Thursday, May 29, 2014

And Baby #5 is....

Today was the day!  It was time to find out how healthy our baby is, and if our bundle will be pink or blue.  Tommy took off work today to be with me, and we started our day bright and early.  We arrived at the doctor's office in record time, and as we sat in the waiting room, Tommy looks at me and asks, "So, are we doing the sonogram in the other place?"
Um, no, dear.  We are here because this is where we are doing the sonogram!  LOL  I got the giggles from that all day long.  We discussed this multiple times, and I just thought it was so funny.
 
We got the good news that the baby looks healthy, and we also found out that we are having a baby...
 
....GIRL!  Pink it is!  The lady showed us, and I started crying!  I was totally prepared for another boy, and was not expecting to have such emotions.  The lady had to stop the sonogram until I could control my sobs, since my belly kept moving.  Tommy, the ever positive and sweet husband he is, said, "Don't be too disappointed!"
 
 Emma's face is priceless, and she was so excited. 
 
And, so was this guy!  

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Spring Concert: Recorder Edition

The lighting is tough to work with, but Emma is the far right in this group.  In 3rd grade, the kids learn the recorder, and have a "belt" system to get them through each song, with the difficulty rising with each belt.  Emma is on her 3rd belt (really her 4th), which the tune is "Merrily We Roll Along" (not to be confused with "Mary Had a Little Lamb.") 
 
In the last spring concert edition, I had a few more videos.  Well, this year was a little different format, and I did not have Tommy to help me video.  The older grades sang these songs and dedicated them to the teachers, the rising 8th graders, and graduating 8th grade. I don't have any kids in these grades, mind you, and I was a weepy mess.  "My Wish," "Don't Stop Believin'," and another one, and I was a MESS!  Even with James wiggling in his seat, I was still clutching my Kleenex.  Hormones. Drat them. 

Monday, May 26, 2014

What Makes Me Smile

Flowers.  I love flowers!  This spring, I am so aware of all the flowers blooming!  We have incredible rhododendrons on the side of our house.  FABULOUS bushes!
 These are peonies - LOVE them!  The fragrance, the happy-ness of the flowers is just awesome.  And guess what??  My husband just purchased a peony bush, and I can't wait until we have our own in our garden, in front of our house!
 Family time.  We spent some time with Tommy's family this weekend, and it has been too long.  To see the kids all playing outside and happy. 
 
 My Patrick.  He is a nervous Nelly around fires and fire pits.  This view of him trying to roast his marshmallow and being soo careful.  I know that sooner or later my boys are going to be all about things that would not be okay, so this stage still makes me happy.
 My silly James.  He is always saying the funniest things, always ready for a "SNUGGLE!", saying "Please" and "Thank you" so much that it may make up for all the times the other kids don't say it.
 Seeing the talents of my sister!  A First Communion in the family and my sister shared her gifts with him.  I love the quote from Saint John Paul II at the bottom.  Her abilities are incredible!  (I have a list of prayers, famous quotations, and different things that I would love to see in my home.  It's always lovely!)

Friday, May 16, 2014

7 Quick Takes: Pregnancy #5 edition


 
18 weeks.  I am so close to the 20 week sonogram, and getting some peace of mind that all is healthy and the gender.  I know I am not a tall person, so this baby has nowhere to go but OUT.  Can I admit that I am still a little nervous that belly isn't even halfway??  Oh dear.
I have to pack tissues, napkins, and at least something in my purse to wipe my nose and eyes this pregnancy.  I can't do anything about it.  This faucet just doesn't want to turn off.  Church is the hardest!  Every hymn, every little voice that says prayers, each homily, blessing......you get the idea.  I have not been able to sing more than one hymn at Mass since I became pregnant.  Oh, and don't even get me started on TV shows.  You would think cooking shows (you know, watching all that yummy food that I can't eat) or even HGTV would be safe.  Nope.  Nothing is safe.  The kids have stopped asking "Why are you crying, Mommy?" because it just happens so often.  Sigh.

It's not just tears, as any pregnant momma can relate to (I hope).  There is a vein in my forehead that has been bulging lately, each time I yell at the kids.  So fast!  I don't even realize it until my head starts to hurt and I am aware that I have been yelling, usually about nothing.  My poor family.  This fuse is almost non-existent!

On a positive side, I am STILL attending my exercise class twice a week.  I am so happy that I still can do it!  I have never exercised while pregnant (and was not able to move around nearly as much as I wanted to while pregnant with James) and I keep hoping that it will help with my diabetes numbers and size of me and my belly.  (a girl can dream, right?)  And I work out with the most amazing ladies.  I am so lucky to count all of them as my friends, but to feel so supported and not made fun of with my waddle and crazy belly is just awesome.

When we say our night prayers, we always bless all the members of the family.  The person that ALWAYS remembers to add the baby is sweet James.  "AND THE BABY!" comes from him faster than anyone else.  We are all in the habit of saying it now, but all of us get a big smile on our faces when we look at James.  That sweet boy always makes me smile.

And the voice my baby will know well?  The voice of William that is always saying "hello, baby!" and giving it a rub.  He's just the right height to do that, and some days the baby gets a greeting before I do.  Absolutely melts my heart.

So, if you look at #2 and 3, you can probably figure out that Mother's Day was filled with sweet cards, flowers, and lots of screaming and crying.  The weekend had been filled with time away from home, and our home REALLY showed it.  I let myself get in a funk and could NOT find a way out.  We did go out to eat with my family to see my mom, and had brunch with Tommy's mom, so I hope they had a good day.  I KNEW I was doing it all wrong.  It was like I was watching a really, really bad soap opera and I just couldn't change the channel.  Ugh.  Not my finest moment.  I did make sure to apologize to all the kids, and to hug them all.  Wish I had a bad memory about things like that.

I am SO self-conscious right now.  I am so nervous approaching people - people I consider my friends.  I don't want to call any attention to myself when I am in a group of people.  I feel PANIC when I have to pick up the phone and call someone, especially if I am having a really bad day.  I feel like I need a pity party if I call anyone in the moments of frustration, and I don't want to do that.  I get down some days, when the phone doesn't ring (except my old friend "Unavailable") and I sit at home and think that others should call me.  It would be much better if I reached out first, and I am usually happier when I do, but these feelings are kind of taking over.  I hate these hormones, these feelings.
It is REALLY tough for me to express these things, and even when I have the best intentions to make it a great day (stupid expression) but I freak out inside. Just gotta keep going.  I can do this! One day at a time.

---8---
I can't leave it on that note, so I will add one more.  The school had a Race for Education for all the kids.  It was my first time going to see the kids run a track for about an hour.  I wasn't sure what James would do, so I came armed with chairs and snacks.  That boy decided that he wanted to run with his big brother.
He ran at least 6 laps, holding hands and smiling the whole way.  William slowed his pace happily and was so sweet with his little brother.  I received so many photos of these sweet boys from other parents, as they were both willing to stop and smile for pictures, and had a wonderful time.  This mommy was so proud!  It gives me so much hope for this new baby.  So much love to give.  Thank you, Lord!


For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!
 

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Parish Festival Fun



 William decided to be "Venom" - Spider-Man's Arch Enemy. 
Best parish festival ever!  James decided he wanted his face painted, with Captain America.

 We went to Mass with him like this, asleep in the stroller.  He had so much fun.  When he woke up, his first question was, "Is Captain America still on my face?"
 Our parish has a great festival, with lots of fun for the whole family.  It was a different experience for me this year, as 3 of my kids went off on their own to play and work a booth and Tommy very often took James with him.  I was ALONE sometimes!  I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself but I did enjoy the peace.  Next time, I will find some friends and hang out longer!  My kids go to school there, so they are so comfortable.  I was so proud of them! 


Saturday, May 3, 2014


My sweet Emma told Tommy her plans for Mother's Day for me. 


"I am going to let her pick any meal she wants all day.  She will get breakfast in bed, and, Daddy, you need to go to the doctor to get her some medicine to take all the pain away for one day."


I am one blessed Mommy.  (And, apparently, a big complainer too)