Logan's Birth story

Logan Charles Hodges
June 22, 2017 at 12:17am
7lbs 14oz, 20in long and 14in head

So I never blogged about the pregnancy, or even finding out we were expecting another little boy.  Or even our story of how we came up with his name... yikes.  And I keep thinking someday I'll get caught up and get those things blogged about.  But one thing I definitely want to get jotted down was  Logan's birth story.  I have each of the kids stories on this blog and I want to be sure he has his too.  Poor fourth baby!  Thankfully it's mostly documented on Instagram and thanks to Chatbooks also printed out into little books. ;)

Starting with my Doctor's appointment on Thursday the 15th.  I was 37 weeks 3 days.  Id been having a few strong contractions here and there so I was anxious for this appointment.  He checked me and said I was already 3 cm dilated an 50% effaced.  And he was head down!!  My first not breech/version needing baby! Which meant Logan was going to be making his appearance sooner than later.  The original plan was that my mom wasn't going to leave Colorado until the following weekend (23rd).  So knowing that I was already that much dilated, we decided she should head out right away. She could have waited until Friday and got here Saturday, but she wanted to leave that afternoon.  So I took it easy the next couple of days to keep contractions at bay.  We had a great weekend for Father's day. Saturday we had swim class, then we went to lunch at Blaze as a family.  I took the kids to get hair cuts (the girls wanted to go short) and Charlie went home to mow.  After that it was movie time for Charlie and Quinton (Cars 3) and I took the girls to piggy pottery.  Then it was Debra's birthday dinner at Steph's house.  Sunday was Father's day and we made Charlie breakfast in bed.  We then went Swimming at Grandpa Steve's subdivision pool.  All weekend I was having lots of contractions, but nothing steady.  Monday was Natalia's 8 year well check (with the new pediatricain- a whole other very long story) and the entire time was I was contracting and having hot flashes.  They thought I was in labor right then, ha I knew better.  Tuesday was Cheryl's bday and I really wanted to have him that day.  I had an appointment to get my lash extensions filled (I specifically got them done for the hospital just to feel like I was wearing make up without wearing make up ha ha ha)  More contractions, but again nothing steady.

Then comes Wednesday,  I had a hair appointment.  Both appointments I started to worry I wasn't going to make it to, but had made them way earlier thinking he wasn't going to come until the following week.  ha ha ha.  Again, contractions and hot flashes ugh.  I went and got the kids from my grandma's and took them home to make dinner.  I had a couple of super strong contractions but didn't think much of it.  I even posted to Instagram saying that he was welcome to get that show on the road ha ha ha, little did I know that just 30 minutes later he would! Charlie called about 5:50pm to apologize for leaving work late and was on his way home.  He got home about 6:15 and all the sudden I got a couple more strong contractions.  Charlie questioned me if it was happening, and at first I really didn't think it was.  Then they started to come consistently... about every 8 minutes or so.  So I quickly ate some dinner thinking if it was time I needed to eat because who knew when Id eat again.  ha ha.  My mom came and got the kids to take them for snow cones, so Charlie and I decided to go for a walk around the big park by our house.  I couldn't time the contractions while walking, but they were coming closer together and strong.  I was still in a little bit of denial that it was really happening.  Once home it was time to start timing them so we turned on Parks and Rec (the show we'd been watching together) and I sat on my exercise ball.  Right away they were 5 minutes apart.  I could breath through them so it wasn't too bad.  Then they jumped to 4 min apart pretty quickly.  I didn't want to wait the full hour of 4 minutes apart that they like to tell you at the doc office, so I told Charlie it was time to go. I went to use the restroom and TMI- found a lot of bloody discharge and almost panicked- told Charlie that if we hadn't already decided to go then it was for sure time to go! (this was about 9pm)   I called my mom and let her know that she needed to have my grandma meet her at home so that grandma could sleep with the kiddos and my mom could meet us at the hospital.  We texted Debra to leave work so that she could meet us too.  We grab our things and head out.  Again, I still felt like it was a little surreal and not really happening.  I don't know why I kept having that feeling, maybe because it was moving quickly I don't know.  At the hospital they checked us in and they took us to triage.  I got checked again and I was at 5cm dilated and my contractions were steadily coming at 4 min apart. They monitored us for a bit and then said they were admitting me!   So I called the birth photographer we'd hired and told her we were being admitted and she said she would come down.  they got us moved to our birth room and I got changed into my gown.  My nurse was named Brenda and she was awesome.  She made it seem like if I was going to get an epidural I should do it sooner than later because we were moving quickly.  So she ordered it and we got prepped.  I had wanted to hold off a bit, but was worried it would get too late... ugh.  Sarah the photographer shows up and so does Debra (mom is still stuck at home trying to get Quinton to sleep for Grandma).  With the epidural in place I was able to relax for a bit.  Got checked again and was a 7cm.  The doc was ready to break my water, but we decided to hold off until my mom came just in case I moved fast.  *Brenda thought Id have him by midnight, but since we held off I think it ruined her estimate.  Dr. Pittard thought for sure after midnight ha ha* Finally I called my mom and said to just leave Quinton with Grandma and he'd fall asleep eventually.  She got there just after 11, and the doc came in and broke my water, said I was still 7cm.  About 20 minutes later my epidural stopped working!! My legs were dead weight, my crotch was numb... but EVERYTHING else hurt.  There was sooo much pressure on my pubic bone.  Every contraction hurt so much.  They got close together and more intense super fast.  To the point that I wasn't getting a break between the contractions.  The sucky thing being that if I hadn't gotten the epidural I could have walked around or done things to help with the pain, but with dead weight legs I was bound to the bed.  It was awful.  SO. MUCH. PAIN. I would start to panic over the pain and Brenda would remind me to breath and try to stay calm.  I was grabbing onto the railing so tight.  It was all I could do to not totally lose my mind.  Sarah reminded me to make an "angry" noise when I was breathing out, because I was making a "scared" noise- it was scary! ha ha ha.  But once I focused on that it helped so much.  I don't really know how long this went on, but I think it was only about 20 minutes.  Then Brenda asked if I felt like I needed to push... and it clicked that YES I needed to push.  I didn't even recognize my urge to push because of the intensity and I wasn't getting a break between the contractions to breathe and relax.  So they called the doctor back and quickly broke down the room.  Of course once you realize you need to push,  you NEED to push, and I knew my pain was about to end because pushing feels good during the contractions. They were ready in no time and had me push with the next contraction.  Three contractions, five minutes and he was born!!! (that was the FASTEST I ever got a baby out, I wanted him OUT!)  I went from checked in about 10:15pm to delivery at 12:17am. (full labor to delivery about 6:30pm-12:17am) I'm thankful now that I didn't have to feel him crown, but man everything else about that HURT!  So thankful that I never have to do any of that ever again.  AS soon as he was placed on my chest my first words were "he doesn't look like the others!" he didn't look like the kids to me... and as each of them were born I could recognize their features in each other ha ha.  Now of course I think he looks like Lydia.  And he had SO MUCH HAIR!!  My placenta was weird and having a hard time detaching so that was also very painful and I had to have some stitches since I pushed him out so quickly ha ha. Logan (like Quinton) had the cord wrapped around his neck, but thankfully he was never in distress like Quinton.   Charlie had guessed his weight exactly when we were all guessing prior to birth, 7lbs 14oz.  I got lots of snuggles and then let the nurse take him so that he could get cleaned up and everyone else would get to hold him.
**Charlie later told me that I had him totally freaked out when I was in pain and he was afraid to say anything to me because he'd start crying.  If he had started crying I would have realized he was freaked out and it would have made it so much worse for me.  So him staying quiet was the best thing for both of us. 

We stayed two nights (well technically that first night was when he was born and I didn't sleep at all because of the adrenaline)  And then headed home.  I thought I'd want to stay longer to have peace and quiet and Logan all to myself... but it's boring at the hospital and I wanted my own bed! ha ha ha

The picture I posted to Instagram about 30 minutes before labor started, inviting Logan to get the show on the road.  Who knew he'd be such a good listener! ha ha ha

These next few were taken by the birth photographer.  I had hired Sarah from Shutterhappy.  She's ALL over Facebook and I LOVE her work. It was pricey but so so so worth it.  i have some AMAZING photos from her. None of them gory or the "action" shots.  I wish I would have done it with all of them now.  If you ever get the chance hire someone, then you don't have to rely on who ever is in the room getting photos on a cell phone etc.   I have them all uploaded to a private album on Facebook because some people might get offended by some of the photos (that's another story ha ha) but here are some good ones.  

When the pain first kicked in

The moms trying to comfort me when the pain was the worst.  This is the position I was in during that HARD 20ish minutes

 

THIS.  This is a picture I wouldn't have had if it weren't for Sarah.  My mom trying to comfort me while they broke down the room... I vaguely remember her whispering to me "it's time, you're almost done" 

Pure JOY! He's here!! 

getting moved to our post pardum room 

Another of the amazing photos I may not have had! 

 

All four a day old!  Logan looks most like Lydia (both on right) but has Natalia's eye shape. 

Meeting Logan for the first time.  I LOVE this picture.  

And that folks is Logan's birth story! 

Lydia turns 5

Ok. Trying to get caught up on life. I just finished getting caught up on the kids birthday photo books from last year... and we are a week away from Quinton's birthday. But they are done!! WOO! So let's get Lydia's birthday blog done too, shall we?

Lydia oh Lydia.

I had to convince her to not have another Mickey Mouse party. She kept saying her other two parties where Minnie Mouse parties... um still the same to me! Ha ha ha. We'd been watching Zootopia for the millionth time when I suggested it and she was SOLD!

Then came the trouble of finding her birthday outfit! She was set on a Zootopia dress, and man are those suckers expensive on Etsy! So she compromised with me and we found a shirt she liked, then we went to the fabric store and she picked out some cute fabric and I made a skirt to attach to it. Turned out pretty darn cute!
She had the best time at her party. This year she said she didn't want an ice cream cake which was so unusual and just wanted mommy to make a cake. It wasn't pretty. I'm not a cake decorator by any means. ha ha ha. But she showed me where she wanted frosting and what colors. It tasted great and she loved it so that's what counted! We had pizza for dinner (she's always been my cheese pizza eater!) and had lots of fun with the cousins as usual. I'm not quite ready for these kiddos to grow up and start asking for friend parties. I love that right now all they want are their cousins and family around and to them that's the perfect birthday party!

Lydia got to celebrate her birthday a couple of days early at preschool because of her fiend trip with her class to the pumpkin patch on her birhtday! 

Birthday donuts for breakfast for our birthday girl! 

At the pumpkin patch with her preschool class.  It was such a fun day and the perfect way to spend her birthday! 

After the pumpkin patch She chose cheese pizza from IPco for lunch, got to paint her tea seat from grandma Debra, quick trip to the library for books for our trip, then chose for mommy to make chicken burritos for dinner instead of buy dinner. Plus a trip to Costco with grandma Dinorah for new jammies. And now a slumber party with grandma (since we have to be up super early and she's taking us to the airport she stayed the night) what a busy day for this five year old! **We were leaving for Texas the very next day!*

 BIRTHDAY PHOTOSHOOT SNEAK PEAK! 

This year Lydia started her second year of preschool. Being a late birthday means she turned five after the cut off for kindergarten. She loves preschool and Ms Janis but I can tell she really wants to go to school with sister and be in Kinder with her 11's. Soon baby girl, soon! She's such a social butterfly, always making friends wherever we go. But, she's so totally content doing her own thing too. Her cousins and sister can be playing and she will easily just walk away from them and just sit by herself to do something. She does still get her feelings hurt easily, she's a sensitive soul!! But she is such a sweet sweet girl. She is so super tall and about to outgrow Natalia any day... so much for hand me downs huh? She still adores her "Tookaless" -Toothless doll and he protects her at night. It warms my heart knowing the meaning behind him and how much she needs him. If he's not in her bed and she does have a nightmare she will come wake us and ask for help finding him. Most times once she's given him a hug she will take him back to bed and be totally fine the rest of the night. She says the funniest things all the time and I will text Charlie what she says just to have a record of it somewhere. Who knows what her thought process is to some of them ha ha ha. Some days she and Quinton play so so well together and others they constantly butt heads. She is the queen of "speaking for him" and majority of the time it's wrong. ha ha ha. I have to remind her that we are trying to get Quinton to speak for himself a lot!

Her birthday survey which I actually asked her the week of her birthday... not sure how much of this has already changed now that I'm finally doing this blog post almost four and a half months later! YIKES.

1. What is your favorite color? Green

2. What is your favorite toy? Beanie Boo Dragon

3. What is your favorite fruit? apple

4. What is your favorite TV show? Octonauts (she's been watching it non stop for like a wekk now)

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? she said chicken burritos (which I highly doubt she refused to eat it for dinner last night) I say it's "shape soup"

6. What is your favorite outfit? her birthday dress

7. What is your favorite game? Sorry

8. What is your favorite snack? cheese

9. What is your favorite animal? kitty

10. What is your favorite song? you are my sunshine

11. What is your favorite book? her dory one (from book fair)

12. Who is your best friend? Clark- his family lives in our neighborhood

13. What is your favorite sport? I don't know

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? play- play on the trampoline

15. What is your favorite drink? apple jucie (I would have guessed cranberry)

16. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween and Christmas- halloween because we get so much candy mama. Christmas- because i like to get presents

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? tookaless

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? cereal

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? she requested pizza for her birthday party

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? singer

21. What makes you feel sad? being left alone in a room (she is going through phase where if we leave a room to go do something she gets upset. or she doesn't want to go upstairs/downstairs etc alone)

22. What makes you feel happy?  playing with daddy

23. What is your favorite thing to do with Mom or Dad? doing the workbooks while quinton is sleeping

24. Name one thing you do really well? I don't nkow (mama says sleep and smile)

25. What do you wish for? More beanie boos

Sorry this is sooo late lydia!! Mommy is just busy and very distracted lately!!

I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK!!

Baby number 4!!!

My thoughts are all over the place so forgive me as I word vomit.

Let us begin with this summer.  I had finally really gotten comfortable with the idea of just being done with having babies.  Quinton with his speech delay is quite a handful and the idea of going through the first trimester while trying to take care of him was the last thing I wanted.  So I committed to selling off all of our baby stuff.  I mean all of it.  All I have left are some clothes from each that have sentimental value.  My stroller, because I spent so much money on it and knew I wouldn't see that money back I just had a hard time listing it.  And my Ergo because that thing was so crucial to me surviving baby number two, and then baby number three... and so many feelings of wearing my babies and cuddling them.  I just couldn't part with it.  But other than that?  EVERYTHING.  Quinton is still in his crib and I still have the changing table in his room because it can be just a dresser.  So rather than convert his crib to a big boy bed as we had planned, we are giving him our old queen bed (got a king for Christmas) and he is going to move into the guest room with that bedroom set and his train table.  And his room will become the new babies room.  So yeah sorry for that tangent.

Anyway, Charlie was supposed to go get a vasectomy.  But didn't.  I had my mirena pulled a while ago because it was really messing with my hormones/body/emotions blah blah blah.  I thought I knew when I was going to ovulate, I had gotten pretty good at it when we were trying to get pregnant with Quinton.  Well, I was wrong.  Really wrong.  ha ha ha.  Halloween comes and I realized that I hadn't had my period in over 30 days.  Now normally I'm pretty irregular so I wouldn't normally be too concerned.  But a few other things clicked in my head (sore/larger boobs, exhaustion, emotional) and I thought oh crap I need to take a test.  I got my hands on one from the dollar store and almost convinced myself that it would come back negative and my period was about to start any day.  Heck I knew when I implanted with Quinton because of the symptoms, I figured I would have felt it if it had happened this time too.  Charlie was on a walk with our neighbor and old co-worker.  Keep in mind this was still when he didn't have a job, so the timing of it was TERRIBLE.  I took the test and that second line showed up so fast I didn't even have time to set the test down.  I bawled.  Please don't judge me.  But this was the last thing I had expected and the worst timing ever.  So many emotions.  So charlie got back from his walk and and I told him we needed to talk, I handed him the test and just started crying again.  He hugged me and said this was a good thing!  I felt so guilty.

Oh the guilt.  I can't even begin to describe the guilt.  I have at least two people very near and dear to me that want to be pregnant but haven't been able to do so.  The fact that it has come so easily to me in the past and then without even trying I can get pregnant... well it doesn't fall short on me.  I wish so much for them and others that want it to be able to get pregnant.  The guilt eats at me.  When I would be throwing up or queasy I'd get so mad about having to do first trimester again... and then I'd switch right into guilt... how these two and others out there would give anything to be in my shoes pregnant and throwing up.  It broke my heart having to tell them I was pregnant. It was just another reason why timing (besides no job for Charlieat the time) was so terrible I knew about their struggles and didn't want to throw this at them.    I don't want them to hurt. I bawled telling one of them and she just hugged me and said she was happy for me... she is the strongest person alive I swear to you. There isn't a day that goes by that I'm reminded of how thankful I am for this little person I get the honor of growing because I've got so much perspective on how difficult it is for others to conceive.

The guilt of the type of mama I was over the first trimester ate at me too.  Not to mention it was during my favorite time of year, between Track break- Christmas.  We are usually so busy with fun outings, craft projects, baking, and just so much fun stuff.  And this year I was couch bound 90% of it.  I was so queasy and light headed and so freaking exhausted all the freaking time.  I felt awful for the amount of tv my kiddos watched.  For how little holiday fun we had.  I tried my best and we made a few things still happen.  And I know in the long run they won't remember much of this time, more of the happiness of a new sibling.  But man oh man was it a rough holiday season.  I kept thinking by Christmas I would feel better... but it actually took a little bit longer this time.  At 15 weeks I'm finally starting to feel good.  My queasyness is pretty much entirely gone.  I'm still so tired, but that could have a lot more to do with the fact that since i'm not queasy I'm go go go trying to get back on track with life, house, cleaning etc.  ha ha ha.  I definitely push myself too hard some days and I can feel it by late afternoon.  So I'm trying to find moderation right now.

I was also worried about telling Natalia.  She has said for a long time no more babies, that our family is perfect.  Lydia had asked for a new baby a while ago, but I told her that we were done and a happy family.  I was worried Natalia wouldn't be happy.  She's been wonderful... she's so excited and convinced it's a boy.  She's so so helpful around the house and seriously the best first kid I could have asked for.  We wrapped up the "pregnant" digital test, since she can read now and onesies that say little brother/little sister (since won't know the gender until February) and gave them the gift to open.  She knew it right away and it was super cute.  Lydia caught on when we explained what they said.  Quinton is still oblivious to it all.  He still signs "Baby" when I ask him if he's my little buddy.  he'll shake his head or finger no at me and sign baby.  EEK.  He's in for a shock.  ha ha ha.

I'm technically due July 3rd, but with my track record baby will probably be here late June.  So that's what I've been telling everyone.  Making Quinton and this baby just over 3 years apart, not too bad really.  I'd love for it to be a boy and to give him a brother.  I love that the girls have each other and would love for him to have that.  But, with our experiences with sick babies... we really truly just want a healthy baby. And we have names already picked out for both!  WOO!   I've already got a gut, my belly button which was herniated with Lydia and quinton has already started to pop out again.  At fourteen weeks I started to feel some slight movement here and there and as the days go by I feel it more and more often.  That is one thing I'm so excited about.  Back when it was decision making time about stopping having babies the idea of never feeling a baby move inside me again was really hard to come to terms with.  Once I get past that first trimester I really do enjoy being pregnant.  Even if I'm uncomfortable at times the actual growing baby and feeling it move... there is nothing like it.  So as the movements become more frequent I'm so excited.

So surprise! We are pregnant with baby number four.  We shocked a lot of people because every one knew we were done.  But man oh man are we getting excited.  We are going to be a family of six!  Holy cow!  We had so many plans because the kids were getting older and it was going to get easier to travel with them... so now we delay a few years. ha ha ha.  But in return we get a new baby.  I'm so excited to snuggle this little one.  So excited for all those firsts again.  Not so excited to pump for four months... but oh well.  ha ha ha.

Because I'll be 36 when the baby is born, I'm technically what's called advanced maternal age.  Which is 35 plus.  I joke that my idea of advanced maternal age was skewed when I had my boss pregnant with twins at 50.  ha ha ha.  Anyway, at 35 they like for you to do lots of testing.  One of which will tell you the gender early.  My doctor said though that I'm healthy, I've had three healthy pregnancies, three healthy babies he really didn't feel the need to have me do all the testing.  DAH! I want to know the gender!!  He joked with me that since baby was a surprise why not keep the gender a surprise until birth.  Um no.  As unplanned as this was, I'm a planner and I want to be ready for baby before birth! Since I have to buy all new stuff now I get to buy non gender neutral stuff ha ha ha! Anyway, he did have me do the first ultrasound just because insurance covered it and it's fun to see baby. So we did that at 12 weeks.  I got to see baby moving all about, waving, kicking, it was wonderful.

almost 12 weeks, ready to go see Rogue One. 

13 weeks, and excited to wear my future bronco shirt one more time!  

I'll try to get better at belly shots, because these are the only two I have right now!  

And yes, I was pregnant when I went to Disney with my friends.  I found out just two weeks before I was set to go.  Ooops.  I didn't get to ride some of the bigger rides, but I would run and get fast passes while my friends did those.  But I still had fun and thankfully the queasyness didn't start until the day I came home.  So I was able to enjoy those couple of days away.  That's how I got the cute mouse ear hats made for the kids for our announcement.  ;) 

And with that I think I'll stop.  I'll try to be good with my pregnancy updates like I did with the other three.  This baby deserves them too.  It'll be a slow process trying to get back into blogging, but I'm determined to do it! 

MIA

So I've come to a realization.

I miss blogging.  I miss journaling our lives.  But then I think of all the blog posts sitting in my drafts box, and I get overwhelmed and it keeps me from sitting down and getting it done.  I feel like i have to catch up before I can post current things.  But that just keeps me getting more and more behind.

So today I realized I just need to start over.  I am determined to at least go back and do Lydia's birthday post.  But everything in between can just wait until I have a few minutes (which may never happen).  Then I can just start fresh and start posting again.  And once I came to that decision I felt like I could breathe again and was able to sit down and do this post.

I'm pregnant!!  SURPRISE!!
That needs its own post.  ;)

Kids are growing like weeds!

Quinton is FINALLY making some improvements in speech and sounds!

Charlie got a new job (he was jobless for just 7 weeks, and we have five weeks severance so it worked out well)

I was supposed to get surgery for my sinuses and then had to delay because of the pregnancy.  Lucky me I'm suffering from sinus pressure as I type this.

Biggest snow storm in 30 years is currently happening, and I HATE IT.  I'm so done with snow, we had 3 snow days from school and I'm over it.  Sounds like we could possibly be in for more this week too.  YAY.


And there you have it a brief glimpse into our lives lately!

Job Hunting

Still working on catching up on the blog, but feel this one takes priority.
So if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you know the big news already.  But for those who don't and for prosperity sake... Charlie lost his job on Friday.

For years and years Charlie worked for his dad at M2M all through college and then he graduated with a bachelors in Electrical Engineering and just kept working at his dad's company.  Five years ago a Boston based company bought M2M and renamed it ENERNOC.

A few things about this:
-this big sale of the company made it possible to pay of our house in Meridian and rent it out, and then build our dream home.  This dream home is literally a 2 minute walk for Charlie to work every day.  The office is located next to the Y.  Driving to work would take longer than his walk!
-Although Charlie always had the typical work hours, it was super super flexible.  If he needed to come home early, go into work late, run home for a few minutes so I wouldn't have to wake a sleeping baby to do school pick up.. he could do those things.  He's home almost every day at lunch.

We've heard rumors that Enernoc was going to do lay offs, shut down offices etc, for a few months but didn't think it would happen in Boise.  They were a pretty cheap office to maintain compared to some of their other offices across the company.

So on Thursday Charlie's boss tells him "unofficially" that they will be closing the Boise office.  Talk about heart sinking.  The rumors were also running wild that there would be no severance packages.  I was about to flip.  I had JUST found out that morning that my two week old sinus infection was in need of more antibiotics ($160 in meds later) and I need a CT scan to determine if I need surgery for my chronic sinusitis.... so yeah this was not good.

All Thursday/Thursday night I was a HOT MESS.  I was a wreck.  What were we going to do???  More than anything I've come to realize I'm mourning the loss of the flexibility he had and the convenience of his work being RIGHT there.  He's a SMART guy and has learned  A LOT the last couple of years and took on a whole new job in the company with ease.  So I know he has the skills and the opportunities are out there.

Friday morning they have the official announcement and meeting.  And although circumstances SUCK because who wants to loose their job right?  We are ever so grateful that they will be doing severance packages and we will be covered by insurance throughout that period.  He has one week of work left... his last day being the same day we celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.

They'll spend this next week basically prepping their resumes and practicing interviewing each other.  Charlie's already looking up jobs and has found a few that seemed to suit him well.  So he's positive and it's helping me stay positive.  I know I need to be stronger and be the support he needs right now.  But he's always been the backbone of our relationship.  I'm the worrier of us.  I'm the one that stresses over the little things.  So i'm going to do my best!

And, I can't help but add how thankful I am for Thirty-One at this time.  My little business is starting to really take off and every little penny is going to count right now!  I'm so thankful that I'll be able to contribute some to our income during this time and that is so comforting.  It may not be much, but it's something!

So there you have it folks.  Keep us in your prayers, send happy thoughts/positive energy.  Hoping for new job here soon!!

July Insta Update- 31 conference- Girls in CO

Just two of my new goodies, my new favorite print.  I'm obsessed and want everything in the White Poppy

Natalia to Lydia today- "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit" Lydia's response "is that so?" Apparently I say "is that so" a lot. 

So excited to go to Conference!

Stars and stripes Hodges edition. 

Quinton loved the sparklers.  He wasn't at all afraid of the loud noises of the fireworks we set off.  Lots of "woahs" and "wows" 

Just reminiscing our best 4th of July yet, back when we celebrated with the family at the Oregon Coast.  

Since I was headed off to conference and knew I'd be posting a ton about it, I posted this with a forewarning and an apology for my over posting.  ha ha. 

Conference nails

Just add it to my list of dorkyness... Steph made this for me for my birthday back in May.  I wanted it for the laundry room.  CUTE right?

Made it to conference, went and registered right away.  Dropping in my "why" 

Steph sent us this while in her director meetings.  We learned about the new partnership with Thirty-One and The Childrens hospital in Ohio.  The new program is called Girls take Flight, and it's AMAZING. 

I may or may not have totally lit up with shock when I realized how cool this light saber is. Got it for Qman... Will have to film his reaction.

Full day of fun and amazingness

Bought this old school charm off our Executive Director (she did Jewel Kade and moved to Thirty-One when they bought Jewel Kade)  anyway, it's the most fitting charm for me! 

Waiting in line for coffee at our hotel before heading out to another fun filled day.  "Ohana"

Listening to Cindy Monroe, founder, speak at conference.  It was seriously AMAZING.  The theme of conference this year was "What Matters most" 

We got to see tons of the new Fall line at conference and it was amazing.  We were so excited!
-and of course now it's months later and that new fall catalog really is amazing! ha ha ha

Last amazing day at conference. My mind is so full and I'm still processing everything from the last few days. #mindblown I now have goals in mind and I'm excited for where this business can take me. I'm also so ready to go home and hug my family. I miss them. This was the longest I've ever been apart from them. Conference theme was#whatmattersmost and to me they will always hands down be what matters most to me.

missed my bubba and our early morning snuggles!\

This isn't just a picture of a little boy with his mouth wide open. This my friends is a picture of a little boy who was so fed up with his speech therapist this morning that he full on gave up and melted down. But just now when I tried to do as she said and made the big open mouth "ah" sound he totally imitated me and that's what she wanted of him this morning. So I'm going to take joy in this teeny tiny step. He's signing a lot now and that has helped our communication, but sounds are just so hard for this little boy.

Still one of my all time favorite pictures of the girls.  I had so wanted to recreate it in Hawaii and just didn't get the chance.  

Getting the girls busy bags ready for their long trek to Colorado with my mom.  They like to color mostly, so I just filled it with lots of artsy stuff.  Both their bags fit nicely into a Large Utility Tote. 

It's as if they don't know my mom at all!  She said they'd be at the house at 10am to pick the girls up.  I see that as 10:30 in my mom's world.  ha ha ha.  At 10:05 they were outside ready to go and would not come back into the house!  ha ha ha

The moment he realized he wasn't going with the girls and grandma.  Sad bubba.  Mommy had a hard enough time letting the girls go, no way I'd let him go! 

And they are off. Off to Colorado for a few days with grandma and papa. I bawled. They are excited. First big trip apart like this.-I know how good this is for them and my mom.  

Missing these two goofballs tonight. Bright side is that Quinton and I had a fun giggly day (even if I locked us out of the car at albertsons and Cheryl had to come rescue us ha ha). Another long day on the road for them tomorrow.

Reason number 894 why boys are different than girls. I never had to childproof the toilet lids with the girls. They had no interest in the toilets. This trouble maker however is obsessed with unrolling as much tp into the toilet as possible before getting caught. I got after him in the master bath and then stayed to get dressed. Found him in the downstairs bath not two minutes later with an entire roll in the toilet

He loves to help me make cookies.  We were making a batch to take to Uncle John for his birthday

This is what happens when your son gets a hold of your phone and calls requests and an Uber. 😬 ha ha ha. And I don't notice until the Uber arrived at our house. Think he's trying to get away from me?

Got to skype with the girls tonight. They made it to Pueblo and are already having a blast. I miss them like crazy.

To do list while girls are gone. And it keeps growing. Starting to panic that I won't get it all done. 😬 putting this online to help hold myself accountable!

Oh this little cutie.  He kissed his reflection and I couldn't help but take a picture of it.  "that moment when you are so darn cute you can't help but kiss your reflection"  and yes he is in jammies... he is obsessed with those dino jammies and if they are clean he wears them all day, will not change into clothes. 

Getting Quinton's busy bags ready for his trek with us to go pick up sisters.  Tons and tons of cars, movies, legos, and snacks! 

Miss these sister bugs!! Just some photos of their fun with grandma. Tomorrow we hit the road to go and get them! They are sleeping in the camper with grandma tonight and Lydia said " this is a little fun because I miss mommy & daddy"

Off we go to pick up sister bugs. Driving to Evanston tonight and then the rest of the way tomorrow

Every three months starts a new K group for Thirty-One.  Based on your sales those three month periods determine which K group you are in.  My first group was the 1/2K group based on my first month (that period was Jan/Feb/March).  The next three months I jumped the 1K group and made my way into the 2K group.  Putting me in the top 2% of the company!  WOOO!  It's kind of a big deal and I was so excited to get the email. -Since then i've made it again into the 2K group!  WOO!  This time I get to participate in product testing because of it, my customers and myself get to try out some test products and depending on how they sell could end up in future catalogs.  

Greetings from Wyoming! #ontheroadagain We can't wait to see sisters today!

We made it to Colorado! The kiddos were so happy to be together again. 

Making our way to Colorado Springs to spend the day about town.  They all zonked out! 

Just another sleeping Quinton picture to add to my collection. He doesn't let me get much sleep when he sleeps next to me but he sure is cute.

I was challenged by my upline to share my thoughts on joining Thirty-One and this is what I posted:
When I started selling Thirty-One five months ago it was to earn some quick cash to take Charlie on a trip. Over the last couple of months that reason has evolved. As a full time mommy I hear all the time I need to do something for myself, to not lose myself in the kiddos. Well I finally found that thing. I have something that is just mine. When they are all in school I will have something that I enjoy to keep me busy. The fact that I can earn trips and have some spending money is the whip cream on top. While I have always loved my in laws dearly, I got to spend a fabulous weekend with them that only brought us closer, that I wouldn't have had without Thirty-One. And while my journey and definition of success with the company won't match yours, Thirty-One may fill a different need for you. I'd love to share all the love and goodness with you.

Greetings from Vail, Colorado. Two out of three zonked out. Takes a lot for that third one to sleep in the car. Natalia kept asking if it was lunch time yet. Now we are tempted to keep going and let them sleep

Made it to Salt Lake tonight and we are staying with friends. Going to Hogle Zoo in the morning! Went to check in on the girls and found this precious site. Sometimes we really miss our puppa and sometimes other doggies help fill that void.

Road trips are especially hard with a two year old who doesn't speak. There is a lot of grunting and screaming. A lot of mommy getting frustrated and overwhelmed. Might be a while before I can sanely go on a road trip again.  -I was pretty emotional following that trip and my frustrations with him not speaking.  It's been hard.  really hard.  but I love this little man with all my heart. 

Hogle Zoo today. Hot hot hot. But the kids loved it. Heading home soon!

The best part about being home, that we are a family of five all under our own roof again. The worst part is the mess we've created unloading the car in my extremely clean house that I worked so hard on while girls were gone. Ha ha ha. And this is only a small part of the mess. It can wait, I'm going to bed. In my own very comfortable bed. Home sweet sweet home

Just two dorks hanging out.  Star Wars and Disney kind of rule our home.  

This melts my heart.  A little buy in mouse ears. 

Sorry for the Quinton overload. I just can't get enough of him in the R2 mouse ears. When I made Charlie get them at Disney it was with the intention that Quinton would inherit them. Today he discovered them and he loves them and my heart is happy

HUGE Thirty-One deliver day (and some Amazon too😜) left a note for our UPS driver and our USPS (note on mailbox for him to come to our door) I am leaving out cold water and power aid for them on this 100 degree day.

Can't move. Someone slept an hour in his crib, and now and hour and a half on mama. 😴💤

Oh my heart.  I can't take the cuteness.  These two are quite the special buddies.  

Took these adorable kids on a family movie date.

BOOM JULY DONE!!
i'm on a role, and hopefully can get August done tomorrow!