The Cottage on the Hill

Call it hormones.  Call it discomfort, but I've discovered that I'm starting to say some odd things like: 1. Get this baby out of me! 2. I don't want to do this anymore! 3. Stop trying to punch my sides out, baby! 4. URGH! (usually the sound I utter whenever I have to get up) 5. I can't wait to stop peeing so often! 6. Can't I just be put in a coma until I go into labor? 7. Wahhhhhhh....I can't get comfortable in any position! 8. (singing) "We're having a heat wave....." (in regards to my never-ending, rarely satiated heart-burn) 9. I just want to be human again!!! 10. I miss my little waistline! 11.  I hate my maternity clothes! 12. Nothing covers my belly anymore!

Veteran Homeschoolers, please advise.  If you see anything redundant or wasteful in my list, please let me know! Here is what I have planned so far: 1. PHONICS: -Phonics Pathways with Word Works, -Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, -Bob Books 2. GRAMMAR: -First English Grammar 3. SPELLING: -Spectrum Spelling Grade 1, -Modern Curriculum Press Spelling Workout 4. HAND WRITING: -Handwriting Without Tears, -Memoria Press Copywork Book 1 + 2, -Copywork for Little Boys 5. LANGUAGE ARTS: -Spectrum Language Arts Grade 1, -First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind, -Writing With Ease 6. MATH: -Saxon Math 1 with K-3 Manipulatives 7. SCIENCE: -Backyard Science, -Answers in Genesis 8. HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES: -Community and Local History, -Reading Ancient History and Stories, -Civics 9. ART/MUSIC: -piano lessons, -Watch Me Draw, -Drawing is Basic 10. BIBLE/CHARACTER: -Reviewing Sunday School Lessons, -Character Lessons, -Proverbs

Today, I acted on impulse and bought the latest issue of Vogue magazine at the checkout line in the grocery store.  My reason?  Scarlett Johansson was on the cover and looking very vintage and lovely.  That's it.  I bought it for several lovely photographs done in vintage style....a waste of $4.00.  I probably could have found the photographs somewhere online. I got to thinking how much better things were in my youth when the impulse to buy magazines wasn't there because the money wasn't burning a hole in my wallet.  I grew up in a near poverty level home, but if it wasn't for the daily comparison of my peers at public school, I probably wouldn't have really noticed.  Looking back, I'm glad I grew up in that lifestyle. Instead of buying magazines, we were given used ones or my mother would paw through the free box at the local library.  I was introduced to Country Living and Victoria magazines as well as the Reiman Publications (Country, Remin...

My OB is setting the goal for 4 more weeks of pregnancy for me!  I will refuse an induction unless it is necessary for the baby's health, but he thinks if I continue to take it easy and not stress out, I can make it to 37 weeks.  I'm glad for this news.  Now, to just make those 4 weeks fly by!

My family is helping me out by taking care of my children until Friday so I can rest up and prepare for the arrival of the baby.  This afternoon I tackled the kids' room.  We live in a small cottage, so all 3 children share the same room.  Thus, it becomes cluttered and messy quickly.  I have come to the conclusion that children are garbage magnets!  All the little bits of paper, cheap toys, fuzzy-backed stickers, broken crayons, etc etc etc that they manage to hold on to amazes me. Children are cute and cute children tend to get gifts and hand-outs no matter where they go.  It seems well-meaning and kindly people, whether family, friends, clerks or strangers see adorable children and feel compelled to give them some little treat that winds up in my house.  Of course, I teach my children to accept the little blessing graciously, and they usually do, and then they may keep it for a time.  If I see it forgotten under the bed, it gets tossed. Unf...

Saturday morning, I woke up in such pain and discomfort, but no contractions.  I waddled around the house as little as possible and wondered how in the world I'd last the rest of this pregnancy like this.  Then, before lunchtime, I felt the baby shift and I felt so much better.  Sunday was better, too.  Today, good!  I checked myself out in the mirror and noticed that my belly has shifted UPWARD! Yes, that's right.  It seems as if the baby has moved up out of the pelvis!  Other signs that this may have happened include frequent heartburn, pressure on the lungs, and less pressure on the cervix and bladder.  I no longer have to use the bathroom every 1/2 hour to an hour! So, this little guy may just stay in a bit longer than originally expected!  Granted, I am SO READY to give birth.  Of course, it is too early and my little guy needs to stay in for at the very least 2 more weeks.

It seems nearly every day now I experience false labor.  Of course, last time I went to the maternity center due to false labor, I got the paperwork to help me know the difference between false labor and true labor.  Ummm...my false labor is so convincing that it pretty much covers all the bases on that check list!  They usually say "call if nothing changes after an hour," but my false labor can last for HOURS and then suddenly subside.  I spend the whole time praying for the Lord to show me whether or not I'm in labor because I do NOT want to go back to the maternity center only to be sent home.  It's an inconvenience, an expense, and requires a lot of planning since I have 3 children who need childcare on top of finding someone to drive me.  It's not like hubby can just pop on home whenever.  He's making ends meet! One thing for sure is that the false labor is coming more frequently and stronger each time.  Yesterday, I was actually bent over ...

I'm having more subtle signs of a labor that is soon to come.  Can anyone say boo to hormone-induced acne?! Yep, it is obvious I'm having a hormone change and my skin is showing it! There's another sign in the bathroom department, but I'll spare you, LOL! I should probably get packing a bag for the hospital.  It could be any day or weeks away.

I feel like it is getting so close. I'm so glad my parents have been taking at least 2 of my kiddos every week. I have to spend the majority of my day with my feet up or in bed now. Just getting myself ready, one child ready, us fed, and taking care of the ducks has me spent. Add feeding and caring for two more children and I just want to curl up on the floor and cry it exhausts me and hurts so much. Thankfully, we'll be moving the ducks outside soon. That means my oldest will be able to take care of them. 2 1/2 more weeks, little man. That's all I'm asking!

The contractions are getting more frequent, even with resting. I'm wanting to nest! It is driving me nuts that I have to rest so much and the house is in such disarray. I'm tired a lot with little bursts of energy. My belly is incredibly low. I'm sick of my maternity wardrobe! Backaches! I'm aiming for 35 weeks.

My helping hand resources are pretty much tapped out. They are either tired, sick, busy or working. Needless to say, that makes for an impossible bedrest. It is nearing noon and I only just put my feet up today. My belly and back are killing me, but thankfully no contractions.

My OB has put me on moderate bed rest. If you've been on bed rest, please share what you did to occupy yourself and pass the time. :)

The end of my pregnancy may be near. I went in to the hospital last night to be checked for preterm labor. I had been cramping all week. I lost my mucus plug Sunday and last night the cramping and contractions got worse. I checked my cervix and it was noticeably thinner. While the contractions stopped on their own at the hospital, the on call OB said that she could feel the baby's head, but he was still high enough. I am 50% effaced and 1 cm dilated. This morning, I woke up early with really bad cramps. I took a shower and they abated, but I've been keeping my feet up most of today. The cramps and contractions have continued off and on throughout the day. Tomorrow, I see my regular OB. I wonder what he is going to say.

I rounded off last week's purging by cleaning the playroom. I only got rid of a small box full of stuff, but it did amount to over 25 things. I'm debating whether or not to be rid of the Mr. Potato Head stuff. The children rarely play with it (unless I mention getting rid of it). I also tackled the closet in the school room and I definitely got rid of a lot more than 25 things, mostly magazines. I have two shelves stacked two deep with magazines. I had many of the magazines in those cardboard magazine holders. My goal was to have all magazines in holders. I was thrilled when I was done sorting to have some holders empty! That is until I realized I have a stack of magazines in my bedroom! I may need to purge more. Today, I tackled the children's room. That was an easy goal-maker.

Do you do Easter Baskets for your children? What do you put in them? I really don't have the space to store Easter baskets year after year, so my mom came up with the idea of getting each child a plastic bucket with shovel. The way my children play in that sand pile, any bucket only lasts a season anyway. I'm not keen on filling the buckets with candy. It is also disheartening to see that Easter is becoming another commercial Christmas. So, each child got a few use-up-able or practical toys inside their buckets. Oldest: Legos, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, small puzzle, Skittles-filled egg. Middle: Magnetic fold up playhouse (clearance at Target!), bubbles, sidewalk chalk, jump rope, chocolate bunnies Youngest: Play-doh toy, toddler snacks, bubbles, Skittles-filled egg. Most of these items were $1.00 or less!

I am not feeling well today, so I've only done a light purge. I pulled out a junk drawer and purged it of most of its contents. I was able to add a few things to the yard sale heap that has taken over an entire corner of my basement. The rest was either recycled or thrown away. In the basement, a simple purge yielded me two empty economy sized diaper boxes! Yesterday, people came to pick up the tent we sold so now there is room in the shed! Unfortunately, rearranging the shed isn't going to happen through me at this time, so it'll have to wait. I'm really looking forward to the yard sale, not only getting rid of all that stuff, but making a little money off of it. I've been praying that it is a success.

I am feeling very pregnant today, so I've only done a little purging. I've definitely purged more than 25 things again, though. I have a box set aside for things I plan on posting online for sale, including my vintage Holly Hobbie collection and an original Cabbage Patch doll in very good condition. Anyone interested?