Ultrasound

My last two babies like to hide in the womb. We hardly got any good pictures of Timmy because he was always tucked behind the placenta. This baby was doing the same thing yesterday. He/she is in the breach position and has it head implanted behind the placenta. The technician gave me a CD of the pictures and these are the best two.

This is the best 3D.

Here is the baby yawning. Once in awhile she/he would turn towards us. You can see how snug she/he is to the placenta. The technician didn't even look to see the gender, she may not have been able to see anyway. So it definitely will be a surprise.

Another Pie

This is a very berry pie that I found in my Taste of Home Healthy cooking recipe. I love pie and I love to make them. This one was very good but of course it didn't set up right. I seem to have a problem with that. I followed the directions closely. It has strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

Sheila's last day of school

Today Sheila had her last day of school. This morning her class and another of the pre-K classes got together and sang three songs for their parents. Sheila didn't really sing much but she at least tried to do the actions.

After the singing we got to partake in some refreshments. Timmy loves visiting Sheila's school. Before the singing he got down on the floor with the rest of the class and played along with them. Then when they were told to find their spots around the carpet he went and sat next to one of the little boys. He follows direction very well.

Sheila was very excited to have Timmy and mommy visit her school today. She will be in the same class next year and I learned that the two other girls and one of the little boys will also be in her class so she will already have friends. One more year of pre-K and then off to kindergarden.

Could you at least look?

So Ray, Timmy, and I stopped by Wal-Mart last Friday after we got Sheila off to school. We were getting a few things we needed and I decided to pick up our pictures I had sent out the previous Friday. While Ray was filling out the envelope for the pictures he took while on his TDY in Virginia I went to the counter. One customer was there printing pictures from the kiosk. The lady behind the counter was talking on the phone. She kept talking (I hope it was a customer and not personal or this story will get even better) for a few minutes before hanging up and coming over to me. I gave her my envelope flaps, told her they were send out, and my last name. She asked, "When did you send them out?"

"Friday," I answered. All week I had my days off or I would have responded to her differently from here on out. I can't remember what day I thought it was that day.

"They won't be back yet. They should be here at 3 today," she gave me the stubs back. (It was between 9-10 in the morning.)

"That was more than three days ago."

"It's five days now for send out."

"How long has it been five days?" I guess I thought it was Wednesday.

"Since I have been back here." Like I know how long she has been back there.

I turned around and headed to where Ray was still filling out the envelope. I was getting more upset because she didn't even look. I looked at the sign and it said they should be back Wednesday and that is when I realized it was Friday and they should be back already. I say to Ray, "She didn't even look. I'm going back and telling her according to the sign they should be back and see if she could at least look."

I go back to the counter and she is gone. The customer printing out prints from the kiosk is finishing up and said to me, "She said she will be right back."

As I am waiting I am getting madder and madder. We don't go to Wal-Mart all that often and it irritated me that she didn't even look before assuming that they weren't back. Ray comes over with Timmy and the basket. He starts to walk off. I asked where he was going. He goes over to the electronic clerks stocking shelves and gets one of them to come back to help me. She found all four of my picture envelopes. I wanted the first lady to come back so I could say, "Thanks for looking. They were back." But she never showed her face. It has been several days and I am still annoyed with that exchange.

Random Thoughts & Doings

1. My kids always are doing cute things that make me smile. Here they put Timmy's fold out couch on the recliner and sat in the couch and rocked. They eventually fell out of the chair and clonked heads but they were right back to it after that.

2. We haven't been the best at having FHE lately and also my scripture studying has slacked a lot as well. The other day I realized I would be held responsible for these things and that I needed to take responsibility for it. So we have now had FHE consecutively for 3 weeks now. Even with Ray being gone the kids and I still had it this week. I use the Nursery manual and that is perfect; a lesson of about 5 minutes and then usually something for them to color. They are both participating now by saying the prayers. I am hoping that it will help Sheila want to stay in her primary class.

I have also been reading the scriptures almost daily. I have missed a few days. I found that right after my walk (on weekdays) is the perfect time to read. On the weekends I try to read about the same time. I read one chapter in the Book of Mormon and then 15 minutes in the Old Testament with the Institute manual which is between 1-3 chapters most days. I started the Old Testament about two years ago. It is the only book I have never completed from start to finish. I am now in Judges and if I can keep on track maybe I will finish it within a year. I am learning a lot of really cool names they had back then and giving me ideas for names for my fantasy book I would love to write.

3. In step with getting my spiritual self a kick in the rear, I decided it was time to do the same thing with the house. I use to have a chore calendar that I used to help with the house cleaning. Then our computer crashed (the time before this last time) and I lost the program. I have been floundering ever since with remember to clean things that don't need cleaned very often. So three weeks ago I made up spreadsheets on excel. I separated chores into daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and semi annually. Then I got to work. My house is looking and smelling so much better. I have things spaced out so I only have to do about an hour worth of work a day. It is very rewarding to have a husband come home to a relatively clean house with less clutter. I have kids so it won't be perfect for awhile.

4. I just had a telemarketer or someone call and ask for "Meladia." Come on people my name is Melynda, it's Melinda with a y. Shouldn't be that hard. If they can't say my name right I am not talking to them. Hang up!

5. Yippee!! Ray comes home tomorrow. I am so glad. I have missed him like crazy. It has been easier than I first feared. I am not pulling my hair out. Sheila actually is going to bed at a decent hour. I think I have a new routine that has helped get the kids settled for the night and we will try to keep it up after Daddy comes home. I am still unsure what time Ray will be home since he may be flying military back. Hopefully he will be able to tell me tonight so I can know what my day will be like tomorrow.

6. I love coconut cream pie. Ray doesn't care for anything coconut. I go to Golden Corral just for the coconut cream pie (and now I know of another restaurant that serves it) and if they don't have it that day I feel it a waste of money to go there. Anyway, my cooking magazines each had one in them last month. So I picked one out and decided to make it while Ray was gone. The kids were with their grandparents for another hour so I thought that would be plenty of time. Well, I scalded the first filling and had to throw it down the drain and start anew wasting 15 minutes. Then I had the hardest time getting it to thicken and when that batch started showing signs of scalding I just decided to use it. Then the meringue took way too long. It was still in my kitchen aid mixer being beaten when the kids came home. Finally it thickened into stiff peaks and I finished off the pie and baked it. I then had to chill it over night. I cut into it the next day and unfortunately the very center was still runny but it has the best taste. I think next time I attempt it there is a few things I will try to make it better. If it hadn't tasted so good I would just say "Forget it" and just try to find places to buy one when I am craving it.

7. My energy levels are finally back. I am starting to do more of my hobbies again. I crochet, knit, and cross-stitch while I watch television. Right now I am working on four projects. I work on two Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The other two Tuesday, Thursday. and the weekends. I was just working on one or two but I get two bored if they are very long projects so I started some quicker projects as well. Right now I am making knit doll outfits, knit baby blanket, crochet baby sweater and blanket, and I am cross-stitching a baby announcement that I started when I was pregnant for Timmy. I hope to have his done and start the new baby's soon. I am hoping to have a good deal done before the fair since that is my only extra money I make now that I don't sell on ebay.

8. I am also working on scrapbooking and sewing during the day. I scrapbook 2-3 weeks of the month and then sew 2 weeks. Right now is sewing. I started a quilt for the baby this week and have 2/3 of the quilt top done. I am just doing a basic quilt block of two different materials. It is jungle theme and very cute. I still need to get a few things before I can finish that so after I get the quilt top done I will start on a slip for Sheila. I also have material for Sheila's Cinderella costume for Halloween that I will start soon. I plan on going through my extra material this week and get stuff pulled out for doll clothes and barbie clothes. I will also plan out more baby clothes and blankets. I have one boy outfit finished and one cut out so I just need to plan some girl stuff.

9. I love to read and write as well. I have several stories I dabble on but I don't get much time to just sit down and write so no novels are coming out of me yet but I hope someday. Reading is my relaxing nightly thing. Right now I am going through the Jane Austen books and the Work in the Glory series for the third time. I never got through a Jane Austen book before. I started with Sense and Sensibility. The style was not what I am use to so it took me a little bit to really get into it but I really enjoyed it. I put the movie on my netflix list and near the top. Now I am on Pride and Prejudice. I have a list about 60+ books that I own that I want to read or reread. I have about 4 more books coming this next month. My mad money that use to go to stuff for my ebay business is now going to books. I am trying to get hardbacks of all my favorites to replace my softbacks that don't last more than two or three readings since I love to reread some books.

10. My sciatic nerves have been bothering me. This time it is the right side. It has been bad since Saturday. Sunday my whole leg went numb and then into cramps. I am trying to rest it as often as possible but sitting and standing are really hard sometimes.

11. School is almost over. Sheila has 3 1/2 days left. The last week of school she only has 1 1/2 days. The first day she has a water party and gets to wear her bathing suit to school. The next day is half a day and she has her end of year ceremony so Timmy and I will be going to that. I hope Ray will be able to get the morning off so he can go as well.

12. So my dreams have been really vivid like always during pregnancy. Last night I dreamt about the signs of the end of the world. It was just a short dream and not really scary just eery. But the night before I dreamt that I went into labor and that it was just like Sheila's, 50 hours. I got sent home from the hospital because I wasn't progressing but when the baby finally came she was a girl. Maybe that is a sign.

Well, that is some of the stuff I have been up to or on my mind the last few weeks when I haven't been blogging as much. Hope it hasn't been too boring.

Magnolia and Rose Blossoms

I decided to add some more pictures of my magnolia blossoms. The first 6 have now bloomed and I have three new buds that will bloom probably in a few weeks. I learned that I have to get out there the first day they bloom to get pictures or they quickly fade.

I also have three rose bushes, 2 yellow and one red. (I now have a peach one my inlaws gave me for mother's day that I need to get planted outside.) The picture of my yellow blooms did not turn out. The one yellow rose bush I have had for about 4 years. The other two have been for three years. For some reason my red rose bushes always die on me. The one I have now I thought I lost for two years now. Two winters ago it completely died. We dug out all the weeds around it and it started to come back. I got a few blooms last year and then it died again by fall. This spring when we redid our flower bed I thought I would give it one more chance to grow and it has really flourished this year. It is much smaller than my other two but hopefully it will not die this winter since the weeds shouldn't be able to strangle it now we put down the plastic stuff.

Some day when I have more energy and time I would like to have a large flower garden and grow some of my other favorite flowers: daisies, gerber daisies, pansies, daffodils, lillies, etc. But for now I will stick with the roses and the magnolia tree. The magnolias grow really well here in Florida and I imagine they would in most Southern states. My inlaws were impressed mine already have blooms. Theirs are 10 feet tall and have been growing a few years longer and still don't have blooms. I was really surprised to see a bloom on it last year when it was only 3 years old since I had read somewhere that most don't bloom until at least 5 years old.

Wading Out to Get My Daughter

It has been very dry here. I have been contemplating whether to break out the sprinklers and water the lawn. We have got small showers the last two days so haven't yet. Today they reported that the chances of rain were the same as yesterday. Then at about 10 minutes before Sheila got home a storm blew in. It started to pour rain and then I heard "ping-ping" and looked out to see hail bouncing everywhere. By the time Sheila got home there was at least 2 inches of rain in our driveway. Luckily, the hail had ceased but the lightning was striking really close and making me cringe. I carried Sheila from the bus to the front door. I am so glad we got the rain because we needed it, just wish it had come after the bus came.

Too tired

Ray is off to Langley Air Force Base in Virginia for the next 9 days and boy am I tired. We had to get up at 4 a.m. to get him to the airport by his 5:45 flight. We planned to leave the house at 4:30 and it's about 15-20 minute drive. Well, we left closer to 4:45 and got to the aiport just after 5. I got back home with the kids just about 5:30 and of course they did not want to go back to sleep. In 20 minutes Sheila goes to school and I will hopefully get Timmy down for an early nap so I can go back to sleep. Ray forgot the power cord to the laptop. Luckily it has been fully charged and hopefully someone will have a cord that will be compatible so he can charge it at least once while he is away. He's gone with about 12 other people from his shop.

Magnolia Bloom

Last year my magnolia tree bloomed for the first time. It only had one bloom and it died before I could get a picture of it. This year I have 6 buds and I have been checking them every day so I don't miss them this year. Yesterday morning I got up and saw that the one at the very top of the tree had bloomed. I got my step ladder out and got a picture. I am so excited. We planted the tree about 4 years ago and it has really done well.

Baby Bump

My baby bump is starting to show up. I am 17 weeks now. I showed real early with Timmy so I was glad I went a little longer before I had to break out the maternity clothes this time. I am in the inbetween stage right now where some of my maternity clothes are too large still and some of my regular clothes are too tight. I am currently wearing both, whatever fits.

Bed Train

The kids have been obsessed with trains lately. They put blocks, cars, everything in long lines and call them cho-cho trains. Here is a cute thing I caught them doing. They put their couches and chairs in a line for a comfortable bed train.

Sheila got Timmy all tucked in with his pillow, blanket, and his three bears and Elmo that he sleeps with at night.

Then she got herself all tucked in with her four carebears (two are underneath her blanket.)

Trip to Tampa

We headed down to Tampa early April 26 to see my brother and his wife and son for a couple of days while they were in town for his business conference. We had to pick them up at the airport at 3:44 p.m. when their plane arrived. We left at 8 a.m. our time. We lost an hour when we crossed over the time zone and with our frequent potty breaks for Sheila we arrived at the airport at 3:46 p.m. We got into the airport just about the time Mark and Michelle were headed down the escalators.

They stayed with us the first night at the Best Western. We had a suite with two beds in the bedroom and a sofa in the living room with a microwave and a refrigerator. The hotel was a little on the older side (with a brand new bathroom) but it was clean and the pool area was really nice.

The next morning we headed out to Fort De Soto beach. An old fort from the Spanish war still stands at the site. We only had to pay the tolls on the road to get to the park. It looked really cool on the internet but I think either a recent storm has damaged the beaches or the tide was in because the beaches weren't as white or large as I had hoped.
Here we are in the Fort.

My brother and his family (minus his two daughters that stayed in Oregon with their grandma.) Kaden is almost 5 months old.

One of the canons still at the fort. This particular area has two remaining but at one time had four.

Sheila looking through the end of the cannon.

After exploring the fort we headed over to one of the many beaches at the park. We went to North beach. We changed into our suits and then headed to the water. The beach was pretty crowded (there wasn't a lot of beach like I said up above that something was going on with it) and the parking lot was less than a fourth full so I would hate to go when it was busy.

Ray with our two and Mark with Kaden enjoying the water. It was a little on the cool side but very calm and nice once we got use to the temperature. I lathered us all up with sublock but my back still got burnt. I sprayed it and then had Ray spray it so don't know how that happened.

After we left the beach we took Mark and Michelle to their hotel. They stayed in a really nice, posh place where Mark's conference was held. It started that evening so Michelle went out to dinner with us and then over to our hotel to take the kids to the pool.

The next day after breakfast we checked out and headed over to their hotel. Michelle and Kaden joined us for a shopping trip and lunch and then back to get Mark and off to the airport.

We got home late Tuesday night. It was a quick trip but I really enjoyed seeing them. I wish I could see all my siblings more often.

Sheila and Timmy sure liked Kaden. The first night Timmy crawled up on the bed and watched Mark and Michelle feed Kaden some cereal.