My Attempt at Turning into a Cow

I've got the weight gain part down. Attempt at becoming cow-like part 1 = accomplished. Part 2? The milk supply. Something I didn't master with the last one and am making a valiant effort at it this time around. I took a trip to the health food store today to stock up on some recommended items and I'm gonna share my finds. I would love extra opinions from those who have tried these products...a nice little review would be nice (because I can return them!).
First one the list? It's a tea! I can drink tea everyday! :)


Then there's the two natural supplements (I was told it was completely safe to take all three at the same time!)

Then a new friend gave me this recommendation:
She said that everyday she got a Route 44 iced tea during happy hour and SWEARS by the increased milk supply! Again - bring on the tea! And I really am going to try this one :)
Then while at the health food store, I picked up something recommended to me months ago. I am always slightly anemic, but have never been able to successfully take iron supplements without being sick. Thus enter this new recommendation that not only has minimal side effects from the iron, but also increases the energy levels (which again, I WILL NEED POST NEW BABY). I can't take it till I have Noah, but I am excited to see it's effects on my iron levels!

Frustrated

Most of you know Lincoln had pneumonia around Christmas time. Well, ever since then, he has gotten better but has not been well. He still coughs from time to time, will have a rattle in chest, and recently has had a constantly dripping nose and more of a nasty cough the past 6-7 days. A few of these days in the past month he has acted puny and sick, but for the most part, he still plays hard, laughs, dances, smiles, sleeps, eats, and doesn't seem much bothered by the cough and snot. But after listening to him still hacking in the night, I decided I couldn't take it anymore and took him to the doctor first thing (again) this morning. I say "again" because I took him about 10 days ago to follow up with pneumonia and make sure he was okay.
The doctor agreed he didn't sound good and took more x-rays that still showed "hazy areas" in his lungs indicating pneumonia. Now when he got it at Christmas, that doc (different one since we were at Jason's parent's house when that all happened) told us the pneumonia could still show up on x-rays for another month. But our doctor seemed concerned about this and wanted a second opinion to make sure his lungs were okay. So he referred us to a pediatric lung specialist in Rogers to check him and make sure things are okay. He also prescribed another antibiotic which he started today. So of course I leave worried and in tears (also due with a baby in the next 2-3 weeks!) freaking out about all the worst case scenarios and upset that he has to go to a specialist. I call my husband who gently reminds me that God's in control of everything and that I shouldn't worry. Okay. I'll try. So I prayed and gave my best attempt to turn the situation over to God (not always easy), and did come out the other side with a sense of peace. I just want the little guy to be better!
My hope is that he never fully got over the pneumonia and this antibiotic will knock it out once and for all and all will be well. But it could be possible beginning stages of asthma or allergies (my mom had asthma as a kid but outgrew it...?). So say a pray for the little man that we can nail down what this is and that he can get better!

Saving the Ta-Ta's

Last week was Team Cancer Challenge week for 7-A West Basketball. Bentonville chose to highlight breast cancer awarness and thus explosions of pink (we're talking pepto-bismal pink) spewed all through Tiger arena Friday night. Jason was able to get pink uniforms donated for all the players and the guy who makes the uniforms (a personal friend who's also a missionary in the Phillipines) threw in some extras: pink uni's for all the coaches kids and their wives. :) So yes - we were exploding with pink, too (I, being 9 months pregnant was "exploding" a tad more than the other moms!).
It was a fantastic, fun night, and we defeated Harbor for our first conference win in the final seconds (which, almost sent me into labor).
Here are some pictures of the cute kids in their uniforms. BTW, between the varsity coaches alone, there are 7 kids under the age of seven, with 2 in the womb - meaning during next years season there will be NINE tinies running around. Lord help us. :) A bystander made the comment at a recent game "Gee - it looks like a freaking daycare over there!". Yes. And daycare workers are welcome to apply. :)

Here are us Siloam folks that can't seem to sell our houses and move. (AKA, the varsity staff minus the Stadels and their 3 girls).

After games Lincoln just wants to be with his daddy - precious.
Lincoln and his buddy Mikaiah...they're the current youngest of the bunch.

Prepared????

I say that with a question mark because lately I have been hit with the reality that we will soon have another BABY IN THE HOUSE...I have spent the last few minutes re-reading through old post when Lincoln was born, suddenly remembering the constant feedings and fits (he had a gassy tummy for first 4 months) and the exhausting work it takes to care for a newborn. But sprinkled in the sleepless nights, crying fits (where you feel totally helpless!) and short (very short) naps, were the glimmers of wonder and unexplainable love that overwhelms with a new baby - your new baby. I'm all excited and nervous and feeling incompetent and unworthy to have such a blessing again, all at the same time. And the motto of Jason and I since we meet comes back to me...here we go!
My mom asked me last night if I'm getting nervous about the delivery and all. I told her not at all. I was never nervous about that with Lincoln for some reason. Hospitals don't bother or scare me at all. In fact, I remember looking forward to that part with Lincoln, because for a few days, I got to be completely immobile and let others take care of me (I was also stressed at work at the time). I know some people like to get in and out of hospital ASAP when having babies, but not me. If insurance says I can spend 2 nights, I'm staying 2 nights. :) Someone help me to the bathroom, bring me medicine and meals, change diapers and hand my little darling to me whenever he's hungry and watch him while I sleep? Yes, please.
I am still the most nervous about the same thing I was nervous about when I had Lincoln - the first months to follow at home. What will sleep be like? Will he be healthy? How will Lincoln react? How will he do breastfeeding? The last one is a concern to me because I did not produce enough milk with Lincoln and had to quit around 4 months. My goal is to go 9 months and I hope I can do more to produce more this time (tips and comments on this would be greatly appreciated for those of you that have ever had trouble producing adequate milk!).
And I'll leave you with this...I am in the full-mode of having labor dreams every night now. The latest? I went into labor on a porch somewhere and gave birth to a St. Bernard. Yes.

Farewell to the Mullet

Farewell to the hair. Today was another snow day. Another day with no school for Bentonville. Another day with my husband. Fabulous. But today - even in the ridiculously low temperatures, we got stir crazy and made our way to Fayetteville to eat lunch at Chili's and pick up the family portraits we've had at Hobby Lobby the past week getting custom framed (which look fabulous, by the way, and do wonders for the appearance of our dull walls).
Tonight, JBU played MANU (where Jason played) and I really wanted to go watch the game with him but did not want to get Lincoln out in this nasty cold again. So we decided to have Miss Ariane come babysit - who also happens to be a fantastic hair stylist - and hit her up for a double whammy: cut the baby mullet and watch the baby. :) So yes - Lincoln got his first haircut tonight. He did great. Was squirmy, but manageable. Here are some pictures of the event.


Lincoln's a hit among the lady's and I think he was scared this cut was going to be a damper on his moves.

Ha. He's looking at me like "Mom, seriously, is this necessary??" Don't worry. He got fruit snacks for his good sportsmanship.

And I'll leave you with a picture form this morning cause he was all smiles.

Gymnastics Fun

Today, before the next winter storm hits, Lincoln and I ventured out to Fayetteville to meet up with Aunt Amy. You see, my sister's forever been an incredible gymnast and jokes about turning Lincoln into one. So we went up to her gym before classes started and let the little guy cut loose - he was a FAN. He loved the big dance room with the loud dance music playing (no surprise there), but I think his favorite part was the foam pit. Amy would pick him up and jump into it and his face would light up! Amy was impressed with his ability to maneuver through the foam...she said a lot of the 4 year olds have a hard time doing it. We have a strong little fella. Here are some pictures:


He had to take a drink break half way through... Might I add, he fell asleep within seconds of being in the car. :)

Noah's "Nursery"

I have truly enjoyed seeing all my pregnant blogger friends' beautifully decorated nurseries for the little ones with all the intricate details...so now, without further ado, allow me to present you with a never-before-seen exclusive peek into the meticulously designed nursery of Baby Noah:

That's right folks. That's it. And it's location is none other than the beautiful, serene setting of our bedroom corner - Jason's side. My sweet husband took time last night to re-arrange our furniture in our bedroom instead of watching JBU play (thanks baby for indulging in my nesting instincts that were haywire last night!). Granted, Noah in the bedroom is completely temporary being that I do not sleep when there is a baby in the room, but when you're breastfeeding throughout the night, sleeping is minimal at best anyway and I'd like to save the trip of going to another room to get the hungry man.

SOOOO, for now, here's your little room, Noah. Your daddy thinks you're getting the shaft. :) At least you have a nice pretty blanket with your name on it (even if all the burp cloths I washed yesterday and put in your "dresser" there, have your brother's name on them). But hey - your little brother would KILL to get to sleep this close to mommy and daddy so consider yourself lucky.