Stellan's Gallery

As most of you already know. One of the blogs that I follow (MckMamma @ mycharmingkids.net) is going though a horrible ordeal with her littlest child Stellan. As a way to remember how everyone prayed for him they made a gallery of the many ways people spelled out Stellan's name. Here is our tribute to Stellan.

Wii love and Pray for Stellan.

Get well soon Little Stellan. Go to Knowing Norrah and see what everyone else has done and upload your own photo to let MckMamma and Stellan know we are thinking of them. Little Stellan still needs our prayers.

Ended up being a good day.

Yesterday ended up being a good day. We were off to a rough start but things did get better. The kids and I played outside for most of the afternoon. It was really a gorgeous day.

The Kids loved playing on the swings. It was a warm day, but not warm enough for bare feet. Ryan on the other hand couldn't wait to have socks and shoes off. The boy never feels cold.

Zachy loved the swing too. He almost fell asleep.

And then there is my STUD Muffin. Sometimes a working man is so sexy. Plus the carharts...what a nice ass butt.

How cute are the two of them. Daddy and his baby. A nice ending to a beautiful day.

****Remember to Pray for Stellan today. According to MckMamma's tweet this morning he is was in SVT all last night and this morning, but did get some sleep***

It feels like Monday...

I am sure the calender says Wednesday, but the way the morning has gone I swear it is Monday. It all started with Zachy getting up at 6:00am. I don't know about you, but we are not morning people. We roll out of bed at 7:00, shower, dress, try to eat and out the door to school at 8:00. So, 6:00am is a little too early for us. Then Zachy would not eat, which makes going to the bus stop a little less fun (he will whine and cry because he is hungry). Ryan decided he would go with Daddy to the bus stop, so I thought "Phew, dodged a potentially rough day". Well I spoke to soon. Jonny called from Griffin's school. It is picture day, we haven't handed in the payment and order form, Griffin isn't wearing anything picture worthy, and his hair is crazy, needing a cut. Oh well for the hair, but then I had to find the order form, find a shirt (clean) and run everything down to school, with fussy Zachy who hasn't eaten and Becca.

Really is it Monday?

We made it all in one piece with a little crying, but we are back. Zachy still hasn't eaten, and Cassie (my dog) is being a little attention hog. At least it is warmer today. The kids will have to play outside (even in the mud) just so I won't lose my mind today.

Checking Mckmamma's blog did not help. I am so sad about Stellan. I just can't believe nothing is working for that poor little guy. I will keep Praying as I have been all night. As I was being to feel helpless and discouraged about little Stellan I can upon this prayer. It was just wanted I need, so I have been repeating this endlessly.

Prayer for Trust in Jesus
O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.
--- St. Ignatius of Loyola

Please take so time to Pray for Stellan, maybe just pray. Think of the Lord as a friend that will listen to all you have to say. Good, bad, thankful, ungrateful, God will listen. Enjoy this day, it is a Gift from God.

Ryan waiting for the bus with Daddy. I miss doing the school things.

Spring in Vermont

It is spring! But here in Vermont sometimes it isn't much different than winter. The days are longer but not necessarily warmer. When it is warmer there is nothing but mud. So we do have a 5th season here...Mud Season. Last week we saw a glimpse of mud season. The temperature was up into the 50's and we were out without jackets, raking the brown dried crap lawn. The next day the snow was flying and everything was covered in white. Underneath that white is still the mud, but the last couple of days have been so cold it is a little frozen. With a little sun and warmth the mud will be back, but in the mean time...

I sent the kids out in their winter jackets and mud boots to play in the sand table. Forgetting to put their gloves on so they came in after a few minutes. But it was a few minutes I was able to make lunch without three little ones under my feet.

****Please continue to Pray for baby Stellan. Things are not looking any better.***

Oh Mondays!

This morning I had an apt with the Pediatrician with Zachy. We have all been sick, but Zachy has been sick with cold symptoms for 2 weeks without ever really improving. My hubby has been telling me to go to the Dr with him but I have been in so much in the last couple of months and having the Dr tell me that it is nothing but a cold, I kept putting it off. Well after yesterday with Zachy crying and screaming when he was laid down, I finally called. They could not get us in until this morning, which was fine, what was one more night without sleep. Come to find out, yes it is just a cold but a cold with an ear infection. Boy, I felt like such a bad mom for not bringing him in sooner. So, he is on antibiotics (which I hate having my boys take), and will probably end up with a yeast diaper rash.

Then I opened my blogger dashboard and saw that MckMamma is at the hospital with her little Stellan. My heart just about stopped. Their story is nothing short of miraculous. I could not believe my eyes when reading about Stellan and his heart. If you have a minute please say a prayer for little Stellan and stop by MckMamma's blog to read their story.

Me and my sick baby Zachy. This is the only way he will sleep.

"Tradition meets Inspiration!"

C.C.at His Heart has a great idea for a blog carnival "Tradition meets Inspiration!". Hop on over to her blog to see what others are posting and post your own.

This recipe is a family tradition. My aunt Barbara gave it to my Mom (Dot) and she has made it for every birthday cake for years. It is the most wonderful chocolate fudge frosting ever. It is really easy to make but what makes it our own is actually making it "wrong". It is suppose to be smooth but everyone loves it grainy. So we make it "wrong" to make it "right.

Grandma Dot's Fudge Frosting

Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
2 squares unsweetened choc
1/2 cup butter (1/4 cup crisco & 1/4 cup butter works better)
1-2 tbs Karo syrup
1/2 cup whole milk
1-2 tsp vanilla extract after it has cooled a bit

Instructions:
Heat on med heat until it comes to a rolling boil. Cook at boil for about 2 minutes. Just a bit longer is better (that is when it gets grainy). Remove from heat and stir until it cools enough to spread. Some people say until you can put your hand on the bottom of the pan and leave it there. If it gets too hard to spread just put it back on the heat for a bit. This recipe can cover a regular 2 layer cake or a small sheet cake. In rainy weather you will have to boil it a little longer.

I hope you all give this a try.

Its been too long

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. I am just so tired. Too tired in fact to think about a "Not Me!" Monday post. Something is up with Zachy. My normally good sleeper is waking every 2 hours for that last 4 nights. I am not happy about this...must be he is reminding me what it is like to have a newborn, since I have been whining about having another baby. I just don't know what is wrong with him. I thought he could be his teeth, then maybe that he was hungry so we fed him more before bed. Nothing seems to help. I am getting so tired!

On another note...Jacob is home and doing well. Jodi is having a hard time nursing him. She is not getting much milk. Jacob won't nurse without the breast shield on and when she pumps she is not getting much. Does anyone have any suggestions for her? I have breastfeed my 3 boys but they were full term and able to nurse from the minute they were born. Jacob was just too little and needed something right away, so he had a feeding tube and now is on the bottle. If Jodi's mild supply was good he won't need the bottle, but I have given her all the tips I have and even looked up info on the Internet for her. If anyone that had preemies have any suggestions please leave a comment. Thank you.

The weather here has been nice. It has been pretty warm (42 degrees) so that most of the snow is gone leaving mud everywhere. That is March in Vermont...Mud season. The boys are loving it. They have been riding bikes though the mud which sprays up their backs. They think it is too funny. So we have been going though 3 to 4 outfits per boy a day. And people wonder why I buy so many clothes and do so much laundry. We went for a couple of good walks this weekend. The dog had a blast but she has been terrible on the leash. I had to use her gentle leader (head harness) to keep her from pulling my arm out of joint. It is rather funny to see her in this. She looks like a bucking bronco. I will have to video tape it for you.
Well Zachy needs a nap. I will try to write later.

Long Day....

It has been a long day. I started the day sleeping past my alarm and waking up with my hubby pushing me out of bed. Then as the day went on I gained a headache and just general blah feelings. I don't know whats up but it hasn't gotten much better. My hubby has worked all day, he came home for a few minutes to shower and then went to visit Jodi and Jacob at the hospital. I would have loved to see them today, maybe that would have helped my mood. Right now I am smelling a poopie diaper. Hold on, I better go see...or smell...whatever.

No poop. Not sure what the smell was. The dog is outside and the big boys are upstairs. Oh well.

I am trying to explain why it is light out at 7:00pm (bedtime). The boys are arguing that it is not bed time because it is still light out. I think I have had this discussion every year for the last 3 years. Maybe not that long, because Ryan never had a great bedtime when he was younger. But it is exhausting trying to explain this to two little boys that are just trying to stay up late. Round and round we go. I really get impatient with discussions like that.

On to something a little more interesting. Jacob is holding his temperature better today and he has been taking a bottle nicely. He is taking a bottle because Jodi's milk has not come in, and he is not opening his mouth very wide. Jodi has been pumping, lets pray her milk comes in tonight so that Jacob can have the good stuff.

Here are a few pictures of Griffin eating Guacamole. He loves it, not on chips or anything but just plain off the spoon. Griffin really has fun in the kitchen with me. Maybe he will be a chef when he grows up. He is just a funny little guy. All of a sudden he is shy and not liking his picture being taken. I had to trick him to get these.

Baby Jacob

I just wanted to fill everyone in one my new nephew. He has a name! Jacob Phillip. Him and Jodi (his mom) are doing great. He did have to have a feeding tube and be put in the incubator. He couldn't keep his body temperature and he would not latch on to nurse. So in went the tube. I have heard from my mother in law that he was nursing much better late this afternoon, with a breast shield. He is just so cute!! Anyway here is a picture from today.

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Well lets get started.

-It was Not Me that had a baby yesterday. Nope it was my sister-in-law Jodi.
-It was Not Me that told my husband (who has had a vasectomy) that my chest just aches at the thought of not having another baby. Especially after seeing our new little nephew.
-It was Not Me that "hogged" all the "time" with Jodi and Ted after the delivery (according to some else that was there). If it was me that was "hogging" them it was because I was the only one with a camera and trying to get the most pictures I could.
-It was not me that spent too much money on Jodi's shower and on knitting supplies and girl scout cookies - oh hell I always never spend too much money.
-It was not me that forgot I am the parent helper at Griffin's preschool this morning and just remembered we have to bring snack and have nothing, so that I will be going to the store on our way to school this morning. I am not that forgetful or careless. I am always prepared.
-It was not me that was moved to tears in church yesterday. The sermon cut a little close to home. I am not that sensitive.

I am sure I have many more to write about but I must go to the store to get snack for 18 preschool kids.
Hope everyone has a great Monday!

It's another Boy!!

Not me this time. My sister-in-law had her baby this evening. Yesterday was her shower and this morning she just did not feel well. Well come to find out she was in labor. 5 weeks early but he is doing good. 5 lbs 2 oz and 17 inches long. What a little peanut...compared to my babies which were 7 lbs 2 oz, 8 lbs 1 oz, and 7 lbs 13 oz. He is a little to worn out to eat. They had to start an IV because his blood sugars dropped, but she is trying to nurse him and they tried to give him a bottle. I don't want her to get discourage about nursing. It may just take him a day to wake up enough to give it a go. He is awfully cute. Congratulations Jodi and Ted. Now he just needs a name.

Pet Peeve and other things

As I was cleaning baby Zachy's hands after he had his breakfast, I had flash backs to this little boy I used to have in daycare. His hands always had the crud between his fingers and dirty nails. Its not the his mother didn't bath him, I know she did - he never smelled bad, but for some reason this little boys hands were always gross. I know my boys are not the pristine little creatures, they have grubby hands and faces, but I always try to keep nails short and fingers gunk free. The germs and grossness that are under nails is just appalling. After playing out side in sand, mud, and all the yuk boys can find, just washing hand will not get the gunk out from under the nails. I realize the mud and dirt aren't terrible, its the yuk for other people that is gross. From touching the oftern touched things (doorknobs, handrails You need to use a nail brush. I can't bath the boys every day, or the sensitive skin they have will flake and itch. But I can wash and scrub their hands often. I try to let it slide for a little while but then the germaphobe in me takes over so I grab my nail brush and scrub away. But enough with my ranting.

Today I have a Baby shower, for my sister-in-law Jodi. She is 34 weeks along and I can't wait for this little one to come. There is something about not being the pregnant one. I am usually the one with the big belly and swollen legs, achy body and all with everyone wanting to touch my belly. This time it is not me, which makes me sad sometimes but loving this for Jodi and enjoying feeling her belly move, seeing her big belly, hearing about her aching body and swollen legs. She is the cutest pregnant woman I have every seen. Anyway today is her shower. I have to admit I did go a little over board with things for the baby. Not big things, I didn't spend too much money. Hee hee. I can't wait to see everything and everyone at the shower. It should be a very nice day. If I remember my camera I will share so pics later.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

"Not Me!" Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Let me start by saying...It was a short, quick week. Really this week flew by. I think it was pretty uneventful. Not saying I didn't do anything I would never admit to, I just have to think....hmmm

-It wasn't me that baked all week...something everyday almost, just because I was having sweet cravings and had nothing sweet in the house.
-It wasn't me that sent half a spice cake with cream cheese frosting, and some choc chip cookie bars to my pregnant sister-in-law just because I love that since she is pregnant she eats, "really eats". I just love pregnant Jodi. (Plus I certainly don't need to eat every thing myself).
-But then I didn't make strawberry rice crispy treats and eat almost the WHOLE pan myself. They are sooo yummy, but it wasn't me. And I did not have 2 this morning for breakfast.
-I didn't whine to my husband to get takeout two nights in a row. Not me, I would not waste money that way, nor be to lazy to cook.
-It wasn't my husband and I that laughed and giggled while having "special adult time". We are too mature for that kind of silliness. In all honesty it was so funny we laughed until tears were streaming down my face. I mean Not me!!
-It wasn't me that drank a rather large coffee spiked with Baileys at knitting this week. Then get all goofy and not remember what we talked about. So now I don't know what night knitting is this week.

So much for it being a quiet week, I still have a lot of Not me's! Oh well, Life would be so boring if we didn't have things like this. What did you not do this week?

The weekend is over

As our weekend comes to an end, I am thankful for all that I have. My family is healthy, happy and safe. My boys are growing by leaps and bounds, as healthy children do. My husband and I are "finding" each other again. I thoroughly enjoy my friends company (bloggy friends included). My spiritual life is expanding. I just feel so fulfilled right now. It was only yesterday I prayed to the Lord for some guidance because I could feel the gray of depression sneaking in. I haven't had any symptoms of depression since before Zachy was born. And as the darkness was slowly creeping in I sat down and prayed. I needed some help to overcome this, I knew I couldn't do it myself. It has been many years of trying to conquer it alone, never being able to beat it. Since I have found myself in the Grace of God, I feel I can conquer anything. So, yesterday I prayed and spoke with God about my feelings, and low and behold I am feeling much better. There is a new light in my life. I know it may sound silly, but this is the real deal. I have never in my life prayed like this and never in my life felt so good about everything. I realize my life is not "perfect" but I am seeing all the good that is in it. Believe me when I say there is a lot of "bad" things in my life, hard things, sad things. But with God on my side they do not seem so overwhelming. I pray that all of you can find this feeling in your lives. Like my blog friend CC says "a place called peace".

Well now that I said my piece on faith I just want to fill you in on our weekend. Yesterday, Ryan had a birthday party for his friend from school, Skylar. This was very hard on Griffin. It was the first party or event that Ryan was invited to and was not asked to bring Griffin. I knew it was coming, as Ryan goes to the "big" school, he is going to have a life of his own. Griffin really had a hard time with this. I tried my best to make him feel like he wasn't missing out. We played wii together, and tried to play a few games. But his feelings were hurt and he just wanted to watch a movie. What movie did he pick...."Back to the Future". It is just sooo crazy, he loves these movies just like his father. I can't believe it. So, being the nice mommy I am (even though I can't stand those movies) I put it in the DVD player. Thankfully he fell asleep a few minutes into the movie. So much for having special time with just me and Griffin.
Today we went to church. This was the first time they both went to Church School without giving me a hard time. Griffin has gone a couple of times, but not Ryan. Well today was his day, off he went without looking back. I must admit he went into the preschool class room because he wanted to stay with Griffin, even though he should have been in the upstairs kindergarten room. But we didn't push it, as long as he was going that was all we could ask for. After church we had lunch and a little clean up time, then I packed them up to go to the indoor pool (sorry Jodi, we would have called so you could join us, I just didn't want to wake you. I knew you were going to try to nap). They had a blast, but I got a huge headache from the smell of the chemicals and the heat/humidity in there. I was able to start Ryan's scarf even will the headache. After swimming we picked up dinner at KFC and headed home.

As the evening wore on the boys were bathed and in bed by 7:00pm. WoooHooo. 3 boys clean and asleep. What a great ending to a great weekend.

I just had to share this picture. Griffin is just so cute...even from behind.