Whirlwind Weekend

I am pooped! What a jam packed weekend. That is not a complaint though. I just know I need to rest a little more than I actually did this weekend. I am paying for it today.
Friday I went to an awesome concert at my church that was done by our Worship Pastor and the Choir. My husband is in the choir. It was an amazingly uplifting evening of worship and fellowship. My kids were home snug in their beds with a babysitter keeping a watchful eye on them. Just the kind of night I needed. I went along with a friend and she was an awesome Date. Love ya Luz. Saturday I ran some errands after getting to sleep in until 9 am. We then had a BBQ with Our Pastors. I finally got to know them better on a more personal level and we had many laughs and fun.
Sunday!!! Mother's Day!!! Awww I am amazed at my husband and children. I am so lucky. They made me breakfast in bed! We went to church for a beautiful service and then I had my buddy, my pal over for another cookout. I guess we should actually call it a cook in. We got our grill but now need outdoor furniture so that we can actually eat outside.
My children made me all kinds of goodies at school and Sunday school. Dominic gave me so many kisses yesterday and kept telling me that he loved me. For the most part they even were pretty well behaved. That was all I wanted for Mother's Day.
All in all it was a wonderful weekend spent with family and friends. Just the way I like it.

Dear Gracie

Dearest Gracie,
I just wanted to thank you for allowing me to lose all of the contents of my stomach tonight after dinner. I do hope that you got the nutrition that you needed from my grilled Boca Burger, bean salad and Pickles. Maybe it was the pickles that threw you over the edge. UGH! I had hoped to get by today with out throwing up and fought it many times since this morning.
I would also like to thank you for the return of " my girls" I paid good money to have them removed 7 years ago and you are reminding me that my money was well spent ( along with the help of the insurance company too). It looks like it is time for me to purchase new " over the shoulder Boulder holders." I do hope after breastfeeding that they will shrink but not slink. I want them to be perky like they were before. Maybe I can use the bras as a hammock for you as you grow and I shrink.
The stretch marks are really lovely too. I mean I had my share of them from my fatness before and didn't think it was possible to get anymore. Boy was I wrong. I guess I will call them my badges of honor for being blessed with you.
I can't blame not seeing my feet on you because I couldn't see them before but this waddling is something new! Especially when trying to climb the stairs. Awww the many joys of pregnancy.
I do hope when you are born you realize how much I love you and even though I am complaining and miserable now it will all be worth it in the end.
Love, Mommy

Click Take a Pic

Kiarrah in her favorite Shirt. It is so fitting for her personality

Strike a Pose.

Kiarrah and one of her Godmothers. They don't get to see each other often due to college but they love each other.

Private Blog

I have had a couple people email me that they want to be readers of my private blog. I just need you to send me your google email account address so that I can invite you. mademombygod@comcast.net. If you don't use a google account ( which is free btw) you will not be able to comment.

Birthmothers

With Mother's Day approaching I am usually struck by such a sadness. Not for myself but for the birth mothers of my children. I guess it has hit me more this year because of carrying my little bundle in my womb right now. How do they feel on that day? Do they think of the child that was either taken away or given up? With Dom and Kiarrah the judge terminated rights after many years because both mothers were crack addicts and didn't want to ( or just couldn't bring themselves to) go through a drug rehab and detox. Neither child was the first born. It was history repeating itself many times. I can't imagine a mother not feeling something or wondering and missing their child. I sometimes wish I could have contact with them in someway and reassure them that their offspring was safe and doing well. Dominic's birthmother gave birth to him and left the hospital and was never seen again. Her need for the drug was so strong that she didn't look back. Kiarrah's mother fought for her but in all the wrong ways. With agression, a drugged up stupor and violence. She is extremely unstable and unable to take care of even herself. Rey's mom surrendered her rights because she felt he was better off with people who could provide for him. She too struggled with the Demon called Crack. She met us through foster care and named us as the people she wanted him to be with She had a deep love for her child and wanted what was best for him. I pray for each mother all of the time. Thank you for allowing me to be the Mother to your offspring.

Wacky Wednesday

I am so tired today. I slept over at the twins house because their parents went out of town. I can't believe my girls are already 13. I was their nanny for 8 years. I took the little butterfly with me and she loved all of the attention. They gave her a bath in their jacuzzi tub and she thought that was AWESOME! Especially when the bubbles from the shampoo started multiplying. We just spent a quiet evening at home after they completed all of their homework.
Rachel got out her stethoscope (a real one) and we all listened to Gracie's heartbeat. It was awesome. I wasn't certain at first if we would be able to hear it. They thought it was so neat.
I had a hard time sleeping. Kiarrah and I shared the bed in the guest room and she is such a bed hog and then I just couldn't get comfortable. Baby girl is laying low in the front of my stomach where it folds when you sit. It even feels weird walking up stairs.
Today I am going to veg and try to fit a nap in. Kiarrah was up so early. I am hoping she will lay down too. I have life group tonight so want to be refreshed. Not falling asleep. I have so much to do around here but hey God didn't do it all in one day, why should I :)

Sugar Rey Funny

Yesterday when Rey came home from school he looks at me and says " So mom How was Gracie today? LOL. I said to him that she has been a little kicker. His response? GOOD!
He is so into her and can't wait for her arrival. I am so touched when he comes over to me and rubs my belly and kisses it. He always prays for her every night " Dear Jesus help Gracie and mommy to have sweet dreams. He is such a sensitive soul.

Sweet Potato Update

Have I mentioned lately that I am SO SICK OF THROWING UP!!!!! This morning sickness has got to go! I don't know how Bulimics can do it. I thought I was in the clear after not getting sick Saturday and Sunday morning but BAM yesterday morning and today I got hit. I shouldn't have even thought I was in the clear! Baby sweet potato has been very active lately at night. She likes to kick away. Can't wait for my next Ultrasound to see how big she has gotten.

Question of the Week

What do you feel is your biggest Challenge as a Parent?

Busy Like a Bee Weekend

Boy am I tired today but blessed. We had such a busy weekend. Friday we got our grill and planted some flowers. It was such a beautiful day. Saturday the kids had their classes at the Arts Academy and then we had some friends over for a mini cookout. We enjoyed a meal of brats, hot dogs, baked beans, and Homemade Macaroni Salad ( it was mighty yummy if I might say so myself). We topped it off with Strawberry Shortcake. It was a nice evening of fellowship with friends.
Sunday was an awesome service at church. I was so blessed by the message. It really encouraged me to get closer to God and to NOT make compromises. I will write more about all of that later. Jim went with our Senior Pastor to minister at another church so I was at service myself. I was blessed with many people that helped me with my kids. If any of you are reading this " Thank You". We had more friends over last night. I am really so happy that we moved where we did. We made sacrifices for this move but what we have gained far outweighs the losses.
Today I am hoping to get the house cleaned alittle and then have some down time. I need to spend sometime doing my devotions and need to try and fit in a nap.

New Foster Parents

I have friends from church that are in the final stages of becoming licensed foster parents here in New Jersey. If you get a chance can you stop over to Michele's Blog to say hi and to offer some encouragement? Thanks

KiKi Funnies

We were walking to pick up the boys from School yesterday and Kiarrah had something in her shoe and says to me " Mommy I have something Spicy in my shoe". I think she meant to say Spiky.

I asked Kiarrah to go in the bathroom and get her spray for her hair so I could style it. She says " You mean the one that makes my hair perfect?

Let it Shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine

What another beautiful day outside. I am going to go buy some flowers and window boxes and do some planting. Kiarrah is very excited about the whole process. I will be sure to take some pictures. We need some sprucing up around here.
I can't believe that next week I will start my third trimester. It amazes me. Tonight I get to go to a baby shower for a friend from church. They do things alittle different around here. They invite the whole family. The theme is The Hundred Acre Woods. I can't wait until my baby shower. I have actually already registered for items at Target and Babies R Us.
I need to go buy some paint today also. We are going to start painting Kiarrahs room and them Rey and Gracie's. We are doing Kiarrahs Room in lavender on two walls and yellow on the other two. Rey and the sweet potato's room is going to be sage green. Dom has a neutral wallpaper on his room so we don't need to paint in there. I would like to have Jim paint a picket fence with flowers on Kiarrahs wall but I don't know when he would find the time. Maybe they have a Wally like that. I will have to look.
Enjoy your day everyone.

Thursday Blahs

I just can't seem to get motivated today. It is gorgeous out but I have been stuck inside with morning sickness that doesn't seem to want to let up today. I am sooo tired too. Why? I had a good night sleep. I hit my 6 month mark yesterday and my stomach looks like a watermelon. It was funny because I wanted to sleep on my left side yesterday and Gracie wouldn't let me. She seemed to be all curled up on that side and it put too much pressure. I have been dealing with tingly and numb wrists and hands that past few days. They are especially bad after waking and if I have had them under my pillow at night.
This weekend we are going to get some window boxes and Kiarrah and I are going to plant some flowers. I would also like to plant some in the back yard. We are also going to finally get a grill tomorrow. I am looking forward to that. I love outdoor grilled food.

Private Blog

I have decided to start a new blog for some of my more innermost thoughts about things. This is an invite only blog. If you would like to be a part of this please email me privately mademombygod@comcast.net and let me know what your email address is so I can invite you. There are just some topics and thoughts I don't want broadcasted all over the web. I don't know who all my readers are. I will be still writing on this blog almost daily and that will be for more personal issues and my poems.

Need I Say More?

Cravings

I have a new craving. Granny Smith apples. I just love the tartness. Kiarrah even wanted one because I have been eating all of them and she thinks she is missing out on something yummy. Think it will work if I started eating a lot of spinach?

Allergy Eyes

Yesterday was such a busy day. My "worlds famous Soccer Player" Reynaldo woke up with his eyes swollen almost all the way shut. Poor guy was suffering from major allergies. I kept him home and took him to the Dr.'s for some much need meds. Give the kid a little Claritin, eye drops and nose spray and he is back to himself. Now we have to up the Asthma maintence meds. I guess it is that time of year again. Today is another appointment for him. I am beginning to hate visits to the Dr. I have an appointment with my Endocrinologist. Gonna have to take Dom and Ki with me. Dom was not feeling well this morning but this is an important appointment that I have already had to reschedule once before. Got to keep that sugar under control and under the careful eye of the Dr.
I slept really well last night. Baby Gracie actually took it easy on my bladder for the night. I am ready to face my day.

Update on the Sweet Potato

I apologize for not posting this sooner. I so appreciate all of the emails and comments that you have sent my way. Believe me, the prayers have been felt and were heard. My amniotic fluid is on the rise. Still on the low normal range but better none the less. The Dr. just said to keep doing what I have been doing. At least it isn't hospital bed rest. I do have a new concern but I have come to the conclusion it will always be something. Gracie is after all the wonder baby. I have very low placenta that has to be closely monitored so that it doesn't turn into Placenta Previa. The Dr. is pretty certain that I will have a scheduled C-section and more than like have her a little early at 37-38 weeks. My blood pressure and sugar are in excellent condition and I am still 2 pounds under my pre pregnancy weight. Hopefully I will end up smaller than before after she is born. God knows I need to drop the weight.

Cloud Nine

Yesterday my husband arranged a babysitter and took me out to dinner to a very nice restaurant called the 3 Forty Grill to celebrate our 13th Wedding Anniversary. It was such a beautiful night and we sat outside to eat overlooking the NY skyline. We weren't sure where to go and eat but after this place came highly recommended to us we decided it was just what we were looking for. ROMANTIC but yet only 5 miles from home. For an appetizer we enjoyed a Mozzarella Tower which was piled with roasted portabella, sliced house mozzarella,red bell peppers, basil, extra virgin olive oil with grilled focaccia on the side. Even Mr. Anti mushrooms ate the portabella. For dinner I had an Asian Steak Caesar Salad that was made up of seasoned hanger steak, spicy cashews,crispy wontons, romaine lettuce and topped with a Caesar dressing. Jim had the special 3 Forty Burger which was a 10 oz char grilled burger topped with Wisconsin cheddar,hickory smoked bacon, brioche. Everything was so delicious. We ended our evening with coffee and we shared a dessert of Death By Chocolate Brownie which was a mouth watering chocolate explosion of ice cream,chocolate fudge, caramel and white chocolate shavings. Afterwards we walked along the water for awhile and talked. I still feel like I am walking on cloud nine. I even got the ultimate kiss while overlooking New York. :)