More sickness

While my kitchen floor was being installed on Friday, my 2 youngest were starting fevers. They seemed better on Saturday, but it has lingered and spread. Lucien got it on Sunday. He's still dragging and fevered but I suspect it has to do with his stubborness about calling in sick--ie, he has not rested and I'm worried he'll end up with bronchitis. I started it yesterday, but, since most of the others around here are still lying around--I could get some napping in and rest. I feel slightly better today.

At any rate, we've missed school several days now. Too much coughing and lying around. This does nothing for my efforts to gain back a good schedule. Argh. But there's a reason God has us where we are. I have to try to remember that.

My new sofa and recliner should be ready for deliver by the weekend or early next week. I also stopped and added an ottoman. Problem is--we have not been able to work on painting the family room. I've been ready to start painting--well, sort of until the fever yesterday, but Lucien has to repair a wall and we're thinking of filling in a redundant door. So having that all done first seems highly unlikely at this point.

I was supposed to see my m/w today or tomorrow, but given our current illness and that she's going on vaca this weekend--I told her I'd wait. I like hearing baby's heartbeat, but she's more active lately so I figure there's still one there! :0) Sometimes she does worry me but I think she goes sideways sometimes and I feel her more when she's head down. Does that make sense?

My Remodeled Kitchen

I love the way the counter shines! And see how my new dishwasher just blends in?

See the undermount sink? The floor is not my first choice but it certainly looks tons better. I haven't posted pics of the walls because I'm not sure I'm keeping it the blue I painted it over a year ago. It's too pastel for me. Thinking about it.

Our cats are outdoor cats but they love to peep in the windows. Watch me do stuff in the kitchen, etc.

Ever wonder what's next?

The kitchen cabinets are painted. Not all of them are painted beyond the doors and front of the shelves. I figured it'd be easier when I'm not quite so round in front.

On Saturday, while I was finishing up painting, Elijah saw a skunk running up our lane. In the middle of the day. It's best to assume such a skunk isn't 'right.' I had Zeke grab his gun and he was able to take it down from the porch. Just after, here comes FedEx, with wonderful roses from my mom! Then we had to figure out how to deal with the dead, possibly rabid skunk. And keep painting and take my fresh bread out of the bread maker. It was a very busy day. (love the roses, Lucien brought me flowers too and I bought some potted tulips--my kitchen is beautiful.)

Saturday evening, tho I was ready to drop, I made home made mac n cheese and mocha latte cheesecake. The cheesecake was for Sunday (our 17th anniversary). It turned out So well. We had a delicious lunch. Lucien threw together chicken cacciatore which was in the slow cooker while we were at church--smelled SO good when we got home. Yum, yum.

Baby is moving more as of last weekend. I am usually glad of it. Yesterday, not so much. I discovered yesterday that a UTI can develop in a matter of minutes. It was nuts. I wound up driving myself to the ER at 3pm--I had only figured out I had one at 12:30pm. I also discovered that at 20 weeks you do not stay in the ER for a UTI but are sent to OB. At 5pm, the test was finally back. I had a UTI. No kidding. I was also slightly dehydrated. Even tho I drank quite well yesterday. Well, I guess that is what happens when your output is more than your input. And guess what baby bouncing on an infected bladder feels like?

So, even tho I spent 11 weeks avoiding IV fluids, I had the privilege of getting them anyway. And it only took 3 attempts to get the thing in. (Lucien arrived at 6 when they were doing the third attempt and shared about how it took 8 tries with one baby--that'd be Elijah). I also did not know that such a bad UTI can start pre-term labor. Thankfully, it did not.

I was finally out of there at about 8:20-8:30pm. Still in some pain when I left. The doc had told me once my urine turned dark orange then things would be much better. She was right. The constant pain was nearly gone by the time I got home. Pain while urinating continued till wee hours but at least I was no longer going from every 5-15 minutes. My hands are not only sore from being poked with needles today (bruised), but also dry and cracked from using so much anti bacterial soap. Hate the stuff.

Today I am so sore. I had a few braxton hicks contractions last night and with the pre-term labor info--I got nervous so I'm staying as still as I can.

An odd thing about it all is that my flooring was supposed to be installed yesterday am. They came, they started. They stopped and left by 10--just in time for my first symptoms to start (major achiness, general malaise.) See, Lowes was supposed to give my husband more materials than just the glue and flooring when he did the pick up last week. They were unable to continue with out the rest of it and will be back on Friday. I'm thinking God worked it out just right even tho at the time--it seemed rather annoying not to have my floor done when it was supposed to be.

Tomorrow is counter top day. I can not remember when they are arriving and I do not know when my sink will be plumbed and the dishwasher installed. Whatever. I'm feeling better than yesterday and I know baby girl is doing ok. That's all that matters.

Painting and stuff

My new kitchen floor is being 'installed' on Monday. I have until then to finish painting the kitchen cabinets. See, if I do it all now, I don't have to worry about paint on the floor. Small favors. Today I painted for 2.5 hours. Fun, fun. I did see a vast improvement when I actually got the first cabinet done (yesterday it was mostly open shelving and framing).

And along with all the remodel, there's the family. I am reminded muchly lately that good families, good marriages require TIME and WORK. Mom spending 11 weeks on the couch does not a good family or marriage make. I have a lot to make up for. I'm hoping to order some character training books from Rainbow Resource this weekend. I need help. ;0) I've been trying also to get some great 'normal' days of school in but with the unseasonably warm weather we've had this week (mid to high 60s) it's been impossible to do more than basics. They want recess and I can't blame them. Of course too I keep thinking that warm, fresh air and sunshine is exactly what my children need after having that stomach ick go around so long.

I am happy with our new school room set up. I had not exactly pictured the furniture placement well ( I always think I can fit more than actually fits--this goes hand in hand with how I imagine little elves will show up and do the remodeling I have planned). It's wondrous to have all the books and supplies in one area again. And I can see everyone and they are near enough for me to keep them on task easily.

My baby girl keeps scaring me. She will move a lot at times and other times I can't feel much at all. I know it's still early and she could be in weird positions at times, but having been thru so much--I just like the comfort of knowing she's there and moving about. As she gets bigger, that will get easier, I know. Her name is Julia Kaelyn Mercy. We can't wait to meet her. July seems worlds away.

Oh as far as the HG goes, I do think I'm over the hump. I'm able to help out at breakfast again. I do feel really icky after eating breakfast until about 10 am. But I'm no longer gaggy. I no longer worry I'll lose it and I have not been pinching myself while swallowing vitamins anymore. I also increased my intake of supplements to include probiotics. I'm sure I need it. Hopefully I can work in fish oils soon--my brain could use them.

The glow worm, btw, for Simeon was a complete bust. He'll carry it around and play with it during day light hours but as soon as it's dark--he's afraid of it. Go figure.

Simeon's 2nd Birthday

These pictures are backwards time line wise. Sorry. I'd forgotten how they post. Preggy brain and all. We bought him the glow worm hoping it would help him with sleeping in his own bed. Also got him a little John Deere tractor to go with his barn and a Thomas the Tank Engine book. He seemed to like everything really well but now he's just playing with balloons again.

Here he's got my home made pizza all over his face. My pizza was much prettier than the cake. Trust me. I didn't try very hard. I can only stand still so long and then---I could just pass out. I do fine if I keep moving.... He blew the candles out fairly well. My hand was opposite the blowing and was a bit, um, moist when he had finished.

60 degrees here today. We took a walk after lunch. Very nice to get out. My windows were open for a while. We are hoping, planning to get to church in the morning. It will be my first time since mid-November. I've gained a little weight since then. Well, a lot of weight since then. They put me on the scales at the u/s. I was not impressed. I guess that is what happens when the main thing that gets you thru HG is dairy products. Now that I'm moving, I hope the gaining will slow down, way down.

On that note, now that I'm moving--sciatica is setting in. I had it this early with princess as well. Have to try that chiropractor soon....

I can't say how happy I am that I was able to make some sort of party for Simeon rather than be lying about feeling miserable that I couldn't. I have accomplished so much in the last 2 weeks. I am so very thankful.

My Baby

Blurry, because her hand is moving, but she's a keeper! I waited in the waiting room nearly an hour, but found out quickly the doc was just a very thorough, kind man. If I didn't want another homebirth, I might go to him! But I do and I like my midwife very much. Anyway, he doesn't just check for absence of 'male anatomy' but looks for actual evidence of female anatomy. He wanted 3 different clear views and once he had them--he said he was sure and hasn't been wrong since '92.

Course, my boys have ALL been SO obvious and there was no obvious boy part!

So princess has a sister and she's happy! We stopped and bought something pink for baby on the way home. That made her even happier. Lucien was able to go with us since there was a lot of snow today and not many showed for work and he was sent home. God is so good to us. You should've seen him dance around when the doc first said he thought she was a girl! What a hoot!

I am so blessed....

18 weeks belly

2 things. 1. of course, the belly is cute. No, I haven't trimmed my hair yet nor plucked my eyebrows. blah.
2. the wall behind me is about to undergo a very dramatic change so this will serve as a before and after I suppose. it is the future living room. currently the un-named not sure what it is for room.