Today has been a rather productive day so far- I received Vangie's Preschool curriculum in the mail Yesterday-- and Today I have been going through it and getting organized. We will start tomorrow on her 22 week Kindergarten Readiness!!! She is excited to do her "school work" and I know it will get her excited to start "real" school. Although she tells me everyday that she does NOT want to "grow up" she wants to be little forever. I told her that just because she goes to Kindergarten does not mean she has to grown up, she can still be my little girl.

I also started back up with my Personal Bible Study- which I have been meaning to do for MONTHS now. I am doing a Bible Study by Beth Moore entitled "Esther, It's tough being a woman." And as you can probably guess, it is on the book of ESTHER. It is a 9 week study, and I did the first week months ago- today I am restarting- I like the Beth Moore Bible studies because they really DIG DEEP into the Bible, it is not just reading one or two Bible verses a day and calling it good, you really read the Bible and she teaches you things about what you are reading- This is the third study by Beth Moore that I have done and I know she has quite a few more out there so I can just keep on doing them! It feels good to get back into the Word of God- life is so much easier with God front and center.

Lucy is doing well eating, sleeping and pooping- she has become a tad bit more VOCAL the past few days and will cry if she wants to be held- which is most of the time! She still does quite a bit of sleeping, and when she does sleep I hurry up and get everything done around here because I cannot accomplish much when she is eating or when I am holding her.... we all are enjoying Baby Lucy- when she cried she sounds like a little cat, so I have been calling her my "little kitten". Evangeline told me today that she is not a kitten, she is a little PIGLET-- ha ha ha, too funny.

I just got back from getting the kids from school and the baby is still asleep in her car-seat, so I have some time to update the site- Yesterday we went to the Air Show, and it was a LOT Of fun. They had some small rides for the kids that we did first- there was also a ROCK WALL that kids could climb. Joey and Sophia climbed at the same time. They both got scared about half way up and wanted to come down. Chris and I were yelling up encouraging words for them- saying that they were Almost there! And that they could DO IT! Joey stayed frozen in one spot, but Sophia DUG DEEP and continued the CLIMB. She climbed ALL THE WAY to the TOP. YEAH SOPHIA!

Chris was amazed at her tenacity -- and even HE admitted, she gets that from ME. The kids came down off the wall and Sophia ran up to me. The first thing she said? "Mommy! I beat JOEY."  I just told them both I was happy they tried and I was proud of them both. (and later in private I told Sophia I was glad she wasn't scared and climbed all the way to the top!)

After the kiddie rides we walked around and looked at all the aircraft- both on the ground as a static display and in the air zooming around. At about 1pm we left the air-show and got some lunch, and they drove back and stayed in our van- from our parking spot was an excellent place to view the F-22-- I have video of it on the VIDEOS page- totally amazing!  We could feel the vibrations from it all the way where we were sitting. AND it was LOUD! After the F-22 we watched the amazing Blue Angels. Then we drove home. It was a great day.

Also another story- on Saturday night while we were at church Chris and I met a really nice couple who were seated behind us. They asked if Lucy was our first child, and were shocked to find out she was our fourth- actually at least 4 people asked us that night if Lucy was our first.... how funny. This couple said they had three of their own. Then the man asked us if all our kids were "planned". I find this a bit odd, I would never ask someone I just met if all their children were planned, but I honestly didn't mind-

And in case you were wondering yourself, YES, every ONE of our children were "planned". As in we decided we wanted another child!  Sophia was born only 17.5 months after Joey- and that is what I wanted. I remember Chris and I discussing having a third child-- and two months later I was pregnant with Evangeline. Lucy took the longest to conceive- and that was only because of other things happening in life- we moved to Hawaii, and we wanted to wait until we were settled in Hawaii because we both knew I got horrible morning sickness and I didn't want to move if I was sick- they My mom got sick and died...

I remember talking with my Mom about how Chris and I wanted another child. And she said "well, you better hurry up!" She knew that we were going to have another baby... and that makes me happy that even though she never met Lucy she knew that there would eventually BE a lucy!  Then Chris deplopyed for about 3 months... and Finally Lucy is here and our family is complete. We finally feel a sense of completion.  We both no longer feel like there is someone "missing". And that is the best feeling. Yes, even couples with FOUR children plan for them , want them and love them. I love my large family and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

I have a picture on the RIGHT- of all the kids next to my new DREAM stroller (the Phil and Ted's explorer) This is us when we walk to school every morning and afternoon. Lucy rides in her car seat, Vangie rides below in the special "Vangie Seat". Sophia and Joey walk. It works really well- you can definitely see us coming!!! I just have to say I love, love, love my new stroller- having a stroller than enables you to wrangle all your kids makes life so much easier!

ABOVE is a picture I took last night on our way to church. We like to go to the 5pm Saturday Night Service. We finally made it to church again!!! I was  literally so sick during my pregnancy that we could not go for a long time... It is so nice to be back. The kids love going- they go to the "children's church" area and play games and have lots of fun. Lucy stays with Chris and I. Lots of people wanted to look at her and thought she looked so cute. NOBODY could believe she was only 2 weeks old. They all thought she was a least a month because of her chunkiness- she is so adorable. Although LAST NIGHT she did NOT want to sleep in her bassinet- everytime I tried to lay her in it she would squirm and make weird noises... which I could not sleep through- so she ended up most of the night in bed with me, which was her master plan, I am sure.

Today we are all going to an Air Show where the Blue Angels will be at Kaneohe Bay- so I should have some good pictures for tomorrow. I have never been to an air show- I think it will be a good time.

Yesterday Lucy had her 2 week check-up! Chris had to take her and and Vangie by himself because I was otherwise indisposed waiting for my OWN Dr. Apt.

The nurse at her clinic said he had never seen a Dad bring in a 2-week infant old by himself... well, Chris is officially "super-dad". He told the nurse that this was his FOURTH child and she said "well, THAT explains it... you really look like you KNOW what you are doing."

So Lucy is 75% for height and weight.... 22 inches (we think, Chris cannot remember exactly) and 9.7 oz for her weight. She is super healthy and perfect. Chris said she didn't cry AT ALL , even when they had to undress her and examine her. She is such a laid back baby!  I can tell she is going through a growth spurt because she is eating like CRAZY, and adding extra filling to all her yummy rolls that I love to kiss.

The other day Sophia has a "Mastery Spelling Test" where her class was tested on ALL the spelling words they have had this year and Sophia got them ALL RIGHT!, 100%!! She is one smart cookie.I think she likes to fly "under the radar" with her intelligence... she doesn't brag about it or let anyone know, she just gets 100% all the time.

I have a hole in my heart. I have been really missing my Mom lately. Bringing home a new baby, and NOT having your Mother there to see her, to hold her, to talk about hoe beautiful she is with you... is really hard. If Mom were still here she'd be flying out so spend some time. She would look at Lucy and instantly love her as much as I do... and that kind of love does not happen  everyday.  All my kids still talk about Mom like she is still here. They still call my Dad's house "Gramma Perkins house"... they still see her pictures and talk about being with her... They know she is in heaven- but I wonder if they realize that they will never see her again? 

I know that I will never see her again. I will never pick up the phone and call her... and it still breaks my heart. I fight back tears everyday- probably more lately with all these post baby hormones running through my body. Yesterday as I was mopping the floor I was thinking about mom and started to get teary-eyed. Normally I hold them back- but yesterday  for the first time I let myself have a good cry. I cried because I miss her, because I wish she were still here. I cried for all the memories we won't make together- because she isn't here to see my children grow up... and because I don't have a Mom anymore.  I don't care HOW old you are when you lose you Mom.... it is a hole in your heart that never heals. It may get covered up, it may get a bit smaller, this hole... but you will hear a song, or see a picture... or think of a memory... and the hole will rip back open again.  

A friend of mine shared this Poem with me.... It really rings true.

The Dash Poem, by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

Today is Career Day at the kids school- they get to dress up like a career they would like- Sophia decided she would be a Cheerleader, Joey is "A guy who builds houses".

Chris was up and out the door by 4:40am this morning....  I had my alarm set for 5:30- I was able to get up, shower and get ready for the day before any children (including the baby) stirred- fed and dressed the baby, got the big kids up and breakfast ready... really if I give myself enough time it is easy (barring any disaster! Last night Baby Lucy slept in my bed with me ALMOST the whole night.  She is such a con artist!!!

Joey is giving his "Heritage Presentation" at school today- remember the big poster board that Chris helped him with? He also has  to give a speech and bring an item from his heritage. Chris went to China Town yesterday and looked FOREVER until he finally found a rice hat! These hats were commonly wore in Vietnam working in the rice fields- perfect! So, we each posed with the rice hat on.. these pics are on the MEET THE SCHMITTS page- they are so cute.

Today is Chris's last day of Baby Leave! Tomorrow he has duty- which means it will be ALL ME to get everything done around here. I know that everything will be fine and get accomplished, it will just be sad not to have Chris around- PLUS not to mention he has been super helpful! This morning I woke up to him making the kids bacon and waffles for breakfast. Who doesn't like waking up to THAT? Plus he has been taking the kids and picking them up from school everyday- something that I will once again have to do-- it will actually be good for me to walk those two extra miles every day.
 
Lucy will be two weeks old on Friday, so she and I are starting to get into a schedule- and she is still VERY easy. The only time she cries is when I am giving her a bath and she is cold. Any other time she just makes these little bird noises. She is SO cute. She DOES weasel her way into bed with me every night. She always starts out in her bassinet.... but then she will wake up and want to nurse... and after she nurses if I put her back in her bassinet she will make bird noises until I pick her back up and snuggle her in beside me- once snuggled beside me she will fall right back asleep. I will always put her back into her bassinet at some point, and she will sleep there until she gets hungry again and then the cycle will repeat itself. I am not complaining though... who doesn't love a sweet smelling snuggly baby curled up beside them?

Since Chis has been home on leave we have done some shopping and acquired some things for our growing family- first a DEEP FREEZER for  the garage!  We have desperately needed one of a while. Now I finally have one and it is stocked full of food so I don't have to run to the commissary as often. We also bought a 4 slice TOASTER..... I figured it was time to break down and upgrade so that the kids toast can be accomplished with the touch of ONE button.

I also have pics of my workout Studio that I put on the POST-PARDUM FITNESS page!

Today is Pajama Day at the kids school- Sophia came down this morning in her pajamas- I asked her "Aren't you going to get dressed?" To which she responded. "It's PAJAMA day, MOM!" Okay then! This week is "spirit week" at school- I guess yesterday was HAT day (which we forgot).

My Home gym is now COMPLETE! Chris worked really hard to get it organized and looking GREAT. I will post pics of it on the BODY AFTER BABY page (which I will add later today, I promise!)  AND I need to BRAG about my WONDERFUL husband- yesterday he cleaned the ENTIRE HOUSE. Yes, he scrubbed the TOILETS and FLOORS (on his hands and knees) while I sat on the couch and snuggled with baby Lucy. He is the best hubby EVER!

Baby Lucy is doing FABULOUS! Her Umbilical cord fell off last night while Chris was changing her diaper and I was asleep upstairs- (I let Lucy hang out with Chris from about 9-11pm while I sleep) He saved the piece of umbilical for me to look at this morning- She looks much more comfortable with that off of her!

Yesterday I ordered Evangeline's Pre-school curriculum from THIS website- http://www.prekscholars.com/family-kit/default.aspx    I am excited to get started working with her and am even MORE excited to have everything already laid out for me so I know I am doing what I am supposed too!  I am not sure how excited Vangie is, I mention to her at least once a week that we need to get ready for kindergarten that she will start next year!!! And she seems a little bit less than thrilled. I am sure she will come around though!

Last night my our friends and Josh and Jen Lail brought us over DINNER- (although I am pretty sure it was JEN who did all the cooking!) And it was AMAZING!!! I feel so thankful and I hope I conveyed that extreme thankfulness to them when they dropped the dinner off- it was like Thanksgiving all the things that she made-fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, mac-n-cheese, salad, cupcakes!!! We all ate VERY well last night and enjoyed it IMMENSELY!  ALTHOUGH I think it de-railed my post-pregnancy weight loss by a few day, that is OKAY.

There is a new video of Baby Lucy on the "Video" page.


Yesterday Lucy and I went to a baby shower for a friend. Lucy got all dressed up and wore her party dress. She looked so cute! While I was showering babies with Lucy, Chris took the big kids to the movie theater. They are really loving having their daddy home- and I am also clinging onto the days he is home- 3 more, counting today- and then It will be all me in the morning. I will need to get up extra early to get everything done on that day!

Today Chris, Lucy , Evangeline and I will hit the commissary and then do some other errands around town. I really need to clean my house! It is NOT up to my usual standards! However, with the addition of another Schmittling my priorities have to be re-organized. If it comes between mopping the floor and snuggling with my Lucy.... I am going to snuggle!

Today I DO need to figure out some sort of daily schedule for myself when Chris goes back to work. There are so many things that I want/need to get done in a day, if I don't have some structure I will get NOTHING done!

What I need to get done everyday- 
0530- Get the BABY up/fed/milk pumped/diaper changed/ dressed. Get the kids up/fed/ready for school. 

0720- walk the kids to school with baby in the stroller. 
0800- home from school.
0815-0915-  Feed Baby. workout in Garage while Vangie watches Sesame Street.
0920-1000- Shower/dress/throw in laundry. 
1000-1100- SCHOOL WORK WITH VANGIE (I need to start implementing this!)
  1100-1130 Lunch/con't laundry.
1130-1230- Quick pick up of house. Or at least clean what desperately needs it- like bathrooms or Vacuum or Whatever! Also,  Prep Dinner( or at least have some IDEA of dinner!) 

1240-140- NAP TIME- for Vangie, Lucy AND MOMMY!!
140- walk to get kids from school- 
230- evening- what happens in the afternoon depends on the day. Mon and Fri there are no activities so I will use these days for grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning.

Tues and Thurs Joey has Football from 530-630pm.

Wednesdays the girls have gymnastics from 5-6:15. 

630pm- Dinner, bathe all 4 schmittlings. (thankfully Joey and Sophia can bathe themselves!) Pick up house a bit and snuggle with my kids until bed time at 8pm!
 
Usually I fall into A COMA at 830pm- I am hoping a nap during the day will help me stay up with Chris until 10pm so we can have some adult conversation time.

I also want to fit in 1 hour of Bible Study time a day-- I have a really great study on the book of Esther by Beth Moore that has been sitting on my shelf for MONTHS. Where can I carve out an hour?? 

I have a new VIDEO pf Vangie Singing on the Videos Page- go check it out!

The day started off with a dentist apt for ME... at 8am. Since the baby cannot  be too far away from me, this meant that Chris and the kids had to come too! They waited out in the Lobby while I had my filling replaced- fun times. After THAT we stopped at Home Depot to buy Mirrors. Mirrors for WHAT you ask? Well, Chris is putting together a workout studio for me in the garage! Yeah! It has a padded floor, Mirrors on the wall (to check my form while lifting weights!) My treadmill and A TV to play my workout videos. I plan on starting the "Insanity" 60 day program by Beach-body in a couple weeks. I am so excited to get back to working out and feeling fit. There is no other feeling in the WORLD! I will be starting a Post Pregnancy Workout Page very, very soon chronicling my weight loss and getting back into shape. It will be a similar layout as my "Running Pregnant" page-- just for AFTER THE BABY. I am giving myself 4 months to get back into fighting shape. 

After Home Depot the kids were begging to go home- but one more stop- Babies R US- I had to get a gift for a baby shower Lucy and I are attending tomorrow. We also picked up some items for Lucy- Butt Paste, pacifiers... little things that I didn't know I needed until now. Then we came home, had Lunch and banished the girls kicking and screaming to their room for a NAP. A MUCH NEEDED NAP!! They were NOT happy, but they will be in a MUCH better mood when they get up.

While the girls were napping, Chris was helping Joey with this "Family Tree" school project that is due Monday. They put together a poster board with pictures of the whole family- and where we are all from- His "Ancestry".  I put a picture of the project on the right- Joey also will be giving an oral presentation.  I let Chris be totally in charge of this project because he has been home on Leave (an will be until Thursday- Yeah!)  

Grandma Tuy flew back to Florida yesterday. We loved having her here for almost 3weeks, I think it is the longest she has ever stayed with us. The kids LOVED having their Grandma here, and so did I because she was such a big help with Baby Lucy.  We will miss her a lot but we will see her again soon!
 

So baby Lucy has been here for ONE WEEK! (well, almost... it will be one week today at 10:48am) She is getting cuter everyday. We are getting into a nice schedule- and I am glad to have this last week over with. Recovering from childbirth is a taxing process! I am still dealing with the "milk" issue- I produce enough milk to feed triplets. Seriously. It is VERY painful when my milk"comes in"- the other night while baby Lucy slept peacefully I was up ALL NIGHT trying to clear a clogged milk duct. I could hardly move my arm as it was SO painful-- milk ducts go all the way up into your armpit if you didn't know--- and when they get clogged the milk cannot escape and it is EXTREME PAIN. At 1am I tried using the breast pump to clear it... then at 3am with the pain did not subside I got into a hot shower to try to massage the duct clear. Then I pumped again and the problem finally resolved itself. I was only out pretty much a whole night of sleep.

I am still waiting for my milk supply to regulate itself. I don't want to pump to relieve the oversupply because then my body will produce even more- the human body is so miraculous in how it will up the supply if there is a demand. I pretty much have to wait it out and my body will hopefully soon produce just enough for Lucy's needs and no more. I will stock up on breast pads and Motrin . The positive side of all this is I realise how great I look with huge boobs- the bigger your boobs are the smaller your stomach looks!

I have also signed up for Weight Watchers Online to lose the baby weight. I don't care WHO you are, it is HARD to lose baby weight. And the older you get I think the harder it is. 31 is by no means "old", but I am older than I was with my previous children. With each of my children I have busted my butt to do it... I am not one of those lucky ones who fit into their jeans the day (or weeks) after. With Evangeline I started training for a 50k trail run (that's 32 miles!) I would routinely go out on 10-15 mile training runs. I do not have the TIME or DESIRE to do that this time around.  I am leaning towards cleaning up my diet... which during the last month of pregnancy I pretty much ate what-ever I wanted! And moderate exercise... I will start power-walking next week and I won't start running until after my 6wk postpartum checkup. 

 I lost 15lbs this past first week... so 15-20 more to go to go. (15 for my regular clothes, 20 for my "skinny"clothes.) I don't want to rush things, which is why weight watchers appealed to me- its a reputable program that will help me pick healthy food choices. I also like that it allows for and has allowances for Nursing moms- you need more calories when you nurse a baby! AND If you "work out" you can earn more food "points" so the more you DO the more you are allowed-- which makes perfect sense. 

They were running a special- 4 months for the price of 3- yesterday was my first day signed into my 4 month program. (4 months to lose 20 pounds, I can do it!)  It was my first try at logging my "points". According to my weight/activity level and the fact I am a nursing Mom I get 34 points a day... (I figure that is around 1700- 1800 calories) I did really great during the day but then we went out to eat because it was Grandma Tuy's last night here with us. It's HARD to eat "healthy" in a restaurant! Even eating a spinach salad and the hummus platter, my daily total was 45 points. Ouch. that's 12 over!  That's okay, that just means I have room for improvement.  And, did you KNOW that Starbucks Banana Bread has 11 POINTS PER SLICE!!  I am thinking I need to dig out my healthy recipes and bake some of my own!

The girls had their birthdays last week and got some really neat packages in the mail! Grandpa Perkins and Grandma Kathy sent a box of goodies- stuffed animals, colored pencils and candy! The kids had fun spreading everything out on the floor and playing with it all.

Also, Diana and Merle sent the girls a box- Sophia LOVED the make-up mirror. She was enthralled with it, and actually slept with it under her pillow! Now she can put it in her purse and check her hair periodically throughout the day.

Vangie also LOVED the dress that they sent to her- it is just her style and she could not WAIT to put it on!

Thank you so much to everyone who sent the girls cards and gifts!!!! They loved everything and it made their birthday extra special.

Lucy is doing great and sleeping really well at night- she sleeps better than I DO! I am constantly waking up and checking on her! Yesterday she looked super cute in her "I Love Daddy" outfit. ''

I am sure Lucy woke up this morning thinking she had been kidnapped and taken to China Town. Grandma Tuy is making tons of Vietnamese delicacies and the house smells very Asian-y. I think she was relieved to know she was still part of the Schmitt family.

Today Vangie had her 4 yr check up at the Dr.  The Dr. was amazed at her growth spurt and had to measure her height twice because she didn't believe it the first time. I can't remember the exact numbers, but Vangie is 50% for weight and 90% for height- my skinny string bean. After the Dr. we went to the Mall to get Lucy's picture taken at Sears. Normally I just take the kids pictures myself, but I had a coupon so I decided to take her there and get one taken- It's just one pose but it's pretty cute. I won't have it for a couple weeks, but when I do I'll post it on the website.

Nobody can believe Lucy is only 5 days old- everyone thinks she is at least a month- because she is so big and beautiful- and she is STILL super laid back. She also eats all the time, which is fine for me-- I can multi-task and can nurse her doing pretty much anything- shopping, cooking, updating the website...  so much more convenient than formula and dealing with bottles.

It's so nice having Chris around to help- right now he is off getting the kids from school- I am glad I don't have to deal with all of that just yet. When the kids get home from school Chris and I are heading to Sports Authority. I am in need of some "transitional" clothing- maternity clothes are too big, before-pregnancy clothes are too tight- I need some comfy "in-between" clothes to wear  that make me feel good and not like a shape-less blob- I hope we find something!

Lucy has been home a full day now- it is so nice to be a complete family and have her here- and it is SO NICE to have her 9lb butt out of my body! I was SO uncomfortable that last week, but of course it was worth every minute. Lucy is a super baby- she eats very, very well...and very often. Last night she wanted to eat every 30 min- until I figured out to swaddle her really tight like a little sausage- then she slept for about 2-3 hours at a time. She sleeps in a bassinet right by my bed and I woke up every hour and would peak at her and make sure she was still breathing.... I think EVERY mother does that with EVERY baby she brings home from the hospital.

Baby Lucy Birth Story Posted Below!

It is Saturday and we are home from the hospital! I want to get my birth story written down while it is still fresh in my mind. First the Stats-              LUCY DELILA SCHMITT was born on Friday, September 10th at 10:48 am - almost 7 hours after we first got to the hospital. She weighed 8lbs 15.4 oz- just shy of 9 lbs, but I am calling it 9 because I am the one who pushed her out!  Her Apgars were 9 and 9. (very healthy!) She came out SCREAMING. She has a full head of black hair, and she is super laid back.

Now I will post the long version-

As I posted previously, on Thursday evening I went to an Acupuncture appointment to hopefully get labor rolling! I was hopeful that it would work , but not super confident. We came home that evening, celebrated Vangies birthday and I went to bed about 9am. At 12 midnight I woke up from a weird "popping" feeling in my belly- like Lucy kicked me really hard and in a weird spot. For a minute I thought my water had broken- I got up to use the bathroom, my water had NOT broken so I got back in bed. I began to notice cramping coming every 10 min or so. I tried not to get too excited because I have had several bouts of false labor all week... I got up to use the bathroom again and walked downstairs to ask Chris if he was ever coming to bed. He came up around 1am or so. A little after he got in bed I was still cramping so I came downstairs and got on the computer- one way to see if it is false labor or real labor is to change positions and activities- if its false labor the contractions will go away, if it is real labor then nothing will stop it!

I was on the computer for about an hour and still had contractions. At this point is was 2am. I decided to tell Chris that I thought this was it! I woke him up- this was after he had gotten about 1.5 hours of sleep, I could tell he did NOT want to get up. I told him I would get in the tub for a while and he could stay in bed. In the tub the contractions were getting a bit stronger. At this point they were coming about 3-5 min apart and lasting about 30 sec. I was worried because they were really close together. I called for Chris to get out of bed. It took him a while but finally he was up. I asked him to go for a walk with me- He told him mom that we were going for a walk and that I was HOPEFULLY In labor!

We walked about 20 min around the neighborhood around 2:30am. I was glad it was the middle of the night so no one could see me stop and bend over with each contraction! We got back home and we both knew that this was real labor! I called the babysitter at 3am and she arrived to watch the kids at 3:35- we left the house and got to the hospital at 4am. Thankfully we missed rush hour and actually got a parking spot!  We walked up to L&D and they hooked me up to the monitors- I was definite having contractions and I was dilated 4cm! and 80% effaced! That was up from 2cm and 50% effaced a couple days prior! I was FINALLY IN LABOR!  The midwives do not get on duty until 6am so the Dr. on duty told us to walk around until then and come back so I could be admitted by the midwife.

So Chris, Tuy (his mother) and I proceeded to walk around the (thankfully) mostly empty hospital. The contractions began to come about 2 -3 min apart... and they began to HURT. I had to stop and bend over and breath through each one- Chris would rub my back which helped. About 5am I started telling Chris- I think I may need an epidural! If it hurts THIS much NOW... I couldn't imagine how painful it would get. With Evangeline I had a natural delivery but it only got super painful at the very end... I thought it was still early in the game. However, I forgot how well I had educated Chris on the benefits of a Natural "drug free" birth. We both knew the side effects of pitocin and the epidural- how babies get all those drugs too- and plus as the mom recovery is not as smooth or pleasant if you have had an epidural... to give birth "drug free" is the biggest high in the WORLD! Chris knew that I really wanted to go drug free, so he was adamant that I could do it without the epidural. He wouldn't even let me TALK about it. We got back to L&D at 5:30 and I was in TEARS, I was in so much pain I was basically losing it. The nurse I had was AWESOME! She led me back to get monitored again and told me that I had probably progressed a lot and that it was going to be fine- 

I felt better once we got back to L&D, I just felt safer laboring where I needed to be. They hooked me back up on the monitors and the Dr. on duty checked me again. I was now 5cm and 90% effaced! She said she could admit me now- and I asked if I could get in the birth tub- I just needed something (besides drugs) to help me cope with the pain. She said yes at first but then when we were walking over to the birthing room she said she looked at the printout of the babies heart-rate and noticed a couple of "decelerations" and that HER recommendation was that I labor in bed, constantly monitored. This was crushing- I knew if I had to labor in bed hooked up to monitors I would lose my mind. Let me tell you about this Dr.- she was young, had 'ZERO" personality and acted very cold and stoic. I really did NOT like her ( and I am not the only one, my midwife later told me she had other women complain about this certain Dr.) Thankfully another Dr. also reviewed the printout and said it was fine for me to get in the tub. I am SO GLAD that I was in the midwife department and never had to see this Dr. Again.

At 5:45ish I got in the tub- it felt heavenly and helped SO MUCH! A little after 6am RoseMary, the on-call midwife arrived. She was like a breath of fresh air- so nice and warm! She checked the baby with a hand held Doppler and the baby sounded great. She said to keep doing the tub as long as it helped and she would be back later. After an hour in the tub the jets were starting to bother me, and the contractions were getting stronger so I got out and sat on the birth ball. Chris pulled up a chair and sat behind me. The contractions were coming between 2-4 min and every-time I had one I would breath through it and lean back onto him- he was such a huge help and my rock through all of this, any time I needed him he was there- I would say rub my back! Don't touch me! "Get over here" or "stop!" and he would do it- he didn't take my barking orders personally. :) 

The midwife came back and I asked he to check my progress. I was now 7cm dilated and almost completely effaced- the baby was still high, but often times babies don't drop until right before birth.  I got back on the birth ball and was feeling pretty good I couldn't believe I was 7cm and the pain was manageable! I even joked around with Chris between contractions!  But soon they started to get more and more intense... I really had to concentrate and breath through them.  I labored for another hour and a half-  the midwife came back to check me again- I was STILL 7cm!! What???

I got back on the birth ball and the midwife said she could break my bag of waters- this would certainly speed up labor. HOWEVER, I had this done with my labor with Joey and I KNEW it would get much more intense and painful. I honestly didn't think I could handle any more pain. I felt like I was at my limit... I felt any more pain would drive me crazy. I brought up the epidural again and was immediately told by Chris that I could DO it, that I DIDN'T need an epidural and it Wasn't A CHOICE.... so we all agreed I would labor on the birth ball for an hour more and hopefully make some progress. An hour passed. The midwife came back- I was STILL 7cm. AND the baby was in the "posterior" position- which means instead of facing down like babies normally are, she was facing UP- this is why she was not descending like she was supposed too- this is why I had spent 3 HOURS at 7 cm!  THIS was why labor was so much more painful that my previous labors!

 I got back on the ball and CRIED that I wanted drugs. I was SO UPSET and in SO MUCH pain!  After talking about it for a while we all agreed it would help if my bag of waters was broken. So, the midwife broke my water- I got back on the ball and waited for the pain--- it wasn't as bad as I feared. YES, the pain got worse- but thankfully the contractions never got closer than 2 min apart, so I was able to recover from the contractions. I would lean back on Chris and stare at the screen saver on the computer as my "focal point".  Chris reminded me to take cone contraction at a time.

The midwife came back and after watching me labor through a few very intense contractions said she thought I was ready to push. I got up on the bed (very painful) and she checked me -- I was STILL 7 cm!!!! AND the baby was HIGHER UP THAN BEFORE! I jumped off the bed and back to the safety of my birth ball - the birth ball was the only place where I felt I could endure the contractions, everywhere else was just too painful, too intense, I couldn't handle it. I started CRYING for some pain relief. I told Chris it could be HOURS like this! I COULD NOT DO IT! He said that I COULD do it, that I didn't want an epidurl- I yelled that he had no idea what it felt like, I was so mad and in sooo much pain! My midwife suggested I get on my hands and knees... she said if I got into that position she was almost certain that the baby would "turn" and I would become compleelty dialated very quickly. I agreed on the terms that I would get on my hands and knees through 2 contractions, and if that baby had not turned then I WANTED my EPIDURAL! Chris and the midwife agreed. (although I could tell Chris was not happy, he knewhow much I wanted a natural birth!)

I slowly got onto the bed in hands and knees position- helped by Chris and RoseMary because I really at this point could not move on my own. It was SO EXCRUCIATING. RoseMAry was right behind me and told me that I was doing great! And to breath through it. SOMEHOW I made it through 3 contractions. She checked me and said I was fully dilated and could push! This was right as the epidural man walked in- they quickly shoo'ed him out of the room.

Now it was time to push- this was WORK because the baby was up so high. I pushed a few times and could feel her descend. It HURT. I knew that I NEEDED to get her head out so she wouldn't slip back up so I pushed as hard as I could and SCREAMED as LOUD as I could- it took a couple pushed and Screams and her head was finally out. The cord was tight around her neck. RoseMary said Push again, get her shoulders out.... I could tell this was a BIG baby.... the shoulders would NOT come out easily... I pushed will all my strength- with EVERYTHING I HAD... and SCREAMED like I was getting MURDERED- I mean I have NEVER screamed like this before, it was a PRIMAL SCREAM. I pushed 4 times.... so hard..... with all I had.... finally her shoulders slipped out and it was IMMEDIATE relief! The put her on my belly, she cried right away! She was so beautiful! (and huge!) I felt so great and so thankful that labor was OVER and I had DONE it! I could tell Chris felt just as relieved... we both reached our goal of a natural childbirth.  I could NOT Have done it without Chris and my midwife there to support me and tell me that I could DO IT!

We all said what we thought she weighed--- just under 9 lbs, and only 19 inches- short and round with VERY big shoulders. I didn't tear at all-- I guess I was meant to have big babies. She latched on right away and is a great nurser.  She is so beautiful and her brother and sisters love her very, very much. Lucy is such a laid back baby! It was like God knew this was our 4th child and sent us the most laid back child. She only cried when she is hungry.... I am so blessed.

I guess my screaming scared the 19 year old girl who was in the labor room beside me- after Lucy was born she immediately requested her epidural! lol!

The Acupuncture worked!!! I woke up at midnight with some cramps that turned into contractions-- now it is 3:20 and the babysitter is on her way over. The contractions are coming every 3-4  min and lasting about 45 sec- this is how it was with Vangie. I am so unsure of when to head to the hospital... but since it is my 4th I figure I should head over sooner than later.... Baby Lucy will be here TODAY!!!!

I am back from my Acupuncture apt. It was really interesting. I have never HAD acupuncture before, but I am usually up for anything. The office was dark and quiet with really relaxing music playing. Incense was burning. Gina was the Acupuncturist. She stuck needles in my back- some of which HURT! Also in my hand, wrist, foot... she said that since it was for Labor induction it was not one of the most relaxing acupuncture experiences. Since the goal was to get the baby OUT of my body- not to relax my body. My session last about 1 hr and 30 min. I am hopeful that something will come out of it.  Tomorrow I am going back to get a massage on my pressure points. There are certain pressure points on your body that will trigger contractions- this is called Acupressure. Gina is going to fix me right up!

Chris also started his "baby leave" tonight- which is funny considering we have no baby yet! But we will, very soon. It is nice to have him around helping me with the kids... Since I am HUGE and tired and cranky and am suffering from extreme mood swings. He will be off for two weeks so he will have plenty of time with the baby after she makes me grand arrival.

First I want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Evangeline! She is 4 years old today! We are taking her out for ice cream later when Chris gets home to celebrate.

And also.... no baby yet. AHHHHH. BUT I am PULLING OUT THE BIG GUNS. I made an appointment with an acupuncturist for this afternoon. Read below, an article on acupuncture to induce labor that I found on the internet:

Can Acupuncture Be Used To Induce Labor?

It is a common question in my practice, “have you induced labor with acupuncture.” The answer is a profound yes. I have induced several women and have watched other practitioners induce many more. All of the women I have seen use acupuncture induction gave birth within 48 hours. They were all slightly “over due” according to their physicians. They all sought out acupuncture as an alternative to Pitocin. The average labor time was 4 – 5 hours.

Understanding how acupuncture can induce labor:

Acupuncture is different than western induction drugs. It is an alternative to Pitocin, yet acts in a very different way. First lets look at Pitocin. (Pitocin is what I will be given on MONDAY during my induction if I do not have the baby naturally before then!)

Pitocin creates an immediate reaction which begins labor whether the mother’s body and baby are ready or not. Contractions start almost instantly with pitocin in labor induction, making it an extremely predictable drug. However, the effects of pitocin on children are not fully known. Possible side effects for the mother have been reported to include:

• Anaphylactic reaction
• Postpartum hemorrhage
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Fatal afibrinogenemia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Premature ventricular contractions
• Pelvic hematoma

Using acupuncture to induce labor is a whole different experience. Depending on the practitioner, acupuncture needles are inserted into strategic locations in the hands, lower leg, and feet. These needles are not like what the average person thinks of when they imagine getting a shot. The needles are solid, yet extremely thin (about 5 can fit inside the hole of your average hypodermic needle). For the most part the insertion does not produce pain. The needles create a stimulation in the body which is used to reprogram the mother’s energy in such a way as to get her body ready for labor. With some women this can be a significant change, Labor is rarely expected to start right away, although I have been lucky enough to witness it on several occasions.

So.... My apointment is this afternoon at 4:30. Please keep me  and baby Lucy in your prayers that Labor will start on its own! I am SOOOOO ready for her to be here!!

Over due plus 4, soon to be 5..... I was just too depressed to post anything this morning. I went to my 40weeks  plus 4days OB apt today....  hoping and praying for some encouraging news and still...no change!! I am STILL barely 2cm dilated, and 50% effaced-- all those painful contractions that I have been having, that have been keeping me up all night- have done NOTHING.   (Insert scream of self-pity here)  The Dr. I saw did try to sweep my membranes again... so maybe something will happen. I left the clinic and went to the grocery store, in a deep, deep depression. Not a good place to be.

Saturday I have to go to Labor and Delivery to have a NST (non-stress test) done on baby Lucy- I will be 41 wks on Saturday and once you hit 41 weeks you need to get these done to make sure the baby is still healthy and thriving. I also paged my midwife to talk about Induction. Just THINKING about being "induced" really has me depressed. BUT, the clinic will only let me go to 42 weeks at the most so I decided to call and talk to my midwife about it and make the appointment. HOPEFULLY I won't need to go, but I made my induction appointment for Monday the 13th. So at the very latest Baby Lucy will be here on Monday. My midwife was so awesome when I spoke with her- I told her how upset I was and how I did NOT want to be induced... she told me that maybe I just need a little nudge of pitocin and then my body will take over and do everything on it's own-- hopefully that will be the case!

AND, I still have 4 more days to HOPEFULLY go into labor on my own. I am doing research on Acupuncture to induce labor- and I will be calling around tomorrow to get an appointment made for myself.

Last night I was having contractions again... they started coming at around 9pm-- 9 min apart, lasting at least 45 seconds. Very uncomfortable. I am PRAYING at this point that it turns into SOMETHING!

I went to bed at 10pm and Chris asked me "Do you think we'll have a baby tonight??" I just said "I don't know!" After all these days of false labor I pretty much am in disbelief that I will actually ever go into REAL labor.  I laid in bed fell asleep until midnight, and then the contractions woke me up. I started timing them- 5 min apart-- and lasting 45sec- 1 min. These contractions are more intense than the ones that I have been feeling all week- I can still walk and talk through them, they are just more painful than previously.

I couldn't sleep through the contractions so I came down stairs at 1:30 am to sit on my exercise ball. The contractions started to space out a bit. I laid down on the couch at 2:30am and thankfully I fell asleep- I was exhausted! I slept until 5:30 when Chris got up fo work.

So now Baby Lucy is 3 days over-due and I am having painful contractions that really aren't doing anything DAILY. It is really hard to stay positive. Thankfully Chris is very positive about everything- He tells me that it will happen ANYTIME- and when I start to worry about if I can handle the pain he tells me that of COURSE I can, that I did it before and I can do it again.-- he is my biggest cheerleader.

Last night Chris and I went to see the movie The American... It was so horrible, but we didn't care because at least it was a night out for the two of us! Throughout the ENTIRE movie I had contractions about 10 min apart--- and then.... that's right, once I got home they stopped. I was so exhausted  and sad that they stopped that I crawled into bed at 8pm and went to sleep. I woke up a couple times during the night and it took a while for me to feel baby Lucy move. Usually she is VERY active, so this was making me nervous. This morning at around 9am I decided to go into labor and delivery to make sure that everything was okay with her--- and it was. She was moving around fine, her heart rate was fine- everything looked great. Also I was excited to see my favorite midwife on duty-- I told her about all the contractions that I have been having. She offered to "check" me and to do a membrane sweep- I was unable to have my membranes swept last week because my cervix was too closed (booo!)

She check me and I am barely 2cm, and only 60% effaced-( still thick and long-- not conducive to having a baby)  and the baby is -4 station--- basically floating around and not "engaged" in my pelvis at all. AHHHHHH!  How does this HAPPEN on your 4th child??? However she did try to sweep my membranes- and maybe something will come of it because I have been having cramps and contractions ALL. DAY. LONG.  Or maybe they will go away and I will be back at square one.

They will not even think about inducing me (with pitocin) until I am 41 weeks- and they will let me go to 42 weeks if I wish- and I would rather go to 42 weeks than have that evil, evil drug- I had pitocin when I was in labor with Sophia and labor was so much more painful. My hope is to go totally natural so I am praying that my body goes into labor on its own!  I know my Mother In Law will be disappointed to come all this way and not get to see Baby Lucy, but hopefully it does not come to that. Hopefully any time now!!!

After the trip to Labor and Delivery we took the kids to the Zoo and walked around for a couple hours-- that has to help, right??

Baby Lucy is officially over-due. Her due date has came and went. I am actually pretty okay with this. She will come any time now.... but If I am still pregnant this time next week I may be singing a different tune. But for now I feel like I am so close to having this baby- last night I had more false labor- I was up with contractions 10 min apart from 2:30am- 4am. I thought SURELY this is it- 10 min apart.... but then I fell asleep and they tapered off.....

This morning Chris and I walked 5.5 miles. We are taking the kids to the pool soon so I can float around in the water.... which sounds so inviting right now. We are just enjoying this Labor Day weekend with Grandma here and Chris off of work.  Later tonight I may make Chris take me out for some SPICY CURRY-- spicy food is supposed to induce labor. Let ME be the judge of that.

Today was such a FUN day!!! We had a "birthday celebration" day for Sophia and Evangeline. Sophia turns 6 on MONDAY the 6th and Evangeline turns 4 on the 9th! I can't believe they are getting so big! I was originally going to have a pool party for them, but thankfully I regained my senses and realized how much WORK that would be- so I cancelled the party and told the girls we would go shopping instead. They were of course fine with this because they LOVE to shop.

We left at 8:30am and first stopped at the Outlet Mall. Each girl got a couple new outfits- we had a fun time picking them out- especially since all the WINTER clothes are now out--- sweaters, jeans,scarves.... in Hawaii??? Really???? I was having a heat stroke just looking at the clothes. I can understand maybe having a light weight sweater and jeans--- but it RARELY gets under 70 and is usually around 80 degrees even in the winter..... and yet you see people wear the warmest outfits- it is quite mindbogglingly to me. Maybe it's because I am from Michigan so I know what cold weather really is!   Thankfully we were able to find SOME clothes that were not meant for sub zero temperatures.

After the outlets we headed over to TOYS-R-US. Yippee!!!  The girls could each pick out a couple of toys- whatever they wanted. They were so excited to look around. Vangie and Sophia both picked out these neat little hamsters and move and squeak and live in these hamster houses that you buy separately and put together- they are really cool! Sophia also got a digital camera to take her own pictures and Evangeline got some craft things.

After Toys-r-us it was time for Lunch so we had a relaxing lunch at Schooners- which is so nice and relaxing because it looks out over the marina - what a great view of the boats and mountains. Also I love the place because kids meals are only 2$ so each kid can actually have their very OWN meal and are not forced into sharing.

We left Schooners and went the ONE place that Sophia has been dreaming and talking about ALL WEEK- The HELLO KITTYstore. The girls got to pick out a few Hello Kitty Items. The whole store is pink and sparkly--- just perfect for little girls. Normally there is NO WAY I would EVER buy something from there because it is SO OVERPRICED.. but they have always begged me, so I said for their birthdays we could go--- OH the excitement!!  after Hello Kitty they couldn't WAIT to get home and play with all their goodies. And don't feel bad for Joey, he scored a couple things too!

Chris and I also took advantage of Grandma Tuy babysitting and went to the Movies- and actually saw a GROWN-UP movie! We saw Inception and it was really good- I highly enjoyed it. So, We were buy all day long, which is just what I needed because otherwise I would just sit at home and be depressed that the baby is not here yet.

I had another bout of contractions that lasted 3 hours today- contractions 3-7 min apart!  Was out and about with my Mother in Law and Vangie today and these contractions were making me nervous- I didn't want to be too far from home so we left costco with nothing and swung by Starbucks for my decaf pumpkin latte (YUM, I'm addicted!) and headed home. Once home the contractions kept coming every 4 minutes!!!

I was getting nervous because A) Chris is on duty even if I called him to come home it would take him about an hour to get relieved from  duty and get home!  B)My new babysitter was coming over at 1pm so I could meet her and go over the whole "on -call" babysitter thing- what an inconvenience to go into labor before I could meet her!  and C) the kids were in school and if I DID go into full-blown labor who would walk to school and get them?? So when the contractions died down and disappeared (after 3 hours!) I was thankful.

So Chris just called me from the boat (I texted him 2 hours ago that I was having lots of contractions and to call me...) and said "I'm really busy, can you make it until 6pm???  Thankfully for HIM I think I WILL make it until 6pm-- maybe real labor will be tonight... maybe tomorrow... maybe next week! Who knows. I don't care how many children someone has, labor is different every time!

I am 40 weeks pregnant and it is AWESOME!  I hope baby Lucy stays in there FOREVER!!!  I can't wait to be in the Guinness Book Of World Records for Longest human gestation period ever recorded!!!

(this is not true. Being 40wks pregnant sucks. I am using reverse psychology in hopes of tricking baby Lucy to come out. This works with the older children to get them to do things they don't want to do, so it will probably work with her, too.)

Okay, in reality my due date is actually tomorrow, so I should technically not be complaining yet.  She will be here soon- and I will most likely NOT be pregnant forever, but at this point it sure does feel like it!  Last night I had contractions that woke me up at 1am- I timed them for an hour and they were coming every 6-8 min. I thought this could be it!  I got up at 2am because I couldn't sleep through them and came downstairs to get something to eat- I haven't had much of an appetite lately so dinner was a protein shake. I had a yogurt and an English muffin and sat down to watch TV, hoping the contractions would continue, and get stronger.... sadly they STOPPED! I went back upstairs and slept from 3-6am.

Chris has duty today and was up at 4:30am. I told him about the contractions and he said to just call him if anything happens today.   He will be home tonight around 8pm if no catastrophes happen on the boat today.  And he has the next 3 days off because of Labor Day!  Labor Day is actually Sophia's birthday, and then Vangies birthday is 3 days after that!

Tomorrow is there is no baby in the works we are taking the girls out for their birthday shopping spree! I was originally going to throw a party for them but once I came back to my senses I realized how tired I am, how hugely pregnant I am and what if I went into labor right before or during the party-- so we are taking them out for a "Girls Day" instead- they will get their hair done, toenails done, and go shopping!!! They are both SUCH girly-girls so they are SOOOOO excited about this!! And if the baby comes then we will do it NEXT weekend.

Song Playing: I can only Imagine, by Mercy Me. One of my mom's favorites.

A year ago on September 2nd, 2009 my beautiful mother Kimberlie Perkins passed away after bravely battling stomach cancer for 40 days.  As I was looking for pictures to put on this page and I realized something. I have no NEW pictures of my mom. Only the pictures that I have, that I will ever have of her- are the ones that I have right now. - I will never again have "new pictures" of her. No new memories-- all of the memories have been made.

It is really true that time heals- A year ago when I got home from Michigan I felt like I was in shock, like I would never feel joyful or peaceful again. As the days and months went by I realized that that was not true. Yes, I miss my mom and I wish with all my heart she were still here- But she is somewhere better than here!

I have gotten used to not calling her. I have gotten to where I don't think about her death 100times a day- I have gotten to where the things I remember most are positive and happy-- all the things we did together- all the fun that we had!  There are times when I clearly hear her voice. When I hear a song on the radio and all I can think of is her- when they kids say or do something and the first thing I think is "Oh, I would love to call mom and tell her about this!" There are times when I cry, but there are also more and more times when I think of her and I  laugh!

The sadest part for me is that my Children will never know her. She was one funny, crazy lady! They will know her from the stories that I tell them and from the pictures they see.  They loved her more than anything when she was here and i know that love is still in their hearts. 

I love you mom!

I just got back from my apt with my midwife.  I told her that I have been extremely nauseated- that's a good sign that labor is near. My belly is measuring 36 cm- down two cm from last week- she is getting LOWER- also a good sign. I have horrible sciatica- another good sign!!!
 
I also went from 1cm dilated to 2cm dilated. BUT!!!! Her head is still not "engaged" in my pelvis!! Arrggghhhh. I was told I needed to do SQUATS to get her head to engage.  I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend!

Well, the baby countdown thing that I installed over 100 days ago has hit ZERO. So I deleted it. Baby Lucy can now come at any time. Chris said he is wrapping up things at work and Grandma Tuy is flying over the Pacific as we speak. I can be done worrying and just enjoy today. EXCEPT!!!! I have a horrible tooth ache that started on Sunday and has gotten progressively worse. SIGH. I was hoping it would go away. Now my jaw is aching. I am calling my dentist to see if he can get me in today but he doesn't like to work on pregnant ladies so I may have to beg and plead to have my tooth fixed. I really don't want to go into labor with a tooth ache!!!

This morning at 10:30 is my 40wk apt. I could have my midwife "sweep my membranes" : Sweeping the membranes is a fairly simple process. It is often done during a vaginal exam when the doctor may also be checking the cervix for ripening. The doctor uses a finger to gently detach the amniotic sac from the wall of the uterus, near the cervix. 

Some people believe that doing this will release the hormone progesterone and in turn, but you into labor if your body is otherwise ready. If your body isn't ready, it doesn't work!!! I had it done when pregnant with Sophia and nothing happened. I had it done while pregnant with Evangeline and I had her the next day. Chris wants me to have it done- he is anxious for baby Lucy's arrival. I kind of want my tooth ache taken care of first!!! Chris thinks my tooth ache will magically disappear once I have the baby. I agree that yes, I may forget about the pain for a little bit but it will still be there!!!
Ultimately I will have to talk with my midwife and discuss it with her. Either way the baby has a short time left in Utero and will meet us all very soon!

So the highlight of today will be me  calling my dentist and begging for an appointment!!