An Eventful Friday!

Yesterday was a crazy, but fun day! I started my morning by getting up and going to work for my friend April. She has a daycare/preschool in her home and is VERY pregnant (at the hospital as we speak for an enduction)! I am so glad that I have been available to help relieve her for her doctor appts, and yesterday was her last! I am not sure that she would say she was more excited to be at the end of her pregnancy yesterday or that she was going to have an entire month off from taking care of 6 VERY WILD 3 year old boys! If I were to guess, I would say that yesterday the most exciting thing would have to be that it was her last day of work for a month and I was able to give her the morning off! It's a good thing, because I think those boys would have put her into major labor yesterday morning!!! LOL! Wow, was it a crazy morning! I have gotten to know those boys very well over the past 4/5 months and I can tell you, without a doubt, they were totally out of character yesterday! They must have sensed that there were big changes coming up! Two of them will be starting pre-k in the fall so yesterday was their last day for good. April is leaving her open child care spots available to girls only! LOL! :) I can't say that I blame her! Boys are great, but when you get 6 of them at the age of 3 together for 10 hours....it can easily become a zoo! How she has been able to do this for 10 hours every day until the very end of her pregnancy, w/ an 18 months old of her own, is beyond me! Ansley didn't make things any easier yesterday morning! I guess she thought she had to make herself noticed amongst the boys and kept climbing on top of the table and dancing and yelling really loud...yes she was table dancing at 1 year old! LOL! We have many lessons in store for her! Table dancing is definitely a way to get the attention from boys...but not the kind of attention you want!!! LOL! Honestly though, she has figured out how to climb EVERYTHING! I am about to go crazy! I am thinking about putting the kitchen chairs on top of the table!

So after I left her place, I had to rush to get AJ and Aleigh from the Karate center so that I could take them to a jumping place for a birthday party that we were all invited to! Their friend Devon, who's parents are also friends of ours, turned 7. Ansley's nap didn't happen, but she REALLY needed and wanted one! Instead she got her second wind and ran all over the place the whole time. She would much rather explore and try to climb the arcade games than jump and play in one area! Needless to say, I was pretty tired and my feet were sore and already swelling when we left!

As soon as we got home, I had to get the kids ready to go with the neighbor friend to a "water play" church activity. After getting them in their bathing suites, covering them in sunscreen, packing their bag w/ extra clothes, towels, more sunscreen, bug spray, and their water bottles, they were out the door and I had a very tired 16 month old pulling at my legs! It was 5:00 and a little late for a nap, but I had to make a dish and get ready for a get together at a girlfriends house...an evening w/ girlfriends and no husbands or kids, finally something fun for me!

I put Ansley in her bed so that I could get the dishes done, make my dip, and get a shower. She was still awake when I got out of the shower, but asleep by the time I was done doing my hair! We had to leave 15 min. later so that I could get her over to my parents house (Joe had a karate bootcamp until 9pm). Poor little Ansley only got a 15 min. nap! Apparently she was still up and going strong until 11:30 pm...SO SO late for her! She was up at 7 a.m. too....crazy child! I imagine she will take a long nap, she sure needs one!!!

So after a nice evening w/ some awesome girlfriends, I came home to a quiet house with everyone tucked safely in bed! After checking on all of my kids and giving them kisses, I was in my cozy bed by 2 am! Today....I'm kind of a zombie as I wait anxiously to hear from April! She is at the hospital being enduced and they predict her baby boy (1st boy, second child) will be born around 6pm at about 8 lbs! April is TINY, so birthing an 8 lb. baby could be a lot for her. I just love the anticipation of all of these babies!!! :)

Pregnant life-in the summertime!

So the reason I have not been blogging regularly is due to the fact that I hate to blog about stuff that's not fun and uplifting or when I don't have a whole lot of exciting news! However, I do realize that this is our blog and it's about what is going on in life, happy, sad or whatever! I have been VERY tired this pregnancy and am doing all I can to stay upbeat and energetic for my kids and my very understanding husband who I am so grateful to! Joe is doing all he can to support us and keep up w/ the house. All the while he puts up w/ my moodiness and exhaustion in such an understanding way! I just love him more than I could ever explain!

It is, however, that lovely time of year for us, when we don't get to see a whole lot of Joe...unless we go to the Karate Center. I know most people look forward to and love the summer, but it's quite the opposite for Joe and I! I know the kids enjoy not having to go to bed early, but they seem to miss the routine of going to school everyday and seeing their friends. We live in a fairly big neighborhood, but unfortunatly there are only 3 kids that are close to our kids age and 2 of them my husband and I don't really care to have around our kids! SO...since Joe is rarely here when the kids are awake (because he is working hard to support us), that leaves all of the responsibility and entertaining to me! I hate to be a "Debbie Downer" and complain, but I am flat out exhausted! The heat and humidity here is unbearable...especially when your pregnant. My kids no longer get excited about going to Karate Camp (that's why we don't see much of Joe in the summertime), we don't have a pool, and if we do go outside I get to chase Ansley up and down the driveway or run after her to keep her away from poison Ivy (we practically live in a forest)! Then when we come inside the kids have to strip down so we can check them for ticks! Every single one of them has had a tick in the last month and we pulled 4 off of the dog last night! I would take them to the movies more or to some of the indoor play areas, but all of that costs money and Ansley won't sit through a movie for ANYTHING! She won't sit still at all!!!

I think the hardest part for me is that I am not out making money to help contribute to our lack of monthly income! We don't have the extra money right now to go out and do fun things w/ the kids, and that's the part that weighs me down the most! It actually makes me sad for the kids, especially when they make comments like "You don't let us do anything fun!" It's hard to even be able to afford a trip to the craft store so that we can be creative at home. We are doing all we can to just get by for the next couple of months while Joe works harder and longer hours but gets paid less... I know it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but Karate Camp is part of his salary and the extra income he usually gets for teaching extra classes at local child cares will be missing for the next couple of months (because of summer), which is huge sting for us! I really am trying to be more positive and I know that things will be 10x better by August...but in the meantime, it's not easy.

Don't get me wrong, I am venting, and I know we have so much to be grateful for! I am thrilled to be pregnant and we are all really looking forward to meeting little "Austin James" in October! This is just what life is for us right now, and I am kind of a little down! Granted, anyone who knows me knows that I am a hater of heat and humidity and have never enjoyed a summer in Georgia! It just makes me want to move back out West that much more! I know it gets hot out there too, but at least there is shade and no humidity!

On a happier note, I am halfway through my pregnancy!!! I had my 20 week ultra sound, which went very well! The baby looks healthy and strong! As I layed there and watched the ultra sound I had several flash backs to my ultra sound w/ Aleigh! The tech had to constantly shake my stomach to get Austin to move and all he would do is give a slight jerk. I had to lay on my side so that she could confirm the gender again. She said he was laying pretty low (Aleigh did too). My doctor informed me that my placenta is in the front right now, which is why I don't feel him move a whole lot. That made me feel a lot better! Aleigh also didn't move very much! Notice how I am keeping my fingers crossed that Austin will be as laid back as Aleigh?! :) AJ and Ansley are both so energetic and strong willed, it sure would be nice to have another one like Aleigh! :) We went ahead and scheduled my C-Section. As of now, it is scheduled for October 28th. There is always the possibility that the doctor might have to move it a day or two, which is fine! We picked the 28th in hopes that we will get to come home on Halloween.

Hopefully we will be able to replace our camera battery and post pictures of the kids soon!

Exciting update!

It has been way too long since I last blogged! For a while, I didn't have a whole lot to blog about that was real uplifting since I was so sick of being sick! AJ, Aleigh, and even Ansley were troopers up until my 16th week, when the nausea started to fade away finally! The kids have been so certain that we are having another boy, so on May 21st, when I was just 16 weeks pregnant, my mom treated us to an early 3D ultra sound so we could either confirm that the kids were right, or correct them and prepare them for another girl! Of course, as you all probably already know, we are THRILLED to be having another baby boy! I think I was able to see that it was a boy before the ultra sound tech! We plan to name him "Austin James." Unlike Ansley, Austin doesn't move much, and I tend to freak out. He gives me an occasional tap once a day! Aleigh was the same way, so maybe he will be a little less wild than AJ and Ansley! :)

When I was pregnant with Ansley I had 4 really close friends who were also having baby girls within 3 months of each other! Only thing is, this was the 1st for most of my friends, and the 3rd for me! Now I have one friend who just had a baby boy (her second child and second boy), another friend who is about to have her second child (a boy), and another who is about to have her second and is also having a boy! I guess I just felt I needed to jump on board and have a boy w/ them! ;) We are all so excited! I have another friend who also just found out she is going to be having her second in February!!! It's an official BABY BOOM!!! This time it seems to be all boys, where as last time it was all girls! I love it!




ROMANCE IN GREECE
We also have some other VERY EXCITING news...my older brother James had to take a jet over to Greece, where his girlfriend (Amy) met him so that they could enjoy a vacation in Greece! I must say, what a perfect place (judging by the photos) to enjoy a romantic getaway! They took advantage of the romantic scenery and James proposed!!! She said yes, of course because they are ENGAGED! We are so super excited for both James and Amy!!! They are so, obviously, in love and it's so easy to see when you see the way they look at eachother and have so much respect for eachother! It's a perfect match, if you ask me! :)

Here are a couple of photos from their trip:

This one shows the amazing scenery that they were able to enjoy at night!

Right after they got engaged!


CONGRATULATIONS James and Amy!!! We love you guys!

I am a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations!

If you haven't had a chance to check out my mom's blog, you should watch for new postings. She posts some pretty incredible and inspirational stories! Where she finds them, I don't know, but they are often ones we can all relate to in some way!

Lately, even though I am no longer reporting to an office away from the home for work each day, I have felt more over worked than I have in a long time! I know it's because I am still lacking a whole lotta energy due to the extreme nausea I am experiencing w/ this pregnancy. I am grateful and thrilled that we are going to be blessed w/ a 4th, we wanted this and we planned this! I just want to express that I am sick and tired of being sick and tired! I feel the guilt daily as I notice the looks of disappointment I get from my kids when they are trying to get me to do more than I can do....shoot I am more disappointed than anyone that I feel this way right now! Unfortunately this is common for me, I usually experience nausea until the 16th week! I will continue to try, every single day, to give as much as I can give! I can't wait until I get to feel the baby move more and get some energy back and especially find out if we are having a boy or a girl! :)

Anyway, as mom's we all need to remember that we are not alone in feeling that we have the hardest job on the planet....because we do! It is DEFINITELY the most rewarding...but certainly offers the biggest challenges as we continue to learn from our own kids and our mistakes! Ya know, a couple of years ago they did a study on the hours and the quality of work a mom does 24/7 and came up w/ a salary figure of $137,000 annually! This is what we are worth for the work we do! No, we don't see this money....unfortunately ;), but I believe that by doing your best as a parent, the rewards are priceless!!! :)


Just a Mom
Author Unknown

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a.....?""Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom.""We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar.""What is your occupation?" she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out."I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire."Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters (first the lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants - ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just a Mom." Motherhood!

"No" from our kissable little girl!

Lately Ansley's favorite response to just about any question you ask is just a plain and simple "no!"

Usually when you ask Ansley for a kiss she just simply says "no" and keeps going about her business! When Ansley gets in her lovable moods we all eat it up as much as we can! We were also able to get this on film the other night.

EXCITING ROJAS FAMILY NEWS!!!

This is a photo of our sweet little Ansley taken by Malin the week she was born! My reason for posting this is to see what we have to look forward to once again! We are thrilled to be expecting baby number 4 who is scheduled to arrive around Halloween!

Joe was ready for another one when Ansley was still an infant. We agreed to wait until Ansley turned a year and we would throw caution to the wind and put it in God's hands! Well, this little one was meant to be! We were pregnant on the first try! We truely couldn't feel more blessed! I am 11 weeks and heard a nice strong heartbeat today! We pray for a safe and healthy pregnancy, baby, and delivery!

AJ and Aleigh are thrilled to be a big brother and sister again! AJ keeps saying "I can't believe Ansley is going to be a big sister already!" Well we were pleasantly surprised as well! We figured we would probably be expecting around the time ansley was 18 months, but not this quick! :)

HAPPY EASTER!

We had a wonderful Easter this year! I say that with lots of genuine enthusiasm because I actually was able to enjoy it this year as opposed to last year when I was fighting a high fever in the bed all day due to mastitis!

Saturday we invited Nana, Papa, and Madrina over for pizza and to color easter eggs! Everyone participated and enjoyed coloring and decorating easter eggs! Everyone stayed until around 10:30 p.m. Robin (Madrina) and I still had to do our shopping for Easter dinner, so we left for Wal Mart and didn't leave there until midnight. When I got home my whole family was asleep...including my easter bunny helper, Joe! I had to make Broccoli salad and fill over 50 easter eggs for the easter egg hunt, fill the kids baskets and hide them! Needless to say I didn't get to bed until around 2:30 a.m. The kids came and woke me up around 8 a.m. so they could find their baskets! They were all very excited about the goodies in their Easter Baskets! AJ got "Honey We Shrunk Ourselves" a movie he has been wanting since we went to Disneyworld last December! He has been fascinated with "Honey I Shrunk The Kids" and "Honey I Blew Up The Kid." We have been looking for "Honey We Shrunk Ourselves" for months with no luck! I was able to find it on Amazon for only $8, so we saved it for his basket and he was THRILLED! Aleigh got "Bedtime Stories" and Ansley got "Elmo in Grouchland" :) They all also got books in their baskets. Aleigh loves Fancy Nancy books and AJ is really into Robert Munsch books....their really silly stories!

Around 3p.m. we all finally made it to Madrina's house and enjoyed amazing food (Honey baked ham, deviled eggs....even mexican deviled eggs, potato casserole, green bean casserole, broccoli salad, fresh rolls, chicken stuffed crescent rolls, and baked beans)! We were able to get the kids together for a few seconds (Ansley won't sit still for nothin), and take a few pictures of them in their easter outfits (from Nana)! Then....the fun began!

The kids got silly string from Madrina, so they were having fun attacking everyone with that when Joe broke out the confetti filled eggs! In Joe's family it has always been an Easter tradition to brake confetti eggs over each others heads on Easter! This year Joe really wanted to introduce this tradition to us. He started saving all of the egg shell's by cracking off the top of the egg to dump the egg out, then cleaning and drying out the shells so that we could color them and fill them with confetti for Easter. He started saving the shells back in January, and even collected some his mom had been saving for us when we went to El Paso in February. We had TONS of egg shells to color and fill with confetti! Joe pretty much did all of the work with some help from Aleigh. She enjoyed gluing the tissue paper over the hole on the egg shells! I was the first one to get slammed...by Joe...with confetti egg on my head! WHAT A MESS we made of Madrina's yard and driveway! It was fun though and everyone had a blast!!! We even had a couple of her neighbors and roommate join in on the fun!!! Oh and the reason there are no pictures of me getting slammed w/ confetti eggs is because those were taken w/ my mom's camera...I don't have copies of those yet.Aleigh was smart and ready to go this year when they started to hunt for eggs (we fill a lot of them with quarters and a few with dollar bills, the rest with candy), she gave AJ some serious competition this year! We had a blast watching them!