Baby Update

Just thought I would pop in really quick and update everyone about the baby. We had the 34 week check up, that amounts to an ultrsound to measure baby, and then make the call as to when the "d-day" will be. On Wednesday, we went in for that particular appointment. The ultrasound went wonderfully, in fact we now have a picture of the baby's foot! The interesting news is more along the lines of how big the baby really is. We knew the baby had been measuring about a week ahead from the get-go, which in all reality is nothing to be getting too excited about, but definately something to keep in mind. Once the ultrasound had started, the doctor checked size of uterus, and then started in with measurements of the baby itself. Somewhere in the midst of all of this, he stopped and asked us what the due date was. We told him we were told the 28th of October, and he hung his head and laughed. He then asked his nurse (who was assisting durin the ultrasound) what she was regeristing for a due date. She said her computer was telling her Oct. 14, while the doctor checked with the machine that was telling him Oct. 11. In short, the baby was measuring around two and a half weeks larger then where it should be. The baby was weighing in around 6 lbs 7 oz already, which is about average for a baby at 38 weeks. Talk about a BIG baby in line! The doctor had no clue as to how to handle that bit of change, as he came in prepared to say the week of Oct 14th for the "d-day". He said that probably wouldnt happen. So as it stands currently, I am to go in this upcoming Thursday (Sept. 25th) for a "check" up, and then a date set from there depending on how that turns out. For the most part, at this stage of the game, we are trying to make it from one point to another, without having any more suprizes in between :) It is really confusing though, as my mind is currently in mode of 34 1/2 weeks, and any contractions (or anything else) means pre-term...when the baby is big enough to be able to be called term, which means body is acting according to the baby, and then the mind starts getting worried again knowing how far I am. Circular reasoning...in this case is BAD! From the sounds of the doctor, he would have no problem delivering the baby if it decided to show up from the point and time we left until any identifiable "d-day".
We are also back to the question of what gender baby is. I think with the size of the baby, the doctor forgot to make sure that we were talking about a boy..or find out if the baby was a girl. We have no worries however, as we have a name for both :) As things progress, I will be on updating. Stay tuned for the updates :)

The Last (Unfortunately) of the Fair Pics

Another yearly stop is the "Farm". This year, JohnMark was able to participate by himself for the most part. As his new fascination is tractors, I figured to leave this picture out would damage the following cute pictures. Again, as previously mentioned, there are more pictures involved with this, but to put them up would require MANY more posts...
JohnMark in his element. He recently discovered Skid Loaders, and wanted to see one up close. His pronounciation of the tractor's name is "Skloader", and when he found out we were going to see them, he started laughing. We did not even have to ask for a smile for this picture.
While Abbi was off wandering around for her tractor of choice, we found Kenzie having had climbed up into the Skid Loader. As you can tell, she feels at home in the tractor.
Abbi found her tractor, being the classic style. Not too sure as to what she needed to do while up there, she sat and smiled, looking cute as always. She was trying to find fork lifts, as well as the riding mowers, but we kept pictures to tractors only.
Not to be outdone, Kenzie had to have a picture taken on top of the tractor. Once again, she looks at home on a tractor...ironic since she lives in a city. As this is again one of those really cute pictures, I couldn't find it in my heart to leave it off of the picture list.

I may try to update more pictures every week or so in order to try to not overload the blog. I hope that you enjoyed the pictures that have made it up so far. Please feel free to leave your comments if the blog will let you, otherwise email them to me at dapattenclanmamma@yahoo.com .

More From The Fair

While at the Fair, we usually stop and see the Saturn exhibit. This year, they had a really fun looking sports car, which Abbi wanted to try out. We just about had to pry her out, as she had that much fun just sitting in the car!
Not to be outdone, Kenzie had to have a turn. As you can tell, she also enjoyed being behind the wheel, but is a bit more road conscience (facing the correct way in a car vs. Abbi who was pointed out the door). JohnMark was not interested in any of the cars that were there.
One of our yearly stops includes the 4-H building. This year, they had a technology corner set up with everything dealing from Guitar Hero to Wii stations set up for various ages. Abbi found one of the stations, set up for her age group. The game was a fishing type game, and her look of concentration was too good to pass up.
Abbi with the Wii controller in her hand actively playing, while Kenzie looks on and cheers her sister on.
Another priceless picture brought to you by Kenzie. She had her turn at the fishing game, and while she was busy playing, her concentration came out in her open hand gesturing. Again, this was one that had to get put up.

In the next post, I will be putting some up of JohnMark, as well as some other random pictures. Like I said before, this being 10 of over 50, I have to limit it somewhere. For those who check this site who have Facebook, I have MANY more posted on there.

A Pseudo Expected Update :)

JohnMark at the beginning of the day. As you can tell, he is a bit excited about his journey, and looking forward to all of the fun that the day holds.
The kids visited the Newspaper Press for the first time. While there, they had the chance to learn how printing presses, linographs, and neswspapers as a whole were produced. At the end of the "tour", they each recieved their own "Press Hats".
The kids during their time at the "Farm". This year they had various cut-outs the kids could pose at. This is the only one that allowed for all three to particiapate. Even though it is not a clear shot (room really did not allow for it), JohnMark is up top (with me holding), Kenzie is the pig, and Abbi is the sheep. In following posts, there will be more of these cut-outs, but as this particular post is to show all three, this one had to make it first.

Like the title holds, and as I have been promising, here is the next update. On Labor Day, we went to the Minnesota State Fair. While there were several pictures taken, I have to resign myself to only a few to be posted, as I am already looking at at least a couple of postings in order to get them on the site (something about a five pic limit...). I will include as much of the story as possible with the pictures, most of which will be of the kids (of course :) ). So sit back and enjoy this update, coming in many different installments, but well worth it :)

The Pics Have Arrived!!

We have a new camera! Here are a few pics to update everyone on what the kids look like at this stage of life! For those of you who have Facebook, some of these will be uploaded there too!

Abbi (age 6) and Kenzie (age 4 1/2). This was taken after bathtime, and before bedtime.
Kenzie and Abbi in one of their rare moments of sisterhood. Not sure if it was a purposeful pose or not, but I will take it!
JohnMark (age 2) at bathtime. This is our first ever bath pic of any of the kids. Apparently he enjoyed hamming for the camera!
One of our "kids". This would be the ever infamous Toby...the hyper basset. It doesn't look like it now, but he was busy going from room to room earlier having fun!
The other of our two "kids". This is Milo, the psycho cat. Though it does not appear like it now, the mouse was killed (stuffed of course), and then Milo attempted at playing fetch. I hope to get video of him actually playing fetch, as I am sure some of you would absolutely love it!

That just about does it for this update. As we get more pics, they will be added. We head to the State Fair on Monday, so that should present some pretty fun pictures. I will also try and get some pictures of the house (inside and out) up, as we have been here for a year now. I am excited as I am now definately keeping this updated! Hopefully it will last...especially with the baby coming.... :)

Life and its Fun Times

Ok. So I havent updated in a while. More then a while. But I have a really good reason. Its called chasing three young ones, carrying the fourth (who demands naps at weird times), and trying to keep up with the house. That is, until today. Normally, when I hit nesting, I hand mop all floors that can handle mopping, then wax them by hand. We have a no wax vinal floor. Hand mopping could work, but not as well as before. I was asked to do a few extra things around the house today, which was done (thanks to the kids), but all of a sudden felt as if it werent enough. I then started in on windows. Why windows when floors could use it more, I have no idea, but windows it was. Midway through my second window (outside part), it occured to me that I was nesting. The second type..the one where the house MUST look spotless at all times kind. We have pretty much everything ready for the baby, which was done during the first type of nesting. It is interesting to see that my brain has taken to windows though. At the time of this blog, I have three left, all in the bedrooms. I am trying to rationalize that no one will see them except those of us in the family, but it keeps getting over-ridden by the thought of "there are only three left". I am scared to find out what my next nesting push will be. Probably something totally off the wall like washing the walls or something fun. Then again, when has my brain ever done anything close to normal??
Ok.. On with the family. The girls made it through soccer just fine. Hopefully soon I will be able to put their soccer pictures up for all to see. At the end of the season, it was hard to tell if they wanted to keep doing soccer, or if it was just a fun thing at the time. I know that they are now focused on swimming lessons. I have yet to hear about basketball. I am also hoping to start schooling in the next week or so...so expect posts about that fun venture.
JohnMark is getting excited for the baby in his own way. I have officially become his mamma...to which there is a loving war between Kenzie, JohnMark, and the baby over whose mom I really am. Its definatly fun times.
As for the baby. We still do not know the date of deliverery, but I am still hoping for Oct. 9th. The date is one in a lifetime, and since we already have a 02-03-04, we might as well have a 10-09-08. We have finally decided on a name...which will be Levi Marshall. In case all pictures are wring, and the baby will be another girl, the name will be Lydia Rene'. At last check, baby still seems to be a bit bigger then normal, but may have actually caught up to where he needs to be. Then again, he likes to change positions on people frequently....so we shall see after Labor Day at the next apointment.
I should end this here, as the kids need lunch, and the windows are calling me still. I am hoping to be able to update this a bit more often though.

A Family Update

So purple is the color choice of the day. Not sure why I chose this, but oh well:) Since last post, Abbi has had her 6th birthday, which has seemingly signified in her mind she is "officially a big girl". It is amazing when someone realizes they are a big girl...I am not sure when that came to me, but I think I was a bit older...LOL. Both Abbi and Kenzie are in soccer through the YMCA now, and I think both are enjoying it. Abbi (once she figured out what she was doing) stopped a couple of would-be goals from happening. She then took the field, and promptly ran the ball the wrong way. Thankfully the "Coach" stopped the ball from bee-lining it in the goal and pointed the correct way to go. I was sooo proud of her! Kenzie has learned the fun of rolling a soccer ball down a hill, then rolling herself down the hill after it in order to beat the soccer ball. She does play with the other kids a bit, but as most of the kids have their mom or dad on the field with them, I think she feels a bit left out. Once I explained that I couldnt be out there, but would LOVE to be, she was ok with it...then found the joys of the hill. Its ok...I knew she loved Volleyball when she was playing it. She seems to show no interest in Track and Field, or Basketball, so I think between Swim Team (when she gets old enough and provided that is still a priority) and Volleyball she will be set. Abbi is LOVING soccer so much that I think she will be the basketball and soccer person. JohnMark hasnt said either way yet, but as he has a couple of years to go, I think that is fine. We still have not settled on a name for #4 yet, though I think we are getting closer. His playtime is consistantly between 11 pm and 5 am...though that seems to be shifting. If Abbi or Kenzie comes in during the morning, and starts to talk, the baby sleeps...as soon as JohnMark starts talking (usually when he gets in) the baby is up and stays that way until JohnMark is asleep again. Life will be SOO fun when he gets here:) Our garden is doing well...for a really weird and wacky reasons. The rabbits DO get in, but they eat the grass and weeds that get into the garden. Our lettuce has been untouched, as has most everything else. Hopefully things will start coming off soon!! Now all I have to do is get ahold of a salsa receipe for canning:)
I apologize that this update seems to be a bit scattered. Blame it on lack of sleep:) I am hoping to remember to update this site a bit more often. If anyone has any ideas at all about Biblical names for boys, please feel free to leave a message:)

An Update

Ok...so maybe the color of the typing will give this away. Just in case, we found out today that Patten #4 will most likely be a boy. According to the doctor, "the baby appears to be rather boyish today". Of course, to make sure, the nurse put a question mark behind the word boy...but the baby left NO doubt. Definately an easy baby to run an ultrasound on. We also found out that the baby is still running about a week ahead of schedule, and now weighs 9 oz. I am thinking we are definately going to have a big baby (takes after Abbi). The girls were happy to see the baby, but rather bummed to find out it will most likely be another boy. JohnMark was stunned. I think he realized he will have to share his room. Our only problem at this stage...what to name the baby? I have a name that I think would be really cool, a family legacy name. Steve doesnt like it, but can't seem to come up with a better name. Overall, baby is doing really well. I would say that for a prayer request to pray for me, as I am having a really hard time with the weight gain. I know I am supposed to gain, however I was in process of loosing the weight before conception. I have already gained ten pounds. Also, pray that my body can handle the extra weight of another baby...as I am already having issues with back and knees. Pray also that frustration levels will not spill over too much to those around me, as the hormones are really messing with my ability to handle things.
On a side note, we made it safetly back from our camping trip up to Bemidji, Minnesota. As soon as we came home, I had a shadow in the form of Milo follow me everywhere. I still have the shadow. We had a fun time over the weekend. Apparently the State Parks have a new thing called GeoCache(ing). Sixteen parks have GPS units available to use...while the other however many there are dont. There is now talk between Steve and our friends to have a GPS per family, and see how many of the parks we can clobber this summer. We shall see how that goes! For now, the women of the group are both pregnate, one to deliver (prayerfully) in July, then myself in October. It has made travel interesting this year, as there has been a constant race to see who gets to the bathroom first. The girls really enjoyed camping this go round (again), and hope to return to Bemidji State Park. JohnMark became adventurous, and found his way over to our tent twice (without our knowledge) in the next site over. Keep in mind, there were brush and trees separating our sites. Made for fun times...LOL. One of our next feats will be over 4th of July weekend (the last weekend before baby #1 comes along) up at Sakatah State Park. That should be a fun time had by all too, as there are numerous walking trails, and tons of memories from three years ago.
I should end this update before it gets too long. If I am not mistaken, the comment section is now open for use, so if anyone has any ideas for names, drop em by. Either that, drop them at my facebook account. I think instead of a baby pool, it should be a name poole...hehe. I hope to hear some feedback soon, and as soon as I get the time, I will scan some pics in and post them. If only I could do the same for pics of the house...LOL. That is another story.....I hope to hear from yall soon!

An Update

Just thought I would take the time to update everyone about the OB appointment that I had on Wednesday. From what the doctor said, there is a potential that, IF the numbers of the antiboties gets too high, there could wind up being blood problems with the baby. However, right now the numbers are pretty low, and the doctor (along with the lab people) do not see any reason for the numbers to rise. There are at least two more times that I will have to get the blood tested to make sure they are not rising, but I think I can handle that. I also had my first official ultrasound of the baby. It is definately a baby, but the dates seem to be off via the machine. At the time of the appointment, I should have been at 10 weeks and 0 days, but the machine had the baby measuring 11 weeks 0 days. Hopefully this will wind up being good news for us, as this is a C-Section...and with all the past problems, having the date moved up a week, then the two weeks early...well...you can see how this goes. Of course, at this time I am being overly optomistic, and could use a dose of reality...but it is SOOOO nice to dream:)
Kenzie started Volleyball this past Saturday. She LOVES it, and has spent all week counting down the days until the next time to Volleyball. Just an insertion...she is the shortest (not to mention youngest) in the sport right now, and her attitude and optimism suprised not only the helpers, but the one in charge of it all. This was SUCH a swich from Abbi who all but gave up on Basketball because she wasn't doing as well as the others. Hopefully I will be able to get more updates as they become available.
Abbi also started a new sport this past Saturday. We put her in Track (which winds up being Track and Field...) in the hopes that running will help her over abundance in energy. She was getting over being sick last week, as well as getting thrown in with a bunch of people she didn't know...the end result being, she didn't apply herself totally. She did run the entirety of the track one time around, which was good, and she DID try, which also was good, but you could tell she was holding back. We shall see how the next time goes...I think it will be better. She did enjoy herself, and said that the High Jump (modified) was her favorite. We shall see if the warmer weather brings out the speed in her.
Bubba is enjoying just being outside again. He is too young to be involved with any of the sports, but still LOVES being outside in the warmer weather. I am having to fight he AND the dog to get them back inside at times. The countdown to camping season has started...LOL.
I am planning our first ever garden. This will be a new venture for me, but not the first garden I have ever worked with. Growing up, I remember my parents having various gardens, and my job was to weed them. Unbeknownst to them, I watched how they got the gardens ready every year, so now I know what to do for my own. The only problem being, what to grow for a first garden? The resounding answer of potatoes, carrots, onions, and tomatoes have come from quite a few people. I am also thinking of Okra (my southern roots surfacing), maybe lettuce to surround the garden (keep the bunnies busy on the outside, so the inside gets left alone), maybe bell peppers, and then I run out of thoughts. For those of you interested in passing along information...the garden is 12 foot long by 5 foot wide. Not very big, but definately big enough. Feel free to email me any info (dapattenclanmamma@yahoo.com), as I am not sure if I have the comment thing set up right.
Now to the prayer request section. Pray first off for Steve. He has a new lifeguard set up, but not for another couple of weeks. As it is now, he is lined up to be guarding everyday for the next two weeks, during what I call the major section (9:30-1:45). This limits how much work he gets done office wise, which in turn makes for longer days. Pray that God will give him the strength and the awakedness to be able to handle it. Also, our lovely neighbors have moved the sign again...and this time let us (me) know who did it. I in turn let our councilman know, but there has been no return call as of yet as how to handle it. The signs that are there now are temporary, which is how they are being moved. Pray for me in this matter, as it infuriates me, and dwelling on it too much can get into the sinful area of life...nuff said. Keep my body in your prayers as well, as the kids somehow got Influenza strain B this past week. I have never had the flu...so I could have already had it, or I could have yet to get it. If it is the latter, there is NOTHING that can be done to help except Tylenol. I know that if I have NOT gotten it, it WILL take a lot out of me...so pray that God is kind enough to let it pass STeve and I over....also pray that the antiboties kinda disappear (hopefullness again) or will at least stay the same amount. Also, pray for me as I am really going through alot of personal struggles from past encounters (lack of better terminology). I know that I need to rely on God to get me through it, but the human nature wants to fix it myself, and unfortunately trying to do so will make matters worse.
That is the update for this week. I hope to update at least every week from this point on, but it may be sooner or later, depending on the week. I will also try to get pics up, as that will be a great break from the typing. I hope that all have a great weekend, and week ahead:)