A Fun Day...

Kyle's favorite place to play

Proud sister
Brothers

But I Wanted to Pray

This was written by my mother in law, who is keeping the kids right now. I thought it was really cute and wanted to share. I miss these little guys so much!!!

You learn a lot when your grandchildren come to visit. Madi is five going on thirty(smile) and Kyle will be three in August. They have been here ten days and we have had so much fun. They have been very good. Today I really wanted to share what I have learned from these two beautiful children.

I have learned about faith:
"I asked God to take care of baby Mason and now he is all better, right Grandma?"

"When I wake up, you and Grandpa will be here to love me, right?"

"The thunder and lightening is nothing to worry about, God is taking care of us."

"God made the whole world so we would be special, didn't He?"

I have learned about love:
"When I am here, I cry for my mommy and when I am home I cry for you. You just don't know what to do with me, do you?"

"Don't make my sister go to time-out!"

"We get to go to church today because we are special, right Grandpa?"

"I love you oodles and oodles, for twenty hundred days."

"God thinks I'm special, doesn't he, Grandma?"

"I need a hug--hug"

"My mommy misses me very much."

"I love you, Grandpa"

"Now you say 'I love you too, Kyle'."

I have learned about prayer:
"After Kyle prays, can I pray too?"

"Dear God, thank you for the trees and the flowers and the sky and my blankie and momma and daddy and grandma and grandpa and baby Mason and Kyle and backyardigans and Remi and Mim and Pop and cereal and chips and milk and birds and swimming pools and popsicles and . . . . "

"But, I wanted to pray . . . "

These are but a few of the daily lessons. I watch their faith. I am amazed that when they are afraid, they willingly accept the reassurance and comfort offered and they don't forget it. They remind anyone who will listen that God is watching over them and that the people in their lives are trustworthy. I pray God will give me the faith of these children, that I will believe what He says, take courage from knowledge of Him and be brave enough to tell everyone about Him. I watch these two children play and fight and forgive and then play some more and I ask the Father to make me more forgiving, to help me let go of grudges and bitterness. I watch their complete confidence in the love of God and others. They don't worry that their parents or their grandparents or God are ever going to stop loving them. They give their love freely and frequently. You don't have to ask for a hug, you just have to be available for one. I pray God will make me a more loving person, that He will rid my heart of the insecurities that cause me to seek affection and attention, rather than give it. I listen to their songs and their prayers. They do not care if they sing off key, if they have all the words exactly right, they just sing. And they want to pray. They don't care if the prayer takes a long time. They want to thank God for everything, and they want to do it often. I want to be a more prayerful person---to want to pray and to not look at my watch when the prayer seems long. I want to be grateful for all my blessings. I want an open heart, one that is willing to learn, even from a precious child.
Matthew 18:3 "And He said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Peace,
Neva

It's funny how you forget...

what having a baby at home is like. Even though they sleep all the time, and really only wake up to eat...you're still tired. Today is the first day I've been able to write something, because my brain would just not function to formulate words or sentences. My mom kept Mason in her room last night, so I got a full nights sleep. So I can actually have a conversation this morning!

To report, he is doing wonderful. He is just precious as can be, and has been the most laid back easy baby I've had. Which is what I told God that I needed in order for this to work. I told him way back when that I would need one that doesn't eat, cry, or poop. 1 out of 3 isn't bad. I'm sure at some point he will cry a bit more than he does at this time, but for now I will count my blessing!

Tomorrow we have our first social outing. We are going to a baby shower. I can't wait! I haven't really gone anywhere either, so I'm pretty excited to get dressed and have some place to go. I'm sure he will be a hit.

The kids were here for just one day on Wednesday. It was so good to see them. My dad took Kyle to the doctor to check on his ears (we thought he was getting an infection) and I'm so happy to report that his ears look great!!! I was so relieved to know this! They did put him on Zyrtec to help with his allergies, but other than that, he is great.

They had a little bit of a harder time going back, but they were both worn out from the day, so I know that was part of it. I tell myself that anyways, so I don't feel so guilty! They will come home on the 9th. I'm trying to live it up before then, because I am just afraid I will have no life when they come home. And I don't mean that in a bad way, it's just so much harder to think about going somewhere with 3. There is definately more planning involved. My parents have been so helpful though, so I know that really my life will not end. However, I may have to become a little more creative in my planning!

Other than being tired, I have been feeling great. The weight continues to fall off. I have yet to weigh myself, because I don't have any scales. But I am very curious to see how much I have lost. I am enjoying my "new-old" wardrobe that I couldn't even wear before I was pregnant. I can't wait until I can start exercizing. I have about 30 more pounds that I want to lose, and I really feel that I just have a whole new lease on life, and my physical body is just one of the things I want to change.

I still want to write about Mason's entrance into this world. I will get to that a little later. We are going to have his pictures done next week.

Well I think that is all for now. Thanks for all your prayers, thoughts, comments...I have definately been blessed by blogworld! Love you all!

We're going home!!!

I am so excited! Dr. Contreras, the neo-natal doctor, said that we can go home tomorrow! I wasn't expecting to hear that so soon. He has been on room air for 2 days now, and has been doing great. And eating well too. They haven't had to use the feeding tube in 2 days now.

They are trying to get his pediatrician scheduled tomorrow to come by and do the circumcision, and then we'll be dishcharged sometime during the day. It may take all day long to actually get all of this done, but that's fine by me. I am just ready to take the little guy home!!!

The kids will be in town on Wednesday. My MIL is coming into town for a funeral. Many of you may know or have heard of Cline Paden. He passed away Saturday night. He is one of the most well known church figures in this area (church of christ anyways) , and he is known all over the world. He was a big supporter of Sunset International Bible Institute, where my dad went to school. They will be having his funeral on wednesday, so the kids will come too, and we will keep them. I am excited to see them, and they will be here just in time to see Mason! Madi is so excited. They will go back with Neva that afternoon or evening, but it will be fun to spend the day with them.

Other than that, things are going great. I'm just ready to have Mason at home!

Happy Memorial Day!

Feeding Time and Bath Time

Mason had his first official bath today. He did great. He didn't hardly cry at all. In fact, he doesn't ever really cry. The nurse who has been his nurse the last two days said that he is really just a big preemie, and he is really gestationally about 34 weeks. So he is a little more lethargic than most babies, and his muscle tone is a little weak. But that is something that he can catch up on as he grows and gets stronger. So I'm not worried, he may just need a little extra help sometimes. Feeding him is a little bit harder, because he eats about 1/2 an ounce an then goes back to sleep. And you have to put your finger under his jaw and make him latch on. Right now he can only bottle feed, and he may be doing that a lot longer than I had expected him too, but once again that is fine. You just learn to adjust to all of this. He really is so cute, and I'm not just saying that because he's mine. All of the nurses just love him. As far as getting to take him home, I am not sure yet. Every nurse is different, and they all have different ideas on this. One said I should be home before thursday, one says monday or tuesday. Really I think I'll know when we're headed out the door. I wish I had a clearer idea, but I would rather him stay longer and be healthier, then me take him home and be a nervous mother. I'm not going to have the luxury of all the monitors to check his heartrate and O2 levels like they do at the hospital. So I just continue to drive up there and spend time with him. It would be wonderful to be home with him on Memorial Day and get to cook out, but I just don't know if that's going to happen or not. They still have to circumcize him too, so that's another thing. They said they can do it the day he goes home or the day before, but so far no plans have been made definately for that either, and tomorrow is Sunday. It gets hard to be patient sometimes, but this is so completely out of my control. And really that is a good thing. I don't need to be trying to control it anyway!

I got the prettiest blanket for him today. It's chenille on one side and silk on the other, and it has the scripture 1 Samuel 1:27 "For this child, I have prayed." I saw it and my eyes filled with tears. I knew it was for him!!!

Right after he ate lunch.
Almost bath time

Cool Cat
Right before his bath

Baby Mason

Here is my little wonder! Tomorrow I will get some pictures of him tanning with his sunglasses. The nurse just called me and said that he took a bottle and did really well. So tomorrow I will get to start feeding him myself. I can't wait!!!

The little thing on his nose is the sippap.

Long and Skinny!
My mom carrying Mason to NICU

Helping Uncle Colt do the dishes.

Miss Hollywood with her stilletos on.

The kids spent the night at Colt and Suzanne's house on Saturday night while I was in labor. I think they kept him pretty busy.

Mother's Day at Colt and Suzanne's house

Update and other things...

Mason has jaundice now. However, it's not a big deal and it doesn't slow down the process of getting better. I was just a little suprised when I walked in today and he had his sunglasses on and was sitting under a tanning bed. He looks cool as a cucumber. The nurse told me that he was in Cancun.

I can't seem to get it all together to get pictures on here. But I will get it done tonight. I had to find the USB cord, so I got that. I remembered to bring my camera this time, now I have just left the new batteries in the car. I am actually not that far from the door, which is right by my car, because I take advantage of the 30 minute parking for new or expectant moms. I stay much longer than 30 minutes, but I refuse to walk only being 5 days postpartum. I think that is only understandable. When I go home tonight, that will be my project.

I went to Target today. I was in the dressing room, and I hear this little boy outside yelling at his mother that he has to go poop. He said it at least 20 times, and she would never respond. Then he says, "mom I need to go so so so so so so so so so...bad." He must have said so at least 30 times. I was about to bust out of there and tell her to take him to the bathroom, and if she didn't I would be more than happy too. I was just so annoyed. And I'm sorry if this was you in Target and you didn't take your kid to the bathroom...but shame on you!!! Not everyone else wants to hear about your kids bowels!

I said I was in Target in the dressing room...I have so happy because I am smaller than I was before I was even pregnant. A lot smaller actually. And I know you all hate me for saying that, but give me a break. It's been a tough year, I have to have something to brag about.

Anyways, well I'm going to go. I will get pictures up later. Have a good weekend and Happy Memorial Day!!!

Hurry Up Time!

Mason has had a good day. They took him off the sippap today. I have been so educated on the world of NICU babies. It is called sippap, not c-pap. And I don't even know what sippap stands for...oh well. They took him off. I can actually see his face now. He has the tiniest little face. It's so cute. He is now in a little oxygen tent. He is having to work harder, but he is doing good. They were originally saying they would probably take him off the O2 tent in the morning, but I think they'll end up waiting, b/c they have to decrease the O2 gradually.

He is eating great. He might get to start on a bottle tonight. It just depends. I will find out at 8p.m. tonight when NICU opens back up. For now we are just taking one small step at a time. But they have all been positives strides, so I am thankful. I have discovered that I have a lot to be thankful for. Some of the babies in there have been there so long, and have lots of problems. Most of them are very pre-mature. Mason in a giant compared to most of them. There are two little twin girls next to him who weigh 3 pounds a piece.

I am doing good. Today is a better day. I went and took a nap, which I needed very badly. It has been hard to rest, but I just had to make myself. My mind goes crazy when I'm tired...and emotional...and hormonal. But I am feeling tons better. Well I have to go. I am meeting my sisters for dinner. See yall.

Baby Report

Mason is doing great. He got to eat for the first time last night. And he is tolerating breast milk just fine. Today they got to turn him over on his back. He has been on his stomach the whole time. So now I can actually see him, and look at his little toes and legs. I have decided that he looks like my grandfather. He, my granddad, is 6'8" and weighs like 2 pounds. He also has long curly toes. And Mason looks just like that. It's very funny. He's so long and skinny and has these crazy long toes that curl. Neither Madi or Kyle had toes like that.

It's just so nice to see him doing so well. The doctor will come in about 11a.m. and assess him and I am anxious to hear what he has to say, or what he thinks. They should start decreasing the O2 soon.

My night at home was restless. The fun part about labor is getting to bring your baby home. But I am really am doing okay. I am just so relieved to see him doing good, and I know there is end in sight. Thanks for all your prayers.

Making Progress

Mason had a good night. His X-ray this morning looked a little better. So it looks like he is starting to progress a little on that end. He continues to breathe well while still on the C-Pap. And his O2 and CO2 levels continue to look good. At this point we seem to have nothing to worry about. If he can just continue to do this, and then when they take him off the C-Pap if he can do all of this by himself without the aid of O2. That will be the real test.

I have to go home today, but I can stay up until 11:59p.m. if I want. So I'll be here most of the day. I am going to try to pump as much as I can to store for him here at the hospital. The nurse told me that sometimes preemies reject breastmilk, because it is so rich. So there is a possibility that he'll be formula fed, but if he does reject it, that is beyond my control. At least I know I did everything to try to make him as healthy as possible.

That is all for now. I am tired, and I am going to go take a nap!

My Baby Love

Mason is continuing to do better. He has had a good day. They didn't have to put him on a respirator. I saw the doctor this morning, and he said that preemies lungs will get worse before they get better. So it is not uncommon for there to be more fluid. He said tomorrows X-ray could show the same thing, but then it will start to change and the fluid will go away. Everything else is looking good on him, and we have no other reason to believe that he will not continue to be strong. I have heard from two different nurses that preemie, white males always have the hardest time recovering. They don't know why, but that always seems to be the way it is. He can't eat right now, with a feeding tube or with a bottle, because there is a chance he could aspirate (sp?) As soon as he's breathing on his own, which be in a day or two then they can start feeding him. He is getting hungry, which is a very good sign, but for now they have to sedate him a little so he doesn't get so mad about not getting to eat. They do have some nourishment that is going through his i.v. but it doesn't provide any sustenance for his little tummy. I thought about fasting with him, and then told myself that was about the dumbest idea ever...so I'm eating.

I can't wait to hold him. I am really, really needing that as a mom right now...but it will be all the more sweeter when I can. What's best is to let him rest and get strong and healthy. I will probably be discharged tomorrow, unless my doc will let me stay, but I know that eventually they will make me go home. He is probably looking at being here for a week. I can't wait to post pictures. He is just the cutest thing ever, and I love him so much already.

I'll post tomorrow about anything new that is going on with him. Thanks for all your prayers. They are working. God bless!

Prayers

At 10am they will decide if they're going to put Mason on a respirator or not. It's not a bad thing, it just sounds bad. Ideally they would like him to be able to do everything on his own, but they don't want to exhaust him either. He slept good last night, and had good results from his gas test that they did last night to test his O2 and CO2 levels, but this mornings Xray showed more fluid on his lungs, and for several different factors it might just be best to ventilate him. It would make him stronger and give them a chance to get the fluid out of his lungs since right now it's not going away on his own, but still it's kind of scary. I've seen too many episodes of ER where people are incubated...and that being done to a 1 day old unnerves me. But more importantly, I want what is best for him, and I just want to get him better.

I did get to hold him for the first time this morning. He is so tiny. But he looks perfect. For such a small guy, he is very long, and he doesn't look sickly. He looks just like a very little baby. He has very good color, and lots of hair. He looks just like Kyle did when he was a baby. I just can't wait for him to be able to be up and be cuddled. I want that very badly!!! I know that I will be going home before he does...that won't be fun, but we will make it.

Mason is my miracle baby, and I knew that before he was ever even born...a miracle in every way. God has blessed me, and I know that he will survive this and be strong!

Welcome to the World!

He's Here!!!

Mason Lee Manweiler

Sunday, May 20th, 2007

3:50 a.m.

5 pounds 6 ounces

19 1/2 inches

He's had a little trouble breathing on his own, so he is in NICU, but the doctors have said today that he is turning the corner and doing good. I will give the full account later, but for now he is here and he is precious and I'm so excited to have him here. Please say a prayer that his progress continues and that he will be home with us soon. I'll post pictures of the little guy later. He is a cutie!

Hanging on!

As of yesterday it may look like I will be having a May baby! I had mentioned that I felt like my uterus was going to fall out, well I knew something was going on. I think after having one or two kids you start to know your body well enough to know when things are happening. My doctor isn't even supposed to start checking me until about 2 more weeks, but I told her that I didn't think I was going to make it. And sure enough, I am 50% effaced and dialated to a 1. Which isn't a whole lot, but considering I'm not even really due to the 16th of June that is quite a bit. At least I have now confirmed that I am not crazy...something really is going on!

So at this point I'm just hanging on. My doctor said, "see ya next thursday, maybe!" My guess is that within the next week I'll be at the hospital or have a baby already. That makes me kind of nervous because I'm just so used to being scheduled. Both of my kids were induced for the most part. I was far enough along that they just went ahead and sent me to the hospital from the doctors office and there was no rush. I got my epidural and read magazines and visited. I like it that way. I don't enjoy big suprises of this caliber. So my hope is that if I make it to next thursday that I will go the doctor and be dialated enough that she will just send me to the hospital. I can sure hope for that, but whatever happens I know I will be fine.

Last night I played bunco. Actually it was bunco night, but we didn't get around to playing. They instead surprised me with a diaper shower! I got a ton of diapers and wipes and some other things too. It was so nice, and once again I find myself just so blessed by others. I joined this church bunco group a little over a year ago and when I joined I just thought it was for something fun to do. But they have been a real connection and source of comfort for me. So many of them have called, and really they don't even know me that well. But they didn't let that stop them, because I know that when faced with difficult situations sometimes people don't know what to say. They have all reached out to me and been good friends, and been a real highlight in my life.
And it got me excited. I opened up one of the packages of diapers, and is there anything cuter than a newborn baby diaper? There just so tiny and they smell good.

On another note, I have been trying to download pics on here for days. I have downloaded pictures from my memory card to my mother's computer a thousand times, and for some reason I have stared at this computer for two days and can't find the place to put my memory card. I am just puzzled. I know it's there, and I don't understand why I can't find it! So I will try another day.

I'll keep everyone posted on my progress, and if you don't hear from me for a while...you can probably guess why! Happy Friday everyone!

Confession

Well I have a confession to make. I did something I thought and said I never would. I bought a mini-van. I can't believe I'm driving a mini-van. I have hated those things since the day of their conception, and I have said numerous times I would never, ever drive one. Well I am now. But right now, that is okay. It is going to simplify my life and I am excited to have Madi and Kyle separated in the car. I don't have to listen to, "he's touching me....Madi is looking at me...he hit me." I am the proud owner of a third row seat.

The other day I told Madi that we were going to get another car, and she saw a convertible Mustang and asked if we could get that kind. She assured me that she would hold Kyle in her lap, and that we would all fit in there just great. I told her maybe someday...and maybe someday. For now I will drive my mini-van with pride.

I am so tired today. I went and saw my attorney this morning. That went well. I mean about as well as that kind of thing goes. I was going to use another attorney in town that is very well known for being the best family law attorney in Lubbock, but once I found out what her retainer was, I decided to use someone else. The first time I met this other lady, she looked at me and said, "I can't shake your hand, I have a cold." I was like nice to meet you too! She must mean all business!!! Anyways, this new lady is very nice. Hopefully I will get this filed as soon as Mason gets here, and then finalized 60 days later. A lot of people say, "he left and you're filing?" Yes, that's right. Makes sense, doesn't it? (note the sarcasm) I should be nice...I'm just really tired today. I feel like my uterus is going to fall out. It's not the most comfortable feeling in the world.

My mother-in-law has offered to take the kids on June 1st and keep them until the 14th. that is a really long time, but I have agreed. I think it will be good for me. I am just worn out...and the rest before labor will be nice...that is if my uterus doesn't fall out before then! Well I have to go. Have a good week.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to everyone! I looked at my post from last year on this day, and I didn't really write much about myself. I wrote about my own mom. I do think it is interesting to look back a year ago from holidays and think about what was going on in life at that time and how much has changed. Well this year has definately been the biggest one for changes for me. At one time I know I would have looked upon the changes in the last year with great depression and sadness. While there is still sadness, there is also so much good. I look at my life one year ago and I know I am blessed to be where I am at this year. I am truly a different person, a better person, a more spiritual person. I still have GREAT sadness for my children, but I know that in time that too will heal, and that God can make every wrong- right for them. And I have to hope and believe in that.

We went to church today, and then for my mother's day present from my mom she took the kids to the circus today, and the treat for me was that I didn't have to go! I got a quiet afternoon alone! I know the point is to be with your mother, but in this case...a break is what I wanted! This evening we're going to Colt and Suzanne's house to cook out and let the kids play out in the water. I'm going to take my camera, so I'll post some pictures later.

Well I truly hope that everyone had a good day. And I hope you are all blessed to have a wonderful mother. I know I am!

Pretty Random

Well before long we may be looking for an ark around here. It has been raining all day, and pretty hard at that. It's not expected to stop either anytime soon. I love the rain, I just don't love what it does to my hair. I look like a wet rat today.

I decided to start working next week only half days, and then the last week of school I'm not going to work at all. The realization that I could go into labor early has set in, and I still have so many things I need to take care of before then. I just felt that taking a little time off would be best. I am really looking forward to it. The kids will still be in school, so I will have a little time for myself.

It's getting harder and harder to get around. I was thinking of renting a motorized cart to drive around. At Carillon all the residents always drove "Jazzy Prides" with stereos on them. They were kind of dangerous drivers. Those things can go pretty fast! And I love the elderly dearly, but they think that they own the road with those things. Come on, we've all seen them in Wal-mart where they act like the commander of the aisle and are oblivious to anyone around them shopping.

Last night we went walking at the track. It's practically in my back yard. Madi was so funny. She ran the entire time, taking periodic breaks. She wanted to keep up with this lady jogging. She would run along side of her, and fall back a little, and then pick up her speed. She'd rest for a minute, and then say, "well I gotta go." And take off running. She probably ran 1/2 a mile in total. This morning she woke up and said, my legs hurt. When I dropped her off at school this morning, she put her backpack on, and said, "well I've got an important job today. I better go!" I love it that she loves school and gets excited about it. I hope it stays that way!

Not much else is going on. I finished "The Scarlett Thread" by Francine Rivers today. I liked it a lot. It was good. Now I need another book. I think I am going to try her series, "The Mark of the Lion." I have heard a lot about those books. I've always liked to read, I just never did. But I don't really watch t.v. anymore. It just doesn't interest me. I still watch "Lost" but that is really the only show I watch that I used to. Well and I guess not having cable kind of limits your choices. I could get it hooked up, but I just really don't care to. I'd rather read or write or do something else. I never thought I could live without MTV...I love their reality shows. Except for anything with Bam Margera. I can't stand that guy. I would kill him if he was my son. But turns out, I can live without MTV. And I'm probably better off without it! Well this was a really random post. I hope you all have a good week!

Moving Right Along

I went to the doctor, and everything is good. I gained one pound in the last two weeks. So I am now up to a whopping 5 pounds that I have gained. So if you minus that from the 18 I orginally lost, I am down only 13 pounds. Everyone keeps worrying about me, but I assure you I eat. I mean I ate so much pizza I made myself sick. My weightloss during pregnancy has always been a mystery.

Something exciting happened today. I might have a new job prospect. I'm not going to give details right now, because we've only talked once, and a lot could still happen. However, it's kind of exciting to me, and has the potential to turn into something really great. I have a friend who is a single mom, and she was telling me that when she started looking for a job, she prayed to God about it. She told him, "God I need a really kick ass job." Which I thought was funny that she said it like that. Ass isn't a bad word, but it's not one I generally say, most especially when praying. But anyways, I kind of started thinking about that, and thought well why can't I pray with that kind of confidence that God will deliver. He delivered that kind of job for her, so why not me? And then this kind of came up, much thanks to my sister, Suzanne, and so I am excited to see where it might go. Anyways, I just wanted to share. Once I know more, I will give details.

Other than that, things are good. My parents have been helping me this week get the house in order. We rearranged my living room, got my bedroom cleaned, and got curtains up. It's actually starting to look habitable, instead of a chaotic mess! I'm doing good too. I have my last week of divorce care on Sunday, and then we're going to eat together. I guess to celebrate divorce...ha ha. No but really, I can't believe it's been 13 weeks that I've been going to that support group. It has been a great thing for me. I am glad I went through it when I did. I started the group looking more like a lost puppy, and now I really have a confidence about myself and the situation. We have all truly been taken care of and been blessed.

On a complete side note, I'm sitting in class right now. Some of these kids conversations are just beyond me. They're talking about Britney Spears. One boy says she has a lot of money because she sold so many albums. He continues to say that he heard she is relapsing. Another boy says, "what's relapse?" And some other boy tells him it's when you go back to drinking or drugs. He knew this information because his mother watches the show "Intervention." The other boys says, "no she's relapsing back into a singing career." I just started laughing at them. These kids are 10th graders. I am just glad these kids I have now are good kids. There are some very scary conversations that I have been witness too. Youth of today...they need help!

What's Going On

I stayed home yesterday from school. I made myself sick on pizza. It's my fault...I should have known better. Suzanne had pizza at her house and the kids were over there, and it sounded so good. Pizza and pregnant are two words that don't go together for me very well. After about piece number four, I lost track. All I know is that I woke up at 11:30 and thought I was going to die from indigestion. I don't think I actually went to sleep until about 5a.m. So I stayed home. It didn't completely go away until yesterday afternoon. Never again...never!

I was looking through my closet and I can't wait to wear normal clothes again. To see a waistline would be so nice! I go to the doctor on thursday, which will be May 3rd. So I will be 4 weeks away! I know that having another is going to complicate my life in lots of ways, but I am ready. I am really tired of being pregnant. I am ready to take on the challenges, because I know the Lord will be there, and I have lots of support. So we will make it!

At church a couple of weeks ago they had "Compassion Sunday". Monterey is a big supporter of Compassionate Internationale, which is where you can "adopt" a child from a 3rd world country to support. I had wanted to do that last year when they had Compassion Sunday, but I never did. So this year, I decided I was going to do that. Madi and Kyle weren't with me, so I picked out the child myself. I picked a little girl that was Madi's age, because I thought it would be a good way to help teach her about giving to others who don't have as much. Trying to explain this to her wasn't as easy as I thought. The little girl doesn't have any hair and Madi thinks that she's poor, because she has no hair. In fact everything I said, she questioned me with, "Is that because she has no hair?" I told her that she lived in a part of the world where a lot of people are sick. So then she asked is one day we could go visit. And I said maybe so. But then she changed her mind, because she didn't want to get sick and lose her hair. She is hilarious.

She got sick on Friday with an ear infection. Her second in her life, I am so thankful!!! The doctor had to take the wax out of her ear in order to look at her eardrum. In the process, some skin came off with it (inside her ear) and it started bleeding pretty bad. We had the doctor, the nurse and myself holding her down. It was horrible. She has recovered now, and she is fine. I felt so sorry for the doctor, he felt horrible. He wasn't sure if he had ruptured her ear drum or not, but she is okay...so I am thankful. I just don't need anything else un-nerving her. She already went in there telling him that he may not touch her uvula. I think I covered this before, but yes my 5 year old knows what a uvula is and she is not fond of having it touched. In case you don't know what a uvula is, it's that hangy thing in the back of your throat.

Anyways, I am still a little worried about Kyle's ears. Right now I am just praying about it. I haven't been to the doctor, and maybe I thought he was getting one, and is now fine, but I still get worried about it. I am just really not wanting to do tubes again right now, because of the cost. My deductible is outrageous, and I'm still trying to pay off the last two surgeries. But if it happens, it will be okay. I just want him to be well!!!!

Well that is about all that is going on in our world. Just getting everything ready for Mason. My mom told me to go ahead and pack my bag. I just can't believe we are getting that close. Part of me is nervous, and part of me isn't. I'm more nervous about the emotional part of all this for me. I think that may be a little more challenging. But the actual labor itself, I haven't really even thought about. Give me my epidural and I'm fine! I pray that holds true for this time too! :)