Happy Birthday Jackson

Our little boy is 8 today. We've had him since he was just a couple months old.

At first he was a little devil like most puppies but when he grew out of that "stage" he was the best dog ever, and still is. He's very smart, knows exactly what we are saying to him. He is so patient with Haylee even though some days the torture never ends. Although he's not as spoiled as he use to be when he was an only "child" he is never forgotten about.

Yes, I must confess, we even give him a birthday party ever year. I think last year was the only year we didn't have an actual party, but we will have one for him this weekend. He's been though a lot this week with his surgery and recovery and he definitely deserves it. Call me crazy, wouldn't be the first time.

He is doing very well and should get his stitches out this Saturday. I know he'll be happy when he can eat, sleep and go potty without his darn cone in the way. He has really adjusted to it though and never tries to get it off but I know it's not comfortable.

Happy 8th Birthday Jackson! We love you so much.

Ostrich Festival

Two Fridays ago (3/12) we took Haylee out to the Ostrich Festival. Josh and I discovered it when I was pregnant with Haylee and we love to go. The weather was perfect and we all had a wonderful time. I have to laugh everytime I watch the ostrich races because the guys never make it to the finish line, they always fall off their ostrich first. Haylee thought it was hilarious! After the ostrich races, we watched to the pig races, a monkey show, and a dog dock show where dogs leaped in a big pool after a toy. Lots of fun. 

After all that excitement it was time for the rides. Haylee got to go on a few with Daddy and then a few all by herself.

She loves rides and was excited to go on all most of them.

We finished the night with a pony ride and feeing the animals in the petting zoo. Oh, and of course, Haylee had her first experience using a port-a-potty. Fun times!

34 weeks

(This is technically my 8 1/2 month picture since I'm 34 weeks)

*How far along: 34 weeks

*Total weight gain/loss: Up 26 lbs. (I gained 33 lbs. total with Haylee)

*Maternity clothes: The only thing comfortable is stretchy gauchos and maternity shirts.

*Sleep: Getting more uncomfortable but I still get enough rest.

*Best moment this week: Going to the specialist and hearing everything (fluid & Natalee) looks perfect!

*Movement: Mostly when I lie down. She doesn't have hardly any room to move.

*Food cravings: Yogurt covered pretzels and Butterfingers.

*Gender: A precious little girl- confirmed twice again this week.

*Labor Signs: Nope, just other pains!

*Belly Button in or out: It's out!!!!! This is a first since I never lost it with Haylee.

*What I miss: Being able to sit comfortably.

*What I am looking forward to: Holding my little girl.

*Milestones: I'm 34 weeks!!! Only 6 weeks to go.

My Crafty Creations

I just wanted to let everyone know I now have a website where you can check out the craft items I have for sale. I did my first craft show of the year March 6th and I have 2 more to do before Natalee arrives. There are some new exciting things so please check it out! mycraftycreations1.blogspot.com

Feel free to pass this website along to all of your friends and family!

Phase 2 Ultrasound

Just an update about my ultrasound today with the Perinatal specialist. My fluid measured the same as it did yesterday and they said that is perfectly normal. They also said when the fluid drops to 5 is when they intervene. Not sure what the ultrasound tech was smoking yesterday, but she is kinda new. They also looked over Natalee as much as they could. It was hard because I'm so far along and she is so crammed in there. Everything they saw looked perfectly fine and they said she passed! (They too said she has hair already). I feel so blessed and I can't wait to meet our healthy baby girl in about 6 weeks!


Off the subject, Haylee was scheduled to have her first dentist appointment today and she's been looking forward to it. When we got there they didn't have her in the computer so we had to reschedule for Monday. When we were leaving Haylee (in a sad little voice) said, "aww, I didn't get my teeth cleaned!" She's pretty bummed but at least we go back in a few days. It seems like an awesome place. They have a children's waiting area with slides, an airplane to play in, and some video games. Now if we can just get in to see a hygienist will be good to go.


Our busy schedule doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. We have had 3-4 appointments each week and even next week we have 3 more. I'm so thankful I don't have to be on bed rest!

Low Fluid

At my appointment today I received a lot of news. I'll get the bad news over with first. The ultrasound tech thinks I might have low fluid. I'm measuring 10.6 and she said at 8 they would send me right to the hospital. I was instructed to take it easy tonight, keep my feet up and drink lots of water. Having low fluid is not good for the cord. The cord, being the baby's lifeline, needs plenty of fluid to float around in to function properly or it can cause problems for the baby. If I do in fact have low fluid I will be put on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy and I don't know what else from there. All I know is bed rest will be super difficult for me, I can't hold still for a minute. Not to mention having a 2 1/2 year old and an injured dog. I will do whatever I have to for my sweet little girl though. I wouldn't want anything to happen to her.

The good news (or at least non negative) is that she already weighs 4.59lbs. and is measuring right on track. She is head down, has hair (big surprise), and most importantly.....it's still a girl! I gained 2 lbs. since my last appointment making my total weight gain 26 lbs. and I have a follow up appointment next week to go over everything (phase 2 ultrasound and where we go from here).

Please pray for good news tomorrow. I will post an update tomorrow afternoon.

Ok, now for an update on Jackson. When we picked him up yesterday he was still pretty out of it. As we were walking to the car I noticed blood everywhere. First of all, I don't do blood. Luckily, it was coming from where his IV was and so they were able to re-wrap it and he was ok. When we got home it was hard for him to get comfortable. He didn't want to lie down, he was whining, just irritable. He did finally calm down and get some rest. We gave him a little water and a little bit of food which he tolerated both and then I gave him his pain medicine and we put him in bed with us. He whined off and on throughout the night. We let him out a couple times to potty (since he can't fit out the dog door with his cone) but after Josh left for work around 4:30am things were rough. He didn't want to be in bed anymore, he was having a hard time getting up and down the stairs, and I don't think he really knew what he wanted. I let him out, offered him more food and water, tried to get him to lie down but he just wandered around whining. I finally fell asleep about 30 minutes before Haylee woke up and when I checked on him he was on the couch sleeping. So needless to say it was a rough night. This evening, he is doing a lot better. He's more stable, wagging his tail, and we've had periods of "no cone" time so he can eat, drink and go potty easier. He finally ate a little bit for the first time today and he did take both medicines like a good boy this morning. He is still whining a bit but is more comfortable. Haylee is waiting for Jackson to sing the "my boo boo feels better" song* but I told her that might take a day or 2. She has been pretty good with him but won't leave him completely alone because she loves to sit next to him and pet him. He's okay with it though. He has to wear his cone for 7-10 days and I have to take him back in 10-14 days to have his stitches removed. Poor little guy.

*On the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode of "Daisy the Doctor" Goofy sings "my boo boo feels better" after Daisy fixes his pretend boo boo. Haylee wants Jackson to sing that song about his boo boo.

And finally, being St. Patrick's Day and all (not that we really celebrate it) I made Haylee these cute cupcakes. It's all part of the rainbows-leprechauns-pot of gold theme. She loved them!

Jackson's Surgery

Update: Jackson is out of surgery. He is awake now but woke up a little "rough" so they gave him a sedative to calm him. He can come home in about 2 hours!

Today Jackson is at the vet getting his surgery. He has a 1 1/2 inch mass on his chest that has been bothering him. I've had 2 opinions, and both doctors have said it doesn't look cancerous or serious, but we want it removed so Jackson doesn't keep licking it and going insane. I had to drop him off at 7am this morning and he did NOT want to stay, which is usually. He gets so nervous the second we walk in the door and he tries to leave. All the nurses and doctors are so nice there and the lady this morning was trying to calm his nerves by talking to him like one of her own. I had to kiss him bye and tell him I love him and leave him in the hands of the doctors. I just pray everything goes well, I've been a bit emotional. Afterall, this is our little boy and anytime anesthesia is involved, it worries me. I will update on this post after I hear from the doctor which will be after the surgery is complete.

He sure looked happy this morning. He didn't know what was going on yet. I know he's not gonna be a happy camper coming home with a cone around his head!

Zoo Trip

Last Thursday me and my Mom took Haylee and Hannah to the zoo. I've been taking Haylee every other week the past couple months and we are just enjoying the beautiful weather and fresh air. But, all good things must come to an end, and the temperatures hitting 80 degrees this week is a sign the nice weather will soon end.

At the zoo we walked all around enjoying the animals who were not taking their afternoon nap. The girls played in the play area where I had to yell at remind 3 different kids not to throw sand since their parents weren't paying attention-I hate that! They played on the tractors.

They milked the cow. Haylee was very serious with this one!

Haylee fed a squirrel some goldfish. It was so adorable how he would stand on his hind legs and beg. He got so close to the stroller and put his front paws on the wheel and just looked up at Haylee like, "can I please have another?" Haylee laughed.

Then we rode the carousel, of course.

We had a wonderful time. Can't wait to go again!

This past week I have kept busy, which I love. I love when I have something to do to make the time go by faster. I'm always looking for projects or something to organize or clean. I know soon (in less than 2 months actually) I won't have as much time on my hands.

This past week was spent making burp cloths, going to appointments and getting things ready for my craft show Saturday. Although it didn't go as good as I had hoped, I at least made back my entry fee and then some. While I was there, I was invited to set up as a vendor for free at another craft fair this month so I'm going to try that. I'm also going to participate in the Queen Creek Farmer's Market & Craft Fair in April and then call it quits for awhile. I won't have much time.

I feel like I'm overwhelmed with things that need to be done before Natalee arrives. It's not so much I've put things off, it's just things that need to be done shortly before she gets here, like wash all her cloths. I'm also swamped with appointments the next few weeks trying to get everything taken care of before Natalee gets here in addition to my doctor appointments every other week to check on her. But at least when she arrives I won't have to worry about going to the ortho. anymore, taking Haylee to the dentist (at least for a few months), and Jackson being irritated by his mass (he'll have surgery soon). I plan to have mostly everything done by the end of this month, with only a few things to do in April so that I can sit back and relax and just enjoy the last couple weeks with Haylee and Josh.

I'm looking forward to this weekend since we'll be going to the Ostrich Festival and Little Mermaid (at Broadway Palm) and possible the Aloha Festival. It will be a fun break from this busy week packed with appointments!

8 Months

*How far along: 32 weeks

*Total weight gain/loss: Up 24 lbs.! (1 lb. more than I was with Haylee at this time)

*Maternity clothes: Pants are just too uncomfortable now.

*Sleep: Not too bad. I toss and turn but only get up once to go to the bathroom.

*Best moment this week: Hearing Natalee's heartbeat.

*Movement: All the time.

*Food cravings: Cereal, Pop Tarts, and Salad.

*Gender: Sweet little girl.

*Labor Signs: Although I've been having some pains, let's hope the actually labor holds off for awhile.

*Belly Button in or out: Barely in. I might just loose it this pregnancy.

*What I miss: Being comfortable!

*What I am looking forward to: Another ultrasound in a week and a half.

*Milestones: I'm 32 weeks!!!

At our appointment last Thursday I had mentioned I've been having a lot of lower belly pains. Just to be safe (and to check my cyst) I'm having another ultrasound at my next appointment. I'm not gonna complain, another chance to see our precious little girl.