If at first, or second or third, you don't succeed try try again...

Hey there!!

Yes, I am going to try this yet again!! I read all my friends' blogs and just laugh or cry my head off and I think what is wrong with you, you can do this too! So we'll try again and my goal is to blog once or twice a month or if by some miracle I have something on my mind maybe more than that! This post will be more of an update for everyone to catch up on what is going on in our lives...here we go...

Brian is just working away at the fire dept and of course still loving being a fireman! Last year he bought a lawn care company (you know for when he gets bored, haha) and so this year he had his first full season of mowing. He enjoys it, but I'm not sure if he really wants to continue doing it. The girls are getting older and he's really wanting to spend any extra time with them. I love his heart, he is such an amazing Dad!! He's also staying busy around the house, there is always a project he's working on here!!

I, for those of you who don't know, am expecting our fifth child (I know that confuses you all, but I consider the baby I lost in between Chloe and Hailee one of our children)!! Yes, our house will be one big mess of organized chaos and mushy, gushy love! I can't even begin to tell you how excited we are for this little one! It's a little scary to think that we will have four little ones running around and I know it will be hard work, but oh...I can't wait! This pregnancy has by far been the toughest yet. I have now felt icky for almost eight weeks, by far the longest stretch of any of the other pregnancies. I do feel like we are on the up hill swing of things and I am now 13 1/2 weeks along, almost to that second trimester, wooohooo!! On top of all that the kids' schooling and activities keep going...I volunteer in Chloe's class once a week and try to help out with PTA functions as much as possible too. Both Chloe and Hailee are taking dance this year as well and so I am just a big, sick SUV driving Mom taxi for the two older ones!!

Chloe started 1st grade this year and LOVES it!! The best part...yep, RECESS!! The first week or two lunch at school was pretty cool too, but that has now gotten old, in fact we usually don't even eat an eighth of our lunch because we have to get out to recess!! She is doing really well in school though...reading like crazy, she LOVES math (just like her mom) and thinks science is pretty cool because she loves learning new things about the world around her. On top of school she is in dance for her fourth year and this year she is on a performing team! She is so excited about it, they get to start performing some time in January. A couple weeks ago she brought home her first pair of team sweats and the excitement on her face was the most memorable thing EVER!! It totally reminded me of my excitement the first time I got team sweats!! SOOOO Fun!! On Wednesday nights we go to church and she attends a club called AWANA. In Awana they learn about the Bible and it's truths and memorized Bible verses, they also have game time where they are in teams and play tons of games earning their team points!! She's having a blast and loves to learn and read the Bible, it is such an amazing blessing to see her heart for the Lord!! Last but not least she decided she needed to be a part of her schools JUMP ROPE CLUB, can we say slow down Chloe!! Chloe loves to jump rope and I didn't let her be a part of the club last year because she went to morning Kindergarten and jump rope club is after school and (this is bad) I didn't want to take her back to the school. So I promised her she could do it this year and it only runs from Oct. to the beginning of January. She is one busy little girl, but is having a blast with all her activities and Mom and Dad are definitely keeping an eye on her and making sure she isn't too overwhelmed!

Hailee started preschool this year with our favorite preschool teacher, Miss Carolanne!! She is doing so well, much to my surprise!! I was having some Mom guilt at the beginning of the year because when Chloe entered she could write and spell her name, she could recognise her letters and numbers and Hailee wasn't there yet. Miss Carolanne was so great with me and told me that this is where normal 3 year olds start and Chloe was just an exception to the rule and a first child (we all know that that first child gets all your attention unlike the other children down the line). Well, Hailee is writing and recognising her letters and numbers, her class is up to letter Ee. I'm so proud of her and she comes home and asks if we can do "homework" because she just loves to sit and practice those letters. It is such a joy to my heart to see her learning and writing. I of course knew she was so smart, but to see her learning so quickly is a beautiful thing! Hailee is in dance as well, this is her second year, and right now it's just more of a fun thing to do for her. We'll see as she gets older what she wants to do as an extracuricular. She also just celebrated her 4th Birthday last Saturday! I cannot believe she is 4, it just seems like it has gone by waaaay too fast. She is sweet and sassy and is turning in to such a beautiful little girl!!

Miss Addyson! Where do we start with her? She is 18 months old now and has a personality that you wouldn't believe! Definitely the loudest of the three, but when you're competing for everything the older girls want or have I guess you have to be! No, she really is a blessing to our family. She talks up a storm and has a vocabulary that reminds me of the other girls. All my girls talked so early and I LOVE it!! She still uses her sign language a bit and that helps her a lot! She is my snuggle bug and when she is having a rough day I really try and take advantage of just sitting and rocking with her, chores can definitely wait. Her favorite things are playing with her sisters, her lovey and helping Mom with laundry, yes, she loves to help me move clothes from the washer to the dryer and slamming the door tight! She is a joy for sure, but also takes after Hailee and can be very fiesty!!

Like I said above I will try and be better about blogging. I feel like there are so many people that I would love to keep in touch with better, but you know how life is so if I at least could keep this updated you all would have an idea of what was going on!!

So until next week...or sooner, who knows!! ;)

She's Here...6 months ago ;)!

Addyson Louise Simpson arrived May 19, 2010 and weighed in at 7 lbs. 14 oz and was 20 1/2 in. long. YAY! Okay so this is not news to everyone...haha...this happened 6 mos ago. I'm am the worlds worst blogger, but I wanted to at least have it on my blog so I could look back! Here's my story...

This pregnancy was probably the hardest of them all, I kept getting sick with all sorts of things, got two hernia's and was in labor for a week, but wouldn't progress because she was face up and stuck in my left hip. I was so excited because I thought I wouldn't need to be induced, I didn't have my high blood pressure issues of the past and was really looking forward to going in to labor on my own. I wanted the whole dramatic "Oh no my water broke" and I'm in the middle of the store or function of some sort, ya no, that didn't happen. The stinker decides to flip in the wrong position and get stuck. Therefore, yep, I had to be induced to get her unstuck. The induction went very normal, just sat there waiting for my body to kick in and once the pitocin got my contractions strong enough to push her by my hip my doctor came in and broke my water. Then, like my body does we sped past GO, didn't collect $200, didn't get an epidural (because some other lady decided to have an allergic reaction to stadol and be rushed in to an emergency c-section, which took away the anesthetist) and pushed that face up little girl out with some of the loudest screams I have ever heard out of myself. I felt so embarassed afterward, but if you ever want to know if it hurts worse when the baby is face up vs. face down...YES!!! All was well though and we have our beautiful 3rd baby girl here and she is amazing! Here are our photos of our hospital stay!!

Last preggo shot...look how huge I got...YIKES!

Brian got to deliver Addyson with the help of Dr. Agrusa...note: if you decide to let your husband deliver your baby make sure you have someone assigned to hold your other leg...not having a leg holder was probably the most annoying part of the whole delivery.

She's out!!

Proud Daddy and great Pseudo Doctor




Addyson and I meeting for the first time...she's telling me how bad it was and I was agreeing with her.

Cheese!

"Hey Dad...thanks for helping me get out, your awesome!"

No pictures please...I need a moment!




Getting all my stats...be gentle with my head!

Meeting the BIG sisters...they were so cute!



Addyson was the first G.Granddaughter that Nana and GG got to see in the hospital. We were so happy they were down from the cabin.

Aunt Sara meeting Addyson


Meagan got to do her first bath



Awwww...I needed this!

All clean and gorgeous!


Aunt Martha was in town and got to be here for her delivery...third times a charm!


Me and my girls...oh goodness, someone should have handed me a mirror before I took all these pictures...YIKES!

Makayla and Alee meeting Addyson



Getting dressed to go home


This is a picture from our photo shoot we had at the hospital. The hospital didn't have picture people any more so Addyson and I had our own photo shoot...not bad, eh!

So...it's been a while...oops!

As most of you know things have been A LOT better since the last post entitled "Overwhelmed". I'm so sorry it has been over six months since I last wrote anything, not that I think many people are reading, but sorry any way...haha!

Besides waiting for the arrival of Addyson our spring was full of fun. Chloe played T-Ball for the first time and had a blast! Her only complaint..."why doesn't the ball come to me every time?". Ultimately she became quite the little hitter and ended up really enjoying it. Here she is right before her first practice, like the pose?

Of course sister had to jump in.

In the last post you learned of our car accident. Our poor van was hit while sitting in front of my in-laws house. After just a couple of weeks we found a new vehicle and here it is pictured below. We love it and we will be able to fit our family in it comfortably and we will also be able to expand our family in it as well! Our 2000 GMC Yukon...it's so pretty!

The one thing I desperately wanted to get done before the baby was born was to move the girls into the same room. It was so important to me that Hailee be totally comfortable not only in a big girl bed, but in her sister's room before Addyson arrived. Things worked out and they love being roommates, it also made bed time sooooo much easier on Brian and I because they are eager to get us out of there so they can talk and giggle. I love how cute they are!

Still Here!!

Just wanted you to know that there are new posts and pictures coming. Don't worry the overwhelmed feeling of the last post has settled and things are starting to fall in to place. See/talk/post you soon!!

OVERWHELMED!!

I am one that is normally very good at keeping my emotions in tact and I handle stress fairly well. My mentality is that God never doles out more than you can handle, but..........right now I am so completely overwhelmed that it's not even funny! I've never felt this way and I don't know how to handle it. I can't explain it either...Brian tried to talk to me about it last night and I just couldn't explain why I was feeling this way. I just laid there in bed next to him and let the tears roll slowly down my cheeks and couldn't say anything because nothing could really explain why I felt this way. We have so much going on in our lives right now, but it's all working out so I don't know why I just feel so overwhelmed. Can anyone explain this?

For those of you who don't know what all is going on here we go...1st, my children cannot get along right now, everything is a fight with screaming, hitting, pinching you name it and the 2 year old is worse than the 5 year old. The only time they seem to be remotely good is when Daddy is home, so needless to say I'm the one who is almost in tears when Brian leaves for work. 2nd, Last Thursday my van got plowed into while parked out on the curb at my in-laws house...the insurance deamed it totaled, but of course we were upside down in the loan and so we not only owe the remaining, but we will have to roll it into another loan when we find a new car. Finding another car...not totally hard, but just add that to the "to do" list and make sure it is within the budget. 3rd, the realization that my oldest is going into Kindergarten next year hit me this week when I turned in all her paperwork and made a Kindergarten Registration appointment for her. I know that one is silly, but not for me! She is still so little and I don't want her to be bullied or worse be the bully and so I go through everything we've taught her in my head about how we treat everyone we meet the way we want to be treated, always share, greet people with a smile always, always use nice words, if you ever have a problem come to Mommy or Daddy or any adult you trust, etc. It's so scary...is she ready?? Academically...YES, Socially...that's a big fat ??. I know I am totally starting to sound crazy...bare with me. 4th, all that nesting and spring cleaning I did...all went to the way side. My house is a mess again and I'm worried that something will happen and I will have the baby way to early and come home to a messy house. I so don't want to do that because since both the other two girls were born during the Holidays when I came home from the hospital the house was a disaster with stuff all over. I just want to come home stress free this time and sit with my three girls on the couch and enjoy the miracles God has blessed us with. Is that really too much to ask?? And finally 5th, I HAVE A BABY DUE IN ABOUT 8 WEEKS! and I have done nothing for her. Is this a sign of how it is going to be with another one?? I vowed always to give/do the same for all of my kids, no matter how many there end up being. Afterall, I am a STAY-AT-HOME MOM, that is my job! How hard can it be for goodness sake?? Just kidding, don't answer that! I just want her room to be put together, but I can't because Hailee is still using the crib for another couple of weeks and I want to go through and organize the clothes we saved and get those washed and ready, but Hailee's clothes are still in the dresser. However, I don't want Hailee to feel like we are pushing her out of her room...granted she is way excited to be sharing a room with Chloe, but with Hailee you have to transition slowly or she gets totally overwhelmed and it can get ugly. Oh my goodness I love my kids so much it hurts!!!

I just need a break away from everything and be able to have a good LONG cry!! Right?? I don't know.

Anyway, like I said nothing to major and everything will work out, but it's still making feel overwhelmed and out of control of things, something I've never really felt before. I'm so sorry for such a long post, but if I didn't write it down and get it out I think I might have burst!! It truly is going to be a good year for The Simpson's...we just need to get through these next two months. Love to all!!

28 weeks!!

A Chinese Cabbage...which is about how big you are

Hello my precious little angel!! It has been a while since I wrote about the pregnancy and to you. A lot has changed since that last 12 week post...the size of my belly being the number one! You are growing like a weed and must say you are definitely a mover and a shaker...however, could you please find another place to lay beside inside my rib cage?? I know the lung is a great foot rest and the rib cage is a very good protector, but it is mighty uncomfortable. Here is what Baby Center (my pregnancy Bible) said about you this week...


By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can open and close her eyes, which now sport lashes. This movement is more of a reflexive blink than a deliberate opening and closing, but it won't be long before she's batting those beauties at you.



I love that your eye lids now sport eye lashes because that is the one trait that both your Dad and I have and we have past it down to both your sisters...who, I might add have the most beautiful eyes. I can't wait to see yours! We are so anxious to meet you...we are at about 2 1/2 months until D-day and it seems so close yet so far away. For Chloe it's like it's years away! A lot is going on in the house getting ready for you. We have to organize the play room and get all the toys up to Chloe's room, which will be Chloe and Hailee's room as soon as you arrive, so that we can move the computer and desk out of Mommy and Daddy's room so there will be room for your bassinet. Also, we have to integrate Hailee's stuff from her room into Chloe's room so that we can make room for all of your stuff that we will accumulate. CRAZY!! Our house is way too small for all of this, but we will make due. There will just be a lot construction going on as we make TV nooks and storage cubbies and all sorts of fun things!!



We had a doctors appointment this week...they drew blood for my glucose test and gave me a shot so that when you are born if our blood were to mix it would keep us safe. He also told me that my nice little hernia has gotten bigger and that instead of it probably going away after delivery I will definitely have to have it fixed...yay!! Then we got to hear your beautiful heartbeat...it is the most soothing sound for me...thank you!!



Well my love I must stop for now...although I could talk to you for hours...things must get done!! We love you so much!!
Daddy, Mommy, Chloe and Hailee

A look at Mommy's belly at 28 weeks

Nesting????!!!!!

Let me just start by saying my house is looking so amazing right now...I am so proud of myself! I am very excited because I seriously thought people were crazy when toward the end of their pregnancy they say "oh my goodness I am totally nesting right now"...what???...never once with either of my first pregnancies did I nest. I completely get it now...I get the feeling...it is real! This has made me so...just...happy and I have no idea why, but it is a great feeling and I can't wait to bring this little bundle of goodness wrapped in my tummy home with me. I also went with my friend Ashley to Babies R Us the other day and registered for some things because my Mom mentioned wanting to throw me a baby shower. It just feels like things are lining up right now and it is taking A LOT of stress and weight off my shoulders!

Anyway, thanks for listening to that little rant...I had to share my excitement!