Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary - How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells.

And pretty maids all in a row.

The garden has been planted:

okra

 (it's a southern slimy vegetable thing)

jalapenos

bell peppers

banana peppers

roma tomatoes

eggplant

cucumbers

The trees are blooming:

fig

peach

apple

The vines are growing:

grapes

I.LOVE.SPRING.TIME!

bubbles, bubbles, bubbles

Afternoons spent blowing bubbles. 

Blowing lots of bubbles.

it's soccer season. again.

A wonderful Saturday afternoon spent at the soccer fields. 

The festivities of soccer are compounded by the cheers from the fans (aka parents). 

The blow of the ref's whistle to indicate "water break". 

The highlight of the game:  post-game snacks!

But, I'm not crazy ... I'm just a little unwell (matchbox 20)

Sitting here at twenty two plus weeks pregnant at a maternally advanced age (according to the doctors), I was diagnosed with PLACENTA PREVIA at week sixteen. {yes, I am 22+ weeks pregnant in this pic.}

I have had six weeks to make myself completely and totally insane.  I have read as much as I can about this placenta problem.  However, none of it is comforting.  Nor is it mind-easing. 

It is mind-numbing.  Insanity-driving.  Nerve-wracking.  Chaos-ridding. 

I was given the "What to Expect..." for "Placenta Previa".  Not for "When you're Expecting". 

I have been given a rather sketchy timeline of what is to come.  I am looking at about four more weeks of freedom.  Four more weeks to get everything accomplished.  Four more weeks to place my ducks in a row. 

For after four weeks, it is 100% bedrest.  With two children.  one husband.  two furry pets.  no family within a 1500 mile radius.

We are hoping the baby makes it to week 35.  For anything earlier, NICU.  Perhaps, NICU at week 35.  This situation is beyond my control.  Beyond my grasp.  Beyond my "planning".  Beyond my "schedule".   A C-section is planned.  My first.  A blood transfusion/blood drive organization is being set-up. 

So, with every new and waking day, I say a prayer.  A prayer for the baby's safety.  For my safety. 

I have been given the doctor stats: 

1.  Worst case scenario:  I hemorrage to death. 
Not a very comforting thought.  But it is one I must be aware of .  And I am wondering IF I should make provisions for in the event of my death.  However morbid that seems, it is a possibility.  IF I write a living will and make arrangements, THEN if the worst happens -- everyone will say "she knew it was coming because everything is in order".  But IF I don't prepare anything, THEN maybe it won't happen.  You know, the Murphy's Law thing!

2.  I need a hysterectomy post delivery.
At my age, it doesn't register as a worst scenario.  Although, I would like another baby.  :+)

3.  I am hospital-bound with bedrest for the next 15 weeks. 

4.  I am hospital-bound with bedrest for a mere 6 weeks.

5.  C-section. 

6.  NICU

7.  maybe I am one of the fortunate stats that don't require anything but an early delivery at week 36. 

8.  this Placenta Previa, total and complete, clears up before my next ultrasound in three weeks.  Fat chance but not impossible. 

There are so many IFs. 
There are not enough FACTS.
It is driving me CRAZY.

Anyone out there with Placenta Previa???

furry friends are the best

i love to watch our furry friends sleep.

i love to hear them purrrrrrrrrr.

i love to feel their softness.

i love their company.

Favors created in celebration of

"IT's A GIRL"! 

The girls went back to school today, on this post-sugar-high kindof day. 

And, post-I-know-it's-a-girl-baby kindof day.

The suspense is over.

The wait is finished. 

One month of not knowing.

The girls were armed with favors for their classmates. 

Baby girl #3 is due this summer and the girls will be home. 

Daddy will be taking favors to work. 

So, the girls took their favors early!!

Hippity, Hoppity, Easter's on its way!

The Easter Bunny planned a special Scavenger Hunt that led my two little bunnies around the house in search of clues to determine new baby #3's gender.  It was such an exciting morning!  The girls ran around looking for the eggs in numerical order.  They opened the eggs and read the slips of paper to determine where the next egg was hiding!  2010 is definitely a MEMORABLE EASTER !!


Hippity, Hoppity, a Baby’s on its way!
1. What will baby drink?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
2. What will baby drink from?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
3. What will you place around baby’s neck to keep baby clean?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
4. What will be put in baby’s mouth to keep baby quiet?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
5. Where will we hold baby and do “baby rock”?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
6. What will we put on baby’s bottom to catch the “blow outs”?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
7. Where will we put all of baby’s DIRTY clothes?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
8. Where will we play with baby?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
9. Where will Mommy and Daddy go to take a rest?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
10. IS BABY #3 a BOY or a GIRL?
** Open the basket for your ANSWER!

hanamatsuri: flower festivals in springtime

No fooling, it is April Fool's Day, without the jokes.

... and yes, to all those who have sent questioning emails... "I am Pregnant"!

It is not an April Fool's joke.  In fact, it is NOT really funny! 

I don't know anyone who enjoys being constantly ILL.  (I cannot use the word "sick" because in Turkish, it has a whole new and different meaning!)

I am down ten pounds.  Which is not entirely all bad news.  Considering I only gain about ten or twelve pounds with each pregnancy.  So, I actually deliver at my pre-pregnancy and pre-illness state.  So, for this blessing, I will not complain. 

I am pregnant with baby GIRL #3. 

I am slowly coming out of denial.  The baby room (for the past seven years) is pale blue, green and yellow.  The baby items are of neutral coloring.  Blue bedding.  White blankets.  Green clothing.  Yellow accessories. 
I have been "expecting" a boy for seven years.  And surely, it is not happening this year. 

I believe it has something to do with the fact that I announced on the second date with my "now" husband, "You are going to have ALL girls"!  On the first date I announced, "I have NO concept of money".  And he married me anyway!  I love my husband! 

Biggest sister and Big sister are preparing for little sister-to-be.  It is a joyous time of year. 

So, on this April Fool's, I give THANKS to my little girls and my darling husband.

knit knot addiction

I have developed a new fetish, addiction, time-consuming habit for ALL things Handmade.  Homemade. 

i.love.KNITS.  I love anything knitted.  Blankets, hats, sweaters, booties... They are all beautiful. 

Unfortunately, I have two left hands when it comes to hand crafting knits.  I truly admire anyone who can knit or crochet.  It is an art!  All items are so lovingly created with time, talent, thought and pure love!  I am so envious of those who can knit and/or crochet.  You are gifted!

I cannot wait for baby girl #3 to be adorned in hats and blankets and booties!

simple things

Picking wildflowers is a wonderful way to spend a sunny, spring afternoon in Texas.  It is 75 degrees and the air is fresh and smells of springtime.  Bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, daisies, black-eyed susans, and nano-hanas (I do not know the English translation!).  PS  the bluebonnets are on our land, therefore, it is legal for us to pick them. 

check-list

The eggs are dyed. Check.

The tulips are planted. Check.

Easter decor is decorating.  Check.

Girls are happy.  Check.

Cats have spring fever.  Check.

House is clean (sort-of).  Check.

Spring photos are taken (even if they are a bit 'unattractive', they are memorable).  Check.

Candy is stuffed in plastic eggs.  Check.

Baskets are ready.  Check.

Egg hunts are planned.  Check.

I Love Easter!

Thank you mom and dad for always making the holidays a special time!