Our new Christmas traditions!

Well this being our first Christmas in Chuck town we decided to start some new traditions.  The first one is that Santa brought us an Elf on the shelf whom we named Kevin Six.  He bounced around our house watching over us and causing mischief during the month of December.  The second tradition that we started was that we will visit the James Island Park for the Festival of Lights sometime during the Christmas season.  Hopefully next time we go we won't have to wait an hour to get in.  There were so many lights there you could drive through three or more times and find something new every time.  I really enjoyed it and the kids did too!  Last but definitely not least!!  We will be going to the beach on Christmas Eve every year to take pictures of the kids.  Pixie really enjoyed sitting in her Bumbo chair looking around!  I think I took over 500 pictures.  As soon as I can figure out how to add pictures I will post some.  We also flew a kite while we were at the beach.   Beanie really liked running around and playing in the sand.  Peanut liked flying the kite and having running races with Beanie.  All in all I think these are some awesome traditions!  I also want to start taking a hand print or foot print of the kids every Christmas season to see how much the kids have grown over the years.  I think it will be fun to compare the sizes over the years.  What are some Christmas traditions that your families have?

When it rains.... It pours..

Last Friday I took Pixie and Beanie to the Dr for a check up that turned into finding out they both have RSV.  I was so upset when I found out that they had this.  Pixie being a preemie is at very high risk for this.  I also found out that Pixie was anemic.  After about an hour at the Dr. we left with a nebulizer for Pixie and a few prescriptions for Pixie.  She told us to give Beanie Benadryl to help dry him out.  After a major issue with the pharmacy and not being able to get what we needed for Pixie we waited for the Dr. to call them back.  Friday night was the worst night I have ever had with Pixie.  We were up until after 3 in the morning.  When we finally woke up Saturday Pixie was having issues breathing and was very "grey".  I called the Dr. and waited for a call back.  After speaking to the nurse we became very concerned and decided to just go to the ER.  My awesome neighbor brought us to the ER and sat with us until we found out that Pixie was going to be admitted.  She then helped us get up to our room.  Words can not describe how thankful for her I am.  She helped make a very scary stressful situation much easier to handle.  So thank you so much Nani Kay.  We love you.  We had to let them give Pixie a blood transfusion which I am super upset about but it worked!!  Now we are just waiting for Pixie to get off the O2 and eat better.  I can't believe how bad this RSV virus really is.  There are 22 patients on this floor and all have RSV or the flu.
My Dh is my rock he has been so supportive of me needing to be here with Pixie.  I can't and won't leave her here.  We are a package deal!!  That goes for any of my babies being in the hospital.  He has been bringing me dinner every night and clothes and sitting here while I shower.  I can't imagine my life without him.  He takes care of us! I am so proud of him he is handling things really well.
Tonight we skyped with Peanut and Beanie.  They really enjoyed seeing that Pixie is doing okay and will be better in time.  I love them so much!
I have to say that I am sooooooo mad at the insurance company.  They denied the Synergis shot for Pixie.  This shot costs 1,500 per shot and has to be given during RSV season.  Well they didn't want to pay for that and now were are in the hospital going on day 5. In the end it will end up costing them more.   Also thank you to a special Aunt that has been taking care of the boys while we have been in the hospital.  We really appreciate everything that you have done for us.  Thank you to everyone who has been praying for our family.

Thirty Days of Thanks Day 15

Today I am thankful for date night.  DH and I went to our "meeting" as the children call it.  It is really marriage counseling.  After we went to a THAI restaurant.  It was AMAZING!!  My tummy is still happy.  We played a game while at dinner too.  We put our cell phones on the table face down,  Who ever picked up the cell phone first had to pay for dinner.  I'll have you know that I WON!!  There are not many games I win at against DH but today I won.  Not that it really mattered because the money would have been pulled from the same account no matter who won or lost but it was still fun.  I am really enjoying this time with DH and Ashley too.  She comes along because I am the food LOL.  It makes me feel like we are dating all over again.  We really enjoy the time that we get to spend together because it doesn't happen often.  I hope to keep doing the date nights after we "finish" the marriage counseling.  It makes me feel like I have more purpose in life and it gives me an excuse to dress up or at least do my hair.

We had lunch at SPARC today.  DH suggested that I invite some friends.  I ended up inviting the two people that have really helped me out in the transition to South Carolina.  Shockingly they both got to come!!  The food was yummy and the company was awesome!  One of the friends that I invited also went to Hobby Lobby with me.  We had a good time just walking through the store looking at all of the nifty stuff.  My intention was to get a craft or something for me to do in the car on our road trip but I ended up getting the fixings for some Christmas presents!  Most of them were on sale too.  Beanie was actually really, really good in the store.  Pixie was awesome too.  She doesn't say much though.  I hope all of the Christmas gifts come out the way I want them too.

Thirty Days of Thanks Days 13 and 14

Day 13 I was thankful for baths.  Pixie decided she was going to poop all over EVERYTHING!!  so after I cleaned her up I decided to take a bath with her.  This is something that I have done with all of my children.  It was so nice to see her relax in the water.  She was kicking her feet and giggling.  She also decided she wanted to nurse while in the tub.  I love nursing in the tub it is very relaxing for both of us.

Day 14  Today I am thankful for naps and snuggle time with my babies.  Last night Pixie and I were laying in my bed.  She was laying in the middle of the bed and I was laying on my side of the bed working on the computer.  About 15 minutes in she started fussing so I put the computer down and rubbed her belly.  We both fell asleep and slept for about 3 hours.  I typically don't sleep with my babies in the bed but DH was awake and keeping an eye on us.  It was so nice just to relax with Pixie!!!  Pixie enjoyed the nap too.  She was all warm and snuggly with her paci.  I hope everyone takes the time to snuggle their babies!!  Sometimes we forget the most precious moments in life.  I hope to snuggle with my princess more often.  I also know two little princes that love to snuggle too.

Thirty Days of Thanks Day12

Today I am thankful for BOOBIES!!!!!!  Yes BOOBIES!!  Why you ask..  I am thankful that I was/am able to breast feed my children.  Not only have we saved almost 3,000 on formula but I feel so attached to my children.  Peanut nursed for 9 months and I pumped for him for 9 months.  Beanie nursed for 26 months and Pixie is still going STRONG at 8 months!!  I love knowing that I am making my babies stronger and healthier.  I love the bonding that is done while nursing.  The look in the baby's eyes makes my heart warm and happy.  I feel as though I am starting my children off "right" by giving them natures perfect milk.  When we moved to SC Pixie and I flew to make it less stressful on her.  18 hours in a car seat is too long for such a small little one.  We flew through BWI and we ended up being "stuck" there for about 5 more hours than we were supposed to be.  We were seated near another mom and 1 year old.  She had to water down 2 of his bottles because she didn't have enough formula powder with her.  At that moment I was happy to be nursing because I always have the right amount of food with me and don't have to worry about getting "stuck" somewhere.  I have to take a moment here and thank my DH for sticking it out with Peanut.  If I had given up I probably would have had to worry about having enough formula powder with me that day.  So thank you DH for supporting my want to breast feed our babies!!

The most important piece of advice I have for a new mom who is struggling with breast feeding is "Stick with it baby will get it".  It is a learning process for both mom and baby.

Thirty Days of Thanks Day 11

Today I am thankful for weekends!!!!  I am thankful for the family time that we get to share on the weekends.  Today we walked up the Ravenal Bridge after church and lunch.  I took over 1,000 pictures of they kids in the park and on the bridge!  It was so much fun I can't wait until DH and I can walk the whole thing by ourselves and take more pictures.  DH was smiling all day today.  That really made me happy.  Peanut and Beanie seemed to enjoy looking down at the river off the bridge and chasing each other.  We are getting excited for our family trip this weekend too.  We are going to Buffalo to celebrate Thanksgiving and see our friends and family.  I can't wait to see everyone.  I am not looking forward to the cold weather though.  Hopefully it will be semi nice while we are there.

Thirty Days of Thanks Day 10

Today I am thankful for my parents.  I am thankful that they unknowingly taught me how to deal with situations as they arise.  We had a situation with inappropriate words being taught to my 4 year old by an older child,  Peanut came in and said that Beanie was saying bad words.  So I handled it the best way I knew how.  Divide and conquer   After a bit of talking to each child and watching DH make strange faces as I calmly said these words to the boys, I realized that I did all of the same things that my parents used to do to us!  As I was doing this I realized that maybe I do know what I am doing!!  DH said that he didn't know what to do or what to think or how to act.  The only thing he said was that he was pissed and overwhelmed.  I think he was happy I knew what to do.  I then realized that he grew up with only one sibling instead of 2 and that made a difference in how discipline was handled at his house.  It was weird for me because things felt natural for me to just do and talk.  I am thankful that they disciplined us as children.  I probably wasn't then but I am now.  So thank you mom and dad for disciplining me!

Thirty Days of Thanks Day 9

Today I am thankful for my neighbors Sarah and Kay.  They have really welcomed our family in their homes and have helped me so much with the transition from Buffalo to Charleston.  I was very blessed today to get to spend the day with Sarah helping her with and learning about her daughter.  I love her daughters so much! Sarah is an awesome person!!  She is very easy to talk to and we can both relate to each others situations.
Kay is an awesome lady that will help you in any way she can!!  I really enjoy spending time with her and helping her out where ever I can.  She helps me out so much I don't think words could describe how appreciative of her I am.

Thirty Days of Thanks Days 7 and 8

On day 7 I was thankful that some of our Florida family came to Charleston for a visit.  It was nice to show them around town.  We went and had dinner at Vickories on the water.  The black and blue burger was awesome!!  I really enjoyed the company and the sunset.

Today I am thankful for SPARC.  That is the company my DH works for.  This company has totally changed our lives.  We are so lucky to live in an awesome city.  I am starting to feel more and more at home here every day and have been meeting some really nice people!  The weather is even bearable now and guess what.  I DON'T MISS THE SNOW ONE BIT!!!!!!  Just thought I would throw that in there!!

Thirty Days of Thanks Day 6

Today I am thankful for CJ!! He always finds a way to make you smile. Well tonight he was sleep walking and came down the stairs and must have thought he was in the bathroom by the kitchen. He peed on the tv down the front of the tv cabinet and on the floor. I can't wait to see if he remembers coming downstairs in the morning. Lets be clear that I am not mad and I actually laughed my ass off because if I didn't I would have cried!! So today I am thankful for CJ and the way that he "keeps it real" I hope he grows out of this quickly!!

Thirty Days of Thanks Day 5

Today I am thankful for Pixie!!  She was born at 27 weeks and spent 62 days in the NICU at Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo New York.  I am thankful that she is perfectly healthy and thriving!!  Today is actually her 8 month birthday!!  I took the picture of her up against her Piglet stuffed animal today.  When she was born the Piglet was way bigger than she was.  I like to try and take a picture of her with it on her month birthdays.  I am so proud of how far she has come since the day she was born.  She is babbling like crazy, she is really close to saying Mama, and she has rolled over once!!!!!  I still can't believe that she is here to bless me with a daughter!!  I love her so much!!  Peanut and Beanie love her too.  Beanie loves her so much that he can't keep his hands off of her.  Her smile can brighten even the worst of moods.  If I ever need a pick me up I just look at Pixie and remember how grateful I am for her.  I am also thankful for the Sisters of Charity Hospital NICU team!!  Without them she wouldn't be here today.  I hope to take Pixie for a visit when we go up to Buffalo in November but we will have to see what happens.  Pixie I am so proud of how far you have come!  I am so excited to see you grow and learn everyday. xoxoxoxo Mommy :)

Thirty Days of Thanks Day 4

Today I am thankful for my homes!!  Yes I said homes!!  I am thankful that I have a roof over my head and a warm comfortable place to call home.  A place to protect me from what ever mother nature throws at us.  Depending on which home we are at it could be snow or ran!!

Thirty Days of Thanks Day 3

Today I am thankful for my children.  I am thankful that they are all healthy and thriving.  I love them more than anything.  They are truly the reason that I get up in the morning,  Watching my children learn new things makes me so happy and proud to be their mommy.  One of my favorite things about being a mom is that I get to create memories with them and give them experiences that my parents gave to me.  I get to watch their little personalities form.  It makes me smile to know that I was blessed with them.  The unconditional love that they give is awesome.  No matter if I am having a good day or a bad day seeing one of them smile at me  makes my day a little brighter.  I am very proud of my children.  I am proud of each of them for different things.  Peanut is so smart and such a helper.  I am proud of the little gentlemen he has become.  Beanie is so full of energy and willing to talk to or play with just about any child that crosses his path,  I am proud of Pixie for over coming all that she has been through.  I love to watch her little feet kick while she is laying in her bed.  My dad tells me all of the time that I used to kick like that when I was a baby.  Here's to watching my three blessings grow into happy healthy adults!!!

Thirty Days of Thanks Day 2

Well today's post is going to be interesting.....

So I was on my buffalomommies sight tonight just "flipping" through the pages and came across a post about a mom who had a vaginal birth with her first baby but because she is having Fibroid surgery this month will have to have C sections for any following children.  She stated that she felt like her body was broken and that she felt like less of a women.  I felt that I had to reply because I have sooo been there.

I responded with something like this:

Okay so my opinion is this....  After having a CS with my first baby I felt that my body was broken and that my body failed me.  After my second baby a failed VBAC and tons of pain from head to toe I really felt a lot of guilt and dispare and a huge struggle with ppd because of the fact that I couldn't have the birth I wanted.  After working at a hospital in Buffalo as a newborn photographer  I was CURED.  While at work one day I did pictures of an angel baby.  It was the first time that I was going to do this.  I entered the room to find mom, dad and the brother holding the baby and in tears.  I struggled to hold my composure during the photos.  At one point during the photo session I "forgot" that the baby was an angel baby and picked her up.  I will never forget that feeling.  I will not share the details of that feeling out of respect for readers that have had angel babies.  After the photo session I was CURED!!!  I decided that at the end of the day it doesn't matter how a baby is born as long as it comes out healthy and breathing.  It takes a lot for me to say that because I used to get so angry and upset when people would say it to me.  I was cured of any self doubt or self judgement or misjudgment of what birth "should" be.  I can remember actually saying to my DH to sign me up for a cs because I wanted healthy breathing babies.  I am especially thankful that a cs is possible as my daughter was born at 27 weeks and spent 62 days in the hospital. Even if I had a VBAC the second time around I still would have had a cs the 3rd time because I was very very sick. I had a classical cs and was advised not to have any more babies because I was so sick. I am just thankful that I have 3 HEALTHY strong babies to love on and snuggle. I love watching them grow and learn. I wouldn't change it a bit and would do it all over again to have the beautiful babies I have. Try to look at the bright side of the situation you had a vaginal birth so you know what that's like. Those darn fibroids will be gone and you can STILL have BABIES!!. And look at it this way... you get a little siesta in the hospital after the baby because it is a longer stay. 
I really feel that god has a plan for us and he/she knows what he/she wants or has in store for us.  I feel that Pixie was supposed to be born at 27 weeks to make me a stronger person and a better mother.  After I had her while I was still in the hospital I did the why me what did I do wrong thing.  Then about 3 weeks in a baby was born at 25 weeks on the sidewalk of the hospital and was very very sick.  I then said to myself..  "She was born in a controlled situation and got the steroids for her lungs and she is FINE other than needing to be in the hospital.  Pixie is my miracle child and I love her so much she was given to me early so that I could stop for a moment and see the important things in life. One of those things or pieces of advice comes from my cousin... "your children don't care where they live as long as they live with you"  That piece of advice has made me a stronger person.

So today I am thankful for MEDICAL ADVANCEMENT and My Dr, Dr. Susan Erk and her husband who did an awesome job at making one of the scariest moments in our life a little easier!!
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Thirty Days of Thanks Day 1

Let's see if I can do this. Today is day 1.  Today I am Thankful for the nurses and Dr's that treated me the night I was admitted to Sisters Of Charity Hospital for knowing what was wrong with me. Also for their swift actions to start treating the pre eclampsia, Words will never describe how thankful I am.  I am also thankful for my Father in law.  He got me to the hospital safely and stayed with me until my mom arrived!!

Happy Halloween

Today we celebrated our first Halloween in South Carolina!  We had an awesome time Trick or Treating and it was actually warm!!  Peanut was Luigi and Beanie was Spider Bat (a cross between Spider man and Batman) Pixie was Tinkerbell,  I did pictures of the kids today!  They came out so cute.  I can't wait to get some of them printed out!!!!!  The Boys collected 22lbs of candy.  Yes that's right I said 22lbs.  What in the world are we going to do with all of this candy??  Oh why yes EAT IT!!!!  I missed hanging out with my Buffalo friends but I am sure glad we found a few good friends down here in SC
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Sunday Funday

Today we hung around the house again!!  DH and I got a few things done like laundry and hanging curtain rods.  Thank goodness those curtains don't have to wander around the living room anymore.  I went to Babies R Us today to get some things to organize Peanut and Beanies room and totally got sidetracked by the Christmas dresses.  I can't wait to buy her dress and get pretty hair bows and shoes! If I can find some to fit!.

Goals for the week (maybe if I write them down on here they will get done)
Take Halloween pics of all three kiddos
Finish organizing boy's room
Finish Pixi's Halloween costume
Finish fold and put away laundry

There I said it now I just have to do it lol!!

My Favorite Websites

I thought it would be fun to post a list of my favorite websites so here goes

www.caringbridge.org

www.dillybaby.com

www.babyhalfoff.com

www.mamabargins.com

www.zulily.com

www.mom365.com

www.southernsavers.com and last but not least

www.myfrugaladventure.com

I listed mine now what are yours!!!

Celebrate Day

Yesterday was Celebrate Day (a day made up by a friends daughter).  We spent most of the day relaxing.  Peanut and Beanie spent the day playing on the computer and hanging out as hurricane Sandy is moving along the coast and we got her rain and some wind.  Nothing serious it just meant no playing outside.  Pixie was hanging out in my room after Peanut and Beanie went to bed.  I had her on a waterproof pad with no diaper because she has a diaper rash that needed some air.  I placed her on her tummy after a while and was watching her reach for toys.  She rolled to her side like she has done so many times before and suddenly ROLLED OVER!!!  We have been waiting for this for a while now!!  She will be 19 weeks corrected on Monday!!  I was so happy I almost cried!!   So on Celebrate Day we celebrated a very large milestone!!  Pixie only did it once but she still did it!!  Peanut is getting so smart!!  He knows how to go on You Tube and watch videos!!  Thank goodness the computer is in the living room so that we can monitor what they are doing.  Beanie is learning quickly too.  I can't believe how big my babies are getting!!!!   I love watching them learn and grow.  We are so blessed to have 3 healthy smart children!!

I also entered a contest today to win a bunch of cool stuff from www.mom365.com  It was a contest about dreaming babies!  Check it out and enter to win!

Hopefully the weather will clear up and we can go outside and take some pictures of the clan as we are WAY overdue!!

What to do, What to do

Well again long time no write......  Things have been going well for our family.  We did have a little scare with Pixie a few weeks ago.  She saw our new ped. whom I love!!  and was referred to a cardiologist for a follow up for the murmur they heard at the hospital in Buffalo.  We went to the cardiologist who was also AWESOME!! Thank you Dr. P.  Pixie had an Echo cardiogram done.  She has Pulmonary Steno-sis.  Not a huge deal the Pulmonary valve is a little big.  We then went to the Medical University of South Carolina for a head ultrasound.  The results were normal.  It was determined that Pixie just needs to grow into her heart and she should be fine.  Pixie will have another Echo in six months just to be sure.

On another note....  Have you ever felt like you are lost and you don't know which way to go?  I have been feeling like that a lot lately.  I think that most of it has to do with the fact that I don't have my own space in the house and I am not really doing much of anything for me.  I feel like I had this picture in my head of the kind of parent I want to be and I don't see it happening and it is very very frustrating.  I get all of these ideas in my head of things that I want to do with the kiddos and then......  it never happens for one reason or another.  The other portion could be that I have a lot of medical issues that need to be sorted out and I am not sure that I have the energy right now to sort them out.  I need to find a good medical team that is all on the same page.  Please feel free to comment and let me in on the secrets you have found to remedy this issue!!

The house in Buffalo still hasn't sold if you know of anyone that wants to live in the Lancaster Depew area let me know!!!

What a Rollercoaster

Wow It has been so long since I have posted in this thing I feel the need to update!!  Well we had our third child a GIRL!!  For blogging purposes I will call her Pixie!  When we first got pregnant with Pixie my hubby got a new job in Charleston South Carolina.  I stayed in buffalo so Peanut could finish first grade.  He moved to Charleston to get settled and such.  I ended up delivering Pixie at 27 weeks due to preclampsia.  That was a very interesting day!  Pixie spend 62 days in the NICU at Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo NY.  Now that all of that is over we are all together again in South Carolina.  I am so proud of my hubby and all that he has done for our family!  Now we just need to sell the house in NY so we can really reap the benefits of the new job and the move.  I have to say that I miss being in Buffalo because of the friends I had and my kiddos getting to play with their cousins whenever they wanted to.  They still do not understand that they are not just a half an hour a way they are more like 14 hours away!  I was thinking about sending my brother a web cam so we could skype with the kids.  That might happen in the next few weeks.  One of the things that I miss the most is Peanut's school.  We are going to a public school down here and I am not totally in love with the school.  I don't have that warm and fuzzy feeling that I had when we walked into the catholic school.  I am going to give it a chance though.  I will write more later I just wanted to check in....