Grow Baby Grow

Gracie turned 7 weeks old today. She is really a good baby. I was blessed with a child that is calm and very happy. She loves to snuggle and lately EAT!! I think she is going through a growth spurt. The Dr. has me putting a little rice cereal in her bottle of formula to thicken it up a little because she is spitting up too much. She loves those bottles and can't get the nipple into her mouth fast enough.

She is in her crib now and is sleeping a lot better. She usually will sleep for 4 hours at a time. We are still trying to help her get her days and night sorted out.

Another Year Older

My baby boy turned 7 yesterday. Where has the time gone? This is always a fun time because Rey and Dom are the same age for almost 2 months. He woke up so excited and was happy to take cupcakes to school for all of his friends. Mema and Pop Pop bought him pants for school and jammies and Aunt Jaimeers got him a cool sweatshirt. From his great grandparent's he got money to buy some new shoes. Mommy and Daddy got him some transformer and spider man toys ,a Dinosaur book and an animal magazine subscription. He is always so thankful with whatever gifts he gets.

Anchors Away

Saturday we went to Liberty State Park and took the Ferry over to the Statue of Liberty and then to Ellis Island. My parents had never been there. The kids loved the Ferry ride and enjoyed using Pop Pop's binoculars. We spent the whole afternoon walking around and exploring. The kids were a little bummed about not being able to go up in the Statue. You have to make reservations way in advance.

Amazingly everyone was on their best behavior.

Great Outdoors

While my parents were here we spent a lot of time outside sitting on the porch while the kids played. It was so beautiful out all week and we enjoyed relaxing in the great outdoors. The kids rode their scooters and played with the neighbor kids.

Does She Look Like Mommy or Daddy?

I really loved these pictures and just had to share. I have come to the conclusion that she just looks like both of us.

Gift from God

On Sunday we had Gracie Dedicated at our Church. It was a beautiful presentation before the Lord. I Thank God for her and realize what a miracle she truly is. She wore an adorable pink and chocolate brown dress from her " Auntie Desiree" and she had on fancy socks and shoes and a hair band that her Nana in Georgia got for her. It was so wonderful having my parents out for a special day. They were not able to be around for the other children's dedications and adoptions so it was nice to have them there on that day.

Visitors

Life is crazy busy right now. I have my parents in town for a visit over a long weekend. We are having a blast and I am taking a ton of pictures so get ready to have a lot to look at after I get them all uploaded to my computer in a couple of days. You are all gonna beg me to stop with the pictures.
Today we went out for an awesome breakfast. It was one of those stick to the ribs kind of breakfast where you could go the rest of the day without eating. Even the boys ate a lot. Dominic enjoyed Peanut butter and chocolate pancakes. Reynaldo had his usual French toast. I had an awesome California Omelet with avocado in it and I had grits. Jim had waffles and my parents had an egg and meat meal. Miss Kiarrah had FRENCH FRIES. She has gotten to be a pretty picky eater lately.
Later we headed over to Liberty State Park and took the ferry to Ellis Island and to the Statue of Liberty. It was a gorgeous day.
I will try to post again soon

Showers of Blessings

It was a really nice day on Saturday. They had a baby shower for me at my old church and I got to spend a nice afternoon with people I haven't been able to see in a long time. . I feel so blessed to have the people I do in my life. Everyone was so excited to see Gracie and the other kids. It was like we never left. I love this picture of Dominic and me.

Show and Tell Friday

I thought I would do my own little show and tell. The butterfly got this as an adoption day gift from some good friends of ours. I thought it was so cute and I love the color combination. It is something she will always treasure. I am so happy that she is finally ours for good. We finally closed our home down to foster care and as much as I was ready to be done with it, I was sad about it. There are so many children out there that need a forever home.

One Month Already??

Where has time gone? My little sweet potato is one month old today. The kids adore her and love to smother her with love. It is a daily fight over who gets to hold her. Kiarrah is adjusting to not being the baby anymore and only girl. The green eyed monster comes out once and awhile but it is getting much better. We spend a lot of time with her alone doing big girl things and involve her in helping take care of Gracie. Thought I would share some pictures for all you out their begging me for more.

Pictures, Pictures and more Pictures

The Land of Lack of Nod

Greetings from Sunny Jersey. I write to you through bleary eyes caused by lack of sleep but with joy bubbling over in my heart. I love being a mom. All of my kiddos are doing great. The butterfly is flourishing at her little preschool and coming home with songs and stories of her classmates. She loves the program and it is the best thing we could have done for her. I have decided to keep her there for the Fall instead of putting her in the public school system.
Rey is loving having all of the kids in the neighborhood to practice all his sports skills with. He is quite the athlete and especially loves to play football. There are a few little boys in the neighborhood that you will find in our yard on a regular basis. I am so happy we moved here and that the kids are so adjusted to it. This is the kind of neighborhood that I wanted them to grow up in. It is all about families and playing outside and just being kids. Not an overbooked social calendar filled with classes to the max. Kids are only kids once.
Dominic loves the outdoors too but also likes his quiet time in his room. He has developed a major love of reading!!! That brings a major smile to my face because I share this hobby with him. You will find me with my nose buried in a book quite often. Dominic has also been enjoying corresponding through snail mail with his cousin Sean who lives in Indiana. He misses him so much.
Miss Gracie is doing wonderful. She loves to sleep!!!! DURING THE DAY!! Lol but not at night. She is a total cuddle bug and loves her siblings. They enjoy feeding her and holding her. She has changed our whole family in so many ways. Ki loves to sing to her. Especially, You are my sunshine. We took Gracie to the Dr. and she needs to eat a little more. She is still not at her birth weight. She only weighs 7lb 14 oz. I have tried many times to breast feed but she just will not latch on. I am currently pumping and then supplementing with 2 bottles of formula. Would love any advice on how to increase my milk supply. I had a breast surgery 7 years ago and I think it affected a few of my milk ducts so I am not able to produce enough for her. I am giving her what I can because it is better than nothing at all.
I will post pictures later after I upload them.

Here is a link to the Web Nursery

http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/babypage.asp?UrlID=8H6I5T8R8Q

Day Three in the Life of Gracie

Mommy and baby are doing quite well. I am quite sore after the C section and lacking in major sleep but so happy. Gracie is such an awesome baby and quite the little sleeper. I hope she stays that way. I look forward to many naps with her. The kids are very anxious for us to come home tomorrow. Reynaldo still doesn't realize that we get to "keep" her. Thought you might enjoy a few more pictures. We have had many vistors and can't wait to recover and then get back in the world with all of our friends and loved ones.

and even more

The kids were so excited to meet their sister. Especially Dominic. Reynaldo's first question was asking me why her skin wasn't brown like his. That took some explaining. We are all doing wonderful and recovering nicely.

More pictures

Announcing Gracie Noelle

I bet this is the message that you all have been waiting for. Gracie is finally here. After a long night of no sleep and the little one moving up a storm inside my womb, I woke up tired and cranky and ready for my little sweet potato to make her appearance. I was scheduled to have an ultrasound this morning to check her fluid level and if it was low they were planning to do a C section tomorrow am. Well, They placed me on the fetal moniter after breakfast and for some reason her heart rate was sky high and tacky. Next thing I know I was being rushed to the OR for surgery right away. Jim had left 1/2 hour before that to go home and I had to call him to come back. Long story short, her umbillical cord had two knots in it and she was not getting oxygen or anything. They did the surgery right then and there and couldn't even wait for daddy. Was was born at 11:06 am and weighs 8 pounds 2.9 ounces and was 20 inches long. She is extremely healthy with no sugar issues and her lungs were developed. I praise God for a beautiful healthy baby girl.

Update

Quick update. Well it has been a week and I am still in the hospital. Had an amnio yesterday to see if Gracies lungs were developed and they poked me three times ( ouch) and were not able to find a pocket of fluid large enough to take fluid out without risk to hitting Gracie with the needle. She is 8 pounds already so there is no way they are gonna let me wait until the 10th for the C section. I am VERY uncomfortable and having problems with my blood sugar crashing due to vomiting. UGH. SIck of needles for insulin, for bllod checks for amnios, and for IVS!!!!!!!!!! Yesterday I had myself a good cry fest because I miss my kids so much. Hopefully today we will have some answers and know what is going on. Meanwhile. Gracie is doing wonderful and extremely active. She just likes to kick and put pressure on my siatica and it makes my legs numb out on me. Sleeping is next to impossible. Hopefully the next time I write it will be about Gracie's arrival. Thank you so much for your prayers. It means the word to me.

Hi

Thought I would give you all another quick update. I am in the hospital due to some cramping and contractions. Came in last night and they have had me on fluids and have been monitering Gracie. All is well. The contractions are too sporatic and far apart for now so they might send me home tomorrow. I am just ready for baby girl to be born. My hubby was nice and brought his laptop in for me to use tonight. I am so lost without my internet.
I have been amazed with how many people have stepped forward to help with the kiddos. I go to such an awesome and amazing church. We have not had to worry about the kiddos at all.
Well, Hope everyone is doing great.

Update

Just a quick little note. I am without internet service for a while so have not been able to post. Please don't give up on me. I will be back soon. I am scheduled for my C Section on August 10th if I don't go sooner. Hope everyone is doing well.

Weekend and Question

We had a pretty low key weekend. Saturday we took the kiddos to see Transformers. Awesome movie btw. They just could have done without the sexual content, especially knowing the younger kids would want to see the movie too. The graphics were awesome. The boys were on the edge of their seats the whole time. Ki was good until about the end then she had enough.
We ran errands and then sat outside. I was pretty uncomfortable all weekend so I did a lot of laying around and sleeping. I just have so much pressure when I walk.
I am seriously thinking of taking my blog private. Would love to hear some opinions on that. I really don't want to lose my readers but would feel more comfortable knowing who my actually readers are. Especially when I post pictures. Would you keep reading my blog if I made it private?

Friday FInale

I had such a mopey down day today. I think this whole C Section thing has me scared. Just the thought of the epidural has me freaked. I am not one that tolerates pain well. Plus I am feeling down because I just don't have any of my family around. I am having one of those " I want my mommy" kind of days. I have my friends but some days you just need your mommy. It upsets me that they are not hear to share in this whole experience with me. The family I do have here just are not really active in the whole thing.
Sorry for such a negative tone. I literally burst into tears today. My husband didn't know whether to cry with me or laugh. I wanted to smack him.
Feeling lots of pressure today. It is getting painful. I wish I wasn't overweight to begin with because I am sure that isn't helping things. We are headed into a huge heatwave and UGH! I am just not ready for that.
The boys had a busy day. They worked on workbooks, wrote letters, wrote in their journals, and read. They also watched movies and played PlayStation. It was actually a pretty decent day. I just wish I could get them outside more often. I just can't stand the heat and we don't have any shade.
Kiarrah had an awesome day and came home with a hundred kisses for me. She has been very loving lately. She is very chatty and turns everything she says into a song.
Well, off to bed here. Hopefully I can get some sleep.

Little Update

Sorry I haven't been on in forever. Been having computer problems and also just getting very uncomfortable and tired. I only have a few more weeks to go. Yesterday we had a really nice time at a BBQ at our Pastors' house. It is so nice because they live on our block so we didnt have far to go and the kids were so well behaved. We have been invited to a few cookouts in the last few weeks but we just haven't been able to go because of how I have been feeling. I hate missing out on stuff like that.
Went to the Dr. on Monday. Gracie is doing well. The boys got to see their first ultrasound and are so excited. Everyday they ask me if she is coming out yet. They sent me over to L & D because we weren't sure if I was having real contractions. Come to find out I was dehydrated and need two bags of fluids and I was having Braxton Hicks and all the pain has been round ligament stretching. Geez it hurts. I am such a baby with pain.
Kiarrah is loving school and thriving there. It was just what she needed. She comes home happy and tired and is a major pleasure to be around. She has gotten in a little trouble but that is to be expected.
The boys have been kept busy with the summer library reading program and writing in their journals and playing outside. I try to get them out for a few hours a day. Thank goodness it has been a little cooler out.
Jims wounds are healing. He has gotten so much grief about his "booboos" GOOD!
I have my baby showers coming up and I am getting so excited. We went out the other day and bought my travel system. We figured we better get the carseat now after the scare on monday. My grandparents helped me get it with baby money. I can't beleive how expenesive those things are. My parents are bring out the crib in Sept. I just need to get a mattress now.
Well, I best get in the shower. We have a few little errands to do today.

Question of the Week

When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?

Tuesday Tales

Boy am I sleepy today. It is definitely going to be a nap day!! Ah!. Just the sound of it is making me yawn. The kids had one more half day but I let them skip it. Ain't I a cool mom?? LOL. It is just so hot out there and I was dreading the walk there and back.
Dominic was pleased because he has been punished from his PlayStation and got it back today. You can guess what he will be doing today.
Reynaldo is just happy to be home with "Momma". He misses me when he is at school. That makes me teary eyed. Today we are going to sign up for the summer reading program at our library. Later today today the boys have check up appointments with the Dr.
Ki had an awesome first day at preschool and get this... Actually took a nap for them. That girl never naps. I hope it isn't something that is gonna wear off. She really enjoyed herself and was kept busy.
I had my Dr. appointment and this was my first appointment without taking Kiarrah and my blood pressure was better than it has ever been. He said was doing really good and to just take it easy. We also talked a lot about post partum depression and they gave me some helps and resources to help me out. I am not as worried about it as I was.
My great friend Sarah watched the boys after school for me while I was at my appointment. She is like Mary Poppins with her bag of goodies. I was so impressed with what she did with the kids. She took them on an imaginary trip to Hawaii. She brought a map and showed them where they were going exactly. They did coloring sheets of airplanes, made glittery fish and tissue paper fish, did something with coffee filters and made lei's. She also made this octopus matching game. They had a blast. I am so blessed with awesome friends that take the time to understand my kids and know how to love on them and give them what they need and that is acceptance. They have had so many people walk in and out of their lives and I think they have learned who is gonna be there for them. Those are the people they cling too.
Last night Jim and I went to a Sectional Pastor meeting. What an awesome word from God. Our worship team ministered and they did a great job. It felt weird not really seeing the kids for most of the day but they had a good day, I got a break and we all missed each other. Sometimes a break is just what you need.
Well, off to boil some hard boiled eggs for the worlds famous soccer player.

Monday Morning Mews

The "butterfly" started preschool this morning. She woke up so excited and just ready to start her day. She claims that she hopes that she gets homework.
The boys went to one of their last two half days of school. These half days are such a waste. Dominic seems sad that school is ending but is looking forward to fun times in the back yard swimming and playing football. Reynaldo feels the same.
I have a 32 week appointment with my Dr. Hopefully things are progressing well. Let the countdown begin. I noticed this morning that i have a major waddle going on. I am gonna try to get more things ready for the baby this week. I am having a shower in a few weeks that I am really excited about.
Not much else going on. I am going with my husband and Worship Team and Pastors to a Sectional meeting tonight. We got a sitter for the night so it will be a nice break. The Worship team will be ministering.
Now to get a little bit of stuff around here done.

Shore was a nice Day

Yesterday we had a very nice day. I have the sunburn to prove it. We decided to take a trip down to the shore so we could at least go once this summer. We headed down to Island Beach State Park which is our favorite. Nice clean sandy beaches, clean bathrooms and nice and quiet without the glamour of the boardwalk. The kids loved the water although it was only 64 degrees. Dominic lived in the water most of the time and then enjoyed tossing a football around with dear old dad. Reynaldo and Kiarrah enjoyed playing in the sand and simply filling a bucket with water and dumping it. It was only about 80 degrees so it made for a pleasant day.

I am stunned

My 4 1/2 year old daughter has a crush on someone from TV. Nat from Naked Brothers Band. He is the one in the black t-shirt. You should see her blush when you ask her about him. She wanted him to come to our house to play LOL

8 Months

If one more person asks me if I am having twins I am gonna scream.