' camera. 

And, from this stinker, who let us all know that "I look sharp!" before we headed out to Mass.



Murphy's Law Strikes Again

I'm sure I have mentioned this before, but Murphy's Law and I seem to be quite close.  And, as per usual, this law seems to strike when my dear husband is.not.home. 

A weekend without my oldest boys (Tommy and Patrick) in the house usually isn't a big deal, as camping trip usually start Friday night and end Sunday morning.  Unless there is water dripping into your kitchen from a mysterious upstairs location, and it's a Saturday when most plumbers will charge extra.  But, I have amazing brothers-in-law and one came over and helped me find another leak, in my pantry.  It was quite wet in there, and I knew that whoever was going to do work in there, would need to have it cleaned out.  So, while I woke that morning with a little more energy and hopefulness to get some housework done (oh, you should see my house!  No, actually, you shouldn't.  It's dreadful.), my energy was spent cleaning out my pantry.  My wonderfully large, corner pantry for my gourmet kitchen.  Sigh.

I did not find a plumber, but a sweet friend of mine called in a friend, and he came (from Uraguay, who called me "Foossy") and we found the leak.  3 holes in the drywall later.  Upstairs, behind the shower in our room.  Hooray for an easy fix, and no holes in my kitchen, though some drywall will need to be fixed, and my Saturday was done.  The positive side is that I found some expired food, and I will have some more room in my pantry when it's time to put everything away.  Right now, it smells like wet drywall, and I need to put some more bleach.  Yech.

So, technically, all should be well by Sunday because Daddy will be home.  Not so lucky.  He had to go to Mass at 5:30.  At 6:25 I hear a thud, cries, and some terrific screams of "MOMMY!"  I knew, by Emma's screeches that it involved blood.  Yep, William slipped and hit the hardwood stairs with his lip.  I knew as soon as I saw it that he would need stitches.  I wasn't near my cell, so I tried to call Tommy from the house phone.  Called and called and called.  No answer.  Finally, after calming William down, and grateful that he told me to "Call 911, that will help!" I got him to hold some ice on it and text Tommy.  THEN he called me, and said that apparently our kids know his number too well and call just like I did.  (That involved a little lecture with SOME of our children)  And, since I didn't have a car or dinner, we all drove and dropped them off.  Poor William had 2 stitches in his lip, but was super brave.

 

So, while I wait to see if I am going to get a new shower and perhaps a light in my pantry, I am being a good nurse and trying to keep everything all together.  (and failing.  William has already taken out a stitch.  Sigh)