In The Mind Of A Mommy

New Blog

2010-02-18T10:45:00.003-07:00

I have stated a new blog and thought I would keep up with both of them:) But, due to time, five kids, housework (or lack of it getting done!!), husband, church, church calling, and everything else in my life!! I can't do both!! So come and check me out at my new blog -

I am not going to be blogging on this one anymore!! Sorry for the confusion (if there is any!!)

Princesses and Pirates

2010-02-12T20:29:00.002-07:00

Princesses and Pirates!! The three younger kids went to a Pirate and Princesses party with some of their cousins. They had so much fun!! I had fun making tutu's for the two baby girls and wands for all three girls. Made swords and eye patches for the three boys! I am not sure who had more fun - me making the stuff or the kids at the party:)

Jenny went home

2010-02-08T16:02:00.003-07:00

I have survived another Koren student living with us. Jenny was our third child. We had two boys, Andrew and Kevin (they pick an American name) stay with us Fall of 2008. I would have to say that having a girl to hang out with my older girls was VERY nice!! Other then taking her shopping to get presents for her family (hello - she is 10 and trying to buy things for her family and not herself???!!!) I LOVED having her here! We will miss her!! Hubby even asked me at lunch if I missed her:)!

After getting Jenny to the airport this morning and the girls to school, I came home and made Hattie a tutu. And later on in the day I made her a star wand. The boys and her are going to a Pirates and Princess Party at SIL's library on Thursday!! I am so excited!! I have wanted to make one of these tutu's since I found out I was having a baby girl - but really - I didn't need one - TILL now!! And it turned out WAY cute!! I will get a picture of Hattie in it and post it soon!! I still need to make a sword for each of the boys and then we will be ready!!

I also got the kitchen swept and mopped today:) And the dishes done!! The kitchen is a VERY hard thing to get all mopped for me! It is so big!!!!!! I do half at a time:)

Check out my craft blog - www.midwesterngoneidahoan.blogger.com and see the cute sewing machine covers I made!! I am taking orders!! I have one made for Sally (her b-day present!!) one for my mom and one for Donna. Yes, you all know what you are getting for your b-days this year!! But you have to tell me what fabric you are thinking - or I get to choose:)

Baby girl is done with her bottle and the swing is out of batteries!!!!

PS - I just found out at lunch time that one of my nephews on Dean's side was in a car accident on Saturday! I am SO happy that he is safe and everyone else was too!! He was on his way to the Klondike (scouting) where Dean and Danny were. The car that my nephew was riding in flipped!! They were all wearing their seat belts!! I said a little prayer of thanks! Give you children an extra hug today and tell them that you love them always!!

Happy Birthday Sally

2010-02-06T08:48:00.003-07:00

Happy Birthday Sally!!

Danny

2010-02-03T16:38:00.002-07:00

Okay, you all know that I named Danny after my dad - (grandpa). And we ALL know that he is JUST like his grandpa!! I swear most days, (I know I shouldn't!!) he will so something that totally reminds me of grandpa!!

Just now he asked for the remote for the TV. We are all watching it - including Hattie!! I asked him why he needed, just wondering his about his thoughts:) He told me that he needs it just in case he wants to pause the movie!! The little boy is already a control freak! Sorry dad - but really reminds me of you:) and a lot of the rest of us!!

A while ago we were driving home from somewhere and he asked why we didn't turn in a certain at the light. I told him I don't usually turn there to get home. Well, my grandpa does!! So, since grandpa does - EVERYONE must!!

Tuesday

2010-02-02T13:31:00.007-07:00

Here is one of our yummy treats we made:) Just like rice crispy treats but with Cheerios and m and m's on top!!

Here is a good picture of our new couch!! I LOVE it!! There is TONS of room for people to sit on!! And with that room being so long - this is a perfect couch for it!! Thanks honey!!

Here are my Valentine's Day Wood Blocks and I am loving them!! I would have to say that the 3rd time was the winner!! I won't tell you how I super glued my hand a few times!!

Look at my HAPPY baby girl!! She LOVES being where all the action is!! This was her first time in the seat! I think she is in heaven!!

Look at my Wonderful plant!! It keeps flowering and I LOVE it!! A little bit of happiness in my CRAZY Busy World!!

Family

2010-02-01T21:05:00.002-07:00

I am going to make this more a family blog. I have been having a LOT of fun blogging and so I started a new blog if you are interested:)

http://midwesterngoneidahoan.blogspot.com

Happy Blogging:)

Read more: http://www.mylivesignature.com/wizard2_2.php#ixzz0dwJzZbwc

Owl Teether

2010-02-01T15:24:00.006-07:00

I found this VERY cute Owl Teether and thought it was SOOOOOOOO cute!! I think I just might have to make one of these!! And I know Baby Girl's cousin would love one too!!

You can find out how to make it at The Rubber Punkin!!

Read more: http://www.mylivesignature.com/wizard2_2.php#ixzz0dwJzZbwc

Give A Ways

2010-02-01T10:12:00.003-07:00

Here is a very cool giveaway. Give her a look:)

http://sewdangcute.blogspot.com/2010/01/giveaway-time.html

Read more: http://www.mylivesignature.com/wizard2_2.php#ixzz0dwJzZbwc

Hello

2010-01-28T13:17:00.002-07:00

To day is the day of the rest of your life:)

That is what I am telling myself!

The kids seem to be a little louder, and a little naughter, and a more buggy today:)!!

So we made cookies and delivered some to the school office and some to hubbys office. Then we ran home because baby girl had been awake all morning and had had enough!!

Read more: http://www.mylivesignature.com/wizard2_2.php#ixzz0dwJzZbwc

Love Block

2010-01-26T14:00:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture of my love block.

I haven't added anything to it but the letters.

But I will!!

I ended up using super glue for the letters.

And as you can imagine -

I now have glue ALL over my hands!!

Happy 3 month birthday Hattie

2010-01-26T10:49:00.004-07:00

Hattie is 3 months old today!! I can't believe it!!

Most of these pictures are of her and her cousin

last Friday. Their Aunt Krissie got them the outfits!!

They are so cute!!

Oh, I think I would like that better then the hat.

Can I wear that?

I will just take it off you, thanks!!

Hey, I am going to hold on so we don't lose each other:)

Please help me!!

Let me help you cousin - just smile with your lips!!

Two best Friends and Cousins

Finally found a way to get a little bit of sewing done!!

My sweet little Hattie

Can I have that cousin?

Bye Bye

2010-01-26T10:17:00.002-07:00

This is really cool and I thought of my sister Sally.

http://mynaptimecrafts.blogspot.com/2009/06/record-bowl-tutorial.html

I don't have any records - but thought is was way cool.

Not sure what I would use them for either -

but if I ever have a need - I can't wait to try it!!

Giveaway

2010-01-26T07:59:00.001-07:00

Here is another cool giveaway ... go and check it out!!

http://6lalas.blogspot.com/2010/01/giveaway.html

Couch!!!

2010-01-25T18:14:00.003-07:00

This is our new couch we are getting on Wednesday!! I am so excited!!

We got some extra pieces -

One extra arm piece and one extra armless piece.

With our family room upstairs being so long -

this couch will be perfect!!

I also did the majority of my 9 squares for our sister's weekend quilt!!

Made my lettering for the Valentine's day blocks!!

It only took 3 tries!! But they look good!!

I will post pictures tomorrow.

Right now the house is a little

CRAZY!!!

Hubby is on his way home from flying.

hopefully in the next month he will have his pilots licence!!

Go babe!!

Cool Blog

2010-01-23T11:14:00.004-07:00

Here is another cool blog

http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

She has 1000 followers and is doing a week

- yes a week-

of giveaways!!!

Thanks Donna!! (No, not my sister Donna!!)

Cool Aprons!!

2010-01-23T11:08:00.003-07:00

You need to check out Polly!!

She makes WONDERFUL aprons!!

http://makeminebeautiful.blogspot.com/

QUOTE

2010-01-23T09:37:00.002-07:00

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car,

wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed,

and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.

I want to drive up in a station wagon that

has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.

I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt

from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors child.

I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails

from helping to weed someones garden.

I want to be there with children's sticky kisses

on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.

I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

-- Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I love this quote!! I have seen it on a lot of blogs that I have been reading!! I read this quote and can imagine my self at the gates, hoping the same thing!!

Best Thursday Night EVER

2010-01-21T20:38:00.002-07:00

Tonight was one of the BEST Thursday nights EVER!!

Dean went skiing... NO that wasn't the best part:)

Ellen is now 11 years old and old enough to babysit!!

I got some red box movies for the kids.

Took the baby and RAN as fast as I could:)

We went to the local craft store and just looked around!

I found some VERY cute fabric!!

Then hit the Arby's and got some yummy food.

Then came home and took a VERY hot and long bath!

WONDERFUL!!!

I took a book to read - but didn't even get that far - it was wonderful!!
Ellen has been watching the baby girl for me ... and now

I am watching BONES! YES!!

Candy Cane (Heart) Coffee Cake

2010-01-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

I made the Candy Cane Coffee Cake finely!!!

But I made it in a heart shape:)

It made three hearts!!

I did a mixed berry for the filling.

We ate one and delivered two to other

family's in the neighborhood!

Look at how pretty that looks!!

I do have to say - it was good - but I was hoping for something flaky.

It is more a bread with berries. Good though!!

Something else I made was a triple chocolate brownie!!

I have been reading some books by ...

Diane Mott Davidson

And she has recipes in the books that always look yummy to eat.

So I tried one!! I didn't use the NICE chocolate she said to use,

I just used what was in my pantry. I will have to try it with the expensive

chocolate sometime and see if there is a difference. They were YUMMY!!!

Make It and Love It Giveway

2010-01-21T09:41:00.002-07:00

Make It and Love It is doing a cool giveaway!!

Go check it out at ...

http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/

Crafts that I have been working on

2010-01-21T09:03:00.002-07:00

Now, as you look at these crafts, look at them carefully and see if you see what Ellen did!!

The letters are BACKWARDS!!!!

I can't believe I did that!!

I will try again on the back of the block - good thing I painted the whole thing!!

And I found some CUTE Valentine's Day paper in the $1 section at...

TARGET!!!!

I will post NEW pictures once I get it all done - RIGHT!!!

Here is my counter in the kitchen FULL of my ideas of crafts to do!!!!!

Now I just need to find the time:)

Elk Feeding

2010-01-20T11:49:00.002-07:00

Last weekend Dean was the SUPER DAD and took our 4 oldest and Jenny (our 'daughter' from Korea for 6 weeks!!) to Donnelly, Idaho to feed the Elk!! They had a lot of fun!! They went on a SHORT sleigh ride and then the elk ate off the hay they were sitting on!! I stayed home with the baby girl because they took the truck and there isn't enough room anymore for ALL of us!

Jenny and the Elk

The Sleigh ride

Dean, Deano, and Jenny (Lexi in the back ground)

Lexi, Danny, Jenny, Ellen, and Deano

Ellen, Lexi, Danny, Dean, Deano, and Jenny

Happy Birthday Jennifer

2010-01-16T00:01:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to my sister Jeni!! Have a great day!! Love you!!

Christmas Snowman Countdown

2010-01-15T17:28:00.002-07:00

I found this VERY cute Christmas Snowman Countdown at

http://itsadaisyday.blogspot.com

I know it is after Christmas - but thought this was really cute!!

Go to her web site and see how it was made!

Made With Love And Glue

2010-01-13T16:41:00.006-07:00

This is a really cute site and she is doing a really cute give a way also!!

http://eoberrys.blogspot.com/

This is the give a way!! You get a personalized stitched family!! How cute is that!!

New Year

2010-01-11T08:51:00.002-07:00

Last night was one of the first nights since having the baby girl that I couldn't fall asleep!! Before she came along, I took a sleeping pill to go to sleep and STAY a sleep! But since having her - I have to wake up in the night to feed her. So, I lay there in bed and was thinking of all the things I would like to do this year. Not because it is a new year - but with the baby girl here, and knowing that I am done having babies - new things can begin!! Here are some of the things I was thinking about (if I can remember them all!) Here are my 'goals' for this year...

I would like to start a daily routine of reading my scriptures and saying my prayers. (YES, I should already be doing this!)
I would like to further my education - I am not sure as of yet what this means. I have struggled with this for 15 years or more. I am going to figure out this year, what it means to me to further my education.
Lower my caffeine intake (this isn't going to happen yet - but at some point this year it will!!)
I want to train for a marathon or half marathon!! I have always wanted to - there is no time like the present!
I am going to give my church calling 110% - no matter what the calling is!!
Along with training for a Marathon - I want to lose weight and feel good about myself! Work on my self esteem.
Make sure my family knows how much I love them!
Meet new people!
Give 100% to being a housewife!! I am trying to have a new attitude about this! I have always wanted to be a housewife - be able to stay home with my kids - but it is HARD!! I need to work on being HAPPY! I want to work on the project in my house that I label in my head as 'hubby' work. There is NO reason I can't learn how to do some of these projects!
Work on my 'crafts' every week. I need to make sure that I am spending a little time for myself every week - not just on my family. Even though right now with little ones, they do need A LOT of my time:)!!

I know there were a lot more things I was thinking about last night, but that is what I can remember for now. I was also thinking that I would write about my 'GOALS' everyday, but put it in just 1 post each week. That way I can make sure that I am working on them - and know that I have to let you know how I am doing on it...

Quilt Top for Sister's Weekend 2010

2010-01-08T20:16:00.005-07:00

Here are some of the fabrics I am thinking about using for my square of the quilt. There are a couple of different ways I could go! I love the Moda fabric - Lamour Hearts and Flowers. I could get the Pack of them and have lots of the line to choose from!

This one is a chocolate background (yes it looks black - but they say it is chocolate!)

And I LOVE this one from Robert Kaufman - Pimatex Basics Pink Flowers stars chocolate!! It is on Baby Girl's quilt that my mom made her!! I was asking my mom if she had found this fabric or my sister's found this one. But she couldn't remember - and I FOUND it!!! I don't know if I will use it for this project - but it is a MUST buy:)

And HELLO - Holly Hobbie!! I LOVE it!! And it is so me!!! Both of them!!

So, put your vote in as to what you think I should use:) Not saying that I won't find something else I TOTALLY love and MUST have:)!!

I found all this fabric and some FLAMINGO fabric at

www.fabricsfromtheheart.com

Check them out!

Bottle Cap Frame

2010-01-08T19:24:00.006-07:00

I thought this was really cute!!

I don't drink pop that has caps - but if I did -

CUTE!

You can find it at

http://pepperblossomdecor.blogspot.com/
She has some other cool things to do with bottle caps!

Good Friday - WAITING to see:)

2010-01-08T15:58:00.003-07:00

This is how my Friday started - at 4AM!!

Baby Girl woke up and needed a bottle - nothing new there! She sleeps in her swing in the kitchen:) So I made her a bottle and stayed up to make sure she did okay with it (like always!!) To stay awake, I decided to play on the computer. At 4:30AM, she was almost done, it always takes longer in the middle of the night!! I was standing there deciding if I should just grab her and take her to bed with me (and the two little boys!) And the next thing I know -

I am getting off the hard kitchen wood floor!!!!!!

I had FAINTED!! Haven't done that for awhile!! I was so glad I wasn't holding the baby girl yet!! And that I didn't hit the counter or the chairs!!

Hubby isn't home - so that wouldn't have been too good!!

I got to go back to bed till 7:30 am and then got the girls up for school. Hoping I would be able to go back to bed with the boys for a little while - but D got up, if I didn't want my house TORN apart, I was up for the day!

DIET PEPSI to the rescue!!

Got the house pretty cleaned this morning and ran to Target to return the wrong formula and get the right one. I also met Sally and kids there:)!! Highlight of my day!!

They came back with us and we had lunch and chatted - I know, you are all jealous!! I hung out with Mike and Allison yesterday:)!

Then I got everything ready for Ellen's SURPRISE birthday party! I have the storage room ALL set up with tons of crafts and stuff to do facials and finger nail polish to do toes and fingers!! They are going to have so much fun!! Plus, I have the pizza done (second one in the oven - these girls are hungry!!) cookies baked, cup cakes baked and ready for the girls to frost, pop in the fridge, and EVERYONE is happy!!

And the fun keeps on going... just got a diaper and wipes brought to me from a little boy so I can change his dirty bum!!

Have a great Friday!!

Knock Off Wood

2010-01-08T09:26:00.003-07:00

I found another cool blog and a giveaway!! $25 to Lowe's! And it is an awesome site!! I need to learn how to use the tools so that I can make some of the things she does. They are way cool!! Here blog link is:

http://www.knockoffwood.blogspot.com/

Check Ana out!!

Before and After Pictures

2010-01-06T18:49:00.005-07:00

Before...
Before...

After...

After... Look how straight that head is:) And the smile!!

After...

I thought I would share the before the chiropractor pictures and after going for three times a week for 7 or 8 weeks - she is down to once a week this week and next week and then every other week!!! YEA!!!

Hattie

2010-01-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

Hattie is doing great!! She went to the doctor last Tuesday and weighted in at 12 pounds and 4 oz!! You go little baby girl!! And she is down to only going to the chiropractor once a week!! YEA!!!!!

Thank you for the Christmas Gifts!!!

2010-01-04T16:45:00.003-07:00

This is one of the two outfits that Joshua got Hattie for Christmas!! He has such good taste!!

Charlotte got Ellen a craft book and gift card to our favorite craft store!! Ellen was in HEAVEN!

Oh my!! Deano LOVES his rocket from Chas!!

Danny and his WAY cool castle from Big Cole!!

Alexis thinks this is a cool game from Meagan!!

New Year!!

2010-01-01T13:04:00.002-07:00

YEA!! Hope everyone had a wonderful night last night!! It snowed here, so not very many people made it to the PARTY!! But we had fun!! My SIL and BIL came and my brother and SIL came too!! We played Band Hero - and YES, I played drums!! It was fun!! And I did a little singing - with baby girl sitting on my lap watching!! We ate and ate and ate!! I even got a little nap in before my brother showed up (he had to work until 9pm!) I had a great time!!

Baby girl had her 2 month doctor appointment on Tuesday! She got three shots!!! And weighed in at 12 pounds 4 ounces!!! She is in the 79% for her weight!! I was just thinking the other day how she doesn't look like a newborn anymore!! She smiles a lot now! And her neck is doing WONDERFUL!!! She is down to once a week at the chiropractor!! YEA!!!!

Tea Rose Home Sponsors and Giveaways: Giveaway by Living Room Furniture

2009-12-30T21:47:00.000-07:00

This is a cool site that I like to read!! And she is doing a give away!! A moveable chalk board thing for your walls!! Then Deano and Danny could write on the walls!!
Tea Rose Home Sponsors and Giveaways: Giveaway by Living Room Furniture

Candy Cane Coffee Cake - take 2

2009-12-28T09:46:00.003-07:00

Mom asked me to put the recipe on here because she wants to make it too!! I haven't gotten it made yet, but I have bought three different kinds of berries to try with it:)!!
http://www.recipegirl.com/2009/01/05/candy-cane-coffee-cake-with-raspberry-filling/
It looks so yummy!!! I can't wait to try it out this week!! I made sure I have everything I need to make this!!:)

On another front - we are getting another Koren Exchange Student this Wednesday!! The girls are VERY excited!! Her American name that she choose is Jenny. She is in the 5th grade. We will have her for about 6 weeks. The girls are going to be cleaning their room so that we can put another bed in their room for Jenny.

Candy Cane Coffee Cake

2009-12-22T14:25:00.002-07:00

I am so going to be making this too!! It looks so yummy!!

Pink Tummytub

2009-12-22T14:10:00.003-07:00

I saw these on line and just had to laugh! But it did intrigue me too! Look at these!! They look pretty cool! But they are $100! I don't know about you, but I can't spend $100 on a baby bathtub that is only going to last for a little while - what the heck, I don't think I would ever spend $100 on a kid bathtub! You can check it out at www.vanillajoy.com

Money does grow on trees!!

2009-12-21T21:44:00.001-07:00

I knew that money grew on trees!!!! SEE!!!

Spritz Cookies

2009-12-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Don't these look yummy?!? I made my FIRST spritz cookies today! FUN!! The little machine didn't work that great - but I had fun making them!! I did the Christmas cookie one and tented the dough red - yes I should have done it green, but I wasn't thinking. Then I put green sprinkles on them. It was a lot of fun!! I did the classic recipe - next time I think I will try and add a different flavor to it.

Photo Blocks

2009-12-14T10:31:00.003-07:00

Look at how cute these are!! And if you go to her blog - www.littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com
I don't have time to make these right now - but I can't wait to try it soon!! She has a great tutorial on how to make them!!

Chocolate

2009-12-14T10:21:00.004-07:00

I found some recipes that look so YUMMMMMMM!!!! I found them at www.partiesandholidays.blogspot.com You should check it out!! Doesn't that look great!! I can already taste it in my mouth!! YUMMMMMMMM!!

Deano the Minace

2009-12-11T15:34:00.002-07:00

I think I can rename my blog - Deano the Menace!! And blog all about my fun adventures with him!! Last night I took the two older girls shopping. We had fun - the girls kept thanking me for taking them on a mother - daughter date! They got a few gifts for their siblings. We had been gone about an hour and I get a text on my phone - What is your status? Ellen asked what that ment - Where we are? How much money we have spent? What is in the cart? When we will be home? Tell him we will be home in half an hour mom. I explained to Ellen and Alexis - You never tell how much you spent, what you bought (unless they ask), and you always estimate about double the time - that way they will be happy when you are home earlier!! I texted back that we will be home in about an hour. He texted back - NOW? I asked if something was wrong. He calls me and all I hear is the baby girl crying!! When Dean finally gets back on the phone I tell him to give her some gas medicine and I will be home asap. He texted back in about a minute and said she stopped crying. We finished up our shopping and headed home.

Upon getting home - baby girl isn't crying - but Deano is!! He is in his crib screaming and Danny is yelling from downstairs - mom, Ellen, and Lexi, come see the mess that Deano made!!! I so don't want to see anything!! Finally I go down the stairs and peek around the corner. Their is the bag of salad from dinner at the bottom of the stairs all over the floor!!!! Danny is cleaning it up. Putting it in a bowl. He then tells Ellen that she should check out her room because Deano made a big mess in it!!!! I didn't even go and look at that mess - Ellen is good about cleaning up, so I am not too worried about that one!!

I have talked to a lot of women that say the 3's are TONS harder then the 2's!!!! I would have to agree with that one!! We moved the tv from our bedroom downstairs and moved the big tv upstairs to the living room. This way we are out in the living room and not in our bedroom! It has helped being out in the living room - it has cut down on the messes out here!! Now we just need to keep all the doors locked downstairs! We will see if Deano makes it to his 3's!!

Busy Time of the Year!

2009-12-06T17:12:00.003-07:00

This has been a busy time of the year for us!! As I am sure it is for everyone!! Hattie is doing really well and I took some cute pictures the other day - but I need Dean to download the pictures at work for me. Her neck is doing so much better!! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes!! It has a ways to go - but she is doing so well!! I am relieved! Life has been busy with five kids! It sure keeps me on my toes! And wishing for more sleep:) But I am not as tired as when I was pregnant! So that is VERY nice!! Every couple of hours I think - wow - we made it through with out Deano making a mess anywhere! Then something always happens:) Today he took the ALL of the brand new roll of tp of the roll - but at least he didn't put it all in the toilet!! Last night I went to sleep EARLY and I guess he got a lot of water out of the door on the fridge and dumped it all over the kitchen and living room! The other day he got our old pop glasses from McDonald's and took the lid off them and dumped them down the stairs! When the fam was up for Thanksgiving, he got the soap from the bathroom and put it on the kitchen floor and got out the tablets that go in the dishwasher and put those all over the floor in the kitchen. I woke up this morning and found the pot that we made mac and cheese in for the kids last night under the table and two cup cakes on the counter with the frosting eaten off! He hasn't gotten in to the Christmas presents again - after threatening him and Danny that if they opened them again - they wouldn't get ANY for Christmas!!!! I only had to wrap the same four presents three or four times!!!!!!! BOYS! I will post one of the pictures I took of their room on night! Dean has been gone three times for business since Hattie has been born. One night last week while Dean was gone, I thought the boys might finally be asleep because they were being so quite!! Then I noticed their lights were on again! I went in there to find their mattresses off their beds and toys EVERY WHERE!!! And I think I posted about how Deano and Danny took markers and marked on the kitchen floor, fridge, and the living room wall!! Got it off most of the fridge, all the floor and cupboards, and some of the wall! It is always something with those two boys!!

Lexi had a birthday on Thanksgiving!! She was very excited!! Everyone was coming to her b-day - not for Thanksgiving!! Cute! We had her friend party this weekend and had a great turn out!! It was for girls ONLY! Dean took the boys out for the two hours. The girls had a great time!! They had a princess party and all the girls came dressed up. They had a coloring contest, treasure hunt, pin the jewel on the tiera, and decorated cup cakes and opened presents. It was fun to see the girls (my two) get along so well!!

Went to the church Christmas party on Friday night. Dean wasn't home and so I asked Allison to go with me to help with the kids! Thanks Allison!! The girls were in the program and their was food - of course there is never enough!! But Santa came also!! I got a picture of all 5 kids with Santa! So that was fun!

Baby is starting to fuss - got to run!

Torticollis

2009-11-16T14:27:00.002-07:00

Are you wondering what that is? I was too!! I went to my chiropractor today for an adjustment and showed off my cute little Hattie. I decided to ask the doctor if there was something wrong with her because she tilts her head to the side. Something you don't want to hear from a doctor - "WOW, yea she has torticollis!" He explained how her neck muscles were messed up (not his wording!) And that one is shorter then the other. Long story short, my little girlie has to start going to the chiropractor also!! He said it is very treatable and it is really good to start sooner then later. I found web sites about out and was glad that the doctor explained to me what it was and that she will be fine before I read about it on line!! She has an appointment with the family doctor on Wed for a check up so I will talk to that doctor about it too!

Have a good week!!

Another week done!!

2009-11-14T20:32:00.002-07:00

At this point, I count down to sleep time - but not mine like when I was pregnant - but the children's bedtime!!! All of them have been adjusting to the baby really well - I think! At first and thank heavens not so much anymore - but the girls would FIGHT over who got to hold Hattie first in the morning. They would see who could get up the earliest and get ready for school and be able to hold Hattie. Not bad - except for the fighting part!! Danny loved his little sister from the get go. Hoped right into my hospital bed to get a better look at her! Deano, took him a little longer - but oh how he loves her!! He doesn't talk much - but he says Hattie! It is the cutest thing!

This was the first week on my own with out my mom here. It went pretty well considering the kids had this week and two more weeks of from school and that Dean was out of town for half the week too!! By tonight I was ready for some Suzanne time - with NO kids!! I left all five kids (yes I can't believe I have five kids either!!) with their dad and ran to ... TARGET and then Hastening. Nothing exciting - diapers, diet Pepsi, and books:) But it was SO nice to be alone!!! I guess Hattie woke up the min I left the house!! Doesn't it always work out that way:) I was gone 1 1/2 hours and she drank 2 bottles! She was tired by the time I got home - she had been awake the whole time I was gone!!

I ran to my sisters house today and got the baby swing - YEA!!! She sat in it for a good hour or two!! I love holding her - but I have to get things done around the house!! And as mom knows, she doesn't do so well unless someone is holding her!!!! I also borrowed the vibrating chair (for the BABY!!!) She is in it right now sleeping!!!! Maybe I will be able to get this house whipped back into shape!!!

Dean does his solo cross country flight on Monday. He will do it in the morning with his teacher and then do it alone in the afternoon - weather permitting!! He is VERY excited!!! I am excited for him too, but also nervous!! He really enjoys flying!! His work is going well - he still goes to MT for a few days every month. And he was in Reno last week to take a construction test so they can bid jobs in NV too. He is staying VERY busy!! But he some how manages to watch the BSU football games!!

This week Allison, Sally, some of Sally's friends, and me are going to the midnight showing of the New Moon!! OHHHHH!!! And since Sally and I haven't been out forever - we are going to dinner on Friday night!! (movie is on Friday at 12:01 am) I am excited to get out!! Her hubby will be out of town and mine is babysitting my kids!! It will be nice to go to dinner and throw a few back:)

All most forgot - (very blog worthy!!) Deano has finally hit his twos!! And it is driving everyone CRAZY!! And his butt has got to be getting sore!! Tonight he decided to dump ALL of Hattie's clothes out of her dresser (use to be his - maybe that is the problem - just thinking here!) And then he got on top of the dresser and throw off the changing table pad, diapers, and then found the desiten. He decided it would be LOTS more fun to get that all over!! The floor, wall, dresser, drawer, and then himself!! I called Dean up to help clean up the boy while I did the rest of the mess. Once I get the clothes back in the dresser and the desiten cleaned up, I noticed my EMPTY pop cup from Wendy's. Remembering how FULL it was when I had left the room!! He had drake some - but I think most of it was on the floor!! So, I got to clean that up too!!

The other day Deano got the butter out and decided to paint the carpet and the lazy boy in the living room!! I don't know where he comes up with these things!! Last weekend he decided to dump out a WHOLE can of formula that had JUST been opened!! Before that he dumped out a container of gram crackers onto the floor and dance on them!! REALLY!?! The fun of having a two year old!! It is good that he has such a cute smile!!!

Hope everyone has a great week!!

Black Friday

2009-11-11T11:56:00.001-07:00

Found a web site with ads for black friday!!!!!

www.blackfriday.blogspot.com

Happy shopping!!

2009-11-09T16:41:00.003-07:00

Here is the 2nd post of pictures!!

Grandma with Hattie

Danny

All 4 big kids

Alexis

Deano

Danny

Ellen

The boys

Hattie

Mommy and Hattie

Hattie

2009-11-09T15:41:00.009-07:00

You wanted pictures...

Our new family!
Hattie

All 5 kids ready for Halloween!

Daddy and his three girls!

The boys over took my hospital room!!

Hattie's little feet

Hattie in her coming home from the hospital outfit:)

Hattie

Dean and Hattie

Hattie

Lexi and Hattie

Suzanne, Danny, and Hattie

Grandma and Ellen and Hattie at the hospital the 1st day.

Ellen and Hattie

Lexi and Hattie

My three girls!

Hattie

Baby Hattie CeCe Bake is here!!

2009-11-07T12:45:00.002-07:00

I realized that I haven't blogged about my new little princess!! But to begin, my brother's wedding went great! I loved seeing all the family here!! And it was wonderful to see Allison and Mike get married in the Temple!! While going into the Temple, the older gentleman that was there escorting us into the Temple tells me, You know that we don't have any OB's working tonight! Well, of course I don't plan on having the baby at the Temple:) Then we went to dinner and then I went to bed while the rest of the adults went to the movies. The next day, Saturday, we had the reception in the afternoon/evening and then all the adults went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse!! My dinner was wonderful!!!!!! Then it was home to bed!! Sunday everyone left and then I just relaxed in bed all day!! That night, the contractions started again! Dean decided it was time to head to the hospital, so not knowing who else to call, we called Mike and Allison and they came and stayed with the kids (it was midnight by now!!) Thanks Mike and Allison for coming and staying with the kids on your honeymoon weekend!!!!!! Once at the hospital things were going SLOW! Not normal for me!! The doctor decided to give me an epidural hoping it would relax me and progress things. Well, it stalled things! And my blood pressure kept going down. They had to give me medicine three different times. And this is suppose to relax me?!? Then my blood sugar levels were low and so they were having me drink juice - which I am not sure to that much sugar so it was making me feel sick! They ended up giving me Gatorade which was much better! Finally at 7:30 am the doctor came in and broke my water and started the pit. They started the pit slowly so that it wouldn't affect the baby badly. And she did great! Finally at 11:30am ish things started going faster and I sent Dean out to get himself something to eat - I didn't need him to faint when the baby came:) Hattie arrived at 1:40pm. She was and is perfect! She was 7 pounds and 20 inches long. They put her on my belly right after coming out and it always scares me when the baby doesn't cry at first! I just kept asking if she was okay. She was! They rubbed her and got her crying and turning pink! Just what I like to see and hear!! With the swine flu going around - the only visitors you can have are the baby's siblings and grandparents. So, it was a quite and peaceful rest after having the baby - except when the kids where there:) It was wonderful relaxing and eating when ever I wanted! I only had to call the nurses to get my drugs:) Dean stayed the first night with me and came and hung out the second night until late. It was really nice!!

She is 12 days old and is a cutie!! She wakes up about twice a night - now if we could get the boys to not wake up:) My mom was here helping until today! I already miss her!! But I was so thankful that she was able to come and help me and let me sleep!!! Thank you mom and dad for letting her come and stay so long!!

I will post some pictures soon!!

Wedding, Family, Halloween, and Baby

2009-10-21T15:16:00.002-06:00

Where to start? Family is starting to show up today - Little brother is getting married on Friday. Halloween is next Friday - and if the baby girl doesn't show up by then - at 12:01am on October 31, I get to head to the hospital and start the fun labor process!! I am so ready for this sweet little kicker to come out!! LOTS and I mean LOTS of contractions for the last two weeks. My body is sore and I am so tired:( Yes, I know that I am whining, and I am sorry! It is so nice to know this is the last baby!! I just don't know how much longer I can handle having contractions, not being able to move easily, and having her SO LOW that I feel like I am dieing!! Anyways - I am so excited that my family is coming in for the wedding!! Most are staying here - so I have been trying to clean and get things ready - but it isn't anywhere close to how I want it done - but it will have to do:) I am excited:) Mike is getting married on Friday at 3:30pm! I am so excited for him!! What a big week!

I finished cleaning the boys room again - and now Deano is playing in there and making a mess again!! Plus he already pulled all his clothes out of his drawer twice now!! I started to move the baby girls dresser into our room - so that I can get her clothes out of the dresser no matter what time of the day or night it is:) Dean ended up coming home for lunch and helping me - he couldn't believe that I was trying to move it myself. I said, hey, what is it going to hurt? Maybe it will put me into labor:)!!! Anyways - that is about it - or all that I can process at the moment! Hope everyone has a good rest of the week!!

Calvin

2009-10-15T11:51:00.002-06:00

Today, one year ago, my little nephew Calvin died in a car accident. I can't believe it has been a year! It is hard to believe that life still goes on - but it does. I think of Calvin often and miss him. It has been a lot of fun reading every one's blogs about stories of Calvin. I have them too, but being this pregnant, I am so very emotional!! And I just can't do it right now! I will, I promise - but it will have to wait. Just know that I am thinking of you Calvin and my heart goes out to all that miss you!!

Gestational Diabetes

2009-10-09T19:01:00.002-06:00

Gestational diabetes... that has made this pregnancy a lot more challenging! I have to think about what I am eating and when I am eating it!! How often when you are cooking do you kind of eat some too, or when you are feeding the kids something and you just take a little. I can't do that! And to plan dinner, I have to think about how many carbs are in it and how I can make it so that I can eat it!! Plus, I LOVE milk - and 1cup is a full serving of carbs!! When you can only have 2 servings of carbs at breakfast or snacks - that isn't very much!! At dinner and lunch I can have 3-4 servings of carbs. This has made me a lot more healthy - although I have a long way to go I think!! But I was talking to mom and dad today and they were heading home from lunch and they had Mexican!! I love Mexican - and that has LOTS of carbs!!!! So, I made tacos for the kids, and taco salad for Dean and me. Normally I start with chips and crumb them up - this time I used only half a serving (Yes I counted them!!), then I put down the hamburger meat (free of carbs!!), Cheese (also free), LOTS of tomatoes (free!) and then I would use Catalina salad dressing (not free) but I used salsa tonight (free!) And I took heartburn medicine!!! It was a different taste not using my salad dressing, but not bad!! I just have to get use to the food tasting a little different then how I use to eat it! Chocolate and stress seem to make my numbers go high!! That has been hard not eating chocolate - or very much of it!!!!! Today I was craving it so bad!!!! So I looked at how many chocolate chips were in a serving and figured out how many I could have and not have to many carbs!! It is a very sad world when you are counting chocolate chips!!!!!!! They tasted good though!! And I must be doing something right, my last doctor visit I had lost 1 pound!! Not a big deal - but being the last month, that is when I usually gain 1-2 pounds a week - not lose 1 pound in 2 weeks!!! Plus the baby grow! She is measuring 3cm bigger then she should - HELLO, she is my 5th baby!! So, I get to go and have another ultrasound done next Thursday! Fun for me and the pocket book - they are about $600! Who would have thought having babies would cost so much?!? But it is nice to know that she is about here!! YEA!!!!

People here are SLOWLY getting better!! Alexis went back to school Thursday and Friday. Of course she had been sick since last Thursday - but they were out of school on Thursday and Friday last week. Ellen has missed this whole week. She is still coughing a lot, but no fever!! Danny has only been coughing of and on - but no fever!!! Deano it hit the hardest I think. He is still coughing up a lung and running fevers at night. His fever got as high as 103.5 - but now it is closer to 101 during the night. I took him into the doctor today and he said his cough is croup now. So hopefully in a few days he will be feeling better:) Or at least we can hope!! I am tired of a whinny boy!!! And Dean has been home from work since Wed not feeling very good - but not as bad as the kids - I don't think he ever got a fever. But he did try and work today but came home at lunch feeling dizzy. GREAT!! But after lunch from his wonderful wife and some rest, he is feeling better - as long as he doesn't get up much!!! The doctor has me on the swine flu drug hoping that I don't get - and so far so good - knock on wood!!!! I have been sleeping on the couch since Sunday because Deano has been in our bed since then!! I have washed every ones sheets at least twice now and done so many loads of laundry of towels and clothes - that I have lost count!!! I am trying to keep the counters free of dishes and I wash them every night and put them away! All my little slave girls are sick! I don't want them touching my clean dishes!! I have disinfected my house every night hoping that it is helping!! We have been using the disinfected gel a lot!! My hands were getting so raw from washing them - the gel is a lot nicer - as long as you remember you have it on when you go and eat!! Don't lick you fingers - it taste nasty!!!! Hopefully everyone gets better and healthy soon!! I don't know how much more of this I can take!! I am all most hoping I can go into labor to get a rest at the hospital:) But I don't want to bring the girl home until everyone is healthy!

Hope everyone has a healthy and fun weekend!!!

Funniest Blog!

2009-10-04T19:44:00.002-06:00

Okay, I don't think I have ever suggested looking at another person's blog - or at least not on my blog I haven't (I don't think!) But this blog is so funny!! Or maybe it is because it reminds me of myself and my kids - but I found it on my sister's blog list. Here it is -

http://themeanestmom.blogspot.com/

I had to stop reading it because it was making me laugh so hard and the baby kept kicking me!! OWE!! It was funny! Loved the blog about her daughter changing her name at school! Or how she takes her little boy to be checked out and to realize he is normal! You just have to read it! Don't take my word for it - but it is so FUNNY!!!

Sick Kids

2009-10-04T15:24:00.002-06:00

I think everyone in the family has had sick kids now - Jeni, Donna, Sally, Lonita, and now me! YEA! I thought this crap didn't go around until Christmas time or after!! Since it is so early this year - does that mean it will go around again later?!? Lexi has been complaining of her throat hurting since Thursday. And they didn't even have school!! I told her to drink more water - aren't I a great mom! Finally after her still complaining - I thought we might need to take her in. What if she has strep - I don't do well when I get that one!! Knowing the doctor was going to swab her throat and how much she hates that - I had Dean take her!! That came back neg, but the doc said she did have the flu and to keep her home from school until she has been fever free for 24 hours! FUN for mom!! As many of you know - this is my weakness!! My anxiety is REALLY bad when someone is sick! I have washed all the boys sheets and blankets hoping to keep them clean (plus Lexi slept in there on Friday night!) - and cleaned the bathroom and told Lexi that she is to use the downstairs bathroom only! She is confided to her room! I sprayed the light switches and door handles. I don't know if any of this REALLY helps, but it helps my nerves!! When the kids do something that isn't 'normal' for them - it stresses me out too! When it was lunch time and I called Danny up stairs - he went and took a nap! WHAT!?! Is he not feeling good to?!? Well, his sister's have been out of school since Wed night - he has played hard and not gone to sleep at the normal time either! That poor little boy was just worn out! He woke up and had his lunch and running around the house now!

Almost every night Dean asks me if we are going to have a baby tonight. He thinks that I am going to just know when it is time! I told him I won't KNOW, I might wonder and hope, but not KNOW until the contractions come!! Of course they come every night - but I mean when they REALLY hurt and stay! I am SO not looking forward to that part - Labor! But it will be nice to have a little baby to hold!! Not knowing what she will look like - just makes you wonder! Will she have hair? Will it grow fast like Lexi or SLOW like Ellen's did? To be able to count her fingers and toes - just to make sure they are all there:) And I am excited for the 'break'!! Someone else will bring me breakfast, lunch, and dinner!! They will change my sheets and clean my bathroom!! The funny thing is, I know I will miss my kids! How crazy is that! I do love the breaks - but I so love being with them too!! If they were just a little quieter sometimes:)

Deano has began the love for Indiana Jones! He has developed it from his brother!! He has been going around today singing the theme music to Indiana Jones!! Is that not to funny!! And Donna, hate to say it - but the last one is their favorite one!! Of course nothing will take the place of Little Einsteins or Curious George! Plus there is a new PBS show called Dinosaur Train! How cool is that!! Dinosaurs and trains!! Every child's fav!! They learn about other dinosaurs! Oh, and my favorite one - every dinosaur poops! Teaching the kids it is okay to poop:) Got to love it!! It was pretty funny!!

Hope everyone has a great Sunday and week!!

Good day:)

2009-10-01T16:08:00.003-06:00

The kids are home from school - and we haven't have too many fights (mom and Lexi!) She is in her room right now, but that isn't always a bad thing!! Deano is still napping and Danny is play on the computer and Ellen is working on homework.

I have the roast in the crock pot and it smells great!!! The rolls just came out of the over and the brownies are in the oven!! Danny has already informed me that he will eat the rolls and the brownies - but not the rest! Funny little boy!!

I even got some house work done today! YEA!! And some of my fun shows are being taped tonight - BONES! CSI, and The Mentallist. There might be some others I would like to tape, but I can only tape one show at a time so that Dean can watch something at the same time!! I love taping my shows and watching them later and forwarding the commerical!! YEA!! Plus then I can spend time with the kids if they need me and not think about my show that I am missing!!

Hope everyone has a great night!!

Sorry

2009-10-01T08:16:00.002-06:00

I let my anger get the better of me yesterday. And I am sorry for anyone that had to read it!! I revised my blog from yesterday. It wasn't nice and it wasn't appreciate. I am sorry that I hurt someones feelings. I let my feelings get the better of me and I shouldn't have. I am sorry.

Better Blogging

2009-09-30T12:42:00.003-06:00

After a comment I received, I asked to look Better Blogging: tips for safety and courtesy from the October 2009 Ensign (a church magazine.) Here is what I learned from it.

It says first off - REMEMBER that you are specking only for yourself and not the church. Then it talks about blog safety - and it does suggest that you don't name your kids or self or hubby by name - sorry, it's a little late for that. Although cudos to my sister for not giving out the real names of her hubby or children!! And notice I said sister and didn't say your name:) Even though it is in your blog title:)

Next it talks about moderate comments - I have decided to view the comments before they are posted - since I can't just block someone. And I am not going private.

Then it talks about being selective in your picture posting. I feel like I do that fine. I don't post many pictures.

Now it talks about blog courtesy. Think before you post because pictures and words can be brought up for years and years - they are permanent.

Then there is be positive. This is where I must be going wrong. I am sorry if I have ever made someone mad or hurt them from something I wrote in my blog. I never meant to do that! After a comment I got, I must have offended someone. And I am really sorry!!

And the last part is to respect others' work - which I hope I do okay.

That is what I learned from better bogging.

Good Hubby

2009-09-29T18:48:00.002-06:00

I have the best hubby in the world!! He took all the kids to McDonald's so that I can have a few minutes with out anyone home!! Thank you!!!!! Or it could have been that I felt so yucky - pregnancy - that if he wanted to eat, that would mean making something himself or taking the kids out:) Any way it happened - thank you!!! I can't remember the last time it was quite in the house and I wasn't sleeping!!!!!!

It is official - four weeks at the most and this baby girl is out of here!! Thank goodness!! The contractions suck! I can't wait to be able to hold the baby girl and not feel it kicking me in the belly!!! When a shower doesn't help, hot coco or cider seems to work!! Thank heavens something does!! My body is so sore!! I can't wait until I can fit into my sexy jeans again!!

With Deano sitting in my lap today, I asked him what are you going to do when sissy comes home? He looks at me and pats my tummy and says sissy is home:) Is that not so cute!! Wait until he realizes that sissy is really coming home and to stay!!

Saturday and Sunday

2009-09-26T18:39:00.004-06:00

Dean just looked over to see what I was doing and reads Midwestern Gone Idahoan - but he sees - Midwestern Girl Gone Wild - WHAT! I laughed at him and reread what the title is:) Funny guy!

Yesterday I went to a funeral for Anita's brother. I had not put two and two together - but this was the first funeral I have been to since my little nephews funeral, almost a year ago. I still didn't even think about the two - until I saw the casket being rolled in to the room. Oh, the tears started. And I couldn't stop them. I didn't even make it thorough the first song. I ended up leaving and I tried to at least stay in the foyer - but I ended up just leaving and going home. Boy, the emotions! I don't know if I will try that again anytime soon!

When I was there, someone asked where my kids and hubby were - well, Dean was traveling back home and I left the kids at home with my sweet little brother watching them. She said she wished she could have left her kids home. I told her that I don't really like taking the kids to funerals. She told me that I can't shield my kids from everything and that they need to know how a funeral works and all that stuff. Being pregnant, I am more forward then I usually am - normally I wouldn't have said anything back to her, but I told her that I know you can't shield your children from everything - but a funeral - yes I can! They are kids, they don't need to know more about death then they all ready do. I remember the first funeral I went to and as an adult, it was hard enough to deal with! In the short time I have had my children here on earth, they have been to funerals for our friends babies and our friends step-father. They have also been to their cousins funeral - where I did try to shelter them from that as much as I could. I want them to remember their cousin how he was, not laying in a casket. Anyways - long story short - there aren't enough things that you can shield your children from - but if you can find something - do it! They are only children once! I want them to have their incense for as long as they can! Be kids! Have fun! They already know how cruel life can be - why keep putting it in their faces?!?

Lexi and Ellen were in a VERY mild fender - binder while on their bus last week. The bus in front of them backed into them. Lexi, being the very emotional girl that she is, was crying a lot! They took the kids off the bus and had to put them on a new bus. This was very traumatic for her. She was so scared! The only other accident she has to reference this to, was her cousin's accident where he died. There is so much we can't shield them from - it scares me! I hope that we are teaching them what they need to know so that they can make the right decisions in their life. They are really good kids - all of mine! I might get frustrated with Lexi, but she is a really good girl! I love her so much!

If you can take anything from this - shield your kids and let them be kids!

Football Time

2009-09-18T13:13:00.002-06:00

I told Danny that BSU was playing tonight and we were going to watch it with Daddy tonight. Danny asked me if we were going to go to the game. Two weeks ago when we were getting ready to watch the first BSU game of the season - I had given the boys a bath and then I was getting their pjs on - the game wasn't until LATE that night! Danny was really confused - he said that he can't have his pjs on because we were going to the game. Then he thought they were coming here!! The players!!!! It was really cute!!!!!! He said they were going to come and play XBOX with him!!! He was so disappointed to learn that we weren't going there and they weren't coming here!!! He is so cute!! Today he asked if we were watching it on TV or going to the game. I told him we were watching it on tv tonight. He asked if we could go to a game sometime. I told him sure. He said that he wanted me to come with them and daddy. Then he asked if I would fall asleep when we go to the game. FUNNY BOY!!! I told him I wouldn't fall asleep if we were at the game:) He is such a good boy!!

Arby's

2009-09-18T11:43:00.002-06:00

It has been a slow Friday morning - thank goodness!! But I have been so tired lately!! I had a cub scout meeting last night and got home around 8:30pm. Went potty and changed into my pjs. Then I gave Deano his medicine, I haven't forgotten a does yet!!! And then I dropped into bed!! I have been so tired!!!!!!!!!!! I slept pretty good - only woke up once to go potty:) Got the girls off to school without to much whinnying from the girls:) Alexis said she was tired and how it was my fault! She was practicing her spelling from 6:40 - 8:30pm (we try to get her to practice the whole week - but by Thursday she doesn't have a choice!) Then I had her make her lunch before going to bed. I would love for her to be in bed by 8 or 8:30pm, but that never happens! It is usually around 9pm by the time she gets there! But since they don't leave until 8:20, I don't have to get them up until about 7:40am. So they are still getting over 10 hours of sleep every night.

Anyways - I have been so tired this morning and my blood sugar levels have been GREAT!! They have been really low! I had a day last week that was higher then I liked, so I started writing what I was eating down again and that has helped. Plus I have been trying to watch my stress - because that has affected my blood sugar levels too!! I decided that I have been doing so well, and I have been so tired today - the boys and I went and got Arby's for lunch. The nice thing is that it is in my carb range if I watch what I eat!! It tasted WONDERFUL!!! I am sure that I will take a good nap this afternoon too:) The baby girl is kicking like crazy!! I think she is happy too!!

I have been stressed about when this little girl is coming! I feel like it is going to be sooner then we want! And that makes me nervous! I know I get nervous at the end of all my pregnancy's, but I don't remember being this nervous! After stressing some more yesterday, I reminded myself that there is nothing that I can do to stop her from coming if it is time. And that she is old enough now that she would be okay! I decided that I can have everything ready here at the house for her arrival, and maybe that would make me feel less nervous! I got out the bassinet yesterday. I cleaned it up and put on a pink sheet and put her blanket on it too. It looks so cute! Sally brought over some more clothes that Charlotte doesn't fit any more into. So I got those washed up also. I thought I would make a list of the things I still need to get before the baby gets here and go and pick those up this weekend. I figure if I am all ready, she won't come till it is time:)

Hope everyone has a great day and weekend!! BSU plays tonight and BYU plays tomorrow!!

Fall is coming

2009-09-16T15:47:00.002-06:00

I LOVE fall and spring time!! I love spring because the days become longer and the weather becomes warmer!! I LOVE fall because the weather becomes cooler - yet to see that one:) But I also love all the holidays!! I love making cookies for Halloween and BUYING costumes for the kids! They love going trickier treating! And going to church for a party! We always make sugar cookies and take them to Dean's work and share. I have the kids dressed up in their costumes and they take cookies around and get candy from Daddy's coworkers. It is something we have done for 10 years now!! I don't know if I will be able to do that this year - with the baby coming at the end of October:)

Thanksgiving is ALWAYS fun!! I get to spend it with my family - either in Utah or here! Food is GREAT! We start planing the menu MONTHS in advanced - even though it is usually the same every year:) And then there is the shopping on Black Friday:) I got food poison on one of those Fridays - but other then that - I LOVE doing it!! We are those INSANE people out shopping at 4 or 5 in the morning!! We always say we are going to bed early the night before - but we usually don't:) GOOD TIMES!!!

Then there is Christmas - who doesn't love that holiday!! We get together with the Bake family every year and eat and then we have the kids put on the Nativity play and we all sing the songs. I have one of the best brother in laws in the world that makes the BEST desserts!!! It is always a great night to hang out with family and enjoy our selves! LOVE IT!!! I love getting a live tree every year and decorating it with my family!! Dean hung his Christmas stocking on the couch on Christmas eve as a child - so that is one of the things that we do with our children too! Another thing Dean remembers as a child is having a present from Santa that was unwrapped that they could play with before his mom and dad woke up. So we make sure that Santa does the same at our house! He leaves only one gift for each child - usually next to their stockings. And the rest are from mom and dad or another family member. This year I am making new stocking for everyone so that they are all the same size and look good together:) I am excited!! I will post pictures when they are done! I plan taking a board and putting a vinyl Christmas saying on it and then putting hooks on it to hang the stockings. Then Christmas eve we can put them on the couch. I also love it when Christmas lands on a Sunday and we get to go to church!! I love singing the Christmas songs!! I also love the smells of Christmas time!! And I love to cook in the winter time and making the house all warm and smelling good!!

I love this time of the year!!!

DOCTORS

2009-09-15T13:43:00.003-06:00

We think Deano's thumb might be infected a little. WE have been keeping an eye on it for a few days. It is red all around the stitch area. And when I took off his band aid this morning, there was discharge on it. So, I called the doctors office and they finally called back around noon time. We set up an appointment for 1:30 today. BUT they forgot to tell me it wasn't in the Meridian office! It was in the downtown office where he had his surgery! I called the downtown office to let them know that he was on the way but that he went to the Meridian office first. I think they were thinking of cancelling or changing his appointment, but I didn't give them a chance:) I just told them that it would have been nice to know that it wasn't at the Meridian office before my husband and child went there. And I made sure that my appointment next Thursday is in the Meridian office. Looking at the information they sent home with me, the doctor has THREE offices and they ALL have the same phone number!! He is in different offices different days of the week. Another nice thing to have know:) I am just thankful that Dean was able to take Deano to the doctor today!! I am home with the kids and with Bonnie and Chas. The kids are having so much fun playing together!! I love it when cousins are bonding and having fun time all at the same time!! I only caught Deano doing a no no once:) Lucky yelled for me so I went to check on the kids AGAIN! Deano had put his red Elmo chair up on the entertainment center next to the big tv and was sitting on it!!! CRAZY kid!! What if he had fallen or fell backwards into the tv?!? I thought about getting a picture of it, but thought better of it and got him down!! Even when the kids are being good - they are still a handful! I am so tired!! Yesterday I got a lot done and some sewing - have pictures but I can't seem to download them yet!! And I even made BSB's yesterday!! And we had FHE too and I made dinner!!!! Today I cleaned out the 'train room' because we are moving one of the girls into it. It wasn't very messy at all and I even vacuumed it! But boy am I tired!! And my whole body is KILLING me!! I just don't really have time to be tired or having my body hurt:) I have things to be doing!! But, I will relax and blog!!

Update - Dean took Deano to the doctor and he didn't THINK the thumb was infected, but he hasn't seen anything like it before. What does that mean? He did put him on medicine for 7 days - 3 times a day! Hello - I am suppose to remember three times a day? Plus they don't want us to put neasporin (can't seem to spell that word right and it won't give me the right word on spell check!!) on it, it needs to dry out the doctor said. FUN!

I tried all afternoon to just relax and either sit or lay around. Deano finally comes up to lay on the bed with me around 4pm. His brother gave him an owe so he needed some love'n from mom:) I turned on cartoons for him and he was good for about 15 min! Then he starts jumping around and causing problems! He ends up some how ramming his shoulder into the baby girl. MAN it HURT!!! But then I could get up and have been feeling a lot better!! I guess she just needed to move up some:) Thank heavens she is going to be out next month!! I guess that is why we feel so good after having a baby - your body is yours finally again!!!! I can't wait!!!!!

Random thoughts

2009-09-13T20:50:00.002-06:00

Here are some random thoughts I have been thinking about lately...

1. Can the baby taste what I am eating or does it all taste bland to her?
Dean says she is getting her food like we would from an IV, I don't know:)

2. Where do kids come up with the things they say? Lucky - formally known as Danny - is always making me laugh! That boy is funny! He comes up with the funniest knock knock jokes!

3. Is the baby going to wait until after the wedding to come? I hope so since Dean is traveling that week:)

4. Does the house EVER stay clean for longer then 5 min if someone is home?

5. Money - Dean asks if he thinks it grows on trees (and I remember my dad asking that at least once!) Well, it is made on paper, which is made from trees! So in a way - yes - we just need a printing press:)

6. LOVE not being in Primary:) They are putting on their Kids Sunday Program next Sunday - and they are SO LOST! They released everyone but the President and put ALL new people in that have NEVER been in Primary before. Makes you laugh! And now they are having a funeral at the church on Saturday when they were suppose to practice the program - so now the kids have to practice from 3-5pm! SO GLAD I WILL NOT BE THERE!!!!!!!

7. Still nervous about doing cub scouts and I haven't heard from the other lady that is suppose to be helping me. I will try her again tomorrow! Hopefully I can get a hold of her! But I think I might like this calling after all! I can't believe I am saying that:) The boys are loud - so I will have to take my headache medicine before I go and have a diet Pepsi ready for when I am done:) But it will get me ready to help my own boys when they are in cub scouts!!

8. How big will my little baby girl be? Any guesses? I think 8 lbs 6 oz. I have the cutest out fit to bring her home in!! I though at the beginning of October I could pack my bag to have it ready and get out the bassinet and make sure it is clean and ready! I still need to figure out what to do about a dresser for her. I am thinking of getting one for Deano and using his dresser for the baby - since it has the changing table area on top for the baby!

9. Will I have the house ready and cleaned to my wanting before Mike's wedding? Since I am already having a hard time binding over - the kids are going to have to help a lot!! Or learn how to be cleaner:)

10. What to make for dinner this week? Dean and I were the only ones that liked the Shepperd's pie the other night! It was really good! Monday - Spaghetti, Tuesday - homemade pizza, Wednesday - chili, Thursday - waffles, Friday - pasta and chicken. How does that sound? Just came up with it in two min! Maybe I should do this every week! Post what I am going to cook for dinner and see if it happens or not!! Plus Lucky has requested that we make cookies tomorrow morning! YEA!

11. Thank you listening to my VERY random thoughts! Dean gets tired of hearing them:) Not that he would say that - but you can tell my the look of - I am watching TV get to the point please look!

12. I also would like to finish the Christmas stockings this week and I say a cute way to make a car seat blanket cover that looked really cool! And a bag to put your diaper in the diaper bag and a cute way to cover the plastic wipe container - then they would all match!!!!! how fun would that be! Okay, when I mean I will have a slow week - I mean I won't have to leave my own house often:) LOTS of thoughts are going through my brain right now!! But since I took my sleeping pill about an hour ago - I think it is time for bed!!!! YEA!! I didn't take one last night and didn't sleep well!!! Woke up every hour!!!!!!! Have a great week!

New Week - YEA!!

2009-09-13T19:00:00.002-06:00

What a long week last week was! Glad to have that over with! Deano seems to be doing really good - one less stress for me:) His thumb is doing pretty good, his thumb is a little red around the stitches, so we are keeping an eye on it. But he is really doing good! He even is learning how to do his own exercises with his thumb! He is so cute!! He had a sliver in his big toe - and I mean a BIG sliver - about the size of his toe! He was at church today and when I picked him up after nursery, his nursery leader told me about his BIG sliver - like I didn't know this! And if you are wondering, yes, like Lucky can't keep his pants on - Deano can't keep his shoes and socks on!! Anyways, they said that they had soaked his toe a few times and washed it with soap. Yes it has been a few days since his last bath - but DOCTORS orders!! He isn't to have a bath for at least 4 days after his surgery. I have spot washed him - arms and face and legs and toes! I thought it was too funny that they were soaking his toe. But it did seem to bring the sliver out more for us. Dean had tried to get it out on Friday night but the kids wouldn't stop screaming and kicking! And every time Dean got a little out, it would break off! He finally got it all! And Deano didn't even cry or kick too much! Of course I was there with Hersey Kisses!

I think the only thing I have going on this week during the day is a chiropractor appointment and babysitting one day this week!! I am SO looking forwards to a slow week! I feel like I have been running and trying to catch my breath for a few weeks now! And I am tired:)

Hope everyone has a great week!!

Lucky and his brother

2009-09-10T15:48:00.007-06:00

Here is Deano all better at home after the surgery!! He all ready had his bandage off!

Deano with attitude at the hospital! He didn't like his hair net!!

I WILL NOT look at you!!

The nurse shows him a COOL sticker!!! Now he smiles! And earned a sticker BEFORE his surgery!

Once again - I WILL NOT look at you!!

Here is the Before picture - when I get a good after picture of the thumb I will post it:)

Lucky says the funniest things - hence the name Lucky:)

Yesterday he told me I could call him Danny sometimes. I told him how much I loved that name and that I picked the name Danny - really Daniel - out for him. He just looks at me and with out skipping a beat says to me, "Well I picked out Lucky and I really like that name!"

Today he has been on another one - something about getting up at 5:30am and heading to the hospital when it is still dark out might have something to do with it:) After being REALLY good for me most of the day, he even let me get about a half hour to full hour of nap in before needing another snack that he couldn't open!! He then asked if he could play on my bed while I sleep - how cute is that! I set the microwave timer for 7 min and asked to sit on the couch with his eyes closed and he could get up when it goes off. Well, that was the FASTEST 7 min I have ever lived!! He is now in my room on my bed eating frozen (YES - FROZEN NOT COOKED!!) waffle. And the kid won't stop talking!!!!!!! I keep asking him to be quite! He finally tells me, "mom, I don't know how to be spanish!" SPANISH? Oh, he means quite! I told him it means to zip his mouth closed and NOT talk! Well, it has been another 40 min and he is still talking!! He told me how tired he is and his eyes hurt - I told him he is TIRED!!! Close your eyes and your mouth and you will fall fast asleep. He told me that he tried 3 times and he can't fall asleep! You know when 5 pm comes around, he will fall asleep!! And then bedtime will be horrid! Another funny he did today that REALLY made me laugh!!! He is pooping on the toilet - not the funny part! He is a little constipated and he yells for me! I come in and he tells me that he isn't breathing! His poop won't come out and that means he isn't breathing! How do they come up with these things?

Deano on the other hand is FINALLY sleeping - been that way for awhile now! Mom was laughing hearing him on the phone - said his medicine was maybe working a little TO WELL!! He is just his happy little self! He did great at the hospital -I have picture on facebook. He was giving us BIG time attitude when we put him in his hospital gown and put on his hat!!! He wouldn't smile until the nurse showed him her Curios George sticker on the back of her name tag!! Oh that got a smile and a sticker BEFORE the operation!! They said he did great! They had a hard time getting his IV going - so his hand is bruised and they ended up doing it in is foot. Other then that it went great! He was done in about an hour or so. We went back to help him wake up and he already was trying to ripe his IV out of his foot and they had his arm under blankets because he was trying to ripe off the bandage off that too!!! He had a whole stack and I mean a STACK of stickers to take home!!! (Side note - Danny is asleep!!!!) He kept crying off and on till we got him home. The nurse said to keep his bandage on for about 4 days - does 1/2 an hour count? I went to go and get some pain medicine the doctor ordered and when I got back, Dean had taken it off and Deano had on a band aide. And he was much happier!!! Till he feel asleep - I don't think he stopped eating!!!! He was one hungry little boy!! It has been hard trying to get him to relax and just lay down on my bed and watch tv, another thing the doctor wanted him to do today! At one point he was JUMPING off the couch!! I just prayed his stitches didn't open up! But all in all, he is doing great!!!! We have already started moving his thumb doing exercises with it! And he has been using it like it isn't a big deal. Every so often he will tell me that it is his owe - so not sure if that means it hurts or not:) But he is doing great!!!! (okay, I put pictures up and I don't know how to move them around so that they are at the bottom of the post!!)

Cub Scouts

2009-09-09T14:57:00.002-06:00

I just learned ALL I ever didn't want to know about cub scouts:) My new calling at church is to work with the boys that are 9 years old and are Bear's in cub scouts! Not a position that I am looking forwards to - but I am learning more and more everyday!! Tonight is my first meeting. There are two of us that are the den leaders. One is suppose to be in charge and the other is the assistant den leader. Wouldn't it be nice if I knew which one I was:) Oh well, I like to be organized and put together - so I am fine with doing what ever they want me to. The lady that was the den leader came over this morning and showed me EVERYTHING about it:) The other lady couldn't make it, but she will be at the meeting tonight. Thank heavens the old lady (that didn't sound right - she isn't old!!) is going to run the meeting tonight! She didn't have anything planed - I think she wanted me to come up with something in the few hours that I had between her meeting and the den meeting! CRAZY people:)

Tomorrow morning at 6:15AM we have to be at the hospital for Deano's surgery! I am starting to get a little nervous - but I figure with the den meeting and then getting to bed tonight (with a sleeping pill!!) I won't have much time to get too nervous! They said that Deano can come in his pj's and even wear his bottoms in the surgery room - as long as they don't have metal in them! Okay it took a LONG time for me to understand why there would be metal in any bottoms - but then I realized that jeans have metal in them!! Anyways - we will take Lucky (Danny) with us in the morning too. Hopefully the girls can get ready in the morning by themselves! I am a little nervous leaving them to get ready alone. I have never done that! I know they will be fine - just one more thing for me to stress over:) Even though I don't need to!

On a weird note - I went to lay down for a few min this afternoon - and after I layed down, I felt like the baby was sticking her head in my back!!! Talk about CRAZY! And OUCH!

Anyways - I need to go and cut the boys hair and then get their baths done since I will be at cub scouts tonight:) And Deano needs to have a bath before his surgery! And I want him to look good for the surgery! Hence the hair cut:)

I made lunch for Dean and me today and I have dinner ready - I am trying Shepperd's pie tonight. I know the kids are going to hate it - but it has hamburger in it - YEA!!!!! I am trying NOT to go and make cookies - when I am nervous - I eat - something that isn't the best idea when you are watching your carbs!!!

Fun Doctor Visits!

2009-09-08T11:47:00.002-06:00

I had another baby doc apt today - I am down to every other week! I feel like all I do is go to the doctor right now!! I go to my chiropractor every other week too! And then for a couple of weeks - throw in getting tested at the hospital for diabetes, and then going to meetings for that and talking to the eating lady. And that is just for me!! I have gone to a couple of Dean's doctor visits latly - since I was the one that made him go:) And on Thursday, little Deano has his surgery for his trigger thumb! ANYWAYS!! off point here - I went to my doctor apt today and my numbers are so good (They are REALLY LOW) for my blood sugar count that I only have to take them once or twice a day now!!! YEA!!!!! I still have to watch what I eat - but I am excited!! Of course, this morning I ate some chocolate - thinking I won't have to check my numbers until after my doc visit:) TOTALLY forgetting that you pee in a cup and they check your sugar levels! HELLO! How long have I been doing this to forget that?!? My doc didn't say anything - so it must not have been that bad:) But the baby's heartbeat was too fast. She tried taking it a couple of times. But she was probably on a sugar high and moving all over the place!! I had to take both boys with me and walk over to the hospital and have the baby heartbeat monitored for 20 min. I knew the baby was fine, I was more nervous about having both boys with me at the hospital for 20 min!!!! But they did GREAT - and the baby is FINE!! Of course I had to pee in a cup for them too, and the nurse said that I had sugar in my urine, and asked me when I was going to check my blood sugar levels (she was really nice about it!!) So I told her it was time - they were in the 80's again (LOW!) So I told her that I had some chocolate this morning and that is probably why there is sugar in my urine:) While I am in the bathroom, the nurse is talking to the boys and putting cartoons on for them. She asked what their names were - Danny tells her that his brothers name is Deano and his name is LUCKY! He decided yesterday that he doesn't want to be called Danny anymore - he would prefer Lucky!! He had me laughing so hard!!! I tell her it is Danny, where he promptly corrects me - Lucky mom!! The nurse asked how he came up with that name - and all I can think of is that Ellen's fish is called Lucky!! I just thought that was too funny!! He sure gave me a good laugh!!!

Hope you have a great week!

Where's my pants?

2009-09-06T22:09:00.002-06:00

Okay, for anyone that knows my boys, you know they can't keep their pants on! They can keep their under ware on - but not there pants!! After going to 3 hours of our church, coming home and eating fast, running to Sally's church for Charlotte's baby blessing, and then eating and hanging at Sally's house, we didn't get home until 6 I think. After resting, a warm bath and more resting, I went out to the kitchen to get a drink and turn on some small lights in the house because it was getting dark out. I noticed that by the front door is Danny's shoes and right next to it, his pants! That boys can't keep his pants on after noon! Usually I find them in the bathroom - by the front door is too funny!!

It was a lot of fun to hang out with my family this weekend! I have been able to see my sister Sally a lot more since moving to Meridian - and I love it!! And since my parents moved to Vegas - we see a lot more of them too!! Between them coming up for family things and us going to Vegas to say hi, we see them at least 4 times a year! I am LOVING it!! This year has been a bonus with new babies and baby blessings and weddings and graduations!! Dean asked me what I was going to do when I wasn't seeing them every other month - I said I could hop on a plane too!! Actually when the new baby is about 2 weeks old we are heading down to Vegas for a golf trip. Dad's department puts on a golf tournament and last year Dean and a coworker played in it - and I came to hang out with my mom:) This year, Dean and his boss and his wife and I are going (and the baby!) I wasn't going to miss out on that! A vacation with almost no kids:)

Well, now that it is after 10 pm - which is LATE for me when I am pregnant, I can go to bed:) Hope everyone has a good Labor day tomorrow!

Cranky Boy

2009-09-01T09:01:00.002-06:00

Deano woke up WAY to early this morning. Ellen said she heard him in his room so she went to get him. I told her NOT to do that anymore - he is in his big boy bed and can get out himself!!! He will talk in his sleep sometimes! He has been on one this morning!!!! I am about ready to throw him back in his room and throw the key away!!! And that doesn't happen often with Deano! After another fight with his big brother, he followed me upstairs. I went to the office, he went to my bedroom! Should have thought about it! I JUST opened a diet Pepsi!!!! Well, it is his now:) And he is in a GREAT mood - at least for now!!! I guess we all just need a little caffeine in the morning sometimes:)

Ellen got a fish yesterday that she bought with her own money! She is so excited!!!! It is a Betta fish and she called it Lucky. During the car ride home last night she was asking everyone what she should call it - I told her Lucky - because she is lucky she got one and will be lucky if it lives:) I am such a nice mom!!!! She is keeping it in her room - we will see how she does!!!

Chiropractor

2009-08-28T12:01:00.003-06:00

I went to my chiropractor today for an adjustment! So wish I would have thought about that with the other four kids!! It has made such a difference!! I only have low back pain late at night and it is not hardly worth mentioning even!! I love it!! And my hips usually go out of place and had hurt since I gave birth to Ellen! Yes, that is a LONG time!! I had just gotten down to only going to the chiropractor once a month for maintenance on my back when I got pregnant. Pretty fast I was going every other week. And I LOVE it!! My hips still pop and crack - getting ready for baby - but they don't hurt!! YEA!!!!

Anyways, I was letting him know I have gestational diabetes so that he could put that in my chart and he starts telling me about a class he went to. Another doctor there said he doesn't know why - but his diabetic patience that take 1 tsp of salt a day, lower their blood sugar counts by 100's!! I thought that was interesting - and he suggested I try that. I told him that my blood sugar levels are only 4-5 points above what they should be - and that has only been one time so far. He just looks at me - and I finally ask - what?!? He is speechless - he couldn't believe that I was only a few points above normal and I was having to test my blood sugar levels 4 times a day! Anyways - maybe that is why he is a chiropractor and not an OBYN:)

I had to go and buy the strips to test my blood today - they only came with 10! It cost me $50! I couldn't believe it. I asked if they charged my insurance - he said they normally cost over $200!!!! Holy Cow!!!! And the needles were another $25. But hopefully that should cover me until the baby comes!! I spent $30 for a co-pay to go to my class, $10 for strips of paper to pee on for 5 mornings! And I have an appointment next with a dietitian to talk about how my eating habits are going, which I am sure is another co-pay of $30. A total of $145 for being a few points over my blood sugar levels. I guess as long as the baby is staying healthy - that is all that matters!! I have found that the time I went a few points over, it was from 2 VERY small size candy bars!!! I don't think I can handle the chocolate - what a SAD, SAD, SAD, day it is!! I thought I would try the sugar free chocolate and see if that is any better for my points:) One of the hardest things to do is not snack! I was full after a lunch meat sandwich and milk, when I went to make the kids lunch, almost by habit I when I was in the pantry, I grab something to eat! If I hadn't started writing everything down that I eat - I wouldn't have even thought twice about it! I didn't eat anything - but that is hard!!!I have only gained 11 pounds with this pregnancy - who knows if I will gain anymore!!??!! With REALLY thinking about what you are eating, it will make it harder!!

Doctor Visits

2009-08-26T18:43:00.002-06:00

I went to my 2 1/2 hour meeting today to learn about diabetes and how to test my blood sugar levels. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be!! It doesn't hurt to much to prick my finger - I have a harder time getting it to bleed for some reason. I had to poke my self three times at home to get enough blood! And you don't need hardly any!!!! I am sure I will do better as time goes on! Danny thought it was pretty funny that I had to keep poking myself! I do think that the diet is going to be okay to follow - they don't want you to watch fat - it is just the carbs! Which as a McLean - we LOVE our carbs and sugars!!!!! At least my diet Pepsi is okay!! All my counts so far are just fine! So that is good.

After that meeting, I had my regular baby doctor check up. There she told me about more of the risks to the baby. I had looked on the computer and knew about most of them - the baby can get to big (chubby), she can have jaundice (for those of you that don't know what that is - the baby has a yellow/orange tint to them) and the nurses will check her blood sugar levels as soon as possible (they might have to feed her some sugar water). What I didn't know is that the baby's lungs might not develop as fast and so you can have problems there. And there is a percentage of women that have a hard time getting the shoulders out. (This is not for the faint of heart!) You have no problem getting the head out, but then the shoulders won't come out - they are to broad. The nurse will push down on your tummy to help push the baby out. The doctor will reach - yes I said reach in and help with the shoulders and hopefully that will work. If not, they have to BREAK one of the shoulders of my little girl! Okay - I was and am officially freaked out by that!!! The good thing - she said my biggest baby was only 8lbs 40z and it was a boy. Girls are usually smaller and I go early - I don't make it to 40 weeks - closer to 38 1/2 - 39 weeks. That all helps! The baby girl is still measuring normal - not big - so that is good too!! And my blood sugar levels seem to be doing well (the 2 whole times that I have taken it!!) And I will be making sure that I am walking every morning on the treadmill. Exercise is good during pregnancy I have always heard - but now it is important that I am doing it! No fast out of breath walking - just normal walk! I can do that!! And if it helps my baby girl to stay normal size - then I will walk all day if I have too!! Anyways, a lot of information was thrown my way today that I am still trying to think over!! I am doing really well at counting my carbs - now I just need to have the energy to make the food:)

On another note - I needed to go off my anxiety medicine by 34 weeks - and I have now been off it since Saturday and I am only now 30 weeks!! Every other time I tried to go off it, I had major problems!! The room would be spinning and other stuff. This time I have had no problems!! I had halved my dose a couple of months ago - so I think that helped! Dean has been out of town this week - so it might not have been the best week to do it - but oh well. We might have one less kid by the time he gets back - but at least we have one on the way:) And boy am I glad this is the last one!!!!!!

Ramblings of a Pregnant Women

2009-08-23T17:28:00.003-06:00

It is Sunday again and Dean is at a meeting - I skipped mine:) Just got a call - my sister in law wanted to know if she and her two boys could come over and make homemade ice cream with us!?! HELLO!! Of course!! So this will be shorter then I thought:) Don't be so happy!

1st rambling - I have my meeting at the diabetes clinic on Wed - so does that mean eat as much sugar as I can before I go? (Don't answer that mom!)

2nd rambling - Contractions have started! Not the full pledge I am in labor contractions - just pain in the tummy and the do hurt contractions! At least I only have 9 weeks left! With Deano they started right at the end of my 2nd trimester! Maybe that is why I go so fast - I have been in labor for at least 2-3 months already:)

3rd rambling - HEADACHES!!! Oh my gosh! They hurt!

4th rambling - I might not go back to church until after the baby gets here:) If only that is true!!

Anyways - I think I will go and make pizza to go with our ice cream!!

What is in a name?

2009-08-21T08:44:00.002-06:00

I was looking up stuff about the baby - how big she is now and stuff like like that! She is now the size of a butternut squash - how cute is that?!? And I thought the meaning of her name was fitting - Hattie is German and means home ruler! Does she already know her place or what!?! If you like the name Hattie, there was a note to click on some other names - Charlotte was the first one. How cute is that!! Hattie and Charlotte will be great friends! How cool is that!!

Gestational Diabetes

2009-08-20T16:06:00.002-06:00

Okay, from looking on the Internet - what did we do before the Internet? I found that you get gestational diabetes from producing too many hormones!!! Did I not tell you that I am VERY hormonal!?! Increased levels of certain hormones made in the placenta interfere with the ability of insulin to manage glucose. As the placenta grows larger during pregnancy, it produced more hormones and increases this insulin resistance. Usually the mom's pancreas is able to produce more insulin to overcome the insulin resistance. If, however, the pancreas can't produce enough insulin to overcome the effect of the increased hormones during pregnancy, sugar levels will rise, resulting in gestational diabetes!!

That is it in a nut shell! Anyways - kids are home from school - got to get dinner going!

Results of test

2009-08-20T11:26:00.002-06:00

The nurse called me today - and I do have gestational diabetes! Have I told you how happy this is my LAST pregnancy!?! Anyways, I have to go to a clinic and learn about gestational diabetes, what not to eat and what to eat and crap like that! I have to test my blood 4 times a day and chart it. Hopefully I can control it with my diet - this is going to be a LONG two months!! Hello - I am a McLean! I LOVE SUGAR!!!!!! I wake up craving it! I sure hope my family can put up with me for the next two months!! When I find out more about it, I will let you know!

Our Primary Program

2009-08-20T07:18:00.003-06:00

This is ONLY a rant - if you don't want to hear the ranting of a pregnant women - DON'T READ!! I was put in charge of our Primary Sacrament Program this year. It was suppose to be done at the end of October. I thought since I will be HUGE with baby and not much help, that I would write the thing. It was all my fault - I volunteered!! Well, now we are doing it in September and I still get to write the whole thing. You would have been proud of me - I finished it back in May! I have taken it out once a week and looked it over and fine tuned it, but it was DONE in May. I have sent email copies and hard copies to the Primary President and the other councilors OVER and OVER!!!! With no one leaving me comments. How the heck am I suppose to finish this if NO ONE will leave the comments!!!

So last Sunday I had a meeting with my Primary President. She tells me that the other girls think that there needs to be more substance in the program - more church doctoring. I have been asking for 3 months for peoples comments, and now, less then a month away, they tell me this! I told Karen that I tried to put substance into it - but THEY ALL said they wanted to hear the children's words - not an adults words!!! Most 4 year olds aren't going to talk with a whole hell of a lot of substance! Or at least mine doesn't!! Anyways - I don't think I will be at the meeting on Sunday - right now I have been in a very pregnant mood - BITCHY! And I haven't even gone off my meds yet!! I know it will all end up fine, I am just in a rant and ready to wash my hands of this program!! I don't want to say anything that I will regret later. Anyways, I need to get the girls up and ready for school!! They had a fun night with their daddy last night!! He took all four kids to the water park and they had 3 hours of pure fun!!!! Have a great day!!

Black and blue test cont...

2009-08-19T13:55:00.002-06:00

Well, I got on line and found out about my test. I am not sure what it means - but since I haven't heard anything from the doctor - that is good right?!? I failed the first two blood tests, but passed the 3rd one. What that means - I don't know yet! I don't even know how the test work or what they are checking - other then my blood sugar level.

So to celebrate (not knowing anything - but not having heard from my doctor!!) Dean took me and the boys to lunch at Wingers. Okay, I showed up at Dean's work at 11:30 - just happens to be lunch time for him - and he offered to take us to lunch! I even figured out how to get Danny to eat more of his lunch! I cut his chicken up into pieces and we kept counting all the pieces until he was down to 4 - how old he is!! He really liked this!! Deano doesn't need help, at least for lunch time to eat his food:)

Hope everyone is having a great day!!

Black and blue test

2009-08-17T20:38:00.002-06:00

I have to go to the hospital tomorrow morning and get the LONG diabetes test!!! I am not happy!! I have only passed the test with Danny at the doctors office. I have had to go to the hospital with EVERY other pregnancy! So, for some of you that don't know how this wonderful test works - let me tell you!!! First I have to be there at the hospital first thing in the morning - because I have to fast for at least 12 hours!!!!!! They will take a BIG sample of my blood and then I have to wait for the lab to tell me that I can take the NASTY sugar crap. Then once I take the drink, I have to wait for an hour and they take my blood again. Then I wait for an hour and they take my blood again - and then I wait one more hour and they suck the rest of my blood!! So, by the end, they have sucked ALL my blood (or so it seems!!) and my arms are black and blue from taking all my blood - and I haven't been able to eat for EVER!!!!!!! Okay, I might be a little crabby from not eating since dinner!! And yes it has only been 3 hours since dinner:) And I can't even drink my diet Pepsi!!!!! I can only drink water or black tea?!? Anyways - I am already planing and thinking of what I want to eat when I am done with all this!!

Anyways - I am sure everything is fine - but I will report back when I have heard something!!

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

2009-08-16T19:52:00.002-06:00

Sundays are the least 'fun' day for me!! Between getting everyone ready for church, getting through all of church, getting home, making sure the family has lunch, I usually have a 1:30 meeting that last 1-2 hours, Dean has a meeting every other Sunday, and then the house! The house ALWAYS is a mess by Sunday night!! Even after doing 'Saturday Chores', the house is a mess by Sunday night!! But, as the kids are getting older, we have been able to have naps at some point during Sunday sometime! Of course as I am writing this, Danny is having a melt down in the kitchen with his daddy! But, as a general rule, Sundays are getting better! With this pregnancy, church has been getting harder and harder to sit through! I have started taking a water bottle with me and a I end up fanning myself. Today, while sitting and waiting for the service to start, I hear the lady behind me say loudly to her adult child (who is there with his wife and children) that someone, took their usually spot. I would have to guess that would have been us! You can imange the thoughts that were going through my head and what I wanted to say to her - but I was at church, so I didn't even act like I heard her! Then when I am taking a drink from my water bottle - which I have with me because I get so hot, I have the problem of fainting!! - I hear the little boy behind me start crying every time because he wants a drink! Oh, the fun of church some days!! By the time ALL of church is done, my body is hurting! Three hours of sitting in chairs, NOT so good for the baby! I eat with the kids and hubby when I get home, and then off to my meeting, and then home for a nap. I just can't seem to get comfortable this whole time! I am just in pain! I even try taking a warm bath - baby doesn't seem to like HOT baths:) NOTHING is working!!! I finally ask Dean for a priesthood blessing! Why I didn't think of that seven hours ago!!! During his blessing, he asked for me to be able to have the strength to carry the baby to term - a concern for me lately - and that I would be able to handle the pain and feel better by tomorrow. I was hoping for right now - but by morning is good too:) With in about 5 min - I was able to breath deep again. I had no idea that I wasn't breathing well! I couldn't believe the difference!!!!! No wonder I was in so much pain - I wasn't breathing well!!!!! Since I have started breathing better - I feel great!! And the baby hasn't stopped kicking and moving around!!!!! I guess she is happy too:)

Well, it is shaping up to be another VERY busy week! Hope everyone has a great week!!

Can't sit still!

2009-08-13T13:58:00.002-06:00

I still have 12 weeks left - I don't usually feel like this until it is a lot closer to the due date!! I can't sit still!! I have been just running around the house cleaning and cooking and thinking what can I do now? I did finally lay down for about an hour, or else I know I will REALLY pay for it later with pain!! I just can't believe how crazy this is! I just feel like there is so much to do before the baby gets here!! I need another dresser, I need to finish the Christmas stockings, the list for the things to get done on the house is WAY long! So much to do and so little time!!

I found out the golfing trip we have started taking to Las Vegas (yes the one my dad puts on) is on Nov 17. IF I have the baby by Oct 29, the baby will only be 2 weeks old when we go!! Is that to soon to fly? I figure we can get tickets and if I don't feel ready to fly with the baby - then I can rearrange my flight:) It will be a nice trip - and I figure I could sit at home or at my parents house:)

The baby has been VERY active - maybe that is another reason I can't sit still. When I sit or lay still, I can feel how active she is and it hurts!! When I am walking and doing things, I don't feel her as much!! I washed all the blankets and clothes that she has so far yesterday! It was really fun to fold them - sure that will get old quickly!! And I got her a bag of diapers!! She even has a Halloween pj outfit - so I am ready:) I am sure that I was just as excited to meet the other kids - but I don't remember being this ready this soon! All though when I have a good contraction - I do think - Oh crap - I am SO not going to like this part!!!! It is going to hurt! I just hope to get to the hospital in time for drugs!!!!! But, we have my brothers wedding to attend to before this little girl comes home!! My brothers wedding is the week before the doctor said she will induce me!! YEA!! That will hopefully keep the labor off my mind:) Or I figure I will have a house full of family that can help watch the my other kids if I do go into labor!! YEA either way!! I would really like to be at the wedding - the baby can come ANYTIME after that!!

Today is the girls second day of school!! They really seemed to like it yesterday!! Ellen was dancing around the house this morning excited because of school! Lexi, while excited had a hard time getting dressed and eating breakfast before it was time to go!! I have to keep telling her - FOCUS!!! I have her making her lunch the night before and since last year she wouldn't EVER talk to the lunch lady's, I am making her get milk everyday! So far so good!! They both like their teachers. Ellen visits with her 4th grade teacher during recess. She really get attached to her teachers. But then again, during school time, she sees them more then she sees me!! I have not met her yet, but I am sure I will soon! Lexi's teacher is a younger girl, very cute. I told Dean that he should have gone. He gets a smile on his face and asked if he... well, you all know my hubby and can guess for yourself! Thank heavens he is all talk and no show - well, except for our 5 kids!!!!

Since my sister had her baby, I haven't watched her kids. But today I started watching the two older kids again. It is crazy how many MORE times I go up and down the stairs when there are extra kids here!! They were all VERY excited to see each other!! Sally said that Chas was up at 5am!! I put him down for a nap at 10am, his eyes were blood shot!! He didn't even make a peep!! The poor little guy! It have been almost 4 1/2 hours and he is still sleeping!!!! I keep making sure that he is alive! I think the kids only had one fight today so far!! It has been great!! I have missed having them around! The boys are so much more entertained when their cousins are here!!
Well, I think I am ready to move around again! Have a great day!!

First Day of School

2009-08-12T18:06:00.002-06:00

Today was the girl's first day of school! Ellen is now in 5th grade and Lexi is in 3rd grade!! I told Lexi that she had to buy milk/chocolate/strawberry milk EVERYDAY this year!! She wouldn't talk to the lunch lady's last year at all!! I decided we needed to work on that and get over the fear of talking to the lunch lady's!! And she did it today! She got milk and talked to the lunch lady's!! YEA!!! She loves her new teacher - who is young and cute. Of course all the teachers are looking younger and younger as I get older!! Ellen really like her teacher. She doesn't know anyone in her class - but she said she will make friends! She hung out with her 4th grade teacher during 1st recess. She is excited to eat lunch with her later this week! The girls even talked their dad into driving them to school this morning!! They have their daddy wrapped around their little fingers!! Me, I would have said the bus picks you up at 8:35!! I am so nice!! But I KNOW what the driving mess it will be! Dean was a little surprised:) I think all in all, it was a good day!!

What did I do all day with only the boys home?!? I had a doctor appointment at 8:15 am to start with. The fun diabetes test and the Rogam shot!! I am hoping I passed - I have only passed at the doctor office ONCE! And then it is to the hospital for the LONG 3 1/5 hour deadbeats test!! YUCK!!!! When I had Ellen and Alexis, I got the rogam shot in my butt - didn't hurt at all! When Danny came along - they started giving it in the arm - WOW!!! That hurts!! So when I had to get it with Deano, I asked my doc to do it my butt. She said it is harder to do because you have to pinch the area right about the butt and put the needle in at an angle. Personally, I am paying good money for this WONDERFUL shot, do it the way I want:) The doc did it my way - thank you!!! But now I have a different doctor - and the nurse said that they won't put the shot in the bum because of a nerve. I got it in my arm again. HOLY CRAP! That just really hurts!! And still does!!!! When I got home from the doc, I put on a COOL bandade - spiderman!! The boys liked that!!

Next we hung out in my bedroom and watched tv for awhile! It was wonderful!! We ran to Target for a few min and ran into someone from church. She has two small children. And boy did she seem friezed. I was coming out of the 'food' place. I have learned that if I get the boys a popcorn and slushy - they are happy until we get HOME!!! I love it!! Every time that I don't do that - it is usually HORRID!!! My girlfriend thought it was a great idea and would have to try it next time! Believe me - I did it on Monday with ALL four kids - and I turned into one of those mom's that smacks their kids at Target!!!! Dean was afraid I would be on the 5 o'clock news asking - do you know who this lady is?!? Well, thank goodness I wasn't! The rest of the day - I did 3 loads of laundry and just hung out with the boys!! I even got dinner made and eaten before Dean had to be gone at 5:30 for boy scouts!! I think, all in all, this was a good day!! I find out tomorrow if I pass the diabetes test - cross your fingers!!!

Good Food

2009-08-09T15:37:00.003-06:00

I hate to say it, but life does center around food a lot of the time:) I love to eat!! Saturday we took the kids to our local Wingers - one of the boys favorit eating places - besides McDonald's (which you can see out the window at Wingers!!) I tried a new burger - to me! It had wing sauce on it and onion rings. I wasn't sure I would be able to even get it in my mouth! It was so good! Dean just watched me eat the whole thing! It is rare that I eat 100% of what ever I am eating! I didn't eat all the fries - but it was so good!! When the waitress asked if we needed anything else I asked her if they were still doing the special where you spend $20 and you get a FREE dessert? She said they weren't and would be right back with the check. She comes back and with her head shaking yes, asked if we saw on the Wingers web site about a free dessert - of course we did!!! So we got a free one!! That just topped off the lunch!! It was wonderful!!! I came home and took a 2 hour nap!!! Me and baby were very happy!!! I don't think I ate dinner I was so full!!

For lunch I cooked up a steak fillet for Dean and me (it was worthy of Texas Roadhouse!!), with salad and mashed potatoes. Oh, it was wonderful!!!! After that, another 2 hour nap - celebrating a great lunch and church being done!!! After waking up, I decided it was time for some cherry pie! I was going to make one, but with it only being for Dean and me, it cost $3 for one can of pie filling - and I need two - and I can buy a pie already made for $4. Not quite as good - but good enough for this weekend!! Have I told you already that I love food!!

This week - on Wednesday - the girls start school!!!! YEA!!!! I am just a LITTLE excited! Back to a little bit of normal!!! YEA!!!! Ellen can't wait for school to start. She was ticked that her cousins in CO started school last week! She thought that was WAY unfair!! She LOVES school!! Lexi, she could care less!! If she knew everyone in her class - she would be okay - if it started at noon time:) She is not my happy early riser!!

One more thing that Danny has in common with his name sake - my dad. He was pacing the floor in our bedroom last night for some reason. And it reminded me that Sally said that dad would pace the floor in their New York apt. I thought, WOW, he is so much like his grandpa that it is scary sometimes!!!!! It is a good thing I love my dad so much - so I must love my little Danny tons too:)

One of my favorite times of the day is evening when the boys are in bed with me watching Curious George! I love it!! That is one of their favorite TV shows!! And I don't mind watching it with them - or as normal - fall asleep while they are watching it:) Hope everyone has a great week!!

Family Reunions

2009-08-05T19:00:00.003-06:00

We are back from both our family reunions!! First we went camping July 23 - 25 up at Dean's Grandpa's old ranch. Yes, I said camping! And no, I am not a camper!! But we all had a good time. Most of Dean's brothers and sisters and their families were there. The kids went on MANY a 4-wheeler ride with their daddy. And Uncle Van brought two of his horses - so the kids got to ride on those also! They went down to the creek with their dad and had fun doing that! They even had a movie night one night! I hung around camp and chatted most of the time - and at night - I went to bed early! I was so tired!! By the end of the weekend, I was VERY sore!!!! The bed decided to deflate half way through the first night! The second night I just slept on the ground with the boys. I don't think I slept much that night! We got back home on Saturday and Dean left for his Montana job on Sunday morning early. I then watched three of Angela's kids from Sunday - to Wednesday morning. On Wednesday morning - we left for Utah. I drove the kids down to my sister's house about 6 hours away. We left early in the morning and were down there by 1:30 ish. It was nice to get there before bedtime!! The next morning we headed out to Breckenridge, CO for the McLean family reunion. Thanks Donna for driving with us!! My brother in law Craig picked up Dean in Denver and brought him down for me!! Thanks!! It was a long drive and the baby was excited to not have me driving!! We unloaded everything and headed to one of the condos to meet for dinner. My sister's and sister in law and mom surprised me with a baby shower!!! I so did not see that coming!! I should have - but I didn't! I even saw two cakes on the counter and thought - that is nice, we will have dessert when we get back:) Yes, it was a long drive and my brain doesn't seem to work as well lately!! I got many cute outfits for the baby!!! Thank you!!!!! I even got a pink towel that is a hoodie one!!! How cute is that!! I was to tired yesterday - but today I got everything out and took tags off and kept showing the kids everything. I don't know why - but Deano and Danny didn't seem to care much:) except for some bath toys that Lonita gave me with the towel and washcloths!! I knew I would have to watch those toys:) We had a lot of fun on our trip!! Lexi had so much fun that she threw up the last night in the middle of the night! Come to find out, she ate most of a package of chocolate gram cookies and a little bag of brownies!! I told her something about learning self control - but she just reminded me how good they tasted!!! Kids!!! The weather was WONDERFUL!!!! In the 60's and low 70's!!! On Monday morning we started our trek back home! We did it in one LONG day!! The kids did pretty good and my body liked riding in the car much better then driving!!! We left about 8:30 and got home around 10! Not to bad with all the stops we seemed to make! We even bumped into my parents in Grand Junction for lunch!! We were turning at a stop light and Deano said Papa's car! I looked, and it really was grandpa's car!!! I called and we meet at Burger King! It was a nice surprise! I hadn't seen them that morning to say good bye - so that was nice! Plus, I hate good byes!! Sorry if I didn't say good bye to anyone - being pregnant - I am very emotional! Anyways - it is good to be home - and the kids start school next Wed!! I am counting down the days!!!

Baby is Dancing in Tummy:)

2009-07-22T15:58:00.003-06:00

I just ate a Twinkie - and a ho ho cake (to be honest!) and the baby is DANCING!!!!!!! I got done eating it - both of them - and I swear the baby girl did a FLIP! I can't wait to be able to see her!! When the doctor was listening to her heartbeat today, she said the baby has hiccups!! How cute is that!! Just wait until she is bigger and you can see it - the belly hiccups is what I call it!! I am 25 weeks and that means at the most - 15 weeks left:)!!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!

And to let everyone know that is coming to Mike's wedding - I will be off my anxiety meds at 35 weeks - so mind your manners around me:) I will be huge and non medicated:)!!!!! The doctor doesn't want the baby to have withdraws after she is born. And I don't want that either!! So, if I am a little CRAZY - more then normal - please remember that I have NO MEDS that are helping:) And just smile it off:) The next time you see me, I will be medicated - promise!!!

It has been a good day so far:) I had a doctor apt that didn't take to long:) And I cleaned the living room, kitchen, entryway, office and my bedroom. I have now gotten four loads of clothes folded and put away:) I have one more load in the washer and then I am done!!!!! Of course I need to clean the entryway and office again - Deano loves playing with his toys in there!!! And heaven forbid he cleans up some or plays in just ONE spot!! What fun would that be?!?

Tomorrow or Friday - and I am voting for Friday - we as a family are going camping - YEA!!! It is Bake family reunion time!!! I AM still medicated for that:) And I will have a LOT of diet coke on hand!!!!! It is in the 100's and it won't be any cooler up in the mountains where we are going!! YUCK!

But next weekend - we will be in Breckenridge, CO for the McLean family reunion!! And we won't be camping!!! The temp will be in the high 60's and low 70's with a 30%-70% chance of rain the whole time we are there! But I am loving the temp!!!!!!!!! What pregnant women wouldn't?!? What I am NOT excited about is driving down to Utah and then to Co with out hubby!! He will meet us there. I will have to stop often - the baby hates when I am driving too long - she doesn't like being smashed! Who would?

Hope everyone has a great week and weekend!!

GREAT DAY!!!

2009-07-21T20:08:00.002-06:00

Great day - Thanks to Uncle Mikey!!!!!! Dean had a doctor apt I went with him to at 2pm and Mike came and watched the kids - until close to 8 pm!!!! I can't remember the last time I have had a full 5 1/2 hours with NO children!!!!!!!!!!!! It was as close to perfect as I can get right now!!!! THANK YOU!!!!! And hubby took me to dinner and we sat around and just talked for awhile. It was so nice!!! I am so relaxed and ready for bed:)

New week

2009-07-19T15:30:00.002-06:00

It is Sunday and hubby got home yesterday! It was WONDERFUL to see that hubby was home safe and will be here until next Sunday - then back to MT. But, don't worry - he didn't change while he was gone:) I left for church this morning, on time with only Ellen! I think Dean could see how frustrated I was and he told me to go ahead and he would bring the rest of the kids with him! I was going crazy! It was REALLY nice to sit at church with only one child for a while! I was able to collect my thoughts and be a better mom when the rest showed up. And, Deano just had to sit on my lap or be right next to me the whole time! I really don't know what he is going to do when this little baby comes and doesn't have mommy 24-7!

Had a really nice and fun BBQ with Sally and family, Mike and Allison, and Mom yesterday (yes my family was there too!) When all was done and everyone left, Ellen did the dishes - THANK YOU!!! And I took a sleeping pill, got the boys into the bath and sent Dean in there to finish. I slept great!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have I said how nice it is to have hubby home and not worry at night!?!

We did a teacher improvement meeting today during primary - and I was a little stressed about that! I have been thinking about it for three weeks - I was to talk about discipline with the children. I said a LOT of prayers, thought about it a lot, and then just went with it today! I didn't write anything down, or stress TOO MUCH! And it went really well - or at least I felt it did! We have the sacrament primary meeting coming up in Sept - so that is my next big project. I wrote the whole things with help from the primary kids - and I am getting input right now from the other girls in the presidency -we will see how it goes! After that is done, it is smooth sailing until the baby comes:)!!

Specking of baby - she is getting big! Deano still loves to talk to her and give my belly hugs and kisses!! I made her a few more blankets this week - and yes I know that she really doesn't need anymore blankets!!! I got a present in the mail from Jeni this week - a playpen!! It has a bassinet and changing table on the top part and it is in girly colors!! When Dean came home and saw it in the living room, he just looks at me, do we really need it up already? Well, that way baby Charlotte has somewhere to sleep if she gets out of my arms or Ellen's when she is here. Plus, I put all the blankets in there too! Every time I look at it, I really can't believe that I have a little girl coming! I know my belly is getting bigger - but it is hard to believe that a little baby girl will be what comes out!!!! You would think I would be use to this by now!

I thought about my little nephew Calvin today - as I do most days! But we were in church singing in Sacrament, Come, Come, Ye Saints, and all of a sudden we come to the fourth verse:

And should we die before our journey's through, Happy day!
All is well! We then are free from toil and sorrow too;
With the just we shall dwell!

I just couldn't stop crying! I hadn't been thinking about Calvin, but it sure hit hard when I did! Ellen put her arm around me, she is such a good little daughter! Well, maybe not so little anymore! There are quite a few songs that really hit me and make me cry. Not always sad tears, sometimes, just tears and other ones are happy tears. I do miss Calvin very much, and even with our knowledge that we can see him again- yes that helps - but it doesn't help the ache that I feel in the heart. With our McLean family reunion coming up, it will be a fun one, but a sad one. It is the first one we have had with out the 'whole' family there! I am sure he will be there in spirit - knowing Calvin, he wouldn't want to miss out on the fun! I just want Calvin to know how much he is still loved - and always will be! I miss you, and hope everything is going well up in Heaven. And hopefully you didn't teach this little baby girl to many tricks to play on her parents:) Love you buddy!

Hope everyone has a great week! I will be camping at the end of the week for the Bake family reunion! Not a big camper me - but hopefully all will work out!

Craft Pictures

2009-07-14T14:04:00.005-06:00

I have been just a sewing machine lady lately! I have made blankets, blankets, and more blankets!! I got more material today to make two more blankets!! I have 3 1/2 months left, so hopefully I don't make to many blankets:) Yes, as you see - blankets are what I can sew. Dresses, clothes, and all the other stuff just scares me!!!

Here is my very first quilt that I have made!! I think it turned out really good! I made the front of the quilt before I knew what we were having.

So I added flower flannel for the back and that way it will be soft for the baby!

Here is a blanket and burp cloth that Lexi made for the baby! Thanks Lexi!

Here is the 1st picture of the 'tag along' blanket. It is so easy to make once you get the hang of it:)

This is the 2nd picture of the 'tag along' blanket. I saw this online and thought how cute!!

This is the VERY cute blessing dress that Aunt Donna sent for the baby:) Thank you!! It came with a bonnet and little gloves!!

Aunt Donna also sent this diaper bag for the little one! I love it too!!

I made this blanket - first time doing the satin finish around the edges! I love the bright pink and black colors together!!

This is the front of the blanket.

Pregnant how much longer?

2009-07-13T17:36:00.002-06:00

Deano and I ran into Dean's work for a few min today to say hi to Daddy. One of Dean's sweet co-works saw me and she asked me how much longer I had until the baby came. I told her about 3 1/2 months. She just looks at me! Holy cow! Have you ever thought about how long you have been pregnant when you add it all up!?! Hello! Who wants to think about that when you ARE pregnant!!!! I thought about it and said by the time I have had this baby - I will have been pregnant 45 months total! That so did not sound right!!!!! But it is!!!! That is 3.75 years!!!!! WOW!!!!! I was right - I don't want to think about that right now!! Got to love co-works!

Saturday is the day we get ready for hubby to come home:)

2009-07-11T16:01:00.003-06:00

Yes, my hubby is home!! Taking a well deserved shower - thank you!! He had a good - but very long trip he said! On Monday they got to the start of the trail around 5:30 pm. They hiked half way - about 4 miles. Then on Tuesday they hiked another 4 miles and were going to keep going to the next lake before making camp. Well, about 2 miles into their next trek - one of the boys slipped and fell. He hit his head pretty good and banged up his knee. Things got bad really really quick Dean said. They gave him a blessing, and packed him back down the 2 miles to the other lake. Set up camp and he was doing much better. They ended up camping there the rest of the time. Dean said on Wed he woke up to the camp being in fog, then the sun came out, then it snowed 2 ft, then the sun came out, then it hailed about 1/2 a foot, then the sun, then it hailed again! Holy cow!! Thursday Dean and two of the other leaders (there were 6 leaders) went up the mountain to another lake - made it half way up the mountain and Dean said a thunderstorm rolled in. Lightening stuck close enough that Dean ran (would have liked to see that!!!) back down the hill staying as close to the ground as possible. Then the rain and lightning and thunder came! They just sat in there tents praying they wouldn't get hit by lightening!! He said the other two leaders stayed up on the mountain and went up and over the mountain and then that is when the storm hit them. The were huddled down low on a cliff hoping that the lightening didn't hit them!! They should have came down when Dean did! Thank goodness my hubby has smarts - sometimes:) They decided to pack out on Friday some of the way since it took them two days to hike up there. They made it the whole way down on Friday and camped. They headed home on Saturday and were home by about 3:30pm!! It sure is nice to have my hubby home for a few days!! I missed him tons!! He said the baby grew (the one in my belly mind you!!) Yes, it is true. She keeps getting bigger! I had my cell phone on my tummy this morning and she kicked it!! I saw the phone move!!! Deano was sitting right there too and looked at that and then at me. He was surprised!! He still talks to my belly often and we found her a blanket that is just like Deano's, but in pink and girlie colors! He loves to put it next to my belly for her while we are watching cartoons!!!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Thursday

2009-07-09T08:35:00.003-06:00

Wow! I know what a boob I am for missing my hubby and he is only going to be gone a short week!!! There are so many people that have their loved one away for months, even years to war! But, I am a boob - I really miss him!!! He comes home on Saturday in the evening sometime! And I can't wait to see him!!!!!!!!! He will be home for three VERY short days and then off to Wolf Point - his Montana job. He will be there - taking a commerical flight this time:) from Wed till Sat. Then he will be home for a week - which includes a Bake family camping trip with most of the Bake's there. Then Dean leaves on Sunday back to Wolf Point and will meet us in Breckenridge, CO for the McLean family reunion on Thursday! Yes, that means I am driving the kids out to Breckenridge without my hubby!! I will drive down to Spanish Fork, UT on Wed and meet up with my parents, Donna and family, and Sally and family. My mom is going to drive with me from UT to Co and Dad said he will take a kid or two with him in his car - Hum, LEXI! I know it will be fine - but being 26 weeks pregnant at the time and with four kids and no hubby, it does make me a little nervous. I figure it is a 6 hour trip down to UT, I will stop every two hours to walk and go potty - that only makes two stops - not bad. And the same to Co, 6 hours and hopefully only two stops!! The little baby girl doesn't like it when I sit for too long! She already has a little attitude! I have started to wonder what she will be like when she gets here! After seeing Sally's little baby - it makes me excited to see my little girl!! Holding that little baby girl, makes me wanting to hold my own little one! I know, in time!! She is still cooking:) I can't believe that she will be here in less then four months!!!!!! Excited and scared at the same time!! I will have 5 kids! Holy cow!! I never really thought about how many kids I wanted - but 5 just sounds like a lot of kids!!!! I love each one of them so much, I can't imagine what life would be like without them! Well, now that the hormones are making me want to cry - I will let this go! I love my family!!

Tuesday

2009-07-07T14:04:00.002-06:00

Another day without Dean home! It is going pretty good. Deano decided to stay up and keep me company until about midnight - too long of a nap!! Then Danny came in around 2 am because of a bad dream and then Lexi came in right after that - she is starting a little summer cold I think and she slept on the Lazy Boy. Once she got back to sleep - there was no coughing!! And Danny feel right back to sleep. Of course, with everyone coming in to try and sleep with mom - it woke the baby up and after she was done kicking and moving around, she finally went to sleep too!!!

Today we got up and had breakfast quickly and then headed off to see the 'free' movie!! We went to the downtown theater this time. Not as many kids at that one - VERY nice!! We went and saw Nims Island. Good movie - all the kids watched it! For a treat I got the popcorn and pop meal. I bring extra cups so that we can put the popcorn in it for each of the kids - that way we don't have to pass the bucket around!! Then we met Grandpa and Uncle Mikey for lunch. Thanks dad!! Now we are at home - had a cookie and Deano is down for his nap, Ellen is on the other computer, and Danny and Lexi are playing on the X Box. Mommy is writing this and watching tv and relaxing!! I am not as sore as yesterday!! I think the chairs at church just kill my body the more pregnant I get!!!!

Monday, Monday, Monday

2009-07-06T15:44:00.002-06:00

Mondays suck! Not really, but Dean is gone:( He is gone till Saturday late sometime for a high adventure! I am glad that he is going and helping other boys make memories. (okay, that didn't sound very good - but I ment it good!!) I have gotten to the grocery store and my chiropractor and I am watch Bonnie and Chas. Making dinner and a cake and taking over to Sally's for dinner. But since Dean is gone and my parents are coming into town - I am going to eat dinner over there too!!

For some reason, I am so sore today!! My legs and butt are just killing me - like I worked out or something yesterday for hours!!!! I took a bath in the 'big' tub and that felt good!! Thank you Dean!! And a diet Pepsi!! That always helps!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow I am taking the kids to the 'free' movie and maybe lunch!! I was thinking Wed I could take the kids to the zoo - it should be fun - and the weather should be cool!! Thursday I am not sure what we will do yet or Friday - but I know I will think of something:) Saturday we will be going out to Grandpa and Grandma Bake's house for 'July 4' celebration and Grandpa's birthday!! FUN times!!! Ice cream and cake and fireworks!! YEA!!!

Friday with 8 kids

2009-07-03T12:42:00.002-06:00

Yes, you read that right! I have my four and Sally's two and my sister-laws two!! Count that and it is 8 kids!! I just got them all feed and the little ones put to bed and and the big ones are watching a movie. Maybe it will be quite for a few min!!!!!!!! And my sweet hubby got me Arby's - at my request:) I am so grateful!! BUT, I would have been even more grateful IF, the pop was to the top, the curly fries were to the top, and the special cherry turnover he got me, wasn't 3/4 eaten:) But he didn't get anything for himself because he didn't feel like Arby's:) So, thank you for getting it JUST for me!!! I do love you to death!!

Sally had her baby yesterday!! What a cute baby!!! Holy cow!! She is VERY cute!!

Jackson

2009-07-01T18:40:00.002-06:00

Are you as TIRED as I am about Micheal Jackson!!!!!! He is dead - he might have had some fun songs - but come on - he was NOT a good person (I don't think!) And I am SO tired of hearing about him!!! Now they are saying that the two kids that were his - aren't even his!!! Anyways - there is my two cents!!

3rd Day of Summer

2009-07-01T15:51:00.002-06:00

This is our 3rd day of summer break! Yea!! It started great!! Deano and I were the only ones home!! We both slept in until 8:30am!!! It was wonderful! We just hung out at the house and I even showered:) We meet Dean at Wendy's for a quick lunch and off to get the rest of the gang at Auntie Cha Cha's!! They had fun - didn't want to come home!! I asked Cha Cha if they really had too:) The boys feel asleep on the way home and slept for a while longer at home. I love nap time!!!!!!!! It is NOT often that both fall asleep at the same time!! And the fun began with Lexi already too:) After her time was up on the computer, she didn't want to get off it!! And with Ellen breathing down her neck, things always get worse!! She got grounded to her room for 2 hours - until dinner!! Oh the drama!! She just came up and cried and cried about how hungry she is and that she is dieing of hunger!! Poor little girl! Back to her room I sent her! Tough love! Told her she will get dinner really well! Now, what should I cook for dinner?!? It will be a good summer!! I am just tired of her back talking and the way she tries to treat me sometimes!! If it doesn't stop now, it never will. Oh the drama! She just came back up all happy and excited thinking it was time for her to get out of her room!! Poor girl, cry some more when I told her I said 5pm! Oh, sometimes it isn't so much fun being the mom!!

On a REALLY good note - my sister Donna got me a blessing dress and diaper bag for the baby! They are really cool!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I love them!!!!!!!! I will put up pictures - well someday!! I still haven't found the charger for our camera battery!! It might just be time for a new camera!!!!

2nd day of Summer Break

2009-06-30T15:07:00.002-06:00

Today is the 2nd day of summer break! Yesterday we hung at home and did housework and rested from the weekend (or at least I did!!) Today I took the kids to the 'free' movie that plays on Tuesday and Wednesday every week durning the summer. It was great! We meet Angela and three of her kids there. The movie was a little big for Danny and Deano - it was Inkheart - but they even did good!! Then my three oldest went home with Aunty Angela - or Cha Cha, as Danny calls her:) I was left with just the baby!! Yes I know, he really isn't a baby and I have another one coming in four months! But he is still my baby!! We went and picked Dean up and went and had Mexican for lunch!! Oh it was good!! I have been craving Mexican - but wasn't sure if the baby would like it:) So far so good!!!! It was SO GOOD!!!!!!!! I finished my plate before Dean even!! I could have kept eating - but I know when to stop:) Now little Deano and I are hanging out watching tv in bed!! I love resting!! I was so tired yesterday that I went to bed at 8:30pm and ONLY woke up once in the night!!! That was so nice!!!! And Deano has been sleeping thur the nights really well for the last month or so! It is nice!! Danny still wakes up to go potty a couple times a week in the middle of the night. And I do have to get up or have Dean get up and make sure he makes it into the bathroom, remembers to put the lid up and take his clothes down:) He really isn't awake!! But at least he isn't wetting his bed:) Too bad that Deano has NO desire to use the potty yet!!

Hope everyone has a great day!! I am:)

Hubby, Hubby, Hubby!!

2009-06-27T12:09:00.002-06:00

Hubby had his first meeting in MT for his new job up there on Thursday. Dean, and three other guys from work - including the boss! They chartered a plane and pilot to get them there since it is out in the middle of NO WHERE!!!! Great place to be with a pregnant wife:) Anyways! I had a bad feeling about hubby leaving, but didn't say anything - I figured it was just me being pregnant! HORMONES!!!

Little did I know - as you can read on his facebook page - they ran out of gas - or so the thought! The pilot just didn't flip the switch to the other tank. Anyways, they had an emergency landing on the highway between mountains. Needless to say - they flew the rest of the way and home with a different company.

I am so thankful that Dean is safe and the rest of the guys are too. Thank goodness! I don't want to raise four and half kids by myself!! I love you so much hubby!!