Accomplishing anything!

Hi
So, I blog stalk, I have no shame in it. I figure people have blogs so people can know stuff about them, if they were extremly private people they wouldn't even blog in the first place..right?! Anyways, I have been continously stalking the Hummel blog for so long I can't remember when I started. I am so in awe of what God has accomplished in their lives, in those babies lives. Its so inspiring and makes me want to just tell everyone how God has so blessed them. One of the most inspiring things about their story is that the mom prayed that one day God would give her a story. I am jealous of that because to be honest I would never pray for that. I would be too afraid that it might be something horrible and hard and that I couldn't make it. Then I remember that type of attitude really just shows that my faith is not where it should be. I CAN do ALL things through CHRIST who STRENGTHENS me! That means ALL Things, not just the mundane, ordinary things of life. Yet, I still can't pray for a story because I foolishly feel like I would be surrending those things most precious in my life, Jeff, Matthew and Caroline. The irony in it all is that I control nothing and thinking I do is just not having faith. Faith that, despite what lies ahead for me, that I would get through it if I leaned upon Christ and through HIM I would perservere!
Learning, learning, growing, growing!
S

Santa

Yesterday I took Matthew to see Santa. He loved it as he did last year! That kid fears nothing!! He was very well behaved and it was one of those moments that you love being a mom and feel like your the best parent in the world!!:) We're officially in panic mode around here, too much to do and with the weather being so mild this week, I am not feeling as Christmasey as I would like!

Caroline went for her 2 month check up. She weighs 14'4 and is 23 inches long, putting her in the 95% for weight and 75% for height. The doctor said she looks great! We're transitioning her into her own crib. I am sad about it. I liked having her in our room but she really is more comfortable in her own crib. The last 3 nights however she has woken up at 4 to eat and doesn't go back to sleep till 6ish..uggh! The nice part of that is that she is wide awake and super smiley so I have tried to embrace it and enjoy it..heck that's what coffee is for right!!

S

Its been a crazy year!

I was thinking today that I can't believe how much our lives have changed in the past year. Last year we had an 8 month old and no immediate plans for more. Now we have a 20 month old and beautiful 8 week old. I have admitted in past blogging to being afraid sometimes of the plans God has for me, I have to admit this past year has been pretty darn sweet. So incredibly blessed!

Here are some past and present pics!
S

Pictures

So here it is, after several attempts with Matthew NOT cooperating at all this is the best picture for our card. Caroline looks a little goofy, but hey she is 8 weeks,she still is a little goofy looking:) We love Squeaky, our nickname for her! I think his smile is cute though!
S

Christmas Letters

Hi
So I have sent out a Christmas letter the past couple of years and am wondering if I should bother this year. Other than Caroline's arrival ,which all of our Christmas card recepients already know about, we don't have that much news. Our lives our pretty much the same as they were last year, except that now we have 2 kids and life is crazier which I assume would be overstating the obvious if I should write I letter. Plus, I hate the pukey ones where people are say things like, " Matthew and Caroline bring us such amazing joy every moment of their lives." Maybe I will send one out that says, " We're shocked Matthew hasn't been admitted to the ER for a serious injury since he has taken to climbing all over everything and never listens to his mommmy or daddy, thankfully Caroline never got the horrid stomach flu that had the rest of our family puking and running to the toliet for days on end!:) Wouldn't you love to get a brutally honest letter. Yes, I think I may be on to something....

GO AWAY!!

Well since my last post the Matthew, me, my mom, our Pastor's wife, my friend, her son and Wes all came down with the stomach flu! On Monday night at 1 am Matthew woke up puking. It was so sad, he was so scared and kept looking at me like, "What's happening?!" Jeff camped out in his room with him to keep me healthy... ha! At 6:30 I started and was sick all day! I am still not feeling good, very queasy and no appetite. Which is good since I started Weight Watchers last Sat! :) Not a diet plan I would recommend though! Matthew rebounded quickly but is now having it come out the "other end" TMI! I swear we haven't been healthy in a month between colds and now this! Thankfully Caroline hasn't gotten it and I am LYSOLYING the crap out of my house in hopes that she doesn't. I wish I could dip my whole house in it. I have been stuck inside for the past week and feel very stir crazy.

Tonight is an office party for Jeff's work and I have a babysitter coming for Matthew and am taking Caroline to grandmas so that should be a nice break. Next week we go to Chicago and hopefully to the Children's Museum so I will post pics from that! Hope your family is not sick and that its not my fault!

SUE

Dedications and Flus...eeew!

Hello

Well, Thanksgiving went well until Jeff's sister's little boy Derek, who is the same age as Matthew came down with one nasty stomach bug. We all had a nice dinner and then we went home about 7 for Matthew's bedtime. Soon after we left, Derek started throwing up, all over Kim and Wes's house! Luckily, we had the toys that Matthew brought over in a seperate bin, but he was still playing with him the entire afternoon. So we were wondering when it would hit, well that would be Sat night, Jeff started getting sick at 2 in the morning. Right after he fed Caroline, (I wasn't feeling very well early, no flu though)! He was sick all night and all day yesterday which was a major bummer because yesterday was Miss Caroline's dedication. I thought about rescheduling but to be honest didn't want to because we had already purchased all the luncheon stuff:( Horrible I know!:) So, Pastor Danny dedicated her with Jeff's part in abstenia:) We video taped it for him and Grandma Barb and Grandpa Bert because they also got the flu on Sat night. It was a nice day. Crazy and again I realize how wonderful of a father Jeff is. When he isn't around I feel a little crazy. Speaking of crazy...at one point we lost Matthew yesterday and I totally freaked, I am sure that everyone who was there made fun of me. I thought Allison was watching him and she thought my dad was and in the midst of all of that the little bugger opened the door to one of the sunday school rooms and was hiding. For anyone who has every misplaced a kid, the terror you feel after a few moments is horrible. I knew he was somewhere,I was just worried that he was hurt, that kid gets into anything that can cause permanent damage. Thankful Tanna found him safe and sound. My mom shared a story of one time when she took me to the beach when I was 3 and lost me for like 15 minutes, I had snuck off to the concession stand! Go figure!:) I can't imagine misplacing a kid at the beach!
So, Jeff is on the mend, Caroline is dedicated and Matthew has been found, Mommy is losing her mind:)
Here are some pics from the big day, with Caroline in her dress!
S

Thankfulness

Top Ten Reason's I am Thankful this Thanksgiving:

10. Caroline has pooped everyday for the last four!:)
9. Wonderful, helpful, loving husband
8. Great, supportive friends
7. TIVO
6. Great church family
5. Great pregnancy, no bedrest or high blood pressure
4. Being able to stay at home with my kids
3. Loving, fun, supportive extended family, (Jeff's and mine)
2. Matthew and Caroline
1. A God who is so very good!

Bonded

Hello
Some of you might not believe this, but yesterday after posting my woes, I seriously had such a transformation on how I felt about Caroline....it was like everything suddenly clicked and I felt like I was looking at her for the first time. Good thing too because we had a rough evening and night and I think if I wasn't feeling that way it would have been way worse. After spending over and hour crying hysterically, to the point that Jeff and I were going to take her to the ER, she just had the weirdest look on her face like she was in so much pain. She hadn't pooped in a long time again (5Days) and I had given her a suppository, TMI, I know. Well, it didn't work she still hadn't pooped this morning and I felt like everyone was telling me something different. So, I called the nurse and she had me bring her in and her is the 411,

It could be a few different things

1. She just is digesting the breast milk so well that she can go several days without one, this is what several people have told me and the lactation people insist this is all that is happening.
I know that this was the case with Matthew.

2. Her thyroid isn't functioning properly. To rule this out, she just has to have a blood test. If its not, she has to take meds for it.

3. She has something wrong with her colon where the nerves don't work and that part, which is at the bottom and basically gives you the " I have to go" feeling and has to be surgically removed! YIKES!

I went to Bronson to talk to the lactation people b/c she wasn't latching on and apparently I am a milking machine, they were very impressed, Kudos to myself:) They gave me some tips on handling her when she gets testy and when I left I felt much better. I am thinking there isn't anything really wrong with her and am happy that I felt so worried because it reminds me how much I love my sweet Caroline! I also went to my MOPS meeting and am just so blessed by that group!

Confessions

Hi

Today at my mom's Bible study I disclosed that I was just feeling not as connected to Caroline as I would hope. I have been feeling so guilty about this. I mean of course I love her more than I could say but I feel more obligated to her than I felt with Matthew. Now of course with your first your able to be more laid back, catch up on your sleep when they do, and just enjoy them more. I feel like I am just now enjoying her. Up until now I have felt like she was something on my to do list. I am sure some of you are thinking I am a horrible mom. But, I have a friend who also has two kids close together and she said the same thing and when I was telling everyone this morning how I was feeling they all looked at me like they understood. That or they were just being nice:)

I have to say that just a few minutes ago, after she nursed, she was so alert and smiling and I felt so in love with her. I guess its just the adjustment, the lack of sleep, the crazy 19month old who has taken to climbing all over everything, the gloomy, cold days that get to me sometimes.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING though and I love Christmas so all is well in the world!

s

Matthew

Hello
Yesterday was Matthew's speech assessment with Kalamazoo RESA. Just as I thought, he is delayed in expressive speech. Basically there are two types of speech receptive and expressive. Matthew can understand everything he sees and we say to him for the most part but can't say what he is thinking and feeling, yeah we know! Now I have something to blame all those tantrums on! :) I knew this was the case but still I can't help but think what didn't I do right, from stupid things like taking the cheapy prenatals to letting him watch too much tv. But, then I remind myself that this is a very common delay and that sooner than later he will start talking. I have to remind myself that my little boy does things on his own schedule. He sat up, crawled, walked, ran, all in his own time. That he is so bright and sweet and even if he never said a word I would still love him more than any blog could ever tell you!

The annoying part of all this is now he has to be tested by ANOTHER speech therapist for them to say for sure that he is delayed at least 9 months and then we will get free therapy. Otherwise we have to pay for it....thank goodness for that emergency fund:) Ahh, kids!

Caroline has also taken to being up and crying from 2-5 am the last three nights. This morning Jeff was holding her and saying how she can't do that anymore and she gave him her first smile! Too cute!

S

Stupid Blogger

I don't know what happened yesterday, but the pictures didn't post so hopefully these go through.

S

Halloween...Christmas!

Hello

First of all, the rush to get Christmas started is ridiculous! They are already playing Christmas songs on the radio..please! We had a fun Halloween. Matthew LOVED it! I thought he wouldn't really be all that into it, but he was! He loved his Tigger costume and trick or treating! Jeff took him to some of our neighbors and then to our church for the pumpkin party.He was a crazy man running around and playing all the games and collecting candy. He kept dragging his costume around the next day and wore it until nap..too cute! I stayed home for the trick or treaters aka way too old teens and adults, I mean really! Some of the teens were asking for specific candy, I about lost it. I had to stop myself from saying,"Hmm here is an idea, if you want a Milkey Way drive your sorry butt to Meijer and buy one, your TOO OLD TO TRICK or TREAT!" but I digress!:) I think I had less tolerance for that stuff this year because Caroline was pretty fussy and I was trying to nurse her and couldn't because of the doorbell and I am hormonal and sleep deprived!

Today we went to the Holiday parade in downtown KZoo with Grandma Barb and our friends Stephanie and Abe and their little girl Josie who is Matthew's age. Matthew was pretty awful the first half until the parade actually started and we started shoving an assortment of candy, goldfish, juice and string cheese down that little buggers throat! He is SOOOOOOOOoo strong willed. I am sure he gets it from his dad.. yeah right! Paybacks I tell you! I know alot of it is normal but gotta say not enjoying this stage at all. I spent all day Thursday crying, it was not a good parenting day at all. Do I get a do over?!

Here are some pics from Halloween and the parade. Caroline was an angel slept most of the way through it all, all bundled up. But she has been pretty fussy all afternoon and evening so I am hoping that means she will sleep alot tonight!

Oh the places you'll go!

Hi
I love that book and have been reading it to Matthew almost every night. Sometimes he wants to stop half way through and I will distract him and keep going. I received like 5 copies when I graduated from high school and its not till this point in my life that I "get it". I was thinking about certain parts of it last night because it was the anniversary of my grandma's death today and that book is full of wisdom that she basically shared with me. Sometimes when I am reading it I can't help but think about what Matthew and Caroline may have to face in their futures. What challenges, what "cross" will they bear, what choices will they make, will they get stuck in the waiting place? or find the bright places where the boom bands are playing?, will they play lonely games because they will play against themselves? I pray not, one thing that is great for me in this "infant, rocking stage" is I have alot of time for concentrated prayer time. I have to remember to always pray for my children and their futures! Sometimes, it seems like with all there is to do, my quiet times are the first to go..Not Good!

Random blogging...gotta love it!

S

Getting into our groove

Hello
Well, Caroline has been here for 17 days and I think we're getting into our own groove. Last Monday was really hard, my mom had gone home, Jeff was at work and here I was,all alone with my kids and I had to do it by myself. But, I realized I am pretty resourceful and its not that bad. Yes, there were times when Caroline had to cry it out for a few minutes while I finished getting Matthew's lunch or changing his diaper but she survived! I am starting to see a personality in Caroline, she is not extremly calm or fussy, she just has moments in between if that makes sense. She is the gassiest baby I have ever seen and let me tell you its hard to believe that a little 10 pound baby can omit such stinkiness! Its killer!! I am always telling her that she is not very lady like. She has this cry when she is super fed up that sounds like she is just so mad,its cute. She is very alert and strong, the doctor said she was stronger than most 3 month old, she likes being on her tummy and sleeps in her carseat as a result, mommy won't let her be on her tummy. She is sleeping 4-5 at a stretch at night, not bad, not bad at all. I love her more and more each day and feel like she has been a part of us forever, funny how that works!

Matthew, oh Matthew. He is still adjusting, still throwing, still hitting. We took him to Chuckie Cheese on Sat, he loved it and was so cute. But, when we left he had a major meltdown/temper tantrum, man did we get the looks. I laughed to myself thinking, "So much for special attention making this naughtiness go away!" I have finally surrendered to the fact that it might take more than 3 weeks for this to all shake out. I think the fact that he can't talk to us really frustrates him, and I am worried about his delay in speech. He really seems to struggle to say words and so he's being evaluated next Monday. You can tell he understands and he signs with us all the time, but even the words he knows are not understandable. Its like he thinks random sounds are words. Like for duck, he says, ahhhhuck. Hopefully the speech therapist will have some tips, insights on how to help him communicate more effectively. I think it would help us all out!

Jeff and I are doing good in this transition. Once again, he is so helpful. Like,this am, he took Matt downstairs and Caroline and I slept in till 9:30! Of course he wakes up like 5 times a night thinking Caroline is trapped in our bed, so annoying. I have to keep saying, "Jeff, Jeff, wake up, she is in her bassinet!" We could never cosleep, Jeff would definetly have a heartattack!

I am just trying to enjoy this baby stage, the potato sack wearing, sleep through anything, smooshy face, cross eyed phase of Caroline's life, because although we never say never in the Simpson family, I am pretty sure Caroline is our last child and I know that sooner than later she will be a toddler and I will miss her like she is now. This is the mantra I repeat to myself over and over at 4 am when little Miss is "squeaking" and I can barely keep my eyes open!

S

I have 2 Kids!?

Hello

Well, I have almost offically made it one week! Its gone pretty well, Matthew is adjusting....SLOWLY! He is defintely acting out, throwing things, hitting, not listening. That has been the hardest part. I can honestly say with the "duties" that come with having an infant, like getting up alot at night, breastfeeding till your boobs feel like they are going to fall off, I know TMI, being tired, its all worth it when you hold that warm little body close to you and think of all that had to go right to get them there. What a miracle! I probably sound like a total sap, but with all I have heard from my friend's sister whose baby girl Avery became an angel before she ever made it here on earth to the Hummel triplets, (Blog Stalking:), to little baby Cameron who is doing so well despite all he has faced, I am just so thankful to have my beautiful, healthy baby girl here, just as I am sure all of the babies mentioned above parents are grateful that God chose them for parents of their miracles.

My mom will be here till Sat and I know I will have moments of complete chaos after that, but today I reminded myself that its a season, that it won't last forever, and there are so many more parts of this baby time that I wll miss when this season has passed, so I might as well just enjoy it for what it is...and yes, sometimes that means, just making it till the end of the day when DADDY comes home!!

S

Sweet Caroline

Hello all,

I made it!! Caroline arrived as scheduled on October 12, 2006 at 11:49am. She is such a doll, with lots of brown hair. Very sweet disposition thus far,champion breastfeeder, good sleeper, up every 3-4 hours for some grub then back to sleep. We came home this morning and its been pretty good. Matthew is definetly going through some adjustments, very moody and not as gentle as we would like but we know that will take time. I think he is just majorly confused and a little like,"Ahh, what the heck is this baby doing, I like the picture of Caroline better than the real thing!:) My mom will be here all week and that will be a huge help.

Jeff was a trooper and stayed all three nights with me at the hospital. We're both tired but feeling just extremly blessed to have two beautiful, healthy children. Our cups runneth over!

Here are some pics!

The night before Caroline and all through the house...

Hi

I know, I know I said I wouldn't post again, but I am going STIR CRAZY!! It all started this morning at 5am when I was obsessing that she wasn't moving enough. The last couple days I have been really neurotic about that. I just want her out, to see that she is ok, I don't know why I have such a need for that this time. I think its because I still can't believe that tommorrow I am having a baby! My pregnancy went so fast. As anxious as I am for her arrival, I am also sad that I most likely won't be pregnant again and am trying to treasure every last pregnant moment, even the many night time trips to the bathroom:)

I am also posting to let you all know that if you want the quickest glimpse of Caroline got to www.borgess.com and click on virtual nursery and then go to 10/12 and click on her name. It takes them a few days though, but most likely will be quicker than us. Speaking of that, I said earlier that my mom was bringing their camera so our pics would be better. Well, I forgot that my mom is completly computer illiterate and she thought their cord that allows you to download the pics on the computer was only compatiable with her computer...too funny! So, we will be taking the same crappy pics with our video camera...oh well! I still crack up at her thinking that, kind of cute! :) She has been a lifesaver once again, she made me my favorite dinner tonight. Right now I am trying to convince Jeff to go get my a chocolate shake..somehow the Tigers game has more of a hold than his pregnant wife's cravings!

That's all for now!

SUE

pictures..at last

Here are some pictures, albeit crappy ones. We're getting a digital camera for Christmas and I can't wait! I hate using the video camera for stills because the quality is not there! My parents are bringing their camera so Caroline's first pics will be better!

Anyways, here are pics of both Matthew and Caroline's room and some pics of Mr. Matthew. Caroline's room currently has a queen sized bed in it as well for when my parents are here. But then it will be gone! Much to Jeff's dismay because

This is my last post before the big day...stay tuned for CAROLINE!:)))

Its October!!

Hi

When I found out I was pregnant in February, October seemed like such a far off time....its here! I went to the doctor today and she checked me, my cervix is thinned out but no dialation,so I think I am a go for next Thursday. Totally weird to know that definetly a week from Thursday that we will have a daughter! Last night as I was sleeping through another night of thunderstorms, I woke up thinking a bug was on me, its was Caroline kicking me so hard. She was going strong last night which is good because I have let my mind go to the "dark" side the last few days. I think its because my friend's baby died at 38 weeks and even though you know statistically that it most likely won't happen, when you know someone it happened to you can go there very easily. Thankfully, I put it on my prayer request at BSF and also with some prayer buddies and have been much more at ease since then. Darn, I thought I would make it without any major crying jags, but I had one of Sunday. I think it was mostly hormonal..at least that is my story and I am sticking to it.

In unrelated news, does anyone watch GREY'S ANATOMY and ER?? I can't take them being on the same night...TOO MUCH DRAMA!!! I feel drained by 11! I have been happy with both shows thus far. Tommorrow is the season premire of LOST, yipeee!! Ooops, I have to go Gilmore Girls is on soon, I know, I know I must get a life!!:)

We finally got a new camera charger so I will be posting some recent pics of the big brother to be hopefully before Caroline arrives and not to worry I won't wait too long to post baby pics, sorry Shelly no lap tops!!