tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85581523986564807192024-03-05T22:35:31.469-08:00Ordinary MiraclesAn appreciation for the simple blessings in Life.Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-20774974103935458142010-06-01T08:42:00.000-07:002010-06-01T10:28:04.347-07:00Saying goodbye.....<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">NEVER gets easier..... I actually think it only gets tougher! Today My husband is leaving us again for the summer. Logically <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">you'd</span> think we'd be use to this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">especially</span> having survived two 6 mo deployments in the last 2 years (it seems he leaves <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">us</span> every MAY). This goodbye was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">definitely</span> the hardest for the girls, they cried hard when he put them to bed and told them he would be gone in the morning, I think this was harder than having to watch him walk on the ship and leave because you go to bed and life is normal you wake up and the rug has be yanked out from under you. Somewhat <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">fortunately</span> I suppose our life has been far from stable as far as a schedule for several months now (due to the S-H-I-P) SO it is not like we were all comfy with a regular routine that is now being thrust into <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">chaos</span>... we have been living in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">chaos</span> for some time now!<br /><br />On the up-side since he is gone for the summer We (the 4 girls and I) will be traveling on a 3 state <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">multi home</span> camping fun finding tattoo getting throw the schedule out the window 6 week long "vacation" <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">starting</span> June 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">th</span>!<br /><br />I should go start Packing!</span></div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-91083339650346383882010-04-28T15:43:00.000-07:002010-05-04T22:15:27.953-07:00Recent Happenings<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Life is Busy with Four children, that is my excuse for being terrible at updating my blog!</span></div><p align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span> </p><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">You would think that a busy life would give me TONS to write about, I am sure it does But living exhausted and feeling like I am barely getting by makes it hard to form a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sentence</span> let alone a complete thought or blog post.</span></div><p align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Andrew's work schedule has been AWFUL it is so hard to not know when he'll be home or when or if he'll get a day off so I can have a break. It really takes it's toll on my sanity and our children as well!</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">So here are a few Updates.....</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Meghan</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">We have noticed a lot of maturing in Miss Meg lately (since Kiersten's arrival), she is more helpful, less emotional and overall she's just developing into a young lady and it is so very nice to see her blossoming. Recently she went on a Girl Scout Encampment weekend with her Brownie Troop which <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">meant</span> her leaving home on Friday and returning on Sunday. This was her first weekend away from home without a family member there with her. She has done a few sleepovers, but those were near to home and I was only a phone call away. This time She was a two hour car ride away. You are probably gathering that this was a big deal (for me), BUT she was so excited and could not wait to go, she had zero <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">apprehension</span>. In the end all went well, she had a blast and it was fun hearing about her adventure when she returned home. I was most worried that she would not like any of the food being served and that would ruin her fun. I was pleased to hear that she tried a few new things and got by on what little food she did like without letting it get in the way of her fun. Also a new development for Meghan is that she got braces on her top teeth last week. FINALLY we are going to close the HUGE gap in her front teeth and pull them together where they belong. They are also working on correcting her overbite and adjusting the teeth on the right side so they hit correctly. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Eventually</span> she will have bottom braces as well. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Melanie</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Melanie is getting ready for spring recital, they are dancing a Rock Ballet to Tina Turner's "Missing you". SO she went from having dance once a week to three times a week. Recital is May 30<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span>. In February Melanie tried out for the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Cinderella</span> ballet at her dance school and was selected as a mouse. Unfortunately the performance date was in June after we would already be on vacation so we could not participate this time. I was sad that she could not take advantage of this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">opportunity</span>, BUT we are very much looking <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">forward</span> to visiting family this summer so that helped us both accept it! This week she had to have surgery to remove a cyst from her left forearm, it was a minor surgery BUT still a surgery. She handled it like a champ even through out 7 hour wait at the hospital prior to her surgery. </span></p><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Katelynn</span></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Oh Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Katelynn</span>, where has my sweet baby girl gone?? I feel like I turned around and where once stood my very inquisitive friendly little toddler now stands My very opinionated, strong willed, attention craving "big Girl" wanna be almost 4 year old little girl. Kate's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">temperament</span> can turn on a dime, one minute she is sweet, cuddly and cooperative and the next she is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">stubborn</span>, sassy and emotional. She seems to have reverted a bit to needing a nap at least 3 times a week, and she is most even tempered when Both Andrew and I are home (so someone is always available to give her attention). In April she started a 10 week Tiny tots class that is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">meant</span> as an introduction to being away from mom and in a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">pre</span>-school like environment that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">focuses</span> more on play than education. She goes 2 times a week for two hours, and usually she does not want to go, but she ALWAYS has fun once I get her to go in. We are hoping this will ease with time and she will be ready to learn when she starts <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Pre</span>-K in July!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Kiersten</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">My sweet baby.... MY LAST BABY!!! I spend my days holding on and trying to convince her she does NOT want to grow up, that it is best if she just stays small so I can hold her in my arms ALWAYS...... She is NOT listening. Kiersten is VERY active and interested in everything <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">that</span> is going on, every day she sleeps a little less, and tries not to miss a thing. She is rolling and scooting all over and LOVES when anyone talks to her. Much to my dismay she's not a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">snugly</span> baby and she fights My need to rock her and hold my sleeping baby laying on my chest, she would much rather I just lay her in the bed or put her in the swing. In my head I know this is the best for her long term BUT in my heart I just need to hold on to these few last <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">fleeting</span> moments with my baby. I now totally understand why so many mommies get accused of favoring the baby of the family. It is my last chance there are no do-overs after Kiersten. With ALL the other girls I knew there would be another baby so if things did not go as I wanted I felt like "oh well I'll get it right next time" or "oh... we know now not to do it that way with the next one". This is it no more excuses or mistakes I have to do everything perfect this time. SHE IS GOING TO BE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">SOOOOO</span> SPOILED! Look out!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">In other News..... Andrew will be underway all of June and July, so once again I am vacationing/visiting alone with my girls. I really do have a husband, he is just never home in the summer. I will be visiting My sister (in-law) in Missouri, and Andrew's parents and brothers and sister in Michigan from June 8-28, and the heading on to Ohio. June 28-July4 in Heath and or the Valley July 5-11 in Canton with Amy and the girls and then Back to Heath until July 17<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">th</span> when return home. We can not wait to see everyone!!!</span></div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-75504815746727985422010-04-14T21:05:00.000-07:002010-04-14T21:21:42.808-07:00Here goes Nothin!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">OK.... I had a baby 4 mo ago and FINALLY I have decided that I need to get my body under control. This is SO very hard for me, I am very anti-low fat anything, hate diet soda, and am not huge on veggies at all! Knowing myself if I just go cold turkey on everything bad and start exercising like mad I will peter out in no time. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Therefore I have a slow and steady approach. I am not looking for instant results, more life changing move toward better habits and a reasonable exercise routine. I gave up soda all together about 3 weeks ago and replaced it with a yummy add to water powder that is only 5 calories per serving. I am now working on cutting back on the LOVE OF MY LIFE..... Ice Cream! When it comes to ice cream I am weak weak weak! I can not bring it in the house or I eat it everyday until it is GONE! So I have been allowing myself to visit our favorite frozen yogurt place once a week. Next up... EAT MORE VEGGIES!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Last week I set out to wake up early every day for 30 minutes of exercise before the girls wake up. I actually managed it 3 days our of 5. It has become very clear that my Tuesdays are CRAZY and do not make it easy to fit in 30 minutes of exercise. This week my goal is to do 4 days, I am half way there!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I hope I can take control of my body and change myself for the better!</span></div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-17094129340708281562010-02-23T13:11:00.000-08:002010-02-23T13:41:38.663-08:00Irrational Fears....<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I think other Mothers must have these as well (OR maybe I'm crazy). One of my fears is that someone will break in to my house at night and steal one of my children from their bed while I sleep. This goes hand in hand with My fear waking up to a stranger standing over me or general someone breaking in to my house at all (especially when my hubby goes away for months). These fears have always been there since I was a child really, BUT since we now live in CA they are a bit more prominent. For some reason it seems more bad things happen in places like CA, FL, NYC and LasVegas (This probably comes from watching too much TV). </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">So every night before I get in my bed I go and look over each of my four children to make sure that they are where they are supposed to be. You know just in case someone creeped through the second story window into their rooms and snuck them out without me knowing in the two or so hours I was awake after they were in bed. Also if I get out of bed in the night I go and check on them especially if I am not sure what woke me up, It could have been that I heard a sound and just don't remember it. My husband laughs at me all the time over this and jokingly will ask when I climb into bed if everyone is where they should be..... He thinks he's cute. When it comes down to it If I have to tell the police when the last time I saw my child was..... I WILL KNOW FOR SURE! </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Now for the funny little heart stopping moment that occurred last night..... </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">At 2am I woke to Kiersten Crying this is normal we get up once through the night for a feeding. As I sit in the living room watching the Olympics and feeding the baby I hear foot steps up stairs which eventually lead to Melanie standing at the bottom of the stairs claiming not to be able to sleep. I tell her it is the middle of the night and she needs to go back to bed, and that once Kiersten is back to sleep I will come and check on her. I say this knowing full well when I go up there in twenty or so minutes she will be fast asleep in her bed!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">At about 2:50 am I lay Kiersten down in her bed and go to check on the rest of my girls like I do every night but also because I told Melanie I would. MELANIE IS NOT IN HER BED!!!!!! I think hmmm.... she must have gotten in my bed instead. Upon entering our room which is dark but I have my night eyes on by now, I cannot see her in our bed either. I begin patting down the bed thinking I must have just missed her. This wakes my husband who is laying in the middle of all this patting and I say...."I can't find Melanie". I go back to her room... I must have missed her..... NOPE still not in her bed??? By this point my heart is pounding, my worst fear(or one of them) had come true! So I step up on Melanie's full size bottom bunk bed and peer into Meghan's twin size top bunk bed and there she is sleeping side by side with her big sister.... whew! My Heart instantly dropped back into place!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Upon return to My bedroom I find my husband just starting to get out of bed. He was obviously concerned by my inability to find one of our children! Less than 60 seconds later he was sound asleep... me..... not so much!</span></div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-29349407234018296182010-02-21T12:12:00.000-08:002010-02-21T13:00:36.989-08:00Life is short..... Live it well!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">To say I have had an eye opening week would be an understatement. Two events have occurred on opposite sides of the country, neither directly affected my life but both have touched me deeply and made me think about my life in a whole new light.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">On the evening of Thursday February 11th a house fire in Heath Ohio took the life of a 3 year old little boy. He was the oldest son of a friend of my brother. I heard this news from my father on Friday and was immediately brought to tears. The thought of any child perishing in a fire is unthinkable, but this boy was almost the exact age of my Katelynn and I could not help but think how incredibly devastated I would be if I lost her or any of my children. I found myself thinking what if it were us..... </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Friday February 19th was a normal workday for my husband I kissed him good bye in the morning and told him to drive safe as I always do thinking the most dangerous part of his day is not being at work but driving to and from. Andrew says see you tonight, and I respond "we'll be here". I am sure many many other wives did the same thing that morning, a day like any other. For one wife however she had said goodbye for the last time, her husband would not return home! During a normal work day on the ship a friend of my husband was doing his job, possibly feeling the pressure to rush and get his job done made a split second choice that ultimately cost him his life. Once again I found myself thinking what if that were Andrew?</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">My Heart goes out to both of these families whose lives are forever changed. I pray that they have the strength to trudge through this awful time in their lives. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I find myself thinking about every interaction with my husband and children thinking "this COULD be our last". If it were the last I want to be able to remember the last interaction with my loved one as a positive one. I will not let my husband or children walk away without telling them I love them and to be safe. I am trying to be more patient and understanding with the girls and enjoy them every second. So often life gets moving so fast that we loose control and are just going along for the ride. I feel like so often a week or a month goes by in a blur and I can't remember where the time went. I am feeling the need to slow down and enjoy my family EVERYDAY!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-60197539984859009592009-12-26T22:21:00.000-08:002010-01-08T18:59:04.435-08:00....AND BABY MAKES SIX!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Kiersten Fern Olmsted was born on December 15th, 2009 at 9am. She weighed 9lbs 2 oz at birth. </span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419808019991632002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpN9xtRnfco4aqn-0S99I2-wzHovW6CHibTyhZlvtV6bc5wRUGdnStpaGYZzJYgGOafuNkqCdFihQeJl6n6svsrjRX2RJpU_K0f6JgQzN3rljcEuCzEhyphenhyphen7-HSk1HGfBDT3thStqmsQX6D/s400/DSC04131.JPG" border="0" /> </span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">We arrived at the Hospital at 6:15 am. I was changed into a gown and put on the monitors to get readings on baby's heart rate and see if I was contracting or not ( I was not). Baby looked good! My IV was placed and they started the saline solution. I talked with the anesthesiologist, the Surgeons, and before long it was time to hear to the OR! For the first time ever I was wheeled there on a bed.... With all my other girls I walked into the OR. We left Andrew in the hall, he would be called in after I was numbed. I moved to the operating table and got in position for my spinal. During this time the check blood pressure and other vitals before starting the spinal. They had a hard time getting an accurate read on my blood pressure. Apparently I am between cuff sizes. eventually they got that fixed and started the spinal. This time the spinal went pretty quick. I am always happy when it is done. Sitting there trying to hold still is nerve wracking every time! I immediately started feeling numb, and my legs were heavy as they lay me down and set up for surgery. It seemed like an eternity before Andrew was by my side but eventually he was there to hold my hand as we waited for our 4th daughter to be born. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">At 9am on the dot Kiersten entered the world screaming..... the most amazing sound EVER! Tears instantly roll down my face as they call for Andrew to cut her cord. After several minutes Kiersten was brought to my head so I could see her. After a quick photo and a kiss she and Andrew went to my recovery room to wait for me. </span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I spent the next hour and twenty minutes on the table, getting my tubes tied and then being closed up. I could slowly feel more and more of the doctors touches and eventually pulling and pinching. They had to give me some local anesthetic to finish up.</span><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">While I was being closed up Andrew was able to spend time with our baby. After the initial weigh in they left him with her, he fed her some formula, and just held her. He also got to help give her her first Bath. This experience for him was way different than all the other girls where they were taken to the nursery and he stood by their side but did not get to touch or interact with them at all. He was very surprised and happy to have had that time with our newborn.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Eventually we were all back together in recovery. I got to hold Kiersten and nurse her. Phone calls were made to family. OUR Family was now complete! </span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420504700824277570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhje5K2e4UZ79btTFyk8hvBC-5LjjGMMD_eddapRVfeB9Q2OAtywrupbPZPmpix_Dqr2c9A5atIjr69JWai9h_ym3tN34WfV4IG99Uu0hgnM8JGZ8RWSKXfWaX6E344iAJM-ZlHe7x_Xvlg/s400/DSC04245.JPG" border="0" /><br /></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">She is amazing, her sisters adore her and love on her constantly. She nurses like a champ! we are off to a good start. She's slowly making progress getting her days and nights switched around. LIFE is GOOD!</span></div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-62501618380837764122009-12-02T08:53:00.001-08:002009-12-02T09:21:58.311-08:00Less than two weeks.....<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">In so many ways I can not believe that our little one will be here in less than two weeks. It seems like we just found out that we were expecting, and I held My breathe for 3 months hoping and praying that everything was OK with baby. Then once we knew it was and could tell the girls Andrew had to leave on Deployment. Which seemed like forever while he was gone But once he was back it seemed to really shorten the pregnancy. He Left when I was 12 weeks pregnant and returned at 30 weeks. So here we are down to the wire ready to welcome our last little one in 13 short days! </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I LOVE being pregnant. I am very fortunate to have fairly un-eventful pregnancies. Other than our one first trimester loss I have not had any terrible symptoms or reactions to being pregnant. We have healthy HUGE babies! So I have to have c-sections, which is why this will be our last. We have decided that 4 cuts to my uterus is enough beyond this the risks go way up and I have to consider my family. I wish I could give my husband a SON but It seems together we are pretty good at making beautiful girls. So as I near the end of this pregnancy it is all bitter sweet. I lay in bed every night and watch my belly moving and savor that feeling of a little life inside me. I do not know if it is easier knowing this is my last or not. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I am also SOOO excited to meet Kiersten and see her with her sisters who are bursting at the seams in anticipation of holding their baby sister. Not to mention how excited I am to see a baby in my husband's arms once again, he is an amazing father and has always been so wonderful with our babies. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">This delivery will be the first time my Mother can not be here with us. I am very blessed to have friends and Family here that are going out of their way to help us out with the big girls, But I can not help but wish Mom was able to be here. There is just something comforting about knowing she is near and knowing my girls are in the care of their grandmother when their father and I can not be with them.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I am also getting nervous as I always do about the spinal. That is the worst part of the c-section process (ok the stomach bile juice I have to drink is pretty awful too). My husband would disagree with me BUT he is not the one who has to get the needle in the back, Just like I am not the one who has to watch the blood and gore of the delivery (in his eyes this is the worst part). </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">But in the end we will have out lil' miracle and it will all be worth it. She may be the most spoiled yet being the BABY of the family and all. NOW I just have to WAIT 13 more days.....</span></div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-71013967600481218712009-10-19T21:41:00.001-07:002009-10-24T19:23:09.539-07:00LIFE!<div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"> </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Well the Last couple of weeks have been very busy. The girls were on Fall Break at school (year round calendar), and we were preparing for the return of Andrew (A.K.A. Daddy). We were lucky to have the chance for Andrew to take Leave out of Hawaii one week before the ship actually returned home. We were ALL very excited for homecoming and made signs, cleaned house, and baked a cake all in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">preparation</span> for his return home. Wednesday Oct. 14<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> was a GREAT day! The flight arrived at the airport on base about 5:15 and we were at Outback for dinner By 6pm. The girls could hardly contain themselves they were so excited to have daddy home. I think he must have gotten a hundred or more kisses throughout dinner. Kate kept saying "I misted you daddy"! </span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396355018671043106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PaTsvDg7j-xFEKaPDzsbC_p4SLzXwk6YqQByOB1K4W44a9oYfoED6CjWVGygsXC6YR3DHzRnOM4H-r4T7G6quTPl1O3QQWX0SpwnYSkPWsqpKhqUeMwFp3WYv7Kd8_CayE8t0fPgEAbk/s400/DSC03656.JPG" border="0" /> Thursday was a normal school day for Meghan and Melanie, we all walked to school and then Kate and I enjoyed the morning at home with Andrew before heading out for my hair cut and some shopping. Yes I cut My hair REALLY short and I am not exactly loving it but hopefully it will grow. I had a lot of damage to my hair that needed to be cut out. I had a run in with the grill a few weeks ago in which I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">scorched</span> my hair from a huge ball of fire shooting out of the gas grill after I had not lit it correctly (that was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">scary</span>). Then I decided to color my own hair after which my poor hair was totally fried so NOW... I look like a boy.... BUT it will grow... RIGHT???<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396355807787179682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0osRZ-O2XBqHtZ3-HDvbi8yBkXuMILfe33bNa9kJb2WRLMK0dq2dUXaxYTqJMsyqdzTZxmwsXgyykmLBngojRORWek02U_znipkKogluxC5Jl2wHJ2xogPPEX_X2FxrQM9WtBsjLrS44v/s400/DSC03669.JPG" border="0" /> Also on Thursday we had the big 4D ultrasound. Big question "what is the gender"??? Well we found out that we will indeed be welcoming our fourth girl. No shocker there. I must say I was more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">disappointed</span> than I expected. I love My girls and KNOW I will love this one just as much, BUT... this is our last baby and I am a bit <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">disappointed</span> that I will not EVER have a boy, and that I was unable to give my husband a boy. HE (my husband) is fine with it, possibly because ALL of our girls are daddy's girls they adore him. So one more girl is just more attention and love for daddy.... where is mama's boy???? OR even mama's Girl??? Don't get me wrong, I know my girls love there mom but no one ever fights to sit by me or be my partner in a game, they always want daddy. Anyway, I digress..... <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">It's</span> A GIRL... now what will her name be???? That debate may go on for a while. I have taken to calling her "baby what's her name" in an effort to spark some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">sense</span> of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">urgency</span> in my husband who turns down every name I offer up.</span><br /></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396356568258643858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 364px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XdWLR_HNywb08V5JqjcewitZe3QctqeCgmVdsW1vDWpuqnyY0NL5f1iqyxVz-_DPo-w3H7Tf0NVEcTscvXZGxoyy15qkPYiUNAsCrwe_FdReeeS8kXtDO_Zt-gXuTlwtbV5ngV6x7YBL/s400/4DUltrasound1.jpg" border="0" />Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-17558199127318609742009-10-06T20:33:00.000-07:002009-10-06T20:45:30.725-07:00Offically have a birthdate picked out!<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Today I went to see the OBGYN for our 29 week Check. All is going well. We listened to a strong Heart Beat in the 150's (had been in the 130's prior to today but there was a lot of activity today). Fun fact... I am measuring 35 weeks, looks like big baby #4 for the Olmsted family. We do not make dainty, frail lil' babies. Our babies come out chubby and thankfully very healthy. The Dr. said she was going to go ahead and order an ultrasound, and I would have another at 36 weeks. Delivery is set for 39 weeks, December 15th to be exact. We are the first case of the day so that is good news since the worst part of a c-section for me is the fact that I can not eat after midnight the night before. Momma gets cranky with no food! </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">My Mother will be happy to know that I got my flu Vaccine today! I will also be getting the H1N1 when it is available but they do not have it yet. I also am taking all three girls to get their vaccines on Friday and am praying with all my might that they can do the nose spray vaccine versus an actual injection But will bribe them with ice cream to get the injection done if needed.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">We have a 4D ultrasound Scheduled for Oct. 15th so that The Daddy and The Sisters get to see our lil' one. With a little luck we'll also get a peak at "THE GOODS". This would be very helpful in the great baby name debate. My husband is not interested in discussing girl names when he is under the delusion we COULD have a boy. I think I have a pretty consistent track record going here.</span></div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-90913766473405521942009-09-27T18:59:00.000-07:002009-09-28T08:17:02.332-07:00Pregnancy Update 28 weeks<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">..... 11 to go! I am Ok with that... I need those 11 weeks since I have not been able to prepare for this baby AT all she can just stay in there a while. We have about 9 weeks after my Andrew comes home to Bust our Butts and get ready for our fourth and final lil' one. Hopefully that is enough time to prepare!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">So hear I am looking big and Prego.... </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386333319478411394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbr1M3IieY5T5s_ERYXTZdYPzvbQvIZGIld3UqZ1heNGWW1Q2C4EFMvRtFHYDRaev6cVGa7SEjTYBww6LBt-dPre-AZ0EIkGPQHov8UtfFdHpIydue9YRyXBBDC2ICKPfV32AgCA2ynKD/s400/28weekbelly.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I am doing pretty well at this point still comfortable and able to get around well. I am starting to experience some swelling in my hands and feet, but over all am doing well. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">As for baby? what is going on in there......</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">To me it feels like a gymnastics tournament. LOTS of tumbling and thumping and bumping stretching and pushing. I can feel movement all the time If I just pause for a couple of seconds and sometimes without even thinking about it I can feel the movements. She is most active in the evening when I am relaxing after the big Sisters are in bed. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Our little work in progress is now about 2.5 pounds and almost 16 inches long. She's busy adding new skills such as blinking to an already impressive repertoire of tricks like coughing, sucking, hiccuping, and taking practice breaths. At this point the lungs are also nearly fully matured, so we can start to breathe a little easier that we are at the point in which this baby can survive outside the womb. (although mom needs those 11 weeks so do not even think about it lil' one!).</span></p><p align="justify"><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">**** To all who have not noticed or participated I added a baby pool on the right side there-----> it would be fun if you'd add your guess!****</span></em></p>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-31165191021577740762009-09-11T11:02:00.000-07:002009-09-11T17:26:31.161-07:00Remembering 911<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPL55DzsCo_5bwmEgqdZfmOlVcLcOrFQxrTAmWdwiwkQm0QOYqyiurEFbxxSEHUA32OoCatCBhxOun5WhZSu1WlW9GSTSMNePn66iJQw6dEGSCUuGkay4BQtIZHOD6WJcCzL73v4Ax2MU/s1600-h/american-flag-2a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380370023022331250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPL55DzsCo_5bwmEgqdZfmOlVcLcOrFQxrTAmWdwiwkQm0QOYqyiurEFbxxSEHUA32OoCatCBhxOun5WhZSu1WlW9GSTSMNePn66iJQw6dEGSCUuGkay4BQtIZHOD6WJcCzL73v4Ax2MU/s400/american-flag-2a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000066;">I know we ALL remember every second of that day as if it were yesterday. In some ways it is hard to believe it has been eight years. </span><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000066;">Meghan was born on 8-13-01. Labor day weekend 2001 We moved our new family from upstate NY to Chesapeake VA. Andrew was to report to the USS Enterprise on Friday Sept. 14, 2001. The Enterprise was on deployment at that time and due to return within a few weeks of Andrews report date. This meant that he would work Shore side until the ship returned home.</span><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">On Tuesday September 11, 2001 I was the first awake at the house. I had gotten up with Meghan that morning went to the living room turned on The Today show. They were reporting that an airplane had flown into one of the Two tower of the world trade center. I went back to the bedroom told Andrew what happened and Just as I sat back down in the living room I watched the second plane hit the second tower and my heart dropped instantly. I knew this was NO coincidence. In tears I returned to the bedroom and Andrew joined me on the couch where we stayed in our pajamas holding our 4 week old baby for the entire day. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">The Enterprise which had left the golf days before 9-11 was the closest aircraft carrier and battle group at that time, they were immediately turned around and were the first to respond flying missions over Afghanistan within days. Mean while my husband reported as he was scheduled to on Friday the 14th. On Monday September 17th, 2001 My husband was on a plane to join the Enterprise for an undetermined amount of time. At that point we did not know when he would return. He left on a military flight so although I was concerned for his safety I was more comfortable with a military flight than a domestic flight. Luckily the extension for the Enterprise ended up being on the shorter side and Andrew returned home in November.</span></div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-35937855305784689962009-09-10T19:49:00.000-07:002009-09-10T20:52:09.324-07:00Isn't it too EARLY for NESTING????<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Really I am only 25 weeks pregnant. I am Not going Crazy BUT I feel the need to get things ready fro the baby. Like resolve the sleeping <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">arrangements</span> as to where we will be putting all the children and what kind of bed we need to purchase. I would also Like to get out and organize ALL the baby stuff If we are having a girl I have almost everything BUT if we are having a boy I need almost everything. I do not want to sort and wash and fold tons of girlie things if I do not need to. We have the Crib and the high chair and I have a wish list a mile long but again can not BUY anything due to the fact that I do not know the gender (I do not know how people do that whole <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">surprise</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bologna</span>). This is our last baby and for all the others I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">bought</span> stuff thinking Oh if the next one is a boy we should get this in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Neutral</span> so it can be used by either gender But NOW for my last baby... that is out the window... I want gender specific. If we are having a girl I want a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">girlie</span> nursery If we are having a boy I want an ALL boy nursery. This is the last <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">hurrah</span> and I am having enough trouble accepting that fact so I should get my way... right?? In addition to the fact that I do not know the gender of this baby I do not have the Hubby here to dig everything out of the garage and put the crib together and HELP me prepare for our baby. So basically I am stuck looking at things Online and sending photo's to my hubby and trying to make decisions so that when things Fall into place hopefully in about a month we'll be able to Just make it happen!</span></div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-72217855845510113532009-09-04T23:03:00.000-07:002009-09-05T20:40:26.723-07:00Life<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Well after all the excitement last weekend, and a wirlwind week. We are settling back into a routine. I am finally feeling Caught up on sleep. We are all enjoying visits with Delana, Madison and Stephanie, and are all around keeping busy. This past week FLEW by, which is great anything that can make time move faster is wonderful. We have about 40 days left of this deployment, until recently time had been dragging by. Finally thing sare picking up YAY! This coming week is looking pretty busy as well. I have a pre-natal check up, Melanie is getting her expander removed, I am hoping to volunteer at school one day, and Melanie is back into Ballet class so we have that on Thursday as well. But first we have to make it through a three day weekend in which My girls are begging for something fun to do, I am hoping the heat wave breaks and I find more energy and my house is begging for a little attention as well.</span> </div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-82609106833785564982009-08-30T15:29:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:21:45.223-07:00Needing a duplicate me....<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">and NOT because I am SO awesome But because I wish I could do more than I am able too.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">This past Friday morning dark and early (before the sun came up) The newest Olmsted decided to make her appearance after much waiting on her mother's part. My Sister -In-Law (Andrew's Brother's wife) Delivered her Daughter Delana Grace at 2:43 in the morning. I was the watch the big Sister person and I had a Friend who was willing to take my girls so I could be there for My niece Since My Brother-In-Law is deployed on the same ship as my Husband he could not be here for the birth. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I have spent the last 3 days running between My house and the hospital and taking care of 4 girls as best I can. While also Trying to do as much as I possibly can for my Sister-In -Law. I know If I were in her shoes it would be so HARD to have a baby without my husband and I would hope I had people around me who were able to step up and Help. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">If I had a double it would be sooo much easier!!! I could do so much more. But alas I guess I can not do all that I would like to do....</span> </div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-72316175104657670752009-08-13T13:20:00.000-07:002009-08-13T13:46:49.043-07:00Meghan is 8 ....<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6_1ixf-oxPGszx1cOpKx0ZVZ0l2oXrsMXcpIlXd1iJ0yW0-OuY2crV_6SzoP_Xv6Sq9rUlQI_bLGLwxIWgacmIZDy1FnMiML0q8Tj_ryNS9UJiPg3O8D3mATiWG-m75eZ5Tg_ENrhG8V/s1600-h/DSC03337.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369546575556361170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6_1ixf-oxPGszx1cOpKx0ZVZ0l2oXrsMXcpIlXd1iJ0yW0-OuY2crV_6SzoP_Xv6Sq9rUlQI_bLGLwxIWgacmIZDy1FnMiML0q8Tj_ryNS9UJiPg3O8D3mATiWG-m75eZ5Tg_ENrhG8V/s400/DSC03337.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Wow I can not believe My first lil baby girl is Eight years old. She is growing way to fast! Where did the time go. It seems like yesterday she was just toddling around getting into things and "helping" with everything. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Meghan Allyse has ALWAYS been a Daddy's girl from day one right out of the womb she had him wrapped around her finger and he was her everything. She was fine with me if daddy was not there But if he was she wanted him. When she got a little older she learned what daddy wore when he went to work and would cry whenever she saw him getting ready for work. She LOVES her daddy! As her Mother it was hard to take that my baby wanted her daddy more than me. However, watching the their relationship over the years has been wonderful, and as she gets a little older she is coming around to loving us a little more equally although I know she will always hold a special place for her daddy. It is hard on him to miss Birthdays, This is two in a row for Miss Meghan. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Meghan is our little Artist. She is Shy, and self conscious and loves to dance and sing But hates the idea of anyone watching her. She is not a spur of the moment girl she has to emotional prepare herself for any and ever kind of performance. If she has to speak in front of the class we have to rehearse for days so she know what she is doing and saying and can put away some of that performance anxiety. She loves to plan shows and events and let others perform them and shine she is happy to stand by knowing she planned it! </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Meghan! </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000066;">Happy BIRTHDAY Meghan! Mommy and Daddy Love you so much!</span><br /></span></div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-6398134110664870662009-08-02T18:23:00.000-07:002009-08-03T22:33:40.974-07:0020 weeks! or half way<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Actually it is more than half way for me since i will most likely deliver this baby in my 38th week. I will be having a scheduled C-Section and therefore am typically scheduled 7-10 days before my due date. So here I am all big and Preggo! </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><span style="color:#000066;"><br /></div></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365543053930833298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85gFK8iZcw27q0wYzy4zJ9ZSOdys_43MQi5oaBuXzmEIniIuZ0WB6LZVKG5k02kMCeWUV-vK9hB5X9tOmXcx_7GMGskPV1tkbQQ319ykJln8ND11JzFvNkRU09Gg4Kyg_n4cDem6cyPXj/s400/DSC03041.JPG" border="0" /> Today We had the big ultrasound to check on baby's growth and hopefully find out the gender. We ended up not being so lucky in the gender department. The Lil' one was all curled up on it's tummy with it's little legs tucked under it's hinney! The tech tried and tried but no luck!</span></div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><div align="justify"><br /><br /><br /></div></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">She did tell me that out little one is measuring right on for 20 weeks and weighs about 12 ounces right now. Incredible that this tiny person is less than a pound and wriggling and kicking and causing the above BIG belly! I'm smitten.... It is always amazing to see that life on the screen. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">So here are the photo's we got!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365976353721649586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSmLZN6REaeVINsfwMHA6QHJTt_HbBz2ZDg5BN6r7qIU37OpN_O_Vy7U9X_r2cDlh71bmQpdzV2pDrpWGTmK3R6Y0j7N975uE0LqkToMtbZ9mAdijxN3qXfkxJWa43_yzIJ-zB55O7Wz9/s400/baby+profile.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365975960443348802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 308px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln2gt6nU44F9n2Wsgj6fVcZJWjJnUik7T7sSfi4QW0VVdw2qbTU0CU1aWx-Dr27IW7d3myhi9YxC8KBWT1PllqaRHCtseTKr-SIAa83o6PPoHuxAKiTi9ommukawv4vwlzBtbkluo9ZhG/s400/Baby+curled+up.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365975545430078802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 367px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuiyneJ7yuw6PlaJsDYeC9hfaVHDUxE_BcnwGFTRHDR0Lohl5_A2xlCrGSYLGzl3KYwehbIyKGW8xo1lVV0tJvfaWr5yofXWl8WXE7JH0SyDtpF7Eh0TIQuNhBJNRgO3hS0nk_Qpf46Q6/s400/baby+face+down.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /></span></div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-75352384777659898892009-07-31T08:21:00.000-07:002009-07-31T08:54:50.182-07:00I found her....<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tjuRD-QjK1A62hQDUZf_Pibvd8SbTVn2Kaeqv0PUopPGfA8vsh7Sx5FaFmT9rbcSYTmtmydRjgfy8S-laei6FfRAdnWrCc2-HmyLs5tyBSXmsviEuf81e18PGSh_GbxmEaZol7jPCX1L/s1600-h/DSC02765.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364651891829323858" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tjuRD-QjK1A62hQDUZf_Pibvd8SbTVn2Kaeqv0PUopPGfA8vsh7Sx5FaFmT9rbcSYTmtmydRjgfy8S-laei6FfRAdnWrCc2-HmyLs5tyBSXmsviEuf81e18PGSh_GbxmEaZol7jPCX1L/s400/DSC02765.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">My Kate that is... I had hopped the real Kate was still in there under all that 3 year old miserable-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ness</span>. Yesterday I found her.... In Hollywood (after a 2.5 hr car ride) non the less! We had planned a day trip to LA for Myself , Kate, Michaela and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Alyana</span> (who are visiting with us). Meghan and Melanie had school and were to go to a friends house after for a play date (I did not think they would enjoy LA much anyway). I feared what the day may bring for Kate. It could have been an utter disaster. I knew that there was not going to be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">a lot</span> for her to do, mostly walking and looking and non of that really interests a 3year old. We had the stroller for her so she could walk or ride whatever she wanted. I had decided ahead of time that I would not force her to do anything if she was not cooperating, the big girls could go ahead and I'd stay with Kate.</span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">SHE WAS <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">AWESOME</span>! we had an amazing day. It is not often I have her alone so it was nice to be able to talk with her and walk holding hands and watch her browse the stores. She found this little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tinkerbell</span> purse in a store (probably the 5 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span> one we were in) it was the only thing she had asked for all day and it was only $3 so I let her buy it, gave her the money and let her go to the counter. She was thrilled the rest of the day with her little purse. It was funny almost like she had something in mind and was shopping for it. She looked at every store but only asked for this one thing all day. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-oaA76VlFOHf_vd_g-vOgfZYmcLrHOybaaQa6TCzM-_rhqZODeAXudC6kP0eIvAIonNth9gx7LHtfUFhnkGaYf8PbeM6NTIRc7hhgakMoCtcun1Szk8ARlKFDvXj9opTZHA_Gg6tiblk/s1600-h/DSC02815.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364652399458239586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-oaA76VlFOHf_vd_g-vOgfZYmcLrHOybaaQa6TCzM-_rhqZODeAXudC6kP0eIvAIonNth9gx7LHtfUFhnkGaYf8PbeM6NTIRc7hhgakMoCtcun1Szk8ARlKFDvXj9opTZHA_Gg6tiblk/s400/DSC02815.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">We went to Madam <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Tussuad's</span> Wax Museum. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">She</span> walked <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">around</span> and was a bit afraid of the wax figures. It was comical at </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">times how she's shy away. Until we saw <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Shrek</span>! SHE WAS VERY EXCITED!!! He was huge and you would have though intimidating to a small child but she was thrilled! We all had a lot o<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">f</span> fun in the Museum. There was a lot of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">glass</span> stuff in the gift shop on the way out. I was nervous about her looking at things and kept telling her not to touch. So what happens??? I try on a pair of sun glasses (bat girl style) and upon placing them back in the wrack they fall and land in a glass and the glass shatters!!! Oh dear... worse yet the sales lady was standing right there.... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">OOPSY</span>! The lady assured me it was no <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">big</span> deal as I fell over myself apologizing! We quickly High tailed it out of there after that! </span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">On our way home we were stuck in the most horrid traffic! the 2.5 hour trip took 4.5 hours to get home. Again in the car she was an angel! singing and joking around Laughing and even making light of having to wait (what I am sure seemed like an eternity to her) to find a bathroom when she had to pee.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Words can not explain how happy I was to see my sweet little girl back again, even if it does not last at least I know she is still in there somewhere.</span> </span></div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-52074818730979982512009-07-28T14:01:00.000-07:002009-07-28T22:45:47.802-07:0010 YEARS!<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY HUSBAND! and also Thank you too him for putting up with Me all these years!! </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I am absolutely the Luckiest Lady in the World! My husband is the most amazingly patient, loving, understanding devoted man I have ever met. I often wonder what I have done to deserve him. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000066;">He saved me from myself at a time when I did not even realize I needed to be rescued. He has spent the last 10 years making all my dreams come true!</span> <span style="color:#000066;">He is not only the love of my life but My best friend and Partner in LIFE! </span></span></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363733562888246050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 325px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPLyvCc2xH3cqbBkZCZCyE1BrxkLs0ESM-PBIXmVYIvPLBPbBZjVR0ehmR6nHs5JxhmRD1C_gOXrMJ6jNpXfTfcntol4toC7s4VUS5RXibjxfMrdAmtzvhc28x9vUqtetKSrx0TBlQjU3/s400/us+getting+married.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">The above is the day we were "married" July 29, 1999, By the Mayor of Saratoga Springs</span></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363733762582854338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 167px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEUACPtei-sq4EogKgN6XxCbFBkyQMjgT61E-o-ODCaCbm1uqxEUBlooz9JbgXs_LQABb1XTigOpX3Vpmw2yV_i1rCv7V0t22UMGMTaSG4nsAPQPebZRMSaXPpqSDqOy5dUBA938GTOaN/s400/wedding+Party.jpg" border="0" /></span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000066;">And this is our wedding Day July 29th 2000... a Truely wonderful day!</span> </span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">In 10 years together we have Moved 5 times, lived in 3 different States, bought 2 brand new vehicles, Traveled across country, been seperated for 36+ months by deployments and underway. We have also been blessed with 3 beautiful Daughters, Crushed by loss of a baby at 10 weeks gestation, and are currently pregnant with our 4th and Final lil' one! We have yet to Buy a house, experience life outside the Military, go on a cruise together, or Live in one house in one state for more than 3 years. There is so very much more that we will do that I can not even fathom. With Andrew by my side anything is possible!</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">It has been an absolutely incredible, amazing, wonderful 10 years and I look forward to every day that is to come!</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000066;">I LOVE YOU </span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000066;">ANDREW DALTON OLMSTED!</span></p>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-67938884642306991062009-07-27T22:13:00.000-07:002009-07-28T08:21:25.133-07:00First Day of School<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Today Meghan and Melanie started school. Meghan is Now in the Third grade.... Honestly how in the world did that happen??? She will be eight years old in Two weeks. Her Teacher this year is Mrs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rubio</span>. The first day seemed to go well. She says that her teacher is Funny, which is a big selling point for her she learns really well when it is fun! Melanie has Mrs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Camberos</span> this year for first grade. Let me tell you how happy I am that she is out of half day kindergarten!! WOO <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">HOO</span>!!! We walk to and from school and last year I felt like my entire day was spent <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">trekking</span> back and fourth to school. Mel did not say too much about school today just that it was good. She is excited about eating lunch there and her best friend from Kindergarten is in her class so all is good with the World. I actually got to meet Mrs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Camberos</span> before school started today and thought she seemed very sweet. I am sure Melanie will have her wrapped around her little finger in no time. Melanie is your typical brown <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">noser</span>!! She is perfecting her role as the teachers pet quite nicely! </span></div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">SO here are a couple of photos.....</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363386960209912274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ3E7GYD4rlstCxhANC5F8RoWtVSHw7OENYLPtp86e5V__WNLpjxzlhhLBCCHmD8zEaaVWo-o3j84t-c1CuTMJqGz1wm3Ne3FMavKov6iPjOXODWTTJEvrPqL6-fTtTM1CfUwxIpmfSB4/s400/DSC02723.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363388096988230610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtgSTxF8Fq4UUsWTJ2XNnbji0NoIuNJqjMJS4HFII3wxwQkPlznxLTlAXsxUmNNwfC3_usaxria0CABclJJu8YmymNk8Xajuwh0DKfU_VlA6Oo_kdWYKeAJjl58BrgpPzy796yKH3CCSo/s400/DSC02721.JPG" border="0" />Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-23434489946033275552009-07-21T14:30:00.000-07:002009-07-23T09:22:38.380-07:00FAILING<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">It seems like Kate has been increasingly more needy and demanding since Andrew left on deployment and this has been greatly compounded by Meghan and Melanie being out of school and us being on Vacation and our regular routine being totally disrupted. At this point she is spinning out of control and I do not know what to do to get her back. </span></div><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I am failing her and that really tares me apart. I am her Mother and should be able to find someway to help her function under all the stresses of our life right now. I just do not know what to do. Lately she is totally defiant and will argue with me about everything and anything. She wants me and only me the majority of the time and is not willing to compromise no matter what. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I feel like I am just waiting.... waiting to be back at home maybe that will fix her.... Nope did not work... Now maybe once Meghan and Melanie are back in school we can get Kate back to normal.... we'll see. Unfortunately we are traveling again the beginning of August so Normal will not happen around here for quite some time!</span></p>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-65925484828802422642009-07-13T05:20:00.000-07:002009-07-13T05:47:27.529-07:00A Coincidence?<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">On our travels from Missouri to Ohio yesterday I was struck by what to me has to be more than mere coincidence. At approximately 10:30 am I was driving into Effigham, Illinois listening to my Ipod. On my play list I have about 220 songs, and I listen on shuffle so I do not go through a period of the same artist for several songs I like the mix. I have an interesting mix of music including a lot of country, some alternative, some 80's rock, (ahem) <span style="font-size:85%;">Hannah Montana, Mylie Cyrus, high school musical</span>, and several Disney cartoon favorites. Also in this collection is the entire album of Alan Jackson's Hymns "precious memories". Honestly this is the only christian music I own, I love it, It reminds me of My Pappy Trigg who led singing in church nearly every Sunday he was able to attend for more than 10 years. When listening to most of these songs that I have sang at church so many times over the years I can hear pappy's voice clear as day. Takes me back.. You know?</span><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">SO anyway Yesterday as I was approaching effingham "standing on the promises" comes on the Ipod and pappy and I are singing awak he in my head me right out loud. As I gaze at the road ahead The HUGE White cross appears at the side of the road this is not the first time I have seen it, it has always been there But this time I approach it as I am belting out a church hymn on a Sunday morning when.... I should be in church. Just as I am at the Cross "standing on the promises" concludes and is immediately followed by "when we all get to heaven". It nearly took my breathe away. What are the chances out of 220 songs on shuffle I would hear two songs from the same album in a row let alone that those songs would both be hymns and be on in the brief couple of minutes that the cross at the side of the road in Effingham is in my view.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I got the following information and photo from </span><a href="http://www.crossusa.org/"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">http://www.crossusa.org/</span></a></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357924334347363618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwggElD8HyYf_iNrxOuCTUhwuNe3X3WqkabpkFKkD1CZ3mhOdr9pIN2vWdtsoBeAIGhXEj4OkMG1QvL6-XURuvpFijdF3dHN2NYZ5Wgn927yhahr-fuL7Zi31C1VvMjD1sMyGoCXz7wx4h/s400/cross.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><p align="justify"><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">"The Cross Foundation is dedicated to building both faith and family on an ecumenical basis. The Cross Foundation has completed a 198 foot Cross at the intersection of Interstates 57 & 70 in Effingham, Illinois. This site is intended to serve as a beacon of hope to the 50,000 travelers estimated to pass the site each day. In addition, the Cross Foundation will promote the values of faith and family through other activities at the Effingham site, as well as programs to be announced shortly."</span></em></p>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-82574068211517009472009-07-04T11:12:00.000-07:002009-07-26T19:46:08.103-07:0016 Weeks<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">... er 4 MONTHS that it!! YAY!!<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">SO we are officially 4 months into this pregnancy. Soon we or at least I will get to find out what gender our lil' one will be (not that I am expecting it to be anything other than a girl). I am a need to know these things kind of girl. I hate surprises and still can't sleep on Christmas just at the thought that someone bought ME a gift that I do not know what it is. This first 16-20 weeks of pregnancy is like Christmas eve every night... I really need this info so I can rest with the knowledge of the gender of our child. I know I will find something else to think about or worry about to keep me up at night, But it will not be dreams of boy or girl. I will post that information as soon as I know and have had a chance to share the news with my husband.</span></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">SO What is going on with baby now??</span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">~The baby is around 17.5 cm in size and 160 g in weight. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">~The baby can grasp with its hands, kick or even somersault by this time. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">~The baby acquires reflex of suction and you can notice the baby stopping the swallowing action if a bitter solution is introduced into the amniotic fluid. The baby can even get hiccups in this stage. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">~ The genitals are fully developed and a sonogram might be able to tell you the sex of the baby.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">~The baby has developed reflexes like sucking, blinking and swallowing. </span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354717403649332082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 303px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomP4KYfhtZqq-co5j1i4vzbinDc2tw5DRVeXvzgerIVs30er2Zsi4-J7tD6Mc41gI-QNtIeNsXeuJ33WrgLpUpHG6WQDwSFL4pLNFiUe1XTPahHsbHQpUZYfhBwiCbABxlw84vDSI4uBm/s400/week16.jpg" border="0" /></span> </span><p></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000066;">SO That is what is going on in the Womb these days!</span> </span>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-35326627070758206432009-06-20T09:57:00.000-07:002009-06-26T02:36:38.198-07:00KATIE'S BIRTHDAY!<div align="center"><span style="color:#330099;"><span style="font-size:130%;">HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY GIRL</span>!</span><span style="color:#330099;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#330099;"></span></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhap7O9iLUWmWaPmwvzpMwNyPLkhvZGfSpfOQawda57HI3EC_eTRTqGyBcOljY3jTR3oe3LqXYK4Q3KiBXwz5zvk9m6-6arjs-0-0CRABWV1vloEWpKQe4GdS71ZzEqy-9cEfsEro3jIA4x/s1600-h/kate+birthday.jpg"><span style="color:#330099;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349455464477754226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhap7O9iLUWmWaPmwvzpMwNyPLkhvZGfSpfOQawda57HI3EC_eTRTqGyBcOljY3jTR3oe3LqXYK4Q3KiBXwz5zvk9m6-6arjs-0-0CRABWV1vloEWpKQe4GdS71ZzEqy-9cEfsEro3jIA4x/s400/kate+birthday.jpg" border="0" /></span></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">It does not seem possible that our baby girl is 3 years old all ready. It seems like just yesterday we were at the hospital waiting to go into surgery to have our little one. She was a good baby right from the start. She put up with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">a lot</span> of "LOVE" from her big sisters in the beginning and rarely put up a fuss. She has since grown into an extremely social, very verbal, inquisitive, adventurous (naughty at times) little princess with a dash of sass to hold her own in a house full of girls!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">We have been so very blessed with all of our girls. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Katelynn</span> is a mixed up combination of qualities from both of her sisters. We see Melanie's dramatic side, Meghan's Artsy side, Melanie's big eye's, Meghan's curls. She also has qualities all her own (sometimes <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">scary</span> for mom) She is a social butterfly, has never met a stranger and would befriend anyone of any age if they are willing to listen and talk with her! </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Every day is an adventure with our youngest princess we will see where tomorrow takes us!</span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><span style="color:#000066;"></span>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-8380852637508317082009-06-13T21:52:00.000-07:002009-06-15T06:58:57.473-07:00PACKING!<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I am a chronic over packer ... I always have been. I can come up with a laundry lists of what ifs in which I have to be prepared for. I'd love to blame it on being a mom and just trying to be prepared for the sake of my children. However..... I was an over packer long before I had children. There have been many occasions when I have gone on trips and never even worn half the clothing I brought. Honestly this was only an annoyance to my husband until We threw an airplane into the mix. When we drove everywhere we went we just added a car top carrier and were prepared BUT now... Oh now Continental has to charge me for every single bag we pack! SO now my hate to spend the money on stupid fees side is battling my need to be prepared for a winter storm in July side. This makes for fun Packing! SO what do I do..... avoid the problem, it will go away right?? Probably not, SO I gave myself a day Sunday to be exact. Sunday is packing day it will be done before I allow myself to go to bed tomorrow night which could get interesting! My goal is 2 bags... for 4 people we will see if I can do it.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">****edit**** HA I DID IT!!! I also forgot to mention that we were packing to be on a month long trip! I am very proud to only have to pay for 2 bags!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div>Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558152398656480719.post-42142345299222358452009-06-08T11:27:00.000-07:002009-06-09T17:34:06.894-07:00Kinder Promotion<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000066;">My Melanie is headed to first grade! Today we went to the ceremony for Kinder promotion. It was very cute! Each room had their own time slot which was nice so both parents and kids did not have to sit through 100 kindergartners getting diploma's. They sang a little song and there was a slide show of the year. As happy as I am for her to be going to 1st grade and be in school for a full day I did get a bit teary. She has grown so very much!</span></span><span style="color:#000066;"> </span></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345030176965399266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSM1rJB6s_x2cPr7h00gE-Q7AOSpQ7A8bWqqBBv4rjb3YV1uQumuPc0lEc6eiPEt99d6E6rO3PD6gK4U8hJ0WNGbGkc8sWaEvOHEUg_bAiHcLDDjroIDWZXivAaxLMQ_cE41ALvUYFNVV8/s400/DSC01445.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345029469802137266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTSAwvPYY24OLiTY2IxFhI-Eb-v3MW6ckPuE96NrHV76263AQjG5PBsYw4wm5XhFj1zBsP6-rkA8NiziEJYr7XfawKBgGBXnYevH2tZ1AurnijrNbQaHWsOWy58quRiJPG6XEHo1GOOtG/s400/DSC01444.JPG" border="0" />Jane Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16260246133001895864noreply@blogger.com0