Rex is Here!

Rex had his own schedule set up which threw things into a complete tailspin around here. This is our story:

As many of you know, I started having contractions on 3/12. They were what the dr deemed "non-progressive labor." That means, they were consistant but not increasing and not really making any changes in dialation etc. It was miserable. On 3/19 we went into OKC (about an hour from home but where my dr is located) to do some last minute shopping for the kids for things they might want while they were with the sitter. Things went fine but I was really tired all day. About 7pm we went to have dinner at one of my fovorite Chinese places. Let me say, dinner with 5 kids is always a slow affair. About 8 just as we where finishing up, all of the sudden it felt like something stabbed me in the center of my back. Not lower back, but actually the middle. In a minute it passed, but about 10 minutes later it started again.

I said it was fine, I was just super tired and needed to get home and get some rest. It was decided since we were already in the City, we should go ahead and call the dr. As luck would have it, my dr was on call. He agreed that since I was only 5 miles from the hospital it would be best to be checked out. So, thinking it was much to do about nothing, I went in. Imagine my suprise when I was dialated to a 3! At 38w 2d and being so far out with steadier and getting closer contractions, it was decided that it was indeed baby time.

We called the sitter and had her come into OKC to pick up the other kids. Because I was a csection, I was given some medicine to help neutralize stomach acid and encourage my digestion to speed along. Right after the sitter picked up the kids, I was taken to the OR.

Rex arrived at 12:41 am on 3/20/13. He was 8lb 11oz and 20". His initial APGAR score was only a 6 as he was retracting. NICU was called in but he stabilized quickly and his second APGAR was a 9. It took a long time for them to get me put back together but inside everything still looked good so we did not go through with the tubal.  Al's blood sugar was very low though we are unsure as to why. It ended up dropping down to 21 before we could get it back up. And, his hands and feet were very, very blue. They assured us it was not a cause for concern but of course, we still worried until it began to improve around day 2. He still has some blue cast in his feet, but nothing like it was.

Also, he has now failed the newborn hearing screening twice. At this point, he does not seem to hear out of his right ear. Again, we have been told not to worry as it does not necessarily mean a hearing loss and could just be fluid. We have been referred to a specialist for more extensive testing that will be scheduled around 1m.

So, we finally got home late Friday evening. I have been put on modified bed rest because we are having some issues with my incision opening up a little. We had to take Albrecht back in on Monday to get his referal started for his hearing. When we went in, we noticed that Albrecht was very, very yellow. That resulted in him being re-admitted to the hospital and placed under the bililights for 24 hours. It absolutely broke my heart to see him with the blinders on being poked and prodded to monitor his biliruben levels. But, at last we are home, I am still supposed to be on bedrest, and Rex is doing well. I swear, this is the child that will finally turn my hair grey, lol. I will try to keep you guys updated as we find out more about his hearing.

The Convience of Shopping Online

So this is my story of Site to Store shopping to the Seminole OK Walmart as we know the entire point of online shopping is the convience:

I am more than a little frustrated at this point.  It took 2 trips to pick up my new purple crock pot as the lady at site to store told me it wasn't in the first time.  I then called back and another person told me it was in.  So, we return to the store the next day (it's about 25 miles round trip for us) to be told it wasn't there again.  I insisted that they double check.  Sure enough, it was there.  Finally get it home, and guess what?  It's damaged.  One of the rivets on the foot is broken off already.  That means repacking it and a 3rd 25 mile trip and an alternate plan for dinner tonight as I crock pot cook a lot! 

Also, when I picked up the climber for the kids the day before, there was a large hole in the side of the box. I am hoping that nothing fell out and the item is complete (as assembly is required). Plus, the stocker that helped take the climber to the car was dressed in a tshirt that read "I'm pretty good at drinking beer". I'm sure that is just the corporate image Walmart wants to project!

This is not the first issue I have had with site to store at this location.  It is extremely frustrating to deal with!  At Christmas, my sister ordered a swing for my children and had it shipped site to store as well.  When I arrived to pick it up, it couldn't be found.  They said the only thing they could do was refund the money to my sister and let her reorder.  Instead I had my sister send us a gift card for the purchase price and the kids got a picture of a gift for Christmas because thanks to the Seminole OK store, there was no swing.  

 Every time I try to pick something up at this location it takes forever!  I have been told under no circumstances am I to order anything else to the Seminole store.  This is so ridiculous!  The next closest store is in Shawnee and about 40 miles round trip for us! I thought shopping online and picking up in store was supposed to make buying from Walmart easier.  I have found it to be anything but.  Very disappointing!

Following Promptings

I have done so poorly about updating my blog lately!  I better get better at this.  Let's start with some updates:


Houston is a potty training champ!  He is even staying dry at night.  Our biggest obstacle has been learning not to tinkle on ourselves when we use the regular potty.  Last night we had our first victory at that!  I haven't even approached the stand and aim idea yet, but he does super good sitting.

I have felt prompted to make getting completely our of debt a top priority.  It will mean some sacrifices, but I know that in the end it will be well worth it!  Currently, we have no mortgage on the house, but we have a huge amount of credit card debt, and a note on our van.  We believe that with some hard work, we can be debt free in 3 years.  So, that is our new goal.  Our first hurdle will be taking our tax refund and using it to pay off some debt instead of as play money.  And, we will also be tightening our budget and trying to put some into savings every month.  This is something we have never done!   I will try to keep you updated on our progress.  Perhaps that will help keep me on track?

Veggie Heaven

We have discovered Indian food!  I know a lot of people eat it but I never had.  We had looked for places that ranked well in the vegetarian community and tried the top rated one on the list.  I completely see the appeal!  There was a lot of spice and new flavors.  I must admit before this experience I was really having my doubts as to whether or not we could do this.  But, through this experience I was able to see that vegetarian cuisine could be more than fruit and salad.  I am so excited.  Can't wait to see what else we discover along this journey!

Jumping In Both Feet

Well, so much for the take it slow and easy transition route.  We have de-meated the house.  We gave away around 25 bags of groceries to our friends including 15 bags just from our freezer!  I didn't realize how much stock we had.  My freezer now looks pitifully bare.  Oh well, now I know exactly how much space I have to refill.  It only took about 6 months the first time so I am hopeful that we can do it even faster this time.  An empty freezer and light cabinets make me nervous.

So, we have been totally free of eating beef, pork, and poultry for 3 days now.  I know it doesn't sound like a lot now, but it's a great start.  I am really excited to see how this progresses.