I'm back...a year later

Hey everybody! I thought I would take a minute and drop in...if anyone still reads this thing. I just went and checked in on everyone that I used to read about religiously. I miss reading so much. It seems like kids are keeping everyone from blogging as much as we used to. I love seeing the pics of every ones children, they are all so beautiful. So much has been going on in the last year, I don't even know where to begin. Chandler is 8 now, Gracie is 4 (5 in a week) and Madison is 20 months. Wheeee!!! Chandler is doing well, he still faces a lot of the same challenges that he has in the past, not talking, not self feeding, etc. But he enjoys school a lot, and he has a personal aide now that is with him throughout the whole school day and even while he is on the bus, and that has been so nice! Gracie started pre-school this year, she is allowed to ride the bus with Chandler, so that eases my mind a lot. In our county, the smallest of children ride the same bus as the high schoolers, and I was not crazy about that, so I got it fixed the first day of school. She loves school, and has learned so much since she has started. She also played soccer this year, I was so proud of her. She really liked and did well. It's cute to see such little kids play together as a team. I took way too many pictures, and may post them eventually. Madison is doing the normal things that babies do. She gets into everything, is learning to throw tantrums, she knows how to get her way and is good at it. She is a spunky little thing, too. She looks so much like Chandler, with the dark hair and dark eyes. And she babbles all the time. In her own language of course. She says a few words but would rather speak in her own way.

Daniel and I are good, we are coming up on our 12 year anniversary in a few weeks. I can't believe that it has been this long. I don't feel old enough to have been married that long! But we've made it, through the good and the bad. I've been having a few medical problems lately, but not too much that is dangerous. I have been dealing with some depression, for a while now, and I had just put it off for too long, until I just about lost my mind. I noticed it was piling on, and I was so angry and would just get so angry so fast...then Daniel pointed it out to me, and then I knew I had to do something about it. The doctor put me on Zoloft, wayyyy to much of it, because when i took it, it was knocking me out for half the day, I could not even function. I had NO feelings, and had no emotions. I hated it, so I started taking half the dosage and that seemed to work better for me. Then after being on it for a while, my grandmother passed away (it had been a long battle) and so I stopped taking the medication. I felt good again, and didn't have to be dependant on the meds. Well, I started to feel myself falling into it again, so I went back on the meds a week ago, and now I am having weird symptoms, my heart is racing, feels like someone sitting on my chest, so I think I am just going to stop taking it again. We'll have to see how it goes.

Thanksgiving will be interesting this year, we're going to my MIL's...I am dreading it, seriously. I have so many ill feelings toward that woman, that I can't even imagine spending the day with her, but I have no choice... so we're driving up to Roanoke to visit and eat a meal, then driving back home and having a long weekend here at the house by ourselves. So wish me luck! I think I'm gonna pick this blogging thing back up, I've missed it so much. And it is nice to be able to get this out of my head. Oh and I forgot to mention that I am opening up my pet grooming shop again. I had to close down when I was pregnant with Madison because I got so ill, but now I taking the plunge again, so I'll be writing how that goes also! I've missed you all!!

A long needed update...

I'm here, I am okay. I guess I just needed to take a break and be a mommy for a while. Going from two to three kids has been somewhat traumatic in some ways. I am doing well, still a SAHM, doing what I do. Chandler is doing really well, he started a new school this year and that has been an answer to prayers. he really loves the new school and the new teacher, and he is doing so well. He is 7 now!! Gracie is good, she is a vibrant and outgoing as ever. She holds back for nothing. She loves everyone and is so smart in some ways but still so young in other ways. I see so much of myself in her, and it scares me some but in most ways it makes me warm inside. She will be 4 next month and she is already so excited about it. Maddie turned 7 months on the 14th of this month. I can't believe it has gone so fast! She is crawling everywere and even crawled up two steps tonight!! She is babbling saying dadada all the time. She smiles at everyone and still has such a wonderful personality. She is finally getting hair and it is so dark brown, and her eyes are black like coal. She is just beautiful, I could go on and on and on, but most would say I am biased. I love those morning smiles, the ones that just light up my day.

I have been lurking mostly, I read often. I miss everyone from the TTCOAY board. I've been thinking about you girls a lot. Lesley I have been wondering how you are, I miss your blog. Ally, I am so so so so very sorry. I don't know what else to say. I know the words I'm sorry don't cover much territory, but it's all I know to say. That and we all support you and pray for you. Chas, what a beautiful baby girl you have!! Keep updating pics! Jenn, your babies are so very cute with those huge eyes!! I know you MUST have your hands full!! And for all the others, I wish you all good luck in your TTC efforts.

I'm alive, I promise!! Gosh, with hot weather here now, and the kids, and everyone being sick for a while, the time has just flown by. School will be out before I know it, and then I will have even less time. We are all doing well. We went through a phase where everyone (except Daniel and Maddie) had a bad cold, which I honestly think was strep, but thankfully, it has gotten better for everyone. Gracie still has tonsils the size of baseballs, and I still have a bad cough, but the fevers are gone, and I am happy for that. We had to buy a van. It is not new, it's a 2000 Ford Windstar. Our van died on us a few weeks back and we had done nothing ubt sink money into it for months and things just kept going wrong, so it finally came to that point where we had put more money into it than it was worth. Now we get to deal with a car payment....yuck. But I really like the van, and it does good for us. I really liked my old van, it was just so "us". I loved everything about it. But we said good bye to it and Gracie screamed all the way home after we bought the new one. She wanted our old one back....

Chandler is doing real good. He was put on some new medication and it has really helped to level out his mood and control the outburts and hand biting, etc. I am so happy we finally found something that works. His walking has improved so much, he walks everywhere now, and I swear he looks like he wants to try steps, but I am just not ready for that one. He had musical at school that he was able to participate in two weeks ago and it was so cute. It was a sea creature theme and he laughed through the whole thing. It was nice to finally see him participating in school activities. This was his first program.

Gracie is fine, she is spending most of her time outdoors now that the weather is so nice. She is so independant that she never needs anyone, which is good at times, but sometimes I miss my little girl. We are completely potty trained now, thank God! In some ways it was easier than I thought it would be, but we still hit a few rough spots, but I guess that is to be expected. She seems to be proud of being able to wear big girl panties, so we reward her with cute new ones every so often. Her favorites now are "Over the Hedge" and they have skunks all over them.

Maddie is well, she is really growing, and finally putting on some weight She is still very small, but she is growing! I had her at the WIC office on May 2nd, and she weighed 9 lbs 7 ounces. Her little face is finally filling out, and she is just now starting to get rolls on her legs. Her eyes have changed from the dark blue grey to a very deep brown. I am so happy that she has brown eyes. Actually she is a carbon copy of what Chandler looked like as an infant. Only much smaller. She had her 2 month checkup on May 16th and she weighed 10 lbs 2 ounces and was 21 1/2" long. She got 4 shots, 2 in each leg, and she did pretty well with them. I gave her Tylenol for two days to help her out. I hated seeing her have to get them. That is one part of motherhood that never gets any easier. We also got a good report that she has really good muscle tone. We always look for that because of Chandler's problems, and thankfully, she is showing no signs of any problems. She is a really strong little girl. She has great head control and is already pushing up when you lay her on her belly. It is so fun to watch her exploring everything. She found herslf in the mirror the other day and let out the cutest giggle. She smiles so easily at everyone and seems so curious to read peoples faces. She is really maturing qucikly. I just wish she would stay a baby for a lot longer.

I am doing okay, I am still having trouble with the baby weight. I still have only lost 10 pounds since I had Maddie, and it is getting really frustrating. I've been taking long walks in the evenings, with the kids and Daniel. We walk all over the place, looking at the cows and spying on spiders and bugs and sometimes if we're lucky we see frogs. Each evening Gracie wants to go explore new things. And God knows I need to get out of the house by then. I am able to fit into some of my pre pregnancy clothes but ot many. I have had to buy new shorts ad pants, and even some shirts. I still have a 5 months pregnant belly, it is so sickening. I am really not disgusted with the number that I am at, just where the weight is sitting is bad. It is all in my belly. I have a donut around my waist and I hate it. I will try and post some pics of the family soon. I got some good ones over the Memorial Day holiday, so I will try and get them up soon. Oh, and I spoiled myself with a new tattoo on Memorial Day. I may just have to post a picture of that too. It's on my lower back, right now it is just black and white, but eventually I will have it colored in. My brother is a tattoo artist so I can just stop by there anytime I want it colored in. I am really happy with it. It hurt like hell, but I guess it was worth it.

Thats about it for us. I just wanted to report on how we're all doing since it has been so long. I miss everyone.

I posted a few new pics on the baby site!

New pics on the baby site....

Here are new pics of Maddie

My long needed update

I feel like I have been gone forever, and I know it seems that way to you all. Sorry, things around here are taking some getting used to. Chandler has been on spring break this week, so having three is weird. Maddie is doing wonderful and growing like a little weed. She still is not gettin gthe day and night thing down pat yet, but we're working on it. Gracie and Chandler are doing good, and Gracie is really excited about Easter. We are trying to get her to leave her binkies in a basket for the Easter Bunny in exchange for her basket but we just don't know if it will work out or not. She is just at the age where she really needs to get rid of them completely. She only gets it at night, but she has a basket full of them and each night, we have to dig through them all to see just which one she might want to have that night, it really just means she is stalling bedtime, and it gets quite old. So Saturday night, wish us luck that it all goes well....it could be a very long night for the whole McSherry household.

I am doing okay, I am still pretty tired, ubt my body is getting used to the small amounts of sleep, and I am learning to just use what energy I have. Some days I feel like I am running on fumes. I am having some "emotional" problems with my weight. I have always been very small, even when I didn't want to be that small, I use to try everything in my power to gain weight and nothing worked. Now I have the weight and it is just too much. I know she is only a month old, and to be honest, it is not the NUMBER that bothers me, it is the look. If only it could be toned, but getting to exercise is no option at this point for me. My stomach is still huge, literally, I look as if I am 6 months pregnant, and some people have even asked if I am pregnant. It is humiliating. With Chandler and Gracie, it fell off, but this time around is so much more difficult. Everyone said with breastfeeding the weight just falls off, but I am finding that to be not so true with me. But I am coping with it. It is one of those things that I deal with day to day and hope that I can handle it. Some days are worse than others (days that I have to go out in public and find something to wear)...it sucks. But enough whining....

I have a screaming little one waiting to be fed, but I want to say hello to everyone and I miss you all!

She's Here!

Madison Elle McSherry
was born March 14, 2006 at 10:34 am
weighing 6 lbs 5 oz and 18"long.
Both mommy and baby are doing well and we will post pictures soon!

37 weeks 5 days!

So here we are at 37 weeks...just days away from having our baby girl. I will admit, I am scared to death...I know this should be pretty normal for me by now, but even on the third I still get nervous. I lay awake at night wondering what she will look like and what she will sound like...or WHO she will look like.

I honestly think I am going to pop at the seams, I feel like Winnie The Pooh, and just waiting to eat too much till my stuffing comes out. Wouldn't that be pretty? The baby has dropped now, which is nice on my lungs but terrible on my ....well, you know. So this may be the last picture you see of me this big. I check into the hospital at midnight Monday night and have the baby Tuesday morning, and I still plan to go through with getting my tubes tied. I am finally done. Thanks to all of you who have checked in on me throughout this whole ordeal. From the very beginning stages of throwing up my "stuffing" to now wanting it just to pop out. I love you all! 

36 weeks!

 

Congratulations Jenn on the arrival of your TWINS!!!! We are so proud of you and so very excited to see pics of your new miracles!!

My poor sick boy...

Today Chandler came home from school sick. He had been vomiting and has been ever since. I feel so bad for him, he is just laying in the bed moaning. And there is very little that I can do for him. Life can be so cruel sometimes. So it may be a long weekend for us. We had big plans to work outside on the swingset this weekend, but that may be changing now. Well, I say we had big plans, more like Daniel had big plans and I was going to sit on my butt and be a good patient and not do any "work". I like supervising better anyway.

I have finally hit the first stage of "nesting" I think...I woke up this morning with the urge to do something other than sit on my tail. So I took it as easy as I could and put gloves on and got to work. I also made Gracie help, which she doesn't seem to mind yet. I ran the kitchen sink full of hot soapy water and gave her a rag and told her to wash off every surface she could find. That keeps a 3 year old busy for a long time, ya know? So long as they remember to ring out the rag before they trapse across the floor....I won't go there. Then I got the call to come pick Chandler up from school, so ever since then I have been cleaning him up and washing his dirty clothes...yick. I so wish i could be more into this nesting thing by now. I was full into it by now with my first two pregnancies, but with this one, it is all I can do to pull myself off the couch anymore. I feel like such a louse.

On the baby front, I am feeling well; she is an active one, that is for sure. She is as active as Grace was when I carried her...I am not sure if that is a good sign or not. Chandler was always so laid back and was gentle on me, but these last two are giving me a run for my money. I am gaining weight again after being sick last week, and I certainly have my appetite back. I am on a prescription for the acid reflux which is working like a charm. Who knew medicine coul dmake you feel so good. I am not a big pill popper, but I swear by these things...and still the Zofran. That nausea and morning sickness is a kicker still ...And the best news et is that I have less than 8 weeks to go!! Only 57 more days to go!! Yay! The scarey thing is that I still have almost 8 weeks to grow...and I feel stretched to the max as it is. My skin almost burns it is so tight, but I know it won't pop...at least it never has before :o)

I am little depressed that I don't have a nursery to set up this time around. That takes some of the fun out of being pregnant. Usually this time, you are so busy with setting up the crib and painting and decorating, but since the baby will be sharing a room with Gracie, I can't do anything. I still have not set up the crib for fear that Gracie will want to go back to her old ways and sleep in it, so we will just wait until the last monute to set that up. All the clothes are washed and ready for her arrival, though. And it is somewhat depressing not to have a baby shower this time around. I know I shouldn't expect one, since it is our third, but they are so much fun...even though I hate being the center of attention. It is always nice to get gifts no matter what age you are. And I do plan to have a "meet the baby" party after she arrives, just to give everyone a chance to come and spend a day with us and google over her for a while.

Other than that, my life has been so boring lately. Nothing to report other than that. I so hope that Chas and Heathers babies are doing well and they are enjoying their time with them. Having a new baby is so mch fun and can be so rewarding. Being a mom is the greatest feeling in the world. It can be taxing, but it is SUCH a reward. To know that God blessed you with such a wonderful gift, and entrusted us with these tiny creatures, that says it all. I pray that all the IPP girls have their dreams come true one day.

***I know you may be wondering if I will keep this blog going now that I have the "baby" blog...YES!!! I want two, and here are my reasons. This blog is for everyone that has been through my journey of trying to get pregnant, and so on. My family does not know of this blog and I'd like to keep it that way. The new blog, will be for my family to be able to read and be up to date with my pregnancy and pictures of the baby once she arrives. ***