Abriella Grace has arrived!!!

She was born on June the 6th. 7 lbs 10 oz, 20 inches long. I woke up that morning at 5:00 am having small contractions. They didn't hurt, but I called Shawn at work anyways, just so he knew that there was a possibility that she could be born that day. Most of you know that he drives a semi and is gone 12 hours every day to Indiana. He wasn't sure if he should go ahead and come home or not, but I told him to just do his job because I wasn't having any pain, and it could take all day.

He stopped and prayed after we got off of the phone and asked God to have me call him right back if she was to be born that day. I was doing dishes at that exact moment and felt like I should call Shawn, so he knew that God had given him an answer and he should come straight home. It's a good thing he did, because she was born at 12:55 pm and he would have been 4 hours away at that time.

We were supposed to be released on the 7th, but Ella had high bili levels and had to spend the night in the Special Care nursery. She looked so pitiful in that isolete with those 'sunglasses' on. I could only take her out once every 2 hours to nurse her. Luckily, the next morning we were able to be released and she went to her pediatrician this morning and was declared 'perfect'. (of course, I already knew she was perfect, LOL).

She went to her first baseball game today. (Don't try walking through a little league ballpark in a small town with a 3 day old baby... everyone that knows you, and many that don't, will stop you, wanting to see her, LOL... But, since most new parents love showing their baby off, it was okay, LOL) She slept through the whole thing and I was so nervous. She was in my arms and everytime someone yelled 'HEADS UP' I would lean over her to block her and Shawn would stand over the two of us to make sure that nothing hit her. With little league, balls go wild all the time. At one point I got up to run to the car to grab something, and as soon as I was a few feet away, a wild ball hit my chair! I cannot believe how close it was. I told Shawn that we need to get her a tiny, pink batting helmet, LOL. Instead, I think I may watch the games from the comfort of the van from now on.

The boys both love Ella soo much. Cody is constantly rubbing her head (he says that her hair is silky) and Deuce just wants to keep rocking her. When she started crying earlier today, Deuce started acting like a court jester to try to make her stop, LOL. I think it crushed him that she won't respond to that yet.

I need to go pick up the living room a bit. Someone from church is delivering dinner to us tonight (I am becoming quite spoiled by that, LOL.... dinners are being delivered every night through Thursday) and I hate that the house is sooooooo messy. One friend that came over to baby-sit the boys while Shawn and I took Ella to the Dr. this morning did my dishes and another friend offered to come and do my laundry on Tuesday (I can't bring myself to accept that, LOL). I've been feeling great (I bounce back quickly after giving birth) and feel guilty by accepting the help that others are offering. But it has all been such a great blessing. One friend in particular watched my boys 2 days in a row this week and ran me home from the hospital on Friday (our minivan broke down this week- Shawn is fixing it now- the timing really stunk!). She also organized all of the meals from people at church. Her husband is helping Shawn with the van and I am thanking God for such good friends. I don't know what I would've done this week without her.

Wel, now to attack the living room. I'll post a link to her hospital photos when they go up on the web.

Aspie moments....

First of all, no baby yet. That's all I can say about that at this point, LOL.

Deuce has had a couple of really 'aspie-ish' days. *sigh* It's strange, because I just picked up a copy of 'The Elephant in the Playroom' the other day and was reading it. As I read the essay about Deuce, I thought about how far he has come. When I wrote that essay, we couldn't go into a store without him becoming stressed, he would spin all of the time and he was OBSESSED with Star Wars and ancient Egypt. Now, he looks so normal most days. People at church say that they can't tell a difference between him and the other boys his age. He still has his quirks, but he is able to handle life better and can keep most of his quirks at home, LOL.

Then yesterday, I made a mistake. I, without warning, changed our shedule for the day completely. I woke up and decided to clean off some bookshelves and clean out a closet. I figured that I could take these boxes of books to Half Price books (and take the college texts that I am done with to a used textbook store) and sell them. I should've known to at least give him 30 minutes to adjust to the idea, but no, I was in a hurry and yelled up the stairs for him to get his shoes on so we could go. Not smart at all.

The rest of the day, he was on edge. Luckily, there was no meltdown or anything, but he was touching everything around him in an obsessive manner, he kept pulling out his eyelashes and he kept talking on and on about Star Wars. Then, I didn't have any melatonin in the house (when he has a bad day, he sometimes needs help to sleep) and so he couldn't fall asleep. I went upstairs at midnight to find him in the middle of his bedroom floor, building. He had used EVERY 'normal' building item (blocks, Brio set, lincoln logs, legos, K'nex, etc...) and still felt the need to build, so he got out every video tape in his entertainment center and had started building towers with them. *UGH*. He was doing this until 2 in the morning, before he finally just crashed.

Today, he had this *need* to read. We went to the library and he picked out (and has already read) 16 books today. As much as it freaks me out to see him obsessing, it could be worse. I mean, at least reading is a good activity, right? Plus, it helps him in the summer reading program at the library. We have to go back tomorrow so he can get some more books.
I do hope tomorrow is better. At least he's asleep right now (it's only 10:30- not bad for him). Hopefully. he'll stay asleep for the entire night. Sleep helps, ya know?

Summer School...

Deuce asked me if he gets a 'summer vacation' like his friends in public school. Ummmm, no, lol. Poor child. But honestly, we do such a relaxed version of 'school' (I am so against mimicking 'public-school-at-home) that I know it won't hurt him to continue lessons over the summer. Heck, if we didn't, I'm afraid Deuce would lie around complaning of boredom all summer.

So our plan is to continue with math (his favorite) and I also got a ton of books on pioneer living, the founding of our country and other early american history. I am taking them to the library this next week to join up with the summer reading program, and we'll try to get out to the local metroparks for some science activities (depending on how I am doing after having Ella). Deuce also said that he wants to work even harder on his spelling (last year, after watching the spelling bee, he decided it's his goal to try to make it to the national bee.... he still has this same goal a year later, LOL).

None of this will be 'too much', as it is all stuff that Deuce has requested, yet it'll keep him learning all summer long. I hate the thought of his brain turning to mush, you know? I need to see if Hands of a Child has a really good lapbook for american history. Both boys love doing lapbooks, and this way Cody can be included in everything. Cody wants his own math book now... I tested him a few days ago and found that he would be considered halfway through the first grade math curriculum that I used for Deuce. That shocked Shawn, as he said that it's so hard to believe how much the kids learn without a 'real school schedule'. I'm just happy to know that the kids are learning, LOL. Although, we still need to take care of Deuces standardied testing. I'm ordering that this week and hoping that he does well again this year.

So, anybody else have any plans for schooling during the summer?

A picture of Deuce playing baseball....

This is what occupies 2-3 (if you include practice) nights a week for us right now. Deuce loves, loves, loves baseball. I am so thrilled that he likes it. I am hoping to work with him on pitching over the next year (he's in coach pitch this year and won't be in 'player-pitch' until he 9)... I'd love to see him play the same position that I used to play. No matter what, though, I'm just glad that he enjoys the sport and has something to keep him outside and off of the couch all summer, LOL.

Tonight he had a good game. It wasn't his personal best, as far as hitting is concerned, but our team did win. We have another game tomorrow and I'm hoping that they do well (they are warmed up, after playing until 9 o'clock tonight, lol).

Now to go clean my living room. I have been having some decent contractions tonight, so maybe Ella will decide to grace us with her appearence. Of course, I was told by another baseball mom tonight that I am not allowed to go into labor until after tomorrows game.... we'll see. I'll take it whenever I can get it, LOL.

The things we do to try to go into labor...

I have been trying my hardest to coax Abriella out, as I am now 5 days past my due date. I have walked more than I have ever walked in my life, I have used the br*astpump (I got Cody to come out quite easily with this method), I have, ummm, had my hubby help, and I have eaten some VERY spicy food. Nothing is working. I have asked for suggestions from others (feel free to give advice at this point, LOL) and had one person tell me to 'use reverse psychology and stand on my head'. Well, even if it doesn't bring the baby out, it'd be good for a laugh, right? And I do love a good laugh. So, here's the picture.




Think it'll work??? :-)

For people in Ohio....

I know that charter schools and vouchers are a hot topic among homeschoolers, but I'm posting this anyway. With the talks of cutting out charters and vouchers going on right now, I can't help but post on the topic. I believe that traditional homeschooling doesn't work for everyone and that other options are needed. Children that cannot afford to be sent to private school should not have to suffer in a failing public school with no hopefor change. Also, not every child is made to learn in a traditional school environment. Some need a more customized education. (Actually, it is my belief that ALL would do better with a more customized education and being able to learn at their own pace, but at the very least, the children that cannot learn well in a regular classroom should have options).

I got an e-mail today from someone at http://www.myschoolmychoice.org and thought I'd share it here.

Good Afternoon,
No long winded stories today…………………….Just the straight scoop. If we do not act now, it will be too late. School Choice day in the Senate read more like a bad commercial for “Why Virtual Schools and Charters have no right to Exist.” All day long the powerful union bands played the sad tunes “If our schools are not performing it’s the Charters fault,” “Give us all your money and close those evil Charters too,” and the grand finale “Their stealing our money that’s what keeps us from educating.” Susan Stagner and two other OHVA parents sat through hours of this kind of nauseating testimony all day. Finally School Choice got to speak around 6 pm. While powerful Union groups like the Ohio 8 Coalition were given two hours to bellow out of tune by the Senate, the charters and School Choice advocates were given only 5 min each to testify. Make no mistake………………….the Climate is very different in the Senate. Things are not stacking in our favor. I think that many of you can see this. You are not receiving the wonderful favorable responses to your letters as you did in the house. We can win but not without fighting hard. We need to fight for Our Schools, or we will not leave this process undamaged.
I get the distinct impression when I talk to parents that they believe we are in the clear because HB 119 passed the House in our favor. Here is the nitty gritty………….groups like the Ohio 8 Coalition, the OEA (Ohio Educators Association), the OTF (Ohio Teachers Federation), and other anti school choice groups were out working the Senate long before HB 119 left the House. They know that the Senate can change this back to their favor, and they are counting on it. I know that all of you have worked very hard and that I have asked a lot from you. I am asking you to stay with me for one more round. Let us not let these people dictate what is best for OUR CHILDREN……………………………………
Write, email, and call your Senator again.
Write, email, and call the Senators from the Senate Finance Committee and the Governor again.
Come to the Cincinnati Rally on Monday – See info below
Come to Testify June 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th – I will be there June 6th. Anyone who is not comfortable testifying, come on down wearing your school colors and logo wear for moral support. See www.myschoolmychoice.com for more information and talking points.
Pass the word along to everyone you know PLEASE! I need YOUR help to get the word out!
We must be PRO-ACTIVE not RE-ACTIVE to save our schools.
Maggie Wright
OHVA 3rd year Parent
My School. My Choice
www.myschoolmychoice.org
Parent Captain
Ohio Coalition of e.School Families
www.ohioeschoolfamilies.org
Important Dates:
Cincinnati Rally - Monday, June 4th at 4pm
Concordia Lutheran Church & School, 1133 Clifton Hills Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio
Public Testimony for the Senate -
Tue, June 5th after session (begins 1:30)
Wed, June 6th at 9:30 am
Thurs, June 7th at 9:30 am
Friday, June 8th at 9:30 am

Anyone that believes that choice is good for Ohio, please write, call and e-mail the senators. Public schools should not be allowed to have a monopoly education. Children in poor and failing schools deserve a chance for something better. Parents should be the ones choosing where their children go to school (because they know their kids best), rather than being told where to send their children based on the district.

Another day, still no baby...

Actually, I'm kind of glad she didn't come over night. I had a meeting today at our local school to finish writing an IEP for Cody. He has *major* speech issues and we had thought about possibly putting him in kindergarten next year. I know that grade K was my absolute favorite year of school.... of course, things have changed drastically. We didn't have any type of standardized test when I was in kindergarten... mostly you were there to learn your alphabet and socialize. Now there is a lot of work for kindergarten. I discovered that when I took Cody in for his 'readiness evaluation'. Kind of suprised me, you know?

Either way, I found out that they will give Cody the therapy he needs even if we don't choose to send him there. Isn't that wonderful? I couldn't believe it.... not many districts do that. Deuce has an IEP also, and our old district (the ones that wrote the IEP) said specifically that if we didn't choose the public schools, he wouldn't get any therapy (physical and occupational) from them at all. I was glad to meet such friendly people at the school and know that I can make the best choice for Cody academically, and that he can still get the help he needs.

Well, I think I may go and take a LOOOOONNNNNGGGGG walk before it gets too hot. Maybe Ella will decide that now is the time to come out, then Shawn could take a 3 day weekend, LOL.

A new blog....

I have been having problems with my old blog at 'Homeschool Blogger', so I figure I should move to a new blog. Hopefully I won't have any problems on this site.

I'm gonna post some pics, just to make sure that it is as easy here as it was on my old blog, LOL.

We had our Awanas Award ceremony recently.. doesn't Cody look so thrilled about being around Cubby? LOL.... He had to be coerced into this picture, and he knows the woman in the costume! Weird child! LOL In the first pic, Deuce is the tallest child in the front row, next to the little girl in the flowered skirt. He was about to drop all of his awards, as he managed to complete the entire Sparks program in 6 months (normally a child takes three years, but this was his first year and his last year (he's going into 3rd grade next year), so he had to work hard and fast.

This is Cody and Deuce with their baby cousin, Paige. Look at the adoring look on Deuces face- I hope this is how he feels about his new sister (who is 3 days past her due date, grrrr.....). The picture above is a close-up of Paige. Isn't she adorable? I promise, the cheeks are as pinchable as they look, LOL.

Okay, now I need to go ask Shawn for a massage. My back is killing me. Why, oh why, has this child decided that she wants to stay in her womb way past her due date?????