Sleeping girl

Many of you are probably aware of the sleep challenges we have had with Elli.  Over the course of her life we have tried many things, done much research, and banged our heads helplessly against the wall.  No matter what we did nothing seemed to work.  I had given up and just let her come in and sleep on our floor as long as she didn't wake us up.  We knew it couldn't be good for her but we were out of ideas.  With the baby coming soon I obviously haven't been sleeping well either.  Steve tried to help in every way he could. One day he came home with this maternity pillow called a Snoogle. It is really big and wraps around your whole body either from the front or the back. I tried it for a few nights and it was fine but nothing special. Elli and Carter both thought it was the coolest thing.  They wanted to try sleeping with it so I let Carter one night and then Elli the next.  Well, Elli didn't wake up! 

Steve and I both woke up several times to make sure she was breathing in her bed alone.  Sure enough, she was snuggled right in the middle of that big pillow sound asleep.  I laughed and prayed my thanks immediately as I was so unbelievable grateful for just one night of hope!  We decided the next day to let her try again.  Same thing happened!  We are now down 6 nights without a little Elli in our room!  Now I am scared to get my hopes up that this is permanent, but I refuse to not be optimistic either.  Who woulda thought that the solution to my years of sleepless nights, stress and tears could be solved with a $50 pillow for a pregnant lady?!  Why didn't I think of that sooner!  I don't care the weirdness of this little miracle, and call me crazy, but I can not tell you how many prayers of thanks have been made this last 6 days.  It is truly a miracle in my eyes and couldn't be a coincidence.  I know a blessing when I see one! 

30 weeks

I feel guilty that I haven't documented any of this pregnancy.  Despite the sickness and pain, I do enjoy being pregnant. I like being part of the miracle of bringing a new life into the world.  I love feeling my baby move, hearing his heartbeat, and planning for his arrival.  I feel so blessed to have the ability to carry a child, I know it is a great blessing and great responsibility. 

This last trimester has begun with its challenges.  My back and hips are struggling, very painful. I don't sleep well and can't ever get comfortable. It doesn't help that I am in the process of my 3 month student teaching experience in a first grade class and am gone 8.5-9 hours a day.  Even though Carter is still in Kindergarten I feel that I am constantly caring for 27 Carter's.  Love the boy and love the age, but 27 of them every day for 7.5 hours (we have extended day schools), is just a bit overwhelming when dealing with the energy level accompanied with my severe back/hip pain.  The combination leaves me pretty useless the rest of the time!  Poor Steve has had to take on quite the load at home. I can not express how thankful I am for such an amazing husband. 

Despite the overwhelming work and the pain, I am enjoying my student teaching.  My cooperating teacher is great. She is very understanding and accommodating.  I am learning a lot and the experience is priceless.  I love the school I am in and the Principal too.  Even with the frustrating moments, those kids make me laugh every day.  It is impossible not to love them, and yearn for their well being. I am thankful to have this opportunity and just hope I make it through before this little guy decides to make his grand entrance.  I should have one week to spare, but you never know!

Doctor says I am measuring just right. I have gained less weight than with my other two but I also started out bigger.  We have another ultrasound in a few weeks to check baby's kidneys again before birth but I feel a lot less worried knowing whatever it is, is fixable.   This little man is very active.  The kids and Steve all enjoy feeling him move and of course I do too!  I just hope he decides to sleep at least some normal times once he arrives.  I am excited for April, but I feel content right now knowing that he is protected and can be with me all the time.  Its amazing how the bond begins so soon between a mother and her child. I am thankful for this time!

These pictures are horrible but at least I feel that I have something to show my belly.  I had to tweak the coloring a little bit cause I look terrible. The bags under my eyes look like black eyes, I am slouching, my hair is flat and greasy, and my skin is pasty white.  There was no way to hide it all but hey, I tried!

Catch up

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End of November:

November was kept busy with school and family.  

Elli participated in the reflections program for her school and won! She wrote a poem about how people are all different.  Her poem went on to the next level and she was thrilled to get a medal!

We went to our first BYU game with the kids.  They didn’t enjoy it very much, besides the foot long maple bars (cougar claws) and hot chocolate!  Surprisingly we stayed plenty warm and made it until half time at least!  

I spent the month beginning my student teaching in a first grade class at a school in my neighborhood.  It was really nice to not have to commute to Orem every day.  UVU has us do a month of student teaching in November and then our 3 months are from January through March in the same class.  It is actually really nice to get used to the schedule, the teacher’s routine, and the students. 

For Thanksgiving dinner we enjoyed going to Grandma Smiths. The kids slept over there and Neisha and I went up to Park City to work with Steve on Black Friday.  We actually really enjoyed it. Our mistake was shopping for a while before beginning to work, that made our feet really tired by the end of the morning.  

More catch up...

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I was happy to finish out the semester after a good month of student teaching and some intense tests and presentations.  Christmas break was wonderful to say the least!  Neisha came and spent a few days with us and then Steve’s mom and dad came for a week for Christmas and Zachary’s baby blessing.  It was fun to spend time together as we don’t get to see them very often. 

We played the m&m game. As you can tell, Carter is pouting, as he does every time he is losing.

Making treats for the elves, Mrs. Claus, and Santa.

Christmas Eve PJ's and socks from Grandmas and Grandpas.

Our family on Christmas morning.

Santa brought the kids new bikes and helmets.

Elli and Bailey also got skateboards from Grandma Shellee and Grandpa. It was hilarious watching them try them.  You will also notice the Seahawk shirts they are wearing. Carter got one too, as well as unborn baby boy.  I think it was Steve's favorite part of the day.

*I am really not biased to my girls. Carter just hates pictures taken and the girls love it.  Thus, the overload of girly pictures!

Bed head, Bad attitude, and other random Boy stuff

Carter is in great need of a haircut but he doesn't want to cut it.  He wants to grow it out he says.  Problem is, he doesn't have the hair type to have longer hair. It is too thin and grows straight forward. Now that its hanging over his ears, I may have to come up with something creative to cure this situation.

The other day, Steve brought up the idea that it is time to start threatening/bribing/reminding kids with the 'Santa Card'.  He tried it with Carter a few minutes later and his response was, "I don't really care if I am bad cause I want coal anyways."  It wasn't even a response with attitude.  He was dead serious and then even started his Christmas list with 'coal' written at the top.  So much for that idea.  Great...

Carter got 2 behavior slips at school this week.  At least he is open about telling me.  I am having behavior problems with him at home too so I don't doubt school is no different. He is always mad, whining, yelling, crying, about something. Its hard to look at it from a teacher and parent perspective now because although I can see the problems taking place both places, I don't have a clue what to do about it.  It is making me crazy! 

I have always said that Carter has only 2 sides- angel and devil.  It still stands true.  Nothing beats his snuggles and hugs and sweet "I love you mommy", and yet, more times than not lately, its the other side that prevails, screaming, kicking, "I hate you", and threats.  I sure wish we could figure it out :(

Meeting Zachary

We want to welcome sweet little baby Zachary into the Robinson family. Its amazing how small they can be and still fit perfectly into a family. He is a perfect blend of Dave and Kate and I can definitely see Natalie in him.  What a cute little family!  We were so happy to meet him and can't wait for our little guy to arrive. I bet they will be good little cousin buddies.  There is nothing like holding a newborn straight from heaven. Congrats Dave and Kate!

Wax Museum

Bailey had her 5th grade wax museum this week.  She chose to represent Elizabeth Blackwell- the first female doctor.  We went down to see her. She was very excited about it. I wasn't feeling well and didn't get any video of her script, but at least we made it to support her.