Events

Our lives are molded and shaped by all the events in our lives.
Whether they be good or bad events, they form us.
I've had many events in my life. Once, I was asked to do the sound effects for the community theater's production of South Pacific. It was there, that I met Matt. That small event, would pave the way for the rest of my life.
Because of that play, my life has changed in so many ways.
I've found out that I am much stronger than I ever imagined I could be. I think I can survive just about anything.
Four years ago, I was about to embark on a huge life changing event.
The birth of each of my five children, has changed my life.
At this time, four years ago, I was going through my first drug free labor. It was induced with Pit, so I guess it wasn't completely drug free. And once, I had a shot of nubane, just to gather my senses.
The birth of Zachary, was a pain I had never experienced. But the physical pain, was nothing compared to the pain my heart would feel over the next couple of days.
You all know the story. I won't bore you with it.
Every year since then, Zachy has grown to be an amazing person. He makes me laugh so much. And frustrates me all at the same time. He is so giving with his love and kisses.
I couldn't ask for more, he is my Zachy.
Happy Birthday sweet, sweet boy. You have shaped me in only a way you could. I love you more than you can ever imagine.

Why I never call maintenance

We had to turn all our gas off the other night. And now the pilot light on the water heater won't work. I called maintenance yesterday, and told them about that and a few other things, assuming it would all be the same people.
Well, water heater man came out and determined that the water heater needs to be replaced, and if we're lucky, it will be today.
So here I sit, waiting for him to come with a water heater. And it isn't the same person that comes for the other stuff, so now I have to wait for another person to show up too. Which could take up to a week.
I have things I need to do. Like go pick up Collin's glasses, and go grocery shopping. But I can't, because I'm stuck here, waiting on them.
This is why I never call. I hate waiting on them. We won't even mention that they are all creepy and I hate being here with them.

Anyway, onto better things.

Since I didn't post a picture of Zachy last time, here he is. With all his dum dums.
Matt says he sure is getting skinny! You be the judge!



And because I just couldn't resist. And yes, all you skeptics out there, I did keep the receipt!!!

YIPPEE!!!

If you'll recall, I called the cardiologist some time ago. He never called me back. I called him a couple times after that, with no return call. It has been 4 months since he ordered the monitor on Zachy.
He finally called me on Monday, and honestly, I don't think he had even looked at the report, because once he hunted it down and called me back later in the day, he said, 'it's a bit concerning, his heart rate goes down in the 40s while he's asleep, so I think we should see him in December'.
Anyway, this disturbed us quite a bit. There were abnormalities on the report and he never called. Would he have called if I hadn't? Who knows.
At any rate, I called the pediatrician and told him what was going on. He said it was absurd of the card. not to call us when there was a heart rate that low. So we asked to be referred to a civilian card. Not that we think the outcome would be different or anything, we just like docs who COMMUNICATE.
We weren't sure it would be approved, and the ped. even seemed to think we would have a hard time with it. But, Praise the Lord, it was APPROVED!!! YIPPEE!!
I so long to be back with a civilian card. who pays attention to his patients! YAY!! Zachy goes in on November 21. I'll keep you all posted!

Silly Zach

OK, we had Pathfinder and Adventurer inductions on Saturday night. I have pictures, but flickr is being wierd right now. So I will put those up later today, but for now, I have to tell you how silly Zachy is.
Friday, I had to finally break down and buy some maternity shorts. As I was paying, I was given a gift bag from Motherhood. The clerk was all excited proclaiming, 'ooooh there is something big in this one" I have to admit, I was a bit excited too!
Once in the van I openend the bag to find a bottle, pacifier, and come shea butter cream. HOW DISAPPOINTING!! We don't use bottles or pacifiers, but it was my first new baby stuff, so still exciting!
Yesterday, I was cleaning up and opened up the bottle and pacifier to put aside, you know, just in case (HAHAHAHA). Zachy snatched them up. He has no idea how to even put the pacifier in his mouth, and asks me everytime, "this way mommy?" And then he doesn't know what to do with it, except giggle and say, "I'm baby!" It is hilarious to see him hold the bottle in one side of his mouth and the pacifier in the other. I'll have to take a picture when my camera battery charges up.
Yesterday, we went to Sea World. Matt and Matthew were on a big roller coaster and the other kids and I were waiting for them. As they came around, we were all looking up and waving, when Collin hollered, "Zachy is PEEING" Zachy had pulled down his pants right there and was peeing!! I could NOT believe it. I mean, what do you do in that situation? He certainly wasn't going to stop! At least he was turned away and peeing into the plants! It was crazy.
I tell you, these kids, they never cease to surprise me!

AH..AH....AH....CHOO!!!!

Can't. Stop. Sneezing. Some allergen must be high today, because I have been a sneezing machine today. Of course, it doesn't help that every single hair on my head has been tickling my nose. Individually!!
So anyway, I had my 3 hour test yesterday. It wasn't too fun, but not nearly as bad as I anticipated. The hardest part was entertaining 4 kids for 3 hours. But we found a place with tables and chairs and the kids did all their school work. It could have been much worse. I should find out the results on Friday. I'm praying I pass it. But we shall see.
ACK!!! I just got pickle juice on my shirt..I HATE the smell of pickles!
Let me think, there was so much I was going to write here, but got sidetracked with the dumb pickles.
The other night, we were eating carrots with dinner and I said, "maybe if I eat enough carrots, this baby's eyes will be ok" Matthew said he hoped so, and now asks me daily if I've eaten any carrots. I've been eating quite a few carrots, I'll tell you that!
Here's a picture of some of the stuff the kids have been working on in History. They are loving history this year, they get to make so much stuff. The pyramid with the scribbles on it is Collin's.



And just a cute picture. Zachy totally adores Matthew, and the feeling is mutual.

Gettin on the ball

I must be feeling like the old me these days. Well, sometimes.
Finally, after a few months, I have sat down and called different doctors. Matthew saw a plastic surgeon who said we needed to see someone else. I also had a referral for him to see a nuerosurgeon, but hadn't made the appointment. So I did that this morning, only to discover that Matthew needs to have another MRI done. So I'm waiting on the word from the ped. to make the appointments for the MRI and the craniofacial doctor.
Now, before you go thinking I'm a bad mom or something, these are things that aren't pressing. Our ped. just wanted Matthew established with them in case there was a need later on. So it isn't like I was neglecting something super important.
I also put in a call to Zachy's card. You will recall that Zachy did the holter monitor quite awhile ago, and I never was called with the results. This wouldn't have happened back in Idaho, I'll tell ya that much. Those cards were on top of things. I'm not overly concerned because had it been bad, I'm sure we would have heard about it. However, the dr said that based on those results, he would decide how often to see Zachy. So now I'm left not knowing when he needs to be seen next. I'm not sure that it really matters, if he tries to lengthen the time, I'm not sure we'll agree to it. I don't think I'm ready to go any longer than a year in between visits. Not yet anyway. I'm a chicken. He's my baby. Gotta keep on top of things.
Now to get on the ball and start school for the day!!

Zachy is so cute

The other day, Matthew was eating something cinnamon flavored and said, "it tastes like Christmas in my mouth"
Just now, Zachy brought a cinnamon candy to me to ask if he could have it and I told him yes. When he put it in his mouth, I said, "it tastes like Christmas" He said, "ohhh"
I asked if he remembered what Christmas was and he shrugged and said, "I don't know"
I told him he would love it, that there were trees with lights, and lots of lights everywhere, and presents. His eyes got so huge and he was saying, "OHHHH" Then he trotted off in his adorable jammies with a huge smile on his face.
I don't know why this is so cute to me. But Zachy tends to get so excited about things that his brothers just think are so-so. Like when we eat, he gets so happy and says, "mmmmm nummy!!" about almost everything.
I don't think he remembers Christmas at all, or just a little bit, and I can't wait for this year, to take him to see the lights and to see his face light up when we put up the tree. He's going to be so excited!

A long overdue update

It has been so long since I've done an actual post. I keep meaning to, and then I don't. I just haven't had it in me. But alas, today is the day. The other issue has been that Blogger joined forces with Google and has changed things up on me. It has been frustrating to me, but I'm getting over it. My current issue is that it is impossible for me to comment on anyone else's blogger blog. Does anyone else have this problem or just me? Probably just me.
Things are going well down here in Texas. The boys have been doing school now for a few weeks and it is going well. I really like most of the curriculum I got them this year. I need to change up some of Dillon's, but once that happens, things should be great. Matt has decided that he likes the history the boys are doing and has taken over teaching it to them in the evenings. I always kind of assumed he would take over math someday, but never history! Wonders never cease!
The heart walk is coming up the end of this month, so if you were wanting to donate, and hadn't because it was so far away, now is the time to do it. Click the logo up there and donate! And to those of you who have already donated, thank you so much. It means the world to me.
And speaking of hearts...it is becoming apparent these days that adults with Zachy's defect are needing more care than they once thought. New issues are popping up as they become adults. In the past, these kids never lived to adulthood so it's been a mystery what happens to them as adults. It's kind of a hard pill to swallow because most of us TAPVR parents are told that our kids are 'cured' once the initial surgery is done, but that apparently isn't the case. Of course, I'm not gonna borrow trouble, it is just an interesting thought to have in the back of my head. Cardiac appointments at least every 2 years will be his life, his entire life. I'm just thankful that he came along at this time and not back when these babies weren't living very long! I can't imagine life without him!
We've had a couple blessings come to us, in the form of clothes and furniture! My sister sent me a bunch of maternity clothes, and her baby sling, which has been a blessing to me. I have a couple other friends who will be sending me more clothes as well. I could get away with not buying any clothes this pregnancy! And our neighbor gave us a really nice dresser. It is a six drawer dresser in great shape. She just wanted it out of her house because it came from her mother in law and she couldn't stand to look at it! Her loss is our gain! I am so greatful to have an extra dresser.
If you read the last post you know that Zachy is officially potty trained! WOOHOO!! It is so nice! He tells me all the time that he is a big boy now. Yes, he is, how did that happen??
Cute Zachy story, that some of you may not find so cute, but it's cute to us. Zachy is very into kissing owwies. And when I weaned him, it was after my surgery and we told him "num-nums have owwies". The other day he was talking about my num nums being all gone, and Matt said, "when the baby gets here, does he get the num nums?" And Zachy said "yes, you're num nums owwie" and kissed my boob! Now, occasionally he will run up to me and kiss a boob (through my shirt people), to make it better for his new baby. So sweet of him.
Did I ever mention here that we had Matthew's birthday at Chuck E Cheese? Well, we did. And I added pictures of it for y'all.
In other news, we now have two parakeets. Matthew has been saving his money and got enough money with birthday money to finally get them. He loves them to death. We have a yellow one and a blue one. Their names are Ernie and Ernest! Goofy kid!
In pregnancy news, I'm now in my second trimester, and feeling better every day. It is nice on these days when I feel good. I still have some really bad days, but for the most part it is getting better. I go on Tuesday to the new dr. I'm pretty excited about it, and have high hopes for her, I just hope I'm not disappointed!
Cute Collinism...when the boys say something together, they say, 'jinx you owe me a soda' But Collin says, "jinx you ORDER me a soda" It is beyond cute because he thinks that is what they say, and half the time he says it when he hasn't said something at the same time as someone else.
Let's see...what else..Matthew gets his braces off on October 4. He is pretty excited about that, but not too excited about having to wear a retainer. I was thinking, 'wow, I can't believe we're done' and then it hit me that we are only done with the first stage! We get to go through braces again when he is older. Fun Fun!
It occured to me the other day, that I have absolutely nothing for this baby. This happened when I hit 13 weeks. I think that deep down, I might not have expected to make it the second trimester. The last time I was due in March, I miscarried, so I think I thought I couldn't carry a baby at this time of year. Stupid, I know, but I think that's how I felt. So anyway, we have nothing. We have our old swing, that I just realized is missing a piece, hopefully it's in the storage shed, and a sling. That's it. I got rid of everything after I had Zachy. I don't have clothes, receiving blankets, a car seat, towels...nothing. It's crazy. And then I think, wow, I have less than 27 weeks to go! Which seems like a long time, but with the holidays in there, it will go so fast. Better get crackin!
Speaking of the holidays. I cannot wait for Christmas. I talked to my sil yesterday and she was cracking up because I was listening to Christmas music and she could hear it in the background. Personally, I think she's just jealous, she wants to be listening to it too, but is afraid to admit it! Heeheee, just kidding.
I also got news the other day that we may have company during the Christmas season. Not right at Christmas, or even Thanksgiving, but during the season anyway!! You know who you are, and I'm putting in my demand for you to come! HA! Don't you love how I can demand people to come to my house? I wish it were that easy!
Anyway, I know this post is all over the place, but I guess I had a lot on my mind. Here are some pictures to enjoy!

Matthew and Chuck E. at his party.



Matthew at his party.



Dillon and the neighbor at Matthew's party.



All the kids at the party



The picture of Zachy and Collin's cake I promised you a million years ago. My friend made it for them, and I think it looks awesome.



Collin's icky fingers when he and Zach were fingerpainting.



Making a materpiece!



Zachy's lovely hands!



And last but not least, Zachy's masterpiece!