Baby On Board,Still & Things I Love Hearing

Yep, Still pregnant. And lovin' it, honestly. This has been the sweetest pregnancy, including the difficult first trimester (I love being pregnant, nausea and all). I feel great physically, and at such peace spiritually, and emotionally I feel so loved and excited at the thought of holding our daughter any day. So, I realize that the first induction date set many of you off on your guesses... you were paying attention, weren't you?!?!? However, there are a few still in the running. I know God's timing is perfect and we continue to trust in what he wants for our Isabella Grace. His hand has been over this whole situation from the beginning and it has been the sweetest blessing watching it unfold.

I will do my best to keep you updated, but I am truly hoping that the next update is the one telling you she has finally arrived.

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THINGS I LOVE HEARING:

1. "...but, you look so young!" (When people find out I am having my 6th child and can't believe I am 37.)

2. "Yes, Mom." (Obedient children are my crowning glory.)

3. "Would you like whipped cream with that?" (Gotta love Starbucks.)

4. "It's actually on sale." (Today, after trying to use a coupon that was for non-sale items. I got a better deal with the sale!!)

5. "The forecast calls for cloudy skies and showers." (Especially around this time... clouds and fog are birthing weather for me.)

6. "Can I pray for you?" (I love when someone is bold and humble enough to offer to pray for me on the spot.)

7. "You're 10 centimeters!" (Come on... who doesn't love this?!)

8. "I have a surprise for you!" (I get this said to me a lot by Natalie. She is always surprising me with little gifts.)

9. "Welcome to Disneyland!" (I am a Disney nut and we can't wait to take Isabella for her first time. We try to go every Christmas.)

10. "I'm on my way home." (When Timmy calls to say he is leaving work. Probably one of my favorite times of the day!)

I had a million of these floating around in my brain last night, but I can't remember anymore. What are some of your favorite things to hear?

Thankful Thursday: Graduations and A Preggie Update

We are so thankful for the blessed homeschool year we had. Miguel and Karizma did exceptionally well, and Walker was so enthusiastic to learn how to read, add, subtract, and do craft, after craft, after craft... Tim and I could not be prouder of our children.

Karizma graduated from the 8th grade this past Saturday and she looked so beautiful! Grandmom had given her a $50 bill to go and buy herself a graduation dress a couple of weeks back, and my very savvy shopper of a daughter bought not only one dress, but 4 with that $50 bill. Grandmom was so proud. We are so excited to see my mini-me so interested in getting the best value for her buck. That's a homeschooler for you.

KARIZMA: GRADUATING THE 8TH GRADE


Walker graduated from Kindergarten. He took the entire event very seriously and from the moment he knew the graduation was coming up he requested that he be able to wear a suit. He picked it, his shoes, and tie out himself. I think he wanted to be a mini-me of Daddy. He even says he looks just like Daddy, except he is a "brown" version. Too funny and too cute. We wanted him to ham it up for the camera, but I think he saw this as such a monumental time in his life, that there was no room for hamming it up. So, he is Mister Serious for most of the pictures.


WALKER: GRADUATING KINDERGARTEN




Thanks to my parents, Tia Elisa, Aunt Natalie and cousins- Sonoma and Gracen, for coming to share in this special time of their lives. I know it meant a lot to them to have you each there.






I can't believe that in just a few years Miguel will be graduating from high school. I will still have 2 waiting in the wings to start Kindergarten then. How interesting my life turned out... not at all what I had envisioned. Nope, uh-uh...it is actually much, much, much better than I could ever have imagined for myself. I am so thankful. I have been so blessed with the most amazing job of being a homemaker and I LOVE MY LIFE AS MOMMY AND WIFE!!! I honestly would not change a thing, except maybe having my husband not have to have a long commute so he could hang out at home more. But, he works so hard to provide for this ever growing family and I know God is honoring Tim's heart to serve Him.

NATALIE AND VERONICA: MOST LIKELY OUR LAST BELLY SHOT TOGETHER AT 12.6 WEEKS(NAT) AND 39.4 WEEKS(ME)


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So, here is the latest on what is going on with my baby bump. I am now 1 day overdue. Not a surprise where I am concerned because each pregnancy has been either 2-10 days late for me. We did see my midwife yesterday morning and she said I have progressed to 3 centimeters and am 25% effaced now. YAY! Although, once I get to 4 centimeters I tend to go pretty fast. Anyway, I asked her to strip my membranes at yesterday's appointment and she did. Tim and I are thinking it will happen within the next day or two... but, what do we know, huh?

We did tell my midwife that we have decided that we don't want to rush Isabella either so, if the non-stress test shows that she is doing fine on Friday afternoon, then we will most likely cancel our induction date which is set for this Saturday the 13th. We may postpone it a few days. But, it will all depend on that test or if I go into labor before then...please, Jesus!! So, for those of you that guessed later in the week, you may have better odds now of winning the $25 gift card to AMC Theatres!!
Thanks to all of you that blessed me with your guesses. It was fun to read your responses and how many are expecting a brownie. It is going to be such fun revealing to you what she looks like soon. Did you see that my Timmy also made a guess? It was the sweetest comment, so I must share, in case you missed it:

Tim said...
My lovely, semi-brown (cafe au lait?) daughter will enter this world on Friday evening, at 11:08 p.m. (5 minutes after Zack's birth time), weighing 7lbs 9oz (Zack was 8lb 5 oz.), and 19 1/2" in length (Zack was 19 3/4").

But regardless of whether the above predictions turn out to be accurate, it is a statistical certainty that she will be in a three-way tie with her mother and older sister as the most beautiful girl in the world.

I can't wait. Thank you, Jesus!!

June 9, 2009 6:28 PM

I will end my post there, because it is Thankful Thursday and just rereading the sweet comment my husband wrote has me in such awe that my sweet Lord would bless me with such a wonderful man to be my companion, best friend, confidant, lover, shepherd, and father to each of my arrows. I love you, Baby. Can't wait to share some special quiet moments in bed with you while Isabella is cuddled between us. Won't that be just sheer joy? We are so blessed!

'When Will This Bassinet Hold It's Princess?' Contest

With every other baby we have had, we have always had a 'baby pool'. Let me explain... Since we have never found out the gender before this time, we would make up 2 poster boards, boy and girl, and then at the baby shower for that pregnancy, everyone would have the chance to buy a square and try and guess: gender, birthdate, and weight, usually for $2.00 a square. The pool was a 50/50 pool, so the winner would take 50% of the pot ,and the other 50% would go to the baby. But, I must say that 2 out of the last 3 pools, the winner said they wanted the baby to keep the cash. That was so sweet! We were able to buy lots of diapers with the winnings!!



So, even though I have had 2 baby showers already, I guess we never thought about doing the pool since we know the gender, but I am missing the fun. So, I thought about it, talked to Tim, and we decided to do our own pool here on the blog! It is a 'When will this bassinet hold it's princess?' contest! WOOHOO! So, you take a guess in the comments section and win a $25 gift card to AMC theatres if you are the one that comes closest to guessing the correct information! Sweet, right?! And, I get the joy of checking out when you think our little girl is going to arrive. If you follow our blog, well, by all means, take a 2nd guess!!

So, here goes... state your guess for:

1. Birthdate
2. Time of birth
3. Weight and length
And, just for fun...will Isabella Grace be a brownie or a whitie ;0)?

Guesses are welcome until Tuesday night, 8pm, PST...unless the baby comes before then. The winner will be announced once Isabella Grace, the princess, is finally adorning her bassinet. DUH. I know that some of my loyal readers are aware of the induction date, but Tim suggested that we remove it from the site to see if you were paying attention. Were you?!

So, faithful readers, lurkers, yep, even family can guess. Guess that means no pregnancy update until after Tuesday night, huh? Have fun!

Mommy's Baby Doll: 1 Week To Go!

So, the other night I was dreaming. I was dreaming that I had just had our little girl and that I was sitting in the hospital room just gazing into her eyes as she gazed back into mine...this is what I saw:



You think I have a desire for a little mexican living doll or what?!? I woke up right after and had to laugh at how our minds work while dreaming. I have made it clear that I would love a brown little girl, so it was funny to see my desires come through in my dream by having a little mexican doll in my arms. I know whether Isabella is brown, white, peach, or olive, that she is going to be Mommy's baby doll no matter what. But, I will say that Tim has been wanting to have a little girl to take spanish folkloric dance lessons...so, someday we will see our Isabella looking like this.

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PREGGIE UPDATE:

I am now 39 weeks, since yesterday! My midwife said I am 2.5 centimeters dilated, but nothing else going on. I don't feel like anything else is going on physically, so I think we are safe to say we will at least make it past Walker and Karizma's graduations this Saturday. Probably past our due date next Wednesday, too. We did set our induction date, so either way, within a few days, we will be holding our baby doll. Will you please keep me in prayer as this week goes by? There are more details involved, but I don't want to bore you...

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THE BOYS:

WALKER
CHRISTIAN

The boys have their last soccer session this Saturday, just before the graduations. They have had a blast, and have been very competitive with one another. It has been cute to see them running around and making 'goals'. One time Christian had been hurt on the field, and one of their team mates, a very cute blonde girl, came over and sat on the field with Christian and rubbed his back and belly to comfort him. He ate it up. I know his first goal should be the highlight, but that is the memory I keep getting when I think of their soccer experience this season. I am glad they got to do this before the baby comes. Karizma will be playing soccer come soccer season in September. As much as I would love to sign up the boys, too, it would have been way too much trying to get 3 different kids to 3 different practices and 3 different games. Karizma only has a few more years to be able to play AYSO, and we love watching her as this age, 14, they are so competitive. The games get SO exciting! I figure Walker and Christian have just as much fun playing in the dirt at the game fields when she is playing and it will save us a bunch of money, too!

ZACK, in the middle, gets in on the action, too.


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I AM A DORK:

The other day Karizma, the boys, and myself went to run some errands in town. Anytime we go into town we are looking at at least 1/4 gallon of gas, because it is 45 minutes there and then another 45 minutes back..and that isn't counting if we decide to go further than the nearest Target, Walmart, etc. Anyway, we stopped to get lunch and while we ate under a shady bridge I looked across the street and saw this sign:



HALLELUJAH! Gas 20¢ or more off, per gallon, than most other stations! Tim is going to be SO proud of me for finding this place. I even send him a text telling him to grab gas there, too. I start telling Karizma how I am going to email my east county girlfriends with this gem of a gas station, so they, too, can benefit from the huge savings! We finish our lunch and head down to Santee, which is the next town over, to do our shopping at Costco, only to realize we forgot to get gas at the amazing station with the low, low price. ARGH! Well, the savings were so huge at the other place, that of course I drove all the way back only to find this:








I had to send a picture of it to Tim letting him know, that once again, I have proven, I AM A DORK! This place was totally shut down and probably has been for quite awhile, so off we went to pay $2.59 a gallon instead. Thank you, Jesus for the cash to pay for it and for the ability to laugh at myself.

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And this is a private note for my Timmy:

Baby, I love you so much. I am so touched by how sweet you have been and how caring you are. I feel your sweet touch on my back, trying to massage the aches away all the time, and it is so comforting to know I have you through this process. I can't wait to see you holding your little girl, the one you have longed for this past decade, the one you have prayed for and desired with all your heart. When you came home the other night and placed that cute outfit on the bed you had went and bought for Isabella Grace, on your own, and how you talked about how you were having a hard time deciding on what color and what design, and that the 'Daddy's Girl' phrase was what won you over... it was so sweet. I think God has us have more children because it truly softens my heart towards you, and I believe it is the same way for you towards me. We are so blessed to be able to add another arrow to our quiver, and I can't imagine being able to share this privilege with a more loving, more sweet, more kind, more dedicated Daddy/husband than you. Te amo, Carino!

Random Review: Other Moms Comments To A Very Pregnant Woman

I haven't done a random review in so long, and thought this was the perfect occasion. This friend of mine, is very pregnant, only has 10 days left until her due date and she shall remain nameless so she can truly speak her mind. I must say I know her better than I know anyone else and she is so far from perfect, but her heart is in the right place. Please, understand that these are her words, not mine, and that she just needed an outlet. I told her that all you wonderful blog readers would be sympathetic and understanding. Now to get to my..err...her review...

I am now in the very end stages of my 7th pregnancy. This will be our 6th child here on earth as one is already with the Lord. I remember being so sensitive and taking everything to heart with my first pregnancy, and even with my second. Feeling like others must know better than I. However, as I have gotten older, and dare I say-wiser, my skin has become tougher and I have realized that only Jesus' view of me matters. So, with each subsequent pregnancy, most of the comments slide right off my back and I don't really think twice about them. However, recently I started to think, "Hey, most of the comments are coming from other moms! They should totally know better! I mean I get that some old guy at the grocery store might not know better, and a 6 year old might not know better, even a grandma might have forgotten to know better, but another mom...she should definitely know better!" So, I thought I would take a moment to post about it on my blog...err...Veronica's blog. So, here are some of the things that you, especially if you are a mom, should NOT be saying to another mom when she is pregnant. I mean, really think about it, do you enjoy hearing these things about yourself while pregnant? Are they encouraging words? Are they words that build up your fellow mommy or words that could tear her down? I think we all have disease of the foot in mouth sometimes, so we must all work at watching what we say, so I hope this is a good reminder:



1. YOU ARE HUGE! (I think this is the one that really gets to me now. It didn't really bother me until I reached 38 weeks and I so realize I am huge, but I don't need YOU pointing it out. Honestly, when is your saying 'huge' to any woman, during any time of her life going to be appropriate?!?!? Try never.)

2. OMG, YOU'RE STILL PREGNANT? (Umm, duh, aren't you the one that said I was huge?? So, you must totally be able to figure out that I am still very pregnant. How about a well intended, "How are you feeling these last few days? Is there anything I can do for you? Like, birth your baby? It would be my pleasure!")

3. I HAVE NEVER BEEN THAT BIG WITH MY PREGNANCIES. (Well, woohoo for you. Did I ask?)

4. YOU'RE DONE HAVING KIDS NOW, RIGHT? (Look, I..err...Veronica did a post on this before. This is NEVER an appropriate question, ok? It is so not any of your business. That is between me, my husband, and God. And, if you must know, I will be done when God says I am done.)

5. ISABELLA? I HAVE 2 COUSINS, 1 DAUGHTER, 6 NIECES, AND A PET TURTLE NAMED THAT! (Look, I am not an idiot. I realize that it is the 2nd most popular name in the country...and has been for a couple of years. However, I have had that name etched on my heart for almost 20 years..since I was 18 years old. And, when Tim and I started dating and getting serious and talking about baby names, I mentioned this to him. He LOVED it. It has now been on his heart for almost 10 years...how were we to know how big it would get and how God's timing would make it so that we would have our Isabella during the big Isabella boom? ..Ok, Ok, so maybe, I have a husband named Tim, too.)

Look, I am not trying to sound bitter, but moms, like I have said before, YOU should know better...so, just think of ways to encourage that mom, instead of blurting out the first thing that pops in your head.

Now, make sure you watch your mouth come postpartum. I don't know if I will be able to keep my cool then....

Operation Sufficient Grace

Hi, All! My sweet friend over at The Beauty of Sufficient Grace, Kelly, is holding a fundraiser that is such a blessing. Please check her blog out!

And to make it even sweeter, if you go to MckMama's blog over at My Charming Kids, they will donate $1.00 for each comment left before midnight, Saturday/CST. Please, go by their blog and leave a quick comment. It will only take you a second, but will bless so many families that have gone through, or are going through, or may go through the terrible loss of a child.



God bless this ministry, bless Kelly and her family, and MckMama and her blog for their servants hearts.

Thankful Thursday: What A Week!!

This week has been one of the most blessed! Thank you, Jesus! It all began last Friday when we realized that the neurostimulator was successful. Then on Saturday Tim and I had a blast hanging out with just the 3 little guys while Miguel and Karizma spent the day at Spirit West Coast, enjoying all the Christian bands. They said Toby Mac was awesome.

On Sunday we celebrated Gracen's(My sweet niece-daughter of Natalie) 1st birthday. It, to me was such a highlight, because after all she went through during her time in the womb, and being born 8 weeks early...the doctors said she should be terminated. However, her God fearing parents would not budge, and look at our big girl now!!! Tia, Uncle Tim, and your cousins LOVE you Miss Gigi!!



Here are Natalie and I...her at 10 weeks pregnant... me at 37 1/2 weeks pregnant. Thank you, Lord, for giving us these sweet blessings in our wombs. We are so grateful for the honor of becoming mommy's to these gifts from you.



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MIGUEL AND KARIZMA'S SURPRISE BBQ IN THEIR HONOR:

Monday was a day that we celebrated not just all the men and women that have sacrificed their lives for our country, but we took this day to celebrate Miguel and Karizma and their servant's heart towards everyone they come in contact with. Can you believe I didn't take any pictures? But, I know the memory of the day will be engraved in their hearts because everyone got up to say something personal to them and it was so touching to see how many lives my 2 older children have made an impact on. We had family and friends present, Tim BBQ'd, Kimberly brought the BOMB desserts (Thanks for those preggie delights, Kimber!), and Tim's Mom always makes the most fabulous baked beans. The company and fellowship was amazing and I could tell that Miguel and Karizma were truly touched and surprised by the outpouring of love and thankfulness for all they do for not just our family, but our church, and others in our community. They are truly the best kids! Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of being their Mom. I know Tim also is very thankful to call himself their Dad.

(This was them a couple of years ago.)
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BREECH VERSION:

Tuesday started out a bit rough. My breech version was scheduled for Tuesday morning, and I hadn't had anything to eat since midnight and there were problems with the scheduling when I called labor and delivery in the morning. I was just sooo hungry, that as long as they let me know if I could eat or not, I would be pacified. Thankfully everything got handled quickly (Thank you Nicole, Helen, Tim, and Paula for your prayers and support that morning!) and I was on my way to the originally scheduled appointment. My Mom met Tim and I there and I was preparing myself for a pretty uncomfortable procedure. I was happy to see that the doctor that would be performing the version was the same doctor that was there for us when Christian was born and I started to hemorrhage. Plus, since the procedure involved her having to straddle me and use her hands to turn the baby, I was glad it wasn't some burly, hairy doctor.

She did an ultrasound and our Isabella was still breech. So she assumed the position, and I made sure to focus on just breathing and had my eyes shut, as to try and not think about how painful this might end up being. She put a bunch of gel all over my belly and starting massaging. It was quite relaxing actually, especially along with my steady breathing exercise. Then, not even a couple of minutes later, I feel her getting off the bed. My eyes were still shut, and I was still doing the breathing, when one nurse says to me, "She's done, Sweetie." Oh, no, I thought to myself, please don't give up already!! I still keep my eyes closed, and the nurse repeats, "She's done. The baby is head down!" WHAT?!?!? How can that be? I mean, I felt absolutely NO PAIN WHATSOEVER! It was actually a very enjoyable time. Since I must have looked like I did not believe a word they were saying, the doctor asked the nurse to turn the ultrasound machine back on and show me on the monitor. Yep, Isabella Grace was finally head down, alright. And, God was so good to me to make this pain free. What a blessed moment we had!! Thanking God for his provision and for the wonderful staff that helped us through this all. Jesus, please keep her in that position! And thank you for being in ALL the details. You are such a loving God!

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OUR ANNIVESARY:

Wednesday was our 8th wedding anniversary. I am so blessed to be this man's wife. Not only is he handsome, hardworking, and loving... he thinks I am beautiful.



We went to our favorite chinese restaurant while all the kids hung out at Grandmom's and Grandad's (Thanks, Mom and Dad!!). We had such a sweet time together and I couldn't stop looking in those gorgeous eyes of his. I just adore this man. Happy Anniversary, Baby. You are my prince in shining armor! (Especially in those jeans!! You know the ones...)

This day was also the day I turned 38 weeks pregnant. Thank you, Lord, for carrying our little girl this far. We are so looking forward to meeting our princess soon.

(Sorry it is so dark..I told Miguel it needed a flash! But, you get the picture, literally. The big 38 week belly sticking all the way out there!)



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MY SWEET FRIENDS:

And today, Thursday, we had playgroup. I have SO missed the mommies. I haven't been able to go to a playgroup in over a month, because they were being held so far away, but this one was closer, so I had to make the trip...especially since it could be the last one I go to in awhile. I love that these women are all so genuine, that they treat eachother with such kindness and love, and that there has never been a catty moment... even among so many women. The Lord is really among our times together and I just love each and every one of these girls so much. Plus, all the kids play SO well together. Thank you, Jesus, for these gems of friends you have placed in my life.



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So, it has been a jam packed week; packed with lots of great news and things to be thankful for. Praising God!