Well, it is New Year's Eve after all, so I thought I'd blog about my goals and thoughts for the year to come... (as expected most are weight related)
1. Lose 60 pounds by the end of 2009. I will have about 10 months to do this once I can actually get going... so we're talking around 1.5 pounds per weekly average once I start. From where I am currently, this amount lost would put me back to where I was back in Feb before we miscarried. I'm ready to get back there.
2. Go to WW meetings. If I'm cleared to do so, I'm planning to be back at meetings Feb 21st. I am shouting this for the world to see. Someone better be asking me about that one! (Theresa, I'm coming!)
3. Walk to the park at least once a week, once weather allows for such. There is no excuse for not at least going once a week. We have a double stroller now (thank you!!!!) so I can load up both boys.
4. I could joke about other work out related goals, but I would fail at them more than most likely. I would like to at least just have MORE in this category.
5. Starting in March, join an online every day challenge that my best friend is starting up. ... March will be hard for me. A friend is getting married and I'm planning a trip back home for it so it's always more difficult to stick to plan when traveling is involved. But I'm bound to do my best!
6. CLEAR OUT DEBT! We were following Dave Ramsey's plan for a while and we've strayed from it. We need to build back up our 1000 that car repairs have recently dipped into and then start the snowballing again!
7. Be more in the Word. I've really strayed lately. I need to be having a quiet time every day. I need to be having honest prayer time, and I've just flat haven't been. Stop making excuses...
Why is it that "Resolutions" seem to be ultimatums? And why is it that you feel like if you make one you're bound to fail at it? I look at this list, heavy with weight goals and wonder if I'll make or fail them... however the one that is most concerning is the last one on the list... Try and try and try to stay in the Word, to do a daily devotional, to have quiet time, to have prayer time-- why is it hard to keep doing the things that matter most? I take the time to tell my earthly husband I love him every day, so why is it I deny my heavenly one? Sorry to post such a heavy post but that's what's on my heart today... As we make our New Year Resolutions and we set goals for the year to come, are we willing-- am I willing-- to include the Lord in those plans and goals? Am I willing and ready to make more time for Him? ... I hope the answer is an honest yes.
Where the voices get to come out of my head and ramble elsewhere...
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
One week today
Mark is a week old, I thought I'd share some more photos...
I love my Christmas present!
Bright Eyes
Had to throw in a good one of Matthew!
Put him in the swing for the first time today. A week old and swinging!
Daddy with both boys last night... Matthew was driving his train on
Daddy's lap while Mark was having awake time.
I love my Christmas present!
Bright Eyes
Put him in the swing for the first time today. A week old and swinging!
Daddy with both boys last night... Matthew was driving his train onDaddy's lap while Mark was having awake time.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Mark's arrival
This is the long version, just a heads up.
Mark Edward’s Birth and Journey Home…
We arrived at the hospital to register at 6:30 Monday morning on the 22nd of December. Less than a week away from our due date, we were scheduled for an induction due to the estimated size of baby and potential strain on my previous c-section scar in the laboring process.
We had a very slow start even though we arrived so early. After 1000 questions of family health history, blood work, two IV attempts (oh my!), and then the first bag of saline solution going, we were finally underway. My water wasn’t broken until about 8:50 am and it’s from here that I’d consider “in labor”. After my water was broken – and let me tell you—I was laying at a near 45 degree angle upside down for this. Very very weird. After my water was broken, they started the pitocin drip. I started feeling intense contractions within the first hour. However sadly, at noon I was only progressed to a 2. (Some point in there my dad brought up Matthew to see me. They stayed in the waiting room until it was time for his nap and went back home) At four I was still a 2, and at five-thirty still only a 2.
This was very discouraging to my midwife and we discussed what our options were at that time since it was clear I was not progressing, even with the aid of the pitocin. And worse of all, I was having back labor. Each contraction sent me a little further over the edge of insanity as I thought my back was being clawed out… I did ten hours with no pain meds, yet at seven-thirty, I was only barely a 3. At that point I did get a small dose of something (don’t remember what!) in my IV. And painstakingly, I agreed to do the Epidural. I had to at that point, in all that pain, watch the stupid Epidural video I’d refused to watch at the start. (They can’t administer the drug without you watching the video). I have to say I didn’t hear it all as I was crying through the contractions during the video watching. Oh well. Anyhow, the Epidural was done at eight pm. I then fell into a sleepy state of stupor and have no idea what happened in the next four hours. Thank you medicine. I was then checked at a 4 and then a 5 and then BAM! (Hi, I’m Dori…) I started feeling the pains again. Each one was low in my back and worse each time. They tried to give me a second dose of meds but, my Epidural catheter had come out, they’d have to redo it. I mustered up all the strength I could and sat through the torture of the Epidural being re-administered. I remember chanting in my head “do not move. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Do not move.” Again and again so to only be stuck once, instead of what I think was three times the first Epidural try…
After that… WOOOSH! We were off! At one am I was a 6 and then an 8 and then a 9 and then we started practicing pushing. Somewhere in that time span I had to have an oxygen mask on. Baby wasn’t getting enough oxygen and the heart rate was dropping some with the contractions, trying to avoid that exact reason we went into a C-section with Matthew, they upped my oxygen levels and rolled me from one side to the other when necessary. I can say that the mask was the devil himself to me. It was so distracting and so frustrating. As if all that wasn’t enough to complain about, I also started shaking-shivering. I was so so cold after that second IV that my lips were literally shivering the whole time. They’d pile on the blankets and I’d still shiver. Ugh. Anyhow, back to pushing!!!… We practiced for an hour in two thirty minute sets. Jamie went to get my mom (Chuck, Sandy, Kimby and my mom were all in the waiting room and had been all that time). Mom came in at about 3am and took up a place in the corner, and we started pushing. I pushed for 45 mintues. My midwife had to use a vacuum, she says non-aggressively. There was a point when I remember my midwife saying "Kate it's do or die time, we've got to get the baby out or we'll have to go to surgery" (this was after he'd crowned) and buddy, I just didn't feel pain anymore. I just cried to God and repeated Phil 4:13 over and over and over and I pushed out that baby!
Jamie was able to tell me that Mark was here.
(MANNA WAS A BOY!!!)
It was beautiful... My mom was in the room with us and she cut Mark's cord. Jamie says I was smiling through my pain. I did it!
Tuesday morning, December 23rd 3:56 Mark Edward Hobbs was born!
Mark weighed 8.3 and was 19.5 inches. Matthew was 6.13 and 19 inches, so on just a half an inch of length more, there was another 1.6 pounds to look at... Mark is a chub! I love his chin rolls and chubby cheeks and thigh rolls....
Sadly though, we both ended up with a fever at delivery and Mark had to have a culture taken because of it. (More about that later) Also, though he wasn't breathing well, gulping but not taking a full breath, so he had to go straight to the NICU after only about ten minutes from arrival. After only an hour there though, he was released to the regular nursery for observation... and we finally got him back to our room 4 hours later. He was a trooper. I was in and out most of the morning and afternoon and he was so content. He started nursing well right away and knew just what to do!
We thought all was well and were expecting to go home Wed sometime. ... however (remember the fever and culture taken)... Wed morning when the pediatrician came in to let us know about the morning’s assessment, we were told that we couldn't leave until the culture results came back. Ooops. We'd forgotten about that. If it was negative, we'd go home. If it was positive, we'd have to stay. She was expecting that it was probably just a false positive or a contaminant of some kind, and that we’d be fine to go Thursday morning after the results were in, that they’d take 48 hours from the blood draw to be processed. Slightly bummed about not being able to go home FOR Christmas we made the calls to family about the potential of Mark being sick and us waiting to find out more in the morning. I was cleared to go at that point but the doc was waiting to discharge me until we found out the results.
However, later that evening, a nurse came in and said she’d need to get the baby to take him to get an IV. WHAT?!?!? They still don’t know what yet. The conclusive results wouldn’t be ready until tomorrow morning. But, it was positive. Mark was taken from us to start an IV port and he was given antibiotics. He'd have to have them every 12 hours until we knew for sure what it was or until the doc said he didn't need them anymore. A repeat culture was taken and we were again waiting on the results. All we knew was that some kind of bacteria had show up in the first culture, we didn't know what though. After being gone for two hours, he came back to uswith his whole left arm wrapped up and taped so he (or we) couldn’t move the IV port. He came back into the room with his eyes open, looking around. Content as could be. God is so good…
We did well through the night.
Thursday, Christmas day, Mom and Dad and Matthew came to see us in the morning. We had a great visit. We kept waiting and waiting for the doc to come in and tell us about the culture but when she came in, she said the lab still didn’t have the results back. (pout) She promised us that we’d know *something* today. Mom, Dad and Matthew all left so Matthew could take a nap. About 3pm my nurse came in and said that we should know something within the hour. I prepared for the worst and prayed to God Mark was okay. Just before 4pm the charge nurse in the nursery came in our room and said "I'll be taking the baby now" (MY HEART STOPPED) "to get his IV removed. The second culture came back negative" (PRAISE JESUS!) She even said they all thought we'd be staying on and that Mark would be moving to the NICU again which is what we were told could happen... that if it was positive, he'd need additional testing in the NICU... but it wasn't! Praise God for His GREATNESS!!!! What a Christmas present. We willingly and tearfully (of joy) sent Mark down the hall to the nursery yet again. As he was gone, we called the folks and started packing our bags. The nurses came and went to get all the discharge papers in order. We took Mark’s sweet pictures when he came back to us and right at six pm, we were all three in the car heading home to be rejoined with Matthew as a family of four at home on Christmas night.
Merry Christmas!
Mark Edward’s Birth and Journey Home…
We arrived at the hospital to register at 6:30 Monday morning on the 22nd of December. Less than a week away from our due date, we were scheduled for an induction due to the estimated size of baby and potential strain on my previous c-section scar in the laboring process.
We had a very slow start even though we arrived so early. After 1000 questions of family health history, blood work, two IV attempts (oh my!), and then the first bag of saline solution going, we were finally underway. My water wasn’t broken until about 8:50 am and it’s from here that I’d consider “in labor”. After my water was broken – and let me tell you—I was laying at a near 45 degree angle upside down for this. Very very weird. After my water was broken, they started the pitocin drip. I started feeling intense contractions within the first hour. However sadly, at noon I was only progressed to a 2. (Some point in there my dad brought up Matthew to see me. They stayed in the waiting room until it was time for his nap and went back home) At four I was still a 2, and at five-thirty still only a 2.
This was very discouraging to my midwife and we discussed what our options were at that time since it was clear I was not progressing, even with the aid of the pitocin. And worse of all, I was having back labor. Each contraction sent me a little further over the edge of insanity as I thought my back was being clawed out… I did ten hours with no pain meds, yet at seven-thirty, I was only barely a 3. At that point I did get a small dose of something (don’t remember what!) in my IV. And painstakingly, I agreed to do the Epidural. I had to at that point, in all that pain, watch the stupid Epidural video I’d refused to watch at the start. (They can’t administer the drug without you watching the video). I have to say I didn’t hear it all as I was crying through the contractions during the video watching. Oh well. Anyhow, the Epidural was done at eight pm. I then fell into a sleepy state of stupor and have no idea what happened in the next four hours. Thank you medicine. I was then checked at a 4 and then a 5 and then BAM! (Hi, I’m Dori…) I started feeling the pains again. Each one was low in my back and worse each time. They tried to give me a second dose of meds but, my Epidural catheter had come out, they’d have to redo it. I mustered up all the strength I could and sat through the torture of the Epidural being re-administered. I remember chanting in my head “do not move. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Do not move.” Again and again so to only be stuck once, instead of what I think was three times the first Epidural try…
After that… WOOOSH! We were off! At one am I was a 6 and then an 8 and then a 9 and then we started practicing pushing. Somewhere in that time span I had to have an oxygen mask on. Baby wasn’t getting enough oxygen and the heart rate was dropping some with the contractions, trying to avoid that exact reason we went into a C-section with Matthew, they upped my oxygen levels and rolled me from one side to the other when necessary. I can say that the mask was the devil himself to me. It was so distracting and so frustrating. As if all that wasn’t enough to complain about, I also started shaking-shivering. I was so so cold after that second IV that my lips were literally shivering the whole time. They’d pile on the blankets and I’d still shiver. Ugh. Anyhow, back to pushing!!!… We practiced for an hour in two thirty minute sets. Jamie went to get my mom (Chuck, Sandy, Kimby and my mom were all in the waiting room and had been all that time). Mom came in at about 3am and took up a place in the corner, and we started pushing. I pushed for 45 mintues. My midwife had to use a vacuum, she says non-aggressively. There was a point when I remember my midwife saying "Kate it's do or die time, we've got to get the baby out or we'll have to go to surgery" (this was after he'd crowned) and buddy, I just didn't feel pain anymore. I just cried to God and repeated Phil 4:13 over and over and over and I pushed out that baby!
Jamie was able to tell me that Mark was here.
(MANNA WAS A BOY!!!)
It was beautiful... My mom was in the room with us and she cut Mark's cord. Jamie says I was smiling through my pain. I did it!
Tuesday morning, December 23rd 3:56 Mark Edward Hobbs was born!
Mark weighed 8.3 and was 19.5 inches. Matthew was 6.13 and 19 inches, so on just a half an inch of length more, there was another 1.6 pounds to look at... Mark is a chub! I love his chin rolls and chubby cheeks and thigh rolls....
Sadly though, we both ended up with a fever at delivery and Mark had to have a culture taken because of it. (More about that later) Also, though he wasn't breathing well, gulping but not taking a full breath, so he had to go straight to the NICU after only about ten minutes from arrival. After only an hour there though, he was released to the regular nursery for observation... and we finally got him back to our room 4 hours later. He was a trooper. I was in and out most of the morning and afternoon and he was so content. He started nursing well right away and knew just what to do!
We thought all was well and were expecting to go home Wed sometime. ... however (remember the fever and culture taken)... Wed morning when the pediatrician came in to let us know about the morning’s assessment, we were told that we couldn't leave until the culture results came back. Ooops. We'd forgotten about that. If it was negative, we'd go home. If it was positive, we'd have to stay. She was expecting that it was probably just a false positive or a contaminant of some kind, and that we’d be fine to go Thursday morning after the results were in, that they’d take 48 hours from the blood draw to be processed. Slightly bummed about not being able to go home FOR Christmas we made the calls to family about the potential of Mark being sick and us waiting to find out more in the morning. I was cleared to go at that point but the doc was waiting to discharge me until we found out the results.
However, later that evening, a nurse came in and said she’d need to get the baby to take him to get an IV. WHAT?!?!? They still don’t know what yet. The conclusive results wouldn’t be ready until tomorrow morning. But, it was positive. Mark was taken from us to start an IV port and he was given antibiotics. He'd have to have them every 12 hours until we knew for sure what it was or until the doc said he didn't need them anymore. A repeat culture was taken and we were again waiting on the results. All we knew was that some kind of bacteria had show up in the first culture, we didn't know what though. After being gone for two hours, he came back to uswith his whole left arm wrapped up and taped so he (or we) couldn’t move the IV port. He came back into the room with his eyes open, looking around. Content as could be. God is so good…
We did well through the night.
Thursday, Christmas day, Mom and Dad and Matthew came to see us in the morning. We had a great visit. We kept waiting and waiting for the doc to come in and tell us about the culture but when she came in, she said the lab still didn’t have the results back. (pout) She promised us that we’d know *something* today. Mom, Dad and Matthew all left so Matthew could take a nap. About 3pm my nurse came in and said that we should know something within the hour. I prepared for the worst and prayed to God Mark was okay. Just before 4pm the charge nurse in the nursery came in our room and said "I'll be taking the baby now" (MY HEART STOPPED) "to get his IV removed. The second culture came back negative" (PRAISE JESUS!) She even said they all thought we'd be staying on and that Mark would be moving to the NICU again which is what we were told could happen... that if it was positive, he'd need additional testing in the NICU... but it wasn't! Praise God for His GREATNESS!!!! What a Christmas present. We willingly and tearfully (of joy) sent Mark down the hall to the nursery yet again. As he was gone, we called the folks and started packing our bags. The nurses came and went to get all the discharge papers in order. We took Mark’s sweet pictures when he came back to us and right at six pm, we were all three in the car heading home to be rejoined with Matthew as a family of four at home on Christmas night.
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Mark pictures
Here's a few pictures to tide you over... story still to come.
8.3 pounds of chub
Daddy holding Mark
Matthew meets Mark
Matthew holds Mark
Mark holding his soothie all on his own
A sleeping baby
8.3 pounds of chub
Daddy holding Mark
Matthew meets Mark
Matthew holds Mark
Mark holding his soothie all on his own
A sleeping baby
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Thank you
Thank you Nic for keeping my blog updated.
We are ALLLLLL home now safe and sound. (for about an hour) And exhausted. I will post a big update tomorrow if at all possible. Thank you ALL for the prayers.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are ALLLLLL home now safe and sound. (for about an hour) And exhausted. I will post a big update tomorrow if at all possible. Thank you ALL for the prayers.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Baby Mark needs your prayers!
I just talked to Kate. Apparently, when Mark was born, both Kate & Mark had a fever. So they took cultures on them and said that final results wouldn't be available for 48 hours. But the preliminary results came back on Mark today and they were positive. We don't know what they are positive FOR, at this time, but regardless the doctors are jumping all over this. The little guy is having an IV port put in right now & will be getting IV antibiotics every 12 hours until we know more & probably beyond.
Kate is really upset. She's going to be discharged tomorrow and now it looks like Mark won't get to go home with them for Christmas. And she's scared, because she doesn't know what this might mean. I am praying it was either a false positive or a low-grade infection of some kind, because Mark has been doing awesome since he got here -- eating well, resting well, etc....
Anyway, any & all prayers & good thoughts will be much appreciated!
Kate is really upset. She's going to be discharged tomorrow and now it looks like Mark won't get to go home with them for Christmas. And she's scared, because she doesn't know what this might mean. I am praying it was either a false positive or a low-grade infection of some kind, because Mark has been doing awesome since he got here -- eating well, resting well, etc....
Anyway, any & all prayers & good thoughts will be much appreciated!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Manna is here!!!!!!!
Mark Edward arrived just before 4am this morning. He was 8 lbs 3 oz & 19.5 inches long. He is absolutely adorable, I must say. Both Mom and baby are doing just fine. It was a successful VBAC, so I'm guessing they'll be home in time to spend Christmas as a new family of 4!!!!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Labor Update
The update is, there is not much of an update. Kate is still working hard to get the baby out. It has been a long day, but she's a trooper and doing as well as can be expected. Hopefully Manna will decide to make his or her grand debut soon!!!! I'll be posting here when there is news to post.
Baby Manna is on the way!!!!!!
Kate went into the hospital this morning and things looked favorable, so they broke her water at 8:54 am EST. When I talked to her about 40 minutes later, she was having some pretty good, steady contractions!!!!!
Please say some prayers for a smooth, uneventful labor and delivery --- I know Kate will appreciate them and I'll update here later!
Please say some prayers for a smooth, uneventful labor and delivery --- I know Kate will appreciate them and I'll update here later!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Okay, Okay.
After a couple emails and some sad friends... I've changed my mind!!!
Nic CAN post the baby's gender after all. I know everyone's been anxious to know that! And I know she'll be bursting with excitement to tell anyhow, so there you go.
(and ha about that last post being the "last pg post" huh?)
It's before 6am on Saturday morning. I have seen nearly every half hour, definitely every hour... oy. Can you tell I'm a bit antsy?
Things I've been thinking about:
-hafta clean the toilets (why is this first on my list?)
-hafta finish the laundry
-hafta sweep the playroom (that requires picking UP the playroom)
-hafta iron Jamie's pants ... maybe some shirts before I'm laid up
-the car is packed... did I forget anything? (running over the packed list again and again)
-I still wanted to make another batch of fudge... do I have time for this? LOL
-ALL the Christmas gifts are wrapped, in my pregnant stupor, did I forget anyone?!
-vag or C, vag or C... what will I end up with? I think at this point I'm okay with either. I really am. ... I know I've put a lot of emphasis in desiring to try labor and attempt a "normal" birth but I really DO know that in the end it matters not HOW but THAT the baby comes out. I do know that deep down. In case anyone wasn't sure... *wink*
-Kris-- my sister-- and how she's coming to meet whomever is baby sooner than she could with Matthew!
-how hard it is living far away from family and friends in special times like this.
-how hard it will be for Nic to want to jump a plane but can't this time.
-how hard it was for me not to come swiftly when she had her son.
-how much I'm so grateful for her and her support and love
-how much I am so extremely glad my mom will be here this time--God willing!
-how much I wanted her last time.
-how wonderful my husband is...
-how much my son's life is about to change.
I'm sure there's more but that's just the things that come to mind first...
Nic CAN post the baby's gender after all. I know everyone's been anxious to know that! And I know she'll be bursting with excitement to tell anyhow, so there you go.
(and ha about that last post being the "last pg post" huh?)
It's before 6am on Saturday morning. I have seen nearly every half hour, definitely every hour... oy. Can you tell I'm a bit antsy?
Things I've been thinking about:
-hafta clean the toilets (why is this first on my list?)
-hafta finish the laundry
-hafta sweep the playroom (that requires picking UP the playroom)
-hafta iron Jamie's pants ... maybe some shirts before I'm laid up
-the car is packed... did I forget anything? (running over the packed list again and again)
-I still wanted to make another batch of fudge... do I have time for this? LOL
-ALL the Christmas gifts are wrapped, in my pregnant stupor, did I forget anyone?!
-vag or C, vag or C... what will I end up with? I think at this point I'm okay with either. I really am. ... I know I've put a lot of emphasis in desiring to try labor and attempt a "normal" birth but I really DO know that in the end it matters not HOW but THAT the baby comes out. I do know that deep down. In case anyone wasn't sure... *wink*
-Kris-- my sister-- and how she's coming to meet whomever is baby sooner than she could with Matthew!
-how hard it is living far away from family and friends in special times like this.
-how hard it will be for Nic to want to jump a plane but can't this time.
-how hard it was for me not to come swiftly when she had her son.
-how much I'm so grateful for her and her support and love
-how much I am so extremely glad my mom will be here this time--God willing!
-how much I wanted her last time.
-how wonderful my husband is...
-how much my son's life is about to change.
I'm sure there's more but that's just the things that come to mind first...
Friday, December 19, 2008
update
This very well could be the last pg update...
My MW tried to encourage some happenings today (I'll leave the TMI out of this... haha) so we're hoping that I go into labor naturally over the weekend. If not I'll either be checked and/or induced first thing Monday morning.
As things progress, I'm sure there will be updates.
If you're a regular reader-- Nic (my best friend) will be posting on here in my stead while I'm at the hospital updating. I've asked her to NOT reveal the sex. I'll try to get back on as soon as possible to give the big reveal!
Cheers!
My MW tried to encourage some happenings today (I'll leave the TMI out of this... haha) so we're hoping that I go into labor naturally over the weekend. If not I'll either be checked and/or induced first thing Monday morning.
As things progress, I'm sure there will be updates.
If you're a regular reader-- Nic (my best friend) will be posting on here in my stead while I'm at the hospital updating. I've asked her to NOT reveal the sex. I'll try to get back on as soon as possible to give the big reveal!
Cheers!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Cake balls final chapter
Hot dog! Those things are good. Jamie and I each had one after dinner. He's going to take some with him to work tomorrow so that I don't eat the rest on my own!!! SUCCESS!
Cake Balls continued...
Allow me to complete my experience with the final steps...
7. Roll in/dip in/dunk in melted chocolate and cool on wax paper and let harden and then refreeze.
*this was a bit of an issue. I felt like I was wasting chocolate...I ended up trying to dunk them, and with two spoons trying to remove access choc but for the most part under each ball is like a glob of pooled choc. Now, if this also hardens then maybe it's fine, but I'm not sure yet. The reaction from others who've done it is that this is normal.
*Also, I will say that 12 oz of choc chips melted down (I did a min in the microwave, stir, and another min in the microwave to make the melted choc) wasn't enough. I've heard diff reports of 16 oz needed or 24 oz needed. So make sure you have at least 16 oz if you're using choc chips.
8. Store in either fridge or freezer. Enjoy.
*Well currently they are still "hardening" on the parchment paper (I was out of wax) but the next step will be to freeze. :)
And that's my baking creations for today.
Thankfully my son is taking a nice long nap!
7. Roll in/dip in/dunk in melted chocolate and cool on wax paper and let harden and then refreeze.
*this was a bit of an issue. I felt like I was wasting chocolate...I ended up trying to dunk them, and with two spoons trying to remove access choc but for the most part under each ball is like a glob of pooled choc. Now, if this also hardens then maybe it's fine, but I'm not sure yet. The reaction from others who've done it is that this is normal.
*Also, I will say that 12 oz of choc chips melted down (I did a min in the microwave, stir, and another min in the microwave to make the melted choc) wasn't enough. I've heard diff reports of 16 oz needed or 24 oz needed. So make sure you have at least 16 oz if you're using choc chips.
8. Store in either fridge or freezer. Enjoy.
*Well currently they are still "hardening" on the parchment paper (I was out of wax) but the next step will be to freeze. :)
And that's my baking creations for today.
Thankfully my son is taking a nice long nap!
Cake Balls
On a message board I frequent, there has been a phenomenon of late. The Cake Balls. Every day for the past few, someone is bringing it up. There are questions after questions about this way or that way or can I do it like this or how do you do this part... and I will admit, I asked many a question myself about them. I was very intrigued. Well last night I did the first major part in making my own Cake Balls. I will say that unfinished as they are, they are SOOO GOOOOOD! Oh my word! So, I thought I'd share on here all that I know about the
Cake Balls...
Basic instructions are this:
Bake cake.
Cool.
Crumble cake, add frosting, mix well.
Make balls.
Freeze.
Dip.
Freeze again.
Allow me to break it down for you...
1. Bake a cake (any cake--as directed on box)
*easy enough
2. Let cake cool about 30 minutes
*torture while it smells so good and you want a piece
3. Take a fork and rake it through the cooled cake
*Jamie and I each had a fork and cake was a little bit flying... this was fun!
4. Mix a (small) can of frosting into your cake crumbles
*We transferred crumbles to a large bowl and added in frosting... at this point Jamie says "just so you know there is ZERO chance of me sticking my hands in there" He ended up mixing it well with a metal spoon
5. Scoop into "tablespoon size" (bite size) balls.
*Messy. Very Messy. I don't have a melon baller or a cookie scooper so I just used a normal table spoon and my hands to form the balls. Messy. Fun, but messy.
Supposed to end up with 50-60 balls. I had 46, so not bad.
6. Then cover and freeze. (let freeze at least 4 hours)
*done.
This is where I am currently, (we did that much last night)...
but the next steps are:
7. Roll in/dip in/dunk in melted chocolate and cool on wax paper and let harden and then refreeze.
8. Store in either fridge or freezer. Enjoy.
I'll have to let you know how the dipping part goes. I will say it's the part I'm most nervous about. But I will also say... undipped, they are very very good. Dangerously good. *wink wink*
Cake Balls...
Basic instructions are this:
Bake cake.
Cool.
Crumble cake, add frosting, mix well.
Make balls.
Freeze.
Dip.
Freeze again.
Allow me to break it down for you...
1. Bake a cake (any cake--as directed on box)
*easy enough
2. Let cake cool about 30 minutes
*torture while it smells so good and you want a piece
3. Take a fork and rake it through the cooled cake
*Jamie and I each had a fork and cake was a little bit flying... this was fun!
4. Mix a (small) can of frosting into your cake crumbles
*We transferred crumbles to a large bowl and added in frosting... at this point Jamie says "just so you know there is ZERO chance of me sticking my hands in there" He ended up mixing it well with a metal spoon
5. Scoop into "tablespoon size" (bite size) balls.
*Messy. Very Messy. I don't have a melon baller or a cookie scooper so I just used a normal table spoon and my hands to form the balls. Messy. Fun, but messy.
Supposed to end up with 50-60 balls. I had 46, so not bad.
6. Then cover and freeze. (let freeze at least 4 hours)
*done.
This is where I am currently, (we did that much last night)...
but the next steps are:
7. Roll in/dip in/dunk in melted chocolate and cool on wax paper and let harden and then refreeze.
8. Store in either fridge or freezer. Enjoy.
I'll have to let you know how the dipping part goes. I will say it's the part I'm most nervous about. But I will also say... undipped, they are very very good. Dangerously good. *wink wink*
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
breathing treatment update
I'm amazed. I really am. Matthew has done marvelously each time so far now. We did another one this morning and another after lunch, before nap time and he just takes it like a pro. He gets a little annoyed with the mask part ON him before it's time to be done, but we just take off and he'll hold it there in front of his face. I keep telling him to take "another big one" and he'll breathe really big. I'm so proud of him. I was seriously prepared for a battling disaster yesterday and God is so good and has given Matthew complete calmness about this. Thank you to all who are praying. I can already tell a difference in his wheezing and cough!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
breathing treatment
A different kind of update:
So after Matthew coughing from Saturday on, and last night being awful with a wake up at 4:30 and him crying for near 20 minutes while coughing, I took him into the doctor today. We come home with a machine to do breathing treatments. He has to have 3 treatments every day for the next couple days. Oh my stars. In addition, he also has an antibiotic and a cough syrup to be taken daily....
We completed the first breathing treatment just a bit ago and oh my! He did SUCH a good job. We talked about the mask and how he was like a solider and he put on that mask and breathed in and out and was so dang good about it. I wanted to cry because he did so much better than the horror I'd concocted in my head as to how it was going to go. Jamie sat on one side of him and I on the other, on the couch and he just sat there. He got a little annoyed with it before it was finished, but I think it was a great first try!
My baby boy is so big.
Anyhow, please pray that he'll be well before our baby Manna comes. He has to be on the breathing treatments for at least three days and he has 10 days of meds to complete. Thank you for your prayers.
So after Matthew coughing from Saturday on, and last night being awful with a wake up at 4:30 and him crying for near 20 minutes while coughing, I took him into the doctor today. We come home with a machine to do breathing treatments. He has to have 3 treatments every day for the next couple days. Oh my stars. In addition, he also has an antibiotic and a cough syrup to be taken daily....
We completed the first breathing treatment just a bit ago and oh my! He did SUCH a good job. We talked about the mask and how he was like a solider and he put on that mask and breathed in and out and was so dang good about it. I wanted to cry because he did so much better than the horror I'd concocted in my head as to how it was going to go. Jamie sat on one side of him and I on the other, on the couch and he just sat there. He got a little annoyed with it before it was finished, but I think it was a great first try!
My baby boy is so big.
Anyhow, please pray that he'll be well before our baby Manna comes. He has to be on the breathing treatments for at least three days and he has 10 days of meds to complete. Thank you for your prayers.
Monday, December 15, 2008
quick update
WOOOOOOOT!!!
So this will be clearly much more positive than last week's update. I had a check up this morning and here are the basics for you: I was "soft" (not sure exactly what that means, but MW was pleased), and a ONE!!!! and she felt the head!!! (oh my!) and I've dropped and now measuring 40 weeks, not 43! And this is all GOOOOOOD NEWS! I'm so pleased. I'm going back on Friday to see if there is any more progress. If she can, she's going to see if she can stir up labor to happen naturally. If it works, we're looking at potential labor this weekend. If it doesn't, I'll go back next week and see where we are! COME ON BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So this will be clearly much more positive than last week's update. I had a check up this morning and here are the basics for you: I was "soft" (not sure exactly what that means, but MW was pleased), and a ONE!!!! and she felt the head!!! (oh my!) and I've dropped and now measuring 40 weeks, not 43! And this is all GOOOOOOD NEWS! I'm so pleased. I'm going back on Friday to see if there is any more progress. If she can, she's going to see if she can stir up labor to happen naturally. If it works, we're looking at potential labor this weekend. If it doesn't, I'll go back next week and see where we are! COME ON BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Pictures
A sweet friend took some pictures of us 2 weeks ago (at 36 weeks). I'm so pleased with how they came out. She did such an amazing job. I just got the CD from her today with more than 130 pictures on it. (If you'd like to view more than just these, please let me know via email). It's going to be hard to decide what I want to print, but I wanted to share a few on here. Thank you, Meg.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
quote.
A friend sent me some words of wisdom this morning. I'm going to just copy and paste a portion of her email ...
~*~*~
It is in God's hands and he will "deliver" you through all of this. I read a quote this morning that may help..."When you relinquish the desire to control your future; you obtain happiness".
~*~*~
I will say that after nachos and muffins and even more tears last night, I think I cried all my woes away. I'm still somewhat down this morning, but LIFE goes on. And GOD IS IN CONTROL.
Thank you all dear friends.
~*~*~
It is in God's hands and he will "deliver" you through all of this. I read a quote this morning that may help..."When you relinquish the desire to control your future; you obtain happiness".
~*~*~
I will say that after nachos and muffins and even more tears last night, I think I cried all my woes away. I'm still somewhat down this morning, but LIFE goes on. And GOD IS IN CONTROL.
Thank you all dear friends.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
appt update (the emotional version)
So I know people are awaiting the update from today's appt and frankly I just don't want to discuss it (though I'm about to)... *pout* I'm really fragile right now and don't want any "oh it will be alright" "everything will work out" comments. I know that. I know the point of having a baby is to HAVE a baby-- regardless of how it gets had, but... as mentioned I just feel fragile. I feel very defeated and I've been on and off crying since about 2:30. If someone could please shut the faucet off, I'd gladly stop the waterworks.
Good news: 1. the baby is fine. There doesn't seem to be anything that is concerning my MW about the kidney functions right now, which was our biggest concern with the previous ultrasound results. They still MAY get tested AFTER delivery, but for now, all in the clear. 2. My fluid levels are lower than where they were the previous u/s and are well within the normal range now. 3. I saw my MW today and not someone else! (last week I saw a fill in--bah).
Eh news: The baby is currently measuring at 8 pounds 9 ounces according to the u/s tech's measurements. NOW-- I do know that they can't be completly accurate. It's possible that this number could be plus or minus up to TWO pounds... so we're looking at a baby anywhere from 7-11 pounds right now, give or take. OR it could be right on at 8.9 ...
Bad news: They wont let me try to push out anything over 10 pounds... So, if I'm measuring 8.9 today, by Monday that could be 9, by Friday next week that could be 9.5, by Monday the following week that could be 10, by Christmas.... you get the point. BUT they also wont induce me if I'm not doing SOMETHING in the dialation department. For the past three appts now, it's only been a finger tip. If I can't get to a one, she can't break my water for me, and thus, I can't induce...
There's no reason to say I will or wont go into labor on my own, expect with Matthew he was induced 4 days before his due date, and I didn't go into labor... and he didn't react well to the induction. The risks are starting to outweigh the other, and I'm just wounded. I really want to prove (to myself) I can do this. That I can birth a child. That my body was designed and made perfectly -- but that's a really horrible thing to say. My mom had both my sister and me by c-section. Do I think any less of her body? no. Any less of her ability to still be a perfectly made woman? no. ...So why would I think such of myself??? I HAVE NO IDEA--- but it's tearing me up.
I just want the chance to try.
I just want the ability to say I tried.
I don't want another section. I don't want to be cut open. I don't want to be recovering for 6-8 weeks after a section-- WITH a toddler at home. I don't want to go through all the above without my family here. I don't want... *groan*
I'm such a whiner! UGH! I hate myself for feeling like this, I really do. But I just can't stop it.
As I sit here and new tears are starting to fall, Jamie just said to me "please stop making yourself cry." My poor husband. I love him so much. I truly don't know how he deals with me. And I'm so blessed by him. by his love. by his support-- the strong silent type, but still support it is. I'm so blessed by his devotion and his tenderness. I love him for keeping me focused on the prize, not on the journey.
I also love my Nic. Thankyou, friend for being the voice of sanity (and not reason) when I needed you today.
I know God is in control. I know that the ultimate goal is a HEALTHY baby. The means is not as important as the ends in this case. But my heart and my brain aren't on the same channel today.
So.
All that said to say... Nothing is happening still. Yes, I'm still pregnant. No, I'm not carrying twins... .YES I AM SURE (Ugh, if one more person asks me that, I may just start bawling in front of them) Yes, the baby is big. No I don't know when we're going go have it. NO I STILL HAVEN'T HAD IT. (no, I still don't know what it is!) ...
My next appt is Monday morning. PRAYING for ANY kind of progression.
Good news: 1. the baby is fine. There doesn't seem to be anything that is concerning my MW about the kidney functions right now, which was our biggest concern with the previous ultrasound results. They still MAY get tested AFTER delivery, but for now, all in the clear. 2. My fluid levels are lower than where they were the previous u/s and are well within the normal range now. 3. I saw my MW today and not someone else! (last week I saw a fill in--bah).
Eh news: The baby is currently measuring at 8 pounds 9 ounces according to the u/s tech's measurements. NOW-- I do know that they can't be completly accurate. It's possible that this number could be plus or minus up to TWO pounds... so we're looking at a baby anywhere from 7-11 pounds right now, give or take. OR it could be right on at 8.9 ...
Bad news: They wont let me try to push out anything over 10 pounds... So, if I'm measuring 8.9 today, by Monday that could be 9, by Friday next week that could be 9.5, by Monday the following week that could be 10, by Christmas.... you get the point. BUT they also wont induce me if I'm not doing SOMETHING in the dialation department. For the past three appts now, it's only been a finger tip. If I can't get to a one, she can't break my water for me, and thus, I can't induce...
There's no reason to say I will or wont go into labor on my own, expect with Matthew he was induced 4 days before his due date, and I didn't go into labor... and he didn't react well to the induction. The risks are starting to outweigh the other, and I'm just wounded. I really want to prove (to myself) I can do this. That I can birth a child. That my body was designed and made perfectly -- but that's a really horrible thing to say. My mom had both my sister and me by c-section. Do I think any less of her body? no. Any less of her ability to still be a perfectly made woman? no. ...So why would I think such of myself??? I HAVE NO IDEA--- but it's tearing me up.
I just want the chance to try.
I just want the ability to say I tried.
I don't want another section. I don't want to be cut open. I don't want to be recovering for 6-8 weeks after a section-- WITH a toddler at home. I don't want to go through all the above without my family here. I don't want... *groan*
I'm such a whiner! UGH! I hate myself for feeling like this, I really do. But I just can't stop it.
As I sit here and new tears are starting to fall, Jamie just said to me "please stop making yourself cry." My poor husband. I love him so much. I truly don't know how he deals with me. And I'm so blessed by him. by his love. by his support-- the strong silent type, but still support it is. I'm so blessed by his devotion and his tenderness. I love him for keeping me focused on the prize, not on the journey.
I also love my Nic. Thankyou, friend for being the voice of sanity (and not reason) when I needed you today.
I know God is in control. I know that the ultimate goal is a HEALTHY baby. The means is not as important as the ends in this case. But my heart and my brain aren't on the same channel today.
So.
All that said to say... Nothing is happening still. Yes, I'm still pregnant. No, I'm not carrying twins... .YES I AM SURE (Ugh, if one more person asks me that, I may just start bawling in front of them) Yes, the baby is big. No I don't know when we're going go have it. NO I STILL HAVEN'T HAD IT. (no, I still don't know what it is!) ...
My next appt is Monday morning. PRAYING for ANY kind of progression.
Friday, December 5, 2008
photo update
Well folks, this is what 43 weeks looks like, though I'm sure I'm only 36... (and yes, that's one of Jamie's Tech shirts, very comfy)
Thursday, December 4, 2008
43 weeks... and counting
Last week recap I was 35 weeks and 3 days and measuring at 40 weeks...
So today I'm 36 weeks and 4 days... and I'm measuring 43 weeks. WHAT?! ... geeeez, How can I possibly get any further out there in the front? In other measuring news, I actually LOST a pound this week, so explain that. HAHA!
We scheduled an u/s for next week on Wed. We'll investigate at that point if it's still fluid levels that are high and taking up so much room or if we're looking at a big baby in there. We'll also decide what steps to take from that point forward as my belly continues to expand and the due date draws nearer.
I feel like crud today, but I will have Jamie take an update picture tomorrow so you can see what the measuring 43 weeks out belly looks like (someone hold me). I can't even roll over in bed anymore. Jamie has to help push or pull me from one side to the other. It's awful. I can't seem to get the leverage to hoist the belly from side to side.
In hand news-- I'm back to wearing my right brace now. I dropped my pen trying to write my Christmas cards last night, dropped my spoon at breakfast this morning so it's back to the braces we go. : ( I made it so far, I can't really complain. At least this time it will be for 3 weeks or so, not 3 months!
We'll see what next week holds...
So today I'm 36 weeks and 4 days... and I'm measuring 43 weeks. WHAT?! ... geeeez, How can I possibly get any further out there in the front? In other measuring news, I actually LOST a pound this week, so explain that. HAHA!
We scheduled an u/s for next week on Wed. We'll investigate at that point if it's still fluid levels that are high and taking up so much room or if we're looking at a big baby in there. We'll also decide what steps to take from that point forward as my belly continues to expand and the due date draws nearer.
I feel like crud today, but I will have Jamie take an update picture tomorrow so you can see what the measuring 43 weeks out belly looks like (someone hold me). I can't even roll over in bed anymore. Jamie has to help push or pull me from one side to the other. It's awful. I can't seem to get the leverage to hoist the belly from side to side.
In hand news-- I'm back to wearing my right brace now. I dropped my pen trying to write my Christmas cards last night, dropped my spoon at breakfast this morning so it's back to the braces we go. : ( I made it so far, I can't really complain. At least this time it will be for 3 weeks or so, not 3 months!
We'll see what next week holds...
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Rings (take two)
Well I'm glad to have made it this far, but my rings are now off again. I'm so very pleased that they were still on for my belly pictures on Sunday. However yesterday morning, I woke up with my right hand tingling and had to pry off my mom's ring from that hand. This morning about 4:30 I woke up with my left hand in pain, so I pulled off my wedding rings and moved them from my ring finger to my pinky. I'm guessing I'll be wearing them on a necklace by the end of the day. 36 weeks to still have my rings on is a good run I guess. I'm kind of sad I couldn't get to the end, but I'm so pleased at not having them off as long as they were off with Matthew.
Monday, December 1, 2008
December!!!
***
Oh my, it's December!!! Only 27 more days until the due date! ACK!
I go back for another appt Thursday and we'll see what my MW says.
But hopefully I'm having a baby THIS MONTH!
***
Oh my, it's December!!! Only 27 more days until the due date! ACK!
I go back for another appt Thursday and we'll see what my MW says.
But hopefully I'm having a baby THIS MONTH!
***
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