MommaLuvsYa

Spring

2010-04-08T10:20:00.004-06:00

Spring. It is here. I know it is and not by some calendar telling me so. The other day Ryson woke me up to feed him at 4 AM and I could hear rain pouring from the gutters. I adore the sound of rain. And then, this morning it became official (in my book). I could hear birds chirping at 5:30 AM. I love hearing them. It’s hard to drag my tired body out of bed that early in the morning. Everyone else being asleep, it’s nice to hear at least the birds beat me to an early rise.

Quirky Things

2010-03-25T13:45:00.003-06:00

So I thought I'd shake up the blog today and make it an interactive day. I'm going to list a few quirky things about myself, then I want you (aka my family and friends) to comment with quirky things about yourself. I think we need to know more about each other. So here it goes, feel free to poke fun :-)

1 - Depending on who I'm strolling with, I prefer certain people to walk on certain sides of me. I know, weird ha?

2 - I don’t like beer. Or coffee. When I was in school people swore I would learn to like both. I didn’t. And still don’t.

3 - If I visit someplace where people have accents I pick it up within minutes of arriving.

4 - I absolutly must have some sort of white noise in a room in order to sleep, the second it is turned off, I wake up. This drives Dirk nuts.

So, what quirks do you have? You can list one or ten, just something maybe we didn't already know.

Makes me want to squish their cheeks

2010-03-19T14:35:00.001-06:00

Just an update

2010-02-08T10:02:00.002-07:00

So, both Skyler and Ryson are sick. Still sick. They have been sick for like a month now. Skyler is on antibiotics for an ear infection and is starting to feel better. Ryson, however, sounds awful but according to the doctor is okay. So needless to say I have been busy sucking boogers and refilling the humidifier.

Other than sick kids though, life is great. And, I heard through the grapevine that Jess PLACED in a PROFESSIONAL ice carving competition. How awesome is that?!?

Congratulations Jess!!!

xoxoxo

Babies

2010-01-21T13:47:00.003-07:00

I know I'm a big dork, but I SO am looking forward to this movie.

Beautiful story...

2010-01-13T13:51:00.002-07:00

I just finished reading this blog:

http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/

It goes back a couple of years, and is not a quick read. But, I think it's the best use of my internet time I've spent since I started surfing the net 12 years ago. Some of her stories made me laugh out loud and others broke my heart. I highly recommend reading it.

So...

2010-01-11T09:42:00.002-07:00

I've decided not to give up on my site completely. I don't know how often I'll be able to post but it's still the best way for me to keep y'all updated.

xoxo

Welcome baby

2010-01-11T09:38:00.001-07:00

Ryson Jean Ballinger

DOB 11-13-09

8 lbs 6 oz

cute as a button

When it rains...

2009-09-30T12:23:00.002-06:00

First and most important, right now everyone in my immediate family is healthy. I am most grateful.

However, our family is going through some rough times right now. To top it off, my babysitter is closed due to confirmed H1N1 cases in her family. Please keep her family and ours in your prayers.

xoxoxo

Passed the test!!

2009-09-15T08:21:00.002-06:00

So I had to go into the hospital last Saturday for a "3 hour" glucose test. This 3 hour test ended up taking 5 hours, in which time, you cannot leave the hospital or eat anything. But, it turned out good. I passed the test and do not have gestational diabetes, thank goodness.

It's been a rough couple of months with some heartbreaking incidences, but I'm not getting into those because we are all fully aware of them.

On a lighter note, all is well on the home front.

Avery is doing well in school and is "working on" a girlfriend. Yikes!! He is really enjoying his Spanish class. He also now has a small fish tank with some kind of crab that has made multiple attempts to escape.

Skyler is deep into potty training. He's so funny. He won't use the kid potty at all, and does not like me to help him get on the toilette. So he has discovered sitting on the toilette backwards is the way to go for him. I have no idea how he came up with this, but hey, whatever keeps him interested. He uses the potty just fine at home and at daycare, but doesn't feel comfortable using new other toilets.

I am now starting my 8th month of pregnancy. I have thus far gained 26 lbs and have about 8 weeks or so to go. This kiddo moves around a lot and at any given moment my whole belly jerks around and is visible to any onlooker.

Anyhow, that's the latest.

xoxoxo

3rd Trimester!!!!!!!!!

2009-08-24T14:21:00.003-06:00

I am so happy to report I am beginning the 3rd trimester of my pregnancy. I have gained 21 lbs so far, still pretty good for me. No news other than that, just thought I'd share :-)

xoxoxo

My heart is broken

2009-08-18T12:04:00.002-06:00

For those who read this that I have spoke with since Saturday, I didn't bring it up because I cry every time I do. I'm posting this so everyone knows and I don't have to talk about it anymore right now.

Saturday morning Malakai was hit by a FedEx truck. The vet hospital said he had no broken bones, but he did have some internal bleeding and for some reason either wouldn't or couldn't move his back legs. They said he had a 50/50 chance of surviving. They wanted to keep him overnight for observation, but we couldn't afford it. So they gave him morphine and sent him home. We made him a bed on our floor and for an hour he lay resting and then he died, Dirk and I both were with him when this happened. It was heart wrenching.

We are thankful that he was medicated so that hopefully he didn't feel much pain in the end. And I am thankful Skyler was sleeping the entire time and has no idea of what happened.

I've had Malakai for a long time and he has always been a member of the family. I've never known a more gentle animal and I loved him dearly.

I know, I know.........

2009-08-12T13:36:00.003-06:00

It's been a LONG time since my last post. I appologize. I have no good excuse. I can only say I'll try to do better in the future.

So what's new?

Avery is doing well and loves and misses everyone. Especially his dear mom, at least that's what I tell myself.

Skyler is now 3! Can you believe it! It seems like just yesterday I was in that delivery room pushing him out. :-)

I'm at pregnancy week 25, almost to my third trimester. I've gained 18 pounds so far which for me is awesome. Hopefully, I won't pack on a ton more in the next couple of months. I'm having REALLY awful hip pains. I'm not sure what's causing it but walking is extremely painful. Going to the pool is a great relief so Skyler, Dirk and I have spent as much time there as possible. Other that that I'm feeling great.

I'm loving summer. It has rained more than I could hope for. The days haven't seemed too hot. I can hear the birds chirping in the morning and the crickets at night. BUT...

I really long for the fall. My favorite time of year by far! I can't wait for the leaves to change their colors, light jackets, football and apple pie.

I hope everyone I love is doing well. Congratulations Jess on your new place, your sister couldn't be more proud.

xoxoxo

It's a.....

2009-07-08T12:08:00.002-06:00

BOY :-)

Halfway there!

2009-07-07T10:00:00.002-06:00

I can't believe I'm already 20 weeks. Just 20 more or so and I'll have a new addition to the family. The baby feels a bit like a squirrel right now, it moves as much as one anyway. We find out tomorrow if it is a girl or a boy. I had a dream on Friday that it is a boy, but who knows!

Skyler is attached to my hip right now for some reason... maybe just a phase. I am trying to get him to be a bit more independent since he's going to have to share my time with a new sibling soon.

I miss Avery very much! (For those who don't know he's at his dad's right now) He says he's having a good summer thus far and misses us too.

Check back tomorrow afternoon for the ultrasound results!

xoxoxo

19 weeks today

2009-06-29T08:35:00.002-06:00

I finally had to break down and buy some maternity clothes this weekend. I'm big enough to not fit into regular clothes but still not totally filling out maternity clothes. Plus, I bought them a little big to give my butt room to grow. So I kind of look like I'm swimming in my outfit this morning.

I can feel him or her kicking quite a bit lately, and I can feel it from the outside with my hand too every once in a while. Makes me wonder even more what I'm having... only a week and a half to wait to find out!

xoxoxoxo

Oh so hungry

2009-06-26T12:16:00.003-06:00

It is amazing the amount of food I catch myself consuming in one day lately. For example:

Today thus far I have eaten half a bagel with scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese, an apple with like 2 tbsp of peanut butter, guacamole and chips and a piece of cheesecake. No joke, and it's only 12:30.

Amazingly enough I have not exceeded the recommended weight gain! I'm 18 weeks (almost halfway cooked) and I've gained 9 lbs. I am usually notorious for gaining a large amount of weight during pregnancy (50lbs with Ave and 70lbs with Sky), so I'm doing exceptionally well thus far this time.

My guess is it is all thanks to Skyler, who consistantly is on the go and wants me to be right there with him. Not to mention we've moved to a place that has lots of stairs to climb.

Let's hope the extra calories continue to magically disappear!!

xoxoxoxo

Yummy!!

2009-05-20T10:54:00.003-06:00

I know, I know! After a certain age we really should be watching what we eat. But this recipe is SO GOOD and even my two year old loves it. I'm not sure what it's called or where the recipe came from originally... but it's easy and yummy, which works for me!

Chicken "Spaghetti"

Mix together in pot on med heat:

1 lb cooked shredded (or diced) chicken

1 can original Rotelle tomatoes

1 package prepared chicken gravy (maybe 14 oz or so)

4 oz Velveeta cheese

1 small can of mushrooms

cooked spaghetti noodles

(stir all until cheese is melted)

Transfer all to a baking dish, top with Parmesan - 350 deg about 15 min

Definitely not low fat, but you're gonna love it.

Long time no blog!

2009-05-14T12:18:00.002-06:00

Wow, has it really been a month since my last post? Well, I've been sleepy :-)

I went to my doc appointment today. All is well. I am 12 weeks and 4 days as of today. The heartbeat sounded good and was about 160 BPM. I'll be in my second trimester as of Monday of next week, which means more energy is in store for me!

The kiddos and I have been enjoying the spring and riding our bikes. The last couple of weeks, the air has been thick with the smell of lilacs, and the bugs are chirping at night. I love spring.

Skyler is now in the habbit of saying bless you, anytime someone sneezes (or burps) :-)

I'm not sure where he got it, I didn't teach him, maybe he just picked it up from us saying it.

Avery has been making God's eyes for the past week. I have them hung all over the house. I think he must have made 20 already.

Bubbly good fun

2009-04-15T08:20:00.002-06:00

It is starting to get warmer and like my mother before me, I believe children should play outside whenever possible. It's amazing to me how well my two boys play together, even though Ave is 11 and Skyler is 2. Avery has such a big heart, I never doubted his ability to be the best older brother Skyler could ever ask for.

Still, sometimes they just run out of things to do. I totally understand this and I try to come up with fun activities for them. So, the other day I got some bubbles from the dollar store. I forgot how much kids LOVE bubbles. I could hear Skyler laughing with more enthusiasm than I've heard in a long time. I had to make them come in for dinner and then they went out again to play some more, completely on their own.

I think next week we'll get some sidewalk chalk :-)

xoxoxo

Nap time

2009-04-03T14:26:00.003-06:00

Being pregnant (this time) has been SO exhausting! I am sleepy and hungry and then sleepy again. So please forgive the lack of posts. I'm looking forward to hopefully feeling a bit better here in the next couple of weeks.

Bill, I hope you have a great birthday celebration this weekend and don't worry, they say 50 is the new 40 ;-)

xoxoxo

Receiving blanket overload - Works-For-Me Wednesday

2009-03-25T10:17:00.002-06:00

I received a large number of receiving blankets at my last baby shower. I'm talking 40ish! If I were super crafty or had the slightest idea how to sew, I might make something cool like a quilt or a sling for the new baby. I am however, somewhat domestically challenged in that area.

So, what does one do with 40 receiving blankets? Keep in mind these are not lovely, hand stitched, or special. Just the normal ones you get in 3 packs from your local WalMart. I cut them into fourths and use them instead of paper towels. They work wonderfully! Much better than paper towels. They are especially good for dusting. So that is what works for me!

http://www.wearethatfamily.com/

Potty training - to bribe, or not to bribe

2009-03-24T15:16:00.002-06:00

Potty training was by far the most difficult task I encountered with my oldest. He never "decided he was ready" like the experts say they'll do. It took forever, and it was the source of much frustration.

So the other day when my youngest decided to once again get naked, just because he could, the little devil on my shoulder came out. I don't know why, but I bribed him to give his potty a try. I said " If you go potty, I'll give you a gummy bear". I know, it's horrible. This goes against my parenting skills totally and completely. I don't bride my kids, I just expect good behavior.

However, it worked. Surprisingly well. Not only did he go, but he continued to want to go all day that day and the next. Each time I felt guilty, but really only a little, for giving him a reward for going potty.

I felt like maybe it was a bad idea so for the past two days I've asked him to go potty without offering the bribe. He goes, sometimes, but not as much as before. I'm not sure if I should continue to bribe him or not. But I suppose if that is the worst harm I do as a parent, then I'm not doing to bad. Seriously, how bad can I mess him up by bribing him with a gummy bear to go potty in the toilet? Only time will tell.

xoxoxo

Pregnancy weight

2009-03-23T10:13:00.004-06:00

Okay, so with my first two pregnancies, I gained much more than I should have. I gained 52 pounds with my first and 70 plus pounds with my second!!!

Talk about gaining weight.

So, I'm going to try my best NOT to gain that much weight this go around. I'm shooting for 40 pounds. My problem is I love to eat. Food is great, especially when you're pregnant. Wish me luck and I'll keep an updated post on my weight!

Current weight: 140

xoxoxo

Hand me downs

2009-03-23T09:46:00.005-06:00

I know that there are people out there who would never consider using anything that's not brand new for there baby, but I am not one of them.

I have already been offered car seats, a sling, bath and a swing! I have my heart set on a rocking chair since I've never had one before, so who knows, maybe I'll get lucky again. From what I've read on the Internet, going with gently used items is considered green, so my baby is already getting a head start on being eco friendly :-)

Thanks to friends who look out for me!!!

http://www.infant-car-seats.com/states/car-seats-laws-Colorado.html

xoxoxo

Blessed

2009-03-20T15:35:00.000-06:00

I found out, just yesterday morning, that I am pregnant with my third child. At first I freaked out! "How in the world will I be able to support a third child?"

Then, after some chat time with my sweet mother, I realized I have had this exact same reaction twice before. The first time when I was just 19 and the second time just over two years ago.

I currently have two WONDERFUL children who are, all in all, happy. Somehow, I have managed to make sure they have what they need. I have always been a survivor, maybe not in the extreme sense, but a survivor none the less.

This new addition to my family will receive no less love or care and I will find a way because that is what I do. And with that realization, I can breath, and be totally excited about this addition to my already blessed family.

Thanks mom XOXOXO