Craziness is a good word...

So relating to Melodie and her stress...here is mine: Our rental house has ants...not just a few here and there...a BUNCH in the kitchen and front door area and a few here and there in the bedrooms/bathroom!! Raid isn't working and neither is a bug bomb...so my g'ma Stenzel is sending me an "ant plant" to put in certain spots that they are coming in at to see if that works...I guess the whole town is being invaded with all the rain that we have been getting but still! YUCK! Oh and the boxes of stuff have overwhelmed the small space making room for only paths to each room...literally!! So Bob told me to call my mom & dad and see if they wouldn't mind me and the boys crashing for a bit...so here we are in LaCygne. Thanks again mom & dad! Oh boy do we owe them BIG...just not sure how to repay someone for something like that! Stress!

So then we found a house we love in Burlington and we put in an offer and after many counters we finally agreed on a price and are now going through the process of getting our loan approved, etc...our house in Warrensburg should close on the 19th of this month and then we can move forward with the house in Burlington which is scheduled for a closing on or before the 30th of June. Stress.

Oh and then there is money. Which is draining quickly with having mortgage/rent, dual electric/water bills, good faith payment, storage unit (small house not big enough for our stuff) & random things that you have to buy in between. Oh and of course the driving back and forth from Burlington to Warrensburg...GAS SUCKS! Stress.

Did I mention that my husband and I are not living together and haven't really since he got his job back on the 21st of April!! And won't be until our new house closes probably. Stress.

Mother's Day was nice. Bob gave me a gift certificate to Old Navy and said congrats on my weight loss and told me to buy some new clothes! How sweet! I am now down 25 pounds! And two sizes! :-)

Here is the link to the house we are trying to buy:
http://www.anewrealtyllc.com/content/listdetail.html/58516811?proppos=3&ag_id=3448353&startpos=1&endpos=10&ids=66887000,54270905,58516811,62588006,66318948,62678389,59987598,54472146,65913456,64462636&propertyCount=28

Blogger Out!

Not sure when I will get a chance to look at Blogs again or write one for that matter. Internet will be down after tomorrow and our computer will be all packed up today! The movers just called me and they will be here in about an hour so I am trying to get all my loose ends tied up. I had to pack up clothes/diapers for Camden and some toys for Decovin, he is currently staying at my mom & dad's house while the movers are here...thank you again mom! Camden is with me and he is being good so far (knock on wood). I think I pretty much have everything I want set aside done. The only thing I might have an issue with is our last minute bag(s) of trash as our last trash pick up is today. Maybe our neighbor will let me give them my last bag. :-) I also will be depositing some frozen goods to her too...if she wants them that is! :-) Hopefully everything goes smoothly today. I am not looking forward to this evening when Camden and I have to sleep on the couch...well, he can sleep in his swing...but I get the lumpy couch. ha!

Well, that is all I can think of right now. Oh we did go to the zoo yesterday. Decovin & Camden's first time! Decovin was interested in all the animals but they only caught his true interest when they were RIGHT up against the glass by him. The chimps were the best! :-) I am not sure when I will get a chance to upload those pics so just imagine the cuteness. Ok, love to all and hope to see you all again on here soon!

Getting up early SUCKS!

I have come to determine that since I have had kids that I am STILL not a morning person, even though they make you get up anyway! This morning, at 4:50am, Camden starts to stir...I quickly get up to pop the pacifier as this will usually help him sleep an additional hour or so if I am lucky! Phew! Got it! Then no sooner than I get back to bed Decovin is crying?! What in the world?!? Ok, so I go in there and tell him it is still "night-night" time and that he needs to go back to bed which he didn't like but usually after hearing this from one of us he will eventually fall back asleep...NOPE! This went on for over thirty minutes before I got up to get him a drink of water and then I decided I better hop in the shower while I can...when I get out of the shower they are both crying/stirring...can't a girl get some time to herself in the morning?! Guess not! Needless to say, I'm tired and my eyes are BURNING! All I can say is thank goodness for coffee!

Oh and to date I have now lost 20 pounds exactly on Weight Watchers! Which means I have lost 10% of my weight! WHOO HOO! I would ultimately like to lose an additional 40 pounds but we will see. Just taking it a day at a time!

Romeo & Juliet & Cousins

So Jeff & Marianne babysat the boys last night while Amanda & I went to her beau's high school play that he was asst. director of. They did Romeo & Juliet. I wasn't expecting much since it is Shakespear and usually the language throws the young ones...even I get confused sometimes. So I was quite impressed when everyone knew their lines and did a great job! There was even some funny moments too! All and all it was a good show!

Jeff & Marianne said the kids were all really good and they all played together really well. Yay for cousins! Decovin ended up sleeping in the same room as Katrina, they had their first sleep over! :-) It was super cute when I got up with Camden at 6:30am and as I am coming down the stairs I see Decovin & Katrina sitting side by side watching cartoons together! It was the cutest thing EVER! I am glad they get along so well! I only wished I had my camera! Blast!

We are planning to do a bbq picnic later this afternoon outdoors! Should be fun!

I heart Google

I look forward to holidays and google...they are so creative with their artwork. :-) Even on no-big-deal holidays like today, Earth Day...if you read this today, the 22nd of April, Earth Day 2008, then go to www.google.com and see their artistry at work. I don't know why I look forward to it, but I just do. :-) A little something to look forward to.

So did anyone else get woken up at 4:30am by the VERY LOUD thunderstorm?! It was hailing and POURING down HARD! I couldn't believe that it didn't wake the boys. It was the loudest storm I can remember! Just the rain hitting the windows, pavement, etc was loud enough to wake me up and then the lightening and thunder just added to it. It was insane! I am still shocked as to how we didn't lose power!

Sad am I

Well, Bob moved down to Burlington today. I am all alone with the kiddos. He starts work on Monday and we won't move down there until the 6th or 7th of May b/c that is when the movers are coming. So there you go. I'm sad, and lonely, and busy, and I need to clean my house before the "open house" tomorrow! Oh and b/c I am sad and lonely and depressed a bit...I really could care less how the house looks right now. And I hate that feeling b/c I am usually pretty anal about preparing for said events. Especially since I have no idea how many people will be coming to look at it. I really want someone to give us an offer soon. That would be nice wouldn't it? Still trying to think positive on that one! :-) Well, if you too are bored and lonely...give me a call or pop by for a visit.

Oh and I need to know who all wants to get their hair cut/colored/pedi/mani, etc. one last time and when so I can arrange baby sitting, etc.

Here's your blog...

Volunteer work...
I don't mind volunteer work, in fact, I used to volunteer for things ALL the time especially in 4-H, etc...Even when I worked at UOP...I did things for the community with them as sponsors...I will even volunteer to help do odd jobs around my parents house if they need the help...like painting...don't mind it...so I volunteered! :-) Now, I do have a problem when I am volunteered without my knowledge and guilted into doing something for a family member...it feels so dirty and doing the said volunteer work then becomes a chore instead of a delight...I hate that feeling...but because I am a family member I will probably do it anyway...but Grrrrr...I would have rather been asked and then volunteered my time...but instead the time has already been set up and planned and we are expected to be there. *sigh*

Crazy Busy

I don't feel busy until I stop and think about all that still needs to be done before we move...and then I can't breathe. So then I try to stop thinking about it and then I feel anxious like I forgot to do something! I hate that feeling...oh and our house is still for sale...fyi...maybe someone will be interested when the weather warms up...*sigh*

So Camden is doing MUCH better...he is back to eating 5 oz in a sitting and can actually breathe without too much trouble...I didn't have to give him a breathing treatment today which was a first or suction him out! I just realized that just now sitting here typing...WOW! He really is doing better! Here are a couple of pics from when we were doing his breathing treatments:

Decovin is much better also...an occassional cough here and there but not too bad. He has also learned that when he coughs to use the back of his hand to cover his mouth...it is really cute! LOL! Grandma entertained Decovin with the Alien headband while she stayed with us after we got back from the hospital...

******************************************************************

Bob's "V-Day" has come and gone. We will no longer be able to have any more children! We are definitely done! The Veterinarian says he will be fine in two days...heh!

What a week...

Sunday: Went to Burlington to check out one last housing option to rent...lucked out and it will do. It is small & old, but it is cheap and will work until our current house sells and we can find another one. :-)
Bob's parents watched Camden & Decovin for us and Decovin had already been coughing and stuffy nosed and Camden had JUST started coughing the day before but not bad...he wasn't eating a whole lot but I figured it was just b/c he didn't feel good...no big deal. We take them home and go to bed.
Monday: In the wee hours of the morning (4:30am), Camden wakes up and I try feeding him...he gets down 3 oz. before he throws it all up everywhere b/c he was choking so bad on his snot...had to change him, me and bed sheets. He goes back to bed and we all get up at 7ish...deciding I need to call the doctor to set up an appointment for him. 7:30am, I call the appointment desk and they can get us in at 8:45!
Ruthie is at our house b/c we were supposed to go get our hair done but I couldn't go so she held Camden for me while I hopped in the shower. While I was in the shower, Decovin throws up all over the couch and himself...great! I get that cleaned up and the boys ready to go out the door. I grabbed both the boys a change of clothes just in case. THANK GOODNESS! I no sooner get on the highway and I hear wretching in the back seat...Decovin is throwing up all over himself and everything on the floor board with his amazing projectile-like vomitting! I pull over on the side of the road, in the rain, and try to wipe him up as best as I can until we can get there...I decide against changing him right then for fear he will just do it again and the fact that the car seat was now wet...awesome.
So I rig up a walmart sack under his chin and tell him to use it if he is going to get sick again (like he knew what I was saying/asking...ha!)...on the road again...at this point I call Bob immediately and tell him to COME HOME NOW! I was supposed to actually pick him up from work that evening b/c he was turning in the government car he was borrowing since he is all done recruiting now but it wasn't going to be until late because it was "mission day" (meaning the last day of the month to get as many people in the NAVY as possible for that month)...and you just don't leave early on Mission Day...but he figured out a way to get home, thank goodness!
Ok, so I get to the base and I park in the "15 min" parking b/c I am: 1. late; 2. I still have to change D's clothes b/f we go in; and 3. I just didn't care if they towed my car at this point! I get D changed (while standing in the rain...again) but I don't get his shoes on b/c I am running late so I just threw those in a bag and carried both boys in!
They get us in pretty much right away. They take Camden's stats and information and then the doc shows up and says that he is dehydrated and will need to be hooked up to an IV to get some forced fluids. They can do this in the office and send me to the "treatment room" where they then proceed to poke Camden 5 times (twice in the head and three times in the hands) before giving up on the IV idea. They have me try just bottle feeding him. Well, he is so exhauted from crying from them poking him that he won't even wake up to eat...so then they try syringe feeding him...this sorta works and he gets about 20cc's (which is like nothing...a couple teaspoons I think they said)...they tell me, sorry, he has to be admitted to the hospital and has to be transported via ambulence per their policy! Great. So about 2pm, I think, we were on our way to Children's Mercy South in Overland Park, KS. It took the ambulence like 2 hours to come and get us...since we weren't a real "emergency"...fun times I tell ya...
Decovin, all the while, was sitting on the floor next to me about to fall asleep (which, if anyone knows D, this NEVER happens...he really wasn't feeling good!)...Bob got there finally and spent most of his time cleaning up the car and car seat as best he could before Decovin had to sit in it again. He also moved my car from 15 minute parking (which the male nurse that weighed and measured Camden took care of for me so I wouldn't get towed...bless him!) and then switched the car seat into the Jeep. He came back in and took D home so he could get some rest and apparently he threw up one more time in the Jeep on the way home...poor guy! He was fine after that though...he slept for awhile and then he was pretty much back to his old self apparently.
Christy, Mom, Dad, & Amanda came up to the hospital that night and Christy & Dad ended up driving to Warrensburg. 1. So Christy could stay with Decovin while Bob went to work the next day and 2. so dad could go and get my car off base and bring it up to me at the hospital along with some clothes. Mom stayed with me while they did all this.
They all go home and Camden & I stayed at the hospital. They had to deep suction him a few times throughout the night but they said he was getting better.


Tuesday: The doctor finally rounds around 9:45am and states that he has to stay another night b/c he has to be "deep suction" free for at least 24 hours. Great. I only had Bob pack enough clothes for one day and Christy already took a personal day to watch D for us...so back up mom & dad came and they drove out to Warrensburg to drop mom off and Christy stopped by the hospital on her way home to give me more clothes. I really have an awesome family that will pull through no matter what...not many people can say this.
Wednesday: We are released from the hospital a little before noon and we head home. I called my doctor on base and set up a follow up appointment (per hospital's request) for the next day. Good thing too b/c Camden was really snotty throughout the night and we had little to no luck sucking out the snot that plagues him.
Thursday: I leave mom home with Decovin while Camden and I go to his doctor's appointment. The doc says he is still a bit "rattlely" in the chest and so she prescribed a nebulizer/breathing treatment. She told me to use saline first and see how that works and if it is still not getting the snot loose then to use the medicine she prescribed instead. I got home and set up the nebulizer and mom gave him the breathing treatment and afterwards I was able to suck out quite a bit and then he napped the rest of the afternoon. Poor guy is just tuckered out!
Friday: Let's hope it is uneventful shall we? LOL!
Sorry this was so long...just wanted to document my week for future reference. Thank you again to Christy, Mom, & Dad for driving all over and back and for watching Decovin, etc....love you!

Something in the air...

Last night Camden slept for 8 1/2 hours! YES! Maybe it was because he went to his 8 week appointment yesterday and decided he was a big boy after getting his first set of shots! One can only dream! LOL! It was nice though, I'm not gonna lie! But I am still exhausted...waking up at 5:30am is not my idea of "fun"! LOL! But, I'm not complaining!

So he is now 12lbs 3oz. and 22 3/4" long and these are both in the 50th percentile...his noggin is just like his daddy & brother's...BIG! It is in the 75th percentile...he'll grow into it! LOL! Take some cuteness:

Easter has come and gone

So we spent Easter with Bob's side this year...it was fun and the food was good too! Decovin & Camden were spoiled rotten (*sigh*) and came home with an extensive amount of candy (which I choose not to eat due to my diet and needing to fit into a bridesmaid dress by June 21st) and Easter baskets...like seriously I think between the 2 of them they came home with 8 baskets of some sort. YIKES! We need to set some limits!!! OY! It was like Christmas in March!

Onto a different subject:

Bob & I went rental house shopping in Emporia on the Saturday before Easter with little to no luck. The price range that we were trying to stay under (and what we thought would have been reasonable considering the area we were looking in) was apparently the "ghetto" listings...the first home we viewed we pulled up and I didn't even want to go in...Bob said not to judge a book by its cover so we went in and then almost immediately turned back after the smell and size of the place...our King Size mattress would have had to go in storage b/c it wouldn't have even fit in the living room! Onto the house #2...it was O.K. but very outdated and needed some work...next! House #3...all I need to say here is cockroach infestation....NEXT!!!!!!!

House #4, near "gang park"...MOVING ON!!!! House #5, in a nearby town, was doable but it was also really old and outdated and needed some patchwork here and there on the walls and not to mention there was only one bathroom and you had to SQUEEZE between a small wall and the sink to get to the tub...it was even hard for ME to get through there! I had to turn sideways! Plus it had a weird access door from the stairs to get to it...awkward! House #6, the guy showing us around apparently doesn't have the keys to it but was hoping they "left it open"...WHAT???!!! Next...House #7, quote from the agent: "The owners are actually trying to sell this place but I bet they would rent it out"...OH. MY. WORD.! House #8, home-fry tells us, "I don't have the keys to this place either but it was in the paper and the owner used to be a pharmacist so it should be cute inside"...WHAT THE F***?!?!? See ya later weird real estate agent man, who reminded us of Harry Carey by the way! OY!

So then I remembered there was a house on the outskirts of town that another agent told us about but at the time I thought was too high in rent...so Bob suggested we go look anyway...the guy told us it was an old schoolhouse converted to a house and they owners built on an addition and turned it into a duplex...so we go in and it is clean at least, it is weird though b/c it was an old schoolhouse there is a "stage" and that is where the kitchen/dining room are...the carpet is old school (hehe) and a different color for every room, but it would work, plus the basement is HUGE and has LOTS of storage...so this is our best option of all the ones we looked at for the day.

Then we drove down to Burlington to see if there were POSSIBLY anything available there for rent (there is an outage going on right now so a lot of them our being rented out currently to the outage workers...figures!). So a real estate agent was nice enough to give us a tour of the town and we find some brand new apartments for rent but they weren't open so I gave them a call on Monday to see if Bob could view them on Tuesday (since he had his physical then, which he passed) and come to find out AFTER Bob waits on the lady for 2 hours to return from her lunch break that they are low income housing!!!!! Thanks for letting me know that when I was on the phone with you STUPID WOMAN! Last chance is this Sunday, we are going to view a house that a local narcotics cop is renting out...he is currently "fixing it up" and says it looks terrible from the outside but that we are more than welcome to come and see it...so cross your fingers that it is livable b/c it would be ideal to live IN Burlington so Bob doesn't have to drive an hour round trip everyday on top of working a 12 hour shift.

Ok, I'm done...

Crossing Fingers...

We have two appointments coming to view our house today and tomorrow! Let's hope we get an offer! Wouldn't that be nice?!

Doctor anyone?

These are just cute:

Decovin after a chocolate chip cookie:

Camden wearing G'ma Long's crocheted hat:

*****************************************************************************

So I have been in and out of doctor's offices since Friday trying to get all my last minute stuff taken care of...Friday was the dentist...no cavities...whoo hoo! Monday was my 6 week post baby check up, everything is fine! Monday afternoon was my eye appointment, no change but my glasses were a bit old (~5 years) and they had scratches on the lenses and my sunglasses were just as bad if not worse. So I bought new ones on Tuesday after my regular doctor appointment on base for my peeling fingers that I haven't been able to get control of since about mid-November! She called it some kind of dermatitus and I am to put on a steroid ointment first followed by lanolin (the stuff you are supposed to put on your nipples while breast feeding) and then white gloves and I am to minimize my exposure to water...which to her means only washing my hands twice a day if possible. (GROSS!) So I had to buy latex gloves to change the boys' diapers and to use when I use the bathroom also. Gloves are also required for dishes, etc. *sigh* Fun times.

Anyway...enjoy my new glasses:

Our House on MLS

http://ginger.reeceandnichols.com/Public/Listing/ListingDetail.aspx?Search=10399383-404f-4e42-8b72-7e5334486fd9&Listing=29444345&Image=1&First=1&Last=10&pagesize=10&Sort=6&SearchType=&ListingDistrictTypeID=&FirstLetter=&Cookies=

A Rush of Sadness

So the real estate agent dropped by yesterday and we signed paperwork to get our house on the market to sell...she took pictures and said it should be on the market by sometime today??? We shall see, I will send out the link as soon as I know.

Today, after all the cleaning has been done and all the stress to get to this point is over, I finally relaxed a bit. Then I realized, this is the first home my boys have ever known and Decovin has been here long enough to know where things are...like silly things such as the silverware drawer...he knows where I need to go to get him a "poon"...he knows where HIS bedroom is, where the bathroom is, where everything is! *sniff*...just thinking too much I think. I never thought I would be so sentimental about a home.

Man, my girls HURT!

So I've decided to start the weening process off of breastfeeding and man are my boobs BIG and painful! I figured I should do this now so that by Saturday I am able to bowl with ease...hehe! I don't need 3 bowling balls, thank you very much! So I just have to get over this hump and soon be back to normal! But until then, OY!

Also, our Real Estate Agent is coming over Wednesday afternoon to take pictures of the house and we still aren't ready! I still have to fully clean the extra bathroom and vaccuum all the floors + stairs and clean the kitchen floors and the landings at the base of the stairs! All the while keeping the other rooms that we have cleaned clean! This is really tough with a toddler! My kitchen, I think, is the hardest to keep clean b/c it is used SOOO often. Anyway...I have a lot to do today so I better get off of here and hop to!

The only way to get sleep...

Is to put Camden in bed with us. *sigh* He will actually sleep longer than 2-3 hour stints...hmmm

More about me...

• I love the smell of my babies heads...I just want to sniff it all in and eat it!
• I love gummy smiles from a newborn...the way their lips concave and make such a cute dimple...why can't it be that cute when we lose them later in life?
• I love little button noses and little ears.
• I love the little fingers and little toes.
• I really love watching Decovin run from the changing room to the bathtub...his little tush makes me laugh.
• I love that we gave Decovin a playmate, too bad he doesn't play with him yet. hehe!
• I mostly love that I don't have to be pregnant ever again! I wish I could say I enjoyed being pregnant but really, it was just painful and uncomfortable...
• I love that we named our children after people in our family...it seems so traditional, yet we were still able to make them unique.
• I love sleeping babies, just wish it was for longer periods of time. :-)
• I still love butt paste
• I love change but fear it at the same time.
• I love that family is so close and am scared to lose that.
• I love TV and hate it at the same time...
• I love Spring and wish it would get here sooner than later.
• I love to shop but wish I had more money to shop with. :-)
• I love having plans for the weekend.--this weekend should be a blast!
• I love that we had a mini family reunion at my house last weekend
• I also love that no one mentioned how dirty my house was to my face. :-)

That's some more about me...thought I would try to keep it on the positive side today. Today is going much better than yesterday. :-)

Still not sleeping well...

Except for Decovin we are all up in the middle of the night! Bob is nice enough to help me out and swap with me occassionally throughout the night. We are still not seeing a good sleep pattern yet, but are hopeful in the next few weeks he will start to sleep better as he gains weight. Currently it is still only a maximum of 3 hours of sleep. The 5 hour sleep only happened one time!
He confuses me, he will be well fed (will have just eaten 5 oz.) and diaper is dry but still cries a lot...I wouldn't call it colicky but it is really hard to have him "awake and happy." I can remember with Decovin we could put him anywhere and he would generally be happy and alert and carefree. Not the case with Camden. We can't hold him all the time so sometimes we get to listen to Decovin yelling over the baby crying while Bob and I are trying to have our own conversation! It can get really loud in here at times and really stressful! My lack of sleep gets the better of me sometimes and I am one cranky individual. And before you say it, I know that every baby is different and can present different obstacles, but I just want to vent.
On a fun note, Camden is starting to smile a bit if you tickle his lips, it is really cute and he is focusing on objects more. I've noticed over the past couple of weeks his intensity staring at the mobile in his swing. He is getting better and better at following it.
*********************************************************
Decovin is now in his "naked phase," he strips every chance he gets...so this is usually when I am in the computer room and he is watching cartoons...I will get up to check on him and he will be stark naked running around! *sigh* What's a girl to do? He is not ready to potty train, this is obvious b/c he still will sit in his poop until we notice it...he won't tell us and he is still waking up from his naps with really wet diapers...we have a ways yet. So I guess we have to deal with the strip downs! It is kind of funny to walk into a room with a naked baby! LOL!
*********************************************************
As for Bob, he has several interviews set up over the next month or so! They are all over the U.S. as we are keeping our options open, we would ultimately like to stay in the Midwest of course, but we have to take what we can get. Keep your fingers crossed for the ones around here to go well and offer enough money so we can stay! :-)

Bathroom Makeover

So I have begun to "stage" my house for potential buyers and for our pictures for the MLS website...I went to Walmart tonight and decided I needed a new guest bathroom look...this is what I went for...what do you think?

Butt Paste ROCKS!

This stuff rocks! Camden has had a butt rash pretty much since the day we brought him home. The doctor prescribed hydrocotosone...that did nothing...Amanda prescribed something else, it helped a BUNCH but I couldn't get it to completely go away...my sister-in-law told me about this butt paste and so I said..."why not?!" Within 24 hours his butt was completely healed...I'm not even kidding! It was amazing! I would be pissy too if I had a butt rash for 4 weeks straight...poor buddy...he is better now! WHOO HOO!

*******************************************************

Today was our girls day out of beauty! It was so much fun! Grandma, my mom, Ruthie, Melodie, Christy, Lauren, & myself all went to my hair dresser's place and got our hair and nails done! Grandma got a perm and it looks really nice. Ruthie & Melodie got the works-hair color/cut , pedicure, & manicure. My mom got her hair cut and a mani and pedi. I got my hair colored/cut & a pedi. Christy got her hair colored/cut and a mani and Lauren got a manicure! We took pictures (my mom will surely share them!) It was 4 generations of ladies getting dolled up together. Fun times.

Afterwards we came back to my house and ordered pizza and the kids played outside b/c the weather was AWESOME! A good time was had by all I think!

*******************************************************

Our next order of business is getting our house spic & span and set up for potential buyers to come and view. *sigh* I am going to hate having to have to keep things tidy ALL the time. Oh well, if it helps sell it, I will do it and like it! LOL!

Anyways...that all I got!

Busy weekend and busy week to come...

Friday night Amanda came over for a visit and we had a good time. She brought the wine! (Thanks again for that lady!) The next morning we got up and got ready and were out the door early to meet up with my parents at Chris Cakes Kitchen in Leawood, Decovin loved watching the pancakes getting flipped. Then it was up to Babies R Us to buy a double stroller (thanks for pitching in on that one mom & dad!). I also swung by and picked up my bridesmaid dress for the wedding I am to be in in June. I have a lot of weight to lose if I am going to wear that thing...(cross your fingers for me that I can do it!). Then we had a quick stop at Target so I could exchange an outfit that was the wrong size for the season for Camden and got both boys a new outfit/shirt for pictures that we are going to have taken this week and I bought a new purse too. :-) Then home...

Got home and Bob decided to take us out to dinner at Mazzio's Pizza place and we had a good meal (not good for my figure of course) but whatever...lol. Then the sleet and snow came.

I got up Sunday and took my time getting around and ready before I headed down to LaCygne for a baby shower I was invited to. Made it in time to eat lunch, change the boys' diapers and head out for the shower. Got back from the shower and visited for a couple more hours and then left right after Camden was done eating (and pooping of course!)...

It was a busy weekend and I am really tired and my week is just starting...Bob will be working late today & tomorrow so I am left with taking care of the boys in the evenings as well...makes for super long days. Then Wednesday Ruthie is coming and we will pack up the car and head down to LaCygne for bunco! :-) WHOO HOO! I will be staying until Thursday or Friday and then heading back this way...I think Ruthie is staying until Saturday and then riding back up with Christy, Mom, & G'ma to here so we can go and have a day of beauty! We are all getting our hair done and nails (whether it be toenails or fingernails). Should be a fun day!

I feel like a first time mom again!

How long is it ok to let a baby cry for?

I feel like we are constantly holding or picking up Camden whenever he starts crying really badly...He has a hard time "going to sleep" on his own w/o some kind of comfort...such as Bob holding him for 30 minutes or so and then putting him down or sitting in the bouncy chair with the vibrator thing on...this is starting to become a routine and I don't like it. I liked just putting Decovin down in bed wide awake and letting him put himself to sleep...it's becoming really frustrating because I have yet to just set him in bed awake and walk away knowing he will fall asleep. HELP!?! Any suggestions?

I've tried swaddling him and that sometimes works, I've tried music, we even elevated his bed to mimic the feeling of the bouncy chair angle, I'm running out of ideas!

I'm tired...

Today was day two alone with the boys and it went fine, nothing too big to fuss about. But later I have the obstacle of baths...both the boys need one and I haven't given Decovin a bath in FOREVER b/c Bob has been doing this for me since I got to big to bend over! LOL! But tonight, Bob has to work late, so lucky me gets to do it all. :-) I just hope the baby doesn't wake up and want to eat while we are in the bathroom bathing. :-) Anyway...

I feel like Decovin is still on his schedule, nothing has really changed there but I can't get Camden on one to save a life. The only thing he routinely does is eat every 3 hours and poop every 30 minutes. It's no wonder I can't get his butt to heal. We are still tackling a wee bit of a diaper rash that won't go away due to the constant pooping this boy does. SERIOUSLY! I have never ever seen an infant poop so much! It's a bit disturbing really. Anyway...off to tackle bath #1!

Feeling good...

So tomorrow is D-Day...the first day alone with the boys. I'm thinking it will be fine and go ok. I fully expect a small break down from Decovin when I can't be at his beck & call right when he wants a "nack" (snack) or when he wants me to play with him or whatever while I am feeding Camden. I'm ready for that. I just keep taking deep breaths and know it will be fine...millions of women in the past and present have done this and they all lived. I also keep trying to tell myself that no one has ever died from crying too much so if all 3 of us cry tomorrow, it's ok. :-)

I'm feeling really good though. It's like I get spurts of energy and I am feeling more and more back to normal. I am already in some of my pre-pregnancy clothes and will continue to try to get into my pre-pre pregnancy clothes from before Decovin was born. I was getting awful close right before I found out I was pregnant again. But I have motivation. I have to fit into a bridesmaid dress by June that is equivalent to a size 14...so here's hoping I can do it! :-) I plan on going back on Weight Watchers again real soon. I think I am waiting to get down to my pre-pregnancy weight before I join back up again. I am doing good so far. I only have like 10 pounds to go to get to that weight and then I will be off and running. Once the weather gets nicer I will be able to start walking again with the boys during the day, etc.

So anyway, I am feeling very positive right now and am looking forward to the future.

Well, I need to go make lunch. Love you all and thanks so much for your words of wisdom and believing in us. :-)

I knew we had it good...

With Decovin that is...he slept well for us from the start and we never had to rock him to sleep or bounce him or reschedule his sleep clock...


Camden, however, is a different issue all together. For every good night we have we have at least 2 bad ones that follow. This is how it usually plays out: 9:30pm we are fed and full (at least I assume) then one hour later he is screaming for more! So Bob will feed him formula or reserved breast milk and he will usually eat an additional ounce at this point! Which is a lot for a 2 week old seeing as how he just ate one hour prior off both of my breasts!! So, then he will go to sleep around 11:30 or so and sleep until 3am or so...I get up with him and feed him off both breasts for about 15-20 minutes each and then the cycle starts all over again...he won't lay down in the crib for longer than 5 minutes before the wailing begins and then it will be an hour later from the time I started feeding and he is acting hungry all over again! OY! I assume then, I am not making enough milk...so I have been pumping every 3 hours during the day regardless of whether he is ready to eat or not...to make sure I am keeping my milk supply up. And each time I pump, I am getting 3 oz. per breast...so I am full! LOL! So I have NO IDEA what is going on! I am listening for him to swallow and I hear him swallowing and he will burp and there will be milk drueling out of his little mouth when he is done so I know he is getting something! But why isn't he getting full?! (Oh and diaper changes go on throughout this process also, I check that often due to his bad diaper rash he had.)


So "What the February" is going on?! Decovin would eat and sleep no problem and even if he was awake he didn't mind being in bed awake...Camden starts freaking out if you put him in the crib before he is ready. I am worried I am going to have the kid I have to rock to sleep just to get him to sleep so I can sleep! I'm exhausted thinking about it because Bob goes back to work next week and I won't be able to take a nap like I have been doing...I will be working double time. I'm a wee bit anxious about this whole thing and I hope I can hold up, I am the first to admit I need my sleep in order to be a nice person. I would like to think I could function fine on 3 hours of sleep but that is just not the way my body works. I need solid sleep...good uninterrupted sleep. What is a girl to do.


Thanks for letting me vent, I'm done now...I will be ok, I promise.

Dentist

So Decovin went to the dentist for the first time yesterday and can you believe I forgot my camera?!?! Oh well, it was nothing to be exciting about except I wish I could describe to you how this particular dentist looked. He was an older man, probably aproaching 60 if not already there and his teeth looked like they came straight out of a comic book and he had a lot of extra saliva floating around when he talked and all I could think was "slurp it in buddy!" It was kinda gross...his teeth were really white, but too much saliva...OY!

Anyway, he just did a well baby check up and made sure his teeth and gums looked ok just from a visual...he said he was cutting some new molars (which could explain SOME of his temper tantrums he has been throwing lately) and that we should keep a toothbrush in the kitchen for him to use after snacks and meals...so whatever...it was an experience.

Then we decided to have lunch with Amanda since the dentist office was literally 2 miles from her house and we met at Applebee's for lunch at 10:30am! LOL! It was good and it was nice to be OUT of the house for a bit. Then we decided, hey, since we are already up here, we might as well see if Tabitha (Bob's sister) and hubby were home so we could see their new addition to their family. So we called them and they were actually on their way out the door for a doctor appointment for baby Abby so we decided to go visit his grandma Lawson down in Gardner first then come back up to see them later in the afternoon. So it was a full day of visiting and being in the car.

Camden doesn't seem to be as good in the car as Decovin was, or at least what I remember of it. I had to constantly dig for the pacifier (cuz he still can't hold it in there real well) but once he had it and the car was going he seemed fine...it was weird...we will see what my first time out and about by myself is like seeing as how I won't be able to dig for things while driving very easily...haha!

I take Camden to the doctor tomorrow and I will go alone...we shall see how that goes. Bob and Decovin will stay here. Wish us luck!

A better comparison

Camden David is here!

And the winner is....Brad Barnes (Bob's cousin) guessing January 31st at 9:35pm...Camden David actually arrived at 9:51pm...so there ya go...thanks for participating in the fun!

So as I said, he is here, YAY! I'm no longer pregnant and I hope to never be again (knock on wood!) hehe! Our family is complete. Camden arrived January 31st at 9:51pm weighing in at 8 lbs even and 20 inches long. Everything went pretty smoothly...I went to the doctor that morning for my weekly check up and I had made it to 4 cm and 50% effaced. She "stripped my membranes" (whatever that is) and sent me home to eat lunch and walk around to get things going! Well, whatever she did worked b/c after I left the doctors office w/in the hour I started getting really strong contractions and they started to get pretty regular w/in the next hour or so. I hung out at home until 2:30ish I think before we decided to go to the hospital. Luckily it was Amanda's day off and she came down to watch Decovin for us while we went.

When I got there they stuck me in the "check-in" rooms to make sure I was indeed in labor and they had to keep me there for quite awhile b/c all the labor and delivery rooms were full! They finally got a room cleared out and I got in and got my epidural shortly after that! I don't remember much but being really groggy (they gave me a pain medicine via IV earlier) and nauseous. I have NO idea how long I was in the room before the show began. I barely remember pushing b/c I was so out of it...I finally threw up and after that I was aware of my surroundings! Weird huh? I think I only pushed for a little over an hour and out he came! It was a lot easier this time b/c my epidural didn't wear off towards the end like with Decovin, so when she said to stop pushing, I actually could stop pushing! LOL!

We are home now and for the most part I am back to normal, except now I have the worst case of hemorrhoids EVER! It is making things very difficult in the sitting department, which is why it took so long for me to post...I am hoping that they start to "go away" w/in the next week or so, but it is not looking promising, hoping I don't have to have them removed, but if it would make me feel better, I would be down for it at this point. Sorry if this is an over-share, but hey, that's what having a baby does to ya...gotta be honest. :-)

Decovin seems to not mind Camden so far. He loves to hold him and kiss him and say "Babee, Babee!" when he sees him...We will see how his opinion changes once daddy goes back to work and he doesn't have a 24/7 distraction...I am crossing my fingers that he stays the same. Wish us luck!

Hope you all enjoyed the pictures! I am going to put a few on here and one of Decovin when he was born to show you the similarities!

This is Decovin:

This is Camden, see the similarities?!?!

These are my boys:

2 Year Check Up

Decovin went to the doctor yesterday for his 2 year, well-baby check up. He is doing great. They measured him and said he was 26 pounds and 35 inches! He is almost 3 feet tall...*sniff*! But according to the charts that put him in the 25th percentile...but with his noggin factored in, it brought him back up to the 50th percentile...so he is fine. YAY!

I have to start giving him a multi-vitamin everyday and letting him drink that V8 Splash drink b/c I can't get him to eat ANY veggies whatsoever...this way, he will at least get a serving...I am going to go buy some today. Hopefully he likes it! Cross your fingers for us! He is stubborn when it comes to those veggies...it's like he knows if there is a trace of them anywhere!!

Oh and as far as I go, still pregnant, no contractions to speak of but I did lose my mucus plug...as gross as that is! LOL! Anyway...that's all for now.

False Alarm...*sigh*

So around 5:30pm last night I start getting contractions pretty consistently and getting stronger as the time went on...around 6pm I start having Bob time them, by 6:30 I was convinced enough to call the hospital and they told me to come in to get checked. So we get there around 7ish and they hook me up to the monitors and confirm I am having contractions but that I was only 2 cm dilated and they can't admit me until I am 4...so they say for me to walk around and they will check me in an hour...so an hour passes and I progress to a 3...ok, Doc still won't admit me and I am getting increasingly uncomfortable...they finally (after about another hour) put me in a jacuzzi tub to help with the pain and that helps...but it helped so much that I started to relax and the contractions started to slip away...so when she checked me an hour later, I was still 3 and they had to send me home. :-( So we got home around 1am and crashed and I slept good...no contractions through the night at all...got up this morning and they are slowly coming back but nothing to get excited about. Unfortunately, Mom, Dad, & Christy already came out so now they might have to pack it up and go back home for work tomorrow...well, I think mom is staying but Dad and Christy will have to go home...

Camden is definitely showing his "Plummer-side" and being VERY stubborn! Wish me luck something happens!

So...

I'm still pregnant but I got some good news yesterday at my doctor's appointment. I am/was 4 cm dilated and 50% effaced. Now she said that my cervix is currently shaped like a donut and at the end of the cervix I am 4cm but up by Camden's head I am only 1 cm dilated...but with a good contraction or my water breaking I would be a full 4 cm in no time flat.

So I went to Walmart after my appointment and got a few last minute things and then came home and picked up D from the babysitters. Then nothing really exciting started happening until around 6:30ish...I started getting some contractions and they were starting to get uncomfortable and I was pacing and trying not to think about them. Bob was in St. Jo yesterday at this point and not scheduled to return for another 2 and a half hours...so I was trying to stay calm. I ended up calling the hospital around 7 to see what I should do and they suggested sitting down, drinking water and relaxing for another half hour to see if the contractions would slow down or go away, but said since I was alone that I could come in for peace of mind if I wished.

Well, I decided to stay home and relax b/c I really didn't want to have to drag my neighbors out to drive me if I could avoid it and wait for Bob. So relaxing did the trick b/c I am obviously still here...lol! Slept horrible b/c I had to get up to pee so much and then I would constantly think about it...so I am tired today also. I have had a few contractions this morning but nothing unbearable. So anyway, that's my story and I am not sure what today will bring...Bob is going to Jeff City for another appointment so who knows...he leaves Sedalia around 1pm for that appointment so I figure around 2pm is when I will go into labor when he is the furthest away! Grrrrr!

Anyway...how is your day going?

I felt the need...

to revise my list to make it more "happy" in nature. So here are a few of my favorite things:

• My son saying "MOMMY!" when I open his bedroom door in the morning, which is always followed by a genuine hug
• A cool, crisp fall day when the leaves have begun to change color and fall
• Funny movies that aren't as "well known" to the public
• A good stand up comedian!
• Live theatre...plays that is!
• Quoting movies that I know will make the other person laugh out loud
• A new episode of Grey's Anatomy or Men In Tree's
• Knowing that I will not have to pay for a wedding!
• The thrill of a roller coaster
• A good hair day
• Pedicures
• A good latte
• The first day of the year when you can open all your windows in your house!
• A good book
• Dark chocolate
• Lemon cake or pie
• My family
• My Parents As Teachers lady
• My friends
• Olive Garden Breadsticks and Salad
• The "House Dressing" for salad at Pizza Shoppe
• The Holiday Season
• Christmas Lights
• England
• Traveling to a new place
• Walking into your house after you have JUST cleaned everything and everything is in its place and smells good!
• The smell of my son after he has had a bath and is doused in lotion
• Those rare moments when my son actually wants to cuddle for longer than 30 seconds!
• Playing "Why & Because" with the Becker clan!
• A good weiner roast that follows with awesome smore's and good conversation
• My sons smile
• My husband's breath after he drinks a beer...(don't ask! haha!)
• The smell of fresh cut grass on a cool morning
• When the perfect song comes on the radio at just the right time and you know all the words to it!
• Going on dates with my hubby
• A comfy pair of pants
• Scrapbooking!
• Finishing a scrapbook!
• Photos
• Organization
• Hearing the story of the infamous "Becker Bomb" hehe
• A good YouTube video (if you want to laugh your butt off, search for "Benny Lava")
• Laughing
• Working in the garage or outside with my dad
• Crawling into bed onto clean, crisp sheets
• Reading updated blogs and comments
• Feeling important
• Weekends that Bob has off!
• Solitaire
• Chocolate Milk
• A good walk after a heavy meal
• The day my mom gave me the "sex talk"...a little too late! LOL!
• A good craft festival
• My Aunt Linda's cookies!
• Quirky Art
• My heated seats in my car & the compass
• http://pandora.com/
• Email
• Musicals
• A movie you can watch over and over again and never tire of it
• Having a cousin who is a pediatrician and being able to ask her those questions that concern you about your child without having to go sit in a waiting room for another doctor to say the same thing! *muah* Thanks lady!
• Being married for 8 years and still feeling the same way about him now as I did then
• Massages at a spa
• Sitting next to Aunt Judy at a family event and getting "petted"....I LOVE THAT! Her hands are magic!
• Christmas in the Park
• Scrabble
• The zoo
• An Everything Bagel from Einstein Bros. Bagels with garden veggie cream cheese
• An unexpected sale on an item you were already going to purchase!

And now you know some of my favorite things! I'm sure there are MANY more, but I have to go to the doctor and hopefully find out I am progressing! :-) Wish me luck! Heart!

Updated Guesses cont...

January 15th-Gloria 11pm, McKinley 6:45am
January 18th-Melodie 12:31amJanuary 20th-Judy 6:45am
January 21st-Ruthie 11:21pm & David 12 noon, Eddie Andersen 9:30pm
January 23rd-Mendy 11am & Elizabeth Plummer 3pm
January 24th-Tabitha Wagoner 7:32am & Grandma Camden 1:00pm (Had to laugh at her though...she said it would probably be this date b/c she has a dentist appointment that my mom has to take her to and things always happen when there is something else scheduled...hehe!)
January 25th-Linda Andersen 9:30pm

Sorry, you are all out of the running...(which makes ME more sad, trust me! LOL!)******************************************************************
Still in the race:

January 26th-Me 3:30am & Jim Scott 8:30am
January 28th-Jim Plummer 2:30pm, Patty Ryan 6:53am-11:57am
January 29th-Bob 4:45pm, Amanda Plummer 2:54pm
January 30th-Pam Plummer 7:30am, Patti Plummer 2:51am
January 31st-Amanda C. 6:27pm, Christy 4:30pm, Ryan Wagoner 6:30pm, Grandpa Paul Long 12:10am, Grandma Mary Plummer 2:16pm, Brad Barnes 9:35pm, Debbie Barnes 6am, Susan Plummer 8:59pm, Kim Grooms 2:56pm, Quentin 3am
February 1st-Ashley Henton 3pm, Jessica Lala 8:30pm, Monty Lala 12 noon, Grandpa Sam Stenzel 9am, Grandma Jo Lawson, 10am, Jeff 2:45am, Bill Plummer 11:01am
February 2nd-Dave Plummer 10:30am, Ruthie 10:30am
February 3rd-Grandma Pat Stenzel 3am, Stacy 2pm, Grandma Loree Long 3:30am, Marianne 6pm
February 4th-Michelle Hedman 5:22am
February 5th-Austin Wilhite 3:30pm, Grandpa Bill Plummer 1:30am, Crystal Wood 2am
February 6th-Lyndie Wilhite 6:32am
February 7th-Marilyn Chandler 4:40am

Things you may not know...

I obsess about my weight everyday...not because I am pregnant either! I love it when I have a good hair day and feel it necessary to compliment it with a nice outfit and make up, even if I am not going anywhere.

I have a small obsession with "air quotes." When getting ready for a big night out, I love to put on my Color Me Badd cassette tape (that's right...old school) and JAM OUT! I think I am a good dancer. I also think I am funny.

I am always worried about what others think of me. I have become a hermit since living in MO. I secretly envy some of my neighbors. I am constantly worried about money.

I miss my carefree days of our D.I.N.K. (Dual Income No Kids) life. I miss my job at UOP, it made me feel important. I miss my pre-pregnancy body.

I like to brag about my successful family members in a sly way, it makes me feel important that I am related to them.

I love being a mom but hate the constant 24/7 demands sometimes. I secretly love it when Decovin calls me "mommy" really loudly in public.

I love being in control but hate the responsibility it usually brings. I let my son watch way too much TV b/c I am too lazy to come up with activities here at home and/or take him somewhere (b/c I am a hermit).

I'm scared to death of Bob getting out of the NAVY for fear of the "unknown" for our future.

I like to complain about being pregnant because I think somewhere deep down it will make me go into labor sooner. And I am real scared to poop on the delivery table!

And now you know...how depressing my life really is...haha!

Sick and still pregnant.

A few days ago, my body decided to let in a cold! Bummer...I'm all stopped up and can't breathe properly and I feel miserable...and still pregnant.

Oh and now Decovin has decided to participate in said cold and has a fever to boot...oy! He is more clingy when he is sick (which generally excites me) but my belly is so large now that picking him up and holding him is a feat and he likes to waller (sp?) all over me which is no good...so this time is not so fun. At least he is still sleeping at night with no problems (knock on wood)...

Hopefully this is all over soon. :-)

Updated Guesses...

January 15th-Gloria 11pm, McKinley 6:45am
January 18th-Melodie 12:31am
January 20th-Judy 6:45am
January 21st-Ruthie 11:21pm & David 12 noon, Eddie Andersen 9:30pm

Sorry, you are all out of the running...(which makes ME more sad, trust me! LOL!)

******************************************************************
Still in the race:

January 23rd-Mendy 11am & Elizabeth Plummer 3pm
January 24th-Tabitha Wagoner 7:32am & Grandma Camden 1:00pm (Had to laugh at her though...she said it would probably be this date b/c she has a dentist appointment that my mom has to take her to and things always happen when there is something else scheduled...hehe!)
January 25th-Linda Andersen 9:30pm
January 26th-Me 3:30am & Jim Scott 8:30am
January 28th-Jim Plummer 2:30pm, Patty Ryan 6:53am-11:57am
January 29th-Bob 4:45pm, Amanda Plummer 2:54pm
January 30th-Pam Plummer 7:30am, Patti Plummer 2:51am
January 31st-Amanda C. 6:27pm, Christy 4:30pm, Ryan Wagoner 6:30pm, Grandpa Paul Long 12:10am, Grandma Mary Plummer 2:16pm, Brad Barnes 9:35pm, Debbie Barnes 6am, Susan Plummer 8:59pm, Kim Grooms 2:56pm, Quentin 3am
February 1st-Ashley Henton 3pm, Jessica Lala 8:30pm, Monty Lala 12 noon, Grandpa Sam Stenzel 9am, Grandma Jo Lawson, 10am, Jeff 2:45am, Bill Plummer 11:01am
February 2nd-Dave Plummer 10:30am, Ruthie 10:30am
February 3rd-Grandma Pat Stenzel 3am, Stacy 2pm, Grandma Loree Long 3:30am, Marianne 6pm
February 4th-Michelle Hedman 5:22am
February 5th-Austin Wilhite 3:30pm, Grandpa Bill Plummer 1:30am, Crystal Wood 2am
February 6th-Lyndie Wilhite 6:32am
February 7th-Marilyn Chandler 4:40am

1682 Diapers!

That's right...check it out!

We got 616 Size 1 diapers, 512 size 2 diapers, 392 size 3 diapers, 102 size 4 diapers and 60 size 5 diapers! WOWZAH!

I'm still pregnant...

Went to the doctor today...I had to see one of my doctor's associates as my doc was out of the office. She politely gave me the option of her doing an exam or not...she said some people don't like to bare all to a stranger...I told her that once you have a kid all modesty gets thrown out the window and that I would like to know if I am progressing at all.

She could at least feel his head this week and my cervix is softening but I am not dialating or anything...at least it was better than last week! :-) Yay!

My baby is Two!

When I went to get D out of bed this morning (I heard him playing with some toys, etc) I opened the door and he was still laying in bed under the covers...but I could see his eyes were open. I whispered: "Hi!" and he whispered back: "Hi!" It was so cute! Then I said "Happy Birthday bug, you're two now!" To which he replied: "I two!" :-) He is just a bundle of cuteness I tell ya!

I can't believe my baby is 2 years old now! Where did the time go? It seems like only yesterday I was changing his diaper and cleaning up after him after he ate...oh wait a minute...that WAS yesterday and today and tomorrow! LOL! Seriously though, he has gotten so big and I can't even believe that two years ago I was in the hospital in labor with him. What a memory.

Anyway, having a small get together with the immediate family at Mimi's Cafe for dinner and dessert...should be fun!

I am so bored!!!

Ok people, entertain me! PLEASE! I can't do anything but get on the computer lately so I crave new news! New comments, anything! Hook a big fat pregnant lady up! please, with a cherry on top! I am so bored! Oh and did I mention that I am STILL pregnant? Love you all.

Success!

We are binky-free folks! It really only took the one night of suffering and the next day nap-time drama for it to all be over with! :-) He no longer asks for it and goes right to sleep without it! :-) He also took a nap binky free today for the first time also! YAY! Hopefully he doesn't want it back when he sees Camden with one! We will keep our fingers crossed that we got rid of it soon enough...we have been playing up the "BIG BOY!" a lot! So...maybe!

******************************************************

Yesterday we went up to Jeff & Marianne's and hung out all day. Decovin had a great time playing with the girls and their "new" toys! They have a great play room so they were up there most of the day! :-) We went out to lunch with mom, dad, Christy and my Aunt Mendy & Uncle Jim and then for dinner we got take-out from an Indian restaurant and KFC. :-) It was a fun day and it was good to see J & M...especially since we hadn't seen them since before their big trip to Malaysia! The girls are still having trouble adjusting to this time zone apparently so they have had some long nights. :-(

*******************************************************

Oh and um, I'm still pregnant...in case you were wondering. *sigh*

I'm a sitting duck...quack!

So I went to the doctor today and I am not having Camden anytime soon...*sigh* She couldn't even feel for his head he is so up in there! So, I wait.

A night without the binky...

Oh boy! So we have been trying different ways with Decovin to give up his beloved binky at nap/bedtime. So we decided first we would try cold turkey...we did this 3 nights in a row with no luck as he just stayed up and stayed up and refused to sleep! So then I did some research on the net and got some suggestion to poke holes in his binky slowly over time until it no longer can create that suction for him...well, I must have been using too small of a needle b/c he kept using it like it was no big deal and we had at least 12-15 holes in it! So then last night Bob took scissors to it and created a HOLE and he didn't like that at all...he actually threw the binky onto the bed. So then it was like going cold turkey again anyway...so we decided to let this one run through and ignore his cries (b/c he wasn't blood curdling crying ever, just whiny and bummed crying)...so finally around 10:45ish, after having to tell him to get back into bed several times and having to remove the lamp from his room that he kept turning on after we would shut the door, he finally wore himself out and fell asleep. Now he did wake up again at 3 something in the morning and we had to tell him to go back to sleep and he did the whining/whimpering thing for about half an hour and I finally decided to give him a sippy cup of water...that did the trick for about 2 and a half hours when he decided he was awake at 5:30 am and let himself out of his room and came crying to us in our room...so we thought we would see if he would just sleep with us...ha! All he did was whisper in my ear for 20 minutes: "Mom (then a tap on my arm repeatedly until I answered), Mom" So we put him back in his room with the sippy cup of water again and that did the trick...it is now 9am and he is still asleep, I actually might have to wake him up in order to get him fed and to the babysitter's on time before my doc appointment. Now I am only concerned with nap time. Wish me luck! It really could have been a lot worse...the point is, he went a whole night without his binky! WHOO HOO!

Decovin to the Dentist...

So I had set up an appointment for Decovin to visit his first pediatric dentist for the 15th. Well, the lady from the dentist office called today to say that she couldn't find Decovin on our insurance (I had looked it up online and it said that he would be covered automatically as long as he was on Bob's DEERS form-a military form) so when I called United Concordia today they said that they are automatically enrolled after the age of 4...so if you wish to add them before that you have to enroll them manually...(that would have nice if they would have mentioned that online!!).

So he is enrolled and now has to wait until after Feb. 1 to go to the dentist...oy! So, hopefully I will be able to take him on the 12th of Feb or at least Bob! We shall see.

***********************************************************

On a different note, Decovin now knows his name and when you ask him what his name is, he says: "I ah-token" Close enough...we did give him a hard name to learn after all! :-)

I am also referred to as "mom" now, not mama or mommy, but "mom." It is really funny when he says it though...

Neti Pot...

http://www.sinucleanse.com/why_video.htm

So, I saw this on the news yesterday (well, a different brand but same thing essentially) and decided I must try this! I am ALWAYS having sinus issues, etc...plus it is safe for pregnant women b/c there is NO medicine actually entering your system...it is strictly CLEANING out your nose.

Ok, so it seems a little unorthodox (and gross), but hey, I'm all about trying something if it seems to work! So I have used it two days in a row so far and I like the way it feels after I get done...like instant relief! Now, granted, I go back to be snotty soon after, but I attribute this to still being sick and to still being pregnant (your body produces more blood therefore more sinus flow, blah blah blah)...anyway...I think it really helps...you should all try it! It's easy to use and pretty mess-free...just need a sink & some water! :-)

Happy nose cleaning!

Guesses So Far...

January 15th-Gloria 11pm, McKinley 6:45am
January 18th-Melodie 12:31am
January 20th-Judy 6:45am
January 21st-Ruthie 11:21pm & David 12 noon, Eddie Andersen 9:30pm
January 23rd-Mendy 11am & Elizabeth Plummer 3pm
January 24th-Tabitha Wagoner 7:32am & Grandma Camden 1:00pm (Had to laugh at her though...she said it would probably be this date b/c she has a dentist appointment that my mom has to take her to and things always happen when there is something else scheduled...hehe!)
January 25th-Linda Andersen 9:30pm
January 26th-Me 3:30am & Jim Scott 8:30am
January 28th-Jim Plummer 2:30pm, Patty Ryan 6:53am-11:57am
January 29th-Bob 4:45pm, Amanda Plummer 2:54pm
January 30th-Pam Plummer 7:30am, Patti Plummer 2:51am
January 31st-Amanda C. 6:27pm, Christy 4:30pm, Ryan Wagoner 6:30pm, Grandpa Paul Long 12:10am, Grandma Mary Plummer 2:16pm, Brad Barnes 9:35pm, Debbie Barnes 6am, Susan Plummer 8:59pm, Kim Grooms 2:56pm, Quentin 3am
February 1st-Ashley Henton 3pm, Jessica Lala 8:30pm, Monty Lala 12 noon, Grandpa Sam Stenzel 9am, Grandma Jo Lawson, 10am, Jeff 2:45am, Bill Plummer 11:01am
February 2nd-Dave Plummer 10:30am
February 3rd-Grandma Pat Stenzel 3am, Stacy 2pm, Grandma Loree Long 3:30am, Marianne 6pm
February 5th-Austin Wilhite 3:30pm, Grandpa Bill Plummer 1:30am, Crystal Wood 2am
February 6th-Lyndie Wilhite 6:32am
February 7th-Marilyn Chandler 4:40am

The Countdown begins...

So I would like to take a poll and see when people think Camden will make his debut. Please post a comment with date and time and I will keep it handy to see who was the closest when it actually happens.

My guess: January 26 at 3:30am

Doctor's Visit...

Big news: Camden has turned! YAY! Hopefully he stays down there and we will have a normal delivery! :-)

The doctor said I could take Claritan D and/or Robitussin DM...so hopefully I will sleep better tonight! Phew! Oh and I bought Bob some Breathe Right strips so we will see if this helps his snoring so that I can fall asleep faster after getting up and going to the bathroom every 2-3 hours! ;-) He's such a sport for giving it a whirl for me!

I start going to the doc's every week from here on out...I had a sudden urge to "get ready" today and packed a bag for me and Camden and Decovin (in case we have to ship him to the neighbors for an overnight). I also feel the need to "nest"...my house is filthy but I can't really DO anything about most of it b/c of my pain in my upper left abdomen region...did I mention I went to the ER on Christmas Eve because of that? No biggy, no idea what it is, my doc wasn't concerned either so I guess it is just another joyful bliss of pregnancy! So yeah, no heavy lifting or bending, etc...so I guess my house will have to stay somewhat dirty...at least it is picked up! :-)

New Year

So I get a call from Amanda around 3:30 on New Year's Eve and she says to me: "Whatcha doin?"...I say, "nothin' much, you?" To which she replies: "Pulling into your driveway!" YAY! Company for the New Year countdown!

So she settles in and we chat and play with Decovin for a bit then we decide we are going to need some snacks for the event...so we head to Walmart and get stuff for Rotel some beer for the two non-preggers of the bunch and some brownie mix...I already had some cheese and sausage cut up at home for additional snackage...oh and we bought some frozen pizza's too...it was a fun night and didn't even do anything that exciting...watched Dick Clark count us down to the New Year and we were very freaked out by his stroke affects on his speech...poor guy...should just give it up and let Ryan Seacrest do it all! Oh well...anyway...

We stayed up until 2am watching the bands perform and then we all decided we were tired and headed off to bed. Amanda hung out with us until around 4ish the next day and then she headed home. It was fun! I love it when she comes to visit!

Oh and I am still fighting off this stupid cold...I have started coughing now...lovely. I go to the doc tomorrow...I will see what she says and hope it is not "Take some Tylenol and drink plenty of water"...There has to be something I can take other than Tylenol darn it!

Anyway, love you all!

Laugh Out Loud Moment #526...

So yesterday morning I got up with Decovin and Bob stayed in bed...The usual routine followed: Breakfast, TV, Toys, etc...

When he got tired of what was on the tube (apparently) he decided to run back to his room (I thought). I hear a door knob and think..."Hmmmm...he must have either opened his closet door, or the bathroom door or closed his bedroom door...either way, I better go check"

I look in his room (the door was open) and he is not visible, I open the bathroom door and he is not in there, there is no way he could be in the office or our bedroom as we put those door knob protector thingy's on them so into the living room I go to double check I just missed him...nada...back to his bedroom and open the closet...not there...so then I start thinking...Bob is trying to play a joke on me and quietly opened our door and snagged D into our room with him while I frantically start to look for him...so I open the door and Bob is still in bed and he lifts up groggily as I say, "Is he in here with you?" to which I get a reply of "No" in a much tired voice...OH NO! I am convinced Decovin is stuck somewhere and won't answer me! I'm hollering his name and trying to stay calm at the same time...finally Bob comes out of the bedroom to start trying to help me find him and just as he comes out of the room we hear the hall closet door open and Decovin saying "BOOO!" Bob fell to the floor laughing and I bent over laughing (as falling is not a good idea at this late stage in pregnancy)...Oh how clever they are!


***************************

On a separate note, I haven't posted in awhile because I have been at my in-laws who still have dial up. We got home on the 27th around 5ish and then that evening I started to feel like I was getting a sore throat...woke up the next morning and it was on like Donkey Kong...sore throat was then followed by mass headache and achy muscles, etc...the rest of the day I was miserable and the sleeping through the night last night was even worse...had uncontrollable shivers then I would start sweating...AWESOME! Still have a sore throat and achiness today but I have stopped the shivering and sweating...hopefully I will be able to actually sleep tonight...oh and I can't take anything other than tylenol (which does nothing for me)...so lovely to be pregnant and sick! YES! I go to the doc on the 3rd for my next check-up. I will let you know what she says of my progress...:-) Hopefully Camden has turned, but I don't think so.

OY!

So I went to the doc yesterday for my "2 week" check-up even though it has only been a week...had to move it up due to the holidays and me not being here and all...anyway...

I am doing fine but Camden is still breech...so I started asking questions:

Question #1: If he doesn't turn (which she says they can turn right up to the last minute), but if he DOESN'T turn what then?
Answer: C-Section

Question #2: So how long of a recovery time are we looking at if I have to have a C-Section?
Answer: 6 weeks, no lifting of anything over 10lbs...no laundry, no vacuuming...etc...There have been some theories (or something worded like this) to women who "plan" a c-section vs. an emergency c-section as far as recovering more quickly than those who labor all day and then have to have one...

Question #3: So, what you are saying is if Camden hasn't turned by week 39 I should go ahead a schedule a c-section?
Answer: Yes, it wouldn't be a bad idea.

Question #4: How many people are allowed in the room for a c-section?
Answer: One, unless I have to be put completely under then no one.

So there you have it...a fun day at the doctor's...*sigh*

TURN CAMDEN, TURN!!! (P.S. Mom, if Camden doesn't turn, can you stay with me during my 6 week recovery? I know that is a lot to ask but I won't be able to be at home alone with a toddler and an infant and not be able to lift 10 pounds!)

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Doctor Visit...

Went to the doc's office today and found out that Camden is sitting breech...*sigh*...she said not to worry yet and to go home and sit with my butt in the air for at least 5 minutes a day to help him move out of my pelvic region and move around!

Oh dear, if I have to have a C-section, I don't know what I will do! OUCH!

Keep me in your thoughts and hope that he turns around in time for a seamless delivery!

Oh and Decovin has been running a fever off and on for the past 30 hours or so and he can't seem to shake it...we will give him Tylenol and it will go down for 8 hours or so but then keeps coming back...he acts lethargic during the high part of his temp and then back to normal when it is down...he is still eating and drinking too...so maybe it is just more teeth coming in??? Who knows...

Bday weekend!

Thank you all for the Birthday greetings! I ended up going to KC for the weekend as my baby shower was supposed to be on Saturday but got cancelled due to weather...but on Friday, my mother-in-law took me out to lunch and then we did a bit of christmas shopping and then she made dinner for us (my choice)...I was craving BELT sandwiches so that is what we had! :-) They were yummy! Oh and she baked me a lemon cake! IT WAS SOOO DELICIOUS! It was a good Bday! ;-)

Saturday, I got up really early to watch the weather to see if it would be safe enough to drive up to Jeff's for the breakfast with Santa. I looked out the window at and saw everyone on highway 10 zooming by so I figured it wouldn't be too bad. Made it up there and back with no problems and Decovin and the girls got to see Santa and we got a detailed tour of the Harley Davidson plant. Which was really cool by-the-way. The rest of the day we vegged out and I helped my mother-in-law bake some goodies for her work and for the fam. I love making baked goods! Sunday was about a repeat b/c I was supposed to go to another baby shower but decided against it as the weather hadn't really improved...plus the directions to the house I was supposed to go to said that the road was really hilly and curvaceous...so I opted out after reading that...hehe!

We headed home after the Chiefs lost and had no problem what-so-ever getting home...the highways are nice and clean...we had to drive a wee bit slower once we got to Warrensburg b/c the side roads were not nearly as nice...but again, no big deal. Our driveway is a solid sheet of ice though...that's fun isn't it?

I have a doctor's appointment today and I will have to take Decovin with me as he has been running a fever for the past day so I can't leave him with my neighbor cuz he might make the other kiddos sick...hopefully he won't be too much of a handful for me there...

How was everyone else's weekends?

Christmas In The Park

So last night Bob took me to Longview Lake in Lee's Summit to see the Christmas in the Park lights that they do every year! It is my favorite thing to do at Christmas time and we have kind of made it a tradition to go on or near my bday every year since I was a teen...so this year was especially exciting b/c Decovin can actually REACT to light displays, etc. We met up with my parents and sister and drove through with Decovin on my lap (we were going seriously 5 mph or less the entire time...fyi). Oh he shouted with glee every few seconds with "SEE!!, SEE!!" Then he would see an image he would recognize and say "DUCK! Quack, Quack!"...or "Bear, ROARRRR"...the moving lights were so exciting for him and he kept saying "gen, gen" (aka: again) so we drove around it twice just for him...he had so much fun!

Then we went to On The Border for a bday dinner and they sang Happy Birthday to me and we all got sopapilla's (sp?) for dessert...YUM-O! Thanks again mom and dad for dinner! :-) It was a really fun night, but I am tired today and Decovin must be too b/c he is testing every last patience I have today...man they are good at that aren't they?! I'm trying to take deep relaxing breaths, but those only work temporarily...he is down for a nap now so maybe I can gather my thoughts better now...It doesn't help that I have sinus yuck going on along with Decovin having the same thing and I feel about as big as a whale and can't get up and down very fast now! 8 more weeks, 8 more weeks...I can do it!

Thanksgiving Success!

The "original" Camden cousins! We did a re-make of a picture taken years ago...Ruthie, if you have it, can you scan it and send it? If you have the capabilities that is. :-) Thanks!

Well, Thanksgiving was a total success thanks to Aunt Ruthie! She hosted a beautiful day for all of us! It was so fun to ALL be together again! Can't remember the last time that actually happened...seriously...does anyone remember?

Anyway, a good time was had by all and I think everyone would agree! The food was delicious and the dessert was even better! ;-) Thanks again Aunt Ruthie! :-)

The following morning was my first experience with the "Black Friday" shopping and I must say it too was quite the success. Amanda and I started our morning at Walmart (hit the doors about 5:15am) and we found everything we went in to find! YAY! Then we met up with our tag team in Overland Park for some more super savings at Target! We split ways at this point and Christy and I hit one more Walmart before heading home for our second Thanksgiving meal with my dad's side of the family. It was also a success with lots of food and yummy desserts.

We then had my family's Christmas early due to my brother and his family heading to Malaysia for the holidays and Bob & I will be with his family then also...soooo...this was the only weekend we could ALL be together before everyone left. It was fun and the kids really made out...it was really funny to see the three of them together because one would open a gift and then it was the new "hot item" for the moment and they ALL wanted it, what ever it was and then it would move on to the next toy and so on and so forth...this made for a lot of "sharing" explanations...haha! Anyway, it was fun and we all had a good time. I hope you enjoy the pictures I sent, if you didn't get them yet (after Noon on 11/26/07), email me and I will forward them your way...Hope everyone had a Happy Turkey Day!

Update...

Remember when we used to all post all the time and comment all the time? What happened there? Hmmmm....*sniff*

So nothing extremely new to report other than Decovin is finally back to his full self along with his appetite. We went to the base on Thursday and got our flu shots, he wasn't too happy about that...but he got over it pretty fast...I didn't even feel mine until way later in the day and my arm just ached a bit. Other than that...good.

So after a week of being essentially cooped up in the house while D was recovering, I was itchin' to get out on Saturday...see Speechie/Christy's blog for further details on our little outing...:-) It was delicious and wonderful. Nuff, said.

Amanda met up with us after lunch and we made a trip out to Legend's so I could pick up a gift certificate at Cabella's for a family member on Bob's side. :-) Then we just drove around for a bit and then decided to head home...it was fun to see Amanda but I know she was TIRED...she had just gotten off of a 30 hour work shift...she is CRAZY, but she wanted to see us...how sweet! :-) Her company was much appreciated! :-)

Oh and I got Decovin's hair cut at this place that just opened up near Amanda's house called Sports Clips...it was actually a very good hair cut...probably my favorite so far...she cut it really really short on the back to hide his hurricane's (Katrina & Rita)...and it makes him look like a little boy instead of a baby...*sniff, sniff* He's growing up!

Getting excited about Thanksgiving...can't wait! :-) Oh and don't forget to keep checking out Camden's ticker...it changes every Sunday...new funny saying's every week. hehe!

*sigh*

So I have been busy this week. This past weekend was a nice weekend...for the most part...

Friday night Bob returned home from South Carolina (he had some Nuke thing he had to be there for) and we had dinner with Jeff & Marianne and the girls. Then we drove home and had a BUSY Saturday full of deep cleaning! Bob did most of it, bless his heart! We were prepping for my Pampered Chef party on Sunday. Well, in the middle of the night I heard Decovin cough funny and then again and I woke Bob up to go and check on him. He hollars at me that he has thrown up! GREAT! So we, I mean Bob, (b/c this made me gag and almost throw up just from the smell...heheh) cleaned him all up and changed his bed clothes and his clothes, etc...then he throws up again...luckily we made the sink that time! So Bob decides to stay up with him for a little bit to see how he does...they plop in front of the TV at 1:30am and I gave Bob a "puke bucket" just in case...well he ended up dry heaving two or three times before Bob finally put him back to bed. Then he woke up a couple more times in the night dry heaving again! (Poor guy!)...well he slept from 5am until 9am and he acted fine and back to normal. So Bob got up with him and fed him waffle and milk...milk was a bad idea! LOL! That came right back up an hour later. But that was the last time he threw up (knock on wood) and has just been really picky about eating since then. He never got a fever and never really acted different so we didn't drug him up or take him to the doc...although Dr. Camden gave us some advise on the side. *wink* Love ya cuz!

So since then, I haven't really gone anywhere...we ended up having the Pampered Chef show and it was an ok turn out...I would have liked to have seen some of my neighbors show up...but alas, I am still an outcast apparently! Whatever, I'm not bitter.

I'm really looking forward to Thanksgiving! It will be much fun! I hope the weather stays nice...I have heard some rather disturbing predictions about that day though...but weather is always 50/50 anyway! :-) See you all soon!

I feel busy...yet....

So this past weekend was busy...I got to my in-laws house on Friday evening and helped with last minute preparation of Tabitha's baby shower and then on Saturday we ran errands ALL day in preparation for the shower...then Sunday we actually HAD the shower and it was a success...she got stocked up on diapers and clothes and bottles! Over 1100 diapers!

Then, we decided to stay in DeSoto b/c Bob had a physical on Monday in Ft. Leavenworth and I ended up meeting Jeff & Bob for lunch in Zona Rosa area and did some Christmas shopping. Then Tuesday morning we left at the butt crack of dawn to take Bob to the airport as he had a meeting of some sort in South Carolina with all the Nuclear Engineer Recruiters...He won't return until Friday evening. Jeff will pick him up! :-) I ended up driving down to LaCygne Tuesday morning after I dropped off Bob b/c I didn't realize until Christy told me on Monday that Bunco was Wednesday...YIKES! So I am still in LaCygne and have decided to stay until Friday b/c I am going to Tabitha's sonogram Friday afternoon. I will drive home after that is over. *sigh*

But it is not over yet...Tuesday afternoon I went back to the city with Dad and Mom for Dad as he had a doc. appt. in Paola and then he wanted to return some stuff at Harbor Freight Tools and then he wanted to try to find a sander at Sears...Sears didn't have it so we ended up going to Lowe's off State Line Rd. and he found it there...:) Then on Wednesday I ended up driving G'ma up to her audiologist appointment to get her new hearing aids fitted. She is going to need two now. And it is going to be expensive...:-(

Today I have to take my mom to her eye doctor appt. in Paola...I'm already tired of driving and being on the go...*sigh*

So there ya go...busy, yet I still feel like I have done nothing...I'm just physically tired and I have been fighting this cold for over a week and a half now! :-( I am still all stopped up and have an annoying cough to go with it, plus I sound like a man. AWESOME. Anyway...I'll stop rambling now...