I am officially insane!

This is Marley, our new 7 week old puppy. Yes, you read that correctly, our PUPPY. I am officially off my rocker. lol She is a full bred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. When we first started talking about getting a dog over 3 years ago, after doing a lot of research we decided this would be the perfect dog for our family. The problem, the price tag. They range from $800 (pet quality) to over $1500 for a puppy, with most being $1200 and over. I was floored when I saw the price. I had emailed several breeders asking if they had any that were not "perfect" that would be for a pet only, and the cheapest I found was $800...holy smokes! We had pretty much put the thought out of our heads that we would be getting one anytime soon. We got Shelby, or 1 1/2 year old mutt, and the kids love her.

Yesterday, we were at Brandt's school at his Easter party and as I was walking back to my classroom I saw the puppy. I immedately recognized she was a Cavalier. I was petting her and saying that is the type of dog we wanted. They said they were getting rid of her and handed her to me. I told them no, I could not even remotely afford her. Then they tell me she is FREE, yes FREE! I called Dustin and he came and looked. She had hung out with 20 5th grade students all day and had done great. That tells you right there what a fabulous dog she is. After discussing and much deliberation we decided this was a once in a lifetime chance to get this dog. So now we are praying we can train her well in the 5 weeks before the baby gets here. She had an accident this morning 1st thing, but other than that has gone outside everytime (she was an outside dog). She still sleeps a lot, but does play with the boys. They all love her, and in fact she has been upstairs playing with the older 2 boys for 1 1/2 hours and loving it. They just brought her downstairs and she is crashed on my bed.

She just laid there and let all the boys hold her, even Bryson. He kept laughing and giggling, and telling everyone he had a new puppy when we went to t-ball practice. She is incredibly gentle and wonderful with kids (one of the main reasons we wanted this breed). I am just so thankful God provided this for us, totally unexpected, but greatly appreciated. She was owned by a family whose daughter is in the 5th grade at school. They have 3 grown Cavaliers and 2 bred and they ended up with this 1 puppy. They weren't planning on having puppies, and just wanted to find it a good home. She thanked us profusely for taking her. lol

Tons of pictures

I am now 33 weeks pregnant, and here is a belly shot from today. I am still trying to get the correct dosing on the insulin, as my numbers have still been too high. Hopefully, we can get it down before too long. Evidently, the further along you get the harder time your body has regulating the sugars. So what might work for me insulin wise this week, might be too weak next. This should get fun. lol 2 weeks ago we actually had snow in Bryan, Texas. It does get cold enough occassionally, but it is always sleet/ice. I went to let our outside cat back outside in the morning, and saw snow. I have never awaken the boys and dressed them so fast in my life. lol Of course, it did not stick, and by the time we left for school (an hour later) it had stopped.

Brayden trying to catch snow on his tongue. He tried and tried to catch it.



That same week Brayden had Rodeo day at preschool. He could lasso pretty good (although he would cheat when it was time to get it on the cow. lol)

Yep, that is right I have a child old enough for Little League Tee-ball. Can you believe it? Dustin is an assistant coach on the team, with his work being so crazy we were afraid to sign on as a head coach. He has practices 3 times a week until the season starts on the 29th. Then he will still have 3 nights a week, but some will be practices and some will be games. Thankfully, the season is only through Mid-May.

We went in the living room the other day and found the boys snuggled up watching tv. Brayden actually was laying there with his arm around Bryson. These 2 usually butt-heads so it was extra special.
The boys got these shaving kits with kids shaving cream and plastic bathrub razors. They had the absolute best time with them, although they probably used 3/4 of a can in 1 bath. lol

Urgent Prayer Request

UPDATE:
We still do not know what is wrong with him. The test came back that his heart was ok. The put him on a blood thinner and he starting improving, so they thought it might be a blood clot. As of last night, they have determined it is not a blod clot, but still aren't sure what it is. They are now testing for gastro issues. It is just scary to be so ill and have no idea what it is, so you have no idea what to treat. Praise be to God, that the blood thinner helped tremendously and he was even joking around last night. He is still by no means out of the woods yet, but I am so thankful all 4 kids are there spending time with him and he is not in as severe of pain as he was.


We got an email and phone call last night that Dustin's uncle had been taken to the hospital with an apparent heart attack. They have run tests, and do not know what is wrong, but he has gone down hill drastically today. He is an amazing man. He is very kind and funny. He is a preacher at a small church in Michigan. He has 4 grown kids and 2 grandchildren. Please pray for him and his family (they just lost Dustin's grandfather in October and now this doesn't look good for Steve).

A frustrating week

I am now 31 weeks pregnant. This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds and is heading into a growth spurt.He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up.

Last week I got the call that I needed insulin, so as of Friday I am now on insulin. They told me the finger pricks would be worse, but I totally disagree. So if you have any pointers on making the insulin less painful I would appreciate it, since I have to take it at least 4 times a day.

Then today was my OB appointment and I am now measuring 3 weeks ahead. Each appointment I go in, I start measuring further ahead. Due to the Gestational diabetes this tends to mean that he is growing faster than most babies, and should end up a large baby. My OB did say he will do his best to keep him to 7 1/2 to 8 pounds when I deliver (we are hoping for the 37 week range, but I have to be progressing myself that early and then he can aid me). I also found out my iron is low and I am anemic, so I also get to take iron pills. I also commented on how I have been having severe cramps and lower back pain and turns out I have a bladder infection and a new Rx for that. So basically everything that is not super serious I now have. lol Praise God my blood pressure was perfect! That is a serious thing I would like to stay away from and diabetes causes your blood pressure to rise and can cause pre-e.

So all in all I am doing well, just some nuisances. I go back in 2 weeks, man time is flying! The little man still has no set name, and still doesn't move alot. He tends to move a lot for about 3-5 minutes in the morning and then in the evening and then pretty still other than that. As I am sitting here typing he is kicking me though, and I love it!