Our Preschool Decision

Jeremy started preschool this year. He goes Tuesday and Thursday from 9am-12pm. I was a preschool teacher at The Grove Preschool before kids. I loved it! I truly believe preschool helps kids with their social interaction, spiritual growth and introduction to education. I was able to hand pick his teachers. I know them well, so I was at ease with the fact that I was leaving my precious son for 6 hours a week in the hands of loving teachers that would pour into him socially, spiritually and educationally. We talked to him about it many times in the months before. He was interested to go. Excited on the day of his open house. 

Our "plan" (I put it in quotes because, we make plans and God laughs, knowing His plan is always better) was to have the kids go to preschool for 2 years then start homeschooling with Kindergarden. We wanted them to get the feel and structure of school by going so it was already instilled in them when we start at home. 

He enjoyed school while he was there. 

However, each morning we got up to get ready he didn't want to go. He didn't really fight me but he said multiple times that he didn't want to go and he wanted to stay home with Lulu and I. I asked many open ended questions trying to get a reason. He said there was nothing wrong at school, he liked his friends, he liked his teachers, but he just wanted to be home. We were making his Christmas card for this teacher, I asked what he wanted it to say, "Thank you for being my teacher but I don't like to go to school." 

What a sweet thing to hear from your child! It was breaking my heart! The battle I was facing was difficult. I didn't want him to think he could quit things he didn't care for. But there are SO many other situations we can teach this lesson! 

The ONLY days he did want to go were days we would be there with him.

While talking through our decision to keep him in school or allow him to stay home. One thought we had was that there was so much free time at home maybe he was resisting the structure at school. To test this theory out we added an hour of school work each day while Capri took her morning nap. We changed the type of work each day tracing pages, comprehension worksheet, science projects, etc. He LOVED it! He said, "Why do I need to go to school if you can teach me at home?" This kid is just too smart! 

From top left: Riding in the truck, doing school pages, science project with friends,
reading Lego magazine, playing in the rain, school pages on the patio, making tamales, painting,
using pipe cleaners to make hate with strainers, finger painting, gathering eggs, play dates,
Cutting practice, sorting marbles, digging in the dirt, fixing sprinklers, playing with playdoh.

In addition to his resistance to school, it has now been 4 months. I am on limited lifting and movement with this pregnancy. So taking him to and from while lifting Capri in and out of the car seat was another factor. 

The final decision. . . We decided he will be staying home. 

We explained to him that we love him and respect that he went for 4 months and we also respect that he wants to be home. He knows about the restrictions with the pregnancy and that played a factor. At this point, I think we will play next year by ear. 

Now my preschool teacher mind is going crazy with all the fun things we can do! But more importantly, my mommy mind is at ease and not feeling the struggle of wanting to keep my boy close! 

Pregnancy Update 24 Weeks

The kids were in a silly mood this week!
Our baby girl has gained 4 oz since last week! Making her 1 1/3 pounds. Since she's almost a foot long,she's about the size of an ear of corn. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world.

Time for the monthly update! 

How far along?  24 Weeks

Total weight gain: 17 pounds
Maternity clothes? Yep! I am loving wearing Bobby's shirts during the day, at home.
Stretch marks? Nope!
Miss Anything? Picking up my sweet girl when she wants to be carried.
Movement: She just might be a gymnast! 
Food cravings: I could really go for some tamales with an over medium egg on top!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Gender: GIRL!! We are still deciding on names! I think we may have to wait until she is born to decide!
Labor Signs: No, thank God!
Symptoms: Not any I can think of.
Belly Button in or out? In!
Wedding rings on or off? ON!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Nursing. I love breastfeeding!
Ultrasound check in: My cervix is still the same! 2.4cm No shortening in the last 2 weeks! Whoot whoot! 

I felt hiccups this week! It's such a cool feeling!
Little Miss Martens gained 2 cousins! As soon as we get a picture of William Sloat we will share it. He was born on December 15, 2013.
And the youngest, as of now, Levi William Heidtmann, born on December 29, 2013.

Pregnancy Update 23 weeks

 Little miss is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound,
about the size of a Mango.Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing.
Her ears are developing at a rapid rate. 
Loud noises are becoming familiar now. 

A few strangers this weeks asked how far along I am! Yay! We have entered the "pregnant" look as opposed to the "you're getting fat" look! 

I don't have much to report this week! my injections was a little sore this go around. It lasted a few days. From what I can tell, we have had no side effects! I get my last cervical ultrasound next week. That will tell if they out the stitch in. I am still a little unsure if I want to go that route. I need to do some more research on it. They can't put the stitch in after 24 weeks because it may cause damage to the uterus. 

I'll be seeing you at the 24 weeks update! 

December 2013 Update

This month was too crazy to get anything other then a picture! 

Pregnancy Update Baby 22 weeks

 Our baby girl is 11 inches and almost 1 pound. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct,
and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums.
Her pancreas is developing steadily, too.

Injections are going well! WE found out this week B has been using the wrong needle! They send us 2 sizes, 18G and 21G. He is supposed to use the larger one to draw out the mediation, then switch to the smaller to inject! Opps! It was painful and sore longer but I just figured that came with the territory! Although, it's still painful and sore, it's a much smaller scale!

My cervix is still shortening. It's a 2.4cm now. 2 weeks ago it was 2.8cm. Which is not a dramatic change nor is it "stitch worthy." But the doctor is still slightly concerned. They can't put the stitch in after 24 weeks. So She says, "Take it easy." Minimize lifting Capri as much a possible! So, when B is home he will help. I will pretty much be home bound when he is working! Yikes! I am going to HAVE to slow down. It will be tough but maybe we can avoid bed rest by starting this early! 

Jeremy 3 1/2 Update

Weight 

He is going to be so upset at this picture one day! 

He is a steady 31 pounds. Still on the skinny side!

Health

He loves mini golf.

I thank God all the time that we haven't had any major health problems or injuries! Jeremy is a jumper, bouncer, climb to the highest thing and jump off kind of boy! It's amazing we haven't had any huge injuries!

Sleep

This boy is a great sleeper! He wakes up around 6:30am, naps from 1-3:30pm and heads to bed at 8:30pm. Interestingly he rarely naps on the days he has school. He stays in his bed but is usually singing or playing pretend in his little mind. I don't think school is active enough for him.

Clothes

We are slowly weeding out the 2T shorts and moving 3T shirts in. Pants and shorts are 3T, only because of the length. We have to use the ones that have the elastic at the waist and scrunch them tight! He is in a size 10 shoe.

Social

Preschool is Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 12. I'm having a struggle with it! Every morning we get up to get ready he tells me he doesn't want to go :(. This makes me so sad! The only reasons he gives are he doesn't like it and that he wants to stay home with Capri and I. While making the Christmas cards out for his teachers he wanted me to write, "Thank you for being my teacher but I don't like school." He is such a social, outgoing kid that it takes me by surprise. I am a huge supporter of homeschooling and believe kids belong at home with their parents so this really gets to me. I have him in preschool to get the idea and structure of school, so when we start homeschooling, he has an idea of what it looks like. But i am send guessing that logic now. On the other hand, I don't want to let him quit something because he doesn't like it. However, there are so many other instances in life this lesson can be taught. We haven't decided to take him out yet. But I am going to start taking some time to do school work at home and see if that helps. . . After Christmas, that is!

Brotherly/Sisterly Love

Jeremy continues to amaze us with his love for his sister (and others). He is so kind to her! We have had a few times where he is too rough or doesn't stop when she is whining and not saying, "Stop." But we are working through those!

Diet

He tries to be picky! He tries to tell us he doesn't like whatever it is depending on his mood! However, he doesn't get away with it! He eats what we make. Each time! He doesn't do it at every meal and with the same thing. EXCEPT potatoes! No matter which way. .. yes EVEN french fries. . . he says he doesn't like them. He still has to try a bite each time but that's all. His favorite foods includes: Cheese, eggs in the middle, cereal, and Cuties (tangerines).
WE have noticed he has a drop in his sugar level when he wakes up in the morning and at nap time. We have to make sure we have food on hand AS SOON AS he wakes up. Or juice to spike his sugar. We also make sure he has some kinds of snack with protein around 10am. If we forget, he spirals down to almost a temper tantrum he can't control. When it get to that point by the time he has had a few fruit snack or 1/2 cup of straight juice he is back to himself. It took quite a while to figure out what was making our happy go lucky boy turn into a crazy kid! Now that we have it down, we are sure to keep up with it!

Milestones 

Jeremy is really good at riding his bike. We are starting to teach him without training wheels. He has crazy good driving skills! He drives his John Deer Gator all over the yard. He gives every kids a ride and tries to teach them how to drive. He says his favorite passenger is his Sissy!

Personality

There are so many little things to write about Jeremy! The monthly posts help so much! Here are the words I have out around the pictures: Prays for strength, loves God, great swimmer, naked sleeper, works outside with daddy any chance he gets, teaches Capri, Loves to get eggs and wrangle the chickens, new found love for Legos, acts out Bible stories, active imagination, writes songs.
We love getting to know this little man!

I am so blessed to be able to stay home with my kids
and watch them grow every day! 

Pregnancy Update 19, 20, & 21 Weeks

I'm falling a little behind! Being pregnant and chasing after 2 kids is slowing me down! I feel like I can barely keep up with the house! That is dishes, laundry and a simple chore here and there. My Housekeeping schedule is out the window right now! 

But here's the past 2 weeks! BIG NEWS!! 

Baby GIRL weighs in at 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, the size of an heirloom tomato.  
Her sensory development is exploding!
Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch.
She can hear our voices now. Jeremy loves to sing to her!
Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting

 Baby girl weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now and is about 10 inches, the size of a banana.  She's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system.

How far along? 20 Weeks

Total weight gain: 11 pounds
Maternity clothes? I am pretty much only in maternity. Leggings and yoga pants are my favorite! I have finally switched out my closet from non-maternity to all maternity. 
Stretch marks? Nope!
Miss Anything? The ease of getting up and bending over!
Movement: Oh yes! This little girl MOVES! 
Food cravings: Not really.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Gender: GIRL!! We are deciding between Heidi Rae or Marie  and Rowan Elyse. We are open to suggestions on middle names
Labor Signs: No, thank God!
Symptoms: Not any I can think of.
Belly Button in or out? In!
Wedding rings on or off? ON!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Holding my sweet girl!
Ultrasound check in: Cervical length is good it hasn't shortened since the last US. We spotted her sucking her thumb again! 

Our little love is about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long, the size of a carrot!
Her eyebrows and lids are present now. This little girl is a MOVER!  I feel her all the time!  

I still haven't noticed the emotional days the past few weeks. Bobby may beg to differ and want to comment on this! Maybe he should be blogging on my moods! Ha! I have had back pain. All this pulling towards the front is causing aches. To be expected, of course. I did get a massage on week 19! That was so nice! I'm due to go to the chiropractor next week. That should help as well. 

Our anatomy scan at the 20 week appointment confirmed it's a GIRL! And that baby is growing SO, SO well! Praise God! Although, we don't expect anything to go wrong, there is always a little sense of fear when going to that appointment! The technician stated, "This is the most active baby I have ever seen!" I feel what she's saying! She does not stop moving! Except, of course, when her Daddy wants to feel her! Which is the COMPLETE opposite from Jeremy and Capri. They would jump, bounce, leap inside when they heard his voice or touched my belly! Dare I say we MAY just may have a Mommy's girl on our hands?? One can always hope!  

Oh yes. . . And a cervix update! It has stayed at 2.6cm! Praise Jesus!! SO far no stitch is needed! 

Whew! That was a lot to update! See you at 22 weeks!