Brooks, "You're Everything"...

Well, you all will be happy to hear that I've made it through "the Blues"--i get 'em w/ each baby for about 5 days and then i miraculously come out of it---those hormones scare me....BUT,

you all will be really happy to hear this...I have more love to give...I am totally taken w/ my newest little man! :)

So, while i was crying away the first week of little Brooks life, I sobbed through this song by Michael Buble "Everything" (playing now)---no reason why, just those hormones and my overwhelming "crazy life", anyway this song has become our song to little Brooks---we sing it to him all the time. You should hear us (all 4) singing this to Brooks as we cruise along---it will capture a memory of this time in our lives forever.

Each of my children have a song and now they both keep asking me to sing their songs that i sang to them since birth. Kayden's is "I Hope YOu Dance" by LeeAnn Womack and Benjamin's is "Close to You" by Karen Carpenter (which he still calms every time i sing it to him)....

So anyway, turn it up for little Brooks!!! Here's to you, Baby! MaMom loves you! :)

Wise Words...

I just got this fwd email and thought some of these were very true...

Read Each One Carefully and Think About It a Second or Two
1. I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you..
2. No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is, won't make you cry.
3. Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
4. A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.
5. The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them knowing you can't have them.
6. Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile.
7. To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
8. Don't waste your time on a man/woman, who isn't willing to waste their time on you.
9. Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one, so that when we finally meet the person, we will know how to be grateful...so true!
10. Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened.
11. There's always going to be people that hurt you so what you have to do is keep on trusting and just be more careful about who you trust next time around.
12. Make yourself a better person and k now who you are before you try and know someone else and expect them to know you.
13. Don't try so hard, the best things come when you least expect them to.
REMEMBER: WHATEVER HAPPENS, HAPPENS FOR A REASON.

Brooks Passed!!!!

BROOKS PASSED HIS HEARING TEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was holding my breath as my little guy got hooked up to the hearing machine
for his third time--he failed in his right ear twice---so today we were anxious to
see him pass and he did--Thank you, Jesus! He is completely hearing us in both
ears---Ohhhh the drama continues... :0)

A Woman Should Have......by Maya Angelou

MAYA ANGELOU'S" BEST POEM EVER A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...enough money within her control to move outand rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..a youth she's content to leave behind....A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored...A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...a feeling of control over her destiny...EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...how to fall in love without losing herself..EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...how to quit a job,break up with a lover, and confront a friend without; ruining the friendship...EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...that she can't change the length of her calves,the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its over...EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .whom she can trust,whom she can't,and why she shouldn't take it personally...EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...where to go...be it to her best friend's kitchen table...or a charming inn in the woods...when her soul needs soothing...EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...what she can and can't accomplish in a day...a month...and a year...

BROOKS EDWARD

HE'S HERE!!!!
Brooks Edward was born at 2:31pm on Wednesday,May 9,2007
He has blond hair and olive skin (yeah!!)---He is just perfect!! Thank the Lord--we had a few scares w/ Downs soft markers...but he is fine and his heart sounds perfect!! My husband was sobbing b/c he was anxious to see all was allright.
The delivery went well but harder than my second---had a great epidural but felt lots more at the pushing part--it was still amazing though!
Brooks didn't pass his hearing test twice (which had me an emotional mess) and then he passed w/ his left ear, but not the right (we go back on 5/21 for another check on the right) They say very often vernix or fluids will clear and all will be fine w/i a week or so--pray for it please! I think it's just another "let's scare the crap out of a new mom" tactic, right?
My little girl broke her arm (same arm, second break in 6 mo.) she had to have a closed reduction surgery on Tuesday!! she was very upset about this and it happened the day i was coming home from hospital--fun! She is so sweet though and picked a blue cast in honor of her new baby brother (she always picks pink, of course) (that seemed to make her happy) and had me write "i'm the big sister" on the front of the cast---all her idea! :)
Then the MinMan started a stomach bug and has had diarrhea/rash and all for 4 days now!!! He is pooping as much as the newborn!!! AHHHHH!!! No more drama for the mama, please! I hope i survive all this ??
I am quickly posting, as i have no time--seriously--anymore!....you know, up all night, two other kids--i am barely treading water---but it gets better every day! Keep checking back w/ me--I will post pics of the new family ASAP---i haven't even downloaded any yet!
Thank you all so much for all your prayers and pick me up notes---i need 'em and it's fun to touch base here.

"I can't want that,MaMom"

I love him so much some times, it overcomes me.
My MinMan started saying,"i can't want that,MaMom" for everything BUT icecream...how can you refuse that?
That statement just makes so much sense to me...i think that we should all start saying it as for me there are daily "i can't want that" things that pop up....like yet another OB/Gyn visit--"I can't want that, doctor"

...and if the MinMan follows it w/,"Snuggle me up, MaMom"--then we are really in a puddle of love....oh, who would have thought he would "have had me at HELLO"
I keep wondering what kind of mixed up emotions i will feel about this third little person that i get to meet tomorrow---how he will grow and weave himself into my life til there will be a day that I actually can't remember my life w/o him. Right now, today, we are still a family of 4--for us, that was never meant to be all--we are soon to be a family of 5! It's weird to think that I will never again be this person I know today and somehow I will be another mother to another life--WOW!

My MinMan has been a little clingy lately as we await his new baby brother and bring more and more baby stuff into his room that he will share--i know it's hard for him as he wonders why he can't sit in the baby swing and keeps getting yelled at...so we brought out a baby doll and put it in the swing and have been practicing being gentle etc....today he has sat on the doll, piled all his blocks on her head, and put his blanket over her head--(all his way of saying "I can't want this baby brother, MaMom")--this should be a fun adjustment,huh?

(and maybe i have been a little clingy too)and it makes me feel really bad--b/c i know he doesn't get it--so he has been getting a little more icecream from "MaMom" lately (makes sense,right?) (and MaMom gets a little more ice cream too!--no harm, it just adds more to my voluptuous boobs fluid-filled-feet) I think somehow i am comforting both of us...i admit i am nervous about adding another little person to give more of "what" to? (this was my biggest adjustment from one to two kids--dividing myself)--how do you find more to give? i don't know--we find that along the way--i feel spent (as the rest of us do) but somehow i know i will manage to find a way to give yet "another little piece of my heart" away, and I know this new person on his way will steal me just like his brother and sister already have...that's the fun part...the wonder...wondering what they will look like, how they will be,and what personality they will bring to our table of 5. They are a gift. I am still wondering about them all-- their futures, where will the ride takes us as one big happy family. I have learned so much already and i know there is so much more to learn on this new kind of love...a love for my child...wow, who would have thought, I would have s/thing to do with bringing 3 of my favorite people into this world.
Anyway......
I can't believe I am having my last baby tomorrow--it is truly amazing! i don't even know what to do w/ myself although i have already started the nervous tears flowing on a whim.

Think of me on Wed. 5/9/07, girls, and be thankful it's not you, right? :0)

I will post pictures, of course, and let you all know as soon as i can! YIPPEE!

10 Things Tag

10 Random Things about me
tagged by Jennifer at Playgroups are no place for children (click my sidebar)

1--My biggest pet-peeve is people who have an agenda or ulterior motives (like they call you up w/ a secret favor to ask or s/thing and lay it on you after they ask if you have any plans and you say no--kind of agenda) I don't play that game--what you see is what you get

2--I graduated Salutatorian from Nursing school (which shocked even me, but i am proud of it b/c it was much harder than 4 yrs.of college and I worked really hard b/c I am passionate about nursing)

3--I have been on a Spring Break vacation to Saudi-Arabia (before 9/11)--it was an amazing trip!

4--I keep my shoes on at the OB/Gyn office during the "check-up" (and i always wonder if i should take them off or not?)--will they think bare feet in their face is rude---what is the etiquette here, anyone,anyone? and i always pretend i am not really there...seriously...i'm too cool for all that...as far as i'm concerned it just isn't happening

5--I had major jaw surgery at 20 yrs. old b/c my left condile bone never grew? They surgically broke my jaw in 6 places and wired me shut for two months--i got skinny--and actually sucked a brownie thru a straw (out of sheer desperation) (FYI: this was a medical necessity not cosmetic, the surgery not the brownie)

6--My pinky finger is dwarfed for some reason (very short and chubby but the others aren't?)--i think s/thing went wrong in my fetal development the week of fingers and jaw? (come to think of it so is my little toe)

7--My husband's wedding band is engraved inside w/ "Grow old along with me..." and mine is engraved with "...the best is yet to be" (my friend Beth sang this at our wedding) (got the rings in Saudi Arabia)

8--I met my husband at Winn-Dixie---he was the produce boy, I was a cashier---(fyi: i must clarify here that we are not losers--LOL--he has his masters now and i am a college grad :0) I am blessed to love him more today than I did when I fell in love with him!

9--I have to sleep w/ one foot out of the covers to keep my temp stable, no matter how cold it is

10--If I could change only one thing about my physical appearance it would be to have naturally tan skin--i think this would hide lots of flaws somehow

bonus: I am having my third baby tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (i hope he weighs 60#) :)

******I tag all my "go to" girls on my sidebar---let me know when you post!******

Autism speaks...5 for Fighting

What kind of world do you want?
My great friend Katie's little boy,Will,has autism and she is one of many who would love your help! Please see this video done by Five for Fighting (click post title to link)
We all need to be a part of something bigger than ourselves...

This may be the easiest fund raiser you are ever asked to participate in.
All you have to do is watch a music video. You do not have to send money.
If you are inspired to act, please forward this e-mail along to anyone you
know who might be interested - it will help raise some much needed funds.


Five for Fighting & Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks created a music video of the Five for Fighting song, "World,"
which features images of children with autism and their families. It is a
truly moving video and was the work of Bill Shea. The band is generously
donating $0.49 to Autism Speaks for *each time* the video is viewed. The
funding goes toward research studies to help find a cure. When you have a
moment, please visit the link below to watch the video and pass it along to
your friends and family. They are aiming for 10,000 hits, but hopefully we can
help them to surpass this goal.

http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/213154

i'd like to thank...anonymity

First you have to go read my friend's post on this at (click on title post) and then (copy/paste this link> http://beethovenavenue.blogspot.com/2007/05/anonymity.html
then continue w/mine below...

ANONYMITY...
...this is why i hand select who i will tell that i am a secret blogger. sometimes i think, it would be fun if a bunch of my friends and other family members could connect w/me here, but then i quickly pull back into my shell. I like the fact that so few know me here b/c I can really put it all out there (so far)
--i was irritated at my sister one night b/c she told a mutual friend to go check out my blog--(i didn't tell her my link)--i don't know why,but it must be this reason that i'd rather keep it small...i don't like giving people the upper hand to form opinions about me when they are hiding their hand, so to speak...same as in weird friendships i have run into in life--like when you feel you put alot out and the other person is always soaking it up but not opening up on the other end...have you ever had a one-sided friendship that eventually dissolved or never became anything more? --blogger would be an easy place to start that-lurking, but never actually coming out of hiding.
I did think, you could set up two accounts... and s/times i do wonder what image i am putting out there,but most of you know me well enough to "read b/tw the lines"..."keep what is worth keeping and w/ a breath of understanding blow the rest away"--right?--we all have other circumstances happening in our lives that can "color" our days or our reaction at any given moment. If s/o "knows" you then they know what state of mind you are in at most junctures of your life. All in all, it is nice to be able to vent....somewhere...and if you can't here I sure hope you can someplace. Last night i heard a quote by Andy STanley re: choosing people you connect w/ in life wisely especially when you are seeking counsel in some area of your life...
"choose s/o who has nothing to lose by telling you the truth and if it be a friend, make sure they are more interested in YOU than your FRIENDSHIP"
---wow, are we ready for that? We all know who our "yes man" is, but is that what you really want in a friend? Can you handle the kick-in-the-butt or do you always want a pat-on-the-back reply? I would like to think I embrace constructive criticism and I have a handful of friends that I consider my "truth tellers" and i value that. So, I would like to think that I could get honest responses off a blog entry...from even those that don't know me--hey,why not,you have nothing to lose?

p.s.thanks for the "thinking blogger" nomination--lately i don't think my thoughts make sense d/t all my hormones, so we'll see what i can come up with :) in fact, i may just post this as my "thinking blogger" post? :) why not?
I have no one to tag w/ this meme since I am a lone blogger--haha LOL! you have all been tagged already.
oh, and on your last note about returning to paper journal blogging--my Grandpap always said,"you can think it, you can say it, but don't ever write it"---you know i've been busted here before...i am sure i will be busted again, but it is a good life lesson...b/c there is nothing worse than s/o stumbling onto a word you didn't want them to read. Am i right?