party time and a surprise

We had a very busy and exciting weekend! This was a weekend to celebrate. We were so sick and tired of nerve-racking news around here that we were ready to cut loose and have some fun.


First things first - we celebrated the third and seventh birthdays of Claire and Ella with a big backyard BBQ.  We asked our good friend Jerry, the grill master, to come and help us feed our big extended family as well as some close friends. He grilled 11 pounds of the most delicious pulled pork we had ever had! Of course the weather didn't cooperate, so we couldn't get all of the (many, many) kids outside, but it was still a great party!

the Grill Master, working on the dogs

just a few of the cousins and friends

ummmm, cupcakes!

One of the main events of the party was the big Gender Reveal.  As you probably know, we had our ultrasound a little over a week ago, but we had the tech write down the answer in an envelope, and I gave it to my friend Nicole.  She created a fun and dramatic way to find out whether we had a he or a she . . . it is something that we'll never forget.

I am so excited right there, I was about ready to wet my pants! The color of the baloons will tell the story!

my first reaction - elation and shock!

Carl's first reaction - "WHOA!"

Other reactions of our guests :) These uncles and aunts look pretty happy too!

Boppa and Grandma Barb with us via Skype get to see all the action. My sister Ali was also on the phone with Nanny (my mom) who had to work all weekend. No one wanted to miss out on the big news :)

We couldn't be more excited about our news.  Carl and I really suspected that it was a girl (just look at our track record), and it would have been fun to add another sister to our mix.  But we can't deny that we both wanted to get a taste of what it would be like to have some "blue" in the house.  We are all so very excited!

A big thanks goes out to all of our friends and family that helped us pull off this party! It was so fun to get everyone together!

PS - please forgive the random photo/caption placements....blogger was being really weird today and I couldn't figure it out :)

BIG mama

WARNING: this is going to be a traditional, "I am big and pregnant" post.

Yes, I understand that I am pregnant, and growing a person inside me. And yes, this is the 4th time I have been through this . . . but I swear, I seem to forget the "huge" feelings in between all of my (many) pregnancies. This pregnancy has obviously been the most challenging - with all of the of feelings of anxiety and worry mixed in with all of the good and exciting feelings. So, in order to get out of the gloom-and-doom stage, I figured I would share some funny stories about my "bigness".

1. A few weeks ago, I was sitting on my favorite beach chair in our backyard as Claire was playing in her playhouse. My enjoyment of the beautiful afternoon was soon interrupted by the noise of ripping. Yes . . . in just a few seconds, my a$$ was on ground, because my beloved chair could no longer support my growing frame! Maybe the funniest part was that I didn't get up for a few minutes. I just sat there . . . . in disbelief that this had actually happened. I had in fact, broken a chair . . . and I was only 19 weeks! I looked up to the heavens and said, "Really? I could have done without that today!"

2. I was laying in bed one night, when I came to the awful realization that the time had come. I had been avoiding it for a couple of weeks, but I just couldn't stand the uncomfortable feeling anymore . . . it was time to buy bigger underwear. A few days later, I unfolded my new pair of unmentionables and was in awe of it's sheer mass. Could these actually fit? And the answer, my friends, was yes :( I am sure by my third trimester, I will be able to fly my underwear on the flagpole at the local Perkins.

3. Almost every day Ella tells me how "HUGE" my tummy is getting. I don't mind it in the least. "There's a human being in there", I tell myself. But Clarie, on the other hand, tells me almost everyday how big my butt is . . . I'm not kidding. Perceptive little bugger, she is.

4. This one's not so funny, but share-able nonetheless. Almost every night, Carl scoops himself up a big bowl of ice cream and proceeds to eat it (sometimes with a side of cake) right in front of me. There has been a night or two when I join him and have a bowl . . . however, I can count how many times I have done this on one hand. But Carl refuses to gain any weight from it. In fact, he seems to be losing a few pounds! How is this possible?? It's just not fair.

I have wonderful friends telling me, "I don't know what you're talking about. You look great!", and I am very thankful for those lies. But the fact of the matter is, I am pregnant with my 4th child, I have been on modified bed rest since 11 weeks, and I am hungry all the time. With my extensive studies in Human Kinetics, Biomechanics, Exercise Science and Health & Nutrition, I understand what is happening:

Pregnancy eating + a lot of sitting/laying around = BIG mama

It's not me (specifically), it's simply science. I am just going to have to get over it.

Stay tuned. I am still in my second trimester. The stories are bound to get better.

BIG day!

Yesterday was a day for the books...in both great and not-so-great ways. Since I always like to end on a positive note, we'll start with the bad news first...

I had my level II ultrasound and consulted with a Perinatologist. They found that I do indeed have Placenta Acreta...but we found out that my placenta was further in bedded than they first thought, so I actually have Placenta Increata with possible Placenta Percreta. So at this point the best case scenario is that I make it until 32 weeks with no other bleeding episodes. I would then be admitted into Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis and deliver the baby at no later than 34 weeks. At the time of delivery, I would have a hysterectomy and possibly more surgery depending upon what else my placenta decides to attach to (like my bladder...). Since the baby would be six weeks early, he/she would have to stay at least two weeks in the NICU. But on a positive note, I would be delivering at the BEST maternal hospital and the baby would be in the BEST NICU in the state! AND the baby looked great on the ultra sound! :) So not all news was bad yesterday. Carl and I have also decided to find out the gender of the baby. We had the tech write it down and seal it in an envelope. We are having a birthday BBQ for both Claire and Ella next weekend where we (and all our guests) will find out whether we have a He or a She! It was fun to be surprised in the delivery room, but we figured this baby has already given us enough surprises, so we have decided we would rather be prepared for something! :)

Yesterday was also a fantastic day! Yesterday, our little Claire-Bear turned 3 years old!! We couldn't be more proud of her or love her anymore than we already do. Because time seems to fly by pretty quickly around here, I got this idea for a photo off http://www.pinterest.com and loved it because it showcases everything that Claire "loves" at this stage in her life.

Happy Birthday Claire!!

not much to report . . .

With all this time on my hands, you may have thought that I would have been blogging MORE rather than not at all. However, (fortunately) there's really not a whole lot to report. I am still on "modified bed rest" and home from work. I don't have to be flat on my back all the time, but I do have to take it easy, and limit my daily activities. I have been overwhelmed with how wonderful my friends and co-workers have been. I have received countless cards, a couple of flower arrangements, rides home from school and activities for my kids, and a few weeks worth of meals that are already prepared for us! It's amazing to have all this wonderful support.

My next appointment is a BIG one. At 19 weeks I will have a Level II ultrasound where they should be able to tell if I I do, in fact, have Placenta Accreta. After my ultrasound, I will have a consult with a Perinatologist (high risk pregnancy specialist) from Abbott Northwestern. Of course, I am hoping for the doctor to tell me that I must have had Placenta Previa because as far as they can tell, it has fixed itself and everything will be good from now on out! (Best case scenario) But I also need to brace myself for the news that I have Placenta Accreta and everything else that comes along with that diagnosis (i.e. hospitalized bed rest as early as 24 weeks, early delivery, hysterectomy, etc).... but I must say .... I have a really good feeling about everything! I really think everything is going to go well! :)

I will continue to stay quiet until after my next appointment in a couple of weeks . . . trust me, you don't want to hear any of my "I'm so bored/I'm so worried/I'm so nervous/I'm so stir-crazy" daily rants. Believe me when I say, that I have been saving you from bad reading over these last couple of weeks :)

okay . . .

So . . . lots to share . . . let's start here.

Um, yeah. I'm pregnant! With my 4th child! And it was quite a surprise! But we are very excited! However, it's been quite a roller coaster ride since we have found out.

Initial reaction = shock!

After we finally believed the news = excitement!

At 6 weeks, I experienced some spotting, so I went into the clinic for an ultrasound and found out that the baby looked good, but they were seeing a "irregular and elongated gestational sack" (higher risk of miscarriage) = worry!

At 7 weeks, I had a follow-up ultrasound and found out the "condition" had fixed itself, and baby was doing great! = relieved and excited!

At 12 weeks, I had a massive hemorrhage at school, and was sure I was having a miscarriage. Went to the E.R. and after a few tests, was elated to see our baby on the ultrasound screen happy and healthy!! Jumping all over the place with a heart rate of 155! = terrified, then amazed and thankful!

However, due to the loss of blood in the first trimester, I was still at a high risk of miscarriage = worry!

A follow-up appointment with my OB doc, landed me on bed rest for a week due to my continued bleeding. My doc thinks I may have Placenta Previa or Placenta Accreta. Previa is quite common and can fix itself (YAY), but Accreta is more serious and could bring hospitalized long term bed rest, early delivery, and a possible hysterectomy at the time of birth (BOO!)

At this time, I am no longer on restricted bed rest, however I still have to be very careful and rest a bunch. My doc won't let me return to work because I am still spotting, so for right now, I am just waiting . . . trying to be patient and understand that I have no control over this situation, and just to take things one day at a time . . . easier said than done. :)

Throughout this little situation, I have been amazed by how wonderful my family and friends are! I am truly blessed in many different ways! :)

I will try to keep you updated as things pan out, as for now, all we can do is pray.

not a baby anymore . . .

My baby is no longer a baby. She is growing and learning and being more of a "big girl" with each new day. I am happy to report that she is technically potty trained! She has been wearing her new big girl underwear every day for the past few weeks, and has been accident free for quite some time. The only time she ever wears a diaper is when she is sleeping. We are so proud of her!

This past weekend, she also hit a major milestone by getting her very first hair cut. I have been putting it off because I knew once we got it cut, those adorable curls at the end of her hair would be gone forever :(. But the mullet was getting out of control, so we decided to even things up a bit.

She did so well. No tears. No whining. She held very still and watched in the mirror as the stylist took off the last part of "baby" she had left.

I'm trying not to be too dramatic about this. She still cuddles in the morning. She still lets me sing to her (...not well) at night while I rock her. And she still has her passie (the next thing on our list!). But it is true what they say . . . it all slips away so quickly!

thir-TEEN

Yes, that's right. I am the mother of a teenager. How can that be? I still feel like a teenager myself! Oh well....who would ever not want to feel young, right?? .... Oh my gosh, I just realized that I'm That Mom....the mom who thinks she's still young and cool....oh no. Quick!! Subject change!

To celebrate Jocie's milestone birthday, we decided to have parties that highlighted the new addition to our backyard. With the extremely warm winter we've been having, it was a struggle to get it ready for the big events. But we (meaning Carl) got it ready in the nick of time.

Jocie and 5 of her BFF's dined on Pizza, bread sticks and pop before lacing up their skates and hitting the rink. It was so much fun to watch them have fun!









Then they all relaxed and warmed up fire-side while enjoying some hot chocolate. Then it was back inside for gossiping, stairs surfing (....not a good idea) and a post-midnight snack of cheese balls, Doritos and ice cream cake (see, I am a cool mom).

The next weekend, we had the extended fam over to party on the rink again! We were pretty excited that G&G Adolphson and most of her aunts and uncles were able to join us (even when they were coming from 4 hours away!).





Carl's ready to bring his A game....with Claire's hockey stick.

(poor Dwaine didn't see this one coming.....)




Side Story: Dwaine and Judy brought some extra skates along from one of their friends....I don't think these skates had been used in a few years (or decades). Keith had to duct tape them for extra ankle support!







The next weekend we hit the road to watch Carl's cousin Kamille play some Iowa Hawkeye Basketball against Purdue. We watch her on TV all the time, but that doesn't hold a candle to seeing it in person. Such a blast!!









Ella and Karla (Carl's aunt - Kamille's mom)


who's got the best 3 point shot % in the Big Ten? Oh yeah, Kamille!!


the coach firing up the starters right before tip-off. Kamille is #2








After the game, we even got a tour of the locker room and practice facitilites!

I know I haven't been as good about keeping up with the blog. I usually write and edit when the girls are asleep, but lately I have been crashing right after they do. Hopefully I will get some energy back soon!