DIY Kids Dressers

As my hubby said "They look homeade!"  Not sure exactly what he meant by that.  I don't care though.  I think they turned out awesome.  I started these on Wednesday and finished all three by Saturday.  Pretty good for a pregnant lady!  LOL.

Cannon's Dresser (free from Dr. Champine)

Karlee's Dresser (free from Burnette's) my favorite

Stella's Dresser (free from my Grandma Beck) color is a coral color, but lighting makes it look really pink.  Love all of the different knobs.  Little Miss Unmatched!

I really love how these turned out!  It makes me smile everytime I walk in there room's. 
Now on to another DIY project!

Valarie Martin

My dear sweet friend and neighbor passed away Sunday night.  She was such a sweet lady. She had struggled with heart problems most of her life.  Last year in November she had major heart surgery which they placed an LVAD (left ventricular assisting device) in her chest.  She was constantly hooked up to batteries or plugged into a wall so her heart would beat properly.  This was just suppose to be a stepping stone to getting a new heart.  She did everything in preparation to get on the list.  Finally in February 2013 they gave her a pager, put her on Status B and told her to never travel more than an hour away!  Things were really looking up!  She was feeling pretty good, healthy and more active. 

Cannon had remembered her birthday was July 14th and she was going to turn 41.  We wrote it on the calendar and talked about little things we could do.  He absolutely adored her.  She would always cook him fried chicken (his favorite), chicken noodle soup, ham and potato soup, pork chops, and spaghetti.  She would sit outside in the driveway and Cannon would go over and talk to her about everything.  He would tell her about Idaho, basketball, animals.......you name it.  Then he would come home and shake his head......."I can't believe how nice she is, they are just so nice....I can't believe it.  Mom, can you believe it, they are SO extremely nice."  I knew he thought the world of her for just spending so many hours talking with him.

Tuesday morning I got a call from Valarie telling me she was in the hospital.  She didn't think it was anything serious.  She was having problems with her stomach so she decided to go get it checked out.  I was teasing her "Why am I just finding out now? You've been in the hospital since Friday"  She was laughing and saying "I know, I know." 
I decided the best way to help out was to stay home so I could watch Deborah.  Carolyn and Kenya were driving back and forth, taking turns staying with her in the hospital.  They had found a leaky valve in her heart and had to take her to surgery to fix it.  The surgery took longer than anticipated because her LVAD was starting to adhere to her chest cavity.  Her blood pressure dropped dramatically and they were worried about brain damage at that point.  She can out of surgery but never fully recovered.  From this point on she just had complication after complication.  On Sunday morning I texted Carolyn and she said she was holding her own.  I forgot my phone at home and went to church.  As soon as I got back I grabbed my phone and saw a text from Carolyn saying she wasn't going to make it.  I immediately called Carolyn back.  She was on her way to the hospital because they were calling family and friends in.  Her tiny body couldn't take anymore.
I jumped in the car and raced down to the hospital.  It was so hard to see her hooked up to all those machines.  It didn't look anything like my sweet friend.  She was bruised and swollen to the point I couldn't recognize her. It was so hard to see her like this. To think of little Deborah who was only nine.  Who would never have her mom to tuck her in at night or be there when she had children of her own.  My only solace was to know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us.  Valarie had done her work here on earth and now Heavenly Father needed her to help in Heaven.  I know Valarie is in Heaven watching down on Deborah and her family. 
This whole experience has made me cherish each and every moment with those who matter most in my life.  Its not about how big your house is, what kind of car you drive or how much money you have.  Its about kissing my kids goodnight and tucking them into bed, hugs and kisses, watching them grow up and have children of there own.  Its about loving each moment while we are on this earth.  I am so grateful for the knowledge, I can live with my family again.  To be in Heaven with my husband, children, parents, brothers and sisters. I know I will see Valarie again and be able to give her a hug and tell her how much I've missed our chats.
But today is Stella's 4th Birthday so I am going to go out and make the best of this sad day. We are going to party and make new memories we can always remember. I love you Valarie and you will be truly missed but I know you wouldn't want us to sit around and sulk.  Until I see you again....as Valarie likes to say "Have a Blessed Day"!

23 Weeks Pregnant with TwInS

These weeks are just flying by!  I don't know if it is because it is summer and I have been busy keeping the kids entertained or what.  It has been fun being with the kids during summer and I am loving every minute of it!  Cannon is in basketball and doing awesome.  He plays basketball every spare minute he has.  Then begs his dad to play with him as soon as his dad pulls in the driveway.  Karlee and Stella are both in swimming lessons.  They love learning to swim and spending time in the water.  Karlee had her end of the year piano recital and she did awesome!  She has the best piano teacher who makes piano so exciting for her! 

23 Weeks:
Now, on to the babies!  The babies are really active right now.  Sometimes we can even see my belly move on the surface.  The bones in the ears have hardened and they can hear my voice.  At this point each amniotic sac contains about a pint of fluid that is refreshed every 3 or 4 hours. This keeps the babies warm and it protects them from infections and provides buoyancy so they can move around without having to worry about gravity.  No wonder I am so thirsty all the time!

 

 

Sunday Steve was on call so he talked me into bringing the kids up to the hospital to have dinner with him and he would do an ultrasound.  The kids love every chance they get to see the babies.  They thought it was funny to see one of the boys punching the other boy.  Ahh!  They are already fighting. LOL.

 



Babies are the size of: two large mango's (11.5 inches) and weigh about 1.1 lb each.

How far along? 23 weeks

Weight gain? Not sure exactly but will find out next Thursday at my Dr's Appt.

Workouts?  Counting all of the cleaning and nesting I'm doing as workouts....it counts right?

Symptoms?  The pressure is gone for the most part.  My feet are starting to ache and my back is a little sore. Other than that I feel pretty lucky to be feeling this good at this point!

Stretch Marks?  Nothing yet.

Sleep?  If I can keep my husband from snoring I usually sleep pretty good. 

Movement?  Lots of kicking......and punching!

Genders?  Both still boys. 

What I miss?  Squeezing through tight places!  I forget I'm pregnant and I'll try to squeeze between my car and the garbage can.  Then when I look down I realize I have just rubbed all the dirt off the car.  Or when I'm trying to wash counters, I have to stand on my tippy toes so my belly can rest on the counter while I wash the other side!

Food Aversions?  Nothing really

Food Cravings?  Greek Yogurt Pancakes with raspberry jam and blueberries!  They are delicious!

Labor signs?  Nothing, YEAH!

Belly button IN or OUT?  In but not sure how much longer.

Things I look forward to this week?

1.  Basketball and swimming lessons with my kids
2.  Spending a whole day with my hubby on Thursday!
3.  Having a 4th of July party with my friends and lighting fireworks.
4.  DIY projects.  Refinishing a dresser we got for free for Cannon and then refinishing the dresser which was in his room, for Karlee's room.  Got a new-to-us crib and picked up some gel stain to fill in the scuff marks.  I love refinishing furniture!  Its so exciting!

22 Weeks Pregnant with TwiNs

This week for the babies has been very eventful.  Taste buds are forming and nerve endings are developed enough for the babies to experience the sensation of touch!  The arms and legs have reached their final proportion. Some moves they are able to perform are: kicking, flexing, clasping hands and sucking thumb.
I had a crazy experience the other day at the gas station.  Some crazy lady started rubbing my belly and started commenting on my belly.  Then she asked if I knew what I was having!  I happily replied "Yes, twin boys!"  Then she said "I always wanted to have twin boys, you lucky TWIT." as she ran out the door..... Yes, she called me a twit!  I was kind of shocked, but rolled my eyes.....whatever crazy lady!

22 Weeks (camera is still not working...resorted to using my sons ipod)

 

The babies are the size of spaghetti squash (11 inches) and now weigh about 1 lb.  Yeah they have hit the 1 lb mark!

 

How far along? 22 Weeks

 

Weight gain?  23 lbs.  Not sure where its all going. Luckily my regular pants and skirts still fit. 

 

Workouts?  Still trying to use that extra energy for all the cleaning.  Which usually requires enough lifting, bending, squatting and a few beads of sweat.

 

Symptoms?  This week I have had quite a bit of pressure.  Just a few cramps.  I told Steve and he didn't seem too concerned since I was not having any other symptoms.  Sore feet.  That's about it!

 

Stretch Marks?  Nope...I can feel my skin getting tighter and tighter though.

 

Sleep?  On and off.  If I rest at all during the day, I will be awake during the night.

 

Movement?  I'm not exactly sure how to describe it.  They movement reminds me of Karate Kid.  Wax on, wax off!

 

Genders?  BOYS!

 

What I miss?  The usual. I'm just enjoying being pregnant. 

 

Food Cravings?  Still these Greek Yogurt Pancakes with Raspberry jam, topped with a couple handfuls of blueberries!  So delicious and healthy too!

 

Food Aversions?  Pretty much can talk myself into eating anything at this stage.

 

Labor signs?  None

 

Belly button IN or OUT?  IN still!

 

Things I look forward to this week?



1.  Basketball and Swimming lessons with my kids
2.  Going to Parker's sealing with Steve
3.  A relaxing Sunday with Steve home
4.  Getting one of the cribs put together so I can start working on the nursery ( I hope)
5.  Summer vacation with my kids home.

21 Weeks Pregnant with TwiNs

I can't believe I am more than half way through this pregnancy!  It has gone by so fast, and I mean really fast.  I am excited and really nervous for these two boys to arrive.  I don't think it has really sunk in yet.  Except for the part every week on Sunday where I look down and think "now I know my belly wasn't this big last week."  Its just growing SO SO fast.  But I really do love it.  I complained so much about my last pregnancies even though they were pretty easy, I promised myself I would cherish every moment of this pregnancy no matter how hard it got or how sick I felt.  So many women would love for the opportunity to be pregnant and would do anything for it.  So my lesson is learned....love every minute of the opportunity our Heavenly Father gave me!

This week the babies digestive system has developed enough that they are beginning to swallow amniotic fluid and absorb small amounts of sugar.  Most of the nutrients are still delivered through the placenta. Heart beats can now be heard on a simple stethoscope!

21 weeks (kids had to take photo and my camera is doing crazy things)

 

Babies are about the size: of a banana (10.5 inches and weigh 12.7 oz).  Crazy to think just one of the babies has grown about 4 inches in ONE week. Times two.... they have grown EIGHT inches. WOW! No wonder I can literally watch my belly grow...LOL

 

 

How far along?  21 weeks

 

Weight gain?  Have my Dr's appt next week.....so we will see!

 

Workouts?  Lots of cleaning.  I think nesting has settled in early for me.  I'm constantly cleaning, maybe its because I know in the near future I won't be able to move as much!

 

Symptoms?  Not a lot. A few cramps here and there.  Feet still sore after standing for a long period of time. 

 

Stretch Marks?  Not yet....but my belly is starting to itch more.  Still using coconut oil in hopes I can keep those stretch marks from coming!

 

Sleep?  Ok!  My sides are getting sore and by the morning I am more than ready to get out of bed to give them a break.

 

Movement?  More and more everyday. Instead of just feeling movement I am starting to recognize feet kicks in different spots from different babies (if that makes sense)  Not sure which baby they are coming from!

 

Genders?  Still boys as far as we can tell!

 

What I miss?  Running, this weather is making my crave to go out running!  Being independent.  I am used to doing things on my own and each week I am asking for more and more help!

 

Food cravings?  This week every morning I have wanted my Greek Yogurt Pancakes.  So good for you and lots of protein.  Fruit, soda pop and in the evenings a bowl of cereal!

 

Food Aversions?  French fries and the smell of the deep fat fryer my husband so dearly loves. 

 

Labor signs?  Nothing really. 

 

Belly Button In or Out? IN

Things I look forward to this week?
1.  Basketball and swimming lessons for my kids
2.  Next Dr's Appt
3.  Fathers Day to celebrate and spoil my Hubby, my father and my father in law.  (I got the best of each)
4.  Trying a few recipes I found on Pintrest
5.  The gorgeous weather we are having. Not too hot, and Not too cold!

We had such a fun week with our family!  Lots of places we went and things we saw. 

Grandma Tammy, Kim, Sheridan, Sam and Coledon flew in on Monday night.

Tuesday: They watched my kids and I went to a Doctors appointment.  We had lunch at Culvers (Gullivers according to Papa Steve) and went grocery shopping, made dinner and spend the evening playing outside and chit-chatting.

Wednesday:  We took them down to Detroit to show them the "Hood" and we stopped by the Heidelberg Project.  It is just a weird street.  People decorate houses with all kids of crazy stuff and call it artistic. 

 

 

Then for dinner we made "Dinner and Dessert Crepes" and invited some good friends over (Khoury's) to have dinner with us.

 

 

Thursday:  Tammy and Kim helped Steve lay tile and grout.  He took a week off of work to spend time with family and ended up working.  Then we went to a movie "Now you See Me".  It was really good.  Then Kim fixed us Crockpot Cheese Tortellini soup.  It was soo yummy!

 

Friday:  My sweet friends Skye and Shauna threw me a baby shower for the twins.  It was so much fun and I have to say they spoiled me rotten.  I feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.  Then we took our visitors out to Clarkston to eat at "Union Woodshop".  According to Kid Rock, this is his favorite BBQ pit.  They have THE BEST fried pickles.....that's all I want to eat when I go there!

 

Saturday: We did a little shopping at Partridge Creek and the kids played on the toys and the splash pad.  We then drove over to Metro park and watched the kids collect shells and build sand castles.

 

Sunday:  Went to church, seminary graduation and then headed to Sandusky Ohio to Great Wolfe Lodge.

 

Monday:  Played at the water park most of the day  It was so much fun.  The kids had a blast.

 

After the park we took Grandma Tammy out to dinner for her birthday.  She decided on "Joe's Crab Shack".  It was such a great day!

 

Tuesday:  We said our good-byes to all our "somebody's". And Steve took them to the airport.  Stella could never remember there names so she just called them, somebody who is 4, somebody who is her sister and just "somebody" for Kim.  It was pretty funny!  

 

We had such a great time it went by so fast.  It is so much fun to have visitors.  We will love and miss them very much. 

20 Weeks Pregnant with Twins

Talk about a crazy week!  We went to a baby shower for the twins and had lots of excitement this week with the family, but I'll get to that on the next post.  I slacked off this week doing this post because family was in town and we were BUSY!

 

This week the twins skin will become covered with a waxy-like substance call vernix which will protect skin from being scratched or chapped.  They are also starting to produce meconium which will accumulate in the bowels and eventually pass during delivery or in the first diaper change.

 

Babies are the size of: small cantaloupes (6.5 inches) and each weigh about 11 oz.

 

How Far Along?  20 weeks

 

Weight Gain?  15 lbs and I can tell the swelling of the limbs are starting to appear. Yikes!

 

Workouts?  None unless you count lots of cleaning, de-junking and trying to keep up with Grandma Tammy and Kim.  Walked around the stores a lot!

 

Symptoms?  Limbs are starting to swell and feet get sore after a period of standing.  Love having more energy in the morning but by afternoon, I'm exhausted!

 

Stretch Marks? Nope!  Still using lots of coconut oil. 

 

Sleep? Sleeping pretty good!  I have been staying up late hanging out with the family so by the time I get to bed, I sleep good!

 

Movement?  Stronger movements and more and more every week.

 

Genders?  TWO little boys

 

What I miss?  Getting in and out of the car easily.  On and off the couch without assistance.  Bending over to clean without grunting.  Sad, I know!  And still I miss wearing regular clothes.

 

Food Cravings?  Protein....you name it. Any type sounds good.  I have been eating lots of red meat, pork, cheese, Greek yogurt, peanut butter and eggs.  Its a challenge to get 135 grams of protein in my diet even with all of the cravings.

 

Food Aversions? I think all of these are gone.  Starting to eat a little bit of chicken and enjoy it!

 

Labor signs? None yet

 

Belly Button in or out?  IN and my flat spot is starting to disappear. LOL

 

Things I look forward to this week:

1.  Officially start summer vacation with my kids

2.  not having to get up early for seminary

3.  Going to Great Wolfe Lodge with Grandma Tammy, Kim, Sheridan, Sam and Coleden.

4.  Watching the kids spend time with cousins and Grandma



19 Weeks with TwinS

This has been an exciting week.  I got my ultrasound on Wednesday.  I used to think if you've been pregnant once it wouldn't be much different with the next.  That was true for my other three pregnancies but this one has been totally different from the beginning.  The ultrasound took forever and it wasn't just because I had to pee like crazy.  It really took over an hour, just because the babies were moving and the tech didn't want measure the wrong baby at the wrong time.  She was very good though!


19 Weeks Pregnant with Twins: (no self-portrait this week, too sick to do much)

Babies are about the size of heirloom tomatoes.  They are about 6 inches each and weigh about 8.5 oz. 

 

How far along?  19 weeks

 

Weight gain?  Not sure, haven't been to the doctor, and haven't been eating right because of this nasty cold and cough.  I'm guessing about 12-15 lbs.  Same as last week!

 

Workouts?  None, unless you count moving from couch, to chair, to bed, to bathroom and back again.  This cold has kept me down.

 

Symptoms?  easily out of breath and still get tired fast. 

 

Stretch Marks?  None yet!  Started to feel a little itchy so I slathered my belly with lots of coconut oil and let it soak in. Started using coconut oil a couple of times a day, but this is only on occasion.

 

Sleep?  I can sleep pretty good as long as my nose is not stuffy.  This has been a challenge this last week.  Starting to feel on the up and up so I'm hoping for amazing sleep tonight!

 

Movement?  Lots of movement.  It is so weird to feel all of that movement in my stomach.  It is also very low movement.  Not too much movement up high or in my ribs.

 

Genders?  We found out this week and are so excited to find out these two are BOTH little boys!  I was so hoping to have a couple more boys around this house.  They are so fun and my son definitely needed some little brothers to tease and teach the ways of "boy-hood".

 

What I miss? Not a lot, just enjoying this pregnancy.  Well OK, I do miss my regular closes.  I grew out of them WAY too FAST!

 

Food cravings?  Beef, cereal and lots of mild

 

Food aversions?  Most sweets don't sound good and still chicken!

 

Labor signs?  None really

 

Belly button in or out?  IN and I still have that flat spot!

 

Things I look forward to this week?

 

1.  Grandma Tammy, Kim and her kids coming out to visit for the week.

2.  My next Dr's appt.  (I have the best Dr)

3.  Going to Lake Michigan sometime over the weekend

4.  Seminary Graduation on Sunday (I will miss my students terribly)

5.  A baby shower my friends are insisting I need.  I'm more excited just to get together with my friends!

18 Weeks Pregnant with TwINs

18 Weeks

Okay, this is my first pregnant twin belly photo!  I am really self conscious about posting pictures of my pregnant belly, so be kind!

Babies are the size of sweet potatoes (about 5.6 inches) and weigh about 6.7 oz. Its crazy to think I have over 11 inches of baby moving around in my tummy!

 

How far along?  18 weeks

 

Weight Gain?  haven't got on a scale for a couple of weeks but I'm guessing around 12-15 lbs.

 



Exercise?  2 miles every other day. Its not a very fast walk either, more of a stroll.  Its really hard to go to the gym and start walking next to someone I know I could out run before.  And then there is me, walking! AHHH!

Symptoms?  Starting to get uncomfortable when sitting and sleeping.  Morning sickness is gone but I still get a little tired in the afternoon.  Not sure if its because of early morning seminary or being pregnant.  Nothing a 30 min nap won't fix!

Stretch Marks?  None yet, thank goodness. Using pure coconut oil on my skin every day and drinking lots of liquids.

Sleep?  Love it!  Go to bed around 9:30-10pm and wake up around 5:15am.  Try to lay down for a 30 min nap in the afternoon. If not, I go to bed a little early!  I think I am so tired because of how many times I get up to pee in the middle of the night.  I usually have to pee 4-5 times every night! No wonder I'm have to take naps! LOL.

Movement?  Starting to feel more movements everyday.  Every time we have an ultrasound the babies are moving all over.  We took the kids into Steve's office and they got to see the babies on the TV screen completely turn over.  That was really cool for them to watch.

Genders?  Not positive still.  Steve has done lots of ultrasounds really early on. Sometimes it looks like one might be a boy, but could be the umbilical cord.  Next time he thought it might be two girls.  Two friends of mine both had dreams I was having a boy.  I will know for sure on May 29th.

What I miss?  Energy.  And the simple things like picking up my 3 year old, being able to bend over and pick up toys, running, fitting into my regular clothes without having to undo the buttons on my pants!

Food Cravings?  Red meat!  I could eat a steak every night and be happy.  Eggs, lots of milk (it just tastes so good and refreshing)

Food aversions?  Chicken......can eat it if I have too, just not something I want to fix for dinner....EVER! 

Labor signs?  Nothing really. I keep telling Steve and my doctor, I am going to be the easiest and least complicated twin pregnancy they have ever seen.... for some reason they don't believe me.  So I'm out to prove them wrong!

Belly button in or out?  In.  It is funny though, my belly has a flat spot where my belly button is.  Just waiting for it to round out with the rest of my belly.

Things I look forward to this week? 
  1.   not having to wake up early on Monday for seminary because of Memorial Day
  2.  having my kids home.
  3.  Getting my official anatomical (level 1) ultrasound.
  4.  Going to the Zoo with Karlee for her field trip
  5.  Snuggling baby Kinlee all day while watching Stella and Aliza play.

Expecting Twins

Lately I have been feeling a need to blog again. Our family is expecting twins in Sept/Oct 2013. We are really excited and nervous.  I am really bad at journal writing, so I decided I'm going to write down my 9 month pregnancy adventure to always remember. 

Now I have to wait until Karlee gets home from school to take a belly photo for me!