Phoenix' Birth - Pictures

Here are some pictures from Phoenix birth and such. I plan on taking some better pictures of Phoenix. He is so cute! So look for those and the story of his birth coming soon. Just thought I'd get some pictures up here first. These are in no order.

My mom is now here helping me get back to normal!

Sorry about the Jell-o belly!

My good friend April came over to visit.

Dad and his boys!

All 3 of Phoenix' cousins!

Marcelus liked to talk on the phone in my recovery room.

Ready to deliver. I'd been through the labor and had my epidural now...(whew!)

The new and improved family!

10 Random Things

I was tagged for this a couple times but it took me a while to think of anything since we just did 100 Things About Me, anyway here it is though.

1. I hate moles. I don't mind freckles, but I hate moles because they have bumps...like sores, which makes me believe they shouldn't be there. I plan to get all of my moles removed.

2. I ALWAYS do self checkout at Walmart, even if I have a huge cart full. The checkers are too slow or there are only like 2 working for the whole store at the time...but it's not even that, I HATE them because they only put like 2 things in a bag. I am fast, organized to where all my cold stuff are in the same bags, all my bathroom stuff in one bag, ect. AND I put lots of things in one bag to not have to carry so many dang bags!!

3. I hate the sound of ripping or tearing fabric! It's like nails on a chalkboard for me, also the sound of cracking or more like popping bones, like nuckles, back, neck, ect. I have to cover my ears most times. If it's a little crack it's ok, but when it starts sounding poppy, I can't listen.

4. I someday want to and will own the biggest TV I can find which is probably a 60". For 24 years I have never been able to not sit on the floor to watch the TV. I have never been able to enjoy a show or a movie from the couch. If they were showing an educational movie in school, I would just sit there in the dark daydreaming or write notes to myself or something. I never did get good grades, but that was mainly cause I couldn't see the chalkboard pretty much ever.

5. I like to listen to my music loud so I can hear ALL the instrumental and vocal parts. If I can't pick out all the parts, it's not loud enough for me and not worth it.

6. I am actually a really good driver for being half blind. Some of my friends used to let me drive around my hometown sometimes...don't be mad mom...ha ha. My sister let me drive a little bit a couple times too.

7. Sorry I have delivery on the brain...but I like those little netty underwear they give you in the Hospital after you've had a baby.

8. I am a back sleeper. I cannot sleep on my stomach. I can sleep on my side but not for long. So when I'm pregnant like now I prop myself up on the couch and sleep on it every night from about 18 weeks on or something.

9. I depend so much on magnifying glasses. I would be miserable without them. I like the ones that are normal sized, just plain jane. I've had magnifying sheets before and ones that lit up and had little lights,...I just prefer the boring ones.

10. I am a great de-junker. I have no problem chucking something I no longer need nor want. And I have no problem helping someone else do the same. A lot of people tend to have a problem with this. They keep everything cause they feel bad throwing anything away? I don't get it.

These Dreams

You really have some crazy dreams when you are pregnant. A few nights ago I dreamed that my mom who is now 50 had gotten pregnant! She had just found out and we were all trying to figure out what to do about it. I just kept on saying "Mom, you've been done and recovered for 12 years!"

Two nights ago I dreamed that there was a DI/Good Will type of Mall. It was basically a bunch of homes connected like a mall and everything in them was up for grabs for free or extremely cheap. Like going to a huge yard sale mall! There was really nothing great to buy, it was just a bunch of junk pretty much. My extended family was spending some time together I guess cause I remember some cousins there, namely Camie, Nana, Heather P., and my sisters Connie and Kira. We were in the food court getting ready to do some serious shopping. Nana fell asleep and Kira was complaining because she had given all her money to my grandma as just a kind gesture, which was dumb because my grandma doesn't need any money. For some reason we all had thousands of dollars. Connie and Kira doubted that I had that much money like them,....but my mom assured them that I'd gotten a job and had been working. Connie seemed to be the ring leader, and she had a lot of her college guy friends with her (the dream was set before any of us were married) We then set off and were rummaging through one of the houses, not really finding anything. The house had a weird old fashioned floor plan that kind of just went in a big circle (like the Lyman house) I ended up in a bathroom where there was nothing out for sale. The lady(about 60 years old) who owned the house had been sauntering around following us (as sales people do) and I said to her "Oh, ...how do I get out of here, where's the other door?" (This was like the first room that didn't lead you into another room) and she said "you don't..." and she closed the door behind her. She went to attack me but I grabbed her head and smashed her face into the tile above the tub faucet. It pretty much knocked her out and broke a bunch of tile...it was a really old crappy house and the bathroom was already falling apart in places. Then I woke up.

It was pretty funny. After waking up I went to the bathroom for the millionth time probably and I started chuckling on the toilet. It was funny to me, not scary at all...I totally sweated that lady! Sharrid wanted to know what was going on so I told him about these last couple dreams I'd had. He just kind of shook his head, smiling. He thought I was funny for dreaming them.

My Oldest

Yesterday at dusk I took Marcelus to the park. He always wants to go for walks and so I try to take him out about 2 times a week. I used to take him out about every other day but it's so hot and I am so pregnant that this is all I can handle. I sat and watched him play and started thinking that these next couple times are going to be the last times I am able to take him to the park, I don't know if I want to tackle both kids at the park alone. It kind of made me a little sad...for him. I don't love going to the park, I do it for him cause I know he does love it, and he needs it.

Sometimes I think that Marcelus was never meant to be my oldest. He is not the "oldest child" persona at all. He is so dependant on other kids and people and socializing. It breaks my heart to see how he reacts to the other kids at the playground when they come around. He follows them everywhere and says "come on" inviting them to play with him. When they leave he starts to follow them, and I have to call him back. The poor guy has to stay with mommy. Mommy is not a kid anymore and is probably not much fun for him. Although I spend all day with him and give him lots of hugs and kisses, change him, shower him, feed him and get him drinks...I even read with him sometimes. It's not the same, I am not a kid and he definately knows the difference. If I felt like my body could've handled back to back kids I would have done it. I have known Marcelus has needed a brother or sister or a friend for a long time. I am not a worrier but this is something I do worry about. I worry about whether Marcelus is having a good time in life so far. Is he getting out enough? Is he bored too often? Does he need more fresh air? Does he watch too many movies? These are the types of questions that run through my mind quite often. Then I start thinking of how different it could be if I could drive but that is a whole other post.

I am so excited to finally give Marcelus a brother. I know they won't be able to play for a good while but at least it's something. I hope it makes him happy and not jealous. I hope he'll find joy in helping with Phoenix. He helps me out a lot already. I really hope he finds a lot of fulfillment in having Phoenix as his brother who will be with us everyday, and I hope Phoenix will be able to take the place of the walks and trips to the park that I've always taken Marcelus on. After having my own kid I've realized how hard it is being the oldest. Now I know why my oldest sister is self concious. It might be part of her personality but I think that if you are a good oldest child, you have to be pretty self concious. You have an unofficial obligation to be a good example and show your siblings the way to go. I love Marcelus for this specifically, and as I see him try and do this and be a good oldest child, the love will grow. There must just be something about your oldest.

3 Words

Marcelus is definately your typical 2 year old and I often hear him say words, some of which I almost wish he didn't know, not that any of them are considered "bad words". As I've been hearing these words here and there more and more it brings me back to when my youngest siblings were this age. Now they are 12 and 13. One day I was playing with my little sister Tibi. I was probably about the age she is now (13) and she was probably 2. I taught her that day how to say 3 words. "no", "mine", and "don't". Now that I'm a mother of a 2 year old, I can guess that had my mom known this she probably could have killed me. Sorry mother...

Coming To A Close

In a couple days I will be down to single digits on my pregnancy count down! By Tuesday, my next appt., I'll have less than a week til the due date. Since being 36 weeks, like clock work the not so great parts of pregnancy were felt. Now, ready to go any day I am peeing more than ever! I know he's head down but maybe he's dropped too or something. He is getting bigger by the day so maybe that's why. He has not been the active Phoenix he has always been these last few weeks which is understandable, but the last few days late at night he gets to moving. I don't know where he thinks he's going with his head down. It's so powerful (he's always been that way though) and he's so strong...it's quite uncomfortable really. He'll stick what I believe is a foot or a heel out of me so far that I can literally grab it. I am having so many Braxton Hicks, it's annoying, I notice them in the middle of the night when I wake up to use the bathroom which is about 5 times a night. I always am thinking my water is going to break any minute cause I hear so many popping sounds in my belly. Feeling a little bit of pressure and inconsistant weird pains often. Last night I thought I almost felt little cramps but I can't get my hopes up. I don't think I'll be going crazy til after my next appt. when I have 5 or 6 days left and nothing in front of me til he comes. As much as I am excited to see Phoenix, I am even more excited to get rid of this dreadful body. Even a "bowl full of jell-o belly" body is better than this body. I am carrying him so low that when I sit down he is either sitting right on my lap or if my knees are spread he's nearly sitting on the same chair. He droops over my pants like an old beer gut, if I can even keep my pants up which has been a complete nightmare this pregnancy. I just feel like he's so detached because he's that low. I'm just lugging him around as if he's a big growth rather than my pregnant belly. All will be well in a matter of days I hope. We pray for a smooth labor, delivery, and recovery. We're also really hoping that Sharrid won't be at the prison when I am at the Hospital having the baby. Any other time would really be the best. Anyway, hanging in there this last stretch. I am really going to try and take another batch of pictures this weekend. I'll post them when I have them. After Phoenix is born I will do my best after I'm home to keep my blog updated with the story and the baby pictures. Everything will be on the blog. I will also send out a mass email to certain people (who don't blog, urgg) and text or call others, so you should know when things happen in one way or another.

Prediction

I've been saying it for a while to my family and friends but I thought I'd post my 2008 NBA Finals prediction, so that when I'm right, ...uh......yeah nothing special will happen. I guess I'll feel good and that's about it. Actually I will feel like hitting someone in the head because I predict that the Lakers beat Boston in the finals.

For those of you a little out of the loop. There are 4 teams that remain:

Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons

(I like both these teams but am pulling for Boston because they haven't won a championship forever and my dad would be thrilled)

LA Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs

(I hate both of these teams and the fact that the Spurs are still in it, it's so tainted to me. I wish New Orleans would have beat them and advanced)

Anyway so there you have it, the 4 teams. I predict and have been predicting ever since the Suns were out that it would be Lakers vs. Celtics and that the Lakers would win the whole thing. This is not what I WANT to happen, but what I believe will happen. We will see...

38 Weeks

Yesterday (Mon.) I was 38 weeks along. We started the day again cleaning the house so the rest of the week I could take it easy. If I make it to next Mon. we'll do the same thing. Sharrid did the dishes, bathrooms, and sweeping/mopping. I did the laundry and vacuumed, much to his surprise. He kept on asking me when I wanted him to take over on that one. Our vacuum weighs a ton, and frankly I was surprised I was able to do it without getting too tired or out of breath.

We then got ready and headed into Chandler. I bought Marce another Backyardigans DVD, and "Milo & Otis"...a childhood favorite of mine and my sisters. I found that one in the 5$ bin. The Backyardigans are only 10$ so I have been getting one every week to build a collection because Marce will watch them forever and it has really saved me late in this pregnancy. I wanted him to watch Milo & Otis last night because it has a dog and a cat and a million other animals in it and I knew he'd love that, but of course he was set on watching his new Backyardigans. The picture above is how he reacts to a new Backyardigans DVD. Hillarious!

We headed back to Maricopa for a later drs. appt. I weigh 128. I saw a nurse practicioner who checked me and said I was still closed up but maybe a finger tip. So she was asking a lot of questions about if I'd had any contractions or labor yet, I basically told her no but a million Braxton Hicks...I told her 2 things I wanted on my paperwork...1. No episiotomy unless nessesary (She assured me the drs. had the same attitude) 2. Epidural at some point) So I feel pretty good about going into labor at any time. I've got my emergency list of drivers at hand and my bag half packed. My next appt. is on Tues. May 27th. in the morning. I'm planning on making it to that appt. but to be honest I'll be less than a week from my due date and I do not want to make it to any more appts. after that.

Well, I think that's about all what happened yesterday. I don't know how much I'll have to post in the next week. I'm just playing the waiting game. I am going visiting teaching tomorrow morning. I'll probably get to church on Sunday for the last time in a few weeks. This Monday, Memorial Day will probably be quite the day for us as we hurry to do last minute errands and stuff before Phoenix is born. That will probably be a hefty day...hopefully it puts me into labor!

Phoenix' Baby Shower

Phoenix baby shower was yesterday, May 16th. There are quite a few pictures. We had a really good time and a great show. We had Taco Salad to eat. All the kids played outside mostly. The backyard was big, grassy and had plenty of fun things for the kids to do. We played a couple games. Some of these pictures are from a game where the girls had to cut a string guessing how big around I am. It was funny to hear people say that me and Connie (who was there) look so much alike. We usually get that but I still think that Kira, Tibi and I look more alike...well but then Kira looks quite a bit like Landon, who doesn't look too much like Tibi and myself...ANYWAY, ha ha
I think everyone had a good time, I did. Phoenix got a lot of diapers (it was a disposable baby shower) but also a few cool surprises like an exersaucer, a pretty nice umbrella stroller, a handful of hygene items (comb, clippers, ect.) a Bumbo Sitter, and even a few onsies.

This cake was definately the best looking gift! It was fun to take apart and see what it was really made of!

Here are a few of the kids, including Marce and Eden on the mini tramp in the backyard.

I'm the only one missing out of this picture. These are my two best buddies, Gina & April.

My Auburn hair still baffles me, but I'm more used to it now. Maybe it's just a pregnancy thing for me and it will change again after I have Phoenix. I don't really care either way.

My nephew Jonah is always happy to play alone peacefully.

It would be cool to get one of these, the toddlers loved it!

My other nephew, Levi.

Baby Phoenix and his loot...

Me and April have the best time together, we are basically just constantly laughing. I'm so glad my friends were able to come. I love to see them every Sunday at church.

They had a swing set and a big sand box for the kids to play in, they all got pretty sandy.

Thanks to Julie for hosting and planning this. Thanks to all those who came.