I'm UP

so nearly 2 weeks later and with so much help from family and friends we can never repay, I am back up in the land of the mobile. So excited! As I am sure everyone else is as well. I feel so well prepared to have this baby because of all the time my mom has dedicated getting my life organized is the last 2 weeks. And because my mother in law, sisters, family etc. were helping with our kids, I feel as ready as you can be to have a baby. So barring I don't go into labor myself over the weekend, I am scheduled for an induction Monday eve. Can't believe it is only a few days away. I will be 37 weeks and praying for a safe and healthy delivery.

BED REST

ok- so I never thought those dirty words would be part of this pregnancy. I mean really, I have 4 other children to chase after. It just wouldn't jive, you know. That is exactly why I was particularly astonished to hear that come out of my perinatologist's mouth this past monday afternoon. I had a followup visit for decreased fluid and thinning cervix. What they found was extremely decreased fluid, just one little pocket that could be measured. I squeaked just above the number that puts women in the hospital, (thank goodness). So we are making it work. That is, my whole extended family has really come through this week. Tom has become Mr Mom. My mother has been completely amazing spending everyday doing what she does best, reorganzing every room in my house. To say the least it is a bit embarrassing and hard to watch her scurry around and do what I should be doing, but I am coming out of it with something I really would never be able to do. Make sense of every last item in my house in an organized manner. That and juggling which of the children are still around the house has been a huge feet and extremely appreciated. My mother in law has been awesome as well picking up the kids individually and even making some overnights out of it. I have been getting meals and help from friends and family and it just really puts in perspective what an amazing support system of great people I am blessed with. Thanks to all of you.

This coming Monday I will have another sono to measure fluid. I am not sure what they will be the outcome but am hoping my fluid goes way up and I can get up as well for the rest of this pregnancy. I am nearing 35 weeks on Monday, so getting closer to the "safe" zone for delivery.

The Lake Part 2

Well, I'm actually caught up to within a week. The last batch of pictures are also from our family vacation with Tom's family. Todd helped Noah try to wake board for the first time. The last is probably our last family picture before our new bundle arrives.

The Lake Part 1

The second week Todd came out and we headed to Wawasee. We had another great 'bout of weather. The kids loved swimming, tubing, feeding the fish and ducks, turtle hunting and playing outside until they could barely keep there eyes open.

visitors from the south

Todd and Nicole family came to visit. We had an action packed 2 weeks of spending time together. The first week was the deathly hot dog days of summer we usually experience in August. We did alot of swimming, hydrating, and just being together.

Family Vacation: Part 1

We started out with our first extended family vacation with my family at a waterpark in Wisconsin Dells. We had a blast and awesome weather, which looking back is quite a miracle looking at the strange weather patterns of this month, rain, heat, cold oh my! We booked 2 great condo style rooms which worked perfectly with the nappers close by while we could still enjoy the outdoors. The kids really enjoyed all of the water and slides.

The zoo in our area just added an great new exhibit. We went to it on Ollie's birthday and the boy's chronicled every animal there was with their new cameras. Here are some of my pictures. :)

Birthday Bash: the month of June

June is the month of a million birthday celebrations in our family. Just for starters, in our immediate family 3/7 of our birthdays land in June. As a whole between my family and Tom's we have 7 birthdays and one anniversary. So kicked off the month with Noah and Oliver's party. They wanted "real" cameras and have been really into them. Can I just say, I am thankful for digital cameras, no film and not having to develop every picture that was taken of every single animal and/or sign at the zoo. It is fun to take a sneak peek at what they find interesting and see it from a little boy's perspective.

Time to Play Catch-Up

Tom's sister Ann was in town the end of May before she headed off for a year mission trip. We miss you so much Ann. We had a great couple weeks together and on this evening hit a festival that was in town.

New name: JOYFUL NOISE

So it's been over a month since I last posted and I am starting to come out of denial that yes, this baby is coming. We are starting to "think" about where to put her, as we are fresh out of bedrooms as of present. For now, we will probably set up a crib in our room. I am starting to feel the need for nesting and considering that I have 6 weeks to go, my fluid is already low and evidently my body is already getting ready for labor, it will probably happen sooner than later. All of that to explain the blog name change. Since we are adding another princess to our family and I was fresh out of anything clever, I began thinking about what my life consists of. Usually a lot of noise. Not always joyful but definately something to strive for. Soon, very soon, all the noise will be gone and I know we will miss it. I thought it was an appropriate title to a household that is about to get a little more noisier and filled with another bundle of JOY!