Is anyone even out there???

Not sure why you would be.  I know I don't keep up with blogs that don't update.  It makes me sad that I've neglected it for so long.  In fact, I decided to just let it go.

But I don't want to.  I want to keep it up.  I want to catch it up.  But I live in reality and know there is no way I'm going to catch it up.  I can start again, and I hope I will.

I'm becoming less and less enchanted with Facebook and would love to cut ties and run.  It's just so easy though.  I love sharing my life with people and making them laugh.  It's so easy to snap a picture and post it on Facebook and see instant likes and comments.  It's so gratifying.  It's not hard to blog, but it's not nearly as easy.  Nor is it as rewarding.  How many readers never comment?  I know I read a ton of blogs and almost NEVER comment.  Blogger needs a like button.  At least that gives you SOME reward.

A quick update for any followers that MAY still be hanging around and DON'T follow us on Facebook:

We are still in Missouri.  Brandon got out of the Corps and we are now permanent residents of this sovereign state.  We don't love our town, but we love Missouri.  We look forward to moving to the Liberty/Independence area one day.  Who knows if it will ever happen, but that's our plan.

Stephen is 15.  He's doing great in school and is enjoying his first year of early morning seminary.  He's happiest when he's with his friends and tries to hang out often.  He hopes to be able to play baseball for school this year.  He's taught himself to play the guitar and is doing really, really well.

Sebastian is 11.  He started playing soccer in the Spring and is an amazing player.  He loves it and plans on becoming a professional one day.  How exciting would that be???  He's still very easy on the eyes and is loved by all the girls.  Including his little sisters.

Spencer is nine.  He's our guy who is happiest when he's being left alone to do his thing.  He loves to play with toys and has a wonderful imagination.  He also started playing soccer, and is AMAZING.  I still can't wrap my head around it.  He's really, really good!!  Why does this shock me?  Well, Spencer has NEVER been one to be very active or even like to be outside for that matter.  He hates the heat and is allergic to grass and itches like crazy.  But he's AMAZING on that field.  Crazy good.  He also played baseball last Spring and was very good at that.  That's his first pick, but we are trying to encourage him to pick soccer.  Baseball is hard work.  For us.  SOO many games and practices and it's sooo hot outside.  The little kids are hard to reign in and keep in the stands.  Soccer is just way easier.  That having been said, he adores baseball.  So I don't know what we're going to do.

Sterling is seven.  He's a wonderful student.  Loves school.  He is an angel there.  WHO WOULD HAVE EVER THOUGHT????  LOL!!  He's a lot of work at home.  Well, to be honest, he's toning it down.  He's still very demanding and wants instant attention and gratifaction.  Instant.  He's also my go to guy.  He can and will do most anything you ask him.  He's my only child who is naturally helpful.  He sees things that need to be done and just does them.  He ALSO is an AMAZING soccer player.  So good, that he plays on Spencer's team when they're short a player and smokes a lot of the kids on the field.  I've never seen a kid run as fast as that boy does.  I worry about him though.  He's got it in his head that the team can't win without him and he carries a lot of weight because of it.  He's very upset when they lose.  Not because they lost, but because HE lost the game for them.  It's very sad.  I'm not sure how to convince him it's really not that way.  My poor Sterly Burly.  Lifes tough for him sometimes.

Seth is five.  Oh Seth.  Seth, Seth, Seth.  He sure does a great job being sandwiched between older brothers and younger sisters.  It's a tough spot to be in.  For the most part he handles it.  Some days are tougher than others though.  He's enjoying preschool this year but cannot wait to be in Kindergarten.  I assure you he's not the only one who can't wait.....did I just type that out loud???  He does a great job helping me keep the girls entertained each day and is often saying something funny.  He's still a tiny guy with a big attitude.

Sadie is two.  Where do I begin????  She surely did rock my world when she was born.  I have enjoyed every single new thing she has brought to the table.  I love her attitude, her sassiness, her moodiness and everything inbetween!  She is so much fun.  And smart.  Oh. My. Gosh.  It amazes me the differences between her and the boys.  And I always thought they were smart!!  She keeps me laughing and smiling every day.  We sure have been blessed to have her in our family.

Skylar is one.  Thirteen months actually.  She has been almost as challenging as her pregnancy was.  Holy cow.  She's made me stretch in parental ways I never thought possible.  Heaven help me.  That's the only way I'm surviving her.  She's highly intelligent and isn't easily distracted from what she wants.  She's also the happiest, most joyful baby we've ever had.  When she's happy.  I guess she could be considered a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  I look forward to her being able to fully communicate with us.  I think it will make all the difference in the world.

Brandon is doing well and loves his civilian job.  Loves it.  He works with a bunch of former Marines and loves the environment that brings.  He also loves the work aspect.  He's an Information Assurance Analyst.  He's in his first semester of college and is finding it hard to balance it all.  He's not so sure it's the right time in life to pursue higher education.  I support this thought.  It's been tough having him gone so much.

I'm doing the same old same old.  Cooking, cleaning, laundry, and parenting.   It's a mundane, thankless job. But it's the one I chose and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Fingers crossed I keep up the blog this time.  Just don't hold your breath.  I don't want to be responsible for anyone's death.

Better late than never, right???

Spencer turned eight. Two months ago. Spencer was baptized. Two months ago. We had a big celebration for it. Two months ago.

Better late than never, right?

As my neighbor asked, "Is it too early for a drink?"

The kids started school today. Can I tell you how happy that makes me? I usually dread the first day of school and feel as if I'm sending my kids to the wolves. WELL, the wolves can have them! LOL!!! Not really, but I'm so overwhelmed with this pregnancy that the first day of school couldn't come fast enough this year.


HOLY HECK THEY'VE BEEN CRAZY THIS SUMMER.


Here are the pictures of the momentous occasion:

Stephen, age 14. Eighth grade:



Sebastian, age 10. Fourth grade:



Spencer, age 8. Second grade:



Sterling, age 5. Kindergarden:



Seth and Sadie, ages 4 and 19 months.




If you're interested in seeing a fat pregnant lady do the happy dance, I can be located at home, all day. :)

Could I be a more boring blogger???

Here is my latest pregnancy blog post.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow, for the first time in 15 years, Brandon will not be owned by the government.

Seems surreal.

Tomorrow, for the first time in 15 years, Brandon will be unemployed.

Not good.


Check out my latest pregnancy post here

My latest pregnancy blog post

Here is my latest update on Skylar's pregnancy.

Mother's Day 2011

Brandon helps the kids make me something for Mother's Day every year. He goes all out and out does himself each year. He forgot Mother's Day the first year we were married. I had also just given birth to his first born son. I think he's trying very hard to make up for it. Don't tell him he's more than made up for it. I kinda like the attention. :-)

Sadie Lady

Let the record show that I've stated from the beginning we've got our hands full with this one. I've never denied it or doubted it.

She's 16 months now. And she's in charge. She runs the show around here. It's a very good thing she's got a sister coming to help balance her.

This all having been said, I. Adore. Her. Adore. Her. She is everything I wanted when I finally decided that I wanted a daughter. She is very girly. Loves it when I put a dress on her. Loves to wear her "so pretty's" i.e. bracelets, earrings, and hair bows. She loves shoes and is already trying to put them on by herself. She doesn't like it when she's dirty and is very willing for you to clear her face and hands. She HAS to have her blanket and paci to go to sleep or ride in the car. And if there is a baby in the room...forget it. It HAS to be on the floor so she can see it, and touch it and take care of it. She INSISTS that the mother sit down on the floor with the baby. INSISTS. It's quite comical. I'm sure it's going to get really old when Skyler is here. I suppose being a big helper is better than being totally jealous. We'll see what happens. I've yet to have one be super jealous. Or super helpful for that matter. I have a strange feeling September is going to be an interesting month.

I thought she looked really cute in her dress and was trying to take a picture of her. She was not having it and as you can see in the second one, she didn't hesitate to tell me what she thought of what I was trying to do. Click on it so it gets bigger so you get the full effect. No, she's not blowing bubbles, and yes, she is in fact spitting at me. I get that a lot from her.

I love this girl. Love, love, love her.

Easter 2011

Despite the fact that Easter was all the way at the end of April, I feel like it snuck up on me. We don't really do a whole lot as far as the commercial aspect of Easter goes, but we do get the kids baskets. This year I literally got the stuff Saturday. Too bad the stores don't clearance the candy out the day before. That would have been nice. This year they only got candy. And not very much at that. It was gone by Monday afternoon. Let me tell ya, I'm so doing this every year. It was so nice to not be tempted to eat it before it was time to give it to them. And not having to hear them whine about wanting their candy days and days afterwards. PRICELESS.

I know the kids love it and enjoy it, but I often wish we had never started doing baskets for them. It has nothing to do with Christ and that seems to be the focus. No matter what we try and teach them. I know they're learning it, and we won't see it for a while, but still. Sometimes I wish a lot of things...


So anyway, here are a few pictures of the boys and their spoils. Sadie is too young for that much candy so she was left out of the excitement. Thank goodness she slept in Easter morning. LOL!!

California, knows how to party

Brandon had to go to California for a Muster for the IRR Marines. We decided, at the very last minute, that it would be fun and very nice for me to fly out there and spend the weekend in LA with him. Thanks to great friends here in MO who were up to the challenge of five Fuller boys, it worked out.


Sadie went with me for several reasons. One, she's still nursing, and two, I'm not ready to not be with her. She was no trouble at all, and I enjoyed her being there every second. Even during the five hour delay we spent in the Salt Lake airport. Thank you Delta flight crew for taking your sweet time getting to our flight. Don't get me started on Delta. So not flying with them ever again.





And I thought I was uncomfortable in the seats. Yeah. I got a whole lot comfortable after I looked up and noticed this poor guy.

One of my favorite places to shop. Miss it.

Here's my cutie pie in the rental car and rental nasty seat.

It was a wonderful, much needed time away from life. So glad we made it work.

Skyler Grace is on her way!!

It was really fun doing a gender reveal party. We had the ultra sound on Wednesday and had the tech put the results in an envelope. I then gave it to a friend of mine who works for Hy-Vee in the bakery department. She made the cake, dying it to match the gender. She alone knew the sex of the baby.

It was way more fun than I thought it would be to find out along with everyone else. I will for sure do something similar should I ever find myself in this situation again.

So glad Sadie Lady is getting a sister. And SO GLAD we don't have to argue over boy names anymore.

Here's to an quick 20 weeks and an uneventful labor and delivery. Can't wait to see her sweet face!!!

Random, Hodge Podge, Goulash or whatever you want to call it

Because I'm so lax at updating the blog now, I've got the most random group of pictures to share. The worst part is, we've had three birthdays since I've posted last and no pictures of any of them. I promise we celebrated them. And they all enjoyed them. i just don't have proof. You'll have to take my word for it. And why would I lie? Really? It's not like I would feel GUILTY if we didn't celebrate them. It's not like they're young enough to not remember said birthdays. Really. We did. I promise. And the cake tasted great. I just don't remember what kind it was. Moving on.

I think the way she crosses her legs when she sits is adorable. Please look past her nasty feet and her nasty clothes. Proof positive that I feel like poop.

The boys made a train and took several trips around the world. I love their imaginations. You really should click on the pictures to make them larger. You can see all the details that way.

This was taken at the Sprint Center. The housing office here on base gave away free tickets to see Sesame Street Live. It was actually quite good.

These next pictures were taken at the zoo this past Tuesday. Stephen took all of them except the first one. He has quite the eye for photography.

Love her eyes.

These three little boys have the time of their lives playing together. Most of the time it's a bit loud for my liking, but it's happy noise. I can deal with that.

I'm 14 weeks pregnant today. I wish I was 34 weeks pregnant. I'm so over it. But that's the story of my life. Wishing it was already tomorrow. I wonder when I'm going to get to the stage where I regret wishing it away and I'm longing for it to come back.

July 29, 2006

Our forth and LAST child had just turned eleven months old. We had recently decided to sell our house and move closer to the base so Brandon didn't have such a nasty commute. I also decided that since we were moving to an area that didn't have the best public schools and since I was finished with pregnancy, it was the perfect time to try my hand at homeschooling.

Going back to selling the house, we had tons of projects to finish up before we could list it. We spent every Saturday in July doing projects. The 29th was no different. We were in the basement all day painting the bedroom down there.

The night before, Brandon and I went out to dinner and a movie. While we were eating dinner, he said, "you're pregnant." I said, "NO I AM NOT AND DON'T SAY THAT AGAIN." He had said it a couple of times in the two weeks prior.


The next day, I of course took a pregnancy test. I've been known to take one every now again. I've even been known to buy them by the hundreds on ebay and amazon. Especially since I was still breastfeeding number four and hadn't had a period yet. I watched the control line appear and said to myself, "See, I knew I wasn't pregnant." Then tossed it in the trash can.

Later that evening I was in the bathroom giving the younger two a bath. I was sitting on the toilet right beside the trash can that had the negative pregnancy test. I thought to myself, "I need to see that negative one more time for peace of mind." WELLLLLLLLL, so much for peace of mind. The sucker sure did have two lines on it. I scared the boys in the tub when I yelled. I ran downstairs to show Brandon and he just laughed and smiled. I was NOT laughing or smiling. Remember, our fourth and FINAL child was only eleven months. And he was the LAST one we were going to have. Remember?

I was pretty sure I was going to die. I had really struggled having four. How in the world was I going to manage five? And what about moving? The house we were buying was only 1100sqft. It only had TWO bedrooms. How was I going to fit FIVE in one room? I had it figured out with four. Four I could do. But FIVE??? Not happening. And homeschooling? How could I do that with TWO babies? Millions of women do it, but me? Not me. There was no way I could do it.

How far along was I? I hadn't had a period in almost two years. What if I was like six months pregnant? Not likely considering I buy tests in bulk for a reason, but still. I went to the OB that following Monday. I told him I didn't know how far along I was, but that the line on the test was faint. He assured me I was having a chemical pregnancy and that I would miscarry any day. He did an HCG test to measure the hormone level anyway. He said it should be at least 2000. It was 200. That confirmed it. I was going to miscarry. He did two more level draws, each going up, but not as much as it "should." He finally did an ultra sound to see what was going on. And there was my chemical pregnancy.

Heartbeat and all. My due date was April 4, 2007.

That night I told Brandon that if he ever wanted to have marital relations again, he had better get that vasectomy he was going to get after number four was born. He did. But that's another story for another day.

I'm not one to enjoy pregnancy, but for some reason, after I got over the shock and awe factor, I was really enjoying it. Perhaps it was because I knew that this special time of my life was coming to an end. (ha!) I wasn't uncomfortable, I enjoyed all the moves and twists and turns. I was really enjoying being pregnant.

Our house sold in January. We moved the last week of February. The day we moved into our new house, I stepped wrong and used my midsection to regain my balance and stop myself from falling. It felt as if sometime ripped inside. I was 34 weeks, almost 35 weeks pregnant. The next day, I was feeling like I usually do when I'm pregnant. Miserable. It couldn't end soon enough. The next three days were just like that.

Thursday morning around 2am I woke up and used the bathroom. I figured I had eaten something that really messed my system up. It's not like me to have to do that at 2am. I woke up again at 6am and had to go again. I wasn't feeling very good at all. I had so much to do, but didn't feel like it at all. So I didn't. I laid on the couch all day. I even canceled my doctor's appointment for that day. I decided that I needed to do something about dinner, so I got off the couch about 3pm, got some chili going in the crock pot and took a shower. After my shower, I sat back down on the couch and decided I felt a bit crampy. I didn't think anything of it.

Brandon came home from work(late as usual back them) around 6pm. We sat down for dinner and while we were eating, I realized that I was still having that crampy feeling. At this point it was close to 7pm. I told Brandon that I just didn't feel good or right and that I needed to go lie down so that the crampy feeling would go away. Well, after about 15 minutes it got worse.

I was only 35 weeks.

I. Was. Not. In. Labor.

We were planning on having him at home. But I hadn't ordered the birth kit yet. I was going to do that the next week. Plus, 35 weeks can go either way. I told Brandon that I should probably go get checked out. Just in case.

So I made a few phone calls and my brother came to our rescue. He worked close by and always worked late on Thursdays. He got there in minutes. While he was there we decided it would be best if he took the kids to his house. At this point, the cramping was getting stronger. Brandon ran around getting the bags packed for the boys, and I was halfheartedly packing one for myself. I seriously didn't think I was in labor.

Once we got in the car, my nerves got the best of me and I told Brandon to drive faster. It was pouring down rain, but I needed to get there fast. I needed to know that I wasn't in labor. Plus, the cramps were hurting. Kind of.

I hadn't registered at the hospital because I had no intentions of delivering there. The lady in charge of doing that took me seriously when I said that this was my fifth and that I go fast.

The nursed in triage....not so much.

We got up there to triage and the nurses just rolled their eyes when I told them I was 35 weeks pregnant and wasn't sure if I was in labor or not. They got me in a room and I changed my clothes. They hooked me up to the monitors and went out. When Brandon realized how long this was going to take he left to move the car into a real parking shot. Before the nurses left I told them I go fast. I am calm, but I go very fast and my actions don't get out of "control" until it's time to push. More eye rolling. After about 20 minutes they decided it that they should check me. She stuck her hand in me, her eyes got really big and she said, I think you're a six with a bulging bag. She said, I need so and so to check you though. They came back within 30 seconds and the other one checked me and said, "you're a nine with a bulging bag. We're going upstairs." "Ha. Ha. Ha. In your face. I TOLD YOU I GO FAST." I didn't say that, but I wanted to. I get that they deal with a lot of hormonal women who "think" they are in labor. I get it. But when you're dealing with a woman who has had four babies and her longest labor was three hours, and the shortest being less than an hour, shouldn't you at least take what she's saying a bit more seriously? Really?

So they wheeled me upstairs and the doctor was already waiting for us. He checked me and said I was a ten with a very, very, bulgy bag. At this point Brandon came running in. We were all just sitting around waiting for something to happen. Talk abut hurry up and wait. Crazy. They had called up respiratory from the NICU. Being 35 weeks pregnant with white male, they didn't leave their bases uncovered. He did finally say, that if he broke my water, I'd probably have him. At ten, there is no going back, so I agreed.

Once I realized I was in labor, and they wheeled my upstairs, I tried my hardest to freak out. I was having a preterm baby. It was not OK. But in reality, I was very calm. I really wasn't worried at all. I just felt like I should. Silly I know.

He broke my water and we just sat there. The nurse from the NICU looked at another nurse and said, "I've never seen anything like this." I can only assume she was talking about how I was just sitting there and the doctor was just sitting there, us both looking at each other. The doctor finally asked me if I thought I could push. I said, sure, why not. So I pushed and out he came. He cried right away, so I was able to hold him. He pinked right up and looked great. I asked the doctor before I pushed him out to wait to cut the cord if he was ok. He agreed. He didn't want to, but he agreed. After about a minute he asked if he could cut it. I said, Um, it's still beating. Let's wait. He sighed. Then a minute later he asked again. I said no again and he went over to the table and stared filling out his paper work. About 10 minutes later, it was finished pulsating and he came over and asked again. I said sure, and under his breath he said. "now that he's probably anemic." I just rolled my eyes. Such a different experience when you deal with doctors verses midwives.

They did eventually want to take him and run every test under the sun on him. I said yes to a sugar test but that was all. I should have said no to that one too. The blood didn't even soak into the test stick and the test came back at 42. They freaked out and said I needed to pump right away or they were going to give him formula. I said, OK, got like one drop, gave it to him, they tested him again and his sugar was 92. That one drop didn't do anything. His sugar was fine all along. The first test was wrong. The nurses drove me crazy wanting to do all kinds of tests and bath him and stuff, but other than that, the hospital experience wasn't as bad as it could have been. We survived.

He weighed in at a whooping 6lbs 1oz and was 18". To say he was tiny was an understatement. Especially considering the baby before him was 9lbs 8ozs when he was born.

Seth was a very sweet baby. He was and is a blessing that we're grateful to have in our lives. He's still a tiny little runt, but that doesn't stop him. He's very determined to get what he wants, when he wants. It's a darn good thing he's cute!

Happy Birthday Seth! We love you!

It pleases me to no end

To announce to you, that I have been nominated as Mother of the Year. I feel strongly that I will be adding. This years trophy to my collection.

In the event that you're hoping to be nominated next, I'm going to showcase my amazing skills for you. Right here. Right now.

1. Lay in bed. All.Day.

2. Cook and/or prepare no more than two meals in the same number of weeks.

3. Beg anyone that will listen to shoot you.

4. Let your preschoolers watch tv and play Wii more in two weeks then your older children have watched/played in their lifetimes.

5. Allow your husband to wait on you hand and foot. Willingly, I might add. He has already won husband of the year award in my eyes.

6. Dont do the first load of laundry for, again, two weeks.

7. Don't hug or kiss your kids for fear of throwing up because they "stink" like boys.

And last but not least,

8. Day dream of having a miscarriage so you don't have to feel like you wish you were dead anymore.

There you have it folks. I more than likely, am winning for sure.

New blog

I've started a pregnancy blog. I'm using at a journal as well. I'm hoping to be really good at staying on top of it. Be sure to check it out and give me a hard time if I'm not updating it regularly.

Hurry and you can be the first to follow!!

Nine Month Miracle

Christmas 2010

I failed to take a before and after picture of the boys with their PJ's and ornaments, but you can sort of see the ornaments and you can see the PJ's in the Christmas pictures. Sadie was asleep Christmas morning and missed all the action. The one picture of her at the end is the only picture of her that day. It was a quiet day with just us. It's the first time we've not had family here on Christmas Day. It was actually kind of nice. We missed having my parents here, but it was nice in the end.