Ella's Sunshine Birthday

It took me a little while to think of what Ella's birthday party could be. At first I was going to try to make a pretty cake and that would be it. But then I got to thinking about the times I nursed her and I'd always sing to her the same song: "You are my Sunshine".  I can only count a handful of times she nursed really well. And when she did... I'd sing. It was a really emotional time for me so the song is extremely special. A lot of times I would cry when I sang it. It only seemed fit to have a sunshine birthday.... who knew I'd make it through a year! Forgive me, too; the photos are a bit out of order and I don't have a lot of time to change them around.

Banana Cupcakes with Lemon Cream frosting

Little Mermaid Party { Madelyn's 4th Birthday Post }

Today is Madelyn's fourth birthday. Like every parent says... where does the time go.  :)   I know.  When I look back, it has gone fast. I try to make a point to really enjoy the moment I am in- but sometimes that is extremely hard.  There is always "so much to do".  Why?  I'm struggling with that. Let's make more of an effort to enjoy the gifts God has given us!! Here's to Maddy!

 

Remembering Maddy's third year....

Love you Maddy!

almost done

As I write this, it is Saturday morning.  Steel cut oats are simmering on the stove, the kids are watching a program, and I am pumping. Peter got up with Ella last night for a change and now they are still sleeping.  The past couple days have been a big change for me, yet, I think it's been a good change.

I took our two pumps. Peter had a talk with me Wednesday during the noon hour and asked me when I thought I would quit pumping. I said I still wasn't quite sure. He told me his frustrations and I realized it's time.  I need to honor his request. I asked him if he was praying about it and he shook his head no. Not that this is a big decision or anything, but it is helpful to feel like you are doing the right thing.... so praying about decisions is a good way to go with us, whether it is walking into a clothing store and praying that I would make the right financial decisions.  It works.

So the last 24 hours I have felt nudged to start weaning.  Weaning is something I've never had to do before. I've just 'run out' of milk, literally, with the other two. I don't think it will be that hard, but i am also letting go emotionally.  But I am ready! After 2 days of pumping 4 times a day, I have felt like I can accomplish more. Obviously, I have an hour more time from taking two pumps out. I am able to clean up the kitchen after meals- that is probably the most satisfactory. Instead of rushing through a meal and going to pump, I can take my time and put dishes in the dishwasher, wipe down countertops, and wash dishes. Just being able to get that done right away and not leaving it for 9pm or etc. has made a huge difference.  The longer I go between pumps, though, I lose oz. I usually always pump 3 oz, no matter if I go 4 hours, or 5 hours in between. If I go 3 hours, I pump 2 or so oz. I just need to be okay with formula and whole milk.

Tomorrow is Maddy's 4th birthday.  Wow.  Where does the time go ?  She's so old now. I can see it in

her face, and hear it in her speech. She's got her own personality and I am enjoying what best friends my two girls are getting to be. We did have her party already but I had some of her friends over yesterday and made cupcakes, pizza and she opened more gifts. It was so impromptu, but fun anyway. I also made an 8 inch cake to make for tomorrow.  I guess the Dairy Queen is opening up so we will have to take a drive :)   I plan to post all the photos from her birthday and Easter too... all in the same weekend.  It was such a great weekend!  I am very much looking forward to spring, too- yesterday I took my first 2 mile run outside and it felt great.  Cold, but great!  Until later...

a plan

Right now I am eating a graham cracker with all natural chunky peanut butter. I am also drinking some red raspberry tea. I've been so thirsty lately and tea seemed to be good. Our water has been tasting funny lately because when we moved the fridge, the settings reset for the hard water/ soft water. I had peter switch it and it helped a little but not to my liking. That is probably why I feel dehydrated. I hate our water.

It is funny to me the range of emotions I've gone through this past week. Happy, sad, extremely sad, motivated, desperate, really good mood, and now I am ... not so much at peace, but I think getting there. I just finally realized that I am trying to have this baby on my own. I keep thinking, ok, more walking, more 'doing', more chiro appointments, more this and that.  I read an email from a friend who recently had a baby and she gave such wisdom that really struck me. She told me I should try to be relaxed as possible. She said she was at peace the night before, she read scripture, she was OKAY with being induced and to me it seemed like she just surrendered her situation to God. I have been stubborn about situations like this (remember potty training!!) I thought Kate should be potty trained and I was doing everything I could, yet I didn't fully submit to God and just let Him do the work.  So, I am going to try my best to just relax. I'm definitely going to go to my appointments but I know the baby will come when it's ready. And of course I am going to completely keep praying because I know how faithful God can be, and if I was meant to be induced..... well, then i will. Praying for wisdom on that too.  A huge monkey wrench in this, is that my doctor will be gone May 3-13.... so if i went past my due date, i'd have to be induced at the latest May 1st. So then I think, if I am going to be induced anyway, why not end the misery and do it the 26th.  I need wisdom for this and praying that I can just go naturally and not have to choose a date!

Here are some photos of Maddy's birthday party just one week ago. This week sure flew by and I know this week will too, with all the appointments and events going on this week.

lovely weekend

 Kate making her daddy a card for his birthday

Today is Monday and Peter is gone for three days. We are still debating what we should do. Peter already admitted it was almost making him sick having to be away from us for three days. I just hugged him real tight... thankful that he cares to be with us. It's not like any of his meetings are for his leisure. They are all about farming which we always hope are beneficial to the upcoming year. So far they have been... though we know his marketing and crop planning is only due to prayer of God's wisdom!  (But the meetings sure do help)

My plan was to just rest this week and have nothing really planned... going to Fargo might take a lot of energy, lugging the kids around and heavy suitcases myself with this growing belly. When we stay in a hotel we always have to bring fans, and many other things even though it's just for a day- but it begins to add up when you have to carry it yourself! I am sure we will go, still... I will just have to keep it moderate today in what I do. I am, for sure, looking forward to a day with nowhere to go and nothing pressing to do.  I might make a stop at hobby lobby, or their TJ Max. Can't ever get enough of those stores!

Peter's birthday was on Saturday which was a total success. We had so much fun. Since going through our marriage devotional every night, we have expressed to each other disappointments or frustrations we have. One of his frustrations is that I expect everything to be perfect, which I do admit is a huge struggle for me. So, to not add any pressure to him on his birthday, I made a vow that everything would be as laid back as possible. We would still need to make the house 'presentable' but if the dishes were not done, or there were other non-important things lying around, that would be OKAY! And it was. The night before we did some of the dishes and other things in the kitchen, straightened up the living room and that was it.  I got up early and set up his presents, made a birthday card for him, and did a small devotion before everyone got up. Everything was really laid back and fun. We enjoyed time with our friends all day and then had family over at night for supper and dessert.  Such a lovely day

Kate's Ice Cream Social Birthday Party

It's over! Her 4th birthday party is over. I knew I was doing an ice cream themed party about a year ago... so I have collected ideas throughout the year and it was so fun to plan and see them fall into place. The invitations, though, I had no idea up until a week before I sent them in the mail. I am pleased with how they turned out. Everything else was prepped fairly well except the last minute cleaning and unexpected busyness of the weekend...there were so many things going on I hardly had time to blink. The pictures are pretty self explanatory... for now I just wanted to get them published, maybe later I can explain what I did.

After the party, was a wedding we all went to. Love this picture!