Ladybug's Baptism ~ Abu Dhabi

After Church and the Church pot-luck we headed out to Abu Dhabi for Ladybug's baptism. She was baptized a Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 1st (and currently only) LDS building in the Middle East! We are so grateful that my mom was able to come all the way from Arizona to be with Ladybug! I wish I had my camera when the 2 little ones saw grandma in the car after I picked her up from the airport. They were so SURPRISED! I am impressed that I managed to keep here visit a secret from them for so long! We are also grateful that many of the members of our little Al Ain Branch (a small unit of the LDS church, similar to a ward) made the almost 2 hour drive to support Ladybug as well.

We are very proud of Ladybug and her decision to be baptized. Her daddy performed her baptism (she had to be "dunked" twice as her little toes tried to escape the first time) and her confirmation. Unicorn gave the talk on baptism and Grandma gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. She had members of the Primary (organization for children) Presidency give the prayers and the songs she choose were: "When I am Baptized" and "I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ". The children from our Branch also sang a special song, "Families Can Be Together Forever". It was a really nice program.

Monkey, Ladybug, and Unicorn

Daddy, Ladybug, Monkey, Unicorn, and Me

Grandma and Ladybug

If you want to know more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just click HERE!

Happy 7th Birthday Ladybug!

Seven years ago today I woke up early, went to the hospital, got checked-in for my scheduled C-section, had the monitors put on (to make sure I wasn't having too many or too strong of contractions), got prepped, chatted with the doctor, got my spinal and at 7:30 am (right on time) Ladybug entered the world. She was born at 38 weeks.

After Unicorn's scary entrance this was a welcome change (little did I know that this was going to be my only "normal" delivery as Monkey's entrance was going to be an adventure as well).

Ladybug's Favorites

Color: Pink

Sport: Bowling

Game: Star Wars Angry Birds

Season: Summer

Meal: Oatmeal

School Subject: Math

Book: Junie B. Jones

Sweet Snack: Hot Tamales

Salty Snack: Chips

Ladybug Today

I am 7.

I believe in Jesus.

I wish that we could go camping.

I have Star Wars Lego Tree House.

I know 6 + 6 = 12.

I can ride a bike.

I hope I get lots of toys.

I want money.

I will learn to read really well this year.

I remember how to tell time.

Ladybug's Stats.

At birth: 6 pounds 4 ounces and 18.5 inches

At age 5: 35 pounds and 3 feet 8 inches

 

 

March in Review ~ the good and the bad

It was a very LONG month. Everyone in the family got sick (colds and flu) and someone was sick for almost every day of March.

We did school the best we could. We took many days off. Doubled up some days. Daddy had spring break (he is a high school math teacher) so we took some more days off. The kids tested out the pool (on the days they weren't sick). A friend's dog had puppies and the kids are so excited that we are getting one (we don't know which one yet because we are 2nd in line to choose). We are hoping for the itty-bitty girl (far right) or the little boy with a strip on his head (2nd from the left). They are Chihuahua and Cairn Terrier mix and about 2 weeks old in this picture.

We got a new air conditioner. YIPPEE! Last year we had 3 summer electric bills that bordered on $600. Mind you, our home is only approx. 2000 square feet. So, this year we used our tax return to buy a new air conditioner and hopefully have some normal sized electric bills this summer. (We are in the Phoenix, AZ area so A/C is a MUST as temperatures between 110-120 are normal).

New A/C ready to go on the roof

Hole in the ceiling ready for the new return.

New return in place.

New A/C installed.

Old, inefficient A/C ready to leave!!!

Then, to end the month, were two tragedies. My cousin committed suicide (Monday the 25th) and a close friend of our family lost their daughter to an accidental shooting (Thursday the 28th). (PLEASE don't judge either of these families. They are good families and don't deserve judgement from us. Judgmental and/or mean comments will be deleted). I am very sad as I write this as I was unable to make it to Idaho to be with my family for my cousins funeral today. It just makes a terrible thing worse. 

Happy 13th Birthday, Unicorn!

It is hard to believe that it has been 13 years since Unicorn made her "exciting" entrance into this world! I wish I remembered the day but, I was unconscious and having seizures due to eclampsia. She was born 7 weeks early via emergency C-section. I went to sleep Monday, February 28, 2000 and the next thing I know it is Thursday, March 2, 2000, I am in the hospital and no longer pregnant. Unicorn was born Tuesday, February 29, 2000 at 5:47 pm. She was 3 pounds 11 ounces and 16 inches long. We were both in pretty bad shape but, we pulled through!

Unicorn's Favorites
Color: Purple
Sport: Swimming
Game: Monopoly
Season: Summer
Meal: Stringy Mac
School Subject: Latin
Book: All Books
Sweet Snack: Candy Cane
Salty Snack: Saltines


Thoughts from Unicorn
I want to be remembered for being kind.
The most interesting thing about me is I was born on Leap Day.
What makes me special is my red hair.

Unicorn Today
I am 13.
I believe in Heavenly Father.
I wish mommy liked cats.
I have my own BLOG (click HERE to check it out)!
I know I want to be a fashion designer when I grow up.
I can sew.
I want a cat.
I will be helpful this year.
I remember when my mom would put a pillow under my head when I was throwing a fit so I wouldn't hurt myself on the tile.

Unicorn's Stats
At birth: 3 pounds 11 ounces and 16 inches 
At age 13: 73 pounds and 4 feet 7 inches

The Hospital, Flooding and Shopping (Oh My)!

I know it has been awhile since I have posted here. A lot of what has been happening here has been very personal so I have been posting on my private family blog. However, I do want to share with you a little of what has been happening and give you a sneak peek at what is to come here!

Earlier this week, Ladybug got pretty sick. She had been fighting an urinary tract infection for a couple of days and then took a sudden turn for the worse and ended up in the hospital. Here is the short version: she was given an antibiotic shot and then threw up (we believe from the trauma) and got herself admitted into the hospital (up until she threw up they were talking about discharging her). They put in her IV. It was horrible. It took them 2 tries and 45 minutes and she was very upset that they were digging around in her veins! The hospital we were at is not set up for pediatrics so she got to ride in an ambulance to the Children's Hospital (an hour and a half away)! At this point it is 1am the next day! She spent all day Wednesday in the hospital as was released on Thursday around 11 am! She is doing much better and almost back to normal!

When I called my dad in Minnesota Wednesday morning to tell him what happened he told me they were trying to get from their little town to Cloquet to some family members who were flooded. This is the town where I grew up! I have never seen anything like this there. Here are some pictures my dad sent.

The Swinging Bridge at Jay Cooke State Park a few years ago

What is left of the Swinging Bridge at Jay Cooke State Park after this week's flooding!

Moose Lake Campground

On a lighter note, Unicorn is growing like a weed and we needed to get her some new clothes. Ladybug and Monkey also got a couple things.

SNEAK PEEK: In the next week or so I hope to update our About Us page, to show you what our new school room looks like and to give you an update on our Summer Bucket List!

Ladybug is 5...

(going on 15...but that is a story for another day)!

Five years ago today I woke up early, went to the hospital, got checked-in for my scheduled C-section, had the monitors put on (to make sure I wasn't having too many or too strong of contractions), got prepped, chatted with the doctor, got my spinal and at 7:30 am (right on time) Ladybug entered the world. She was born at 38 weeks.

After Unicorn's scary entrance this was a welcome change (little did I know that this was going to be my only "normal" delivery as Monkey's entrance was going to be an adventure as well).

Ladybug's Favorites

Color: Pink

Sport: Swimming

Game: MarioKart Wii

Season: Winter (because that's when Christmas is)

Meal: Oatmeal

School Subject: All of them!

Book: Mr. Finnegan's Giving Chest

Sweet Snack: Chocolate Cake

Salty Snack: Chips

Ladybug Today

I am 5.

I believe in Jesus.

I wish I had a trampoline.

I have lots of books.

I know how to read.

I can play.

I hope I get a trampoline.

I want lake that has fish in it so we can fish.

I will learn to snap.

I remember 5 + 5 = 10.

Ladybug's Stats.

At birth: 6 pounds 4 ounces and 18.5 inches

At age 5: 26 pounds and 3 feet 3.25 inches

Happy 3rd Birthday Monkey!

I can't believe that is has been three years since the adventure of Monkey's birth and I DO mean adventure! Let me give you the short version . . .

April 14, 2008 (34 weeks)

     I start having some really weird pains (*note 1 - I had never been in labor before - my first 2 children were C-sections). So I call the Dr. and they tell me that if the pain continues or worsens to come see them the next day.

April 15, 2008

     The pain is still there so I go to the doctor and they do an exam. I was starting to dilate but not soften so they told me to go home and rest but if the pain continued or got worse to go to the OB Triage at the hospital. (*note 2 - I was already on bedrest so more rest seemed impossible; *note 3 - I live an hour from the doctor and hospital so I drove 1 hour into the doctor, an hour home and...) As the day went on the pain/pressure continued and got worse. I decided to take a bath (under the assumption that it was false labor and a bath would slow/stop things)...OOPS...things started picking up so at 10pm or so we woke up the girls and called my mom to meet us somewhere between our house and the hospital. My mom took Unicorn and Ladybug to her house and hubby and I went into the OB triage.

After a call to my OB they got me into an exam room quickly and started monitoring me. Yep...34 weeks and in labor! They gave me a shot of terbutaline and my blood pressure dropped, they flipped the exam table  so I felt like I was on my head and whipped out the smelling salts and declared me allergic to the stuff. So much for stopping my labor and going home...I was now being admitted to the hospital and hooked up to magnesium. (*note 4 - I HATE MAGNESIUM! I was on it with my first baby and it wasn't any better the 2nd time around).

April 16-27, 2008

     Labor breaks through magnesium, nurses stop labor, doctor comes in and says "if you break through again have the nurses call me and I will deliver you",

     labor breaks through magnesium, nurses stop labor, doctor comes in and says "if you break through again have the nurses call me and I will deliver you", change IV, draw blood,

     labor breaks through magnesium, nurses stop labor, doctor comes in and says "if you break through again have the nurses call me and I will deliver you",

     labor breaks through magnesium, nurses stop labor, doctor comes in and says "if you break through again have the nurses call me and I will deliver you", change IV, draw blood, OVER and OVER again!

     Now, I know those AMAZING nurses were just doing their jobs but this got old real fast. I had already had a preemie (Unicorn 33 weeks, 3 pounds 11 ounces) and I was SICK of the magnesium.

April 27, 2008 (36 weeks)

     Dr. comes in and I ask him what it will take to have this baby ASAP! I didn't want him in trouble with the medical board but the nurses were not going to call him and I couldn't take another week on the magnesium. He said the only way he could justify it was to have an amniocentesis and check the baby's lung development.

April 28, 2008

     Amniocentesis done at 7:00 am and C-Section scheduled for 5 pm. They expected to have the lab results by noon. Results finally came in at 4:30 and the Dr. called and asked if I still wanted to do the C-section today or if I wanted to wait until the morning? UMMM...Really?...TONIGHT! So, Dr. showed up a little late but at 5:54 pm Monkey was born. 5 pounds 4 ounces and 18 inches!

Today:

    Monkey is a very intelligent and healthy LITTLE boy. He is 26 pounds and 3 feet tall. He loves "Thomas the Train", "Dinosaur Train", "Cars", "Dora the Explorer", "Go, Diego, Go" and all the "Leap Frog" movies. He loves to play with his cars, trains, letters, animals and sisters. He is a VERY PICKY eater! He will only eat noodles, pancakes/waffles, hotdogs, Fruit Loops, Go-Gurt and milk (we are working on this)! He is a very good little boy.

I LOVE YOU, MONKEY!!

Happy 11th Birthday Unicorn!!!

It is hard to believe that it has been 11 years since Unicorn made her "exciting" entrance into this world! I wish I remembered the day but I was unconscious and having seizures due to eclampsia. She was born 7 weeks early via emergency C-section. I went to sleep Monday, February 28, 2000 and the next thing I know it is Thursday, March 2, 2000 and I am in the hospital and no longer pregnant. Unicorn was born Tuesday, February 29, 2000 at 5:47 pm. She was 3 pounds 11 ounces and 16 inches long. We were both in pretty bad shape but we pulled through!


Click here to read the rest of the post from my family blog.

My Students...

It is Student Photo Week on the Not Back-to-School Blog Hop!

I have 3 students. First up is my first-born, first preemie and miracle child (it is a miracle she and I both survived her birth) but that is a story for another time. Unicorn is 10 years old and in the "5th" grade. She is an excellent reader and loves to ask questions. Unicorn has had many challenges in her life and has had some delays in her learning. She is very intelligent. She reads at a 7th-8th grade level but struggles in Math. Here are a  couple pictures of her:

Unicorn and her catepillar

Math time

Cooking for the Family

Next up is Ladybug. She is 4 years old and my only full-term child! She is VERY smart and funny! She is in her second year of preschool and amazes me daily with how much she knows. She will probably move on to kindergarten work shortly after Christmas! She is a very verbal child. When she started talking it was in full sentences! Her favorite part of school is when we make projects. Here are a few pictures of her:

Ladybug making faces for the camera

Posing for the camera

Practicing her counting

Last, but not least, is my other preemie! Monkey is 2 years old and is one of the calmest boys I know. His tantrums are pathetic compared to the ones his sisters throw and he is very easily redirected. Monkey is starting his first year of preschool this year and is loving it! He is learning to sign and he loves to do projects with his sisters!

Monkey making faces for the camera

Painting

Resting at the Casa Grande Ruins

Well, that is my crew! Now, hop on over to the Not Back-to-School Blog Hop to meet other students!