Random Pics.....

<--- the kids...sharing the couch together......






Riley in her new crocs. We are going to a camoflauge themed wedding, and we got crocs for her and her baby cousin to wear...so cute!





<----the little man....in his Illini gear






<---me and Sarah last night....goood times....





Not a whole lot going on here, same old same old. Kinda nice that way! We have been busy shopping, and doing not a whole lot else! We will have to stop shopping soon....our checking account wont be able to take it much longer! :) Then we will just have to stay home!

We have had a pretty uneventful weekend. I went up to Sarah's last night, where I enjoyed my first pot pregnancy adult beverage...most of the girls from work were there, and a few new faces. It was really good to see everyone, and get together outside of the office. I really miss the people that I work with! I dont miss work as much, just the people.

Derrick is out putting the new siding on the shanty. It seems like he always has a project going on! At least it keeps him out of trouble! I think that we are going to go get the sidewalk pavers on Tuesday night, so then we will be starting that fun project. Should be interesting. I kinda miss being pregnant, cause then I didnt have to help with all this stuff! Now I know I am going to have to help! We plan on starting the kitchen remodel this winter, so I know that I will have to help with the trim/drywall/painting. At least we dont have to re-do cabnits or anything! I would like to change out the hardware, and possibly look into new counter tops though. We will have to see what I can talk derrick into. I just hate my light colored counters, they show everything! It seems like a waste to take them out if we dont need too.

I think that i am going to start a new baby boy scrapbook page tonight. I have been working on some christmas projects. While they are fun, its a little hard to do stuff like that on demand. I hope that makes sense, without giving to much away...

off to print some pics.....

One month.... already?

I know that today he is technically a month and a day, but I assure you that these pictures were taken last night, when he really was a month old! It seems unreal that he has been in the family already for a month! Where did the time go? He is just such a perfect fit with us, its hard to imagine what life was like before him! Such a sweet little man!

Derrick is home today. He is out putting shingles on the shanty (shed). When Riley gets up from her nap we are going to run into town to get him fitted for a tux, and to go to Target. Should be a good outing for us! It feels like its been forever since we have been anywhere. I think that in reality we were out on Thursday, but that seems like it was ages ago!

Not much else going on around here. I am watching my time off dwidle by. Its kinda sad! When will i have time to scrapbook when I go back to work? Notice I dont worry about laundry or housework, its all about the scrapbooking.... I did get some paper in for a Christmas project I am working on, so I am super excited to get that started and done! I also placed a HUGE order on ACOT last night. 12 bottles of prima flowers should be on thier way today. Along with several BG bookplates, and of course, paper!!! Its scheduled to arrive Friday, which is perfect, since Derrick will be working. This way I can just intergrate it into my stash, and he will never know!!

Alright, I have cinnamon rolls cooking and they are almost done, so I better ice them real quick...

Creativity Strikes again.....

Just a couple ones from yesterday. Sorry for the crazy scans. Stitching is truely not my best used feature in my photo program. Plus its a little crazy to scan layouts anyway, cause they are usually a little lumpy and bumpy!

Both kids are asleep, so now I am left with the ominous decision. Do I scrap, or do I sleep. Yesterday I was wired, and stayed up. Today I am a little sleepy. Sleep may be the better choice. I hate sleeping during the day though, cause I wake up so groggy. I made a choice after we had Riley to never do housework during naptime. Thats my time. I was spending all my time on the weekends cleaning and catching up on laundry. Its hard, cause Derrick isnt here on the weekends, so I dont have additional help. It felt like it was a constant battle, so naptime officially became "me time". Now its just hard to decide what to do with those precious hours!

Chase slept from 10:30 to 4:30 last night. Then he was up at 5:30. I put him in bed with me, and he slept till 8:30. This is becoming a trend. He wakes up about an hour after his last feeding, and just wants to get in bed with us. I know that Riley didnt sleep with us this much, and its really a habit that I dont want to start. He actaully just went to sleep too, he has been up since about 9:00, off and on. I think that he just wants to be held to sleep. Little stinker!

I think thats all the update. Not much going on here. Kinda nice that way...

Pee.... Everywhere

<---- little diva. I *love* old navy bargians. So cheap, yet so cute. And they provide her with hours of fun!





<---this is a funny one. Riley packed my makeup bag in her purse. It was a little quiet in the backseat, but never did I imagine she had put on eyeshadow. On her cheeks. Its like airport security around here now. All bags are checked before leaving the house.





<--- and of course, the little man. He is doing so well, and getting so big! I can not get over how much he has changed, and in such a short amount of time!!



Everything is going pretty well. We are just going from day to day, doing whatever we want! Its kinda nice that way. I miss work a little bit, but not to much yet. Riley is so well behaved right now, that I can not really complain. We have our occasional meltdowns, but other than that, she is doing really well.

Today I experienced the whole "boy pee" issue. Chase is really good about not peeing on me. Really good. Today he got me three times within a twenty minute period. I changed him, he peed. I went to change his clothes, took off the diaper, he peed. Then he ate a little. Pooped, and you guesed it peed. It seriously is a projectile type thing. I couldnt stop laughing after the third time. He was a little shocked I think. Almost like he was thinking, "whats that stream flying over my head?? How far can I aim this? Can I hit the oppisite arm of the couch?" It was really cute, but a little messy.

Well I was hoping for a longer update, but judging from shouts coming from Riley's room, there must be a fly in there.......

Stinkin' Rotten

So Riley has this desk. The desk has a lamp on it. Usually she just turns it on and off. The desk is back in the new room, right behind where I scrapbook. I turned to corner last night to catch Riley, sitting on the lamp, looking out the window. Of course, to complete the look she is wearing a diaper and shoes. Nothing else. This kid keeps you on your toes, let me tell you. The cute thing is that Derrick was working outside and she could see him from the window, so she was just sitting there, watching him. After a couple pictures, I made her get down. I just had to make sure I had proof for Derrick though!

Chase is changing! I think that he looks so filled out in these pictures! Derrick hated this outfit when I brought it home, but I love it! I think that it looks so stinking cute on him! He just looks like a little man! We slept for five hours straight for two nights, and are now back to every three hours. I guess its just whatever works for him, right?

Well Riley is standing next to me, wanting to put her shoes on-better go...

Ooops.

Dad--I told you that Chase had a little squirt outfit....

Holy Creative-ness

I got super creative this weekend. Three layouts in one weekend is pretty much a record for me anymore! I was really excited to get into my scraproom and really get into the groove and create something! I am still a little wired, so I think that I might either start another page, or start altering this awsome clock that I bought.....

The kids are doing well. Chase is wide awake right now, and watching ice road truckers with daddy. Derrick and Matt built the "shanty" today. They really got a lot done, and will hopefully finish out what they want to get done tomorrow morning. Derricks mom took Riley for a bit today, which was a blessing. It was nice to get to spend some time with Baby Chase one on one and to get to get a couple things done around here, without some of the "help" that I usually get.

Well thats all for tonight......

Chase's first page

I blurred the last name just *in case*. There are creepy people out there, you know??

So this is really his second layout. Riley did his first... I will scan and post it also.

I also just finished a new one, of an old pic of Riley... on a roll again!!

Read me a Story....

Riley got these books from Matt's mom and Dad, and has been reading them to Chase non-stop! Its so cute! She has really gotten into mothering him the last couple days, and while its really sweet, I think that Chase doesnt know what to think. His big sister isnt the gentlest burping helper ever.

We went to the Dr. this morning for a weight check. Chase is not 7lbs 10oz. That means he has surpased his birthweight, which is a really good thing! He is going through that dry skin phase right now, which makes him look even more like a little old man! He also lost his belly button stump last night, so I think that we might try a real bath tonight. I will probably wait until Derrick gets home, since the first real bath always seems to be a huge project, needing two people! Chase also slept really well last night. He ate at 10, and then didnt get back up until about 2:45. Almost a full five hours! Way to go little man! I hope this is just a good indicator of things to come!

I wish that I had more to update on Riley, I feel like Chase is the only kid I am talking about anymore! She did help me scrapbook yesterday which was interesting to say the least. It was VERY tedious for me. I was so worried about her deciding to color on my page, but really she did well. She more or less played with all the scraps, and threw away little peices of paper. I will be sure to upload the page that she made for Chase as well as the one that we did yesterday.

Alright. Thats it for now. I am going to try to take some more pics of the little man today, so I will post them later on.

More pics

These are all actually from today... the pics in the earlier post were from Monday....

Perfect Little Man

I can not believe how much this little guy has changed already! He is spending more timeawake, although he really isnt up very often yet. I think that he enjoys he baby papasan chair more than anything. He also loves being held, and snuggled, which we are more than happy to do! He is just so sweet. Love him, love him!

Everything else is going fine. Derrick went back to work yesterday, so we are on our own. I was a little teary when Derrick got home last night, but not cause of anything here, I think that it was just a little overwhelming (Derricks words). Everyone behaved, was nice, followed directions (and by everyone I mean Riley). I think that its just frustrating to be here alone, not able to go anywhere, and feel a little cooped up. Its so hot out too, that we really cant go outside and play for long. I think that we spent 20 minutes outside yesterday, and we parked Chase right by the back door, and cleaned up the porch. That was about the extent of it.

Both kids are asleep now, so I have started a scrapbook page for Chase. Hopefully I get it done and posted tonight...

Utter Cuteness

<----just the cutest thing ever. Seriously.

<-----content curled up on Mommy














<---looking onery as ever.




I am pretty sure that Derrick and I have the best kids EVER. Seriously. They are too stinking cute! Both were pretty well behaved today. Riley had some minor meltdowns, but nothing major. Chase slept realy well, and actually spent about an hour awake this afternoon. He was more alert during that time, then I think I have seen him be in a while. We have our first Dr.'s appointment tomorrow. I cant remember if he gets shots during this one or not. I am thinking not, but I may be seriously wrong. In which case Daddy better be ready to shell out some money, cause everytime we get shots in this house we get to go buy a new toy. Its no wonder we have so much crap! In my defense, Riley still has the moo cow we bought after her first Dr.'s visit, and loves it to death.

I am going to work on my birth announcements tonight, so hopefully everyone will have a real live picture of Chase along with all his stats before long...

introducing....

Chase Matthew White

July 23rd

8:12AM

7lbs 9oz

19 3/4 inches long

I have to say, he is the most perfect! Riley is adjusting well. She really isnt to involved with him, unless he is crying, then she realizes that he is here! We just got home about an hour ago. So far, so good. Both kids are sleeping right now (how often do you think that will happen??). I hope the pics tide everyone over for a bit, we will update with more later on....

4 days....

Well if you count today. But today is only half over, so I think that I really should count today. It is only fair.

We are all still doing okay. Derrick is still alive. For now. He is also safe at work at the moment. I am okay. I am really uncomfortable. I think thats really an understatement, but thats okay. I am having trouble sleeping due to my back pain, and the constant urge to pee. That I can handle. What I can not handle is the intense hip/thigh muscle pain. I never experienced it with Riley, so I have to admit its quite shocking this time around. Its very helpful to know that the end is in sight though! Its also been really nice to be home this week. I have gotten quite a bit done, and dont feel rushed, as I have all day to do things, instead of a four hour time block where I am trying to cram in a whole days worth of stuff, along with dinner, a bath and everything else! Riley has been really well behaved, and that has helped alot. She has turned into quite the "helper". I need to finish the kitchen, the laundry room and the back/scrap room. The kitchen and the back room need a once over. The laundry room and the scrap room need the deep clean! I am also working on thank you cards, and the baby announcements, slowly but surely. I got all my giraffes watercolored last night, they just need to be cut and inked and stuck on paper, and stuck on a card, and I could go on and on! We are going to hobby lobby tomorrow after my appointment, so I need to make sure that I have my list of need to get scrapbook supplies ready! I need to get some more photo boxes, and some brown paper to finish my cards. We also have to run to target and walmart. Just for little last minute things. In fact I think that we can get everything we need at Walmart, so we may just go there. I need to pick up some more 6oz bottles (the ones we had for Riley have all disapeared), some toilet paper (I never realized how much a pregnant person goes through), batteries for the swing, and random groceries. Now if I can stick to my "lists" we will be good to go!

Well I just put the bean down for a nap and its finally getting quiet in there, so I think that I will head off to try to get a litle nap in too.....

Somewhere. Someone. Is. Laughing. At. Me.

So I am abviously still around. Still contracting. I waited until 6:30 to wake up Derrick. I figured at that point this had gone on for four hours. I was 8-10 minutes apart, about a minute long. Not super close together, but I was following the 6 in an hour guideline the nurses gave me. I called L&D at about 6:45. They told me to take a bath to see if they woudl stop. I wanted to scream "Lady, I dont want them to stop. I want to have a flippin' baby". I took the bath. They slowed down to about 15 minutes apart. I finally went in around 9AM (to work). I figured there was really no other place for me to be. It was better I be there, then milling around here. I finished some odd-ball things I had left to do, and left. Got the bean, headed to Walmart. Spent a crapload of money on random crap. I should not be allowed in Walmart alone.

So I am back home. Contracting. Again. I am not even going to bother timing them at the moment. I am just going to get in the bath.......

To wake or not to wake.

That is of course, the ultimate question. Especially when you have already had preterm labor. And you are so ready to meet this baby that every "twinge" is something happening. I wonder if this really is a frustrating decision for pregnant women. Its 2:57. I woke up about 2:30 with what I am more sure than anything in my life are some prety good contractions. My gut says pack the bag (I know shame on me that I have not done it yet). The rest of me is being logical. Get up move around. They are going to want me to drink water to make sure they are not going away. So I am waiting. And blogging. We shall see.

So.

Bedrest sucks. Seriously. I know that it could be so much worse so I feel bad for bitching. I really do. But i miss my kid. I want to do laundry. I just dont like feeling out of control and helpless. I know that I need to do whats best for the baby and I am okay with that, its just a temporary moment of suckiness in the big picture of it all. You know me though, I asked the Dr. if I could be up to scrapbook (sitting only and not for extended periods of time). So I have been working on a "proto-type" for my baby announcements. I am scanning them as I type, so I will add them to this post. **added**
Anyway... I go in Thursday cause I am in some pain. I cant describe it, it just felt like he wanted out, now. They check me, nothing. They do a cervical ultrasound, nothing. Well it did show that his head is basically sitting on my cervix, which would explain all the pressure. At this point I am feeling stupid because I went in cause of pressure. Then they did a non-stress test which showed that I was having contractions. I had to get a shot of some medication that made me very jittery and wait for them to calm down. Thankfully they did, and I was able to go home, to return on Monday, but to be on bedrest until then. So here I am. I think that the worst for me is that I just feel lazy. I dont like feeling like that at all, and it is upseting me. I also am feeling like I need to wash all of Chase's things, but I dont have the dresser painted yet, so I have no where to put them away. I need to wait until the appointment Monday, see what they say and then I can decide whether or not I really need to be freaking out like this. I did email one of the nurses that I used to work with (she works in the NICU now) just to get some insight on what to expect if he does come soon. The test I am having done Monday (fetal fibronectin) should help them to know whether or not I will deliver soon.... I will report back then..... :)

Yep. Thats Right. Still Pregnant.

So what week are we on now? Like 57? It feels like 92. In reality? 33. I am almost done. The end is near. The finish line is looming before us. I should consider myself lucky. I actaully have a set date. I know when this is going to happen. I get to go 12 days early. I really only have to make it like 38 weeks. The crappy thing is, you would think that I only have 5 weeks left, right? Nope. 6 weeks from yesterday. I cant wrap my brain around the counting of the weeks. Whatever. So. Here is a new belly pic. There is something in there. It wants out.


On a little nicer note.... we finally put up the pool! Can I just say, I LOVE the pool? I LOVE THE POOL. LOVE THE POOL! Its so nice to get in there, and float around without carrying all the "extra" weight. It just feels good. Riley really seems to enjoy it too. In fact, we came home after work today and got right in. I need to have Derrick take some pictures of her in the pool! Derrick doesnt swim, and since I am always in the pool with her, it leads to some technical difficulties.

Okay. Derrick is off playing poker, I want to scrapbook...

Ahhh... my sweet kid...

Daddy went four wheeling yesterday and has his helmet out. Riley had to wear it, of course. I almost peed my pants on the front porch watching her walk around with this HUGE helmet on her little bitty body!

I was off work today, so we ventured to the park for a little fun. Riley has been terrified of the swings this year, but we tried it again today, and to my suprise she loved them, again! She would get upset if she didnt feel like she was swinging high enough! We also made spagetti for dinner. Notice she doesnt get to wear clothes when we have spaghetti. We eat, I run the bath water, she finished eating, I pick her up from behind, and into the tub she goes. The sad thing is I think that she likes getting this messy, dirty. Just like her daddy!

I am doing well. Okay. Not really. Not that I am not doing okay, I am just really tired. And big. And pregnant. And its kinda wearing on me. And I am trying REALLY hard to not complain about it. But its getting really hard not too. I am getting to the point where nothing is comfortable, I have to pee every fifteen minutes (more if I laugh or sneeze), my body hurts. Especially my back. And my hips. I keep thinking that maybe he has dropped, thats why I feel so different than a week ago. Then I realize thats not possible, cause I still cant breathe! I dont like feeling this way. I feel like I should be thankful to be pregnant, and be the happiest person on earth, yet there is this little bitchy complaining monster inside of me begging to be let out to complain as freely as it wants too. Vent over.

I need to pick a day to get maternity pics done soon. I only have 49 days left until this little guy is here. Last time we did it a month before, and i would like to stay in that time frame. Now if Derrick would just give me a little advance notice on his schedule.....

Alright. I think that I have to go to bed. That way I can roll around in the covers like a beached whale trying to get comfortable. Even more fun will be the 1am bathroom trip. I am sure thats a pretty sight. Ahhhhh.....