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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Baby #2 and It's Complicated.

It looks like our family will be expanding by another member this year! I found out in February that I was pregnant again and a mix of emotions followed shortly after! First, this baby was a  bit of a surprise. We weren't exactly trying, but I guess we weren't NOT trying either, so surprise! I took the first test at work and it came back positive right away. Now, when I suspected I was pregnant with Riley, I took 8 tests. That's right, 8. When I got the first positive with him it was so faint that I couldn't believe that it could possibly be true...even that I might be imagining it! So when this one came back bright blue right away, there was not much doubt in my mind (though I did take 2 more tests just to be sure). :o)
I quickly made the choice to switch doctors as well when I discovered I was pregnant again. My previous OB had, let's just say, not the nicest bedside manner. When I ended up in the hospital in the middle of the night with Riley thinking I was losing him, all that doctor said to me was "well, there's nothing I can do if you're going to lose it, so just go home. Now I know this is actually true, but I'm by no means a hysterical woman, so it's not like I needed a good slap to the face. Just some empathy would have been nice! So now I see a midwife, who I really like, though she's a tad brusque. But her nurse is AMAZING!

Now to the complicated part-my first pregnancy was by no means easy. I was on bed rest twice at one point, and had to quit working 3 weeks before Riley was born due to my blood pressure. There was a LOT of morning sickness involved, a trip to the ER at 3am and some bleeding. So when I found out I was pregnant I was hoping maybe this time it would go a little smoother-wrong! I was 4 weeks along when I took the pregnancy test. The morning sickness started exactly a week later. Now, when I say sick, I mean sick. There are some days when I get sick 2-3 times a day. I can't eat anything with onions, tomato sauce or pizza sauce in it. I've been living on rice cakes, lemon drops and mint chocolate chip ice cream for almost 8 weeks now, with no relief in sight. I've also had bleeding. The first bout happened when I was about 6 weeks along. My midwife suspected my placenta was lying low again, which I had with Riley. I had an ultrasound at 8 weeks to double check my due date and it was discovered I was pregnant with twins. At some point I did lose one baby. So it looks like my problems may have been from that, not my placenta. After I found out I had lost one baby, I spent a lot of time researching "Vanishing twin" syndrome. It actually occurs in about 85% of women, though they may never know that there had actually been 2 babies at one point. My midwife assured me that it's very common and there had probably been something developmentally wrong with the one baby that would have made it impossible for it to survive outside the womb. It's nature's way of taking care of the sick and weak I guess. I had a second ultrasound at 11 weeks to double check the healthy baby and it's developing right on track. It's heart beat is strong-165bpm-and always moving. They did show me where the other baby had been. All that was left was an empty yolk sac. A lot of people have asked me if I'm sad that I lost one baby...and honestly, I'm not. It passed before I knew it was there, so it's not like I was 7 months pregnant when it passed. Also, there was most likely something genetically wrong with it. So my body saved that poor baby what most likely would have been months of pain and suffering due to genetic issues.
So I'll move on and be thankful that I have one healthy baby still in there thriving (and making me incredibly sick!)
Now, when it comes to my due date, that's a matter of some consideration. My original date was November 13 (we were really hoping for an 11-11-11 baby!) then at my first ultrasound, the U/S tech moved it to Nov. 7 according to the baby's measurements. At my second U/S, the tech moved it again to Nov. 6. I go next week to see my midwife and hopefully we'll settle on a date then. The big problem with settling on a date is that I've already been told I will have to have another c-section. Since Riley was born by section, they won't even let me try to labor since we live in a rural area and the surrounding hospitals are not rated high enough trauma levels. I was hoping to at least try a natural delivery-I feel like God gave me these child-bearing hips for some reason!!! But after she explained the risks (there are many) I've come to terms with another c-section. I actually had a really good experience with my first section, plus my baby didn't have that awful come head! So, I'm on board! They want to be able to get my due date set so I don't go into labor before my c-section is scheduled!

Welcome to our happy little surprise!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

A new milestone...

It's been a crazy, crazy week in our household. Monday and Tuesday were spent dodging flooding in Findlay and at home (we had a couple of inches in our basement). Wednesday started pretty normally-until Riley projectile vomited all over the dinner table. Thursday and Friday were spent trying to get his fever to drop below 101 (and that was on Tylenol and Motrin!) It finally started dropping on Saturday, though he's still not 100%...

On Wednesday, I got some surprising and exciting news of my own. (more on that in the next few weeks...)

Today-Sunday-Phil is going to pick up Riley's toddler bed from Once Upon a Child. I think he's ready to move, he seems to be having a hard time sleeping in the crib nowadays. He seems cramped and is always kicking the wall and bars. Plus there's always a random limb sticking through the bars. He's also reached the weight limit on his crib. He's pushing 40 pounds now (at least that's what our home scale says and I'm disinclined to believe it. We'll see when he goes for his 2 year check up in May) Who knew that at 21 months, my son would outgrow his crib! I must admit, I'm sick to my stomach about him moving to a toddler bed. Now he'll have free reign at night!! What if he doesn't stay in bed? What if he's up playing all night! I know at night he'll probably be tired enough (especially on school days) to just crash where he is. But what about on weekends when he fights naps...I'M FREAKING OUT!!

(ok, ok, bring it down a notch...)

Needless to say, I've got some issues to work out. We'll probably put it up tonight (after nap) so he can sleep in it tonight. I'll post more tomorrow after what is looking like a sleep deprived night...<sigh>

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Thrifty Seasoning mixes

As a Family on a budget (who isn't these days) I'm always looking for way to cut my grocery bill. I've found a few recipes over the years that have become staples in my pantry due to their low cost and easy prep.

Today's blog will focus on seasonings and rubs. I try to buy cheaper cuts of meat and in the "family" size packs to cut down on the prices per pound. I then portion the meat into freezer bags and freeze it for future use. Having creative ways to prepare the cheaper cuts of meats help cut down on the toughness that sometimes occurs.

I keep a fairly well stocked pantry when it comes to seasonings, so I had the majority of these ingredients on hand already. The rest I was able to pick up at our local IGA for under a dollar or at our local Dollar Tree.

All Purpose Rub:
makes 2/3 cup/seasons about 4 lb. of meat

1 tsp. cumin
1 T. chili powder
1 T kosher salt
1 tsp. oregano
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
1 T paprika
1/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar

*MIX TOGETHER
*RUB INTO SKIN OF MEAT, LET SIT FOR AN HOUR FOR MORE FLAVOR
(The recipe I have says you can use it on chicken, pork, beef or fish. I've only used it on chicken and beef. It's yummy on the grill. The brown sugar gives it a nice glaze.

Taco Seasoning
Yield: 6 T.

8 tsp. dried minced onion
2 T. chili powder
2 tsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

*Combine in airtight container
*Store in cool, dry place for up to 1 year

**I know packets of taco seasoning are fairly cheap in the store, however I think this recipe tastes better. Plus I feel better giving Riley taco meat (which he loves) as I know exactly what's in this seasoning. Less preservatives is always good!

Onion Soup Mix
Yield: about 1 c. mix

3/4 c. minced onion
1/3 c beef bullion
4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. celery seed, crushed
1/4 tsp sugar

For onion soup dip--5 T. dry mix to 16 oz. sour cream
I also use this mix on roasted potatoes, roasted chicken and pot roast in the slow cooker

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Planning ElmoPalooza 2011

I have started planning Riley's 2nd birthday party this month. It is, of course, an Elmo themed party. Elmo is his favorite, right behind The Wiggles. (We are not having a Wiggle Party because party items for them are not as readily available as Sesame Street items)

I hand made his invitations:  (I'LL REPOST A PIC LATER-I REALIZED THEY HAD MY PHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS IN THE PIC!)

I found the tableware at the Dollar Store (woohoo!)

I have Elmo cupcake liners. I plan on doing cupcakes for his party and for his class at school. I also found candy heads that I'll use for chocolate covered pretzel sticks. The cupcake tier I found at Walmart for $5! It's a Valentine's Day tier, but it's red so that's all that matters!





Here are some ideas I plan on doing for his party:



I'll post more ideas as I come up with them!

Scrapbook Craftiness

Several of my friends, noting my passion for scrapbooking, have asked me to post pictures of some of my pages. Here is what I sacrifice a clean house and hours of Riley's naptimes for:
Trampoline

Who do I look like?

Welcome Riley

1 month old-I did a page for each month, put a picture and monthly height and weight stats. There is a page for each month up to his first birthday.

The many faces of Riley

Clipping coupons

Christmas in Carey 2009

Folding laundry

My middle name is trouble

Choosing a name...

So, I've decided to start a blog again. I had one once before but after 2 posts I never got much further. I'd like to use this one to tell stories about my family, share crafts ideas (I've got some good ones coming up!), share recipes and who knows what else! I'm just looking to share my voice!

The reason I named the blog what I did is in part a funny story concerning my son. Riley is 21 months old now and is talking up a storm. Not only is he more verbal, he's more vocal in his opinions. I'm considering banning the words "No" and "Mine" in our house. Now, I know he's a normal toddler when it comes to those specific words and attitudes, but it doesn't make me any less embarrassed when I have to pick him up off the floor in a store as he's screaming "NNNNOOOOOO" at the top of his lungs (which happen to be very healthy). I'm always worried someone is going to think I'm actually kidnapping him and not just trying to leave a store in peace.

Yesterday we took Riley to an indoor bounce house so he could have a chance to rid himself of his toddler attitudiness (yes, I believe that's a real word). As we were leaving the place, we walk out and I say "Let's find Momma's car." Riley simply states "No, Riley's Car." as if there's no argument about it. I jokingly reply, "No silly, it's Momma's car." Again, he states "No, Riley's Car." Fine, no more arguing...

When we arrive home, we ask him where Daddy's car is. He promptly points to Daddy's car and states "Dada's car." He looks at my car and shouts "Riley's Car!!"

It looks like Riley thinks he's getting a car for his second birthday.