Pregnancy

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the month of March

March 28, 2011 in Animals, Brittany, Children, Darby, Jacob, Jarvis, Justice, Lists, Paige, Pregnancy, sleep problems by Petra | 4 comments

I am aware that I haven’t blogged in over a month. I haven’t felt like it. Sue me. Or don’t. I don’t really care. :) To make up for it, this post is going to cover all the happenings of March. If you are my friend on Facebook, much of this will be a repeat, but as you know – part of the reason I blog is for the online-journal aspect of it. I am actually referencing Facebook (along with my calendar) to remind me of what actually did happen this month. :)
 
I will also note, before I get started on my review, that I have been incredibly aware of God’s incredible grace this month.  He is so amazing, and He loves us no matter how much we might fail.  I am just in awe of His goodness, His strength, His mercy, and as said already, His grace.  Awesome!

March:
1: Took Darby to gymnastics and Jarvis to soccer. Hung out on Facebook a lot.
2: Who knows? Took the kids to church in the evening.
3: Had an OB appointment. Everything looked good, until she went to listen for the baby’s heartbeat. Ended up getting an ultrasound, only to find out that little baby Mila had passed away. Sad day. I was 13 weeks, 2 days along, but she had not been alive for a few weeks. The reason my belly was growing and I was still feeling so many pregnancy symptoms is because my uterus and placenta were still thriving.
4: Brittany and I headed to the hospital at 10:30 for my D&C. I was really nervous, having never had surgery on anything before except getting my wisdom teeth cut out. All went well, though, and it was quick and smooth. Over the next few days, friends from church brought meals to us (so nice!). Marci drove up from Atlanta to help out. So good to see her!
5: Stayed drugged up and slept a lot! Karyn and Jess brought over tonight’s meal and stayed and hung out for a while. Marci took the kids out eating, shopping, and to see a movie. They LOVED having her here.  They bought green hats and wigs and came into my room with flowers – to make me laugh.  I was groggy and half-asleep and had no idea what was going on.  It was hilarious.  :)

Jacob in his funny hair and hat :)

Britta and Darby :)

Britta, Marci, and Darby :)

6: Marci took all six kiddos to church, then to eat and grocery shopping.  I slept so much in a very quiet house – it was nice!  Marci headed back to Georgia.  (soccer game was rained out today).
7: Still recovering. Out of bed today and feeling a lot better.  Talked to Andy on the phone a lot.  Had other things to deal with as well, but not blog fodder (sorry).  :-D
8: Took Darby to gymnastics.  Did lots of resting, as far as I can remember.
9: Had a small nervous breakdown (hormones changing, I’m sure) and couldn’t stop crying.  It finally passed though, thank goodness – because I HATE crying.  And I’m using the word “hate” here, in the strongest sense of the word.  So thankful for an ecouraging husband, who, even though he is on the other side of the world, called at just the right time and was such a comfort to me.  And also thankful for good friends (like Ali) who will yak on the phone with me for hours and who I can be completely open with.  :)   Bought Paige’s Easter dress while talking on the phone to Ali.  Took the kids to church (Paige and I don’t go to church on Wednesday nights – I drop the oldest 5 kids off for an hour and a half and Paige and I head home… why?  our church has Kids Klub for Jacob and Darby and youth group for Jarvis, Justice, and Brittany.  There is a ladies’ Bible study, and I have been to it, but it’s not really geared towards my age group [i.e. I'm the youngest woman in there by very far], and I have found that I love spending that one on one time with Paige without interruption.) :)
10: My new dishwasher was delivered.  It will sit in the front room while we wait for my neighbor to have time to install it (he’s busy).  Jarvis had an orthodontist consult.  Not quite time to start braces, but there is a plan in place, and we go back in 4 months to see if his mouth is ready.  Had some other things going on that aren’t blog-worthy (again, sorry).  Soccer practice got rained out, so I took Brittany and Jarvis to see The Adjustment Bureau.  It was good.
11: Rested in the morning.  My kids were all in desperate need of new shoes or clothes or a combination of the two, and I had some tax refund money, along with some other unexpected income, come in.  Jarvis was the first one to get to go shopping, since I owed him a birthday movie anyway.  We went to Jason’s Deli, Target, Marshall’s, and to see Unknown.  Loved it.
12: Dropped Justice off early at Molly’s yard sale to sell a few things.  Took Brittany and Darby shopping.  Ate at Jason’s Deli (again – ugh).  Shopped at Marshall’s, Old Navy, and Target.  Found lots of good deals!  And we all got new swimsuits (shopping for those is always a nightmare!  And why is the Target dressing room lighting the HARSHEST lighting in the world?!). 
13: Sunday School and church.  Brittany and Jacob went with Molly to a friend’s house to play (Britt went to help with the little kiddos).  I took Darby and Paige to Jarvis’ soccer game.  Didn’t get home in time for evening church. 

Paige at Jarvis' soccer game

Darby at Jarvis' soccer game

Jarvis playing soccer

Paige playing peekaboo with her sunglasses :)

14: Various errands, including getting my annual car inspection (and found out I’d been driving around with a giant screw stuck in my tire). 
15: Darby to gymnastics.  Got a ride for Jarvis to soccer so I could take Justice on his shopping trip.  We splurged and ate at Carrabba’s (so good! BUT I got glutened there and ended up feeling bad for the next few days - ugh!).  Shopped at Target, TJ Maxx, and Kohl’s – found everything he needed. 
16: Various errands and dropping kids off places (I have been leaving out a lot of things like this on this list).  Darby’s orthodontist consult.  She could really use ortho treatment now, probably make it a lot easier down the line, but alas – it turns out our insurance only covers ortho treatment ONCE per lifetime (and only a small percentage then), so we are waiting.  If Jarvis wasn’t about to get braces, we might go for it, but yeah – that’s a bit much.  Dropped off the kiddos at church in the evening. 

Jacob being a nut at Darby's ortho consult... Darby in the dental chair in the background :)

Paige with her "I don't feel good cause I'm teething and my nose is runny" look

17: Justice did yard work at someone’s house – he’s done a LOT of that this month.  He spends most of his money on Papa John’s ordering.  Dropped Jarvis off at soccer practice, and then headed out on the town with the Mollster.  Ate a yummy dinner at Bonefish Grill (love me some saucy shrimp! mmmmm!) and got some Starbucks and headed home. 

cell phone self-portraits are the best, no? lol. Ali will be shocked I was actually wearing a ruffled shirt!

my attempt at taking a self-portrait of Molly and me at Starbucks. Worked out well, don't you think?

18: Haven’t been getting much sleep – aside from not being able to fall asleep at a reasonable hour, Paige has been teething (2 year molars) and that’s been interrupting her sleep. Even with the sleep issues, my energy has been increasing, though.  Starting to get a LOT done around the house.  Had a couple months worth of deep cleaning to catch up on, we are rearranging some kids’ rooms, doing some construction, etc. 
19: Worked around the house.  Kids played outside.  Weather has been gorgeous!  Jarvis fell off the neighbor’s playground (er, JUMPED from the roof of the playground to a rope swing, which broke when he grabbed it so he hit the ground).  Dropped Justice off at the church for Winterjam.  They didn’t make it in though, it was sold out and many thousands of fans didn’t get in. 

Dance party!

pouty pajama time

20: Sunday School and Church.  Luncheon at church.  Got a ton of stuff done at the house.  The boys had a couple of friends over and played airsoft, etc.  Jarvis missed his soccer game because of his hurt foot, and it happened to be the first game they lost all season.  Justice and my very helpful neighbor installed my awesome new dishwasher!  It’s so so so nice to have a dishwasher after not having one for almost a year!!!

Paige the Mess. (photo by darby)

Cutie! (photo by darby)

Paige's first time with painted fingernails and toenails. She LOVED it! (photo by darby)

My attempt at photos of the kids after church - sun too bright, kids hungry, Jarvis missing (on the couch with a hurt foot), etc... not ideal photography conditions. lol

Jacob needs his sunglasses!

Paige insisted on being on the step with Jacob and Darby!

The expressions say everything!

Britt attempted to take a few photos of me (for the hubster, and also for the "before" hairdo)

another photo by Britt

21: Aside from some errands and cleaning, took some time to myself.  Went and got a real, actual haircut.  She ended up giving me too many layers, but that’s my own fault (I wasn’t specific enough).  My friend, Jess, came by for a few and chatted and dropped off some eggs (she’s been keeping us in stock since they have chickens and we love FRESH eggs).  :)   Went to a movie by myself, saw Limitless – loved it. 

Britt attempting to get a photo of my hairdo. It looks better in real life. Much.

Attempt #2

Attempt #3? :)

Our kitten - pretty sure it's current name is Ninja. I liked Odin better. But it's not my kitten.

My bathroom mirror attempts with my cell phone to get a pic of the new do...

Last attempt to show you people my new hairdo!

22: Darby to gymnastics.  Took Jacob with me and bought him some new tennis shoes, flip flops, and sunglasses – all things he desperately needed.  After we picked up Darby from gymnastics, I took the two of them through an automatic car wash.  Jacob had never known such a thing existed and I’m pretty sure it’s the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to him.  Best 9 bucks I’ve spent in a while!  (p.s.  When did it start costing NINE bucks for an automatic car wash?!?!).  Took Jarvis to the doctor to get an x-ray for his foot that was still bothering him.  No brake – just a sprain, thank goodness! 
(you only need to watch the first 4 seconds of the following video to see Darby’s cartwheel – I kept recording thinking something else would happen, lol…)

(apparently I’ve become retarded when it comes to embedding youtube videos – either that or WordPress has become more difficult – either way, you’ll have to click on the link: Darby\’s cartwheel)

23: Got stuff done around the house, ran errands, etc.  Got to church a little early to pick up the kids and it was a gorgeous evening, so Paige and I swung on the playground swings while we waited.  Paige LOVES the swings.  She’s too cute.  My cell phone takes horrible photos, especially at night:

Paige swinging

24: Took Justice and Jarvis to the dentist.  Justice had been hurting since his last filling – they made a small adjustment and the pain automatically went away – yay.  Jarvis had to get a filling.  Worked on kids’ bedrooms (a seemingly neverending project).
25: Clean, clean, clean.  (had to cancel/postpone our trip to Atlanta).
26: Dropped Justice off to do some yard work and then I went grocery shopping.  Felt pretty under the weather and didn’t get much done the rest of the day. 
27: Did nothing.  All day.  Felt ick.
28: Today – not much going on.  Going to try to get some major bedroom work done today, but still feeling pretty blah.
29: Tomorrow – the usual gymnastics and soccer practice. 
30: Kids will go to church.
31: No plans. 

And that concludes March in Review.  I hope you enjoyed the show.

Witty title?! You can’t *handle* the witty title!

February 17, 2011 in Celiac, Darby, Fibromyalgia, Jacob, Jarvis, Justice, Paige, Pregnancy, Random by Petra | 4 comments

I thought I’d blog more while Andrew was deployed, but so far, most of my online time has been spent chatting with him on the instant messenger.  It’s been really nice that we have been able to chat every day!

If only I could post on here by osmosis.  I think of posts all the time, especially when I’m falling asleep (those are the best ones, even though I rarely remember to actually ever post them), but I can’t be bothered to log on and type what I’m thinking most of the time.  Sorry.  :)   One day I will blog interesting things again.  One day.  For now, you’re stuck with my mundane update lists, which I add for posterity’s sake. 

  • The pregnancy is going well.  I’m not nearly as sick as the last time I posted, but have gotten glutened twice and caught a cold from a couple of the kiddos.  I’m starting to feel human again, though, and my nausea is down to a wave here and there throughout the day instead of constant 24/7.  Thank the Lord, because that was really starting to get old. 
  • Justice finished the basketball season, and Jarvis’ first spring soccer game is this Sunday afternoon. 
  • Paige just keeps getting cuter!  She repeats so much of what the other kids do (which they think is awesome), and she is talking more and more.  Her little voice and the way she says things is adorable.  And her outlook on life is hilarious.  She gets so serious sometimes and so silly at other times.  She’s cuddling more, which we LOVE, and she still thinks drawing is the best thing ever – on paper, on her legs, on the walls – anywhere… she’s not picky. 
  • Brittany and I tried Z Pizza yesterday, in Cary.  It was good – I loved that most of their ingredients are organic.  I did not love the price, but gluten-free pizza is never cheap.  Best of all – it did not make me sick!  Score!
  • We should, according to the IRS, have our tax refund a week from tomorrow.  Looking forward to paying some things, buying some things, and of course, looking forward to the shopping that goes along with “buying some things”.  I love to shop, but alas, with six children, most of my shopping usually consists of trying to find affordable shoes for them or trying to keep our pantry stocked.  It’s so fun when we get a chance to do a little ‘extra’.  :)
  • Not sure if I mentioned it here or not, but we finally seem to have figured out Darby’s digestion issues.  The culprit is dairy.  She seems to be able to handle small amounts in baked goods, but too much milk or cheese and she’s in major pain and having all sorts of stomach issues.  I’m glad for her sake it isn’t gluten – I think dairy is a little easier to avoid. 
  • The jury is still out on Paige… I think she has some food issues, unfortunately, but I’m not sure yet what they are.  She doesn’t eat gluten very often because I can’t have her contaminating me with her messy gluteny hands and face, but when she does have it, that’s not really when I notice any issues.  I may just have to wait until she is older.  She has some digestion problems sometimes, but not all the time like Jacob did when he was little, and she has some ‘patchy’ dry skin issues (which is almost always food related, though it could be environmental, but I use very pure detergents, etc., so probably some sort of food bothering her). 
  • Speaking of issues – I have read and heard in multiple locations that pregnancy is supposed to ease the symptoms of celiac disease, however, I seem to be MORE sensitive when pregnant.  Also, I have heard that fibromyalgia symptoms are supposed to ease up while pregnant as well – um, no – mine are MUCH worse.  Of course, my masseuse is in Iraq, so that might have a little to do with the fibro symptoms being worse.  Still… I really do hate the head fogs, and I’ve had a lot of them lately, whereas before the pregnancy, I was really having them less and less.  And the pain… don’t even get me started. 
  • Not to sound like a complainer – I really am very blessed, and so far, have not had to be on bed rest for this pregnancy.  With Jacob and Paige, I had to do some bed rest during the first trimesters for bleeding.  I did have some spotting last week, but I laid down for a full day and a half, and then everything was fine again with no issues since!  I’m hoping and praying that I won’t have to be on bed rest for the third trimester, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.  I try not to think about the third trimester too much, because it hasn’t been long enough for me to forget about the third trimester with Paige, which was absolutely the most brutal thing ever – well, aside from her delivery, but I’m pretty sure this baby can’t top that one!  At least I hope not!!  ;)   Too bad I can’t go back in time and appreciate my first four pregnancies more than I did – and I thought I had things to complain about THEN – ha!! haaaahhhaaaaahahahaaa!!!!!  :)
  • Speaking of trimesters, I’ve got about 5 days left of the first trimester.  I’m already starting to have a bit more energy – ya know, when I’m not glutened or down with a bad cold.  I’m hoping to get some projects around here done – hoping!  :)
  • We plan on taking a trip to Atlanta in a month or so.  Can’t wait to see everyone, and to do some shopping with Andrea at H&M Maternity and Buy Buy Baby! :)
  • I get to see my friend Ali tomorrow in Raleigh!  She’s coming to town for a wedding, so we’re going to meet up for lunch before the festivities start.  Can’t wait!  I wish we lived closer!
  • Then, we’re (me and the kiddos) going to hang out in Raleigh and let Jarvis pick the activity, since tomorrow is also his 12th birthday!
  • And I’ve zoned out – time for some netflix and snacks! :)

Well… I… walked around the corner, and I walked around the block…

January 29, 2011 in Jarvis, Justice, Paige, Pregnancy by Petra | 4 comments

Pregnancy…

  • Well, I’m currently wearing a pair of Andrew’s running pants, if that tells you anything about the state of how my clothes are fitting.  And, of course, they are enormous.  But, they are comfy on my belly, and that’s all I care about while lounging around the house.
  • I had an ultrasound on Thursday.  There is only one baby, and I’m so grateful, because if I’m already this uncomfortable with one at 8 1/2 weeks, I don’t even want to think about how two would feel in another 10 or 20 weeks!
  • The heart rate was 155.  I’m pretty positive the baby is a girl.  Faster heart rate, lots of nausea = girl.  For me anyway; I know some people who get super nauseous with the boys and not the girls. Funny how pregnancies affect different people so differently, huh?
  • And yeah, the nausea is out of control.  This baby does not like meat, eggs, zucchini, and a myriad of other things.  She does tolerate cashews, cheddar cheese, broccoli, peas, carrots, peanut butter, and several types of fruit, so that’s basically what I’ve been living on.  Also, snickerdoodles are okay – I think it’s to do with the cinnamon.  I drink fruit smoothies with strawberries, blueberries, milk, a bit of cinnamon and organic sugar, and those actually help the nausea for a bit.  The longer I go without eating, the worse the nausea is, but then it’s hard to eat because of the nausea.  It’s a vicious cycle.  And it doesn’t stop – I even wake up in the middle of the night feeling nauseous.  Thankfully, I’ve only thrown up a little bit a couple of times… trying to avoid that as much as possible!
  • A few people have already said things to me about how it was too bad I’d be hugely pregnant through the hot summer, but uh – I would MUCH rather be huge in the summer than the winter.  I’ve done both, and this baby is coming at the perfect time!!!  I can barely tolerate the cold, and I hate wearing frumpy clothes – especially when already uncomfortably pregnant – so sunshine and sundresses during pregnancy suit me perfectly.  I’m very thankful for the timing!  The only “too bad” about it is that I won’t be able to get out and about more during my favorite season!! ;)
  • I’m exhausted and I can tell my blood sugar is starting to act wonky.  Ah, the joys of pregnancy.  Is it September yet?? :)

The kiddos…

  • Justice has one more week of basketball left – two games next Saturday.  I love watching him play.  I’ll try to remember my camera next week since I have taken zero photos so far. 
  • Jarvis started soccer practice today.  His first game in the spring season is February 20th.  I hope it’s warm!! :)
  • The kids tried telling Paige there is a baby in my belly, and she looked at them like they were nuts. 

I had more to say, and I definitely have more topics to blog about, but I’m too tired to go on.  It’s been a really long day, and I think I am now out of order until Sunday morning.

“I like to get it all again and in the end you know you get what you got…”

January 26, 2011 in Animals, Being a military wife, Celiac, Darby, Jacob, Justice, Paige, Pregnancy by Petra | 3 comments

It dawned on my I haven’t been blogging for the last few weeks.  I guess all my internet typing time has been spent i.m.’ing with Andrew.  So… a quick update…

  • I got glutened the other day.  I haven’t had this bad of a gluten attack in a very long time.  I’m on my 3rd day of a migraine and major intestinal issues (among the other symptoms that go along with me consuming gluten).  I’m only blogging now because I finally gave in and took a Goody’s powder (it has aspirin, and I’m pregnant, so I had been avoiding it – even though it’s the only thing that’ll take any of the edge off a migraine like this… it was just too much though, so I decided to go ahead and take one today).  Hopefully tomorrow will be better…
  • My first OB appointment is at 9:00 tomorrow morning.  I’m not even sure which doctor I’m seeing.  I requested one, Tricare assigned another, and they weren’t clear who I was seeing when they called to tell me when my first appointment was.  I’ll just go to whomever they assigned, and if I don’t like them – I’ll be sure to switch.  I just hope it’s a woman!  I used to see male OB/Gyn’s, but it kind of creeps me out now, and I prefer to stick to women.  I’m also hoping for an ultrasound!
  • Andrew is alive and well on the other side of the world.  We have thankfully gotten to chat on the instant messenger pretty much every day, and have even gotten to have a few short phone calls.  Being able to communicate with him regularly helps us get through this time apart.  Continue to pray for him, please. 
  • Paige’s favorite show right now is The Backyardigans.  She copies their dance moves, and sings along with the theme song.  To ask to watch it, she will sing her version of the theme song, which sounds kind of like “yah-ah-gan” in her sweet little singing voice. 
  • Justice is halfway through his basketball season and he is doing great!  He started off his 2nd game this past Saturday with a 3-pointer.  Woo hoo!  I love watching him play!
  • I am 8 weeks, 1 day pregnant, assuming I have my due date correct, which I’m pretty sure I do.  I still have approximately one million weeks to go.  At least, that’s what it feels like.  :)   I’m still ridiculously nauseous and exhausted.  Hoping this passes with the first trimester – another month to go!  :)
  • Justice and Jarvis got all but two pieces of furniture moved out of the office/school room in the basement.  I’m hoping to feel good enough to get down there with the older kids and get some work done, eventually.  It would be SO nice to have a place for all our school stuff, a place for my bill stuff, a place to do scrapbooking and cards, etc.  I may let the older kids have at priming the walls themselves… we’ll see.  lol
  • We gave away one kitten (the orange one), and we are giving away the fluffy calico one this week.  That’ll just leave us with Chili (the mom), and Odin (the 3rd kitten).  Chili is actually in heat again so she is forbidden from going outside!  Pretty sure I’m going to work getting her fixed into the near-future budget!  ;)
  • I have so many photos to share – hoping to have the focus to be able to go through them and post them in the foreseeable future.  Stay tuned.  I’ll try to add at least one photo to this post. 
  • I’ve been watching more TV than usual since I got pregnant.  When I’m feeling awful, it helps to just zone out to senseless nonsense.  I enjoy the show Lie to Me and am nearly caught up to the current episodes.  I just started watching the first season of the Duggars, 17 and Counting, two days ago, and I’m already addicted.  I didn’t realize I would enjoy it so I never even gave it a try, but I saw it on netflix and clicked it, and ended up watching several episodes already.  I started watching Law & Order: Criminal Intent again too – I abandoned it in the middle of the 2nd season when I was pregnant with Paige and on bedrest, but it’s time to bring it back.  I don’t really love the show, but I love Vincent D’onofrio’s character. 
  • Jacob had a blast at his 5th birthday party last week!  It was his first “friend” birthday party, and he was definitely a fan.  I posted the photos on facebook already, but will try to add a few on here eventually too (so that they’re here when I print my blog into a ‘book’ for the kids).  :)
  • I’m pretty sure it’s nap time. 

Darby with her new bangs that she's so proud of

5 weeks, 2 days

January 6, 2011 in Pregnancy by Petra | 15 comments

This is the first of many posts documenting this pregnancy.  Today’s topic:

Why we think this baby might be twins!

1. I’ve been ridiculously nauseous every day since the day of conception (especially after about day four – I thought the mild nausea the first three days was due to some gluten-free crackers that I ate).  When I have had nausea in my previous pregnancies, it’s always been after the five or six week point, and it’s always been with the girls.  (So if this is just one baby, I do think it’s a girl.)

2. I had a vividly positive pregnancy test five days before my period was even due.

3. My belly is already protruding.  I know I’ve had lots of babies already, but never has my belly poked out THIS early.  (see photo below)

4. I’m exhausted.  I’m always exhausted in my first trimester, but the exhaustion set in almost immediately, and usually I’m at LEAST six weeks along before I’m too tired to function. 

5. My temperature at the doc yesterday was 97.7.  I don’t know if that actually means anything or not.  However, my temperature has always been 98.6 whether I was pregnant or not (unless, of course, I had some sort of illness).  I did read somewhere that if you are pregnant with multiples your body temperature could be lower, and generally if you are pregnant with a single baby, your temperature would be a bit higher – not lower… I have no idea of any of the science behind any of this though.  It could just be a fluke.

6. We kept saying “we are done having children.”  So it just stands to reason that God would point out our silliness in thinking we had control over anything by giving us not just one more child, but two.  lol

7. I already have a lot of pressure in my lower abdomen.  My uterus does sit low after so many pregnancies, but it seems to be a bit early for so much pressure and discomfort!

The protruding belly:

 

Maybe that doesn’t seem like it’s poking out to you guys, but let me put it in perspective for you… Before Thanksgiving, I weighed 98 pounds.  I was trying to gain a few pounds (my preferred weight is 103-105 – keep in mind I am only 5’2″ and have a small frame).  I do think I gained a pound or two before conceiving (I ate a LOT during and after Thanksgiving), but my stomach was pretty much flat – I had been exercising regularly and was starting to get in shape, and my stomach is always the first to thin out/tone up.  A week ago, I weighed 101 1/2, and last night, I weighed 102 1/2.  I am rapidly gaining, and I don’t usually gain much in the first trimester, so to have already gained at least 2 or 3 pounds already, and to have my belly poking out so much is suspicious. 

Oh, and although there is much controversy as to how much genetics plays into having twins, here’s the scoop:  My maternal grandfather was a twin and Andrew was possibly a twin (his mom suspects to have miscarried his twin).  Also, my sister miscarried a twin when she was pregnant with one of her boys. 

I’m hoping the new OB gives me an ultrasound at my first visit and doesn’t make me wait until 20 weeks!! lol

So what do you think?  Do you think I’m just paranoid?  Do you think there is more than one baby in there? 

 

Home again, home again, jiggety jig…

December 28, 2010 in Andrew, Christmas, Military, Pregnancy by Petra | 8 comments

We are home after eight days in Tennessee, and it is so nice.  I do wish we had left the house immaculate, but alas, we weren’t able to (December has been incredibly busy!).  Andy and the kids got the car unloaded already, though, and the kids and I have put a lot of it away, and the laundry is going.  But it’s time to relax.  Well, and I have to take Justice to basketball practice in 30 minutes ~ no rest for the weary ~ lol.  :)

Here is a quick update, and a promise of good intentions to post more detailed updates and photos very soon…

  • Andrew leaves very soon, and won’t be back until summer.  Please pray for all of us ~ it would be much appreciated.
  • We came home to snow.  Apparently there was 6 to 8 inches while we were gone, but there is only a couple of inches out there now.  Three of the kids are outside playing in it now.  They are sad they missed it.  Hopefully they’ll get another big snow this year that they can play in! :)
  • Christmas in Tennessee was wonderful!  We saw lots of family and a couple of friends (wish we’d had time to see more!), and everyone was so hospitable and kind.  I’m so glad we went!!  There will be more details of our trip to come when I post the photos.
  • Since I wrote the first paragraph, Andrew got home from the store and is taking Justice to ball practice for me – yay! :)
  • And last but not least, for those of you who haven’t checked facebook lately ~ we are expecting #7.  Not planned, we thought we were done, but our lives are in God’s Hands, and we are open to whatever He wants for us.  I love babies and children, and honestly, I think I’ve mentioned before, that if my pregnancies were even a little bit easier, we’d probably have a dozen kids by now (on purpose).  So… just giving it all to God, and am still in a little bit of shock (lol), but it doesn’t even matter if this is the worst pregnancy yet because every child is a gift from God and we are excited.  :)   {how’s that for some run-on sentences?}

And that’s all for now…

the joy of the Lord is my strength…

February 18, 2010 in Andrew, Children, Christianity, Organization, Pregnancy by Petra | 11 comments

Did I promise a story? Ohhhh yeah… Sorry, I’m a busy woman, okay?!  I *had* to organize and label all my medicine pockets in the shoe organizer yesterday (see beautiful photos below – I *heart* organization!), which led to reorganizing/cleaning the pantry, etc.  Not to mention the grocery shopping, laundry, raising children, and all that jazz… Okay, so I probably had time to blog, but when I was on the computer, I was watching the latest episode of Lost and facebooking.  But never fear… the story is coming now!! ;)


(did I mention that I love organization?!)

So, as you know, or maybe you don’t know – whether you know or not isn’t really relevant because I’m about to review – I have been sick lately… in mid-January, I (accidentally) ate some food that disagreed with me, like three times in a week, and that always  makes me really ill, then I took a trip to Arkansas with Marci and Josh to see our Grandma one last time (she ended up passing away before we got there, but it was good to see family even though we didn’t get to say goodbye to her in person).  I came home from that trip and spent two weeks with two types of the flu.  Other family members suffered as well, but it seemed like I fared worse than anyone else. Well, then I was in recovery, just starting to get a little energy back, and I ended up getting mastitis (an infection in the breast).  I was knocked for a loop with that one – fever, nausea, weakness, pain – and had to get on antibiotics, which I am still taking.

Well, Andrew and I were sitting around talking, somewhere between the flu and the mastitis, about how God is working in our lives and how we just want to be used by Him and we were ready for whatever He has for us. (Run-on sentences for $500, Alex!)  We talked about how the Christian walk is a slow, neverending process, about how we never get to a point where we have to stop asking for help, casting our cares on Him, etcetera, and I was saying how I thought it was because that way we wouldn’t get too egotistical and would always remember that we *need* to daily rely on Him for our needs – that it’s not of our own strength that we accomplish anything because without Him we are nothing. 

(This is very summarized, but you – hopefully – get the gist. I’m not always the best at explanations, however, I’m great at rabbit trails!)

Well, we were in the middle of this conversation and both of us had been wondering where it was God was leading us – great things were ahead, we were sure! Then another wave of nausea hit me, and I was like “man, I just can’t shake this flu!” So, I went to the bathroom (you know what’s coming, don’t you? Well, you think you do, but keep reading…)…

I remembered I had an extra pregnancy test under the sink because the one I took telling us I was pregnant with Paige was a two-packer. I am still breastfeeding and haven’t started my womanly cycles yet, not to mention we’ve been pretty careful, but the nausea had been crazy lately, and I had been SO hungry it was ridiculous! So I told Andy, I’m going to take this test, and he basically thought it was silly and a waste (but really, what did I need it for – it’s not like we were trying! Or that we ever plan on trying again!).  I took the test…

I sat it on the counter and immediately blue stripes started appearing.  I kind of stared blankly at it and then told Andy that I don’t have the box anymore and had no idea how to read it (different brands are different and I didn’t retain pregnancy-test-reading knowledge in my brain, apparently). I went downstairs and got online and Andy was wrestling with Jarvis in the same room.  Jarvis looked over just as I got a look of panic on my face, closed the laptop (so the kids wouldn’t see what I was looking at), and went dashing upstairs to see if the test said what the laptop said (Jarvis told me later he knew something was up then).  Sure enough… the test was positive.  We checked and doublechecked, I looked at several websites showing photos of what it was supposed to look like.  Pregnant.

I think in the past, I might have absolutely panicked, cried, been upset, who knows.  I mean – my last pregnancy was awful, the midwife had to hold  my cervix out of the way because it was coming out before Paige, and wow – (we thought) we were so done anyway.  But in light of the conversation we had *just* had, all we could do was laugh. We laughed and laughed and laughed.  We laughed so much over the next few days that we said “if it’s a boy, we should name him Isaac!”

There’s more, but you knew that, didn’t you? Keep reading… :)

Well, for our military insurance, we have to see a regular doctor to get referred to an ob/gyn (a whole other topic), and then I got the mastitis, so I went to the doctor and had them do a confirmation pregnancy test while I was there.  It had been exactly a week since the positive home pregnancy test.  And…

The urine test was negative.  So they ordered a blood test.  After all, people don’t often get false positives, and I have never had a false test at all.  And I was having symptoms!

I waited a day and a half for the results, and they called me telling me that I wasn’t pregnant after all! And I was actually a little sad.  A little relieved, but yeah, a little sad too.  And, really, all my symptoms could be blamed on other things – the nausea on the flu and the mastitis, the hunger on Paige breastfeeding more often because she had been sick, and so on.

But I wasn’t worried.  I wasn’t worried at all.  Which is a big deal.  As far as we knew, God had blessed us with another child.  He didn’t want me living in a spirit of fear, He just wanted me to rely on Him – in *all* things! Even when I thought my body couldn’t handle another pregnancy, even when I was tempted to be scared about having kids so close in age and thought I’d have to stop breastfeeding Paige before either of us was ready, even when an unplanned pregnancy shocked us to silly laughter,  I said, “well, tomorrow I have parent/teacher conferences – I’ll focus on that.” I was determined to just take it one day at a time and give each day to God and praise Him for another baby and another day.

We still don’t know exactly what God holds in store for our future, and while we are still ready and willing to serve Him the way He wants us to serve Him, we’re sure of this – God wants us to raise the six children He has given us for His Glory and to raise them up knowing how to have a personal relationship with Him.  So that is our focus – our children’s hearts.  I have lots of ideas and opinions on the proper way to raise children, and maybe once my kids are grown, *if* they turn out okay, then I’ll write a book – lol – but for now, I’m just focused on daily (trying) to show my children by example what it is to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. I often fail, but I just pick myself up and start again the next morning.

And that is my not-so-funny, but kind-of-funny, story.  Sorry to make you wait. ;)

(photo of our very blessed family by Ali McLaughlin)

14??? How is that even possible? How old am I???

September 8, 2009 in Justice, Pregnancy by Petra | 1 comment

14 years ago today I woke up and my water had broken. I was about 35 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child. My mom and my niece – Andrea – were there staying with me. Andy was at work, guarding the back gate on Camp Lejeune. My mom, Andrea, Brittany (who was almost two years old) headed to my doctor’s office… they wanted to confirm that my water had broken since it was a very slow leak. Once they determined that it had indeed broken (and in doing so made the leak worse!), they sent me over to the hospital. I had pre-registered at the hospital, but they still wanted me to sign some papers before sending me up to labor & delivery. My mom got on the pay phone to call Andy. She went round and round with PMO trying to get him replaced so he could come to the hospital. Eventually – after a few hours, he called the desk and told them that if they didn’t send a replacement within a few minutes, he was hitching a ride with the next random car that drove through the gate. Meanwhile, the desk at the hospital was busy – they kept me waiting. And I was leaking everywhere. I was a mess. They finally called my name and the lady calmly said “have a seat” without looking up. I huffily said “if you want me to sit, you should put something in the chair because I am drenched since you guys have kept me waiting so long!” She looked up, and hurried me through then (I guess she didn’t hear me the first ten times I told her I was leaking everywhere??). They got me in a wheel chair and pushed me up to L&D, but then told my mom she’d have to take Andrea and Brittany back to the waiting room – no kids under 12 allowed. We were waiting on my friend, Jodi, to come pick up the girls, but she had a broken foot and was delayed. I was like “why can’t they come? My husband isn’t here yet!” They were adamant though – no kids! I started crying while they were doing the routine admittance paperwork, and the nurse asked “is your husband deployed?” and I was like “no, he’s on his way”. I was just ticked off from the hectic morning, that he wasn’t there yet, and they wouldn’t let my mom in the room. lol.

Andy finally got there, Jodi picked up the kids so my mother could come in as well, and I was breathing and ready to give birth. Since my water had broken early, I wasn’t progressing very quickly with the contractions and dilating, so they gave me pitocin. Once I got that, I decided to go for the epidural, but just one small dose of it to take the edge off. It helped get me through labor, and then it wore off a little while before it was time to push. I hollered and yelled “no, I can’t do this” and “stop” when the doctor was checking me, but I managed to push out the cutest little 5 pound, 7 ounce baby at 6:05 p.m. Since he was early, the placenta wasn’t coming out on it’s own, so the doc had to reach in and tear it away from the uterine wall – oooh, that was fun. I think that was worse than birth. But it all worked out. I felt better after having Justice than I did after any of the other kids (maybe because I was only 8 months pregnant when he was born – ha!).

And now, 14 years later… Justice Thor Carden is still cute, but has grown taller than me and is turning into quite the young man. He asked me not to make a blog post about how he likes basketball and all the other embarrassing details of his life, so I went with his birth story instead. He said nothing about that! ;)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTICE!!!

I’m on Andy’s computer so I don’t have all my photos here, but here is one of Justice from this past weekend – he, Andy, and Jarvis went hiking at a local state park:


photo by Andrew Carden :)

Ze birth…

April 21, 2009 in Paige, Pregnancy by Petra | 17 comments

I figure I need to get this written down (read: typed) before I completely block it out.  It’s fading fast!  Photos to follow the birth story (with a couple thrown in the middle). Excuse all the grammar errors and the inconsistent way it’s written… I’m just trying to remember it all and am going to write as I remember without regard to writing style. :)

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photo taken at hospital when we had our “false alarm”, which wasn’t really a “false alarm” since we knew it wasn’t the ‘real’ thing, but wanted to get checked to see where I was at… 36 weeks, 3 days pregnant

Tuesday, April 7th:

late morning: went to see the midwife for my 39 week appointment (was 39 weeks, 2 days).  She swept my membranes again, twice, and it was SO uncomfortable.  Went on with my day, thinking it wasn’t going to trigger labor since it didn’t work last week.

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taken on April 7th… the day before Paige was born.  I was SO enormous!!!

3:30 – 5:45 pm: took a nap, not knowing I wouldn’t sleep again for a full 24 hours

late evening: was on the computer not sleeping – updated the blog, played on facebook.  Had some contractions, but the baby had cried wolf too many times so I just drank more water. 

Wednesday, April 8th:

4:30 am: decided to hit the hay. Was finally tired enough and Paige had finally settled down enough.  Andy was home to get up with Jacob, so I knew I’d get some sleep through the late morning. 

As soon as I got ready for bed and laid down, the contractions got a little stronger.  I figured, at first, it was because I had been moving around and was so tired.  They were coming closer, though, and I was having to get up on my hands and knees and rock back and forth to get comfortable through them.

Andy’s alarm went off, and I told him maybe he better not go to work just yet.  That was fine with him (he was thinking he had an excuse to sleep a little longer). 

Within a few minutes, it was apparent to Andy that he wasn’t getting more sleep.  He saw the look on my face and heard my deep breathing through the contractions and was up telling me “we need to go to the hospital!” I was like “Let me drink some water and go pee – maybe they’ll stop.” He was like “I think we need to go now.”  (note: he was NOT interested in delivering the baby himself).  I had another contraction that I couldn’t walk through on my way to go to the bathroom, and he was like “get ready to go.” I started to panic, saying “I’m not ready!” (lol!)

Andy woke up Brittany, got our things together, and got dressed while I got into the nearest pair of jogging pants and shoes (my outfit was REALLY attractive – Andy’s military t-shirt and one of his sweatshirts, with some non-matching too-short jogging pants… sexy! But at that point – I couldn’t have cared less… I was lucky to have been able to put the pants on because the contractions were coming stronger and closer together – FAST!). 

Brittany got in our bed where Jacob was already sleeping so that he wouldn’t freak out by us not being there, and had instructions to stay home with him while making sure the other three kids made it onto the bus.  I don’t think she ever went back to sleep with all the excitement.

5:30 am: I *think* we left the house close to 5:30 am.  I looked later, and I had Andy call Andrea at 5:40 am, which I know happened en route to the hospital.  I was sitting straight up in the car holding onto the handle on the ceiling the whole way to the hospital (which is normally about 40-ish minutes away in morning traffic).  The contractions were getting stronger and were HURTing.  Yikes.  I’m flinching just thinking of it.  lol.  So much for my plans to breathe and get in comfy positions and relax between contractions.  These contractions were too mind-blowing.  The louder I got (I find it comforting to make noise during pain?  So yeah – a bit of yelling through the contractions), the faster Andy drove.  He had his hazards on, weaving in and out of traffic.  He called labor & delivery and had them all rushing around anticipating our arrival.  We got to the Fort Lewis gate close to 6:00, the busiest time of morning on a military post, and they heard me yelling and rushed the cars out of the way so we could get through.  My contractions were still ‘bearable’, but the noise while blowing my breaths out helped me cope with the pain.  And I was not relaxing between them.  Every muscle in my body was flexed, I think… I couldn’t relax.  Oh well.

6:00 am (ish): We pulled up in front of the ER, and there was no way I could hike up to the 3rd floor at this point.  Andy ran in for a wheelchair, and L&D was there in the ER waiting on me to get there, so they came out to retrieve me.  The nurse kind of pulled outside my door and was like “get in” and I tried – I really did, but my body wasn’t moving very easily.  Andy pushed her out of the way and was like “here, let me help you” since she obviously wasn’t even offering me a HAND!  They wheeled me in while Andy parked the car.  The on-call midwife (one of the two I hadn’t met yet, of course [she turned out to be great, but at the time I was like "where is the midwife I love?! - she was in Hawaii!]) was waiting in the ER and asked me if we had time to go upstairs.  I think I nodded and waved my hand so she, I, and a few nurses (a couple of whom were holding medical supplies in anticipation of retrieving an infant from a car – just in case) raced up to L&D. 

A few minutes after 6:00 am: They wheeled me into triage, and I was about to tell them this wasn’t a drill, but another contraction started and when they saw my reaction, someone said “uh, I think we need to just bring her to a room?!” Between contractions (which were 1 or 2 minutes apart), I climbed onto the bed in the room they brought me to.  Someone told me to get out of my pants so they could check me.  My most comfortable position was on all fours so I could rock and take some of the pressure off  my back, so I climbed into the bed that way and just shoved my shoes and pants off – onto the floor behind me, I think. Classy! lol

The midwife (who was very nice and patient with me) said that after my current contraction she wanted me to roll over so she could check me.  At this point, rolling over seemed impossible to me, but I managed to get in a semi-convenient position for her.  She said I was at 6 cm.  Andy was in there by then (he got there just a minute after us – he ran from the parking lot after getting the car parked), and told her I go fast once I hit 6 cm.  Two contractions later, she checked me and I was at 7 cm.  I had already rolled back over twice to get on all fours and rock so I could breathe through contractions in the most comfortable position I had found.  The lady trying to get a needle in my arm (I opted against an IV so I wouldn’t be tied down, but they still have to put the heplock in there just in case they need to administer drugs fast – plus she had to take blood for the routine tests) was not having fun trying to get me to hold still enough, but she was a pro and managed to do what she needed to do.  And I possibly had a few harsh words for her while she was doing it.  I don’t really remember.  But I have a vague recollection of her ignoring me.

Speaking of words – um, apparently I said a few things that aren’t normally in my day to day vocabulary.  Well, when you are experiencing pain like that, you really can’t be held responsible for what words fly out of your mouth!  lol.  Andy was only a little embarrassed.  ha!  After the baby was born, and I was coherent, we had a conversation about how I never cuss, and a nurse and the midwife both said they said things while in labor they don’t normally say too. 

The midwife was trying to get me to lie back again so she could break my water.  She said my amniotic sac was bulging, but it was thick so wasn’t breaking on it’s own.  She was like “let me break your water so we can have a baby!” I was like “I can’t roll over!” She was like “It’ll just take a minute, then you can roll back over.”  (between contractions I was able to converse – by this point, though, during the contractions I couldn’t speak at all – I couldn’t even hear what other people were saying, so when they were instructing me to do anything I had no clue… the pain was pushing me into a state of shock, and actually had been since the end of the car trip.  And I don’t know if you’ve ever tried t0 converse with someone who is in shock?  But it doesn’t generally work very well.  I was completely non-responsive.) 

6:20 am: After a couple of contractions, I rolled over.  I was at 8 cm and she broke my water.  I had a contraction while she was still ‘in there’, and I’m pretty sure the expletives were flying and I was telling her to get OUT!  Eh, what can ya do?

Oh man – the next 8 minutes were rough!  Paige was bearing down and I did NOT want to push.  I was like “I can’t do this!” and Andy was like “Yes you can – you’re doing great.”  During one contraction, I’m pretty sure he said something like “Petra, you need to relax and breathe.” and I was like “YOU RELAX AND BREATHE!!!”  I was one of ‘those’ women this time.  lol!  Seriously, I have never cussed or yelled or been mean during labor/delivery before.  This was a first.  Paige decided she was coming strong and fast – and wow – the pain was crazy.  I guess when I prayed that she would come quick, I forgot to pray for it to be PAIN-FREE! ha!! 

6:26 am: When I got to the hospital, one of the nurses had put a band around my belly to monitor the baby’s heartbeat.  During the contraction where the top of Paige’s head started to show, I ripped it off and threw it going “GET THIS OFF ME!!!” Andy was like, “I think they need that,” and the midwife was just calm and said “it’s okay.”  ha.  After that, the nurse just held the monitor up to my belly to hear the baby. 

6:26 – 6:28 am: So when they finally managed to get me into a position where I could push and they could get to the baby (finally ended up sitting at a 45 degree angle against the bed holding my legs – getting me to hold my legs was difficult at best, but I think they finally forced me and that really helped me be able to push).  I was telling my body to push, and I knew I NEEDED to push, but there was a problem!  Before Paige’s head came all the way down, my cervix (which has been sitting low throughout the pregnancy – something about being my 11th pregnancy and my uterus wearing out) was coming out ahead of the baby.  Not good.  So the midwife had to reach in and hold my cervix out of the way in order for the baby to be able to get past it.  I was NOT happy about this transaction and let her know.  That was the worst pain of it all – her holding my cervix out of the way while Paige came down the birth canal.  Yikes.  That was totally brutal.  So… I *finally* was able to push (the contraction before, as I was telling my body to push and it wasn’t listening, the midwife said “you are sucking the baby in, not pushing her out!” lol!!), and Paige’s head, the top of it, made an appearance.  We were hoping for her to be out in a couple more pushes – ya know, push the head out, let the midwife ease the shoulders around and push the body out.  Well, the next contraction, Paige decided enough was enough.  She came FLYING out all at once, head, shoulders, body – everything.  Amniotic fluid went flying everywhere (my eyes were closed as my face was scrunched up because I was concentrating on pushing a giant baby out of me… okay, she wasn’t *giant*, but she FELT like it!).  Andy said he wouldn’t be surprised if some hit the ceiling – it was like something out of an Alien movie, seriously.  Fluid flew all over one of the nurses, all over her shirt, neck and side of her face… Andy said she was an old pro and just went “eh, I needed a shower anyway.”  ha!  So as soon as she came out and the midwife literally had to CATCH her, she placed Paige on my belly and she didn’t even cry.  She was just looking around like “hey guys, how’s it going?” calm as can be.  I got to touch her and hold her hand while the placenta was delivered (which was no big deal after Paige made her fast and furious entrance).  They took her over to the other side of the room to weigh her, clean her, etcetera (her apgars were 8 and 9 – she missed points on “color” but was perfect on all other points). 

6:30 am: The aftermath.  Apparently, when Paige BURST into the world spraying everyone in her path with goop and goo, she decided that my 5 kids and no stitches record needed to be broken.  Dang it.  I tore.  The midwife wanted to sew me up, so I said okay.  Then I saw what was in her hand – a giant needle.  I was like “um… what are you doing with THAT?!” She said she needed to numb me.  I was like “well, I don’t want to be poked with the needle.” She was like “well, that’s how I have to numb you.” So I said “well, then I don’t want stitches.  Do I *really* need them?”  She was like, “it’ll just sting for a minute, then I can sew you up numb. I can leave it if you want, but it would be better if I stitched you up.”  I hemmed and hawed staring at the giant needle (I don’t like being stuck with needles, okay?), and she was going “I need you to tell me what you want me to do – I’m not going to start until you say it’s okay.”  I finally was like “do you *really* think I need them?” and she was like “yes!” so I was like “okay, fine, then just do it.” And I complained the whole time she was numbing me and sewing me.  lol.  Well, not the whole time… they brought Paige to me to distract me (probably getting annoyed with me going “yeah, I can feel that – you said I wouldn’t be able to feel it…”  and when she said “see? that wasn’t as bad as you thought, was it?” after numbing me with the medicine filled needle and I was like “YES! It WAS!”  ha!). 

But then I had a beautiful new baby in my arms, and it was all worth every second.  Although, I did not remember the labor/delivery – just fragments of it – until two or three days later.  When it all came flooding back to me.  Yikes. 

So, Kendra, with your “I really never felt any pain” natural childbirth story – I got your “I feel no pain”!!!!!!  It was the most excruciating pain I have ever experienced, and I think that it would have been easier to have the pitocin in a controlled inducement, even without pain medication – even though pitocin makes the contractions come on fast and strong.  Because my contractions came on fast and strong anyway – and the mad dash to the hospital and rushing around and not really having time to think through what my “plan” was (“plan” – haha!!) just made it worse.  I’m not planning on having more children, but *IF* God decides differently, then I’m thinking they can just knock me out and cut me open next time.  Because I never want to do that again.  Just saying.  :)

And now, without further ado – photos…

Keep in mind, everything was a crazy fast rush up through her birth, so there are no photos until they had already wiped her off and Andy grabbed the camera and went to the side of the room she was on.

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She was kind of swollen when she was born.  She ended up losing 10 ounces in her first 48 hours.

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Just looking around checking things out…

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Getting weighed for the first time – 7 pounds, 2.8 ounces.  They said she was 20″ long, but when I later read the papers they printed out, it said she was 19.7″. 

Next post – Paige’s first two days.  (Then: Easter, Olympic peninsula trip, and Paige’s 12 day photo shoot)

The Facts Are These

April 8, 2009 in Paige, Pregnancy by Andrea

  • Mom and baby are doing well
  • Both now breathe real air
  • The baby still doesn’t have a name
  • She popped out at 6:28 am (Western Time, or whatever it’s called out there)
  • 7 pounds 2 ounces
  • A total of 20 inchworms long

CONGRATULATIONS PETRA AND VARIOUS MEMBERS OF THE CARDEN FAMILY!

Baby’s first photo.

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