William and the 5 senses

This month, William's class has been studying the 5 senses.  They have drawn pictures for each sense, held a taste test, and this week, there was a 5 senses "fair" for the Kindergarten.  The teachers asked for volunteers, so I signed up!  I wanted to participate in a class project for him before I have the baby.  This was a great opportunity to have some fun and watch William with his peers.

So, today from 8:45-9:45am, I snapped some fun pictures of William and his pals exploring sight, taste, sound, touch, and smell.

The kids were divided into their color groups. William's group is yellow and his team started off at the smell station.  They had to smell a variety of things inside bottles and then tried to guess what was inside.

At the sound station, they had a GREAT time banging on instruments!




The bug station was all about sight.  Colored bugs were hidden all over some climbing toys and the kids had to find the bugs that matched their colored bucket.

And I think the winning station was taste.  Each kiddo got to finger paint with chocolate pudding and eat their portion.  William got a kick out of drawing with food!

The fair was lots of fun and pretty quick.  William was so glad I came and when it was over, he told me to go home because they were lining up for snack time.  When I waved good-bye, he had a change of heart and ushered me into the classroom to see his cubby and to watch him eat his snack. 

On another note, William's enjoyment of the 5 senses unit lead him to created a book illustrating each sense.  He was SO proud of it and eager to take it to school.  When I picked him up, he told me that Mrs. Rains LOVED his book and all his drawings.  He was so thrilled and proud when he told me that he got to stand up and show the class his book.  Mrs. Rains put his book in the classroom library so all the other kids could see it.

SOCCER TEAM JAGUARS!

 

 

William started the school year off on a fun soccer team called THE JAGUARS!  The group consists of 8 boys from Holland Hall, Monte Cassino and Metro Christian.  The coach is Terry Meir and his little boy Truit transferred from MC to HH this year.  The kids play soccer through the Metro Soccer League of Tulsa.  They will play about 10 games over the course of the fall and all the games are on Saturday mornings. 

William LOVES it.  He looks forward to practice on Thursday afternoons and he thinks it is super cool to wear an official game uniform.  When he put his uniform on for the first time, he was so excited and proud.  He was given the number 7 and when he saw it, he told me "Mom!  I got number 7!  They must know that is my birthday!" 

The first game was last weekend at 11am.  I took William and Adeline to the soccer fields and Dada met up with us.  I wasn't sure how Adeline would do at the game since she is my wild, busy child.  I packed her lunch and a few toys and just crossed my fingers that she'd stay in her stroller for the whole game......and to my total shock, SHE DID! 


She ate her lunch and cheered for the boys.  I got a kick out of watching her because she thought the whole thing was super fun and entertaining.  I don't know if she'll stay still for every game, but I was thankful the first one was a success!

William joined his teammates on the field for warm ups and a quick pep talk from Coach.   There are only 3 kids from each team on the field at a time and the coaches rotate the other players on and off the field.  This works out great because everyone gets a turn to play and take a break when needed. 

 

It was so fun to watch William play in his first official sporting event.  He had an absolute blast and figured out that he could race to the Jaguar's goal and protect it from the other team scoring.  I thought that was pretty smart of him and he ended up saving 3 potential scoring opportunities. 

AND THEN WILLIAM SCORED A GOAL!  He was hilarious.  He did a little "jig" of a dance in great excitement.  I was so thrilled for him and the smile on his face was priceless.

WAY TO GO JAGUARS!  Can't wait for Saturday mornings on the field!

A trip to the hospital!

Saturday night I went to bed feeling "ok" but not great.  I couldn't pin point exactly what it was that was bothering me, but I was tired and thought I just needed to rest.  I woke up 3 times that night feeling nauseous and uncomfortable.  By morning, I was still feeling off and there were many moments when I just had to sit down because my back was hurting so badly.

Looking at this picture shows me just how tired and worn out I am!

By 10am, I told Dan that there was no way I was going to make it though the day.  I felt terrible.  I told him we needed to go to the hospital so I could hook up to the monitors in labor and delivery.  William and Adeline were both scheduled c-sections and I have never experienced any sign of labor with my pregnancies until now.  I wasn't sure I was in labor, but I did know that I didn't feel normal. 

So, Dan and I calmly loaded up the kids and put my bag in the car.  We told William I had a doctor's appointment at the hospital and we'd be there for "just a little bit."  I texted my babysitter to see if she would be around to relieve Dan should my monitoring turn into a baby delivery.  I decided to hold off calling extended family until I could get some answers and a status report on my condition.

When I got to the hospital, I walked to labor and delivery while Dan took on the kids.  I told the nurses that I was feeling "off" and had felt lower back pain all morning.  They took me back to the monitoring area and I was hooked up to the machines in a matter of minutes. 

First and most importantly, the baby was great. She had the hiccups and was moving around.  I was so relieved.  The nurses decided to watch the monitors for 1 hour.  They took my blood and sent it to the lab so I had another 45 minutes to wait on the monitor.  About 2 hours later, the doctor came in to visit with me and told me my blood counts were completely normal and the baby looked great.  She told me she had not seen any signs of labor on my monitor printouts, and she was pretty sure it was false labor along with me just overdoing it.  Afterall, it's hot outside and I am constantly moving ALL DAY long with 2 kids.  As much I would love to sit and kick my feet up, there is always something to do at home and 2 little people who need my constant attention. 

At the end of our conversation, the doctor glanced over at the monitor and noticed that I had experienced 3 contractions (although small) right in a row.  Knowing my history of 2 c-sections and a uterine window with a high risk pregnancy, she decided to keep me on the monitors for another hour and included an IV drip of water to rehydrate me.

The IV of water was a game changer.  I felt SO much better after I had the fluids in me.  I didn't realize how dehydrated I was and again, my body simply just can't keep up.  I drink water all the time, but obviously, I wasn't getting enough to sustain myself, a baby and all my physical activity. 

Once the IV drip was done, the doctor and nurse checked me over and gave me the ok to go on home.  I called Dan and he was in the hospital playroom with the kids.  I met up with them and we headed to the car.  William asked a million questions.  He wasn't exactly scared, but he was very curious why my appointment was SOOOOO long and took 4 hours.  He wanted to know about the bandage on my wrist (the IV wound) and what it was like to give blood.  I explained everything in the most "exciting" voice I could muster for such a situation.  I told him about the "really awesome" IV tube that pumped water into me so I didn't even have to drink from a cup, that I put on my brave face when I had to get the needle in my arm and how I was sacred, but I knew the doctor and nurse were good people who I could trust to make me feel better.  He listened intently and I quickly changed the subject so I could hear all about his adventure with Dada and Adeline.

William told me they had fun exploring the hospital.  He found the cafeteria and got to buy a cookie at the coffee shop.  He played in the playroom, watched a movie and went to Wendy's for lunch.  I know it was a long afternoon for my troops, and I am so thankful Dada was around to take care of them. 

Now it's just a waiting game to see if we really make it to September 25th!

A huge thank you to Bebe for coming to Tulsa to take care of me and the kiddos.  I can't thank you enough!

36.5 Weeks Pregnancy Highlights

36.5 Week Pregnancy Highlights - Baby #3

How Far Along: 36.5 weeks
Size of baby: Baby B is measuring on target
Total Weight Gain/Loss: 180 lbs. 
Maternity Clothes: In maternity dresses for the most comfort
Gender: THINK PINK! IT'S A GIRL! WE ARE THRILLED!
Movement: TONS of movement. Lots of rumbles in the middle of my belly with a few thumps down low. Lots of action at night and I can feel body parts rolling around.   Thore is no more room in there and I can see my stomach shift around when she kicks and knocks her feet against my ribs.
Sleep: I sleep on my left side and I wake up ALL the time during the night.  I am not getting much rest because she loves to move during the night.  Also, William's had a cold and he's up calling for me about 5 times a night.
What I miss: Not feeling my skin touch between my legs!Cravings: Not many. I am mostly hungry in the morning before lunch and ok during the afternoon. Still can't handle spicy food and milk sometimes makes my stomach hurt.
Best Moment this week: Entering the home stretch.  I am ready and excited to meet my newest bundle of love.  I feel so blessed!

Great Joy is coming on

Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 7 a.m.

*Baby #3 is head down!  I never felt her turn from breech to head down, but I am glad for the good news!

Adeline Hendry Barron 17 months

Miss Adeline,

At 17 months, you are a walking, talking pint sized sassy, scrappy little lady.  Your days are filled with constant play.  You are SO BUSY and never stop exploring.  You have discovered how to climb on ANYTHING and you have sheer determination to scale any object in your path in order to get to your destination.  This includes climbing over boxes to climb on top of your high chair in order to climb on the train table and stand up in an effort  to open William's art box so you can dig around for crayons and then take them over to the walls and color your heart out.  Yes, we can't take our eyes off you for one second!

Your vocabulary is wild.  You say "please" and "thank you" at exactly the right time, you repeat 2 word phrases that I say, and you point to all your family members and tell us who we are - "Momma, Dada, William, Sissy."  You never forget to wave to people and say hello or good-bye.  Just the other day I saw you wave at William and say, "See ya!"  I love to carry on a conversation with you when you have something you need to convey.  It's amazing to me that you understand us so well.  When I ask a question, you shake your head 'yes or no" or sometimes you say "yes!" or "no" depending on your need.  I find this SO helpful because it makes it really easy to understand what you want.

You bring me the remote control and say "Gup Gups please" when you want to watch your show, Bubble Guppies.

You understand when I say, "take this to William" and hand you something.  You march right over to him and deliver with a smile on your face!

You try relentlessly to put your own shoes on.  You love wearing shoes and prefer your white Keds or any pair that is shiny.  When you put your shoes on, it's like you know you can take off and run.  So many times after I get your dressed, you ask for your shoes.  Then you say, "TWO THREE GO!" and run around the apartment.

You love to count and say, "ONE TWO THREE FIVE."  Dada taught you how to play hide and seek so you sometimes hide your eyes and count.  Then you look up with your surprise face and throw your arm up in the air as if to say, "where did Dada go?"

I have caught you singing "ABCs" a few times.  Although you don't get every letter, the ones you do sing are in the right order and on pitch! 

You are also showing signs of a sassy little temper.  You prefer to use a fork and do things yourself.  You sometimes stomp your feet and yell when I try to help you unscrew a water bottle cap or an applesauce package.  You often tell me, "DO IT!!!" which means "Adeline do it."  You like to climb into your stroller by yourself and buckle the chest strap.  This chore makes you so proud and you clap your hands every time you get the buckle to snap correctly.  You also do this with your car seat strap.  When you get frustrated or mad, you end up on the floor pouting.  I think it's hilarious and tell myself how funny it is that you know to react this way at such a young age.  Heaven help us when you are older!

You love to explore, get dirty and collect rocks.  You still have a huge love for dogs and freak out with glee when you see one. 

You LOVE ICE.  LOVE IT.  You cannot wait to get your hands into any cup you see......When we go to Sonic, I get you a cup of ice and you will spend hours chomping on it.   You get SO EXCITED when we share our ice with you!  It's so funny to me.

Your hair is getting longer and I think it makes you look so much older than your age. Many times people ask me if you are 2 or 3 years old and when I tell them you are only 17 months, I chalk it up the hair!

 I can finally put it in pig tails and a half up pony tail.  It is hit or miss that you'll sit still for me to style your hair.  I have the best luck when you are in your high chair and distracted.  Some days you like me to fix your hair and other days you run away from me while I am half way tying the rubber band in your hair!  You laugh and laugh and think it's the funniest game ever.  I never can tell how long you'll keep your hair up in pigtails or a pony, so I work fast and cross my fingers that it will stay in place for awhile!  I think you look so cute!

You are a complete joy and have such a happy heart.  More often than not, you go with the flow.  You LOVE being around William and greet him every morning with a beaming smile and a little voice that shouts, "HI!" when you climb up on his bed and wake him up.

I love to watch you in action.  You are every ounce the little girl of my dreams.  I know you have no idea that in 3 weeks your world will be rocked with the arrival of your sister.  I think about it a lot and I treasure these final days of just being with you and giving you my 100% attention when William is at school.  It's the same feeling I had before you arrived and I only had William.  I know you will love being a big sister and embrace her with all your heart.  And I will always watch out for you because like Mama, you are a middle child.  It's a bond the two of us will always share.  I LOVE YOU MY ADELINE.  You are such a gift.  How I prayed for you for so long and walked through a high risk pregnancy with more faith than I knew possible.  You are wonderfully made Adeline and I cannot wait to see the JOY that becomes YOU.

WBB Just Talkin' age 5.5 years

"Mom, I like you a lot, but I really like Mrs. Rains (his teacher) about 1.8% more.  Hope you don't mind." - William

"Mom, let's name this baby Lisa Jones." - William (in a very matter a fact tone)

Privilege

Privilege.

 It's a word William has heard me repeat a million times.  It's a concept I have worked to instill in him since he was small enough to understand my words.  And soon enough, Adeline will understand this sacred, valuable slice of life.  Whether it's playing at a friends house, eating dessert before dinner, having control of the Ipad or getting to walk to the mailbox by himself......these are Privileges.

 None are greater than the next. 

I have tried to teach him that a Privilege is earned.  It's respected.  It's valued and appreciated.  It's a gift.

Looking back at my 35 year journey to adulthood, I never really thought twice about the power of Privilege.  As a child, I just skipped through my days in a jolly state of mind, carefree and guarded by the trials of reality.  College came and went and my journey to D.C. marked an era of new beginnings.  I knew my job at the White House was special.  That is was a once in a lifetime opportunity and you bet, I never took one day for granted.  It was a Privilege.

Meeting Dan changed my life entirely and together we've charted a course into a future I never dreamed so fantastic.  He's one of the greatest Privileges of my life. 

And then there are my children.   These (soon to be three) little people who walk around the world with a little piece of me inside them.  A reflection of  my spirit with a huge dose of their amazing Daddy.  They are my greatest Privilege and the very reason I am here on this earth.

They are the delight of my heart.  Each one a gift from God.  An enormous Privilege that only a mom can understand. 

And to my new baby girl,

  To know that in 3 weeks I will get to meet you and hold you and look into your precious face and see a part of me and daddy staring up into my eyes.....YOU are my Privilege.   All those prayers I sent  to heaven in hopes that God would give me the Privilege of just ONE MORE little baby to carry through life.  How my heart burst and my tears flowed when I found out that you are on your way! 

These last 9 months have been extra special to me. I feel like the days have passed as fast as the wind, and I have tried with all my might to hold onto the feeling of knowing you are inside me.  Carrying you and your siblings is an immense Privilege.  The most fulfilling, hardest, and rewarding job of my life.  I covet every feeling of you riding along inside me.  I know the pregnancy days are fleeting, and it will make me a little sad when my big ol' belly is gone.  But what a Privilege.  I am so thankful for each of you.

With all that we have going on, it's the belly kicks from you that make time stand still for a little bit.  In these quick moments, you remind me what a gift it is to be a mom.   I hope that you have enjoyed the ride as much as me.  I cannot wait to meet you and welcome you into our family.  Your birthday is approaching and I am forever grateful for you.  You have already brought me more happiness and joy than I could ever hope for.  And for that my sweet baby, I love you.

Mom