EKjourney Backup

I see the baby "widget" to the right of the blog screen ceases to have a baby in it, that is not the case here!!  I went in for an ultrasound today to check the fluid level.  Brighton has plenty of fluid to keep him healthy and happy.  He is sunnyside up, which we are hoping to change with positioning during labor.  (Gave birth to a sunnyside up, not easy - almost needed pitocin to get things moving when they stalled out, lots of pushing and 3 minute long contractions).  I had an epidural for that one so at least it wasn't excruciating hard work (freaked out a bit with the IV and pitocin threat)!  I also went in for a "stress test" (for the baby, not me!) where they measure heart beat and contractions for about 20 minutes.  Everything was great there, too.  I am hoping for a natural childbirth but the idea of 3 minute long contractions has me scared spitless!  60-90 seconds are about all I can handle!  We went to Costco and stocked up on...

Goodness, Phil has been home for 7 days now.  What a wonderful treat.  It is by far my (and the children's) favorite thing to have him with us!!  We have hung around the house and relaxed, finished up Christmas gifts, and enjoyed time together.  Grandma Tracy came down for a few days and we had fun spending time with her and are looking forward to her return once Brighton gets here.  It has been a bit like the calm before the storm, knowing that soon we will have a little one to welcome and transition to our family.  We are so looking forward to meeting him!! Monday, was Evi's second birthday.  What a precious gift she is to us!!  I can't believe she is two!!  On the other end of the spectrum, my Gramps, passed away at age 91, the same day.  He had been sick for quite some time so it was expected but hard none the less.  It was difficult for me as everyone went to Seattle to remember him and be a support for one another.  It wa...

It is a little after 4:00. The older two children are at my parent's house playing. Evi and Claudia are asleep. It is getting dark and the street lights are on. The clouds have shrouded the hillsides around our house and the mist is heavy. The whole scene and the silence are eerie. I think that is one thing that you really notice when you are a busy mom...stillness, quiet...it can seem so foreign. Notice the face- the look of concentration as he makes the appropriate bulldozer noises. This girl likes to build a nest around herself and then organize in it. (Ok, all of our children are organizers.) What is it about children and boxes? The age of 1 is almost over. I can't believe she will be 2 on Monday.

Claudia is Phil's and Sawyer's dog. They are both just plain crazy over her!! The girls and I love her too, of course, but she really is theirs!

Is this the cutest or what!!

Hey I went this time (meaning, there is a picture of me LOL!), A little excersise at the Christmas tree farm It was freezing, muddy, and very staticy

I have lots of cute pictures but haven't taken the time to download them so I will just give a written update.  Having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions.  Nothing regular and timeable but labor intensive at times!  It has been challenging to keep up with regular life through the uncomfortableness and I am unable to sleep through them so feeling pretty tired as well.  Phil has taken on a lot of responsibilities when he comes home with the children, cleaning up, taking care of doggy, helping with meals, etc..  We have had the washer flood the garage twice in the past week so he has been trying to fix this and help out with the backload of laundry.  He is tired too, but never complains. We are wrapping up (or so I would like to think) Christmas preparations and getting ready to celebrate Evi's 2nd birthday on the 21st which is also Brighton's due date.  My SIL has a birthday on the 23rd so it promises to be a busy week with B-days, possible new baby, and...

I have a really hard time remembering to drink enough liquid. I find making "tonic" water really helps. I get a big 32 oz cup (and a straw, the straw is essential). I add a little elderberry juice, some freshly grated ginger, fresh lemon juice (I am out, hence the bottled stuff), and then a squirt of flavored stevia (lemon is best). Add lots of ice and keep it right on the counter or table in plain view. I can't help but sip everytime I go by.

Michelle, these are especially for you!