On the Loose with Dr. Seuss

Will they like green eggs and ham?





(not pictured: Z., A., and Jackson)
They liked it, loved it, Sam I am!

Feeling Yucky!

I just don't remember all these little aches and pains when I was pregnant with Jackson. At least, not this early. I am only 28 weeks and I am not even as as big as I was with Jackson, but I am so much more uncomfortable and at an earlier stage! I even have aches and pains I didn't have with Jackson at all!

I can't go to sleep at night because my legs twitch. I have to get up and stretch or take a hot bath! Then I finally fall asleep and then I wake up multiple times to either go pee or because I have a blinding cramp in my leg or foot!! I have to get out of bed either way, which wakes me up from my deep sleep and starts the whole cycle again!

My back aches a lot and Ben has to adjust me almost nightly. I can't sit straight up because I don't get enough back support, but I can't lie on my back or side because I am uncomfortable or it hurts my back on the side that Ben keeps adjusting.

I feel like the layer of muscle/skin around the baby is much thinner this time because I strongly feel every little kick or movement - which also contributes to the no sleep issue.

I get almost menstrual like cramps all the time and Braxton Hicks contractions all the time and when the baby kicks my bladder, I seriously almost pee myself!

My food just seems to sit in my stomach and not digest, which makes me feel nauseous and get heartburn.

Plus, I am so emotional!! I cry all the time, and I NEVER cry!! Movies make me cry, commercials make me cry, getting frustrated makes me cry. The other day a lady from my ward called my house to ask me a question and I couldn't even finish my sentence to answer her because I was crying so hard I couldn't breathe!! What is up with that!!??

So my question is...is this just how it is when you have multiple children - symptoms get worse, or am I just being a baby or what?? Does it get worse with EVERY child you have? Maybe I did feel these things with Jack but didn't notice because I was so deliriously happy to be pregnant with him after having the miscarriage. Maybe things are worse for me now because I am working so hard and so exhausted all the time.

I am so not this person who just complains about things all the time. I am a multi-tasker, a get-it-doner, a work till you dropper, and a fight through the painer!! Suck it up, Colleen!! Get a grip! You chose this, you want this, and you can do this!!

Hey, on a bright note - all my 3 year olds are returning next fall! I have received all their 2009-2010 contracts! So out of the 12 spots I can fill in my preschool, I will fill 3 with my own children (0-18 mos count as 2 spots), 3 full-time spots with returning 3-year-olds and 1 half time spot with a returning 3-year-old, and I have 2 serious prospects who just haven't returned paperwork yet and I haven't even started advertising for next year yet! Go me!

Plus, all the kids and the prospects will be 4 by Fall, (except S.B., but she is so advanced. Oh, and of course, my own 2 boys...) so I face the possibility that all the group will be 4! This would be so much easier than having a split group of different ages! It will suck for advertising for 2010-1011 since they'll all be graduating to Kindergarten (except S.B.), but hey, I'll worry about that then!

American Idol Notes

Sorry for those of you who don't follow the show, but I am a huge fan - like I seriously get giddy when I know it is coming on or I have a show DVR'd that I haven't watched yet. And don't even think about calling me when AI is on - I'll get nasty with you! ;)

Anyway, I fell asleep early last night and so I didn't watch Michael Jackson night, but I just watched it tonight and I some things to say about it. I seemed strange that they would do a Michaal Jackson night on AI because the judges are always telling contestants to stay away from Michael and Whitney and Mariah and others who no one can compare with. But, WOW! Everyone did such a great job. Up to this point, there were only a few who stood out to me, but everyone was incredible tonight (last night), except maybe 2 or 3.

My not-so-favs:
I don't get the hype about the visually impaired guy. His voice doesn't impress me! Jorge was a front runner in my mind, but I actually didn't enjoy his song tonight. In fact, he was one of my last favorites! And what was up with Megan's Rockin' Robin song?! It was so weird!! I want to like her because she is so cute and her voice is so unique, but her little dance that she does is too eccentric for my taste. Plus, Rockin' Robin is kind of a kiddy/Disneyish song to me, and she made it even more so. It was just strange.

My favs:
Don't you think Danny Gokey looks like Robert Downey Jr? He seems so humble, too. I really like him. I also really like Adam Lambert, and don't you think he channels Elvis in a punk rock kind of way. He makes faces that remind me of the King at times. Plus, I totally agree with the judges. Although everyone was good tonight, he was just SO in another league!! Allison, the 16 year old has such a Pink-ish voice. I like the hard quality of her voice and she can really sing!

Well, those are my thoughts. Stay tuned if you are a fan. I'm sure I'll have more!

I have so much to blog I don't know where to start!

This weekend I finished reading Confessions of a Shopaholic. About halfway through I had decided I didn't like it, it was a little too fluffy for me - the main character annoyed me with her stupidity and bad choices, but then I also identified with her. The story could have been written about me 7 years ago! Maybe that is why the main character annoyed me so much - I don't like that person I was very much. I liked the ending of the book, but it was a little predictable. I don't think I'll see the movie because it looks like it mostly presents the annoying character before she went through her change toward maturity, like that is supposed to be funny. In short, I would recommend this book to a friend (but not highly).

Sara and I worked on the new baby nursery off and on all day Saturday! We got the wall mural of the pirate ship finished, but we did not get to paint the other walls. I still need to get that finished - I'll add that to my never ending list of home projects and Spring Cleaning that needs to be done over Spring Break. The pirate ship turned out so cute! It really goes well with the bedding I bought. Now I am anxious to get the whole nursery finished and set up the crib, but I won't be able to have everything in order until a few months after the baby is born. I don't want to kick Jackson out of his crib until he is at least 2 which won't be until August! Besides, the baby will be in our room for the first few months anyway. ("The baby" is still yet to be named - sigh. At this point, we don't even discuss it. I am hoping the name will come through prayer becuase if it is left up to us, our son may be Baby Boy Blake forever.)



Today was SO not a fun day. I took Jackson to the doctor yesterday because he had a low grade fever and mild diarrhea all weekend. (Sidenote - this weekend was to be his first in nursery at church and he missed it! I know he'll love nursery, so I am bummed about that!) He started pulling at his ears so I thought he might have an ear infection. Dr. Chen said his ears looked red and so did his throat, but no infection. If his fever hit 101 or above, I was to call back and he'd call in some antibiotics. Last night, Jackson woke up and his fever was 102, so today Mrs. Olivia came (aka the super-awesome lifesaver sub that even cleans my microwave!) and took the entire group for me again, so I could keep Jackson away from the other kids. I don't know what he has, but if his fever is that high, I need to keep him away from the other kids, especially L., because that is my policy for the other kids as outlined in my parent contract. So, my day consisted of isolating Jack and myself upstairs, trying to keep him happy when he felt miserable, and was tortured by the sound of his friends playing downstairs. Plus, all the really good toys are downstairs, so he was just not a happy camper at all! AND he wouldn't eat anything all day and cried forever when I tried to get him to sleep when normally he goes down for bed and naps SO easy! He just plays with his puppy till he falls asleep. When he finally did take a nap, I ran out around noon to get his prescription that was called in at 9:00. CVS didn't have it ready. It was on the voicemail and they hadn't checked the voicemail for the day yet. (What??) I had to race back because I cold only afford Mrs. Olivia for 3.5 hours since she subbed for me yesterday for a couple of hours when I took Jackson to the dr. When the kids went down for nap, sick Jackson was just waking up and so I was on my own with everyone for the rest of the afternoon. Needless to say, it was a rough day.

Don't you feel like when it rains, it pours? At one point, I had 3 parents picking up kids at the same time, I was trying to change screaming Jackson's diarrhea diaper and keep his hands out of it (this is his new favorite thing - to reach down into the diaper - UUUUGGHH!) , 2 kids were still waiting for me to get them snack, and L. was waiting for me to change HER diarrhea diaper and clothes because it leaked out of her pull-up. (L.'s meds give her uncontrollable diarrhea sometimes, so although she is almost 5, she still wears a pull-up when on certain meds.) It was just crazy!!

After all my kids were picked up, I went to get a mani/pedi. At that point in my day, I would have paid $100+ for someone to slough my feet and give me a full foot and calf lotion rub, while sitting in the massaging chair! Good thing the nail ladies didn't know that! ;)


I am looking forward to a good night's sleep tonight. Maybe Jackson will feel better and sleep through the night tonight. I hope, I hope...

3 working days until Spring Break!!!!!!

5 year anniversary!

Just wanted to say publicly that I love my husband so much! There are so many admirable qualities that he has, so I thought I'd list five of my fave's (in no particular order) in honor of our 5 years together!

1. Ben is multi-talented! Not only is he extremely smart and hard-working, but he also is able to do lots of handy things around the house! He built the play structure in our backyard for the kids and he put up extra shelving in all our closets for more storage space. He built a cabin in East Texas that he uses as a hunting cabin, and he brings meat home almost every time he goes. Over Spring Break, he is going to build a deck for us in the backyard, and install some new ceiling fans in the house. He is such a handy guy! Growing up with a father who was not quite as handy (when our bike chains broke, we got new bikes...), I have come to really appreciate that! Plus, he knows osteopathic manipulation and he is awesome at it! Lately, I have been having a lot of back pain. When Ben can adjust me, I feel so much better!
2. Ben has the priesthood and uses it to bless our family. When Jackson was about to have surgery on his hydrocele at 6 months, I was obviously very stressed. Our little baby was going to be under anesthesia and we weren't allowed to be with him until he woke up. Seeing him with an IV tube poked into him and his little listless body on that gurney about broke my heart, but I was comforted by the blessing Ben gave him before he went in. Again, this is something I did not grow up with, and so I really can see how much it makes a difference in our family. We are blessed to have him as our spiritual leader!
3. Ben is extremely good with money. When we got together, I had an enormaous amount of debt that carried over from my divorce. Ben helped me get squared away financially, and still helps me get control of myself when I'm not paying attention to finances. Because of HIS good money skills, we have not one cent in cc debt and are able to save for all sorts of fun trips and things for our house! It feels so freeing to not have to live paycheck to paycheck. What a blessing it is that he is good with money because I don't have the patience for the details. ;)
4. I have complete trust in Ben. I know he is honest with me always, and I never need to question where he has been or what he has been doing. After past experiences, it is a lot for me to be able to say that about my husband, but I would (and do) put my life and happiness in his hands.
5. Ben is so much fun to be around. Okay, I know he gets carried away sometimes and says things around people that sometimes make me wince, lol, but for the most part he is top-level fun to be with. Even when we are just at home in our PJ's, he makes me laugh at his goofiness on a regular basis. Some guys are fun because they are spontaneous and crazy, and Ben can be those things, too, but the best thing about Ben is that when we go do fun things, we never have to pay for them later. We plan to take big fun trips and we have paid for them first. So there is never that guilt afterward of "Should we really have done that?"

Oh shoot, I have to include this one, too. We'll call this one to grow on...

6. Ben is such an awesome dad. From the minute Jackson was born, he wouldn't leave his side. He even went with him to the nursery to watch the nurses give Jack his shots! You'd think as a med student, that he wouldn't have much time for Jackson, but Jack and Ben have a little game they like to play. Ben gets home, finds Jackson, and watches him from a hiding spot until Jackson notices him. Then Jack gets so excited to see Ben, that he runs into his arms and they play this hiding, growling, wrestling game that always makes me laugh. Jackson idolizes Ben, and Ben can't wait until Jack is older and they can be hunting buddies, play sports together (oh man, that's another one, Ben is active, healthy and good at almost every sport, which I love, too.), and go camping together. In fact, the number one reason why Ben wants to be a doctor is so he can afford to provide for and do many fun activities like those previously mentioned with his kids. All his hard work is for his family's future!

Ben isn't just the fun-loving dad though. He also helps with things like doctor's appts, diaper changing, bath time and mealtimes! I love that Ben is such a hands-on dad!

I know there are major qualities that I love about Ben that I have neglected, but I could be here all day, so I'll just list these 6. I am so grateful that Ben is my husband and that we are sealed for eternity and that our children can be born in the covenant! We have already made so many wonderful memories together and I look forward to an eternity more! I love you Ben! Happy Anniversary!

27 weeks

Today was an eventful day at the doctor's office. I had to drink the too-sugary "Sunkist" drink and then give blood for the gestational diabetes test. I had to have another check-up ultrasound to make sure the fluid in the baby's kidneys hadn't gotten worse. Then I had to meet with my Dr. for the 4 week check-up. I won't know about the bloodwork for a couple of days, but I'm sure it will come back fine. The baby's kidneys look great, no more problems there. (I am actually a little disappointed because I like getting to watch him grow! All I ever see is how much he makes ME grow!) His profile reminds me of Jackson. I predict they will look a lot alike. (Duh)

According to Dr. V, I had only gained 2 lbs (What? That's it? Don't get me wrong. I'm glad about that, but you have got to be kidding me - I have SO gained much more weight than that.)

The best thing about today was that I had scheduled a morning appt. I usually schedule an afternoon appt so Mrs. Olivia will have an easy job just sitting with them while they sleep. But I know she gets bored and would like more time actually getting to work with the kids and learning our schedule. (She will most likely cover for me when I am out those last 2 weeks on maternity leave - or upstairs rather.) So she subbed for me from 8:30-12:30 and by the time I got back the kids - including Jackson - were finished with lunch and ready to get on their beds and settle down for naptime, so now I have until 3:00 to myself to get some things done! Awesome!! The only thing better would be if it were Thursday or Friday. (just because by the end of the week, I'm beat!) Poor Mrs. Olivia though, she had my whole entire group including Jackson who is teething and cranky. When I asked her how it went with the whole group, she said, "They were good, but I don't know how you do it?!" I'm taking that as a compliment. That makes me feel validated because some days, I don't either, haha.

Here's something scary...on my next 4 week visit, I have to go register at the hospital (across the street) afterward. Already? Didn't I just find out I was pregnant? Sheesh, here we go...we are really doing this huh? What were we thinking!? (part kidding, part serious)

Weekend Recap

This weekend I created a facebook account. I'm very excited about it because I have already found so many friends I have lost contact with. I had a myspace, but I never checked it and it didn't seem like anybody used myspace. I think I am going to like facebook a lot better. It seems geared toward a more mature crowd.

Tonight I took dinner to a sister that I Visit Teach who just had a baby. I made meatloaf meatballs with rice, green beans and Sister Schubert's rolls. (If you haven't heard of Sister Schubert's rolls, you need to check them out. They are the next best thing to homemade bread. I buy them in the frozen foods section at Wal-mart.) Do you think it is rude that I didn't go in or hold the baby? I just remember that I was so uncomfortable during those first few days that I didn't feel much like entertaining company, even for a few minutes. Plus, it is cold and flu season and some of the kids in my group have been sick. Ben and Jackson have both had colds in the last week, and I'd just hate to bring those germs into her house with a new baby. I'll love on the baby when she gets a little older and mom feels better!

Yesterday was a hard day for me. I think it was just pregnancy hormones, which don't normally affect me so much, but I cried all day off and on for little to no reason. Every now and then I get overwhelmed and I have to remind myself that I chose all these responsibilities (Preschool, Jackson, and baby #2) and we received confirmation from the Lord on the timing of each one. I know the Lord would not give me more than I can handle, so it must be within my capabilities to handle it. I guess I just need to buck up and get through it. It is certainly not going to get any easier. And don't get me wrong, I enjoy my day-to-day life. It is funny how a person can feel so blessed and so stressed all at once.

Next weekend Ben and the other hunters in my family are going to East Texas to our family's cabin to do some more work to it. They will be adding a bathroom and hunting pigs. He is very excited about it because his dad is coming down from Oklahoma to go with him. They had so much fun on the dove hunt last September that his dad went out and bought a gun and a bunch of new hunting supplies. So now this is their new father-son bonding thing. Ben can't wait until Jackson gets old enough to be his hunting buddy. I can though...

What I am excited about is that while the boys are away, the girls are going to play!! My Aunt Sara, my mom, my cousin's serious gf, and my Grandmother are coming over for the weekend to work on the nursery. It is so fun to have a girls only weekend (well, plus Jackson), and even more fun because we'll get to be creative together, get the nursery done, hang out in our PJs all weekend and watch Lifetime!! We did this when we were working on Jackson's nursery only we had a lot more sewing to do then. It was also my mom's birthday that weekend so we celebrated together! Pics of the new completed nursery to follow soon! Now if Ben and I could just agree on a name...What do you think about Griffin?