25 week scan

Here is the 3D ultrasound picture that we got today of the baby from the perinatologist. WOW~!!!! The u/s tech told us that a 3D scan was "best" b/w 28 and 32 weeks but as long as we would not "freak out" if the baby looked distorted, we would try.....(a friend of ours that is a peri had warned us that a 3D u/s this early....is not typical b/c the baby looks "abnormal" and to expect a 3D around 30 weeks....so we were prepared for this comment and ready to take a look.)

Anyway, this is what turned out. We were FREAKING out with excitement. HERE IS A PICTURE OF OUR BABY!!!! We do not know if it is a boy or girl....STILL!!! But, we have a pic of its sweet little face, and you can see it is "puckering" its lips in this picture.....and look at those cheeks. The "thing" over the one eye and over the top of the baby's head is the umbilical cord. The u/s tech said, it may appear the baby has "curly hair", but it is the cord....funny considering my Mom and I were both sitting there :) with our CURLY CURLY hair!!! ;) HA!

The picture is still not the "best" b/c we are only 25 weeks....but they took it b/c they could not believe how good it looked for 25 weeks. I was beside myself with excitement! The u/s tech said it was unusual, and the dr. said typically this earlier the baby does not cooperate...but, we thought it was b/c maybe Grandma was watching, it was on its best behavior and wanted to give her a good show!!!

This particular pic does not show, but in the 3D...the baby had the BIGGEST cheeks, and for those of you that remember....Ryan had the BIGGEST cheeks!!! It reminded me so much of Ryan. (**Remember my 1 dream....I dreamt it was a boy that looked like Ryan!** :)

My Mom and Jim flew in today to spend a few days with us....to get ready for February and spend Halloween with us. Mom was able to join Char and I at the u/s. She was amazed at everything. She loved the regular u/s...and then she was able to see the 3D. It was unbelievable. What a treat for her. Jim stayed back and watched all 3 kids....he did a great job..everyone had a fun time playing with Popo.

The baby's heart beat was 155....but that MIGHT have been the iced cookie I ate b/4 I left the house....but, I am not too sure....HA!! (Hey, I wanted to make sure the baby was awake for its debut with Mima!) The baby weighs 1 lb 14 oz and is in the 61% right now. PERFECT!!

Most importantly....the doctor said the baby looks "great". The brain looks as perfect as he can tell! So far so good!!! They only want us to come back 1 more time at 32 weeks. AHHHH, I wish I could come back sooner for another picture!! :) It was so fun! I feel so blessed.

What a FUN day today!!!!

Visitor

This is SO late being posted.....Charlie's fraternity brother, Kevin, was in town for a wedding 2 weeks ago (yes, I am late!) It was so nice of Kevin to take time out of his trip to drive down to our house (1 hour from the wedding) to hang out with our 3 crazy kids. They were a little WILD at the thought of "daddy's friend" from school visiting. Thank goodness that NO stories of Charlie from his college days were shared....maybe "uncle" Kevin can come visit in about 15 years to share those. HA! For now....Kaitlyn and Ryan had fun hanging out with Kevin.

Thanks for the visit Kevin. The kids LOVED it (and so did Charlie and I!!)

OLD QUOTE PART 1

I WAS GOING THRU OLD EMAILS AND FOUND THIS.....KAITLYN SAID THIS TO ME IN APRIL 2007......YES, SHE WAS ONLY 4.5 YEARS OLD. :) AT THE TIME! ENJOY!

Here is Kaitlyn's quote of the day:

I just made Grandma's egg salad. I ask Kaitlyn if she would like to try
it...she says:

"That's okay Mom, you can write down the ingredients (yes, she used this
word) and I will try it when I am grown up".

Ha, ha, ha! That girl talks like she is 10!

OLD QUOTE PART 2

I FOUND THIS ONE TOO FROM APRIL, 2007.... AGAIN, SHE WAS ONLY 4.5 YEARS OLD :)

Kaitlyn is so wise beyond her years. She cracks me up.

That little thing..contemplates EVERYTHING and out of nowhere will say
something to you that will make you laugh.

So, she says to me at the zoo today (we went to the zoo and had a picnic,
played on play ground, etc)....During lunch..Mommy, why do you call me lady
sometimes (I looked at her with a question on my face while I thought about
it)...she says, when you send me to a time out, why do you call me "lady"?

I thought about it some more...she says "you know Mom..you say...young lady
go to a time out." It took everything in me to not laugh. I did not say
anything and she continues with..."I am NOT YOUNG mommy and I do not know
what a lady is, but I do not think I am one. SO, next time, can you pls say
"BIG KID Kaitlyn can you pls go to a time out"?"

Ha, ha, ha!!!!

LOVE the things she says!!!

Book

Okay.....I have not posted in SOO long b/c of a new book series I have started reading. I have been reading and reading and reading like crazy.....sorry for the lack of posts.

I hope to catch up on the posts this weekend. I have LOTS of photos to share with you (pumpkin patch...and some of Char's friend, Kevin (from college), who came to visit one afternoon.

More later......

The Jesus Way

For those of you that have not seen where Kaitlyn's school is located....let me tell you it is in TOP of a mountain...okay, maybe it is a large hill, but when you are prego and pushing a double stroller up the "hill" you feel like it is a mountain!!! :)

I choose to get out of the car and pick Kaitlyn up rather than doing the car pool pick up line b/c you have to be sitting outside school 1-1.5 hours early to get your "spot" in line to be one of the first people there for pick up. No thanks, I park, and get my exercise.

Well, there is this sweet, nice Dad whose child was in Kaitlyn's class last year. His name is James. James has pushed my double stroller up the hill a few times. But, now I have a babysitter on Mon/Wed. I carpool with another wonderful family....I drive Mon/Wed while I have the sitter and the other Mom drives Tues/Thurs. I am driving Friday right now until the baby is born, then the other Mom will do it. The GREAT news about this is.....the boys get to sleep/nap 4 days a week and I do not have to take them to school 4 days a week.

I see James the beginning of last week and he said, "where have you been lately, I have not seen you going up the hill?" I explained that I have this new carpool and it is working great, and I only bring the boys on Friday right now. James (who is a policeman working nights and off on Fridays) said... I will meet you in the Church parking lot every Friday and push the stroller up for you :) SO SO SO nice!

So, last Friday.....the boys woke up early from their nap, I did not have to wake them to go get Kaitlyn. Therefore, I got to school early. I did not see James. I felt bad waiting for him, was not sure if he was there, etc. So......I thought, I can do this, I will push the boys up, I have plenty of time and it will be great exercise. Off I go....

1/3 of the way up the hill (no kidding), I can't push anymore!! HA!!! (Keep in mind the boys weigh probably 57+ pounds together and then the stroller and my BIG belly!) HA! I ask Ryan if he could jump out and help Mommy push Anderson up the hill. So, Ryan says, OF course Mommy! He jumps out and says, let me do this all by myself. Ryan is pushing Anderson.

Next thing I know, James comes jogging up behind me saying...you did not wait for me :) I said, I know... I thought I would get some exercise but I can't make it up the hill (I know, embarrassing, but this is a BIIIGGGG hill!!)

James, says, I got it...Ryan jump in. Ryan jumps back in the stroller. Then, James says to Ryan...." That was really nice of you to help your Mom push the stroller!"

Ryan says, "THAT IS THE JESUS WAY!!!"

LOVE it!

Apple Picking - Enjoy the pictures from the weekend!

2 sweet apple pickers

3 sweet apple pickers

what a helper!

family photo!

getting ready to pick!

i can reach one!

cheese!

yum!

anderson was even able to get one with some help!

Dreams.......

Yep....another dream about the gender of baby #4. And, yep.....another dream it was a boy! :)

In my dream on Saturday night, Kaitlyn pushed on my belly trying to get the baby to move. Instead of the baby just kicking her back, it popped out of my stomach (weird, I know). It was a boy (well, I am guessing b/c it came out wearing a DARK blue tshirt.) HA! The baby had tons and tons of black hair. It was so squishy and cute!!!

Then, in that same dream, the baby was about 18 months old about a split second later in my dream. He looked different than Ryan...but more of Ryan's characteristics. He had dark brown, longer hair, BIG brown eyes and darker colored skin (more of the Italian skin). So cute!!

I was telling the kids about my dream the next morning and Ryan says, "Mom, well that would never happen b/c ONLY a DOCTOR can take the baby out." Yes, true Ryan, very true!

AND....I do not think I blogged my first baby dream which was......
I think I was around 9 weeks prego....I was pushing on my belly and the baby kept pushing back. Every time I pushed I could see the footprint thru my skin. I did this several times in my dream...then, this "frog" like thing came arching its back out of my belly and I saw the boy parts. It was suppose to be the baby...but, in my dream, the way it "jumped" out of my belly, and pushed thru my skin, and its scrawny looking arms and legs....it looked like a frog. REALLY weird, I know! Maybe that is why I have not blogged it...HA!!

So....2 dreams of boys......

Okay, I did have 1 other dream, around 15 weeks.....it was one night...I dreamt I had the baby, it was in the OR lying on the incubator and I could see the baby...clear as day and it was a girl wearing pink with LOTS and LOTS of dark hair.

* Now, I have written this dream off b/c that day I had this dream....Ryan asked me 4-5 times if he could PLLLSSSSS have a baby sister. PLS, PLS PLS. SO, I think that was the reason for this dream :)

Impressions

This weekend we had 2 situations where a single, individual person was able to leave an impression on our little ones.....and these 2 times...not in such a positive way.

1) Ryan had soccer pictures on Saturday. Charlie took him to get his haircut, then Kaitlyn, Anderson and I met them at the field with uniform in hand. I changed Ryan's clothes and we ran over to pictures (the haircut place was behind and so we were about 10 minutes late.) As we are walking up, the CHILD SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER says...."Does anyone else on the Fireball team need individual pictures?" I said, "We do." The photographer said, "okay, you are up." So, Ryan goes to the designated spot to stand. I am filling out the paperwork with the package we want, name, address, blah, blah. The next thing I know, the photographer throws his hands up in the air and says (and I quote...) "THIS KID WILL NOT KEEP HIS EYES OPEN. (not such a nice tone of voice) MOM....CAN YOU PLLLEASSEE HELP ME HERE OR SOMETHING? THIS IS NOT WOOOORRRKING!" Okay, I am sitting there with my mouth hanging open at this point. Are you kidding me? You could not have tried that hard first of all b/c I still have not even finished filling out my name. Secondly, did you need to say something so loudly and in a tone of voice that was NOT very nice??? So guess what....Ryan starts crying. Yep, the photographer was able to succeed from this 1 comment to have our little Ryan in tears. (Does that tell you how rude the photographer was?) Anyway, I give Charlie the paperwork, I run over to Ryan and try to talk to him. Ryan says, "I can't do it Mom, I just can't do it...it is too sunny." I tried to come up with games of how he could look at me and tell me something, etc.....does not matter. At the end of the day...the point is....Ryan did not get his photo taken. He was too upset by this photographer's comment. During his team photo (which he did pose for...which I was surprised)....he could not keep his eyes open and I think it was b/c he was thinking too hard about it.

** Charlie heard all of this and completely agreed with me on the situation. We talked later that night at dinner how incredible it was that 1 person's comments in a negative tone can be picked up by a child and "set a tone" for the rest of the situation.

THEN.....on Sunday:

2) We went apple picking at an apple orchard. It was about 1 hour away, SO beautiful in the mountains...ahhh...it was great!! We bought our "bag" that we were going to fill up and got a map. The guy who sold us our apple bag told us that the "double red delicious" apples were across the street, down to the right of the trail and to use our map. Anyhow....we follow the workers' instructions and the map. The kids are running around, having so much fun picking apples, talking, smiling...when...a ranger comes up to us and said, "Ma'am....what group are you with?" Char and I look at each other and I told him I was not sure what he meant...that we were not with w group. He says, "You can't pick these apples". I said, "Oh, I am sorry, I thought this was the area with the double red delicious apples from the map we got." He said, "Where did you get the map and the bag?" Charlie at this point chimes in and says, "Well, we got the bag and map from the guy who works across the street who told us to come over here". The ranger (or whoever this person was).....says...."Oh, okay..."

That was a weird thing to happen. But, Charlie and I looked at ech other, shrugged our shoulders and kept going. Kaitlyn now would not really pick any more apples. You could tell she was now nervous and anxious....she thought we were in "trouble". God bless her. She started asking us so many questions, "Are we allowed to be here?, are we allowed to do this?, who was that guy? What just happened?" This ranger, who said something to us, again, in not a very nice way (which Char will agree with....) made Kaitlyn nervous and anxious. I gave all the kids an apple to eat on the way back to the car....and Kaitlyn would take a bite, then put it behind her back....she was scared we would get in trouble again. Char and I had to explain to her we bought these apples, and no one would say anything, and we were allowed to eat the apples we bought. But, this 1 person...again, made such an impression on Kaitlyn that she was on pins and needles the rest of the time.

Last night....Char and I talked about the 2 situations, how similar they were, and how these individuals made impressions on Ryan and Kaitlyn. One comment can change a child's point of view or stick with them.....be careful how you say something to your little ones!!! :)

New Sounds for Anderson

Monday was such a great day. I took Kaitlyn to school, Ryan to school, ran a few errands....then took Anderson to the zoo. NO THERAPY day on MONDAY!! YAHOO!!! Just the 2 of us...at the zoo. We were able to stop when he wanted to stop, talk about what he saw, it was perfect.

As we were walking into the zoo, Anderson stopped and picked up a leaf. He handed to me and was "talking" Anderson's talk......I said, "Anderson, this is a LEAFFFF". (emphasizing the "FFF"). Anderson looked right to me and said "FFFFFF". AHHHH!!! I almost fell over (this time on my own! hA!) I was so happy....he repeated a sound. He does not imitate...it is one of his many problems when it comes to the whole lack of speech....but he imitated me!! I was SO SO very happy!

Then, Tuesday Am, Anderson was "squealing" going up in tone and then down REALLY loud....like he was figuring out he could control his voice. Again, we were so thrilled.

At speech therapy yesterday, I told his therapist. She was very pleased to hear this...and we were all anxious to hear what he would do at therapy that day....no words came out :), but she said he was imitating A LOT of actions for her....PROGRESS!! He does not repeat or imitate actions or sounds. SO, this was still more progress!!

One day at a time......

HATE

Chiari. Okay, I hate the word hate....but, there is NO other way to say it. I HATE Chiari!

WARNING THIS IS A VENT!!

Friday, Charlie was at school, he left at 5 AM to get there. I got everyone ready for school, left for Kaitlyn's school at 7:30 AM, dropped Kaitlyn off at 8:00 AM, drove to Ryan's school, dropped Ryan off at 8:30AM, drove to the hospital for Anderson's therapy at 9:00 AM. WHEW, we make it on time. Anderson has 1 hour of therapy on Friday.....we are leave therapy at 10:00AM.

Anderson and I get to the car, I can't find my car keys. Keep in mind it has been over 100 degrees here the past week....I am HOT, SWOLLEN, and grumpy about the weather b/c it is making me feel "pregnant"....when usually I do not feel this way. I SQUAT down next to my car with Anderson between my legs. I want him there so he does not run out into the middle of the parking lot. He decides he wants something in my purse. I do not know what, b/c my 28 month old does not know how to utter 1 word (b/c of Chiari). But, I say...Anderson, there is nothing in Mommy's purse for you. He gets mad and throws one of his 100 temper tantrums for the day (he has tantrums b.c he does not speak and gets frustrate). It makes me fall on my #$^$% !!!(remember I am squatting with my BIG prego belly!) So, I fall I am sitting there in the parking lot with my cream colored canvas purse on the dirty parking lot ground, Anderson in my lap screaming and throwing a temper tantrum, a big prego belly, and my legs are so swollen I can hardly stand up.

I quickly put myself back together (well, I pretended to...), found my keys, got Anderson in his car seat and buckled him up. I climbed in the front seat of my car and just cried. I sat and cried and cried.

WHY did all of this happen to us? WHY were we chosen for this journey? WHY can't I be at the park, at the zoo, at the pool in this 100 degree weather, at a friend's house having coffee? I could think of 50 other places I would rather be than sitting in the parking lot of the hospital where I just left OT and ST therapy for my 28 month old son who needs HELP! *SIGH * UGGHHH. I was so SAD, FRUSTRATED, ANGRY, etc. I do not even remember what a "Typical" 2 year old is like.....

For 2 years we have been driving to the Children's hospital 2-3 times a week. My older children have spent MANY of hours there...the security guards know us.... the lady's in the cafe, the valet parkers, the volunteers in the gift shop, the parking attendants, ALL the therapists (whether they treat Anderson or not), etc. know us..... WHY is this?? B/c we have spent hours and hours and hours there! WHY can't we just be "normal" and why can't I just be the stay at home Mom that goes to Mom's meetings, playdates, park days, etc? I can't do so many things b/c I have to say "oh, Anderson has therapy". I have so thankful to my friends that have volunteered to watch Kaitlyn and Ryan so they do not have to come all the time, I am thankful to the friends that have even offered to drive Anderson to therapy for me to give me a break :) The offers of kindness even just help....even if I do not take friends up on it....they are so appreciated!

Yes, I was feeling sorry for myself this Friday. It typically DOES NOT happen. Usually, I am so thankful to have found the resources that I KNOW are benefiting Anderson the most and while he is young it is so critical. I know all of this.

But, I want my little son to be out playing with friends, and I want to be out enjoying time alone with him while his older siblings are at school. I was just sad that we do not have the "normal" life so to speak. I wish I could just take him to Disney.....just the 2 of us.....maybe one day we will have to "skip" therapy and just do this! (good idea Liz!)

On the positive side, we are getting these treatments, we ARE seeing changes for the better in him (he is doing so well in PT they reduced his physical therapy to only 1 hour per week instead of 2)....we are getting Anderson the help he needs and it IS making a difference. And, we NO longer have all of the specialists' appts we had last year trying to decipher this whole mystery.

The journey of therapy started 2 years ago this month when Anderson was diagnosed with torticollis. He had Physical Therapy 2 times a week at the age of 3 months at Children's hospital. It was 1 year ago last month that his occupational therapist felt there was something neurologically wrong that we needed to see a neurologist and an orthopedic surgeon. So....our journey was just beginning. Today, we are at the hospital 1 hour a week for physical therapy, 2 hours a week for occupational therapy, and 2 hours a week for speech therapy....total 5 hours per week.

We have come a VERY long way....and I could not be prouder of our little warrior. He is a fighter, he is adventurous, he is couragous.....he continues to learn everyday and teach us something everyday.

But, some days....I have "days"....and Friday was one of those days....where I just wish I had NEVER known the word Chiari.

Then, ironically, I was checking in on our "Chiari friends".....(Riley and Alex in my link section on the right).....their Mom Rachel made a post on Friday saying she "hated Chiari".

OHHHH....and as Rachel said...we need to know MORE about Chiari. We need to know more about the it and related illnesses.

Sigh. VENT over. Sorry for that. Today has been a better day! :)

Blog Makeover

Here is my new blog.....I had Danielle make it over. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Danielle had TONS of patience with me (well, I think she did!) HA! She kept trying and trying different things until we got it. Thanks Danielle. She worked so hard on this one and I truly appreciate it. She had no idea that she was dealing with a former retail merchandiser and a husband that pays the mortgage as a retail merchandiser.....we MIGHT just be a little picky.

Danielle is having a sale on her blogs....if you have a blog and want her to make yours over... I highly recommend it! Here is her link http://blogsbydanielle.blogspot.com/. ENJOY!

Thank you Danielle for all your hard work!

Weekend

READY TO SWIM!!!!

FUN!!!!!

KAITLYN DOWN THE SLIDE!

RYAN DOWN THE SLIDE...ALL SMILES!

3 TIRED BIRDS AFTER A DAY OF FUN!

We had an amazing get away weekend. It is incredible we can drive 1.5 hours and be in the middle of paradise where people retire and come to vacation. We are so spoiled. Char and I wanted to take the kids for a quick weekend trip to a hotel we use to go to b/4 Anderson was born. In fact, we have not been there since I was prego with Anderson in May 2006. Kaitlyn was only 3.5 and Ryan almost 2. Last time we went, Kaitlyn was afraid to go down the slide, and Ryan so little that Char had to take him. This year.....Kaitlyn LOVED LOVED LOVED it...no problems. She is quite the fish. And Ryan....well...he was ALL SMILES, the entire time. I think they went down the slide about 500 times. Ryan went by himself and was quite the goldfish himself!! Charlie sat in the bottom "catch pool".....drinking a beer thinking he was REALLY on vacation...not having to climb the stairs 500 times to take Ryan down the slide!! OHHH...it was fun. Anderson and I played in the near by baby pool and sat and watched the big kids go down the slide. What a perfect get away.

Anderson does not like to sleep away from home. He slept with Char and I....if you called it sleeping ;) But, it was worth the sleepless night to see the kids' smiles. They were so appreciative of the weekend and thanked us so many many times. SO SWEET!!!

20 week ultrasound

BABY'S HAND AT 20 WEEKS

BABY'S FEET

WHAT A SWEET PROFILE!!!

We had our 20 week ultrasound last Thursday. It went great. Again....so far so good!!

The perinatalogist we saw last time told us he wanted us to ONLY SEE him. But, he was called out of the office for an emergency. So, we saw one of his partners. The Dr. in the office really wanted to scan us b/c we were 20 weeks and did not want the baby to get any bigger for the "typical" anatomy scan. But, they rescheduled me to go this Thursday just so the original peri can check the brain. The "new" peri did check it and asked us all about the history of Anderson and Chiari. He too scanned the brain and said....looking good. Nothing to indicate any problems. We are still cautious about these statements, but still encouraged. This Dr. actually admitted to Charlie and I that we knew more about Chiari than he did.....he said with a smile, "this is one of the cases where you know more than the peri....as we diagnose it, but we do not do the care of the infant so we are not "up" on the latest and greatest when it comes to the treatment of it." He was really nice and sweet.

They checked the brain, heart, legs, gender parts (no we did not see!), stomach, kidneys, etc. The peri watched the baby's ankles move....sometimes a neural tube defect could cause problems with the ankles....according to the Dr. Little #4 was kicking away ;) So that is good too.

I have to say.... I thought I saw a little penis at one point on the scan. I waited about 5 minutes after I saw it and asked the Dr. if he had seen the gender at any point in the scan so far. He said back to me, "NO! I can tell you and your husband are "savvy" at reading these ultrasounds...so, I am not going anywhere near that area". So....who knows what I saw ;)

It was so fun to see the baby again. I will be able to get another glimpse this Thursday. This baby is going to have quite the photo album from all of the u/s before it is born.

The heartbeat was at 145.......the u/s tech said there is NOOOO truth to that old wives tale ;) and for me not to read into the rate......

Rain

Woke up this am and thought that people were moving their trash cans around at 6:30 AM...and the weird thing is....garbage day is not until Thursday! ??? Charlie came upstairs to see if it was me making the noise.

It is thunder and lightning! WOW!!! We have not seen lightning or heard thunder for about 8 years. We do not have those storms here. Growing up, Charlie and I always heard them. Ryan was calling it the "ROAR"...

How fun!! Makes me want to get a fire going and curl up and watch a movie. OH yeah, forgot. It is Monday, Char has work, and the kids have school. Back to reality and making PBJ!

HAPPY MONDAY!

Good Manners...Good day.....

Today was a GREAT day for the kids.

ANDERSON - He had a wonderful day at therapy. His speech therapist said he was doing really well. He signed want and said "wa" for her today! They tried blowing bubbles, but he tends to lick the wand instead of blowing. I have been practicing this at home as well and he does lick, not blow! ;) CUTE!! But, he is still blowing his Thomas whistle! Way to go Anderson!

RYAN - When I picked Ryan up from preschool today, his teacher found me. She said...."I wanted to tell you that Ryan is my BEST listener in class. I have noticed this in Ryan all year so far...he is my role model for the other children. ;)" I was so happy. Ryan told me in the car when we left school that he was sitting on his carpet square, with his "lips zipped and locked" waiting patiently, while all the other children were chatting!! ;) I was so happy to hear that Ryan is a good listener and a role model for the other students. We went to Jamba Juice to celebrate with a smoothie. Ryan was also thrilled b/c I let him have a piece of gum when we got home as well! ;)

KAITLYN - At school, if Kaitlyn is "Caught being good"....you get a "ticket" to place in the principal's office. Kaitlyn got a "caught being good ticket" last week. Then, every morning during the morning announcements they draw a name for the entire school. Kaitlyn's name was chosen out of the box during the morning announcements today and she was able to go to the principal's office to choose a toy. Kaitlyn said her whole class was cheering for her when they read her name over the loud speaker at school ;) how cute!! Also, every Friday, Kaitlyn is tested on her "turtle words". They are site words that are on a "turtle shell". The teacher will test ech of the students every Friday, then you color in that part of the turtle shell (easier to follow if you see the test). Anyway, Kaitlyn finished Turtle 1 last week...and had her Turtle 2 test this week. She got 100% on it today. So, she was able to pick a prize from her teacher's treasure box as well today. What a day at Kinder for Kaitlyn!!! Way to go.

Charlie and I were happy parents tonight. Yes, I am bragging right now....but, I am proud that our little ones were using their manners and others noticed and they were recognized for it. Way to go Kaitlyn and Ryan.

And Anderson....he continues to grow and amaze us every day and every week! Way to go little warrior!

Healing Mass

Last night Charlie and I took Anderson to a healing mass. It was at the Church affiliated with Kaitlyn's school. There was a visiting priest from Jerusalem that was in town to perform the healing service.

A friend of mine, Laura, told me about the mass and suggested we go with Anderson. Laura was one of the many people that helped organize masses and prayer groups while Anderson had his surgery 6 months ago.

The mass started at 7:30 PM. We were NOT sure how Anderson would do since his bedtime is 7:30PM. We had a babysitter b/c there was a parent meeting at school at 6:00. So, Char and I went by ourselves to school, then went back home, picked up Anderson in his PJ's and took him back over to mass. We got there around 8. There were 3 seats left....right next to my friend Laura ;) Anderson was simply an angel throughout mass. Did not make a sound. Just went from my arms to Charlie's arms, back and forth.

Then, after the mass was the healing service. It honestly was like something you would see on TV. It was overwhelming to see what was happening. Row by row you were asked to step forward if you wanted healing. They had 5 "catchers" stand behind people to catch them if they fell over after the priest prayed over them.

Since we were in the BACK of the Church and it was almost 9 PM by this point....Laura suggested....why don't you go forward and have Anderson prayed over since it is so late. Laura knew one of the woman (Karen) organizing the people approaching the altar and suggested I go see her.

So, I took Anderson to the front, introduced myself to Karen and said I was here for my son and it was late. She understood and had me wait for the 1st 2 rows to go b/c they were "reserved". No problem. As I am standing there, I watched about 30 people being prayed over......most of whom all fell over after the priest prayed over them. I did NOT see the priest say anything to the individuals.....just praying and healing ech of them. You were not suppose to speak to the priest, as they told us "Jesus knows what needs to be healed in ech of you already". So, you were suppose to stand at the altar and accept the healing w/o words.

Then, it was our turn to stand up there with a row of people. Karen asked me, "Is your husband here, do you think he should be up here holding the baby?" I told her I would be fine (I did not want to make a big scene and go back and get Charlie since I was "jumping" the line so much!) And, I thought I would be fine. Karen said, "Are you sure?" I said, Yes, I am here for my son, I just want my son prayed over.

I stood there and watched as the 5 people to my left all fell over and fell over. It was our turn. The priest approached us, and I said, "Pls pray for my son". The priest prayed over Anderson, touched Anderson's head, held Anderson's head and prayed over him for a long long time. Anderson made NO noise! Anderson sat in my arms perfectly still.

Then, the priest prayed over me. I started to feel (honestly) like I was going to fall backwards, the priest grabbed my elbows and held me. He then held my shoulders and continued to pray. Then, I looked at the priest and he said to me....

"I wish you MY PEACE. I can tell you are living afraid. Do not be afraid!"

It brings tears back to my eyes to write this. First of all, I did not hear the priest speak to ANYONE else. But, he spoke to me. And secondly and most importantly......I believe that was God speaking to me thru this man. Those words he said to me have been my life for the past 12-18 months. I have been living in fear and afraid. Afraid of what was wrong with my son, afraid of what the future holds for our son, afraid of what all of this means....fear and afraid. I could NOT believe this priest who does NOT know us, does NOT know Anderson's story would utter those words to me. I just held Anderson and cried after the prayer. It was incredible. Then, we walked back to our seats to Charlie. A friend, Betsy, was in the audience and she was crying, crying after she saw us at the altar. Betsy stood up and gave us the biggest, sweetest hug. Then, Laura did the same.

Today, my friend Elaine wanted to know about the mass. I called her and told her about it and she pointed something out to me. She said....Liz, you said to the woman in the front.....I am here for my son, could we possibly go sooner since it is late. You said to the priest, pls pray for my son....you were not there for you, but yet the priest KNEW what healing you needed.

Elaine is so right....so very very right.

It was an amazing night. I wanted to share what happened. It was very overwhelming to me what transpired. I had never been to a healing service so I was not sure what to expect. It was very moving.

PS - I think it was NO coincidence either that my son was 2 hours past his bedtime by the time we left and he was CALM, and relaxed.....not 1 fuss the entire time. Anderson felt where we were....I believe it!

2 more days....

until my next perinatologist appt. We will be doing our 20 week ultrasound at this appt. AHHH!!! We are NOT finding out the sex of the baby....unless it accidentally slips in one of the 5 u/s I will be having over the next 20 weeks.....I am getting anxious about it.....

God Rest

Our little fish ;) It had a good run in our house. The longest living gold fish......1 week.

19 weeks

Good morning!

I only a few minutes to write...then off for our morning routine.

Yesterday I had my OB appt. It went great!!! LOVE my doctor. LOVE her!!! She looks like Jamie Lynn Sigler...beautiful woman always dressed in her scrubs and then her Prada shoes, Gucci shoes, etc. She cracks me up. She will even wear them in the OR sometimes! hA! When Anderson was born, she asked me which pair of shoes I wanted her to wear in the OR...I told her the orange Prada ones I LOVED! ;)

Anyway, the baby's heartbeat was 149....It has not really gone away from there. It has been 148-151 everytime they check it. This baby is consistent!

I have been concerned the last few weeks b/c I have not been feeling much movement...at ALL! I was 19 weeks along yesterday with my 4th child. So, this was beginning to worry me. But, I asked the Dr. about it...she said my placenta is "anterior"...which means it is in the front, so I will not feel the littel flutters...more the BIG kicks...which obviously happen later. Whew. This made me feel so much better. With Anderson, I felt him move starting at 13 weeks. Okay, I know many of you are saying...NO WAY. But, THEN, I had an u/s at 13 weeks and told the tech....and she said, I believe it b/c the placenta is POSTERIOR (in the back). So, Anderson was laying on it like a pillow, pushing him to the front. And since he was my 3rd, they (Dr. and ultrasound tech) did believe I was feeling movement. SO, at 19 weeks....and I've got about a handful of movements thus far, I was slightly concerned. I knew 13 was early, but felt 19 was late. An anterior placenta made me feel much better! This AM, I was in bed trying to get Anderson to fall back to sleep (at 5:15 AM)....and I could feel this little one move around a little bit. Made me smile. I can tell the movements are getting stronger. LOVE IT!

I also talked to the OB about banking the cord blood. She said 100% yes...yes....yes!! She said she recommends it to all of her patients. So, we are doing it. Char was gone yesterday, so he did not know I spent the $$$$ for this (it is pricey, but you can't really, to me put a price on it). I laughed when I talked to my Mom and told her about the appt and that Char did not know I just spent all tht $$$. (PS - When I told Char about it, he said of course, we are doing it...so, he was glad the Dr. marked our file accordingly that we would be banking the cord blood!)

It amazed me how research changes...and so quickly. When I was prego with Kaitlyn, they approached Char and I about banking her cord blood....but the Drs. recommendation at the time was No. The chances are so slim, that we would not do it. And, at that point, they were using it to treat leukemia in children. So, we did not do it. Do not remember it coming up with Ryan or Anderson. Then, my friend Kristen sent me this link...... http://www.davisgoestochina.com

It is unbelievable to watch. Pls read and take the time to watch the video at the bottom. I was OVERWHELMED!!! I felt I was WATCHING Anderson ta 9 months of age. And for those that did not know, they originally were saying that Anderson possibly had cerebal palsy. HE DID NOT HAVE IT, he had CHIARI...but, watching that little boy at 9 months of age was like watching Anderson. So, the story really touched home for me. When you watch, you will see why. Then, I was AMAZED at what they did with his cord blood.

Anyway...back to OB....I asked the nurse about it 1st...she said 100% we tell our patients to do it. I said....you guys delivered Anderson and I do not remember it coming up. The nurse explained that it has only been for less than 2 years they have been recommending it. Anderson was "b/4" they started pushing all of their patients to do it. The nurse has a son Kaitlyn's age. So, we both saying that 5-6 years ago the rec was "No". But, the medical research has advanced so much...even in 2 years...that the recommendation has changed to "yes".

I had the same conversation with the OB....so, yes. We will be doing this. I think it is amazing what medical advances we have made...and how quickly things change.

Then, I asked the OB "How long will you let me stay pregnant" (since this is a csection, we get to pick the date). OB laughed and said she NEVER hears that question...usually it is HOW QUICKLY can I have this baby. I LOVE LOVE LOVE being prego...and want it to last as long as possible. ;) Then, I asked her..."Since this will probably be our last baby, was there any way she could arrange a room with a view" (our hospital is on the beach!) The OB laughed and said..."I think I can make that arrangement for you too, no problem!" FUN!!!

Also, asked her if the Drano test worked. She laughed and said about as good as anything else...you got a 50-50 chance! My guess is as good as those things..I asked the OB what her guess was...she said...girl. We shall see....

Great appt yesterday!!!

Off to make a PB&J sandwich for lunch!
Have a good Thursday!

The EVENTS of the day

Okay....let me start with our morning:

7 AM - Getting kids ready for school. Kaitlyn goes to the restroom, comes out saying, "Mommy I think there is a problem with the toilet." WHAT? Charlie is not home this AM to help me out....so, into the bathroom I go. It is over flowing....OH GREAT. I do not know what to do. I call my Mom ;) she tells me what to do. I have toilet water ALL over my bathroom floor, it is now 7:10 AM and we need to leave at 7:30 AM, I have not showered or dressed.....Got it cleared, thank goodness and cleaned up. I did manage to get a QUICK shower, everyone else dressed, lunches made and breakfast done.

7:40 AM - Left the house for Kaitlyn's school....and made it in time even though we left 10 minutes later than I like to leave...

8:15 AM - Meet Lyna at Starbucks, she is taking Ryan for the morning so he does not have to stay at Anderson's therapy! (Lyna, you rock!)

8:40 AM - TONS of traffic on the freeway. Call therapy to say I am coming. Sweet Theresa (who answers the phones says)...no problem, and she says "Liz, remember you were asking me if Ryan Seacrest was going to be here today for the fundraiser.....he is heeerreee!" I was cracking up, I was listening to Ryan's radio show on air that morning and knew he was down there.

9:00 AM - Get to therapy on time despite traffic, whew! Anderson's speech therapist takes him. She takes him until PT that starts at 10AM and he never comes back to me. They will transistion him from 1 to the next so he does not cry between when they bring him back to me.

9:10 AM - I get a "pager" from the reception desk in the therapy department b/c I am going upstairs to see what is going on at the fundraiser. This way they can page me if they need anything...

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM - I am watching the radio show being broadcasted, watching the smiles on the children's faces as they meet celebrities....Heidi and Spencer from the Hills were there, one of the guys from 90210 was there, Misty-Mae Traenor (Olympic gold medalist), Neo (a singer), Jesse McCartney. Fun. Got lots of photos of these guys, too shy to get in the photo with them since I do not have A with me.....Anderson was downstairs in therapy and I was upstairs.

10:30 AM - Go downstairs. A's therapy is suppose to be over at 10:50 AM. I think I am early! I get downstairs....one of the girls that does the scheduling says, LIZ they have been looking for you. I panic, WHAT IS WRONG?? She says...Anderson did not have PT today, it was cx. He only had speech. WHAT??? I am freaking out. She said, one of the speech therapists has him right now. SO, we go on a hunt for them. I am feeling SO so so so bad. They ask if I got the page, I pull the pager out of my purse, yep a page...I NEVER heard it go off...probably b/c it was SO noisy upstairs. Okay, I am REALLY feeking bad!!

10:40AM - They page the girl that has Anderson (she and Anderson went upstairs looking for me). Here they come...all smiles. I am feeling TERRIBLE!!! With that, I see A's PT and asked her if it was cx...she reminds me...liz, I told you last week, remember...you said great, 1 less therapy for that week, no problem. Oh, yes, we did talk about it. JUST FORGET in my PREGO scattered brain. In my mind when I woke up this AM, I remembered that conversation and in my mind it ACTUALLY happened last week, not that we talked about it. In my defense, his PT was on vacation 2 weeks ago and we did not have therapy that week, so I was confusing all of the weeks and cx and trying to keep it straight. Anyway, I MESSED up. I am upstairs trying to watch the celebs and my son is downstairs looking for me. Luckily in 2 years I have NEVER done this. I am ALWAYS in the waiting room waiting for him, but happened to be upstairs making a donation, buying a tshirt for the cause, watching the people, watching the behind the scenes stuff, etc. SO FUNNY! I felt BAD!!! In the meantime....look at the pic I was NOT shy to ask for....



Yes, that is Ryan Seacrest and me! I stood by "important" looking people....waited for Ryan.

I said "Ryan". He turned to me and said, "Yes". I continued to say, "Thank you so much for doing this fundraiser for this hospital. My son has been coming here for 2 years and it means so much to our family and we are so thankfull for this community. THANK you for doing this". As I am tearing up b/c I can NEVER talk about Anderson's hospital and his therapists w/o tearing up. They have been such an instrumental part of his growth. Ryan gave me the BIGGEST hug...(and he is ripped by the way, you can tell he works out ;)...I think with my prego belly I weigh more than Ryan right now!!)

He gave me a long hug, smiled and said, "It is my pleasure to do this for all of the families. I know how important it is." Then, I asked for a photo. All I had was my Iphone....and a security guard standing there to take it. The guard at 1st accidentally turned my phone off b/c he hit the wrong button ( I am so embarrassed at this point)....and then, he takes the pics. But, Ryan looks away!!!! BUMMER!!! He is looking at some of the kids that were waiting around us! SO much fun anyway!! Ryan was so nice, lots of smiles. And, he is short....but he is cute! I Like short guys anyway! ;)

*** I call Char and tell him. He is cracking up at me...saying...only you. Then, he says...did you tell Ryan we love watching American Idol? I said no, and I told Char what I did say...and he said, Oh, I guess that was more appropriate ;) hA!

** Oh, yeah....and don't forget my son is downstairs all the while waiting for his mother as I am doing this....MOTHER OF THE YEAR today!!! ;) HA! HA!! HA!!! I am taking some YUMMY cookies into the girls tmr to say THANKS for "babysitting Anderson" while I was upstairs hanging out with Ryan. ha, ha, ha! I do still feel really bad about it. But, one time in 2 years is not too bad of a track record...at least that is what I keep telling myself! ;) It is so hard to keep 3 kids straight....much less Anderson's 6 hours a week of therapy and moves and cx....but, I try! MOTHER OF THE YEAR TO ME!

Goldfish

This past weekend was the Church festival at our Church. Charlie got home early from work Friday night and we were able to attend with the kids. We had a blast. The kids rode rides and played lots of games. Kaitlyn won a stuffed animal playing darts and throwing the softballs in a tic tac toe. She did great. Ryan won a stuffed animal playing darts as well.

THEN, we went over to the goldfish booth. BACKGROUND: Last year Daddy was out of town and Aunt Patty was visiting, we won a few goldfish and had to buy the tank, etc with the goldfish. I think they lasted 48 hours. So....we have this tank sitting around the house. Kaitlyn has been asking for a few months when we would go to the festival and get new goldfish. BACK TO FRIDAY: Kaitlyn throws her balls...and gets 2 out of the 4 balls into the goldfish bowls. LUCKY us...we win 2 goldfish. At least this year, I do not have to buy the tank. My friend, Amanda, working the booth next door to the goldfish says...Perfect, JUST what you need...one more thing in your house to take care of!! I think ...what do you mean 3 kids, one with special needs, a dog, a cat, and a fish....why would we not need 2 more fish. Ha! HA!! hA!! OH, yeah and a prego Mom?? But, the look of excitement on Kaitlyn's face said it all......We did need these 2 fish!!

So, we brought home the goldfish. One died that night. We had a 2nd one and it was going strong. I decide I needed to feed it this AM. I MIGHT have fed it too much. I am thinking, oh well...it will be fine. OH, about 3:30 PM...I realize it is not looking so good. My friend Bridgit was working the festival. I asked her if she could "win" us a new one b/4 anyone could notice b/c I MIGHT have killed this one feeding it too much...and it seemed like a "sturdy" one. Bridgit comes over tonight after the festival with a goldfish (and a milkshake for the 2 prego ladies...Bridgit is prego too!) So, I disposed of the other fish while everyone was sleeping, cleaned the tank and added the new fish from Bridgit. SHHHH don't tell. BUT, it is 10:30 and this 3rd fish is looking a little tired, a little sick. I think we will have dead fish #3 by the morning. Poor Kaitlyn. I hope she is not too heartbroken.

I think I will wait until after school to break the news to her.

Good effort Bridgit. Bridgit even called me from the festival "checking on the color" of the fish to help with the switch. I think I might have helped the sturdy one go a little sooner than necessary with too much food. But, that is okay....we still have "ah-duh duh"....Anderson's beta fish. That thing is quite hardy!!

We always have the festival next year!!!

18.5 Weeks

It is so hard to believe we are already 18.5 weeks. Time is REALLY going by so quickly....and I feel that this time of year (October-December) REALLY goes by so fast!!! WHEW! We will have baby #4 in no time at all.

I am feeling great. This (shhh......afraid to say it out loud) has been the easiest pregnancy yet. I did have contractions last month my doctor was very nervous about....she scared the pants off me. Basically, I MIGHT have done a hike in Portland that was a LITTLE, TINY bit too much. Climbing rocks, moving logs, wading thru waist high, zero degree water (well, Char did carry me thru this part! HA!), climbing more logs, scaling more rocks....might...just MIGHT have been too much to do at 13 weeks. But, hey...it was fun. But, OF COURSE not at the jeopardy of little Mescher 4. Since that hike, I started to contract. I would have contractions regularly for over an hour at time. Yes, some of them were closer than 15 minutes apart (one night they were 4 minutes apart). Yes, I should have gone into the hospital. But, I immediately put my legs up, put my head down and drank LOTS of water. I was always able to get them to slow down and then eventually down to only 2 or 3 an hour. So, that is good. That "rest" thing my doctor tells me to do really does work.

Carrying Anderson too much, taking the kids to Disneyland by myself (which I do), carrying laundry upstairs (darn) and stuff like that would all trigger the contractions.

I saw my doctor, she said to call her if I had more than 4 and hour. (Okay, that might have happened a few times, but I was ALWAYS able to stop them). So, luckily, no trip to the ER yet. But, my OB said....Listen, this is your 4th csection. Your scar is only 2 years old (Anderson being 2)....the scar is WEAK. With every contraction, your scar is thinning....YOU CAN NOT CONTRACT!!!

Okay, enough said. After that....I REALLY started to rest and be very careful. The OB asked me if I had help around the house and with the kids. I said yes a few hours a week. She told me increase it. Then, she says....let me guess you are at Target and the grocery when your sitter is there....WELL, YEAH! OF course I am. OB says, Not any more....you are in bed resting. My sitters have been GREAT about helping around the house, carrying my groceries in for me, etc. So.....everything is going great.

AND, as I said....it seems that the contractions are slowing considerably. I am not getting them nearly as often as I was getting them last month. Every night at dinner time for a few weeks I was starting up with them. Now they come a few times a week.

I promise I am taking it easy. My OB said to take it easy or I will MAKE you take it easy (bedrest). Since I can't afford to go on bedrest with 3 kids ;), I am doing what I can to rest on my own.

I feel great. I will post a picture tmr of the growing belly....It is getting BIGGGGG!!! (As Ryan pointed out to me last week! See previous post for that one......HA!)

Good night!

Car Accident

Hi all! Let me start by saying.....Everyone is FINE in our house.....

Little excitement this AM.....Charlie has decided he is going to start driving the kids to school on Thursday and Friday AM. A wonderful way to spend extra time with the kids and a GREAT way to help me out a few mornings a week. Everyone is HAPPY with this new idea. (Thank you honey for going into work a little later a few days a week!)

Anyway, today...Char took Kaitlyn to school (Ryan only goes MWF). Char calls me around the time when Kaitlyn should have been dropped off. She left the house upset b/c it was picture day and I "curled" her hair....and she wanted me to use the straightening iron on it (yes, she is only 5 still and knows what that is! but, when I am her Mom...it is no wonder b/c of my crazy curls! anyway...I digress.....) When Char called me, I thought it was about the hair and pictures....

Char says to me....."Well, Kaitlyn has forgotten about her hair".....??? he proceeds...it is
"ironic" and a blessing I started driving her to school today....we got into a car accident. I almost feel over. He said EVERYONE WAS FINE. Char and Kaitlyn were sitting at a stop light on the way up the hill to school, when another Mom ran her car into the back of them. THANK GOODNESS Charlie was driving his Land Rover and NOT his Porsche!!! The Land Rover is a block of steel and it hardly was touched. So, fortunately, Kaitlyn and Charlie were okay. The other car....a Mercedes station wagon was not so okay. The car was trashed, not drivable...the poor person was a Mom of 4 kids!!! Luckily, they were all safe too. She was on her way to school with her little ones....

So, Char and the woman proceeded to drop the kids off at school and meet in the parking lot to exchange info. Char offered to drive her somewhere, let her use his phone, etc....but she said she was fine and got it under control.

How scary!!! Charlie was so glad it was him and not me with 3 kids and prego. And he was so thankful we drive such big SUV's ;)

Ironically, 2 days ago we were discussing "car seat" situations for the kids.......needless to say, Ryan is in his 5 point Britax Marathon car seat, and I bought Kaitlyn a 5 point harness booster today ;)

We are so happy everyone is okay. Charlie is not feeling "great"....but, Kaitlyn is doing fine, and her teacher said she kept checking on Kaitlyn thru the day and she said she was fine.

I hope the family is all okay too. Charlie said it was a HARD hit.....whew! Scary!

Thomas Whistle

New Trick for Anderson:

Anderson's speech therapists want Anderson to learn how to "blow" with his lips. It is part of developing the muscles and the control in his mouth to help with speech. They have told me to try and blow a cotton ball off the palm of my hands, and have Anderson copy. Well, he does not imitate....so this presents a challenge...plus, a cotton ball....not too exciting for a 2 year old. The other suggestion was to use bubbles....which, we have tried, but bubble are hard for my kids that CAN TALK and CAN BLOW....

So, at the drug store on Sunday...found a THOMAS THE TRAIN and at the end of it is a whistle...OKAY, THIS MAY MOTIVATE him. SO, for $4.99, I thought it was worth a shot.

Brought it home, showed Anderson, he was going crazy and wanted it out of the package. Got it out, I blew in it and showed him....at first he "sucked" it like a straw....but, I kept saying, BLOW, and I would blow right in his face (I know this may seem mean to some of you, but you do crazy things in therapy to kids sometimes for them to understand "concepts".) After about 3 tries..........HE DID IT!!! SUCCESS. I will have to get a video this afternoon after he naps and post it.

This may seem small and trivial...but ALL STEPS towards getting Anderson to speak.

PS - He is starting to say..."mmmmm". WE ARE GETTING CLOSER TO MA!!!!

Pearl

Last Thursday, Kaitlyn wanted to try the "carpool line" at school. This means I wait in my car to pick her up rather than park and walk and get her. The downside of the carpool line is that the kids have the wait a long time after school lets out for your car to pull in and pick up your child (sometimes 15-20 minutes, depending where you are in line.) Since Kaitlyn can't stand me being 1 minute late, I was not sure how this would go.....

I informed Kaitlyn's teacher in the AM that I would be doing the PM carpool, just so the teacher could help us out.

My friend, Courtney, came to me on Friday....laughing her head off. She said, Liz, I have to tell you the FUNNIEST thing...Courtney said, I overheard the following on Thursday afternoon:

Kaitlyn's teacher: Kaitlyn you need to sit down on the curb and wait for you Mommy.
Kaitlyn: I am looking for her car.
Teacher: What color is it?
Kaitlyn: PEARL!!!!!

LOL!!!! Only our "fashion" girl who is only 5 years old KNOW that my car is PEARL! HA!

Hot.....

Ryan: "Whew, I really needed that drink of water. I was HOT.....HOT TAMALES!"

Belly

Ryan says to me on Wednesday:

"Mommy your BELLY and your BABY are getting BIG!! AND, your 'NURSERS' (ha!) are REEAALL BIG."

Can always count on a child to tell you "how it is".....;)

HA!

Tsunami

On our way to the beach:

Kaitlyn: Mommy, if there is a tsunami, I think it would be best if we left our beach blanket in the car so it does not get wet.

Mommy: Good idea Kaitlyn!

HA!

** Conversation was last week on our way to the beach......forgot to post it earlier!

Camp out.....

I forgot to blog this earlier in the week.....

On Monday, our A/C upstairs broke. (We have an upstairs unit and a downstairs unit). It has been HOT in our area.....in the 90's. The upstairs was 84 degrees at one point.

When it was time for bed, Anderson's room is small enough, that we were able to open the windows and turn on the fan....and he was fine. (Thank goodness!!)

But, Kaitlyn and Ryan were having their allergy/asthma symptoms. So, I did not want them sleeping with the windows open....and our room in the back of the house was HOOOOTTTT (more than the 82 degrees that the thermostat read at 9 PM).

So...guess what......we pulled out the bed in 1 of our couches, and got 2 sleeping bags for Kaitlyn and Ryan....camp out in the family room. It was SO much fun, since we only had 2 more days of summer. Of course, at one point in time (in the middle of the night)....there were 4 of us in that pull out bed (YIKES!!) Charlie and I did not get much sleep.

Lets just say I made a call to the A/C repair man at 7:00AM the next morning to come and fix the A/C!! ;) The camp out was great for 1 night, but I am not sure we could do 2 nights! HA!!