Alright, it’s very safe to say that I’m finally feeling the effects of being pregnant! Fatigue is hitting hard, but partly because we’ve been going non stop for the past week!

I had my sugar test last week, and didn’t hear anything back - so I’m assuming it was fine! This was my first time actually eating something before the 1 hour test. It was scheduled for 10, and I KNEW that I couldn’t make it until 11:30 to eat.

1/2 a piece of buttered toast with 2 scrambled eggs w/ salt was my lovely feast. That was the best 1/2 piece of bread I think I’ve ever eaten.

Several days out of the last week have been spent in 3 hour recording sessions for the Sonbeams Bible Verse CD. I’m very… happy to report that we finished up today, and will only having touch ups (if needed).

DH had to work his first weekend rotation this past weekend - Saturday and Sunday. It was really tough having to answer the children’s asking why Daddy was working on Sunday. This is something I shared with him early on in our relationship - that I didn’t feel comfortable with having a ‘job’ on the Lord’s day.

He agreed, and hasn’t had to work a weekend for years! This new job finally brought it’s down side in that respect… The kids and I still caught church on tv though. Taking 3 kids to church at this point of the pregnancy was just too much. Bathroom breaks, hungry stomachs, naps needed, all wanting to be held - you get the picture.

My biggest news being that as I was preparing to go in for another recording session yesterday afternoon when DH got back home, I went to the closet and grabbed a pair of jeans. Not just any jeans, but some size 8 stretch jeans that I’d bought on clearance at the end of last season.

This have been much more comfortable to wear than my maternity, simply because they are softer. Well, yesterday was a sad day - I couldn’t button them closed! I know, I shouldn’t complain - 26 weeks and just now getting out of my last ‘pre-pregnancy’ clothes. I’d long since been able to wear many other things, but somehow these still fit.

The baby is much more active now, especially in the past few days. Oldest son really felt it tonight, his eyes lighting up when it moved - and him asking ‘Is THAT the baby moving!?!?’ He was really excited.

We resumed our name list last week, only to quickly just let the older two tell us names they liked. We’ll have a little screening to do on this list! I’m not sure the baby will appreciate some of the ‘lovely’ names picked out for it.

I can’t believe it’s only 13 1/2 weeks left, time has flown by so quickly! I’m SO ready to hold this little one in my arms, but in other ways seem so far away from being ready to add a 4th little one to my already full load.

As life has only gotten more stressful, I’ve had to begin dropping things that only add to my stress levels. (Interrupted… Don’t visit and expect a clean house all of the time!)

No, I’m still in a cleaning out mode - we just still have TOO much stuff! And thanks to a new child safety law, we won’t even be able to sell this in a consignment sale or anything without breaking the law. The worst part about it being that, unless they do something about it, even thrift stores won’t be allowed to sell children’s items! Where will we find all of our good bargains anymore??

“Little Mommy”

I’m really getting excited that the baby is starting to move a little more now, or rather that I can feel it more! I guess I feel it 10 to 15 times a day now, possibly more, which doesn’t seem like enough, but my last was pretty still too.

I’m amazed that I can STILL wear regular clothes (well, they are stretch pants) - the tops don’t fit anymore. I’ve gained around 15 lbs. I think, maybe a little more. Of course, some of that was probably weight gained from stopping nursing the last baby.

Predictions are being made…. We managed to go through Christmas WITHOUT opening the revealing envelope. It was easy at first, because I forgot we had that option set up. UNTIL my grandmother asked at the Christmas brunch at their home. Boy, the rest of that day was so hard!!

I have to admit, I’m stumped on this one! I’m carrying it mostly in front - like a boy - and also could tell from Christmas video that except for my belly and funny walking/ getting up off the floor, you wouldn’t know I was pregnant. My sis-in-law is guessing boy, since my face isn’t filling out like it did with DD.

BUT, my boys have been low - I mean REALLY LOW!! Like about to fall out any minute, and unable to lift a leg to shave. This baby isn’t like that at all. It does cause a lot of discomfort on my tailbone, but that’s about it.

My sugar test was scheduled again for this past Friday, until they realized the lab techs wouldn’t be there. So, now I’m going for that on the 30th (not sure what day that is, Tuesday??). I really haven’t been craving sugar too much, but since this test has been scheduled, that’s ALL I’m craving! (and eating)

We made it through this Christmas with a very busy little one. He loved the glass “ball” ornaments, and managed to break quite a few - cutting his fingers and hand many times. So, needless to say, our tree came down on the 26th.

DH started counting…. this next baby will be 7 or 8 months by next Christmas - just right for crawling around and being another tree player! Fun….

I was surprised, yesterday was the 1st time that DD said something about the baby being a girl, and “I love she”. Aww…. And another funny thing she’s been talking about with Christmas and all, is that “baby Jesus isn’t in your tummy Mommy, it’s another baby”.

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and will have a blessed New Year!!

**My first product review will be coming up this week - something I’ve really enjoyed having!!
“Little Mommy”

As quickly as this pregnancy has gone by, this past week has seemed like eternity… all because I thought last week was week 24, and it wasn’t until a few days ago.

I was scheduled for my sugar test on Friday, but it hit me on Wednesday that the glucose drink is either orange or red. I remember after doing it last go round, I itched like crazy for hours! Something about food dye doesn’t work with me anymore - but I guess that’s really how God made it.

So, I called them to see what the alternatives were, and the next two days were filled with searches for either a clear glucose drink, or the 3 day special diet/ followed by special breakfast the morning of the sugar test that people used to do a long time before the drinks.

No one locally could help us, and I know they found a clear drink in Maine. WOW - can you believe that here is a group of doctors that are supposed to be looking out for your best interest/ health AS WELL AS your baby’s, and they don’t even bother to provide the safest method of testing available!

Same for prenatal vitamins - I am on one (the only one the pharmacist could find) that doesn’t contain any food coloring, but it still has artificial flavoring. The medical world is so oblivious to little things in our food supply that are slowly beginning to affect Americans.

As someone with an immune disorder/ nervous system disorder, mainly dysautonomia, I am extremely sensitive to smells, noises, additives, etc… And I know there are tons of others in the same boat as I am.

So for now, they’re waiting for this clear drink to arrive at their office, and then I’ll reschedule my visit. This is fine with me, since I see no need for such frequent visits. The baby has really grown - my belly finally starting to show and movements can be seen just by looking at my belly sometimes. This is SO fun!!

I’m keeping a close watch on the ticker, and can hardly believe I’ll soon be under the 100 days left mark!

And Christmas being only 4 days away, I’m really getting tempted to open the ‘mystery’ envelope that day and see ‘who’ we’re expecting…. The other part of me makes me want to prove to myself that I can wait and have that self control! At least I’m the only one that knows where the envelope is, so hubby can’t peek before me - ha!!

DD just turned 3 last week, and is really starting to pay more attention to her newest sibling (since it’s growing where she can really see it now). She’ll give it hugs and kisses, even tickles, and talks so sweetly to my belly.

Oldest son really doesn’t pay much attention, but will let me hold his hand on my tummy for maybe 15 seconds. I think he finally really did feel it move the other day. Little son feels the baby the most, since he’s always so close to me (still the baby). He seemed to notice it moving the other morning, as he was cuddled up next to me in my bed - drifting off to sleep. All of a sudden the baby moved, and then he jerked - did he feel it?

I have come across some really interesting links on formula, and why it should be avoided. I’ll try and get these up soon. It’s very scary that additives KNOWN to have killed children in China are being ALLOWED in infant formula here. They say it’s only a small amount, but they really don’t know how much is safe/ not safe.

Plus there’s the fact that the baby is taking this in MANY times a day - 8 to 12 in the beginning. Even before I came across this info the other day, I did know that formula is mainly made up of corn syrup - 43%!!! This is a cheap filler, definitely NOT in the best interest of the child! No wonder children are having more and more sugar issues today.

Not to mention how drs. push soy products, but research has shown that boys drinking soy are exposed to WAY more estrogen than they were created to take.

The more I’m finding out about food, drinks, even the cups and plates we use with our children - we’re slowing being poisoned to death and most of America has no clue.

I’ll check in again after Christmas, and in the meantime - Here’s wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!

Oh - I almost forgot!! Regarding baby names, we no longer have an issue with the name “Newt” for a boy. You see, our daughter received a boy baby doll (that’s the one she liked at Dollar General) for her birthday.

When we asked her what his name was, older brother said he thought his name should be Newt. She quickly agreed, and ‘Baby Newt’ is now an official baby doll in our family. She also received a smaller boy doll from my parents, which is named Daniel. (Daddy actually has had this name on his list before)

She’s quick to point out “but he doesn’t like lions though…”, referring to the Bible story about Daniel and the lions. They really pay attention don’t they!

‘Little Mommy’

To be honest, I have NO clue what I’ve posted here lately, but I know in person I’ve been giving out incorrect information. Somehow, I came to thinking that I was 24 weeks, instead of the 23 weeks that I am - oops!! Sorry to any of you that have been misled, it wasn’t intentional.

The past week has been tremendously stressful. It was funny, at church today someone asked how I was feeling, to which I gave a halfway ‘eehhh’ to. Her first question was relating to the pregnancy making me feel bad. Nope, that’s actually going SO great!

I tell you, this baby has me stumped. At times, it seems so much like a girl - since it’s such an easy pregnancy now, but I seem to be shaping up to look like a boy.

But what about stress and pregnancy. For one thing, you are much more likely to break out in tears very quickly! I’ve found for me, I’m actually easier to deal with when pregnant, at least with my husband.

This go round, I’ve definitely been a no nonsense type personality. I can’t put up with anything that isn’t necessary, anything negative - comments or pity parties, laziness, etc…. - if I have to deal with as much as I do WITH 3 children and being pregnant, others can at least do the same!

On a positive side of this new attitude (which I’m trying to keep as graceful as possible), I’m eliminating so many things that simply burden or drag us down. For one, I’ve pulled out so… much stuff that we’ve accumulated with 3 children. And still have intentions of cleaning out more. Mainly out of necessity, for when our house sells, we’re more than likely buying a trailer that’s SMALLER than our house.

This has been good, but then I look ahead two weeks. Yep, Christmas…. A great and wonderful time to celebrate our Saviour and God’s gift of love to us. This year, we’re taking a drastic change to our gift giving. Our children are getting one large gift together, and only a few things separately.

We’re really trying to teach them that it’s not about getting lots and lots of toys, but it’s about remembering God loving and giving to us, and how can we give His love to others.

This is something I actually feel relieved about, giving them less gifts, but am already stressing about all the ’stuff’ they’ll receive from others. Why? For one, we don’t need it! And two, we don’t have room! Then there’s having to take the time and trouble to return things (yeah, don’t kids love getting something to have to take it back…). At least mine are still young enough that I can convince them that they can get something else.

Am I bad?? It just makes sense to me to pick a few select things that they can ‘collect’, and build up those items. Things such as Legos, Tinkertoys, Trains, Lincoln Logs…. Yep, my pregnant ‘no nonsense’ brain is really struggling with upcoming gift season. Is it wrong to be asked what would be a good gift, what we need, or what the kids would like? This would save so much work and stress on us!

It’s unreal how much energy it takes to keep up with ’stuff’, anyone know what I mean? I love one approach my cousin took with her daughters - for people that WANTED to do something for their girls, they asked that they simply give them money for their piggy banks. They would love feeding their pigs, and one day, love having some extra cash saved up!

I know people are well intentioned, and want to give things because they love them - so don’t get me wrong. But with a 4th little one on the way, we just don’t have room or time to constantly be picking up a zillion things over the house. Know what I mean?
And then there’s the land we bought this week - yea!! For the most part, the work on my end is done. It’s unreal the hours I’ve had to spend on the phone working out water, septic tank, permits, address, excavators, etc….

Hubby doesn’t like the phone AT ALL, so I’ve taken on these responsiblities - falling apart completely Monday night after we closed. A good night’s rest helped matters, plus hubby coming forward with a sweet e-card and flowers that next night.

There’s so much to be done, and just not enough hours in the day! I try not to pay attention to the little ticker, which tells my due date - because there’s REALLY not enough time to get everything done before this little one gets here and I have to completely stop life for a few weeks.

Is it any wonder that come weekends I sleep in late, and I mean past 7:30 - ha! On one hand, I finally feel a little like the Proverbs 31 women, who stays up late and is up early - my work is never done. I’ve felt in years past that I was somewhat lazy, especially in the area of loving my sleep. I can now say that I don’t feel that way.

Sure, I love to sleep in on either a Saturday or Sunday morning ( to at least 8:30), and hubby lets me do that - trying to keep the little ones quiet - but it’s not my life now.

Check back in a few more weeks, and we’ll see if I have the same thoughts. Because at some point, it hits, and I’m down for days.

Just for my personal baby notes, here’s what we’re currently doing:

Selling our home

Just bought new land this past week

Preparing for Christmas (Dad’s gift is just NOT going to have the time to get finished… really sad about that one)

Sonbeams ABC Bible verse CD is in it’s final stages of producing - yea!! Plus, still working on typing up the preschool curriculum guides - staying ahead of the members.

Heaven In Our Homes blog, and trying to post once or twice a week there. This website still doesn’t have the links corrected, I just haven’t had time to fix these!

Still trying to decide which contractor to use to clear land, install water and septic system, and fix driveway.

Have sugar glucose test this Friday - ughh… I’ve never had a dr. want it this early (24 weeks). I was borderline last time and had to do the 3 hour one. I’m curious to know if it really helps if you fast for the one hour or not?? Anyone know?

Do laundry, fix meals, clean house, no grocery shopping - since we live a few days at a time on what hubby picks up on his way home.

Not to mention dealing with dr. bills almost $850 because they coded a way the insurance company won’t pay for.

Top it off with children deciding to push their limits lately, some extended family issues, and so on - yep, stress + pregnancy = exhaustion. More so mentally most of the time, and then I crash physically.

I am so grateful for my husband though, he’s been such a comfort to me - someone that will listen and comfort, support and encourage. And today at church, I once again was reminded that GOD is all that matters.

All of these tiny little things that the enemy tries to burden me with, and pull me down - these are just energy zappers. I can’t do anything about them, I can’t change others and how they are affecting us - the only thing I can do is handle my own self.

I only have to be faithful to the Lord, love others, and trust Him - that’s all He wants me to do. Money for bills, well, He possesses all that anyway. Trying to ‘make people happy and like us’, well, only God can change hearts - nothing I try to fix will fix, only He can do that.

I was so convicted of all this at church today. Not one thing that has tried to eat me up with week will matter in a year, in 5 years, or most importantly - in eternity.

When you look at things in that perspective, the Lord just takes the stress right away. Which is a good thing for a pregnant woman!

“Little Mommy”

It was late last night (plus I forgot to write), but while sitting on the couch, I once again felt this little one doing tricks. I called hubby in to once again try to feel it moving - and he finally did! I let him feel it twice before calling over our oldest (4 1/2). He said he felt it, but I’m not really sure he did - he wasn’t keeping his hand/ fingers very still.

And I’m not sure what has happened, well, I am, but this baby went from way up high to way down low! We had a call the other morning from someone wanting to show our house to his parents. The kicker was he wanted to see it first - that evening!

Let’s just say I wasn’t prepared! I figured it’d be months before we’d have a call - and after the Thanksgiving weekend plus a sick child - cleaning was the last thing I had thought of. So, I spent ALL morning cleaning (and staying on the little ones to help - poor guys), to the point of really hurting by 1 PM.

I decided to call it quits for a while, and get hubby to help once he got home. Turns out, the guy didn’t come (saying the pics I sent online were good enough until his parents could come out) - so I was glad that I had atleast stopped after lunch.

BUT, I’m still paying for all that standing and going up/ down picking up things on the floor. Somehow, the baby must’ve gone down one time when I did, and it didn’t come back up - ha!! I’m dying every time I stand up now, and feel as if someone is stabbing screwdrivers in me.

Needless to say, I’ve had to slow down the past couple days from this. It’s made me rethink that it could be a girl (since it was so high and now it’s not). I am carrying it like I carried my boys….. so I’m still undecided on the gender.

I was SO tempted to open the envelope the other day -but didn’t - and am glad I had that self control. Still not sure I can hold out til April though.

Little Mommy

Yea!!! I’m SO excited, tonight (just after eating half of an old doughnut that I bought while STARVING at WalMart the other night), I felt the baby move with my hand!! Not once, but 6 or 8 times!! Wondering if the sugar had something to do with it???

Daddy is depressed - ha - he never gets in on the first movements. He did get his hand there in time, and I KNOW it moved while he was there, but he’s not sure he felt it. He might’ve had his fingers spread apart or something?

I’ve since tried to poke and prod it to move again, but it’s disappeared deep into my tummy, never to be found again tonight. It was SO close to the surface, and I felt what must’ve been an elbow BULGING out of me. This is SO fun!! As I’m typing, I’m starting to feel the flutter of little kicks too, not with my hands obviously.

I was trying to push on it the other day, to see if it’d move so I could feel it, and our oldest was VERY concerned about him/ her. He quickly cautioned me not to hurt the baby!

Our current ‘baby’ boy learned to say ‘ba-ba’ last week, for baby. The older two are still set on different genders - older brother wanting a girl (because of the ‘patter-in’), and sister wanting a boy (not sure why, maybe cause that’s all she knows?). The name Newt is still stuck with them though….

“Little Mommy”

Sorry for no post since the visit…. My oldest began throwing up Friday morning, leaving us in a bind! No one to stay home with him, so Daddy had to use his afternoon off to see the baby to stay home with a sick little boy (and his very upset sister).

ALL week long we’ve been talking about how exciting seeing the ultrasound together would be, only for me to have to go by myself (leaving behind a disappointed Dad and crying big sister). Yep, that was hard, and I was having to fight tears at the doctor…. Must be a pregnant thing, cause I’m still sad that I was alone, and they had to miss.

I know we’re supposed to be content where God has us, but I sure struggle with having no babysitters around! Everyone has someone it seems - but us…. I’m glad DH was taking off, so atleast our son had someone to take care of him, but I know how excited he was to be a part of this (or so he thought).

Well, 20 weeks into it, and I’m finally feeling the baby a good bit! I weighed in at 131 lbs. - not sure how that equals to my first thing in the morning weighing at home.

The dr. didn’t even do anything, just walk in for a minute, then walked out. The ultrasound checked everything I guess…

The lady was really nice today, doing an extra long ultrasound for me (video for the family). I think she pitied me being by myself. I only say one leg kick one time, and that was at the beginning. For the rest of the time, I turned away so I wouldn’t see the gender - until she’d go back up to the upper half.

I got to see what looked like a wave, a yawn, moving or sucking it’s mouth while there. It’s arms were stretched out above it’s head pretty much the whole time, coming down only a little here and there to cover it’s face.

From what I can tell, it’s not near as big as our last boy was on his ultrasound (what I saw of the leg and it’s arms).

I’ve been right I think in saying I’ve thought I’ve been feeling the baby move, but it was too high. Turns out, the baby is higher than ANY of my others ever were this early. I don’t even think the books/ charts show baby’s being this high this early!

They usually do the ultrasound on your lower abdomen, but there was nothing there on me! The baby was up around my belly button (she even mentioned having a hard time seeing it’s heart because my belly button was in the way).

So, the flutters above my BB have been it’s arms. The kicks I’m starting to feel are just below my BB. I saw one BIG kick on the screen, but didn’t feel it… So I’m wondering how active this little one really is, which I guess I’ll find out in the next few weeks as it grows and I can feel it more.

DH is a little disappointed that I still can’t feel it with my hand yet (meaning he can’t either). He’s usually getting to feel it by now too, and is hoping to get the chance any day now.

I’m really getting the ‘baby’ feeling now, especially seeing this one particular newborn at church. I can’t wait to hold a little one again!

As far as dreams, 3 dreams for a girl, and 1 dream that it’s a boy. I’ve had a couple where I realize DAYS after it’s born that I haven’t nursed it yet, seems I have those dreams with each baby…. wonder what that’s supposed to mean??

Due to having so much to deal with regarding our new land, I haven’t had time to research cloth diapers yet… but hope to soon! I know a good many women using these now and LOVE them - there’s gotta be something that I don’t know.

In case I don’t have a chance to post again for a few days, I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

“Little Mommy”

Oh, PS - the baby weighs 11 oz.

Sorry, I’ve been behind this week! A LOT has been going on - getting a contract final on some land, calling all the necessary people in regards to that (water, address, clearing, septic tank, well, etc…)

AND

The other exciting news being my preschool site, Sonbeams, got it’s first shipment of it’s first “hold in your hands” product designed and produced under my so called leadership. Anyway, I’m so excited Sonbeams is really seeming to launch - and also just as thrilled that there will be a line of Christian products for children that I KNOW are good!

To celebrate the new product, a dry erase plastic board - Chore Chart/ Responsibility Chart - for Christians, I’m holding a giveaway on the blog. One commentor will receive a FREE chart of their choice!! Visit www.Sonbeams.com for more information on how you can sign up to enter.

Well, baby news this week is big - I go for my 20 week visit this Friday! As far as I’m planning, we’ll just have the tech write the gender down and seal it up. IF we open it, I’m thinking it will be Christmas time, but not sure just yet….

We’ve gotten some really cute pictures of our daughter (almost 3) kissing and rubbing my belly. She’s bonding quite well with someone she can’t see! She’s constantly carrying around a baby doll now too - it’s so sweet!

I’m not sure if it’s the fall air or what, but we all have been eating more lately. The other day, I was particularly hungry, as was she. She wanted something I was eating. I had to use the baby as my excuse to eat my own food… and it made sense to her.

Now she constantly references me having to eat because the baby is hungry - ha! I’m bad not sharing, kinda, but I DO have to eat for two!

I’m amazed that I still rarely ‘feel’ pregnant. I’m not sure if I’m just so busy that I don’t have time to think about it or what. I think part of it is that I’m not showing much, I really haven’t gained but maybe 9 lbs. - but I’m just 1 or 2 lbs. over what I weighed when I got pregnant the first time (and still below what I should weigh anyway….).

This baby is just going to show up one day, and it’ll be a shock - ha!! I am starting to wake up to go potty at night, just once - and around 4:30. This is better than my other ones, which were between 12:30 and 2 AM. Because once they were born, that’s when they woke up every night to eat! I’d LOVE another easy sleeper through the night.

I’ll post stats on Friday or Saturday from the visit,

Little Mommy

Still a little confused exactly WHEN each week moves up… According to the dr., it’s on Fridays, but on the ticker, it’s Thursdays.

Either way - great news to share! I was 100% sure this morning that I felt the baby!! Yea!! I thought I’d never feel it move.

All afternoon, it’s been thumping around here and there… I’m so excited!! Just wanted to let you know….

It’s busy here, between calling banks about the land we’re buying… Did I mention that yesterday? Our offer on 10.43 acres in the country/ mountains was accepted, and we’ll be the proud owners in a month - yippee!!

Well, that business, trying to get our house ready to go on the market, and Sonbeams - I’m pretty tied up!

For any readers that might not know, I am working on Christian products for preschool/ elementary age children. For more info on that, click the button below!

We just heard the sweetest blessing by our 4 1/2 year old son….

….Please give us a baby named Newt, but if You don’t, that’s okay, we will name it somethin’ else…

HOW CUTE! This big brother is ready for a baby!