MARTIN FAMILY SIX...WATCH OUR FAMILY GROW!

March 15, 2013

We told the kids, last night, that our family was growing.  They immediately put their shirts on that we used to spill the beans and showed their excitement by asking a million questions.  They wanted to know when the baby was coming and how big it was now and so on.  As the evening went on, I jotted down some funny things that were said (it's habit).

Adri: This is the best most favorite day of my life!  

Nate:  Don't you think 3 kids is enough?  Me:  Do you?  Nate:  No.  Papaw David: How many do you think is enough?  Nate:  Probably 10!  

Gabe:  How is the baby going to come out?  Me:  The doctor will take it out.  Gabe:  Will it hurt?  Me:  Probably a little.  Gabe:  Can I be there?  I wanna see you cry.  

So, here we go, on another Martin adventure...Baby #4 coming approximately October 4th!

April 2, 2013

The things I have to say about how I'm feeling right now won't fit on a picture :)  And by the way, you get the truth here...no sugar coating! 

1.  Am I only 14 weeks or 20?  This baby is either going to be an NFL star or the Jolly Green Giant!  My book says that the baby is the size of a lemon now but I'm not buying that!  The doctor warned me that I'd get bigger faster this time, but HOLY COW!  When I tell people that I've just started my 2nd trimester, their jaws drop...but what can you expect?  I have been known to have chubby babies!

Nate was 7 pounds 11 ounces.  Gabe was 8 pounds 3 ounces.  Adri was 9 pounds 5 ounces.  They just keep getting bigger!

2.  I cannot handle anything, and I mean anything (not my pants or even the elastic of my underwear) touching me below my belly button.  On the drive back from Florida, I held the lap strap of the seatbelt away from my tummy with my hands.  I guess I may have to invest in some granny panties!

3.  Is this nausea going to dissipate soon?  I am feeling a little better, but if I go more than 2 hours without anything in my tummy, the gagging starts. 

4.  Is it possible to make a prenatal vitamin that's smaller than a grape? 

5.  Is it awful that I sometimes forget that I'm pregnant?  If I don't look at my bulge often and if I remember to eat regularly, I forget I'm pregnant until one of the kids remind me.  Is it going to be a girl or boy?  Can the baby move yet?  I love their questions and am enjoying this pregnancy on a whole new level than my previous ones.  The kids are old enough now to understand things that I haven't been able to explain in the past, especially Nate.  I love when he snuggles up with me on the couch in the evening and puts his hand on my belly. 

Is it October yet?

April 29, 2013

With previous pregnancies, I've basically been nauseous the first few months, tired pretty much the entire time, and towards the end, my tail bone began to hurt.  This time, I've got every pregnancy symptom there is...and probably a few that make me unique :)  

For the most part, the nausea has passed, but I still have moments when I'm worried that a bouncy Adri or puppy in my lap will cause me to lose my lunch.  I've completely given up trying to brush my tongue...I'll just have stinky breath until the fall. I set a record last night, and visited the bathroom 6 times through the night, even though I didn't have a drink of anything after 7 p.m.  While sleeping, I have to hug a pillow (or Matt) so that my shoulders don't fall asleep and if I don't keep a pillow between my knees, I wake up for those all too frequent bathroom breaks with hip pain that that almost keeps me from getting out of bed.  And my skin...there's not explanation for that!  It's dry one day and then oily the next.  My wedding ring is breaking my finger out and I'm developing this weird rash around my belly button.  

All of these symptoms just remind me that my body is working hard to grow this precious gift (and that I'm not in my 20's anymore).  The little bubbles I feel while laying in bed at night or the sudden pressure on my bladder while shopping at Meijer, just remind me that there is a baby in there!  I'm so thankful to get to do this again and the miracle of this sweet life is just as amazing and incredible as it was the other times!  

We've been using this chart to track the baby's growth.  Every week, I talk to the kids about how big the baby is growing and what is developing.  After we compare the size of the baby to a food, then we eat it (seems weird).  The great news in all of this is that my picky Nate has tried things like sweet potato, turnip, radish and even kiwi.  He hasn't liked any of it, but he tried them!  Baby steps...

May 21, 2013

It's getting harder and harder to keep up with this!  Mom-life is keeping me busy and am quite eager for the end of next week...I'll have all 3 kids to myself for 2 solid months :)

Today was our big mid pregnancy appointment and the ultrasound showed a healthy....drumroll....little girl!  Technician said she was petite with long lean legs.  The long legs I believe, but petite?  Maybe I'll actually have a baby that can wear newborn clothes this time! 

My current cravings are Lucky Charms, salad with ranch dressing and Arby's roast beef sandwiches :)  Other than that, things are rolling right along and with my newly found information, I can start shopping :) 

So excited to meet you, Baby Girl! 

July 18, 2013 

 I am failing at an attempt to get a baby book together for this little one before she's even here!  That's okay...she'll forgive me :)  

Yes, burnt cheese...and this is how I prefer it!  Grilled zucchini with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese in the broiler for just a few extra minutes :)

My blood pressure is steadily increasing, but everything else looks great.  With every appointment, it gets just a bit higher.  I was given strict instructions to rest for at least 1 hour every afternoon (I was told that at my last appointment, too, but didn't really follow instructions).  We don't want a replay of my pregnancy with Nate...gaining about 10 pounds between visits, a sky rocketing blood pressure and feet the size of watermelons!  Glucose test was today and results should be in tomorrow.  Visits will now be every 2 weeks...that was fast!

School is just about 3 weeks away and it's going to be hard on me this year.  I've been telling the kids that the baby would be here shortly after school starts.  It seemed like so far away and now we're on the home stretch!  Mom of four (AHHHHHHHH), coming soon :)     

August 11, 2013 - Week 33

I'm refraining from a picture of myself this week.  It's been a rough one!  Emotionally, I've hit a wall and the only thing that seems to be getting me though the days are a wake up kiss from Matt (about an hour before I actually get up), snuggles from my boys after they return home from school (I miss them so much while they're gone), lunch on the back porch with my Adri girl every afternoon and the quiet time I have at the end of the day before dozing off to feel Baby #4 kick my ribs and bladder.  I'm tired and hormonal and feel like there aren't enough hours in the day for me to get my 'to do list' accomplished.

Tomorrow, I send off my baby girl to preschool and anticipate that although it will be nice to take a shower without her banging on the bathroom door or have a phone conversation without her screaming and chasing Piper through the house, I'll miss her...like crazy!  And I mean...like crazy!  She's my sidekick...and that girl doesn't care if we're headed to Meijer to pick up a prescription, searching for a rummage sale or heading out for ice cream.  All adventures with Mom are top notch.  Lord, please don't let that change...for a LONG time! 

Between school starting and Gabe's ears (another story...), there hasn't been much time to prep for our newest little Houdini.  Although, plans are in the making!  As of today, I received confirmation that her bedding is on it's way and she officially has a car seat and stroller (thanks to a dear friend).  That's all we really need, right?  I've got the food on board and between the 5 of us, we have enough arms to snuggle her to pieces!

I think Nate and Adri run a close tie for who's most excited for her arrival.  Adri already has plans to pick out her dress every morning and help me feed and diaper her.  She's been practicing on her babies.  But, Nate....well...he remembers what it's like to have a baby in the house and even though he often reminds me that I'm going to be tired and sitting in a chair (my new chair), with her in my arms most of the day, he's excited to be a family of six.  He walked in on me last week, changing my shirt and said, "WOW!  That baby is getting so big!  Is it weird feeling her in there?"  I told him, "Sometimes.  It's really only uncomfortable when she kicks my ribs."  He then assured me that it was worth it, though, because when she gets here, "We're going to love her to pieces."  That kid...such a sweetie!  As I near the end of this pregnancy and anticipate all of the sweet little baby experiences all over again, I am in awe of how big the other kids are...10 year old Nate, Gabe the BIG 1st grader and Adrianna...the 4 year old going on 16!  Could life be any better?  Did I mention that I'm emotional...or as Matt would say...bipolar? 

August 28th, 2013 - Week 35

Okay, Peeps...lets just get it out there...this is NOT the most glamorous picture of me (I know...horizontal stripes make you seem bigger)!  I'm huge!  Huger than huge and with about a month to go, I am not in denial about the FACT that I've still got some growing to do.  Here are some interesting facts about the soon to be mom of 4 as she enters the last month of her pregnancy...

1.  My maternity clothes are getting too small.  Either my pants sit right on my bladder and create the desire to run to the bathroom even more than when I'm not wearing pants (which is what I would prefer) or my shirts have suddenly become 'peek a boo' shirts, as Adri calls them.  She says that because they sometimes ride up and show my pasty white tummy :)  

2.  As uncomfortable as this baby girl is making me (poking my ribs, creating my first ever outtie belly button, and causing the kids to think that she's more of an alien trying to break free rather than a sweet little peanut), I am in COMPLETE awe over how excited the kids are getting.  Nate can't keep his hands off my belly and sometimes will come to sit next to me for not reason, while rubbing my tummy. Gabe asks about 10 times a day, "How much longer," and unlike his brother, asks for permission before caressing my Buddha belly.  Adri practices, daily, changing her baby diapers and clothes, while suggesting that we need not finish the baby's room because she's more than happy to share hers :)

3.  I've had heartburn almost every second of every day for the last month.  The good news is that I'm getting used to it and I've come to the realization that no matter what I eat, it's there anyway, so why not indulge in a cupcake, sausage patty or late night bowl of blueberry cobbler.  I can usually cure it with a small cup of milk, but milk makes me nauseous...I'd rather have heartburn :)  After all, in another month, I'll have to start paying close attention to the scale again...and try to make the numbers fall.  That will be slightly more difficult, I'm assuming, than getting them rise.  I'm not in denial...I've done this before.  

4.  Tomorrow is the BIG appointment!  At my 20 week ultrasound, the doctor told me that I had a risk of having placenta previa.  There was a small chance, he said, that I'd still be able to have a natural delivery, but there was a risk, therefore, he wanted to check with another ultrasound in my 9th month.  I've never had a C-section before and my deliveries have always been quick and recovery has been easy.  I'm praying for another delivery and recovery just like the others.  Tomorrow will tell!  

5.  Current cravings...anything sweet (carrot cake is pretty delicious), zucchini, Arby's roast beef sandwiches and cottage cheese with tomatoes...YUMMMM!

6.  Is there anything better than the buzz of of excitement all around you when you're expecting?  People wanting to touch your belly (not strangers of course...that's just weird), and watching their jaw drop when they feel the movement of such a miracle.  And THAT NEVER gets old!  

So, cheers to the last month of The Martin Family Five!  

Week 36

Since my meal prep extravaganza is in honor of baby #4, I thought I'd post it here :)  Matt and I spent labor day weekend taking it easy, with the exception of canning marinara sauce and salsa.  We had 2 large bushel baskets full of tomatoes, green peppers and jalapenos that needed used!  From the looks of the garden, just a few days later, we could probably venture on another canning day pretty soon!  I'm hoping that next time, we just juice the tomatoes....all that boiling, peeling, dicing, pureeing and simmering marinara sauce is a lot of work!  But, it will be totally worth it in the middle of winter when we're enjoying garden tomato salsa and homemade pasta sauce :)  

This was our second canning experience...the first was when we made blackberry and peach jam at the beginning of the summer (which is almost gone).  But because we enlarged our garden this year, it's the first year we've had a surplus that we didn't want to lose...and so, the canning commenced!  

After a long weekend of being up to our elbows in tomatoes (literally), Matt went back to work on Tuesday, probably glad to be out of the kitchen, the boys went to school, and Adri spent the day with Mamaw Mary, so that I could finish our meal prep.  I completed over 15 freezer meals and several breakfasts and sides.  I'm looking forward to pulling those meals out of the freezer in a few months, knowing that with little prep, I can feed our family meals full of our garden veggies and healthy dinners  and hopefully not be tempted to eat out or give them a slice of cheese and crackers for dinner.  I'm not in denial here, folks...I'm anticipating the first few months with 4 kids to be a bit hectic and I'm sure it will take a bit of time to get into our new groove :)  

As far as staying on task, I did well.  I prepared everything from scratch except a few packages of buns and tortillas and labeled each bag/container with cooking or thawing instructions as well as what to serve with each entree.  The only dilemma I faced was when looking away from the island to focus on the hamburger cooking on the stove.  I returned to find that my diced, uncooked, chicken breast, which I was preparing for mexican chili was missing.  I looked over and saw Piper licking her lips.  She followed up by stealing 3 green peppers from the table.  Somehow we've managed to teach that dog not to chew shoes, Barbies or jump on the kids, but I can't keep her from jumping up to the kitchen counter.  Swiper is a better name for her :)

As far as staying organized (a must), I printed a list of what's in our freezer and in honor of my grandma for doing the same and in honor of my mom who teases both her and now me, I added a picture for you.  I love our freezer, but because it's a chest and not an upright, it's hard to keep organized :)  This is my attempt!  And dear Nana...I've got one on you...I typed my list :)

What's the payback for being almost full term and on your feet for approximately 10 hours for 3 days in a row?  Well, it's restless legs, cramping, swollen feet, contractions, nausea and EXHAUSTION!  This morning, while Adri is at school, I'm sitting in the most comfy chair in my living room, laptop in front of me, searching eBay, craigslist, blogger, Pinterest, and Facebook.  

As of my appointment last week, doctor says ultrasound shows healthy lungs and a nice sized baby girl. She said, "If you go into labor, I won't stop it."  There you go...permission to deliver!  Of course, my worry is that because of the size of Adri, this little peanut may want to show up her big sister on the scales.  Lets hope that doesn't happen and she arrives a bit early and not too big :)  

Week 38

After hearing last week that my blood pressure had normalized, I wasn't expecting for the doctor to tell me this week that I should head straight to the hospital to be monitored and possibly delivered!  I headed there, alone (Matt was at work), and sat in a VERY SMALL bed in triage with two belts around my tummy, sweating, and  giving me the constant urge to pee.  After 4 hours, and after Matt arrived to keep me company, the doctor came in and said, "I think we need to deliver!"  I wasn't looking foward to an induction because I know they can sometimes take longer than a natural delivery, however, I was anxious to be able to bend over again and wear pants without an elastic waist!  And I was even more excited to have this little (although she felt like a football player) peanut in my arms and off my bladder!  

After a long night of no sleep and rocking on an exercise ball with my hootie hanging out, I didn't move past 4 centimeters, which is what I was at the doctors office.  I wasn't in pain, but was just uncomfortable enough not to sleep.  Doctor came in about 10 am on Wednesday, September 25th and said, lets see if an epidural will move you along.  1 epidural, 2 contractions and 2 pushes later, Abigial Mae was here!  Abigail (Abi) is a name that I've always loved and Mae was my Dad's mother's name :)

Later that day, Matt brought up the other 3 Houdini's and the emotion that overcame me was indescribable.  I had 4 beautiful children and we were a family of 6!  Just looking around at my blessings, all in the same little hospital room, my heart had never been so full!  I love my family :)

Gabe wouldn't hold her...he was scared of breaking her.  He said, "I'll just pet her later."

You'll notice that there are a lot of pictures of Adri holding Abi...she loves her and can't keep her hands  off of her!  I'm excited to see their bond and relationship grow :)

First day home!

I love this 'milk drunk' face :)

Abigail's basinet also serves as a bed for Adri's baby dolls...although, she's kind enough to leave a spot for her sister!  

Precious!

Come to find out...Abi likes chickens, too :)

Thanks Kim, for the chickadee pics!

These next photos were taken by friend, Carol.  It sure is getting hard to get our entire family looking one in the same direction for a picture...nonetheless...they're still great pics!

Abigial Mae...1 month old!

This sweet little thing doesn't like sleeping at night.  I'm pretty sure she's hurting because her crying fests happen about 30 minutes after a meal.  We're doing trial and error right now to see what works best but  I'm thankful she's healthy and gaining weight :)  We'll get there...I guess I'll get to sleep in a few years!  The good news is that I've discovered that I CAN function on about 12 hours of sleep a week :)  

Lets face it, peeps...I'm not making any promises from here on out.  I realize it's been a while since my last post and I'm sure it will be a while before my next one.  Between diaper changes, nursing, packing lunches, homework, laundry and a million other things, I just want to sit on the couch, covered with my children when I have free time...and that's what I plan on doing...as long as they'll let me!