Parenting

Being a parent is the hardest thing I've ever done.  I can so easily become consumed with an issue my child is struggling with, and trying desperately to find a solution.  Life can throw a curveball and have all of your children struggling/dealing with issues at the same time.  It's a total balancing act.  You can feel so wrapped and encircled around a problem looking for a solution.  I think as a parent the best thing you can do is give your child every opportunity to achieve success. My sweet Cooper James has always stumped me with different challenges.  It seems every stage of life brings a new issue.  Cooper is a constant conversation between Richard and I.  I love him fiercely and give him the much needed patience it takes to raise him.  The worry of his growth and success weighs so heavy on my heart sometimes it feels like I can't bare it.  I am pretty stubborn too and I will just come up with another game plan and hit it stronger.  It's not all tough there are definitely rewarding aspects to parenting.  Seeing your child succeed at something or spending quality time with them.  Cooper had a birthday party this weekend at the roller skating rink.  The last time we were there I think he lasted a whole twenty minutes in the skates.  This time he didn't give up and managed to skate around with his friends.  Or the other night during homework he was actually enjoying reading and happy.  I hope to invoke the best out of my son and teach him valuable life lessons.  I love my blue eyed baby so much and I truly know how lucky I am that he is mine forever!

Snow

Last week Midland got snow.  Thursday night the weather dropped and the snow came, the school had a two hour delay.  Although the sun was shinning and the snow did stay for long.  Beckett loved the snow and liked to stomp in it., and he kept asking to eat it! 

3 day weekend

Richard's four days off fell on this three day weekend.  We got so much accomplished.  With me being so sick this pregnancy, household cleanliness as been at a all time low.  I started feeling better this past week since getting on this new medicine.  Richard and I made a huge grocery trip to HEB Friday for two weeks worth of groceries!  While I went to a church meeting Richard took down all the Christmas lights.  We picked up the boys and got haircuts.  We ended our night with a Liam Neeson movie and steaks on the grill with crab.  The kids watch Flubber, ate popcorn, and slept in the play room.  Saturday we put up all the indoor Christmas décor and put all the normal décor back with a few Valentines Day décor.  We spent the rest of the day in Odessa ice skating, shopping, and eating.  We even managed a visit to grandma and granddad's.  Also we booked our spring break trip.  Sunday we had church and pretty much a completely laid back day.  Monday Allison and I had a girls shopping trip and later the whole family went to the park.  I really enjoyed this weekend with my family, the weather was beautiful and since I am finally feeling better I am one happy lady! 

It's a...

Boy!  That's three in a row!  I am a little shocked about it.  During the blood test it checks for birth defects and gender.  The nurse did scare me by telling me she needed to review the information with the dr.  She was gone for a while and then asking me in to the office.  That's also on top of my paperwork being lost and over a week past when I was suppose to get my results.  So hearing it was a boy and that he has no defects was a relief.  I was bummed because I wanted to give Allison a sister and let's face it girls are way more fun to dress.  But this is Heavenly Fathers will, and the plan for our family all along.  I definitely feel like my boys have been harder to raise but I am up for the challenge.  I am trying to change my outlook and look at the positive things.  There's nothing sweeter than hold and smelling a newborn baby.  It will be exciting to see what our son looks like and what kind of personality he will have.  It will be fun to pick his bedding and make it myself.  We decided on a name Camden Cole.  The idea of another boy is settling in.

Number four?!

We found out the day after Halloween, I am PREGNANT!  Baby number four is due the first of July, hopefully a end of June baby if I am lucky.  I always thought I would have four children. Although we never had a family planning talk when we got married.  Honestly I thought we were done when we had Alli.  But life brings you unexpected things.  Your heart changes and you can fell completely different about something you thought you were so sure of.  Anyway hopefully things progress well. I plan to update periodically. 

6 weeks
Feeling pregnant!  I am a normally nauseous person anything can trigger it, emotion, smells, or travel. Also  medicine affects me strongly whither it nocks me out or makes me terribly ill.  Pregnancy usually brings instant sickness.  I am feeling pretty blah with lack of energy.  I feel like I am on the verge of vomit.  It hasn't happened but I suspect it's around the corner.  Each week is another blessing, I pray daily this baby stays and grows.

9 weeks
the last few weeks have been a blur.  I've accomplished the bare minimum and can hardly function.  I've learned if I eat every few hours I don't feel as nauseous. It's pretty similar to my pregnancy with Cooper.  I gained the most weight with him trying to suppress my nausea with food. 

10 weeks
First apt Richard got off work half the day.  Normal as far as appointments go. We had a sonogram done.  Everything looks good, although baby is measuring small so they moved my due date back 6 days.  Which was a disappointment, I guess I need to come to terms with the fact this baby and Beckett's birthdays will be very close!  A new thing offered is a gender test through blood work, and results in up to two weeks.  It's crazy that we could know the gender so soon!  Three July birthdays I would say the odds of another boy are very high!

12 weeks
It's official with the family!  My family has known since thanksgiving. We told Richards side on Christmas Eve.  Did I mention I totally have a bump!  Boy that happened quick!  Still feeling blah, sometimes I have energy though.  It would be nice for my energy level to be more consistent.

13 weeks
I caught Beckett's cold and it is making my nausea worse.  Feeling bigger, bought maternity pants.  There huge, I had to hem them up by several inches, and when I walk they literally fall off!

14 weeks
Had my monthly dr apt.  Brought Beckett, we waited for two hours.  It was a very quick apt once I saw the dr.  He prescribed me a new nausea medicine, take two at night before bed.  I still fell so sick, it's just awful!  I think my house has reached a no coming back to clean zone!  I just don't even feel like myself.  I hate food, what's worse is that I can hardly sleep I get nauseous unless on my back. 

Good bye 2014

2014 was a full year!  Life is a balance of the good and the bad.  Our family grew this year two nephews and a great niece.  We took an amazing trip to Florida to visit my sister and her family.  One of my favorite adventures was our girls only California trip with my daughter.  My children grew, learned, and experienced new things.  Another lovely year of marriage to my soul mate, 12 years strong!  A health scare in our family that turned into a joyful recovery.  We have so much to be thankful for and a lot to look forward to this new year.