The story of Wes' arrival

Well it's been nine days now since my lil man entered into this world, and I have to say that he is such a good baby! I began his schedule the minute he was born, and doing that has made my life as a new mom of two so easy. He only wakes me once in the night, unless you count the feeding between 5am & 6am. During the day he eats every 3 hours (my choice) and at night he stretches himself to every 4 hours...almost to the minute! I highly recommend the book "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer" to every new mom! I also have to add, that the schedule has allowed me to nap everyday myself because at one point in the day both boys are sleeping! Okay, enough about all that...now let me tell you about the exciting day of delivery!

I was due Sunday July 5th, but if I had not delivered I had a scheduled appt. Monday the 6th @ 2:15pm. Well I was at the appt. on Monday! No firecracker baby over the weekend! At the appt., Dr. Helms said I was 4cm but could be stretched to 5cm, and that I was 75% effaced. He also said this, "For you to not be in labor, your baby is very low." He said the baby was about in the "plus 1" position, and that "plus 3" means the baby is out! Basically Wes was very near to being delivered. Helms said he would induce me whenever I wanted but that he wouldn't allow me to go past that upcoming Friday. So I told him that we would induce Wednesday the 8th if nothing happened before then. I liked the date of the 8th (remember how I'm funny about numbers) because his bday would be 07-08-09.

On Tuesday the 7th, I was up around 8:30am. I went ahead and showered, shaved, got all good and polished just in case (I actually did this same thing every morning for like 2 weeks not knowing when I'd go into labor). Around 10am I started feeling very sharp pains but I thought it was because of the exam the day before. Once I had 3 within about 30 minutes...I decided I should take them serious. So I called Sharis and asked if I could bring Will over for the day. I told her that I thought I was having contractions and wanted to take it easy. I had two more on the way to her house and one while at her house! Thank God she was home and took Will! I left her house around 11am. When I left her house, I remembered that I had received an email from Merle Norman Cosmetics advertising $10 off the Vera Bradley lunch tote. And since I would be driving past Merle Norman on the way to the hospital, I went to Joey's parents and printed the coupon. Then I went to Merle Norman...hey $10 off is a good deal!! Well, the bag was sold out so I didn't get it...but the lady behind the counter said, "so when are you due", I replied "well my contractions are about 15minutes apart so it will be today." I think I scared her!

So I got to the hospital around noon (11:52am to be exact) and checked myself in. Joey was there right away with me. Dr. Helms got there within 20-25 minutes. He checked me and I was 6cm. Then he broke my water (ouch!). He decided to not give me pitocin and thought I'd deliver later that day without the drug. Well once he left, it was about 30-45 minutes before they began the epidural. But by that point the contractions were so close and so hard that the epidural didn't seem to help ease the pain. I kept asking when I'd feel the epidural and by the looks on their faces, they knew I should already be feeling the relief...but I wasn't! They then decided to also give me a "local"...whatever the hec that is! So the contractions kept coming and were closer, then I started to get sick and began dry heaving...it was bad! It's like I wanted to cry but I couldn't get any tears out! It was the weirdest thing! Then I said to the nurse..."Monica, why is the pain staying now and not going away" so she checked me and it was time to push! Man it went so fast...it was only 2:30pm! And I swear it took Dr. Helms what seemed liked forever to get there! When he got there he asked me to give him one practice push. After I did he said, "okay this is gonna be a quick delivery." I think I pushed on 4 contractions and Wes was here!!!! Oh man the joys of giving birth! I love delivery day! Even though I felt everything leading up to pushing, I would do it over 10 times! Thank God I was numb and didn't feel him enter into this world, but I sure felt everything else! But truthfully, I'm so glad I was able to experience it that way. I told the nurse I needed a discount on the epidural since it half worked! She told me that the epidural didn't work because it couldn't catch up to my contractions. I guess I should have bypassed Merle Norman.

So that's my story :) My lil man was born @ 2:41pm weighing 7 pounds 8 ounces, and was 21 inches long. He was so small compared to Will! I really thought Wes would be close to 9 pounds...boy was I wrong. It's probably good that he was small since I felt all the contractions. I bet the pain would have been greater!

I hope you enjoy the pics! I feel so very blessed!

Beach Vacation

I have been anticipating the dates June 13 through June 20, because we have had our beach trip planned for about 5 months. I absolutely love the beach, and have really grown to love Treasure Island. I don't like the east coast beaches because they really don't compare to those on the west coast. Also, it's less "commercialized" and much more family friendly. And just prettier beaches all together! I was a little scared about going because just before we left, I was 2cm and 50% effaced. But I needed the R&R and decided to go anyway...I figured it was well worth the risk! Joey was only able to stay the first weekend, so his mom came and stayed with me the rest of the week. She was great, and a lot of help! She helped me keep Will busy, and made sure I didn't overdo myself. We slept in everyday till 9am...sunbathed till 1 or 2pm, napped for a few hours, then sunbathed some more. What a great schedule we had! My sister and her family were also there, so that was even better! I am proud to say that I am SO TAN! I can't even wear make-up because I have nothing that matches my color! I have not been this tan since high school and I'm so lovin it! It was a great week, and the weather was perfect!

The only thing that would have made it a better week is if Joey could have stayed with us :( We missed him dearly, and we were both happy to come home to him.

Here are a few pictures:

My belly shot...don't laugh!



Will became quite the swimmer, and even did great without floaties!





Isn't he beautiful! Look how blond his hair got!







Will and Anna Grace






The best kiss ever








**I highly recommend using the website VRBO.com (vacation rentals by owner) when you plan your next vacation destination. We saved a few hundred dollars by renting directly from the condo owner. It's really a great site. And if you happen to take a vacation in Treasure Island, be sure to stay here: http://www.vrbo.com/109078

***As of today, I am still 2cm. but now I'm 70% effaced***

A bad nine weeks

I have not updated my post in over a month. To be honest, I have had so much going on that I haven't felt like writing. Everything with my little baby is going well. He is growing, I am growing, and I'm so happy to soon be having another little man in my life. I have only six weeks left, unless he decides to come early.

Now on with the bad news...some of you know that I submitted a claim with State Farm under my homeowners policy. Well, the nine week long ordeal (yes nine weeks long) has finally come to an end, and my claim was denied. My adjuster led me on and gave me false hope for nine weeks. Yet State Farm acts like this was a cut and dry case of non-coverage. Trust me, I have fought this, and I'm still fighting. I contacted an attorney and he too thinks there is nothing I can do. I'm trying to fight this on "bad faith" but the attorney has not responded to that yet. I have had many crying spells, and sleepless nights over this. But I posted something on my facebook and I have to genuinely believe it..."Just when you think things can't get any worse, you realize just how good you've got it." I can't stress over this anymore! I have a growing baby that needs me to be stress free! But trust me, it's so hard. Then add pregnancy hormones and emotions and you have a pregnant basket case woman. I hate to admit it, but it's true. I am overwhelmed by the news.

I had Restoration Specialist out of Leesburg come out and give me a quote. I think the damage is somewhere between 15k and 20k. Do I have that kind of money sitting in the bank? NO! I can afford the supplies ( I think), but I can't afford to pay someone to do it. And my precious husband...he can do a lot of things...but this is not one of them. And would you believe that all this was caused by a leaking AC! Now we have to re-do both of our bathrooms. We had to have "temporary shoring" placed under them to prevent them from collapsing. Yes my friend, it's that bad. But we had no warning signs, at least not visible. Trust me, Joey and I would never have sat back and allowed this to happen. This wasn't a case of neglect I assure you! And the scary part...what kind of air are we breathing? What about this little infant? What about when he is born and sleeping in his crib? I'm so sorry...I didn't intend on getting this emotional just writing this...

So that's it. Just when you think things can't possibly get any worse...you HAVE to sit back and realize just how good you've got it. Everything else in our life is a constant reminder of how blessed we are. But this mess is definitely fighting it's way to the tops of our minds, and making us feel...well a little helpless, and hopeless. In this struggling economy, and with me taking next year off...I just can't make an irrational decision to take on a loan to get this done. I just can't do it. So I'm hoping we can just figure this out, somehow, someway. And hopefully, very soon.

I'll keep you posted. Just keep us in your prayers.

Monthly check-up

I went to the doctor today for my monthly check-up and saw Dr. Wood. She is so great, but so quick! I was in and out of there in like 10 minutes. All is well with Mr. Wes, but for the second time I am measuring ahead of my date. Last month I measured 6 weeks ahead and had to go to Lake Medical Imaging for an accurate length and weight measurement (Wes measured just fine, right on target). This week I am measuring 3 weeks ahead. I go back in 2 weeks, so if I measure big again I will be sent back to Lake Medical Imaging (just to be sure). I am not bragging...but I've only gained 9 pounds this entire pregnancy! Woohoo! That means less to lose later! Actually I only gained 9.5 pounds with Will and he weighed 8lbs 10 oz so I have gained more with this pregnancy at this point. I don't have that philosophy most pregnant women have: (a) I'm eating for 2 (b) This is my free pass to eat what I want. I absolutely do not agree with either! Losing weight is so hard, and I don't want to have to lose a bunch once Wes arrives. Hopefully I stay on this path...but I will say, those brownies at Chick-fil-a are sooooooooo yummy! And worth every calorie!

Before I close, please be praying for us! We submitted a claim with State Farm 5 weeks ago and to this day we don't know if the claim will be covered. Our air conditioner had a bad leak that we knew nothing about until the damage was done. State Farm is sending an Engineer out on Tuesday to determine if the leak was a constant leak over time (not covered) or if this was something that happened quickly (covered). Please pray that God will be with the Engineer has he looks inside our home, and as he looks under the home (pray God shows us favor). I pray for coverage! This will cost us money that we don't have if it's not covered...as much as $10,000. And with a new baby, this is added stress that we don't need. Thank you!!!

Savings & Stockpiling

Recently, I have learned to love coupons. I blame this on my dear friend Amy. Actually, she has opened my eyes to some great ideas, and now I am motivated to save!

I am taking the 09/10 school year off to be with my two boys and through Amy, I have learned how to stockpile. Basically, I have learned to buy items that I don't need. But I buy them when they are on sale, then use a coupon to save additional money. Now, this concept may be old news for many, but for me it's new. Let me give you some examples of some of my most recent purchases:

1. Walgreens: I purchased 8 large tubes of toothpaste, and payed only $6 (75 cents per tube)

2. Walmart: I purchased 8 Secret brand deodorants and paid only $4 (50 cents each)

3. Walmart: I purchased 4 bottles of Kraft dressing (different flavors) and paid only 32 cents for all. That's only 8 cents per bottle.

There are more, and I could on and on. It's actually very exciting and addicting. So for the one year I am off, I won't have to buy toothpaste or deodorant. Actually, I have also stockpiled on body wash, dish soap, toothbrushes, and many food items. But I am no where near my goal. I hope to stockpile on detergent, bleach, fabric softener, shampoo & conditioner, medicine, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, etc. You can stockpile just about everything really. But the key is to pay the very least amount you possibly can.

Amy uses a website called "The Grocery Game" but I have found a free site called "Coupon Mom". Both sites are wonderful resources! They list the following stores in which you can use coupons and save money: Wal-Mart, Publix, CVS, Walgreens, Winn-Dixie, & Target. You can use coupons most anywhere...but the site sticks to those particular stores. When you are on the site, you can click on the link for Wal-mart(or any other listed store). Once you do that, it tells you the items that are on sale in that store that correlate with coupons that come out in your Sunday paper (past or present paper). The site will direct you to which paper had the coupon (example 4/5 SS...meaning the April 5th Sunday paper in the Smart Source flyer). There are 3 flyer's you need to look for, they are: Smart Source, Red Plum and P&G. Amy taught me how to set up a filing system which keeps up with the flyer's and their dates. It's super easy, and you only cut the coupons once you need them.

Recently, Joey and I went to publix. I purchased approx 10 items and paid just over $9. I left with 2 packages of english muffins, 2 jars of spaghetti sauce, 2 jars of mayo, 2 bottles of Kraft dressing, and 2 packages of halls cough drops. Most of the items were buy one get one free, and I also used coupons. You can double up your coupons at Publix (use 2 coupons even though one item is free).

The goal is to make a list of items that you always purchase, and learn to shop for them...and learn to stockpile them. Amy use to allot herself $200 per week for groceries. Now that she is using this system, she actually spends less than $100 per week. Sometimes as little as $60. In this economy, she is saving her family a lot of money. And if you think about it, if there is an economic crisis...she is stocked!

If you need help/guidance on how to get this system started, I would absolutely love to help. I am still learning, and I ask Amy questions all the time! But eventually, you will grasp the concept and believe in it!

I have a secret to tell....

I wasn't sure if I would blog about this. To be honest, it's something I have thought about off and on for a few years. This will come as shocking to many...especially to you Cyndi. Trust me when I say, I have shared this with very few people (Joey, my mom, my classroom aide). I have not kept this secret for any reason. I just choose to not talk about it.

Ok here goes...I have been thinking seriously about becoming a surrogate mother. Why?! Well...I really don't know why to be honest. Maybe God plants these thoughts into our hearts. All I can tell you is this...I'm seriously thinking about this. So much so that I have become a member of a surrogate mother website. I have even received a reply from someone in central Florida who is looking for a surrogate.

So what does this mean? Well, basically my body would be a place for someone else's baby to grow. This would not be my baby. I would provide the womb, the nurturing, and the "intended parents" with a baby they couldn't have conceived on their own. Some surrogates allow for the intended parents to use their (mine) egg, but the sperm would come from the "intended father". So technically, this baby would genetically be half mine. I couldn't do that. But I would allow a fertilized egg (not my egg) to be transplanted in me in hopes that the result would be....well a baby.

I have thought about this over and over. I have not prayed deeply about it though...not yet anyway. There is a chance that women from the surrogate mother website are reading this, so I have to make sure I'm completely honest about my thoughts. I actually just learned last night about how many surrogates allow the intended parents to use their egg. So I was a bit discouraged about that. I would love to help someone, but I can't give them a baby that is partially mine. So that's why I would do this if the egg was donated. I wouldn't want the baby genetically tied to me in any way. Does this make sense?

On the website, I have explained that I am currently pregnant, and how I wouldn't be ready until January 2010. So I truly have given this alot of thought. But I have not researched it extensively. I posted my info page before learning about the whole "my egg but your sperm" part of it all. And I have to say again...I couldn't do that, I just couldn't do it.

Lastly, for those of you that know me, you know that my intentions would not be based on a "financial gain". But knowing that someone cannot have a child breaks my heart after loving Will the way I do. What if I couldn't have conceived Will? What if a surrogate had carried him for me? What if a surrogate had carried your child for you? Would you not be greatful?

My baby is 3!

Last Monday, March 9th, my baby boy turned 3. I took Monday off to be with him, and we had such a wonderful day together. We slept in till 9am, then went to the Lady Lake Park, then to Chick-Fil-A, and later that evening we went to "Jump in Joey's" in Clermont. If you have never been there, I highly recommend it. It's basically an indoor bounce house. It's incredibly clean with a laid back atmosphere, and the staff was super friendly. Parents can sit back in the nice wicker furniture while their children play their hearts out. I'm sure it's packed on the weekends, so I recommend a week night. My little man was pooped when we got home!

This past Saturday (March 14) we actually celebrated Will's party at Lake Okahumpka Park. He had so much fun! We rented a bounce house for the kids, which was great! I tend to like the idea of a laid back party. Some mothers go all out and plan activities and games. Not me! I let the kids play while the adults enjoyed each others company. I just want the kids to be "free" and run and play as they wished. I may do games as Will gets older...

If you are reading this and you have a child Will's age, please do not get offended if I didn't invite you to his party. We basically had family, and a few friends. Will has 3 boys that he is very close to, so we invited those 3 along with their families. Other than that, it was all family. We really tried to stay around 30 people since we were feeding them. It's so easy to spend hundreds of dollars on a party! I'm sure you are all shaking your heads in agreement right now!

Before I show you party pictures, I have to take the time to tell you about Will's birthday cake! I was telling my friend (the one who made the cake) that I wanted a big #3 cake, and I wanted it red and black (Bulldog colors of course). While talking to her, Will says "Mommy I want a spongebob cake". I looked at my friend and said..."Okay so I was saying, I want a big #3 cake...." Later in the day, Will said (at least 3 times) that he wanted a spongebob cake. First of all, Will doesn't watch spongebob, has no clothing or toys with spongebob...yet he was insistent on a spongebob cake! So yes...he had a spongebob cake...but NO spongebob decorations I assure you! If you ever need a cake made, please let me know! My friend Robin doesn't even do this for a living! Her cake was a work of art, and tasted like heaven! Her prices are unbeatable, and I assure you, you will not be disappointed!