Monday - April 26, 2010. I had yet another Dr. apt this morning. Heart monitoring of the baby continues to go well. I also had another brief ultrasound which showed that the baby continues to grow. She has gained another 200-300 grams since my last ultrasound a bit over a week ago. So with 2 weeks to go - she could possible gain another 600 grams which would be awesome! She is still a little pip-squeak (as I'm calling her) but now she has reached over the 2.5 kilo mark (5.5 lbs) and this is good news! I also have been given permission to add in a bit more activity again. I can now go for walks (to pick Shaylee and Silas up from Kindergarten) and do some other things that I was restricted from doing before. No worries - I don't plan on overdoing it at all as still must take care of myself and rest when needed!
Thanks for all of your prayers and support. God is good!
Felsenmeer
Saturday, April 24, 2010. We have been enjoying some beautiful weather here lately. This past weekend we decided we were not going to stay home - we had to get out and enjoy the sunshine! We decided to head to Felsenmeer where we had taken the kids once before. Felsenmeer is basically a sea of rocks. You start at the bottom of a hill and climb your way up. There are also trails along side in the woods. The last time we went Shaylee was too little to climb all the rocks - but this time she was like a little mountain goat! Jer said he got quite the workout climbing and keeping up with the kids. Silas and I stayed down at the bottom by the park. Silas played while I soaked in a little sun and read some of my current book.
At the bottom - before heading up. Daddy with all 4 kids. Silas enjoyed the few big rocks he got to climb on before he and mommy headed to the park.
Ready to tackle the rocks! One happy Shaylee - as she has made it almost to the bridge!
Sydney on her way up....and Shane taking a little break.
WooooWhooo! They made it to the top! Shaylee giving the thumbs up! Now for the climb back down!
WooooWhooo! They made it to the top! Shaylee giving the thumbs up! Now for the climb back down!
Once they got back down we ate lunch at a little restaurant at the bottom. It was a gorgeous day - and good to be outside in God's amazing creation!
Jam Session
Shane and Jeremy recently performed together at Shane's school. The school hosted a fun evening where kids who were learning how to play an instrument or had another talent could perform for their peers. Since Shane started taking guitar lessons last year - he was encouraged to perform. Jeremy and Shane often play at home together - so they decided to do a song together. The song they chose was "Pride" by U2. Shane played guitar while Jeremy played guitar and also sang. They did GREAT! It was neat seeing them on stage together.
Unfortunately I can never seem to upload my videos to the blog....so you will just have to image you can hear them playing and singing!
Unfortunately I can never seem to upload my videos to the blog....so you will just have to image you can hear them playing and singing!
Alte Schlepper
On Saturday, April 17, 2010 Jeremy took Shane and Silas to an Alte Schlepper (old tractor) Show. The boys enjoyed seeing all the old tractors and it was a beautiful day to be outdoors.
Some of the pictures are of Lanz tractors. Lanz was the tractor company that John Deere bought after the war.
The highlight of the show for the boys was the remote control construction site and farm. There were demonstrations of remote control tractors and construction machinery which were amazing to watch!
This one particular tractor had working lights and was pulling a plow (actually plowing the field). Isn't that every little farm boys dream - to have a toy like that!!!!
Some of the pictures are of Lanz tractors. Lanz was the tractor company that John Deere bought after the war.
The highlight of the show for the boys was the remote control construction site and farm. There were demonstrations of remote control tractors and construction machinery which were amazing to watch!
This one particular tractor had working lights and was pulling a plow (actually plowing the field). Isn't that every little farm boys dream - to have a toy like that!!!!
Silas standing on the fence to get a better view!
Baby Update - 37 weeks
I had another Dr. apt this morning - with yet another ultrasound! This time the baby has gained another 200 grams since last week - so that puts us at around 2300 grams which is just over 5lbs!!!! So this is great news! I still need to take it easy so haven't been given the go ahead to get back to regular activity - I kind of doubt they will ever officially tell me that in the next 3 weeks anyway. I go back in on Monday for my next heartbeat monitoring. All these apts are getting a bit tiresome - but I'm glad the baby appears to be doing well.
Getting the Nursery Ready
Now that we've moved Silas upstairs with Shane I've been trying to get the nursery ready for the baby. The other afternoon I let the kids paint some pictures with the purpose of hanging them up in the nursery. The paints were washable off hands - but not out of clothes....so I had the kids protect themselves as much as possible with either bibs or old clothes.
With Silas - I just opted to take his clothes off - he went right into the bathtub when he was finished.
Silas painted a bunch of different colors and then I finished his painting by adding a big "S" in the middle (as this baby's name will also start with an S). Now when he sees his painting he points to it and says "S".
Here are the girls' finished works of art hanging on the nursery wall. Syd did an outdoor scene with trees, a path, river and pond. Shaylee painted the sun and flowers. On the other wall they painted scenes with flowers and butterflies. I have a few more blank canvas frames left - so maybe on another rainy day or when the kids claim to be "bored" I'll let them paint some more.
With Silas - I just opted to take his clothes off - he went right into the bathtub when he was finished.
Silas painted a bunch of different colors and then I finished his painting by adding a big "S" in the middle (as this baby's name will also start with an S). Now when he sees his painting he points to it and says "S".
Here are the girls' finished works of art hanging on the nursery wall. Syd did an outdoor scene with trees, a path, river and pond. Shaylee painted the sun and flowers. On the other wall they painted scenes with flowers and butterflies. I have a few more blank canvas frames left - so maybe on another rainy day or when the kids claim to be "bored" I'll let them paint some more.
The nursery is shaping up nicely. Jer set the crib up last weekend and I bought a few baskets this week (that organizational nesting setting in) to put misc. baby items in on the changing counter. (Notice where I hung Silas's "S") The girls also drew pictures of themselves with the baby - so those are hanging up now too.
I think we are pretty much set - now we just need the baby to arrive!!!
Handschuh
The other night it was really nice out and we let the kids play outside. Silas still has a thing for wearing other peoples hats, gloves, or shoes. This night he was wearing Daddy's handschuh(gloves) - "handschuh" being one of the few German words Silas will speak. He was being so cute that we had to go get the camera.
He is totally posing for the camera!
Silas goes to Kindergarten!
Today (April 7, 2010) was Silas's first day of German Kindergarten. Most kids in our town start when they turn 3 - Silas is starting a few weeks early so that he is adjusted by the time baby arrives. I figured that if we didn't send him until after the baby came that he would feel more "pushed out" of his place with mommy at home. This way he can adjust and it will already be part of his routine before the baby comes.
We've been gearing him up for this day for the past few weeks. We would keep asking him "are you going to go to Kindergarten with Shaylee?" And most often he would say "NO!" Then last week I bought him a pair of indoor shoes and he got all excited. He started wearing them whenever we were home and called them his "run" shoes because he thought he could run fast in them?!? The shoes I got him are camo and they match a hat of Shane's and so Silas also thought he needed to be wearing Shane's hat to "match" his shoes.
Silas showing off his new shoes and his hat to match!
I also took a picture of Shaylee and Silas together - since they will be going to Kindergarten together now. Shaylee is pretty excited to have her little brother coming with her now. She can't wait until he goes full days with her (right now for the first week or so Silas only goes for about 2 hours).
Here Silas is this morning right before we walked out the door. He was NOT excited about going at all anymore. I did manage a slight smile from him though.
Once at the Kindergarten it was ALL TEARS! He clung to me as I tried to get him to take his coat off and put on his indoor shoes. He was no longer excited about his new shoes. He just wanted to "go home" and asked "what me do here?" He was crying and then I lost it too. I couldn't help the tears. Inside I wanted to just take him back home...but I knew that once I left he'd be fine....but that didn't make it any easier. I decided to let him go into the classroom with just his socks on and he left his coat on too. I went in and talked to one of his teachers. She took him and he was still crying. We agreed I would come back in about 2 hours to get him and if he was hysterical or anything they would call me sooner. I told Shaylee to help him get adjusted and watch over him.
2 hours later.....the head gal of the Kindergarten met me at the door. She had a smile on her face and said that Silas was doing fine. He played well, ate his snack, and was adjusting nicely. I talked to her in her office for a little bit. It was time for the kids to play outside for awhile so they brought Silas down to the office to me. I peeked around the corner and he saw me, did sort of a double take, then ran to me, gave me a hug and showed me the drill he'd been playing with. He then went back with the teacher and headed outside to play with the other kids while I finished speaking with the head instructor. Outside he was playing with Shaylee and running around. He saw me, came and hugged me again - but then went off to play some more. When I told him we should get going...he really didn't want to leave...he was having too much fun playing outside. After about 10 more minutes he had to go pee, so I took him inside and then got him interested in going home. I arranged for my friend Sibylle to bring Shaylee home for me later at her regular time.
I tried to take a few pictures of Silas at his Kindergarten. He was sort of grumpy about going home - so no smile.
Here are two more pictures. I gave him a package of gummie bears - so he actually had a few smiles for me this time.
He will go back for a few hours tomorrow and on Friday. We will take it one day at a time - but I think he will continue to do fine even if the morning drop off doesn't go over without a few more tears :) It is really hard to believe he is off to Kindergarten. The head instructor (and me too of course) remember that he was only 3 months old when I dropped Shaylee and Sydney off here for the first time. Time sure flies by....what a BIG boy he has become!
A Friday called Good and the Blessing of Easter!
Isaiah 53:4-6
Surely he (Jesus) took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:11-12
After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him (Jesus) who had no sin, to be sin for us (you and me), so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Romans 10:9-10
If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
I'm so thankful that Jesus came into this world to save us. He came to suffer and to die for our sins. I believe that he died and was buried and that on the third day he conquered death and arose from the grave victorious!!!! My purpose in life is to serve HIM and to make sure my precious children know and love the Lord and understand the blessings of Easter!
Christ the Lord is Risen Today!!!!!! Have a blessed Easter!
Surely he (Jesus) took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:11-12
After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him (Jesus) who had no sin, to be sin for us (you and me), so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Romans 10:9-10
If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
I'm so thankful that Jesus came into this world to save us. He came to suffer and to die for our sins. I believe that he died and was buried and that on the third day he conquered death and arose from the grave victorious!!!! My purpose in life is to serve HIM and to make sure my precious children know and love the Lord and understand the blessings of Easter!
Christ the Lord is Risen Today!!!!!! Have a blessed Easter!
Reading Books
I've been spending a lot of my time lately reading books. Both books for ME (I've read 6 in the past 2 weeks - and normally I read maybe 2 a year!) and books to the kids, since I find myself relaxing on the couch these days. Reason being (as some of you already know - but others of you may not) was that 2 weeks ago I was put on restricted activity due to the baby measuring too small for my stage of pregnancy (at that time 33 weeks).
Its quite a long story - and I should have posted about it earlier - but just haven't gotten around to it. So actually 4 weeks ago at my 31 week apt the Dr. said I was measuring small. So she wanted me to come back in 2 weeks for a recheck. Well then at my 33 week apt she did an ultrasound and was very concerned that the baby wasn't growing. She was also concerned that the umbilical cord wasn't functioning properly - so she wanted me to see an ultrasound specialist and have him look into things more closely. So the next day I had an apt with the specialist and Jer came with me to the apt. The specialist confirmed that the baby was too small (basically in the 3% range of all babies at this stage)...weighing only about 1.6 kilos. He also found the amniotic fluid to be a bit low -but the umbilical cord seemed to be functioning properly. So I was put on restricted activity - REST, REST, REST - basically give all my energy to growing the baby - and not to chasing after 4 kids and frantically cleaning and nesting...not an easy thing for ME to do! Fortunately I wasn't confined to complete bedrest...but my walking to and from Kindergarten to get Shaylee, and running up and down 3 flights of stairs umpteen times a day, and a bunch of other normal activities for me, had to end. I also now have to go in every 2-3 days to have the baby's heart and fetal movements monitored - just to make sure all is OK with the baby. After about 2 of these monitorings my Dr. was very pleased and said the baby seems to be doing fine - she's just a tiny one. The baby has been VERY active - which keeps me positive. I was to go in again in 10 days for another ultrasound to check the baby's measurements and see if she had grown at all. Well last week Thursday (right before the Easter holidays) I had an apt (a few days before the 10 day mark). The baby had grown slightly - but not much. So still rest - and come in every 2-3 days. Tuesday (today) I had another apt (now at 35 weeks) and this time the baby showed to have grown to 2.1 kilos! This is great news - and we are glad to see some growth! My Dr. is now going to contact the ultrasound specialist and discuss the measurements she has taken and decide if yet another ultrasound on his part is due - or if we just keep monitoring the baby via my Dr. I go in again on Thursday and my Dr. will let me know at that point what they decide and where we will go from there. It seems that the need for taking the baby early is no longer there (which is a huge answer to prayer). We now just hope the baby will continue to grow and be born a healthy normal size.
We know that God is in control of all things - and He has this little one in his hands. We've been keeping many verses from Psalm 139 near and dear to our hearts.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in that secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of htem came to be. Psalm 139:13-16
A New Shoot is Blooming
On Friday, March 26th a bunch of gals from the school where Shane and Sydney attend got together and threw me a baby shower. My good friend Lexi made the cake and another good friend Catia opened up her home and planned all the games and activities. We had a great time doing "baby shower" games, eating great food, and just having a good time together with a bunch of great gals. Silas was really excited because he got the baby bottle full of M&M's - since mommy's guess was only 7 off the actual number. Mommy was tie with Petra, who was also only 7 off, but she was nice enough to let Silas have the M&M's. Thanks gals for an awesome time! And of course for all the adorable gifts.
Finally this weekend we moved Silas's bed out of his room and up to Shane's room. The boys will now be sharing a room (so far so good). Silas was excited to move upstairs and said "I move to Shane's room and baby get me room." He is too sweet! With the move I was able to clean out the closet shelves and make room for all the baby items I got at the shower. I also was lent a bunch of clothes from a friend who just had a baby girl back in October....so the closet is filling up nicely! Jer has to bring the crib up from the basement yet and get that set up, but soon I hope to have the nursery ready for this new little one.
Finally this weekend we moved Silas's bed out of his room and up to Shane's room. The boys will now be sharing a room (so far so good). Silas was excited to move upstairs and said "I move to Shane's room and baby get me room." He is too sweet! With the move I was able to clean out the closet shelves and make room for all the baby items I got at the shower. I also was lent a bunch of clothes from a friend who just had a baby girl back in October....so the closet is filling up nicely! Jer has to bring the crib up from the basement yet and get that set up, but soon I hope to have the nursery ready for this new little one.
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