She's Alive!

No, I did not fall off the face of the planet after having my child. I just went to Texas. :)

We've been enjoying southern living while Logan sells security systems. I am now in California while he sells for another three weeks and then we will be meeting back up in Idaho. So I'm missing my man and currently homeless. And I have two wonderful children that are happy and healthy and a joy to have. So that's what's new with me.

And for a wonderful Texan quote: "You all can go to hell. I'm going to Texas." - David Crockett

Here he is with all his tubes. Kinda scary, huh? it made me cry an awful lot to see him like this.

And here he is without his tubes at six days. I must say, he's a heck of a lot cuter this way. Especially since he does the popeye thing just like piper used to do.

And that's all for this time. I'll get more recent pics uploaded soon. See you all later!

Linden

I have a son.

His name is Farron Linden Rice. We call him Indy. He's at St. Alphonsus Hospital in the NICU because he has breathing problems. We are hoping to take him home sometime this weekend.

He was born at 12:38 PM on Monday April 12th.

He weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz. and was 20 1/2 in. long.

He's the most beautifulest baby ever, and no, I'm not biased at all.

I'll try to have some pictures up of him soon. They're kind of scary, he's got tubes coming out all over. Still a cute little boy.

Logan is thrilled, he wanted a boy in the worst way. And now he has his son. We have a son. So weird. But wonderful.

:)
Love you all!

Tuesday news

Went to the Doctor, as I do every other tuesday now. Still no sex. Oh, I'm allowed to, I mean the baby. We aren't going to be surprised. And before you say how exciting and fun that is, I have to tell you, I don't like these kinds of surprises. Not happy. But oh well.

Also, I have to take yucky sugar tests. Failed the first one. Took a stupid long one and threw it all up. Have to try to take another. Not thrilled about this development. Oh well.

Am having this child, be it boy or girl, on April 12th. Thought you finely feathered fellows might want to know. C section again. And yes, I know it's not fun, I've done it before, but trying a vbac just doesn't really seem fun. So none of that.

And that's all for now.

Belated, but here.

I know I know, I promised to update after I went to the doctor. Well, it's after! In fact, it's so much after that it's almost time for me to go again. :) I was going to let you all know if I am having a boy or a girl. Well I am. A boy or a girl. They couldn't tell which it was. So I didn't feel the pressing need to let you all know that I don't know yet. But whichever it is, it's healthy and perfect and I'm doing great. So I'll let you know when and if I find out.

In other news, Piper is growing like a weed and indroducing new and fun obstacles in my life. I love it. The sad thing is, I can't really hold her too much any more. I really love rocking ehr to sleep, but she's so heavy and this baby is so big now that I can't have her there for more than 5 minutes before it puts too much pressure for me to handle. Isn't that terrible?

Logan is getting more work... not much, but enough. Thank you all so much for your prayers. We love you and are thinking of you all. Kisses.

I know I know, I'm dreadful.

I'm trying, really I am! I'm just busy so much now it's hard to find the time to sit at the computer for any amount of time. Toddlers require much more energy and ingenuity than infants. And they like keyboards a heck of a lot more too.

So. Piper took a dreadful spill today and I feel like the worst mother in the world. I didn't see it coming, because sudden trips into speakers are far from predictable. And so the immediate and heartbreaking screaming started and I felt like the biggest failure. She's fine, actually, which is just enough that I don't hate myself totally. But I get a huge pang everytime I see the ginormous dent and swollen eye she is now sporting. Her vision is unaffected, and even pushing directly on the wound doesn't bother her in the slightest. So my guilt has been slightly assauged, but I don't think I'll feel ok until the mark is gone. :( Being a parent is hard when you can't protect them from themselves.

I am feeling like crap, but we finally have insurance so I can go to a doctor and figure out why. Yay!!!!! Hopefully all will be well and it will be an easy fix. Keep your fingers crossed!

I have a question. I'm sure you will probably find it strange, but what to pincherbugs eat? Also called silverfish(dunno why) and earwigs (because they will unfortunately burrow in if possible). I know they eat something, but what? I doubt they eat earwax out in nature. In fact, I'm fairly certain they don't if they are able to get in your ear either.

On a completely random side note, I miss 90's music. I love the current music found on the radio and CD's and suchlike, I do really. But I was watching Dancing with the Stars the other night and they had some great songs fromthe 90's. And The 80's too, which I always have loved. But I never realized how much I like the music from when I grew up. Totally random discovery.

It is cold here now. We keep getting snow. Actually, I would love it if we got snow, because that would bring UP the temperature. No cloud cover equals unbelievably cold weather. I want to wear my ski jacket most days. Can't go outside with wet hair, it will freeze. No room in the fridge? Stick it out in the garage. Though it may get colder than you wanted. Note to self: never put canned soda outside in below freezing temperatures, will explode. Dunno why, and thankfully we have soda only once in a blue moon, but it happened to my mother-in-law at the end of last winter. I think. Leastwise, that's what was claimed. Ick.

Piper is almost ready to begin potty-training, we just have to help her get over her fear of the toilet. But she announces when she's done going to the bathroom, and runs to her room and scales her changing table when we say it's time for diaper change. It's actually pretty darn cute.

So I best be going, next time, if my internet is being more cooperative I'll upload some pictures and maybe even a video. If I can swing it. Stupid internet. :)

See ya!

Youth

I know I'm just a young spring chicken to most of you who read this, but I feel old. Don't get mad, it's just the new life stages I'm encountering, it makes me feel like I'm far too old.

Birthday is in 2 days. Creepy.... well, I'm hoping it will be, what with the Halloween theme going on. :) I love birthdays, I get to talk to everybody who loves me, and I just feel so happy.

Life is...hard for us right now, so, I don't want to sound desparate or whiney, but we sure would appreciate whatever prayers and good thoughts you can send our way.

I have recently discovered that I really love techno music. Again. I used way back... like 10 years ago. But I do again. And ohmigarsh, so does Piper. She is so hilarious when I turn on that kind of music. Her butt just starts going.... and she giggles and spins... so cute.

Ah Piper. i have neglected you all needing your Piper fixes. So, her new words:
Daddy(exactly, no slurring whatsoever)
Tank you (for thank you)
Doggie (which can be anything from a dog to a car)
Kitty kitty, which goes eyow eyow
Becca (only name thus far, and boy does her auntie love it)
buggie (which we don't know what on earth it is, not bugs, boogers, or binkies...????)
Why(and so it begins)
Hey you
Ball (where's ball? theres ball! is repeated over and over as she throws it and then finds it again)
What is it?
Go way
Out
Owwww
Baby (always 'oh is baby')
Bear (rawr!)
Sheep (ba ba ba ba)
Duckie (quack quack quack)

You would not believe how many things quack now... And she also knows that she is Piper, and if we ask she shreiks PIPEY!!!!

She runs full speed ahead, which isn't good when wearing socks. She falls at full speed too. I have a shirt that I'm wearing today with a my little pony on it. She points at it every few minutes, calls it a doggie, and then barks at it a few times. Great.

She's got her four front teeth, two more on the bottom, and two top molars. Lots more food available, which she enjoys very much.

On another and sad note, I have to go now, so have a happy Halloween if I don't get back on before then!!!!

Things learned

I've been accumulating random tidbits of information and I thought I might impart some of this fairly boring, yet occasionally helpful information on you all.

-Sex can become painful when going through menopause (not that I am, just interesting to know)

-Denture Cleaning Solutions work wonderfully on your shower heads to unclog and decalcify them without scratching and making it dull

-using a fine-toothed comb to hold a nail while trying to hammer it in helps clumsy folks such as I who may fear pounding fingers

-Flowers can make anyone happy, and brighten their day considerably, whether from spouses or children, from stores or from the garden.

-Little girls shaking their booties will bring smiles to even the most grumpy of indviduals

-If your indoor cats are too much, let them become outside cats, and in all likelyhood the mouse and bird population surrounding your home will take a mysterious plummet.

-Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work on darn near everything and are fabulous, but they also take off paint so use with caution

-If you are a new mother and have trouble finding time for a shower, take your child in with you. They will eventually enjoy it if they don't right away, and then you have gottne them clean too. Also helps if they've had an expolsive diaper, or thrown up.

-May not work for those of you afraid of them, but if you have a bug problem and can't afford exterminators, leave the spiders and their webs if you can and they'll help cut down on your bug population. Obviously don't leave poisonous ones, but otherwise they help more than they hinder.

-In the heat, instead of blow drying your hair, let it air dry and you'll stay a lot cooler. Doesn't work if your hair is uncooperative or must be tamed, but especially children can stay cool, and wet hair in ponytails stay cool for a while and cools any breeze that reaches your neck. Very handy.

-Don't plant cantalope near squash because they can cross pollinate and squashalope isn't really fabulous.

-It is possible to dehydrate spaghetti sauce and take the powder camping with you. Or just save space with food storage. (Logan thinks it's the coolest thing ever)

-Standing and sitting with your back straight and keeping good posture eliminates a few inches from your waist, and developes muscles that can in fact eat the fat that you're hiding doing so.

-Flipflops can contribute to leg and back aches, and you should do feet strengthening exercises if you plan to wear them often. if possible wear sandals with a heel strap.

-You may think your children are too young to do something, but never underestimate them or their understanding and comprehension.

-To make yourself look more awake, put highlighter or concealer on the shadows of your face (chin crease, between eyes, under eyes) and line lower lashes with bright shadow or liner.

-In a pinch, golf shoes can be used to airate a close-cropped lawn

-If you do your own floors, do not skimp on transition strips. the cheap ones crack and break alot.

-Horses, like many children, do not like peas. (strange I know)

-It is possible to get a will drawn up and completed for cheap (My hubby is selling a fabulous service and if you're interested let me know)

-You should not wear a turkey on your head, it will probably get stuck. And it smells.

-It is possible to make a camping stove with a soda can. And it works fabulously.

-Bread heels or slightly stale slices can be toasted and blended and are great for sprinkling on pasta dishes or salads and the like.

-Most summer drinks can be turned into popcicles with ice trays and popcicle sticks.

-A hot shower or bath that lasts longer than 10 minutes dehydrate your skin, so if you don't want to shorten your relaxation time remember to moisterize afterwards.

-Yard sales are full of things that are cheap and can be bargained down so check them out before you hit the store on saturday. (also babyshower and birthday presents can be found in such places)

-Pumpkins can come back for years, so keep that in mind when planting.

-If you don't want a lot of zuccini, planting in a bucket will control your produce by a significant
amount

-Do not plant mint in anything but a box or bucket or it will take over your garden.

-Snow peas and sugar snap peas cross pollinate, but are actually pretty good together.

-Chocolate dipped grapes are actually pretty good.

-No money for dates? If you have money for a sitter just go stargazing and bring food for a picnic. No money for a sitter? Wait for the kids to be in bed (if possible) and play a game together, or Turn on some soft music and just dance.

-To much of a good thing isn't good and 5 slices of watermelon in a one year old are too much no matter how good it is. And 5 slices of watermelon actually produces quite a bit of vomit.

-Love your family and they'll love you back.

And love is all you need. :)