18 weeks and our Christmas letter;-)

I am so blessed to be writing that I have made it to 18 weeks and am up and about enjoying the "Holidays" so far...I snuck another peek at the baby last night (no sex hints) and he's getting so big...it's amazing how big he's gotten from the last look-wow! You can see fully formed arms and fingers and it's AMAZING!

Anyway, I'll keep this one short as I have included our family Christmas letter and pics of the boys...here's to a great report in a week!

Oh and PS Thank you to the many who are commenting and praying for us;-) To answer a few q's...we have not settled on names-in fact Tim hasn't even wanted to discuss names until we knew the sex...I have a girl's name chosen...so we have our work cut out for us. I think we will share the name when we decide;-) I'll certainly announce the sex;-)






~Valiant Family Christmas Letter 2008~

It’s back…we’re back…I’m back…

Okay, so I’m still a little crazy and a lot busy. Let’s get this update started:

The Lafayette Area Valiant Family has been very blesses over 2008…

Let’s start with Tim: He has opened yet another Walgreens this summer! It was a grand opening and he is enjoying his new store and new challenges. He competed in Faith Christian School’s 5K and came in first for his age group! He also has been keeping very busy counseling via his financial counseling ministry and is enjoying our newest activity at our church, the College Ministry…what a fun and dedicated group of young men and women we can minister to. As always, Tim is enjoying our 3 boys-playing with them, reading to them and he even coached Jake’s T-ball team this past Spring.

Renay has been very busy also…what a change for our family as we have phased out our Pampered Chef business and Renay took a position here in Lafayette as a full-time Labor and Delivery nurse, helping to open the unit at the new Clarian Arnett Hospital just minutes from our home. As if working full-time hasn’t been enough this fall, we are also excited and blessed to announce we have another little Valiant on the way! The little fella (just a good guess) is due in May and Renay is doing well, enjoying her second trimester. The official ultrasound won’t be for a few more weeks, so if you want to know before next Christmas what we are having/had, log onto our family website anytime for updates: www.valiantfamilyupdates.blogspot.com.

TJ is a bustling 9 year old Third grader. He has finally lost his first tooth just weeks ago and is working on a couple more…he may be singing to the tune of “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth…” He is an active boy and loves playing with our wonderful neighbor kids and his friends from school.

Jacob is an inquisitive 5 year old Pre-K4 at Faith Christian Preschool. He’s developing right on track and his teachers at school all have wonderful things to say about him. He also loves playing with our neighbor kids. He enjoyed his first season of T-ball this past summer and looks forward to playing again this coming year.

Lastly, Owen is our full of energy 2 year old! He is also in school…we enrolled him in Faith’s infant care when Renay began working again this fall. He has began talking up a storm and even says sentences and is always making us laugh with his crazy antics. He is catching up, though still small-we were ecstatic when he reached the twenty pound mark at his 2 year check up. His school is even working on potty training him!

We pray this Christmas season is full of joy and fun for you. Remember the true reason for the season and spend more time with those you care about this year! We also pray 2009 finds you healthy and happy!

Merry Christmas! Love, The Valiant Family
Tim, Renay, TJ, Jacob, Owen, and one on the way

Case won...

In the case of Valiant vs Sinnott, MD, the defendant has sentence overturned and she wins her battle to not be put on house arrest.

Yes, it's better news! I am happy to report (and even a bit dorky as shown by 1st sentence) that Dr. Sinnott spoke a different tune with me today at my appointment. He has decided to not take me off work quite yet but with a firm warning that my appeal can be disputed by him any day. I told him I really just hoped to make it through Christmas but he was actually hopeful for me and said he did not think I would have to go on bedrest this time at all...I laughed at him and told him I truly believe in my heart it's just a matter of time...he was encouraged by my realistic attitude. I really WILL do anything he wants me to do for mine and the baby's health;-) I believe I even made him feel guilty so I got myself an earlier ultrasound...next Thursday will be this lil' ones chance at getting a name..come on baby, work with me here;-)

Thanks everyone for praying-I do believe it made a difference. Please keep praying that me and the baby remain healthy...bedrest won't be the end of the world...I'd just prefer to not have to start it quite yet;-)

So, I'll be back with hopefully nothing more than a boring 18 week update Thursday or Friday and then a HUGE announcement (which will probably be no surprise) in a week and a half;-)

Warm hugs to all!

17 weeks & happiness to despair...

I am 17 weeks. The little fella is the size of a small pomegranate (or a large apple if you compare sites;-)...He is finally porking up, gaining baby fat and his bones are hardening. We are weeks away from viability but I feel his precious movements usually daily. Still no sure signs for the sex...but it really doesn't matter.

I was finally feeling less emotional, having a better appetite, and had come to terms with my insulin dependent GDM.

Yesterday was a day full of happiness...I Christmas shopped for nieces and nephews and stocking stuffers galore for our precious boys. I was really into the Christmas spirit and even loaded up for my secret Santa at work. It was such a nice day. It ended with Jacob having his Christmas program...but sadly, though I remembered the camera, the battery was dead;-(. He was so cute though and you really could hear him over other kids singing in his precious voice. I got to watch my favorite Thursday night shows and got almost all the Christmas letters ready to mail.

Then the despair hit...sounds a bit dramatic but I haven't come to terms with it yet...in fact, I in serious denial. I didn't sleep well. I was up by 4am and finally gave up and got out of bed at 7:30am. I did my usual and weighed myself...up 4 pounds in 1 day-uh, oh. My rings are tight and won't come off...red flag. To the dreaded blood pressure machine...146/90 something...ugh. Oh no...

So I waited until 8am to call my MD...who unfortunately was not on. Luckily, his nurse who knows my history answered the phone and communicated my concerns to him via phone. He asked for me to come in and have labs drawn...oh, and call off the weekend. Ha, ha...yea right, I work the next 4...no way.

So, I waited and wondered and worried. I called no one and told no one. I had no intention of calling off. I'm not done working yet...I'm just not. And for that matter, how could I possibly lay around all weekend? Loads of laundry, dishes, fighting kids....work is way less stressful-seriously.

Anyway, I headed to work and thought it was weird that my MD's nurse never called me with my lab results but I knew everything looked ok otherwise so I went to work hoping to take it easy and not see my MD.

Busted...no not by him, but as I was done with report at 6:15pm they said I had a call. It was the good ole nurse. She said my labs were fine but that the doctor really does want me off work. I explained my case to her and frankly at only 17 weeks, I may go crazy if I am put on house arrest-until I get orders for strict bedrest and am told to go on short term disability I am not doing it. So she agreed and told me to see my MD early next week. Which is when he will be mad at me for not listening to him.

In the meantime I am mentally preparing for a long, sad winter. I truly know in my head that if my B/P stinks (which it's been much better here at work and I can get my rings off again;-) bedrest and no more work is the best thing for me and the baby but in my heart I am dead set against it. I'm just not ready yet...I am praying the Lord heals me and gets me through the Holidays...please just the Holidays...

So, then Tim called and inquires what the nurse wanted...oops, busted again. So, I spill my guts to him and he was his usual sweet understanding self and asked what he can do. He actually agreed with my sick rationale about staying at work and we're hoping the MD lets me try some meds before slapping me with the bedrest sentence.

Above all...I still haven't has my official Ultrasound yet and am nervous about what they will find...I'm praying to be blessed with a healthy baby. The sad realization though is if I have to start bedrest soon, I will likely deliver preterm again...I really don't want that for my baby just because my body isn't the best incubator...it stinks. Enough pouring out my whiny heart for now.

Please pray for us all;-)

Remembering Lydia Grace...

My heart is very heavy today as I remember my dear friends Amy and Mike and the year's anniversary of the birth and passing of their precious daughter Lydia Grace.

Words fail me...

I love you Focosi Family!

Read about Lydia's legacy here.



Please send some prayers up for the Focosi's today...

16 weeks, & a lil' cute stuff

Yay! The 16 week mark...it made for a very thankful Thanksgiving to hit 16 weeks. I feel more flutters everyday and still think he's a he. No baby sites compared him to fruit this week so I think the days of size comparison to fruit are over (sad). ***Oh wait...hold the phone! I was looking back up what a site has to say about being 16 weeks and they said he's as big as an avocado-YAY!!! Thank you babycenter.com!!

I'm getting more and more anxious for my ultrasound but know that I have to wait nearly a month! Oh well, a great Christmas gift it will be. Boy those sites for pregnancy are right on though...16 weeks and you may be experiencing increased breakouts....yes indeed-blemishes are abound and NOT my friend! And while I don't like to discuss the "chests" of women, let's just say mine has grown...eh hmmmm.

Anyway on to cuter things...let's start with this conversation: Me: "Owen, do you want a hotdog for lunch?" Owen: "Ot-dog pwease". Me:" And ketchup" Owen: "pep-pup" - "Otdog and pep-pup". Me: "Ok be patient, I'll cook it. Hey Jake, do you want a hotdog for lunch?" Jake: No, I'm allergic. Me: "what, you're allergic???". Jake: "Yes, allergic". Me: "what happens when you eat one?" Jake: "I had one the other day and didn't like it anymore so now I'm allergic". Me: "ok Jake". *Shaking head*.

Picture me while sitting on the couch eating a snack, Owen walks up and says "bite of it". Picture me, jaw dropping..."Owen, you want a bite of it?". Yes pwease he says.

TJ has done lots of cute things too lately but I'm drawing a blank right now. He did snuggle up to me on the couch and put his hand on my growing belly...so sweet. He also reportedly prays for me, the baby, and my diabetes everyday at school. My little prayer warrior;-) He's also working on being a real life song star "all he'll want for Christmas is his two front teeth;-)"

Hope to have more excitement for my week 17 post:-) Maybe more pics too;-)

15 weeks and not much else...

Being 15 weeks has been good. In keeping with the fruit theme...apparently the baby (with a penis) is about the size of an orange;-) I wasn't able to sleep last night since I was post 2 twelves and pre my last for the week and while I was lying in bed *not sleeping* I really think I felt his tiny kicks-YAY! How fun!-right? I love that part of pregnancy...feeling the baby move inside me makes every sleepless night, blood sugar check, insulin shot, etc ALL WORTH it!

So next up...the ultrasound-and it's none too soon. Unfortunately, I need to wait until at least 19 weeks so the heart chambers are visible-ugh. But, it'll be worth it. I'm guessing the little stinker will be shy that day-oh well. He can't conceal his parts forever and I've already been told I'll get serial ultrasounds due to the gestational diabetes.

One of the pregnancy sites says the baby is developing taste buds this week....hmmm, what will he taste-ummm salad, salad, and more salad. I'm also digging Fazoli's baked spaghetti. And lastly, the ever-famous staple of McD's nuggets and fries-ahhhh yum.

So, lastly on my boring post...I'm thinking about re-doing-or should I say "doing" my bedroom. I'm excited about this prospect. That's about it for my 15 week review.

9 years and 1 week...

that's how old this tooth is:



TJ said his goodbyes to his poor chipped little tooth that was hanging on by mere threads and I easily pulled the sucker around 7 o'clock last night. I never thought I could get so emotional over this tooth. I mean I did wait 9 years and 1 week for him to lose one...but geesh, get it together. He knew how much it meant to me for me to be "there" when the momentous occasion occurred so he let me pull it even though he was quite resistant to the painful idea. Luckily, it popped right out with "no pain" he said;-).





The "tooth fairy" very bleary eyed rounded up a few bills and some change to shove under his pillow. He came into my room this morning and declared the tooth fairy left him $5.56...maybe the ole tooth fairy is real...I really didn't think my small handful of change would be quite so much...oops. Jacob then declared it's not fake! He's on a holy roller kick...he thinks if it ain't in the Bible, it ain't real. My sweet evangelist;-) Oh his sweet innocence.

So, the end of an era has come...on to puberty I suppose-UGH! Maybe not so much.

And I must give some redneck props to my Nascar driver-a champion in my book...Carl Edwards-he just narrowly missed the title but he did it with style winning last night's race (doing all he could do to possibly close the gap) but not the championship berth...kuddos to Jimmie Johnson for his 3 time win.




I actually fell asleep and missed my Carl's season ending back-flip but checked out Nascar.com first thing this am to see if he possibly edged out Jimmy. Oh well, there's always next year and frankly, Carl won 9 races this year (which is an amazing feat in this elite sport). Congrats Carl on a great season!

And to leave on a note that really gives credit to my true love...

Tim is a great husband. He knows I am struggling with all that stinks re: pregnancy (ie insulin and tons of blood sugar checks, yet having to eat or not eat to stay healthy). So, when I said nothing sounds good last night he offered to go get me something (and this was at 8pm BTW)...so I selfishly agreed to "let him" go get me an Olive garden salad...

So, the poor guy comes back with the funniest look on his face and says "I think I got you all you wanted" so I asked what he meant and he shared that his options were a regular or large salad so he opted for the large...16 dollars and lots of salad later he returned home...let's just say I have a lot of salad to enjoy. Thanks sweetie;-)

14 weeks and the rest of my life...

Here is what baby center says about 14 weeks:

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces.


Notice how they said "He" and they said it multiple times...well, I'm just sayin' -I think indeed, Tim only produces Y chromosomes. I've sneaked some peeks of this little lemon and for a lemon, it has quite a protrusion between it's legs so, back to boy names we go...until I hear something more official than my lemon assessment.

I saw my OB Tuesday for a check-up. All is fine and he does indeed believe that my diabetes is gestational. No other news there except that he hinted strongly at looking to a repeat cesarean-ugh.

TJ went in for a well-child check-up on Wednesday. He weighed 65 pounds and was 52 1/2 inches tall. He passed his hearing and distance vision screenings with flying colors. He then got THREE whoppin' vaccines. Hep A, Chicken Pox and the flu shot-poor kid. He already had a stuffy nose.

So, shockingly, on Thursday he was sent home from school with fever (likely from the chicken pox vaccine). He was pathetic and laid around all afteroon-so I followed suit to make him feel less loser-ish;-)

Then, Friday I went for my GDM appt. I get to sit in a room with other women who are pregnant and have Diabetes...most of which who are way worse off than me. Fun.

I was relieved to find out that one test that shows how bad my blood sugars have been over the past 3 months came back pretty decent...it averaged out to blood sugars around 100 which isn't too bad at all;-) Yay. I did have my insulin increased (again) and am supposed to eat more. I wish I was excited about mmore food, but it's really just more work;-( Whaaaa.

And to cap off my week, I have to work Friday and Saturday. I got to work Friday night and was quickly interupted with a phone call...it was Tim with whaling in the back ground and TJ was saying he was having chest pain and couldn't breathe. Super fun. So, he rushed him to the ED (the new hospital where I work). It was an amazing experience. TJ ends up being fine BTW, in case you are worried. But, we got put in a room in under 1 minute. Had a nurse (a real nurse) at our bedside at the same time. There was someone from registration who came to us (no waiting, no leaving TJ's side), AND the MD was in the room within 10 minutes!!! TJ was being treated with an ECG, chest x-ray, etc all at his bedside (no weaving thru multiple floors or hallways). He was given a "cocktail" for indigestion, I suppose, and was feeling better, but not perfect within 20 minutes or so and the MD was back in the room to discharge us...it was a very surreal experience. The kicker was, it's not like they weren't busy. They had plenty of patients but also plenty of staff. Everyone was really nice to TJ and all of us. I felt super cared for and not dumb at all for rushing him to the ED for indigestion (which BTW, now I feel stupid for...and it will sting even worse when we get the $$$bill;-(. Plus, I was back up to work in no time;-)

Tim and the boys are all at home now doing just fine. Thank God;-)

That's my week in review...fun, fun.

PS Pictures will be added just as soon as I can-I have no access to photos at the moment except for this gem-one of Owen's 2 year pix from Target;-)

Happy Birthday Timothy Ryan Jr.!...call Guinness!

My precious first born son turns 9 whoppin' years old November 9th! I can't believe 9 years has passed since his blessed entry to this world. I was such a wreck waiting for his arrival---FIVE days OVERDUE!!!! It was seriously like an eternity. Being an L&D RN can allow your mind to go places moms minds should never go. So, needless to say, I was very nervous and desperate for him to come. Finally, I was induced on November 9th 1999 and TJ was born at 8:37pm. He weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long (at least I think that's right;-). He had huge hands and feet and was so alert. He was a happy baby and I've always called him my angel. I think as the teenage years more and more near, I will decide that he indeed, is not an angel.



I let him invite 7 kids to Chick-fil-a for a party and then the boys stayed the night (what was I thinking???). Four rambunctious boys up most of the night rough housing-ugh! I was so glad for noon to come today (to get them all home;-).




So, I think it may be an official record...could someone from Guinness contact me? TJ still has ALL 24 of his original baby teeth (2 are slightly loose though)...and yes, he does has permanent teeth under them (I know you were wondering). Even his teacher noticed his little chicklet teeth and that none have worked their way out of his precious mouth yet.



Happy Birthday my Love!

13 weeks, etc

I'm a slacker. It's true. I didn't post my Halloween pictures yet and am 2 days late on posting about my hitting 13 weeks.

So, here are Halloween pics:





For the record, the boys were supposed to be dragon slayers and Owen a dragon, but the costume didn't fit Owen so we found (luckily) this puppy costume Jake once wore and then Jake decided to be batman again. I was SOOOO sick so we went to the mall and the candy was pathetic and I felt awful both physically and emotionally that I wasn't well enough to take the boys out in the neighborhood, so when we got back to our neighborhood I dropped them off and watched them from the van as they walked house to house...of course, I was way too sick to fend off sickos who could harm them, but I had the strength to run over any would be child predators with my minivan. Anyway, a neighbor saw me in my pathetic attempt to allow a little door to door trick or treating and offered to take them around. The boys ending up making out in the candy department and I dozed in my comatose state on the couch.

I went on an antibiotic and finally improved though I am still not 100%. Snot is a horrid thing.

So, I am now 13 weeks along-yay! And very happy to be entering my 2nd trimester. The pregnancy websites really don't say much about fetal development and such at 13 weeks so a pretty boring update, I guess. I do have a bit of bummer type news. I am still coming to terms with it so forgive the woe-is-me aspect of the following: I was started on insulin yesterday. Long story short, I had been having some high blood sugars and symptoms of such and called the endocrinologist...got in and was started on insulin. This upsets me on so many levels. First, I know my blood sugar was fine just months ago. Back in March, I had a test that can tell with high accuracy how ones blood sugar runs over the course of 2-3 months and it was superb...seriously awesome. So this means I was NOT diabetic nor pre-diabetic just months ago. And yet, here I am, only 13 weeks along and on insulin-not just diet controlled gestational diabetes, but on INSULIN! Ugh. And the kicker, gestational diabetes (GDM) is just that-GESTATIONAL. It occurs after a specific gestation in the pregnancy-namely after the 2nd trimester but as early as 20 weeks the placenta can cause some women to need insulin. So where does that leave me? Clueless, honestly. I have 2 appointments next week, so I'll be asking questions. My biggest point in sharing all this, other than to vent, is to ask for prayer...GDM can cause lots of complications and I'm thinking it will be a definite sentence of a repeat c-section for a variety of reasons...but more importantly, I am concerned for the baby's health.

So, that about sums up my past week or so. A couple birthday parties, trick-or-treating, a near death cold (I'm so dramatic) and a crappy pregnancy diagnosis.

Cheers!

Happy Birthday my precious 2 year-old Owen Elijah!

***Updated to include fun facts about his 2 year check up;-)***

I sit here in awe of the blessing you life has been to me so far. Two years has gone by in a flash...but not without it's ups and downs. Oh how far you've come-it's surreal.

You were born on a Friday evening weighing in at only 2 pounds 13 ounces and a mere 14 1/4 inches in length. You shocked us then with how strong you were and you shock us now. Big gains this check-up...you finally broke (and smashed) the twenty pound mark!!! Wa-who! You weighed a chunky 20 pounds, 11 ounces today-grow Owen, grow! You were 31 1/2 inches and have a noggin' of 48.3 cm. These are huge gains and an answer to prayer! Apparently your school can get you to eat what we can't at home;-) The doctors say you will not experience any catch-up growth now that you are 2 so let's prove em' wrong-again! You can do anything my big boy!

You can say words, even sentences. You have all but two of your baby teeth. You are running and trying so hard to keep up with your big brothers! You have no idea how your world will turn upside down in just months (when the new baby arrives).

On the way to your check up, I said "Look at the yellow trees Owen". You repeated "trees, el-o..." and then you pointed out more and more yellow trees. You are so smart!

You are a big hit at your school and have the teachers wrapped around your tiny little fingers. You have the most precious long white blonde hair that stands on end even just moments after it is smoothed down. You have an infectious laugh and an attitude that is bigger than life. You have proved that being a little guy WILL NOT leave you behind...you just work extra hard to keep up and even be ahead.

I thank the Good Lord for you and His blessing us with your precious life! You are an amazing little boy Owen Elijah and we love you soooo much!

XOXO, Mommy

12 weeks (almost), sickies, my birthday, & pumpkin carving 101

I'm almost 12 weeks (tomorrow)...yay! I went to see my MD yesterday for a "was supposed to be quick heart beat check" and spent over an hour at his office. I'm not complaining...really. But they couldn't find the heart beat so then I needed an ultrasound to see little Baby V #4 jumping all around like the crazy baby s/he is. I expressed my concerns about suffering from a bit (understatement of the millennium) of insomnia and so we are going to try mild meds first before I move on to drugging myself silly to get some sleep;-) When I was leaving I asked him when to return and I was holding 4 fingers up for 4 weeks and he was like "uh, 2 weeks would be good" and my NP friend was standing there chatting with me laughing at me (and him) for his not listening to me and for his cautiousness with me...

So, today I'm sick (again). I'm sick of being sick. I was sick Saturday and even had to call off of work. Today I'm going out for my birthday after my evening Bible Study and I feel so yucky and appetite less and pathetic. Speaking of the big day (yesterday)...it was pretty good-I mean I got to see my little jumping bean on screen, I got lots of email birthday wishes and calls (thank you ALL!!!!). At work the gals all brought yummy food and my cake was pretty good;-). One gal even brought me in a card and a pretty little rose bush thingy-so sweet. My sis ran over a gift while I was at work and my hub put a gift from my best pal Kara in the van. Tim had the boys make a special card for me with their hand prints and got me a box of white fudge covered oreos (big spender;-). I got a new Vera Bradley hand bag from my dad and my mom spoiled me with lots of ginger bread themed Christmas decor. It was a nice day even though I worked and I loved being made to feel special...too bad my birth month is over soon;-)

Lastly, here's some much needed color for my picture sparse blog...Pumpkin carving 101 compliments of the Valiant boys:

1st you need a good design:

(if you are not allowed to design, you whine):




Cleaning out the innards is fun, but messy...Owen even got in on the action:


What a ham!

Finished product: Left to right-Owen's, TJ's, and Jake's masterpieces;-)

11 weeks, 33 years, and on being a brat

I'm going to post my title backwards.

On being a brat:

Who's the brat? WHO IS THE BRAT?

Me, me, me, ME.....MMMMMMMEEEEEEE! I'm the brat!

Have you ever just been a brat. Not like a typical lil sis 5 year old brat, but a full-fledged adult B-R-A-T?

I was today. Why? I dunno. I hate being a brat. I hate feeling like a brat. I hate acting like a brat. I hate other people knowing I'm being a brat.

So, why do I do it? I dunno. I hope I wake up tomorrow, not a brat.

On being 33 years-old that is. I am. Or will be-next Tuesday, the 28th of October (my fav date of the year of course). It will be my 3rd birthday in my lifetime being pregnant-the ultimate gift. Jacob just couldn't hold off til his due date to make it 4 times as it should be. I love birthdays (or at least mine;-). I love birthday cake (the kind I make). I love being made to feel special on one's birthday. I love my birthday and usually proclaim most of the month of October as "about me";-) I even planned my own carry-in at work since I have to work on my birthday. I'm bringing the cake;-) So, while I'm being a brat and being selfish, "happy birthday to me;-)".

On being 11 weeks preggo:

Here's where I gush. I'm so thankful to still be pregnant. I'm such a pregnancy freak and worry at every little cramp, etc. I've now checked for this little dude's heartbeat twice. I got to see s/he having a big ole party in my ever growing uterus-totally worthy of Cirque du Soleil moves. It's so miraculous to me. My one wonder-why do I remember being pregnant as such glorious times? I'm mean, sensitive, annoying, critical, tearful, selfish, tired, did I mention sensitive? Oh and FAT! I can't wait for 2 things 1) to find out he's a boy -uh, I mean to find out the sex, and 2) to feel him move inside me. That's what I think I relish about pregnancy. The bending over and not being able to reach the floor part-not so much.

Here's what they say about the 11th week of pregnancy: The baby is no longer a southern fruit (thanks Kristy) but instead now more like a large LIME! Grow lime baby lime! In just 3 short weeks I may be able to determine that s/he's a he! Ha! I know I joke about this and I'll let the cat outta the bag. Yes, a boy would be way easier, but it's true that I would be delighted with a girl until the first time she needs her hair done, she starts her period (OMGoodness!), she wants to wear a bikini or make-up! Ugh! The mysteries of young women. Oh and the ever -so accurate chinese birth calendar says it's a girl.

What's going on with me? Other than the previously mentioned "character flaws", my nails are growing like mad-kinda cool. I actually need to trim them. I'm supposed to feel "warmer" than usual but the opposite is true for me-I'm a cold-hearted snake! On a good news front-my b/p and bs (that is, blood sugar;-) are perfect. I've been working like a crazy lunatic mad woman at the hospital. I just worked 87 hours in 9 days-but I had had one night off (where I slept like a brick Saturday;-) I still work 24 more hours on this pay period so can you say "welcome home Wii for the Valiant boys this Christmas? Let's just say it's a strong maybe. Two of three Valiant boys have been sick this week so that's really been a challenge at home. Tim has taken some time off and I've sacrificed some much needed sleep. Oh the sickies were Owen and Jacob in that order and the ailment was fever and crankiness. Yay-a great no sleep combo. Fun for the whole family actually. Still haven't located the lost camera so we are still pictureless and it's really too bad because Owen's hair is soooo stinkin' cute. It's about 4-5 inches long and it won't lay down-it's got some crazy root volume plague and thus, stands on end all the time. He's a real hit with, well, pretty much EVERYONE who comes in contact with him. He's talking up a storm and has given up all signs for the more convenient "chatter". He even says his name is "O-wen". It's so cute-I must record it for you-well, if I had a recording device.

TJ and Owen's birthdays are nearing. TJ made the cutest list:

My birthday list,
Mars mission legos
Some more hermit crab stuff
A new football
Webkinz
Science books
A new alarm clock/radio
Sea shells
Hot wheel cars
New games
More money
Tinker toys
A phone
A net
Actaly any legos
Puzzles
Moveis
Collering books and crayons


Isn't that priceless? Well, actually, it's really expensive but you gotta admire the ambition of it all and it's definitely an improvement from last Christmas' Laptop, Wii, playstation, $300 ramp, etc.

I should be sleeping but thanks to a very messed up internal clock-here I am typing away. I must stop this madness. I have 2 whole days off to relish so I need to be awake to enjoy them. Lay-ta!

10 weeks, & a delay

I can't believe the lil guy is 10 weeks already! Really;-) He's now labeled a "fetus". And he was compared to the size of a kumquat (what's that?). I'm so amazed and thankful to have another baby growing inside of me.

I went to the doctor for my first appointment and he was surprisingly supportive and optimistic. As in, he thinks I have very good chances of having a normal healthy pregnancy and delivery (YAY!). I pray he's right. He also denounced (I think that's the right word) the myth that I can't have high blood pressure again and have a vaginal delivery. What he did say is that they rarely induce a VBAC (that is, a patient desiring to deliver vaginally after a cesarean delivery). He also said he'd monitor me closely and do some serial growth ultrasounds at 20 weeks but other than that, I'm good watching my blood sugar and blood pressure.

So, in other news, the Hospital (Clarian Arnett Health) opened today (Thursday). It was a delay of 24 hours from the anticipated opening of Wednesday morning, but the 24 hours was good for all of us to become more comfortable with all the equipment, etc. We finally have our first patient and we even have inductions on the books for tomorrow (Friday). I worked last night, tonight and I also work tomorrow night so, it's a good test of seeing how 12 hour shifts go and working lots in a row. Tonight has been harder with not much to do yet but I anticipate tomorrow night going faster since we should have at least a couple patients;-)

Oh and in really other news, the hermit crabs have been hilarious (at least to me;-) lately. The other day we noticed the bigger one changed shells again...into a really big one. Then the next day he was in a really tiny one. I finally got to looking and I realized somehow, the bigger one is back into his original shell that we bought him in and the little guy has now tried out at least 2 if not 3 homes for size. The little one is currently in the one the bigger one just left...so weird. We wish we knew how the exchanges have taken place since the bigger guy is now in the shell the lil one was in all this time (like, did he evict him?).

Anyway, that's my excitement-not too impressive, I know. I'll get back to work now and go ask around about what a kumquat is;-)

Oh and we still need names.

9 weeks with not much to share

The baby is apparently pretty boring from week 8 to 9...I think he has pretty much all his parts now, they just need to grow and develop of course. He is the size of a strawberry. I told my lil' sis Amanda that and she said "Like a chocolate covered strawberry"...I chuckled and added-yes, with lots of marshmallow fluff too!

I've lost my new camera. It's actually been gone since the day we got back from the cruise-I took Owen's picture with it and we've never seen it since (*sad*).

I have no real news (nor photos) to share...*boring*.

I saw the movie FIREPROOF today though and I HIGHLY recommend it...seriously-just go see it...with your spouse-don't delay! Take your friends (and their spouses) too!

Maybe week 10 will be more interesting...until then;-)

PS still taking name entries...no winners yet (sorry but keep them coming! PLEASE! Play along-we need yourt help or this baby could remian nameless!). FYI Owen holds the current record as the longest without name...well into my second trimester and after I was on bedrest.

8 weeks, 23 months, and 5 years!

Wow, I feel like I have so much to share...where to begin?

I'll start with the good news: I went in for an OFFICIAL early ultrasound today and VB#4 was lookin' good! S/he was 1.5 cm in size and measured PERFECTLY for 8 weeks making my official due date by BOTH LMP and EARLY ultrasound May 15th, 2009. Wow-how bout that? I feel so blessed.

Aside from being BEYOND tired (I literally fall asleep sitting up throughout the day, even with my infantile bedtime of 9pm;-), crabby, irritable, and super emotional, I'm doing great:-)

Apparently my uterus is nearing the size of a grapefruit and boy, can I tell-I'm wearing scrubs now at work, and thank goodness because my regular clothes are done! Yes, truly-apparently between increased fluid, swollen "innards", and my kidney bean sized kiddo, I'm feeling like a swollen fatty.

The pregnancy sites for 8 weeks are pretty interesting...stating you may notice some fatigue (uh, yeah!), increasing waistline (yep), and full swing nausea (thank you Jesus for sparing me this;-). The sites share the baby's nose is formed and even some of the bones are starting to harden. Many cool things for this little dude-oh and the funniest part, even these websites know I'm having a boy as they refer to the baby as "him";-) He, he.

Ok, I have a fun challenge and request for help: I know this is way premature, but hey, there's no time like the present---I would love help in naming this little bean. Seriously, I need ideas-I'm spent. I mean, it's hard to top TJ, Jacob, and Owen (TJ stands for Timothy Ryan Jr.).

Here are some guidelines: It must flow well-it can't be TJ, Jacob, Owen, and Ken-it's just doesn't have a good ring to it-IT HAS TO FLOW WELL with the other 3 boys.

Please tell me your fav boy and girl names. Also, I'm a cutesy name girl, so I need to be able to cutesify the name...for example: when TJ was a baby, he was Timmy and now that he's older he's Teej. Jacob is Jake, Jakes, Jakers, etc. Owen is Owey, and Owers. I really the the ability to have that "E" sound on the end thus Joaquin (while an AWESOME name) is OUT!

I don't want to duplicate names in the family so here are other names that are out:
Lindsey, Kathryn, Jonah, Lee, Grant, Michael, Drew, McKinnley, Gavin, Noel.

This is just for fun, but wouldn't it be cool if I picked the name you wanted???


Ok, on to other things: I have a weird PAINFUL swollen knot on my leg. The left one on the outside portion between my ankle and knee. It hurts! It's been there since last week. I thought it was cancer. No seriously, it really concerned me so I went to the MD today. She said I stumped her and sent me for an ultrasound of my leg. The tech said you can see things like fluid and infection and of course blood clots with a U/S and he saw nothing of the sort so, I have no idea except that it's not cellulitus (sorry Kristy).

So, I'm hoping it will go away and of course with that, stop hurting but who knows?

The hospital opens in less than 2 weeks! It is an exciting time! We are ready but we're not. There's just a lot of details to still perfect. We have a family open house this Sunday and then a public open house the next Sunday. Apparently, I have another photo that was chosen (strangely enough, the hospital has a tree theme but the picture that was chosen was a Manta Ray-go figure:-).




Oh, and I know I will not have time to post tomorrow so I will post now about Owen's 23 month stats. Tim had to take the boys in since I was at my own eternal appointment. Anyway, Owen weighed 19 pounds 12 ounces and was 30 3/8 inches long! Yes, he's up a few ounces and 3/8 an inch so he's growing and I am happy. He's developing and getting to be really TWOISH! Just to keep up with my comparison psychopath issues, he's roughly the weight of an average 8 month old and get this-the height of a 13 month old-YAY! He is down on the weight for length chart which just compares him to him and nothing age related-he's teetering on the 3rd percentile.


I actually cancelled his 2 year check up with the endocrinologist because I've all but decided he will not be given growth hormone, but now I'm 2nd guessing myself and think he should at least be evaluated even if I have no intention of GH. So, after Owen's 2 year check up at his regular pedi, I will probably reschedule the Owester with the pediatric endocrinologist.

Now for the Jakes: He's doin' great! He's maintained his 25th percentile growth curve even into his 5th year of life-which I find so interesting-he's my little box the same growth curve for height and weight! He struggled a bit with his hearing exam -say what? but they feel it was due to Owen's chatty/distractiveness;-). He also has large tonsils-the MD said if you put them on a 5 point scale, his are a 4 so they are large but not completely obstructive. So, it will be up to us to remove them or not-reasons to remove them are b/c he snores, awakes frequently and misbehaves/is tired even when he's gone to bed at 9pm and not woke up until 7am.

So, that's it---that's the 8 week, 23 month and 5 year update(s).

The scoop on finding out...

DISCLAIMER: if you haven't read the Happy B-day Jake post, please read it first;-)

I don't know if this story will be all that entertaining but I will do my best to ad lib for "good story telling" virtue.

So, we went on a cruise...I did everything as anyone normally would on a cruise with the exception of drink alcohol (I just don't care for the stuff and I'm way too CHEAP!;-).

It was a fun time and I felt pretty much like my "normal-ha, ha" self.

Let me back up for a moment, right before we left (Sept. 4th) for the cruise I started "spotting" and called my sisters to joke from the movie The Breakfast Club (the 80's man) that I got my monthly bill early and thought how crappy a time for me to actually be early!!! So, I lugged all that "crap" along and never started but the light spotting was truly assumed to have been my "period"-I know this is oh so TMI and I'm *kinda* sorry.

Meanwhile back at the camp...

Once home, a Friday September 12th, I proceed to head back to work after my 4 day sabbatical. Once at work, I felt "off". I felt very much out of the loop and all of a sudden very sensitive and teary. I *COULD NOT* keep it together. I went to my boss and left CRYING (what a dork!). I zoomed home and was sobbing on the couch thinking "what is wrong with me"? And something inside of me decided to go place my dilute pee on a pregnancy test...2 seconds later I had a plus sign. I spent that afternoon (back at work) in la-la daydream world of the what if's and how the heck far along am I?

Why wouldn't I know that? Here's TMI:

Side note-I'm about to display my menstrual cycle history for sake of a profound visual...at least to me:

Cycle journal (I promise I am going somewhere with this):

Owen's Birth November 2006

Cycle 1 August 2007
Cycle 2 December 31st 2007
Cycle 3 April 28, 2008
Cycle 4 June 5th-a "normal" cycle
Cycle 5 July 4th, another cycle-though somewhat light
Cycle 6 08.08.08 another light cycle...this for me is UNHEARD of (a cycle 4 months in a row!!!) as we have struggled with infertility including PCOS, rare and irregular periods, annovulatory cycles, etc for 10 years!!!!



Screeeechhhhh...put those breaks on. I can't even call my fab MD because my benefits don't take into effect until October 2nd and if I get "diagnosed" officially through a medical test now, I would not be covered for maternity leave, etc (FMLA would be fine, just no moola;-). So, I got home that evening to Tim waiting on me and I told him right away and said for him to not say a word to anyone.

I'm a bit of a pregnancy freak so to speak. Having had infertility, 1st trimester spotting, a blighted ovum, and 2 preterm deliveries (not to mention the mess with the whole Owen saga;-). Ok so that wasn't really a complete sentence but, whatever.

Well, I found myself unable to *survive* so I had a pal sneak a peek with an ultrasound yesterday (9-26-08) and to my complete and utter joy, we saw a beautiful sac with a placenta and baby with a flickering heart beat and I even got to hear the little swishing sound! Pure joy! So, I called Tim asap and said we could tell people, so we began letting our boys spread the news. They are pretty excited and we are hoping our trend continues. They know (as much as they can) to pray for this journey we are embarking upon.

I know lots of people wait to tell, but I'm of the belief that once I know, I'm bursting at the seams to share it, plus, if an undesirable outcome results, we'll need lots of prayer and I'd rather ask for your prayers now and then if the bad stuff happens you'll know why we're so upset.

I'm also of the attitude that I have a living being growing inside of me and every second I fall more in love with the idea of being a mommy to 4...don't get me wrong-I'm terrified for the what if's...

Here's a few:

What if things don't continue to develop?
What if the baby has anomalies?
What if this is a girl-ugh-so scary!!!
What if I get sick again?
What if I deliver early again?
What will people think about our over-populating the world?
What will we do with 4 kids (kinda funny;-)?
What if I don't have enough love for a 4th child (really dumb!)?

And so on and so forth...a lot of irrational and selfish thoughts. A lot of "apparently I don't believe God is in control" thoughts. Just FYI, I really do BELIEVE with all my heart God IS in control and His will WILL be done...I'm praying for the best outcome but my ways are not His ways and His idea of a best outcome may not parallel with mine. But, I sure hope it does and I sure hope the Lord continues to bless us.

A few more valid concerns:

Previous PROM (premature rupture of membranes): apparently this occurrence is not necessarily associated with future PROM outcomes-good news.

Previous gallbladder issues: the good news, while I've had issues, my gallbladder is now gone;-) I do still have a small risk of some yucky associated issues but I'm not worrying about this small chance.

Previous PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension): This usually occurs in women less than 20, over 40, with multiple gestation's (twins etc), with a different partner, known anomalies, or in 1st pregnancies. Owen obviously had none of these things, nor did I, yet I still "won" this lottery pregnancy number 3 with a near unheard of PIH beginning at 20 weeks. VERY rarely does it start so early.

The upside, I still have none of these risk factors, but the downside, previous PIH does increase the risk of future pregnancy PIH. Bummer.

The upside, my B/P at work twice in a row sitting upright in a room full of on-lookers (I was the guinea pig) was under 120/70 (around 116/65ish both times!!!). So the point here is I have a healthy blood pressure right now.

Previous GDM (gestational diabetes): Yeah, I've had this too, but only with Owen and frankly, it very well could've been from the steroid shot the gave me to develop his lungs. The downside: many moms who've had GDM, will have it again with future pregnancies AND go onto have DM later in life-yucko! The upside, I still have my glucometer and yes, I'm a freak-I've started monitoring my blood sugars already and they are PERFECT! Let's talk about FBS (fasting) of 60 and 2hrpp (2 hours after a meal) of around 90-100- wa-who-that rocks.

So, my point is I am healthy as a horse (except that I am big as a horse too with wayyy too much weight on this bod;-( I looked 5 months preggo 2 months ago so imagine me now not caring and letting "it all hang out";-) The 7 week baby is "the size of a marble"....ha, ha, ha...I've got one big marble in there;-)

Last downer: previous cesarean delivery: yes, Owen was born via zipper-ouch! It was not an option. No trial of labor was attempted. He was just taken at 32 weeks due to my severe PIH and his unknown conditions (babies with dwarfism often have spine and neck issues so vag delivery is often contraindicated).

Anyway, there are fabulous stats on how much I shouldn't worry about this aspect as I should have no probs delivering this baby without a cesarean...but one contraindication is very unfortunately PIH...so if I get it again, I'm guessing I'll end up with a stinkin' repeat cesarean which IS NOT the end of the world, but I know from 2 previous vaginal births, definitely not as easy a recovery-whoa.

So, that's about all I know until I can see my doctor and be officially dated, etc. Please keep the prayers coming and I hope to be really annoying with weekly pregnancy updates, etc.

Don't worry I will still post about Owen, Jake, and TJ and my other antics-but this will be a new thing for me to have fun with..the size of a marble-hhhhmmmppphhh!

And, I know that there are valid concerns that we would choose to have another baby...and that many people especially our family and close friends were very concerned during my last pregnancy-I get that. However, this is a done deal-there's no going back and nothing anyone would've said would've kept us from allowing God's will. I know that's not what some want to hear but for us, it's true and I have complete faith that everything will be ok-really. So please, just support us now.

Also, thanks so much to the NUMEROUS comments on the announcement post-wow! I could tear up at the support you all showed! Thank you!

Happy 5th Birthday Jacob Thomas!

I think back to exactly 5 years ago this moment today and I was crushed...worried...scared...guilt laden...just plain messed up!

Jacob Thomas Valiant entered this world 5 years ago today just moments after midnight-completely unexpectedly. My due date-November 4th more than 5 weeks away but my water broke-get this, while I was at work in a delivery-I was doing a baby's foot prints and I still remember my patient-a sweet nursing student. It had been an awful day (and night). I started off the day heading in to the doctor as I felt like I was contracting. He said I wasn't dilated and that he wouldn't stop me anyway if I were (or is it was???). So I headed off to work-a Friday (the 26th of September 2003). I told everyone I wasn't feeling so well, but stormy weather was looming so everyone and their sister was coming in for labor checks, etc.

Long story, long- just after 10pm my water broke (wow, was that painful) and about a half hour later labor started (full-force from 0 to 60 I kid you not) and then just under 2 hours from the time my water broke, I delivered our precious Jacob Thomas weighing in at a hefty 5 pounds 13 ounces-a porker for a preemie. I knew he wasn't ok at birth. I asked them to take him to the NICU. Just after 2am the Neonatalogist Dr. Chua came into my room (a VERY bad sign!) and I told her I knew if she was at my bedside things were not good. Jacob had HMD (which is premature lungs) and had to be intubated and given lung developing steroids, oxygen, etc. He eventually graduated to CPAP, nasal cannula's, etc. after 12 very long days, we got to bring him home.

He's been a little pistol ever since!

And I returned to work just 5 weeks later BEFORE my due date!!!

We celebrated his birthday last night with a small joint party for him and his cousin Jonah who nearly share a birthday (2 years apart though). Today we got up and went to the farmer's market and waited for daddy to get home to do presents. Jake and TJ were also invited to their neighbor friends birthday parties (sister and brother who are 5 and 10 now). So that was fun for them today.

Photo journey:




























We just opened the presents and Jake is pretty happy (I hope). He has some money to spend so that's ALWAYS fun. I haven't gotten to do Jake's 5 year check up due to my stinky current work hours but if I can't take him this week, Tim will take him and Owen for check-ups. I'm guessing Jake will fall in his usual 25 percentile for everything. One concern we have is the massive size of his tonsils and how it affects his sleep, breathing and thus daytime behavior (he's often still tired after a full nights sleep).











Anyway, all this reminiscing about Jake's birth story leads me to another prayer request:



Yep, that's Baby Valiant #4 (any bets on the sex???)!!! I am about 7 weeks along with a likely due date of May 15th but we'll be happy to see April! I like to think of myself as a fifth of the way done since I don't do pregnancy so well-optimism here;-) I can't officially see the doctor until next week but was able to sneak a peek yesterday and see/hear a heartbeat (and see ONE baby!). So, that's it-can you believe it?

PS After sharing this news with my family I wanted to get the news out as quickly as possible (and request prayer of course) but I would've loved to have shared this with each of you in person! I hope you all will join us in rejoicing-we are very excited and feel very blessed to be expecting again. We pray this pregnancy goes better than the last (and even Jacob's abrupt arrival:-) but we are realistic and know things could be rough. I'm feeling very emotional already- (not to mention a bit of nausea, vivid dreams, poor sleep, and I'm VERY tired;-( I've cried a lot lately. I am definitely aware that not many agree with our desires "to over populate the world" and am struggling with knowing that not very many people think having a 4th child is a "good idea"-but we don't look at it as an "idea" but God's will for our lives. Anyway, I'm rambling...peace.

F is for FUN!

We've been back for a full week now and it has been ROUGH to find ANY time for ANYTHING. I certainly haven't been up on this blog nor any other. I'm behind on email, laundry, house cleaning-yep, just about everything in my life.

Working full-time is ROUGH! Hats off to all who successfully manage this daily. I am getting my first paycheck tomorrow though, so I hope it makes it more worthwhile;-)

Oh, and for those who don't know, we are back from a cruise with my lil' sis Amanda and BIL Jason (and Tim, TJ, and Jake-thanks G-ma Becca for lovin' on Owen while we were rockin' away on a very large boat during hurricane season;-).

It was FUN-thus, the title of this LONG overdue and completely inept post. It's already 9pm and well past my bedtime, so I won't be posting much about it but to say it was so much fun and I'm glad to be back on solid ground (kinda). It definitely WON'T be our last cruise! And, I will post more about it soon;-).

In other news, I am one week *free* of caffeine. I am looking forward to Grey's Anatomy, Heros and many other fall premieres. I love ABC's campaign for National stay at home week in honor of all the previews next week;-) My only downfall is that I will be too much of a weeny to stay awake for them all. Thank God for the DVR;-)

Owen is doing great in childcare and I've commented frequently as I leave how awful it is to have him scream for me (not, he actually says "Bye" and closes the door in my face!).

Oh and my blog is 2 years old now! Wow! How shameful that I haven't posted in a gazzillion years.

Hmmmm...what else? Um, oh-I am glad my Wednesday night Bible study has started back up again. I also am having a great time being a "sponsor" (which is a glorified title for hanging out) for the College Ministry with my church. I feel really old though. I have discovered facebook because of the group which also makes me feel OLD!

I think that's all for now.

We survived...

Day one of "our new life". Who knew it would be so challenging to get up 3 kiddos, feed them, dress them, make sure they have everything they need, make it out the door, get them all to their right places, and be to work on time?

Ok, ok-so maybe I knew it would be a challenge...but it was a good 1st day overall.

The highlight was this silly video, which I was so happy to've found on you tube-a must watch;-)

Day one down, a lifetime to go;-) Cheers!


Oh and the entire daycare is in shock over Owen's incredible adapting to full-day full-time daycare-THANK YOU LORD!