I cannot believe what a difference more children and a few years make when having another child!
I have always had easy pregnancies, and this one is no exception, but...I'm always tired! I fell asleep on the couch around 6 last night and two hours after I got up this morning I couldn't keep my eyes open.
I've been tired the other times I was pregnant but I didn't have four children to take care of nor was I 29. Friends of mine that had babies before and after turning 30 have told me how much of a difference their age made in the way they felt but I never understood...until now.
I cannot keep up with the house. The laundry is a mess. If I get it washed, that's if here people, then maybe I'll get it folded, but even if it's folded, it probably won't be put away. The dishes, whoa, they are something else. I NEVER get them done the same night and wake to a full load in the sink in the morning. Grrrr! Clutter, clutter everywhere.
I did move the kids' toys to their bedroom. They were all in our living room (we have a tiny house and it had seemed like the best place for them at the time) but after moving things around the kids' room (one room for all four, can we say cramped) it's opened up my living room some. I still have all flat surfaces covered with papers, crafts and odds and ends, but I just don't know how to tackle them.
Even with all this, I'm loving this pregnancy. Every little kick and movement, every thought of holding this precious bundle in the future, anticipating the bonding between baby and daddy (always special for me to watch)...I love it all and cannot wait.
Just 1-2 months left. I figure my due date is around July 26th but I've always gone two weeks late so I'm planning on August. If I'm early or "on time" it'll be a lovely surprise and if I'm late, not disappointment. I figure it's win/win.
Everybody is hoping for a girl except me. I'd love one and wouldn't complain if I had another little girl, but there is something so very special about having just Abigail and I be the only girls in the family. Girls can be more sedate than boys which would make things easier around here in the early years, but adding in another rambunctious boy could mean an easier time of teen life. ;) So we'll see.
If we have a little girl she'll be Zoe Zipporah and a little boy would be David Jeremiah. Tim picked the girls name so I got to pick the boys. It will be interesting to see who God blesses us with!
14 June 2010
27 May 2010
Baby #5
I can't believe I'm finally writing about this. We held off on telling anyone I was expecting our 5th child for so long while WE got adjusted that now it's hard to believe almost everyone around us knows and it's coming soon!
So when am I due? In about 10 weeks, end of July but I've always gone around 2 weeks late so I figure August. We started telling people really just 2-3 weeks ago. There were a few people that have watched me closely over the last few months since all my babies are close wondering if another would come along, and those people suspected but otherwise most everyone else had no clue.
I've always wanted a large family, particularly 5 babies, but after our 3rd we thought we'd be done...however we never did anything permanent to prevent them. Each have been a welcome surprise though a surprise none the less and though this was the biggest surprise of all, it is indeed an exciting one. However, at first we were in shock. Like many people today, we're facing a tough financial situation and the idea of one more baby is pretty daunting.
The first person we told was Tim's sister. She'd had her last one back in September and I needed maternity clothes in a bad way since I'd gotten rid of all mine. Then we decided that instead of announcing it like we have with all the others, we'd just wait till people started noticing and had to ask. It's actually been pretty funny to watch people's reactions.
The last person I told though was Tim's mom. As of yesterday morning he still hadn't told his parents and being that I'm going on my 8th month, I figured it was getting pretty ridiculous, so I told her.
I know, we're weird like this.
So my children are all excited. They love touching my tummy to feel the baby move. They've already have names for it, be it boy or girl since we always leave it as a surprise. Not once have we found out what we were having...it's pretty fun. Caleb is sure it will be a girl and Abigail would love to have a sister, but Ben is hoping for a boy, Zechariah of course doesn't care! I just love watching them learn to love this baby before it's born.
Come July, or August, this will be the ages of "all my children" (no I do not watch that, never have):
Caleb - 7 (May)
Benjamin - 5 (6 in October)
Abigail - 4 (June)
Zechariah - 2 (3 in December)
Baby #5
WOW! What a blessing!
Blessings,
Jacquie
So when am I due? In about 10 weeks, end of July but I've always gone around 2 weeks late so I figure August. We started telling people really just 2-3 weeks ago. There were a few people that have watched me closely over the last few months since all my babies are close wondering if another would come along, and those people suspected but otherwise most everyone else had no clue.
I've always wanted a large family, particularly 5 babies, but after our 3rd we thought we'd be done...however we never did anything permanent to prevent them. Each have been a welcome surprise though a surprise none the less and though this was the biggest surprise of all, it is indeed an exciting one. However, at first we were in shock. Like many people today, we're facing a tough financial situation and the idea of one more baby is pretty daunting.
The first person we told was Tim's sister. She'd had her last one back in September and I needed maternity clothes in a bad way since I'd gotten rid of all mine. Then we decided that instead of announcing it like we have with all the others, we'd just wait till people started noticing and had to ask. It's actually been pretty funny to watch people's reactions.
The last person I told though was Tim's mom. As of yesterday morning he still hadn't told his parents and being that I'm going on my 8th month, I figured it was getting pretty ridiculous, so I told her.
I know, we're weird like this.
So my children are all excited. They love touching my tummy to feel the baby move. They've already have names for it, be it boy or girl since we always leave it as a surprise. Not once have we found out what we were having...it's pretty fun. Caleb is sure it will be a girl and Abigail would love to have a sister, but Ben is hoping for a boy, Zechariah of course doesn't care! I just love watching them learn to love this baby before it's born.
Come July, or August, this will be the ages of "all my children" (no I do not watch that, never have):
Caleb - 7 (May)
Benjamin - 5 (6 in October)
Abigail - 4 (June)
Zechariah - 2 (3 in December)
Baby #5
WOW! What a blessing!
Blessings,
Jacquie
06 May 2010
Motherhood Changed My Life
My little lovesWith Mother's Day coming up it's made me think a LOT about how my life changed after my first child was born and then changed still more after each of the other three.
At the time Caleb, my oldest, was born almost seven years ago I was such a selfish person! I was a full-time employee of a large telecommunications company, able to work from home when I wanted. I slept in till about 8:30 just about every day during the week (I know it's not super late, but it was better than the 6:30 I'd have to get up on days I went into the office!), I ALWAYS got a full nights sleep, and ate hot meals if that's how they were supposed to be. I was reading a new book all the time, able to sit uninterrupted through Sunday School and our main worship service every Sunday, not to mention restaurants. Tim and I saw movies often and traveled a lot. I showered daily, fixed my hair and put on makeup. I felt pretty.
But after Caleb it all went down hill. No sleep, no showers, no hot meals, not much time out. I tried resisting, but really, when you have a new little baby there's only so much you can do about these things. Eventually I gave in and accepted my lot :D We were still able to make a few trips, Southern California when he was an infant.
When Benjamin was born, just a mere 16 1/2 months later, I already knew what to expect so things were "easier". However, while one baby didn't create that much more laundry or maybe it did but everything was so small so I didn't notice as much, adding in a second one made my head reel! Where was it all coming from? Every time I turned around there was a mountain in my laundry room that I needed to climb! Oh yeah, lets not forget that by this time Caleb was sleeping through the night so again, midnight feedings with Benjamin were my undoing! Still wanting to travel, we did make it to Puerto Rico though!
Then it happens again and about 20 months later, comes Abigail. Her daddy's joy! At this time, I have a 3 year old, an almost 2 year old and an infant. We're not sitting through much, be it church, restaurants, or what have you, but again, we did still manage a trip to New York City! However, my house is now ALWAYS a mess. Toys, toys, toys, everywhere. Pictures and creations that need to be saved that I'm not so great at putting away were cluttering up my tables and other flat surfaces. Cheerios and cracker crumbs all over the floor. WHAT happened?!?!?! Oh yeah...three kids real quick.
18 months later, here comes Zechariah who I lovingly call my terror of all terrors. I'm almost positive someone gave him an energy drink IV in the hospital, most likely one of those Monster ones! Caleb, Benjamin, and Abigail were all so full of energy which I know they got from their daddy, but Z by far is the worst! He keeps me on my toes like no other. With the other three I feel like I had a little bit of down time. They all played well alone or together. Zechariah? You better not leave him alone! He was the first one that prompted me to put the kitchen garbage under the sink. The others stayed out of it, but oh no, not Z. Same with the toilet. EWWWW!!! I never bought a toilet lock when Caleb was born and never needed one with the others either. Z? It was his favorite place to splash :( Thankfully he's finally outgrown that one! I have to keep a constant eye on him. He's my climber, pincher, hitter, toy grabber, temper tantrum thrower, doesn't want to sleep in his own bed child! Oh, and he doesn't like to keep his clothes on either. Still not wanting to give up traveling, we did make a trip to Japan. Quite a trip, but I'm tired just thinking about it.
I snuggle with these runny nosed, dirty faced urchins. I kiss their grubby cheeks and hold their sticky hands. My clothes usually have some kind of spot from various things being wiped on me and their clothes don't always match. I read them the same stories over and over and over and over and over, and did I mention over and over again? Same thing with their videos. I can sing every song in our BOZ video, the theme song to Phineas and Ferb and I know almost every line of Cinderella. I mop up after bath time and get up to walk 1 or 2 of them a night downstairs to the bathroom because they just needed that "one last drink" and...I'm a pushover.
I may not always get a shower, don't always have clean hair let alone get to fix it, I don't wear makeup except on Sundays when I go to church or if something special is happening during the week, or I just want to look nice for Tim. I wake up every night for something or someone, or have an extra body in my bed. I don't see too many movies unless they can be rented and I'm well acquainted with my microwave to reheat my dinner, often after the kids are in bed. I've learned to read my books fast, usually skipping a few parts I don't have time for, and I wake up at 6:30 to get Caleb ready for school.
But my children are loved and I know they love me! I feel beautiful right where it counts. I have a special purpose and that's to take care of them and do my best to raise them knowing what is right and wrong in God's eyes and yet teach about the grace and mercy shown to us so we can show it to others. I have so many roles in their young lives, from cook to doctor to teacher to supporter to enforcer, and more. And I wouldn't change anything. I cherish all the moments we've spent together and I eagerly look forward to the time ahead of us.
These have been the best 7 years of my life.
Well, maybe I would change a couple things...get more sleep and I'd have a housekeeper!
22 April 2010
T-Ball Started
T-Ball finally started and I'm so excited! I love sports and as long as my children WANT to participate I'll encourage them to try them out. Currently my oldest is the only one able to play and he was the one I thought least likely to enjoy sports, but let me tell you! That kid's been amazing!
So maybe there is a bit of bias here, but still he has surpassed my expectations. I just wanted him to have fun and try his best, but he's proven to be pretty athletic. Soccer was a huge hit with him. He's fast, good at getting the ball away from others, and has pretty good aim when kicking into the goal.
Basketball I KNEW would be harder. We'd play soccer outside as a family, but basketball we never tried. However, by the end of the (short, seemed like only 2 weeks) season he was making baskets which were the real baskets on their lowest setting. I thought they were going to use those plastic play hoops that adjust up and down, we're talking kindergarten here, what did I know?
Now we're into T-Ball and he's hitting off a pitch most times. Again, this was not a sport we'd tried at home. He's also getting pretty good at catching and has a great arm when it comes to throwing. One thing that I love, love, love too is that he pays attention. I've always thought it cute when you get those little guys out in the field and they're all off looking at the grass, up into the sky, or at another player close to them. Caleb's done a great job at each sport paying attention to the coach and where the ball is.
I think part of his attention comes from the swimming lessons Tim and I had our kids in since they were each 10 months old. Their teacher was great about instilling in them the need to pay attention to her and their friends when it was someone elses turn!
So with T-Ball we spend Tuesday and Thursday after school at practice, and soon it's going to be a game once or twice a week. It's been so nice because it gives my younger children something different to do on those days too. Speaking of which, it's time to get ready to get up there!
So maybe there is a bit of bias here, but still he has surpassed my expectations. I just wanted him to have fun and try his best, but he's proven to be pretty athletic. Soccer was a huge hit with him. He's fast, good at getting the ball away from others, and has pretty good aim when kicking into the goal.
Basketball I KNEW would be harder. We'd play soccer outside as a family, but basketball we never tried. However, by the end of the (short, seemed like only 2 weeks) season he was making baskets which were the real baskets on their lowest setting. I thought they were going to use those plastic play hoops that adjust up and down, we're talking kindergarten here, what did I know?
Now we're into T-Ball and he's hitting off a pitch most times. Again, this was not a sport we'd tried at home. He's also getting pretty good at catching and has a great arm when it comes to throwing. One thing that I love, love, love too is that he pays attention. I've always thought it cute when you get those little guys out in the field and they're all off looking at the grass, up into the sky, or at another player close to them. Caleb's done a great job at each sport paying attention to the coach and where the ball is.
I think part of his attention comes from the swimming lessons Tim and I had our kids in since they were each 10 months old. Their teacher was great about instilling in them the need to pay attention to her and their friends when it was someone elses turn!
So with T-Ball we spend Tuesday and Thursday after school at practice, and soon it's going to be a game once or twice a week. It's been so nice because it gives my younger children something different to do on those days too. Speaking of which, it's time to get ready to get up there!
21 April 2010
Husband Turned 40!?!?!
Holy Cow! My husband turned 40 yesterday!?!?!? He wasn't so pleased and didn't really like the idea of it, but I think today is going much better for him. At the very least I'm excited for him! It's a big birthday!
I'm planning a surprise party for him in two weeks. I can say this because he never reads my blog :). I'm hoping, hoping, hoping, he feels much better about it by then or at least sees his friends that have already reached 40 and feels better knowing he's not the only one! I'm looking forward to it so much.
The number changed but he's no different than he was the day before yesterday, so I can't say I understand the way he feels. I haven't gone through any of these big milestones yet, but I just don't see myself as one that cares about getting older, finding grey, or noticing some wrinkles. With four kids, I figure I'll have earned every bit of it...then I can blame it all on them!
I'm planning a surprise party for him in two weeks. I can say this because he never reads my blog :). I'm hoping, hoping, hoping, he feels much better about it by then or at least sees his friends that have already reached 40 and feels better knowing he's not the only one! I'm looking forward to it so much.
The number changed but he's no different than he was the day before yesterday, so I can't say I understand the way he feels. I haven't gone through any of these big milestones yet, but I just don't see myself as one that cares about getting older, finding grey, or noticing some wrinkles. With four kids, I figure I'll have earned every bit of it...then I can blame it all on them!
18 March 2010
Everything Public Nothing Private
We hear so much about celebrities - what they're working on, where they've gone to, who they've talked to, etc. But it makes me so mad that details of their personal lives are splashed across the front page of newspapers, headlined in magazines and can be top stories on news shows.
I realize there are people out there that thrive on shows like Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood, need their copy of People magazine, and google celebs on the computer, but I don't get it. I hate watching those shows, I can't remember the last time I looked at one of those magazines, and the last celeb I googled I did so because I was looking for a hairstyle.
I enjoy hearing about what they're working on but really people, I don't need to hear about the latest marriage breakup! Why can't these people dealing with an unfaithful spouse, something so hurtful, do so in private? Do we have to know exactly what the "other woman" looked like? Do we need to know what their occupation is or how many children they themselves have? Do we need to know what their actions were or how everyone is dealing with it?
My goodness, are we so depraved that we thrive on the failure of people that seem to have it all? I'll be the first to tell you the last thing I want to see is the marriage of one of my favorite movie stars fall apart but really, do we need all the nasty little details? Let them sort it out, let them hurt or be angry in private.
Leave them alone.
I realize there are people out there that thrive on shows like Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood, need their copy of People magazine, and google celebs on the computer, but I don't get it. I hate watching those shows, I can't remember the last time I looked at one of those magazines, and the last celeb I googled I did so because I was looking for a hairstyle.
I enjoy hearing about what they're working on but really people, I don't need to hear about the latest marriage breakup! Why can't these people dealing with an unfaithful spouse, something so hurtful, do so in private? Do we have to know exactly what the "other woman" looked like? Do we need to know what their occupation is or how many children they themselves have? Do we need to know what their actions were or how everyone is dealing with it?
My goodness, are we so depraved that we thrive on the failure of people that seem to have it all? I'll be the first to tell you the last thing I want to see is the marriage of one of my favorite movie stars fall apart but really, do we need all the nasty little details? Let them sort it out, let them hurt or be angry in private.
Leave them alone.
A{nother} Good Day
My house is still cluttered but I figure it always will be. All the flat surfaces have papers and stuff on them, the couch and rocking chair have laundry to be folded, and it's really not very attractive but...everything else is clean!!!
I got my living room and dining room vacuumed, swept, mopped, kitchen swept and mopped, and the bathroom was swept, mopped, swished, and scrubbed!!! I just cannot believe it!
I almost wonder who's taken over my body because it just CANNOT be ME! Oh well.
Oh my goodness, my husband said the most wonderful thing to me. To me it is HUGE! I've been praying about a decision at church but held off talking about it with Tim because I wasn't sure how he'd feel. I've been the head of a ministry at our church for quite some time and have wanted to step down for a break but I worried he would encourage me to continue for "just a little longer" since we're a small church with few that want to take on this specific ministry.
But wow, when I mentioned it he was in total agreement and completely supportive. I was shocked! I worried and struggled over this for some time and praise God, it was for nothing! I married a wonderful man! I was so sure God was telling me that stepping down at this time would be OK, and getting such a different answer from my husband than I expected confirms to me that it was indeed where God was leading me.
Leaving this ministry will not be 100% easy but is 100% necessary right now. I'm so thankful for a loving God and a caring husband!
I got my living room and dining room vacuumed, swept, mopped, kitchen swept and mopped, and the bathroom was swept, mopped, swished, and scrubbed!!! I just cannot believe it!
I almost wonder who's taken over my body because it just CANNOT be ME! Oh well.
Oh my goodness, my husband said the most wonderful thing to me. To me it is HUGE! I've been praying about a decision at church but held off talking about it with Tim because I wasn't sure how he'd feel. I've been the head of a ministry at our church for quite some time and have wanted to step down for a break but I worried he would encourage me to continue for "just a little longer" since we're a small church with few that want to take on this specific ministry.
But wow, when I mentioned it he was in total agreement and completely supportive. I was shocked! I worried and struggled over this for some time and praise God, it was for nothing! I married a wonderful man! I was so sure God was telling me that stepping down at this time would be OK, and getting such a different answer from my husband than I expected confirms to me that it was indeed where God was leading me.
Leaving this ministry will not be 100% easy but is 100% necessary right now. I'm so thankful for a loving God and a caring husband!
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