Hey all- I am sad to report that I lost the baby. I started spotting early yesterday morning and spent the day in the Duluth ER. The ultrasound showed that the baby stopped growing a week ago. I am in a super weird emotional state right now, and so is Matt. We made the decision to tell some friends and family early, who are now grieving with us as well. I have to say... After two perfectly healthy babies and two easy pregnancies, I didn't think it could happen to me. However, thanks to the prayers of our loved ones, I am as peaceful as I can be. We named the baby Charlie. Although Charlie could be both a girls name (Charlotte) or a boy's. I have always felt in my heart that he was a boy, and going forward I will refer to him as such. Sunday, November 22, 2015
Healing After Loss
Hey all- I am sad to report that I lost the baby. I started spotting early yesterday morning and spent the day in the Duluth ER. The ultrasound showed that the baby stopped growing a week ago. I am in a super weird emotional state right now, and so is Matt. We made the decision to tell some friends and family early, who are now grieving with us as well. I have to say... After two perfectly healthy babies and two easy pregnancies, I didn't think it could happen to me. However, thanks to the prayers of our loved ones, I am as peaceful as I can be. We named the baby Charlie. Although Charlie could be both a girls name (Charlotte) or a boy's. I have always felt in my heart that he was a boy, and going forward I will refer to him as such. 
Thursday, November 19, 2015
We got a new VAN!!
As many of you know, I love LOVE my Hyundai Tucson. However, it will not fit a growing family! We always said we'd NEVER be a van family, but alas- we were wrong. Tonight Matt and I made the plunge and got an 08' Honda Odyssey! We have heard so many good things about Hondas, and read so many good reviews. Welcome to the fam Odyssey!
Friday, November 13, 2015
Wisconsin Bound
We are currently on our way to Greenfield, Wisconsin to visit my Aunt Judy and Uncle Bill. I can't wait! Whenever they come down to the cities, it seems like we never have enough time to spend together, which is why I love getting to visit them. We should be there around dinner time, and Aunt Judy is making tacos!
We've Reached a Decision!!
I am excited to say that Matt and I have reached a decision about where our baby will be born! Last night we went to visit a lovely home birth midwife. The same midwife who took care of my friend Esther during her pregnancy actually. She loved her, so I thought "why not"? Matt wasn't excited about the idea, but came along because he knew how important it was to me. Jeanne was so calming. She asked me about my previous pregnancies and even took the time to speak directly to Matt about his concerns and fears. She walked us through the process: what prenatal visits look like, what the birth looks like, and what after the birth care looks like. She told us about her history and how she got started with midwifery. I loved talking to her, and her years (over three decades) and 1500+ births definitely spoke volumes to me as well.
When we left, Matt told me that he still wasn't totally on board, which I understood- but that he was okay with going this route-Yes!!! I won't see Jeanne again until 16 weeks (10 weeks away!) for my first prenatal, but I can't wait!
Saturday, November 7, 2015
We Have an Apple!
I am sooo excited! The apple tree in our front yard produced an apple! I thought for sure it was barren after two years of no apples. Matt says that we need to plant flowers around it to provide the best chance of producing more. Isn't it great! I think it's a Golden Delicious. Matt thinks its a Pink Lady.
Friday, November 6, 2015
Here Comes Chenobaby #3
I am super excited to announce that Matt and I are having baby #3! According to the internet and my LMP, I am due on July 7th, 2015, which means I am 5 weeks 1 day along today.
This one wasn't planned... by us
Matt and I were totally and 100% done after Ben. We always planned to have two- a boy and a girl, two years a part or less. We got pregnant easily after trying or not preventing each time and we were thrilled that our life was working so well! Fast forward to a little over a year ago when one day I got hit with baby fever bad. I had no idea where it came from or why. I told Matt who was not the least bit interested in having another. The fever went away for awhile and then came back about six months ago fiercely. I had been praying a lot about it, and I felt like God kept placing it on my heart that he wanted us to have another one, just not yet. Soon that feeling turned into me hearing God's voice in my head saying that I WOULD have another one. Finally one day, despite our methods of preventing, it happened.
I just had a feeling, so I tested early and often and finally I got the two pink lines I was hoping to see, but they were soooo light. I tested a few days later with a digital, and finally got this.
How I Told Matt
I picked up a hamburger bun from Wal-Mart and put it in the oven. Then when I talked to matt about dinner (hamburger and fries) I made sure we would have something that would require him to open the oven. Unfortunately, my Mom threw a wrench in the plan by stopping by for lunch a few hours later. She wanted leftover pizza burgers, so she ended up going in the oven and found the bun. She asked me why it was in there and I just made up some lame excuse about it being a game I was playing with Ben. I felt so bad lying to her, but I hadn't even told Matt yet! Side note... I think she still figured it out because she tried to buy a drink for me at Red Lobster later that week and I declined it. She also made a comment about some "really cute" baby clothes she saw when we were at Once Upon a Child getting Bri a Halloween costume.
Anyway... I put the bun back in the oven and waited for Matt to come home. I was outside when he finally opened the oven. He opened the screen door and hollered out to me, "Honey, why is there a bun in the oven"? I just responded with "Why do you think?" He just smiled big and said "Really? You're pregnant". Then proceeded to tell me that this was the LAST ONE!! Ha!
I Am a Planner
So that was a week ago today, since then I have been furiously researching and planning (as I do). We got rid of ALL of our baby stuff after Ben since we have no storage and were not planning on having a third. I ended up making a list of everything that I couldn't live without last time, and figured I'd start from there. I also figured out that the older kids (who are no longer babies!) would share a room and the new baby would get Ben's room for now.
How I'm doing
I am actually feeling great. I have some pretty significant lower-back pain and I get a little nauseas in the morning and a lot nauseas in the evening, but I am learning what I should and shouldn't be eating to help this. I am also yawning all the day, and completely non-functional by 8pm every night. From reading back to my old posts, I already know that I will probably get hit hard by morning sickness starting in a few days, but for now I am pretty happy with how things are! I have not seen a doctor yet, and if things go as planned, I won't. I have a few appointments scheduled with home birth midwives.*GASP* Yes I said home birth.. but I will save that for another post. I will also be scheduling a tour with Minnesota Birth Center as another option. I loved my first two birth experiences, but looking back- I know what I am doing now, and I just want something different. I don't want an IV in my hand and nurses in my face while I am giving birth. I definitely don't want to risk a C-Section after having two perfectly normal, low risk births before this.
More later!
Catherine
This one wasn't planned... by us
Matt and I were totally and 100% done after Ben. We always planned to have two- a boy and a girl, two years a part or less. We got pregnant easily after trying or not preventing each time and we were thrilled that our life was working so well! Fast forward to a little over a year ago when one day I got hit with baby fever bad. I had no idea where it came from or why. I told Matt who was not the least bit interested in having another. The fever went away for awhile and then came back about six months ago fiercely. I had been praying a lot about it, and I felt like God kept placing it on my heart that he wanted us to have another one, just not yet. Soon that feeling turned into me hearing God's voice in my head saying that I WOULD have another one. Finally one day, despite our methods of preventing, it happened.
I just had a feeling, so I tested early and often and finally I got the two pink lines I was hoping to see, but they were soooo light. I tested a few days later with a digital, and finally got this.
How I Told Matt
I picked up a hamburger bun from Wal-Mart and put it in the oven. Then when I talked to matt about dinner (hamburger and fries) I made sure we would have something that would require him to open the oven. Unfortunately, my Mom threw a wrench in the plan by stopping by for lunch a few hours later. She wanted leftover pizza burgers, so she ended up going in the oven and found the bun. She asked me why it was in there and I just made up some lame excuse about it being a game I was playing with Ben. I felt so bad lying to her, but I hadn't even told Matt yet! Side note... I think she still figured it out because she tried to buy a drink for me at Red Lobster later that week and I declined it. She also made a comment about some "really cute" baby clothes she saw when we were at Once Upon a Child getting Bri a Halloween costume.
Anyway... I put the bun back in the oven and waited for Matt to come home. I was outside when he finally opened the oven. He opened the screen door and hollered out to me, "Honey, why is there a bun in the oven"? I just responded with "Why do you think?" He just smiled big and said "Really? You're pregnant". Then proceeded to tell me that this was the LAST ONE!! Ha!
I Am a Planner
So that was a week ago today, since then I have been furiously researching and planning (as I do). We got rid of ALL of our baby stuff after Ben since we have no storage and were not planning on having a third. I ended up making a list of everything that I couldn't live without last time, and figured I'd start from there. I also figured out that the older kids (who are no longer babies!) would share a room and the new baby would get Ben's room for now.
How I'm doing
I am actually feeling great. I have some pretty significant lower-back pain and I get a little nauseas in the morning and a lot nauseas in the evening, but I am learning what I should and shouldn't be eating to help this. I am also yawning all the day, and completely non-functional by 8pm every night. From reading back to my old posts, I already know that I will probably get hit hard by morning sickness starting in a few days, but for now I am pretty happy with how things are! I have not seen a doctor yet, and if things go as planned, I won't. I have a few appointments scheduled with home birth midwives.*GASP* Yes I said home birth.. but I will save that for another post. I will also be scheduling a tour with Minnesota Birth Center as another option. I loved my first two birth experiences, but looking back- I know what I am doing now, and I just want something different. I don't want an IV in my hand and nurses in my face while I am giving birth. I definitely don't want to risk a C-Section after having two perfectly normal, low risk births before this.
More later!
Catherine
Welcome Back!
Setting the stage... the year is 2015. Thanksgiving is in a few weeks. We have been in our new home in Blaine for over two years. The house was a foreclosure, and around 2000 square feet (or 1300 more than we were used to!) It is a rambler-style with three bedrooms up, and one down. An eat in kitchen, a small living room, a large family room downstairs and a bonus room. Just to catch you up from the last few years, here is a snapshot of each of our family members at this point in time.
Matt
Matt works as a contractor coordinator for a company out of Vadnais Heights. He is good at his job and enjoys it a lot. He is in school to complete his Business degree, with the hopes of graduating in a semester or two. In his spare time he enjoys working on the house, working out and watching funny videos online. We just re-modeled the kitchen this year, and he picked up another skill: tiling. I don't think he will care to use that one again soon. He also spends a lot of time outside. He enjoys driving his Mustang (that he got when his Dad passed away last year) and spending time running around with the kiddos.
Catherine
I still work for Sleep Number, as an Organizational Change Management Business Partner. The comp guy in HR says that I may have the longest title in the company. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I am excited to have had the opportunity to learn this new skill. Over the span of the project I have worked on during the last year, I have gotten to know many new people and have learned the totally difficult cultures of the departments I supported. In my free time, I enjoy reading and coloring :). I also like to get in a good workout here and there with Matt.
Brianna
Brianna is 5 years old and is in her second month of Kindergarten at Way of The Shepherd Montessori. Her favorite things to do are sewing and baking. She is also learning how to read and write in cursive. I was worried about her not being with her brother at daycare, but it was for naught! She is flourishing on her own. When she is not at school she enjoys coloring with Mom, playing Barbies, dressing up, and watching movies. She is the sweetest, most amazing, girliest people-pleaser I know.
Ben
Ben is 3 years old and attends daycare at Kari's house. His best friend is Zach who just moved two miles away from us, and his favorite thing is cars. He also enjoys watching rescue bots and playing Angry birds on his tablet. He has been back on dairy for about a year, but is now gluten free because we found that he had far less tummy issues on a strict g-free diet. He is a good sport about this, but would definitely prefer to eat whatever all the other kids got to eat. Both Ben and Brianna enjoy Sushi, candy, and water with "stuffinit" which is just fruit water flavorings.
Zoe (dog) no longer lives with us, but with my Mom who took her in after Sally (her dog) passed away. She is so happy living with Grandma!
Ali- Dog
Ali is 8 years old now and is doing well. She still copes with Addisons disease which lands her in the vetrinarians office needing fluids to survive a few times a year. She enjoys barking, sunning, stealing food from the kids and hanging out with Mom. She has become a whole new dog since her sister Zoe went to live with Grandma.
That pretty much catches you up on the last five years! We are all doing great and have settled into family life quite well. Now that life has settled down some, I am hoping to update this blog more!
Matt
Matt works as a contractor coordinator for a company out of Vadnais Heights. He is good at his job and enjoys it a lot. He is in school to complete his Business degree, with the hopes of graduating in a semester or two. In his spare time he enjoys working on the house, working out and watching funny videos online. We just re-modeled the kitchen this year, and he picked up another skill: tiling. I don't think he will care to use that one again soon. He also spends a lot of time outside. He enjoys driving his Mustang (that he got when his Dad passed away last year) and spending time running around with the kiddos.
Catherine
I still work for Sleep Number, as an Organizational Change Management Business Partner. The comp guy in HR says that I may have the longest title in the company. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I am excited to have had the opportunity to learn this new skill. Over the span of the project I have worked on during the last year, I have gotten to know many new people and have learned the totally difficult cultures of the departments I supported. In my free time, I enjoy reading and coloring :). I also like to get in a good workout here and there with Matt.
Brianna
Brianna is 5 years old and is in her second month of Kindergarten at Way of The Shepherd Montessori. Her favorite things to do are sewing and baking. She is also learning how to read and write in cursive. I was worried about her not being with her brother at daycare, but it was for naught! She is flourishing on her own. When she is not at school she enjoys coloring with Mom, playing Barbies, dressing up, and watching movies. She is the sweetest, most amazing, girliest people-pleaser I know.
Ben
Ben is 3 years old and attends daycare at Kari's house. His best friend is Zach who just moved two miles away from us, and his favorite thing is cars. He also enjoys watching rescue bots and playing Angry birds on his tablet. He has been back on dairy for about a year, but is now gluten free because we found that he had far less tummy issues on a strict g-free diet. He is a good sport about this, but would definitely prefer to eat whatever all the other kids got to eat. Both Ben and Brianna enjoy Sushi, candy, and water with "stuffinit" which is just fruit water flavorings.
Zoe (dog) no longer lives with us, but with my Mom who took her in after Sally (her dog) passed away. She is so happy living with Grandma!
Ali- Dog
Ali is 8 years old now and is doing well. She still copes with Addisons disease which lands her in the vetrinarians office needing fluids to survive a few times a year. She enjoys barking, sunning, stealing food from the kids and hanging out with Mom. She has become a whole new dog since her sister Zoe went to live with Grandma.
That pretty much catches you up on the last five years! We are all doing great and have settled into family life quite well. Now that life has settled down some, I am hoping to update this blog more!
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