Pics from San Diego!

Hanging out on the Lanai

Sweet girl!

Trying to get that group shot

They so love each other

That tower out there is Sea World and our view for fireworks!

Daddy and Teagie's first walk in the water

Caden making a huge splash

She loved the beach!

Riordan being Riordan

Those purple pillows with lounge chairs is our room ;-)

More Pics!

oh and i forgot

Riordan is moving up to a big boy bed! We ordered it before we left for vaca.. still hasn't shipped yet, so I'm thinking it will be completely here by late next week. His bed is the same as Caden's so he will have it forever I hope!
We kept thinking we would buy bunk beds if we were having a boy and then they could all share a room. Well since we are not ;-) then we can just save the dough and get another full size bed, which is what sold us on this house in the first place. Their room is big enough to have two full size beds with their furniture.
Mattress will be here tomorrow so this will be interesting to keep them all away from it.
His matching guardrail came today and thought it was his bed. He was so super excited!!

A full day already

We are back! It's nice to be home, but sure didn't miss this heat! Man it's HOT!
This morning we went straight to Dr. Sudha for Riordan. He had a fever yesterday in the car, back up a few days and I took him off his antibiotic. I'm pretty sure he's allergic to penicillin. The minute I took him off, all red blotches on his face and around eyes cleared away. Dr. Sudha isn't convinced it was an allergy, but who wants to mess with that ;-) SO anywho, rapid strep test him and it's still positive so now we are starting a new antibiotic once it's filled at aggravating Walgreen's.
Seems their computer went down just in time to bill our insurance but not before they could fill it, so can't transfer it or give it back to me because they say insurance won't cover it. I say unbill me! They say they can't.. how convienent for them. Guess what, not going back there again.. Don't they realize we are a family of almost 6! I'm sure we've been paying someones paycheck LOL. If they had just called me to say don't come back to pick it up, but noooo we stayed at the grocery for an hour so we could pick it up and let me tell you an hour at the store with three children isn't fun.. we barely go for 30 mins these days.
Then they say, don't know when it will be ready, and we can't deliver it to you. Again, see ya! CVS here we come!
It must be incompetent day in Chandler, because at Fry's the employees just get my goose. I'm getting donuts and an employee, older lady mind you!, decides to literally go infront of me into the case I'm in and get her donut, and then has the gall to say "excuse YOU" not "me"!! I told her not to worry, I realized this is her world and we just live in it. And this is when we were having a great and fun day LOL. Oh well. We are home now, lunch has been eating, Teagie is down and the boys aren't far behind.

Oh and a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CATIE!!! We had to miss her party today for it being at nap time for everyone, and I can't handle three on my own at the bounce place. No one would have fun if we had attempted it. After all too, we would have had to back out with Riordan testing positive still with strep.

We had to cancel our playdate with the Camacho's tomorrow as well, since it won't be 24 hrs on meds, thank you Walgreen's.
So hopefully tomorrow night we can go and do something fun with the boys and Teagan.

We had such a great time in San Diego, the hotel pool was amazing. We had a kiddie pool that Riordan and Caden played in for hours the day before yesterday. For two boys who don't want to learn to swim you'd think they could how they played there. Everyone around us assumed they could swim too. No fear and would lay down in the water. Caden is ready to learn again. He kept begging to go in the big pool. Okay, spoiled here, the temp was 81 in the big pool. TOO cold for me when I'm used to 86 temp water ;-) So next week when we go to Atlanta we will become fish for sure.

I have two prayer requests for you guys. I have a very close friend back home who just lost her baby boy at 19 weeks. She knows who she is so if you could just keep her and her family in your prayers for healing and comfort. I can't wait to see you when Caden and I come next week. Love you!
Also, a friend here who's newborn is in the hospital with high fever and still don't know why. I love you guys!!

Last change on name

We finally have come to the end of changes on her name. Spelling is Aislinn, two n's, it just looks a lot better to us ;-) Can't wait to meet you baby girl!

Greetings from San Diego!!

WOW!! What a wonderful, relaxing, yet full of adventure vacation we have had so far!
To start, Riordan can officially be considered potty trained!! Amazing, just a little over a week too! He made it the whole drive out here without a pull up on! He did have a small accident but it was so not his fault. He had to go so badly and it was over 10 miles til the next potty! I am so amazed and proud of him. He has truly just blossomed into such a sweet, intelligent, funny little boy! Still a bit impish, but that's Riordan!
On one of our stops for a side road pee pee break because we didn't want another accident, the back window got popped open but we didn't notice till we where on the highway and it wasn't until 15 miles later at a gas station that we noticed our swimsuit, change of clothes, and medicine bag fell out! I didn't want to go back, Mike insisted, I thought for sure it was it was picked up and he thought it would still be in the road. We were both kinda wrong. Some sweet person did pick it up, but put it to the side of the road on a little post!! We left a note with some money in it's place. Here our amazing favor really began.
We get to the hotel about 7 hours after a long, but not so bad drive (takes a little over 5 normally, but we had a lot of pee pee stops ;-). Little did I know, Mike asked if we could be upgraded. He used to be Diamond, but now Gold with Hilton, so we have a few privlidges still from all his travel from his job back in Atlanta. Now we had reserved a garden view standard room. We are walking to our room and I'm oblivious to what and where we are going. We walk in the room and my vision is instantly looking at the beach right outside our room! We got upgraded to what I had dreamed we could afford, the Lanai Room!!! There are only 11 of these rooms too! We have a porch with two very comfy lounge chairs, and then we walk right through a small patch of grass to the beach! I feel so spoiled and blessed all at the same time!! Wow for Mike for asking for an upgrade! Now I don't think I could ever go to a standard room here, knowing how incredible the Lanai room is LOL.
We hit the beach when we got here, and they all had a blast in the water. Until Caden got a sand flea up his shorts who decided to take a little nibble on his thigh. He was so upset, so we all came inside and be done for the night. Well we did have room service and take a quick walk on the walkway, I'm not sure what you call it, like a boardwalk on the beach, right in front of us, but concrete. Lots of people watching! We have had a bonfire in front of our room as well on the sand every nite we've been here. Oh and the best part is we have a direct view of the fireworks at Sea World!! No need to go back to watch them and man are they loud! We were all in bed already when they began and Mike and I both thought it was the people about us stomping around! LOL We were ready to complain and then I opened the curtains, it was beautiful!
We went to Sea World today and how I had forgotten how overcast it is in the morning on the West Coast with the Marine layer and the smog. It didn't burn off until 10:30, just in time for the Dolphin Show. We saw the sharks, manatees, sea lions get fed (how fun was that!), harbour seals, dolphins, we had a close encounter with the flamingos! they walked right up to the boys wow!, and then lunch with Shamu's friends! Again FAVOR, we literally had the best seat in the house if you ask me. We were right next to the pool and right were the biggest landing for the whales to come up on. The boys sat right next to the glass and were just beside themselves! As were Mike and I. By the way, they have killer mac and cheese there. The food wasn't horrible either ;-) I loved the caesar salad (all buffet) and tortellini.. Yay Terri! Caesar salad LOL.
They have a great play area fo the children. We visited it twice, an amazing boat, net crawl thing that covered over the entire play area, sand area, a toddler pit, this really cool water bed thing and more! I was so impressed and it was a great break from pushing strollers and letting them play. We were there an entire 5 hours then we came back to the hotel for naps. By the way, we got there right when it opened at 9 am, payed an extra 5 bucks for preferred parking (first 6 rows and we were on the 3rd), no one here hardly at 9 so we were able to see so much so fast!
After naps we hit the beach again, lots of sea shell collecting for Caden, Riordan playing in the sand and water, and Teagan just walking, walking, walking, walking, everywhere. Dinner and then we walked further up our path to a rockin' playground for a while. We are now waiting for fireworks to begin about 9:50!
Tomorrow we have NOTHING planned. I don't know if we will make it back to Sea World, we can go again with our tickets before we go home which is in two quick sleeps.
The weather has been heavenly, a huge break from the heat, and we are literally wearing jackets and pants early in the morning and after 6 in the evening. Not a smidge of humidity either ;-) Pics will be uploaded when we get home and find the cord, my never ending search!

Mike's Day

He's out on the other side of town, in Glendale. He decided to cut through a Safeway parking lot to get to an appointment that he was squeezing in. Much to his surprise, he was stopped by a cop and then notices all around him were cops with their guns drawn pointing at the grocery store.
Turns out a guy was robbing the bank inside and had a bomb supposedly. He is still stuck there and has been for over two hours!! They won't let him leave, mostly for the fear of detonating the bomb! Only in our world would this happen! Poor Mikey!
http://www.abc15.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=d724d068-2087-4210-8f1b-c4a2d8fcc3d9

Teagan and more

by the way weighs a WHOOPING 25 lbs and is 32 inches tall! She's solid like the boys, not fluffy like all the girls I know!
Caden is at 41 and Riordan is at 38! Holy SMOKES!
She did amazing for her shots yesterday, didn't cry on the first one and barely cried 5 secs on the second and last one.
Caden was surprised, and then I asked if he thought he could be brave like that if he had to get another one. I was greeted with a shrilling " I don't wanna get a shot!" But of course, who does? But soon we will be getting our flu shots in October! Seemed to work this past winter for us, considering no one got sick at all until last week and it was practically summer!

AND From my newest friend at Hot-Tootsies.com:

We are now offering free shipping in the U.S. on any orders over $75 thru July.

In addition to the free shipping we have some coupon codes as well for all of our family and friends. Upon checkout in the shopping cart simply put "friend" in and receive your 25% off discount.

Another exciting addition (maybe just for myself) is our ability to do custom embroidery of names on the blankets, burp cloths, etc. Just working the kinks out of my new machine but should be up and running soon with information on the website. Everyone loves a personalized gift!

Our website is quite challenging to update in a timely manner so we are hoping to make some changes soon. We hope to simplify the process and make shopping easier. Keep an eye out for a whole new category of coordinating burp cloths and bibs for only $18 a set.

Two more Sleeps!

I can't wait for San Diego! We so need a vacation and a break from the heat!
We leave early Sunday morning for a quick drive, about 5 or so hours to the hotel!
We will just lay low that night and then hit Sea World first thing in the morning on Monday!
We have lunch planned with Shamu that day, so much fun ;-)
All we want to do is beach, pool, a little dinner out, and Sea World. Not going to be a tourist on this visit.
This is our ONLY vacation with the children this year so I just want it to be completely relaxing. Maui is going to be busy I can already tell.
Off to continue on our list of things to bring! I can't wait for Riordan and Teagan to see the Ocean!

We also can't wait to see our friends, Emily, Tyler, and Terri this afternoon to play!!

Shoe fetishes

Yep, Teagan has a big one! Now that she is a walker and walks well in shoes, she has to have a pair on at all times. She's never worn them until she could walk really so it's quite funny. Thing is Riordan has always had one too. Always has a pair on in the house. Caden is like me, loves them, but prefers bare feet at home.
Riordan has really been amazing! After his fever broke Monday, he took off his diaper and continued on with potty training! We've gone out twiced too and come back dry as a bone. Wow this is turning out a lot easier than I thought now that he doesn't mind nudity at home ;-)
Caden is beside himself with excitement for Shamu and is continuously counting down the sleeps till we leave.
Packing shouldn't be too bad. Beachwear and Shamu wear ;-)
Mike has had a busy week, a late one last night, and hopefully no more of that the rest of the week! We have been laying low besides our trip to the grocery store yesterday and Target today. Teagan has her well check tomorrow, and we have a playdate with the Anasagasti's Friday! Can't wait to see them!
That's it for us, taking it easy, cause it's going to be an outrageously busy July.

Nothing like a guilt trip ;-)

I got him to take it... I cried saying how sad I was he wouldn't take his medicine, so he took it! LOL
Usually reverse psychology works perfect on him, but this required dramatics and thank God he took it all.
He is so hot with fever! It just breaks my heart. I hate 'tricking' him but you gotta do what you gotta do and I think you all know that given the circumstances you probably would have done the same knowing that he doesn't like to see his mommy cry ;-)

Riordan

Has strep. It has hit him the hardest. I can't get him to take his meds either :( We went in early this morning and on Motrin he had 101 temp.. He is on fire now and laying in our bed with his back to "Cars"
He was a cuddle bug last night with me, and woke up at 4:30 am throwing up. He gets both symptoms of his siblings!
So say a little prayer that he will let me get this first round in so he can start feeling like my cute little boy!
Needless to say potty training is put on hold ... of course!!

Terri Clark - Dirty Girl

This is Mike and I's good friend Adam! Way to go Adam!! Although, I'm not sure about seeing sexy images of him! He's like a brother!!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to Mikey!! The children and I made him his gift yesterday and Caden can't keep a secret (don't know where he gets it) so once daddy got home from his spa day, he got it. It's all the childrens handprints on one piece of paper with a cute poem. Then we gave him all his cards too! Caden is just too cute.
Today the boys are a broken record saying over and over "Happy Father's Day!"
I went out and got Mike a coffee and muffin before church and now he's planted in front of the TV where he should be. He got up early with Teagan, I just couldn't make my body move this morning! Our friends, the Walshes, were to come over this afternoon, but little Ava has a fever bless her heart so they are going to lay low. We will definitely get a new date on the calendar soon my friend and no worries ;-) If I had a buck for everytime we've had to cancel I would have a nice pair of new Coach sandals tee hee hee!!
SO more tv in store for Mike, maybe a swim at our neighbors and I think I will make some pork chops and brown rice with salad. Going to search for a new recipe to try out on us. Epicurious.com here I come!

AND HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO MY DADDY AND MIKE'S DAD!!!
Boy do I miss my dad and I can't wait for July 4th to see him! It can't come any quicker!!

And of course Happy Father's Day to all the great Dad's out there, hope you are all having a day that you deserve and are enjoying.



DInner last night was great. It was actually at the Ocean Club, not "the" Mastro's. They don't have bone in filets there, so I sufffered through a regular filet ;-) I love great service and our server was outstanding. He is from Boston, Newton, of all places, lived in Maui for 12 years and just a great guy. He gave us things to do while we were in Maui in AUGUST :-) Just 12 mores days to go till the contest is over for Maui and we are 14th! So back to dinner... It's located in Keirland Shopping Center which I hadn't been to yet and wasn't all that impressed because of the crazy drivers not caring about pedistrians. It's not a place I will bringing the kids anytime soon for that reason only. I had shrimp, ahi tuna, crab legs, steak, taters, and asparagus! Chocolate cake for dessert. Okay I'm a huge food critic. I only liked my seafood, which was absolutely outstanding, hence the name Ocean Club. The steak tasted freezer burned to me! I'm sure it's whatever they use to marinate, because today that taste was completely gone. The taters were 'loaded' and mashed and really not good and the hollandaise for the asparagus was quite bland. The cake, average at best. And many of you know this, I'm very picky when it comes to mint and it was sitting in a sauce of mint. Yucko for me, totally ruined it. I should have gotten the warm butter cake they highly recommended! LOL
BUT it was a great night, with great company ;-), and again service can always make a bad meal good.
They own City Hall which is were we went last year, and that was phenomal food.
Riordan is doing a great job going potty! He is so cute! He doesn't fight being naked anymore and has had 2 accidents in three days. I pray that at the end of this in 6 weeks, he will be a pro! It will be a nice break to have just one in diapers until October!!
Teagan is a walker for sure now. This week was true test of shoes and her learning to walk around. Now all she wants to do is walk and today she officially moved up in to the walkers class at church. Her ladies in the nursery were broken hearted to see her go, but rest assured they will have yet another Malloy to snuggle on soon.
Caden is Caden. Just full of boundless energy. He lastest is constantly asking me how to spell something. It's gotten a bit tiring though. He's not writing it down, just wants to know! Pretty cute though. He's gotten a lot of freckles lately which we have lost track of naming because there are so many. He is feeling a lot better (as Teagan) and his cough is sounding a lot better as well.
I FINALLY feel normal! No headaches well hardly, no spit cup, no dehydration, I feel almost 100% as I can being pregnant!! It's nice to feel this way. Of course now I'm starting to be limited in mobility, so it helps to feel better so it's not quite as frustrating. I'm just so excited to be rid of that darn cup. Still an issue but most of the time I don't feel ill from it...
Okay well Mike is in the kitchen and he won't get out, cleaning, I really want to give him a day, so I'm going to go kick him out!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY AGAIN!

Today

I've been married 5 years...
I've been Married FIVE YEARS LOL
AND I have almost 4 children!!

Happy Anniversary Mikey!! Love you!!

The Diagnosis is!

Strep! For both of them!
Caden got sick in the middle of the night again, and just bile again. Sure sign of strep for him, he never gets a fever with it.
Teagan still has a fever so I 'pushed' my way in to our wonderful doctor's office this morning. I loaded the zoo up at 7:45 and kept calling as I drove there and they saw us at 8:30!
Caden has been wheezing a little and had junk in his chest since we had our first dust storm over a week ago. So she also put him on Orapred for his chest and doing treatments for the next couple of days. So both of them have already started their antibiotics!
We are still going to go to VBS tonite for our last night. It's the performance and all the children get VBS 'bucks' to use in the VBS store and Caden has been looking forward to it all week! He has already exposed anyone to this and tonite they won't be touching like they have all week with picking on each other and playing games. Just sit in their respective chair, go up on stage, and come back down! ;-) If he had tuberculosis then of course we wouldn't expose anyone, but strep is on rampage here as it is and he is being treated... I wouldn't send him off by himself so since I'm with him I can keep an eye on him...
Tomorrow Mike has a spa morning at Dolce for Father's day!
I actually got out yesterday and got a pedicure and then I hit the mall for lunch and some anniversary gifts for Mike which I of course gave to him right when I got home! We are bad like that we just can't wait ;-) He got some nice shirts and shorts from Tommy Bahama and I bought him the Platinum Chanel cologne. I haven't let him wear it literally since I was first pregnant with Caden. I was in the process of finding him one right before I got pregnant with Aislin! It smells so great and very sophisticated!! I'm just so hypersenstive to pretty much everything, but I know he's been wanting to wear cologne for a long time now... I really can tolerate it!
I'm so exhausted. I can't wait for naptime! Only 1 1/2 hours to go!

Uh Oh

Teagan has hit 103, keeping close eye on her, alternating tylenol and motrin, but it's really not bringing it down.. pretty sure we are going in tomorrow.. thinking ear infection.. slight runny nose, and her skin is just so inflamed my poor baby girl and boy am i getting a lot of cuddle time with her..
Caden and I made it to VBS tonite and after being there for an hour he got violently ill. It was so forceful that he had little blood spots for the pressure of it all. Medic said what I thought, to not worry since it was so little and was so forceful, only if it happened again to go to ER, plus I did this with Aislin so quite experienced with the appearance and technique of vomiting LOL Such the pro at it ;-) Hasn't gotten sick again though and was able to eat toast and drink Gatorade.
Riordan, no sign of anything and still going potty in the potty!
Keep our babies in your prayers. I pray for a rest filled night for them all.

Fever hits us

I had my OB appt this morning and it went great! I had such a nice talk with my doctor and we are doing an u/s next appt to see what Aislin is weighing in at and to good a better picture of her heart. This entire pregnancy up to 20 weeks I had only gained 4 pounds! This is just like all my others but a little on the extreme side. However these past four weeks are exactly like my others at this point. I have gained another 7 pounds ;-) I have definitely gotten my appetite back and there isn't a food anymore that I'm turned off to. So 11 pounds at 24 weeks now. Still not bad, considering I never get a second to really sit down to eat. I mentioned it to my doc and she laughed and said she wasn't concerned at all, not that I was, but I know they have a reputation for wanting you to chart your food ;-) if they think you are gaining too much.
So I get home about 9 and Teagan had just woken up. Her body was on fire. 102.1 temp. And all she wants to do is cuddle. I have a moment to post, because she is eating the rest of my biscuit from Chick Fila. I'm so sad because we won't get to have our playdate with the Anasagasti's today. She's really really needy in fact she's crying right now so I must go. I hope it's just a virus. The flu is starting to go around here this week. Lost one of my VBS children to it last night and a mom of one of my kids has it too.
Third day of potty training going great for Riordan! He's in pants right now, he really doesn't like to be without them so I'm hoping he will still know when to go...

Hump day~ tee hee hee

I love that term for Wednesday! So surely does it fit too!
This morning we went to our friend's the St. Geme's and played in the sprinklers and did slip and slide. So much fun and just really enjoy spending time with them! John has an amazing collection of "Cars". I think we are going to have to get Mac, because it was a hit and such a neat toy!
I'm on my second day of real REAL potty training with Riordan and it's going really well! I'm doing the naked technique I did with Caden. Riordan would prefer to be clothed but we have accidents and pull ups make him think he still has a diaper on and I don't have time nor the patience to ask him every minute if he needs to go. He just came to get me to tell me he needed to go and we got both! His rewards are stickers for pee pee and gum or lollipop for eww. I'm hoping after of week of consistancy with this we can venture out without a pull-up!
Two more days of VBS and then we have our performance on Friday. I think we have to go on stage? This will be interesting. One of the songs they just introduced is a bit too complicated for us I think, so we have the back up of "jump for jesus" which is Caden's favorite anyway from Sunday School.
I have my OB appt tomorrow morning, and then we have a playdate with the Anasagasti's tomorrow afternoon! Saturday Mike is getting a spa day for Father's Day again at Dolce, then we go to the St. Geme's to see a friends art show that I missed when I was ill. AND then that night, being it's our FIVE YEAR wedding anniversary ( I still can't believe it) we are going to Maestro's. We had reservations around Valentine's Day but I just couldn't fathom eating a steak. I can't wait to eat one now! And maybe some crab legs! Yee Haw I can't wait to eat some yummy food! Mike's gift was Keith Urban concert, he had really wanted to go and I kept saying no. But I got him tickets as you know anyway!
Sunday we have our friend's the Walshes coming over and Kelly and I are feeding the boys Patsy Grimaldi's pizza for Father's Day. Just perfect. We can't wait to spend time with them and play with Ava.
I can barely keep my eyes open. The children are watching "Over the Hedge". About to put them all down for a nice afternoon nap so I can rest as well! My phone returns are backing up so forgive me if I haven't called you back. This has been a rough week energy wise.

24 hours!

It's been that long since I used my cup! Now I'm not saying the issue is gone, however, I can ingest it and it isn't making me ill.
I first tried Friday night for the concert, but after 40 mins I couldn't take it anymore. Then Sunday night, it was too hectic with VBS and I was free of it for about 2 hours and then used it again.
Yesterday morning I woke up and after an hour stopped using it and haven't gone back!
Let me tell you I feel SO FREE!! Now I don't have to worry about dehydration as much, the back of my throat isn't constantly parched and painful dry, and my hands are free free free!

Teagan is having a rough morning.She's been up all of an hour and I put her back down and she didn't fight me.. once she is up again, we will all four 1/2 be going to the grocery store.. we are out of milk and everything else for that matter... an easy day todayl Then VBS tonite again.. is it Friday yet? ;-)

IT'S A....

GIRL FOR AUNT AMY AND UNCLE JOHN!!!

We are so excited for them and oh what fun this is going to be! I guess for sure now all the boys clothes that I had will have to wait until the next time for them ;-)
Now let the name game begin, as if it already hasn't since they got married~ tee hee hee.. those Malloy boys know how to drive us nutzo on that!

I need toothpicks!

I can barely keep my eyes open! Mike let me sleep in till after 8 this morning and I could sleep longer!
Last night was the first night of VBS and for someone who has barely moved at all during this pregnancy, it has kicked her behind. In two hours I moved 7 Pre-K children to 4 different locations. Lots of standing, lots of chasing down, LOTS LOTS of wanting to pull my hair out. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better night with obeying, but all in all it was fun and the children really had a great time. I have till Friday for this, Friday being a performance though. The children are so smart and amazing and have picked up on their song with motions so fast already!! They are going to be awesome!
Yesterday before I went, this may have something to do with my exhaustion, is I went looking for something special to have them wear so I could tell them apart from other groups. Then I hit Old Navy, didnt find anything I really wanted... Came home, quick shower and off I went early to help out with whatever I could and that was entering new registrations in the computer.
Saturday night, I took Riordan and Teagan to the mall and we were there almost a full 3 hours minus 15 mins! We had an early dinner at the Wildflower Cafe', then we just strolled literally around the mall. By the time we were done shopping I took them to play upstairs. I have to say, they were a slice of pie of be with! I realize now that because Caden can voice his concerns/thoughts/wants, that he is really the 'trouble maker'! The only issue I had was near the end and Teagan wanting to leave the play area, laugh at me having to chase her, and then the moment I put her down, her going for the exit again. So we promptly left after that. Took a stop at the puppy store and Riordan was in love with them all.
Driving home I decided to stop at this little place called Chick Fila ;-) and while sitting in drive-thru I noticed my ID and Debit card were not in my wallet. I racked my brain and remembered that I was at Nordstrom Cafe' last and that's where I left it. I called them and was told that Customer Service already had them safe and sound! So I waited until Sunday after church to go get them. SO back to the mall we went. Hit Friday's first for lunch and then to the mall for a stroll, got my licensce, and then hit the play area.. it really all makes sense now why I am so flippin tired. I never stopped moving till 9:30 last night.
Oh and did anyone catch the series finale of the Soprano's? Hated it.... could have done without the last one... I know their point was for us to think what would happen next, but after all the show has done, that was a cop out.

Keith Urban

What a great concert! He is such an amazing performer and so gifted!! He played every imaginable instrument!! A simple concert in the grand scheme of things, but so perfect it didnt matter. At one point the whole drum team for ASU was on stage and it sent chill bumps up and down my arms. We left at encore, just couldn't imagine what he had left to sing! He was very candid about his sobriety and he is so humble and thankful for his life.
The Wrecker's opened up for him and what a SNORE!!! I'm so disappointed in Michelle Branch. I once was a huge fan of hers when it was just her performing way back when she started. Now it seems she is trying to be someone she's not or maybe when she started she was? And all of a sudden she has a very syrupy redneck accent that I have never heard during interviews with Leno. Is it possible to call someone a sell out because modern country is so popular and she is trying to make it anyway she can? I seriously could have fallen asleep and/or have gone home when they were performing.
Oh and pretty neat is we sat near Jordin Sparks, winner of American Idol. Quite a line formed to get pictures and autographs with her and she was very sweet and accomodated a lot of fans. After about a good 40 mins of doing this, she finally moved to the middle of her group from the aisle seat. She looks completely different to me in person.. Must be all that makeup ;-) But she she was beautiful still as it was without all the glamour.
We got home at midnight last night and I didn't fall asleep until after 1 am. Caden was up when we got home and was a bit wheezy. We had a mighty dust storm here on Wednesday, he's allergies started up on Thursday from it and so last night he was in a bit of pain. Two shots of his albuterol teddy bear chamber and he was ready to go back to bed.
Mike and the boys are off to birthday party. There is no way I can do it. I'm so exhausted and a bit cranky and hungry. Teagan woke up really early today too, so she's down for a morning nap. When she gets up I think we may go have lunch together. I can't wait till we can go get pedicures together! Still trying to figure out what to do with R and T tonite. Shopping? ;-) or swimming at our neighbors again who wonderfully are letting us use there pool while they are out of town again!

A fun day

Today we met our friends Jami, Liz, and Gina from MOPS at Way to Play Cafe'. Got there early and we were the first ones there!
The boys and Teagan played hard and for THREE hours! Caden is still asleep and naps were at about 12:30 pm. They all played so nicely. It did get swamped, but it seemed to thin out fast. Next week we are going to try and meet up at the Mesa Art Museum. We haven't been there since we went with the Marshes before Teagan was born? Or did I have her? I can't remember LOL. It's been that long though!
Tonite I have a movie date with my friend Kristi. We are going to go see Mr. Brooks. I can't wait to see it, I love movies that make me think. Especially since I've been feeling so not challenged lately!
Tomorrow we go to the Hamilton's for a playdate in the morning and then Mike and I are off to Keith Urban. He will just have to wave hello to Sox :( Oh and Tracy I promise the tickets are being forwarded.. I keep telling Mike to send them or just forward them to me ;-) We haven't forgotten!! I'm so glad you get to go!
Caden is super excited to go Saturday's events, birthday party and the Sox game. I think I'm going to stay back with Teagan Saturday morning for Andrew's birthday party. I just can't do the heat and it's an outdoor party... With water stations, but that won't cool this whale of a body down tee hee hee.

Forgetfulness

Yeah, it's just bad.
I forgot that Saturday we actually DID do something and that was have breakfast at the Chandler Airport with the zoo and then went to Walmart for necessities and Caden had a huge meltdown there. He's been on meltdown after the other this week and cant figure out for the life of me why. We took just about every single priviledge away on Saturday and it we still heard whining, crying, complaining, irrational behavior. **sigh** It seems to be getting better today so far...finally
AND our playdate with the Anasagasti's isn't until next Thursday! I guess I just can't wait to see them!
I had to cancel our pd with the Lown's today... a horrible pregnancy issue that I just can't go into details with, but let's just say it's brutal. So, I'm hoping I can still do our pd tomorrow... waiting on a prescription and hoping I will be back to my somewhat regular self. I'm tired of having a constant issue.
Oh but good news! My friend Kathleen, so sweet had bought me every flavor of Vit A water and I have slowly been trying each one. Like Fruit Punch, but holy smokes I had the lemonade last night and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It doens't have the feel of water at all, it's quenching, and doesn't aggravate my heartburn/deterioted esphogahus. I need a new one of those by time this is over.
So I'm off to make lunch for the zoo. I got A LOT of laundry done yesterday!!! Made a huge dent in it. I haven't been able to do laundry at all, smell reason... just so hypersensitive, but someone keeps ruining my wonderful new maternity clothes and we can't afford to replace them ;-) I was looking so cute there for about a week, now I'm back to the old yucky bulky clothes... *sigh*

Teagan

she started walking on the hardwoods yesterday! up and down the hallway she went! and was cracking herself up ;-)
she still crawls for the majority of the time, but that was her ultimate barrier, once she ran out of carpet she'd hit the floor..

Ahhhhh

What a great weekend! I'm still a little tired but it was so great!
Friday night we met the Tripp's for an impromptu dinner at Hon Machi..party of 12 anyone?! LOL Okay 11 1/2 but it was a funny site! All the children did super because they were so involved with the chef who really outdid himself. He did fire for them at least 10 times!
Saturday we just lounged at home and did nothing! That night I had a girls night at Macayo's to celebrate two friend's birthday's. We started at 8 and I was sure I wouldn't make it to 10, being that my body revolts, but time flew by and it was 11:30! Holy smokes! I had to get out of there so I could wake up for church the next morning! LOL
So I made it home by 12 am and was feeling pretty rotten. The rest of the girls went to some bar, rode a bull and got home at 2:45!! Oh how I just don't miss that at this moment ;-) It was a great time, full of laughter and tears, the girls really liked their gifts, and it was nice to just be out.
Sunday I got up but was soooo tired and made it to church.. and then the rest of the day, we just lounged! I did go to Target by myself. Mike is out of town today and back tomorrow night. New Mexico. We have Logan coming over for a playdate today so his mom can sleep, eat, run errands, or whatever her heart desires. And then Flora! comes at 1:30 to clean the house! Yippeee! I really wished I could have her every week. Having the surface clean helps me get the deep down clutter that's in closets and drawers.
Tomorrow we have a playdate with our friend's the Lown's, Wednesday still waiting to hear back from our friend's the Randall's, Thursday we have the Anasagasti's in the afternoon, and Friday the Hamilton's... and their BIG WATER SLIDE! Woo hoo!
Friday night Mike and I have a date to Keith Urban and the Sox are in town. So he's taking Caden for a guys night on Saturday and going early to see if they can snag a few autograph's. Saturday morning with have Andrew German's birthday party who is turning 4!! They will have a bounce house and tons of water play outside at their house. I dont know how I'm going to make it since I don't do the outdoors if I'm not in a pool these days. I severly dehydrate since I have all odds against me as it is. Sunday night starts VBS for Caden and it runs until Friday which is a performance! I can't wait to see what they will be doing, but I do get a good sneak peek since I'm his Small Group Leader which means I will be taking them to each activity every night and primarily responsible for getting them back to their parents.
SO it's a busy week when I sit and look at it, but it will be a fun fast one spending good quality time with our friends!

I can't believe it's Friday!

How fast this week has flown by and we didn't do much of anything!
We were supposed to go swimming at friend's houses on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday we cancelled because Riordan and Teagan need their own adult. Wednesday, just as we were getting ready, Teagan just all of a sudden threw up all over her and I. It was pretty sour and it happened for no reason so I didn't want to chance us being outside in the heat in a pool.
So we spend those two days just hanging around the house. Wednesday I cleaned out the pantry! What a huge accomplishment that was and I told those who disorganize it will not be allowed to eat from there ever again. Well I was on a roll, so I hit the playroom which was in awful shape. My friend Terri would be proud. I pulled out my label maker and redid the drawers with labels (someone pulled them off) and reorganized, wiped down and threw out miss match toys! It looks great!! We still have too many toys!
Yesterday I got my hair done! It had been over 15 weeks and let me tell you I was looking bad ;-) I'm so happy with the results!!
It was a relaxing day for me yesterday. When I got home it was time for the kiddos to take naps. Mike was home before they woke up and then I had my book club meeting last night, back at the mall at Wildflower Cafe'.
I haven't been able to make one, so this was great to get out and a test to how I do staying out past 8 pm. We had such a great time, my girls from my MOPS "Pink" table. Four of the seven of us are pregnant! And guess what, so far three of us are having girls! How funny is that! Jami and Liz are due in about 2 weeks, then me, and Gina is 9 weeks along due New Years Eve. We won't be surprised if it's a girl! I haven't laughed so long like that and had such intimate conversations in awhile. It was great to learn about these women and what makes them tick and likewise.
I was feeling pretty ill by the time I got home which was about 10 pm.
Today we have a playdate with the St. Geme's at Chick Fil A at 9 am, which I need to get ready for. 9 am there is so perfect. There is hardly anyone there and I can keep a good eye on the boys and actually talk. Not doing anything tonite and tomorrow night I have a joint birthday party for some friends at Macayo's. Sunday hopefully we are doing family dinner with Amy and John!
I hate how far away they are moving in July, but I'm so thrilled for them at the same time!
Okay I'm off, Caden is already ready and wearing his new hat that daddy got him Monday at the mall. A Red Sox hat. Riordan got a Braves hat. My children have large noggins!! I always feel bad for those who give them hats for gifts because they are always way too small. The boys are in ADULT SMALLS!! FOUR AND TWO! They have the exact same size heads... Teagan is already in 2-3T's for hats. Anyway, they look absolutely adorable and love wearing them! I'm thinking because they don't hurt because they fit ;-) They like to be just like their daddy!

Closets

Funny how I'm on a closet kick already. I just finished moving out all of Riordan's 2t's and moved in the 3t's. It's been over due for about a month now. It's been fun and sad to move over the clothes! Hormones I know. I'm so glad to know that they will be going to a good home, Mr. Ryan Tripp ;-) Lots of shoes again too. And it's so great to see the clothes we adored on Caden now being worn by Riordan.
Caden however, moving out of 4t shirts, but not pants. He's so darn skinny. I have literally no 5t shirts for him though, so until I can get shopping he will be in 4t's for a few more weeks. We did pick up some pretty darn cute 5t pj's for him tonite.
It's so odd that I actually have to do clothes shopping for him! We've been really fortunate with hand me downs and I always bought a little here and there on sale.
I have just a few more details in the closet and then it's done and I can move on to the pantry. Not looking forward to that. Everytime I clean it out and reorganize it, I say it's for the last time because things get thrown back in there whereever anyone wants to put it.... So who knows, maybe this will be the last time, because I think I will officially go on strike.

By the way..

Mike changed the pronounciation of Aislin.
It is now ays-lin, not ash-lin.
I personally was of fan of ays-lin, so was again shocked when he wanted to change it!
Keeps it different still, even though I liked the southern ring to it.
Taking the boys some time, Caden doesn't want it to change! LOL

What a weekend!

We had a long one, and busy one!
Friday night we hit our neighbor's pool, they are out of town in Mexico!. Saturday Mike played his golf game with Jeff and didnt get home till 2 pm. We made it to the Tripp's home at 4 and had such a great time. The children play together so wonderful and Lauren bonded with Aislin for a bit, falling asleep on my growing belly. We made it home at 8 pm and crawled into bed.
Sunday we made it to church, then to Chili's, back home for a nap, and then to Uncle John and Aunt Amy's pool were we swam a lot! It was so nice! Riordan decided he could swim and dove into the pool of the steps where he and I were sitting. You have never seen a pregnant girl move so fast! Thank God he didn't inhale the water and he really wasn't frightened. But he didn't try it again! Caden tried to get braver with swimming but it's going to be a while before he trusts himself in the water again after last years swimming lessons. Teagan has absolutely no fear and I had to grab her a few times as well. Neither her or Riordan like to wear life gear, and scream if you attempt it, so we just never leave their sides. Riordan will use his duck float and has really gotten good and kicking himself around the pool.
Monday I wanted to go to Scottsdale fashion square for clothes for me. They have a babystyle and Pea in the Pod. All of us went up and we got there before the mall opened. We had a great time! I got a few shirts at Babystyle, but I was looking for cute resort sundresses for Hawaii and never found any in a decent price range.
Riordan has developed a funky rash that began on his ankle and is creeping it's way up his leg. He did this last year, but it started on his arm. I have been putting topical Benadryl on it, because he definitely scratches at it. We were supposed to go to the German's for a pool and bbq, but since I'm not sure if he's contagious (so far it's 6 days and Caden or Teagan don't have it) I didn't want to risk it. I'm feeling pretty confident it's more viral at this point than anything, which is what it was last year.
I cooked a meal for my friend Tracy Jaffie who just had her baby last week. I was in the kitchen 3 hours!! Holy smokes I haven't done that in ages!! When I went to deliver the meal, Mike took the children swimming to the neighbors. Well Teagan almost drowned 3 times, too much for one adult, and came home immediately. When I got back I took Caden over, just the two of us, to practice swimming and we had a great bonding time.
Teagan is STILL NOT WALKING!! She has really gotten her gorilla scoot down and sees no reason to walk. We give up ;-)
So today I was supposed to go to my friend Mindy's home to swim. After last night and Mike, he really didn't want me to risk it and if he was over his head, which he's so laid back about everything, then I know it would be a rough time for us.
I hardly slept last night, maybe two hours and I was ill again. *sigh* It just isn't going away....

Teagan and Sully in a cuddle

She loves her doggy! And her doggy loves her!

Precious Princessa

Riordan smiling like Teagie

First time ever, she fell asleep in her chair

Summer buzz cut for Caden, with a spike up front

Riordan too! Mike wanted a mohawk for him but I just couldn't do it! LOL

Pictures of last day

Caden so excited!!

Caden and Natalie, "touch your nose"

I'm a little teapot

Receiving his diploma, with Ms Tracy and Ms Angela

Caden showing Riordan his calendar
More Pics here!

Caden's last day of school!

What a fun day! Mike made it just in time as I nervously waited for him ;-) It was a wonderfully packed house and we all couldn't wait to see what our children had achieved for the year! They sang so many fun songs and really were so adorable.
The special treat was each one reading a book to the audience. It was so amazing that they all spoke so eloquently and really had worked hard on remembering and learning each page.
Caden read Play Time. Just so adorable! I, of course, shed a couple of tears.
Ms. Tracy, Ms. Angela, and Ms. Barbara really went all out and gave each of the students a new LLBean backpack with their name monogrammed on it! And then because of Terri's wonderful idea, they each got a school case with fun stuff like playdough, stamps, crayons, and such in it from us moms. We had a light lunch out back and then sadly made our way home. It has been a great 2 years with ABC Academy! Caden has learned so much!! He can read/recognize a lot of words and can write any word/sentence out that we help him with.
He is pretty excited about going to his new school in July with his friend Caden Messner. Kristi and I were talking that we would have to have them use their middle initial, because Caden M. on paper wasn't going to work LOL or maybe just teach them how to write their full last name.. Summer to do list ;-)

Seriously!!

So yesterday was an interesting day for me ...
I had to call my OB for some advice. Since the night before, about every hour I would have a contraction. Not painful, but it last a good 30-45 seconds. This went on all day yesterday. I would try and take it easy, but I noticed it more. I drank as much gatorade as I could but it made no difference.
I called them and asked if I should be concerned. It never progressed to more than what it was, but it was definitely getting my attention and made me doubt what was going on. I did this with Teagan too, but not this early.
They immediately called me back and instructed me to go to the hospital to be monitored to rule out preterm labor. Mike came home and I drove by myself. It was quite an interesting feeling going alone. I don't mind doing things alone, I have all my life, but when it came down to my health and the baby's I was completely in their hands...
I was there for nearly 3 hours being monitored... I had one more contraction, but it hardly registered on the machine. As they were letting me go the nurse said, by the way you are pretty dehydrated. Duh! I know this, because of my spittoon and I can't drink water STILL. I try every week and it's a nightmare. I told her my complete history with my pregnancy and she said that my office should be doing more for me. WOW, complete validation finally. There really isn't much I can do at this point but try and drink as much fluids as possible. My doctor's instructions were "to take it easy" LOL She knows I have three youngin's so she did add, "as much as possible, considering my life"
So that's what I've been doing.. taking it easy. Although we went to Chick Fila for breakfast and for the boys to play, then to Basha's for grocery's, boy was our cupboard bare, and then hit our lovely newest Starbucks drive thru. I sit on the couch as much as possible. Again so thankful for my house being spotlessly clean.
I just put all the children down, they were exhausted and now I will either read a book, or nap. I feel exhausted as well, but napping during the day really wrecks my sleeping at night lately.
We didn't get to go swimming with our friends from church today. They forgot they had swim lessons ;-) I forgot things all the time and she and I are completely on the same page. No apologies necessary. I had scheduled a cookout with our friends the Walshes, but on Mike and I's 5 year anniversary. OOPS! Story of my life...

What a difference!

We had new housekeepers come yesterday!!! It has been (this is disgusting) 14 weeks since the hardwoods had a good mopping. I couldn't do it for reason known and Mike's back kills him to do it. It hasn't had a deep clean since I did it when we moved in last year.
So Flora and her team literally made our house sparkle!! 3 hours of every nook and cranny treated. They clean just like I do! I kept looking for a missed spot but here wasn't one! The baseboards, the shutters, the ceiling fans, the top of the doors, the cabinets, EVERYTHING is clean!! I have finally found reasonable hardworking cleaners and they were super sweet and loved talking with the children!
It is so nice to look around and not have to do anything but keep up now. I had an itch yesterday to clean out closets, but that has passed today. Feeling a bit queasy today, but it comes and goes.
Caden has two more days of school! Then off to a relaxing summer!
Tomorrow we are to go to friend's of ours from church and swim at their house. Friday we have a playdate with Kathleen and the boys. Saturday Mike and Jeff are playing their round of golf Marcie and I gave them for Christmas and then that afternoon we will swim at their house. Sunday most likely we will swim at Uncle John and Aunt Amy's house! I wish we had the money for a pool but the investment wouldn't be wise right now with the market and the money we have already put in the house. I keep thinking if we waited another year to buy, wow what a house and yard we could have today for what we spent last year!! But everything happens for a reason. We like our house a lot. We are thinking in 2 years to upgrade, well we will have to with 4 children LOL. Just not enough room in the girls room for two dressers and two beds!!
Off to get everyone ready to load up in the car for school...

It's done

Her name... could someone please return my husband.. it's nice not arguing, but holy cow we are done!
Aislin Elizabeth is her name!
My middle name. Had wanted it for Teagan but he doesn't like to name after us, and I had brought it up for Aislin but got a big no. Well last night I simply say, I really can't come up with anything and Elizabeth sounds so nice.
He says I think it sounds good too and that's her middle name... Wow, were done.. wow

Okay Okay!

I will tell you! Her name is Aislin (ashlyn)!! It was a name we looked at with Teagan, but liked Teagan more at the time for her. Aislin means "vision or dream" I always knew that I wanted four children, so it fits. The boys already have adapted to the name as well as Mike and I. It just worked out so fast this time!! Still playing with a middle name but I'm not even concerned. It will happen.
Mike has been at a conference all week up in N. Phoenix, a good 45 mins away without traffic. He stayed the night there last night, so Caden was very upset he didn't get to see his daddy. I'm not sure when Mike will be home today.
This weekend is going to be busy! We made a decision not to do Caden's last t-ball game of the season. It's at 11 am and for those back home, it's flippin' hot out now. My car registered 106 driving around at 3. I have a baby shower at 1 pm and then we are headed to the Messner's for dinner!! So excited to spend some QT with them and we will get in our first pool time of the year. It will be Teagan's first time and I bet all the water will be outside of the pool because she loves loves to splash.
Sunday church, and then that afternoon we are having our friends, the Harjo's, over for dinner. I have had to cancel twice on them and I have felt so bad. They have been so understanding though!!
Oh and great big news, my friend Tracy had her baby yesterday!! Ethan Michael, born at 5:17 pm on 5/17!! Isn't that so neat!! I can't wait to meet him! A boyfriend for Aislin?? ;-) Both mom and baby are doing really great.
Today I'm off to run a million errands without the zoo. Kate is coming to keep them for a couple of hours. I'm looking forward to picking up an Iced Carmel Latte!

Here she is!

The Malloy nose, so cute and notice her hand up in the top

Love this head and spine picture, see how she's facing down and curled up

Thompson feet without a doubt, boats

Proof she's a girl, just like her sister and brother's, she leaves nothing to the imagination ~ tee hee hee

History in the making

For the first time Mike and I have agreed on a name and in record time! Took all of 48 hours, and we have hardly seen each other or talked in it so this is really quick!
I had a friend send me a list of a cajillion names yesterday, all ending in 'n' and all cultures. It was a lot of hard work and was so fun to go through them. I thought about posting them, but I don't think they would all fit on one page, it was that many!
The name Mike and I have agreed on is on her list as well ;-)
I went to Way 2 Play Cafe, a indoor place for children and a cafe for moms and dads, plus wireless connection ;-), yesterday and met our good friends Kathleen, John, and baby Mark there. We haven't been yet and it was pretty fun. Boy did it get packed and fast though! I think once the newness wears off it's going to be great to pop into every once and awhile.
Now before we had left Mike and I discussed this name and he was like "I really like it, it's on my list" NEVER has he ever said that to me. So while we were at the Cafe I had Teagan in the ball pit and this little girl probably no more than two came over to play as well. She was so cute and sweet. Well her mom starts calling her name. IT'S the name we had been discussing!! (I didn't tell you this Kathleen) I immediately took it as a sign instead of normally being like "awe man!"
Because I know regardless of how it's pronounced we would have a confusing spelling LOL.
And now that he's agreed so quickly, I'm like, uh do I really want this name for her??? I'm so used to the battle and calling the child by the name picked and then him warming up 2 months later ;-) We are really at a disadvantage though because there are very very few 'n' ending Irish names and most of them I really don't like. Those I do like are already taken by close friends and family members.
I'm not sure I want to share the name yet ;-) We even are pretty close on a middle name and I find myself just looking at Mike "who are you and where is my husband" He agreed on it as well, and I said that I'm not so sure anymore!! So funny!

Never doubt your 4 year old :-)

WOW what a fun day!! We are having a girl! LMAO It is so great, shocking, but not one bit disappointed (I was when I thought Caden was a girl). We are both just super excited and now we are definitely going bankrupt!! LOL
The princess looks absolutely perfect, beautiful. Our tech thought she heard us say we didn't want to know what we were having! So we do all the important things, look at her head, yep two hemisphere’s equally proportioned, her heart have four function chambers, so beautiful, her kidneys and bladder working perfectly, no cleft lip, perfect neck, spine shot just absolutely beautiful (my second fav shot), the arms, two hands, two legs, and two Thompson feet!! She's got boats! She has THE Malloy nose, so cute.
I will upload the pics when I get my Mac back up and running.
So our tech made a quick sweep over her money spot but kept going, but we knew it was a girl, Mike said it out loud and I just kept watching. She goes "Okay, well will see you in about 4 weeks, I couldn't get a good look at her heart, nothing's wrong, but in her position I couldn't get a clear view" She told us to have a good day and Mike goes "Wait, what are we having?"
"I can't tell you that!"
"Why not?" I say. She starts to laugh and said, "I thought you didn't want to know, hold on, I know but I will show you."
She goes right to the shot, waits 5 seconds and then we both say, that is so a girl!! I was laughing so hard!!! Two weddings, hello national debt!
So when I got home, I tell Caden.
"Caden I found out today we are having a girl"
He goes, "I already told you that mommy!" And if most of you remember he did. He told me that when I didn't even know I was pregnant. You'd think I'd had learned to not doubt him since he knew I was pregnant with Teagan before I did and that she was a girl.
So the name game begins and this will be a tough one. I have always loved the name Lillian since I was a little girl, Lilli for short, it's also a family name on both sides of our family, ends in a 'n', necessary, but Mike doesn't like it. There really isn't much to choose from, so we are going to have to get creative. Or scratch the whole 'n' thing altogether which Mike says no to. So it will be our daily battle, sometimes infuriating, but fun nonetheless.
She is measuring at exactly 20 weeks on the nose. So no worries on size, especially since she is a girl. I have been having serious heartburn issues, worse with this one of course, and we think I have caused some damage from being so sick. So I’m switching to Tagament and hopefully it will work better than Pepcid or Zantac, if not I will be moved on to a prescription. We are doing another u/s at 28 weeks, normal, to do 3D and take a look at her heart again. I go back for my next appointment on June 14th, just a normal check up.

Today is the day!

That we find out what we are having and I'm officially 20 weeks!!
Appointment is at 2 pm Az time ;-)
My MacPro adaptor flipped out so I have no access to my email addresses. So I will post here the news and make as many calls as I can..
I'm so interested in what the baby will measure.
Riordan was 10 days bigger, Teagan was 8 days bigger as well as Caden for their 20 week U/S. So you do the math because they say I'm 18.6 weeks with their due date ;-)
At 14 days off they change the date again, so we will see. I will put my foot down.
Plus HE better be cooperating for his upclose picture!

And Mike came home

last night.. I couldn't do another day by myself.. 3 is the max it seems these day and that was pushing it. I am having a hard tme kicking this cold. My head is just pounding all the time, I can't get relief.
The boys came to our room EARLY this morning and were so excited to see him...
We changed our location for hotel stay to the resort in San Diego.. thinking about the drive from Carlsbad and naps and use of the park it's worth the extra dough to have the access. I didn't realize they do fireworks at night! Fun fun fun! Plus the hotel is on a bay of water, not the oceanfront, so calmer waters. So we are all booked. Now I just need to figure out if we want to do breakfast or lunch with Shamu.. Breakfast is at 10 am.. a little late for us, while lunch begins at 12... oh the decisions ;-)
Mike is out doing yardwork, it is so hot. Riordan is having a grouchy day so he's down for a nap. Caden is watching 'Happy Feet'. Teagan is still crawling and no interest in walking. I think I'm ready for another nap.
I was invited to a friends house tonite for scrapping, well I just hang out, but there is no way I can make it... I'm not sure I'll make it to church at this point, that's how bad this headache is.. if it doesn't ease up soon, I'm going to the ER for help. I'm tired of suffering.

This is nice

I really am so happy with this feature!!! I have always wanted to be private, but the option for me was not there... So here I am private and feelin' secure! Of course it didn't stop me for talking about my family by name, but now I won't need to worry.

So does anyone have a sledgehammer? Because it couldn't hurt any worse than what I'm going through. Head throbbing, sinus throbbing, teeth throbbing, chest heavy with junk today, ears CLEAR today! ;-), began a cough today... Okay Mike I'm ready for you to come home. I don't think I can do another night of literally 2-3 hours sleep. Our house is in chaos, dishes stacked in the sink, toys everywhere, I can't pick up. I bought two boxes of tissue yesterday and I have half a box left! How in the heck can the body produce this much junk in so little time?!

Oh woe is me right? Feel sorry for me! And again, can I get a friggin' break?!

On a really neat note, yesterday Mike 'received' a package. I assumed it was for Mother's Day and offhandedly mentioned it to him. He was like I don't know what it is, open it! So I do, and what lay in box was a fresh Hawaiian Lei!! And a letter congratulating all the wholesalers for their hardwork and to keep it up!! I had the children wear it and took camera phone pics with it, but Caden wouldn't put it on. It was a little sunshine in our day and much needed. The letter recommended going to the hotel website. Hellllo! I have been there a thousand times already! LOL www.grandwailea.com . I'm ready to book my private poolside cabana and get my massage ;-) The contest officially ends June 29th!! Oh Joy! By the way, it doesn't mean we have an early win, EVERYONE got one, it was definitely a motivation tactic to keep up the good work. Wow isn't it nice to work for a company that really wants to reward it's staff oh and don't forget, in the letter UNDERLINED, significant other!

Speaking of Mother's Day, I had cards and EARLY for all the family members! They have mysteriously disappeared and I'm not happy about it. It took Teagan, Riordan and I a good half hour picking them out and if anyone knows what it's like to shop for cards with and 1 and 2 year old you understand why I'm not happy. So if and when they are found, I'm still sending them, I don't care if it's Christmas. So on that note.

Happy Mother's Day to all my mommies if I don't get online before then. Right now my goal is bedrest again the moment Mike walks in that door tomorrow at 4:30 pm ...

My boy loves school!

He insisted he wasn't feeling bad "But mommy school has tissues" So how can I keep him back? I just assume he feels as horrible as I do. Maybe he does, but he loves school so much he doesn't care?
So I took T and R to the grocery. R is just so amazing these days. Okay, he always is, but I'm so proud of him. I let him walk the store, second time this week, and he did as he was told, stayed with me, and was just so fun and funny to watch. You know those old school tied dyed looking balls that are in cages. He loves them, always wants one. Well he got one today at the end of our visit. And one for T and C too. They were 99 cents, what a deal. It's so nice to be at this stage with him!! Now if we could get consistant with his potty training, then life would really ROCK!
I can't wait to lay my head down for a nap!

Sick day

Well Caden woke up in the middle of the night sick, stuffed up, sore throat, cough. I have gotten worse and had a horrible time sleeping. Riordan still sounds the same, and woke up with his fingers in his ears. I know how he feels. They feel full of fluid and tickly. Not painful though, so no infection. Just an aggravating feeling.
So no school for Caden today.. we are going to lay low and watch a lot of TV. Wait that's no different from any other day ;-)

Movie night last night

I almost forgot!
I went and saw "Fracture" with two of my friends last night (we do a monthly movie night). It was AWESOME! It wasn't gory at all, it was more what I call a mystery thriller. What was so cool, is we three had the theater to ourselves so we could talk out loud about our theories as the movie went on! It had us guessing right up until the end. It was so great. Highly recommend it.
It was sooooo nice to be out! I went and ate at Streamers by myself, enjoyed a tea and chicken caesar salad. Just what I need to rejuvenate before Mike left us. Saturday night a friend is having a small scrapping session. I'm not sure I can make it, but I know I will need the winding down time for sure. I don't scrap book, but just going for some girly talk would be great!

Some new plans

Mike left early this morning for his trip to Newport until late Saturday afternoon. The zoo knew it. What a morning we had. I made it to MOPS with my hashbrown casserole. They were a bit unorganized with checking in, so it threw Riordan off who decided to throw down on the concrete. Took Caden to his classroom, which we normally do last, and then took Riordan and Teagan to theirs. They both start throwing down. I just looked at them helplessly, ready to go home, when a friend came in and said nothing but gave me the biggest hug. Man did I need that. Thankfully two of our most favorite teachers heard us, I think all of Chandler heard us, and immediately took control (the other teachers unfortunetly did not know how to handle the situation). I hadn't even left the room yet and they both had stopped crying. Whew!! No matter how many or few children you have, it kills the heart to hear you babies so upset to be "left".
Mike and I have been discussing for a week about vacation this year. We were going to do Disney in December, but said we'd wait till this summer (it's pretty much upon us LOL) to make a decision. I just can't see myself enjoying it like we did last year with a newborn. Plus we need to get a bigger car, but it's not in the cards this year. So it would be impossible to travel with our car and luggage, strollers, and such for 6 people. A lot of people keep telling us to get a minivan, but honestly I don't see how the luggage room is really any different than what I have. So an expedition is what we need to do our endless, I pray, beach and Disney vacations for the rest of our lives (CAR TRIPS ONLY :-) with room for all our luggage and tools for 6 people. If we were a family of four I can see it working, with a little logistics. We take the kitchen sink, much needed. And it's not that I don't like Minivans, I'm a big of the Nissan Quest, again just isn't condusive to the amount of people we have in this zoo.
So we have decided to move the Disney trip to either Spring Break next year or end of the school year! It would be really nice to have use of the resort pools, plus we have to upgrade to suite with our family being 6, so again not in the cards this year, need to postpone it. But in lieu of that we will be taking our first beach trip since living in Arizona, and it's been two years since we had a beach vacation! Teagan has never been and Riordan wasn't even crawling when we went last to Gulf Shores, and he was dealing still with tortecollis at the time, so it should be really fun for both of their real first times in the sand and surf. We decided on Carlsbad, CA about 30 mins north of Sea World and then do Sea World as well. It's a lot cheaper than Disney that's for sure. We will only do 3 nights, but it should suffice our urge to relax.
And I also booked a flight for Caden and I to Atlanta to see my family before the baby comes. If you keep up on my blog, you know how much I miss my dad, he can't travel at all. I of course miss all my family, but I'm getting to see them a lot. I hate that I can't take all the kids, but if I tried I can guarentee they wouldn't let us on ;-). Caden and I are going 4th of July til the 7th. Three nights is about the max I think we can handle apart from the rest of the family. I hope the weather is good so we can get in a lot of pool time and that I can come back with a swimmer! Mom says we can see fireworks up at Lake Acworth. Man it's been so long since I've seen them there. It should be a fun time. Caden is better with the noise, plus he will be with all his cousins ( i hope!) Next year I hope to somehow get us all back with the new baby to see my dad with our tickets still at Southwest. We may have to hire a nanny though to fly with us! LOL
Riordan and I are fighting colds. I woke up with a killer sore throat today and I think he did yesterday. He was hysterical. He still can't really voice what his hurts are, just can point. He doesn't understand ear aches (never had one though) and sore throats. The runny nose is my only clue, since I have both symptoms as well.
Is the day over yet? No, but nap time is upon us. I can't nap or I won't sleep tonite. So I will force myself to catch up on emails and watch my beloved GH... it's a good run right now.

AS if I could get a break?! ;-)

*I wrote this last night but my connection went down, and I didn't feel like getting out of watching my shows to go fix the router ;-)

Well I wasn't able to make to with my date night with my girlfriend on Friday night. Migraine came on and pretty fast. So I went to bed early and geared up for the next day full of activity.
Caden had his t-ball game at 9 am against the other half of our crew. So fun to watch them play against each other and they all did so well. Walking back to the car, I wrenched my back. Now most of you back home would probably remember that I threw my back out about 10 times in my pregnancy with Riordan till I was 6 months post partum. Immediately I wanted to scream, "Give me a friggin' Break!" I really have been doing well, besides the headaches, so now I have become concerned with my back which I was free from with Teagan. However this time I took the advice of a massage therapist I saw when we moved here. When I got home, I did go lay in bed, but I stretched the whole time and used my heating pad. Normally in the past I would heat and lay still with tylenol. I would avoid movement at all cost, because it is so painful. Well I don't know if I just got lucky or if it really works, but it got better in time to get ready for our Cinco de Mayo party to attend. The more I moved around the more mobility I got. It's still 'pain' last night and today, but not restricting. And I don't feel the need to be in bed. Just careful how I turn or sit.
The party was fun last night. A lot of tequila going around. Catered by Valle Luna, my new favorite mexican eatery. I must go soon and get more chicken enchilada's. We left at 10:15 ish, in time to let our sitter go home about 10:30. I hear the party went on very late and everyone had so much fun. Mike was passed out the minute he hit the pillow. However, I had to kick him out for snoring ;) I was having some killer heartburn issues due to the two yummy cookies I ate. The Zantac was taking it's sweet time to kick in so I stayed up and watched 'Domino'. Didn't get to finish it, but it's wasn't that bad.
We all made it to church this morning and then went to Chili's for lunch. Back home for naps, and couldn't wait for 4 pm because Uncle John and Aunt Amy were coming for dinner! Aunt Amy and I have been wanting to do family Sunday dinner forever and it got side tracked with our pregnancies. OH WAIT! I think I've been forgetting to announce that she's pregnant! She and I are almost exactly 4 weeks apart, she's due Nov 4th!! So she's had lovely pregnancy sickness as well and is finally having better days. She's so cute and has a little baby bump already. We are looking forward to more time together. I have to say I'm selfishly sad because they have their house on the market and are looking to move to N. Phoenix. The commute to Scottsdale for her is just too hard. So we are going to do as many Sunday dinners as possible. It's so awesome to have these cousins be so close in age. I was spoiled with my sister having Isabel 6 months before Caden and they really loved each other. Caden still talks about her and misses her so much. Back to that in a second.
We had dinner from Joe's BBQ and the kids played out on the swingset. Then we hit Cold Stone Creamery for dessert! It was a perfect night. RIordan is still not happy his Amy is back at home. Can't say I blame him. Teagan took a few steps while they were here and decided to go back crawling. Then tonite she stood up on her own, laughed, and began walking, and I mean walking. She did this like 4 or 5 times, considered walking checked off her list, and went back to crawling. She is so stubborn and hilarious!
SO back to Isabel. We get the whole clan, Michael, Nicolas, Isabel, and Susan her for a visit at the end of July! We are so excited. It will be a short visit, for they have many stops, our cousin in LA, and then her dad's home in CA. It happens to fall on Caden's first day of Kindersteps, but we will work it out I'm sure. I can't wait for Michael to see a dirt devil. He laughs at me because they freak me out. They are mini tornados darn it! Plus they are doing the train ride to the Grand Canyon. Should be a great visit.
Our week isn't too busy. Mike is out of town, Newport, Wed-Sat though. Caden has practice Monday nite, school Tues and Thurs. I'm hoping my hair dresser can fit me in for a major touch up. Roots are out of control. I have Movie Night with the girls Tuesday night. So looking forward to it, since I haven't been able to go since January! Thought I was missing this one too b/c of Mike's trip.
I have officially been off of Tylenol PM for 3 nights now and sleeping pretty good, and no sign of getting sick in the middle of the night. And the headaches since I stopped taking it aren't so severe.. a contribution to dehydration most likely. This week, trying to work water back into my diet. Baby steps baby steps.

Wow it's Thursday

This week has just flown by. I feel like I haven't done a thing though.
We finally are having the carpet cleaned from Riordan's maple syrup incident when I first became illl.
We were scheduled last week, but it was cancelled by the gentleman coming b/c his father-in-law died. He was supposed
to call back to reschedule but we never heard from him and of course can't find his card. So I booked online with Stanley Steemer. I normally use Chem Dry, but I was not pleased at all for the first time in 5 years when they came here. Maybe it's an AZ thing because in GA they rocked. So hopefully Stanley will become dependable and do a great job.
The zoo and I had a great playdate yesterday at our friend's home. We came home at 1 and crashed hard. Then of course Teagan woke up to soon from her nap, so I really didn't get one. So she and I played on my bed. She is so funny. She just 'talks' and talks and talks. About anything and everything. She has picked up "3,2,1 Blast OFF!" from Riordan. It is absolutely
adorable. I need to get it on video. Still not walking and could care less.
I helped my little sister and her son book a trip out for the week of Christmas, this past Saturday, for a visit! Her son was so sad he couldn't come when she comes to help us out in August, so she wanted to be sure to get him out here and of course he can get some lovin from the new baby. My SIL in Boston told me via email last night that they want to come during the same time! How fun would that be! We should be able to get a girls night out for sure ;-)
I have so many emails and phone calls to return, but just haven't found the time this week, so sorry to all reading this :(
I promise to catch up soon.
Stanley Steemer just called and said they should be here in about 30 mins, so I need to go get things ready for the kiddos to be occupied with. It's too hot already to go outside, even this early in the morning. The heat is really affecting my health and this pregnancy. Just wears me out almost instantly and I feel I just want to crawl in bed again. I have the whole summer to do this and it's not officially summer :((.
Gotta get Caden ready for school and figure out something fun for RIordan and Teagie's to do while the carpet dries. I wonder if they'd want to go shopping LOL. I can't wait to see my carpet without crunchy maple syrup stains!!

Monday

It's been a fairly great day!
We had Teagan's playgroup this morning at a friend's house nearby and even though if was just the hostess and us, we had a really great time. Riordan was having a difficult morning so we almost didn't go, and I'm so glad we didn't make that decision. She had such a wonderful spread of my favorite, Chick Fil A ;-) I was so spoiled plus she gave us leftovers!
She is from the south so it was great to talk about home, life, and family. I have been wanting to spend some good quality time with her, so selfishly I was a little overjoyed for a moment it was just us, but I did miss our groupl
We have expanded to 9 moms, which was a little scary considering we have 1,000 kids between us, but with us bumping up to every other Monday it will probably play out that we will rarely all be together and if we do, we can move it to a location that can accomadate us all without stressing out the hostess.
Teagan has really been confident in standing wherever she is, she just refuses to take those magic steps. She did give Mike and I three of them last week, but nothing since then. She just laughs at us. She had become a lot more confident "throwing" herself from the ottoman to the couch, where she would normal drop down and then get back up.. so who knows maybe this week!
Took Caden to practice tonite. It was hot, high 90's and the shade wasn't so cool because there was hardly a breeze. But I really enjoyed watching him. He is just so darn cute and I love watching the 'wheels' turn in his head when we are driving. He thinks and says the funniest and clever things. I always think of Bill Cosby when Caden comes out with a comment or question.
Riordan, well he's Riordan. Still my sensitive guy, but just really loves to talk talk talk now and have us watch watch watch his every move. He has become quite an entertainer, a late bloomer compared to Caden, but he is making up for lost time. My once happily playing by himself child, is so interactive, that I forget that he was any other way. His favorite things of late is saying 'shake your bootie' with movement shaking the bootie on an ottoman. I have no idea where it came from besides Caden of course. Caden came home one day, did it, and it has stuck. Now we wait for an inappropiate moment and get really embarrassed ;-) We try not to encourage them doing it, but when Riordan does it, it is somehow absolutely adorable with his sweet little voice.
This week is not so busy, school of course Tuesday/Thursday. A playdate with friends on Wednesday and same friends coming for a playdate on Friday so their mommy can do a doctor's appointment for one of her children.
Friday night I have a date with a great friend. We don't know what we are doing, but we don't care ;-) As long as we are out!
Saturday night is a Cinco de Mayo party, before that t-ball, and then Sunday just church.
Baby is moving around a lot more these days... I have felt movement for quite a long time. When you have nothing to do but lay in bed motionless for 5 weeks, you feel every little gurgle in your body and this baby has let me know since 11 weeks that he was with me. 11 weeks sounds too early huh? Well being that I have felt the boys at 14 weeks, Teagan at 16, it didn't seem too odd to me, and I'm pretty confident that I know a gas bubble in just one spot compared to a baby's little flip/poke, especially the 4th time around. But now that he's bigger I feel him when I actually move which is the biggest reward so far after all that I have suffered through. This is my favorite part, seeing how he reacts to what I drink/eat. 18 weeks tomorrow.. I thought I seriously wouldn't see the day and know that I'm here, it has flown by so fast.
I'm off to catch up on the Bachelor! God forbid I get behind on any of my 1,000 tivo'd shows!

ah ha!

Well I stil have these headaches and man some days they are so bad. I was beginning to think it was the length of my hair or wearing a ponytail Well my friend Kristi totally nailed it.
Dehydration!
Of course. They feel like hangovers and so bad some times I feel like I have my spinal leak again. It's a direct result of the saliva issue. I still can not tolerate water, so it only makes sense.
So I try to continue to consume as much fluids as I can and stay out of heat which hasn't been a problem really until yesterday. We had no wind and we hit the 90's and man was it hot in the sun. Thankfully it still wasn't in the shade.
I just hope this saliva thing doesn't last the whole pregnancy. I just want to be normal again somewhat when you have a baby in the belly! Free of issues!
Today we are having some friends over for a playdate and then we will do naps and just take it easy. I find that I have to nap everyday because even with tylenol pm I sleep horrible. After about 4 or 5 hours I'm pretty much wide awake and struggling to fall back asleep. Most days I feel like a zombie.
Last night I went out for the first time, by myself, and did some shopping. I went to Target, Old Navy, and A.J.'s (oh yummy)
I love looking at the bakery and it's very hard to not want to buy everything. Well since I can hardly tolerate sweets I wasn't so tempted this time around.
Tomorrow we have Caden's t-ball game and then straight to a birthday party and then Sunday we have church and then straight to another birthday party. Should be fun!