Pics from the first game

Caden hitting the ball, well the T
Riordan and Megan back together
Coach Mike coaching Morgan and Emily
Havin' some apples and some quality time
Caden swinging away

Teagan Pics

Big smile from Teagan, Baby Fish Face, and happy Teagan ... I can't believe she is 11 weeks old tomorrow! I can't believe I thought she was 10 weeks tomorrow, 3rd baby goes by in a blink of an eye, just way too fast!!

Caden's first t-ball game!

What a week it has been running around doing league things. What was I thinking ;-) Luckily my friends are in this with me and very helpful.
Let's see though, I burned two holes in Caden's shirt trying to iron on letters, thank GOD I caught Dani and Marcie in time to not do the rest of the team! What a disaster that would have been. So I need to buy a new jersey. Waiting for an answer back on that one.
The day of the game was hot, but there was shade and it was pretty decent! We took the wagon for a place to sit and carry the boys in. Notice at pictures Megan and Riordan inseperable again ;-)
I forgot my camera, so I asked Marcie to take some of Caden.
She got some great pictures. The kids were so cute. We had 6 players and the royal team had 10 or 11 I think. It was a fun time! Next week I hope to remember my camera, and find the battery charger now too! Mom will be here for the game, so that should be fun too.

Daddy's work

Mike had a conference all week up in past Scottsdale, in Phoenix at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge. What a nice break it was! Our whole point of going up there was to spend time with daddy and stay the night.
The hotel had this awesome yard, yes YARD, where the pool and duckies were and the kids were running around like mad and rolling around in the grass with daddy. I had hoped from all the exercise they would have been worn out. After that we headed back inside to get a couple of cocktails and then came out on their patio where a live band was playing. The boys danced around and showed off, and Mike had a glass of wine and I had a pina colada! We headed back up to our room and did baths and rented Curious George ;-)
The room itself didn't swing with us. No white noise, my fault, and I always remember! And everyone was so over tired they couldn't fall asleep.
Then I forgot p.j.'s for both Teagie and I, and no clothes for the next day for she and I. Just when we thought we had everyone settled down, I gagged her accidentally with her paciand she threw up on me ...... So that made us throw in the towel! LMAO We just couldn't make it work so at ten o'clock we loaded everyone up and headed back home.
Caden thinks this is where daddy works and every morning he has woken up asking when we can go again. Me too! Because maybe if I bring white noise we can slumber in a cave and order room service again!

One more thing for Riordan

He discovered yesterday how to jump in the air! The look on his face was priceless!! So now I have a jumping Riordan, especially when music is playing! He's been trying to figure it out for at least a month now!

Hot is hot? What?!

So I'm gonna have to take back hot is hot!!
It's not! Where the heat in Atlanta with humidity is absolutely the worst and unbearable and I don't miss it one bit, the heat here is pretty hard to take as well!. We are well in to the 100's already, topping out at 106 with a promise of the weekend reaching 110. It won't stop there. 115/120 is very common here!. I have to say though even though it's hot, the morning's are still not so bad until 10 and once the sun goes down it's not radiating yet off the pavement like it did when we first moved here. Shade is still cool too thankfully!

Riordan

He has exploded with new words this week!
Yummy yummy yummy and lickle (aka tickle) lickle lickle
Papa, mommy, milk and duck!
Daddy is still Michael and sometimes Michael Malloy because Caden will say that being silly.
He's been saying hi teagggggieeeee is the highest pitch possible
and bye to everything and everyone. He barks like a dog for every animal he sees LOL He is really trying to say light and points out every light in the room upon entry no matter if he just left it one minute before.
He is a good helper too at his young age of almost 18 months. He likes to throw trash/diapers away and gets mad if he can't! He has changed so much to me in just a short two weeks, totally no baby left in him at all and just all boy.
I'm sure that's because Caden and he have discovered wrestling! They are so funny to watch rolling around on the floor and doing easy take downs. I ref it so that arms don't go around the neck and nothing like biting, hitting, or kicking happen ;-) Riordan can definitely hold his own! Looks like our words are coming to fruitition on that. We always told Caden one day Riordan will be able to fight back ;-)

Busy as a bee!

What a busy few weeks we have had. If you have sent an email, I promise it has been read, just having a hard time getting the chance to write back! LOL
This week has been preparing for Team Moms on a Mission Fundraiser on Monday night. Our silent auction to be held at La Casa Blanca, a mexican restrauant down the road. We have SO MUCH awesome stuff that will be up for auction and didn't realize how much time we really needed to get it together!! Going to work on it more Sunday and hopefully we will be ready ;-)
Mike has a conference in town all week up in Scottsdale.. feeling a little like single parent this week. He is gone before Teagan and Riordan are up and home when we are all in bed. So today we are going to go see daddy!
It should be great to see some old faces from Georgia and meet the new ones that we hear so much about.
Last night was t-ball practice and our friends Dani and Russ took Caden with them and I kept their daughter Carli. Riordan and Carli's first date! (uh oh Megan!) She was missing her mommy and daddy and Riordan was doing everything he could think of to make her happy. Giving her sippee cup to her, trying to hug her and kiss her (which I'm sure Russ would be happy to know she wanted NONE of that ;-), giving her books, toys, food, etc. It was nice to spend time with her though, she is just so cute and so much fun. When she was doing good, she would pace around the room or watch Laura Berkner DVD and eat graham crackers !!
First game is Saturday and we still won't know our time until later today! So weird that this is acceptable for the league to give this info less than 48 hours before the first game! We also will get our team jersey's too, so anxious to know what color we are and pray we aren't white because I bought white letters for names on the back! LOL Dani and Marcie are going to iron them on for me! LIFE SAVERS!!
Tomorrow we have elections for the new board for our MOMS Club. I'm up for president and have no one running against me ;-) What are they thinking this chick from Georgia as their president?!! I'm so thankful that who will be on the board are both amazing and hard workers!! To me it's a group effort to do keep an organization running. Titles are just names at this point.
Softball game for Mike and I tomorrow night.. so again another busy weekend as well!
Our closing on the house is fast approaching! 14 more days! And then the fun begins on what we will do to it ! ETA on moving is last week in July.
So far we are doing shutters for window treatments, replacing the carpet, changing out all the hardware on the doors, and hanging ceiling fans in every single room! Possibly tearing up the tile and putting down hardwood, painting, and replacing appliances. We will see how our budget works out!
Next week is just as busy! My mom comes in for a short visit, which includes for us a softball game, t-ball game, and a birthday party! Along with what the club has going on for events, plus playgroup here at our house. I totally get the whole Calgon commercial now more than ever!

Teagan 2 months

Last week was just a blur.. I forgot to mention that Teagan had her 2 month well check on Tuesday! She is now 12.8 pounds, 22 inches long (which I don't think is accurate, I think she's longer) and her head is 16 inches ;-). She got three shots, and she did NOT like them. The boys, surprisingly did not freak out over it. They just watched and that was about it. She has changed so much over the past 2 months.. To me she is looking more like Caden now than Riordan from when she was first born.
She goes back in July for her 4 month. It is flying by faster than ever.
I just love this shot of Riordan, pre second ever haircut ;-)
And Teagan looking at her daddy.

Cooking club

What a fun day! Kids cooking club! I think Riordan has a girlfriend now. Emily and Caden have been an item for some time ;-) Where Caden was all about the pizza, he really didn't want to eat his icecream. Which began the end of our day there. Riordan not interested so much in the pizza, devoured his icecream with the help of Megan... We can't wait to see what's in store next for cooking club.. hopefully in our new house we can host it, this rental is just not suitable for it, considering we no open space for even us ;-) More pics of the day here

Caden's last day of school !

Caden's last day was so much fun! He and his friends put on a show for us, the parents! They began with the pledge of allegiance, and then performed a song "Going on a Dino Hunt" that was impressively a long song and they all had it memorized so well! Then a bean bag song and one of Caden's favorites "Open and Shut them" Then they were presented with their 'diploma's' and a book from their teachers and we had a light lunch outside and they played one last time until next school year. I hate that Mike missed it, but he won't in the future. It was too cute and Riordan was the best audience attendee, he clapped in all the right places!
Pictures are of Ms. Tracy and Ms. Angela (who by the way produce the biggest grins on his face!), his class performing the Dino hunt song, Caden reciting the Pledge of Alligence, a drawing of our family done by Caden (notice Uncle John got props!), and more dino hunt (that's one of his pals, Teddy)

Caden's day at the dentist

We found an awesome new pediatric dentist! He had his teeth cleaned again with Mike and my dentist last week and it's really time to get his cavities that he's had for 7 months filled. So it's taken us this long to get used to the idea of I.V. Sedation. I had been driving by this one office for months and something just kept bugging me to try it out! I'm so glad we did! It was awesome! Tiki hut theme with surfboards for dentists chairs, a video game room, tons of toys in the lobby, little toilet for the kids in the bathroom, and most of all the staff were so fun! Dr. Jared Welch was amazing! He totally speaks kid, since he has four of them his self! He literally had his hands all inside Caden's mouth, who was very at ease with it, and was laughing practically the whole time! We go back on July 31st at 6:30 am for major reconstruction on his teeth.. poor guy has my genes! But also come to find out, not so good to 'watch' these cavities. Baby teeth are made up of organic material versus adults which are mineral based. So decay happens a lot faster... but soon we will have a healthy mouth again and save the space for the adult teeth to come in ;-)

Pictures from Atlanta

Pictures of Teagan with cousin Nicolas (age 8), what a family dinner looks like at Moms and Dads house, Teagan with cousin Isabel (age almost 4), cousin Garrett (age 6) with HAIR and a ouch sunburn!, oldest cousin Michael (age almost 10), and Papa and Teagan, my dad!

My trip to the ATL

I had the most fabulous time going back home. It was as if I had never left!! Meeting up with my girls and chatting and losing track of time was so fantastic and then dinner at night with my sister Susan and giggling and the server taking care of us beyond expectations! And then my sister Jen coming to Susan's house and us giggling even more and playing with Susan's children and all of them cooing over Teagan!! Then spending time with my parents both Sunday and Monday. Just too relaxing. How quick you forget the little things.
Like the sound of wind blowing in the tree leaves and the sound of birds chirping at the same time. What I noticed most was the smell of rich fertile soil, compared to the dust we breath in here in Arizona. It was so pleasing!
The whole weekend was more than I expected. Teagan was the best traveler!! We got to sit by ourselves with her carseat flying out there. Coming home was a full flight but we were blessed with a perfect seatmate, Chuck from Gilbert, who has two older boys and was happy to switch seats with me, me in the window for privacy with Teagan and he got the aisle. My friend Dani told me I would get special attention flying alone with an infant and her words couldn't be any more truer. Flying out, the flight attendants were constantly checking on us and even went as far as setting up the baby changer with a blanket! when it was time to change a diaper! At security at both Phoenix and Atlanta, the employees were quick for breaking down the stroller and then setting it back up. I was just always extremely grateful and floored at the same time.
So on to began an array of pictures and to update some events ;)

It's been awhile

I'm finally getting back into the swing of things however, the blog is not getting the attention it normally does.
Caden started T-ball this week. Practices on Monday and Wednesdays till the season begins on the 3rd of June. We have a really good hitting team however fielding will need to be worked on ;-) 3 and 4 years will be 3 and 4 year olds, which is very very entertaining!!
Riordan and I attended his playgroup for the first time since before Teagan was born. It was nice for just he and I to get sometime alone with his friends and for me to see my friends as well!
We are being able to end our lease a little early on our rental. August 1st is the last day here. It will be nice to get into our house sooner. And it gives us ample time to paint, hang new lighting, build a door for the master bath, shutters installed, and change out door hardware. Plus not to mention PACK!! for the umpteenth time ;-) Hopefully we will stay put for a few years. I promise I will have pictures soon. We are having the windows measured on Friday and will take pics then.
Summer is almost upon us officially, yet summer is here! We have had 100 degree weather for a few days now and my goodness it is HOT! Yet still bearable without humidity. Now don't get me wrong, you can't be out in the sun like that for an extended period of time, and sunblock is a must at 9 am. You literally can feel your skin burning. I have had more freckles pop up than ever. I have the boys lathered daily and in a hat.
I leave for Atlanta in a few days. I can't believe it. I'm so excited yet nervous to go home! How weird to go back without my entire zoo. Just Teagan and I. Going to meet up with my girls on Saturday for lunch at my favorite Japanese, Ru San's and then dinner with my sister Susan at Georgia Grille for wonderful smoked chicken enchildas. Sunday is church and then family dinner at my parents. I may drive up to our old house in Bentwater, yet I'm not sure how I feel about that. I miss that house so much and compared to what we are getting now, it was paradise even more. So to see someone else in it just strikes me funny and as hormonal as I am I may have a small break down! LOL
I did have a girl's night on Saturday. Bunco! What a fun game and a great time with my friends. We were silly and had a blast. Tons of laughing, the best medicine for a long week with the children.
Teagan is sleeping almost through the night. Just getting up once, maybe twice now. She has changed SOOO much. She has her 2 month well check next Tuesday morning. Shots this time. Ooooh I hope the boys are okay with that, they are so protective of her. Riordan is absolutely the most hilarious child lately. He is a showoff and bashful all at the same time. He is a kissing bandit with his friends and his sister. He calls his daddy, Michael so perfectly. He points to everything now. I'm hoping soon he will start saying more words. 17 months old now and he is just so adorable. And Caden, still floors me with how his brain is a sponge. I bought him a new software program today with phonics on it. He has mastered getting around to every part of the system. He recognizes his name and the word yes and no. Yes and No were today by the way! To watch his little wheels turn is a gift in itself.
Mike will be by himself this weekend with the boys, like I said in an earlier post I think. On the agenda, is his softball game Friday night with Uncle John and Aunt Amy coming with the boys. Saturday night he's planning to go to church and then Sunday morning it's Caden's friend's, Jacob, bowling birthday party. Caden is bowling for the first time and is estatic! I hope one of our friends gets a couple of shots of him bowling ;-) Since I will have the camera!!
So I think I have caught it up now. Oh this is gonna be a big post!

A change

Changed it up a bit, change is good.

It's Strep again!

Yep, rapid test was el rapido on results. Dr. Sudha said it lit up so fast for positive result! So back on amoxicillin we go, but thankfully we didn't wait 4 days and will hopefully finally get rid of it for him and he won't go feeling so bad like he did Easter week!!

Inspection Day!

So at this moment Mike is with our inspector, checking out our future new home.. our third home we will own, Caden's 5th home in 3 1/2 years, and Riordan's 4th in 18 months!!!
Mike is taking a ton of pics for us to upload, and then of course I have a ton of fun outside sprinkler and play pool pics. And of course some of Teagan as well. I need to get on the ball!
Caden is sick AGAIN. He woke up at 2:30 this morning ill. I have never moved so fast in my life! We made it in time.. however on the third trip at 4:30 this morning we didn't. Thank God he was sleeping on a towel. Mike and I were sleep walking at this point. I don't sleep well when Caden is sick, because with our past experience a trip to the bathroom never happens once. So I was very lightly sleeping. And weirdly too, Teagan wouldn't go down until 1 am!! She had been up since 7!! And she wasn't hungry.. She woke up at the last trip to the bathroom at 4:30 to finally eat.
So Caden now has a fever, again, typical Caden that the fever comes on after most symptoms and he's enjoying a day of cartoons on the couch, sipping gatorade. He was so pale when he came down the stairs, at 8 am mind you!! (He's been getting up at 5:30!!)
He says he feels fine, but I know better... thanks to Motrin.

Tonight I'm playing softball! Mike has been playing with our friends out here, and I have been taken off the bench early because they are in need of girls, always the story back home too.
So we went and got cleats a couple of nights ago..mine were given away when we moved, they had had it. Caden also got new cleats! He starts t-ball in June with 6 other of his friends!! It's should be a fun time! Just praying for early games so that we aren't in the heat too much. I'm sure they wouldn't do that, put them in 100 degree heat, right??!! LOL

Mike and I are going to a Cinco de Drinko party tomorrow night in Phoenix. Sandy and Betsy Venitt, Betsy is from Dunwoody, GA (for those of you who don't know it's not far from where I grew up, closer to Atlanta though, just minutes away!! She grew up there and now is here. Should be a nice time to get away.
Wow we will be gone two nights! John and Amy are watching all tonight and tomorrow Ms. Kelly has them. She's due in August with a GIRL, and is loving the baby time with Teagan.. good refresher for her, she's a pro with infants and of course the boys too ;)

Oh and we had a very very fun morning at the Marsh's on Wednesday. Pool day! Although we weren't in it very long. Riordan just doesn't care much for the pool this year! He would rather be outside the pool scaring us by walking to close to the edge. I remember Caden doing this early last year too! So I'm guessing it's a phase, because all Caden wanted to do that day was be in it.
Dani is such an amazing hostess! Caden kept asking later that day when we were going back.. I said as soon as Ms. Dani will let us! LOL ;-)

Alrighty I'm off to check on sicky on the couchy. Have a great weekend all!

I'm coming home!!

So I have totally been missing my dad, as most of you know, and today I decided to come home for a quick visit. Unfortunetly funds don't allow us to all come back, in fact I'm using the last of our skymiles to do this. I can't believe I was able to find a Sky Saver flight so last minute!! So Teagan and I get in late Friday nite, the 19th, and come back Monday nite the 22nd.
My heart is already breaking to be gone that long from the boys. It will be good for Mike I think, not that he doesn't understand what it's like to be in my shoes, but it will be a helpful reminder when I'm having a bad day ;-) Plus he won't have all three, so two should be a breeeeeeeze LOL
I can't wait for Teagan to meet her Grannie and Papa, and her Aunt Susan, and cousins Michael, Nicolas, and Isabel!! I can't wait to see them all too and of course Jen, Matt, and Garrettttttttt!!
Already planning on hitting my favorite, Ru San's for my King and I maki, and Garrett's baseball game!!
OOOOOOOoh I'm going to miss my boys. Mike's business is really picking up, so hopefully we can make it back out by the end of the year. Dad was saying how much he missed seeing the boys... Broke my heart...
So the countdown begins!! I can't wait!

Sunday morning

Today is Riordan and Teagan's dedication!
Should be a great morning!!
What we really need to do is get something to cover up our windows for the morning. I'm telling ya, the sun is up at 5:20 ish and Caden pops right up!!! And now Riordan is up!! Too EARLY!! LOL
This has been going on too long!!
On another note! We went house hunting, because the market is amazing now, on Wednesday. We found a house and placed an offer.
They countered yesterday and it was perfect and we accepted! So we are officially in escrow on Monday! Closing for June 15th and that give us time to paint and most likely redo the entire kitchen and maybe do new carpet and shutters/blinds!! Yippee!!! It's 2100 sq ft, 4 br/2bath, small but laid out so perfectly. Ranch house, vaulted ceilings in the master and the great room. The kitchen looks right into the great room. Seperate 'dining and living room' but that will become a huge playroom. The boys will be able to share a room, which has a walk in closet, Teagan gets her own room, and still leaves a room for guest/office for Mike! The backyard is functional for right now, but has a LOT of potential which we will most likely work on in the winter when prices drop because of slowing down. We are thinking pool, extended covered patio, and swingset! We went looking at samples of cabinets and counters last night and we were very pleased with pricing!! That was at Lowe's... Now to start thinking of paint ;-)

Not cool!

Went looking for Caden's tricycle that Grammy gave him for his birthday when he turned 2. We had taken it to the park on Saturday and yes we made sure it was put back in the truck.
Had playgroup yesterday morning, went to get get it out of the truck and it wasn't there. Looked in the garage and the backyard in case Mike had taken it out. Called him and he said he didn't. So I'm guessing, that someone STOLE it out of the back of the truck when they walked by the house, because the car wasn't locked! Isn't that terrible? This wouldn't be the first incident at our house. When I was 38 weeks pregnant someone egged my car! I have a sneaky suspicion it was a neighbor and/or their friends. Highschoolers with an attitude and no respect for others, and zooming on our street with not a care in the world.
So sometime this week or next we will buy Caden a bicycle with training wheels and get Riordan a new tricycle... I feel so invaded!

Wooooohoooooooo!!

Teagan only got up once last night!! She was up for an hour but it was great! I still didn't sleep well. Caden came in our room twice, Mike snoring, Caden asking for pj's and food at different times when we let him stayyyyy in our room! However, it is a fantastic milestone and hope this is going to be this way! I'm such a sleep walker lately. I can't even get words out correctly, I'm so tired. I can't get off the couch to play with the boys I'm so tired.....
On another note, we had dedication class for Riordan and Teagan last night ( THANK YOU JOHN AND AMY FOR WATCHING THE BOYS!!) and it's a bigger much more wonderful event than we realized. We thought it was just a prayer dedication at the being of service! But actually, after the service we go into the chapel and have a more formalized one, photographer will be there, receive a certificate, and have individual prayer with one of our pastors! Uncle John and Aunt Amy will be there to witness the glorious event! That's on April 29th beginning at 9 am ;-)
Today I hope I can muster up energy to do something fun for the boys. Tomorrow Mike and I have already promised to take them to the park when we wake up. Seeing that the sun is up at 5:30, why can't we go to the park at 7am ?!!!! LOL

4 weeks old

Teagan was 4 weeks old yesterday! We had her one month checkup as well! She now was exactly 10lbs and is 21 inches long. She is doing perfectly! Caden went with me to take her for her check up and have some quality time. He is so funny that little man ;-)
Teagan ended up peeing all over her onsie, the table, and then spitting up all over me, so she left naked as I wasn't prepared with extra clothes. Still didn't stop us from hitting Old Navy!
Easter Dinner at the Marsh's was absolutely perfect. The boys all played together so nicely, getting in some good pool time with their daddy's, Teagan slept almost the entire time, and Carli was full of smiles and showing off how well she can walk, when she want to do it!! And all the while Dani worked her bum off in the kitchen.. next time we will make sure it's all prepared ahead of time so I don't feel so useless ;-) We are so thankful we have such good friends like them! We didn't want to leave!

Happy Easter!!

The children in their Sunday best! Thank you Grannie for Teagan's Easter dress!!
What a wonderful morning at church. Truly uplifting! Love the Easter story, as we've been studying it for the past four weeks. Our music sends wonderful chills through my body :-)
The boys went to their classes and Teagan once again, slept through service. A packed house under the tent. We were literally sitting on one another! But worth going :-)
Another note, how different life is in the southwest compared to the bible belt of the southeast. Sunday Best, for Easter here, is the norm of Tommy Bahama shirts and shorts, flip flops, nice shirts and pants for women.. the only thing that remained the same was the cute Easter dresses for the girls. Also, everything retail wise practically shuts down in the south. Not here! Everything , but Chickfila of course, is open! Very nice yet odd, and I feel bad for those who were made to work instead of being able to attend church.

Pics from the egg hunt

Notice that Daddy isn't in the pictures because he took our incredible pictures ;-)
More here to look at !!

Turns out with Caden he had an ear infection and strep, that was easily seen yesterday by our primary wonderful pediatrician, Dr. Sudha... why they couldn't see the ear infection and pustules on his throat the day before? We still can't figure that one out since it was his 4 day of high fevers...Any who he is on meds and should recover just fine!!
We had our egg hunt today and the boys had a blast! Riordan knew just what to do, for it being his first egg hunt! Such a cutie! And Caden was very sweet, after he got a ton he started to share them with the younger children near by. We had cookies, juice, and they even passed out balloons! We lost ours for Caden but it was quickly replaced and tears went away ;-) They are all three still sleeping since 12:30!! Nice break!!

3 times a charm

Talked to Caden's doctor last night and she is pretty sure it's strep throat and told us we could wait to see her today in her office. But if we wanted we could go to Urgent Care before hand.
So I sent Mike and Caden off, it's so hard to take all three to the office, and he gets there and they were unexpectedly closed.
So okay, how about go to another location in the morning when they open at 7 before you have to head off to your meeting. Closed again! Don't open until 8 now! Think we should start calling?
So I call the office to get him in and the receptionist told us we couldn't be seen today even though Dr. Sudha said we could.
I start to cry. Call it hormones, lack of sleep, but I call it complete sensitivity for my son who had this wonderful week of Easter parties to go to and now most likely won't be able to go because of being contagious and still sick. I had to hang up I was so choked up.
So Mike cancels his morning (turns out the guy was going to anyway) and takes Caden back to the second Urgent Care. They see him right away, agree too it must be strep and do 3 swab tests. All negative!! So now we wait on the culture to see if it's positive. In the meantime, they are told he has to stay home before the fever of 103 breaks (we are now on our 4th day), and if the culture is positive then they will give antibiotics. Also to keep doing what we were doing with his fever, motrin, tylenol, lukewarm baths, popsicles for hydration. Mike also asked about scarlet fever, and they definitely don't think it's that.
Just breaks my heart, he has been talking about his Easter party all school all week, it's tomorrow. I don't dare chance sending him for fear of exposing Ms. Angela who is in early stages of pregnancy. So I will plan a special party for him here at home. I hope his fever breaks so he can attend his egg hunt on Friday .. and if not, again I will plan a special one and hopefully gather some friends to join in on the impromptu fun...

Oh what a week

So my spinal headache finallllllly went away. I had called my doctor on Wednesday last week and she confirmed over the phone that I was definitely had the dreaded leak in my spine from the epidural which was creating a headache due to lack of fluid on my brain. Lovely right? I told her they seemed to be less intense and she said then after 20 days it should heal up. On Saturday the 19th day it was hardly noticable and Sunday it was completely, and has since then, been gone. Hip Hip Hooray!!
Our visit with Jen, Matt, and Garrett was great, and we miss them so much now. Everytime now I go in our guest room I can "smell" them. You know how everyone has a scent whether it be from perfume, laundry detergent, or just them. Anyway, it makes me miss them more. We got to go to Dugan's Dairy, and Uncle Matt was the ONLY one who milked a cow LOL The rest of us, including Dani and Rex, were not into it ;-) The hayride, once again, was a huge success and tons of fun as well. !Pics Dani took of Rex and Caden, and a few of Carli too ;-)
That night, Friday, we went to Streamers for homemade icecream. Over 2 pages of different sundaes, milk shakes, parfaits, and etc. to choose from or any concoction you'd like yourself. Mine has become a chocolate milkshake with marshmellow creme mixed in and on top. So glad I'm nursing!! LOL So on another note, Riordan got very sick in the parking lot. He never ever gets sick. I had noticed that day he felt warm to me, but never anything to really pull out a thermometer on and he was acting just fine. So between being very upset that he was carried instead of being able to walk and the slight fever, his tummy gave out ...
Then this past Sunday after church Caden came down with a slight fever. So again we went to Streamers for early dinner and another milkshake for mommy. Caden got sick about 3 minutes after eating his oreo cookie on top of his strawberry icecream. It still hasn't stopped since then. He has run a fever of up to 102.5, but with the help of Motrin it brings him back to his wonderful self. The minute it wears off the fever is up and he is lethargic and nauseaous. So tomorrow if he still has it we are going in.
This week is the Easter Egg Hunt at The Renisannce Retirement home in Sun Lakes. They hosted trick or treating for Halloween in October for our MOMS Club. Can't wait because this is our only hunt we decided to do and daddy is definitely coming to join in the fun!!
Easter Sunday is church in the big tent (anyone who wants to come, please do!) and then dinner with the Marsh Family!! Yippee!!
During last week with my headache and all we forgot to attend Family Dedication class for Riordan and Teagan. They forgave us and are giving us our information via email. So dedication is Sunday April 30th at the 9 am service. And again anyone who would like to come witness we'd love to have you

Teagan is 2 weeks!

And she had her 2 week weigh in! She is a whopping 8lbs and 14 oz!! She gained 13 ounces in one week! When I was asked by her doctor what I was eating, I said still haven't given up my hostess cupcakes or my McDonald's, which proves that a fatty diet is good for your baby ;-) Well of course in small doses but it definitely helped her gain her birth weight and some back !OH and Dr. Sudha was ready to hire Jennifer on the spot, on more than one comment so WHEN she moves here she already has a job ;-)
Teagan's a piglet, sleeps during the day still and eats practically all night long. Hard for sleep so I have been going to bed by 8:30-9:00 at night to catch some much needed rest. I also have been having headaches and didn't occur to me that they were so bad and have been happening since her birth until a couple of days ago. I'm pretty sure at this point it's a spinal headache from my epidural since it gets worse through out the day and nothing eases the pain except for laying down for a long period of time.. So I will keep an eye on it and not much I can do. To me it's not as severe as my migranes, unless I've been up and moving around a lot. So I think it's healing on it's own. If I don't see an improvement after this week I will go in for my options on fixing it... I knew that guy messed up my epidural!!

Life is good

Sleep deprivation is catching up with me though and I find my self struggling the past couple of days to keep my eyes awake at certain times of the day.
I went to Target two days ago with the boys and Teagan and it went great! Everyone behaved and we were in and out in record time! I'm not so scared to go out with all three now ;-)
PKU's (mandatory state blood test) out here are done differently... They test in the hospital but then you do a second one at 7-10 days.. we missed it! I had said a couple of times this week that I needed to get it done but we are late. So tomorrow I go bright and early to the hospital with Teagan to get it done..so 12 days past her birth, which they said wasn't terrible but not to wait til Monday to do it.
The boys are still so enamored with their baby sister and of course so are her daddy and mommy! She is the sweetest baby and even more layed back than either Riordan or Caden! She only cries to eat and that's if I don't get to her in time.
So really life couldn't be more perfect.
I don't have a car today, our blue one is getting some work done to the radiator and such (just one more year baby blue, just make it one more year!!) so we are a prisoner of our own home LOL Not that we really have anywhere to go and should be getting the house ready for Aunt Jen, Uncle Matt, and Garrett.. just can't muster the energy.. Mike is gone all day and night with work, well a baseball game that he is taking 3 reps too... So it's hard for me to call that work ;-) even though it is for him! I don't know something about a game, beer, and food that I didn't have to make doesn't sound too much like work to me ;-) That's what I call a night out!

One week old and already smiling!

Plus a ton more pics, Photo session , of Teagan and our first photo session. So many to choose from, but one will become the announcement picture ;-) Enjoy!!

We have survived!

Milestones today ;-) Teagan is one week old and I had our, all three children, first outing without daddy and we did rather well. It was Teagan's 1 week checkup and weigh in, which she so wonderfully weighs now 8lbs and 1 oz!!, and Riordan thought he was back for more shots. It was interesting to juggle both he and Teagan for they were both crying, but we some how made it through and with me just being ever so incredibly patient! It was nice to get out. I have definitely been feeling a little confined. She is slowly coming off cluster feedings at night (every hour) to every 2-3 hours so we both are getting some good sleep now. She still likes to sleep more during the day of course but that will change soon.
My sister, Jennifer, her husband Matt, and my nephew Garrett fly in Saturday for a week! Caden is so excited. He absolutely adores Garrett and can't blame him ;-) I'm staying pretty close to home and resting so that I will have tons of energy to do field trips with them. On the agenda for sure is a trip to the zoo and to Dugan's Dairy. Caden wants Garrett to go on the hayride and I want them to milk a cow! Can't wait for them to arrive!!

It's so hard being out of the loop of the boys... Riordan didn't get an MMR on Thursday, which I was thrown because I was sure he got it at 12 months. So who knows where the rash came from, because the shots he did get would not have given him a reaction since they were a second round...
Oh well, it's clearing up, just hate that the urgent care doctor assumed that was it and didn't investigate further.. That won't happen again

Riordan's rash is his reaction to his MMR shot yesterday. Which I didn't know he got because Mike was with him. So had I of known that, it would have clicked.. however Caden didn't react until 10 days after his so it might of still raised a flag being 24 hours later... All is well, waiting on food now and off to feed Miss Piglet!

Bilirubin level is 11 which is OK, but still shocked me because it didn't look that high on her body, I was thinking an 8... we've been bathing in the sunlight ;-)
So no hospital visit for her and we go back for recheck early Monday morning, however!
Riordan has won himself a visit to Urgent Care because when I came home from the doctor's office he had a mysterious serious looking rash on his right arm and a little on his torso under the right arm. With benadryl it is still spreading along his back 4 hours later. So Mike has taken him in and will be waiting anxiously for an update on him! When it rains it pours right?!

Teagan lost another ounce since Wednesday and that was with no pooping, which is not good either. And because of no pooping she has become very jaundice over night. So, our doctor wanted to admit her immediately for light therapy, however did give me the option to test her first. I opted for the bilirubin test and should know something by this afternoon if we are going back in or not. She was stimulated to poop, and she has since then, which would make her weigh even less !! However, Dr Sudha said not to supplement just yet, lets see what her results are. She's a very good eater, my milk is fully in and I was engorged a little yesterday, but because she likes to eat so much I'm already back to normal.. She eats all night long too and sleeps during the day OF COURSE ;-) That's with waking her every 2-3 hours during the day. At night, she eats for an hour, falls asleep and then is back up 30-45 mins later wanting more!! She's my piglet!
Will try and update here on the results.. if I don't you can guess we went in...

Today

Link to order hospital pics It has the posted pic plus 3 others, however the one posted is still my fav ;-) Password is h12-704251167

We had appointments for Teagan's first well check and Riordan's 15 month. Teagan weighs 7lbs 14 oz today. So we are on a strict feeding schedule with wake up calls to get her to gain back some weight. If anything, to prevent further lose so I don't have to supplement. But it's all good and very much expected. She's just a bitty ole thing for sure now! LOL
Riordan weighed in at 26.2 lbs! And is 32 inches long! He had 2 shots today which of course he absolutely hated. Daddy did Riordan duty at the same time I did Teagan duty. We were out in record time. Caden was the ever comforting brother for Riordan and picked out a popsicle at the office for him as well. He keep asking, "I'm not getting a shot right mommy?" because the last two visits I promised he wasn't getting one, but he ended up with them anyway. So I reassured him and said he didn't even had an appointment he was just going to watch! Finally, my words owned up ;-)
Sleep deprivation has definitely set in, but I'm making it. All the boys are getting decent rest which works well for my nerves during the day... Mike has appointments beginning tomorrow, so the real test will be then! Keep me in you prayers!!!

Teagan's first professional picture !! Isn't she just beautiful!!
My birth day pics
And we all meet

pics will be posted tomorrow.. it's not uploading from here at the hospital

Happy Birthday Teagan!!

Teagan Abiageal Malloy, was born today at 11:55 am after 18 1/2 hours of labor and then literally coming out on her own!! I pushed one and half times and in the middle she did the hard part. ;-) My smallest baby 8lbs 10 oz and 20 inches long. That's my girl. Delivery has always been easy, it's the laboring that's been tough. She is absolutely perfect, perfect cry, perfect color, perfect latch/eater, and perfect sleeper. We get to go home tomorrow thank God. I miss the boys desperately and daddy says that they are missing me as well. Uncle John and Aunt Amy are our life saviours taking care of them last night and all day today. I can't thank them enough!!
She has already been seen by our awesome pediatrician, Dr. Sudha, tonite and she will come by again to see her tomorrow and officially release us. I am doing surprisingly well again, like I did with Riordan..after the funky epidural (long story) wore off I'm feeling really great and able to take care of her and I with hardly any effort. The care here at Chandler Regional is absolutlely unbelievable! I couldn't have gotten any better. Haven't had but 2 hrs of sleep in the past 24 hours so shut eye is coming soon!

They are still postponing

Seems it's pretty busy, they have postponed all induction, non emergency since Tuesday. The have postponed those scheduled for induction today already. It doesn't go in order for waiting by day, either, but by reason. Since I'm an elective, I'm not very high up on the list, however most scheduled are an elective and then they go back by day scheduled if they do start calling in.
They did 'remind' me that if I went into labor then to come on in. I started to laugh, told them even though it's my third baby, my body always needs a jumpstart ;-) She then started to laugh and pretty much said their induction list sucks !! Obviously, because it has now become very reminiscent of Michelle's waiting period, and thankfully I was prepared.. I did originally say I'd be waiting till Monday, so who knows!
Looks like I'll be making my OB appt on Monday unless she decides to come on her own!! Oh well, it all happens for a reason ;-)
Looks like once again, I will be having a past due baby !! Just a little concerned about her size, she's huge!! LOL
Keep checking back, I will update here...

It makes sense of course!

I was just checking the nursery at Chandler Regional Hospital, on the 15th of March they had 14 births !! And 10 on the 14!! No wonder they were in a holding pattern.. a typical day is about 7 births, it's not a very large hospital... Yesterday shows only 5, so when they can open up the rooms from the 14th and the 15th, I should be called in (unless they have another burst of births LOL).. I'm tempted to call them, but I know I haven't been forgotten, just letting them do their job :-)
I have always truly believed that everything happens for a reason. I was also prepared for a postponement, so I have literally done nothing but sleep, since I don't at night, and watch my TIVO'd shows. I have been fighting some kind of cold all week that gives me a horrible sore throat in the morning and all night, and then a congestion cough that hurts at night. I finally started taking Sudadfed again last night and it helped a lot. I have been enjoying this down time for I know there isn't going to be much very soon!

The following is a link to the nursery so when she is finally here you can check back for her first posted picture. I didn't do hospital pics with the boys, but tons of ultrasounds. So she gets a hospital pic since she didn't get tons of ultrasound pics ;-) Gotta even it out somehow right!

Baby link

We have been postponed ;-)

It's all good, I was totally expecting it. They have been in a holding pattern for 2 days now on induction and I'm just now getting my first call, oddly enough, about it.
So now we wait, I gave them our cell number so we can actually leave the house. And no, they have no idea when I will be called in, they will just call when they are ready !! However, should I go into labor before hand, I don't have to wait for the call ;-)

My thoughts for the day ;-)

So still no call for postponing and I leave in 1 1/2 hours. I orginally was going to drive myself in so Mike could stay with the boys, and then once John or Amy could relieve him, they would all drop him off. Thankfully, my good friend Michelle wants to drive me in and stay with me!! So now once one of them comes home from work, he can drive our car in ;-) Also, I think it would be less tramatic for the boys if daddy leaves from the house and not from the car and 'disappear' like I am LOL. Caden is completely understanding so far what is going to happen and how he can't come see me, they are very strict here for RSV Season: absolutely no children 12 and under can come in the hospital, only the lobby and I can't come out so I can't carry anything back to Teagan. Riordan on the other hand has no clue and will be in for some shell shock. It was very tough to get used to, since Caden was present for Riordan's birth and did so well.
I can't believe she is going to be here today! This has truly been and wonderful journey.
I didn't sleep last night, of course, and Mike and I scoured the house all morning long. Can't bring her home to a dirty house! I finally made it out to buy some portable crib sheets for the beautiful white crib my friend Amy lent to us to have Teagan in our room. Our co-sleeper has had it, plus I have learned with Riordan that the crease in it is not good for the baby and can cause more harm, like tortecollis, which he had already.
So all is clean, washed, set up, and ready for homecoming. I repacked my bag, have tons of magazines and crosswords for the boring part of labor since I'll be stuck in my room most likely ;-) Thank goodness Michelle will be there some too! My friend Dani is already planning on coming to the house tomorrow morning with her children to play with the boys so Mike can bring me non-hospital breakfast and lunch! She is just amazing!! So that's what we have going on, those are our plans. I think it's pretty neat however everything works out, and I am ever so grateful for all our help!

The Date!

So I just got my call, thank you Caden for answering the phone. I was just about to jump in the shower when I had a feeling, hey maybe I should get the phone incase my doctor calls. I'm going down the stairs and Caden is yelling mommy. I'm like what honey, what do you need? He goes, the phone is for you! I was laughing so hard!! It was Dr Vaneken!
She said I'm scheduled for 2:30 on Thursday! Just come on in. IF for some reason I will need to be postponed then they will call that morning. So it's almost set in stone ;)
The next posting here about Teagan should be her birth!!

Appointment today

Just got back, they were running an hour late today!!
Anyway, I can't be officially scheduled at the hospital until tomorrow, which is 39 weeks exactly for me ;-)
(I couldn't get an appointment with the office until late this week or today, so of course I choose today)
Not a biggy, Dr. Vaneken is going to do it tonite at the hospital or call first thing when she gets in tomorrow and then will call me to let me know my "first date and time" LOL Will post again tomorrow once I know...
The wait list is not long like it was with Michelle, so she is predicting I will be called in by Friday or Saturday.
So all is well here with us and perfect and just relaxing with the boys and hanging out .. life is grand!

The Day After the Rain

So we knew it snowed up in the mountains, however we thought the mountains starting in Flagstaff! These are the Superstition Mountains that are to the North and East of us. Our little mountains, The San Tans, are to the south and didn't get snow. This is an incredible sight to behold. Apparently, they do get a dusting every now and again but nothing like this.

Then this is our green belt near our house. This is how much is rained, you can't see the grass, much less the rock bed, notice the few rocks that were high enough. This is over a foot deep at least and deeper once you get up further. Amazing! Our backyard still has some standing water, but nothing like this. The desert is just amazing! We are so glad that we don't have to deal with dust for at least a week I would think!! YAY for allergies and asthma!

Rain

Be careful what you ask for right? We have not had rain for over 140 days, until today. Woke up with rain at 7:30 am, I think it started about 6 am. It's still raining! Over 12 hours later and no sign of it letting up. The retention land/green belts around the neighborhoods are literally lakes. Flooding on the roads is everywhere. Still we ventured out, looking at houses and then later I went out with my friend Dani shopping.
It's very chilly, never got any higher that 55 supposedly, but my car registered 45 for the high today. It feels like home with the rain today ;-) Funny, home is in the 70's today! LOL
Looking at weather.com, says the rain will stop sometime after 6 am tomorrow morning. Our backyard is pretty flooded. Hope it doesn't make it's way into the house in the middle of the night! It will be a good sleep tonight being lulled by the raindrops ;-)

Riordan's well check has been cancelled due to our pediatrician won't be in the office.. I hope she's still in town just in case Teagan makes her appearance!! I'm sure we will be well cared for, but I really like Dr. Sudha! She rocks ;-)
So instead the four of us will be going to the zoo. Those hills really produced my first set of contractions and hopefully she's ready now to receive them and respond to it !! Plus how fun the zoo! We love it!

Things not to say ;-)

I write this in complete humor and by no means am I pointing fingers! I really think this could be a good read ;-) I have been meaning to put this down for four years and now find time to do it with my blog ;-)

So what not to say/ask to a pregnant woman:

"How are you feeling?" (this comes in first because she hears it everytime she sees a friend/relative whether it be online or in person) Ummm pregnant? This is not an illness people!! LOL How else do you think one feels at this point. We are huge, not sleeping, and ready to meet our little one. One exception is however, if the pregnant one is going through morning sickness at the time, it's okay to ask this question.. but be prepared to hear it all, so only ask if you REALLY want to know...

"It's all worth it in the end" Don't you think we know this? Of course it is, whether you were put in the situation by choice or not... This is really harsh when one has severe morning sickness, don't say it, bite your tongue ! Let the pregnant girl be sick, whent the clouds part she will be in a better mood, I promise.

"Haven't you had that baby yet/Your still pregnant?" If you have to say this be prepared for a lashing. I think this gives any pregnant woman temporay insanity privileges. Best advice if you don't want to be harmed, don't say it .... It's not our choice on when the baby comes, it's all in Gods good graces or the doctor's when they decide it's time to induce for whatever medical reason.

"Hang in there" This one cracks me up, where do you think I'd go if I weren't pregnant? Of course we hang in there, again no choice!! Just hits a funny cord...

Now things with a specific interest, sleeping, heartburn, do you think it's a boy/girl? are okay. However, if one is about to find out what they are having or just plain not, be careful here too. Remember she hears everyones opinion on what the sex is. Of course you have a 50% chance of being right, but just be sensitive in nature when you voice your opinion.. *This one never bothered me, but I know of others who it does/did.

Unsolicated advice on birthing, feeding, raising, and training. Again, unsolicated being the key word, so be ready for another lashing because there is no right way. YOUR way is the best way for your baby ;-) And so is anyone elses way too, even if it's different !!


When the pregnant girl is "due" and by this I mean, due dates mean nothing, babies don't know their date and don't come out of the oven when their cooked on the specific due date so a due date is the worse thing invented. Once a woman hits 37 weeks, the baby won't be prevented from entering the world and up to 42 weeks the baby is not late. Late is after 42 weeks. Some take longer to finish their job and others don't. New medical research suggest a true past due date baby (after 40 weeks) may not benefit from nutrition so that's why some are induced by 40. Other factors too are the weight whether it be the baby's or the mother's (my case right now is the baby's, too big and health problems may arise with her). Also, low amnio fluid after 40 weeks will get you in the hospital quickly as well. IF nothing is going on and it's looking healthy then a 42 week baby is just fine! I have one of those and a 41 week and they are perfectly healthy and thriving today.

And last but not least:
I know you are just as excited/anxious as the pregnant girl, but phone calls with "just checking to make sure we didn't miss his/her birth and you forgot to call" are not necessary... Trust me, it's news that will be broadcast in some shape or fashion, via phone, email, blog, sky writing, billboards, etc or even through a close friend or relative. Your intentions are great, but you won't be left out, I promise! Phone calls are okay though, just expect a voicemail first and maybe not a call back. Don't take it personally though. A pregnant girl gets a lot of these in a day/week!



*again, the above is only in fun and humor and was not intended to offend any friend or family member of the blogger*

No signs!

No signs of Teagan after my appointment today! Boy how I do miss my midwife back in Atlanta!!
I'm due back on Monday morning and if I make it to that appointment, then they will schedule the first available date for induction. So at least I know there's an end in sight and hopefully I won't go too past my due date. She is definitely an 8lber already, I just feel so heavy in the belly..
Looks like I will be making it to my hair appointment after all tomorrow nite and Riordan's well check on Friday. Which is good to so I can give a head's up to our pediatrician that she should be getting a call from us soon to come visit the newest addition!

38 weeks and counting!

Nope, I haven't had Teagan and if you have called or emailed and I haven't responded, I'm sorry ;-) Just been busy with the boys and filling our days with cherished memories! And don't worry, if you check here, it will be posted and the email is ready to go out with the big news !!!
I'm still feeling pregnant and I have still been having contractions but not as intense as I had on Friday nite which led me to believe 'this is it'. I packed a bag, got the phone ready to make care giving calls, and layed down. Fell asleep. When I woke up they were gone! And this was after 10 hours of continuous contractions, that were timeable and pretty intense!! Oh well, she's crying wolf and now I may be having a home birth because I won't believe it when I finally do go into labor ;-)
Tomorrow is my 38th week appointment and hopefully with some end in sight by way of a set date or an achievement in torturing me !! LOL Poor Caden, he never gets tired of asking everyday if this is the day that Teagan is coming, he is so sweet!
And poor Riordan, his little world is about to get rocked. Just recently he has become a 'momma's boy' and he does NOT like it when I hold any of our friends babies. We have pulled out Caden's baby doll from when I was pregnant with Riordan and he gives her kisses, but also is very rough in handling of course!
He has been so much fun. Huge milestones in the past week! He can point to his ear when you ask, blow kisses, and give kisses. Even better he walks to the car and from the car to the door with guidance! Halleujah! (sp) He is very very independant and voices his opinion in his own way at any opportunity.
Caden has been just amazing and sensitive and so helpful. He is getting smarter by the minute and still just mind blowing to us.
So check back here tomorrow nite, I promise to make the best attempt to update !! I have a hair appt Thursday nite and Riordan has his 15 month well check on Friday so with that said, she may try and arrive just to 'mess' up plans !! LOL Bring it baby!!

And so we wait ;-)

Had my appointment two days ago, and bless her heart, but her torture treatment didn't work. I knew it wouldn't since she didn't even make me cry and to her she was trying really hard. So I have another appointment next Wednesday, same time, with another of the doctor's and hopefully she can get things moving. Still at 1 cm as of Wednesday.
Yesterday was a very odd day for me! I was had contractions from about 5:30 pm to 2 am!! I was able to time them on the last half as well, but they were never so intense that I needed to call anyone. I went to sleep waking up with none and saying, "of course!" ;-) I did this with Riordan in the middle of the night but for only a couple of hours and just a few of them each time... I was up to every 15-30 mins last nite. So I finallllllllllly packed a bag for the hospital. It was the last thing I needed to do. My thought process on it was, I don't need anything really, just the hospital LOL
So who knows what today or the weekend will bring, I'm positive, yet thinking that I have another 41 weeker on my hands ;-)

Pray for me!! LOL

Tomorrow is the big day! I hope! 37 weeks and if my GBS test is negative then hopefully the doctor can work some magic and my body will respond like it did with the boys.
I have never been so tired. I generally feel like I do, miserable, at 40 weeks, not this early. So I say I'm toast. Last nite all the boys and I went on a walk around the neighborhood, with the 2 smaller boys ;-) in the wagon and I pulled. This brought on a lot of activity but nothing that counted!
We almost were going to put this off till next week, Mike has a really busy week this week with dinners and a conference on Friday. But, I just can't do it, and it's sort of like Christmas too, knowing I can do something this week and then say 'noooo let's wait till next week..' I'm not good with waiting!! LOL
My patience was worn thin, I'm not good company at all, my brain is fried (I'm forgetting a lot!! worse than normal), I'm not sleeping ( I know I won't be when she's here, but at least I will have more of a reason!), and I still can't breathe very well.
So we are in agreement to get this show on the road if we can!! Thank God for our friends out here, they are ready and on call and well as John and Amy!
So pray for all to go as planned tomorrow, that's at 3 pm our time, 5 pm EST!!

Dugan's Dairy

Last Friday we took a trip to Dugan's Dairy with a bunch of our friends! This dairy farm is closing down it's tours to the public in May, so we were excited to get the chance to tour. We did a hayride, where we saw mommy cows, pregnant cows, bulls, and even their infirmary. We also got to see other animals they had on the farm and the kids really enjoyed getting in the same pen with them and petting them. We would have been able to milk a cow too, but there were a few schools visiting and we were bumped. At the end we got to drink milk! Caden had strawberry of course and Riordan had chocolate. Caden takes after my dad with the strawberry flavor!!
More pics

36 weeks

So I just got back from my 36 week OB appointment.
Let me begin by saying I have had a rough couple of sleepless days because I have an allergy/cold thingy in my head, as does Caden, so with not being able to breathe plus no sleep, I have very little patience. I do well with no sleep when I feel good, but not today especially.
So here we are at the doctor's office, all 4 of us! :-) I love my OB, she's so supportive and so understanding about my complaints, which I know are so minute compared to what others could and have felt at this point.
I tell her I'm feeling "heavy" again like I did about this point with Riordan. I'm short of breath especially when lying in bed, which again is very much like Riordan.
So she checks me. I'm at 1 cm already! I wasn't to this point with Riordan until 38 weeks and 41 3/4 with Caden :-)
Are you having any contractions, she asks? Oh definitely but nothing consistent or hardly painful, but they do get my attention (as I have one now)
Also, word for word, "she is way down there already" which I already knew, but it's nice to know again it's not in my head. Again 3rd time around there is still self doubt.
So she says if my group B test comes back negative, they will do the "torture" treatment next Wednesday!! Nails biting! She could possibly be here by next Wednesday/Thursday. So, I once again, am not getting to worked up about it, but find myself realizing "woah! this is it!!" LOL
I can not wait to meet her, as Caden says every single day. His excitement is contagious :-)

Today would have been my brother's 42nd (i orginally said 41st) birthday. He died some 20 years ago in a car accident. What an amazing person, I recognized him as, as young as 11. He is the reason I drink coffee to this day, with tons of cream and sugar, always a treat for me when he shared it. He was my hero and I always looked forward to every single second with him. He never grew tiresome to me or to anyone else in our family for that matter. It was if we had the second sense to know that our time with him would be limited and took in every moment.
My tradition on his birthday is to drink a Budweiser and smoke a smoke in his honor, but of course I can't this year. But still doesn't leave him far from my thoughts.
One new overwhelming feeling I had today, was a glimpse into the pain my mom must have felt when he did leave the earth. And my amazement of how she has made it through and lives a happy life without his smile, jokes, and laughter.
I can't imagine life without either of my boys, nor the horror I would go through losing either one of them. I know how special my memories of their birth days are to me, and I just was thinking what kind of day mom was having today when she brought him into the world.

check out the pics from the park yesterday, just added them in the paragraph ;-)

3 Day Walk

If you didn't know, I'm participating in the Arizona 3-day Breast Cancer walk first weekend in November. I always wanted to do it. It will be a journey, training for a 60 mile walk in 3 days and then camping out each night! Michelle, Terri, myself, and two other Michelle's have formed a team called "Moms on a Mission"
We are currently contacting businesses for donations of gift certificates or merchandise to raise money at a fundraiser at the end of April. In the meantime, if you'd like to make a donation towards my $2,200 goal, you can do so online here or follow the link on the left side of the page where it says "My personal goal". Anything will help and I would be so appreciative!! I'm expecting another life changing moment on this walk. I wanted to do something for others, something meaningful and I think this will do it! Plus I have an opportunity to get my body in shape! LOL

Freestone Railroad Park

We had a MOMS day at Freestone Railroad Park in Gilbert, which is about 15 mins north from where we live.
What a beautiful day and so much fun! All of our friends were there and Mike got to come as well, which was great for me because with my wonderful motion sickness I can't get on the merry go round! It was Riordan's favorite, everytime he got off he cried!!
Caden was a big fan of the wave runner ride, which he called the boat ride. We will definitely be going back again!Pics

Last Friday, we went to the Phoenix Zoo with Dani, Carli, and Rex. A lot of hills and pushing a double stroller got the best of me ;-) I had a few contractions by the time we got home and they were gone by late afternoon. That was a lot of fun as well. They have a monkey exhibit where you actually can go in and be in their enviroment. Very cool. We will definitely have to go back soon, some of the animals were sleeping... need to figure out their awake time ;-)

We spent the weekend just hanging out, going to the mall, and church. Very low key and nice to just relax. Tomorrow is 36 weeks! I can't believe it. My appointment with the OB is on Wednesday at 4 ;-) Everyone is coming !! LOL

The first time

Two days ago, it was the first time. It made me laugh though he didn't see it... Caden was doing something that he shouldn't, I think using his markers around Riordan and I made him put them back. He wouldn't, so I sent him to his room. He of course protested the entire way, but finally made it there. Before he slammed his door shut, he yelled at me, " YOUR MEAN MOMMY!!" I didn't know he knew the meaning of this word. Maybe he doesn't, but learned it from school or even on one of his coveted cartoons. I know this won't be the last time, but it will always stand out in my mind since it was the first time LOL. As I read my friend's, Beth, blog, I can't help but wonder and prepare for this next stage. T.V. right now is the key for us for punishment for talking back, not minding, or plain not doing what your told, and it has worked. I pray that it continues to work!!!
On another note, however yesterday Caden was standing in the laundry room with me, helping!, and turns to me so excited like it's Christmas, rubbing his little hands together and a huge grin on his face and says, " I CAN'T wait for baby Teagan to come out!"
I have stopped talking to him about the birth, since the RSV season rules are very strict out here and they won't let children 12 and under in the hospital at all, unlike back home where it's limited to ICU levels only. But it is still very much on his mind. Almost everyday for a week now he asks me, When is Teagan coming? Only time will tell baby, but hopefully sooner than later!

History repeats itself!

Had the 34 week checkup today and u/s to determine Teagan's weight again.
I think it's funny how my babies grow. At the very beginning, they always question my LMP because they measure almost a week off, on the smaller side, at the 7-8 week u/s. Then halfway through they are either right on target or a week bigger.
At 34 weeks, Teagan is almost 6lbs! Holy smokes! 5.94lbs to be exact. Not huge, but on the big side is what they are saying LOL. So basically she is right on the path of 2 weeks bigger than the average. Not surprised, in the last week, I feel heavier in the belly.
She has a very, very round belly herself, looks like a little me in there ;-) The u/s tech said she definitely has hair too, and she showed how she has a halo effect around her head, suggesting hair.
Couldn't get a 4d shot of her as she has her fist in her face! LOL Almost like Riordan, but he had a whole leg with an arm wrapped around that, when trying to look at him.
I gained 2lbs, back on track so total of 24 to date, so interesting too since I'm swear I'm not watching what I eat in fact definitely indulging A LOT! I'm starting to retain a lot of fluid as well. But I can still wear my wedding band, forget it with the boys at this point.
We go back in 2 more weeks!

Mike gets back this afternoon. We all miss him so much. Caden cried on the phone to him two nights ago, saying "Daddy, come home now!!" It broke his heart! So by the time I pick Caden up from school today, Mike should be walking in the door! Can't wait for the reunion!! Also, the boys went to babysitter Kelly's house today and did amazingly well! I wasn't worried about Caden, just Riordan who screamed when I left, but she said about 2 mins after I was gone he forgot why he was crying ;-) So nice!! She's so great!

Milestones

Riordan is full on walking, and he has finally cut one of his four very painful molars. His first word (I don't count ma ma), dog.. everytime he sees Sully, dog dog dog, and then when she's not around and he looks for her, he calls her, dog dog dog.. it's absolutely adorable.
Caden is mastering tracing his name and shapes. He recognizes his name instantly! He is also offically completely night potty trained. For a few months when wearing a pullup he would be dry. Infact when he woke up in the middle of the night he would go to the bathroom instead of using the pullup. So for over a week now and no accidents! Amazing, we weren't even trying and feel very fortunate.
You can tell the season is about to change, and not because it's a tad bit warmer but because the sun is still out and it's 6:03 pm, last month it was dark by 5:30!! I've always liked more daylight ;-)

How fast you adjust

It's funny! Four and a half months now here Chandler, and it already feels longer, in a good way. Plus with Mike always being home, got easy to get used to quickly. So this week will be interesting. He left today for 4 days for a conference in Florida! How funny, he still has to travel across the country, like his old job. I think we will be fine though, no bottles to make, cartoons are appeasing for Caden, Riordan loves to color or go outside, and meals are simple. I haven't been sleeping, which is common for me at this point and not so tired like I was with the boys. Adjustment, third times a charm!
I have my 34 week appointment and ultrasound on Thursday and our babysitter in our neighborhood is going to keep Riordan and possibly Caden. Riordan has a hard time being left, so if it looks rough Caden will stay too. If not, I know how much he would enjoy the ultrasound. However, Kelly is beautiful and the boys adore her, so I'm in for some stiff competition I think ;-)
Our week will be busy, Caden's playgroup we had this morning here, Riordan's tomorrow at Terri's, then scoot Caden off to school, dinner at Michelle's, Wednesday is Music Class and Thursday you already know.... And in between there is always the park, book store, or the mall which they both love going to watch the piano player at Nordstrom's.
Saturday was up to 80 already! Holy Smokes! Very very windy day today which means a lot of dust. Caden is already coughing from playing outside today. Riordan just woke up! Time for lunch and then the grocery store and then afternoon nap, I'm coming GH!

My beautiful Shower

I think I'm finally out of my 'shock' coma and can put some of this into words now! The thoughtfulness today, absolutely amazing!! I was crying for sure by the end!
Monica, Terri, and Michelle went over and beyond with the detail!
We did the baby picture game, won by Trudy, answers to be written down on Shamrock paper with the Irish Prayer framing it, as well as the memory game of baby items, won by Tracy!! A crossword puzzle that was tidbits of my life! I could hardly see the page, I was so welled up, yet still managed to come in second ;-) Love a competition! Way to go Cindy!
The party favors were cute little pig teacups and most of you know that has been, lovingly, my nickname for Riordan and will definitely follow onto Teagan!
The girls had everyone fill out envelopes with their address on it for thank yous!, so amazing, and then they filled out index cards which is still yet to be announced what they are for ;-) Still two more surprises, Michelle tells me, to come!
We had a scrumptious tea party, with sandwiches, scones, and desserts and of course tea. Each one so perfectly tasty and different in their own. The tea house, so dainty and ultimate frilly and girly!! So much fun!! So many amazing new memories from these friends and many more I can't wait to come!
8 of the girls went in together and bought Teagan a swing I registered for! So moving, I was speechless at this point and fighting back tears, it was the last thing I opened. Trudy made the most beautiful crochet baby blanket, so soft and so lovingly made. She's so talented. Pics of gifts, favor, and games
Dani brought the cutest and most delicious cake from Cathy's Rum Cakes! It's almost gone now! And will be by tomorrow!!
Shower Pics

They all spoiled me beyond words. I will never be able to express my complete gratitude. I just hope they all know how much it meant to me for each one of them to be there, and how much each one of them mean to me in their own special way.
It took every ounce of my being, as I start to tear up now, to not lose it when I sat on the couch at home today. Tears of happiness, as you most know. I'm a Kodak moment and Hallmark Card rolled into one, just waiting to happen. Pregnant or not! LOL More pics of my friends and details of the shower to come

Vacation December 2006!!

Sure it's a ways off, but we are so excited!! We been discussing it for months now and since we can make payments on it instead of breaking the bank, we are going for it!
Dec 17th-21st! We are staying at the Disney Grand Californian with all the bells and whistles!!
We deserve it, after all it will have been over a year and a half since we have gone on vacation, too long if you ask me ;-). What's neat is Michelle and her family are going at the same time. We orginally discussed going the week after, but when we found out they were going the week before, we moved it up. Plus it's both Caden and Amanda's birthday!! How great! Okay, it's like Christmas, my shower is tomorrow too! Need to clear out some pics on the camera so I can take a ton tomorrow morning...

Over due posting of U/S pics at 30 weeks!!

This is a signature foot on my side of the family, long and slender! Bless her heart, hopefully size 10 will be easier to find when she is of age!!

Here's looking right at you! Such a good girl, but still didn't stay still enough to get

a 3d shot, hopefully this next visit we can.

A 3d shot of nose and lips, just a quick capture, need to ask for a silouette shot

next time, still haven't gotten a good one of that.

And the money shot, for those who still think she may

be a boy, may this finally convince you ;-)

5-9 weeks to go!!

I have to be realistic, considering Caden was 12 days past due and Riordan was 7 days past due. Now all the due dates were accurate. Trust me when your husband travels all the time, it's easy to remember when 'the last time' was. Plus the fact that nothing gets by me when it comes to my body or the boys for that matter. Sometimes I think I missed my calling by not going into medicine in some shape or fashion.

So Caden, 12 days past due, I literally would not dilate, so the day I finally did the midwife was able to perform a torture practice on me, if you want more details email for explaining here will surely make somene pass out, and I was in labor within 30 mins. Now I still labored for 30 hours, 19 of which were felt almost 100%, minus the two hours of two shots together to take the edge off. Not really worth it if you ask me, since it was still at least 4 hours till they insisted on giving me an epidural so my body would relax (I stay at 1cm during those first 19 hours of labor!!). Born at 5:31 pm December 21st, 2002 and was 8lbs 11 oz and 22 inches long...

Riordan 7 days past due and feeling HUGE since 37 weeks, but all my practioners kept telling me he was no bigger than 8 1/2 lbs on the day he was finally born and that was via ultrasound. Now I had the option at 38 weeks to sign up for the torture process, since I was at 1 1/2 cm, but I refused. Surely my body would know what to do the second time around! 39, 40, okay 41 weeks and at 2 cm, I can't take this anymore, same midwife, do you worst, or rather yet your best. Boom!!! In labor exactly 30 mins again later. Labored for 14 1/2 hours all but 5 hours unmedicated and purely the epidural, I made it without a shot of morphine, well almost got it because I was having some killer back labor, but when they went to order it, the anisthesiologist was walking in my door! And get this, same doctor with Riordan who administered it for me with Caden, so I knew it was going to be successful ;-) Born 5:11 AM December 8th, 10lbs 4 oz 23 1/2 inches long!!!! NO typos here! Still trying to figure out that one, I didn't have gest. diabetes and I only gained 36 lbs, with Caden I was big girl at 53 lbs!

So here we are with my baby girl, 33 weeks and 1 day along. She's not much of an active baby, compared to the boys, but when she does move she makes sure it counts! She loves chocolate already and ice cold water, that gets her moving everytime. My new OB is concerned about her size so we have a second ultrasound to compare to 30 weeks ultrasound next Thursday. D-Day to do the torture treatment is March 8th at 3 pm. Dr. VanEken and I have already discussed in great length, that most likely even with a third, my body will need help to go into labor. I told her about the boys and how the midwife did it, details in an email again if you really want to know, and she said "I know exactly what you mean and I can do that ";-). However, I'm not expecting it to work, and actually expecting to go past due.. that way I'm pleasantly surprised if she comes earlier and not dwelling on it. Then again, I'm thinking, March 8th is only 5 weeks away today! Current gain 22 lbs, 5 in the last two weeks! LMAO BUTTTTTTT I have been weighed in the morning all this time gaining a pound a week before, and this last one was at 2 in the afternoon, hadn't had my water intake for the day and starting to swell a little, so water retention. I really don't care at this point though ;-) I'm still enjoying my food! Plus chasing after two very active boys!

I have been nesting already for the past week, well when I can get the motivation and two beautiful boys out from under my feet .... There is still so much to do, where is she going to sleep? In our bed with Caden too? We've been better at getting him in his own bed to start, but like clock work when 1 am comes around he crawls into ours and we are both too tired to take him back. Our co-sleeper has had it, clothes need to be washed, bottles, j.i.c, need to be sterilized, plus a full spring cleaning in every nook and cranny here! It gets so dusty and I learned yesterday that our windows can only take up to 40 mile an hour wind, so anything past that gives and lets the dust in. It gets pretty windy out here and dusty, looks like a layer of smog.
She seemed to drop some two nights ago, some intense pain when she moves and pressure for the new location, plus the fact I'm waddling now and even slower than I was 3 days ago. Round ligament feeling more inflammed than before (a problem since Caden), so my positive thoughts of walking Caden to school while he rides his razor is fastly becoming an ideal thought..it'a about 1/2 mile away, but still too much for me, it would take an hour for us to walk there LOL. So I plan to sit on my ball, encouraging more dropping. Forget all the old wives tales of foods: eggplant, spicy, or now I hear pineapple; red wine; and sex: holy smokes why would I do that, that's how I got here in the first place! They never worked before for either so I'm not going to torture myself this time. Although wine I will definitely do, if anything it helps me get to the next day having a glass every now and again, just not the whole bottle like I really would like to do on days like Riordan teething molars or Caden missing a nap ;-)

Saturday is my incredible shower from Terri, Michelle, and Monica. They are being so secretive still and now I'm probing. I can't help myself, this is so much fun and they are completely enjoying it as well ;-) Everyone, 14 to be exact, said yes!!! I have never felt so special so fast in my life before, and I'm so grateful for these new friends. Sure I miss Atlanta, but not so much and no offense, but if you met these women you'd feel the same way.
They are family. Remember the email that has circulated a few times over the last few years, "Get yourself some girlfriends" ? I've got them! It's the neatest thing I have ever experienced. Sure I have amazing friends back home, but almost all of them is through a degree of seperation. These friends, because we are all in MOMS Club, are connected. We live within 5 miles of each other and see one another at least 2 times a week, so you see why it's easy to get addicted to them ;-) Plus the fact we all have at least one if not two children in the same age group!! To be this close with 14 women, who'd of thunk it tee hee hee....

Now for my girls, and my family for that matter, back in Atlanta, please don't take this any other way, I truely miss you!! You are constantly in my thoughts and we are trying to get an idea when we can afford 4-5 plane tickets, a rental car, and hotel stay in the future!!! So in the meantime please write and send pictures!!