My Own Rules To Live By

Do you have your own rules to live by? Do you follow your own rules?

I was reading Clover Lane: My Rules To Live By and it had me thinking, "Why don't I have a small list of rule to live by"?! I like the idea, it gives me a calm feeling. Sometimes I feel like my life is hectic (it really isn't, not even close).
So here it is, my own small list of rules to live by!

• Make the best of every day, slow down a little bit, enjoy the moments! 
• Remember a happy mama is the best mama!
• Always pay credit cards and necessary bills monthly but stick to our budget!
• Make where ever we live the best living situation possible. Make it OUR home!
• Turn the TV, computer and gaming system off more often.
• Create, imagine, play with the boys!
• Have a date night with my husband often, even if we have to do it at home!
• Have more "ME" time, indulge myself to a treat, a gift once in a while.
• Have a clean home but remember most of the cleaning can wait til a later time.
• Before getting angry, frustrated, mad (however you want to put it), take a step back, breath and re-think the best way to approach the situation.

This list might become longer or smaller over time. Either way that's my list. Nothing special. Nothing to crazy, just simple rules for myself.

I want...

DwellStudio Peacock Duvet Set

When it comes to finding a bed set I am very picky. For the past 3 years I have been trying to find one I love. As of right now we have miss matching of everything on our bed and its not appealing to me.

 I was browsing the DwellStudio site for things for Conner (next post) and I came across this set! I fell in love instantly. Then I looked at the price and what was included, then my hopes to have it one day simply vanished! Either way I am still so in love with the set & I want it desperately!

Im 23!

Yesterday was my birthday! It was a wonderful birthday! I am truly blessed to have a wonderful family!

We all (now when I say we all I mean my mom, step dad, sisters, brother, nephews, hubby & our boys; 11 in all) went out for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. Breakfast is my favorite meal so usually we get together in the morning! I dont mind not having cake or ice cream. I dont mind not having a fancy dinner. I just always want a great filling breakfast! And thats what I got with my whole family! It was enjoyable.

My family gave me my gifts. I was surprised to see what I got! My mom and step dad got me a better zoom lens for my camera, UV and polarized attachment lens, an other lens cover and string thing so I dont lose my lens cover (again). I was very surprised to get a lens! Those are expensive. Im so excited to get out and use it. They also got me a tall coffee mug, but I will use it for tea! Its so cute, it is red with elephants. I love it!

Then my hubby got me 2 tickets for this Wednesday Boston Celtics game! Im super excited for that! I have never been to a Celtics game so it going to be so great! He also got me a Rondo jersey that was to big so we returned it and got matching shirts. Call us lame but I think its cute! Im so ecstatic to go to the game, pregnant and all!

For the rest of the day we did little things. We relaxed at home, went to Target & Aj Wrights, got the boys a couple more outfits for Christmas, went to Carters to return a few things, ate lunch at Boston Market. Then we got a babysitter & went to the movies to see Due Date.

So over all my birthday was very enjoyable and relaxing and everything good! I truly am blessed to have such a great family & friends!

1 week!

Yikes, in 1 week, thats 7 days Im going to be 23! Yah I keep slightly forgetting how old Im going to be. For some reason I think Im turning 22! For the last 4 birthdays Ive only celebrated one and that was my 21st! For my 20th, 22nd and now my 23rd, Ive been pregnant. O gosh! But Justin has something planned for my birthday and then something on Nov 24th! Im excited to find out what we are doing! Justin has kept it a secret for over 2 months now. He never keeps secrets like this, for this long! I cant wait to know what he has planned! I know for my actually birthday we are going out to dinner & possibly a movie. Sigh, Im going to be 23! Im going to enjoy it thou :)

Mothers day!

My Mothers day!

Nothing special truly. I do have an amazing husband and boys that made me smile and tried to give me the best day possible.

We went out to breakfast. Our regular routine. Then headed to the mall to walk around and after got some ice cream. The boys got me a cute card that made me laugh.

We really didn't do much. I was very tired from going out the night before and just had a pounding headache.

All in all, Justin made an enjoyable day for me, the best he could at least. Minus him turning the xbox on which put me over the top and grouchy! But we quickly worked that problem out and he hasn't been playing it as much. Xbox story for an other day.

Well for now.

Every family has its flaws.

Im really not enjoying myself as of lately. I have been very hot headed and stressed out. Logan is topping the scales with his crankiness. Its a daily thing with him. He constantly is whining and screaming about something. And as of a maybe 2 months ago he stopped taking his normal nap. He takes naps but only when he wants to and never in his crib. Im really not sure I can take it much more.

I have been very over tired and feeling like Im the only parent. Justin is around but not around the way I would like. I feel like I do it all and no Im not going to ask for help. I expect him to know I need help. But he is upstairs still sleeping and its 8:30 am. I think I should be the one sleeping. I woke up with the baby at 5am and didnt get back to sleep till 6am! Am I going to complain to him, nope because I dont have the energy to fight with him. It will all build up and come out at once.

Oh, I shouldnt be complaining. I do have it great. Logan is a great little boy when he isnt screaming or whining about something. He is so smart and loving. I love him to death. Mason is such a good baby. He is very quiet and just takes in his surroundings. He seems to only cry when he is getting changed but what baby likes to be cold? Justin and I do have a great relationship. We seem to butt heads more than usual as of lately but I believe we are a great match for one an other. He compliments my negitives and postives while I do the same about him. And no matter how much I complain about his flaws I love him so much.

I need to find an inbetween for myself. I need to find a stress relief so I dont hit my boiling point. Maybe concouiling will help. Im really concidering it for myself.

Well parent duties are calling my name. Its now just about 9 am and Im ready to explode. Im so mommy out!

Labor & Delivery

Where did this week go?!
A week ago the newest member of our family joined us! It was a lovey, beautiful yet scary experience! We got induced at 8am last Monday, less than 12 hours later we were holding our baby boy.

Labor progressed pretty quickly for me. Instead of giving you a quick run down I'm going to break it down in time frames for the first day. I wrote down everything that happened durning delivery as well as his first days while we were at the hospital. Lets begin =]

Day one:

7:25am- We got the phone call to head to the hospital. Both Justin and I were very excited yet nervous heading over to the hospital. We both knew by the end of the day we were going to be holding our baby!

8am- We arrived at the hospital. Checked in and got comfy in our room.

9am- The doctor came in to check my cervix. I wasn't dilated and he was pretty high up. The doctor talked to Justin and I about our inducement and began with a small pill. The pill helped soften and dilate my cervix but takes about 4 hours to work.

1pm- We ate lunch! Thank goodness. I was getting so hungry at this point.

1:45pm- I began to feel my first contractions! They were strong just a slight cramping feeling from my back.

2pm- The nurse came in to check my cervix. At this time we were 3-4cm but he was still pretty high.

2:15pm- Justin went home to visit Logan. We both were beginning to miss him a lot at this point.

2:30pm- The nurse came in and began me on pictocen to help my labor progress.

2:45pm- My contractions are starting to become more regular and a little bit stronger.

3:15pm- The doctor came in to talk to me about breaking my water and an epidural. We agreed to break my water around 4 and I'll most likely be getting an epidural. Just waiting for Justin to return from being with Logan.

3:25pm- My contractions are starting to pick up. They are coming from the back.

4pm- Justin returned. Just waiting on the doctor to come in. My contractions defiantly have become regular. Beginning to feel pressure on my bottom.

4:45pm- The doctor came in and broke my water. Instantly my contractions began to hurt! (Hopefully only a few hours left!)

5:25pm- My contractions have become so painful and right on top of each other. I asked for an epidural.

5:45pm- Got the epidural, felt an instant relief but still having some pressure in my bottom area.

6:20pm- The doctor came in to check me again...WE ARE READY TO PUSH!

6:25-6:35pm- We began to push! It wasn't easy pushing. Had a lot of difficulties due to not feeling my legs from the epidural.

6:35pm- MASON ANDREW has arrived with a 2 vessel cord, that was wrapped around his neck once with 2 very tight knows!!! He arrived not breathing, it was a scary couple minuets. I began to cry & Justin became faint. Once they got him breathing again our hearts just melted with love. Mason has long legs with long feet, long arms with long fingers. He has dark hair and dark blue eyes (for the time being). A really cute nose & chin. He weighed 7lbs 1oz!

7:10pm- Mason had his first feeding. He ate 30cc with in 5 minuets! He was a hungry little guy!

7:30pm- Nunna was his first visitor! She adores him so much!

8pm- Mimi is his second visitor! She is so excited to see Mason!

9:30pm- First bath and assessment! Mason loved his bath. He was all smiles when he was getting his hair washed. He is 19.5 inches long!

11:20pm- Masons second feeding, he ate 25cc.

12pm- We put him in the nursery for the night. Justin and I wanted a little sleep.

The second was a busy day for all of us! Logan even came and spent the day with us! It was so nice! We had many visitors and compliments. We met Masons pediatricians. He was great! However Mason has a small hole above his bum, he needs an ultrasound to make sure the hole wont effect him later in life. Mason got circumcised and did wonderfully. It was a very eventful day for all of us.

Our third day in the hospital was a little more relaxed. We didn't have an visitors but that was okay. Logan came and spent a few hours with us. Both I and Mason had to be check from our doctors before discharged. Mason passed his hearing test and his ultrasound for the hole above his bum came back great! Justin and I prepared to go home
It was so nice to be home. Auntie Jen we Masons first home visitor! She just loved him. All the animals in our house were curious to what we brought home. The dog was very protective of Mason.

Masons first night home he slept wonderfully. He woke up twice for feedings.

Mason Andrew
January 25, 2010 6:35pm
7lbs 1oz 19.5'