Christmas 2007

Stephen, Hunter & Daniel :)

My section is scheduled for October 23rd :) 9:30 am ~

Hi everyone! My name is Robin and I am 39 years old. :) I will be 40 in June 2007. I am happily pregnant with our third child. My husband and I live with our two boys Daniel 11 and Stephen 7 in Liverpool, NY. We pondered on and off for a number of years whether or not to have a third child. After much consideration we decided to go for it ~ if it happens it was meant to be :). Sure enough I am 9 weeks as of today, 3/24/07.

It was difficult considering a third child at my age, many feel I am to old but we are only as old as we feel and allow ourselves to be and since I feel like I am in my early 30's I guess my age is perfect! Lol.

My mom passed from ovarian cancer in 2000, 4 weeks after the birth of my second son and that was very difficult. My sister has aggressive stage 3-4 breast cancer and is currently having chemo treatments. Having my family close to me and having 3 sisters as my support through difficult times has been so comforting to me. I feel so blessed to have them in my life. I wanted the same for my boys so a third child is surely a wonderful way to give to my children the love and support of family and siblings as I have had in my own life. After the loss of my mom I spent alot of time going through photos of her and holding them close to me ~ I realized it was time to pick up my drawing pencils to help others cherish the memories forever through heirloom portraits & silhouettes.

Bringing to life those special candid moments in time is what I feel guided to do always. I feel my mother continues to paint my world from above :)

Thank you so much for visiting!

**Link to my site :) TX for visiting! http://thepaintedcardinal.blogspot.com/

Here is an example of wall lettters I created to match Zanzibar decor for a client :) If your looking for painted letters, let me know :) TX!

Remember our troops!

Recent portrait created for a client ~ her son is serving in Iraq

My Boys ~ Daniel and Stephen:

Daniel DOB 10/12/95 9 lbs 13.5 oz C Section

Stephen DOB 3/3/00 8 lbs 3 oz VBAC

Here they are a couple years ago with one of my other many fur children, Chester, lol. I have 4 cats, a yellow lab and a guinea pig too :)

Having two boys one being an older brother is SO amazing!!This is my fav photo! First day of kinderguarten for Stephen my youngest.Waiting for the bus ~

Dan/Hubby with Stephen in 2003

Please visit my blog to view my gallery :) www.thepaintedcardinal.blogspot.com

Amazing Childrens Boutique's:

http://confettikidzboutique.com/boutique/templates/Original/images/ck_logo.gif

http://mommieswithstyle.com/mtblog/header2.gif

2/15/07 ~ Wasn't due for my period for at least another week but I just "knew" I was pregnant. Felt tired, sickly bloated, breasts felt very tender/sore. I ovulate and implant earlier then most so had a strong feeling. Decided to sneak a test at home and sure enough I was prego!! Wasn't even the first morning urine, lol. I was approx 3 weeks at that point.

3/2/07 ~ First OB apmnt and doc did an ultrasound to be sure baby was implanted where it should be and that all was well. Saw the baby perfectly :) Was almost 6 weeks at that point. Feeling bloated and sickly most of the evening.

3/14/07 ~ Second OB apmnt. Doc did another ultrasound. Saw my baby's heart beat and heard it too. What a BEAUTIFUL sound!! Told I was 7 1/2 weeks. Blood work drawn as well. Next apmnt scheduled for 4/6/07.

3/25/07 ~ Feeling very tired, could sit and do nothing all day, lolol. By 7pm I'm whiped out! No cravings, would rather not eat at all ~ nauseous most of the day. Making myself eat because I know I need to, lol. Clothes are very tight on me, only fit into two pairs of pants (one is nylon sweats and other is pants one size larger than I typically wear, lol). I've gained about 3 lbs but look like I've gained 10. Stomach is very bloated, face blotchy. Boys are excited and can't wait. Bit nervous about next apmnt and testing I may need for my age. Feel it is a girl but hubby says boy ~ so we'll see :)

3/25/07 ~ Hubby just called, he is on way home and wants to know what I want to eat???? Now thats a LOADED question, lol, Wonder if he will go out of his way to get to Friendly's??? lolol.

3/29/07 ~ Gosh feeling HUGE! Lol. I look about 4 plus months preggo ~ To bad its only water retention and not the baby, lol. I need to get some maternity pants, my clothes are stretched beyond limits now so just can't wear them anymore ~ I hate being so big so early, but I've only gained about 3 lbs so its just fluid ~ Getting nervous about the triple tests and such ~ hoping all will be well considering my age. I have no energy most of the day ~ at night I want to crash and sleep, lol. Anyone else feeling so big so early?

3/30/07 ~ Still in my nylon workout pants! Feel like I painted them on though, lol. This pregnancy is much different then my others so hopefully that is a sign of pretty pink things to come :) I was just out in front with my last two, and in maternity clothes at 2 months with my second. This time I have gained inches but more like someone who has just gained weight all over. Maternity clothes dont feel right on me, just the next size up. I've gained/retained water all around, not just in the front yet ~. Still pretty nauseous, night time is the worst. I have a very sour stomach so when I lay down I feel more sick. Still tired, that isnt letting up yet. Haven't bought anything for the baby yet. Waiting until 12 weeks :)

Went with my sister to her oncology appointment today ~ she is in a study for ginger. It is supposed to help with nausea so I may try some ginger tea to see if it works :) Will be great if it does :) Seems SO far away til we find out what we will be having ~ can't wait!!

3/31/07 ~ 10 weeks today! Yeah!! I am still afraid to buy anything, lol. Being our third we dont mind second hand items at this point so we will be doing lots of resell shopping :) But I want to get something new just not sure what, lol. Plus I guess I'm scared being almost 40 ~ Went shoppnig for clothes last night. Maternity just didnt fit right yet, I am gaining all over not just front so larger regular clothes fit better now than maternity so I picked up a capri sweat suit that stretches so I can wear that for a few more weeks and perhaps after delivery :) :)

4/20/07 ~ Had an ultrasound yesterday! :) ~ We were seen by the Regional perinatal center my gyn doc referred me to for this testing. Was SO wonderful to see our baby turning all over the place, facing up, down, face towards us etc etc. Very active bugger he/she is!! lol. The fluid measurement they did on the back of the next came out perfect ~ so much added relief. We met with a genetic counselor who reviewed our family history, previous pregnancies, births, family problems etc and the ultrasound just done ~ everything looks good so far. She shared the many options we have for more testing. The amnio, the triple (now know as a quad) test etc. Reviewed all the % and stats of each test too according to my age. She also offered us a blood test which is done from my finger blood. The test is called a PAPP-A (Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein-A.) They look at all the chromosomes looking for any defects such as downs, trisomy's and other extra chromosomes. If this comes back good then we have an 80-85% chance of now problems. We are happy with this and will not do an amnio, if problems do show up we will then do the amnio after the 18 week scan. Since I am older the triple test will not be done for the downs since it will already have been checked, it will only check the other things. Plus the triple test can often give a false postive in older woman so why put ourselves through the stress if a false postive. I will return the them for the 18 week scan as well as see my own doc in May as normally scheduled. I gained a couple more pounds :( Really feeling large now ~ hopefully I dont get to huge.... Thats a total of 12 lbs now at 13 weeks ~ The U/S looks like my oldest son ~ and many say a boy so we'll see. I asked if they can tell what it is, they are experienced in detailed U/S since they deal with high risk pregnancies so felt they could give me a good answer and she said she could give a good guess by looking but it is really reaching to say for sure and there is a good chance in being wrong at this point so we'll wait to see in a few more weeks ~ I dont want a "wrong" answer, lol ~ TX for visiting all!!!

4/25/07 ~ Well these past two days I've felt very tired, not sleepy wise, just my body moves slowly because I lack the energy to move to fast. I feel even bigger, hubby says I popped out even more ~ I've had some aching throbbing on the lower left ab area, I had surgery there many years ago so with my pregnancies I often have pain from the scarring and tendons pulling stretching but it hurts bad at times so going to keep an eye on it since it throbs more than stretching pain. Still smell my milk so I know its coming in, no leakage yet but its there, lol ~ Not sleeping well at night the past few days, my stomach just aches so I cant get comfortable, told hubby I need to buy a body pillow ~ I used them before and they really helped, he reminded me that I used ALL the pillows in the house, lol. Getting a bit nervous, its really sinking in now ~ mixed emotions etc about everything, I know its just my hormones :) Can't wait to find out what I am having ~ the wait is killing me, lol. I go back in May to my doc for regular prenatal check up and to perinatal center for an 18 week scan. No new stretch marks so far, been using the raw shea religiously :) Seems to be working so far ~ I've seen photos here of those around 18-22 weeks and I feel like I'm that big already ~ Really love having this site and it means so much to me all of you that visit and post (((((()))))) Big hugs to you all for your very very kind words ~ its amazing to not feel alone in things hubby doesnt understand. My sister and I can compare notes when we dont feel so well, the chemo treatments are making her fatigued, nauseous etc, the same way I feel. She takes ginger for nausea and it seems to help :) Just found out my new neighbor acrossed the street is also prego and due a month before me ~ very excited, I will have someone to share and walk with and our kids can play together :)

4/29/07 ~ Beginning to feel much better now, still a bit of fatigue but not nearly as much as I had ~ finally figured out my true cravings, cold & sweet items ~ LOVE salads, fruity things, fruits, chocolate milk, OJ,..anything cool and sweet :) Started buying little things here and there, baby wipes, bottles, receiving blankets, infant toys etc. So glad I still have lots of time to prepare, lol. My house is so not ready yet for a new baby, :) My pelvis bone really aches now with the cartilage getting softer and after I walk alot I get achy too but no spotting so really happy about that ~ Getting much bigger now I get short winded when I go up and down the stairs: Finally got my belly photo downloaded, I took it last week at 13 wks, will get another one as I progress larger :)

4-30-07 ~ I am FULL!!! Had a nice dinner ~ wonder what my doc will think when I tell her I had 4 pieces of italian bread smothered in butter along with my meal??? But it was SOOOOOOOO good!!! :)

5/10/07 ~ Had a docs apmnt today ~ everything went well. Heartbeat was strong at 160. I only gained a pound more so I was happy although I've had a few dizzy spells and doc said be sure to get enough protein and eat less more often. Feeling SO big, lol. Hubby took this photo today ~ :) I've gained a total of 11 lbs approx with gaining and loosing a bit. My face looks so round! Lol.

5-18-07 ~ I have been feeling the baby move for a week or two now, bits here and there but today had a strong kick, was SO cool!! Brought back memories :) Having a harder at night sleeping, my back hurts and the ligaments pull so I guess its time to bring out the body pillow for the belly support, lol. I LOVED using it when I was preggers before.

5/31/07 ~ its a BOY!! :) So much to share but have company coming so will have to share more later :)

7/10/07 ~ Wow this little guy is kicking much harder over this past week, lol. I also feel and now see the "rolling" sensation across my tummy so I know he is growing and getting bigger ~ I have felt the kicks as high up as 1 plus inches above my belly button. My boys and husband have all felt the baby move now. It is very exciting to see their faces light up when he kicks and moves. Sleeping has been rough, I have to use a pillow in between my knees and to support my belly every night. My pelvis is very sore now that the cartiladge is getting softer. Had a bought with a few infections so have been on various antiobiotics or that and a bartholin gland cycst and varicose vein problem. It is very uncomfortable but I'm dealing, lol. I was diagnosed with asthma so now have a puffer and it helps alot when I get really short winded or heavy chested. My first was born in October and the summer was horrible, so far so good, ~ thank God for central air!! Hopefully my last trimester wouldnt be as hard as it was with him but being 40 now I have a feeling it will be worse. I feel HUGE!! I've gained about 23-25 lbs but seeing I gained 58 with my first and 38 with my second that comes as no surprise, lol. I go back to the docs in a week or so so we'll see how he's doing :) Maybe she will give me my delivery date ~ I'm have a scheduled C since my experience with VBAC was horrible. I'm having my tubes tied this time to makes sense to get that done at the same time :)

AWESOME site to view 3/4D ultrasounds :)

http://ehd.org/science_imagegal_4.php#12to16

* Recently I have seen some discussion on Pro Life versus Pro Choice ~ it really saddens me that those are the way the options are presented ~ I am 120% pro life VIA Pro choice ~ I think WAY to much time is spent trying to pin point who is who, judge who is what etc etc and NOT enough time is spent on Education ~ Being Pro Choice in NO way means one is always pro abortion ~ I think more time must be spent educating others on the reason it is so important to CHOOSE life when there is no medical reason not to ~ Yet also understand that there are also circumstances that arise that in a specific situation aborting EARLY for medical reasons should only be discussed by the parties involved and not judged by anyone else or decided by the legal system. I am against abortion but I also understand/feel that unless I am in the shoes of a person who was raped and then found pregnant or who was facing a pregnancy that could harm my life tragically It is not my place to dictate or eliminate options with a doctor or legal system as to their rights. Stop the judement that all pro choicer's are pro abortion ~ we are pro education and pro life VIA choosing the right to life except during lifes emergencies ~ I am not sharing this to start a debate, I am sharing this to share my true thoughts only ~ It is not a this or that situation there are SO many things at play and so many limitations that can be set ALONG with prolife and pro choice ~ If there needs to be one or the other side that it should be spelled out correctly, perhaps with more than two options: For ex: The two choices could be "Pro Life with Choice" or "Pro Life without a choice" (I say this because those that have an abortion for medical reasons arent necessarilly pro abortion, it was a choice that needed to be made, between doc and patient, not patient and legal system. People dont just have abortions because it was a rainy day and had nothing else to do ~ There is a reason I'm sure they struggled with for a while that brought them to that descision, some I understand (medically necessary) and some I am sadden by (inconvenience) and many based on lack of education in knowing the many other options (adoption etc) or ways to prevent pregnancy..its a matter of knowing what options are medically acceptable and those that abslutely are not ~ that is where the laws need to be, seperating the reasons they should be prevented from allowing an abortion and making them illegal to restricting the medically neccessary ones and how far along gestation and in what manner/procedure it is done ~ Medically necessary and incovenience abortions are not the same as each other to me and therefor shouldnt be in the same vote ~ or ALL viewed as anti pro life. I've never had to have an abortion but I do know some that have for medical reasons and it was a very difficult decision for them, one I never would want to face ~ I cant imagine what would have happened had they been forced to deliver ~

** Suggestions on helping to reduce Stretch Marks ~ UNREFINED Shea Butter ~ Can't find it in a grocery store ~ all store brands with it are refined and that process removes the benefits of shea ~ Black soap is also awesome for your skin :) Here are some useful links on Shea ~

**The shea I use for stretch marks**

http://treasuredlocks.com/nuherawshbul.html

http://treasuredlocks.com/shebutben.html#good ~ search by brands on this site "Nubian" is the brand I love most ~

http://agbangakarite.com/

http://sheainstitute.com/21reasons.html

Picture of my mom holding Stephen 4 weeks before she passed. What gets me through this time around is knowing my mom already met my newest little baby in heaven as a spirit before the baby came to be with us :)