How exactly did I get here?

86 hours!

2011-04-11T05:01:00.000-05:00

I have now gone 86 hours without a cigarette. Supposedly the worse is over, but I know I’ve made it as long as 2 weeks before. This time though I am making the choice to avoid all smoking areas, which won’t be hard to do at all. No one is smoking in my home now or my car, my hospital campus is non-smoking so I don’t leave on breaks at all. I don’t hang out at anyone’s house where there is smoking, and I haven’t been to a bar in years. My down fall during my longest previous quit was being around a group of smokers who were all smoking in front of me, before I was strong enough to fight the urge. This time I know better.

Day 3-Your first love

2011-04-05T03:12:00.000-05:00

My first love was Dandelion. He was a fat cat, a yellow tabby, and was the perfect pet for a young child. I dressed him up in doll clothes and played house with him for hours. He would even ride in the seat of my toy grocery cart without complaint. I adored that cat and I think he is why I have such a love for all types of animals.

I know short but sweet. Day 4's topic will take me some time and may end up sounding like a therapy session.

Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name

2011-04-02T03:03:00.000-05:00

This one is pretty easy. Basically where I am in my life is about as far off as possible from where I thought I was going when I was 15 or even 18. I didn’t really want kids when I was in my teens (having my sisters be so much younger gave me enough of a taste). I wanted to go into law enforcement. I hoped to live somewhere warm, sunny, and near the water.

Instead, I am a mom, who works as a nurse, and we live in Mid-Missouri.

So… How exactly did I get here?

Exciting News

2011-04-01T05:48:00.000-05:00

I’m going to be an aunt!

Ok, I guess technically I am already an aunt, but this feels totally different.

My BIL (TJ’s brother) has a daughter who is 6 months older than Jax. But he and her mother were an off and on thing when she got pregnant and then off for most of the pregnancy. There was no family baby shower and the mother is not someone I have ever been close to. In fact my niece was 3 months old before we got the DNA results and nearly a year old by time BIL had gone to court for visitation. Also my BIL is not one of my favorite people. Yes I got lucky with my MIL in that while she sometimes annoys me, we generally get along but my BIL is a few years older than me and very irresponsible and self-centered and generally drives me bat-shit crazy.

Now my little sister is pregnant. And I am so excited! For one I adore Paige and we get along great, for the other her husband Eric is awesome and will be a great father. I’ve known Eric most of Paige’s life as he was just a few years behind me at catholic school (I also know most of his family well). There will be a baby shower, and there is no question of the baby’s parentage. But part of me thinks this is more exciting to me because this baby will be blood. I am done having babies myself, and hope it is a long while before I am having any grandbabies, so this niece or nephew will have a very dotting auntie.

Of course not to say I don’t dot on my niece (BIL’s DD). I certainly do. At Christmas I spent as much on her as I did my own children and last year I bought her tons of cute clothes while garage saleing. But I think there will be a stronger bond with this new baby.

Please tell me I am not the only one who feels like it is a bigger deal when it is your sibling’s child as opposed to your SO’s sibling?

Day 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts

2011-03-31T23:45:00.000-05:00

I am Amanda Jill, or AJ. My life story can be found HERE. I am 34yo and work full-time as a nurse in a skilled nursing/rehab unit at my local hospital. I have 3 kids. DS Bailey is 15yo and lives full-time with my parents. DD Corbin is 9yo and is HF ASD or Asperger’s. DS Jax is 2yo and my wild child. Hubby TJ and I will celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary in May and have been together most of the last 10 years as of April. TJ is the stay-at-home parent and it has worked out pretty well for us.

I just took this one this evening.

1. Growing up becoming a nurse never crossed my mind, in fact I tell people I kind of fell into being a nurse. (Guess that could be a blog post all its own)

2. I would like to get my RN BSN (Registered Nurse, Bachelor’s of Nursing) and work in OB. Maybe even go on for my Masters and become a Nurse Midwife.

3. When I got pregnant with Jax it was after two years of TTC and just two months after I had lost hope and accepted that it wasn’t going to happen for us.

4. I own no skirts or dresses. I hate them. I bought a skirt to wear for my sister’s wedding last May and have since got rid of it. I looked hideous in it.

5. I want to get a tattoo, but my OCD is one of the things holding me back. I feel like I must wait until I have decided on the perfect placement and have found an artist I trust to get it exactly like I have it pictured in my head. (In other words, it may never happen)

6. I started school in kindergarten at the local public school. When my parents got married I went to my dad’s old catholic school for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. Half-way through 7th grade my parents transferred me back to the public school. It was strange to reconnect with kids I had started school with but hadn’t even spoken to for 3+ years, but most of them remembered me.

7. Every few years I cut my hair off. It is something I have done since my teens. I grow my hair out, it gets super long, and I get tired of it and chop it short. Right now I am in a grow it out stage from cutting it last summer.

8. Sometimes I feel like TJ is the only person in the world who really knows me and understands me. And while I love that he and I are so connected, it can feel a bit lonely to only have him.

9. I am one of those few people who loved high school and would like to go back to those days sometimes. I was so confident back then and while I do remember some drama issues I shrugged most things off.

10. My grandmother has complained that to look in my closet is depressing. Full of grays, blues, and blacks. I have added a few pieces of color since she said this, but need to do better.

11. I love to read. In fact combine my love of reading and my ADD and my mom had to stop leaving the cereal boxes on the table during breakfast. Even if I had just read all four sides of the box the day before I would reread them just for something to do while I was eating.

12. I have a love/hate relationship with shoes. I love how the right shoes can make an outfit and am always tempted to buy cute pairs, but I hate wearing shoes and during the warm months I am either bare foot or in my flip flops as much as possible.

13. I can’t spell. I love spell check. I’ve been told that it is unusual for someone who was one an early reader and two loves reading as much as I do to be THIS bad at spelling.

14. Even though I suck at spelling, I was always the one to come to for proof reading regarding word usage and grammar in high school.

15. I feel like my brain has shrunk since high school. Is it possible to get dumber as you get older, because I sure feel like it when helping DD with 4th grade homework?

Wow, that wasn’t too bad. I think I came up with some good things.

We are going to be quiters!

2011-03-30T02:44:00.000-05:00

That’s right, TJ and I are going to quit smoking. I have already cut my cigarettes in half in the last few days and only have 2.5 packs left. I will not be buying anymore.

We have both said for years now that we needed to quit, but now we both agree and are seriously ready. What is different for us this time? Jax. He says cigarettes, he says lighter, and he pretends to smoke things, like his French fries.

This I feel is the last straw for us. Yes, we both know all the other reasons we should quit like our health and the money we will save. And while Corbin has always asked us not to smoke and to please stop, she never showed an interest like he has started doing.

So I will quit and I will teach my kids that they should never start. Corbin already knows I regret starting, and so will Jax.

Long-Time / No Post

2011-03-29T02:21:00.000-05:00

Wow, I have really sucked at this blogging thing. But now that I have left my evening job at the state facility and am working once more at my old 12 hour over night job, I really hope to have more time to spend here.

It has been a long winter here in mid-MO. We got a taste of spring, and I loved it as did the kids. But now it is cold and wet with occasional snow flurries again. We are so ready to put away our winter wear and have fun in the sun.

Jax is talking so much right now and saying new words everyday. He also loves to help us with chores around the house. I tried to get some pictures of him a few days back but he still tries to steal the camera which just makes for unhappy pictures of him reaching for it.

I had a parent teacher meeting for Corbin last week and I am happy to say she has gotten her grades up in all her subjects they were low in. And now that I am home more in the evening to help out with homework I hope they get even better, but math is still a struggle for her.

Ok, I know I say this all the time but I will try to be here more often and to post more comments on blogs I follow.

Proposed bill would close Missouri's state-run institutions for disabled, igniting fierce debate - NBCActionNews.com - Kansas City

2011-02-16T06:57:00.000-06:00

I am an LPN at one of these institutions. Is my job in danger? Oh, joy a new stress.

Proposed bill would close Missouri's state-run institutions for disabled, igniting fierce debate - NBCActionNews.com - Kansas City

This is my Daughter

2011-01-22T18:00:00.000-06:00

Staring in the Face of Asperger's Syndrome

New Me 1-18-11

2011-01-18T06:34:00.000-06:00

Two weeks ago I resolved to get back on the wagon with my weight loss/ healthier me plan and set my goals. And I haven’t done 100% what I had planed but there have been changes.

Water - I went from 0 water a day drinking a pot of coffee and half-gallon of unsweet tea to 3-4 liters of water one small glass of tea, and I have been drinking my pot of coffee but went from 3 scoops of grounds to 2 scoops and today I will try just a half of a pot. So in the water front I have done awesome.

Diet - I set a meal plan up. On work days I did good. I ate everything I needed to for my calorie needs and balance, while not eating extra. On days off, not so good. I tend to only eat part of my breakfast, then eat dinner with the family which of course is not what I planned and often not that diet-friendly. But I have been watching portions on those nights and sticking to my no oil-light salt-light butter spray popcorn for snacks those evenings (which the kids love when I share).

Exercise - Even worse then the diet. The weather here turned very crappy (lots of snow and very cold). Then I had a bit of a head cold/cough at the same time so add in my asthma (sensitive to the cold) and I chose to not leave the house for several days. However yesterday I went back and started on my Lazy man Triathlon. The biking and swimming I should complete fairly quickly, however it will take me most of the 6 weeks to do the walking as it is 26.4 miles and I do about 5 miles a week of walking. I’ll try to keep you all posted on how I am doing there weekly.

However even with my half-a%#ed two weeks, I have seen changes and the scale moved some but the measurements have too.

Jan 4th -

Chest-46

Waist-44

Hips-51

Jan 18th

Chest-45

Waist-42

Hips-50

That is 4 inches in two weeks. Not bad for not giving it a full effort. So here goes the next two weeks with more exercise and staying on plan with my meals more.

Pay It Forward...Rock the ONEder Fund.

2011-01-09T13:28:00.000-06:00

Pay It Forward...Rock the ONEder Fund.

Help Kelle raise $30,000 for NDSS for Nella's first birthday!

New Me Jan 2011

2011-01-04T06:52:00.000-06:00

Ok. I know it has been a minute, but December turned into a very busy month for us and now things are calming down again.
I had to give up my workouts for a few weeks due to a minor foot injury and Monday was my first day back. So I am trying to focus less on lbs and more on in or clothing size for tracking as lbs lost have been disappointing but I have been losing in and toning up. So yesterday I did my weights first and followed with a 5 minute warm up on the stationary bike before doing 20 minutes of HIIT and a 5 minute cool down. I am hoping that by using HIIT I can see as much if not more results then I was seeing with doing a 45 minute to one hour moderate intensity cardio. I’m also hope it keeps me from ending up with continuing foot issues.
Sooooooooo, current measurements are:
　Chest- 46in
Waist- 44in
Hips- 51in
Yup I’m a pear, mostly. Currently I wear a size 22 jean and XL top. I think I could be happy in 12s but would be thrilled to no end in 10s.

And some pictures in my workout clothes:
Front-

Side-

Thanks to Eschelle and Erin for giving me the courage to do this!
I will change this and not return ever again!

15 years

2011-01-03T23:36:00.002-06:00

This is going to go up very late on January 3rd but better late than never. Today is my oldest son’s birthday. Bailey Joseph is 15 years old. Wow, hard to believe it has been that long.

My pregnancy with him was my first unexpected blessing. I had just graduated from high school when I started a new job at Wal-Mart and was excitedly waiting to start school in July. I was to work as a cashier and during my training shift the chickie I was working with warned me that her and several other cashiers were just getting over a stomach bug. Sure enough, within a few days I was sick, only mine stuck around. After about two weeks of feeling quite green and not being able to keep much down, it was a question from and older lady that went through my check-out lane that tipped me off. The next morning I had a positive home test and I was terrified, thrilled and shocked. My families reactions varied but for the most part was better then I expected.

I ended up being very ill for about a month and lost 15lbs, which left my 5ft 9in frame down to 130lbs at about 3 months pregnant. I ended up bouncing around with my first husband and seen at 3 different OB clinics all of which got all worked up about the fact that I wasn’t gaining weight fast enough even though by 6 months I had evened back out at my original starting weight of 145lbs they refused to count those 15lbs as a gain and at every visit I was told I needed to eat more and gain more. By the end I was up to 180 after stuffing my mouth all day every day.

Anyway, at 32 weeks I started with preterm labor which was stopped with meds and again at 34 weeks. Then at 12:10am on the night of Jan 2nd or early morning on Jan 3rd my water broke. I was at the hospital around 2am with no contractions and they started Pit about 4am. Bailey was born just after 11am, weighing 6lbs 8oz 21in long. The nurses were amazed at his size and all told me he would have been 10lbs if he had waited till his due date. He received 9s on his APGARS and went home with me at discharge.

I did not get any hospital nursery pictures of him but will try to scan the first professional pictures. On his due date I was back in Missouri living with my parents and he and I headed with my mom into town to a WIC appt and to get pictures of him. WIC weighed him at 10lbs 1oz. My chunky, grumpy little man was always hungry and gave us the cutest little mad faces even though he rarely fussed.

I have to scan that first picture as it is still my favorite of him.

A must read Christmas story!

2010-12-16T10:46:00.000-06:00

I have followed Katherine's blog for over a year now and adore her 3 beautiful boys, and her sense of humor. Today she shared a beautiful story of a true event that her father experienced that I just have to pass on, so please go read A Christmas Story.

4 things

2010-12-14T06:45:00.000-06:00

4 shows I watch:
1. Grey’s Anatomy
2. Biggest Loser
3. Extreme Home Makeover
4. Mercy (still working my way through the only season)

4 things I am passionate about:
1. Family
2. Reading
3. Music
4. Nursing

4 phrases I say a lot:
1. Thank you and You’re welcome (Jax is saying TY a lot so we try to say YW back as well as TY when he deserves one)
2. Great (both happily and sarcastically)
3. Pee and Pooy (potty training means lots of potty talk)
4. Well Sh*t

4 things I have learned from the past:
1. No regrets, even bad decisions can be lessons and make me who I am today
2. Forgive even if you can’t forget
3. Marry your best friend or it will never work
4. Let go and love with all your heart

4 places I would like to go:
1. Ireland
2. Scotland
3. Australia
4. Key West

4 things I did yesterday:
1. Spent too much time in the bathroom
2. Called in sick to work (See #1)
3. Snuggled lots with Jax
4. Watched some more Boston Med

4 things I am looking forward to:
1. Jax being 100% potty trained
2. Having Corbin all grown up so I can know how independent she’ll be rather then stuck waiting, hoping, and worrying about it
3. SUMMER!!!! I am sick of cold and snow already
4. Eventually buying our own home

4 things I love about winter:
1. Can I think of one thing? Ummm Christmas is usually ok
2. Seeing family at Thanksgiving (Thanksgiving is close enough to winter right?)
3. The start of a fresh new year
4. January is both my boys’ birthdays

4 things on my wish list:
1. Our own house
2. A better vehicle
3. A job I truly love
4. A warmer climate

Monday Minute and More Love Monday

2010-12-13T06:56:00.000-06:00

Join the fun with Cristy for Monday Minute!

(1) Who is your favorite actor? Curently I love Gerard Butler. I am really enjoing his movies lately and the accent + his body don’t hurt.

(2) Do you collect anything? Americana décor - I became obsessed with it in my teens in part to being born in the year of the bi-centinial

(3) What's the biggest turn off in someone of the opposite sex? Too cocky and or controlling. You are not better then me and you are not my boss.

(4) If you HAD to change your first name, what would you change it to and why? I would love to not have a name that was so popular during my generation but haven’t really thought much about what name I would prefer. Maybe Miranda, close but not as over used.

(5) What virtue is better: forgiveness or justice? I’d have to say for my own mental health I have learned it is important for me to forgive injustices toward myself in order to move on past the hurt and anger.

Then head on over and share the love with Katie!

Five Foto Friday

2010-12-10T15:58:00.000-06:00

I realized I really need to take more pictures, and not just of the kids, but of me, TJ, and other things that might catch my eye. So I decided I should start doing a weekly photo post to encourage me to use my camera more. So here is the first installment of my Five Foto Friday. These were all taken in the last two weeks.

I love this grin, just wish he wasn't running out of the shot.

Jax took this one of me with some mommy help.

Helping Dad vacuum.

Riding the carousel at the mall with Dad.

And one of the few pictures I have of Corbin since she got her glasses.

Help a Mom, Win a blog design!

2010-12-09T18:55:00.000-06:00

Visit Ashley...plus3 for a very special giveaway. And join in to help and show some love to Eschelle from Mumfection.

life story part 4

2010-12-08T23:32:00.001-06:00

And an update or part 4 of my story.

Shortly after that LJ entry Corbin and I headed down to San Antonio, TX where we started out staying with my grandparents. They were able to loan me a car till I was able to buy it from them and give us a place to stay while I got on my feet. When I left TJ and I had planned that once I was settled he would join me. In April 2005 he did just that.

That summer David got out of prison, again, and was living with his grandmother. We started talking and making plans to file for a non-contested divorce. In early September after not being able to reach David for awhile regarding sending him the paperwork, I tried calling his grandmother. When she returned my call she told me David had been shot and was on life support in SLU hospital’s ICU. She had tried to find my number but his phone had gone missing the night he was shot. After 6 months of ups and downs, of being on and off life support David passed away on Feb 29th 2006 at 30 years old.

On May 9th 2006 TJ and I were married while on a camping trip with friends and Corbin. That summer we joined those same friends in Pittsburg, PA and lived there until June of 2007 when we returned once more to Marshall, MO. And in June of 2008 we found out we were pregnant after two years of TTC. I first started this blog while I was pregnant and you can find Jax’s birth story right here and pregnancy reports in my archives.

Life story part 3

2010-12-06T22:57:00.000-06:00

Now for part three:

On May 29th 2001 my daughter Corbin Jayne H. was born. Doug convinced me we should try to work things out for Corbin's sake so when I got my own apartment he moved in with me. Those the months were hell for me and all I could think about was TJ. When he came home on leave that September it just made things worse. I wanted so badly to be with him and the fighting with Doug got worse. In October I kicked him out and started talking more with TJ.

Then in spring of 2002 I decided to try to go to nursing school. I was so nervous about getting in. TJ came home on another leave and having him around helped distract me while I waited to find out if I had made it or not. Just before he left I got the news that I had been accepted. Knowing that TJ would be out of the Navy about the time I graduated nursing school, before he left we agreed to give our relationship a real try when he got home for good.

It was a tough year and I felt so lonely with no one to lean on when I got discouraged. I missed TJ so much.

Then in June 2003 less then 2 months before graduation TJ walked into Amanda's apartment. I was so excited I had waited to see him again for over a year, then he took me outside and told me there was someone else and he couldn't see me. I was so shocked I spent the first few days walking around in a daze. After waiting for 13 months to be with him, after 13 months of dreaming about our life together it wasn't going to happen.

I spent the next 6 months alone and angry. I didn't even want to try to find someone else. I just wanted what I had with TJ back.

In November I got the first news of David I had heard in 5 years. Still legally married to him I pursued this clue to his whereabouts hoping to finally get my divorce. David had other ideas. He convinced me that he had changed, that he had grown a lot and was a different person, he begged me to give him another chance. I refused for awhile but he wouldn't take no for an answer and he moved in with me.

In the 6 months we were together things where ok. We moved around a lot and ended up back in NC, but we didn't fight all the time and he never lost his temper. Then I got a job and he started stealing from my employer. When people started getting suspicious he wanted me to take the heat because with my clean record I would get just a slap on the wrist and he would go back to prison. I told him there was no way I would do that and turned him in.

Then I went back to St. Charles, Missouri, to live with an aunt, unemployed and broke, with little hope for the future till I can get a car. But TJ and I found each other again, we both free from our crazy exs and hoping to build something.

And this is where I ended this in 2004, so next up is my update on the next 6 years.

Magical Monday Blog Hop

2010-12-06T08:14:00.000-06:00

Join us for a blog hop at For The Love Of Blogs!

Monday Minute and More Love Monday

2010-12-06T00:19:00.000-06:00

(1) Who would play you in a movie? I really can’t think of any actress I look like, so I’ll go with Drew Barrymore because we are of the same generation, I love her personality, and I think she would do well at getting all the phases I’ve gone through.

(2) Are you a good speller? No but word usage is a biggy for me like two, to, too and their, there or your, you’re

(3) Have you/ do you smoke cigarettes? Yes, unfortunately I started at 21 in Job Corps

(4) Have you ever won a trophy? Yes, for Speech in high school

(5) Have you ever written (or started to write) a book? LoL, yes, in Jr high and it was bad

If you are here for one hop, please visit the other. If you are here for the first time, I am working on my life story so have a look around.

Life story part 2

2010-12-06T00:05:00.000-06:00

Ok on with part 2 - life started getting sticky after high school.

Then just after graduation I found out I was pregnant. Some people pushed me trying to make me get back together with Ben but I refused, wouldn't even tell him I was pregnant because I knew he would insist on marriage. My parents then told me they would not pay for me to go to school, due to my not being able to work full time while attending.

That's when I met David. He was cute and sweet and told me he didn't care if I was pregnant. 48 hours after we meet I went to North Carolina with him. 2 weeks later we married. Within a few months things changed a lot, he was controlling and angered quickly. Then he started hitting me. At 7 months pregnant he sat on my stomach and tried to smother me with a pillow.

My son was born almost 4 weeks early on January 3rd 1996. He was named David Auburn L. III. By time he was 3 months old I had convinced David to give him to my parents and he signed papers that he was not his father and gave up his rights to him. My parents and I renamed him Bailey Joseph H.

I was with David off and on for almost 2 years going through the usual cycle of domestic violence. When I left him in April of 1997 I said it was forever.

That summer I lived in a battered women's shelter before going to Job Corps in the fall. I dated a few guys then left Job Corps to live in Kansas with Terry. While in KS I went to school and got my EMT and my CNA.

Within a year I was sick of the problems we were having and I moved to Florida to live with Stephen, who I had meet on a dating line. While living in FL I was diagnosed with Lupus and Fibromylagia. Loved my time in FL but missed my friends and family so moved once more.

This time back to Marshall, MO where I moved in with my best friend, Amanda. Long story slightly shortened I hooked up with a friend of hers, Doug, she and I got in a fight and he and I moved to St. Charles, MO.

On my 25th birthday I found out I was pregnant again. Was so thrilled this time. Doug was excited also and started hoping for a girl.

When I was 6 months pregnant we moved back to Marshall and my best friend and I made up. A few weeks later things got ugly with Doug and I and he kicked me out. So in I move with Amanda (best friend) and her son. We were both pregnant, she 6 weeks behind me and had a blast spending our pregnancies together.

While living with Amanda old friend of hers whom she talked about all the time stopped by to say hi while home on leave form the Navy. And of course I a sucker for military guys was immediately interested (helped that he was tall (6ft6in) and really cute). TJ and I spent as much time together that leave as Amanda would allow and I was hooked.

To be continued again…

Life story part 1

2010-12-04T23:56:00.000-06:00

Ok once again this is an edit/updated version of an old LJ post, which I will be posting in parts because 1. It is LONG and 2. I am so tired from this head cold I am battling.

Going to try to make this as quick, simple and to the point as possible for my crazy life.

Born Oct. 8th 1976 to Edward and Theresa M. Named Amanda Jill M. By age 2 my parents were separated, divorced by 3 and never saw my father after 3.

My mother worked crazy hours to support me alone and I spent most of my early childhood with my great-grandmother Mimi.

Mom started dating Jeff H when I was 7. He and I became very close and his family adored me from the beginning. They married when I was 10 and that Christmas I legally became Amanda H.

9 months after the wedding when I was 10 and a half my sister Paige Elizabeth was born. 2 years later we added Alexandra Lane. My early teens were spent helping my mom care for my sisters.

In High School I certainly wasn't a straight-laced goody-goody but wasn't the worst kid I knew. I dated 2 guys my freshman year. One, Toney was an off and on thing the other Britt was to make Toney jealous. Just before starting my sophomore year Toney left for the Navy and when he came home for my 16th birthday he asked me if I would marry him after I finished high school. I was thrilled and knowing my mother knew she would be too. She had always loved Toney because of his family. That spring he married another girl. So I went on a short one night stand fling for a few months out of my anger. Then I meet Chris a 24 year old paramedic/DJ. My parents hated the idea of me with such an older guy until they meet Chris and mom started pushing me closer. Saw Chris through a painful divorce and custody fight, then just after my 17th birthday he dumped me for an older woman. So once again single I decided to be alone awhile. The end of Junior year I enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard as a Military Police and was being shipped off to Fort Jackson, SC for basic training. In St. Louis on my way out I meet Ben. He was shy, sweet, and cute. I fell fast. He was heading to Ft Jackson for his advanced training so we spent the whole long trip getting to know each other. I even got him going to church with me every Sunday so we could see each other, I am so luck my drill instructors where ok with it, I could have gotten into big trouble for it. After a bad knee injury near the end of basic I was given a medical discharge. When the summer was over and we came home we got engaged. He lived 3 hours away and between my busy Senior year, his college schedule, and his weekends with the guard it was hard to find time together but we spent at least one weekend a month together. I soon tired of hearing "Whatever you want you're the boss". I wanted a man with a spine to give me his opinion on things and not a yes man. So the weekend of my Senior Prom I broke up with him. I had been accepted to a prestigious broadcasting school in St. Louis and my parents had agreed to pay my way, life was looking great.
To be continued…

Upcoming Life story post

2010-12-04T10:31:00.003-06:00

Well I found my old life story from way back in my LJ days and hope to post it here soon, but wow it really needs some editing and updating. I wrote it back in 2004 and apparently my writing has improved because it needs help. But I plan on working on it tonight and posting when I get home or in the morning. Yes, this is my weekend to work, but I have lucked out in that I had 3 weekends in a row off with taking vaccation, so now it is back to every other weekend again.

It's Friday... let's blog hop

2010-12-03T11:29:00.002-06:00

Katie's hop - be sure to check her sweet blog, Love with Kate and have a look around here if your coming from her hop.

2010-12-02T23:29:00.001-06:00

I’m not usually vocal about political issues and such things but this one has both me and my hubby TJ a little ticked.

http://www.missourinet.com/2010/12/01/gov-nixon-wants-to-make-otc-pseudoephedrine-prescription-only/

Now you may ask why that would have us upset. Are we producers, dealers, or even users of meth? Of course not and would never even consider it. So why the issue for us. It actually ties in to the rising cost of health care and how my little family is in a situation I bet most families are in.

We are a one income household. Now this does mean we live paycheck to paycheck and don’t get to have a lot of extras. We do have health insurance through my job, I am a state employee (which means Gov Nixon is my top boss). But with ever increasing premiums, co-pays, and deductibles we basically have health insurance we can’t use. Now we do go for our free check-ups/physicals/vaccines but we have a triage system for deciding who can and for what the doctor is visited. Now thankfully for the most part we are all pretty healthy. I do have asthma and fibromylagia but manage both with OTC meds. Now we do all have seasonal allergies and of course occasionally get colds. If Gov Nixion has his way we would no longer be able to shell out $10ish for OTC meds for these minor health issues but instead would have two choices, to shell out $30 co-pay to Dr plus a med co-pay of $5 or $10 dollars or suffer and hope home remedies work. We all know the people who they are trying to stop will find other ways or other drugs, so as far as I am concerned families like mine are the only people who will suffer.

So are we in the minority by not being able to afford to use our health insurance? Am I wrong in thinking this is something that would just make the meth-heads change to a different way to make their meth or a different drug altogether? Anyone else care to weigh in and share their thoughts?

Yikes what a long night.

2010-11-30T23:20:00.001-06:00

Wow, someone please remind me to never plan my first day back at work after a vacation to fall on the last day of the month. End of month change-over is hell enough normally but when you are trying to get back in the groove after two weeks off it fully sucks. Last night was full of running my ass off and tons of paper work from the time I walked in till quitting time. Enough whining bout that.

Next complaint, who the HELL ordered freezing temps in Mid-MO, because I so did not approve it. This is the time of year I would give anything to be back in San Antonio. May need to do a vacation there sometime in the near future as Corbin keeps asking to go for a visit.

We have now completed 3 full days of potty training and so far it is going about how I expected: several accidents a day, occasional successes (of which we TOTALLY make a big deal out of), and he is seeming to get the idea and thinks he is so cool when he goes.

This school year with Corbin has been so different then in the past. She seems to have flipped, her behavior issues are almost nil while her grades aren’t what they have been in the past. I’m just not sure what to do to help her get it together (most of the grades issue has to do with disorganization, both hers and the teachers). I am even more worried now about what happens next year when she moves to middle school and has to adjust to multiple teachers within each school day.

Ok now that I have a handful of followers and seriously plan to get more involved in my blogging, I need some topic ideas, or maybe a meme or two to get my juices flowing and help ya’ll get to know me better. Also I know I have an old life story somewhere so I will try to resurrect it and up date it to share.

Monday Minute 11/29/10

2010-11-29T11:05:00.001-06:00

Questions
(1) What's your favorite fast food establishment? Local would be Sonic, anywhere would be Hardee’s.

(2) What's your favorite sport to watch on TV? Basketball, I love watching the San Antonio Spurs play.

(3) Do you like mushrooms and onions? Yes, I do.

(4) If you had to get a tattoo tomorrow, what would you get done? 3 dragonflies one for each of my kids and I will get it someday.

(5) What are your thoughts on the female proposing marriage to the male? I have no issues with role reversal, heck my hubby is a SAHD.

Giveaway at Healthy Mama's!

2010-10-01T10:48:00.001-05:00

The Great October Giveaways – Week 1
http://www.healthymamas.net/2010/10/01/announcing-the-great-october-giveaways/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HealthyMamas+%28Healthy+Mama%27s%29
The calendar in the Healthy Household now says October. That means two things: Month one of the site has come to a close.

Weekly update 9-4-10

2010-09-04T10:04:00.001-05:00

Saturday- We had a nice sleep in this morning. Then we just had a quiet morning at home till it was time for me to get ready for work.

Sunday- Today I was woken by Jax knocking on his bedroom door, something Dad has been teaching him to do when he wakes up. Otherwise it was a nice morning at home. I helped Corbin with her first 4th grade book report, laid out her clothes for the week then went off to work.

Monday- Same old, same old. School and work.

Tuesday- This morning I signed Jax up for Diaper Gym and it starts next week. I think he’ll really like it.

Wednesday- Almost done with my work week.

Thursday- Last night before vacation starts. And I’ve got a really bad blister on my left heel, so buying some new shoes and taking a few days off to let it heal.

Friday- Got Corbin off to school, took Jax to play at the Y while I took some time to talk with some of the gals that work there about fitness stuff and shoes. Had Corbin’s IEP meeting and I think it is going to be a good year. Then taco night at home for dinner.

Weekly update 8-27-10

2010-08-28T09:42:00.003-05:00

Saturday- Such a busy day. Got up early and went out to a few garage sales with the kids. We found Corbin a few more things for school and Jax got a Lightning McQueen stuffed toy. Then back home so I could call my grandmother back to hear the latest drama with my cousin. Later the kids and I went out to lunch then to Wal-Mart for a few things. Jax got a late start to nap and it didn’t work well. But I did manage to go through Corbin’s closet and lay out her clothes for the week while he was down. Then we had a mostly quiet evening at home.

Sunday- Another busy day. Today we got up early to do a dress rehearsal of our new morning routine and it worked out great with time to spare. The rest of the day was catching up housework and a quick run to the library. Then after dinner Corbin and I did our nails and it was an early night to be well rested for the first day of school.

Monday- First day of school for Corbin. I really hope 4th grade goes well. We had a good morning and were all ready with time to spare. Dropped Corbin at school, then Jax and I went to the Y. He had fun at child watch and I had a nice workout. Came home did some chores and got ready for work.

Tuesday- Another smooth morning and Jax was so excited to go play at the Y again. Ordinary day at work.

Wednesday- Today I had to pull a day shift at work, so Corbin and I got up and ready while leaving Jax and Dad at home sleeping.

Thursday- Back to the Y. Pretty quiet day.

Friday- Jax and I had a long morning at the Y, because after my workout we went swimming. Then it was home for lunch and a nap, followed by a simple night at home.

8-21-10 Weekly update

2010-08-21T07:35:00.001-05:00

With school starting back up next week, I thought I would start getting in the habit of a weekly update here. So I will try to report on something daily and post it all on Saturday, unless we manage to have a big day that calls for it’s own post.

Saturday - I was woke about 15 minutes before my alarm was set to go off by Jax fussing in his room, which was odd because since we took a side off his crib (waiting for TJ to be ready to set up the toddler bed) he plays happily in there till I get up. Got up to see what his issue was and open the door to him complaining and waving his hands around while standing in the middle of the room. So I ask him what’s wrong and he points to his crib where one corner of his mattress is lower then the rest of it. He had removed a bolt which I then discovered he had in his mouth. Lord, help me this kid will choke himself at some point, I just know it. So while the kids ate breakfast Jax was all worried over Dad messing in his room tearing down the crib and setting up his bed. But all is well now and he is happy to go climb in and take his nap and to go to sleep at night. My little man is getting so big now.

Sunday- It was a quiet morning at home. But work was insane, I ran my butt off dealing with one issue after another and by the end of the night both knees and my bad ankle were aching. Hope the rest of the week goes smoother.

Monday- I was feeling so stiff and sore from Sunday, I ended up calling in sick to work and having a nice quiet day at home.

Tuesday- Ok another Jax funny. Today he knocked over a kitchen chair so I ran in to ask him if he was ok and he is all upset and yelling his babble while pointing at the chair. So I say “yes you tipped the chair over but are you alright?” and he keeps on complaining. Finally I fix the chair upright and he stops, gives me a hug and says “OK”. LoL he is always more concerned about things then himself.

Wednesday- Just another simple workday around here. We really are boring. But I’ll do these weekly’s and maybe I can get on a roll and blog more interesting stuff once I adjust.

Thursday- Today was open house at Corbin’s school, but we didn’t really get much face time with her teacher. But I think she seems to have a similar personality to her last two teachers and they both were awesome with her, so for now I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Friday- This morning Jax and I went to a WIC appointment. He has the ladies in that office charmed. He tends to be quiet in public and just smiles so sweet when someone talks to him, so they all think he is an angel. Then this afternoon it was time to go get Corbin’s hair trimmed for school, then we all went out for Chinese for dinner. Came home and caught up on AGT with some popcorn then everyone headed off to bed.

Pardon me.

2010-04-28T07:57:00.000-05:00

I’ve been negligent with my blog, but I feel as if even my Twitter is boring and how could I find enough to put in an entire post. So here is a little update.

On the weight-loss front I am down 25lbs now since 2-1-10 and finally seeing a bit of difference, although I am losing my motivation because I want to see more faster. So I am trying to be patient and set smaller goals for myself to help.

Jax is absolutely amazing and shows us something new everyday. Tomorrow morning is his 15 month check-up. He runs all over the house all day long and loves to go outside to explore now that the weather has warmed up. On the talking front, he is saying lots now but needs lots of work on annunciation. Dad and I understand him though so for now we aren’t worried.

Corbin is almost finished with 3rd grade and doing great. She’ll be 9yo in just over a month and is getting to be so grown up. She loves playing with Jax and he thinks she is hilarious. She reads so much and was top reader for her whole grade for Dr Seuss week with over 700 minutes reading that week. On May 15th she gets to hand out programs at my sister’s wedding and is so excited about her fancy dress.

So that’s about it for now. I’ll try to update on Jax again after his appointment tomorrow and do a bit better with this blogging thing.

WI for 3-1-10

2010-03-01T10:49:00.002-06:00

2-1-10 weight 252.0 lbs
2-8-10 weight 248.0 lbs down 4.0 lbs
2-15-10 weight 245.5 lbs down 2.5 more lbs down 6.5 total lbs
2-22-10 weight 244.0 lbs down 1.5 more lbs down 8.0 total lbs
3-1-10 weight 239.5 lbs down 4.5 more lbs down 12.5 total lbs

Do you see that?!?! 4.5 pounds in one week! 12.5 pounds in a month! WOOT! After last weeks disappointment I really needed to see that bigger number this week, so motivating.

WI for 2-22-10

2010-02-22T07:31:00.002-06:00

2-1-10 weight 252.0 lbs
2-8-10 weight 248.0 lbs down 4.0 lbs
2-15-10 weight 245.5 lbs down 2.5 more lbs down 6.5 total lbs
2-22-10 weight 244.0 lbs down 1.5 more lbs down 8.0 total lbs

So frustrating to see so little change. Aiming for 2 pounds per week minimum but I guess a loss is better then no loss or eek a gain. I really have been pushing myself more this week with workouts but did miss Wed, Fri, and Sun, so I guess I have to get back into the daily groove again.

My so-called life...

2010-02-16T22:52:00.000-06:00

Well today was a typical day for us. Got up this morning bright and early to get Corbin off to school. Then I was able to go back to bed for about an hour before Jax was up. He was in a good mood but didn’t eat well because of the nasty nose he woke up with again. Got him a shower and got us both dressed and ready to go to the YMCA. Today I did my usual 20 minutes on the tread climber but changed things up during my 20 minutes on the treadmill. I actually worked up my speed and pushed it hard for 5 minutes before working back down. It actually wasn’t as uncomfortable as it has been.

Now I’m at work and it has been a pretty laid-back day.

Like I said typical day and life with us is fairly simple.

New Era

2010-02-15T21:18:00.000-06:00

I have a new cell phone now. And it has all the bells and whistles so, I started a Twitter and plan to start blogging and Twitting frequently now. I really hope to make some new friends and meet lots of different people doing this.

Jax Update!

2010-02-15T07:30:00.003-06:00

He had his first birthday a few weeks ago and his one year check up the following week. He now has 8 teeth and seems to be slowly working on those molars. The week after his birthday he started taking steps, just a half dozen at a time to start, but now is walking everywhere. He has even started getting much better at turning and changing direction. He still isn't saying much, but really communicates well in other ways and understands so much. At his check up he weighed 20lbs 13 oz which puts him at 25th% for weight and was 30.5 in which places him at 50th% for height. This is up from 6 lbs 3 oz 17.5 in at birth. Also he took quiet a leep height wise as he was only in the 25th% for height at his 6 month check up and had grown 2.5 in in one month according to what WIC measured him as at 11 months. Here is one of my favorite pictures of my big boy from the morning of his birthday:

WI update for 2-15

2010-02-15T07:27:00.000-06:00

2-1-10 weight 252.0 lbs
2-8-10 weight 248.0 lbs down 4.0 lbs
2-15-10 weight 245.5 lbs down 2.5 more lbs down 6.5 total lbs

Well just 2.5 more pounds, but a loss is a loss. I think it may be time to step up the cardio just a little.

New Year New Me

2010-02-08T08:22:00.002-06:00

The first of February I started a plan for a new me. I am working out daily at the YMCA and watching my intake better. I will be doing weigh-ins on Monday mornings and keeping a record here.

This first week has gone great. I am loving working out and the extra energy I seem to have now. And it has paid off, I can also see my endurance building as I am able to push myself more now then on day one.

2-1-10 weight 252.0 lbs
2-8-10 weight 248.0 lbs down 4.0 lbs!

Not a bad start I say.

-2= -7 total

2009-10-14T08:06:00.002-05:00

That's right it's Wednesday and time for another weigh in. Minus two pounds more today for a grand total of minus seven pounds. And I am happy with that considering the birthday cake from this past weekend. So 7 down 83 to go. I can do it and I will do it.

On other notes, no post yesterday just because I had nothing to say. It was a long, boring, cold, wet day, with nothing at all worth talking about.

Not me Monday

2009-10-12T07:55:00.001-05:00

This past week I most certainly did not forgetfully add some salad topper mix to our green beans which did not include peanuts and then I did not proceed to feed said green beans to my 8 month old before remembering the peanuts. Oh and I did not let him continue to eat the green beans after realizing my mistake. (Thankfully he was fine, no adverse reactions at all)
I also did not laugh hysterically when my 8 month old laid himself on the floor, flopped around like a fish, and whined pitifully. (If this is his idea of a tantrum I’m in for an entertaining few years)
I absolutely did not share a bowl of chili mac with my 8 month old then hope his father would get stuck with that diaper.
I did not wish it wasn’t my 33rd birthday already.
I did not cheat on my diet at all. Not me, I would never have birthday cake while on a diet. And I did not continue to eat pieces of said cake throughout the weekend.

Down on the Farm

2009-10-11T12:50:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was not too bad. It was pretty chilly and Jax wasn’t too impressed but we did enjoy getting out of the house and I got some nice pictures. Including a great fang shot, but you can only see one of his fangs.

And my fave the fang shot.

Yuck.

2009-10-10T08:17:00.000-05:00

Today will be a very long day. It appears I need to invest in a bottle of Tyl PM again. I couldn't go to sleep till 2am and that was after going to bed at 10. I went right to sleep the first time, but after Jax woke me at 10:30 I just couldn't get back to sleep. Then Jax was up just before 7:30am. What fun. I am considering calling in to work tonight.
This morning is our local Parents as Teachers Down on the Farm. Of course it is cold and damp, but we will be bundling up and heading out to see the animals and take a hay ride. I will try for some postable pictures, but my camera is a piece of junk so no promises.

Seven Quick Takes

2009-10-09T10:09:00.001-05:00

My first attempt at this one, so bear with me.
1. First to get it out of the way, everyone around me seems to be in football mode and for me baseball isn’t even over yet. Kinda bugs me that the seasons over-lap like that, I am not a big enough of a sports nut to want to follow/watch two or more sports in one time period.
And on that same note: Come on Cards, get it together. I know ya got it in you.
2. I have been following several blogs for a year or more now. And while I really would like to do daily updates to a blog and possibly make new friends through it, I just don’t think my life is interesting enough or that I am funny enough for anyone else to enjoy reading this thing.
3. Today is picture day for Corbin. Hard to believe another year has past and my little girl is in third grade. I can remember third grade so clearly, how is it I have a third grader? A few weeks ago she put quite a large chip in her right top front tooth and I was going over this morning with her to please smile without showing teeth and hope to be able to fix it soon.
4. Yesterday for my birthday I think I got more happy wishes then in the last five years combined thanks to Facebook and all the old friends I have reconnected with there. I love being able to see where all my high school friends are and what they are up to, and pictures of their kids. In fact just in the last week one welcomed a new daughter and updated FB through out the day while his wife was in labor. I think it is wonderful how much closer we can all feel with the internet to connect us across the miles.
5. Jax was toothless until about 7 weeks ago and now the kid is breaking in his 5th tooth. At this rate by 10 months he’ll have all his teeth but his first set of molars. So much for my hope he would take after me and be toothless at a year, LoL.
6. Speaking of my birthday, I think I may be getting a ring from TJ. All week he has been asking about my ring size (which I was unsure of) then yesterday after a brief private call with his mom he stole my ring and left for about 20 minutes. MIL sells Avon and the have a beautiful opal ring I have been quietly eyeing for months now and I really hope that is what this is all about.
7. Wow, now I see even more how boring my life is. It is hard to come up with even 7 small topics to blog. But I vow to continue with this. And if by chance anyone ever starts reading this, I hope things can get a bit more interesting.

Happy birthday to me.

2009-10-08T12:31:00.001-05:00

Will today is my 33rd birthday and the last year has been great. My dreams for the next year are to meet my goals in weight loss and to continue on my wonderful journey through life with my family. For now I must cut this short as tonight is my 16 hour shift at work and I must start getting ready to leave.

-5

2009-10-07T08:59:00.000-05:00

Well this morning was my first weigh in for my diet and I lost 5 pounds! I know I can't expect to keep losing at this rate but just hope to see a loss every week. My mini goals aren't very mini but would like 50lbs at least by March 1st and 75 by May 1st. In May one of my sisters is getting married and while I am not in the wedding party there will be the family pictures and at this point in my sad-low-body image mind I can't help feeling that at my current weight next to my supper skinny sisters and my nice health weight mother I will look huge and ruin the photos. That and there will be tons of family and family friends there that I haven't seen in years and want to be at my best. Also next summer is my 15 year high school reunion and before kids I was supper skinny like my sisters and want to show my old classmates that I was able to get back to a health weight after the kids. Of course these aren't the only reasons I want to lose the weight, there is also my health, and my kids.

What a difference...

2009-10-03T10:03:00.000-05:00

5 weeks makes! Jax now has 4 teeth (three on bottom and one on top), high speed crawls, pulls to a stand, cruises furniture, free stands for short periods, climbs anything he can, and babbles all day long. He is getting to be such a big boy. We go on the 23rd for a doc appointment, but we are estimating he currently weighs about 20lbs and is around 29ins tall.

First tooth!

2009-08-29T02:41:00.000-05:00

Jax had his first tooth break through yesterday morning! He has been so good about it too. Just a little whiney and not sleeping quiet as well but not bad at all. Fingers crossed the rest are this easy.

Sitting!

2009-08-14T05:41:00.000-05:00

Jax has been sitting well unassisted if someone sat him up for about 3 weeks now. Well yesterday he figured out how to sit himself up and decided he needed to spend from 10:30pm to 1:30am practicing this new trick. He also has already gotten good at getting back down without falling over. But I am so tired this morning. Shouldn't complain since he normally sleeps so well.

Update

2009-04-05T06:36:00.000-05:00

Training for my new job is going well. It actually is pretty cool. The kids are doing well. Jax is still sleeping lots and through the night. Corbin is doing well with her behavior at home and school. Not really much going on here though.

Sleep brag!

2009-03-29T04:32:00.000-05:00

Jax was sleeping 6-7 hours straight at night, which we thought was just awesome. Now in the last few nights he has started sleeping 8-10 hours straight. WooHoo!

Jax's two month check up.

2009-03-29T04:29:00.000-05:00

Birth Weight & Length: 6lbs 3.6oz 17.5in
1 Week Weight & Length: 6lbs 3oz 19in
One Month Weight & Length: 9lbs 10oz 20.5in
Two Month Weight & Length: 12lbs 14oz 21in

What a little piggy I have! Over double his birth weight in just two months. I think we have a big boy just like his brother was. Corbin was 13lbs at 9 months, but was never as big an eater as Jax already is.

Grrrrrr

2009-03-24T12:56:00.000-05:00

First my car wouldn't start yesterday, then a really crappy night at work. They will be so lucky if I finish this last week there. I swear last night was one of the top ten worst nights on that unit and I've worked on that unit for 16 months! Between following an incompetent nurse and the insane patient they got while I was off over the weekend, I did good to breathe the first 4 hours. Usually by 4 hours into my shift everything is good and calm and a good percentage of my paperwork is done. No, not last night. Instead last night I was just starting my paperwork at 11 and had two scheduled meds to give at midnight. I hate doing IVs and meds in the middle of the night. And I had to have the RN supervisor over three times to give IV push meds over-night. Scheduled IV push meds. The stupid doctors know we have no RN in our part of the building over-night and still keep scheduling meds that RNs have to give. Grrr idiots. Oh well just 4 more work nights there.

Call Back

2009-03-20T15:47:00.000-05:00

Well I heard back about the job already. They called me back early this afternoon. Guess it's a good thing I didn't go out shopping this afternoon. I got the job, I go in to fill out paperwork and have a health screening on Wednesday then I start my orientation/training on April 1st. I'll be working the 2pm-11pm shift. But have 3 weeks of day shifts for orientation/training first.

Corbin and Jax

2009-03-20T14:05:00.000-05:00

I got this picture this afternoon. He really wanted to get down and do anything but sit with his big sister. He is going to be fun to chase around, he already wants to go go go.

Where is time going?

2009-03-20T00:43:00.000-05:00

Jax will be two months old on Monday. I can't believe how fast it has gone. We go next Friday for his two month check-up it'll be interesting to see how much he's grown, but I hate that he'll have to get shots. He is wearing mostly 3-6 month shirts but his 0-3 month pants are too long and fit great in the waist. He is getting longer but it is all in his torso. Posted a few new pictures of him and well be trying to get more and a video this weekend. He is smiling and cooing, sits up for short periods in his boppy pillow, and has started sleeping 6-7 hour stretches at night/early morning. He is still such a good baby, most crying is from hunger and rarely anything else.

My job interview yesterday went great, I'll know something early next week they said and would start early next month with orientation/training. Keeping my fingers crossed.

My fave new picture of Jax:

Job interview!

2009-03-12T18:17:00.000-05:00

Next Thursday for a state job. Which means more money and better benefits. They called this afternoon, after waiting 6 weeks for a call back from them.

Back to...

2009-03-08T19:46:00.000-05:00

work tomorrow night. So wish I could stay home with my little man, but there is no way we could do it. I'm going to miss him so much. He just gets bigger every day and hate that I'll miss out on new things.

WIC appointment this AM

2009-02-25T07:17:00.000-06:00

Jax is 9lbs 10oz and 20in long. He is growing like crazy.

One month!

2009-02-23T11:25:00.000-06:00

I posted pics and a video on my site. Also a blog with an update on me. Been busy busy here. And I am down to only two weeks till I go back to work. My Mom, Dad and Bailey are planning on coming up this Sunday for a visit and to meet Jax. I'll be sure to get pictures.

Jax is

2009-02-23T07:29:00.000-06:00

One month old today! It's going by so fast and he is growing like crazy. I'll post some pictures today and maybe try to get a bit of video today as well.

In other news: I am now down 30lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight. I'm nearly half way there. But I'm being realistic: I am aiming for Jax's first birthday. So bring on the warmer weather, I'm ready to get out and walk.

Think I got...

2009-02-05T13:40:00.000-06:00

food poisoning. I had some shrimp last night for dinner and got very ill starting around 2am and lasting till about noon. Still feel like crap but holding down liquids and diarrhea is slowing down. Hope to be feeling even better tomorrow.

Think I got...

2009-02-05T13:38:00.000-06:00

Jax's hospital picture

2009-02-03T09:23:00.000-06:00

They just posted it on-line today. I love it.

http://www.our365.com/NewbornPortraits/BabyDetail.aspx?birthid=6d6950f5-5c46-496e-b586-040115da89f6&babyid=f463ce19-713f-466f-820d-98737f7f2e5c

Jax's birth story

2009-01-26T19:51:00.000-06:00

Delaney Jaxon

38 weeks and 2 days gestation

1-23-09

3:46PM CST

6 pounds 3.6 ounces

17 inches

APGAR scores 9 and 9

I awoke at 5am on Friday January 23^rd after the best nights sleep I had gotten in weeks. I sat at the computer in the living room checking e-mails and reading message boards while waiting for it to be time for DD Corbin to get up and ready for school. Around 6AM, just before Corbin was due to get up, I decided to get up and go pee before I got busy helping her. When I stood up I got a quick small gush, hoping it was what I thought it was, I hurried off to the bathroom. When I sat down on the toilet it happened again. So with out going pee I stood back up to find clear cloudy toilet water. 15 minutes later it was continuing to leak whenever I changed position. Corbin was up by then but rather then say anything to her I helped her get ready same as ever and put her on the bus at 7AM. I had already woke DH T.J. and gave him a heads up. I had decided as long as there was no contractions I would wait until my OB’s office opened and call them rather then call L&D or go right in. From 7AM to 9AM T.J. and I got things together and made one last run to Wal-Mart so I could pick up some nursing bras. Just after 9AM I called the OB’s office and his nurse told me to head on in to the hospital and she would call and let them know I was coming. Ran to Sonic to get T.J. a bite to eat then off to the hospital.

10AM checked into L&D and told I am only 3cm and 75% effaced. Having a few minor contractions, but nothing serious. Midwife came in and told me my OB would be unavailable till after 3PM, so until then she would handle my labor and or delivery. Since my water had broken at 6 they were only willing to let me go till noon to see if something would happen or if I would need a push. My big concern was they really wanted to use Pitocin to push labor, and I had a rough time of it with Pit during my first L&D. So off I went to walk a bit, first heading over to my unit (all the way across the hospital) to let them know I was there and baby was coming that day. Went back to my room and just kind of hung out waiting with T.J. and his mom. At 12:30ish my favorite L&D nurse Dawn (she was at Corbin’s birth and was my OB instructor in LPN school) checked me and I was still only a 3 with only minor contractions. At this time T.J. went to go fetch Corbin from school. And so the hard part began for me. At 1:15PM still a 3 I was started on Pit. By 1:30 the contractions started with a vengeance. As 3pm arrived I felt like I was being tore in half and knew if it wasn’t over soon I might just cave on the epidural. I was checked and about screamed when she said I was a 7. At 3:15 I was given Demerol IV and they went a head and started to set up the room. Quickly I was telling them the pressure was building and I would soon need to push. I was coached through breathing through several contractions (and told them that even without pushing I could feel the head moving down) until my OB arrived and they started me pushing. Even this seemed harder then with my other two though I know it only last about 15 minutes. Soon Doc was telling me the head was clear and there was no cord around his neck but he had a hand tucked under his chin. I then reached down and pulled him out and up onto my belly where he immediately started to scream. They clamped his cord and just as Corbin (who was by my side for all the delivery) was about to cut it he nearly peed on her. After I delivered the placenta my Doc showed it to Corbin and explained it all to her (have I said before how much I LOVE him). His APGAR scores were 9 and 9, so he is tiny but strong and healthy. I couldn’t be happier that it all turned out so perfect, even though I was disappointed to need the Demerol, and thrilled to death I caught him (something I have wanted to do since before we started TTC). So all in all 9.75 hours from water break to delivery and only 2.5 hours from 3cm start of contractions to delivery. Also I would have never thought it possible but I have fallen even more in love with T.J., he has been so incredible these last few days.

37 week appt

2009-01-16T19:58:00.000-06:00

Well as of this AM Dr. says I'm "a solid 2.5cm" 75% and baby is engaged. Not as much progress as I had hoped for but better then being at a stand still. He stripped me and I was pretty crampy this morning but not as bad now so not too hopeful there. He did say he hoped he'd see me this weekend, LoL I think he is in as big a hurry as I am. B/P was good, baby's HR was 155 and weight was -2lbs from pre-PG (he is thrilled with that). So for now I am off work tonight (Friday) and Saturday, then work Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before I start my leave on Wed. Next appointment is next Friday, where we'll discuss induction for maybe the last week of January (I am hoping he'll do it again like with Corbin).

36 week appt

2009-01-12T14:31:00.000-06:00

Had an appointment Friday which was 36 weeks and 2 days. My OB was there (still don't know what was up) but had a great visit. Was -1lb under pre-pregnancy weight, B/P was 117/54, Jax's heartrate was 145 and strong, and I was 1.5 to 2 cm dialated. Things are moving right along! There are 22 days until our due date! Don't think we're waiting that long. Dr. is ready for me to go anytime. He is just so excited every time he realizes how close I am LoL. One of the reasons I love him so much. Worked Thur, Fri, Sat and Sun nights and spent the whole weekend feeling more pressure, and lots of crampiness, with a few good contractions here and there. One of the girls at work swears he dropped Fri night during our shift. So planning on going back to OB on Friday afternoon for next check and my last scheduled night at work is next Tuesday the 20th. Got a few more things we needed today, thanks to some over-time I survived earlier this month. The rest can wait till income taxes for the most part I think. Corbin is getting so excited and keeps trying to guess when Jax will come.

Almost 35 weeks.

2008-12-30T10:39:00.000-06:00

Well tomorrow makes 35 weeks. Only 2 weeks till full-term and 5 weeks till the due date. Had my appointment Monday and everything looks great. Jax is big and strong. And I go back the morning of January 9th. Still digesting some news I got yesterday though, it seems my OB/GYN (who I adore!) has taken a 6 week leave of absence and his nurse midwife and the other local OB/GYN are taking his patients for the time being. I've told myself it's no big deal, I have quick and easy labors, it doesn't matter who catches the baby, but I really like him and his midwife is a bit ditzy and I've never met the other OB/GYN at all. I've pretty much decided to just go with the midwife since I at least know her and she'll be doing the rest of my visits, but can't help being disappointed. Hoping I can convince her to induce at 39 weeks like my OB/GYN did with Corbin, if I make it that long. I'm getting to the point where I look and feel like I could easily pop any day. Just trying to hang in there till 37 weeks so I can deliver here rather then being shipped to Columbia Hospital. Still doing great weight wise, 2 pounds under pre-pregnancy.

Snow!

2008-12-16T07:46:00.000-06:00

Our first real snow of the season lead to an early out from school. Corbin had a blast playing in it when she first got home. Thanks for the tip on the photo editing program Anne, I'd been wanting to find one easier to use then PSP. Of course, the cold weather has me achy, but not too bad. And I have no where I have to be for the next few days. Corbin is back inside now and drinking some hot chocolate to warm up. Hope everyone is staying warm, I know this cold weather is effecting most of the US.

32 week check up

2008-12-16T02:46:00.000-06:00

Well thanks to a stomach bug and BAD UTI I am down 4lbs this visit for -5lbs from pre-pregnancy weight. But everything is measuring well and Jax is looking great. I will actually be 33 weeks tomorrow, so just need to try to make it at least 4 more weeks to full-term, or through 5 more weeks of work.

Me today.

2008-12-13T09:02:00.000-06:00

I am 32 weeks and 3 days.

Also I feel really yucky today, I have one of the worst UTIs I've ever had so I called into work for the evening, am drinking lots of water and cranberry juice, started on an OTC med called cystex (after checking with my OB), and will see my doc first thing Monday morning. Otherwise just resting up till then.

Yuck!

2008-12-03T11:31:00.000-06:00

Today marks week 31 and last night I started having almost constant cramping. Uncomfortable as all hell but not painful. OB/GYN says it is just a form of Braxton Hicks and no worries unless it gets painful, or I start leaking anything. So I guess I just have to tough it out for the next month or more, fun, fun.

30 Week check-up

2008-12-01T15:28:00.000-06:00

64 days till my due date and all is well. Jax had a strong 149 for his heart rate today, still measuring slightly ahead and I am still slowly gaining back my weight. Next appointment is Dec 15th!

28 week check up

2008-11-15T03:22:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was my 28 week check up with my OB. Everything is looking great and I'm measuring one week ahead. As of today there is only 80 days till my due date!

Give me time...

2008-11-12T23:14:00.000-06:00

I will use this, really. Look here for updates on me and my family, set to grow by one more soon.