Placenta Previa

It's been way too long since I've posted!! WAY too long! 

Since I've posted, I found out we are pregnant with our 5th child. 

I am currently 18 weeks along. At 11 weeks, they wanted to do an ultrasound to see how far along I was. It was actually a blessing in disguise. I found out I have complete placenta previa. 

I was beyond shocked when I found out. I've had nothing but healthy natural births, and to hear this was a blow (to me). I prayed really really really REALLY hard to not have a c-section, but after a while I felt a sense of calmness, that everything will be ok. Now, is that calmness assuring me I won't have a c-section or is it assuring me that everything will be ok? I am pretty sure no matter how I go, I'll be just fine, and the baby will be just fine, all I want is a healthy baby. I am completely aware things can change and the placenta could possibly move on up in a position to let me give birth naturally. Either way, I just want a healthy baby! 

I have THE ultrasound June 6th to find out what this baby is and to find out if the placenta has moved any since the last ultrasound. 

One year older and wiser too...

(you like the Elvis lip?)

Happy Birthday to you!
Gabriel has been such a blessing in our lives! He's honestly the sweetest, most affectionate boy. He always, always comes to give me a hug when he sees I'm having a bad day.
The other night when I was tucking him into bed, he told me that I'm the best mom in the entire world! Thanks bud!

Gabriel is such a sweet spirit! He's in touch with the spirit at such a young age. When he was 16 months he would point at a picture of Jesus and give me the biggest grin and hug and kiss the picture. Kids have such a perfect light about them.

I can't believe that in a year this little boy will be baptized!

Life has been busy. Matt is working like crazy, I only get to see him 2 days out of every 2 weeks, though I am very thankful we have a job and we can now save to get our own home!! *sighs*

Matt is still pursuing his Marriage and Family Therapy degree. He has a plan B though if plan A goes south (plan A is being a Chaplain in the Army). Plan B is to work through the church and help members who the Bishop recommends to him.

We are moving to Arizona come the beginning of the year, and I don't think anyone knows how excited I am for this move! Besides having my own home, I'll be with friends, which I so need!!! Did I mention how amazing the weather is, too?! Besides the 120 degrees in the summer, the rest of the year totally makes up for it in my mind, and if I miss snow....Flagstaff is only a few hours away!!

The biggest update is that I've decided to become a RN! When we move to Arizona I'm going to pursue a BSN. I'm beyond thrilled! I've always wanted to be a nurse...really, always! I just never really had an interest to start Nursing school, it was intimidating. I figure if I start now, by they time Elise is in Kindergarten or 1st grade I'll have a job and can tend to other people instead of being stuck at home.

My desire is to work with labor and delivery! I'm looking into becoming a Midwife or CNW (Certified Nurse Midwife), which will take getting a Masters. I'm still debating what I want to do when I become a RN.

A picture of the kids dressed up for Halloween!
Luigi, Mario, Peach & Daisy.

To This End Was I Born

Every once and a while (usually Sunday's) we put this on (mainly for the kids) to keep things quiet while we play a game or want some quiet time. They LOVE this movie! What really surprises me is how much they know about the Savior and what he went through.

A few Sunday's ago Brooke got excited to see this movie because she said "He died so we can have our bodies back." What Philosopher or "bible expert" can simply admit that to you? It's a simple answer! Jesus suffered for our sins and died so we can have our bodies back! A 5 year old explained it so simply!

Ring!

Matt's new wedding band since his is starting to get ugly looking! Titanium, manly, and not a bad price!

Happy 1st Birthday, Elise!

A year ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl! So healthy, and so chunky! My biggest baby yet at 9lbs 5oz 21 in!

Elise, you have brought us so much joy and laughter! We are so happy to have you as a part of our family!

We love you so much Elise Tiffany!

Happy Birthday Matt!

What can I say about this man that you already don't know? I love him more then words can say.

Here are some things I love about him!

• He's fluent in Spanish. He served his mission in El Salvador.
• He's the third child out of 7 children in his family.
• He's amazing at the piano.
• He doesn't just study things, he masters them.
  
• When we were first talking to each other he called me Melanie (once)! I still tease him about it to this day! ha
• He may not be the most observant person, but he focuses where needs be.
  
• He got a 3.9 (so close to a 4.0) this last semester, even though he has a wife, kids and a job! I could NEVER do that.
  
• He's getting his Masters in Marriage and Family counseling.
• His goal is to be a Chaplain in the Army :o)
• He says he reminds him of Mr. Darcy, so intense, so giving, yet so misunderstood.
  
• He could eat pizza everyday for the rest of his life and be happy!
• He sings opera!
  
• His favorite singer is Jose Carreras (one of the three tenors).
• He's a history buff! He knows too much.
• He's a great dad!
• He's such a romantic guy!
• He's a self motivator. He actually motivates me, I need more help in that area.
  
• He can think up of games for the kids at the drop of the hat, and they love it, No matter how crazy it is!
• He has piercing steel blue eyes!
  
• He holds conversations in his sleep!
• He loves spicy food. He once ate 6 or 7 hot hot peppers in El Salvador and beat his companion, who was from I think Guatemala. He likes to brag about that one...
• He's the creative one, I'm the artistic one.
• We are often on the same wavelength. We sometimes finish each others sentences!
• He's a walking GPS! I know I will NEVER get lost with him around!
• He will do whatever it takes to take care of this family! That's a rare quality these days.
  
• He's one sexy hot tamale
  

Happy Birthday Matt! Although we can't be with you to spoil you and take care of you today, I hope you have a great day :o) We love you more then words can say <3

Quote

1st Grader!

Gabriel was so excited to go to 1st grade! He told me what shirt he wanted to wear that day and everything. When he came home I asked him how he liked his first day of 1st grade, he said "I don't think I like it because all we do is homework!" He'll get the hang of it! It's definitely not kindergarten, but he will have fun :o)

Red Sox!

We went to a Red Sox game vs. the Kansas City Royals! Guess who got their butts stomped on?!

Happy Birthday Brooke!

This picture was taken when she was 2 weeks!! People don't believe me when I tell them she was smiling since birth....here's proof :o)


Brooke, Brooke, Brooke. I knew from the moment I could feel her kicks inside of me she was going to be a feisty one, and she hasn't proved me wrong! My mother in law told me once while I was pregnant with Brooke "Tell your daughter to stop following me around, I can feel her around me constantly!" It's funny she said that because, now that we have lived with them for a year, Brooke follows everyone around, pestering them.


Brooke likes to think she's the mommy. We (I) have to keep her in check every once and a while and tell her that she's still a kid, she needs to do kid things instead of bossing everyone...and I mean everyone around!

She is a big helper, and loves to help with chores and getting me things for Elise, or whatever I need. She once knocked on the bathroom door while her Aunt Rachel was in there to ask if she could clean the toilet!! She takes pride in cleaning those bathrooms, or vacuuming or putting away clothes, or helping out with Elise. Her main chore is to get the toothbrushes ready for all the kids. She makes sure there is enough toothpaste on the toothbrush, she makes sure to run it under the water, and she even gets Elise's toothbrush ready with special toothpaste.

She keeps me on my toes constantly, but always knows how to make me happy! Brooke, I'm so glad you are a part of our eternal family! Life would definitely be boring without you here in my life!

My little thumb sucker!



Love always,
Mom

Elise(ese)

Lately Elise has been blabbing and singing away!
She's saying some words.

Da-da. Ma-ma. More. Thank You (which kind of sounds like "dada"). Boo. Ba-ba. Hi.

She's progressing so much! She stands up while I'm feeding her on the floor.

Matt and me joke around at how Elise always does things he wants her to do when he's gone driving. Well, Matt will be gone for about 2-3 weeks....and I can almost guarantee she will be walking by the time he gets back! Who knows...

Elise is standing....

She has been standing and cruising along couches now for a few weeks. And when she doesn't realize you let go of her hands, she can stand for a good 10-20 seconds unassisted :o) Elise...stop growing, please!

Happy 28th to ME!

I really can't think of 28 things about me that you probably don't already know since my last birthday post. Here we go...

1. I'm anal about how my clothes and sheets smell.
2. I'm lazy.....(something I'm working on)
3. I'm still a Massachusetts driver! I get way too impatient with other drivers!
4. I also get really paranoid on the road, only when other people drive because they can't drive as well as me.... ;o)
5. Since my husband has been driving trucks I really only trust him (sometimes) driving me anywhere.
6. I'm married to an opera singer! Ok, so he doesn't sing in operas (although he did while in college) he was classically trained. It's wonderful to sit next to him in sacrament and hear him sing the hymns! I love it!
   
7. I also loved when he would practice at home, even when he would hit a wrong note ;o)
8. I'm a big fan of GLEE's music!!
9. I wish I was more outspoken. I envy those who can speak their mind and in turn have people respect them.
10. I've been on herbalife for a while. Since starting it I've lost a good amount of weight and my cravings have diminished!
    
11. I've recently set a major goal as far as working out goes. I told Matt that if I work out six days a week with zumba and I build my stamina, I want to get The Insanity Workout!! So far, I've worked out for 2 weeks straight! I have a vision in my mind with a new body. I want to tell people I have 4 kids really close in age and have them be in awe....yep, I'm a goal setter ;o)
    
12. I love food....something I wish I hated for the fact that I really could be morbidly obese if I just let myself go!
13. Although I'm from Massachusetts, I'm not that big into seafood. I can stand somethings, but most all of it I turn my nose at.
14. I'm not a fan of cranberries either....
15. We are seriously considering moving to Utah towards the end of the year.
16. I sort of dread moving to Utah for the fact that I know plenty of people who have the "keeping up with the Jones'" syndrome!
17. I don't want to be one of those people!
    
18. I want to move to Utah because we have lots and lots of family and friends out there.
    
19. We would be in Utah for a good 2-3 years! (Really...I'm not lying)
20. I am done with having kids. Really, Matt even agreed! He wants a sane wife :o)
21. I LOVE chocolate! We have a love hate relationship! You know, I LOVE it and it hates me...
    
22. I've recently been addicted to etsy.com
23. I bite my nails, especially when I'm nervous.
24. I love to cook, and may I add, I'm a pretty darn good cook!
25. I hate roller coasters. Matt said he's going to cure me of this one day...doubt it!
26. I hate having my ears touched, even when Matt kisses them, I shudder! (Just thinking about it makes me shudder)
27. Matt told me once the only thing he would change about me are my feet. They are like sandpaper! I guess he needs to treat me to pedi's more often ;o)
28. I dread turning 30! I honestly can't picture myself an old, old lady. 30 is no where close to old, but it's not 20 anymore! I honestly can not picture myself as a grandma or great grandma!

#15. We just don't know anymore....I guess you will know when we do! HA

Happy Birthday Tristan!!

Tristan is turning 3!
It seems like not too long ago he was just born. Fresh from the womb!

This little kid is one smart and tough cookie!
When he knows a routine, he's always one step ahead of you. He knows where everything is when you ask him to get something. He loves helping out with any task, small or large. You will most often find him following me (or grandma) around the house helping out in any little (or big) way he can! He's probably the most observant kid I've ever met....ever (and I'm not just saying that because he's my son)

I've always had a bond with him. I've felt so connected to him from literally the second he was conceived. I love him so, so much! I'm so happy he chose me as his mother, to love and look after him.

Tristan, you are loved! We are so happy to have you in this eternal family!

Birthday Party!

I think Tristan loves sharing his birthday parties with me! He just glowed the whole time, and was kissing me non stop! He's such a sweetie!

I got what I wanted for my birthday: All of Jane Austen books in one big book! *sighs*

Tristan got a text and learn from leap frog and some clothes and a look and find book, all of which he loved!

Happy Birthday to us!!!

Happy Independence Day!

Life

So, I stumbled across this draft dated 9/27/10 that I forgot to post. I'll just post it now. It's so funny how kids grow right before your eyes!

Life has a tendency to go by too fast! It seems to go by faster when you have kids.
I remember when Gabriel was born, I was always looking forward to all his milestones in life; his first smile, coo, laugh, step, etc. Now, having 4 kids I don't want to witness anymore milestones (ok, I really do, but you get my point) I want them to stay in this form forever!

Elise has already given me her first coo....actually several, and I can't get enough! Call me selfish, but I want her to stay like this forever!
I can't get enough of her silly faces, like those crossed eyes as she's trying to focus on things, her little mouth making an "o" shape, her little noises....I could go on forever.

Although I want her (and all my kids) to stay stuck in this form forever, I'm excited to see what life has in store for them. I want nothing but the best for them!

Life as a mother of 4 is hectic, no doubt about that. I have one who goes to school all day and 3 who stay at home all day, one who demands my attention 24/7 (ok, so all of them do, but you get what I'm saying)
Gabriel, Brooke & Tristan just adore their new sister! Gabriel helps as much as possible. He doesn't smother her like the other two do, and he's just so sweet towards her.
Brooke is a little mama. She has to kiss her constantly, and gives Elise her pacifier when she starts crying. She loves feeding her when I give her the bottle.
Tristan loves giving kisses!! He's always been this way, and just smothers her in love. He's sometimes a little too rough, but he's just 2.

Happy Father's Day!

Just because I love this song...

AND Michael Buble!... And these two!