Here we are!

It's been a while since I posted. Whew, my life sure has changed! My friends can second that because I've been missing in action for a while. My days of chatting on the phone are long gone.

4 kids makes things exciting around our house. There is never a dull moment. We are all settling into a new routine and getting adjusted to the new baby. If only I could get some sleep....

Here I am with little Caroline. She's a month old now. Last week Kate started 8th grade ( I can't believe how grown up she is... isn't she beautiful! ) and Will (he's a handsome big kid now )started 1st grade. Here they are the first day of school with little Miss Madeline and her Barbie entourage her new faves.

I treated Kate to a special treat before school started. I bought her a new Juicy Couture purse. I splurged because she was such an incrediable help while I was on bedrest and once the baby arrived. What a wonderful daughter! I still was a little frugal I got it at Nordstroms Rack for 50% off.

I wonder if it's possible to have twins 3 years apart because Caroline and Madeline look EXACTLY alike as newborns.


Will loves to hold his baby sister. He says he's her favorite sibling. Right when he gets home from school the first thing he asks is how is Caroline and can I hold her.

This is only time Madeline and Will can sit next to each other without hitting or arguing. Caroline has both of their hearts. They just adore her.

You can see here how itty bitty Caroline still is. I guesstimate she is about 7 pounds now.

Still working on her room. I don't make it out much. Hobby Lobby is calling my name...

Oh one more thing, my husband said I need to give up my frugal Jen name because I haven't been so frugal. I've been hitting the grocery store with no coupons and spending way too much money! I told him I'll be back soon....

Break

Wow, has my life changed with 4 kids. I completely enjoy them all. However it's very demanding of my time to make sure each child is given enough attention. We have one week left of summer. I plan on spending time with them.

Which leads me to... I'm taking a break from the computer, phones, play dates and extra outtings. I'm exhausted and once the kids are back in school I plan to hang out at home except for Madeline's dance and gymnastics class.

Why? Well yesterday we had Caroline's 2 week check up. She's doing great, she's back to her birth weight. The bad news... she's high at risk for RSV. We are working on getting her the shot but we aren't sure insurance will cover it. So in the meantime we are hanging out at home. No one other than immediate family will be able to hold her and we have to limit her exposure to other children.

So my blog friends and in real life friends, please be patient with me I will be back to the old Jen shortly. But now I've got to focus on the kids and the family.

Anyone know more about RSV? This is all new to me.

One more thing. The best way to get a hold of me is by email. I will be checking my email a couple times a day.

See you soon!

Life with 4 kids

I just had to show you all my sweet Caroline. My good friend Adrien, came over and shot her newborn photos. Check out her website, she's wonderful photographer in the DFW area.

I'm so in love with this tiny little girl...

Caroline is such a great baby. She must sleep at least 20 hours a day. We are getting acclimated to life with 4 children.

I even ventured out to Hobby Lobby with the circus (that's what I call my 4 kids). I was in desperate need of some craft supplies. Being cooped up on bed rest for almost 3 months I am ready to go!

However, it wore me out. We plan on resting and hanging out at home for another week. I've got some projects to work on so I am content at home.

Her room is coming along great. My next post show my projects.

I had a couple questions asking if we knew the sex of the baby. No, we didn't find out. I just went on my mommy instinct it was a boy and decorated and shopped for a boy. Boy, was I wrong!

Sweet Caroline

Introducing Caroline Joy!
What a whirlwind of excitement and emotions for our family.



Thursday morning I woke up with the distinct thought of cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning. I cleaned my house top to bottom. 3 hours later I sat down and started having contractions about the same I've had over the last 10 weeks. I didn't think much of it.

We had a play date at a neighbors house, the contractions came every 10 minutes.

One of my church moms group had an evening get together. I went my contractions were every 5 minutes not painful just lots of pressure. I left the group at 9:00 I told them I think I need to go to the hospital.

We got to the hospital at 10:00 I was 4 cm dilated and they admitted me. Yes, were having a baby! Got my epidural by Dr. Feel Good (Really that's what he called himself) at mid-night and they wanted to see how I progressed and didn't break my water.

8:30 am: The Dr came in and broke my water I was dilated to a 6. About 30 minutes later I was in extreme pain and felt off the chart pressure. Dr. Feel Good came back in to up my epidural. By the time he came in I could feel everything. I was moaning and in so much pain. The worst pain of my life. He took at look at my epidural and I was only numb in my legs.... not where it mattered. So he redid the epidural and I still am feeling off the chart pain.

9:30 am: The nurse checks me to see how far I am. She says with big eyes... "The baby is right here don't move. Don't push keep your legs together. Call the dr and tell her NOW".

Ummm yeah, we are having a baby and I can feel it. The dr came in and 4 pushes later Caroline is up on my tummy. Oh, it's a girl not a boy like we thought. Shock, excitement and some pain.

The NICU staff was present and ready to wheel her off except little girl showed us her stuff and screamed and kicked. She acted like a 40 week full term baby. What a joy! Yes her middle name is also Joy.

We had an uneventfuly hospital stay. I opted not to breastfeed and went for the bottle. I've been unsuccessful 3 times and decided I had too much on my plate at home to stress about breast feeding. So we ordered the formula and I haven't looked back.

We got home Sunday. Monday morning we had our first dr's appt. She was looking orange so they did a blood test. Monday afternoon I got a phone call from the Dr saying take her to the NICU immediately. I cried and cried and cried.

Caroline was admitted to the NICU. We were told 4 days. They had a room available so I could stay at the hopstial so I did. I was able to feed her change her and most of all be there for her. Miraculously the girl only needed 24 hours of light thearaphy and IV fluids. Her numbers dropped so fast plus she gained 6 oz. Thank you God!

So we are back home today. My husbands birthday. What a joyous day I've got my new little girl at home with me.

Thank you cannot express my appreciation for the prayers over the last 10 weeks. God is good. He showed me many times that he is the one in control. I feel very blessed to have 4 healthy children and a wonderful husband. Now remind me of this feeling when I am having a stressed day and the kids are making me crazy.

Next week I plan to turn a baby boys room into a baby girls room without changing the bedding. Defineately will be painting over my Row, Row, Row Your Boat.
Not really wanting to grow a fishergirl, I'm thinking beachy and flip flops. Any ideas?

It's a ........

GIRL!

Caroline Joy arrived Friday morning at 9:37 am. She weighed 5 lbs 10 oz an was 19 1/4 inches long. She immediately cried and showed us how great her lungs were. Our answered prayer of 36 weeks and no NICU was answered. Little Caroline is completely healthy and beautiful.

We got home from the hospital today. Once I have time tomorrow I will upload some photos and tell more of the details of my NATURAL delivery. Yes, I said natural but not on purpose.

Off to hold my new little sweetie.

Thank you all for your prayers. God is good, and he carried me through the last 10 weeks culminating with a healthy baby girl.

Dr's Appt and a Shopping Trip

It's official no more bed rest!!! My drs' appt went great today. I am still 3cm like I was at the hospital a week ago. The medication has been successful in stopping my progression. However, we hope that comes to a stop on Saturday when I am drug free.

My next post should be about the arrival of baby #4. This pregnancy has been a difficult one. I thank you all for the well wishes and prayers. They've sustained me the last 10 weeks.

A little frugal talk:
With my release we headed out to my favorite fatty restaurant... Snuffers for some cheese fries then to the town center for some back to school shopping. I've gained 21 pounds with the pregnancy so I thought I could indulge a bit. I also thought it would be easier to get some shopping done before baby arrives.

Gap: Has a ton of clearance items. They just started their additional 40% off clearance. This is also the best place for little boys jeans. All the other brands of jeans last 2 months then get holes in the knees with an active boy but Gap jeans last us around 6 months. Good enough for me!

Dehlia's: Is my teens favorite store at the moment. According to her they have the best jeans. They are very cute boot cut one's with stretchy material (Stella Cut) l. They are on sale, buy one get one 1/2. Plus if you try on a pair of jeans you get a $10 off coupon. They had a ton of shirts and clearance items in the $10 and under range.

Gymboree: They have most of their back to school items 40% off. Plus if you are a rewards member you get an additional 20% off. I bought Will a couple shirts for $10 each. I did online shopping the other day.

Serious Nesting

You hear or might recall the distinct nesting instinct before you have a baby. Let me share my past activities right before my kids were born:

Katelyn: I was in college and pulled an all nighter writing the best paper in my college career. It was due in a week but I had this strange instinct I had to finish it.

William: I was working full time. I took the afternoon off and did some final shopping for baby and finished my monthly reports... early.

Madeline: I obsessively painted the dining room at the new house. We were remodeling before we moved in. I finished the crown molding and headed to the hospital. My husband thought I was crazy.

Baby #4: Not sure this is it but this morning I woke up full of energy and organization on the brain. I reorganized my son's toy bins (sitting down), hung up pictures that have been waiting for months. Helped Madeline pick up her room. Ordered the kids to do their laundry and separated mine out. Last night I had my husband hang up the blinds in the baby's room. It's only 9 o'clock but fore some reason I have so much energy and I'm on fire. I've only had a few normal contractions. Although last night I tossed and turned and moaned with contractions.

So this could be it.... I've had 2 out of 3 children on the 27th. Today is the
27th.... I'm 35 weeks and 4 days. I'm ready, really ready. The last 10 weeks on some sort of bed rest and in and out of the hospital has taken a toll on me. I'm ready to just be Jen again and have the baby in my arms. Do you ladies remember that "OK, I'm tired of being pregnant moment?"

I know I should be resting I am off to take a shower then spend the rest of the day on the couch. It was just weird I had to share. Still hoping I hold off until Friday since that is my 36 week mark.

Still Cookin & Baby Projects

All the drama and hospital stays started one week ago. Thank you God a week later baby is still baking in my tummy. As I type baby has the hiccups.

I haven't posted many pregnant photos. This was taken at my cousins on the 4th of July. Kind of a blurry pic but it's me... belly and all. I think I've gained a ton more belly since this was taken.

Me and the little ones at the hospital last week. Yes I was all smiles with morphine.
Now on to some fun crafty frugal projects. I'm Frugal Jen right?

Last week before this all started I did some sewing. Yes, I was seriously nesting. I made a small blanket with scrap fabric and ribbon. I pulled out 3 old burp rags gender neutral and sewed on ribbon and trim.

I didn't want to go too girly in case it's a boy. Not really wanting to have a frilly little boy.


This was my big project... big brother and sister shirts. I've been searching etsy and ebay for weeks debating buying shirts. At about $30 each I decided I could try it myself.

The result $15 later this is what I got. They are very cute! My friend Jenny at BellaBowz made the bows for us. See we have 2 little onezies one for girl and one for boy. If it's a girl she's even got her first little bow.... so cute!!

So as of today, Sunday we've got a countdown until Friday 36 weeks! I go off my contraction stopping meds Saturday morning.

We've got a poll going at our house. My husband's birthday is Wednesday, August 3rd. He thinks the baby will be born on his birthday. I think baby will come next Sunday the 1st.

So what do you think? When do you think baby will arrive? Just a clue
(I've NEVER gone past 36 weeks and 1 day)

Another Update

We want to thank you all for the emails, comments and phone calls. After a very eventful few days I am resting back at home. Let me tell you what's going on.

Sunday afternoon: when the nurse came for my 2nd steroid shot she thought I might be in labor. I had many signs. I got to the hospital and I was having contractions. They kept me for 24 hours then released me. I got home on Monday afternoon and during the night I developed a fever in addition to strong very painful contractions.

Tuesday Morning: I woke up with chills and a fever. I also did not feel the baby move after many trys to get the baby to wake up. Panic is an understatement. I was terrified something was very wrong. I called the dr and they immediately told me to head to L&D. I got there and my fever was 101.5 and my heart and the baby's was racing dangerously high. I was also contracting. They tested me for EVERYTHING I had an amino (which I don't ever want to relive) X-rays, tons of blood taken and fever reducers. Long story short they still do not know what caused the infection and fever. Thank you Lord it was NOT in my amniotic fluid and the baby is perfectly healthy and fine.

Thursday: I was released from the hospital and put back on bed rest. I resumed my terbutaline meds until next Friday. The amino showed the baby's lungs are NOT developed enough to breathe on it's own so we are holding off delivery until at least next Friday when I will be 36 weeks.

The Dr decided it was safe for me to be at home and not stay in the hospital because the contractions have not caused me to dialte beyond 3cm in the last 4 days. I was scared to come home to a stressful house with 3 kids but my family is wonderful and doing everything to eliminate stress.

So the plan is resting at home. I've got my mom staying here with us and helping. The might also head over to my parents house if things get too crazy. I would like to be around the kids if possible. My husband is also able to work from home.

So in a nutshell baby is still healthy in my tummy and we hope to gain another week.

This has been a crazy ride and I look forward to meeting my healthy baby in the next couple weeks. My biggest prayer is no NICU for us this time around. Our chances are great if we make it to next Friday.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers!

Jen

Update

Jennifer and the expected new baby are in good hands and doing well. We look forward to being home soon with our new gift. Thanks to all for your continued thoughts and prayers.

-Jen's Frugal Family