Renewal

I haven't blogged in years. I find myself with lots of things to talk or write about but really its all just my head swirling with stuff and I never find the time or energy to jot down my thoughts. So many things have happened over the years. Lot of family travels, some small worries here and there, a couple of bigger worries, kids aging and growing, work stuff for me and work stuff for Jon, moments of being scared and some happy stuff too.

I've had a lot to be inspired about lately and other things that could make me question or try to worry about things beyond. But instead I don't usually feel as hopeless as I think I will be. Rather, I end up feeling something opposite like clarity and the desire for improvement (as little as it may be). More posts to come and things to talk about. Just opening the creaky doors of my blog once again. Baby steps. (inspiration from a beautiful friend here)

September 2014- Kauai. Most important people in my life. And is that a churro in Sam's hands??

Annie

She made it. Annie Kay Stocks, that is. I am so in love each time I look down at those little chubby cheeks and doll lips. Love is instant when you have a baby. Instant.

Her birth: Her EDD was September 25th. I have had my other two kids early so I was planning on an early birth with Annie. I had been dilated for some time, and the doctor just couldn't believe that my water had not broken on it's own so on my appointment on September 6th, when I was a 6+ and she was literally knocking on my door down below, he sent me over to Labor and Delivery. She was ready. I was a bit nervous and frantic. I called my mom and she brought the kids over after she picked them up from school. The kids gave my tummy one last kiss and I checked in. Jon was on his way from work so soon we would meet up.

For this entire pregnancy, I didn't know what I wanted in terms of pain relief. I considered the epidural but knew in my heart that that is not what I should do (based off of past experiences). I just figured that there were other medications I could get to "dull" the pain. I didn't do a whole lot of study on natural childbirth but I did try to mentally prepare myself for what would be (or what I thought would be).

Okay, back to the night she was born. I checked into L and D around 4 or 5 pm. They hooked my IV up and because with my previous pregnancies I was Group B + I opted for antibiotics as a precaution. As the antibiotics ran there course, my contractions picked up on their own (no pitocin, which I did not want :) Even though I was pretty sure about my decision, the doctor still suggested that I meet with the anesthesiologist. I did so while at a 7 and he told me that there really isn't much for medications (besides the epidural) that he could give me if I wanted any pain meds at this point. I didn't need anything at this time so Jon and I decided to just go ahead with the our "original" plan and proceed without the epi. The nurse assigned to me was fantastic. She delivered her babies natural and was a great coach alongside Jon. She told me that most women coming in with a natural childbirth plan usually don't follow through with it and she told me that I could do this if I wanted to. I never really thought about giving in. Just getting her here, safely, was my driving force. I appreciated that nurse and feel pretty lucky she happened to be there that evening.

Doctor checked me and didn't want to break my water until a full course of antibiotics had run through me. By 10:15 pm, he checked me and I was at an 8+ and getting near. Up until this point, pain was there, but I could bear it and coped well. It was time, so they broke my water and things just picked up fairly fast from there. The contractions were intense. I don't have any other words for the extreme pain I felt, it was a bit of a blur during this time. At 11:20, the pain was at its' peak and the pressure to push was imminent. I told them that I was going to have to push and they told me to wait, that I was almost there, but to wait until I was complete. By 11:26 I told them it was TIME!! I was not quiet during these last 5 minutes so I just remember numerous people coming in and out and then someone checking me and yelling for the doctor. Annie was on her way.

The doctor just made it in time and didn't have time to really prep himself or the delivery table. I told them I needed to push and within 1 minute, she was born. Screaming to fill her lungs with air. She was my biggest baby at 7 lbs 10 oz. And, surprisingly, she was the earliest at 37 w 2 d gestation. I immediately held her and loved her. She was COVERED in vernix (the nurses said it was more than they have ever seen). She was lovely. Her name didn't come for days later as I just didn't have the right name for her yet. I liked Margo but Jon wasn't convinced. The kids wanted Margo but mom trumped their decision and I wanted the name to come from both Jon and I.

We all love her to pieces and the kids couldn't be more happy with their little sister (although they still call her Margo and occasionally Sam will say "What's that baby's name, again??")

Here are some pics I have taken since her birth. I have a friend who has taken some amazing pics as well and I will be posting those soon!

In all her glory!

Annie and her big sis

In the sunshine- to rid the jaundice.


Big brother

The Baby Scoop and a VENT

Well, since I really don't talk much about this baby on the blog... here is a little update with some ramblings on the side.

I am due with baby TRES (as in #3- guess I could have wrote that) in several weeks and am between 35 and 36 weeks as of now. I went to the DR last week and because JUST FOR FUN (ha), my DR checked where I was... EEEEKK. I think he screamed a bit under his breath when he told me that I was 4cm and 80% effaced. I kind of panicked for a second wondering if his measurements are off (hey, maybe is phalanges are really small... or would that be really big???) EWWW. Sorry, that may have been a bit too much! Honestly, I don't know how they measure you, maybe a mini measuring tape!??

Needless to say they don't want me to do much, if anything for another week and half. I am trapped in my house, on my bed or a couch and it is JUST NOT MY CUP OF TEA. I like relaxing, but on MY time! Now the baby blanket that needs a swath of ribbon or lace (from a fabric store that I now dream of perusing the aisles of) will sit there staring at me like a kid in time out. I trust Jon with many things in my life (actually MOST everything) but a couple of yards of lace or ribbon for my blanket is not something I would trust him getting :) Alas... So long, lengthy list of to-do items I needed to finish up before baby.

And to top it off, I have a fabulous group of friends that have put together a brunch to celebrate this baby. They have made the MOST KIND effort to relieve my lonely pregnancy and here I am: stuck. Well guess what world... I am not having this baby until after the brunch. That is pretty much the only thing that I have to look forward to since I can do little much else. So if my water breaks at the brunch, so be it. I trust this baby would want a little excitement while coming into this world, Right?

Another Year Wiser

It's that time of year again when the kids start school. We are on Tracking School so the kids started back on Tuesday! Belle is in 3rd grade and Sam is in 1st... ALL DAY! I am finding myself a bit lonesome in the afternoons... missing my Sammy Bear! It amazes me each year how much my children grow even from the short 6 week summer vacay they have! I adore these beauties!

it happened

it happened. sam grew up. he is so special to me. he is six today and i love him six BILLION times as much as I did when he was born.

i feel incredibly fortunate to have children to raise. i know i have been given so much. i have no good descriptive words that tells of the true depth of love and utter joy my children give me. there are none.

challenges/hurdles are all around. my peace comes from my children. their love tickles me inside and out.

happy b-day my big, birthday boy. here's to a pirate b-day worth more than GOLD.

Sam 6th b-day invite

IDEAS

In case someone still DOES look at my blog for unknown reasons, we are all alive and well! Seems as though the Holidays are busy and I look forward to down time in January, but not so. Work is as busy as ever and family is even busier.

I have been trying to keep sane with some hobbies in the mean time. A few of my recent favorites are anything with FABRIC, BAKING and PARTIES! I have so many fun projects and tutorials that I want to try but still haven't tackled. I'm always looking for something new, so if you have a fun website that you love that contains projects, ideas etc, by all means... Share! I would love to see/hear of any fun new ideas of what you have tried! Send me an email with pics or call me and we can CREATE together! Below are links to some of my inspiration!

Prudent Baby (great EASY tutorials with fabrics)
Hostess with the Mostess (party planning ideas GALORE)
How about Orange

impending doom

so i am not much of a pessimist nor are my children but something funny occured this eve.

Backup a week: our cat likes sam's room. so much that, he has marked his territory in there and i wasn't too happy about this. since then, i have SCRUBBED his carpet numerous times becuase the smell just wasn't coming out... (sidenote: cat has been banned from this room- his door is shut 24-7). so this past week i have gone in out of his room putting laundry away, getting him ready for bed etc. and his room CONTINUES to stink-a-roo! i again, spent hours scrubbing his floors wondering HOW on earth this cat has been getting into his room. as brilliant as i know i am, this was not one of those moments. today, jon astutely asks if maybe it is SAM peeing on his carpet........

DUH.


glad: that sam is an honest-abe and admitted to the whole thing.

sad: that he cannot walk ten feet to his bathroom in the mornings to get it done.



as WE were cleaning his floors for my fifth time this past week, i gave him a look and said, "sam, i am not happy about you peeing on your floor. please do not do this again. if this happens again, you will have a more serious consequence." sam kindly apologized, kissed my cheek and said, " if i do it again, i will be doomed?" yes, sam..... doomed!

ants... in my pants

okay, so i hate blogging. clarification: i hate blogging about myself but i do love reading and perusing blogs... many a night has been consumed by YOU and your darling blogs. i've been a bit antsy about our family blog and the lack of commitment i have had with it. for journalism's sake, here is a wrap up.

sam is a complete cutie pie.... CUTE! i love his little boyish voice... He is always full of energy and is NEVER mad or angry, always friendly. such an easy going boy. L-O-V-E his personality! wish i could take a few lessons from him. all about sam:





had crazy-tons of hair... such a little man... i shaved it all off cause SOMEBODY curious decided to take the scissors to his lucious locks...

learned to ride his bike! YAY... such an athletic little guy... both Belle and Sam taught each other.

got a new set of BUNK BEDS for his birthday (maybe i'll post a pic later) ...they are bright blue and remind me of what childhood should be like. it was about time this kid got out of a toddler bed.

is learning like crazy in a new program called KUMON... (a great structured program in which i quite like)!




belle is as cute as a bunny and as sweet as sugar... MOST of the time! she is a good girl! honest and kind and usually quite respectful but when she is ready to HORSE around, there is no stopping this girl...




she LOVES animals. she adores our cat,TODD. in fact, she carries todd around like a baby... EVERYWHERE. poor kitty. if she isn't carrying todd around, she IS the cat... on the ground, licking my legs and putting giant holes in the knees of her pants.

a few more copper FRECKLES have been added this summer to my blue-eyed belle. have i mentioned my love for her freckles? i love em. they are unique and beautiful, just like her. i tell her that i have to kiss each freckle before she goes to bed... that got old FAST.




she has lost so many teeth i can't keep track... but she sure can. she just tapes her baby teeth to her mirror cause the TOOTH FAIRY lets her keep them... nice fairy.


last but not least, family pics have finally rolled out of the stocks' household. we really haven't had a good photo of our family for years and it was about TIME. here are a few more snippets of pics that were taken. if you are interested, my friend KATE took them. she is splendid in all things if you asked me. x0

I'm a lucky girl

... no doubt.

I need a little trip...

Where shall I go? hmmmmmm

I thought about SF... I LOVE San Fran but then I thought "Been there, done that".




I am seriously considering driving myself to the airport one of these days, hoping a cheap flight to nowhere in particular and just exploring a new place... Milwaukee maybe?

A Memory: yummy cheeks

Isabelle Eden 03/2004
*love this pussy cat*

New Email

I have a new email address... please use this new one to contact me from now on!



lindsayeden@live.com



p.s. Catch our family Christmas letter above!


Happy Holidays!

Instructions = Egg Nog

Sam: {spoken matter-of-factly} "MOM, liten (listen) to my instucksons (instructions). If I can wath (watch) Scoob Doo then I will give you a sapize (surprise)."

Me: "Hmmm... a surprise?"

Sam: "Ya, a sapize (surprise). I will give you some ummy (yummy) EGG MILK (egg nog)!"


(so much for bribing my child with egg nog... tables have turned... seems he thinks that I love it as much as he does)

sun and fun

We traveled to California for a VACATION EXTRAVAGANZA... we haven't had a family vacation aside from camping for... ever! Here are some pics:

Started at Disneyland...
Beach...
San Diego...
Beach...
Deep Sea Fishing...
The Zoo...
Beach...
Coronodo Island...
Seaworld...
Beach...
FUN, Fun, fun.













NOW for the mounds of laundry dusted with sea sand.

french fries & maple doughnuts

1. About time for me to post? yes! About time for me to get into shape, **double** YES! I have been wanting to get a personal trainer for a very, very long time. So this last week, I finally took the leap. Jon is such a good guy! He and I are doing this thing together. Couples Personal Training... HAHA. sounds funny, I know!

2. I did this because I need to be accountable. This was my solution.

3. This morning... 5 am to 7 am, kicked my rear-end (and all the flab in between).

4. I'd like to say that I am getting *back* into shape, however, I don't think I have ever been in shape.

5. I have hesitated to tell anyone just in case I mess up and fail. I guess I am conquering my fear of acceptance of failing by posting about this... one more thing to keep me accountable.

6. I hope to keep a running tab on my losses and (with a little help from my trainer) there will be approximately 100 of them to come. (Ya, I know... that is a lot, but we all have our vices, mine just happens to be french fries and maple doughnuts)!

Rainbow Brite

Having fun with a front porch picture:


untouched




night light




zap from heaven




long ago

new look

trying this on for size. who knows if this is what I will stick with. still cannot figure out the dates on my posts. hmmm

Silly Sam

Sam is silly. I just absolutely adore his funny personality and the way he talks. He makes me laugh *and SNORT* all the time. Sam loves to sing. Especially his song entitled, "You and me and us". He often adds the names of his favorite people in his song such as Spiderman, Heavenly Father, and Aladdin. However this time around he just liked to sing the chorus until he was ready to be done and told me to "push the button" in order to turn off the camera... a little morsel of a treat is my SNORT at the end. Enjoy.

Right now...

I am working.

I am eating my favorite mac & cheese on my favorite bowl.

I am drinking something I told myself I would stop drinking...





Dang it.

facebook freedom

I am free! I AM FREE!

I just love that word. This word *FREE* evokes many thoughts into my head such as:


~buy-one-get-one FREE shopping... sometimes KOHL's will do this... I love it!

~a FREE kids meal at Chick Fil A ***YUM*** with a lucky coupon I find from time to time in my mailbox.

~a random item or FREE piece of furniture you see on the side of the road that someone is tossing out (boy, I have found some fun, eclectic things on the side of the road!)

~the FREE bottle of conditioner you get when you buy the Shampoo! YAY!



But most of all! I love the feeling I get when I have a little more FREE time. Not a lot of FREE time. But just a titch more!

So what do I do with some of this FREE time? I blog, of course.


AWWwwwwwww.


Freedom.


From.


Facebook.


Amen.




P.S. if you didn't catch the jist of my post, I am no longer on Facebook... have I, at all, mentioned how great it feels? ;-)