Coming up for air

It has been awhile, again. Things in the Morris house are ever changing so I stay very busy.

Emerson has had a rough time of it. After living in denial for weeks I finally took her to the peds doc and got the conformation that she had "Reflux." Oh how I dreaded hearing the word roll out of the docs mouth. I wanted to get sick but after having two with it before I should have seen the signs. But then again it was probably in denial. Emme did not exhibit the signs as early as Maddax or Makenna so I will thinking we were in the clear. The doc says there is a familial component and since the others had it, as well as Chris when he was a baby, then that was the diagnosis. Poor little thing.

So we got the meds on board now and are finally seeing a change. She had a great day today. Praise God. I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am thankful that each day is one less day with reflux and one day closer to a predictable happy baby.

I kept asking myself, "How does my kids having reflux glorify God?" I guess the only answer I can come up with is that reflux itself does not but how I respond to the situation does. I have to learn that His grace is sufficient enough for me. That can be really hard to do with a screaming baby. Beth Moore talks about Gods grace like the manna from heaven in the desert. It was there anew every morning but the Israelites had to get up and go get it in order to receive it. I cannot just expect God's grace to take over in chaos.  I have to go out and receive it and then trust Him in the mist of the chaos. Trust me I am still a work in progress. There are times that I run out scoop it up and trust and then there are times I just want to stay in my tent and cry, and cry, and cry. I know God sees my tears and he sees Emmes tears and he holds us close especially when we're in the storm. I just hate to see her suffer. God knows how I feel. He watched his only Son suffer so I would not. I am so undeserving and thankful. Only by His grace and His grace alone can I weather this storm.

I sure do love this little girl. 8 weeks and growing strong.

My Boy Turns Two

I know it is a little late. Maddax turned 2 on Thursday but free time is not like it used to be.

We got him up and started his day with chocolate doughnuts, his favorite. He was so excited.

Then he got two balloons, Elmo and Cars. Both of his favorite shows. And by favorite I mean walks around all the time repeated these characters. Makenna was a little jealous because she did not have balloons but we had to remind her that she got balloons on her birthday and Maddax did not. This is a concept that we had to repeat several times throughout the day.

Chris went out and bought Maddax a cake. I was to tired to make a cake like last year so Dairy Queen saved the day. We got him a Cars cake. He wanted to make sure he got the piece with Sally on it. She is his favorite Cars character.  Makenna on the other hand wanted to eat Mater. He is my favorite too.

The dye on the cake was staining everyone teeth and clothes. Maddax looked like the Joker from Batman if you ask me.  I am sure his poop will be some awkward color thanks to the red dye. I only had a couple of bites of the ice cream only since I am nursing Emme.

Cake was followed up by presents. We got him a Radio Flyer tricycle, second hand thanks to the Ky Kids Consignment Sale in E-town. He also got a Cars helmet to go with his new bike. He screamed "kikickel". Elmo rides a tricycle in one of his books so he knew exactly what it was. He could not wait to ride it. I was glad to have bought one with a parents handle to save my back.

It was a good day.  Outside of the fact that Makenna is learning that she is not an only child and that other children in our family have special days besides her. I know it will be a work in progress.

I am so glad to have been giving the opportunity to be Maddax's mommy. God knew I needed his hugs and kisses throughout the day when daddy is at work.

It has been awhile

I have wanted to blog so bad lately. To update you all our changes but with a new baby and lack of sleep, blogging was last on my list. I am feeling a little more alert lately so I wanted to give you an update on our new joy.

After much begging, I was scheduled to be induced on Jan 18 at 7 am. Chris and I dropped Maddax and Makenna off at Aunt Sherries the night before to stay with Nana the next day while we went to the hospital. We returned home that night to straighten up the house and so I could repack my bag for the 4th and final time. I had contractions all night long but nothing more than I had had before so I just ignored them. The next morning Chris and I met my sister at the hospital.  I was still having contractions but there was so pattern to them so I just continued to ignore them.  I was admitted at 7:15 am and then hooked up to the monitors. I told my nurse, Erin who was amazing, that I was having contractions most of the night and continuing to have them at that present time. She said I may be in early labor. Sure enough I was and my induction turned into no induction at all. I did it on my own.  The contractions started to come more regular and more painful. I had gone natural with Maddax but was really on the fence with this pregnancy.  I was thinking about to asking for some Staydol when my water broke at 10:18 am. I knew I was not going to have time to get any drugs even if I wanted them. My doc was paged in surgery because I changed from 6 to 9 cm in less than 30 min. I told the nurses that I needed to push and they said go right ahead. Just then Dr. Basham walked in the door.  I said, "Thank you Jesus." One push later at 10:53 am Emerson Ansley was born. Wow what a rush. It turned out to be less painful than Maddax and I was so glad I went natural again.

Aunt Sherrie

Super daddy

She was perfect. weighing in at 7lbs and 13.9 oz and 21 1/2 in long. They put her right on my chest. The hospital had started a new program called Kangaroo Care and I was the first patient that my nurse got to implement it with.  They put the baby on your chest right after birth before even weighing. The baby stays there for at least the first hour of life. It is to help with nursing and bonding, as well as keeping the babies temp up better than the heating light. I loved it and was so glad to be able to experience it. 

Emme had a couple of episodes of choking after birth but since she was in the birth canal for 1.2 seconds, she did not have enough time to have all the amniotic fluid expelled from her lungs. After a few days she stopped doing it but boy did it make me nervous.

We came home and all was going well. She was eating every 3 hours and sleeping great. At her peds check up she was 8.1 pounds, up from her discharge weight of 7.6 pounds. Then it was time for Nana to go home. I was sad even before she left. I knew all along at some point she would go home, but time went way too fast. Chris stepped up and took off work for the next week to help me over the hump. I am so lucky to have him for a husband. God has blessed me with not a perfect man but one who is willing to try.

Then Emme started changing her nursing patterns. She started spitting up alot and gagging and choking with nursing. It mimicked alot of Maddax eating pattern but not to the point of reflux. That is when my third angel stepped in. Not only the best labor coach ever but the best sister ever. She had helped me with nursing Maddax and Makenna through reflux, colic, and tongue tied babies. We brain stormed and I researched and found alot of info on overactive let down and over abundance of milk supply. I quickly implemented the techniques and Emme started to improve. I went ahead and made an appt with the lactation nurse at the hospital. She was wonderful. Very compassionate and had even experienced the same problem with her son who weaned himself at 4 months. She did not want that to happen to me so she offered much encouragement and ideas to treat the issue. She also checked to see if Emme was taking in enough milk. She pre weighed her at 9 pounds and 3 ounces and then reweighed her after nursing about 10-15 minutes. This little girl took in 3 1/2  ounces of milk. The nurse said ,"Oh my." I was confused. She said most babies her age take in about 2 ounces and that Emme probably takes in as much as 5 ounces when my let down comes in too fast. Oh my was right. No wonder she was spitting up. She was as full as a tick.

Since then, Emme is much better and eating well. I am not seeing the signs I had with Maddax and Makenna and I praise God for that. He has made me stronger than I ever thought possible and given me people along the way to help me when I felt hopeless; from my mom, sister, husband , and lactaion nurse. I know he was there holding my hand all the way while they held the other hand.

Each day is better and brighter. I am sure there will be days that are rougher than others but I had those before Emme was ever born. God is refining me into the child he wants me to be. I am learning to let the small things go and address the most important, my family. I am so blessed with a beautiful, wonderful family.  I do not want to miss out on the second most important thing God has given me, my family. The first is His Son Jesus.

Out of practice and energy

I promise I did not fall off the face of the Earth. I feel as big as the Earth but still here. I have been so tired chasing my two little ones around while trying to grow one inside. I am too tired to blog at night, but today I felt like I needed to catch up. Maybe Emme will be coming soon. Lets recap the past 2 months.

November Miss Emme tried to come early at 34 weeks. After two shots of this medication that makes your heart feel like it will leap out of your chest, the contractions stopped. My cervix changed some to I was put on bed rest for a week then modified bed rest for an additional week. Was released after that to do pretty much what I wanted, except work, and we just knew she would be here before the first of the year. Well it is going on the second week of Jan and still no Emme. I have contractions frequently but not TRUE labor yet. I have been cleaning the house from top to bottom but all I tend to get  is a lot of Braxton Hicks and a back ache. Makenna has been talking to Emme, through my what is left of a belly button, telling her to come out. Maddax is still oblivious.

December we celebrated Christmas and Makenna's fifth birthday. My parents surprised us by coming in before Christmas so it made the Holidays even better. Maddax finally got the opening of Christmas presents down and was loving every minute of it. He got a lot of Cars from Disney and his favorite is Sally. Each morning she is the first thing he is hunting for and he has the cutest little lisp when he says her name.  Makenna knows she is his favorite so she is always trying to hide it from him. She gets many a consequences when she is caught doing so.

loves his new lightening towel

Makenna received princess stuff. She had been wanting a princess castle from Disney World and this year she finally got it. She was very excited to play with all the cool features like light up bushes and hidden passageways. Lately however she is more taken with the stuffed Prince Larry and Sweet Pea Beauty from Veggie Tales. That poor doll has been everywhere with her.

her and Uncle Jeff were like peas and carrots

Then It was a bittersweet day. My munchkin turned 5. I had promised her a princess cake but was too tired to make it so I bought one. We wondered where all the princesses were that should have been on the cake. Well Chris was not informed at pick up that they were inside the castle and had to be assembled. Oops. She loved the cake and her balloons that daddy tied to her bed when he got off work at 2 am that night. He said it was kind of hard to explain princess balloons in the back of his cruiser when he had to take a call, but that she was worth the explanation. Good daddy. He also picked up her favorite breakfast, chocolate doughnuts, for her.  We rarely have these because of the plethora of non food ingredients but it was her birthday and she deserved it. 

she has worn this hat at every birthday since she was 2

I cannot believe 5 years ago she was a helpless baby and now she does so much on her own. I am so proud of her and pray she grows into a Godly woman when she is older so we are planting those seeds now.

Now what? We wait. Emme is due Jan 23 but my doc said they may induce at 39 weeks because I am an experienced mother. Do not know what that has to do with the price of tea in China but if it gets her here sooner and smaller then I AM EXPERIENCED! My mom has been fixing up Makenna and Emme's room and did a beautiful job.

I am so excited to welcome this new little joy as is the rest of the family. Thank you God in advance for our soon to be new little bundle.

Tornado Warning

I have the hardest time remembering which is worse a watch or a warning so I just think the shorter word is first and the longer is second so it is worse. I know, I am truly weird. However, I like most of you, I experienced both of these today.

Chris called and told me bad weather was coming so I was prepared. He made it off duty in time to be with us for the tornado warning when it hit or little town. I grabbed pillows and blankets and gathered my chicks to the middle house bathroom. One of the downsides to moving here was giving up or basement which I gently informed Chris I would rather not give up the next time we move. Anyway, we got into the tiny bathroom and waited. Chris spent most of the time in and out checking the weather outside, on the news and reports from dispatch over his hand held radio.  At other times he rested from working since 3 am.

I was perched on the potty, no not using it but very convenient if needed, corralling Maddax and Makenna. We all prayed together for God safety and protection, not only for us but all of those in the storm today.  After a few songs and such Makenna announced that we needed to pray again. I asked her for what and she said, "For Emme's safety in monnies belly during the tormato." I thought that was awfully sweet  and so she prayed. I and Chris were moved by such a selfless act of our little 4 almost 5 year old.

Sometimes God speaks so oddly to us. This time it was seeing our little girl think of others in a trying time. She was more concerned for her unborn sisters safety than her own. No wonder God wants us to have the faith of a child and tells us that to such is the kingdom of Heaven.

All Aboard!!

Chris had the weekend off so we pondered what we could do as a family that was affordable. I had a buy one get one free coupon for the Kentucky Railway Museum so we decided to do that.

Makenna and Maddax have been into trains lately. At Aunt Sherries this past week both of them were loving playing with her Brio Train Set. Maddax spent the next few days saying, "Choo, Choo." Plus the fact that we live in a town where a train goes through about every hour. Maddax has to let us all know when he hears it outside.

We left after church on Sunday and trudged our way to New Haven. This town is not foreign to me since it is were my dad grew up but the roads we traveled were. Most of our trips to my grandmother found me sleeping the entire trip, so I had to pay close attention to the directions I had written down from the Internet. We finally made it, barely, with Chris driving. He was using his police tactics on "Dog legged" roads. Not a good mix especially when there is a prego on board.

We toured the museum first. We did not make it any further than 10 feet from the door. The kiddos were being held captive by 3 train tables. They played and played and would have played longer but the train was on its way to pick us up.

So we left the train tables and stood in line at the bathrooms for what felt like an eternity. Emme found this fun as she made a trampoline of my bladder the entire time I waited.

The train arrived with Maddax in tears. He had never been that close to a train horn and it scared him terribly. He was saying, "Pappy, Pappy." Which translates into Pacifier Please. I had stuck one in my purse for just such an occasion and he perked right up once he saw it.

We boarded the train. The kids were so excited they could not sit still. Chris and I were being wallored on the entire ride by at least one of them. They chanted Choo, Choo. Off we went. They stared out the window naming things that they saw. Maddax would try to repeat everything Makenna would say, but with his still baby like speech and a pappy in his mouth it was difficult to understand. He smiled regardless.

We enjoyed our trip on the train and then loaded back into the car for the long trip home. We had misplaced the directions so we decided to guess our way back home. Yeah we had GPS but where is the fun in that? We made it back to the interstate and both kiddos drifted off into dreamland. I am sure ther were probably trains involved in those sweet little dreams they had.

It was a great day. I love my family.

Fall Farmal

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at Hubers Farm partaking in the "Fall Farmal".  It is not a Hubers activity, but one some homeschool moms developed as a Fall activity for the family. We do not participate in Halloween for many reasons, especially since Makenna is finally over her night terrors but is continually blessed with her sensitive spirit. So we thought this would be a happy alternative.

We all met at Hubers dressed in our Farm apparel. This was our first year to go so being pregnant did not allow me to wear much of farm attire. I felt though like Elsie the Cow. LOL. The kids played on the wrought iron animals, which Maddax loved, then moved onto the slide, petting the animals and riding miniature tractors. They had a blast.

Maddax's favorite person in the world right now is his cousin Chase. Which is a great role model for my little man. The two of them are like peas and carrots. He frequently asks for Chase at home or wants to carry a picture around of him. When we go to my sisters, as soon as we turn on her street he starts repeating "Chase" until he sees his face. It is pretty funny.

Daddy did take a few sweet moments to bond with his little man by a small pond throwing rocks and hanging out.

After all the playing we went over to a nearby apple orchard to take some family photos. There was a Weeping Willow tree that someone had tied swings into on the branches that hung down. Makenna and Maddax had a blast swinging on that tree. I have never heard of such a thing but most of the other kids had.

We ended with dinner at Hubers. Good home cooking. I sure did love my fried chicken, but being pregnant has me lovin about everything. The kiddos fell asleep on the way home. It was such a great time with friends and family. Cannot wait to do it again next year with Emme. Better start looking for her farm apparel now.