SweetPea Castle

Broken in body, but not in spirit

I know that the only way I am going to get my health back in order is to get into regular exercise and proper eating again.  My blood pressure is awful high and my weight is just as bad.  I do NOT want to have to go back on the bp medicine again.  So, I am working hard right now to reign it in.  However, I have been feeling really awful the past week or so.  I know that most of it is directly related to the pain from the bladder prolapse issue.  But, that just isn't very comforting when it is so dangerous.

But, this is a physical and spiritual battle for me.  I need to be a good steward of everything that God has given me... and that includes this frail body.

On that note, I am excited to say that I've managed to do my elliptical workout every day since the doctor released me to be able to exercise again!  I am also drinking more water and making sure that I get plenty of rest.  I am 5' 2.5" and 37 years old.  My goal weight is 140 lbs.  I'd love to get lower than that, but that is realistic right now.  My starting weight was 196 on Friday morning before going to my doctor's appointments.  I intend to weigh in every Friday morning.  I am also nagging... erm... I mean... spurring my husband on in his own weight loss efforts.  ;-)

I have an appointment in two weeks to get the ball rolling and get surgery scheduled to fix this prolapse issue.  I am nervous and yet very excited at the same time.  I am sure that the Lord has this in His hands and I am resting in that.  So, working on my health in the meantime is an excellent plan.

Knitting is going well... and sewing is starting to get a bit more productive too.  This is going to be an odd week though.  Jason is out of town from Thursday through Saturday.  I'm going to have my hands quite full.  But, next week should be less stressful.  Tabitha has her 18 month well check at the pediatrician on Friday.  So, I will check in again after that... if I don't do so before then.  Godspeed... ~ Tiffani

Wow... what a birthday!

Well, it's been a rather long day.  I had my six week postpartum checkup with my OB and with the endocrinologist today in Fairfax.  So, Jason and I left early this morning for a fun-filled day in the city (insert sarcasm here  ;-)).

Actually the day was rather nice.  I got to spend it with my hubby and my newest baby. 

The endocrinologist signed off on releasing me.  Although I am not technically diabetic, I am to live my life as if I am.  I need to get my blood pressure and my weight under control again and continue randomly checking my fasting sugars at home.  I continue my glucophage and have annual bloodwork done.  All of this was expected.

The OB was also really as expected.  My body is healing nicely from having a baby.  But, my inners are also STILL falling out.  I have a rather severe bladder prolapse and a fair uterine prolapse.  We've known this for several weeks.  I have another consult appointment with the other OB in the practice in a couple weeks to plan the corrective surgery that I need to have for the prolapse issue.  This means that God is closing the door on any further children.  We are still coming to grips with this information.  But, in the short term... it means a lot of planning for another surgery and healing time.  Details details...

Okay... the littlest man has really been wonderful today with being cooped up in his carseat and not in his regular routine.  But, he's had enough now and needs my attention before we can really get some sleep tonight.  I'm off to respond to another email or two and then head to bed with him to snuggle.

Praise the Lord for another year...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Why yes... I AM really tired.  This was taken on Sunday afternoon after a long day.  Josiah is sporting the longies and hat that I finished knitting for him in the last two weeks.  They fit wonderfully and he was sleeping really well at the time.

Today is Valentine's Day... a day where we take time to celebrate our love for one another.  I was recently reminded just how precious life is and that we should never take a single day for granted... we are not guaranteed another here on earth.  So, that is what I am trying to do from here on out... cherish each and every day as if it could very well be my last, or the last of someone I love.

My husband, Jason, is my soulmate.  He completes me.  He knows me better than anyone else in this world... and he still loves me.  He has seen me at my best and at my worst and is still here.  We have been married for 21 years this coming August.  I truly cannot imagine my life without him in it.  And, as much as I LOVE our children... I cannot wait to grow old with my husband and have more time with just the two of us.  And what's great is that I KNOW he feels the same way.  Honey, I love you the mostest!

Today, it has been six weeks since Josiah was welcomed into this world and truly captured our hearts.  The medicine we got on Monday for his reflux is really making a big difference.  I need to call the pediatrician about adjusting it a little.  But, we expected that and he is doing MUCH better now.  He is beginning to bless us with little hints of a real smile.  And, you should see Tabitha just light up when she sees him.  She is in love with her baby brother and it shows.  She is amazingly gentle with him.

Time to get back to the children.  Eliana wants to watch a movie and we are just waiting for Noah to finish his last page of homeschool work.  I'm hoping to get a little bit of knitting in before Josiah wakes up from his nap, too.  Today is a good day.  Again... Happy Valentine's Day!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ~ Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  

Be back soon...

I'm drowning!  Between sick little ones (both Tabitha and Josiah) and health issues... and trying to get back into the regular routine... this sucks!

Tabitha has a virus... a rash, sore throat, isn't drinking hardly anything and isn't sleeping.  Poor thing is really miserable.

Josiah... well, it's not "sick" really.  He's got reflux issues that we're trying to work through.  He does NOT sleep between the hours of 2 and 5am unless he is sleeping upright on me.  This does NOT work well for me to get any sleep.  We started some medicine last night and are praying that it helps really well... really fast. 

I'll be posting some more pics sometime later this week of all the children in my flickr gallery. 

Because it's my birthday, I'm going to open two MPB custom slots on Friday.  I've also got 3 or 4 people on my personal waiting list that I'm going to get in touch with later today or tomorrow to get in the works.

Right now, I need to get back to working with Noah on his homeschool studies.  We are a day behind because of having to take the two littlest littles to the pediatrician yesterday.  I'll be back later today or tomorrow with more.  Godspeed... Tiff

Perfect Fit...

Three weeks ago today, I gave birth to our 6th living blessing.  It seems like yesterday... and yet it seems like a lifetime ago.  I look at his precious face and can't imagine him not being here.  It's like he was perfectly fashioned to fit in our family. 

We are adjusting rather well... all things considered.  Josiah's struggling horribly with this head cold and we are having to constantly suction his poor little nose out.  Because of all the congestion, he's having an awful time trying to sleep in any position... even upright.  His siblings are adjusting well.  Of course, we do have our minor struggles with sibling rivalry and jealousy... but thankfully they are short-lived and easily handled.

I haven't gotten any knitting done.  Every time I think I'm going to get to sit down... something else comes up that is more pressing.  I really would like to finish these last 9 rows on these longies so that I can try out the new (to me) magic loop knitting method for knitting both legs at the same time.  But, by the time I DO get to sit down and might be able to knit... either Josiah needs me... or I'm just too exhausted to see straight, much less knit.  ;-)  That is the life of a wife and mom.  And, I'm really not complaining... much. 

I must admit that I'd love to have 30 minutes to an hour all by myself with absolute peace and quiet.  I would relish the opportunity to soak in the bathtub with a cuppa something and my Bible or another good book for an hour... with no interruptions and no one heard screaming from somewhere else in the house.  Of course, I would be afraid of what the house and/or children might look like when I came out... but that's not the point.

Even still, I rejoice in where God has me right now.  Sometimes I have to repent of my crappy attitude first and start over... but, I strive every day to start and end each day rejoicing.

Brrrr....

It's just plain cold around here recently.  We got some really nice snow on Thursday and it was mostly melted by yesterday late afternoon.  Anything left is frozen now.  Unfortunately, the children didn't get to play in it.  Tabi and Noah are still fighting these upper respiratory viruses and we NEED them to get completely well again.

I did manage to update my personal Flikr gallery today with some more recent photos.  We've spent most of our time since Josiah's arrival just trying to adjust to our newest blessing and get into a decent routine that works.  And, I won't even pretend that we're really getting much sleep... we're not.  However, we know that this is a phase and we will survive and eventually get more sleep again... probably in another 18 years.  ;-)

While Tabitha napped, Noah went with his dad this afternoon so that both of them could get much-needed hair cuts.  Eliana has watched a VeggieTale movie and Sillyville while I enjoyed some time sitting here knitting.  Josiah has been up and down.  He's very content as long as he's nursing and/or being held.

I am about 40% finished with this pair of longies for Josiah.  Then, I'm going to work on some soakers and coordinating knit booties.  So far, I'm doing good in the stash game... I haven't bought any yarn.  But, I also haven't gotten much knitting done.  I'm really wishing I could get some of Joyce's Satellite yarn in a sock-weight.  I think it would make a gorgeous funky pair of socks.  Of course, I'll have to wait until March to ask her for some... so that I don't blow my stash game ambitions.  :-)

The rest of today is going to be spent playing with the children and preparing for our weekly trek to church tomorrow.  I have diaper laundry started.  I have to get everything ready for the diaper bag for Tabi and Josiah (diapers, spare clothing, food, etc.).  I also have to gather and set out the clothing for all of the children.  Then, I'm going to enjoy whatever time I can knitting.

I'm also beginning to plan my next stocking at MudpieBabies.  I'm thinking that I'm going to offer a variety of yp (you pick) size and closure of plain colored PUL AIOs and covers.  So, no embroidery or special options.  This might help a few more people to be able to try MPBs at a more reasonable cost.  Then, I'll offer a couple of specials with embroidery at the next stocking.  I'm thinking that this first stocking will be early-to-mid February and the next one will be near the end of February.  It depends on how well things are going around here.

We are also beginning to work on preparing the house to once again go on the sales market.  We need to do massive decluttering, cleaning and painting.  And, we have to find a way to replace the nasty carpeting.  I'm praying that our tax return is enough to more-than cover what we need to get done.  Once this house sells, we will use the proceeds to pay off our debt completely and use the rest as a down payment on a place back in Manassas.  We aren't even going to look out there until we have an offer on this place.  And, it's all a matter of trust and faith.  If this is truly what God wants us to do... HE will provide the buyer and the price that we need for this place... and what we need in Manassas.

Time to go... I hear the littlest piglet beckoning.

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) ~ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

A moment of quiet

Today is 9 days since Josiah was born and we are doing awesome!  Yes, we are sleep deprived and still adjusting.  But, all in all, I am blessed by just how well we are doing at this point.  He nurses like a champ and really does well with his sleep patterns - for the most part.  And, his brother and sisters absolutely adore him.

I am healing quite well and trying my best to take these opportunities to rest and heal before trying to get back into the routine of things this coming Monday when my hubby goes back to work part-time.  I got a bit of exercise on the elliptical this morning for 10 minutes and then enjoyed a heavenly shower before coming back to rest on the couch and nurse Josiah again.  I feel "human" again!  I am committed to getting my body and health back... through proper diet, exercise, and time in God's Word.

I have a lot to do today to prepare for church in Manassas tomorrow.  I have diaper laundry to do, regular laundry to do, outfits to set out, diaper bags to prepare... and various other minor things.  I also need to do my Bible reading for today.  And do some preparation work for next week's schedule - Noah's homeschool, knitting plans, etc.

Speaking of knitting plans!  I am doing a "Stash Game" starting next week - I think on Monday.  I am very excited to be motivated to get some of this knitting moving along faster.  I just started a pair of longies for Josiah and want to get them finished next week... which should be NO problem.  I'm thinking I'll knit a pair of booties and perhaps a hat to match.

An answer to Noah's prayer

Noah had been praying for a baby brother since we first found out I was pregnant with Tabitha.  And, he was devastated when we found that we were expecting a girl.  He continued praying for a baby brother.  Jason and I were (of course) praying that the Lord would give us more time before he blessed us with further children after Tabitha arrived.

Anyone who has had multiple young children in the house knows how much stress they can bring (especially to a marriage).  It can be even more stressful when you go from having two nearly grown teenagers... to having two young adults that live on their own and another group of young children to raise from birth again.  But, we committed our fertility to God's plans fully in December 2000 when we went and had my tubal reversal surgery... and no matter how difficult that covenant has been sometimes, we still fully trust that God is trustworthy and able to provide for our family... no matter what the size.

So, when we found that we were expecting another blessing... Noah's prayers were answered!  We found out in August that we were expecting another son.  We were evening out the household - 3 boys and 3 girls.  God is awesome!  So, the picture at the top of this post was taken when Josiah was 2 days old.  This is the photo that Jason used to announce Josiah's arrival and the answer to Noah's prayer to our church.

We rejoice that He has blessed our family so much and couldn't imagine life without any of our children.

Stick a fork in me...

I am done, done, DONE!  I am tired of getting up every two hours or more all night long.  I either have to potty or I have to heave my body into some other position so it might not hurt so much... or some combination of both.  I am perpetually exhausted.  And, for the lame person who suggested that this is "just preparation for the lack of sleep when the baby arrives"... you have NO idea what you are talking about.  NOTHING prepares you for that.  And, besides... at that point, MY body will feel much better even if I DO have to get up a lot with the new little one.  ;-)

In case you can't tell... I'm READY for this littel guy to be born.  I am still rejoicing at every day that he stays put until the 1st.  But, I will rejoice even louder if he does, in fact, come ON the 1st!

Christmas was great.  It was a quiet day spent next door at my parents' house with the children.  I sat around and knit all day and rested.  The only real struggle we've got going on right now is that the girls are both struggling with head/sinus colds.  Poor Tabitha is just miserable with a constantly stuffy head.  If she hasn't cleared up a bit tomorrow, I'm going to have to take her to the pediatrician to get seen.  I'm pretty sure that she has a nasty sinus infection.  I'm just praying that it stays out of her ears.

I have my OB appointment bright and early tomorrow morning and look forward to it being the last one until after this little guy's arrival.  I'm still praying that my blood pressure stays down for the next week.

Well, time to run.  I'm still knitting this shawl for my MIL and plan to finish it up today so that she can take it home with her tomorrow.  I'll be sure to take photos of it before it leaves.  Then, it's time to knit a hat or two for the baby and some longies for the littles.  Of course, that assumes I'll have time to knit right after the baby is born... or that I'll feel up to it.  ;-)~

Handmade Holidays... 2008

Well, I didn't get myself together in time to completely pull it off this year... but I am determined to accomplish this for next year.  So, I am starting my planning NOW!

Next year for Christmas, I will have (for various family members):

• knit socks, hats, and/or scarves
• handmade jammies for little ones
• WAHM (work-at-home-mom) made other items... I have LOTS to choose from
• wooden and soft toys for children
• handmade ornaments
• And a couple of other surprises that I'm sure I will come upon in the next couple of months.

So... this should be an interesting year of crafting.  I'm actually excited about it and looking forward to picking special items for each family member.

I am still working on this prayer shawl right now.  I was thinking of keeping it for myself, but have decided that it would make a perfect Christmas present for a very special person.  So, I have to keep my fingers knitting away to get it done in time.  Then, I'm onto the last couple of knit items I want to do for this new little guy.  Of course, he'll probably make his appearance before I've completed them.  But, that's okay.