VBS: Armor of God

We had a great week hosting VBS! We choose the theme Armor of God because I found a website with all the material and lessons planned out. Click here for the website: Armor of God Lesson Plans
Each mom was assigned one day and one piece of armor. They came up with a craft, snack and outside activity that pertained to the piece of armor. It was seamless all week. The kids really got into it!
*I need to be a little more diligent about taking pictures! I missed a few!

Day 1: The Belt of Truth

Craft: Make a belt out of felt, string, & duct tape. Decorate with things that remind you of the truth God teaches.
Snack: Fruit by the foot
Outside activity: Form a circle, pass a hula hoop from each child to the next. The kids LOVED twisting their body to get through the hula hoop while still holding hands with their friends!

Showing and teaching about a Japanese Beetle!

Day 2: The Shoes of Peace

Craft: Pre-cut shoes out of fun foam, take yarn and lace them. Make sure you use the end of the yarn to make some kind of design for their feet to go through to keep them on. Color the shoes.
Snack: PB & J sandwiches using a shoe cookie cutter, we didn't get a picture. :(
Outside activity: The kids line up at the fence. They each take one of their shoes off, put it inside a hula hoop laid flat on the ground and return to the fence. At 1, 2, 3 the kids run to pick up any shoe. They find the friend it belongs to. A few kids were not ok with giving up their shoes and other kids picking it up! We did not foresee this being an issue!

Day 3: The Breastplate of Righteousness & Sword of the Spirit

Craft: Breastplate: Pre-cut fun foam in the shape of a shield, add string to wear it like a front facing backpack, hot glue lids from cans (tomato sauce, canned veggies, ect.) To show we need to protect our heart. Sword: Cut cardboard in the shape of a sword, cover the handle in duct tape, cover the sword part in tin foil. We didn't get a picture of this :(
Snack: Graham crackers for the breastplate, grapes on a skewer for the sword.
Outside activity: WE made a kid car wash out of PVC and pool noodles. The kids ran through it with their breastplates and swords fighting off the "enemy" (water).

Day 4: Helmet of Salvation

Craft: Piece together pre-cut helmet pieces, decorate with stickers.
Snack: Fruit from the watermelon helmet, fig newtons with frosting to look like a Bible.
Outside activity: The kids wore helmets in a obstacle course while adults bopped them on the head with pool noodles! They really like this activity!

Day 5: Shield of Faith

Craft: Color and decorate paper plates, hot glue pipe cleaner on the back as a handle.
Snack: Cheese and crackers, Shield cookies, strawberries cut in 1/2 to look like a shield. Again, no picture :(
Outside activity: We made shields out of heavy duty cardboard. 1/2 the kids held the shields, 1.2 the kids through water balls or used water squirters to get them! The Daddies got involved!

We had a fabulous week! We ended the week with a barbecue and worship played by some of the daddies!

Heidi-Rae: 3 Month Update

Weight 

Heidi-Rae is weighing in at 12 pounds! She has some cute little chunk on her legs, arms, and a double chin! Only on a baby can you say those things are cute! Ha!

Health

Her sweet eyes red from coughing :(

We had a bout of sickness run through our house. Heidi had it the worst. Poor girl! She couldn't breathe, she was coughing, it was so hard to watch my sweet girl looking up at me to fix her! It only last a few days and we were back to normal!

Sleep

Top Left: I feel asleep snuggling, Baby stayed awake! Daddy took a picture, He thought it was hilarious!
Bottom Left: She rarely falls asleep without being rocked. This time she asked for it. The white thing she is snuggling with it called a "froggy" they have them at the hospital. We aren't supposed to take them home. I have no idea how it ended up in our home!
Far Right: She never sleeps on her back! She is just more comfortable on her tummy. I had to get this shot! 

I think we are starting to get somewhat of a schedule of our day. Heidi seems to be pretty consistent with sleeping until 9pm, naps from 11-12pm, 1:30-3pm, and a short one around 6pm. She tends to go to bed around 9pm and wake up for a morning feeding around 5:30am, then she falls asleep again until 9am. You can never get enough sleeping baby pictures!

Clothes

No more newborn pants! We are all 3 month clothes! And we have made the move to size 2 diapers due to her chunk on her thighs!

Social

Aunt Florence

We also had family visit from Vermont. They were happy to snuggle with my girl!
We have started venturing out a bit when Daddy is working. We hosted a mini VBS (Vacation Bible School) for a week. It was great to have friends here everyday! The kids learned about The Armor of God. Heidi slept for most of it but there were a few times she participated! Here is the link:
VBS: Armor of God. We have also been doing swim lessons for Jeremy and Capri. So each morning we are up and out of the house. I usually run errands on the way. This has been good practice for me. And there is church! I have yet to let Heidi go into her nursery class. But I think we will try it out this week! "They" say it get easier with the more kids you have, "they" lie!

Brotherly/Sisterly Love

I love to have the girls match! 

I just love to watch these 3 create a bond! Heidi-Rae gets such a sweet smile when she sees them!

Diet

Our 4th of july outfits a week early at church!
The girls are matching! GUSH!

All breastmilk! I still can't have dairy but I'm getting by. I enjoy almond milk. I have found some ice cream that's really good made from almond milk. I have found that goat's milk doesn't bother her, so I have been using goat cheese. I was going to do goat's milk (it's the closest thing to human milk) but i think money-wise I should stick with almond milk. I also tried "dairy free" cheese. Bleck! I couldn't handle it! I'll just stick with garnishing with goat cheese and avoid other things that are mostly cheese! We are still using probiotics and can tell a difference in her uncomfortableness, gassy-ness, and all around happiness when we miss 2 days in a row.
I'm still too chicken to post a boob shot! I need to get a a modest one!

Milestones 

Heidi took her first dip in the pool this month! it's been so hot. She didn't mind it at all, just snuggled into me. The water was really nice.

Personality

We played dress up!

She loves to be close to me and in her carrier. Which I also love! I rarely get alone time with her since she dropped her night time feedings. I was really sad about that. I don't mind getting up in the middle of the night because I got alone time with her. I know this sounds like crazy talk!

Postpartum

I am still struggling here! I have NO time to work out! It's hard to take walks because Jerermy has to be on a bike, which leaves me worrying about him in the street and doesn't make for a good workout, it's more of a fun activity. I should start my 10 minute work out videos. The kids could join me. Ok, I will! At least that's a start! Hold me to it! I'll have a good resort next month under this section. . . hopefully! 

Heidi-Rae BIRTHday: Part 2

2 hours old

In the previous post (found here: Heidi-Rae's BIRTHday), I had just delivered. 

Taking her APGAR scores.
In the top picture, they have oxygen forcing her to breathe.
She was grunting, telling them there was fluid in her lungs.
She was a 1.5 hours old.

We didn't really know what was  going on, expect that she was having trouble breathing. We could hear her grunting. The room was pretty quiet while the NICU doctors tried to figure out what was wrong. Dr. Doung, once again proved how great of a doctor she is, she stayed (even though we knew she had plans at 7:30pm) and watched what they were doing. She told us what was going on. She was very calming!
They finally decided Heidi-Rae (although nameless at this point and would remain that way until 48 hours old! We just couldn't decide!) needed to have an x-ray. They took her to the next room over.

They let me hold her before they took her. 

After an hour, we hadn't heard anything. I was scared, annoyed, frustrated, ect. I sent Bobby to the room to check things out. He took this video to show me how she was doing.

Her breathing broke my heart. After about 3 hours, they decided she needed to be admitted to the NICU while waiting for the chest x-ray results.
We were moved to a postpartum room and I was able to pump at 11pm! I had been asking since I knew she was to be admitted. I was so excited I tok a picture!

A FULL oz of colostrum! 

We went to visit our baby girl right after. You can read the NICU story starting here: Heidi-Rae NICU Day 1. 

Heidi-Rae's BIRTHday!

Heidi-Rae Lauren Martens
April 2, 2014
7:22pm
6lb 7oz, 18in

I love to hear labor stories! It's just amazing to me that EVERY single birth and delivery is different! God works so many miracles in just one birth! I am already 5 weeks past Heidi's BIRTHday! I fear I have forgotten some details!! I better jot them down before I forget any more!

Rewind to Tuesday, April 1, 2014. We were saying how it would be kinda cool to have an April Fool's baby. In the morning, I thought I had a little leakage, aka my water breaking, but it was just a tiny bit and didn't continue throughout the day. I didn't want to go to the hospital until I knew it was the real thing this time, because we had already gone in 4 times (2 of which was not active labor). There were no contractions, despite being up and about ALL day. We even went crusin that night on dirt roads! The next day (April 2) was my weekly check up. My mom was going to watch the kids, but it snowed in Big Bear the night before so she couldn't make it down. We took Jeremy and Capri to the appointment with us!
The doctor asked if I had any leaking. I told her what my day before had looked like. She decided to check, just in case. Sure enough, my water bag was broken and the tests came back positive for Amniotic fluid. I was checked into Labor and Delivery quickly. Bobby rushed back to Riverside to drop the kids off with Danielle (who was watching another friend's daughter! Giving her a grand total of 5 kids! What a great friend!) and rush back to Loma Linda!

Awesome friend! 

Bobby made it back in time for the epidural and things to get started. . .
Or so we thought!

I wasn't having contractions and since my water had been broken for a little over 24 hours, they needed to give me pitocin to jump start labor. Dr. Doung thought it was best to give me the epidural before the pitocin because I had been in labor so many times AND this was my 3rd, they thought I would deliver quickly! Bobby makes it back in less then an hour! Epidural goes in. . . Oh my, was it painful! I have never felt the epidural go in, because I am usually having contractions during the process! Pitocin is started. . . I am dilated to 6cm and stay that way for about 4 hours! What? I thought this was going to happen quickly! The doctor is confused as to why it's taking so long. She checks me a little more in depth. . .

I had a "forebag." A sack of amniotic fluid below the baby's head that leaked yesterday. Since the baby was so low she kinda pinched it and the rest of the bag hadn't broke! Well, the Dr. took care of that, whith a tool that resembled a 8" crotchet hook! Within 20 minutes I was dilated to 9cm. We pushed for 15 minutes and our beautiful baby girl was born at 7:22pm on April 2, 2014!

Love at first sight!
Notice her color, not pink.
In the bottom left, they are rubbing her, quite vigorously,
with a blanket, trying to get her to "pink up.":

For the last few weeks of pregnancy, Bobby was convinced Heidi was a boy. He would say "he" when talking to her or about her. While he was dropping the kids off, I told the doctor this. She cracked up! We had SO many ultra sounds, it was pretty much impossible "her" to be a "him." Nonetheless, she decided to mess with Bobby. As soon as Heidi-Rae came out, she said,

"IT'S A BOY!"

Bobby believed her! He said, "No way, really??" Looking at he baby!

Dr, "NO! You had like 50 ultrasounds!"

Haha! Good times! Our Doctor was awesome! I wish we had a picture with her! But things were a little stressful.
Read the rest of the story here: Heidi-Rae BIRTHday: Part 2

Heidi-Rae: 2 Month Update

Weight 

We had Heidi's 2 month check up and shots. She weighed in at 10lbs 15oz and 22 inches long. Shots were brutal. We believe in shots (See this post on vaccines) but on a slow schedule. However, since we are flying in August, I'm nervous about her catching some respiratory disease and kicking myself because it was something that could have been prevented. There are nasty germs on airplanes and being stuck in a cabin for hours with who knows what. . . not a risk I wanted to take with my sweet girl. So, she got 5 shots. . . I KNOW! 5! That's is SO many! And she will get the same in August right before we leave. Then the 6 month ones will be spaced out. She is starting to fill out a little!

Health

Thankfully we have been in the clear! We have one healthy babe!

Sleep

Little miss still sleeps a majority of the day. She's awake for a few hours here and there. We love our time with her! She has dropped one night time feeding. When she goes to bed about 9pm, she sleeps until 3am. She loves to sleep in our bed, What baby doesn't love the smell of Daddy and Mommy! She doesn't sleep all night. Mostly just for naps. I'm worried to have her in there at night because the older 2 end up with us by 6am and they might pounce on her! Notice the "Jeremy Noah" hoppy?? It was my intention to have each kid's name engraved. . . That didn't work out!

She received her blanket from Zia!
All the kids have a special blanket they sleep with! 

Clothes

Patriotic Baby!

We are into the 0-3month and 3 month bin! Newborn clothe are put away. Well, except for pants. She is still a little tiny in the length and waste.

Social

She goes every where with me! I haven't left her yet. I take that back, I have gone to get my nails done and she stayed with Bobby. She came on our anniversary trip with us. She is a doll. She just goes with the flow. Gigi comes to visit often.

Brotherly/Sisterly Love

He was singing to her! 

Capri loves to hold her! 

The older ones still adore Heidi-Rae. Capri doesn't realize how strong she is. I really have to watch her. She asks to hold Heidi multiple times a day! She runs to get a pacifier as soon as she cries. Jeremy sits next to her in the car. He is so patient and gentle if she needs something. He gets excited when she falls asleep after he has helped her!

Diet

She loves to fall asleep where she can smell milk! HA!

100% breastmilk! I had to take dairy out of my diet. And we have started on probiotics. The are the opposite of "antibiotics." It's common with baits that had strong antibiotics when they were first born, to have trouble digesting. The antibiotic destroys all the good and bad antibodies in their body to kill off the infection. Probiotics help rebuild the good antibodies to help her digest easier. Heidi is really gassy! But with no dairy and probiotics, she has been doing much better. When I have a hint of dairy, I can tell. We give her mint water to soothe her tummy. It's amazing how well it works, almost instantly.

Milestones 

Just beautiful!

Our little girl is smiling!! We love it, the kids love it! Everybody that catches a glimpse of it, just adores it!

Not too big of a fan of Tummy Time. We are working with her! 

Heidi has started to enjoy her time watching the lights on her little star!
It won't be long before she is grasping at toys under here! AHHH!

Personality

Girls Day! The boys were helping someone out this day.

Call me crazy, but I think she knows she is the third! She had lungs that let you know she needs or wants something! She loves to be snuggled! Which, I don't always have the time for! Needless to say, I wear her in my carrier very often! Especially she we go out and about. It's the only way to stay sane with 3 kids in a public place!

Postpartum

This has been a struggle with me! I know I will get there. But at this point, I'm basically wearing anything has an elastic waist: yoga pants, skirts, & dresses that are nursing friendly. 

Courageous

This energetic, fun loving, passionate, little boy amazes us everyday! I wanted to make sure I remember this precious time in Jeremy's life! He LOVES the sons Courageous by Casting Crowns. It's such a beautiful song. If this is the mantra for his life, I would be one happy Mama. Its gets me all chocked up and teary eyes to hear him belt out these lyrics! 
You can click on the name of the song to see and hear it on You tube.

Courageous by Casting Crowns
We were made to be courageous
We were made to lead the way
We could be the generation that finally breaks the chains

We were made to be courageous
We were made to be courageous

We were warriors on the front lines,
standing unafraid.
But now we're watchers on the side lines,
while our families slip away.
Where are you men of courage?
you were made for so much more.
Let the pounding of our hearts cry,
we will serve the Lord.

We were made to be courageous,
and were taking back the fight.
We were made to be courageous,
and it starts with us tonight.
The only way we'll ever stand,
is on our knees with lifted hands.
Make us courageous,
Lord make us courageous.
This is our resolution, our answer to the call,
We will love our wives and children,
and refuse to let them fall.
We will reignite the passion,
that we buried deep inside.
May the watchers become warriors,
let the men of God arise.

Background:
seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God
seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God

Lead singer:
In the war of the mind i will make my stand,
in the battle of the heart, in the battle of the hands.
in the war of the mind i will make my stand,
in the battle of the heart, in the battle of the hands
Source: <a href="http://phonelyrics.com">click here</a>

Family Surprise Trip

While I was on bed rest, Jeremy would ask to go places everyday. One day he said, "Ya know mom, I have never been on a hot air balloon ride!" Ha! I'm pretty sure 90% of people haven't! BUT I remembered Irvine had a free hot air balloon ride. Upon some research (I had so much time on my hands I welcomed an opportunity to research something!), I found that it was no longer free, $10 per person, the kids would be free. Still a good deal!

Jeremy also LOVES hotels that have breakfast in the morning! I tell ya, this kid is such a crack up! With all these plans he had, we put together a special surprise trip for Daddy and Capri, after the baby was born!

Our first stop was Starbucks:

First Family Picture! 

Then we headed to the Irvine Spectrum to ride the Merry Go Round:

But it was closed!
Oh Well. . . 

We ate lunch and headed to the Farris Wheel. They wouldn't let us take Heidi on the Ferris Wheel. They said everybody had to sit on their own, no lap children. That was kinda annoying!

LuLu eating pepper!
The bottom picture is on the Farris Wheel!
The kids LOVED it!

Time to check into the hotel and swim! 

The water was too cold! (Top Left)
The Jacuzzi was too Hot! (Top Right)
Bobby used a trash can to bucket cold water from the pool into the Jacuzzi
Then it was better (middle right) for about 15 minutes, until the heater kicked on!

Jeremy and I didn't really talk about dinner plans. We decided to go back to the Spectrum and go to Dave and Busters to play games:

We used the tickets on super cool bouncy balls!

Stopped at the park on the way out:

I didn't get a picture at breakfast. We headed to Great Park:

Left: Bobby teaching J about fossils!

UP, UP and AWAY!

It's hard to tell what they are doing. . ..
They are throwing their bouncy balls from last night up and down the runway!
The park is on an unused Marine Corps Base. 

We had so much fun!! Jeremy has been giving Bobby ideas on where He and Capri can take us for the next surprise trip!