I got an e-mail from Marquette University today letting me know that I was accepted into the direct entry msn program! I'm so excited! I have been praying for this for a long time and I felt that it was my calling to become a midwife, so this is just more confirmation. I can't wait to get back into school on a more full-time basis.
Also, I am so glad that I found out this early. Originally I had been told that they usually notify two weeks after the deadline, and then I found out that they weren't planning on sending out notifications until the end of February. Thankfully, they sent them out early, so I can stop stressing and start planning! I need to find a daycare for the boys. We need to buy a second car. And oh yeah, figure out how to pay for all of this.
But I'm not going to start that stuff until tomorrow. Today, I am basking in the excitment!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
So it's been awhile...
but January was a busy month. I am one of the organizers for a high school youth retreat here in Wisconsin, which took place Jan 21-24. So I had to spend a lot of evenings preparing for that on top of my normal schedule. I also started class again on Jan 20. This semester, I'm taking my class at night, which has made for some interesting scheduling. Taking it at night has allowed us to be able to not put the boys in daycare, as Calvin gets home before I leave. This is great because it saves us more than $200 a month, but makes our lives more hectic. For example, this week: Mon-class, Tues-Calvin has a Deacon's meeting, Wed-class, Thurs-I have a Worship Committee meeting, Fri-Calvin has GTsquared (men's gaming ministry). So basically we won't have any evening to spend together has a family. And it is hard for me to find time to study. Last semester, I would study at night, but this semester that doesn't always work. I've been trying to study during nap time, but the boys aren't consistently taking naps at the same time. Today Matthias played quietly long enough for me to prepare for tonight's quiz, but that doesn't happen every day. And of course that means that I don't have time to do house work. So life is busy.
Anyways, what else is new with us? I found out that Marquette will not be sending out acceptance letters until March, which means I will probably go crazy waiting. But that also makes me glad that we decided not to move to Milwaukee, because that would have been very stressful with such a short time frame.
Boys are doing well. Matthias has been putting poop on the walls again, so we've been dealing with a few messes and discipline issues. Ezra is walking finally, but also seems to be getting another cold. He had a sinus infection in January and was on antibiotics and got better, but is now coughing again.
Calvin's job is going well. He got an excellent year-end review and a nice bonus, so that will help us financially, especially since if I do get into school, we'll need any extra money we can get.
I found a dress for my sister in law's wedding. I'm the matron of honor and Matthias is the ring bearer. I was excited, because not only did I find something I like, it was on clearance and was only $23.50!
Wow, this is post is random and ramblely. I need to go get ready for class and make supper. I will hopefully post more often!
Anyways, what else is new with us? I found out that Marquette will not be sending out acceptance letters until March, which means I will probably go crazy waiting. But that also makes me glad that we decided not to move to Milwaukee, because that would have been very stressful with such a short time frame.
Boys are doing well. Matthias has been putting poop on the walls again, so we've been dealing with a few messes and discipline issues. Ezra is walking finally, but also seems to be getting another cold. He had a sinus infection in January and was on antibiotics and got better, but is now coughing again.
Calvin's job is going well. He got an excellent year-end review and a nice bonus, so that will help us financially, especially since if I do get into school, we'll need any extra money we can get.
I found a dress for my sister in law's wedding. I'm the matron of honor and Matthias is the ring bearer. I was excited, because not only did I find something I like, it was on clearance and was only $23.50!
Wow, this is post is random and ramblely. I need to go get ready for class and make supper. I will hopefully post more often!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
The tale of two pregnancies
So in true New Years fashion, I was thinking back about 2009. Now the biggest thing for us in 2009 was Ezra's health issues. I was thinking about that as well as my pregnancies with both Ezra and Matthias and I was reflecting on how different my pregnancies, labors, and their babyhoods were.
My pregnancy with Matthias was more difficult. I had horrible morning (all day) sickness. Until I was put on medication, I threw up 4 or 5 times a day and was barely able to function. Even after the medication I threw up at least every other day, if not every day until I delivered. I was hospitalized at about 22 weeks with kidney stones and a severe kidney infection. I had severe sciatic pain, which at times made it difficult to walk or even get out of bed. Towards the end of my pregnancy, I was put on modified bedrest due to high blood pressure.
I ended up being induced because my blood pressure was up, I was spilling protein in my urine, and I was at 41 wks 4 days. My labor was not difficult. I was on pitocin, but the contractions were not painful at all until my water broke. Even after my water broke, I was in pain, but the pain was managable. I did end up getting one shot of narcotics. I pushed for an hour and half and then my 9 lb baby boy was born.
Matthias was a little gassy, but otherwise a pretty healthy baby. He was active and walked at nine months. He is still a curious and very clever little boy.
My pregnancy with Ezra was much easier. I threw up about once a day during my first trimester, but that was it and I didn't even have to go on medication. No kidney issues, no high blood pressure, no sciatic pain. My pregnancy was easy and wonderful.
My water broke bringing on the beginning of my labor at 40 wks 2 days. The pain was a lot worse and unbearable. I received an epidural (but it didn't kick in in time). I was only in labor three and a half hours and only pushed for three minutes (two pushes) before I delivered my second beautiful son at 9 lbs 6 oz.
Ezra was/is such a happy baby. He smiled at three weeks and hasn't stopped since. But he had a much rougher babyhood. At five days old, he was admitted to the hospital to spend some time under billi lights to treat his jaundice. Even though we were told his jaundice would go away after a couple a weeks, three weeks after his birth, he was still yellow and showing symptoms that are affliated with severed bad jaundice. we ended up taking him into the ER in Canada the day after Christmas to get his levels monitored. His levels were high, but not dangerous. He ended up having blood tests one to two times a week until his levels returned to the normal range at two months. The doctor thought his other symptoms might be due to colic. Well, he did not have colic.
After a few weeks, we discovered that he was no longer gaining weight. And after a brief bout of RSV, he lost weight. After trying some different medications, we were referred to a specialist and he was diagnosed Failure to Thrive. Ezra had multiple tests and was eventually diagnosed as having Unexplained Severe Reflux. We found a feeding system (formula mixed with rice cereal) that helped him gain weight. Since then he has thrived! Like I said earlier, he is such a happy little boy! He is working on walking (he's a chicken, so won't take more than a couple of steps) and loves eating (especially cheese).
This revelation reminded me how different each pregnancy and each baby can be and I wouldn't have it any other way.
My pregnancy with Matthias was more difficult. I had horrible morning (all day) sickness. Until I was put on medication, I threw up 4 or 5 times a day and was barely able to function. Even after the medication I threw up at least every other day, if not every day until I delivered. I was hospitalized at about 22 weeks with kidney stones and a severe kidney infection. I had severe sciatic pain, which at times made it difficult to walk or even get out of bed. Towards the end of my pregnancy, I was put on modified bedrest due to high blood pressure.
I ended up being induced because my blood pressure was up, I was spilling protein in my urine, and I was at 41 wks 4 days. My labor was not difficult. I was on pitocin, but the contractions were not painful at all until my water broke. Even after my water broke, I was in pain, but the pain was managable. I did end up getting one shot of narcotics. I pushed for an hour and half and then my 9 lb baby boy was born.
Matthias was a little gassy, but otherwise a pretty healthy baby. He was active and walked at nine months. He is still a curious and very clever little boy.
My pregnancy with Ezra was much easier. I threw up about once a day during my first trimester, but that was it and I didn't even have to go on medication. No kidney issues, no high blood pressure, no sciatic pain. My pregnancy was easy and wonderful.
My water broke bringing on the beginning of my labor at 40 wks 2 days. The pain was a lot worse and unbearable. I received an epidural (but it didn't kick in in time). I was only in labor three and a half hours and only pushed for three minutes (two pushes) before I delivered my second beautiful son at 9 lbs 6 oz.
Ezra was/is such a happy baby. He smiled at three weeks and hasn't stopped since. But he had a much rougher babyhood. At five days old, he was admitted to the hospital to spend some time under billi lights to treat his jaundice. Even though we were told his jaundice would go away after a couple a weeks, three weeks after his birth, he was still yellow and showing symptoms that are affliated with severed bad jaundice. we ended up taking him into the ER in Canada the day after Christmas to get his levels monitored. His levels were high, but not dangerous. He ended up having blood tests one to two times a week until his levels returned to the normal range at two months. The doctor thought his other symptoms might be due to colic. Well, he did not have colic.
After a few weeks, we discovered that he was no longer gaining weight. And after a brief bout of RSV, he lost weight. After trying some different medications, we were referred to a specialist and he was diagnosed Failure to Thrive. Ezra had multiple tests and was eventually diagnosed as having Unexplained Severe Reflux. We found a feeding system (formula mixed with rice cereal) that helped him gain weight. Since then he has thrived! Like I said earlier, he is such a happy little boy! He is working on walking (he's a chicken, so won't take more than a couple of steps) and loves eating (especially cheese).
This revelation reminded me how different each pregnancy and each baby can be and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Through the eyes of children
One of the best things about being a parent is getting to reexperience everything through the eyes of your children. Matthias is starting to get to the age where he is so curious and is learning so much. Today my mom was showing him the Nativity scene. He kept looking at the baby Jesus and saying 'baby, baby'. My mom said "That's baby Jesus". Matthias starting saying, "Baby Jesus, baby Jesus go night, night" over and over. It was so cute.
It was also so cute to watch the boys open presents. They really got spoiled this year. Each time they opened a gift, they were completely drawn to that particular present (especially Matthias). They insisted that mommy and grandma open each gift immediately and they needed to really check out each gift before they would even think about the next gift. They got a ton of Little People toys (lots of animals), Legos, and blocks. So spoiled. ;)
Christmas was great this year because all of us kids were home this year. Last year, Calvin, the boys, and I spent Christmas with Calvin's family in Canada. Andy (my brother) also brought his girlfriend along, so it was nice to get to know her a little bit. Unfortunately Katie's (my sister) boyfriend was unable to come. We also got spoiled because Andy cooked an amazing meal for us. He is in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School and is becoming quite a chef.
We have such a wonderful time enjoying family and fellowship and remembering the true reason for Christmas, Jesus' birth.
It was also so cute to watch the boys open presents. They really got spoiled this year. Each time they opened a gift, they were completely drawn to that particular present (especially Matthias). They insisted that mommy and grandma open each gift immediately and they needed to really check out each gift before they would even think about the next gift. They got a ton of Little People toys (lots of animals), Legos, and blocks. So spoiled. ;)
Christmas was great this year because all of us kids were home this year. Last year, Calvin, the boys, and I spent Christmas with Calvin's family in Canada. Andy (my brother) also brought his girlfriend along, so it was nice to get to know her a little bit. Unfortunately Katie's (my sister) boyfriend was unable to come. We also got spoiled because Andy cooked an amazing meal for us. He is in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School and is becoming quite a chef.
We have such a wonderful time enjoying family and fellowship and remembering the true reason for Christmas, Jesus' birth.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Houdini has nothing on this kid!
Matthias can get through childproofing quicker than most adults. We have some pretty cool gates that we have had to teach adults how to open, but Matthias just opens them with ease. And boy is he quiet! Today, while he was supposed to be napping (and I was napping) he sneaked out the gate and into the basement and started playing. He even made it back to his room before I woke up! The only reason I know he was down there is that I heard him trying to sneak out again and then when I went downs stairs I found that he had lined up all the soda cans in rows across the basement floor.
He also learned how to take off the door knob covers, so all of the doors of the rooms we don't want him in now have latches. Some may ask why we don't just put a latch on his door. Well, that is probably the next step, but right now we are potty training and would like him to be able to leave his room and come tell us if he has to go potty in the middle of the night. But since having him wandering the house while the rest of us are sleeping is not the best idea, his room will probably be latched soon.
This kid is too smart for his own good.
He also learned how to take off the door knob covers, so all of the doors of the rooms we don't want him in now have latches. Some may ask why we don't just put a latch on his door. Well, that is probably the next step, but right now we are potty training and would like him to be able to leave his room and come tell us if he has to go potty in the middle of the night. But since having him wandering the house while the rest of us are sleeping is not the best idea, his room will probably be latched soon.
This kid is too smart for his own good.
Monday, December 7, 2009
I fought the knife,
and the knife won... So Saturday evening, I cutting up some veggies and I ended up cutting my hand. A slip of the knife and I have a nice slash across the webbing of my hand between the thumb and index finger. Which meant a couple hours in the ER and two pretty blue stiches. And of course this happened shortly after Leanne (my sister-in-law) and her boyfriend arrived and shortly before my mother-, father-, and brother-in-law showed up. It made for an interesting evening.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
One year old!
Ezra is one year old now! We celebrated his birthday on Sunday with my parents and sister. It was just a simple cupcake and present party. Ezra seemed to like his cupcake, but ended up throwing it up afterwards. Apparently the sugar didn't sit so well on his stomach.
The boys were playing nicely together, because they each had a hammer.
Today he had his one year appointment. He weighed 22 lbs, 6 oz. (50 percentile) and 30.5 inches (90 percentile). He weighs a whole four pounds less than Matthias did at one year, but the doctor is not concerned, because of his earlier issues and he is maintaining the curve he's been on since about 6 months.
He still isn't walking, but the doctor said not to worry. She says he looks good otherwise. Poor baby got three shots though, so he's been sleeping really well this afternoon.
He wanted to put out the flame with his fingers.
Yummy cupcake!
The boys were playing nicely together, because they each had a hammer.
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