Jul

8

Avery Elise Jackson

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How lame am I that I had a baby on the 21st of June and am just now writing about it!

Avery was born in quite the hurry.  After weeks of contractions I went from 0 to 60 on Saturday the 21st.  We were eating at one of our favorite Thai places, (Me, Jeff, boys, and my mother-in-law,) and the contractions started intensifying.  They were only 6 minutes apart though and I was told to not worry about going to the hospital until they were 2-3 apart consistantly.  They were getting pretty unbearable though so keeping a straight face through my meal was seriously difficult!  Afterward, we had promised the boys a trip to the pet store next door.  Jeff went on ahead and when Mimi and I went to catch up, I almost keeled over.  Still 6 minutes apart though I was convinced I could not go to the hospital.  The last thing I wanted was to be sent home (again, it happened earlier that week).

We decided after that contraction that I needed to at least wait in the hospital parking lot, but I insisted we take Mimi and the boys home first.  My poor family…. The ride home it was all I could do to contain the pain.  I was kicking the car and hanging on for dear life to the handle above the door.  When we got to the house I remembered I needed my toothbrush but by the time I was getting out to the car I swore I could feel the baby’s head!

Jeff flew to the hospital and I gave up on waiting for the 2-3 minute distance.  If that wasn’t labor nothing was!  It felt like we were in emergency forever.  By then it finally went to 3 minutes apart and I had 3 contractions while waiting.  They finally got me upstairs and the nurses flew into action.  I was rolled into the room and they asked if I felt up to getting the robe on… No bathroom for me… I threw my clothing off and put the robe on and crawled into bed.  They checked me and I was 7 cm and almost completely effaced.  WIthin a couple minutes I was completely dialated and “all they could feel was head”.

Keep in mind- this whole time I’m begging for an epidural.  Asking where my epidural is…. when was it going to get there. etc.  What I didn’t see was all the faces the nurses apparently made to each other acknowledging it was far too late for an epidural.  WHAT?  When the nurse practitioner was finally frank with me I would like to tell you I was a Champ, I rose to the occasion.  But Nope,  I freaked.  Totally freaked.  I explained how I wasn’t one of those women that could give birth naturally.  I wasn’t one of those that was strong enough.  I hate pain.  I love comfort, high-thread count sheets, pillow top mattresses!!!!  I CAN’T GO NATURALLY!

They kept assuring me I could do it.  By this time I can not explain the amount of pain I was in.  Jeff was crying, I was crying… It was bad.  I was surrounded by about 8 nurses and It did not even occur to me the dr. wasn’t there yet, but it was time to push.  3 PAINFUL pushes and VOILA!  Avery was born.  (i’m avoiding some sordid details.)  She was 8 lbs. 4 oz.

She has been great these past 2 weeks.  The easiest so far of any babies I have had.  I’ll share some pics even though she already looks so different!

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Feb

23

Links Links Links.

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The Mom Crowd writes about what to expect for your child’s surgery. A great reference for those parents who have to go through this with your child. It is written by a mother who has gone through this many times.

Skribbit has a Simple Impression Giveaway, but hurry up as it is only through the weekend that you can win a customized country, shabby chic, plaque.

Sandiego Momma writes a post that really struck me because the scene she described was so familiar. She wrote about her mom’s last moments on earth and being that tomorrow it has been 14 years since my mother passed away it hit a chord. This post is called From Whence I Came.

Also please don’t forget the first DoesMommyLoveIt.com Group Writing Project. You have until Sunday at Midnight Eastern time to enter to win $20 toward Amazon.com.

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Feb

12

Randomness x Seven

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I have been tagged by Mom Loves Being At Home for a 7 random things MeMe. I feel like over the years I have divulged most of my random traits, but I’ll try :) Here Goes:

1. As a child I wore braces on my feet. Not really sure why.

2. My feet have grown from a 7 to an 8 since I had children.

3. I hate unloading the dishwasher, but life could be a whole lot worse, so I do it.

4. I played intramural pinball in college.

5. I hate taking showers when I’m pregnant because it wears me out so much. Sometimes i’ll go dayyyyysssss….

6. I never had cravings until this pregnancy. Ice Cream anyone?

7. I had a 3.3 gpa in high school.

Your turn!!!

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Oct

17

Meeting Randa the Great

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I just wanted to let everyone know that I had a chance to do a play date with Randa Clay or Randa CLay (dot) Com! You all must know she oozes nice down- to-earth midwestern charm. I love it. Please check out her sites if you never have.

Check her out!

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Sep

20

Low Content Blogger

Filed Under Recap, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

WOW! I have really been low on the content posts haven’t I!? Trust me, it is not that I haven’t been thinking of you. It has been a result of this notepad sitting next to me crying out for my availible moment to work through it’s content, complete and scratch off. Even as I do so the contents of “the list” seem to grow!

So many things happen during the day that I say, “OH gosh, I gotta post that!” But the thought escapes me and I never make it to the Mommy Zabs Write Post page.

On top of my load. I have had major fatigue lately. One night I went to bed at 9pm and woke up at 8am. I continued to be exhausted until about 5pm that night?! I think I need to go get my blood tested. this is just so far beyond normal.

Because of all that I have basically not been doing a whole lot more than what is required of me.

What’s high on my internet todo list right now? (a glimpse into my life)

  • Making sure a header is completed for Girly Blog Designs.
  • Getting a Bio written for 3 different sites- I have bio block ;) I find it hard to write about myself that way.
  • Help finish a contract for Wordpress Reworked.
  • Redesigns for:
    • Kristy
    • Leta
    • My Dad
    • Not China Made.Net (just adding 3rd column)
    • and yes Mommy Zabs (minor adjustment don’t worry)
  • Complete my husband’s website for his work
  • New Biz in the work (not posted in my links) Need to get it designed and up and running.
  • Gazelle Creative needs to get up… but not high on priority right now. I have a feeling this will not happen until the new year!
  • Of course there are more and this doesn’t even include the bare bones of posting.

I’ll be back, I promise. I just need to log in some good getting a babysitter time to catch up ;)

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Jul

11

WFMW- Traveling with SMALL Children

Filed Under Children, Family, Motherhood, Uncategorized, Weather, Works for Me Wednesday | 11 Comments

I figured that for this Works for Me Wednesday it would be appropriate for me to discuss traveling with small children for 2 reasons:

1. We just returned from vacation. (you are saw most of the beginning of last weeks posts via FUTURE POST!)
2. Many of you are taking vacations as well.

Here are my must have’s for traveling with my little ones:

1. The LIST. Yes, a grand little packing list saved on my computer that reminds me of every must have to make Owen and Lukas’s lives livable while we are away. With every trip this can be easily tweaked and printed out. Never leave with out the list. The list also comes in handy for re-packing on the return home. Mother’s know it is almost impossible to go home without leaving something behind- with the list it is closer to possibility!

2. The DISTRACTION. Long, long hours on the road or in flight and baby/toddler/child must have plenty of distractions! This time is the exception to the rule. Spoil your child. Especially if you are in flight. It is more important to value the space of those around you than to teach your child the value of limited TV time.

Useful distractions (may change with age, situation, or method of travel) include but are not limited to:

breastfeeding (under cover of course), pacifiers, favorite stuffed animal or blanket, bottle, hand held toys, dvd player (headphones in flight!), dvd’s, computer, hand held video game, puzzles, magna-doodle, games, playdoh, snacks, drinks, conversation, quiet singing and rocking, books, homework (for you home schoolers out there!), guessing games, etc…

It is important in choosing the distraction that you consider your own child and situation. No need to pack too many distractions. Limit yourself to the top 3-5.

3. FOOD. Traveling is not a time to worry too much about feeding schedules or your typical snacking rules. One round trip will not be enough to create an obese child. Food provides and excellent way to keep your child content.

4. Don’t Over-pack, Don’t Under-pack. This is an art. While difficult, beginner take heart, you will get used to it. Over-packing drives me crazy. I could hardly contain myself on a plane as I watched a first time traveling mom with her 6 month old, husband, and a couple bags full of EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE YOU WOULD NEED IN 12 MONTHS WITH A CHILD! I know she was being a good mom and preparing for everything… but she was in for a long tiring trip. When her 2nd comes along I know she will chuckle when she thinks of her first time in flight with a baby.

Under-packing is an obvious danger, this is where the list comes back into play.

5. Allow Extra Time. For EVERYTHING. With children everything takes longer. Traveling is no different. If you have absolute deadlines, as with flight departures and important arrival times, plan for everything to take extra time. Better to be early than late in these cases. If you plan for extra time you are less likely to get impatient and irritated with those precious little slow-pokes.

6. Expect Constant Questions. The annoying kind. Like “are we there yet?”. You did it to your parents, now you pay penance. Anticipating this also increases your chance of maintaining a sane patience level.

7. Enlist help of Older Children- Once children are capeable of anything they love to be included in the process. It gives them great pride to feel part of “the team”. Even with my 3-year-old Owen I notice a big difference in his behavior when I include him by letting him help. While flying he can carry a small bag or item. While driving he can talk to his brother and tell him stories (he loves to tell stories). If I explain how helpful this is, he is more likely to behave. Think of ways to get your kiddos to help.

8. LAUGH! Things most likely will not go exactly as planned. Expect it and choose to laugh in advance. Make light of the exit you missed as you were stopping one from making the other scream, Make light of the poopy diaper JR decided to let go as soon as your flight reached cruising altitude. Laugh at that person next to you that hates children. Laugh that you left favorite stuffed animals back at the Cracker Barrell and have to turn around to get it. Laugh, Laugh, Laugh- after all, you are on vacation.

Related Posts:
WFMW- Easy Cooking

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Jun

28

BBQ Rules

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I have no idea who authored this but my SIL sent it to me via email today and I laughed so hard I had to share it!

BBQ RULES

We are about to enter the summer and BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity, as it’s the only type of cooking a ‘real’ man will do, probably because there is an element of danger involved.

When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion:

Routine…
(1) The woman buys the food.

(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert.

(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill - beer in hand.

Here comes the important part:

(4) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL.

More routine….

(5) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.

(6) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he deals with the situation.

Important again:

(7) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.

More routine….

(8) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.

(9) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.

And most important of all:

(10) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.

(11) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed “her night off.” And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there’s just no pleasing some women….
-author unknown

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Jun

22

Where Have the Years Gone?

Filed Under Uncategorized | 18 Comments

Track Picture.jpg
I consider myself pretty young. Yes, I’m 31 which used to seem right on the path to irrelevance, but these days I’m thankful for my 30’s. My 20’s were just so full of self-consumption. Ever since I was 28 I feel like I have a better grasp of who I am and I’m pretty okay with it. Not that I’m not striving to always be better, but I’m okay with things God gave me that make me uniquely “me”.

I still feel 18 though. In MANY ways.

I received and email yesterday that was a bit of a reality check. It read

Hello (name) :

Do you have fond memories of participating in the track program at (school)? Here’s your chance to give back to the school.

If you were part of the track program at WCS, you should have received a mailing from us - (names) asking
for your participation in building a new track for WCS. Our current track is 17 years old! It needs to be replaced and at $125,000, it’s quite expensive . We need your help. Please return the envelope you received in the mail with your donation, or if we accidentally missed you, e-mail or call me with your address so I can send you one.

Please prayerfully consider a donation! THANKS! All gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.

(name) , Development Director

My first reaction? WHAT that track is BRAND NEW! They should be thankful to have such a nice track! Then it struck me…. 17-years old? I ran track my freshman year of HS, though be it, not well. It was the first year we had that tra. My memories are a completely un-harmed beautiful rubber track. I picture not one blemish on that thing. Of course, I haven’t been back there for 13 years

Could it really be 17 years ago? Seventeen. And do expensive tracks really deteriorate that quickly. Gosh I hope I have not deteriorated that quickly :)

Enjoy the apparently vintage photo. Do you know which one I am? (Know one who knew me back then can answer!)

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Jun

15

Yes, I Do Have a Tattoo.

Filed Under Family, Photos, Tattoo, Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Heidi Jo wrote me an email after she saw a comment I made on the Everyday Mom Blog about having a tattoo. She requested a picture… how could I not oblige :) I realize that a lot of people read now that didn’t when I was on blogspot. Here is an excerpt and old pictures from the post I wrote mentioning it in January of this year. The pictures were shortly after it was done so they are a bit scabbed. Not to mention they were taken with my phone. Maybe I will take new picture soon. But here you go for now :) From this post in January 2007.

I got a tatoo to surprise Jeff. Not simply to surprise him, but because I wanted it as well. It is his name (like he has mine) on my wrist but mine curls around to the front with a dove. The dove represents “god’s peace”, because that is what his name, Jeffrey, means, and he is full of peace. Anyway, here are some shotty phone pics from after it first was done. I’m hoping to get nicer ones taken soon since is is healed.

Top of wrist
top tattoo

Bottom of wrist
Inside tatoo

There you go!

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Jun

13

A Tool for Corn Lovers

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corn-zipper.jpg

I check out a shoppping blog called Outblush almost daily. I was totally floored at this corn-zipper! We are grilling often right now and I love corn on the cob. I’m constanly cutting off corn for my kids and myself (I hate getting corn in my teeth!). Go here to see their post on it. I figured I would direct link to them instead of corn zipper itself. I’m sure they probably make their money by directing people to these products- so it seemed fair :)

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