Monday, July 30, 2012

Lately My Dear!

I have been back to work for a month now, and all I can say is..........AHHH!  It is easy juggling kids, mostly because I am used to it. I feel like three isn't much harder than two kids. I don't know why but we have adjusted well with Aubree. Brady has had the hardest adjustment with me being back to work. The question is, Do I clean my house on my days off or do I play with my kids? It's hard juggling that. I love being with my kiddos and seeing them happy. If I am cleaning the house on my days off, it gets fustrating because there is always a mess somewhere and there will always be dishes and laundry.

Update we have. Brayden is spitting out sentences that I can understand but he needs more help with speech. I am pushing for him to get speech. He will be getting an evaluation in the next couple weeks. He can say things like, "I don't want to." Or "I want to go outside." But he still needs help. He is a smart little guy. Time out is working for his discipline because he hates it. He threw a ball at his sisters head today. Do the crime, pay the time!

Lizzie is doing well, she is so excited for her birthday. She was outside sweeping our porch because she always likes to help. She warms my heart, she is always trying to help with everything. We have a huge suprise for her on her birthday. She really wants a La-la-loopsy doll.  Can't wait!
She turns 5 on August 7th.

Aubree is huge and growing like a weed. She is cooing and smiling all the time. She truley is a good baby. I think God thought I needed a break with her, she is just always happy. She has some major thunder thighs! I am not used to her being so big because Preemies take their time to grow. We are in 3-6 month clothing now. Brady was in 0-3 months for 6 months, at least that what it seemed.

Some pictures....
The Girls
 Daddy (who would kill me for posting this pic) and Brady and Lizie at the movies. Brady's first movie was Brave.



Monday, June 18, 2012

Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day to my husband! He does a lot for our house and spends all of his spare time with our kids. Poor Daddy had to work today but we made him BBQ pork sandwiches (his favorite) and he was pleased. Lizzie made him a bowl out of clay.

A picture with Daddy tonight after story time!



Thursday, June 14, 2012

Busy times!!!

Summer is here in Michigan, thank god!!! The kids just love it!! We have had lots of happenings with my oldest daughter, her recital, and preschool awards. There is a splash pad that just opened up in our town and it's a great place for the kids to play for an hour or so. I am starting to pump and get ready for back to work because I go back in two weeks. I am nervous of juggling three kids and daycare but it can be done.

Here are some pics for now!

Lizzie with her Preschool award for "Preschooler that lights up the Room"

 Brady sleeping because summer time wears you out, lol!

Aubree just in the middle of a "Milk Coma."

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Reflection

I am so thankful to make it to 37 weeks and 5 days with my last pregnancy. This past winter has been really hard for our family. Brayden has asthma and it's severe when he is sick. My daughter is in preschool and she brought home so many colds and Brady would get sick too. It takes a lot longer for preemies to get better from my experience. I took Brady into the doctors in March and his pulse ox was 88% and he had a double ear infection, fever, and a cough. When he is sick, he's sick. He is so brave and always goes with the flow. Gee, it's a good thing his name means "Brave."   This winter was rough for not only my kiddos but a tired pregnant Momma.

As far as my pregnancy goes,  it was okay.. I had some blood pressure issues and if I stayed pregnant longer- I would have been preclamptic. My blood pressure is usually 115/60, and no higher. When I got to 34 weeks, it got higher and it was 130/85. Yikes!! I went to a different OB this time and they watched me like a hawk. I had weekly Biophysical Profiles, NST and a OB appointment. I met with a Maternal fetal medicine once to discuss delivery options. I did not want a C-Section, but I had to think what was best for my daughter and I. Do I want a uterine abruption? Or a placental abruption? Not at all!!!!! A C-Section is much more recovery than a vaginal birth. When I had my first daughter I felt great and was walking around the room holding her (like 30 minutes after). A C-section isn't like that at all. Although my recovery this time around has been good.

It was such a blessing this time around. Being able to hold my daughter after giving birth, and being able to take her home. It was wonderful to hear her pediatrician in the OR yell, "She's good." I didn't have to go up to the NICU and be on my hands and knees praying. So many Micro-preemie Mammas can relate. I remember when I brought Brayden home after his 70 days in the NICU and wearing PJ's the first month because it was so nice to not have to get dressed to see him. Oh, and I am blessed to have such a good little eater, I didn't have to work hard to breast feed this little one. She already had  her rooting and sucking reflex down.  I got to Nurse her right after she was born. It's so important to me that I breast feed my children. Every Mom can't breast feed and it isn't easy especially for a Preemie Momma or child with a poor latch. I want to be a lactation consultant. I hope to pursue this career this fall. I am rambling a bit here! Sorry!

Of course, I love my son. He's so busy and into everything and he is going to be the death of me. He used to have episodes of low oxygen (de-sats) and have the Nurses running to his room. Now he has me chasing him everywhere. Let me tell you, it's so much fun chasing a two-year old down a hill when you are 9 months pregnant. Not! If I had to do it all over again and be at the NICU- I would. He is so strong, loving, and teaches me so much everyday. He is working on his language development. He is getting better and starting to say more sentences. He can say stuff like, " I want pop," and " I want to go bye-bye."  I am going to start to do more sign language with him. (Oh, I never give him Pop that much either, like once a month). Yet he can say he wants it! lol.

Today it was nice to go to the Pediatrician and not worry whether or not my child was going to gain weight. Aubree is already 10 pounds and 9 ounces. She will pass up her brother soon. Prematurity sucks!!! I am sorry for my few readers for all the rambling. I just have a lot on my mind lately!

Bottom line: THANKFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





 A couple photos: Brady on our way to Florida and the kids on the beach. Aubree is there, but in my belly, lol! My sister and Lizzie looking over Aubree. The bottom picture is my Mom and Brady with Aubree.

Aubree Katherine Genis




 We are proud to announce that we had a beautiful baby girl last month. A full-term girl that weighed 8 pounds 1 ounce and was 20 inches long. She was born May 4, 2012 at 11:14am via C-Section. She is welcomed home  by her sister Lizzie and proud brother Brady! It was a blessing to take her home from the hospital with us. We are so blessed!!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

I graduated!!!



I finally did it. I graduated from highschool ten years ago and now I finally graduated with my Associate Degree in Nursing and Applied Sciences. I am so relieved that it's over.






Big News!!!!!! Brady is walking everywhere!! He is doing so well. I can't believe how much he walks. Of course he falls every now and then but he gets back up and keeps on going. He isn't consistently walking yet, but I'll take it. I am so proud of him.


Well, this week we have had an ear infection, and now Brady is sick. He has red eyes, and a cough. He has honestly had a runny nose for a month now. It comes and goes. Once I thought it was because he had a tooth coming in but then it came back. So off to the doctor I go tomorrow.






Thursday, April 21, 2011

My Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday and I spent it at school, YAY! I did get to have fun with my clinical group from nursing school. They got me a cake and a card, and I don't really know them that well. It was so nice of them.

My day started out with my beautiful son cuddling with me. We just sat down and watched the squirrels in the backyard play while I soaked up all the joy of holding him. Then the damn toilet flooded the bathroom because one of the kids obviously had something in the toilet: I will never know what it was because it actually flushed. Oh Crap! I will find out that it was something important later. It happened while I was doing my hair for school and the water got all over my pants. It was kinda of crazy day. It's hard to do my hair and entertain the kids at the time. I had to dress up for the job fair and that was a waste of my time because the hospital I would like to hire into isn't hiring. So, my day got better when I finished my clinical in mental health and we watched Misery with James Caan and Kathy Bates. What a crazy movie? Yes, I was scared. I am not going to lie.

I got home and had a icecream sundae with my Mom and hubby.

In other news, I signed Lizzie up for school and she was so excited. She brought her bunny with her to school with her and had her bunny sit in a chair next to her. Oh, and Brady is getting so much closer to walking. I don't know if I am ready, he's so busy now. How am I going to keep up with him when he is walking?